Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Hanley

Publications and source records attributed to J Hanley.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Exposure to varying levels of contaminants and symptoms among workers in two office buildings.

OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that exposure to contaminants would be associated with symptoms reported by office workers. METHODS: In two mechanically ventilated office buildings in. Montreal, the outdoor air supply was manipulated for 6 weeks, while symptoms were reported and environmental parameters were measured at multiple sites. RESULTS: Contaminant concentrations varied considerably, in part related to experimental changes in outdoor air supply. Eye symptoms were reported with higher dust and with higher concentrations of nitrogen dioxide. Mucosal symptoms were increased with higher TVOCs, higher nitrogen dioxide, and higher total contaminant load. Systemic symptoms were associated with higher dust levels. CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms reported by the workers were associated with increased concentrations of several contaminants and a summary measure of all contaminants.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed1995

The effects of out-of-plane rotations on two dimensional portal image registration in conformal radiotherapy of the prostate.

PURPOSE: Rotations of the patient out of the image plane can significantly degrade the accuracy of two-dimensional (2D) image registration. This study determines the magnitude of the geometric errors introduced by 2D image registration as a result of out-of-plane rotations, and analyzes the dosimetric effects of these errors. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The magnitude of the errors introduced by 2D registration were determined by comparing orthogonal view portal images of a rotated phantom to simulator reference images of the same phantom without rotation. Dosimetric effects were calculated for three-dimensional (3D) conformal prostate treatments by applying the registration errors to patient treatment plans. The calculations were performed using a modified version of the dose calculation software used in our Cancer Center for 3D treatment planning based on computed tomography (CT). A method to detect out-of-plane rotations, specific to pelvic treatments, is introduced that uses the relative displacement of the centers of gravity of the acetabula in lateral images. RESULTS: The inherent uncertainty in the registration algorithm was 0.6 +/- 0.5 mm in translation and 0.7 +/- 0.8 degree in rotation within the image plane. For a 2 degrees out-of-plane rotation, the errors increase to 2.3 +/- 1.0 mm and 1.2 +/- 1.1 degrees. In some clinically realizable treatment scenarios it was observed that the errors introduced by the registration procedure could result in an overdosing of the rectal wall. The method to detect out-of-plane rotations was found to have an accuracy of better than 1 degree for rotations of less than 10 degrees. CONCLUSIONS: The errors introduced to the patient position by 2D image registration have dosimetrically significant consequences for out-of-plane rotations of 2 degrees or more. However, when used in conjunction with the method to detect out-of-plane rotations, 2D registration software was found to cause insignificant dose errors and, thus, become a more reliable and accurate clinical tool.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

The Ste-Justine Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Cohort Study. Part I: Description of the study.

OBJECTIVES: This study determined the impact of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) on health and well being in adulthood by comparing AIS subjects, more than 10 years after referral, to non-AIS subjects according to perceived health status, physical activity, fitness, reproductive health, respiratory condition, and back and neck pain. This paper describes the cohort, the design of the study, and response rates. STUDY DESIGN: The study was designed as a comparative retrospective cohort study. A total of 2,092 patients referred for AIS to Ste-Justine Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, between 1960 and 1979 were identified. A population-based control group was selected in 1989-90 by randomly telephoning persons in Quebec. The control group was approximately frequency-matched to the AIS cohort according to age group and broad geographic region of current residence. METHODS: Patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis were traced, and a self-administered questionnaire was sent by post in 1989 to subjects whose addresses were found. Identical questionnaires were sent to subjects in the control group. RESULTS: Seventy-one percent of the cohort (1,476 subjects) returned questionnaires in 1989. Subjects who did not respond to the questionnaires were similar to those who did complete the questionnaires on a number of key factors, except that lower response rates were observed for subjects with scoliotic curves under 20 degrees. The control group consisted of 1,755 subjects (55% response rate). It was similar to the general Quebec population and to the AIS cohort on a number of important sociodemographic factors. CONCLUSION: Comparisons on health outcomes between the two study groups should not be affected by differential patterns of selection or response.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

The Ste-Justine Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Cohort Study. Part III: Back pain.

OBJECTIVES: This study determined health and well being of persons with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) more than 10 years after referral. This communication will present results related to back pain. STUDY DESIGN: This study was designed as a comparative retrospective cohort study. Subjects referred for AIS between 1960 and 1979 to a large pediatric hospital in Montreal, Quebec, were entered into the cohort. A population-based control group was selected from the general population of Quebec using a telephone survey. METHODS: Back pain was assessed by postal questionnaires administered, in 1990, to the AIS cohort and to the control group. Most outcomes were ordinal and, thus, odds ratios were estimated using ordinal regression while adjusting for potential confounding factors. RESULTS: Among the 1,476 AIS subjects responding, 73% experienced one or more episodes of back pain in the past year, significantly more than the 1,755 controls (56%); for current back pain, these proportions were also significantly different: 44% for AIS subjects and 24% for controls. In comparison to controls, AIS subjects reported pain that was more intense, continuous, generalized throughout the back, and radiating into the extremities. AIS subjects were also more restricted in many usual daily activities. Little variability was observed in the prevalence of current back pain and back pain in the past year according to treatment and degree of curvature. Difficulty with managing pain, lifting, walking, and socializing was, however, associated with severity. The results of this study suggest that back pain is responsible for a considerable amount of disability and handicap in later life. Health professionals involved with the management of persons with AIS need to consider this important outcome and need to put in place procedures for the identification, investigation, prevention, and treatment of back pain.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1994

The Ste-Justine Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Cohort Study. Part IV: Surgical correction and back pain.

OBJECTIVES: This study determined whether the prevalence, nature, and consequences of back pain in adulthood among persons who underwent Harrington rod instrumentation was related to the number of vertebrae fused, distal level of hook insertion, and degree of correction. STUDY DESIGN: This study was designed as a comparative retrospective cohort study. Subjects referred for AIS between 1960 and 1979 to a large pediatric hospital in Montreal, Quebec, were entered into the cohort. A population based control group was selected from the general population of Quebec using a telephone survey. METHODS: Back pain was assessed by postal questionnaire administered in 1990. Data was analyzed using two multivariate regression models: relative risk regression for dichotomous outcomes and ordinal regression for outcomes measured on an ordinal scale. RESULTS: Among the 723 AIS subjects who had surgery at Ste. Justine's Hospital, 555 completed the questionnaire on back pain. Overall, 73% of patients treated surgically reported back pain in the past year. Proportions varied little by presurgery characteristics or by degree of surgical correction. The distal level of fusion did not influence, in any consistent way, the occurrence of back pain in later life nor the degree of disability associated with back pain. This study does not provide any evidence that extending the level of fusion down even as far as L4 will increase the prevalence of back pain in adulthood.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

The Ste-Justine Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Cohort Study. Part II: Perception of health, self and body image, and participation in physical activities.

OBJECTIVES: This study determined the health and well being of persons with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) more than 10 years after referral. This communication will present results related to the perception of health, self and body image, and difficulty with selected physical activities. STUDY DESIGN: The study was designed as a comparative retrospective cohort study. Subjects referred for AIS between 1960 and 1979 to a large pediatric hospital in Montreal, Quebec were entered in the cohort. A population-based control group was selected from the general population of Quebec at the time of survey. METHODS: Health outcomes were assessed by a postal questionnaire administered to the AIS cohort and to the control group. Most outcomes were ordinal and, thus, odds ratios were estimated using ordinal regression while adjusting for potential confounding factors. RESULTS: AIS subjects, particularly those who were surgically treated, had a significantly higher prevalence of self-reported arthritis. Scoliosis subjects perceived themselves to be less healthy than other persons the same age and, particularly among women, scoliosis subjects had a poorer perception of body image, and had more physician visits and days ill than control subjects. In addition, male and female AIS subjects had more difficulty with physical activities. This rather negative perception of health could be a result of actual illness or a result of more concern about illness. Nevertheless, they had a more positive perception of self and appeared to be able to cope with their affliction and disfigurement in a positive way.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Preclinical studies of monoclonal antibodies for intravesical radioimmunotherapy of human bladder cancer.

Eighty percent of bladder cancers present as superficial disease. Many are multifocal, and apparently successful treatment is frequently followed by recurrence. The use of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to target radiotherapy to these tumors offers great potential, especially since they can be administered directly into the bladder (intravesically) bypassing many of the side effects encountered to date with systemic MAb-based therapy. Implantation of human bladder cancer cell lines in the bladder wall of nude rats results in tumor formation, providing an excellent model to test this. Tumor size can be monitored by X-ray analysis after administration of urograffin. Comparative studies of two murine MAbs, BLCA-8, IgG3, and C1-137, IgG1, against malignant human bladder cancer cells have been performed. Radioimmunoconjugates produced with 125Iodine (125I) have been used for biodistribution studies following administration directly into rat bladder. Radioiodinated intact MAbs or Fabs administered intravesically into nontumor bearing rats did not leak into the systemic circulation and were stable in urine for up to 100 h. Biodistribution studies carried out following intravesical administration of radioimmunoconjugates to tumor-bearing nude rats indicate better tumor uptake of C1-137 than BLCA-8. Further studies to test two-step intravesical administration of biotinylated MAb followed by radioiodinated streptavidin are in progress. Our studies indicate that the C1-137 MAb may have considerable potential for intravesical radioimmunotherapy of patients with superficial bladder tumors.

Administration, Intravesical↗
PubMed1994

Comparison of response evaluation in small cell lung cancer using computerized tomography and chest radiography.

The percentage of patients achieving a complete response (CR) to therapy is often used as a measure of treatment efficacy in SCLC. Chest radiographs are difficult to evaluate following therapy and differences in reported response rates may be due to interobserver variation. CT scans of the thorax are more costly and are not as easily obtained as routine studies. We wanted to determine whether the measurability rate and interobserver agreement on response was superior when using CT scans, compared to chest radiographs alone. Fourteen radiologists with expertise in CT imaging of the thorax, reviewed 15 cases of SCLC pre- and post-chemotherapy (210 observations). In the first session, reviewers were required to measure or evaluate all possible lesions on the plain chest radiograph done at pre- and post-treatment. In the second session, accompanying CT scans were provided in order to make the same assessments. The number of instances in which neoplastic disease was measurable in two cross-sectional diameters on pretreatment films was 164 (79%) on chest radiographs and 202 (97%) on CT scans. Interobserver agreement was assessed by comparing tumour measurements, as well as reports of complete disappearance of tumour (CR) among the 15 observers. The rate of CR ranged from 0 to 87% with the use of the chest radiograph, and from 0 to 95% using the CT scan. Usually after viewing the CT scan, readers changed their opinion as to whether CR had actually occurred. For example, in one case, 87% of readers judged response to therapy as a CR based on chest radiograph; upon reevaluation with a CT scan this figure decreased to 15%. Agreement as to response was better on review of the CT scans, compared to the chest radiograph in all but two cases. It is therefore recommended that pre- and post-treatment CT scans, and not just chest radiographs, be used for assessment of response to therapy.

Carcinoma, Small Cell↗
PubMed1993

The effect of varying levels of outdoor-air supply on the symptoms of sick building syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The sick building syndrome is the term given to a constellation of symptoms reported by workers in modern office buildings, hypothesized to occur when the supply of outdoor air is reduced, because of the accumulation of contaminants arising from within the building. We undertook this study to determine the effect of changing the supply of outdoor air in four office buildings on the symptoms reported by workers and their perception of the indoor environment. METHODS: Within each of three consecutive two-week blocks, the ventilation systems in each building were manipulated, in random order, to deliver to the indoor environment an intended 20 or 50 ft3 (0.57 or 1.4 m3) of outdoor air per minute per person for one week at a time. Each week, the participants, unaware of the experimental intervention, reported symptoms and the indoor environment was thoroughly evaluated. RESULTS: Of 1838 eligible workers in the four buildings, 1546 (84 percent) participated in the study. The supply of outdoor air averaged 7 percent and 32 percent in the ventilation systems and 30 and 64 ft3 (0.85 and 1.8 m3) per minute per person in the work sites at the lower and higher ventilation levels, respectively. These changes in the supply of outdoor air were not associated with changes in the participants' ratings of the office environment or in symptom frequency (crude odds ratio, 1.0; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.9 to 1.1). After work-site measures of ventilation, temperature, humidity, and air velocity were included in the regression analysis, the adjusted odds ratio was also 1.0 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.8 to 1.2). CONCLUSIONS: Increases in the supply of outdoor air did not appear to affect workers' perceptions of their office environment or their reporting of symptoms considered typical of the sick building syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The feasibility of using a double blind experimental cross-over design to study interventions for sick building syndrome.

Methodological problems have limited scientific investigation of the causes of and solutions for sick building syndrome. The feasibility of using an experimental double blind cross-over study to resolve many of these methodological problems was assessed in a pilot study. The experimental intervention was to vary the amount of outdoor air from 10 cubic feet per minute per person (cfmpp) to 20 cfmpp or 50 cfmpp by central manipulation of the building heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. Over 6 consecutive study weeks, 2 trials of rates were administered in random order. Study subjects and investigators of the study were blinded to intervention sequence. Unblinding, office environment rating and symptom occurrence were measured weekly. Of 305 eligible workers, 254 participated. Problems were encountered in delivering the lowest dose of ventilation due to building leakage. The prevalence of symptoms diminished steadily over the 6 study weeks, time trends which could be controlled by recommended design modifications. Blinding to the intervention was successfully maintained. Weekly non-response did not introduce a response bias but reduced the number of subjects available for analysis by one-third for each trial. We conclude that this design, with certain modifications, is feasible to evaluate many proposed interventions for sick building syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Effects of formula change on intestinal hydrogen production and crying and fussing behavior.

To determine whether incomplete carbohydrate absorption plays a role in mediating the effects of formula change on babies' crying, breath hydrogen excretion and behavior were measured in 17 normal formula-fed infants who entered a feeding trial at 28 days of life. The trial permitted two comparisons between (1) lactose and reduced lactose soy-based formulae, and (2) the infant's usual pretrial formula and the subsequent soy-based variable-carbohydrate formulae. Reduced lactose formula was associated with a small reduction in H2 excretion (from a mean of 15 to 7 ppm, p = .07) but no difference in crying or fussing. However, compared with their usual pretrial formula, the change to soy-based variable-carbohydrate formulae was associated with a substantial and sustained reduction in H2 excretion (mean 32 to 11 ppm, p less than .03) and a modest 21% decline in fussing (90.4 to 71.5 min/24 hr, p less than .08). By 8 days after the formula change, there was a 40% decline (90.4 to 53.9 min/24 hr) in fussing. These results suggest that, although behavioral changes due to differences in carbohydrate content are unlikely in normal infants, formula changes involving protein and carbohydrate can reduce colonic gas production and may have some effect on crying. Such effects may be implicated when feeding changes occur in normal infants, but their potential role in treatment of crying problems (colic) is yet to be demonstrated.

Bottle Feeding↗
PubMed1990

The effect of early experience on water maze spatial learning and memory in rats.

In the first of two experiments on spatial competence, groups of light-reared (LR) and dark-reared (DR) rats were compared using a "latent learning" variation of the Morris Water Maze task. On their initial test, the LR rats benefited more than DR rats did from viewing the room/pool from a platform in the correct location. Further, visually experienced rats remember the location of the platform more than DR rats when retested one month later. In a second experiment, in which a proximal cue as well as location was varied from trial to trial. LR rats again proved to be more competent than their DR counterparts. This second task also revealed significant benefits related to stimulation history in the case of a third group of animals raised in enriched or complex environment (CR) conditions. The results are discussed in terms of the nature of the impact of early experience on the ability to acquire and remember spatial concepts.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Risk factors for stroke and other embolic events in patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation.

Factors associated with stroke and other cardiac embolic events in subjects with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation were examined in a retrospective study of 91 patients from a teaching hospital clinic. There were 28 first strokes during 355 person-years of follow-up (7.9 per 100 person-years). Patients who had experienced one or more previous events were approximately 2.3 times more likely to have a subsequent event (hazard ratio 2.3, 95% confidence interval 1.5-3.4) than patients who had experienced no events. A univariate analysis of factors associated with a first stroke of any cause or other embolic event showed that age of greater than 75 years (hazard ratio 2.5) and systolic blood pressure of greater than 160 mm Hg (hazard ratio 6.4) were significant factors. After adjusting for the effect of age and systolic blood pressure, previous events still carried an increased risk for subsequent events. Subject with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation who have had one or more embolic events are at high risk of further emboli. They require special consideration when treatment is being planned.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Mortality patterns among a Native American population in New York State.

This study investigated patterns of mortality among a Native American tribe, the Seneca Nation of Indians (SNI). The names of 962 tribal members reported to have died in New York State between 1955 and the end of 1984 were identified through a review of tribal roll books maintained by the Seneca Nation. Positive matches were obtained for 796 (83%) of these individuals using New York State mortality files for the period under investigation. Standardized Proportionate Mortality Ratios (PMR) were computed for major causes of death based on cause-specific mortality patterns in the New York State population for each sex during the same time period. Significantly elevated risks of mortality were observed for all infectious diseases, tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus, cirrhosis, and accidents. Depressed mortality ratios were noted for deaths due to all cancers combined, and for cancers of the lung, pancreas, breast, and lymphatic/hematopoietic cancers. Changes in mortality risks over time were also observed.

Cause of Death↗
PubMed1989

Interdisciplinary activity between occupational therapists and speech language pathologists.

The interdisciplinary activities between occupational therapists (OTs) and speech language pathologists (SLPs) were studied by conducting a national mail survey. Analysis of data gathered from 344 OTs and 262 SLPs (n = 1250 and n = 1130, respectively), indicated strikingly similar responses. Results showed that OTs and SLPs in the medical setting had frequent informal contacts, but interdisciplinary activity was not typical of formal job descriptions. According to 84% of OTs and 91% of SLPs, the most common activity involved exchange of diagnostic information, while 66.6% of both groups identified cooperative planning as typical of their interactions. Only 33.3% of each professional group responded that team treatment characterized interactions. Approximately 50% of the respondents felt that interactions were self-motivated and that the amount of interdisciplinary activity was satisfactory. The data suggested improvement needs are primarily qualitative rather than quantitative, and the primary limiting factors reported by both groups included staff shortages, financial constraints, and physical locations.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Cigarette smoking in Cree Indian school children of the James Bay region.

A survey of cigarette smoking habits of Cree Indian school children in the James Bay region of northern Quebec was carried out. Out of 689 questionnaires completed by students in grades 6 through Secondary V (approximately ages 11 through 18), 13.2% were nonsmokers, 35.4% were exsmokers, and 51.4% were current smokers. 65% of the smokers were daily smokers and they averaged 7 cigarettes per day. Factors positively associated with being a current smoker were age, female sex, having a mother who smoked, and having a best friend who smoked.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Problems in radiographic estimation of response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy in small cell lung cancer.

Assessment of the response to therapy in small cell lung cancer requires serial tumor measurements with chest radiographs before and after treatment. Those lesions that are not measurable may be evaluated for response using subjective criteria. We studied interobserver variability in tumor measurement in 21 patients with small cell lung cancer. In addition, we analyzed the effect that the variability in measurement had on the estimation of response to combination chemotherapy with and without chest radiotherapy. Half the readers agreed that pretreatment radiographs were measurable. Posttreatment, they were more often unmeasurable. Starting from a base of 100%, representing all measurable pretreatment films, posttreatment measurability rates fell to 78% and 53% on the 2-month and 4-month films. After radiotherapy, changes particularly reduced the readers' ability to measure the tumors. There was also less interobserver agreement on response after radiotherapy. The intraclass correlation coefficient for partial or complete response versus no response was 0.42 where no chest radiotherapy had been administered and 0.17 after radiotherapy. A measurable lesion on the initial radiograph was important in improving the consistency of evaluation of complete versus partial response particularly in films taken after chemotherapy alone. These data indicate that there is only fair agreement as to whether tumors were measurable and whether a response had occurred. More consistent results were seen in films taken before administration of radiotherapy. A measurable pretreatment film was important in improving interobserver consistency in differentiating a complete from a partial response.

Carcinoma, Small Cell↗