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Biomedical subjects

J Hunter

Publications and source records attributed to J Hunter.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed1971

The Australia (hepatitis-associated) antigen amongst heroin addicts attending a London addiction clinic.

Thirty-three of 72 heroin addicts attending a recognized clinic for drug addition had a history of jaundice, but in only five was the serum positive for hepatitis-associated antigen (HAA) when examined by immunodiffusion, immunoelectro-osmophoresis and complement fixation. Two of these were repeatedly positive over an 8-12 month follow-up period and liver biopsy showed chronic persistent hepatitis. A third later developed acute hepatitis. A study of the injection habits suggested that the present low incidence of HAA and the decrease in number of cases with jaundice was probably related to the provision of free disposable syringes by the clinic since it was opened in 1968.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1968

Regulation of histidine catabolism by succinate in Pseudomonas putida.

The regulation of the histidine-degrading pathway is known to involve induction and repression. Our studies have shown that succinate may control the histidine-degrading pathway by sequential negative feedback inhibition. Succinate inhibited urocanase, and urocanate in turn inhibited histidase. Crude preparations of the two enzymes were made from Pseudomonas putida grown on l-histidine. Succinate was a competitive inhibitor of urocanase (K(i), 1.8 mm). Lactate, pyruvate, alpha-ketoglutarate, and glutamate did not inhibit urocanase. Urocanate inhibited histidase competitively (K(i), 0.13 mm). A multienzyme system (histidine to glutamate), when incubated with histidine and succinate, exhibited the combined effect. Succinate caused the level of accumulated urocanate to increase and indirectly blocked histidine disappearance. Growth of cells on urocanate as a nitrogen source was inhibited by 1% succinate. Succinate may play a physiological role in the biological regulation of histidine metabolism.

Acetates↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A supportive-expressive group intervention for women with a family history of breast cancer: results of a phase II study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that there are significant psychological and behavioural sequelae associated with having a family history of breast cancer (BC) which can interfere with comprehension of risk estimates. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop, standardize and do preliminary testing of a group intervention designed to address the emotional impact of having a family history of BC. METHODS: This study is a single-arm pilot design with pre- and post-measures of perceived risk, psychosocial distress, knowledge and screening practices. RESULTS: The primary study outcome measure of risk comprehension was significantly improved by 70%, according to our predetermined criteria for success. In addition, the most important secondary measures of psychosocial functioning, such as cancer-related distress (p=0.025), depression (p=0.05), anxiety (p=0.005) and unresolved grief (p=0.034) were significantly improved. CONCLUSION: The results of this initial pilot study are encouraging; however, further research is required, using a randomized controlled study design to evaluate the relative contribution of this intervention to the successful modification of risk comprehension, enhanced psychological functioning, and to promote optimal screening adherence.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Multicenter prospective evaluation of laparoscopic antireflux surgery. Preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: A prospective study of 116 patients undergoing laparoscopic antireflux surgery was undertaken in four centers in the United Kingdom and the United States. METHODS: Patients with a hiatal hernia (n = 80) underwent total Rosetti-Hell fundoplication, whereas those without a hiatal defect (n = 36) were treated by a partial fundoplication (Toupet). The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 24 months; median was 13 months. RESULTS: The median duration of the operations was 2.5 h. Intraoperative complications were encountered in 16 patients (14.0%) and conversion to laparotomy was necessary for esophageal perforation in one. The postoperative recovery of gastrointestinal function was rapid and the median hospital stay from the time of the operation to discharge was 2 days, range 1-10. A good symptomatic result (> 70% reduction of preoperative symptom score) was observed in 106 patients (91%). There were no postoperative deaths but 15 patients (13.0%) developed complications in the immediate postoperative period. At 3 months, complete endoscopic healing of the esophagitis was observed in 65/92 patients (71%) and improvement by at least one grade was seen in 19 patients (21%). Twenty-four-hour pH monitoring, which was abnormal preoperatively in 93% of patients, was normal after surgery in 95%. There were 10 symptomatic failures (persistent reflux symptoms) and 14 patients (12%) developed adverse symptoms related to the procedure (gas-bloat 8, dysphagia 9, gastroparesis 1, explosive diarrhoea 1). Readmission to hospital within 3 months was necessary in 9 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic antireflux surgery can be performed with a low morbidity. In the short term, 83% of patients were rendered symptom free. These results are similar to those reported after the equivalent open operations.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Distribution of neuropeptide K-immunoreactivity in the rat central nervous system.

The distribution of neuropeptide K (NPK), a 36-residue amidated peptide originally isolated from porcine brain, is described in the rat CNS by immunohistochemical methods. Antibodies were generated in rabbits to N-terminus and C-terminus regions of the peptide and the distribution of immunoreactive cell bodies and fibers was mapped in colchicine-treated and normal rat brains. Major areas of cell body staining included the medial habenular nucleus, the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, the interpeduncular nucleus, the lateral dorsal tegmental nucleus, the nucleus raphe pallidus, and the nucleus of the solitary tract. Some of the areas of dense NPK-fiber immunoreactivity included the ventral pallidum, the caudate-putamen, certain areas of the hypothalamus, the central and medial amygdaloid nuclei, the entopeduncular nucleus, the habenular nuclei, the substantia nigra pars reticulata, the caudal part of the spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve, the nucleus of the solitary tract and the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. A striking similarity exists between this pattern of immunoreactive staining and that described for substance P, suggesting that the tachykinin systems do not exist independently in the brain. The possible roles for multiple tachykinins in the brain are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Quantification of juvenile hormone III, vitellogenin, and vitellogenin-mRNA during the oviposition cycle of the lubber grasshopper.

The vitellogenic cycle of the lubber grasshopper (Romalea microptera) was studied by measuring levels of juvenile hormone (JH III), vitellogenin, and vitellogenin-mRNA through the first oviposition cycle. JH III and vitellogenin were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. To measure vitellogenin-mRNA, a partial (753 bp) cDNA fragment of vitellogenin was isolated from the fat body of vitellogenic animals. The sequence of this cDNA was related to vitellogenin sequences in other insect species. Using these sequence data, an RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction) assay was developed to quantify vitellogenin-mRNA levels during the oviposition cycle. Vitellogenin-mRNA levels in the fat body tissue from virgin females were measured on specific days after eclosion and compared to hemolymph levels of JH III and vitellogenin from the same individuals. The levels of all three compounds (JH III, vitellogenin, and vitellogenin-mRNA) showed similar changes throughout the oviposition cycle, being undetectable or nearly undetectable initially (day 3), rising to maximum levels on days 23 and 28, and then dropped to lower or undetectable levels on the day of oviposition. The ability to measure these characteristics will be useful for studying the effects of hormonal and nutritional manipulations on reproduction.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Coordinating a large multicentered HIV research project.

Coordinating a large multicentered pediatric HIV clinical research study is particularly challenging for nurses. The cohort of patients and their families face multiple stressors, which make recruitment and compliance difficult. Additionally, when many departments within the institution are involved, coordination is often problematic. Ethical issues sometimes arise. Nurses must find ways to adapt what they learn from the study to their nursing practice. The nurse coordinators of the Pediatric Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Complications of Vertically Transmitted HIV (P2C2HIV) study discuss the unique challenges of such a project and the various strategies for successful completion.

HIV Infections↗