Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Anderson

Publications and source records attributed to C Anderson.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Dietary factors in Parkinson's disease: the role of food groups and specific foods.

PURPOSE: The association between self-reported past food intake and Parkinson's disease (PD) was investigated in a case-control study of men and women aged 40-89 years. METHODS: Newly diagnosed idiopathic PD cases were ascertained from neurologists, and from outpatient and pharmacy computerized databases, at the Group Health Cooperative (GHC) clinics in the Puget Sound region of Washington state. Control subjects were chosen from the GHC patient roster and had no reported history of diagnosed neurodegenerative disease. Dietary data were obtained from structured questionnaires. RESULTS: An increase in PD risk with increasing intake was noted for foods that contain animal fat and foods containing vitamin D. Intake of fruits, vegetables, meats, bread and cereals, or foods containing vitamins A, C, E, or iron was not significantly related to PD risk. Vitamin use, in general, was also not found to be related to PD risk, although a significant trend of increasing risk of PD was noted for intake of vitamin A supplements. CONCLUSIONS: Although these data support previous findings of no association of past intake with most food groups and PD risk, they confirm an increased risk of PD associated with foods containing animal fat.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Lack of significant treatment effect of plasma exchange in the treatment of drug-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis?

OBJECTIVE: Comparison of outcome in patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) in patients who received plasma exchange (PE) compared with the results in two other centres that used almost identical treatment protocols but without PE. DESIGN: Retrospective comparative case series with two recently published case series serving as controls. SETTING: National burns intensive care unit (ICU) and Department of Transfusion Medicine at Linköping University Hospital, Sweden. PATIENTS: 8 consecutive patients admitted with TEN who received PE during 1987-1997. INTERVENTIONS: Neither prophylactic antibiotics nor cortisone were used. The patients were given a median of 5.5 PE treatments (range 1-8). RESULTS: Eight patients with a median (range) age of 45 years (5-89) and with a median skin involvement total body surface area (TBSA) of 38% (12-100) were treated. The length of stay in the burns ICU was 15 (13-25) days and the time from onset of the cutaneous signs until complete re-epithelialisation was 24 days (13-55) for the seven survivors. Five patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of sepsis. One patient with extensive ischaemic cardiac disease developed septic shock and died (mortality 12.5%). Two patients developed side effects from PE. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the largest series yet presented using PE in the treatment of TEN. Our results, in patients with less cutaneous involvement, similar causative agents, and similar demographic data as in the other two studies (controls), were no different as far as mortality, length of stay, or time to re-epithelialisation were concerned. This finding does not support the use of PE in the treatment of TEN.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Genome-wide scanning for type 2 diabetes susceptibility in Canadian Oji-Cree, using 190 microsatellite markers.

We undertook a genome-wide scan using 190 markers with an average separation of 20 cM in 49 Canadian Oji-Cree sib pairs affected with type 2 diabetes. Four of these markers, one each on chromosomes 6, 8, 16, and 22, showed both suggestive linkage and suggestive association with type 2 diabetes in the Oji-Cree. None of these markers corresponded to any chromosomal region or marker that has so far been linked with type 2 diabetes in other populations. Thus, there might be several genetic loci that confer susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in this study sample. We are following up on these preliminary leads by increasing the density of the markers within these linked and associated regions, and also by increasing the number of study subjects. Also, we found instances in which there were wide disparities between the Oji-Cree and reference Caucasians with respect to marker heterozygosity. This suggests that a particular set of markers for genome-wide scanning will have different informativeness in different ethnic groups. Thus, different marker sets will likely be required for different ethnic groups in order to maximize their information content for linkage calculations.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Gender differences in chronic disease risk behaviors through the transition out of high school.

BACKGROUND: Major life transitions (e.g., graduation from high school) are times when many changes occur in a person's social and physical environment. Men and women likely experience aspects of these changes differently. As a result, health-related behaviors likely change at these times with possible differences in these changes by gender. METHODS: Gender differences in the performance of chronic disease risk-related behaviors (fruit, juice, and vegetable intake; physical activity; tobacco and alcohol use; and sexual practices) through the transition out of high school (HS) were assessed in a secondary analysis of a nationally representative sample from the 1992 National Health Interview Survey-Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The survey was completed by 5881 young people aged 14 to 21 years. Regression discontinuity analysis with piecewise regression was performed. RESULTS: Statistically significant gender by transition effects were obtained for exercise/physical activity (decreases at the transition point for males), snuff use (decrease for females in HS), binge drinking and number of days drinking alcohol (increases for males at the transition point), and use of alcohol or drugs before sexual intercourse (decrease for females post HS). Fruit intake decreased for males and females and daily and heavy cigarette smoking increased during the HS years. Effect sizes were small but promising, given that the data set was not designed to test this hypothesis. CONCLUSION: These data offer evidence of differences by gender in chronic disease risk behaviors through the HS transition. Longitudinal studies are needed to assess the true nature of these differences, the tracking of these risk behaviors and their personal, social, and environmental determinants, including gender-specific determinants, that may explain these changes and inform future intervention development.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

A collaborative regional ocular anesthesia training program: successes and failures.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe a collaborative effort of the departments of ophthalmology and anesthesiology to teach anesthesiology residents regional ocular anesthesia; to detect any differences in positive or negative outcomes after blocks performed by anesthesiology residents versus blocks performed by ophthalmology residents. DESIGN: Prospective descriptive, study. SETTING: Outpatient surgery in a university-affiliated veterans affairs hospital. PATIENTS: 614 patients requiring elective ocular surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Outcomes from patients who underwent regional anesthesia performed by ophthalmology residents were compared to outcomes from patients who received anesthesia from anesthesiology residents. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A detailed description of the collaborative teaching program in ocular anesthesia is presented. Ophthalmology residents performed the majority of regional ocular blocks (87% vs. 13%). There was no statistical difference in the incidence of negative outcomes, such as retrobulbar hemorrhage, between ophthalmology residents and anesthesiology residents (3/534 vs. 1/80) or in the incidence of successful blocks (90% for ophthalmology residents vs. 88% for anesthesiology residents). CONCLUSIONS: Regional ocular anesthetic techniques can be safely and successfully taught to residents in anesthesiology.

Ambulatory Surgical Procedures↗
PubMed1999

Implementing smoking policies within trusts: nurses' perceptions and views of effectiveness and implications.

AIM: This study set out to explore nurses' views and perceptions of their hospital Trust's smoking policy, and the effects that it has had on both staff and patients. BACKGROUND: Although soliciting and considering the views and perceptions of staff during smoking policy development increases the likelihood of effective implementation, such activity does not appear to be routinely undertaken within the NHS. METHODS: Semistructured interviews were conducted with seven surgical nurses working within one district general hospital in the UK. RESULTS: While all of the subjects acknowledged the value of there being a smoking policy, they felt that their Trust's policy placed nurses in a powerless and vulnerable position, with little support available to help effectively address the problems that smoking raised for them and their patients. CONCLUSIONS: NHS Trusts that wish to develop and implement effective smoking policies should engage their staff throughout the process, and not underestimate the positive contribution that they all can make.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

G-protein beta3 subunit gene splice variant and body fat distribution in Nunavut Inuit.

The GNB3 825T allele encodes a product that has enhanced activation of heterotrimeric G proteins in vitro and could play a role in adipogenesis. We therefore evaluated the possibility that the GNB3 825T allele was associated with obesity in a sample of 213 healthy Canadian Inuit. We found that body weight, body mass index, waist girth, hip girth, subscapular skinfold thickness, and triceps skinfold thickness were significantly higher in subjects with the GNB3 825T/T genotype than in subjects with other genotypes. Furthermore, two anthropometric ratios, namely that of waist to hip circumference and that of subscapular to triceps skinfold thickness, were not significantly different across genotypes. This suggested that the increased deposition of fat in subjects with the GNB3 825T/T genotype was generalized and not localized to particular subregions. There was no association of this genetic variation with blood pressure. The GNB3 825T/T genotype accounted for between 1.6% and 3.3% of the total variation (< or =13% of attributable variation) of the obesity-related traits. The potential for a genetic marker of obesity creates opportunities for future studies in the Inuit, not just to confirm the associations, but also to examine prospectively the influence of interventions and possible relationships between GNB3 825T and longer term complications of obesity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Acetone has anti-inflammatory effects on experimental contact reactions.

The effects of a topically applied corticosteroid and its acetone vehicle on experimental allergic, toxic and irritant reactions are presented. The corticosteroid budesonide in acetone or acetone alone was applied to reactions immediately after and at different time intervals within the 1st h after provocation. Classical naked eye observation was performed and the dermal cellular infiltrate was differentiated and counted using a previously well-characterized method. "Treatment", whether with the steroid in acetone or acetone alone, had anti-inflammatory effects. For all reaction types, erythema and oedema diminished and a significant decrease in mononuclear cells was seen, when application occurred within the first 5 min after provocation. The effects were most marked for the toxic reaction to croton oil, the steroid and the vehicle being anti-inflammatory to the same extent. Application up to 60 min after provocation had anti-inflammatory effects for this reaction type. The mechanisms of acetone's anti-inflammatory effects are at present unclear. One possible explanation is that intercellular lipid organisation and, by extension, cellular membrane lipid organisation, are altered, influencing membrane receptor function. Possible anti-inflammatory effects of acetone should be considered in experimental and perhaps even clinical situations. Further investigation of the therapeutic possibilities of the finding seems warranted.

Acetone↗
PubMed1999

Methamphetamines: use and trafficking in the Tucson-Nogales area.

A national increase in the use of methamphetamine, a cheap, accessible, and dangerous drug, prompted the National Institute on Drug Addiction to sponsor an ethnographic study in the Tucson-Nogales area. This area has experienced a rapid rise in methamphetamine (also known as meth, speed, crank, smoke, or crystal ice) use during the past 3 years. Mexican and Canadian borders are ports of entry for meth and precursor substances, and home manufacturing has increased substantially. The dual consequences of overdose and addiction result in devastating long-term psychological and physiological problems. Increased law enforcement and citizen awareness in controlling the "epidemic" are key elements in curbing the problem.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Assay to detect inhibitory substances in serum of patients with acute liver failure.

Patients with acute liver failure accumulate toxic substances in the circulation which may impair recovery of hepatic function. The aim of this study was to test an in vitro assay to detect inhibitory substances in the serum of patients with acute liver failure. Human liver-derived HepG2 cells were incubated for 24h in 96 well plates (30,000 cells/well) with sera (10%) from 24 patients with acute liver failure due to paracetamol overdose or NANB hepatitis and 11 normal controls. DNA synthesis was determined from the incorporation of 3H-thymidine and cell viability by the metabolism of the tetrazolium dye MTS. HepG2 cells exposed to acute liver failure sera incorporated significantly less 3H-thymidine (median 30% of control, range 0.2-169%) than normal sera (100%, 76-133%, p=0.002). Cell viability was also reduced (75%, 33-112% vs 100%, 96-105%, p<0.001). There was no correlation between these values and patient outcome or levels of plasma TNF-alpha or serum interferon-gamma. The assay detected inhibitory substances in sera of patients with acute liver failure and could be used to monitor the use of liver support systems.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1999

Ethnic differences in cancer risk behaviors through the transition out of high school.

Differences were assessed by ethnic group in the performance of cancer risk related lifestyle behaviors through the transition out of high school. Data were obtained from a nationally representative probability sample survey, the 1992 National Health Interview Survey-Youth Risk Behavior Survey. A cross-sectional sub-sample included adolescents with an age range from high school freshmen to young adults within four years after high school. Self reported indicators of diet, physical activity, cigarette smoking, smokeless tobacco use, alcohol use, and sexual practices were the primary dependent measures. Cancer risk increased at the transition out of high school through changes in cancer related behaviors. Hispanic-American males experienced somewhat higher risks after the transition for chewing tobacco and snuff. African Americans experienced somewhat higher risks after the transition for physical activity, chewing tobacco, and number of sexual partners. Further research needs to verify these findings with longitudinal designs, assessment of tracking of behaviors through the transition, and of the ecological, social and psychosocial correlates that may explain why these changes occurred.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Cerebral white matter lesions in primary Sjögren's syndrome: a controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of neurological and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities in a well defined population of unselected patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and age and sex matched healthy patients. METHODS: Thirty patients with SS and 29 age and sex matched controls were examined by a neurologist and subsequently underwent MRI scanning with a 1.0 Tesla Siemens Impact MR scanner. Scans were graded by a neuroradiologist blinded to the clinical status of each subject. The number and location of white matter lesions > 3 mm in long axis (to exclude non-specific perivascular changes) were recorded for each subject. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in lesions detected by MRI in SS patients versus controls (p = 0.02) including deep white matter lesions (p = 0.03) and subcortical white matter lesions (p = 0.02). The presence of white matter lesions did not correlate with serum IgG or rheumatoid factor levels, or with presence of anticardiolipin antibodies. No subjects had symptoms or signs of serious neurological disease including multiple sclerosis, and corpus callosal lesions commonly seen in multiple sclerosis were notably absent in this study. CONCLUSION: Cerebral white matter lesions detected by MRI are more frequent in patients with primary SS than control subjects, yet do not appear to be associated with significant clinical manifestations. Although the pathological nature of these lesions is yet to be defined, their presence should not be over-interpreted.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Benchmarking in home health care: a collaborative approach.

Benchmarking outcome data and constructing "best practices" to meet patient care needs are emerging trends and new mandates on the horizon in home care. The Arizona Association for Home Care Continuous Quality Improvement Forum embarked on a journey to develop standards to define and monitor urinary tract infections in the home. A collaborative process among six home care agencies allowed for comparison of urinary tract infection rates and a beginning step toward establishing benchmarking standards in home care.

Arizona↗
PubMed1998

Novel mutation in the FGFR2 gene at the same codon as the Crouzon syndrome mutations in a severe Pfeiffer syndrome type 2 case.

We have studied an infant with cloverleaf skull, proptosis, radioulnar synostosis and broad thumbs and great toes diagnosed as Pfeiffer syndrome type 2. However, there were many overlapping findings with Antley-Bixler syndrome. The patient was found to have a G to T mutation in codon 290 exon 7 of the FGFR2 gene leading to a substitution of a cys for the normal trp at this locus. This is the third mutation characterized at this codon; therefore, this locus appears to be a mutational hotspot in the gene. However, the other known mutations lead to a milder, Crouzon-like phenotype. The introduction of an additional cys into a region characterized by immunoglobulin-type loops maintained by cys S-S crosslinking may provide an explanation for the severity of the clinical findings of this child.

Acrocephalosyndactylia↗
PubMed1998

Types of spiritual well-being among persons with chronic illness: their relation to various forms of quality of life.

OBJECTIVES: Derive a spiritual well-being classification and thereby enhance understanding of the relation between spiritual well-being, quality of life (QOL), and health among persons with chronic illness or disability. DESIGN: Cluster analyses were performed to develop a spiritual well-being classification. Analysis of variance was used to compare cluster groups on various dimensions of QOL. SETTING: Part of a larger QOL study conducted at a midwestern medical center. PATIENTS: A convenience sample of 216 inpatients: amputation (n = 74), postpolio (n = 37), spinal cord injury (n = 34), breast cancer (n = 36), and prostate cancer (n = 35). Minors were excluded from the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT), Functional Living Index-Cancer (FLIC), Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), Medical Outcome Survey-Short Form (SF-36), and the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). RESULTS: Three types of spiritual well-being were identified: religious (n = 146), existential (n = 37), and nonspiritual (n = 30). Significant cluster differences (p < .03 to p < .001) were observed across all QOL domains and life satisfaction. Compared with the other cluster groups, the nonspiritual group reported significantly lower levels of QOL and life satisfaction and the highest proportion of health status change with respect to both improvement and decline in health. CONCLUSIONS: Three types of spiritual well-being were empirically identified in this sample. Subtypes differed significantly with respect to various aspects of QOL. Further research is needed to validate this classification and to determine if type of spiritual well-being has a causal effect on treatment outcome or on the recovery process.

Attitude↗