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J Graham

Publications and source records attributed to J Graham.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Search for the rare decay K(L)-->pi(0)e(+)e(-).

The KTeV/E799 experiment at Fermilab has searched for the rare kaon decay K(L)-->pi(0)e(+)e(-). This mode is expected to have a significant CP violating component. The measurement of its branching ratio could support the standard model or could indicate the existence of new physics. This Letter reports new results from the 1999-2000 data set. One event is observed with an expected background at 0.99+/-0.35 events. We set a limit on the branching ratio of 3.5x10(-10) at the 90% confidence level. Combining with the previous result based on the data set taken in 1997 yields the final KTeV result: BR(K(L)-->pi(0)e(+)e(-))<2.8x10(-10) at 90% C.L.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

The construction of a genetic linkage map of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus subsp. idaeus) based on AFLPs, genomic-SSR and EST-SSR markers.

Breeding in raspberry is time-consuming due to the highly heterozygous nature of this perennial fruit crop, coupled with relatively long periods of juvenility. The speed and precision of raspberry breeding can be improved by genetic linkage maps, thus facilitating the development of diagnostic markers for polygenic traits and the identification of genes controlling complex phenotypes. A genetic linkage map (789 cM) of the red raspberry Rubus idaeus has been constructed from a cross between two phenotypically different cultivars; the recent European cultivar Glen Moy and the older North American cultivar Latham. SSR markers were developed from both genomic and cDNA libraries from Glen Moy. These SSRs, together with AFLP markers, were utilised to create a linkage map. In order to test the utility of the genetic linkage map for QTL analysis, morphological data based on easily scoreable phenotypic traits were collected. The segregation of cane spininess, and the root sucker traits of density and spread from the mother plant, was quantified in two different environments. These traits were analysed for significant linkages to mapped markers using MapQTL and were found to be located on linkage group 2 for spines and group 8 for density and diameter. The availability of co-dominant markers allowed heterozygosities to be calculated for both cultivars.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed2004

Bleomycin, vincristine, cisplatin/bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin chemotherapy: an alternating, dose intense regimen producing promising results in untreated patients with intermediate or poor prognosis malignant germ-cell tumours.

Patients with poor and intermediate prognosis metastatic germ-cell tumours (MGCTs) are at a significant risk of relapse after standard platinum-based chemotherapy. Novel treatment regimens are required to improve survival. Dose intense, alternating combinations of drugs with known activity in germ-cell tumours represents one approach. In all, 43 patients with IGCCCG intermediate/poor prognosis MGCT were treated with a dose intense regimen alternating bleomycin, vincristine, cisplatin (BOP) with bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin (BEP) to a maximum of three cycles. Data were collected on the maintenance of dose intensity, toxicity, response, progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The complete response rate was 58%; a further 7% of patients being rendered disease free by resection of viable residual tumour. With a median follow-up of more than 4 years in surviving patients, 3-year OS and PFS rates of 81% (95% CI: 66-91%) and 72% (95% CI: 56-83%) are seen, respectively. Bleomycin, vincristine, cisplatin (BOP)/bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin (BEP) was well tolerated, with 86% of patients completing all planned courses. Toxicity was predominantly haematological with common toxicity criteria grade III neutropenia in 90% of patients. Cisplatin neuropathy and bleomycin-induced pulmonary toxicity represented the most significant nonhaematological toxicity. Bleomycin, vincristine, cisplatin (BOP)/bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin (BEP) represents a practicable, well-tolerated, dose intense chemotherapy regimen with significant activity in intermediate and poor prognosis MGCT.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Listen to the patient: quality of life of patients with recently diagnosed malignant cord compression in relation to their disability.

Quality of life (QOL) was determined using the shortened version of the Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life (SEIQoL-Dw), in 180 patients, shortly after a diagnosis of malignant cord compression. The median SEIQoL score was 66 (maximum 100). Twenty-five per cent of patients had a score >83. SEIQoL correlated with KPS (P<0.004) but the range of scores for each level of performance was very wide. Although there was an association between SEIQoL and ability to walk, the difference was small and not significant. SEIQoL was adversely affected by emotional distress as measured using HAD (P<0.01), although few patients were identified as being severely depressed. The findings are a reminder that QOL as determined by the patient may not coincide with health professionals' opinions.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2003

Inhalation aromatherapy during radiotherapy: results of a placebo-controlled double-blind randomized trial.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the inhalation of aromatherapy during radiotherapy reduces anxiety. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred thirteen patients undergoing radiotherapy were randomly assigned to receive either carrier oil with fractionated oils, carrier oil only, or pure essential oils of lavender, bergamot, and cedarwood administered by inhalation concurrently with radiation treatment. Patients underwent assessment by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Somatic and Psychological Health Report (SPHERE) at baseline and at treatment completion. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in HADS depression or SPHERE scores between the randomly assigned groups. However, HADS anxiety scores were significantly lower at treatment completion in the carrier oil only group compared with either of the fragrant arms (P =.04). CONCLUSION: Aromatherapy, as administered in this study, is not beneficial.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Measurements of the Decay KL-->e+ e- mu+ mu-.

The KTeV experiment at Fermilab has isolated a total of 132 events from the rare decay K(L)-->e+ e- mu+ mu-, with an estimated background of 0.8 events. The branching ratio of this mode is determined to be [2.69+/-0.24(stat)+/-0.12(syst)]x10(-9), with a radiative cutoff of M(2)(ee mu mu)/M(2)(K)>0.95. The first measurement using this mode of the parameter alpha from the D'Ambrosio-Isidori-Portolès (DIP) model of the K(L)gamma*gamma* vertex yields a result of -1.59+/-0.37, consistent with values obtained from other decay modes. Because of the limited statistics, no sensitivity is found to the DIP parameter beta. We use this decay mode to set limits on CP and lepton violation.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Search for the KL-->pi 0 pi 0 e+e- decay in the KTeV experiment.

The recent discovery of a large CP violating asymmetry in KL-->pi+pi-e+e- mode has prompted us to seach for the associated KL-->pi 0 pi 0 e+e- decay mode in the KTeV-E799 experiment at Fermilab. In 2.7 x 10(11) K(L) decays, one candidate event has been observed with an expected background of 0.3 event, resulting in an upper limit for the KL-->pi 0 pi 0 e+e- branching ratio of 6.6 x 10(-9) at the 90% C.L.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Radiative decay width measurements of neutral kaon excitations using the primakoff effect.

We use K(L)'s in the 100-200 GeV energy range to produce 147 candidate events of the axial vector pair K1(1270)-K1(1400) in the nuclear Coulomb field of a Pb target and determine the radiative widths Gamma(K1(1400)-->K0+gamma)=280.8+/-23.2(stat)+/-40.4(syst) keV and Gamma(K1(1270)-->K0+gamma)=73.2+/-6.1(stat)+/-28.3(syst) keV. These first measurements appear to be lower than the quark-model predictions. We also place upper limits on the radiative widths for K(*)(1410) and K(*)(2)(1430) and find that the latter is vanishingly small in accord with SU(3) invariance in the naive quark model.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Measurement of the K(L) charge asymmetry.

We present a measurement of the charge asymmetry delta(L) in the mode K(L)-->pi(+/-)e(-/+)nu based on 298 x 10(6) analyzed decays. We measure a value of delta(L) = [3322+/-58(stat)+/-47(syst)]x10(-6), in good agreement with previous measurements and 2.4 times more precise than the current best published result. The result is used to place more stringent limits on CPT and DeltaS = DeltaQ violation in the neutral kaon system.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Improving the working lives of cancer clinicians.

Cancer clinicians have to deal with particular difficulties in their work, including emotionally demanding interactions with patients and a high proportion of patients in whom curative treatment is ineffective. Perhaps, surprisingly, cancer clinicians are at no greater risk of poor mental health than other specialists, although levels among senior doctors are higher than among the employed general population. Being young, being single, feeling inadequately trained in communication and management skills and experiencing high levels of stress at work increase the risk of poor mental health for cancer clinicians and other senior doctors alike. Job satisfaction is important in that it appears to protect the mental health of cancer clinicians. Further work is required using a longitudinal approach to clarify risk factors. There is also a need to examine factors such as stress outside work that are likely to confer risk. We also need to understand how symptoms of poor mental health impair work performance. Having identified the risk factors, we need to begin to formulate interventions to improve the working lives of cancer clinicians through, for example, initiatives to improve communication and management skills, provide support to new consultants and facilitate teamwork.

Burnout, Professional↗
PubMed2002

Don't wait for a sensory level--listen to the symptoms: a prospective audit of the delays in diagnosis of malignant cord compression.

AIM: To report details concerning symptoms (especially pain) preceding the development of malignant cord compression (MCC); delays between onset/reporting of symptoms and confirmed diagnosis of MCC; accuracy of investigations carried out. METHODS: A prospective observational study examined the diagnosis, management and outcome of 319 patients diagnosed with MCC at three Scottish cancer centres between January 1998-April 1999. The process was considered from the perspectives of the patient, the GP and the hospital doctor. RESULTS: At diagnosis, most patients (82%) were either unable to walk or only able to do so with help. Pain was reported by nearly all patients interviewed (94%) and had been present for approximately 3 months (median=90 days). It was severe in 84% of cases, with the distribution and characteristics of nerve root pain in 79%. The site of pain did not correspond to the site of compression. Where reported, weakness and/or sensory problems had been noticed by the patient for some time before diagnosis (median intervals 20 and 12 days, respectively). Most patients reported early symptoms to their General Practitioner (GP) and diagnosis was established, following referral and investigation, approximately 2 months (median=66 days) later. CONCLUSION: Patients who develop spinal metastases are at risk of irreversible spinal cord damage. Weakness and sensory abnormalities are reported late and identified even later, despite patients having reported pain for a considerable time. Patients with cancer who describe severe back or spinal nerve root pain need urgent assessment on the basis of their symptoms, as signs may occur too late. Plain films and bone scans requested for patients in this audit predicted accurately the level of compression in only 21% and 19% of cases, respectively. The only accurate investigation to establish the presence and site of a compressive lesion is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A referral guideline based on suspicious symptoms in addition to suspicious signs is suggested.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Adult patients' perceptions of pain management at triage: a small exploratory study.

Research studies reveal that pain management in Accident and Emergency (A&E) is often sub-optimal. The administration of simple oral analgesics at triage in a large teaching hospital provided the rationale to explore pain management in A&E from the patient's perspective in a small-scale exploratory study using a broadly qualitative approach. Structured interviews using open-ended questions and lasting no longer than 20 minutes explored patients' experiences and opinions of pain assessment, and pain management at triage. A sample of convenience produced a group of 65 patients from which 18 patients; 9 males and 9 females participated. Analysis of the data revealed that 16 patients presented in pain. Triage nurses trained to administer analgesics were available for 7 patients; 2 patients received analgesia. Six patients did not receive a pain assessment and in 3 cases the triage nurse was trained to administer analgesia. Sixteen patients considered pain management at triage to be important. The study reinforces the subjective and complex nature of pain, raises pragmatic questions regarding triage, the need for sustained education and training with any advance in nursing practice and further research regarding patients' perceptions of pain management in A&E.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Hyrtl's fissure.

Hyrtl's fissure is a transient anatomic landmark in the developing fetal petrous temporal bone and is usually closed by the normal progression of ossification in the 24th week of gestation. It occasionally persists into extrauterine life and has been reported as an unusual cause of a perilabyrinthine cerebrospinal fluid fistula. We present a case of a child presenting with bacterial meningitis because of a persistent Hyrtl's fissure. We have reviewed aspects of the fissure's developmental anatomy and previously published clinical cases. We have also explored the provenance of the eponym. We were unable to uncover evidence in support of the contention that Joseph Hyrtl was actually responsible for describing the structure commonly known as Hyrtl's fissure.

Anatomy↗
PubMed2002

Acute mountain sickness, dehydration, and bicarbonate clearance: preliminary field data from the Nepal Himalaya.

BACKGROUND: In 1999, Basnyat et al. published preliminary data demonstrating an inverse correlation between hydration status and acute mountain sickness during an epidemiological study performed in the vicinity of Mount Everest. To expand on these findings, we have re turned to the Langtang area of the Nepal Himalaya to perform more specific studies of altitude illness related to dehydration and hypoxemia using urine studies, pulse oximetry, and physical examination. HYPOTHESIS: Dehydration will incite physiological changes aimed at the preservation of vascular volume homeostasis characterized by the production of sodium and water sparing hormones. As sodium is reabsorbed in the kidney, bicarbonate anion is also reabsorbed resulting in insufficient bicarbonate anion excretion by the kidney leading to an incomplete compensation for altitude induced hypocapnic alkalosis and the development of clinical disease. METHODS: Estimates of intravascular volume (urine specific gravity), oxygen saturation (pulse oximetry), urinary bi carbonate excretion (urine pH), and AMS (Lake Louise Score) were collected from Hindu pilgrims at 4243 m during an annual sacred festival at Lake Gosinkunda. RESULTS: Worsening altitude illness approx imated by increasing Lake Louise Score was associated with increasing urine specific gravity (p = 0.043), decreasing oxygen saturation (p = 0.020), and decreasing urine pH (p = 0.040) after rapid ascent to 4243 m. CONCLUSIONS: Worsening altitude illness, indicated by increasing Lake Louise score, was associated with increasing measures of dehydration, hypoxemia, and urine acidity.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗