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Biomedical subjects

C Farr

Publications and source records attributed to C Farr.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Birth plans and health facility based delivery in rural Uganda.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the completion of birth plans is associated with delivery in a health facility and the perceptual causes of birth plan completion and health facility based delivery were explored according to a well-tested health behaviour theory. DESIGN: A community survey. SETTING: Rakai and Luwero districts. SUBJECTS: A total of 415 (202 in Rakai and 213 in Luwero district) respondents were randomly selected and interviewed using a mixed survey questionnaire composed of open and close-ended questions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Health facility based delivery. RESULTS: The results demonstrate a statistically significant relationship between the completion of birth plans and delivery in a health facility (OR = 1.86, 95% CI =1.1, 3.1). The fear of consequences of delivering at home was found to be an important driving force in promoting the completion of birth plans, thereby indirectly influencing the likelihood of delivery in a health facility. CONCLUSION: Given the empirical evidence presented here, this study suggests that birth plans are an important tool in improving the rate of health facility based deliveries and thus essential in the fight against maternal mortality in Uganda. It is further recommended that campaigns market the use of birth plans as a way to reduce uncertainty and manage fear and the unknown about pregnancy.

Delivery Rooms↗
PubMed2001

An investigation of the psychological characteristics of stalkers: empathy, problem-solving, attachment and borderline personality features.

This study examined the psychological characteristics of a sample of self-reported stalkers in comparison with a control group, on measures of empathy, problem-solving skills, attachment, and borderline personality features. Stalkers were identified by their endorsement of specific behavioral items, consistent with a widely adopted definition of stalking, denoting behaviors that: (a) are repeatedly directed toward an identified target; (b) are intrusive and unwanted; and (c) evoke fear in the victim. Stalkers scored significantly higher than controls on measures of insecure attachment and borderline personality features, suggesting that the stalking group demonstrates a general pattern of inadequate interpersonal attachment, has limited abilities to form and maintain appropriate relationships, is emotionally labile and unstable, and experiences ambivalence regarding their interpersonal relationships. Treatment implications are discussed herein.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Hyaluronidase and its substrate hyaluronan: biochemistry, biological activities and therapeutic uses.

This is an overview of the biochemistry, biological function and therapeutic uses of hyaluronidase and its substrate, hyaluronate. We focus on the role of hyaluronate and its receptor CD44 in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion and cell activation as well as on the putative role of hyaluronate and hyaluronidase in morphogenesis. Variants of CD44 and their putative role in tumor metastasis are also included. Other topics that are discussed are the chemical and enzymatic nature of hyaluronidase, i.e. the mode of substrate degradation, pharmacodynamical and pharmacokinetic aspects of this enzyme and its role as spreading factor. Purification methods, possible contaminations and techniques of activity determinations are mentioned as well as the physiological role of hyaluronidase and tumor-associated alterations in serum and tissue enzyme levels. As far as therapeutic applications are concerned, we discuss uses of hyaluronidase in ophthalmology and regional anesthesia as well as pain management in osteoarthritis using hyaluronate.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed1997

[Clinical pharmacology and possible applications of hyaluronidase with reference to Hylase "Dessau"].

Hyaluronidase is employed therapeutically since many years. The various detectable effects of hyaluronidase are referred to the action of this enzyme. Hyaluronidase depolymerises the mucopolysaccharide hyaluronic acid, a component of the mucoprotein ground substance or tissue cement. Hyaluronidase thereby increases in tissues the membrane permeability, reduces the viscosity and renders the tissues more readily permeable to injected fluids (spreading effect). The effects of hyaluronidase enables this enzyme to be used therapeutically to increase the speed of absorption and to diminish discomfort due to subcutaneous or intramuscular injection of fluid, to promote resorption of excess fluids and extravasated blood in the tissues and to increase the effectiveness of local anaesthesia. Hyaluronidase is widely used in many fields, i.e. in orthopaedia, surgery, ophthalmology, internal medicine, oncology, dermatology, gynaecology, etc. The following paper deals with the therapeutic uses of hyaluronidases and allows a review of the current and up to date status of the literature.

Absorption↗