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Biomedical subjects

M M Kennedy

Publications and source records attributed to M M Kennedy.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

HHV8 and female Kaposi's sarcoma.

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is an enigmatic tumour of uncertain histogenesis. Epidemiological data have long suggested that KS may be caused by an infectious agent, possibly sexually transmitted. Following the documentation of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) and its strong association with all forms of KS, it now appears that the putative agent has at last been identified. As KS is rare in females, a unique group was screened for the presence of HHV8 using both conventional solution-phase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the newly described technique of TaqMan PCR. The presence of HHV8 was demonstrated in 10/12 of these female patients. This further supports the direct role of HHV8, in conjunction with cytokines and other factors, in the pathogenesis of KS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

p53, c-erbB-2 and nm23 expression have no prognostic significance in primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: We analysed nm23, c-erbB-2 and p53 protein expression in lung adenocarcinoma in relation to clinicopathological status and patient survival, to elucidate any potential prognostic value. Published reports suggest that high p53 and c-erbB-2 protein expression and loss of nm23 protein expression are associated with poor prognosis. METHODS: A total of 162 pulmonary adenocarcinomas resected between 1980 and 1991 were stained using monoclonal antibodies to nm23 (NCL-nm23), c-erbB-2 (NCL-CB11) and p53 (DAKO Do7). Antigen retrieval was by microwave heating and bound antibody was visualised using standard immunohistochemical methods. Staining was scored by two observers blinded to tumour status and patient survival. RESULTS: Of the tumours, 101/162 (62.3%) exhibited high-level p53 expression, 30 (18.5%) showed high-level c-erbB-2 membrane staining, and 77 (47.5%) demonstrated loss of nm23 positivity. The influence of T and N status and disease stage on postoperative survival was as expected. The predicted effect on patient survival of nm23, c-erbB-2 or nm23 protein expression suggested by previous studies was not verified by our work. This was true both overall and for groups within the same T or N status or stage. CONCLUSION: Immunohistochemical assessment of the nm23, c-erbB-2 and p53 proteins using the above monoclonal antibodies does not have value as an independent prognostic indicator in pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1997

Cell proliferation, cell loss and expression of bcl-2 and p53 in human pulmonary neoplasms.

Immunohistochemical staining of bcl-2 and p53 proteins was compared with thymidine labelling index (TLI) and cell loss factor (O) in lung cancer. Neither bcl-2 nor p53 overexpression was associated with high cell loss but strong bcl-2 staining was associated with higher TLI. Concomitant strong p53 and bcl-2 expression, not the usual inverse relationship, plus high cell-loss factor was present in three neuroendocrine carcinomas. Other factors presumably have a role in controlling cell death in these tumours.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed1997

HHV8 and Kaposi's sarcoma: a time cohort study.

AIMS: The recent finding that human herpes virus 8 (HHV8) is found in the majority of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) cases supports the epidemiological observation that the tumour may be caused by an infectious agent. This study aimed to address when and how HHV8 evolved. METHODS: A cohort of African endemic KS (49 samples from 45 patients) and European KS (18 samples from 13 patients), spanning 27 years, was assessed for the presence of HHV8 by both standard solution phase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the newly described technique of TaqMan PCR. RESULTS: HHV8 was present in approximately 49% (24 of 49 tissue samples) of the African cases and in more than 90% (16 of 18 tissue samples) of the European cohort, in keeping with recent seroepidemiological data. CONCLUSIONS: HHV8 is strongly linked to the development of KS; however, in some patients, other factors may operate. The utility and flexibility of TaqMan PCR in detecting low copy viral target in human tissues was demonstrated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis with extrapulmonary involvement.

Pulmonary lesions, with sarcoid-like granulomas exhibiting noncaseous necrosis, with associated granulomatous arteritis fulfil the diagnostic criteria of necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis (NSG). We report the case of a woman who presented with recurrent headaches, transient right hemipareses and left-sided ophthalmoplegia. An excised left retro-orbital lesion demonstrated sarcoid like changes, and the illness responded to steroid therapy. Twelve years later, the patient developed a tumour in the right lung. The resected specimen showed the histological hallmarks of NSG, and careful review of the retro-orbital lesion, removed 12 years previously, revealed similar histology. Extrapulmonary involvement in NSG is rare and has been histologically proven on only one previous occasion. The presentation of necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis in two different systems 12 years apart is unusual and was considered worth reporting.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Can you communicate cross-generationally?

What is fractured cross-generational communication? When what one person heard was not what the other person said. Regardless of your age, you need to understand some of the differences in communication styles that must be overcome if people are to work well together. This is especially important in health care right now when there are other pressing issues. Interpreters are at a premium because so much misunderstanding clouds the communication process. Two management strategies are presented that will help bridge the gaps between communication styles.

Attitude↗
PubMed1997

Conquer job overload.

How can you handle job overload? Think intensively about what you're doing. One of the least recognized facts is that jobs expand, even when managers are actively bent on reducing workloads. Prioritizing tasks--on paper--can help eliminate tasks that clog your day and are enemies of productivity, things that someone else could--and should--be doing. Until you see, in writing, how you spend your time how can you change?

Personnel Management↗
PubMed1997

The new look of office politics.

Is a sea change occurring in the organizational politics of health care institutions? How is information informally spread throughout the office? It used to be that gossip was the vehicle by which employees learned much about the organization's culture and news. But now, organizations are characterized by a growing faction of staff who are emotionally detached and have a "day-laborer" mentality. The grapevine is not as effective as it once was. Non-participation includes ignoring the grapevine both as listener and feeder. What implications does this have for your organization?

Communication↗
PubMed1997

How could I have gotten it wrong?

Can you avoid ending up in a career-denting job: Are there potential pitfalls to recognize on the search for a rewarding position? Finding oneself in an impossible job, working for a boss who brings out your worst qualities and deepest insecurities, or joining an organization that is doomed are nightmare scenarios. How do these judgment errors happen? We asked physicians who've been there and, unfortunately, done just that. What they learned might help the rest of us skip the experience.

Career Choice↗
PubMed1997

Effect of exercise intensity on mood in step aerobics.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine how aerobic exercise and exercise intensity affect transient mood states. A two-level (high intensity exercise/low intensity exercise) pretest-post-test design was employed. METHODS: Subjects included 42 healthy male and female volunteers (M age = 39.12; SD = 11.53, range 17-64 years) enrolled in four aerobics classes. The classes were randomly assigned to either low intensity (< or = 60% maximum heart rate) or high intensity (> or = 75% maximum heart rate) conditions. Subjects participated in a 50-minute bench-stepping routine at their assigned intensity level. Pre-exercise and post-exercise assessment of transient mood was assessed with the Profile of Mood States (POMS) inventory. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Results from a 2 x 2 (pre-exercise/post-exercise x high intensity/low intensity) ANOVA suggested that tension, depression, fatigue and anger decreased while vigor increased in both conditions. Additionally, subjects in the high intensity group reported less fatigue and anger than those participants in the low intensity group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Expression of bcl-2 and p53 in Merkel cell carcinoma. An immunohistochemical study.

Bcl-2 is a protooncogene thought to play a role in oncogenesis by inhibiting programmed cell death. It may interact with p53, a tumor-suppressor gene which induces apoptosis in certain circumstances. We have studied these gene products by immunohistochemistry in 15 cases of Merkel cell carcinoma, a tumor characterised by prominent apoptosis. Five cases showed moderate/strong staining for p53, with moderate/strong bcl-2 staining in 10 patients. In seven cases abundance of p53 and bcl-2 expression was mutually exclusive. Two patients died within 1 year of diagnosis and six had nodal recurrences. Gene expression and survival appear unrelated. The role of Bcl-2 and p53 in tumorigenesis is complicated and may be inter-related with other genes known to be involved in programmed cell death.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

L-arginine augments nitric oxide production and mesenteric blood flow in ovine endotoxemia.

We studied the effects of administrating the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), or the nitric oxide precursor, L-arginine, on hemodynamic variables and serum nitrate concentrations in an anesthetized ovine model of endotoxemia to assess the effects on regional visceral blood flow and to determine whether L-arginine availability limits nitric oxide production. Animals received Escherichia coli endotoxin (2 micrograms/kg) followed 2 h later by L-NAME (25 mg/kg), L-arginine (0.575 g/kg), or saline administered over 1 h followed by an infusion of the same dose over 8 h (n = 6 per group). Renal and mesenteric blood flow were measured by placement of electromagnetic flow probes, and serum nitrate concentrations were determined using vanadium III chloride or nitrate reductase reduction to nitric oxide or nitrite, respectively. The results showed L-NAME significantly increased systemic vascular resistance (P < 0.01), decreased serum nitrate concentrations (P < 0.05), and caused a transient reduction in mesenteric blood flow (P < 0.05). L-Arginine caused a reduction in systemic vascular resistance (P < 0.01), increased mesenteric blood flow (P < 0.001) and conductance (P < 0.05). There were no significant changes in renal arterial blood flow in either group. We conclude that the availability of L-arginine limits nitric oxide production in endotoxemia and, furthermore, that L-arginine administration in this model causes significant mesenteric vasodilatation. L-NAME administration had only limited effect on visceral blood flow despite a marked increase in systemic vascular resistance and a reduction in nitric oxide production.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Neuroleptic therapy. How much do nurses know?

1. Nursing home nurses play an integral and crucial role in neuroleptic therapeutic regimens as they are responsible for administering medications and monitoring for potential side effects. 2. The geriatric population residing in nursing homes is particularly vulnerable to side effects associated with neuroleptics for a variety of reasons including decreased drug distribution/metabolism/excretion, concomitant polypharmacy, and increased prevalence of tardive dyskinesia. 3. Nursing home nurses need to be better informed regarding neuroleptic use; education should be specifically targeted to include changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics associated with aging, drug-drug interactions, and ongoing evaluation of side effects. 4. There is a pressing need to continue to examine the judicious use of neuroleptics in nursing home residents.

Adult↗