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Biomedical subjects

J Hiller

Publications and source records attributed to J Hiller.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Screening for colorectal cancer using an immunochemical test for faecal occult blood: results of the first 2 years of a South Australian programme.

This paper reports an evaluation of the first 2 years of a South Australian screening programme for colorectal cancer which was established in 1988 by the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science. The programme uses an immunochemical test for faecal occult blood. Based on 1 year of follow-up, over the period of this analysis there were 24 cancers and 99 adenomas detected in 6208 participants, and the estimated sensitivity and specificity of the test (for colorectal cancer) were 82.8 and 95.9%, respectively. In many cases the test was used to detect recurrence of disease in individuals with a previous diagnosis of colorectal cancer. The estimated predictive value of a positive test for colorectal cancer in this population was 7.5%. Results suggest that participants belonged to higher-than-average socio-economic groups and were more likely than the general population to have a family history of colorectal cancer. Almost one-third had suffered from bowel symptoms in the 6 months before taking the test. These unique characteristics of participants, which limit the generalizability of results to the wider population, may result from the programme's reliance on self-recruitment methods. Consistent evidence for improvements in mortality in populations screened for colorectal cancer is still required before a recommendation for widespread screening in Australia can be made.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Hepatitis e antibodies in blood donors, hemodialysis patients and in normal people].

A substantial proportion of cases of enterically transmitted acute viral hepatitis occurring in young to middle-aged adults in Asia and the Indian subcontinent is caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV). It is transmitted mainly by contaminated drinking water and is associated with a high mortality rate (up to 20%) in pregnant women. Chronic forms of hepatitis E are not known. An enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the detection of IgG antibodies to hepatitis E (Abbott), based on two recombinant HEV antigens, yielded repeatedly reactive results in 5 of 250 (2%) blood donors, 13 of 543 (2.4%) healthy employees from four firms in Hamburg, and in 5 of 150 (3.3%) hemodialysis patients. Supplemental testing by two synthetic peptide EIAs and by Western Blot confirmed positive results in 22/23 samples. None of the samples was IgM antibody-positive. Since no transfusion-transmitted cases of hepatitis E have been observed so far, HEV assays seem to be more useful for differential diagnosis of viral hepatitis than for the screening of donors in the blood bank setting.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Comparison of leukocyte filters for erythrocyte concentration].

UNLABELLED: We compared the following leukocyte filter blood systems (BBS): Biotrans Bio R01 Plus, Diamed Sepacell RS-200, Pall BPF4 (log 4 filters) and Biotrans Bio R01 (log 3 filter). We evaluated the leukocyte removal, handling, the increase of free hemoglobin and the loss of red blood cells (RBC) by filtration. A total of 54 buffy-coat-reduced RBCs were suspended in 200 ml PAGGS-M, stored at +4 degrees C for 24 h and filtered subsequently. Samples were taken before storage, immediately before and after filtration to measure total and free Hb and the white blood cell (WBC) contamination. RESULTS: (1) All log 4 filters showed a comparable reduction of the WBC content per RBC concentrate. (2) Differences were observed in total filtration time and loss of RBCs: Biotrans Bio R01 Plus and Pall BPF4 yielded significantly better results than Diamed Sepacell RS-200. (3) The log 3 filter did not meet the criteria of < 5 x 10(6) WBCs per filtered unit of RBCs (as recommended by the Council of Europe).

Cytapheresis↗
PubMed1991

The research and development agenda for cancer prevention and education in Australia.

In Australia the most important preventable causes of cancer, in order of importance, are tobacco smoking, diet, obesity, sunlight exposure, alcohol consumption and occupational exposure to carcinogens. We review and discuss these causes and their potential preventability and discuss three broad strategies in cancer prevention: public health policy and legislation, screening, and education and behavior change. In each of these broad areas, current research evidence and relevant approaches to research and development are considered. Six areas of research and development priority for cancer prevention and education are suggested: cigarette smoking (particularly among children and adolescents); protection of the skin from exposure to strong sunlight; screening; dietary choices; occupational exposures; and the social and environmental context of cancer prevention. All of these strategies and concerns will not apply to every country in the Asia-Pacific region but may be useful as guidelines and as a stimulus for determining particular local priorities.

Australia↗
PubMed1967

Alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in tissues of the Weddell seal.

High activity of alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase and low activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in adipose tissue of Weddell seals suggest that neutral fat may be assembled there from exogenous sources of fatty acids. Low activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in other tissues tested precludes assignment of the function of fatty-acid synthesis to any specific tissue and emphasizes uniqueness of adipose mass in seals.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMedDate not supplied

PALS (pregnancy and lifestyle study): association between occupational and environmental exposure to chemicals and reproductive outcome.

A prospective study examined the reproductive outcome, live birth, miscarriage or 9 months infertility, in 585 participating couples. Examination of the data relating to environmental and occupational exposure to chemicals and radiation revealed the following associations. Infertility was significantly associated with male factors of age, occupational exposure to dusts and occupation of labourer in men aged 35 or older. Female factors associated with infertility were age and home renovating if aged 35 or older. First trimester spontaneous miscarriage was associated with male factors of age, X-rays of the abdomen or back, occupation as a tradesperson, home exposure to glues, oil paints or oven cleaners. Female factors included age, visiting factories in the course of work, X-rays of the abdomen, home use of glues and working at home if aged less than 35. The most significant findings of the study are the poor outcomes associated with abdominal/back X-rays and home exposure to chemicals. The possible effects of having different numbers of positive factors was examined for each of miscarriage and 9 months infertility. Nine factors were examined for miscarriage and couples were found to have from zero to seven of these. The observed rate of pregnancy loss ranged from 3.7% to 75% with increasing numbers of factors. For infertility, four factors were examined and couples were found to have from zero to four of these. The observed rate of 'infertility' ranged from 8.4% to 33.3% with increasing numbers of factors. The statistical significance of both sets of results is p = < 0.0001. The effects of these exposures on outcome is thus cumulative.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Natural human IgM-antibodies in neuroblastoma therapy: preliminary findings of a phase I/II clinical trial].

BACKGROUND: Sera from healthy individuals contain natural IgM antibodies (anti-NB-Ab) cytotoxic to neuroblastoma (NB) cells. In contrast to healthy children the prevalence of anti-NB-Ab in sera of NB patients is low. Binding of anti-NB-Ab to the NB cell surface leads to activation of complement in vitro. In vivo the injection of the purified IgM fraction from a cytotoxic blood donor results in complete growth arrest of NB xenografts in nude rats. Preliminary results from a phase I/II study to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and side effects of a therapy with anti-NB-Ab are presented here. PATIENTS: Included in this study are patients with NB stage 4 according to INSS with relapse or non-responders to therapy according to the GPOH-NB-therapy protocol. The patients are negative for anti-NB-Ab and are older than one year. METHODS: The therapy is based on a complete exchange of the anti-NB-Ab negative patient serum against serum from an anti-NB-Ab positive ABO-compatible donor by means of plasmapheresis. RESULTS: Up to now, 14 cycles of plasmapheresis have been carried out in 6 NB patients. In 13 of 14 therapy cycles a significant increase in serum toxicity could be observed. Severe side effects have not been seen except a catheter associated thrombosis which was reversible under heparin treatment. After plasmapheresis, pain in the tumor site or regions of metastasis did occur regularly. In some cases temporary elevation of body temperature occurred. One patient had a reduced MIBG uptake after therapy. Tumor necrosis was observed in 2 patients. Three patients showed tumor progress. CONCLUSION: Immunotherapy of NB in children by serum exchange using anti-NB-Ab positive ABO-compatible donor serum is feasible without major side effects and leads to a significant increase of serum toxicity against NB cells.

Child↗