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Biomedical subjects

M Cooper

Publications and source records attributed to M Cooper.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Antibodies to toluene diisocyanate in an environmentally exposed population.

Residents living near a polyurethane foam manufacturing facility expressed concern to health officials over chemical emissions from the plant. Environmental monitoring of ambient air near the plant indicated the presence of toluene diisocyanate (TDI), which was used in foam production. Health officials collected blood samples from 113 residents and analyzed the blood sera for antibodies to TDI and related diisocyanates. Ten of the 113 residents (9%) had elevated levels of IgG or IgE antibodies specific for one or more diisocyanates. Exposure histories were taken from antibody-positive individuals to identify possible occupational exposure to TDI or the use of diisocyanate-containing consumer products. Exposure to TDI in ambient air may be responsible for the positive antibody responses detected in some residents of the community.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Evaluation of a nursery based language intervention in a socially disadvantaged area.

This longitudinal study was designed to evaluate the impact of a community-based speech and language project, set in an area of Plymouth known for its high levels of social disadvantage. The interventions include a specifically designed nursery programme, known as Wise Words for Nursery, and a modular series of parenting groups for the parents of pre-school children. The data were collected from five consecutive year groups entering a single primary school for the years 1993-1997. Each of the five cohorts underwent a battery of tests to collect data on their lexical development, information recall, reception of grammar, sentence length and speech clarity. Statistical analysis of the data showed a significant difference in the communication abilities of the most recent cohort when compared to the previous years. The findings provide considerable support for the efficacy of the approach employed.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1998

Interclass drug effects and changes in regional brain glucose metabolism.

We have developed an innovative use of positron emission tomography that has broad applications in drug development. Based on the FDG method (Phelps et al. 1979) for assessing glucose metabolism, the method requires rigorous experimental control of subjects and standardized data acquisition and analyses. In localizing net metabolic drug effects, measured in quantifiable terms, we have derived a new conceptual basis for examining pharmacologically induced changes in brain function and a new model for predicting drug effectiveness. We applied this method to studies of drugs in three different classes and noted marked differences in distribution and magnitude of metabolic effects. This approach presents an opportunity to selectively examine measurements of the glucose metabolic changes induced by specific pharmacological probes on intermediary metabolic pathways, including regulation of gene expression and the metabolic consequences of neurotransmitter alteration in pharmacologically targeted neuronal systems. Development of these methods provides new approaches for studying neurobiological mechanisms, and can contribute significantly to the process of new drug development.

Brain↗
PubMed1998

Teaching the microscopic examination of urine sediment to second year medical students using the Urinalysis-Tutor computer program.

The microscopic examination of urine sediment is a common diagnostic tool taught to medical students, medical technologists, and others. The urine microscopic exam is difficult to teach because supervised instruction and textbook-based teaching suffer from numerous drawbacks. Here, we describe Urinalysis-Tutor, a computer program that uses digitized microscope images and computer-based teaching techniques to systematically teach the urine microscopic exam. In addition, we report the results of a 2-year study that evaluated the effectiveness of the program in 314 second year medical students who were required to use the program. The program contained two, 20-question exams. In the first year of the study (1996), one of the exams was chosen as the pretest and the other as the posttest; the pretest had to be completed before the students viewed the contents of the program, and the posttest was taken after finishing the tutorial. In 1997, the order of the two exams was reversed. In 1996, 159 students completed the study. The mean pretest score was 34% (SD, 14%), the mean posttest score was 71% (SD, 13%), and the improvement was significant (P <0.001, paired t-test). In 1997, 155 students participated. The mean pretest score was 41% (SD, 11%), the mean posttest score was 71% (SD, 13%), and the improvement was significant (P <0.001, paired t-test). The study shows that Urinalysis-Tutor helps medical students learn to interpret the microscopic appearance of urine sediment and that it is feasible to implement this tutorial in a medical school class.

Computer-Assisted Instruction↗
PubMed1998

Effect of mammography outreach in women veterans.

We undertook this study to test whether progressive intervention would increase the use of mammography. In 1995, we randomly assigned into 2 groups 717 underserved women veterans in the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto (California) Health Care System (VAPAHCS) who earned less than $22,000 a year. The women were sent an informational letter and brochure explaining why mammography is needed and how often. The letter further requested that if the woman was due for a screening mammogram or if a lump or other recent change in her breast had occurred, that she call for scheduling of a free mammogram and a visit to the breast clinic. Women in group I (n = 351) received no further intervention. Women in group II (n = 366) received a follow-up phone call by a breast care nurse if they had not responded within 45 days of the informational mailing. The nurse talked to each woman about her particular needs, explained to her that the screening mammogram would be provided free of charge, and discussed transportation arrangements to the mammography facility. A total of 17 women in group I had mammograms versus 100 in group II during the same time period. We conclude that the additional intervention of a phone call by a breast care nurse increased use by more than 5-fold, which reached significance (P < .01).

Adult↗
PubMed1997

The eating disorder belief questionnaire: preliminary development.

This paper describes the development of a self-report questionnaire designed to assess assumptions and beliefs associated with eating disorders. Factor analyses suggested to replicable four-factor structure consisting of the following dimensions: negative self-beliefs; weight and shape as a means to acceptance by others; weight and shape as a means to self-acceptance; and control over eating. The subscales possess good psychometric properties and significant correlations were found between the subscales and other measures of the specific and general psychopathology of eating disorders. The questionnaire also distinguished two groups of patients with eating disorders from normal controls. The usefulness of the measure and implications of the findings for cognitive theories of eating disorders are briefly discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Bias in interpretation of ambiguous scenarios in eating disorders.

Eating disorders appear to be associated with biased information processing, particularly in judgments involving the self. This study investigated three possible biases. Patients with anorexia nervosa, patients with bulimia nervosa and female controls completed questionnaires designed to assess interpretation of ambiguous scenarios with either a negative or positive outcome. When events had a negative outcome the patients responded spontaneously to open-ended questions with a weight and shape interpretation. Later, in a forced-choice format, they selected the weight and shape interpretation in preference to interpretations not connected to weight and shape. In both open-ended and forced-choice format this bias was specific to judgments involving the self. When events had a positive outcome the bias was reversed and, in the two formats, it was found only in judgments involving others. In both cases, i.e. for negative self-referent events and for positive other-referent events, patients predicted that weight and shape explanations were more likely. Both groups of patients estimated that negative outcomes involving the self would be more costly. The patients with bulimia nervosa also estimated that positive outcomes involving the self would be more beneficial. Theoretical explanations and clinical implications are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Evolving growth hormone deficiency in children with a subnormal secretion of growth hormone.

Three growth-retarded children with a normal growth hormone (GH) response to provocative tests, but subnormal 24-hour integrated concentrations of GH and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGF-BP3) are presented. Retesting 3 to 4 years later demonstrated a subnormal GH response to stimulation. The initial subnormal growth rate and IGF-BP3, despite a normal GH response to stimulation, may be secondary to a subnormal integrated concentration of GH.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1997

Genetic segregation analysis of early-onset recurrent unipolar depression.

Major depression is a relatively common psychiatric disorder that can be quite debilitating. Family, twin, and adoption studies indicate that unipolar depression has both genetic and environmental components. Early age at onset and recurrent episodes in the proband each increase the familiarity of the illness. To investigate the potential genetic underpinnings of the disease, we have performed a complex segregation analysis on 832 individuals from 50 multigenerational families ascertained through a proband with early-onset recurrent unipolar major depression. The analysis was conducted by use of regressive models, to test a variety of hypotheses to explain the familial aggregation of recurrent unipolar depression. Analyses were conducted under two alternative definitions of affection status for the relatives of probands: (1) "narrow," in which relatives were assumed to be affected only if they were diagnosed with recurrent unipolar depression; and (2) "broad," in which relatives were assumed to be affected if diagnosed with any major affective illness. Under the narrow-definition assumption, the model that best explains these family data is a transmitted (although non-Mendelian) recessive major effect with significant residual parental effects on affection status. Under the broad-definition assumption, the best-fitting model is a Mendelian codominant major locus with significant residual parental and spousal effects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Not all dyslexics are created equal.

BACKGROUND: Dyslexia is a common disorder that has traditionally been treated as a homogeneous condition. However, recent evidence indicates that it is a heterogenous condition with several subtypes. For example, studies of the visual system indicate that not all dyslexics have a normal visual pathway. Approximately 75% have a processing deficit in the magnocellular pathway. Our previous study indicated that dysphoneidetic but not dyseidetic dyslexics exhibit a magnocellular pathway defect. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to expand our previous work by also examining dysphonetic dyslexics. Additionally, the stimulus was altered to enhance detection of a magnocellular pathway defect in any dyslexic subtype. METHODS: Temporal contrast sensitivity functions were determined with a flickering stimulus (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 Hz) by using a temporal, two-alternative, forced-choice technique. RESULTS: The results indicate that the dyseidetic dyslexics do not have a magnocellular pathway defect, whereas the dysphoneidetics do. Furthermore, examination of the individual dysphonetics indicated that the more severely affected subjects also exhibited a magnocellular pathway defect. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that treatment strategies for dyslexics may need to be modified to take into account their specific subtype.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Identification of a cis-acting element within the herpesvirus saimiri ORF 6 promoter that is responsive to the HVS.R transactivator.

We have previously demonstrated that two distinct transcripts are produced from ORF 50, the major transcriptional activating gene of herpesvirus saimiri. The products of these transcripts trans-activate the delayed-early ORF 6 promoter, though to different degrees. Deletion analysis demonstrated that the ORF 50 responsive elements are contained in a 132 bp fragment situated 127-259 bp from the transcription initiation site within the ORF 6 promoter. This fragment conferred ORF 50-responsiveness on an enhancerless simian virus 40. Gel retardation analysis further mapped the responsive elements to a 38 bp fragment.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Selective processing of three types of stimuli in eating disorders.

A modified version of the Stroop colour naming task was administered to patients with anorexia nervosa, patients with bulimia nervosa and a control group. Stimuli were separated into three areas of concern. Compared to the controls, both patient groups showed selective processing of information related to eating and weight. Patients with anorexia nervosa also showed selective processing of information related to shape. There were no differences between the two patient groups.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Sulfated carbohydrate compounds prevent microbial adherence by sexually transmitted disease pathogens.

Heparan sulfate (HS) serves as a receptor for adherence of herpes simplex viruses, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and, indirectly, human immunodeficiency virus. Using primary human culture systems, we identified sulfated carbohydrate compounds that resemble HS and competitively inhibit infection by these pathogens. These compounds are candidates for intravaginal formulations for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

Bacterial Adhesion↗
PubMed1997

Cell density-regulated recovery of starved biofilm populations of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria.

The speed of recovery of cell suspensions and biofilm populations of the ammonia oxidizer Nitrosomonas europaea, following starvation was determined. Stationary-phase cells, washed and resuspended in ammoniumfree inorganic medium, were starved for periods of up to 42 days, after which the medium was supplemented with ammonium and subsequent growth was monitored by measuring nitrite concentration changes. Cultures exhibited a lag phase prior to exponential nitrite production, which increased from 8.72 h (no starvation) to 153 h after starvation for 42 days. Biofilm populations of N. europaea colonizing sand or soil particles in continuous-flow, fixed column reactors were starved by continuous supply of ammonium-free medium. Following resupply of ammonium, starved biofilms exhibited no lag phase prior to nitrite production, even after starvation for 43.2 days, although there was evidence of cell loss during starvation. Biofilm formation will therefore provide a significant ecological advantage for ammonia oxidizers in natural environments in which the substrate supply is intermittent. Cell density-dependent phenomena in a number of gram-negative bacteria are mediated by N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHL), including N-(3-oxohexanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (OHHL). Addition of both ammonium and OHHL to cell suspensions starved for 28 days decreased the lag phase in a concentration-dependent manner from 53.4 h to a minimum of 10.8 h. AHL production by N. europaea was detected by using a luxR-luxAB AHL reporter system. The results suggest that rapid recovery of high-density biofilm populations may be due to production and accumulation of OHHL to levels not possible in relatively low-density cell suspensions.

Ammonia↗
PubMed1997

Aspirin inhibits vasopressin-induced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity in normal humans.

PGs influence ACTH secretion. However, their specific role in modulating the activity of the human hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis remains unclear. Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) inhibits the synthesis of PGs from arachidonic acid by blocking the cyclooxygenase pathway. In this study we administered a single, clinically relevant dose of aspirin before HPA axis stimulation by a bolus dose of iv arginine vasopressin (AVP) to seven normal males using a randomized, placebo-controlled, single blinded design. Aspirin significantly reduced the cortisol response to AVP [mean peak increase from basal, 221.1 +/- 20.1 vs. 165.4 +/- 22.5 nmol/L (P = 0.0456); mean integrated response, 11,199.3 +/- 1,560.0 vs. 6,162.3 +/- 1,398.6 nmol.min/L (P = 0.0116) for placebo aspirin/AVP and aspirin/ AVP, respectively]. The ACTH response was reduced, but did not reach statistical significance [mean peak increase from basal, 7.5 +/- 2.2 vs. 4.3 +/- 0.3 pmol/L (P = 0.0563); mean integrated response, 142.6 +/- 36.0 vs. 96.2 +/- 8.7 pmol.min/L (P = 0.12) for placebo aspirin/ AVP and aspirin/AVP, respectively]. PGs may influence ACTH secretion by being stimulatory or inhibitory to the HPA axis at different levels, such as hypothalamic or pituitary. Which effect predominates in vivo during dynamic activation of the axis may depend on the level at which the secretory stimulus acts. We showed that when normal male volunteers were treated with the PG synthesis inhibitor, aspirin, they had a blunted HPA axis response to the pituitary corticotroph stimulator, AVP.

Adolescent↗