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Biomedical subjects

J Ford

Publications and source records attributed to J Ford.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Chain pharmacists' attitudes on and awareness of domestic abuse.

Little has been written to specifically educate pharmacists on the subject of spousal or partner abuse. This project was undertaken to determine whether pharmacists have received training in domestic abuse and to ascertain their attitudes toward participating in abuse intervention. Two hundred twenty-four pharmacists from two chain pharmacies in Arizona received a questionnaire, and 121 (54%) responded. Most (97.5%) had received no training on domestic abuse intervention techniques and did not feel adequately prepared to intervene in a potential situation. Respondents were divided on the extent to which pharmacists should be involved in intervention. Pharmacists who graduated before 1980 were less likely to agree that intervention was an important activity for pharmacists (p < 0.05). More women than men would feel comfortable helping abused patients if they knew more about intervention. More women than men agreed that pharmacists should keep information about domestic abuse on hand (p < 0.025), but most respondents believed that information should be available in pharmacies to give to patients. Opportunities exist for pharmacists to provide educational materials to patients on domestic abuse and abuse intervention.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Using area-based measures of socioeconomic status in dental health services research.

OBJECTIVES: This paper reports the results of a study to assess the value of an area-based measure of socioeconomic status in dental health services research. METHODS: Data on oral health were collected using a telephone interview survey of a random sample of persons aged 50 years and older living independently in Ontario, Canada. Postal codes and a computerized census database were used to identify the mean household income of the enumeration area in which each subject lived. Analyses were undertaken to determine the extent to which the area-based measure of household income substitutes for and supplements self-reported household income in predicting oral health outcomes. RESULTS: The results indicate that the enumeration area mean was not a good predictor of self-reported household income in this population. However, the area-based measure identified as much variation in nine oral health outcome variables as did the self-reported measure. Also, the socioeconomic status of the area in which the subjects lived had an effect on health and health-related behaviors that was independent of their household socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS: The use of area-based measures in dental health services research is promising and warrants further exploration.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1996

IS900 PCR to detect Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in retail supplies of whole pasteurized cows' milk in England and Wales.

IS900 PCR for Mycobacterium paratuberculosis was applied to cream, whey, and pellet fractions of centrifuged whole cows' milk. The test and simultaneous control reactions gave correct results for spiked milk and for native milk samples obtained directly from M. paratuberculosis-free, subclinically infected, and clinically infected cows. The test was then applied to units of whole pasteurized cows' milk widely obtained from retail outlets throughout central and southern England from September 1991 to March 1993. With peak periods in January to March and in September to November, when up to 25% of units were affected, an overall 22 of 312 samples (7%) tested positive for M. paratuberculosis. In 18 of the 22 positive samples (81%), the PCR signal segregated to the cream or pellet fractions or both, consistent with the presence of intact mycobacteria. Nine of 18 PCR-positive milk samples (50%) and 6 of 36 PCR-negative milk samples (16%) yielded long-term liquid cultures which tested positive for M. paratuberculosis after 13 to 40 months of incubation, despite overgrowth by other organisms. Taken together with data on the prevalence of M. paratuberculosis infection in herds in the United Kingdom, the known secretion of M. paratuberculosis in milk from subclinically infected animals, and the inability of laboratory conditions simulating pasteurization to ensure the killing of all these slowly growing or unculturable organisms, there is a high risk, particularly at peak times, that residual M. paratuberculosis will be present in retail pasteurized cows' milk in England.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Incidence of and risk factors for tooth loss in a population of older Canadians.

Data on the incidence of tooth loss in community-dwelling older Canadians have not previously been reported. Since recent US studies of older adults were conducted in predominantly rural communities, their results may not be generalizable to Canada, where the majority of older adults live in major metropolitan or urban settings. This paper describes a study designed to estimate the incidence of tooth loss in older Canadians and to identify factors predictive of that loss. Using personal interviews and clinical examinations, we obtained baseline and three-year follow-up data from 491 dentate subjects. Overall, 23.2% lost one or more teeth between baseline and follow-up. Only six, or 1.2%, became edentulous. Twelve baseline factors were significantly associated with the probability of loss. However, in a logistic regression analysis, only five had significant independent effects. These were gender, marital status, self-rating of oral health status, the number of decayed root surfaces, and a mean periodontal attachment loss of 4 mm or more. The predictive ability of the model was poor, largely because tooth loss is a complex outcome which depends on decisions taken by dentists and patients. Since this decision-making process cannot be captured in epidemiological studies, observational studies are needed to cast further light on tooth loss in this population.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Network architectures and configuration choices.

Network architectures that take advantage of new, switch-based building blocks have just begun to appear. Some are designed to relieve specific bottlenecks; others revitalize the entire network.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed1995

HOX11 expression in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia is associated with T-cell phenotype.

Based on cytogenetic analysis, chromosomal translocations involving band 10q24 occur in 4-7% of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). The HOX11 gene is located in this chromosomal band and is activated by translocations t(10;14) (q24;q11) and t(7;10) (q35;q24). Ectopic expression of the HOX11 gene appears to be involved in the development of T-cell tumors. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of HOX11 activation in pediatric ALL patients and to correlate gene expression with ALL immunophenotype. None of 53 B-lineage ALLs was positive for HOX11 expression, however, Northern blot and RT-PCR analysis revealed that four of 12 T-ALLs (33%) showed expression of the gene. In order to assess whether HOX11 expression is present in other pediatric malignancies we examined a panel of 20 tumor cell lines established from solid tumors and leukemias, but none of them showed expression of HOX11. Using our RT-PCR method we confirmed that HOX11 expression is not detectable in normal T-cells. These findings indicate that HOX11 expression in pediatric ALL is exclusive to T-ALL and does not occur in B-lineage ALL. The frequency detected by molecular techniques was significantly higher than the frequency reported in the literature based on cytogenetic analysis. These results support the notion that ectopic expression of the HOX11 homeobox gene is a crucial step in T-cell tumorigenesis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

New translocation t(2;13)(p12;q34) and rearrangement of the MLL gene in a childhood leukemia cell line.

Here we report the case of a 7-month-old boy who presented with biphenotypic acute leukemia, but with leukemia cells of B-cell phenotype present at the time of relapse. Two cell lines were derived from bone marrow specimens obtained at relapse, and immunophenotyping and analysis of antigen receptor gene configuration revealed concordance between the patient's leukemic cells and the cell lines. Cell line PER-377 shows a new chromosomal abnormality, t(2;13)(p12;q34), a molecular rearrangement at chromosome band 11q23 in the absence of a cytogenetically detectable abnormality of this band, and deletion of the genes for IGK.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1995

Intravenous pamidronate in patients with tumor-induced osteolysis: a biochemical dose-response study.

Bisphosphonates are used increasingly in normocalcemic patients for treating tumor-induced osteolysis (TIO) but little is known about the metabolic effects and the most appropriate therapeutic regimen. In 21 patients with breast cancer and TIO, we determined the biochemical effects of a single infusion of pamidronate given at 30 mg (n = 5), 60 mg (n = 5), 90 mg (n = 5), or 120 mg (n = 6). Patients received no other systemic antineoplastic therapy during the trial. We selected patients with baseline fasting urinary Ca/Creat (creatinine) > 0.105 mg/mg (median value of our normal range) and they were followed weekly for up to 14 weeks. The biochemical effects were maximal at day 7. For the whole group, mean (+/- SEM) Ca/Creat levels fell from 0.208 +/- 0.018 to 0.048 +/- 0.008 mg/mg on day 7 and remained significantly ( p < 0.01) lower than baseline up to day 56. Hydroxyproline excretion fell to a lesser degree, from 7.0 +/- 1.2 to 4.0 +/- 0.6 mg x 100/mg of Creat. The falls in Ca/Creat and hydroxyproline excretion were dose-related (ANCOVA, p < 0.05). Changes in serum parameters of calcium metabolism were, however, not significantly dose-related. Serum Ca levels fell from 9.3 +/- 0.1 to 8.7 +/- 0.1 mg/dl on day 7, but not patients developed symptomatic hypocalcemia, and the decrease within each dose group was significant only at 120 mg. Ca2+ levels followed a similar pattern. There was a slight increase in Mg levels and a pronounced fall in Pi levels, from 3.6 +/- 0.2 to 2.8 +/- 0.1 mg/dl. Intact PTH levels increased from 29 +/- 4 to 91 +/- 13 pg/ml and remained significantly (p < 0.05) elevated up to day 28.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Mechanisms of transcription activation by nuclear receptors: studies on the human glucocorticoid receptor tau 1 transactivation domain.

Nuclear receptors are important signalling molecules that directly mediate the effects of hormones, vitamins and xenobiotic compounds at the level of gene expression. Several members of this superfamily of proteins have been implicated in receptor-dependent carcinogenesis. In this review, we summarise how these receptors can function as transcription factors with particular emphasis on the mechanism of transcription activation by the human glucocorticoid receptor tau 1 transactivation domain.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Assessment of intestinal permeability changes induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the rat.

Intestinal permeability was investigated as an alternative to intestinal ulceration for measuring nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) gut damage in the rat and developed as a method for routine measurement. NSAID dose-response curves produced using the two indices of damage showed that intestinal permeability is as sensitive and reproducible as ulceration, although changes could not be detected before visible ulceration occurred. Lactulose, [51Cr]-EDTA and [14C]-carboxyinulin were compared as possible in vivo markers of rat intestinal permeability. Measurement of [51Cr]-EDTA permeation was found to be the most sensitive and reproducible method. Dose-response curves produced by measuring [51Cr]-EDTA permeation were used to compare the potency of the two NSAIDs piroxicam and (S+) ibuprofen; piroxicam was found to be 10 times more potent in increasing intestinal permeability than (S+)-ibuprofen. These studies show that intestinal permeability measurement is a useful alternative to other methods of assessing NSAID adverse effect and is easily and rapidly performed.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Progressive outer retinal necrosis secondary to varicella zoster virus in acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

BACKGROUND: A syndrome consisting of rapidly progressive outer retinitis in patients with suppressed immune systems has been described. The etiologic agent appears to be a member of the herpes virus family. METHODS: A 41-year-old man with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) developed bilateral outer retinitis and choroiditis, which progressed despite antiviral treatment. A transscleral eye wall biopsy specimen and whole globe were submitted for microbiologic and histologic study. RESULTS: Polymerase chain reaction of a transscleral eye wall biopsy specimen and of the enucleated specimen determined the etiologic agent to be varicella zoster virus (VZV). Histologic studies demonstrated intranuclear inclusions consistent with viral particles in choroidal cells. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed intranuclear inclusions in choroidal cells, a previously undocumented finding in progressive outer retinal necrosis. Polymerase chain reaction was very useful in identifying the causative agent.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1995

Concentration-response relationships for three nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the rat intestine.

1. The effect of diclofenac, piroxicam and (S+)-ibuprofen upon the rat intestine has been measured at constant drug plasma concentrations in the rat, using (51Cr)-EDTA intestinal permeation as a measure of damage. Initially disposition studies after sc administration of the three NSAIDs were carried out. From these studies it was found that constant-rate iv infusions were necessary to maintain plasma concentrations of diclofenac and (S+)-ibuprofen. Administration of piroxicam by sc bolus gave relatively constant plasma concentrations, thus iv infusions were not necessary to obtain concentration-response data for this drug. Relative potency was found by comparing the concentration-response profiles of the three NSAIDs and the rank order of potency obtained was: diclofenac > piroxicam > (S+)-ibuprofen. 2. The effect of mode of administration upon intestinal damage was also investigated using diclofenac. Intestinal permeability was measured in rats given diclofenac either by sc bolus or iv infusion and dose-response data compared. It was found that for the same dose, administration by sc bolus gave a higher degree of damage than by iv infusion.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Case outcomes in domestic violence court: influence of judges.

Observation of 174 domestic violence cases in a civil court indicated that the only significant factor related to case outcomes was the judge hearing the case. The three judges whose cases were observed differed significantly in their rates of cases dismissed, findings for or against the respondents, and number and types of orders issued. The data suggest the need for more consistent education of judges in regard to domestic violence.

Adult↗