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Biomedical subjects

J Gray

Publications and source records attributed to J Gray.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Effect of two types of hospital feeding gift packs on duration of breast-feeding among adolescent mothers.

Two hundred forty-four adolescent mothers under 18 years of age were surveyed during a 15-month period, and 53% elected to breast-feed. A subset of 60 primiparous breast-feeding adolescents were enrolled in an investigator-blind, randomized, prospective study to compare the effects on breast-feeding duration of a standard hospital discharge feeding gift pack containing formula and a specially designed study pack that was free of infant formula. Thirty-five percent of the 60 women breast-fed less than 1 month; 22% nursed longer than 1 month but less than 2 months; and 43% breast-fed more than 2 months. There was no significant difference in breast-feeding duration among mothers by gift pack group, although those who received the study gift pack rated it higher in usefulness (p less than (0.025). The provision of infant formula samples did not appear to have a deleterious effect on the duration of breast-feeding among a population of adolescent mothers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Factors influencing breast-feeding among adolescents.

During a 15-month study period, 244 adolescent mothers under 18 years of age were surveyed, of whom 53% elected to breast-feed. A subset of 60 primiparous breast-feeding adolescents were studied regarding the influence of several factors on the duration of breast-feeding. An attitude questionnaire was administered in the hospital within 48 hours of delivery. Follow-up interviews were obtained by telephone or in person at approximately 2 weeks and 2 months after birth. Eighty-three percent made the decision to breast-feed before the third trimester. Thirty-five percent discontinued breast-feeding within the first postpartum month, the most common reason being "nipple confusion" in the infant; 22% nursed for more than 1 month but less than 2 months, and 43% breast-fed for 2 months or more. None of the variables examined (maternal age, ethnic group, education level, involvement of the baby's father, timing of the breast-feeding decision, intended duration of breast-feeding, age at which formula supplementation was started, or availability of maternal support) was predictive of the duration of breast-feeding. Contrary to adolescent stereotypes, 65% of mothers chose breast-feeding because it was "good for the baby," and 67% identified the "closeness" of the nursing relationship as the most enjoyable part of breast-feeding. Twenty-eight percent cited modesty issues about breast-feeding as the greatest disadvantage, and 17% returned to work or school within the first 2 postpartum months, posing additional obstacles to breast-feeding. Our data suggest that adolescents are receptive to breast-feeding, but they may require close follow-up and anticipatory guidance tailored to their individual needs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Fluorescence in situ hybridization with human chromosome-specific libraries: detection of trisomy 21 and translocations of chromosome 4.

Chromosomes can be specifically stained in metaphase spreads and interphase nuclei by in situ hybridization with entire chromosome-specific DNA libraries. Unlabeled human genomic DNA is used to inhibit the hybridization of sequences in the library that bind to multiple chromosomes. The target chromosome can be made at least 20 times brighter per unit length than the others. Trisomy 21 and translocations involving chromosome 4 can be detected in metaphase spreads and interphase nuclei by using this technique.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1988

Effects of passive immunization in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related complex and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is usually followed by a vigorous immune response that temporarily protects against disease progression. After a variable asymptomatic period, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related complex (ARC) and AIDS develop in most infected individuals. We have demonstrated that healthy HIV-1-infected individuals have neutralizing antibodies and a high titer of antiviral antibodies. In contrast, AIDS patients have undetectable levels of neutralizing antibodies, low titers of antiviral antibodies, and, frequently, HIV p24 antigenemia. These observations prompted us to attempt passive immunization in ARC and AIDS patients. Ten consistently viral-antigen-positive patients (mean, greater than 6 months) were treated, resulting in sustained clearance of p24 antigen. Patients either maintained or increased their antiviral antibody titers. The raised titers result from increased antibody synthesis by the recipients. Circulating CD4+ cell counts were unchanged after 2 months. By the third month none of these patients remained in hospital. As this treatment was of minimal toxicity, it merits wider evaluation in ARC and AIDS patients.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1988

A theoretical framework for evaluation and treatment of the victims of child sexual assault by a nonfamily member.

Thirty-seven families whose children were victims of sexual abuse by a nonfamily member were evaluated and treated during a nine-month period. The average age of the children was 5.36 years. The youngest children were boys, and all the adolescents were girls. A theoretical framework adapted from Ferreira's and Byng-Hall's work was developed to assess and treat child victims of sexual molestation and their families. The format consists of three concepts. First, the trauma from sexual abuse, being outside the realm of usual human experience, creates a breach in the family's adaptive and protective shield, including its shared values and beliefs. Second, the trauma has a "derailing" effect on the child's and family's predicted passage through their world. And third, issues that arise as a consequence of disclosure are intimately tied to preexisting family myths and beliefs. Evaluation, treatment, and short-term outcomes are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1988

Comparison of conventional and single bottle system for blood cultures.

A single bottle blood culture system (Oxoid Signal system) was compared with a conventional two bottle subculturing system. A total of 2016 routine blood samples yielded 186 (9%) clinically important isolates. Of these, 40 (21%) were isolated only in the Oxoid system and 30 (17%) only in the conventional system. One hundred and sixteen (62%) were isolated from both systems. Volume of blood was not significantly associated with the rate of detection but was significantly associated with the speed of detection. A continuation of the study with a Signal bottle and single conventional bottle confirmed initial results of the increased isolation rate using two systems. The Oxoid single bottle blood culture system was at least comparable with a conventional system in terms of rate of detection of organisms and was superior in terms of speed of detection.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1988

Comparison of equal-weight oral dosages of verapamil hydrochloride and diltiazem hydrochloride in patients with mild to moderate hypertension.

The clinical efficacy, safety, and tolerability of oral verapamil and diltiazem, at total daily dosages of equal weight, were evaluated in a placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover study. Thirty-six ambulatory patients with chronic, stable, mild to moderate hypertension (supine diastolic blood pressure of 94-116 mm Hg) received a dosage of either verapamil or diltiazem 80 mg t.i.d. as the hydrochloride salt for one week after an antihypertensive-drug washout period. Each then received 120 mg of the same drug t.i.d. for one week. After another two-week washout period, the patients were crossed over to the other drug. Each patient had a 12-lead electrocardiogram and measurement of supine and standing blood pressure weekly. In the 32 patients completing the study, low-dose verapamil reduced supine diastolic blood pressure (DBP) from a mean of 101.5 +/- 5.2 to 95.3 +/- 9.5 mm Hg; high dose verapamil reduced DBP to 90.9 +/- 7.4 mm Hg. Standing DBP was reduced to a similar degree. Diltiazem showed an almost identical effect: Supine DBP was reduced from a mean of 101.7 +/- 5.3 to 94.0 +/- 10.1 mm Hg with the low dose and to 91.0 +/- 8.6 mm Hg with the high dose, with similar effects on standing DBP. The high dose of both drugs significantly increased the QTc interval, and both doses of diltiazem significantly increased the PR interval compared with baseline. Both drugs exhibited consistent efficacy with minimal adverse effects. The electrophysiologic safety profile of verapamil was superior to that of diltiazem.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Mortality from ischaemic heart disease in the Armed Forces 1973-1984.

This study investigates mortality from ischaemic heart disease during 1973-1984 in males under 55 years of age in the three Armed Services. Comparisons are drawn within and between each service and with ischaemic heart disease (IHD) mortality in the UK male population. Evidence of a significant decline in the Army death rate over this 12 year period has been found. Officers in each Service are seen to have a much higher rate of mortality, ie death rate per 100,000 at risk, than other ranks but a much lower rate when age distribution relative to the UK population is taken into account as indicated by the Standardised Mortality Ratios. The Army other ranks in the 25-39 age range are identified as a particularly high risk group for IHD. The wide ranging effects of social habits and the peculiarities of military life style may go part way to explaining the diversity between officers and other ranks and between the services and the general UK male population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

High-level expression in Escherichia coli of a soluble and fully active recombinant interleukin-1 beta.

A complementary DNA sequence encoding monocyte interleukin-1 (IL-1), beta form/pI7, was expressed in Escherichia coli. Recombinant plasmid pDP516 was constructed by cloning and rebuilding the mature IL-1 coding sequence into an E. coli expression vector. Bacteria transformed with pDP516 constitutively produced recombinant IL-1 (r-IL-1) at 15-20% of total E. coli protein. The r-IL-1 was found to be in the soluble fraction of sonicated E. coli Bacterial r-IL-1 (DP516) has been purified to homogeneity by anion exchange and sizing column chromatography, with an apparent molecular weight of 17,500. The identity of the purified r-IL-1 was confirmed by amino acid and DNA sequencing analyses. Purified recombinant IL-1 DP516 exhibits biological activity similar to that of native monocyte IL-1 (3 approximately 4 X 10(7) units/mg). An amino-terminal deletion mutant completely abolishes the biological activity, indicating that the integrity of the IL-1 molecule might be important for its function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1986

Resolution and characterization of a major protein of the sea urchin hyaline layer.

A major protein component of the gel-like, embryonic hyaline layer of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus has been purified and characterized. The protein retains the ability to form an insoluble gel in the presence of specific divalent cations, a property characteristic of the hyaline material. Using a light scattering assay developed to measure the initial rate of hyalin gelation, we have been able to show that calcium alone is capable of initiating this reaction but that calcium and magnesium are synergistic in their effect. In the absence of divalent cations, the major hyalin protein has a molecular weight of 9.2 +/- 0.5 X 10(5) and a sedimentation coefficient of 11.6 S; these and other data indicate that the protein assumes a very elongated, rod-like structure in solution. Smaller amounts of two additional proteins, 8.8 and 6.5 S, are present in the hyalin fraction when the jelly coat and vitelline layer are subjected to a more stringent acid treatment early in the isolation procedure.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Heat shock proteins within the mammalian cell cycle: relationship to thermal sensitivity, thermal tolerance, and cell cycle progression.

We have measured endogenous and induced rates of 70-kD, 89-kD, and 110-kD heat shock proteins in highly pure G1-, S-, or G2-M phase fractions of Chinese hamster fibroblasts (CHO) separated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Relative rates of synthesis of all three polypeptides as measured by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis were similar throughout the cell cycle, and therefore, endogenous levels were unlikely to explain the thermal sensitivity of S-phase cells. Distinct heterogeneity in induced rates of these polypeptides was noted in all phase fractions. Enhanced rates of 70-kD polypeptide were measured in S and G2-M as compared to G1 following heat shock. Little increase in either the 89-kD or 110k-kD heat shock proteins was observed in heated G1 cells. This heterogeneity in induced rates of synthesis was in contrast to the similarity in thermal tolerance expression kinetics between each phase. Finally, enhanced synthesis of these polypeptides appeared unrelated to regulation of either heat-induced cell cycle delay or to the resumption of phase-specific progression after heat shock as measured by simultaneous flow cytometric measurement of incorporated BrdUrd and DNA content.

Animals↗