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Biomedical subjects

C Kelleher

Publications and source records attributed to C Kelleher.

52 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

ABO blood group and social class: a prospective study in a regional blood bank.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate an association previously reported in a retrospective study between the A phenotype and social classes I and II. DESIGN: The study was a prospective survey using a cohort of blood donors. SETTING: Participants were donors at a regional blood bank in southern Ireland servicing a population of approximately 380,000. PARTICIPANTS: Of 2442 donors considered for inclusion in the study, 21 refused to participate, 33 provided insufficient information, and 184 were excluded because they were not wholly of Irish extraction, leaving a total of 2204 subjects, 64% of whom were male. MEASUREMENT AND RESULTS: Occupation, age and birth place were obtained from a short questionnaire given to all potential donors during the study period. Social class was defined according to the United Kingdom Registrar General's criteria. No association between the ABO phenotype and social class could be found, either on the whole sample, or on currently employed persons, or on separate analysis of the sexes. CONCLUSIONS: The balance of current evidence is against a variation in ABO distribution by social class designation.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1989

Homelessness.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Ill-Housed Persons↗
PubMed1988

Hypertension in diabetic clinic patients and their siblings.

The prevalence of hypertension was investigated in a systematically chosen sample of patients attending a diabetic clinic. One hundred ninety-one patients were classified as Type 1 (insulin-dependent), 183 were classified as Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) and 12 were deemed unclassifiable. Two hundred fifty-five control subjects attending non-medical out-patient clinics were also examined under similar conditions. Hypertension was significantly (p less than 0.001) more common among Type 2 patients (38%) than among Type 1 patients (15%) or control subjects (16%). The difference between Type 2 patients and control subjects, but not between Type 2 and Type 1 patients, persisted when the influences of age and body mass index were controlled. We also investigated the prevalence of hypertension among the siblings of the hypertensive patients identified, together with a matched normotensive group. One hundred eighty-eight siblings were examined and historical details were obtained for a further 451 siblings. When age and body mass index were controlled for in examined siblings, the risk of hypertension was greater in those with a hypertensive proband than in those with a normotensive proband, in the control (p less than 0.06) and Type 1 (p less than 0.02) groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Randomized controlled trial of low dose warfarin in the primary prevention of ischaemic heart disease in men at high risk: design and pilot study.

We report the pilot stage of a double-blind randomized controlled trial of low dose warfarin in the primary prevention of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in men at high risk. The first objective was to see if levels of factor VII coagulant activity, VIIc, could be reduced without undue difficulty from a mean level of about 115% to about 70% (the level in patients on conventional warfarin doses being about 30%). This was accomplished with a mean daily dose of 4.6 mg warfarin. The international normalized ratio (INR) corresponding to a VIIc value of 70% was about 1.5. The second objective was to assess the risk of bleeding associated with the intended level of anticoagulation. There was no significant excess in the number of actively treated men ever reporting nose bleeds, possible haematuria, rectal bleeding or bruising, although there may have been an increase in the frequency of rectal bleeding in men who did report this symptom. The third objective was to establish the willingness of patients to take part in a trial of this kind. Of those invited to the initial screening examination, 72% attended. Of those invited to enter the treatment phase of the trial, 71% did so. Compliance with trial treatment was at a very high level. The rate of withdrawal from randomized treatment was within acceptable limits, at about 15% over a three- or four-year period. The scientific case for a full trial is strong and the pilot trial shows that it could be accomplished.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Genetically determined regulators acting on the blast cells of acute myeloblastic leukemia.

Regulatory mechanisms affecting the growth of leukemic cells are attractive targets for new treatments. The blast cells of acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) may be considered as a lineage; a minority are stem cells capable of both self-renewal and determination followed by terminal divisions ending in proliferatively inert cells retaining blast morphology. Two cell culture methods are available for the study of blasts. The first is a clonogenic assay. Blast stem cells form colonies in methylcellulose, containing proliferatively inert blast cells, together with a small number of new progenitors. Growth factor(s) are usually required. These may be supplied by media conditioned by the continuous bladder carcinoma cell line HTB9 (HTB9-CM). The recombinant growth factors GM-CSF and G-CSF are also active, and in many instances are synergistic. Blast progenitors will also grow in suspension, provided the cell density is high and growth factors are provided. In these cultures, blast progenitors increase in number, reflecting their self-renewal capacity. Evidence is also available that specific genes may be involved in the self-renewal process. Thus, three forms of growth regulation, similar to those encoded by proto-oncogenes, can be shown to be operative in AML blast cell cultures.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗
PubMed1987

Synergism between recombinant growth factors, GM-CSF and G-CSF, acting on the blast cells of acute myeloblastic leukemia.

The genes for the hemopoietic growth factors, GM colony-stimulating factor (CSF) and G-CSF have been cloned, and recombinant material is available for both. We tested these recombinant factors for their effects on the blast cells of acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML). Culture methods are available that support both colony formation by AML blasts and the growth of blast stem cells in suspension. Recombinant GM-CSF is active in both culture systems, although to a varying degree. We found that recombinant G-CSF was also effective; however, the two recombinant factors showed striking synergism for the stimulation of blast growth of cells from five of eight AML patients. In these cases, the combination was equivalent to the stimulating activity of supernatants from the continuous cell line 5637. This conditioned medium (HTB9-CM) is considered the standard for blast growth. Blasts from one of the patients grew without added factor. In another instance, recombinant GM-CSF alone was almost as effective as HTB9-CM. In the third case, both recombinant factors were active, but synergism was not observed and their combined effect was not equivalent to that of HTB9-CM. Both GM-CSF and G-CSF were active on normal bone marrow granulopoietic progenitors, but synergism was not observed. We conclude that the marked heterogeneity observed when AML blasts are examined by other criteria is also observed when their response to growth factors is evaluated.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1987

The pressor response to exercise and stress in uncomplicated insulin-dependent diabetes.

We investigated whether or not an increased pressor response to exercise or stress is a feature of the diabetic state per se or a feature of its complications was investigated. Twelve insulin-dependent diabetic patients without clinical evidence of complications and with normal albumin excretion rates (less than 20 micrograms/min) were studied together with 12 matched control subjects. Each underwent a study protocol of isometric handgrip exercise at 30% of maximum capacity for four minutes, a cold pressor test with immersion of one hand in ice-cold water for two minutes, and bicycle ergometry at a resistance of 105 watts per minute for six minutes. The tests were undertaken in the same order in all subjects. There was, in both groups, a similar and significant rise in systolic blood pressure and pulse rate in response to each stimulus. Diastolic pressure also rose significantly in response to handgrip exercise and to cold pressor stimulation, but fell slightly during bicycle ergometry in both groups. Mean plasma noradrenaline concentration rose in response to each stimulus but the changes reached conventional significance in both groups only in response to handgrip exercise. Pressor responses to exercise and stress, as tested here, are concluded to be normal in insulin-dependent diabetic patients without complications due to their disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A common genetic polymorphism associated with lower coagulation factor VII levels in healthy individuals.

We have identified a genetic polymorphism of factor VII that is strongly associated with plasma factor VII coagulant activity (factor VIIc) in healthy individuals from the United Kingdom. This polymorphism was detected after Msp I digestion of polymerase chain reaction-amplified genomic DNA. In a sample of 284 men, the frequency of the M2 allele (loss of cutting site) is 0.1, and individuals with the M1M2 genotype have factor VIIc levels 22% below the sample mean (p less than 0.0001). Msp I genotype was found to be the strongest predictor of factor VIIc, accounting for 20.2% of the variance, with cholesterol accounting for an additional 3.5%. The base change that gives rise to the Msp I polymorphism is a G-to-A substitution in the codon for amino acid 353, leading to replacement of arginine (Arg) with glutamine (Gln) in the protein product of the M2 allele (designated Gln 353). Three individuals homozygous for the M2 allele have both low factor VIIc and low factor VII protein concentrations. The conformation of the Gln 353 molecule may be different from that of the Arg 353 protein, affecting its intracellular processing, secretion, turnover in plasma, or activity. In view of its association with lower factor VIIc levels, possession of the M2 allele may confer protection against thrombosis and myocardial infarction.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Lifestyle and cancer: the relative effects of a workplace health promotion program across gender and social class.

A self-administered cross-sectional survey was used to assess the relative impact of a health promotion program on blue- and white-collar workers of both sexes. The program operated in five different types of organizations and consisted of exercise, nutrition, smoking, stress, breast and testicular self-examination. Significant positive improvements occurred on at least five health behaviors for female workers reporting and four behaviors for male workers, with the greatest gains among blue-collar women. Several study limitations are noted suggesting a cautious interpretation of the results.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hormone replacement therapy: a survey of Irish general practitioners.

We report findings of a cross-sectional postal survey of current prescribing practices of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) by Irish General Practitioners from a random sample of 600 Irish College of General Practitioners members. Median estimated prescribing rate of HRT was 17.5% (interquartile range 10 to 30%). The majority of General Practitioners would prescribe for the prevention of osteoporosis but there was some reluctance to prescribe solely for the prevention of CVD. Common cardiovascular conditions were regarded as contraindications to HRT by nearly one-third of GPs. Female GPs were more likely than males to request mammography (p < 0.002), to consider a first degree relative with breast cancer a contraindication (p < 0.01) and less likely to prescribe HRT for longer than 10 years (p < 0.0001), because of breast cancer risk. 78% of GPs would offer HRT to all eligible women. We conclude the estimated prescribing rate is comparable to rates in other developed countries.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effect of exposure, storage times, and types of holding media on the drag-swab monitoring technique for Salmonella.

Four maintenance media were compared for the preservation of the sensitivity of drag swabs and to assess the survival of Salmonella spp. on drag swabs at reduced temperatures. The effects of Difco double-strength skim milk (2 x SM), 2% buffered peptone water (BPW), a modified liquid Cary-Blair transport medium (LCB), and lactose broth holding medium were compared, as were storage periods of various lengths. The results with enzyme-linked immunosorbent antigen capture assay and highly selective plating media detection systems showed that 2 x SM had the highest level of recovery of salmonellae after prolonged storage, both under refrigeration at 4 C for 3 days and under frozen conditions of -15 C for 2 weeks.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Validated indexes: key to nursing acuity standardization.

Classification systems for nurse staffing could be standardized and used in reimbursement and outcome studies if validated health status and illness severity measures were used as proxies for nursing acuity.

American Nurses' Association↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Epizootiology of avian influenza--simultaneous monitoring of sentinel ducks and turkeys in Minnesota.

Isolation-reared mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) were placed on ponds in turkey-rearing areas in Minnesota, and their cloacae were periodically swabbed to attempt isolating virus from embryonated chicken eggs. Nearby turkeys were sampled by taking cloacal and tracheal swabs as well as blood samples. Hemagglutinating viruses were identified at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa. During this two-year study, the weekly influenza virus-isolation rate from ducks varied from 0 to 24.4%. A total of 213 influenza viruses were isolated from the ducks. Twenty-six influenza virus subtypes were detected. Ninety-seven flocks of turkeys were diagnosed as having influenza by virus isolation and/or serology. Eight influenza virus subtypes were involved in the turkey outbreaks, and seven of these were also detected in the ducks and/or other avian species. The weekly infection rate of the sentinel ducks correlated directly with observations of wild ducks at the monitoring sites. Influenza virus was isolated from water samples collected near the sentinel duck sites during the study.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Home environment and childhood asthma.

The prevalence of childhood asthma has increased dramatically in the past 20 years. The reasons for the increase are unclear but many authors suggest that changes in the home environment favourable to proliferation of the house dust mite are to blame. Our study aimed to compare home environment of children with asthma and controls. A questionnaire on home environment was administered to the parents of 134 children with asthma and 118 controls. Detailed studies of home temperature, humidity and dust mite allergen (DERp1) levels were performed in 20 homes (10 from each group). The questionnaire response rate was 86%. There were no significant differences between asthma and control homes with respect to social class, type of housing, smoking habits, pets, insulation, home heating, bedding, carpeting and domestic cleaning habits. A first degree family history of atopy was obtained in 42% of asthmatic families and in 16% of controls. Temperature, humidity and dust mite allergen levels were similar in both groups. The majority gave readings exceeding recommended norms. Values for DERp1 were above thresholds by a factor of 5 in 48%. Home environment does not significantly differ in children with or without asthma. The home environment is now generally mite friendly, and large segments of the childhood population are now exposed to high levels of DERp1. This may account for the increasing prevalence as more and more children with an atopic background develop overt symptoms in response to high levels of allergen load.

Animals↗