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Biomedical subjects

B Green

Publications and source records attributed to B Green.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Length of stay, leave and re-offending by patients from a Queensland security patients hospital.

OBJECTIVE: The release of patients from a security patients hospital has been the subject of public controversy. The present study uses empirical data to examine the length of stay, leave, and re-offending of patients from a security hospital. METHODS: Survival analysis was used to examine factors that may be predictive of length of stay and time under restriction, as well as time to first overnight leave. Data on re-offending were obtained from a variety of sources and were compared with seriousness of index offences. RESULTS: Consistent with international research, patients with more serious offences had longer hospitalisations. Patients with more serious offences were also hospitalised for longer periods before leave was granted. Compared with international studies, re-offending was in the lower range. CONCLUSIONS: Despite concerns raised in the media regarding patient 'dangerousness', time spent in hospital and the granting of leave, patients with serious offences were more likely to be hospitalised longer, which suggests decision makers do take into account public safety.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

An evaluation of the effect of an alpha hydroxy acid-blend skin cream in the cosmetic improvement of symptoms of moderate to severe xerosis, epidermolytic hyperkeratosis, and ichthyosis.

A number of genetic, intrinsic, and extrinsic factors can cause conditions of problem dry skin, marked by unusual dryness, rough texture, and extreme flaking and scaling, that are generally not controlled by conventional moisturizers. A study was undertaken to evaluate the safety and efficacy of two novel alpha hydroxy acid (AHA)-containing creams in reducing the appearance and symptoms of problem dry skin on subjects with a range of dry skin conditions, including xerosis, epidermolytic hyperkeratosis, and ichthyosis. Twenty subjects completed a course of treatment with either regular or extra strength AHA-blend cream on a test site, compared with a currently marketed, non-AHA moisturizing lotion on a control site. Subjects were treated for 4 weeks, with clinical evaluations performed at weeks 0, 2, and 4. The test for mulations reduced symptoms and improved cosmetic appearance following 2 weeks of use, with continued improvement following 4 weeks of use. Improvements were significant compared to baseline and compared to sites treated with the control lotion. Some patients experienced mild to moderate local adverse effects; all subjects were able to continue using the test product for the duration of the study.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Is a histological section representative of whole tumour vascularity in breast cancer?

The assessment of a tumour's angiogenic potential, by measuring the microvessel density in histological sections, assumes that a 4-microm section is representative of whole tumour vascularity. This study has examined this assumption by comparing the vessel density found radiologically, after injecting specimens with contrast, with that found immunohistochemically. Twenty-one breast angiograms were performed following mastectomy for carcinoma and graded 1-3 for vessel density. Sections (4 microm) from these carcinomas were labelled for endothelial cells using anti-CD34, and the vessel counts were compared with the radiological grades. A significant correlation was found between the densities (P < 0.003, Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA). We therefore conclude that the microvessel density measured in histological sections is representative of whole tumour vascularity.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Examining the technique of angiogenesis assessment in invasive breast cancer.

The intensity of angiogenesis as measured by the density of microvessels has been reported to be associated with a poor prognosis in invasive breast cancer in some, but not all, studies. The reasons for these discrepancies may be variations in the methodologies used. The monoclonal antibody used to identify the microvessels, the number of high-density areas or 'hotspots' counted and the type of value taken for statistical analysis (highest count or mean count) have varied between the different studies. We have assessed which of the three commonly used monoclonal antibodies provides the best visualization of microvessels in invasive breast cancer and have used methods that give reproducible data for the optimum number of 'hotspots' to count for each reagent. Thus, microvessels in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens from 174 primary breast cancers were immunohistochemically stained with monoclonal antibodies to FVIIIRAg, CD31 and CD34 and ten fields counted at 200 x magnification for each antibody. The highest count and the mean value of the highest of three, five and ten counts were used to examine the relationship between the density of microvessels and overall survival of patients with a median follow-up time of 7.1 years. Antibodies to CD31 and CD34 identified more vessels than antibodies to FVIIIRAg (median highest count per mm2: CD31 = 100, CD34 = 100, FVIIIRAg = 81). The monoclonal antibody to CD31, however, was the least reliable antibody, immunohistochemically staining only 87% of sections compared with 98% for the monoclonal to CD34 and 99% for the monoclonal to FVIIIRAg. There was a high degree of correlation between the number of vessels stained by the different antibodies, though there were some considerable differences in actual counts for serial sections of the same specimen stained by the different antibodies. Patients could be divided into two groups corresponding to those with high microvessel densities and those with low microvessel densities. Using Kaplan-Meier survival curves, there was a close association for all three antibodies between vessel density and survival whichever method of recording the highest vessel densities was used. Using log-rank tests and Cox's regression analysis, anti-CD34 gave the most significant results of the three antibodies, whereas a simple cut-off at the 75th percentile for the high and low groups produced the best association with patient survival. For anti-CD34 the highest microvessel density (P = 0.0014) and the mean value of the highest three microvessel densities (P = 0.004) showed a good correlation with patient death, whereas for anti-CD31 (P = 0.008) and anti-FVIIIRAg (P = 0.007) the highest count gave the best correlation using Cox's regression analysis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Alpha hydroxyacids modulate stratum corneum barrier function.

Alpha hydroxyacids (AHAs) are used to enhance stratum corneum desquamation and improve skin appearance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether some AHAs improve skin barrier function and prevent skin irritation. Eleven healthy subjects (aged 28 +/- 6 years, mean +/- SD) entered the study. Six test sites of 8 x 5 cm (four different AHAs, vehicle only (VE) and untreated control (UNT) were selected and randomly rotated on the volar arm and forearm. The four different AHAs at 8% concentration in base cream were glycolic acid (GA), lactic acid, tartaric acid (TA) and gluconolactone (GLU). The products were applied twice a day for 4 weeks (2 mg/cm2). At week 4, a 5% sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) challenge patch test was performed under occlusion for 6 h (HillTop chamber, 18 mm wide) on each site. Barrier function and skin irritation were evaluated by means of evaporimetry (Servomed EP-1) and chromametry (a* value, Minolta CR200) weekly, and at 0, 24 and 48 h after SLS patch removal. No significant differences in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and erythema were observed between the four AHAs at week 4. After SLS challenge, GLU- and TA-treated sites resulted in significantly lower TEWL compared with VE, UNT (P < 0.01) and GA (P < 0.05) both at 24 and 48 h. Similarly, a* values were significantly reduced after irritation in GLU- and TA-treated sites. This study shows that AHAs can modulate stratum corneum barrier function and prevent skin irritation; the effect is not equal for all AHAs, being more marked for the molecules characterized by antioxidant properties.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

An investigation of the binding of protein proteinase inhibitors to trypsin by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

The binding of BPTI and SBTI with trypsin has been investigated by ESI MS, using the mutant K15V-BPTI and the chemically modified RcamBPTI as controls. Although high cone voltages (+80 V) produce sharp spectra of BPTI, RcamBPTI, SBTI and trypsin alone, the complexes of BPTI, RcamBPTI and SBTI with trypsin undergo partial dissociation due to collisional activation. At lower cone voltages (+40 V) these non-covalent complexes are stable. The charge distribution on the trypsin and the inhibitors produced by gas phase dissociation of the complexes are markedly different from those of the components alone, indicating that ESI MS provides a novel probe for exploring the ionic interactions at the contact surface of proteins. Moreover, by determining the cone voltage at which the gas phase dissociation of complexes occurs it may be possible to use ESI MS to compare the binding energies of closely related complexes.

Acetates↗
PubMed1996

High cervical myelopathy presenting with the numb clumsy hand syndrome.

We report two patients with numb clumsy hands due to cervical spondylotic spinal cord compression. It is proposed that arterial insufficiency in the watershed area between the central and radial arterial systems of the cervical cord explains the sensory findings in the upper extremities with preservation of motor function. Although this is a rare conditions, its recognition is important since the prognosis is improved by early surgical decompression.

Female↗
PubMed1996

A novel silent posttranslational mechanism converts methionine to aspartate in hemoglobin Bristol (beta 67[E11] Val-Met->Asp).

The first reported case of congenital Heinz body hemolytic anemia was subsequently shown to be caused by an unstable hemoglobin, Hb Bristol [beta 67(E11) Val-Asp]. This has become one of the classic models of an unstable hemoglobin, the hydrophilic aspartate disrupting the hydrophobic heme pocket. We have restudied this original case, who remains clinically well after nearly 50 years of severe hemolysis with a hemoglobin level of about 7 g/dL and two unrelated Japanese cases. Surprisingly, all three cases show the same DNA changes, predicting a valine to methionine change at beta 67, rather than the expected aspartate. Further analysis with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and globin chain biosynthesis strongly suggests that this anomaly is because of a novel posttranslational mechanism, with slow conversion of the translated methionine into an aspartate residue. The proximity of the heme and oxygen may be important in facilitating the reaction. These findings show the importance of complete characterization of variant hemoglobins using protein, DNA, and biosynthetic analyses.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Dependency, matching adversities, length of survival and relapse in major depression.

This paper reports the 1-year follow-up of a sample of depressed patients. Social cognitive variables obtained during the index episode, including ideal emotional support, roles and goals investment in various domains and dysfunctional attitudes were used to predict subjects' likelihood for subsequent relapse. More subjects who experienced severe life events in the year were found to have relapsed. However, the predictive value of life events was improved if adversity was in the most invested domain according to the roles and goals questionnaire that subjects filled in during their index episode (matching adversity). Subjects who experienced matching adversity had a 3-fold chance of relapse compared with subjects with nonmatching adversity. The majority of the matching events were in the interpersonal domain. Levels of dysfunctional attitudes alone did not predict relapse. However, matching adversity and the dependency subscale of the dysfunctional attitude scale contributed significantly both to whether or not subjects relapsed and to the number of weeks subjects survived before they relapsed. The higher the level of dependency dysfunctional attitudes, the sooner subjects relapsed. The findings of the follow-up study supported the importance of psychological and social factors in determining relapse.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1996

Milk composition in the North American opossum (Didelphis virginiana).

The composition of milk samples collected from captive opossums (Didelphis virginiana) was determined at various intervals during lactation. The milk solids increased from 9% at week one to a maximum of 34% at 11 weeks post-partum. There were changes in the relative proportions of protein, lipid and carbohydrate at different stages of lactation. Lipid represented the greatest fraction of the solids except for a period at mid-lactation when there was a peak in protein concentration. The concentrations of sodium, potassium and magnesium were relatively constant, 41 +/- 4, 35 +/- 11 and 9.2 +/- 1.6 mmol respectively, although calcium increased from 13 +/- 5 mmol at week one to a peak of 112 +/- 35 mmol at 9 weeks.

Aging↗
PubMed1996

p53 protein overexpression and response to biomodulated 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy in patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

Biomodulated 5-flourouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy may limit disease progression in up to 50% of patients with metastatic or unresectable carcinoma of the colorectum. However, treatment is expensive and may be toxic. Thus any predictors of response may be clinically and economically valuable. The p53 gene is mutated in more than 50% of colorectal tumours, usually resulting in p53 overexpression. It may regulate cell cycle progression and cellular response to DNA damage. The principal anticancer activity of 5-FU is due to its ability to induce DNA damage. Fifty-nine patients received bolus intravenous 5-FU/folinic acid over 3 months. Response was assessed by CAT scan (WHO criteria). p53 protein overexpression was determined immunohistochemically from paraffin sections of the original primary tumour and resected metastases. Tumour over expression of p53 protein was associated with a lower rate of response and a higher rate of deterioration both radiologically (P < 0.03) and clinically (P < 0.05, chi 2 test for trend), but did not predict survival from start of treatment. Response was unrelated to age, sex, tumour grade, site of disease or chemotherapy schedule. Tumour p53 protein overexpression alone cannot be used to select advanced colorectal cancer patients for chemotherapy but may be useful in association with other markers of tumour biology.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The interactions of alpha 2HS glycoprotein with metalloproteinases.

The objective of the present analyses was to determine whether matrix metalloproteinases interact with alpha 2HS glycoprotein, the human homologue of bovine fetuin. Alpha 2HS glycoprotein was incubated with metalloproteinases at 1:1 and 1:10 molar ratios. The serum glycoprotein was completely degraded by gelatinase-A and matrilysin at the higher enzyme concentration after an overnight incubation at 37 degrees C. The data show that gelatinase-A, matrilysin and gelatinase-B do interact with alpha 2HS glycoprotein and that gelatinase-B associates most tightly with the serum glycoprotein.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Behavior and injury in urban and rural adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigates the consistency of factors associated with adolescent injury in separate urban and rural samples. SAMPLES: Adolescents, 11-17 years old, in public schools in urban and rural Maryland (n = 2,712). METHODS: Separate bivariate and logistic regression analyses were conducted for each sample to determine individual and environmental factors associated with major and minor injuries experienced in the previous year. RESULTS: Multivariate analyses revealed that, for both samples, the probability of a major injury was highest for boys and, among both boys and girls, for those who played several team sports. Among rural youth, other significant covariates of both major and minor injuries were a tendency to engage in risky behavior and to use alcohol. For urban youth, being white, carrying a weapon for protection, attending an unsafe school, and working for pay were also significant covariates. Interactions were important and complex. CONCLUSIONS: The consistency of predictive factors, such as multiple sports team participation and risky and aggressive behaviors in completely different physical environments, underscores the need to address the contexts of heightened injury risk that some adolescents create wherever they live by playing sports and/or behaving in an antisocial, aggressive manner. Moreover, the perception of lack of safety in schools and neighborhoods is associated with increased injury rates, suggesting the need for policy interventions to target social environments as well as behavior.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Retrospective epidemiologic analysis of patients diagnosed with intracranial meningioma from 1977 to 1990 at the Jackson Memorial Hospital, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center: the Jackson Memorial Hospital Tumor Registry experience.

A descriptive analysis was performed of the Tumor Registry data for intracranial meningioma by the Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami School of Medicine Tumor Registry. A total of 108 cases of intracranial meningioma was collected and reviewed. Overall survival for 2, 5, and 10 years was 82, 72, and 60%, respectively. There was no difference in survival for males and females at 5 years, nor any difference in survival for race or ethnicity. There was a trend for improved survival for the young age group (18-55 years).

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Interactions of gelatinases with soluble and immobilized fetuin and asialofetuin.

We have analyzed the interactions of human and mouse gelatinases with fetuin and asialofetuin. The data showed that recombinant human gelatinase A (MMP-2) and B (MMP-9) were both specifically bound to asialofetuin and fetuin immobilized to activated agarose (affigel) with subsequent cleavage of the enzymes to lower molecular weight forms, which were likewise bound to asialofetuin/fetuin. The binding of gelatinases to immobilized forms of asialofetuin and fetuins was abrogated in the presence of either soluble fetuin or asialofetuin. Endogenous mouse macrophage gelatinases (mol wt 92 and approximately 52 kDa) were also specifically bound to immobilized asialofetuin upon which the two forms of the gelatinases were reduced to a approximately 45-kDa fragment. The binding of the approximately 45-kDa fragment to asialofetuin was also abrogated in the presence of either soluble fetuin or asialofetuin. Whereas only the activated MMP-2 bound to immobilized asialofetuin had significant gelatinolytic activity, both the zymogen and the activated forms of MMP-9 hydrolyzed soluble [3H]gelatin to the same extent while still bound to asialofetuin. Our data suggest that cell surface bound fetuin/asialofetuin could perform two functions: they could (a) act as cell surface receptors or anchors for MMP-2 and MMP-9 and (b) bind and activate MMP-9 on the cell surface.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Preventing the nosocomial transmission of tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of expanded tuberculosis infection control measures consisting primarily of administrative controls. DESIGN: Descriptive case series. SETTING: University-affiliated, inner-city hospital. INTERVENTIONS: Introduction of expanded tuberculosis infection control measures (including an expanded respiratory isolation policy). MEASUREMENTS: The number of tuberculosis exposure episodes and skin test conversion rates of health care workers were measured before and after implementation of expanded infection control measures. Tuberculosis exposure episodes (the number of patients who were not placed in respiratory isolation at admission but who subsequently had a diagnosis of acid-fast bacilli smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis during that admission or within 2 weeks of discharge) were compared for two time periods: the 8 months before and the 28 months after implementation of infection control measures. Tuberculin skin test conversion rates among health care workers were evaluated during a 2.5-year period. RESULTS: After expanded infection control measures were implemented, the number of tuberculosis exposure episodes decreased from 4.4 per month (35 episodes among 103 patient admissions for potentially infectious tuberculosis over 8 months) to 0.6 per month (18 episodes among 358 patient admissions for smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis over 28 months) (odds ratio, 9.72; 95% CI, 4.99 to 19.25 [P < 0.001]). The cumulative number of days per month that potentially infectious patients with tuberculosis were not in isolation decreased from 35.4 to 3.3 (P < 0.001). A concomitant decrease in tuberculin skin test conversion rates in health care workers was seen; 6-month tuberculin skin test conversion rates decreased steadily from 3.3% (118 conversions in 3579 health care workers; 1/92 to 6/92), 1.7%, 1.4%, 0.6%, to 0.4% (23 conversions in 5153 workers [1/94 to 6/94]) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Infection control measures effectively prevented nosocomial transmission of tuberculosis to health care workers. Administrative controls appear to be the most important component of a tuberculosis infection control program and should be the first focus of such a program, especially at public hospitals, where resources are most likely to be limited.

Adult↗