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Biomedical subjects

D Harvey

Publications and source records attributed to D Harvey.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Enhancement of rural community committee capacity for heart health promotion in Manitoba.

The province of Manitoba is 'rural' by nature, although 70% of its one million people reside within two large urban centres. The Manitoba Heart Health Project (MHHP) province-wide survey (1989) showed that cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors were highest and heart health-related knowledge was lowest in the rural population. Working with rural communities, the MHHP Demonstration Project (1992-95) carried out rural heart health promotion using a rural community committee-driven approach with appropriate training, limited resources and at low cost.

Community Participation↗
PubMed2000

Activation of genotoxins to DNA-damaging species in exfoliated breast milk cells.

Exfoliated cells, isolated from breast milk samples donated by UK-resident women (n=15), were incubated, either immediately or after culture for 7 days, with one of a series of genotoxins, either in the presence or absence of the DNA-repair inhibitors, hydroxyurea (HU), and cytosine arabinoside (ara-C). The numbers of DNA single-strand breaks induced were then assessed as comet tail length (CTL) (microm) using the alkaline single cell-gel electrophoresis ('Comet') assay; cell viability was measured by trypan blue exclusion. The heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) (2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) (0.4 mM), 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) (1.67 mM), 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) (1.77 mM)), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) (0.36 mM)), a nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (1-nitropyrene (1-NP) (1.84 mM)) and aromatic amines (o-toluidine (0.85 mM), p-chloroaniline (0. 71 mM)) each induced statistically significant (P<0.0001, Mann-Whitney test) increases in median CTLs in breast milk cells from all the donors examined when incubated (30 min, 37 degrees C) in the presence of HU/ara-C. In some cases, these compounds were also active in the absence of the repair inhibitors. There were marked variations in comet formation between donors and between genotoxins. Cell culture appeared to increase the epithelial cell proportion and cultured cells retained their ability to activate genotoxins. The results suggest that breast milk is a valuable source of human mammary cells for the study of the metabolic activation of possible carcinogens.

Biotransformation↗
PubMed2000

The genome sequence of Drosophila melanogaster.

The fly Drosophila melanogaster is one of the most intensively studied organisms in biology and serves as a model system for the investigation of many developmental and cellular processes common to higher eukaryotes, including humans. We have determined the nucleotide sequence of nearly all of the approximately 120-megabase euchromatic portion of the Drosophila genome using a whole-genome shotgun sequencing strategy supported by extensive clone-based sequence and a high-quality bacterial artificial chromosome physical map. Efforts are under way to close the remaining gaps; however, the sequence is of sufficient accuracy and contiguity to be declared substantially complete and to support an initial analysis of genome structure and preliminary gene annotation and interpretation. The genome encodes approximately 13,600 genes, somewhat fewer than the smaller Caenorhabditis elegans genome, but with comparable functional diversity.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Rural psychologists' network.

The Australian Psychological Society has established an Interest Group in Rural and Remote Psychology. The aims are to foster research into psychological issues concerning rural and remote communities and to provide a support network for psychologists working in rural and remote areas. Contact details regarding activities and membership are outlined.

Focus Groups↗
PubMed2000

3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) in soy sauces and similar products available from retail outlets in the UK.

A survey of the level of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) in soy sauces and similar products available in the UK is reported. The survey was carried out by the Joint Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food/Department of Health Food Safety and Standards Group (JFSSG) to check for compliance with the Food Advisory Committee's (FAC) recommended limit for 3-MCPD of 0.01 mg/kg following reports that soy sauces in several European countries had been found to contain high levels (up to 124 mg/kg) of 3-MCPD. Forty samples of soy sauce and similar products purchased from retail outlets were analysed using a GC-MS procedure which had been formally validated by an earlier collaborative trial. 3-MCPD was undetectable in 21 (52%) of samples analysed in the survey, with a further five samples containing very low levels of between 0.01 and 0.02 mg/kg. Five samples (13%) contained 3-MCPD at levels in the range 0.020-1 mg/kg while nine samples (23%) were found to contain 3-MCPD at levels greater than 1 mg/kg, with the highest level being 30.5 mg/kg.

Carcinogens↗
PubMed2000

DNA damage in human breast milk cells and its induction by 'early' and 'late' milk extracts.

Environmental and dietary factors are thought to be significant in breast cancer aetiology. The alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis ('Comet') assay was used to examine breast milk cells for DNA damage and to measure the activity of extracts of the milk in causing such damage. UK-resident women were recruited as donors (n = 16) and provided 'early' ( approximately 4 weeks post-partum) and/or 'late' ( approximately 4 months post-partum) milk samples. Cells (79-94% viable, trypan blue exclusion) were either examined immediately for DNA damage or were cultured for 1 week prior to treatment with a breast milk extract. DNA damage in the form of single-strand breaks was quantified as comet tail length (CTL). Cell preparations examined immediately exhibited interindividual variation in median CTL (range 2.0-40.0 microm) with or without the DNA repair inhibitors hydroxyurea (HU) and cytosine arabinoside (ara-C). DNA damage decreased following culture, suggesting either DNA repair or death of DNA-damaged cells. Some donors' breast milk extracts induced DNA damage in their cultured cells and increases in median CTL were significantly greater with HU/ara-C (range 4.0-72.5 microm) than without (range 2.5-27.5 microm). Genotoxicity occurred without cytotoxicity (81-97% viability after treatment). Comparisons between cells and extracts from 'early' and 'late' milk samples did not support the idea of a progressive clearance of genotoxins from mammary lipid during lactation. Donors whose untreated cells contained the most DNA damage tended to yield genotoxic breast milk extracts. Cells isolated from milk activated the rodent mammary carcinogens o-toluidine and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP). The relevance of genotoxic exposures to breast cancer initiation requires further investigation.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Investigation of the association between excess winter mortality and socio-economic deprivation.

BACKGROUND: Excess winter mortality is higher in England and Wales than in other European countries with similar or lower average winter temperatures. It might be expected that excess winter mortality would be higher in areas with greater socio-economic deprivation, and if this were so preventive interventions could be directed at populations in these areas. The association between deprivation and excess winter mortality has not been adequately investigated in the past. The aim of this study was to look at the association between excess winter mortality and socio-economic deprivation, so that policy decisions to reduce this excess mortality could be appropriately directed. METHODS: Super Profile groups derived from the 1991 Census were used as a measure of socio-economic status. The age-standardized excess winter death index (EWDI) was calculated for each Super Profile group, for the population of Bradford. The EWDI was also calculated for the manufacturing districts (Office for National Statistics area classification), a relatively deprived group, and compared with that for England and Wales. RESULTS: No significant trend was found in age-standardized excess winter mortality across the Super Profile groups. The manufacturing districts had a similar EWDI to the national value. CONCLUSION: Excess winter mortality is not associated with deprivation. Further research to identify the important aetiological factors and appropriate interventions to reduce excess winter mortality is needed.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Ultrasonography and hormone profiles of persistent ovarian follicles (cysts) induced with low doses of progesterone in cattle.

The aims of this study were to expose dominant ovarian follicles at the end of the oestrous cycle to low progesterone concentrations similar to those that occur during stress, and to examine the effect of a subsequent small increase in progesterone 10 days later. Half a progesterone releasing intravaginal device (0.5 PRID) was administered to 13 heifers from day 15 of the oestrous cycle. In group 1 (n = 7), one 0.5 PRID remained in place until day 40 or until each heifer ovulated. In group 2 (n = 6), the first 0.5 PRID was removed on day 28, and replaced immediately with a second 0.5 PRID. Ultra-sonography and blood collection (10 ml) were conducted each day for 26 days from day 14 and then on alternate days. The largest follicle that emerged during the first 5 days after insertion of the initial 0.5 PRID remained > 10 mm in diameter for 15.3 +/- 1.7 and 11.6 +/- 0.4 days in groups 1 and 2, respectively. This period of dominance, during which no other follicles emerged, was closely correlated with the duration of plasma oestradiol concentrations exceeding 10 pg ml(-1). In four heifers from group 1, the persistent follicle ovulated between days 30 and 37 (sub-group 1a; 0.5 PRID expelled). In three heifers from sub-group 1b (0.5 PRID retained), the dominant follicle secreted oestradiol for 17 +/- 5 days but remained detectable by ultrasonography for a total of 33 +/- 8 days (range 26-52 days). Monitoring continued beyond day 40 in these animals. In group 2, the new 0.5 PRID inserted on day 28 resulted in an increase in plasma progesterone concentration of 0.9 +/- 0.3 ng ml(-1). Simultaneously, oestradiol decreased by 10.1 +/- 3.3 pg ml(-1), and a new follicular wave emerged 5-7 days later. In conclusion, exposure to very low concentrations of progesterone produced persistent follicles that secreted oestradiol for 17 days. This oestradiol production could be disrupted by a second increase of 0.9 ng ml(-1) in peripheral progesterone concentration. In the absence of the second progesterone treatment, some of the persistent follicles remained detectable by ultrasonography for up to 52 days, despite cessation of oestradiol secretion.

Administration, Intravaginal↗
PubMed1999

New PCR primers for the sensitive detection and specific identification of group B beta-hemolytic streptococci in cerebrospinal fluid.

Group B beta-hemolytic streptococci (GBS) are a major cause of sepsis and meningitis in newborn babies. Although penicillin remains an effective treatment, there has been no decline in mortality. The rapid identification of GBS in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) would improve the diagnosis of meningitis, but data from several previous studies indicate that the sensitivity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is not better than culture. Following extraction and precipitation of DNA, we have used semi-nested PCR to amplify a 450 base-pair and a 265 base-pair product of the 16S rRNA gene. This method has a lower detection limit of 50 fg of DNA and six CFU of GBS per millilitre. Specificity was confirmed by analysing a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms and pediatric isolates. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of 56 cerebrospinal fluid specimens from infants under 1 year of age was performed and compared with culture. False-negative results were only encountered when processed CSF supernatant was analysed. False-positive results were obtained when DNA from Streptococcus porcinus was amplified, however this is a rare organism which has yet to be isolated as a cause of neonatal meningitis. The data indicate that semi-nested PCR is a rapid tool which might be used to confirm a diagnosis of GBS meningitis in infants and newborn babies.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Bacterial meningitis in the newborn: a prospective study of mortality and morbidity.

Neonatal bacterial meningitis is a serious disease around the world, with the incidence changing little in the past 30 years. Group B streptococci, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae are common causative organisms and lumbar puncture remains the definitive method of diagnosis. The mortality rate has declined in industrialized countries over the years, from almost 50% in the 1970s to less than 10% in 1997. However, neurological sequelae are still frequently observed despite major changes in treatment. Preliminary analysis of our own data from a prospective study of cases in the United Kingdom suggests that treatment with third generation cephalosporins is related to a decrease in mortality but not morbidity.

Cephalosporins↗
PubMed1999

Global change: state of the science.

Only recently, within a few decades, have we realized that humanity significantly influences the global environment. In the early 1980s, atmospheric measurements confirmed basic concepts developed a decade earlier. These basic concepts showed that human activities were affecting the ozone layer. Later measurements and theoretical analyses have clearly connected observed changes in ozone to human-related increases of chlorine and bromine in the stratosphere. As a result of prompt international policy agreements, the combined abundances of ozone-depleting compounds peaked in 1994 and ozone is already beginning a slow path to recovery. A much more difficult problem confronting humanity is the impact of increasing levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases on global climate. The processes that connect greenhouse gas emissions to climate are very complex. This complexity has limited our ability to make a definitive projection of future climate change. Nevertheless, the range of projected climate change shows that global warming has the potential to severely impact human welfare and our planet as a whole. This paper evaluates the state of the scientific understanding of the global change issues, their potential impacts, and the relationships of scientific understanding to policy considerations.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Rural Health Support, Education and Training Program (RHSET): where to now?

The Rural Health Support Education and Training (RHSET) Program is a Commonwealth Government grants program established in 1990 to enhance the access to rural communities to effective health services. The emphasis has been on professional workforce issues. Up until December 1997, 431 applications for funding had been approved and close to $37 million allocated. This article considers the grants awarded in that period according to their main topic of interest within three broad groupings: policy and tertiary service provision; health discipline-specific groups; and special interest groups such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and community organisations. Each subgroup is introduced and its contents outlined. It also suggests that despite heightened government interest in rural and remote health, a niche can still be found for RHSET. It further argues that the time has come for a major evaluation of project activity to ensure non-duplication and to develop performance indicators for evaluating projects addressing rural and remote area workforce issues.

Australia↗
PubMed1999

An exploration of the sequence of a 2.9-Mb region of the genome of Drosophila melanogaster: the Adh region.

A contiguous sequence of nearly 3 Mb from the genome of Drosophila melanogaster has been sequenced from a series of overlapping P1 and BAC clones. This region covers 69 chromosome polytene bands on chromosome arm 2L, including the genetically well-characterized "Adh region." A computational analysis of the sequence predicts 218 protein-coding genes, 11 tRNAs, and 17 transposable element sequences. At least 38 of the protein-coding genes are arranged in clusters of from 2 to 6 closely related genes, suggesting extensive tandem duplication. The gene density is one protein-coding gene every 13 kb; the transposable element density is one element every 171 kb. Of 73 genes in this region identified by genetic analysis, 49 have been located on the sequence; P-element insertions have been mapped to 43 genes. Ninety-five (44%) of the known and predicted genes match a Drosophila EST, and 144 (66%) have clear similarities to proteins in other organisms. Genes known to have mutant phenotypes are more likely to be represented in cDNA libraries, and far more likely to have products similar to proteins of other organisms, than are genes with no known mutant phenotype. Over 650 chromosome aberration breakpoints map to this chromosome region, and their nonrandom distribution on the genetic map reflects variation in gene spacing on the DNA. This is the first large-scale analysis of the genome of D. melanogaster at the sequence level. In addition to the direct results obtained, this analysis has allowed us to develop and test methods that will be needed to interpret the complete sequence of the genome of this species. Before beginning a Hunt, it is wise to ask someone what you are looking for before you begin looking for it. Milne 1926

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗