Risks from transgenic crops.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Aminobutyrates↗
Biomedical subjects
A Robertson
Publications and source records attributed to A Robertson.
Psychological sequelae of mountain accidents: a preliminary study.
Studies of the victims of road traffic accidents and of violent crime have shown that a significant minority continue to display mood disorders and posttraumatic symptoms one year later; however, few studies have been conducted on victims of other kinds of accident. Thirty-one subjects admitted to hospitals after a mountain accident in the Scottish Highlands were followed up at 3-month intervals over 9 months to determine the prevalence of psychological sequelae; a variety of questionnaires were used to measure mood and other psychological effects. A large minority experienced at least mild depression and other negative consequences at follow-up, despite relatively minor physical injuries; subjects who experienced intrusive thoughts and avoidance of accident-related phenomena demonstrated the least recovery.
Accidents↗
Praziquantel: an urgent and exciting challenge.
The anthelmintic drug praziquantel has proved useful in the treatment of schistosomiasis. The precise mechanism by which praziquantel kills the parasites has yet to be elucidated. Here, John Kusel and colleagues review the current theories on praziquantel action and suggest future avenues for research, which becomes urgent in the light of some reports of drug resistance.
Journal Article↗
Incidence of pulp necrosis subsequent to pulp canal obliteration from trauma of permanent incisors.
Little long-term data are available on the frequency by which pulp canal obliteration (PCO) subsequent to trauma leads to pulp necrosis (PN). In this study, 82 concussed, subluxated, extruded, laterally luxated, and intruded permanent incisors presenting with PCO were followed for a period of 7 to 22 yr (mean 16 yr). At final clinical examination, 51% of the observed teeth responded normally to electric pulp testing (EPT). An additional 40% of the teeth although not responding to EPT were clinically and radiographically within normal limits. Yellow discoloration was a frequent finding. During the observation period, periapical bone lesions suggesting PN developed in seven teeth (8.5%). Twenty-yr pulp survival rate was 84%, as determined from life-table calculations. There was no higher frequency of PN in obliterated teeth subjected to caries, new trauma, orthodontic treatment, or complete crown coverage than intact teeth. Although the incidence of PN in teeth displaying PCO seems to increase over the course of time, prophylactic endodontic intervention on a routine basis does not seem justified.
Chi-Square Distribution↗
Population genetic studies of HLA-G: allele frequencies and linkage disequilibrium with HLA-A1.
HLA-G is a class I gene that is expressed in the extravillous cytotrophoblast. Although the function of this gene is still unknown, its expression at the maternal-fetal interface suggests that HLA-G may play a key role in the induction of tolerance during pregnancy. Preliminary to our studies of the effects of HLA-G polymorphisms on pregnancy outcome, we have defined HLA-G alleles in the Hutterites. We report here the presence of nine HLA-G alleles that differ with respect to nucleotide sequences, including four groups of alleles that differ with respect to amino acid sequences, and striking linkage disequilibrium between HLA-G and HLA-A alleles. The levels and sites of polymorphism in HLA-G suggest that this gene had a unique evolutionary history and may perform nonclassical functions at the maternal-fetal interface.
Adult↗
Costs and benefits of cervical screening. I. The costs of the cervical screening programme.
In 1991, the average total Health Service cost of a cervical smear, including follow up at the colposcopy clinic, was almost 22.70 pounds in the Perth and Kinross district of Scotland. The average cost per colposcopy clinic visit was 30 pounds. The main cost elements were in general practice (55% of total) and the laboratory (33%), and most of the cost was for staff time.
Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
Costs and benefits of cervical screening. II. Is it worthwhile reducing the screening interval from 5 to 3 years?
A reduction in screening interval from 5 years to 3 years would greatly increase the cost of the programme, but would save few extra lives. The cost per life saved would be around 250,000 Pounds at 1995 prices, or around 8000 Pounds per life per year saved. There would in addition be human costs for the women screened. The opportunity cost of reducing the interval may be too great, since it is likely that the Health Service would achieve greater health benefits by investing the funds in other health care activities.
Adult↗
Costs and benefits of cervical screening. III. Cost/benefit analysis of a call of previously unscreened women.
A population-based cervical screening programme issued invitations to women with no record of a previous smear. This call was very good value, at 5780 Pounds per life saved or 159 Pounds per life-year saved at 1991 prices. The first priority for the cervical screening service should be comprehensive coverage.
Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
Does ibuprofen affect bilirubin-albumin binding in newborn infant serum?
Intravenous ibuprofen is being studied in sick, premature infants for the prevention of intraventricular haemorrhage and closure of the ductus arteriosus. We tested the effect of ibuprofen on bilirubin-albumin binding in adult and newborn infant serum by measuring the free ibuprofen concentration in the presence of bilirubin (reverse displacement method). At clinically appropriate ibuprofen concentrations the free fraction of bilirubin is increased by a factor of 4. Ibuprofen may increase the risk of bilirubin encephalopathy when used in sick, premature infants.
Adult↗
Delivering the goods, showing our stuff: the case for a constructivist paradigm for health promotion research and practice.
This article argues that there has been a tendency to empower the "conventional" positivist paradigm in health promotion research, often at the expense of confounding or ignoring much of health promotion practice. This article argues further that a "constructivist" research paradigm not only has the potential to resolve some of the tensions between research and practice in health promotion but also is inclusive of knowledge generated by the conventional paradigm. The usefulness of a constructivist paradigm is demonstrated through the use of four practice-based case examples drawn from actual community-based health promotion efforts. The congruence of a constructivist paradigm with the health promotion principles of empowerment and community participation are discussed. Finally, this article argues for the acceptance of the legitimacy of knowledge generated from the constructivist paradigm and concludes that this paradigm is more suited to the goals of current health promotion.
Community Participation↗
Molecular genetic variation and individual survival during population crashes of an unmanaged ungulate population.
Theoretical models of the effect of population bottlenecks on genetic variation assume that individuals are removed at random from the population. We investigated this assumption in a naturally regulated, unstable population of Soay sheep (Ovis aries). During rapid population declines or 'crashes', individuals were not removed at random with respect to genotype: we found associations between individual survival and certain genotypes at five polymorphic protein or microsatellite DNA loci (Ada, Got, Tf, MAF18 and OPACAP). Some loci appeared to show simple associations with survival whereas others had more complex interactions with crash year or age: all displayed different patterns of association between the sexes. Simple overdominance was not a general feature of our data; it seems likely that fluctuating selecting, countervailing selection in different fitness components or frequency-dependent selection may explain the pattern and complexity of the associations shown at different loci. Our study cannot distinguish between selection acting at these loci or at other, closely linked loci. However, our empirical study implies that the molecular genetic outcome of population bottlenecks in natural populations does not always follow theoretical expectations based on the random removal of genotypes. Bottlenecks in which individuals are removed at random are distinct from bottlenecks in which there is scope for selection via non-random survival of individuals.
Alleles↗
Displacement of one ligand by another calculated from the reverse displacement of the second ligand by the first.
This paper relates a generally applicable method for calculating mean displacement of a ligand, B, by another ligand, D, when the reverse displacement of D by B is known. The method is applied to calculating displacement of bilirubin from binding to albumin by a drug, warfarin or ceftriaxone. A binding isotherm for the drug to albumin is drawn, as the logarithm of free drug vs total drug concentration. A second binding isotherm is drawn for the drug in the presence of a certain concentration of bilirubin. The area between the two curves, up to a given total drug concentration, is measured and is divided by the concentration of bilirubin. The antilogarithm of the ratio is equal to the geometric mean of the ratio of free concentrations of bilirubin in the presence and absence of the drug when the bilirubin concentration varies from zero to the given value. The calculations are verified by comparing the direct determinations of the bilirubin displacing effect of the drugs by peroxidase kinetics.
Albumins↗
Biologically relevant assessment of dermal exposure.
Dermal uptake of hazardous substances is dependent on the concentration of the material on the surface of the skin rather than its mass. It is suggested that it would be appropriate to consider the integral of concentration, over the skin surface and throughout the exposure duration, as an appropriate index of dermal exposure. For a low volatility substance this exposure index would correspond to the product of concentration, area of skin exposed and the duration of exposure. For volatile materials the magnitude of the exposure index would additionally depend on the loss of the substance by evaporation. This dermal exposure index is more likely to reflect the contribution to the overall dose received from the skin than the previously used determinations of mass of hazardous substance on the skin. Suggestions are made for possible methods of making measurements using this index.
Environmental Exposure↗
Nutrition and immunization survey of Bosnian women and children during 1993.
BACKGROUND: As a result of the war in Bosnia, millions of displaced people and refugees have come to depend upon international donations of food aid. METHODS: We conducted a survey of 120 randomly selected 'clusters' of households in the Bosnian regions of Sarajevo, Tuzla, Zenica and Bihac (30 'clusters' in each region). Children from 6 to 59 months and their mothers were selected and their nutritional status was examined. Children aged 13-25 months and infants under 16 weeks were also assessed for their immunization status and infant feeding practices respectively. RESULTS: There were no clinical signs of protein-energy undernutrition or micronutrient deficiency in children. Similarly, there were no clinical signs of undernutrition in adults, although 10.8% of the resident women in Sarajevo and 11.9% in Zenica had a Body Mass Index (BMI) below 18.5. Total BCG coverage was 94% while the coverage for DPT/polio was only 55% in Sarajevo and 49% in Zenica. Only 5% of mothers were exclusively breastfeeding babies under 16 weeks. CONCLUSION: While the coverage of the survey was not nationwide and was limited to the first year of the war, the results indicate that in this period serious hunger and undernutrition were prevented in Bosnia, though they suggest that appreciable loss of weight is likely to have occurred. Immunization coverage, except for BCG, and exclusive breastfeeding levels were poor.
Adult↗
Assessing the effectiveness of a screening campaign: who is missed by 80% cervical screening coverage?
A case-control study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a regional call programme in reaching women at risk of cervical cancer. Home interviews were conducted with a random sample of 614 women aged 20-64 who were identified from a computerized register as either having had a smear test within the previous 3 years or not having an up-to-date smear history. Unscreened women fell principally into two age cohorts: under 35 years and over 50 years. A small social class differential was found to persist following the campaign. Overall, unscreened women were not at epidemiologically higher risk than the screened population. Thirty-five per cent of unscreened women reported never having had sexual intercourse compared to 3% of screened women: 17% of the unscreened and 38% of screened women reported two or more lifetime sexual partners. No difference was observed between screened and unscreened women in the frequency of current cigarette smoking (37% unscreened, 38% screened). Cigarette smoking was, however, associated with social class (31% classes 1 or 2 compared with 50% classes 4 and 5). Level of practical difficulties did not differentiate those who attended from those who did not, suggesting that recent changes to delivery or screening services have been effective in ensuring equity of access. Non-attenders and lower class women held more negative attitudes towards the test procedure and were less likely to believe that they were at risk of cervical cancer. Perceived personal risk was not associated with cigarette smoking, suggesting that further attention might be given to this factor in educational campaigns.
Adult↗
Nutrition and infant feeding survey of women and children in Sarajevo during July 1993.
OBJECTIVE: To collect baseline information on nutritional status and infant feeding practices in besieged Sarajevo and to identify areas for action. DESIGN: Thirty communities (clusters) were randomly selected from 84 local communities within besieged Sarajevo. A starting point within a community was randomly selected and subsequent houses visited until the required sample size was reached. 19 collective centres were included in a separate sample. SETTING: The survey was carried out in besieged Sarajevo during July 1993. SUBJECTS: Subjects included residents and refugees. The nutritional status of 524 children aged from six to 59 months and 494 women of child-bearing age was assessed. Information on feeding practices was obtained from a subsample of 64 mothers with babies less than 16 weeks old. MEASUREMENTS: Children and the women who accompanied them were weighed and measured. Weight for height Z scores were calculated for children and body mass index (BMI) was calculated for women. A structured questionnaire on infant feeding practices was administered to mothers of babies. RESULTS: There were no indications of undernutrition in children above the 2.5% which would normally be expected in a population. Among resident women, 10.8% had a BMI < 18.5, compared to 4.4% among refugee women in private accommodation and 8.6% in collective centres. The weights of refugee women in collective centres were significantly higher than the weights of resident women (ANOVA, p = 0.03). Only 6% of mothers with babies less than 16 weeks old were exclusively breast feeding. CONCLUSION: Nutritional monitoring proved to be possible and useful in assessing breast feeding practices and nutritional status. The level of exclusive breast feeding was extremely low, probably due to lack of relevant education of health workers.
Adult↗
X inactivation pattern in interstitial deletions of the fragile X region.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Dosage Compensation, Genetic↗