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Biomedical subjects

P Corcoran

Publications and source records attributed to P Corcoran.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Polymerase chain reaction for bcl-2 in diagnostic lymph node biopsies.

bcl-2 is a marker for the translocation t(14;18)(q32;q21) indicative of follicular B-cell lymphoma. We studied 115 cases of lymphoproliferative disease with the polymerase chain reaction for bcl-2 oncogene using biotin and radiolabeled probes to the major breakpoint and minor cluster regions. Twenty-three percent of B-cell lymphomas were positive for bcl-2. These included 12 of 20 cases of nodular follicular center cell lymphoma (nine small cleaved cell, one mixed small and large cell, and two large cell types). bcl-2 translocation was detected in only three of 45 cases of diffuse B-cell lymphoma, and cases of AIDS-related malignant lymphoma, monocytoid B-cell lymphoma, and mantle zone lymphoma were all negative. Nonneoplastic lymphoid proliferations were negative for bcl-2 including nine cases of abnormal follicular hyperplasia from patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related complex. Cases of T-cell lymphoma and five cases of Hodgkin's disease were also negative. The polymerase chain reaction for bcl-2 is a rapid, sensitive technique in the evaluation of follicular B-cell proliferations, and the use of biotinylated probes and the alkaline phosphatase reaction eliminates the requirement for radioactive reagents.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

The effect of a synthetic enkephalin analogue on postprandial gastrointestinal and pancreatic hormone secretion.

The effect of the synthetic enkephalin analogue Sandoz FK33-824 (DAMME) on gastric emptying and the postprandial secretion of upper gastrointestinal and pancreatic hormones was investigated in six healthy subjects. Gastric emptying was delayed as was the postprandial rise in glucose. There was significant blunting of insulin and gastric inhibitory polypeptide secretion, with complete abolition of the normal postprandial increases in pancreatic polypeptide and motilin. The secretion of gastrin was prolonged. These results demonstrate that pharmacological doses of opiate peptides inhibit gastric emptying and may have direct and indirect effects on gastrointestinal and pancreatic hormone secretion.

Adult↗

Parasuicide and suicide in the south-west of Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Suicidal behaviour has become recognised as a major public health problem. AIM: To examine hospital-treated parasuicide and suicide in the Southern and Mid-Western Health Boards. METHODS: Parasuicide data were derived from independent data collection in general and psychiatric hospitals and prisons between 1995 and 1997. The corresponding suicide data were obtained electronically from the Central Statistics Office. RESULTS: Respectively, the annual person-based male, female and total European age-standardised rates were 128.9, 154.3 and 141.3 per 100,000 for parasuicide compared to 22.7, 5.5 and 14.1 per 100,000 for suicide. The parasuicide/suicide ratio varied markedly by age, gender, area and marital status. The majority of suicides were by hanging or drowning whereas drug overdose made up the vast majority of parasuicide acts. Parasuicide was largely a city phenomenon confined to the young of both genders whereas suicide was a significant problem for city and county men, especially young adult men. CONCLUSION: There are striking differences between the patterns of fatal and non-fatal suicidal behaviour in Ireland, which should be considered in prevention initiatives.

Adolescent↗

Suicide, road traffic and cancer deaths among the young in Ireland.

Every young suicide occurring in Ireland from 1976 to 1993 was reviewed and comparisons made with deaths from road traffic accidents and deaths from cancer. As well as this, suicide occurring in the under 25 age group in a series of a hundred consecutive suicides were examined to see what methods were used and what treatments received. Whereas cancer deaths and road traffic deaths are falling among the young, suicide among young Irish males continues to rise. Few appear to have elected for psychiatric treatment in the year before their death. The research implications of these findings are discussed.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Improving procedures for recording suicide statistics.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the changing relationship between rates of suicide and undetermined death in Britain and Ireland. DESIGN: Longitudinal analysis of the official statistics relating to unnatural deaths in England and Wales and the Republic of Ireland between 1976 and 1992. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Male and female rates of suicide and undetermined deaths for Ireland and England and Wales, age adjusted to the standard world population. Ratio of undetermined deaths to suicide. RESULTS: The official Irish male suicide rate is now much higher than that of England and Wales while the female rates are broadly similar. The rate of undetermined deaths has risen amongst English males and remained stable for females but has significantly fallen off among both Irish males and females. The proportion of deaths classified as 'undetermined' is now very much less in Ireland than in England and Wales. DISCUSSION: National plans for suicide prevention in either country cannot be properly audited unless improved procedures are put in place to increase the validity and reliability of the official suicide figures. Each country could beneficially learn from the other in this regard.

Adolescent↗

Parasuicide and general practice: a pilot study.

General Practitioners from Cork City and its environs were sent a questionnaire regarding their experience of parasuicide in the previous twelve months. Replies were received from 133 of the 185 GPs. 189 individuals, accounting for 212 episodes of parasuicide, were seen by 78 doctors, indicating a lower level of repetition than that found in hospital-referred cases. Almost a third of doctors saw no cases, just over one fifth saw one episode and the same proportion dealt with two. A small number of general practitioners saw many cases. Regarding management, 128 (60%) were referred to Casualty, 31 of whom were also referred for psychiatric care. Thirty percent were referred directly for psychiatric care. While only fourteen were retained within general practice without referral, 40% of the GPs felt that, ideally, acts of parasuicide should be retained with more specialised advice being obtained. Furthermore, 88.1% believed that management of parasuicide should form part of an integral part of post-graduate or continued general practitioner medical training. Clearly, GPs are willing to play a more active role in the management of parasuicide.

Family Practice↗

Variation in suicide rates between Health Board areas.

This paper examines variations in suicide in the eight Health Boards of the Republic of Ireland for the years 1976 to 1995. It is found that while all have experienced a rise in male suicide, it has been much less pronounced in the Eastern Health Board which is somewhat surprising when one considers Dublin's much-publicised problems with homelessness and hard drug misuse. Since the mid-eighties, female rates have been somewhat higher in the southern half of the country, comprising the Southern, Mid-Western and South-Eastern Health Boards. This variation may reflect a difficulty with contacting services for psychological distress in rural areas, either because of stigma or simple practical problems associated with transport. The development of appropriate services, especially in rural areas, should be at the top of the agenda of any Resource Officer to be appointed subsequent to the Final Report of the Task Force.

Catchment Area, Health↗