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Patrick Hughes

Publications and source records attributed to Patrick Hughes.

3 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Repeated administration of the substituted amphetamine p-methoxyamphetamine produces reductions in cortical 5-HT transporter binding but not 5-HT content, unlike 3,4-methylenedioxyamethamphetamine.

Worldwide growth in p-methoxyamphetamine (PMA) usage amongst 'ecstasy' users indicates a proportionally greater incidence of acute toxicity compared to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). While longer-term use of MDMA appears to produce degeneration of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) neurons, PMA effects are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of repeated PMA administration on two indices of 5-HT axonal degeneration, cortical brain 5-HT transporter (SERT) density and 5-HT/5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA) content. Treatment of male rats once daily for 4 days (10 or 20 mg/kg) with PMA or MDMA resulted in significant reductions (20 mg/kg: 53% and 23% of vehicle treatment respectively) in [(3)H]-paroxetine binding (SERT density) one week after final drug administration. When rats were housed at a higher ambient temperature (28 degrees C vs. 22 degrees C) for 6 h after dosing, no additive effect was seen for either drug. A more intensive dosing regimen (10 or 20 mg/kg twice daily for 4 days) was used to examine PMA/MDMA effects on cortical 5-HT content. Two weeks after MDMA treatment, significant reductions in cortical 5-HT content (20 mg/kg: 39% of vehicle treatment) were seen. However, PMA did not alter cortical 5-HT content, yet reduced cortical 5-HIAA content (20 mg/kg: 72% of vehicle treatment). These data suggest PMA has severe long-term implications clinically for alteration of 5-HT neurotransmission that may differ from MDMA, but may not necessarily be interpreted as a degeneration of 5-HT fibres.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗
PubMed2006

School children have leading risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes: the Wausau SCHOOL project.

INTRODUCTION: Risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes acquired in childhood commonly persist in later life and are particularly strong predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis in young adults. A rising tide of obesity and other lifestyle-related risk factors threatens to negate much of the success achieved in the prevention and treatment of these diseases. The SCHOOL project (School Children Have Leading Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes), was designed to measure the prevalence and magnitude of known risk factors in school-age children in Wausau, Wis. METHODS: Demographic data, anthropomorphic measures, family health history, diet and activity indices, and numerous laboratory measures were collected from a representative sample of students in grades 2, 5, 8, and 11. RESULTS: Clinically important disturbances of lipid metabolism were very common, even in the youngest participants. Of the children studied, 39% had at least 1 lipid abnormality and 22% had 2 or more. Abnormal blood pressure, overweight, and cigarette smoking were present in 29%, 16%, and 11% respectively. While elevated fasting glucose levels were uncommon, insulin resistance was noted in 25% of the sampled population and nearly 50% of sampled children with a body mass index greater than the 85th percentile in this survey. The number of children with multiple risk factors rose dramatically with age. By 11th grade, 38% of those surveyed had 2 or more risk factors and 23% had 3 or more. CONCLUSIONS: Using conservative definitions, significant abnormalities of lipid metabolism and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes were common in our children. Risk profiles in older adolescents were worse than in the younger students and similar to what would be expected for adults with known coronary heart disease. In our community there is a growing consensus that we must take advantage of the multiple opportunities that exist to favorably alter the lifestyle patterns that put our children at risk.

Adolescent↗