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Biomedical subjects

D E Hunt

Publications and source records attributed to D E Hunt.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

FT-Raman spectroscopic study of keratotic materials: horn, hoof and tortoiseshell.

The Fourier-Transform Raman spectra of some mammalian and reptilian keratins, horn, hoof and tortoiseshell, have been analysed and used for the construction of a database for the identification of highly keratotic samples. The samples investigated were; bovine keratin and hoof, Texas Longhorn cattle horn, kudu horn, tortoiseshell and human finger nail. Significant spectral differences were observed in the 1000-400 cm-1 wavenumber range, which included the conformationally important v(SS) and v(CS) features around 500 and 640 cm-1, respectively. The amide I (1650 cm-1) and amide III (1260 cm-1) bands confirmed that the reptilian keratin studied exists in the beta-sheet conformation, whilst mammalian keratins are predominantly laid down in an alpha-helical conformation. The FT-Raman spectral differences particularly between the horn and hoof specimens are very useful for the non-destructive characterisation of artefacts and provides a novel application of the technique.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Prevalence of coronary heart disease risk factors among rural blacks: a community-based study.

BACKGROUND: Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains the most common cause of death among blacks, and the difference in CHD mortality between blacks and whites is growing. This trend may be due in part to higher rates of CHD risk factors among blacks. This study was done to determine the prevalence of CHD risk factors among a population-based sample of 403 rural blacks in Virginia. METHODS: Community-based screening evaluations included the determination of exercise and smoking habits, blood pressure, height, weight, total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and glycosylated hemoglobin. RESULTS: The prevalences of smoking (32.5% of men, 20.0% of women), high cholesterol (16.6% of men, 18.9% of women) and sedentary lifestyle (37.5% of men, 66.7% of women) were similar to prevalences reported for other black populations. However, the prevalences of diabetes (13.6% of men, 15.6% of women), hypertension (30.9% of men, 43.1% of women), and obesity (38.7% of men, 64.7% of women) were higher than those reported elsewhere. Increased body mass index was significantly associated with higher prevalences of hypertension, diabetes, and low HDL cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: Innovative methods are needed to decrease the high risk factor prevalences among this population.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

A selected bibliography on the drug use(r) "career".

This paper provides a brief discussion of the issues in examining "heavy" drug use in terms of a "career." This is an old paradigm in drug user research, and one that has produced some of the richest descriptions in the literature. It draws on the analytic approach developed to study other criminal activity in terms of "criminal careers" as well as the literature describing the variety of career "patterns" for substance users. Research into drug user careers is focused on the most serious, chronic substance users and examines the predictors of transition from lower level involvement to higher levels of involvement. Their use differs from that of experimental or social-recreational use in terms of its frequency and its significance in the user's life. The bibliography is divided into two general headings: research which described drug use careers and methodological issues in studying drug use careers. It ranges from classic narratives of the lives of drug users to discussions of the problems of trying to characterize accurately or to follow complex lives over time.

Anthropology, Cultural↗
PubMed1997

Coronary heart disease risk factors and cigarette smoking among rural African Americans.

Cigarette smoking has been reported to worsen high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and other cardiac risk factors, yet no studies have examined this issue among rural African Americans. This study examines the association between cigarette smoking and cardiac risk factors among rural African Americans. A population-based sample of 403 African-American adults from two rural Virginia counties underwent total cholesterol (TC), HDL, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), body mass index (BMI), serum glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin (GlyHb) measurements. Cross-sectional multivariate analyses were used to compare risk factors across categories of cigarette use. Age, BMI, alcohol consumption, and the use of antihypertensive medications were covariates in the analysis. Results indicated that female light smokers had significantly lower SBP and DBP, and lower HDL. Female heavy smokers had significantly lower HDL and BMI and significantly higher TC/HDL ratios. Male heavy smokers had significantly higher SBP. More than 33% of males and more than 50% of females were overweight, and increasing BMI was associated with significantly or nearly significantly worsening of all other risk factor levels. Both cigarette smoking and obesity adversely affect other cardiac risk factors. Novel approaches are needed to decrease both smoking and obesity in this difficult to reach population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

A plan for estimating the number of "hardcore" drug users in the United States.

This paper describes a program of research that would allow the size, characteristics, and geographic distribution of the "hardcore" population of drug users in the United States to be monitored over time. The program is conceived as a complement to and extension of existing federal data collection initiatives. It involves the development of mathematical models of drug use careers, and the use of these models to estimate the size of the "hardcore" population of drug users within selected geographic areas. These local area estimates are then used in conjunction with more readily available information to estimate the size of the "hardcore" population of drug users in the country as a whole.

Bias↗
PubMed1994

How mergers go wrong.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Interprofessional Relations↗
PubMed1986

Selective medium for the isolation of Bacteroides gingivalis.

Bacteroides gingivalis has been implicated in various forms of periodontal disease and may be responsible for other diseases in humans. The role of B. gingivalis in disease has been difficult to assess, because it is inhibited by most selective media commonly used by clinical laboratories to aid in isolating gram-negative, nonsporeforming anaerobes. We have developed a new medium, Bacteroides gingivalis agar, which contains bacitracin, colistin, and nalidixic acid as selective agents. This medium allowed B. gingivalis to be isolated from oral specimens with little difficulty and also allowed B. gingivalis to be isolated from phenotypically similar Bacteroides species, such as B. asaccharolyticus and B. endodontalis, with which it can easily be confused.

Bacitracin↗
PubMed1986

Alcohol use and abuse: heavy drinking among methadone clients.

This paper discusses alcohol use among methadone maintenance clients and narcotics users not in treatment. The data are derived from the Tri-State Ethnographic Project, a study of four methadone maintenance clinics in three states. Data indicate that methadone clients consume more alcohol than comparable age groups in the general population, but not more alcohol than narcotics users not in treatment. For a portion of the treatment population, however, heavy drinking presents significant problems. Sixteen percent of the treatment sample were found to be abusive pattern drinkers; that is, persons who report not only drinking heavily but also spending a great deal of time hanging out on the street, getting high, and consuming many other additional drugs. These abusive pattern drinkers reflect a pattern of polydrug use which began in their early teens and report multiple unsuccessful treatment attempts.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Patterns of cocaine use among methadone clients.

This paper presents data on cocaine use and its consequences among 368 methadone-maintained clients. Data come from the Tristate Ethnographic Project (TRISEP), a study of methadone maintenance at four treatment programs in three states. Cocaine is a part of the drug use and social life of clients in methadone treatment; it is found not only among a handful of deviant clients but also among one-fifth of clients otherwise compliant with program rules. Cocaine is reported to be a high-status drug among clients, but one with potentially dangerous consequences. Cocaine is associated with increased criminal activity and exposure to violence and the addict life-style. It is reported to be a substitute high, an economic drain on the client user, and a possible route back into the life-style of addiction. Cocaine use, and the consequences stemming from that use, may affect the success or failure of treatment and, therefore, is of critical importance to the treatment community.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Street pharmacology: uses of cocaine and heroin in the treatment of addiction.

This paper examines a unique finding from a larger research study of methadone maintenance treatment at four treatment programs in three Northeastern states. In looking at methods used by narcotics addicts to withdraw or detoxify from heroin, we found a small group of persons who had successfully detoxified from heroin addiction using a structured injection regimen of gradually decreasing amounts of heroin and gradually increasing amounts of cocaine. While this paper represents the case study of ten cases, the regimen was reported by others as part of 'street pharmacology.' It is a relatively uncommon regimen, reportedly due to the expense of the procedure and the problems associated with cocaine abuse. It is the pharmacological aspects of the procedure which warrant attention. All ten cases reported little or no withdrawal symptoms after the last injection containing small amounts of heroin. It was widely believed that cocaine interacts with heroin in a way which masks withdrawal during the detoxification process, providing a measure of physiological relief. Information from the addict world on that interaction provides clues as to the biochemical properties of drug interactions and may suggest areas for further clinical and pharmacological research.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Disinfection of nitrous oxide inhalation equipment.

Cross-infection by contaminated equipment is a potential hazard associated with conscious sedation with nitrous oxide and oxygen . Nosocomial infections have occasionally been linked wih the use of unsterile inhalation devices; microbial contamination of sterile nasal hoods routinely occurs during administration of nitrous oxide; and in vitro experiments indicate that subsequent use of contaminated nasal masks may lead to aspiration of microorganisms. Although the incidence of respiratory disease after such contamination is unknown, it is clear that disinfection of the nitrous oxide apparatus between patients is desirable. A simple cleaning method involving alkaline glutaraldehyde is described that provides adequate disinfection of the rubber goods used in the administration of gas. Superiority of this technique over previously recommended cleaning methods is shown.

Aldehydes↗
PubMed1978

Antibiotic suseptibility of bacteria isolated from oral infections.

Exudates from bacterial infections of oral soft tissues were cultured and tested for antiobiotic susceptibility. Of 74 specimens tested, 68 were cultivable on blood agar; 56 of the cultivable exudates were pure cultures and 12 were mixed cultures. Strepococci and staphylococci accounted for 57% and 34%, respectively, of the pure cultures. Anaerobic bacteria were found in nearly 15% of the pure culture exudates. Gramnegative organisms accounted for about 4% of the pure cultures. Virtually all of the pure and mixed streptococcal cultures were sensitive or moderately susceptible to ampicillin, cephalothin, and penicillin; however, approximately 50% of the streptococal and staphylocococcal isolates were resistant to demeclocycline hydrochloride and erythromycin.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1976

A spectrophotometric assay for measuring the uptake of actinobolin by components of human enamel.

A spectrophotometric assay was developed for measuring the uptake of the antibiotic actinobolin by hydroxylapatite (HAP) or powdered human enamel. The assay is sufficiently sensitive to detect less than 2.0 mug actinobolin/ml of: 0.01 M sodium phosphate buffer at pH 5.5, 7.0, or 8.0; deionized water; deionized water containing 1% salivary supernatant; or each of the above indicated solvent systems containing 1-5 parts per million sodium fluoride. The utility of the assay system has been demonstrated by date which show that approximately 5-7 mug of actinobolin are bound per 10 mg of HAP or powdered enamel.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗