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Biomedical subjects

R Borland

Publications and source records attributed to R Borland.

120 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1968

Deoxyribonucleic acid-dependent ribonucleic acid polymerase activity in cells infected with influenza virus.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-dependent ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerase activity was assayed on nuclear preparations of chick embryo fibroblast cells at various times after infection with an influenza A virus (fowl plague virus) and was compared with the activity of uninfected cells. Polymerase activity was increased by about 60% by 2 hr after infection, and this increase coincided with an increase in RNA synthesis in infected cells, as determined by pulse-labeling with uridine. No difference could be detected between the polymerases of infected and uninfected cells as to their requirements for DNA primer, divalent cations, and nucleoside triphosphates, and they were equally sensitive to addition of actinomycin D to the reaction mixture. It is possible that host cell DNA-dependent RNA polymerase is involved in the replication of influenza virus RNA.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Public reaction to Victoria's "2 Fruit 'n' 5 Veg Every Day" campaign and reported consumption of fruit and vegetables.

BACKGROUND: The Victorian "2 Fruit 'n' 5 Veg Every Day" campaign was aimed at increasing awareness of the need to eat more fruit and vegetables and encouraging increased consumption of these foods in the Australian state of Victoria. The demand-side component of the campaign, which had television advertising as a centerpiece, ran from 1992 to 1995. METHODS: Annual postcampaign telephone surveys of approximately 500 Victorians ages 20 and over were conducted with the aim of examining public awareness of the campaign, beliefs about desirable eating habits for fruit and vegetables, and reported consumption of these foods. RESULTS: Over the years, patterns in the level of public awareness, reported consumption, and beliefs about appropriate levels of consumption have tended to parallel changes in the level of mass media investment. During the campaign's most intense period of promotional activity, significant increases in all of these variables occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that significant achievements can be made with relatively small-budget mass media promotion of dietary recommendations, especially when part of a more comprehensive program. However, campaigns may need to be adequately resourced for several years if sustained change is to be achieved.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Self-efficacy, health locus of control, and smoking cessation.

This article examines the predictive value of measures of health locus of control and self-efficacy as predictors of outcomes of a widely disseminated, group-facilitated smoking cessation program. Outcomes studied were cessation for at least 1 day by the end of the program, end of program smoking status (abstinence), and smoking status at 6 months follow-up. Subjects were 257 participants in the smoking cessation program, of whom 207 made attempts to quit and 126 who were not smoking at the end of the treatment. Both pretreatment self-efficacy and health locus of control variables emerged as significant predictors of making an attempt and end of treatment abstinence. Only posttreatment self-efficacy predicted maintenance at 6 months. The results indicate the high self-efficacy is inversely related to making attempts to quit, but positively related to the success of attempts. The role of Health Locus of Control is complex and needs further investigation.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Knowledge, attitudes and experience associated with testing for prostate cancer: a comparison between male doctors and men in the community.

BACKGROUND: Debate about testing for prostate cancer using prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and digital rectal examination (DRE) continues. The evidence of benefit from screening for prostate cancer using PSA tests is inconclusive, and it is unclear how PSA can be used most effectively in the detection of prostate cancer. Given the lack of consensus, it is important that consumers understand the issues in a way that will permit them to decide whether or not to have a test and, if symptomatic, how their condition is managed. AIMS: To compare prostate cancer knowledge, attitudes and testing experiences reported by male doctors and men in the community, despite the lack of evidence of a benefit. METHODS: The primary method for ascertaining the attitudes of male doctors (MD) was a telephone survey, with some doctors electing to complete a written survey. Each MD was selected, at random, from a register of male practitioners aged > or = 49 years of age. A total of 266 MD participated in the survey. The community sample (CS) was accessed using a telephone survey. Five hundred male Victorian residents aged > or = 49 years of age participated in the study. RESULTS: Knowledge - Overall, 55% of the CS indicated correctly that prostate disease is sometimes cancer, compared to 83% of MD. Attitudes - Fifty-five per cent of MD believed men should be tested for prostate disease at least every 2 years, compared to 68% of men in the CS. Testing experience - Forty-five per cent of MD had been tested for prostate cancer in the past, and 92% of those tests were reported as negative. In the CS, 56% had been tested for prostate cancer in the past, and 78% of the results were reported as negative. The significant independent predictors of having had a prostate test among MD were: (i) age (> or = 60 years; odds ratio (OR): 1.59; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.30-1.88) and (ii) positive attitudes towards regular testing for prostate cancer (OR: 2.27; 95% CI: 1.98-2.56). The significant independent predictors for the CS were: (i) age (> or = 60 years; OR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.40-1.89), (ii) being married (OR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.00-1.60), (iii) knowledge that prostate disease was sometimes cancer (OR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.26-1.66) and (iv) positive attitudes towards regular testing for prostate cancer (OR: 2.12; 95% CI: 1.90-2.34). CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight that testing for prostate cancer is widespread in the community and in the medical profession. Further research should be undertaken to identify how to help men make fully informed decisions about prostate cancer testing.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Promoting reduced smoking rates in the context of workplace smoking bans.

A randomized study was conducted in 41 workplaces to determine the potential of self-help and group-based programs to encourage reduced smoking in workplaces that have implemented smoking bans. The trial had limited success in recruiting smokers, attrition was an important limitation, and the study outcomes were modest. The authors conclude that more research is needed on effective strategies that help smokers minimize smoking at work.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Adults' accounts of onset of regular smoking: influences of school, work, and other settings.

A representative population sample of 546 adults in Victoria, Australia, who had ever smoked were asked to describe the general setting where they first took up regular smoking and who, if anyone, influenced them to begin. Although school was the dominant setting (35 percent), particularly for younger respondents 20-34 years (55 percent), the workplace was also an important setting for uptake of regular smoking. Overall, 34 percent reported taking up smoking while in a job. The probability of taking up smoking at work increased with age but, even among younger respondents, many did not begin smoking until they started work. Fourteen percent took it up between leaving school and commencing college or a university or their first job, and 22 percent of those who attended college or a university took up smoking in that setting. One-quarter of the sample said that nobody had influenced them to take up smoking, but most of the remainder indicated that either friends, family, or workmates had played a part. Most mentioned were good friends at school (20 percent), good friends known socially (14 percent), and good friends at work (7 percent). Others listed were family (7 percent), boy friend or girl friend (7 percent). Overall, 10 percent had taken up regular smoking under the influence of workmates at work, suggesting that smoke-free workplace policies might be useful in the long term in reducing the prevalence of smoking in the community.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serological identification of avian adenoviruses isolated from cases of inclusion body hepatitis in Victoria, Australia.

Sixteen avian adenoviruses isolated from 12 cases of inclusion body hepatitis (IBH), 3 cases of respiratory disease, and a case of ruptured tendons were compared using antisera raised against 9 fowl adenovirus prototype strains. Eleven isolates from livers of birds with IBH were classified into 4 different serological groups: 1) YR36 (type 7)-related; 2) HVI (type 8)-related; 3) Variants--type 6-,7-, and S-related; and 4) Type 50--not closely related to any of the prototype antisera tested. These results indicate that, as in other countries, IBH in Victoria is associated with several serologically distinct adenoviruses. The other five adenovirus isolates were found to be related to CELO (type 1).

Adenoviridae↗