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Biomedical subjects

P Tucker

Publications and source records attributed to P Tucker.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Preventing paediatric obesity; recommendations from a community-based qualitative investigation.

Childhood obesity is on the rise, and interventions targeted at pre-school-aged children are essential for the primary prevention of this disease. Physical activity programming and decreasing screen viewing may be advantageous ways to reduce the early onset of obesity. Parents' perceptions regarding effective tools and programmes to target obesity are needed to develop an efficacious programme. Ten semi-structured focus groups were conducted for this qualitative study. Two experienced moderators facilitated all focus groups which were conducted in local day cares, workplaces and play groups, frequented by parents. All focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Strategies to ensure trustworthiness of the data were employed. A heterogeneous sample of 71 parents were asked about their pre-schoolers' physical activity levels and screen viewing behaviours, in addition to their suggestions for programmes to facilitate the development of healthy habits. Parents agreed that physical activity programming was an ideal way to combat obesity in pre-schoolers. Programming suggestions included involving parents in the programme planning and operation, increasing accessibility to programmes, providing more facilities, better promotional strategies such as the use of a television commercial, and resources/ideas to engage children in the home. Parents' programming suggestions lacked discussion around addressing screen viewing as a viable way to attend to the current obesity epidemic. Parents must be made aware of programmes and resources currently available. Modifying current programmes' scheduling to include morning and afternoon sessions, and arranging for physicians to hand out resources with physical activity ideas, particularly during the winter months, is essential.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Randomized, crossover comparison study of the short-term effect of oral testosterone undecanoate and intramuscular testosterone depot on linear growth and serum bone alkaline phosphatase.

AIM: To compare the effects of oral testosterone undecanoate (TU) 40 mg daily and intramuscular depot sustanon 50 (SUS), 4 weekly, on short-term growth and bone turnover. METHOD: Prospective, randomised, cross-over study over 26 weeks with 4 weeks of run-in, 8 weeks of treatment I (TU/SUS), 4 weeks of wash-out, 8 weeks of treatment II (SUS/TU) and 4 weeks of final wash-out. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Weekly change in lower leg length (LLL) as measured by knemometry, i.e. LLL velocity (LLLV) and absolute bone alkaline phosphatase levels (bALP), as well as percentage change in bALP (%bALP). PATIENTS: Fourteen boys with delayed growth and puberty; two declined and one boy with sickle cell trait dropped out with priapism a week after SUS. The remainder had a median age of 14.3 years (range 12.5-17.4), testicular volume of 2 ml each (2-6), HtSDS of -2.1 (-3.3 to -1.0) and BA delay of 2.4 years (0.7-4.4). RESULTS: Median LLLV in the treatment blocks was 0.7 mm/wk (-0.27 to 2.2) and LLLV during the run-in and wash-out periods was 0.27 mm/wk (-0.3 to 0.6) (p <0.005). LLLV during treatment with TU and SUS was 0.51 mm/wk (-0.22 to 2.17) and 0.67 mm/wk (-0.27 to 2.2), respectively (NS). Median LLLV during the washout phases that followed the TU block and the SUS block was similar at 0.28 mm/wk (-0.1 to 0.6) and 0.3 mm/wk (-0.2 to 0.6), respectively. LLLV peaks and troughs that were related to the timing of the injection were more evident during SUS therapy. Median bALP during the run-in period was 94.2 U/l (16-282) and the median %bALP during this period was 1.2% (-57, 16). The main rise in bALP occurred during the treatment blocks with a %bALP of 19.3% (-28.8, 121.7) (p <0.005). Median bALP at the beginning and end of the SUS block was 99.7 U/l (51.7, 225) and 170 U/l (64.8, 273), respectively (p <0.05). Median bALP at the beginning and end of the TU block was 111 U/l (51, 287) and 127.6 U/l (66.4, 298) (NS). Median %bALP during SUS was higher than during TU at 28.1% (4.4, 121.7) and 11.8% (-28.8, 83.6) (p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: At the doses studied, testosterone undecanoate was as effective as sustanon at promoting short-term growth but changes in bone alkaline phosphatase were more marked during sustanon therapy.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2003

Rest breaks and accident risk.

Regular rest breaks are recommended to prevent accumulation of accident risk during sustained activities. We examined the effect of rest breaks on temporal trends in industrial accident risk, by assessment of accident records from a large engineering company, obtained over 3 years. In 2 h of continuous work, relative risk of an accident in the last half-hour of a shift was 2.08 (95% CI 1.73-2.43) higher than in the first half-hour. Trends in risk did not seem to differ between three 2-h work periods. Regular rest breaks seem to be an effective way to control accumulation of risk during industrial shift-work.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2003

The TB structural genomics consortium: a resource for Mycobacterium tuberculosis biology.

The TB Structural Genomics Consortium is an organization devoted to encouraging, coordinating, and facilitating the determination and analysis of structures of proteins from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The Consortium members hope to work together with other M. tuberculosis researchers to identify M. tuberculosis proteins for which structural information could provide important biological information, to analyze and interpret structures of M. tuberculosis proteins, and to work collaboratively to test ideas about M. tuberculosis protein function that are suggested by structure or related to structural information. This review describes the TB Structural Genomics Consortium and some of the proteins for which the Consortium is in the progress of determining three-dimensional structures.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

Application of a water quality model in the White Cart water catchment, Glasgow, UK.

Water quality models of urban systems have previously focused on point source (sewerage system) inputs. Little attention has been given to diffuse inputs and research into diffuse pollution has been largely confined to agriculture sources. This paper reports on new research that is aimed at integrating diffuse inputs into an urban water quality model. An integrated model is introduced that is made up of four modules: hydrology, contaminant point sources, nutrient cycling and leaching. The hydrology module, T&T consists of a TOPMODEL (a TOPography-based hydrological MODEL), which simulates runoff from pervious areas and a two-tank model, which simulates runoff from impervious urban areas. Linked into the two-tank model, the contaminant point source module simulates the overflow from the sewerage system in heavy rain. The widely known SOILN (SOIL Nitrate model) is the basis of nitrogen cycle module. Finally, the leaching module consists of two functions: the production function and the transfer function. The production function is based on SLIM (Solute Leaching Intermediate Model) while the transfer function is based on the 'flushing hypothesis' which postulates a relationship between contaminant concentrations in the receiving water course and the extent to which the catchment is saturated. This paper outlines the modelling methodology and the model structures that have been developed. An application of this model in the White Cart catchment (Glasgow) is also included.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2003

Short-term effects of prednisolone and dexamethasone on circulating concentrations of leptin and sex hormone-binding globulin in children being treated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

OBJECTIVE: Disturbances in body weight regulation are often encountered during glucocorticoid treatment and are associated with increased insulin resistance and truncal fat accumulation. Children were investigated who were receiving glucocorticoid treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). They were randomized to receive either prednisolone or dexamethasone as part of induction of remission. This randomization process provided a suitable opportunity to compare the effects of these two administered steroid on surrogate markers of adipocyte activity (leptin) and hyperinsulinaemia/insulin resistance (SHBG). DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Prospective study over 16 weeks of children randomized to receive prednisolone (40 mg/m2) or dexamethasone (6.5 mg/m2) as part of the MRC-ALL97/99 induction chemotherapy for ALL. Nineteen children (8 male, 11 female) with a median age 5.9 years (range 2.6-13 years) were recruited into the study. Main outcome measures were body mass index (BMI), serum leptin and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). RESULTS: Glucocorticoid administration for 5 weeks resulted in significant (P < 0.05) increases in BMI, leptin (corrected for BMI) and the leptin : SHBG ratio and lowering of SHBG. Dose for dose, dexamethasone was significantly more potent than prednisolone in altering these parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term glucocorticoid treatment has significant effects on BMI, leptin and SHBG. The leptin : SHBG ratio increase indicates that this may be a novel and sensitive biochemical marker of metabolic change. Our results suggest that glucocorticoid treatment regimens should be kept as short as possible to avoid possible detrimental effects associated with increased adiposity and insulin resistance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Short-term growth and bone turnover in children undergoing occlusive steroid ('Wet-Wrap') dressings for treatment of atopic eczema.

To assess the effects of steroid wet-wrap therapy on short-term growth and bone turnover, eight prepubertal (M:F,5:3) children with a median age of 5.1years (range 3.3-8.8) were studied over a 2-week period prior to therapy and at 2-week intervals during therapy. Short-term growth was assessed by measuring lower leg length velocity (LLLV) by knemometry and bone and collagen turnover was assessed by urinary deoxypyridinoline crosslink excretion corrected for creatinine excretion (DPD). Median duration of study during occlusive dressings was 12 weeks (range 2-18). Topical beclomethasone dipropionate diluted 1:10 or 1:4 in white soft paraffin was applied under tubular (Tubifast) bandages in 7/8 children. Median LLLV before and during therapy were 0.43 mm/week (10(th),90(th) centile; 0.0,0.7) and 0.42 mm/week (10(th),90(th) centile; -0.35,1.01), respectively (not significant). Median DPD before and during therapy were 25.9 nmol/l/creatinine (10(th),90(th) centile; 20.8, 33.0) and 26.3 nmol/l/creatinine (10(th),90(th) centile; 21.7, 34.1) respectively (not significant). Non-invasive assessment of the effects of steroid wet-wrap therapy can be performed in children with eczema. These preliminary results show no substantial growth promoting or adverse effects of therapy.

Bone Remodeling↗
PubMed2002

Short-term effects on linear growth and bone turnover in children randomized to receive prednisolone or dexamethasone.

AIM: To compare the relative potency of prednisolone (Pred) and dexamethasone (Dex) on short-term growth and bone turnover. METHOD: Prospective study over 16 weeks of children randomized to receive Pred (40 mg/m2) or Dex (6.5 mg/m2) for the first 5 weeks as part of the MRC-ALL97/99 induction chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). MEASUREMENTS: Lower leg length velocity (LLLV) and weight, serum IGF-I, serum bone alkaline phosphatase (bALP) levels and creatinine-adjusted, urinary excretion of deoxypyridinoline cross-links (DPD). SUBJECTS: Nineteen children (eight boys, 11 girls) with a median age of 5.9 years (range 2.6-13) and with a diagnosis of ALL. RESULTS: At week 2 of therapy, median LLLV in the Dex group was -1.5 mm/week (range 0.7 to -2.1) and significantly lower than the LLLV in the Pred group which was -0.1 mm/week (range 0.20 to -0.28; P < 0.05). In the Dex group, LLLV remained lower at week 8 (med LLLV, -0.3 mm/week, range 0 to -1.3) compared to LLLV in the Pred group at 0.3 mm/week (range 0.2-1.0; P < 0.05). Body weight showed an increase after week 2 and reached a peak in both groups of children at week 6. The change in weight from baseline was greater in the Dex group than the Pred group reaching a maximum change by week 5 of 17.5% (range 5-25) and 8.7% (range -3 to 18), respectively (P < 0.05). At presentation, median IGF-I level for the whole group was 83.5 micro g/l (range 31.8-293). IGF-I levels fell markedly during Dex therapy and continued to remain lower than baseline. At weeks 4, 6 and 8, median change in IGF-I from baseline was lower in the Dex group than the Pred group. From week 1 to week 3, median change in bALP was 72% (range -8 to 304) in the Pred group, whereas in the Dex group change in bALP was -1% (range 23 to -28; P < 0.005). By week 3, median bALP was higher in the Pred group at 65 U/l (range 36-187) than in the Dex group at 39 U/l (range 26-60; P < 0.05) but by week 6 median bALP in the Pred group had fallen to a similar level to the Dex group. At presentation, median DPD was 22 nmol/l (range 17-38) and 20 nmol/l (range 12-26) in the Pred and Dex groups, respectively (ns), reaching a nadir between weeks 3 and 6. The median percentage change in DPD in the Pred and Dex group from week 1 to week 3 was -34% (range -7 to 14) and -53% (range -6 to -69), respectively (ns). By week 8, DPD excretion had started to rise more dramatically in the Pred group such that the median DPD was 35 nmol/l (range 10-53) in the Pred group and 22 (range 9-30) in the Dex group (P < 0.05). On average, between weeks 2 and 8, LLLV was three times lower, percentage gain in weight was three times higher, bALP was 1.3 times lower and DPD was 1.5 times lower in the Dex group than the Pred group. CONCLUSION: Pred and Dex both affect short-term growth and bone turnover. The mechanism of the effect on bone formation may be different between the two drugs. Dex may be about 18 times more potent than Pred at suppressing short-term linear growth and stimulating weight gain, and about nine times more potent at suppressing bone turnover. Glucocorticoids have a variable effect on different parameters of growth and bone turnover and the intensity may depend on the steroid used.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of Drosophila glutathione S-transferase-2.

The sigma-class glutathione S-transferase-2 (GST-2) from Drosophila melanogaster is predominantly found within the indirect flight muscles (IFMs), where it is bound to the 'heavy' subunit of the IFM thin filament troponin complex (Tn-H). An N-terminal extension found in GST-2 is unique within the sigma GST class and may be involved in its interaction with Tn-H or modulate its enzymatic function. The recombinant protein has been crystallized at room temperature using ammonium sulfate as precipitant. Synchrotron radiation was used to measure a complete native data set to 1.75 A resolution from flash-cooled crystals. The crystals belong to one of the trigonal space groups P3(1)21 or P3(2)21, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 89.7, c = 131.8 A. The self-rotation function is consistent with a GST-2 dimer in the asymmetric unit.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

The eyeless mouse mutation (ey1) removes an alternative start codon from the Rx/rax homeobox gene.

The eyeless inbred mouse strain ZRDCT has long served as a spontaneous model for human anophthalmia and the evolutionary reduction of eyes that has occurred in some naturally blind mammals. ZRDCT mice have orbits but lack eyes and optic tracts and have hypothalamic abnormalities. Segregation data suggest that a small number of interacting genes are responsible, including at least one major recessive locus, ey1. Although predicted since the 1940s, these loci were never identified. We mapped ey1 to chromosome 18 using an F2 genome scan and there found a Met10-->Leu mutation in Rx/rax, a homeobox gene that is expressed in the anterior headfold, developing retina, pineal, and hypothalamus and is translated via a leaky scanning mechanism. The mutation affects a conserved AUG codon that functions as an alternative translation initiation site and consequently reduces the abundance of Rx protein. In contrast to a targeted Rx null allele, which causes anophthalmia, central nervous system defects, and neonatal death, the hypomorphic M10L allele is fully viable.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed2001

A profile of recyclers making special trips to recycle.

The aims of the research were to: (1) establish a profile of 'special recyclers', i.e. those who make special trips by car to recycle their household waste; and (2) establish whether the environmental burden resulting from their activities presents a significant environmental problem than needs pro-active management. The research was undertaken through surveys of recyclers at supermarket recycling centres and at civic amenity sites in Glasgow and across Ayrshire in south-west Scotland. Twenty-two percent of civic amenity recyclers made special trips to recycle, whilst at supermarkets less than 10% made special journeys. Those making special journeys tended to make shorter journeys than those combining recycling with another activity. Special recyclers also tended, on average, to recycle more items and bring greater weights of recyclable material per trip. No demographic difference was found between the special recyclers and the 'non-specials'. The environmental impact of consumer journeys to recycle was estimated from the statistic: 'The total distance travelled by car by special recyclers/the total weight deposited by all recyclers'. For the sites of this survey, this statistic ranged in value from 9 km tonne-1 to 106 km tonne-1. The lowest impacts of 9 km tonne-1 were at a supermarket site in a small town with a predominantly local catchment. The highest impacts were at a civic amenity site, in a major town, also used by residents from satellite communities. Over 50% of special recyclers cited nearness as their prime reason for choosing a particular site, compared with 32% of non-specials. Although special recyclers in Ayrshire did appear to act reasonably responsibly (environmentally), their activities produced additional environmental burden. Simulation studies demonstrate that up to 34% reduction in this burden may be possible through encouraging longer intervals between recycling trips. Three quarters of the environmental burden was attributable to less than 5% of the overall recycling population.

Attitude↗
PubMed2001

Traumatic grief in a convenience sample of victims seeking support services after a terrorist incident.

This report describes traumatic grief in 40 individuals who suffered losses in the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. We administered a self-report instrument 6 months after the bombing to assess demographics; exposure; injury; retrospective report of initial emotional and physiological reaction; and current posttraumatic stress symptoms, grief, safety concerns, and functioning. A strong association was found between posttraumatic stress symptoms and grief. The relationship between grief and difficulty functioning was stronger at higher levels of posttraumatic stress than at lower levels. The results support the construct of traumatic grief and have important implications for the treatment of people exposed to large-scale traumatic events and for the training of mental health professionals.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Episodic evolution of pyrin in primates: human mutations recapitulate ancestral amino acid states.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF; MIM 249100) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by recurrent attacks of fever with synovial, pleural or peritoneal inflammation. The disease is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the pyrin protein. Human population studies have revealed extremely high allele frequencies for several different pyrin mutations, leading to the conclusion that the mutant alleles confer a selective advantage. Here we examine the ret finger protein (rfp) domain (which contains most of the disease-causing mutations) of pyrin during primate evolution. Amino acids that cause human disease are often present as wild type in other species. This is true at positions 653 (a novel mutation), 680, 681, 726, 744 and 761. For several of these human mutations, the mutant represents the reappearance of an ancestral amino acid state. Examination of lineage-specific dN/dS ratios revealed a pattern consistent with the signature of episodic positive selection. Our data, together with previous human population studies, indicate that selective pressures may have caused functional evolution of pyrin in humans and other primates.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Temperature profiles, and the effect of sleep on them, in relation to morningness-eveningness in healthy female subjects.

There were 15 healthy female subjects, differing in their position on the "morningness-eveningness" scale, studied for 7 consecutive days, first while living a sedentary lifestyle and sleeping between midnight and 08:00 and then while undergoing a "constant routine." Rectal temperature was measured at regular intervals throughout this time, and the results were subjected to cosinor analysis both before and after "purification" for the effects of physical activity. Results showed that there was a phase difference in the circadian rhythm of core temperature that was associated with the morningness score, with calculations that "morning types" would be phased earlier than "evening types" by up to about 3 h. This difference in phase (which was also statistically significant when the group was divided by a median split into a "morning group" and an "evening group") could not be attributed to effects of waking activity and existed in spite of the subjects keeping the same sleep-wake schedule. Moreover, it persisted when the subjects' data had been purified and when the data were obtained from the constant routine. That is, there was an endogenous component to this difference in phase of the core temperature. The morning group also showed a greater fall of core temperature during sleep; this was assessed in two ways, the main one being a comparison of constant routine and nychthemeral data sets after correction for any effects of activity. Even though the morning group was sleeping at a later phase of their circadian temperature rhythm than was the evening group, neither group showed a fall of temperature due to sleep that varied with time elapsed since the temperature acrophase. It is concluded that another factor that differs between morning and evening types is responsible for this difference.

Behavior↗
PubMed2001

Paroxetine in the treatment of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder: results of a placebo-controlled, flexible-dosage trial.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of paroxetine in outpatients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHOD: Male and female outpatients 18 years and older who met DSM-IV criteria for PTSD and had baseline scores of 50 or greater on the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-2) were randomly assigned to treatment with paroxetine (20-50 mg/day) or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy variables were the change from baseline to the 12-week endpoint in the CAPS-2 total score and the proportion of responders on the Clinical Global Impressions-Global Improvement scale (CGI-1). Additional key outcome measures were the change from baseline in the reexperiencing, avoidance/ numbing, and hyperarousal scores of the CAPS-2 and in the total scores of the Treatment Outcome PTSD Scale and the patient-rated Davidson Trauma Scale and Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS). Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. The proportion of patients achieving response and remission was also determined. RESULTS: 307 patients constituted the intent-to-treat population. At week 12, compared with the placebo group (N = 156), the paroxetine group (N = 151) showed significantly greater reduction of PTSD symptoms on both of the primary and all of the secondary outcome measures. Significantly greater improvement on the CAPS-2 total score was observed for paroxetine compared with placebo from week 4 (p < .05), and significantly greater proportions of paroxetine-treated patients achieved response (p < .001) and remission (p = .008) by week 12. The improvement in PTSD symptoms was similar in male and female patients. Functional improvement at the study endpoint was significantly greater (p < .05) in the paroxetine group in all 3 domains of the SDS (work, social life, family life). Treatment with paroxetine was well tolerated, with the frequency and type of adverse events recorded for the paroxetine group corresponding to the known safety profile of this medication. CONCLUSION: Paroxetine in doses of 20 to 50 mg once daily is effective as a treatment for chronic PTSD. Improvement is obtained for all 3 symptom clusters (reexperiencing, avoidance/numbing, hyperarousal) and is associated with significant reduction in disability after 12 weeks of treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

A comprehensive approach to stress in primary care.

Stress is a precipitant of many physical and emotional problems that patients present to their primary care physicians. Hans Selye's classic General Adaptation Syndrome is described as it relates to the body's response to stress. Techniques for assessing stress are presented. Stress management techniques that primary care physicians can employ in the office include prescribing relaxation and exercise, cognitive restructuring, dealing with negative thoughts, and setting appropriate goals. Severe or prolonged stress warrants consideration of a diagnosis of a mental disorder, use of a psychotropic medications, or referral to a psychiatrist or other mental health provider.

Humans↗
PubMed2001

Balancing flexibility for the employer and the employee: a case study of the development of annualized hours employment contracts.

As with many forms of flexible working, Annualized Hours (AH) systems offer potential benefits to both the employer and the employee. However, the flexibility requirements of employers and employees often conflict. Therefore, when a large food manufacturing organization decided to redesign its AH system, it employed an independent consultancy to act as neutral third party. The consultancy provided technical expertise and assistance in developing an AH system that optimised productivity and was acceptable to the workforce. Data are presented, obtained from focus groups conducted throughout the organization, describing some of the potential difficulties of implementing an AH system. Drawing upon these data, a number of new AH systems were proposed and modelled using specialist software tools. The design process is described, together with the advantages and difficulties associated with use of the software tools. It is concluded that the key elements in the process of designing AH systems are centred around issues of trust and communication; the involvement of a broad range of interested parties, through a process of carefully managed group facilitation; and the need for adequate technical support in the development and evaluation of AH systems.

Computer Simulation↗