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Biomedical subjects

J Turner

Publications and source records attributed to J Turner.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Multiplicity of mechanisms of serotonin receptor signal transduction.

The serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) receptors have been divided into 7 subfamilies by convention, 6 of which include 13 different genes for G-protein-coupled receptors. Those subfamilies have been characterized by overlapping pharmacological properties, amino acid sequences, gene organization, and second messenger coupling pathways. Post-genomic modifications, such as alternative mRNA splicing or mRNA editing, creates at least 20 more G-protein-coupled 5-HT receptors, such that there are at least 30 distinct 5-HT receptors that signal through G-proteins. This review will focus on what is known about the signaling linkages of the G-protein-linked 5-HT receptors, and will highlight some fascinating new insights into 5-HT receptor signaling.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Antecedents of adherence to antituberculosis therapy.

This correlational study identified antecedents of adherence to antituberculosis (anti-TB) therapy in a convenience sample of 62 English-speaking adults. From a demographic perspective, the study sample was similar to the referent population of TB patients in Georgia. A variety of parametric analyses revealed the following: The mean self-reported adherence score was 92.6% (SD = 3.3). Higher levels of self-reported adherence were associated with an annual income of $11,000 or more, education beyond high school, no current alcohol use, perceived support and absence of barriers to medication taking, strong intentions to adhere, and a high capacity for self-care. Those six variables accounted for 28% of adherence variance, F(6, 44) of 4.3, p = 0.0017. Additionally, belief in the usefulness and benefit of the medications was strongly correlated with intentions to adhere (r = 0.83, p < 0.001), and interpersonal aspects of care was significantly correlated with perceptions of medication utility (r = 0.65, p < 0.001), supports/barriers (r = 0.44, p < 0.001), intentions (r = 0.69, p < 0.001), and self-care (r = -0.42, p < 0.01). Persons who were diagnosed with both TB and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reported significantly lower adherence.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and quality of life: the potential impact of Axis I psychiatric disorders in a sample of 95 HIV seropositive men.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to assess whether Axis I psychiatric disorders exert effects on function and well-being independent of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related disease progression. METHODS: A convenience sample of 95 HIV seropositive individuals completed the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey (SF-20). The Standardized Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R (SCID-NP-HIV) was used to screen subjects for Axis I psychiatric disorders in the previous 6 months. HIV-related disease severity was defined for each subject using the 1993 revised Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Classification System. RESULTS: Thirty-seven (39%) subjects had asymptomatic HIV disease and 58 (61%) had symptomatic disease. Thirty-three (35%) subjects had Axis I disorders in the previous 6 months. After controlling for HIV-related disease severity, psychiatric disorders were independently associated with substantive decrements in the mental health and health perceptions dimension scores (beta-coefficients were approximately -18.0 for both dimensions; p < or = 0.01). Axis I disorders were also associated with decrements in the social functioning dimension at a p value that approached significance (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In HIV seropositive individuals, the presence of an Axis I psychiatric disorder in the previous 6 months is associated with diminished scores in multiple areas of functioning and well-being, independent of HIV-related disease progression. Axis I disorders, therefore, appear to impact quality of life. These findings, in part, suggest that the SF-20 (the mental health subscale, in particular) may have utility as a screening tool for the presence of a recent Axis I diagnosis.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Significance of positive bronchial cytology in presence of squamous cell carcinoma of upper aerodigestive tract.

The otolaryngologic literature reflects the high incidence if second primary neoplasms found in patients with a squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract. Most commonly the second tumor is bronchogenic in origin. Routine panendoscopy (direct laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, esophagoscopy) has been recommended in patients presenting with a squamous cell carcinoma primary in the upper aerodigestive tract. We have questioned the usefulness of obtaining bronchial washings during bronchoscopy in a patient who has an established primary in the upper aerodigestive tract. Perhaps false-positives would occur due to desquamation of tumor cells into the tracheobronchial tree. The authors address the incidence of false-positive washings encountered in a prospective evaluation of bronchial cytology encountered in 100 consecutive patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract who do not have primary bronchogenic carcinoma. A single false-positive (1%) was encountered. It is concluded that epithelial carcinoma of the larynx and upper aerodigestive tract rarely shed identifiable tumor cells into the tracheobronchial tree. When malignant cells are found with bronchial washings, every effort should be made to localize a second primary tumor in the lung.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reducing the inappropriate use of parenteral nutrition in an acute care teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND: Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a form of nutrition that can be life-saving, but its use has inherent risks and it is expensive. Nutrition support teams have been shown to reduce both the rate of complications and excessive use of PN. METHODS: Criteria were established to evaluate the appropriateness of PN use in a 487-bed community teaching hospital. A prospective study of 50 consecutive patients, who received either central or peripheral PN, was conducted. RESULTS: The 50 patients received 469 days of PN. We found that 233 (49.7%) of the 469 days of PN were avoidable. This resulted in the creation of a formal approval process that required prior approval by a physician-directed multidisciplinary advisory committee before PN could be instituted. The amount of PN subsequently decreased from 500 patient days of PN per month to less than 100. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the idea that inappropriate use of PN can be reduced by physician education plus the continuing oversight of a physician-directed multidisciplinary advisory group.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The comprehensive home visit.

There is increasing awareness of the benefits of home care for respiratory patients. This care is best given by skilled health care professionals whose goal is to meet patients' needs. What are the skills that a respiratory home care specialist must have? What are the activities that should be included in a comprehensive home visit? How can home care be evaluated? These and other questions are addressed in this article.

Home Care Services↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The health and developmental status of very low-birth-weight children at school age.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of improved survival of increasingly premature infants by examining the outcomes at school age of a large group of children born at different birth weights. DESIGN: Inception cohort. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Participants were selected from two previously studied multisite cohorts: very low-birth-weight (less than or equal to 1500 g) children referred to participating intensive care units and heavier birth-weight children drawn from a stratified random sample of births in geographically defined regions. Follow-up at 8 to 10 years of age was by a combination of telephone interview and home/clinic visits for 65.1% (1868) of those eligible. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The presence or absence of 17 specific conditions, limitations in activities of daily living due to health, mental health (affective health, behavior problems), and, for a subset, IQ scores. RESULTS: Decreasing birth weight was associated with an increased morbidity for all measures except affective health; those with birth weights of 1500 g or less were more likely to experience multiple health problems. Maternal educational attainment did not influence the association of birth weight with morbidity except for IQ among children whose birth weight was above 1000 g, for which socioeconomic disadvantage worsened the status of all children irrespective of birth weight. CONCLUSIONS: Children born at lower birth weights experience increased morbidity at early school age. These results reinforce the importance of postdischarge, early intervention programs to reduce the risk of these later health problems.

Activities of Daily Living↗