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Biomedical subjects

E Ross

Publications and source records attributed to E Ross.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Influence of symptoms, lung function, mood, and social support on level of functioning of patients with COPD.

To explain how symptoms, lung function, mood, and social support affect level of functioning, patients (N = 143) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) completed measures assessing their symptoms (Bronchitis-Emphysema Symptom Checklist), mood (Profile of Mood States), social support (Personal Resource Questionnaire), and functioning (Sickness Impact Profile). Those who were receiving oxygen therapy (n = 52) had significantly lower FEV1 scores and experienced significantly poorer functioning than those who were not receiving oxygen therapy (n = 91). Results of path analyses indicated that symptoms and mood directly, and social support indirectly, influenced the functioning of those who were not receiving oxygen. For those who were receiving oxygen, only symptoms directly, and FEV1 indirectly, influenced their functioning. These models need to be confirmed using other samples of patients with COPD.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1995

Changes in dimensions and mechanical properties of bone in chicks fed high levels of niacin.

Tibia dimensions and mechanical properties were determined in White Leghorn cockerels that had been fed from 0.1 to 2.0% niacin as a supplement to standard poultry diets. Four experiments of from 20 to 38 days were conducted. No significant differences due to niacin were found in weight gain, feed consumed or feed:gain ratios. Decreases in the exterior (P < 0.009) and interior (P < 0.015) diameters of the major axes of the tibiae were found at 0.75-2.0% niacin. Exterior (P < 0.005) and interior (P < 0.001) diameters of the minor axes of the tibia were decreased at levels of 0.75 and 1%. Changes occurred in lateral wall thickness of chicks fed 0.75% niacin for 20 days (P < 0.004) and 38 days (P < 0.023) and in anterior wall thickness of 6-month-old chickens fed 1.0% niacin for 28 days (P < 0.001). Ultimate force was decreased in young chicks fed 1.0 and 1.5% niacin (P < 0.014) and 6-month-old White Leghorn chickens fed 1.0% niacin (P < 0.004). The addition of high levels of niacin to chick rations resulted in changes in dimensions, bone strength and susceptibility to fracture.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1995

The management of recurrent genital herpes infection in pregnancy: a postal survey of obstetric practice.

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical practice amongst obstetricians in the UK in the antepartum and intrapartum management of pregnant women with recurrent genital herpes infection. METHODS: All Members and Fellows of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists resident in the UK were sent a questionnaire requesting information concerning their management of pregnant women with recurrent genital herpes infection. RESULTS: There was a 76% response rate to the questionnaire. Of the 1201 obstetricians who responded, only 369 (31%) admitted to having a formal policy governing the management of herpes in pregnancy within their unit. However, regular screening was advocated by 718 (60%), of whom 463 (64%) performed regular antenatal swabs for viral culture. At the time of presentation in labour 974 obstetricians (81%) routinely examined the genitals for evidence of a recurrence. When asked in what circumstances caesarean section would be considered an appropriate method of delivery in women with genital herpes infection, 1107 (92%) felt that visible active lesions at the time of labour was sufficient. However, when the membranes had been ruptured for more than four hours in the presence of genital lesions, only 678 (56%) considered this an indication for caesarean section. Caesarean section was more likely to be considered appropriate in this situation by obstetricians who performed antenatal screening (chi 2 = 30.38, P < 0.0001). Five hundred and ninety-six obstetricians (50%) felt that a positive viral culture obtained at antenatal screening from the most recent occasion prior to presentation in labour was an indication for caesarean section, although of this group 192 (32%) said they did not perform antenatal screening by viral culture. The reporting of a recurrence by the patient without visible evidence of disease was considered an appropriate indication for caesarean section by 438 respondents (36%). Maternal request for caesarean section regardless of recurrences at delivery was considered an acceptable indication for operative delivery by 745 obstetricians (62%). CONCLUSIONS: 1. There seems to be little agreement amongst obstetricians in the UK regarding the management of recurrent genital herpes infection in pregnancy. 2. The management possibilities are reviewed and suggestions are made for a more cohesive approach to the problem.

Cesarean Section↗
PubMed1995

Clinical and chest radiographic features of tuberculosis associated with human immunodeficiency virus in Zimbabwe.

In the developing world, the diagnosis of tuberculosis is dependent on clinical and radiologic features as culture facilities are not readily available. It has been reported that tuberculosis in HIV-positive persons can present with atypical clinical and radiographic features. The object of this study was to examine how often atypical features occur in HIV-positive compared with HIV-negative persons and how these findings correspond to sputum-smear findings. Detailed demographic, clinical, and chest radiographic features of tuberculosis were assessed in 202 HIV-positive adults and 220 HIV-negative patients admitted consecutively. Using univariate analysis, several of these features were found to be significantly associated with being HIV-positive, but after multiple regression analysis only, age group (15 to 42 yr), a negative tuberculin response, intrathoracic lymphadenopathy, and lack of cavitation but not sputum-smear status remained significant.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1995

[Tyrosine-protein kinase activity in breast neoplasm. Comparison with activity obtained in benign diseases and in normal tissues].

Tyrosine protein kinase (TPK) activity is associated to malignant cellular transformation. This work compares TPK activity in 27 surgical biopsy samples of mammary carcinoma, 10 samples of fibroadenomas, 13 samples of fibrocystic breast disease and 27 samples of normal mammary tissue. TPK activity was determined in tissue homogenates using (Val5) angiotensin II as exogenous substrate. In samples of mammary carcinoma, TPK activity was 33.86 +/- 31.98 pmol P32/mg protein/30 min. This value was significantly higher that those observed in fibrocystic disease (3.92 +/- 2.35), fibroadenomas (13.86 +/- 10.9) and normal tissue (3.56 +/- 3.02).

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Validation of a breast cancer risk assessment model in women with a positive family history.

BACKGROUND: Gail et al. developed a statistical model for estimating the risk of developing breast cancer in white women screened annually with mammography. This model is used for counseling and for admission to clinical trials. PURPOSE: We evaluated the model prospectively in a cohort of women with a family history of breast cancer. METHODS: We followed women who participated in the American Cancer Society 1987 Texas Breast Screening Project. The model was evaluated by comparing the observed (O) and expected (E) numbers of breast cancers using composite background rates from both the Breast Cancer Detection and Demonstration Project and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program of the National Cancer Institute. Data were partitioned by adherence to American Cancer Society screening guidelines. RESULTS: The Gail et al. model predicted the risk well among women who adhered to the American Cancer Society guidelines (O/E = 1.12; 95% confidence interval = 0.75-1.61) but overpredicted risk for women who did not adhere to the guidelines. There was an indication that the model overpredicted risk for women younger than 60 years old and underpredicted risk in women aged 60 years and older. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the Gail et al. model accurately predicts risk in women with a family history of breast cancer and who adhere to American Cancer Society screening guidelines. Thus, the model should be used as it was intended, for women who receive annual mammograms.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Modeling adherence to colorectal cancer screening.

BACKGROUND: An explanatory framework referred to as the Preventive Health Model was used to identify factors associated with prospective adherence to colorectal cancer screening. METHODS: Data on sociodemographic, psychosocial, social influence, and program factors were collected via telephone survey for 501 older adult members of an independent practice association-type health maintenance organization. Subjects were later mailed fecal occult blood tests for completion and return. Adherence was defined as the return of the tests within 90 days. RESULTS: Structural analysis shows that for men (N = 145), perceived self-efficacy (OR = 1.4), salience and coherence of testing (OR = 2.3 for a 5-point increment on a 30-point scale), and exposure to health education interventions (OR = 6.8) were significant independent predictors of intention to adhere and of adherence. Among women (N = 185), predictors were age (OR = 1.8) and salience and coherence of testing (OR = 1.8 for a 5-point increment on a 30-point scale). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that for both men and women, adherence is influenced strongly by the extent to which the behavior is judged to make sense in everyday life. It also appears that additional education and encouragement may persuade men and younger women to participate in screening.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1994

Risk behaviour and HIV prevalence in international travellers.

OBJECTIVE: To assess risk factors for infection and to determine HIV prevalence in a sample of international travellers. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey of new patients attending a hospital outpatient clinic, and self-completion of an anonymous questionnaire on sexual behaviour prior to and during travel. Urine samples were tested for the presence of antibodies to HIV. SETTING: The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London, UK. SUBJECTS: All new patients over a 6-month period. RESULTS: Of 782 people approached, 757 (97%) agreed to participate: 141 (18.6%) had had new sexual partners during their most recent trip abroad. Almost two-thirds of those having sex abroad did not use condoms on every occasion with a new partner, and 5.7% contracted a sexually transmitted disease (STD) during their most recent trip; 26% of men from World Health Organization Pattern I countries who had new sexual partners abroad paid for sex. Sixteen out of 731 (2.2%) participants were HIV-antibody-positive. HIV positivity was associated with being born in east, central or southern Africa, having symptoms of an STD since arriving in the United Kingdom and being treated for an STD since arrival. CONCLUSION: The rates of unsafe sex and payment for sex abroad reported by these international travellers indicate the potential for contracting and transmitting STD, including HIV, in both their foreign and domestic sexual partnerships. With the increasing HIV incidence in Asia (the most common destination for UK travellers after sub-Saharan Africa), the number of cases of HIV contracted abroad may rise in the future.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Mast cell degranulation induced by type 1 fimbriated Escherichia coli in mice.

The strategic location of mast cells at the host-environment interface and their ability to release potent mediators of inflammation have suggested that these cells may play a pivotal role in host defense against bacterial infection. The ability of the opportunistic pathogen, Escherichia coli, to induce degranulation of mast cells obtained from the mouse peritoneum was investigated. We determined that unlike a mutant derivative deficient in the FimH subunit of the fimbriae or nonfimbriated E. coli, type 1 fimbriated E. coli induced mast cell degranulation in vitro. The magnitude of mast cell degranulation was directly proportional to the number of adherent bacteria on the cell surface in the initial period of the interaction. Using a mouse model of bacterial peritonitis, we demonstrated mast cell degranulation and histamine release by type 1 fimbriated bacteria in vivo. Furthermore, beads coated with FimH but not with FimA, the major subunit of type 1 fimbriae, evoked mast cell release of histamine in vivo in amounts comparable to that elicited by type 1 fimbriated E. coli. These studies reveal that mast cells can be degranulated by interaction with type 1 fimbriated E. coli and that FimH, the mannose-binding component of the fimbriae, is a potent mast cell stimulant.

Adhesins, Escherichia coli↗
PubMed1994

Comparison of freeze-dried and extruded Spirulina platensis as yolk pigmenting agents.

Experiment 1 was an 8-wk study with Japanese quail fed 0, .5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0% of freeze-dried spirulina or the dry equivalent of fresh spirulina extruded with corn. Experiment 2 was a 16-wk repeat of Experiment 1 using levels of 0, .25, .5, 1.0, and 2.0% spirulina. In the third experiment, corn, barley, and cassava were extruded with fresh spirulina equal to 1% of the dried product, and each feedstuff fed with 1% freeze-dried spirulina. Four replicates of five quail were assigned to each treatment. Yolk color increased with increasing dietary levels of spirulina in Experiment 1. There also was a consistent increase in yolk color with freeze-dried spirulina compared with the extruded spirulina. This pattern was also seen in Experiment 2. In addition, eggs from quail fed the extruded corn control diet had markedly lower yolk scores than those from quail fed the untreated corn control diet. The mean Roche yolk color score of eggs from quail fed corn, barley, or cassava extruded with spirulina was 5.91, 3.55, and 6.70, respectively. These values were respectively 1.41, 1.89, and 4.06 units greater than the corresponding control values.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Pertussis immunisation and serious acute neurological illnesses in children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine long term outcome in children who had a severe acute neurological illness in early childhood associated with pertussis immunisation. DESIGN: Follow up study of cases and matched controls. SETTING: Assessment of children at home and at school throughout Britain. SUBJECTS: Children recruited into the national childhood encephalopathy study in 1976-9 were followed up, with one of their two original matched controls, in 1986-9. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Performance in educational attainment tests; behaviour problems reported by teachers and parents; continuing convulsions; evidence of other neurological or physical dysfunction. RESULTS: Over 80% of cases and controls were traced. Case children were significantly more likely than controls to have died or to have some form of educational, behavioural, neurological, or physical dysfunction a decade after their illness. The prevalence of one or more of these adverse outcomes in case children who had been immunised with diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine within seven days before onset of their original illness was similar to that in case children who had not been immunised recently. The relative risk for recent diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis immunisation in children who had died or had any dysfunction in comparison with controls was 5.5 (95% confidence interval 1.6 to 23.7). However, the number of cases associated with vaccine (12) was extremely small and statistically vulnerable, and other possible agents or predisposing factors could not be excluded. CONCLUSIONS: Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine may on rare occasions be associated with the development of severe acute neurological illnesses that can have serious sequelae. Some cases may occur by chance or have other causes. The role of pertussis vaccine as a prime or concomitant factor in the aetiology of these illnesses cannot be determined in any individual case. The balance of possible risk against known benefits from pertussis immunisation supports continued use of the vaccine.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1993

Burnout: a smouldering problem amongst South African speech-language pathologists and audiologists?

The present study aimed to investigate the frequency of burnout occurring within the profession of speech-language pathology and audiology and to examine possible work situation factors unique to the profession, that may be correlated with burnout. A cross-sectional postal survey research design was used, including a standardised measure of burnout as well as a questionnaire inquiring about demographic and work situation variables. Subjects were randomly drawn from names obtained from the South African Medical and Dental Council. Results were analysed statistically using Pearsons correlations, Multivariate Analysis as well as Bonferroni T-tests. The main finding that emerged was that, as a group speech-language pathologists (SPLP's) and audiologists in South Africa are experiencing moderate levels of emotional exhaustion, low levels of depersonalisation as well as high levels of personal accomplishment. Therapists working in hospitals, mainly treating peripheral hearing disorders, working either as audiologists only or speech-language therapists and audiologists, with heavy caseloads and extensive paperwork, and perceiving themselves to be under large amounts of work pressure, appear to be the most susceptible to burnout.

Audiology↗
PubMed1992

Pattern of 6-mercaptopurine urinary excretion in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: urinary assays as a measure of drug compliance.

A method for the measurement of 6-mercaptopurine (6MP) in urine using high-performance liquid chromatography is described. Urinary excretion of 6MP was measured in 46 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The proportion of unchanged drug excreted after oral dosage in the morning was greater than after an evening dose (5.6 +/- 3.3% vs. 3.3 +/- 2.4%). Possible reasons for the discrepancy are discussed. In all children receiving 6MP in the morning, the drug was detected in urine at 2 and 4 h after ingestion. At 6 h, 6MP was still detectable in 77% of patients, at 8 h in 54%, at 10 h in 12%, and at 12 h in 8%. The reliability of urinary 6MP determination as a measure of drug compliance was assessed in 39 children accustomed to receiving their medication in the evening. 6MP was detected in 81% of first morning urine samples, indicating compliance with medication the preceding evening. The absence of 6MP in first morning urine samples did not necessarily indicate poor compliance because of the variability in 6MP excretion and unpredictable pattern of night voiding in children. The method was therefore a reliable measure of good short-term compliance. It also directed attention toward possible noncompliance in children with negative samples.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1992

Effect of in vivo interleukin-1 on adhesion molecule expression in normal human skin.

We have examined the expression of three endothelial adhesion molecules (intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [ICAM-1], endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 [ELAM-1], and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 [VCAM-1]) in normal human skin following intradermal injection of stratum corneum-derived interleukin-1 alpha (SCIL-1 alpha). In control skin, constitutive expression of ICAM-1 was found on endothelial cells and at low levels on dermal dendritic cells but not on keratinocytes. ELAM-1 and VCAM-1 were present in low levels on endothelium and perivascular dendritic cells, respectively. SCIL-1 alpha injection produced marked endothelial ELAM-1 upregulation. Double staining with neutrophil elastase demonstrated that many ELAM-1-positive vessels contained marginating neutrophils and that interstitial neutrophils were clustered around ELAM-1-positive vessels. An increase in dermal dendritic cell ICAM-1 expression occurred and in two of three biopsies there was keratinocyte expression of ICAM-1 in the SCIL-1 alpha-injected tissue. Also, there was upregulation of VCAM-1 on vascular endothelium and an increase in the dermal dendritic cell expression of this molecule. These results give in vivo confirmation that SCIL-1 alpha modulated endothelial and dermal dendritic cell adhesion molecule expression, and show that endothelial VCAM-1 is regulated in vivo by SCIL-1 alpha, thus providing a regulatable ICAM-1-independent means of mononuclear cell recruitment.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Characterization of inhibition of Mycobacterium avium replication in macrophages by normal human serum.

Serum from some AIDS patients permits the rapid multiplication of Mycobacterium avium in cultured human macrophages. Serum from human immunodeficiency virus-negative individuals inhibits replication. The characteristics of the serum-induced inhibition were examined here. M. avium 7497 serovar 4 grew exponentially in macrophages when they were cultured in serumless medium. Growth was measured by determining the CFU after infected macrophages were lysed at 0 to 7 days after infection. Normal AB serum (5 to 10%) added to infected macrophages resulted in an initial 4-day lag of bacterial growth followed by rapid replication from 4 to 7 days. Serum also inhibited bacterial replication in medium without macrophages. This inhibition was not biphasic but was sustained over 7 days. Macrophage-associated M. avium became less responsive to serum inhibitor within 24 h after infection of macrophages. Within 2 days of culture, M. avium no longer responded to inhibitor. Replication of macrophage-derived M. avium (Vi) was in some instances serum inhibitable and at other times was enhanced by serum, when it was used to infect fresh macrophages. The Vi phenotype remained serum inhibitable without macrophages. Preinfection of macrophages with heat-killed M. avium did not alter serum-induced bacterial inhibition or escape from inhibition.

Blood Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed1992

The impact of mailing psychoeducational materials to women with abnormal mammograms.

A randomized trial was conducted to evaluate the impact of mailed psychoeducational materials on adherence to subsequent annual mammography among women with prior abnormal mammograms. The results showed a 13% increment in adherence among women who received this intervention. This effect was independent of all sociodemographic and medical variables examined. We conclude that mailed psychoeducational materials may be an effective mechanism to improve adherence among women with abnormal mammogram results.

Aged↗