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Biomedical subjects

C J Hill

Publications and source records attributed to C J Hill.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Hand volume estimates based on a geometric algorithm in comparison to water displacement.

Assessing changes in upper extremity limb volume during lymphedema therapy is important for determining treatment efficacy and documenting outcomes. Although arm volumes may be determined by tape measure, the suitability of circumference measurements to estimate hand volumes is questionable because of the deviation in circularity of hand shape. Our aim was to develop an alternative measurement procedure and algorithm for routine use to estimate hand volumes. A caliper was used to measure hand width and depth in 33 subjects (66 hands) and volumes (VE) were calculated using an elliptical frustum model. Using regression analysis and limits of agreement (LOA), VE was compared to volumes determined by water displacement (VW), to volumes calculated from tape-measure determined circumferences (VC), and to a trapezoidal model (VT). VW and VE (mean +/- SD) were similar (363 +/- 98 vs. 362 +/-100 ml) and highly correlated; VE = 1.01VW -3.1 ml, r=0.986, p<0.001, with LOA of +/- 33.5 ml and +/- 9.9 %. In contrast, VC (480 +/- 138 ml) and VT (432 +/- 122 ml) significantly overestimated volume (p<0.0001). These results indicate that the elliptical algorithm can be a useful alternative to water displacement when hand volumes are needed and the water displacement method is contra-indicated, impractical to implement, too time consuming or not available.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Two brothers with trichiasis, entropion and corneal scarring, sensorineural hearing loss, progressive thinning of scalp hair, mild learning difficulties and distinct facial features. A new syndrome?

Two brothers with very similar phenotypes involving trichiasis (misdirected lashes), entropion with corneal abrasions, strabismus, progressive thinning of the scalp hair, sensorineural hearing impairment, mild learning difficulties, and inguinal hernias are described. They have similar, distinctive facial features with deep-set eyes, a high nasal bridge and a short philtrum. Both brothers are carriers of a maternally inherited apparently balanced translocation of chromosomes 11 and 18: 46,XY, t(11;18)(p13;q21)mat. However, this is thought to be coincidental, since their younger brother also carries this translocation and is phenotypically normal. Although they have many features that are found in the ectodermal dysplasia syndromes, their combination of features is distinct and has to our knowledge not been previously reported.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Determinant attributes in nursing home choice: profiling attribute segments.

The majority of research of nursing home choice focuses on attribute importance. In comparison, this study identifies attributes that determine choice. Utilizing dual-questioning methodology, 177 nursing home decision-makers rated not only the importance of ten attributes to their choice, but also how different they perceived nursing homes to be on those attributes. When compared, determinant attributes were different from importance attributes. Respondents reported that cleanliness, location, and reputation were most determinant in nursing home choice. However, depending on profile characteristics such as income and relationship of the decision maker to the patient, determinant attributes differed. Therefore, profile characteristics influence determinant attributes.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Prevalence of malnutrition on admission to four hospitals in England. The Malnutrition Prevalence Group.

AIMS: The primary objective was to estimate prevalence of malnutrition on admission to four hospitals. Secondary objectives included assessing the relationship between nutritional status and length of hospital stay, numbers of new prescriptions, new infections and disease severity. METHODS: We entered eligible patients according to predefined quotas for elective and emergency admissions to 23 specialties. We measured height, weight, Body Mass Index and anthropometrics, and recorded history of unintentional weight loss. Patients who had lost > or = 10% of their body weight, had a Body Mass Index <20, or had a Body Mass Index <20 with one anthropometric measurement <15th centile were considered malnourished. RESULTS: Of 1611 eligible patients, 761 did not participate; 269 were too ill; 256 could not be weighed; and 236 refused consent. Eight hundred and fifty were subsequently evaluated. Prevalence of malnutrition on admission was 20%. Length of stay, new prescriptions and infections and disease severity were significantly higher in the malnourished. CONCLUSIONS: One patient in every five admitted to hospital is malnourished. Although this figure is unacceptably high, it may underestimate true prevalence. Malnutrition was associated with increased length of stay, new prescriptions and infections. Malnutrition may also have contributed to disease severity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

The production of placental protein 14 by human uterine tubal epithelial cells in culture.

Cells prepared from the mucosal layer obtained from the fimbrial, proximal ampullary and distal ampullary regions of the human uterine (Fallopian) tube have been grown in monolayer culture. Immunocytochemistry with anti-cytokeratin, anti-vimentin or anti-CD 45 antibodies indicated that the overwhelming number of cells were epithelial in nature and were free of fibroblasts and leukocytes. Basal and steroid-stimulated placental protein 14 (PP14) production was investigated in tissue obtained from nine patients undergoing hysterectomy, by addition of oestradiol and/or progesterone to confluent cultures. Basal PP14 production varied considerably between experiments, probably due to differences between individuals from whom the tissue had been obtained. However, there was no difference in basal PP14 production by cells prepared from the fimbrial, proximal ampullary and distal ampullary parts of the tube obtained from the same patient. When total PP14 production by cells obtained from an individual uterine tube was pooled both progesterone and oestradiol significantly (P < 0.05) stimulated the production of PP14 but the effect of progesterone either alone or in the presence of oestradiol was numerically greater than that of oestradiol alone. Considering PP14 production by cells prepared from the different regions of the tube showed that cells from the fimbrial region were more responsive to steroid stimulation than cells prepared from either the proximal or the distal ampullary regions. All combinations of hormonal supplementation stimulated PP14 production by cells from the fimbrial region on all days measured (P < 0.05 - P < 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1995

The interaction in vitro of human spermatozoa with epithelial cells from the human uterine (fallopian) tube.

The physical interaction between human spermatozoa and the epithelium of the human uterine (Fallopian) tube was investigated in vitro using a variety of techniques. The 'live' observation of human spermatozoa incubated with 1 day old cultures of tubal epithelium demonstrated that spermatozoa can show a strong physical interaction with epithelial cells; contact with the epithelium appeared to be random and there was no evidence of any taxis toward epithelial cells. The physical interaction (or 'binding') was resistant to gentle washing and was maintained following the addition of glutaraldehyde fixative. The intimate nature of the interaction was confirmed ultrastructurally where both spermatozoa and epithelial membranes were observed to be in close apposition. These results are the first descriptions of sperm-epithelial 'binding' in the human. They are similar to other observations made in a variety of non-human mammalian species. It is suggested that this interaction may be an important feature of normal sperm transport in the human uterine tube in vivo.

Cell Communication↗
PubMed1995

Following the drill: the search for a dentist.

The authors identify strategically useful distinctions between the activities of potential patients in search of specialized vs. routine dental services. Survey findings question the advisability of assuming (1) that what occurs in the search process for routine dental care will automatically be mirrored in the process for more specialized services and (2) that potential patients use the same specific sources of information--both between (e.g., physicians vs. dentists) and within (e.g., specialized dental care vs. routine dental care) existing health care typologies.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Morphology of the human endometrium in the peri-implantation period.

Although the histology and ultrastructure of the human endometrium are well documented, it is clear that morphometry can reveal subtle changes in cellular biology, especially when combined with suitable sampling and dating of the specimen. These changes reflect functional events, such as protein secretion, which may be studied using the endometrial flushing technique. Although it is likely that further insights into the basic cell physiology of the reproductive tract will result from the use of appropriate in vitro models, the role of endometrial biopsy for clinical monitoring remains essential.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1993

Sperm numbers and distribution within the human fallopian tube around ovulation.

This study aimed to determine the number and distribution of spermatozoa within the human Fallopian tubes around ovulation. Parous women, undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy for menorrhagia, were inseminated with either partner's semen (3/10) or donor semen (7/10). Approximately 18 h later both Fallopian tubes were ligatured into ampullary, isthmic and intramural regions. These were removed and assessed for sperm content by flushing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or homogenization. A median of 251 spermatozoa were recovered (range, 79-1386). The number of spermatozoa within each tube was not significantly different. The ovulatory ampulla contained a significantly (P < or = 0.01) larger percentage of spermatozoa than the non-ovulatory ampulla. The number of motile spermatozoa inseminated was not significantly correlated to the number of spermatozoa recovered, but a trend was identified. The time between the onset of the luteinizing hormone surge and hysterectomy was significantly correlated (P < or = 0.01) to the number of spermatozoa within the intramural regions, but not to the tubal sperm distribution. Spermatozoa were not observed, by SEM, bound to the tubal epithelium. These data suggest that, after artificial insemination at least, sperm access to the human Fallopian tube may be controlled, but that ovulation does not affect the redistribution of spermatozoa between tubal regions and that the isthmus does not appear to act specifically as a sperm reservoir.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Analysis of the primary sex ratio, sex chromosome aneuploidy and diploidy in human sperm using dual-colour fluorescence in situ hybridisation.

In situ hybridisation technology provides a new tool for chromosome analysis of human spermatozoa. We have used dual-colour fluorescence in situ with probes specific for the X and Y chromosomes and chromosomes 1 and 12 to (a) identify the primary male gametic sex chromosome ratio; (b) assess the number of numerical sex chromosome abnormalities, and (c) quantify the incidence of diploid sperm. We have examined over 60,000 sperm from three normal males and found the primary sex ratio to be indistinguishable from unity. The frequency of hyperhaploid sperm was 0.8, 1.03 and 2.27 per thousand for XX, YY and XY respectively, whilst 1.67 per thousand sperm were diploid. A comparison of our results with estimates of sex chromosome aneuploidy in human populations suggests that sperm carrying two sex chromosomes may be at a selective disadvantage.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Investigating differences in choice decisions for physicians, dentists and lawyers.

This paper presents findings from a study investigating differences in the importance of nineteen criteria in the choice of professionals from three professional groups--physicians, dentists, and lawyers. Knowledge is the most important for all three groups but is less so for doctors. Discussions about the problem and its treatment are both less important for dentists. Six characteristics of professional service providers are used to explain differences.

Adolescent↗