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Biomedical subjects

L Barclay

Publications and source records attributed to L Barclay.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Analysis of sperm chromosome complements before, during, and after chemotherapy.

Sperm chromosomal abnormalities were assessed in testicular cancer patients before, during, and after BEP (bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin) chemotherapy (CT). Multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis was employed to detect aneuploidy for chromosomes 1, 12, X, and Y, and diploidy. Sperm samples were cryopreserved and coded before analysis to facilitate "blind" analysis. Complete results at all time points was available for only one patient. A total of 60,400 sperm were analyzed: 20,004 before CT, 20,005 during CT, and 20,391 after CT. There was a significant increase in the frequency of 24,XY sperm during (0.33%) and post-CT (0.34%) compared to pre-CT (0.14%). This study suggests that there may be a significantly increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities in sperm of CT patients during and immediately post-CT, similar to that shown in animal models.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The cognitive determinants of performance on the Austin Maze.

This study aimed to investigate which abilities are measured by the Austin Maze. One hundred and eight university students were administered a battery of eight neuropsychological tests including, the Austin Maze, the Tower of London, the Wisconsin Card Sort Test, Block Design, the Visual Spatial Learning Test, Digit Span Backwards, the Brown-Peterson Task and the Wide Range Achievement Test of Reading. Results indicated that visuospatial ability and memory both significantly contributed to performance on the Austin Maze, but differed in the degree to which they explained the performance depending on which measure of maze performance was employed. It appears that visuospatial ability is measured in early trials of the Austin Maze when individuals are orienting themselves to the path. In later trials individuals must call upon visuospatial memory to consolidate the details of the path. Executive function and working memory were not found to be significantly implicated in performance on the Austin Maze.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Recent immigration and the misery of motherhood: a discussion of pertinent issues.

In this paper it is assumed that the high rates of misery experienced by most new mothers in contemporary Western society are socially and culturally induced. Women from non-English-speaking backgrounds (NESB) recuperate from the stress of birth, often further complicated by morbidity from intervention, frequently alone and without practical household help. They often embark on their new mothering role with little support or guidance. In a Western society which markets a romanticized Anglo image of motherhood, where happy, contented, smiling babies and glamorous mothers appear as the norm, it is not surprising that women from NESB find becoming a mother in Australia difficult. Their difficulties are exacerbated as they frequently come from cultures where women are nurtured, valued and supported at this time in their lives. These women are often socially isolated in their new country, within an alien health system and separated from their normal birth and postpartum practices. Their misery can only be imagined, as mostly it is hidden and suffered alone. Providing a diagnosis of depression in women who are unhappy, but not clinically depressed, is likely to be even less helpful and more damaging for NESB women than for Anglo-Australian women. A diagnosis of depression excuses Western society for accepting responsibility for alleviating the isolation of new mothers by labelling them as 'sick'.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1998

Abnormalities for chromosomes 13 and 21 detected in spermatozoa from infertile men.

Sperm samples from infertile men with oligozoospermia or teratozoospermia were studied by multicolour fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) using DNA probes for chromosomes 13 and 21. A total of 90 809 sperm nuclei from nine infertile men and 182 799 sperm nuclei from 18 control donors were analysed. There was a highly significant increase in the frequency of spermatozoa disomic for chromosome 13 in infertile patients (0.28%) compared to control donors (0.13%) (two-tailed Z statistic P < 0.0001) and for chromosome 21 (0.48% in infertile men versus 0.37% in controls, P < 0.0001). Also there was a significantly increased frequency of diploid spermatozoa in infertile men (0.85%) compared to control donors (0.66%) (P < 0.0001). Our previous studies on these same infertile patients demonstrated increased frequencies of sperm disomy for chromosomes 1 and XY. This suggests that infertile men, who are prime candidates for intracytoplasmic sperm injection, may be at a very small increased risk of aneuploid offspring.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

An outbreak of influenza B among workers on an oil rig.

An outbreak of influenza B occurred in December 1996 on an oil rig in Darwin Harbour. The outbreak affected 56% of the workers on the rig. An outbreak in December is outside the usual Australian influenza season of June to September, but is consistent with other tropical regions, where outbreaks can occur throughout the year. Influenza vaccination could prevent similar outbreaks in confined workplaces.

Disease Outbreaks↗
PubMed1997

Chromosomal abnormalities in sperm from testicular cancer patients before and after chemotherapy.

Sperm chromosome abnormalities were assessed in testicular cancer patients before and after treatment with BEP (bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin). The frequencies of disomy for chromosomes 1, 12, X, Y and XY were assessed along with diploid frequencies and sex ratios by multicolour fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). For each cancer patient, a minimum of 10,000 sperm was assessed for each chromosome probe before and after chemotherapy (CT). Data was analysed "blindly" by coding the slides. A total of 161097 sperm were analyzed, 80,445 before and 80,642 after treatment. The mean disomy frequencies were 0.11% pre-CT vs 0.06% post-CT for chromosome 1, 0.18% vs 0.15% for chromosome 12, 0.10% vs 0.9% for the X chromosome, 0.13% vs 0.10% for the Y chromosome and 0.25% vs 0.20% for XY sperm. There was no significant difference in the frequency of disomy pre-CT vs post-CT for any chromosome except that chromosome 1 demonstrated a significant decrease after CT. The "sex ratios" and frequency of diploid sperm were also not significantly different in pre and post-CT samples with 50.2% X-bearing sperm pre-CT and 50.5% X post-CT and 0.14% diploid sperm pre-CT vs 0.15% diploid sperm post-CT. There was no significant donor heterogeneity among the cancer patients. None of the values in the cancer patients differed significantly from 10 normal control donors. Thus our study suggests that BEP chemotherapy does not increase the risk of numerical chromosomal abnormalities in human sperm.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

"Becoming a mother'--developing a new theory of early motherhood.

This paper explains the methods used in a grounded theory analysis of the experience of 55 first-time mothers in Australia, presented in the first of this series of two papers. The categories identified in the research are realising, readiness, drained, aloneness, loss and working it out, encompassed in the core category becoming a mother. Specifically, this paper extends the analysis and explains the application of a 'paradigm model' and the identification of a Basic Social Process (BSP). The paper links the analysis to the literature on early motherhood from nursing, midwifery, feminist, and sociological research. A substantive theory is proposed to explain women's experience in becoming mothers that demonstrates how, when responsive to the needs of those researched, a grounded theory analysis can provide a framework for nursing and midwifery care.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1997

Becoming a mother--an analysis of women's experience of early motherhood.

This paper presents the results of a qualitative study conducted by midwife researchers into women's experience of new motherhood. Data were collected using focus groups involving 55 first-time mothers and analysed using grounded theory method. The analysis produced six categories: 'realizing', 'unready', 'drained', 'aloneness', 'loss' and 'working it out'. The core category, 'becoming a mother', integrates all other categories and encapsulates the process of change experienced by women. Also explained are factors mediating the often distressing experience of becoming a mother. The analysis provides a conceptualization of early motherhood enabling the development of strategies for midwives, nurses and other helping women negotiate this challenge.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1997

Analysis of human sperm karyotypes in testicular cancer patients before and after chemotherapy.

Sperm karyotype analysis was performed on testicular cancer patients before and after treatment with BEP (bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin). A total of 788 sperm chromosome complements was studied, 236 before chemotherapy (CT) and 552 post-CT. There was no significant difference in the total frequency of sperm chromosomal abnormalities pre-CT (10.2%) compared to post-CT (10.7%). Similarly, there were no significant differences in the frequencies of numerical abnormalities (2.5% pre-CT vs. 2.4% post-CT) or structural abnormalities (6.4% pre-CT vs. 7.4% post-CT). The percentage of X-bearing sperm was also not significantly different before (46.3%) and after CT (50.1%). The results in cancer patients were not significantly different from those in control donors. This study corroborates results from our previous analysis of these same men using multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization for assessment of aneuploidy for chromosomes 1, 12, X, Y, and XY. Together, these two studies suggest that the sperm of men receiving BEP chemotherapy are not at increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities two or more years after treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Maternal country of origin and infant birthplace: implications for birth-weight.

This study investigated the effect of mother's country of origin and baby's birthplace on infant birth-weight. The mean birth-weights of full-term babies born of well immigrant women from 5 countries were compared with those of women of Anglo-Australian origin confined at the same hospital. Data were collected from medical records at Canterbury hospital for 1,274 women confined between 1989 and 1992 and 2,524 of their babies. Multiple regression analysis showed that infants born in Australia to women from Vietnam and Korea were significantly heavier than infants born to these women in their country of origin. Babies born to women from Vietnam were significantly lighter than babies born to Anglo-Australian controls.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1996

Men's experiences during their partner's first pregnancy: a grounded theory analysis.

This paper reports on research conducted with 53 men who were attending antenatal classes with their partners who were pregnant for the first time. The men discussed their experience of pregnancy in focus groups that were run by male midwives who were also fathers. A grounded theory analysis of the men's discussions generated the categories of anxiety, ambivalence, adjustment, separation and need to know. There were two core categories, confusion, which was strongly expressed and development which was manifest in a minority of men. A descriptive narrative demonstrated that most first time fathers were confused as their relationship with their partner changed and that their roles in relation to the baby and other people were unclear. The men's sense of self was threatened and they responded negatively to the challenges they experienced and felt distanced from their partners. The findings have implications for clinical and educational services as they show that most men were alienated by the manner in which information was presented. The men also felt that services focused on their partner's labour and the birth of the child and neglected their greatest concerns, that is their changing identity, their relationships and their future role as fathers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Predictors of brief smoking intervention in a midwifery setting.

The aims of this study were: to assess current practice in smoking cessation interventions by midwives and to examine the relationship between the use of smoking intervention, practitioner characteristics and organizational factors. A mail-out survey was sent to a random sample of 500 midwives. The response rate was 85% (n = 425). The results indicated that most midwives used minimal interventions (advice and education) for at least some of their clients. However, the more skilled and more time-intensive forms of intervention such as counselling about methods to quit, negotiating a quit date and follow-up were infrequently utilized. Moreover, participants estimated that half their smoking clients were not offered any advice about smoking. Organizational factors such as: hospital policy for smoking intervention, type of hospital, size of hospital, cohesion of staff and work pressure predicted the use of smoking interventions. Self-reported ability to intervene for smoking and the level of assessment undertaken were practitioner characteristics which predicted the use of smoking interventions. The barriers that inhibit the use of smoking intervention by midwives are discussed and methods for change canvassed.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Analysis of sperm chromosome complements from a man heterozygous for a pericentric inversion of chromosome 1.

Human sperm chromosomes were studied in a man heterozygous for a pericentric inversion of chromosome (1)(p31q12). Q-banded pronuclear chromosomes were analyzed after in vitro penetration of golden hamster oocytes. A total of 159 sperm were examined: 54% bearing the inverted chromosome 1 and 46% the normal chromosome 1. These frequencies are not significantly different from the theoretical 1:1 ratio. There were no recombinant sperm with duplications or deficiencies, suggesting that a pairing loop failed to form or that crossing-over was suppressed. The frequency of abnormalities unrelated to the inversion was 5% for numerical, 8.8% for structural, 2.5% for numerical and structural, values not significantly different from control donors studied in our lab. The frequencies of X- and Y-bearing sperm were 46% and 54%, respectively, not significantly different from the expected value of 50%. This is the fifth pericentric inversion studied by human sperm chromosome analysis; recombinant chromosomes have been observed in two of the five cases. Some of the factors associated with an increased risk of recombinant sperm appear to be inversion size greater than 30% of the chromosome and chromosome breakpoints in G-light bands.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

A comparison of the frequency and type of chromosomal abnormalities in human sperm after different sperm capacitation conditions.

Human sperm karyotypes can be prepared after fusion of human sperm with Golden hamster oocytes. Most laboratories use one of two methods of sperm capacitation: incubation of freshly-ejaculated sperm in Biggers, Whitten, and Whittingham (BWW) medium for 5-7 h at 37 degrees C or sperm storage in (N-tris [hydroxymethyl]methyl-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid; 2-([2-hydroxy-1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)ethyl]amino)ethanesulfonic acid) (TES)-Tris yolk buffer (TYB) for 1-3 days at 4 degrees C. Since there have been conflicting reports as to whether there is a difference in the frequency of structural chromosomal abnormalities between BWW capacitation and storage in TYB for 2 days, we analyzed a larger number of karyotypes (8974) from 136 donors to determine if there was any difference in the frequency or type of chromosomal abnormalities in sperm treated by fresh BWW capacitation, storage in TYB for 1 day (TYB-1), or storage in TYB for 2 days (TYB-2). There was no difference in the frequency of numerical chromosomal abnormalities or sex ratio in any of the three treatment groups. However, there was a significantly increased frequency of structural chromosomal abnormalities after storage in TYB-1 and TYB-2. There was no difference in the frequency or type of structural chromosomal abnormalities after sperm storage in TYB-1 compared to TYB-2.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Relatives' recall of a psychiatric interview.

One hundred seventeen patients from the Burke Rehabilitation Center (White Plains, NY) with clinically diagnosed dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) were identified for a case-control study (CCS) designed to assess risk factors for DAT. A psychiatric evaluation was part of the Burke dementia workup. The study sample was composed of 96 relatives who (a) were present with the patient at the psychiatric evaluation and (b) were interviewed for the CCS. The data for this study were the relatives' responses to the question "Did your relative (patient with DAT) ever see a psychiatrist?" The recall of relatives, regardless of relationship category (spouse, adult children, and others) did not exceed the 50% recall predicted by chance. When the age of the relative and length of time between the two interviews were considered, they did not modify these results.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Cancer at the workplace: health promotion and care programs.

The "Europe Against Cancer" initiative seeks to reduce the prevalence of cancer by 15% by the year 2000. This has stimulated an increased awareness of cancer by health care professionals. A training manual was designed to provide opportunities for workplace health care professionals in Northern Ireland to make an impact in the area of prevention and early detection of cancer. The training manual examines attitudes and knowledge about cancer and discusses relevant, effective programs for the prevention and early detection of cancer. It also seeks to enable the development of care and rehabilitation support programs in the workplace. The process of developing the training manual involving occupational health and health education staff is considered to be part of its success.

Attitude to Health↗