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Biomedical subjects

C Holden

Publications and source records attributed to C Holden.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Home enteral feeding audit 1 year post-initiation.

UNLABELLED: OBJECTIVE To determine the practical problems that families of children on home enteral tube feeds (HETF) experience in the first year post-hospital discharge. METHODS Thirty parents/carers of children (0-16 years) completed a multiple choice/short answer questionnaire by interview 12 months after discharge from hospital. Issues addressed included: home delivery of feed and equipment; pump usage; tube changes; and overnight feeding. RESULTS: The main problems identified were: sleep disturbance (75%); frequent tube dislodgement (46%); tube blockages (41%); inability of some home delivery companies (HDC) to provide all the paediatric special feeds required (43%); and pump inaccuracy (23%). Conclusions Children on long-term HETF and their families experience significant problems with sleep disturbance, tube dislodgement and tube blockage. In addition, accuracy of pumps and obtaining feed and equipment was a source of stress. Dietitians and community nurses urgently need to explore solutions to the common problems associated with overnight feeding. Furthermore, regular home reviews are necessary in long-term HETF to continue to identify and minimize problems.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Adenosine receptors control HIV-1 Tat-induced inflammatory responses through protein phosphatase.

Recently, adenosine has been proposed to be a "metabolic" switch that may sense and direct immune and inflammatory responses. Inflammation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production are important in development of HIV-1 associated dementia, a devastating consequence of HIV-1 infection of the CNS. The HIV-1 protein Tat induces cell death in the CNS and activates local inflammatory responses partially by inducing calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum. Because activation of adenosine receptors decreases production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha in several experimental paradigms both in vitro and in vivo, we hypothesized that adenosine receptor activation would control both increased intracellular calcium and TNF-alpha production induced by Tat. Treatment of primary monocytes with Tat significantly increased the levels of intracellular calcium released from IP3 stores. Activation of adenosine receptors with CGS 21680 inhibited Tat-induced increases of intracellular calcium by 90 +/- 8% and was dependent on protein phosphatase activity because okadaic acid blocked the actions of CGS 21680. Tat-induced TNF-alpha production was inhibited 90 +/- 6% by CGS 21680 and concurrent treatment with okadaic acid blocked the inhibitory actions of CGS 21680. Using a model monocytic cell line, CGS 21680 treatment increased cytosolic serine/threonine phosphatase. Together, these data indicate that A2A receptor activation increases protein phosphatase activity, which blocks IP3 receptor-regulated calcium release and reduction of intracellular calcium inhibits TNF-alpha production in monocytes.

Adenosine↗
PubMed2004

Home enteral feeding audit.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the main problems that families experience in the first month after their child is discharged from hospital on home enteral tube feeds (HETF) in terms of obtaining feed and equipment, managing tube feeding and accessing health professionals. METHODS: A multiple choice/short answer questionnaire was used to interview 81 parents/carers of children aged 0-16 years discharged from a supra regional children's hospital on HETF for the first time between December 2001 and August 2003. Questions addressed issues such as: contact with the home delivery company (HDC); delivery of feed and equipment; training; ability to access help; illnesses associated with tube feeding; and understanding of procedures post-discharge. RESULTS: The main problems identified were: delayed first deliveries (> or =7 days post-discharge; 47%); equipment missing from the first delivery (41%); difficulty obtaining a prescription from the general practitioner (GP) (17%); changing to different equipment post-discharge with minimal training on the new equipment (26%). CONCLUSIONS: There were many problems with delays in delivery of equipment, incorrect equipment and changing of equipment when patients were first discharged on HETF. Significant improvements are necessary in organization of home enteral feeding systems when patients are first discharged.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Advised best practice for the use of emollients in eczema and other dry skin conditions.

The recent Dermatological Care Working Group report highlighted important deficiencies in the dermatology service in the UK and recommended that care should move closer to the patient. The report stated that 'expert patients' could become 'sharers in their care' and are best placed to improve their own self management. One area that could benefit greatly from increased patient education and participation is the use of emollients. Emollients are frequently prescribed for patients with eczema and other dry skin conditions. Although the benefits of emollient therapy are widely accepted, prescribing practices vary considerably, often according to physicians' individual preferences. Patients can receive confusing or conflicting treatment advice, leading to frustration, non-compliance, and difficulty in following an effective regimen. To promote the effective use of emollients it is important for patients and health professionals to understand the functions of the skin and the principles of emollient use and application. We propose a set of simple guidelines for emollient therapy in eczema care to improve day-to-day management by health professionals in the community and to promote consistent practices by patients. These guidelines form the ABC dry skin and eczema management programme supported by the National Eczema Society and accredited by the British Skin Foundation.

Eczema↗
PubMed2001

Miniprofiles.

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Biological Science Disciplines↗
PubMed2001

Stem cells. $2.2 million for cells to fight Parkinson's.

On 7 September, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research announced a $2.2 million research initiative to establish a line of dopamine-producing neurons from stem cells. Parkinson's researchers everywhere would have access to this line.

Cell Line↗