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Biomedical subjects

H Reynolds

Publications and source records attributed to H Reynolds.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Penetration of efavirenz into the male genital tract: drug concentrations and antiviral activity in semen and blood of HIV-1-infected men.

Efavirenz is a potent non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, licensed for the treatment of HIV-1. Data on sanctuary site penetration are limited. Therefore, we measured efavirenz concentrations in the blood and semen of 19 HIV-1-positive men and found concentrations in seminal plasma averaged 10% of those in blood plasma. Furthermore, seminal plasma viral loads were suppressed by 24 weeks of therapy in all patients. These data suggest that efavirenz-containing regimens have antiviral activity within the male genital tract.

Alkynes↗
PubMed2001

The UKCC's Scope of Professional Practice--some implications for health care delivery.

AIMS: The research reported here is part of a larger study commissioned by the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (UKCC) to analyse and understand the impact of the Scope of Professional Practice (Scope) on the practice of nursing, midwifery and health visiting. The data in this paper relate to attitudes about, and perceptions of Scope among a variety of stakeholders. BACKGROUND: This research provided a valuable opportunity to explore the essence of Scope and the ways in which it can enable nurses, midwives and health visitors to adapt to growing or changing health care needs. The findings contribute to this debate, by drawing on the knowledge and experience of the key groups involved in the change process. METHOD: The study utilized several approaches, tailored to meet the requirements of each phase. In this (the final) phase a structured questionnaire was sent to different groups of stakeholders. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: The stakeholders displayed considerable interest in the development of innovative systems for delivering nursing and midwifery care, provided that the necessary safeguards and support were in place. Scope was seen as a valuable way of optimizing the skills and contribution of nurses, midwives and health visitors.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2001

Antiretroviral drug concentrations in semen of HIV-infected men: differential penetration of indinavir, ritonavir and saquinavir.

Variable drug penetration of antiretroviral drugs into the genital tract may contribute to the differential evolution of HIV and the emergence of drug resistance. This, in turn, may have an impact on the sexual transmission of resistant HIV in patients treated with antiretroviral drugs. We have measured concentrations of the HIV-1 protease inhibitors indinavir, ritonavir and saquinavir in the blood plasma (BP) and seminal plasma (SP) of 23 HIV-1-positive men. Forty-five time-matched blood and semen samples were obtained. SP concentrations of indinavir exceeded the EC95 of indinavir, corrected for protein binding, of 42 ng/mL at all time intervals. In contrast, the median ritonavir and saquinavir SP concentrations were below the relevant EC95 at all times post drug ingestion. The median SP:BP concentration ratios for indinavir were 0.6, 0.8 and 1.4, respectively, at 0-2, 2-6 and 6-8 h post-drug ingestion. In contrast, the median SP:BP concentration ratios at 0-3, 3-9 and 9-12 h post-drug ingestion were <0.02, <0.04 and <0.04, respectively, for both ritonavir and saquinavir. These differences justify further study of HIV-1 evolution and development of resistance in the genital tract of men taking these anti-HIV drugs.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Evaluation of the role of the Parkinson's disease nurse specialist.

A one year follow up study of 108 randomised patients with Parkinson's disease at three centres was performed to investigate differences between care provided by the hospital based Parkinson's disease nurse specialist (PDNS) compared with the Consultant Neurologist (control). Only two (out of 22) differences were found where physical functioning and general health improved more in the control group. Provision of PDNS' for patients with Parkinson's disease cannot therefore be recommended solely on cost-effectiveness grounds because of similar outcomes but increased costs associated with the PDNS providing additional care. However medical and nursing specialists valued their complimentary expertise, and patient and carers responses to consultations also reflect that PDNS's have particular contributions. Aspects of care most valued by patients and carers and consultation interactions are discussed.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2000

Recognising advancing nursing practice: evidence from two observational studies.

Debates over title, grades and relationships across the profession has tended to dominate the literature in advancing nursing practice. Fewer research projects have attempted to study the activities of nurses who are designated as undertaking advancing nursing roles. One study evaluating Masters courses for Clinical Nursing Practice and a second addressing the impact of the 'Scope of Professional Practice' (United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery & Health Visiting, 1992) document by this team of authors afforded these research opportunities. In this paper empirical data from 'reflective' observation with 19 nurses (including midwives and health visitors) are presented to illustrate the range and type of functions undertaken by a small group of practitioners developing their practice. A number of characteristic features emerged. Assessment of individual and group needs, positive motivation to constantly improve practice, inter-disciplinary and cross agency working for planned change and an ability to identify and prioritize service requirements were recognised in these nurses' roles. Certain personal attributes were seen to be essential for successful role development such as confidence, commitment and problem solving powers combined with a positive working environment and supportive managers.

Education, Nursing, Graduate↗
PubMed2000

Isolation and characterization of a human neutrophil aggregation defective mutant of Fusobacterium nucleatum.

Fusobacterium nucleatum is known to adhere to human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and cause them to aggregate. In this study, we isolated a spontaneously occurring aggregation defective (AGG(-)) mutant and this mutant will be used for future study of the interactions between this bacterium and human PMN. Genomic DNA fingerprinting by random-primed polymerase chain reaction method revealed a difference between the parent strain and the AGG(-) mutant. This mutant also showed an altered phenotype in both microbicidal and phagocytic assays, suggesting that the bacterial factor involved in the aggregation may also be very important for the phagocytosis and, subsequently, the killing by human PMNs. Further study of this mutant may help to clarify the molecular mechanisms of the interaction between this pathogen and human PMNs.

Bacterial Adhesion↗
PubMed1999

Systemic signaling and acclimation in response to excess excitation energy in Arabidopsis.

Land plants are sessile and have developed sophisticated mechanisms that allow for both immediate and acclimatory responses to changing environments. Partial exposure of low light-adapted Arabidopsis plants to excess light results in a systemic acclimation to excess excitation energy and consequent photooxidative stress in unexposed leaves. Thus, plants possess a mechanism to communicate excess excitation energy systemically, allowing them to mount a defense against further episodes of such stress. Systemic redox changes in the proximity of photosystem II, hydrogen peroxide, and the induction of antioxidant defenses are key determinants of this mechanism of systemic acquired acclimation.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1999

A new in vitro model to study interaction between whole blood and biomaterials. Studies of platelet and coagulation activation and the effect of aspirin.

We have developed a versatile in vitro chamber model with a double purpose: first, to be able to study mechanisms of bio-incompatibility, and, second, to test biomaterials at all levels of interactions, in whole blood. The use of biomaterials in the form of microscope slides as walls in the chamber makes it possible to analyse both the biomaterial surface with regard to protein and cell binding, as well as the molecular events taking place in the fluid. Incubation of blood in the chamber, for 60 min at 37 degrees C resulted in the rapid binding of complement and coagulation proteins and of leukocytes and platelets to polyvinylchloride (PVC) slides. The cells formed a layer which more or less covered the underlying surface. Unlike complement activation, as reflected by soluble C3a and C5b-9, the thrombin-antithrombin formation was completely nullified in cell-depleted plasma. Despite the fact that thrombin-antithrombin generation was also negligible in platelet-rich plasma, inhibition of platelet aggregation on the material surface with aspirin resulted in suppressed generation of thrombin antithrombin complexes. Taken together, the coagulation activation in the chamber was dependent on the presence of blood cells which suggests that bound/aggregated platelets initiate a sequence of events involving leukocytes that results in coagulation activation.

Anticoagulants↗
PubMed1999

Elevated glutathione biosynthetic capacity in the chloroplasts of transgenic tobacco plants paradoxically causes increased oxidative stress

Glutathione (GSH), a major antioxidant in most aerobic organisms, is perceived to be particularly important in plant chloroplasts because it helps to protect the photosynthetic apparatus from oxidative damage. In transgenic tobacco plants overexpressing a chloroplast-targeted gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-ECS), foliar levels of GSH were raised threefold. Paradoxically, increased GSH biosynthetic capacity in the chloroplast resulted in greatly enhanced oxidative stress, which was manifested as light intensity-dependent chlorosis or necrosis. This phenotype was associated with foliar pools of both GSH and gamma-glutamylcysteine (the immediate precursor to GSH) being in a more oxidized state. Further manipulations of both the content and redox state of the foliar thiol pools were achieved using hybrid transgenic plants with enhanced glutathione synthetase or glutathione reductase activity in addition to elevated levels of gamma-ECS. Given the results of these experiments, we suggest that gamma-ECS-transformed plants suffered continuous oxidative damage caused by a failure of the redox-sensing process in the chloroplast.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Preventive health care for mentally ill women.

Utilization of preventive medical care was compared for two low-income groups--47 women with serious mental illness in an urban mental health center and 17 women patients at a primary care center. Appropriate preventive care was defined as at least one physical examination, a Pap test, and a breast examination in the past five years and a mammogram if the patient was over age 40. Receipt of preventive care by women in both settings was similar. Histories of physical and sexual abuse were prevalent in both groups, and a history of abuse was associated with less frequent receipt of preventive care. Results indicate that procedures to identify and provide services to women with abuse histories should be further developed.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Efficacy of a triclosan/NaF dentifrice in the control of plaque and gingivitis and concurrent oral microflora monitoring.

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of a dentifrice containing 0.3% triclosan and 1100 ppm fluoride and a control dentifrice containing 1100 ppm fluoride on plaque, gingiva and the oral microflora in a long-term study simulating clinical usage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 159 subjects entered the clinical study and 80 were randomly selected to participate in the microbiological evaluation. 71 subjects completed the detailed evaluation of the oral microflora after 6 months use. Plaque was collected at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months, and examined by darkfield microscopy, Gram stain, immunofluorescence, and selective and non-selective media. Changes in antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined for the first 6-month period and for 6 months post-therapy for 68 subjects who completed the entire study. Susceptibilities of whole plaque samples and MIC values for two pre-designated common plaque organisms, A. viscosus and V. parvula were performed. RESULTS: Multivariate ANOVA and non-parametric analyses revealed no statistical differences for any factor tested. No detrimental shifts were found in either; (1) the compositional make up of the normal flora, (2) the periodontopathic or cariogenic flora, or (3) the opportunistic flora in either group of dentifrice users. Both treatments resulted in decreases in Gram positive cocci over time. There was a reduction in spirochetes in the triclosan/fluoride group as compared to the control group. No overgrowth in opportunists, periodontal pathogens, or cariogenic flora was found in either group. No increase in the proportion of the whole plaque flora resistant to triclosan was found nor was an increase in the MIC values of either A. viscosus or V. parvula in either group. Overall, there appeared to be a general decrease in plaque bacteria in both groups over the course of the experiment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Breast imaging.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1995

Simultaneous targeting of pea glutathione reductase and of a bacterial fusion protein to chloroplasts and mitochondria in transgenic tobacco.

N-terminal presequences from cDNAs encoding mitochondrion- or chloroplast-specific proteins are able, with variable efficiencies, to target preproteins to their respective organelles. In the few cases studied in which a nuclear-encoded protein is found in both these organelles, each compartment-specific isoform is encoded by a separate gene. Glutathione reductase (GR) from peas is encoded by a single nuclear gene and yet GR is distributed between chloroplasts, mitochondria and the cytosol. Previous sequence analysis of a full-length GR cDNA revealed the presence of a putative plastid transit peptide. However, expression of this cDNA in transgenic tobacco resulted in substantially elevated GR activities in both chloroplasts and mitochondria in four independent lines examined. There was no effect on expression of the endogenous tobacco GR genes. Replacement of the GR presequence with presequences from pea rbcS (chloroplast) and Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Mn-SOD (mitochondrion) resulted in targeting of GR only into the appropriate organelle. Expression of a fusion protein between the amino terminal region of GR and phosphinothricin acetyl transferase resulted in targeting of the foreign protein to chloroplasts and mitochondria. Thus, the pea GR presequence is capable of co-targeting this enzyme or a foreign protein to chloroplasts and mitochondria in vivo. This is the first example of co-targeting by a higher plant preprotein.

Acetyltransferases↗
PubMed1990

Cholesterol-lowering effects of soluble-fiber cereals as part of a prudent diet for patients with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia.

Soluble-fiber breakfast cereals were examined for their cholesterol-lowering ability in 58 male patients with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients followed a step 1 diet for a minimum of 6 wk, then were randomly assigned to groups incorporating either corn flakes or one of two soluble-fiber cereals (pectin enriched or psyllium enriched) in the diet for an additional 6 wk. During the diet-only phase, total cholesterol dropped 3.8%. During the cereal-plus-diet phase, total and LDL cholesterol values of the pectin-enriched cereal group dropped an additional 2.1% (P = 0.243) and 3.9% (P = 0.16), respectively, and they dropped 5.9% (P = 0.005) and 5.7% (P = 0.034), respectively, in the psyllium-enriched cereal group. During the cereal-plus-diet phase, no significant effects on HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, or body weight were found within or between any cereal groups. These results support use of soluble-fiber cereals as an effective and well-tolerated part of a prudent diet in the treatment of mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia.

Adult↗