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Biomedical subjects

J C Pearson

Publications and source records attributed to J C Pearson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Unemployment and health: the quality of social support among residents in the Trent region of England.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the quality of social support among unemployed residents in Trent, England. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of data generated by those of working age drawn from a postal lifestyle survey of the adult population of Trent region. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: Subjects were 6987 individuals (males 16-64 years and females 16-59 years of age), of whom 9.9% (689/6987) were unemployed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Responses about the quality of social support obtained from three key questions. RESULTS: Generally, the unemployed reported poorer quality of social support than employed persons (p < 0.0001) on all three key elements examined: 31% v 17% respectively had no practical support; 19% v 10% had no help with solving problems, and 21% v 10% had no emotional support. Only 57% of the unemployed had all three of these elements compared with 75% of the employed. Unemployment and lack of social support had independent and deleterious effects on perceptions of general health and mental health. Relationships remained after allowing for the possible confounding effects of age, gender, and household composition. CONCLUSIONS: There is a relationship between unemployment and poorer quality of social support which may help to explain some of the increased morbidity and mortality experienced by this group, especially that related to mental health.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

How successful is varicose vein surgery? A patient outcome study following varicose vein surgery using the SF-36 Health Assessment Questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of outcome after varicose vein surgery. DESIGN: Prospective study using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (SF36) which considers different aspects of overall health. SETTING: University Hospital and Community. MATERIALS: 150 patients undergoing varicose vein surgery. CHIEF OUTCOME MEASURES: SF36 questionnaires were sent pre-operatively and at 1 and 6 months post surgery. MAIN RESULTS: Eighty-nine (59%) patients answered all three questionnaires. Pre-operatively their overall health was similar to that of the general population. The "cost" to the patient of the operation was demonstrated by an increased pain and reduced role function at 1 month post-operation (p < 0.01). By 6 months post-operation, when compared with preoperative values, all dimensions except social function and health perception were improved (p < 0.01). Overall symptoms improved (p < 0.01) by 1 month and were further improved at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: The general good health of varicose vein patients may justify the low priority given to their treatment, but the improvement in symptoms and general health that relatively simple surgery provides should ensure its continued provision as a health care service.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Practices and policies for influenza immunization in old people's homes in Nottingham (UK) during the 1992-1993 season: potential for improvement.

BACKGROUND: The elderly residents of nursing and old people's homes are at substantially increased risk from influenza and its complications. Annual vaccination is therefore strongly recommended by the UK Departments of Health. However, few data exist on the uptake of influenza vaccine in this setting; this was last estimated to be 45 percent in 1988-1989. A major epidemic of influenza A occurred in 1989-1990 which may have changed vaccination behaviours. METHODS: A structured interview survey was conducted in 49 old people's homes in Nottingham to determine practices and policies for influenza vaccine. The medical records of 151 randomly selected elderly residents were examined to determine vaccine uptake in the 1992-1993 season. RESULTS: Twenty-five homes (52.1 percent) claimed to operate a policy for influenza immunization but only 3 (12.0 percent) were written down and none set targets. Methods of vaccine promotion were generally weak. Accordingly, vaccine uptake was only 39.6% percent (95 percent confidence interval 33.2-46.0). CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to other high-risk groups living in the open community, no improvement in influenza vaccine uptake has occurred in nursing and old people's homes since the late 1980s. Future attempts to increase vaccine uptake in this setting should focus on developing joint policies between general practitioners and home staff to facilitate better co-ordinated programmes of vaccine promotion and administration.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Relation between night visit rates and deprivation measures in one general practice.

OBJECTIVE: To compare night visit rates in different electoral wards of one general practice with the Jarman and Townsend deprivation scores and unemployment rates. DESIGN: Analysis of computerised workload data. SETTING: General practice in centre of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. OUTCOME MEASURE: Visits made in 588 nights to the 11,998 patients on the practice list. RESULTS: Night visit rates in 15 electoral wards varied from 19.6 to 55.3 visits per 1000 patients per year. The rates showed a significant association with the Townsend score (p = 0.004) and the unemployment rate (p = 0.03) but not with the Jarman score (p = 0.3). The Townsend score explained 49% of the variability; unemployment explained 31% and the Jarman score explained 9%. CONCLUSIONS: Even in a general practice not eligible for deprivation payments there was a 2.8-fold variation in night visit rates between wards. In this practice the Townsend score was significantly better at predicting night visit rates than the Jarman score. This method of looking at internal variation in workloads in computerised practices could give more direct data on the relation between deprivation and general practice workload than has previously been available.

England↗
PubMed1993

Impact of a postcard versus a questionnaire as a first reminder in a postal lifestyle survey.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to consider the impact of two different types of reminder on response rates and costs in a postal survey. DESIGN: The study was a cross sectional survey. A self-completion lifestyle questionnaire was used. Those who did not respond after the initial mailing were randomly allocated to receive either a postcard or questionnaire as a first reminder. All outstanding non-responders received a questionnaire as a second reminder. SUBJECTS: A representative sample of 698 adults aged 16-70 was used, drawn from a family health services authority register. MAIN RESULTS: Postcard reminders were as effective as questionnaire reminders in increasing response whether one or two reminders are sent. The costs per response were calculated. Two questionnaires as reminders were found to be 1.7 times more expensive than a postcard plus questionnaire. Including the initial mailing, the cost per response using all questionnaires was 1.3 times the cost when a postcard was used for the first reminder. CONCLUSIONS: To increase the response to a postal survey effectively and economically, two reminders should be sent--first a postcard and then a questionnaire.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1992

Theoretical studies of impulse propagation in serotonergic axons.

Impulse propagation in small-diameter (1-3 microns) axons with inhomogeneous geometry was simulated. The fibres were represented by a series of 3 microns-long compartments. The cable equation was solved for each compartment by a finite-difference approximation (Cooley and Dodge 1966). First-order differential equations governing temporal changes in membrane potential or Hodgkin-Huxley (1952) conductance parameters were solved by numerical integration. It was assumed that varicosity and intervaricosity segments had the same specific cable constants and excitability properties, and differed only in length and diameter. A single long varicosity or a 'clump' of 3 microns-long varicosities changed the point-to-point (axial) conduction velocity within as well as to either side of the geometrically inhomogeneous regions. When 2 microns-diameter, 3 microns-long varicosities were distributed over the 1 micron-diameter fiber length as observed in serotonergic axons, mean axial conduction velocity was between that of uniform-diameter 1 and 2 microns fibers, and changed predictably with different cable parameters. Fibers with inexcitable varicosity membranes also supported impulse propagation. These simulations provided a general theoretical basis for the slow (less than 1 M/s) conduction velocity attributed to small-diameter unmyelinated varicose axons.

Axons↗
PubMed1990

Influence of pupil size on measurements made with the Lens Opacity Meter 701.

The Lens Opacity Meter 701 (Interzeag, Switzerland) is a recently developed instrument for assessing cataract. It measures the degree of scatter of a red light beam by the lens. Fifty patients prior to cataract surgery had measurements made before and after dilatation of the pupil. Inconsistent results were found at pupil diameters of less than 4 mm. It is postulated that this was due to absorption of scattered light by the iris.

Cataract↗
PubMed1990

What does radiotherapy add to survival over endoscopic intubation alone in inoperable squamous cell oesophageal cancer?

The place of radiotherapy in the management of squamous cell oesophageal cancer remains uncertain. Survival of oesophageal cancer patients from the Nottingham area in the years 1982-5 was reviewed. Surgical resection was attempted in 44 of 131 patients with squamous cell oesophageal cancer. Among the remainder 32 had endoscopic intubation alone, 27 had radical radiotherapy alone (six) or combined with endoscopic intubation (21), and 28 had other treatment combinations including surgical intubation and palliative radiotherapy. Patients treated by intubation alone had a mean age of 75 years. They were significantly older and metastases were more common (31%) in this group than in patients treated with radiotherapy (mean age 69 years), of whom 11% had metastases. Some 34% (11 of 32) of patients treated by intubation alone died within 30 days of diagnosis and were therefore not eligible for radiotherapy. Beyond 30 days, survival in the radiotherapy group (median survival 188 days; 95% confidence limits 133-253) was not significantly greater than that for the group treated by intubation alone (median survival 98 days (73-154)). The radiotherapy patients had a median hospital stay of 46 days compared with 23 days for the patients treated by intubation alone. In patients with squamous cell oesophageal cancer unsuitable for surgery, the survival advantage associated with radiotherapy and intubation is small and does not compensate for the extra morbidity and prolonged hospital stay. A controlled trial of radiotherapy in these patients is now needed.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Coexistence of GABA and peptide immunoreactivity in non-pyramidal neurons of the basolateral amygdala.

Colocalization of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) immunoreactivity with somatostatin (SOM), neuropeptide Y (NPY), cholecystokinin (CCK), and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) immunoreactivity was demonstrated in non-pyramidal neurons of the basolateral amygdala using a two-color immunoperoxidase procedure. Approximately 80-90% of SOM- and NPY-positive neurons in the basolateral amygdala were also immunoreactive for GABA. Virtually all large CCK-positive neurons also exhibited GABA-like immunoreactivity. About one-half of VIP-positive neurons and small CCK-positive cells were also immunoreactive for GABA.

Amygdala↗
PubMed1989

Identification of gamma-aminobutyric acid-like immunoreactive neurons in the rat cuneate nucleus.

Neurons in the cuneate nucleus of the rat were examined for gamma-aminobutyric acid-like immunoreactivity (GABA-LI) using antiserum raised against GABA-glutaraldehyde-keyhole limpet hemocyanin. GABA-LI neurons were analyzed for size, shape, and distribution and compared to Nissl-stained neurons. GABA-LI cell bodies were located at all rostral-caudal levels and were distributed randomly throughout the nucleus except at the level of the obex, where they were limited to the peripheral region of the cuneate nucleus. GABA-LI cell bodies had a significantly smaller mean cross-sectional area than the total cuneate neuronal population and comprised 21.5% of the total neuronal population as assessed with Nissl-staining. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that GABA is involved in processing somatosensory information in the rat dorsal column nuclei.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Postneonatal mortality in the Nottingham Health District 1985-1988.

Studies carried out in 1978 and 1981 found postneonatal mortality to be associated with poor environmental conditions. Since then, many changes have occurred to the environment. This study was designed to discover which factors are now associated with a higher risk of postneonatal death. A retrospective case-control study was carried out using 107 cases and 422 controls matched only for date of birth, to look at the effect of area of residence, social class, mother's age, and sex, birthweight, legitimacy and number of siblings. Fifty-eight per cent of the deaths were due to the sudden infant death syndrome, making this the leading cause of death. Causes previously absent from the death certificates are now appearing, particularly prematurity related deaths which now account for almost 6 per cent. The deaths were found to occur more frequently at home, in the winter, and at a peak age of 2 to 4 months. As shown previously in Nottingham, the deaths were more likely to have been male (relative risk 2.03), illegitimate (2.91), and of low birthweight (28.8). Total mortality was significantly higher in babies of mothers aged 19 or less and in babies of manual workers. Surprisingly, babies born to unemployed parents were found to have a very low relative risk of death (0.26). Mortality is still higher in the city than the suburbs and in areas of deprivation. Although still a risk factor for SIDS, high parity of the mother was found to be non-significant for postneonatal mortality in total.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

England↗
PubMed1989

Adolescents' compliance-resistance: effects of parents' compliance strategy and gender.

This investigation determined choice of compliance-resisting behaviors on the basis of compliance-gaining strategy, gender of parent, and gender of adolescent. One hundred and eighteen 9th- through 12th-grade students identified resistance strategies they would use when confronted with five compliance-gaining attempts: manipulation, nonnegotiation, emotional appeal, personal rejection, and empathic understanding. Each compliance-gaining attempt was associated with a specific parent and a specific compliance-gaining strategy. The results demonstrate significant differences in resistance strategy selected on the basis of parent's gender, adolescent's gender, and compliance-gaining strategy. When mothers employed personal rejection or empathic understanding, the adolescent was most likely to use nonnegotiation. When the mother used an emotional appeal, adolescents used identity management. Fathers who employed manipulation by using an emotional appeal were resisted with justification. When fathers used nonnegotiation or personal rejection, adolescents used nonnegotiation. The father's use of empathic understanding was countered with identity management. Adolescents are more likely to use identity management with their mothers and justification with their fathers. Female adolescents are more likely to use identity management than are male adolescents, while males are more likely to use nonnegotiation and negotiation than are females. Nonnegotiation occurs most often from son to mother, followed by son to father, daughter to father, and daughter to mother.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Localization of serotonin- and substance P-like immunofluorescence in the caudal spinal trigeminal nucleus of the rat.

A double immunofluorescence labeling method was used to study the localization of serotonin (5-HT)- and substance P (SP)-like immunoreactivities within neuronal fibers in the caudal spinal trigeminal nucleus of the rat. The 5-HT- and SP-immunoreactive fibers share extensive topographical overlap within the superficial laminae of the caudal trigeminal nucleus; however, the majority of stained fibers are immunoreactive for either 5-HT or SP, but not both simultaneously. A small population of fibers in which 5-HT and SP are co-localized is present and restricted to the marginal zone as well as the inner and outer layers of the substantia gelatinosa. The results of the present study suggest that fibers containing coexistent 5-HT and SP may be involved in the processing of nociceptive somatic sensation in the medullary dorsal horn of rat.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

The morphology and distribution of serotonin-like immunoreactive fibers in the cat dorsal column nuclei.

Fibers showing serotonin-like immunoreactivity (5-HT-LI) are demonstrated in the gracile, cuneate and external cuneate nuclei of the cat using avidin-biotinylated horseradish peroxidase and indirect fluorescence immunohistochemical methods. 5-HT-LI fibers are located in all cytoarchitectural subdivisions of the gracile and cuneate nuclei but are restricted to the medial half of the external cuneate nucleus. In all nuclei, 5-HT-LI fibers consist of long, varicose strands showing a wide range in the diameters of both varicosities and intervaricose segments. Results support the concept that serotonergic systems may be involved in the processing of non-noxious somatosensory submodalities.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed1987

Etiological differences between subtypes of cutaneous malignant melanoma: Western Canada Melanoma Study.

From newly incident cases in Western Canada, 415 patients with superficial spreading melanoma (SSM), 128 with nodular melanoma (NM), and 56 with lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) were interviewed, with age- and sex-matched controls chosen from the general population. The associations of these 3 subtypes with pigmentation, skin reaction to sun, different types of sun exposure, sunburn, and suntan were assessed. Compared to the other types, LMM occurred in older patients, and 75% of lesions occurred on the head and neck: It was less strongly related to pigmentation factors, intermittent sun exposure, and skin reaction to sun. The associations of SSM and NM with pigmentation, chronic sun exposure, skin reaction, and suntan were very similar: Both were associated with intermittent sun exposure, but SSM was more strongly related to vacation exposures than was NM. These results were compared with those from a similar Australian study. While LMM appears different in its etiology from SSM and NM, there is no strong evidence of major etiological differences between SSM and NM.

Adult↗