Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Healy

Publications and source records attributed to E Healy.

67 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Chromosome 9 allele loss occurs in both basal and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin.

Linkage studies of kindreds with the nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome and the high frequency of chromosome 9 allele loss in sporadic basal cell carcinomas indicate that chromosome 9 may contain tumor suppressor genes important in the development of sporadic and familial basal cell carcinomas. The recent mapping of the Ferguson-Smith syndrome, which predisposes affected individuals to the development of multiple lesions histologically indistinguishable from squamous cell carcinomas, suggests that tumor suppressor genes on 9q may also be important in the development of squamous cell neoplasms of the skin. Fifty-four non-melanoma skin cancers (24 basal cell carcinomas, 14 squamous cell carcinomas, and 16 cases of Bowen's disease) were examined for loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 9. Allelic loss at one or more loci on chromosome 9 was observed in 14 of 24 basal cell carcinomas, four of 14 squamous cell carcinomas, and three of 16 cases of Bowen's disease. Allelic deletion of one or more 9q markers was seen in 14 basal cell carcinomas, three squamous cell carcinomas, and three cases of Bowen's disease. Five basal cell carcinomas had interstitial deletions and in one the breakpoint mapped within the nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome locus. 9p loss occurred in three of nine informative squamous cell carcinomas. Allelic deletion of 9p markers was not seen in 19 basal cell carcinomas and seven cases of Bowen's disease. These findings suggest that chromosome 9 contains one or more tumor suppressor genes important in the development of both basal and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin.

Alleles↗
PubMed1994

Dissociation of erythema and p53 protein expression in human skin following UVB irradiation, and induction of p53 protein and mRNA following application of skin irritants.

The mechanisms mediating the varied effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on human skin are unclear, although a relationship between erythema and DNA damage is suggested by photosensitivity in xeroderma pigmentosum. Increased p53 expression in response to UVR is thought to reflect direct DNA damage, but recent evidence indicates that UVR also activates membrane and cytosolic signal transduction pathways. In this study, we have investigated the relationship between erythema and p53 induction following UVB and whether this p53 response is specific to UVR. p53 protein expression was determined by immunocytochemistry using the monoclonal antibody DO7, and p53 mRNA expression was examined by non-isotopic in situ hybridization. Incremental doses of UVB were administered to the lower back of eight subjects. Immunostaining revealed that p53 positive nuclei were significantly increased 8 h after suberythemogenic doses of UVB (79 +/- 12), compared to normal unirradiated skin (8 +/- 6, p < 0.0005), but no change in p53 mRNA was seen. Higher UVB doses, which resulted in moderate erythema, resulted in a similar or greater induction of p53 protein. Indomethacin (1% w/v), applied immediately after UVB irradiation, significantly inhibited UVB erythema at 8 h in six subjects (p < 0.005), but did not reduce p53 immunostaining. Dithranol (1 microgram/microliter, n = 8), sodium dodecylsulphate (5%, n = 4), and retinoic acid (0.5%, n = 4), applied for 48 h, caused erythema, significantly increased p53 protein levels (p < 0.05), and also increased p53 mRNA. Our results show that in human skin, UVB-induced p53 elevation can be dissociated from erythema and skin irritants can also induce p53 protein. The induction of p53 mRNA by irritants but not UVR suggests different mechanisms of action.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Long term home oxygen; current practices in Ireland.

We set out to determine the number of patients being provided with LTOT by the community health services and to review the criteria which are required to be fulfilled before LTOT will be provided by these services. We also wished to determine whether concentrators or cylinders were in use; how LTOT was managed and monitored and assess any possible savings to the health service if all patients were supplied with oxygen concentrators rather than cylinder supply.

Home Care Services↗
PubMed1992

AIDS, i.v. drug use and mycobacterial disease: the Dublin experience.

In the period 1980-1985, we treated 1641 patients for tuberculosis of whom two were known to be intravenous drug users (IVDU) and none had HIV infection. Of the next 1000 patients treated for tuberculosis (January 1986-December 1989), six were HIV-negative intravenous drug users (IVDU), 18 patients were HIV-positive (12 IVDU; six homosexual/bisexual). Statistical analysis (chi 2) showed a numerically small but statistically significant (P < 0.00001, d.f. = 1, chi 2 = 20.38) increase in intravenous drug users with a diagnosis of tuberculosis. The HIV-positive patients who completed treatment responded well to anti-tuberculous drugs. The importance of tuberculosis in the context of HIV infection is that it is preventable, treatable and is the only bacterial infection to which HIV subjects are prone which can be readily transmitted to a non-HIV infected subject.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1987

Yersinia infection and acute abdominal pain.

In 194 patients presenting with acute abdominal pain from whom sequential serum samples were taken, the frequency of yersiniosis, established serologically, was significantly higher (23%) than in 320 control subjects (2%). Yersiniosis occurred in 31% of patients with acute appendicitis. Acute-phase serum samples only, obtained in a further 307 patients, yielded a falsely low frequency of yersiniosis (4%). Y pseudotuberculosis was five times more common than Y enterocolitica, and Y pseudotuberculosis type IV was the most common serotype, accounting for 43% of Yersinia infections. Yersinia may play a more important part in the aetiology of acute abdominal pain, and particularly acute appendicitis, than has been previously appreciated. Antibody titres to both Y enterocolitica and Y pseudotuberculosis frequently rise late in infections causing abdominal pain. Consequently analysis of acute-phase serum samples alone leads to underdiagnosis of yersiniosis.

Abdomen↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus--a study of clinical and laboratory prognostic factors in 65 patients.

An eleven year review of patients presenting with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (LE) was made in order to determine the frequency of change from discoid LE (DLE) to systemic LE (SLE) and to identify clinical and laboratory prognostic factors. Three of fifty-six (5.4%) patients with DLE progressed to SLE after 1, 13 and 34 years respectively. They had a progressive rash and persistent abnormalities in their full blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, antinuclear antibody and serum immunoglobulins prior to the development of SLE. We recommend that regular longterm monitoring of these indices should be carried out in patients presenting with DLE.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nonmelanoma skin cancer in an Irish population: an appraisal of risk factors.

Previous Irish studies have shown a high prevalence of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). However, unlike elsewhere where the generally quoted ratio of basal cell carcinoma (BCC):squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is at least 4:1 the ratio in Ireland was found to be 1:1. We examined this ratio in patients attending the dermatology outpatients and determined risk factors for the development of NMSC within an Irish population where 75% of the population have been shown to have skin type 1 or 11. The study consisted of a retrospective 10 year review of biopsy proven cases of NMSC and a prospective case control study of NMSC which allowed examination of risk factors and comparison to a control group. The BCC:SCC ratio in the retrospective study was 3:1. In the prospective study the ratio of BCC:SCC was 4.4:1. Skin type 1 and numerous freckles were identified as risk factors in the NMSC group.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The spectrum of HIV related skin diseases in an Irish population.

A prospective study was carried out between January 1988 and January 1990 in St. James's hospital, Dublin, which is the chief referral centre for the HIV population in Ireland. Patients were routinely referred from the genitourinary medicine department to the dermatology clinic for a full dermatological assessment which was carried out by one physician (LB). The patients were not preselected on the basis of a skin complaint. The study aimed to detect the prevalence of skin disease amongst this HIV group of patients and to compare them with an age and sex matched group of normal controls. There were 92 patients in each group, with 62 intravenous drug users (IVDU), 21 homosexuals, eight haemophiliacs and one heterosexual in the HIV positive group. A wide spectrum of skin disorders were seen, with a significantly higher prevalence of seborrhoeic dermatitis, xerosis, Kaposi's sarcoma, oral candidiasis, folliculitis, molluscum contagiosum, onychomycosis, gingivitis, perianal herpes simplex and genital/perianal warts in the HIV positive group compared to controls.

Adolescent↗