Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B Parker

Publications and source records attributed to B Parker.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Violent pornography and abuse of women: theory to practice.

To examine violent pornography use and associated violence against women, an ethnically stratified sample of 198 abused women were asked about their partners' use of pornographic materials, and if they had been asked or forced to look at, act out, or pose for pornographic scenes or pictures. Overall, 40.9% of the women reported the abuser used pornographic material, with the proportion significantly higher for Whites (58.7%), compared to Blacks (27.1%) or Hispanics (38.5%). When groups were formed according to the abuser's use of pornography and associated involvement of the woman, violence scores as measured on the Index of Spouse Abuse, Danger Assessment, and Severity of Violence Against Women scales were significantly higher (p = <.001) for women reporting the abuser requested or forced her to look at, act out, or pose for pornographic scenes. Severity of violence was not related simply to whether or not the abused used pornography. This analysis is a beginning step toward understanding how pornography influences woman abuse.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in abused women in a primary care setting.

Abuse is a major source of trauma to women, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) results from exposure to extreme trauma. To describe the relationship between symptoms of PTSD and severity of abuse, an ethnically stratified cohort of 131 abused women in a primary care setting was interviewed. Symptoms of PTSD, both intrusion (i.e., trouble falling asleep, strong waves of feelings about the abuse) and avoidance (i.e., trying not to think or talk about the abuse, staying away from reminders of the abuse), were significantly (p < 0.01) correlated to severity of abuse, regardless of ethnicity. When asked about childhood physical or sexual abuse, women reporting physical abuse had significantly (p < 0.05) higher intrusion scores, whereas those reporting sexual abuse had significantly (p < 0.004) higher avoidance scores. Sixty-five percent of the women reported dreams, flashbacks, or terror attacks and had significantly (p < 0.001) higher mean results on both intrusion and avoidance. The need to offer abused women information about the connection between severity of abuse and symptoms of PTSD is discussed. We recommend that clinicians ask all abused women about dreams, flashbacks, or terror attacks to assess for further symptoms of PTSD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Resource use by abused women following an intervention program: associated severity of abuse and reports of abuse ending.

Although violence against women is recognized as major public health problem, little is known about the effectiveness of interventions. To evaluate severity of abuse and use of community resources following an intervention program, 132 pregnant abused women received three counseling sessions in a prenatal setting. A comparison group of 67 abused women were offered a wallet-sized card listing community resources for violence. Resource use, severity of abuse, and reports of the abuse ending were measured for both groups at 6 and 12 months after delivery. Resource use was significantly (p < .001) related to severity of abuse, irrespective of whether the woman had received the intervention. Women using resources at 6 months were also users at 12 months. These findings indicate a "survivorship model" whereby abused women assertively and persistently seek a variety of community resources to end the abuse. The recommendation that primary care providers go beyond traditional identification and referral for abuse to coordination and evaluation of service delivery is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Physical abuse, smoking, and substance use during pregnancy: prevalence, interrelationships, and effects on birth weight.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the singular and combined occurrence of physical abuse, smoking, and substance use (i.e., alcohol and illicit drugs) during pregnancy and its effect on birth weight. DESIGN: Prospective cohort analysis. SETTING: Urban public prenatal clinics. PARTICIPANTS: 414 African American, 412 Hispanic, and 377 white pregnant women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Occurrence of physical abuse was 16%; smoking, 29.5%; and alcohol/illicit drug use, 11.9%. Significant relationships existed between physical abuse and smoking for African American and white women. For African American women, 33.7% of women who were not abused smoked, versus 49.5% of women who were abused (chi 2 = 8.21; df = 1; p < 0.005). Alcohol/illicit drug use was 20.8% for nonabused women compared with 42.1% for abused women (chi 2 = 18.18; df = 1; p < 0.001). For white women, 46.6% of women who were not abused smoked, versus 59.6% of those who were abused (chi 2 = 5.22; df = 1; p < 0.005). As a triad, physical abuse, smoking, and alcohol/ illicit drug use were significantly related to birth weight (F[3, 1040] = 30.19, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Physical abuse during pregnancy is common, readily detected with a five-question screen, and associated with significantly higher use of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs. Clinical protocols that integrate assessment and intervention for physical abuse, smoking, and substance use are essential for preventing further abuse and improving smoking and substance cessation rates.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Novel spinal dysplasia in two generations.

We report on a father and son with a previously undescribed skeletal abnormality and severe short stature. Antenatal sonographic evaluation of the propositus (son), obtained due to maternal pre-eclampsia, suggested an abnormal spine. At birth, no congenital anomalies were noted and transition to extra-uterine life was smooth. Radiographs performed five days after birth showed spina bifida, hemivertebrae in the mid-thoracic region, and widened lumbar interpedicular distances. MRI of the lower thoracic and lumbar vertebrae documented crescent-shaped appearance of the affected vertebrae and abnormally narrow A-P diameter of the vertebral bodies. Intervertebral discs were small, and the posterior elements, as well as the spinous processes of the affected vertebrae, were markedly hypoplastic. However, there was no narrowness of the spinal canal, and the limbs were unaffected. CT scan with three-dimensional reformatting of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae documented unusual sagittal clefting of all of the vertebral bodies, which has previously been undescribed. The father had severe kyphoscoliosis and a height of 131.6 cm (-7.5 S.D.). Radiographically, he was found to have multiple segmentation anomalies and diminished A-P diameter of his affected vertebral bodies. The multiple vertebral anomalies are the probable cause for the father's severe kyphoscoliosis. The pattern of inheritance suggests that an autosomal dominant gene is responsible for this condition and that the father represents a de novo mutation. These radiographic abnormalities have not been described previously and represent a new form of vertebral spinal dysplasia.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Phase I trial of pentosan polysulfate.

Pentosan polysulfate is a semisynthetic pentasaccharide heparinoid derived from beechwood shavings. A total of nineteen patients with various adult solid tumors were treated with three dose levels (15, 22.5, and 30 mg/m2/dose) of subcutaneous pentosan polysulfate every 6 hours. The dose limiting toxicities were thrombocytopenia and elevated transaminases at the dose of 30 mg/m2 every 6 hours. The recommended starting dose for phase II trials is 22.5 mg/m2 given every 6 hours. There was an increase in anticoagulant activity as measured by activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) at the dose of 22.5 mg/m2 every 6 hours in most patients. There were no objective responses and three patients had stable disease lasting 16, 19 and 76 weeks.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Abuse during pregnancy: frequency, severity, perpetrator, and risk factors of homicide.

To determine the frequency, severity, and perpetrator of abuse during pregnancy as well as the occurrence of risk factors of homicide, a stratified, prospective cohort analysis was completed on 1,203 African-American, Hispanic, and Anglo women in urban public health prenatal clinics. All women were assessed for abuse at the first prenatal visit and twice again during the pregnancy. All women were administered the Conflicts Tactics Scale, the Index of Spouse Abuse and the Danger Assessment Scale. Prevalence of physical abuse during pregnancy was 16%, one in every six women. Women abused during pregnancy had significantly higher scores on all instruments and more risk factors of homicide when compared with women abused prior to but not during pregnancy. To protect women's safety, a protocol of assessment and intervention for abuse must be standard care for all pregnant women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Biochemical characterization of Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 3A and 3C proteins.

Among the viral proteins expressed in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected B cells are a family of nuclear proteins known as the Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 3 (EBNA-3) proteins. Two of these, EBNA-3A and EBNA-3C, have an essential but uncharacterized role in the transformation of primary B cells by EBV. EBNA-3C increases expression of two genes likely to be important for B cell growth transformation by EBV, the B cell activation antigen CD21 and the EBV latent membrane protein-1. Since EBNA-3 proteins exhibit DNA-binding capability in crude protein extracts from EBV-transformed cell lines and EBNA-3C contains sequences homologous to a basic leucine zipper motif found in one class of mammalian transcription factors, it is likely that EBNA-3C functions as a transcriptional transactivator. In this paper, we have overexpressed EBNA-3A and -3C in the baculovirus-expression system. To determine whether the ability to bind to DNA is an intrinsic property of the EBNA-3 proteins, we have examined the ability of the recombinant protein to bind to DNA-cellulose. Unlike EBNA-3 proteins in lysates from EBV-transformed cells, neither recombinant protein exhibits significant DNA-binding capability as evidenced by the inability to bind to double-stranded DNA-cellulose. Since this difference in DNA binding could be a result of post-translational modifications, we have examined the phosphorylation status of the EBNA-3 proteins both in EBV-transformed cells and in infected insect cells. EBNA-3A and EBNA-3C were phosphorylated in both cell types. Therefore, if indeed these proteins function as transcriptional transactivators, they may bind to DNA via an indirect mechanism. The recombinant proteins will be invaluable in the further clarification of the role of EBNA-3A and EBNA-3C in EBV-induced immortalization of B cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Differential absorption of amoxicillin from the human small and large intestine.

Differences in extent of amoxicillin absorption from various regions of the gastrointestinal tract were determined and compared with the same dose administered orally. Nine healthy men were intubated at a proximal (duodenum or jejunum) or distal (ileum or colon) site with use of a 15-foot double lumen nasointestinal tube. Amoxicillin solutions (375 mg in 120 ml water) were delivered on 2 successive days as a bolus or a 4-hour infusion. Subjects were reintubated at another site and amoxicillin administration was repeated. Subjects with colonic intubation received only infusions. Finally, all subjects received an oral dose of amoxicillin solution. Plasma samples were obtained at 16 time points over a 10-hour period and assayed for amoxicillin by use of an HPLC method. Area under the concentration-time curve and the maximum plasma concentration were computed to evaluate amoxicillin absorption. Amoxicillin absorption was rate and site dependent in the gastrointestinal tract. The drug was well absorbed in the duodenum and jejunum, with no significant differences in absorption when administered as a bolus or 4-hour infusion, but absorption was decreased and rate dependent in the ileum, where more drug was absorbed as an infusion compared with a bolus. Amoxicillin was unabsorbed when infused in all colonic regions.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Acute respiratory infections (ARI) in rural Bangladesh: perceptions and practices.

Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) are a major cause of death in children under five in rural Bangladesh. A popular strategy for lowering ARI mortality in such settings includes detecting and managing pneumonia in children at the community level. The success of programs using this approach requires a well-trained community-based cadre of health workers and the appropriate utilization of services provided. Determinants of health care seeking behavior are clearly of interest in this regard. A qualitative study was conducted in Matlab, Bangladesh to describe community perceptions of signs and symptoms of ARI, case management behavior, and constraints to service utilization. Mothers recognized pneumonia and thought it to be caused by "exposure to cold." They were able to identify labored breathing, chest retractions, lethargy, and inability to feed as signs of severe disease needing treatment outside the home. Nevertheless, similar illnesses were sometimes believed to be due to attack by evil influences. In these cases, spiritual healers were sought and allopathic treatment was avoided or delayed. The mothers' observance of purdah and "proper" behavior were reported to play a role in prevention of child death from disease. Implications of this belief and its impact on service utilization are discussed. Suggestions for program managers are made in addition to recommendations for further research.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

Postoperative epidural bupivacaine-morphine therapy. Experience with 4,227 surgical cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: We prospectively studied surgical cancer patients who received epidural bupivacaine-morphine to determine perioperative morphine use, side effects, and complications. METHODS: All study patients received general-epidural anesthesia followed by epidural analgesia with 0.05% or 0.1% bupivacaine and 0.01% morphine at a rate of 5-10 ml.h-1 to keep the dynamic pain score at less than 5 (of 10). Patients were evaluated daily for pain relief, side effects, catheter migration, accidental removal, hypotension, respiratory rate, mental status changes, nausea and vomiting, and pruritus. RESULTS: Over 4 yr, 4,227 patients (61% women, aged 68 +/- 24 yr) were studied. Lumbar epidural catheters (n = 2,248 or 53.18%) were used more frequently than thoracic catheters (n = 1,979 or 46.82%) (P < 0.00001). Most of the patients were discharged to the surgical wards after the procedures (n = 3,001, 71%). Those patients (n = 1,226, 29%) admitted to the surgical intensive care unit, spent 1.2 +/- 0.8 days. Epidural catheter failure occurred in 283 (6.3%) patients. Length of epidural analgesia therapy was 6.3 +/- 2.6 days. There were three cases (0.07%) of respiratory depression which were treated with oxygen, intravenous naloxone, and by stopping the epidural infusion for 6 h. Hypotension occurred in 126 patients (3%). There were no apparent cases of catheter migration to either the subdural or subarachnoid space. Nausea or vomiting occurred in 929 patients (22%). Pruritus occurred in 930 patients (22%). CONCLUSIONS: Continuous epidural analgesia with 0.05-0.1% bupivacaine and 0.01% morphine is an effective method of postoperative analgesia with a low incidence of side effects, that can be safely administered on the surgical wards with no special monitoring equipment.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The reliability and factor structure of the index of spouse abuse with African-American women.

This study investigated the reliability and validity of the Index of Spouse Abuse (ISA) when used with a sample of 504 African-American women. The initial factor validity analysis for the ISA (Hudson & McIntosh, 1981) resulted in two subscales: a physical abuse scale (ISA-P) and a nonphysical abuse scale (ISA-NP). Factor analysis with this sample of African-American women revealed three factors instead of two. Coefficient alpha estimates of reliability were over .90 for the original ISA subscales and with the African-American sample. The discussion compares and contrasts the factor structure observed with the sample of African-American with the factor structure reported in the original validation studies. The study demonstrates the need to critically evaluate the extent to which instruments developed to measure spouse or partner abuse are valid and reliable when used with diverse groups that may not have been represented in the samples used for initial instrument development and validation work.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Abuse during pregnancy: effects on maternal complications and birth weight in adult and teenage women.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of physical and sexual abuse in a sample of adult and teen pregnant women and to determine the effect of abuse on birth weight. METHODS: One thousand two hundred three African-American, Hispanic, and white urban female residents were screened for abuse on their first prenatal visit and in the second and third trimesters. Infant birth weight was obtained by record review. RESULTS: Abuse during pregnancy was reported by 20.6% of teens and 14.2% of the adult women (P < .01). Both abused teens and adults were more likely than nonabused women to enter prenatal care in the third trimester (21.9 versus 7.5%, P = .001 for teens; 15.8 versus 8.7%, P = .007 for adults). For the aggregate sample of 1203 women, abuse during pregnancy was a significant (P < .05) risk for low birth weight (LBW), as well as low maternal weight gain, infections, anemia, smoking, and use of alcohol or drugs. Using Institute of Medicine risk factors for LBW, abused adults were at significantly greater risk for poor obstetric history, short inter-pregnancy interval, infections, anemia, smoking, and alcohol or drug usage. Abused teens had a significantly greater risk for poor weight gain, first- or second-trimester bleeding, smoking, and alcohol or drug use. CONCLUSIONS: One in five teens and one in six adult women experienced abuse during pregnancy. Abuse is related to LBW and late entry into prenatal care. Abuse can be documented readily with a short abuse assessment screen and interventions then initiated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Etoposide in combination as first-line chemotherapy for advanced Hodgkin disease. A Cancer and Leukemia Group B study.

BACKGROUND: In a pilot study, Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) incorporated etoposide into primary combination therapy for advanced Hodgkin disease. METHODS: Thirty-six evaluable patients were treated with two or three courses of methotrexate, vincristine, prednisone, leucovorin, etoposide, and cyclophosphamide (MOPLEC), and then treated with five to seven additional courses of a known "curative" regimen: nitrogen mustard, vinblastine, prednisone, and procarbazine (MVPP). RESULTS: After treatment with MOPLEC, there were 16 complete responders (44%) and 18 partial responders (50%). One patient had progressive disease and one patient was taken off study after an anaphylactic reaction to etoposide. After completing the entire protocol, 32 patients achieved complete remission (CR) (89%) and 3 achieved partial remission (PR) (8%). Five CR patients have relapsed and three additional patients have died in CR without recurrence. At 36 months, the estimated failure-free survival is 61% and overall survival is 72%. CONCLUSIONS: This combination, which includes etoposide, is active for the primary treatment of advanced Hodgkin disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Methylthioadenosine phosphorylase deficiency in human non-small cell lung cancers.

Methylthioadenosine (MeSAdo) phosphorylase, a purine metabolic enzyme, is present in all normal mammalian tissues. A deficiency of this enzyme has been reported in some human leukemias and lymphomas and in a few solid tumors. In the present study, a specific immunoassay was used to assess the enzyme levels in human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines and primary tumors. We also tested the effects of MeSAdo phosphorylase-selective chemotherapy on the in vitro growth of enzyme-positive and enzyme-negative lung cancer cell lines. Of 29 non-small cell lung cancers, 9 (6 cell lines and 3 primary tumors, 31%) lacked detectable immunoreactive enzyme protein. Both 5,10-dideazatetrahydrofolate, an inhibitor of de novo purine synthesis, and methionine depletion, combined with MeSAdo, prevented the growth of the enzyme-negative non-small cell lung cancer cells under conditions in which enzyme-positive cells utilized MeSAdo to endogenously synthesize purine nucleotides and methionine. Our data suggest that MeSAdo phosphorylase deficiency is frequently found in non-small cell lung cancers and can be exploited in designing enzyme-selective chemotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Abuse of adolescents: what can we learn from pregnant teen-agers?

One of the most perplexing issues for nurses working with abused women is the extent of violence experienced by teen-agers. This article presents research findings from a study of pregnant women and teen-agers in Baltimore and Houston that found 32% of pregnant teen-agers reported having been physically or sexually abused in the prior year. The rate of abuse during pregnancy was 22% for teen-agers. Teen-age violence is discussed in terms of possible reasons for teen-agers to be reluctant to report abuse and nursing considerations in the assessment and intervention of adolescents experiencing abuse.

Adolescent↗