Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Browne

Publications and source records attributed to S Browne.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Rehabilitation programmes and quality of life in severe mental illness.

Quality of life is increasingly identified as a key outcome measure for evaluating the efficacy of community mental health services and novel antipsychotics. However, there is a relative paucity of research on the impact of rehabilitation programmes on quality of life. This report outlines the results of two 'naturalistic' studies carried out in a catchment area psychiatric service to evaluate the benefits associated with a supported employment programme and a psychosocial/educational intervention. The findings suggest that outpatient based programmes which provide opportunities for vocational or prevocational rehabilitation may have significant quality of life benefits for individuals with severe mental illness.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Coenzyme Q10 administration increases brain mitochondrial concentrations and exerts neuroprotective effects.

Coenzyme Q10 is an essential cofactor of the electron transport chain as well as a potent free radical scavenger in lipid and mitochondrial membranes. Feeding with coenzyme Q10 increased cerebral cortex concentrations in 12- and 24-month-old rats. In 12-month-old rats administration of coenzyme Q10 resulted in significant increases in cerebral cortex mitochondrial concentrations of coenzyme Q10. Oral administration of coenzyme Q10 markedly attenuated striatal lesions produced by systemic administration of 3-nitropropionic acid and significantly increased life span in a transgenic mouse model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. These results show that oral administration of coenzyme Q10 increases both brain and brain mitochondrial concentrations. They provide further evidence that coenzyme Q10 can exert neuroprotective effects that might be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1998

Quality of life in schizophrenia: insight and subjective response to neuroleptics.

The relationship between quality of life, insight, and subjective response to neuroleptics was assessed in a selected group of clinically stable outpatients with schizophrenia. A significant portion of the variance in these individuals' quality of life was explained by a combination of protracted illness duration and the presence of a dysphoric response to neuroleptics. However, there was no significant relationship between quality of life and the level of insight these individuals had into the nature of their illness. The development of treatment strategies to alleviate neuroleptic-induced dysphoria may enable outpatients with schizophrenia to benefit from rehabilitation programs devised to improve quality of life.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Spontaneous abnormal involuntary movements in first-episode schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder: baseline rate in a group of patients from an Irish catchment area.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the rate of spontaneous abnormal involuntary movements in a group of patients presenting with a first episode of schizophrenia or schizophreniform psychosis. METHOD: Seventy-nine patients with a first episode of schizophrenia or schizophreniform psychosis who presented to a catchment area psychiatric service over a 3-year period, and who were neuroleptic-naive or had been medicated for less than 1 month, were examined for the presence of involuntary movements with use of the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale. RESULTS: Six patients (7.6%) had spontaneous dyskinesia as defined by the criteria of Schooler and Kane, and nine other patients had mild orofacial involuntary movements. The patients with spontaneous dyskinesia had completed significantly fewer years of education than the patients without dyskinesia. Spontaneous involuntary movements were unrelated to age at presentation for treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous abnormal involuntary movements were evident among a proportion of patients with first-episode schizophrenia or schizophreniform psychosis at baseline presentation and were associated with reduced educational attainment. This finding supports previous suggestions that abnormal involuntary movements in schizophrenia may be related to the pathophysiology of the illness and therefore cannot be attributed entirely to the adverse effects of neuroleptic medication.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Cocaine and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE): determination of enzymatic parameters.

In humans, the plasma enzyme, butyrylcholinesterase (E.C. 3.1.1.8), metabolizes cocaine to the water-soluble, pharmacologically inactive compounds, ecgonine methylester and benzoic acid. Homogeneous enzyme was purified from human plasma and used to determine the enzyme kinetic parameters of Km and Vmax with cocaine as the substrate. The KM (11.9 microM) indicates that cocaine is tightly bound to the four active sites of the native tetramer. The Vmax (1.17 microM/min) is 50-fold greater than cocaine catalytic antibodies. Administration of purified human butyrylcholinesterase to a cocaine-intoxicated patient would be expected to shift the metabolism to the inactive metabolites and reduce the toxicity.

Benzoates↗
PubMed1996

Quality of life in schizophrenia: relationship to sociodemographic factors, symptomatology and tardive dyskinesia.

The influence of sociodemographic, clinical and treatment factors on the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia has yet to be fully defined. We evaluated the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia who were attending a catchment area rehabilitation centre, in order to establish its clinical correlates. These patients had a poor to moderate quality of life which was inversely related to negative symptom severity, illness duration, the cumulative length of previous hospitalization and patient age. Patients residing in hostels or group homes had a poorer quality of life than those living independently or with their family. The presence of tardive dyskinesia was associated with a poorer quality of life. This association merits further investigation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Instructional set does not alter outcome of respiratory challenges in panic disorder.

In an attempt to reproduce the findings of Rapee et al (1986) that instructional set could alter the anxiogenic effects of carbon dioxide inhalation, 45 patients with panic disorder received two sets of instructions and then underwent a series of respiratory challenges (room air hyperventilation, 5% and 7% CO2 inhalation). The instructions failed to alter the anxiogenic response to any of the interventions.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1995

Biopharmaceutics of a new transdermal fentanyl device.

BACKGROUND: Compared with conventional routes of delivering potent analgesics to postoperative patients, transdermal administration of fentanyl offers the advantages of simplicity and noninvasive delivery. The only available form of transdermal fentanyl, the Duragesic system, has been implicated in preventable patient deaths when used for postoperative analgesia and is contraindicated in the management of postoperative pain. We examined the biopharmaceutics of a new transdermal fentanyl device developed by Cygnus and intended for use as a postoperative analgesic to see whether the new formulation offers pharmacokinetic advantages that might permit safe use in postoperative patients. METHODS: We studied 15 consenting male adult surgical patients. Patients received 650 or 750 micrograms intravenous fentanyl as part of the induction of anesthesia. Plasma fentanyl concentrations were measured over the following 24-h period. On the first postoperative day, 24 h after the intravenous dose of fentanyl, a transdermal fentanyl device was placed on the upper torso of the patient for 24 h and then removed. Plasma fentanyl concentrations were measured for 72 h after application of the transdermal fentanyl device. From the concentration versus time profile for the 24 h after intravenous fentanyl administration we determined each patient's clearance and unit disposition function by moment analysis and constrained numeric deconvolution, respectively. From the concentration versus time profile for the 72 h after application of the transdermal device we determined the amount of fentanyl absorbed and the rate of absorption, again by moment analysis and constrained numeric deconvolution. The residual fentanyl in the transdermal fentanyl device was measured, permitting calculation of the absolute bioavailability of transdermally administered fentanyl. RESULTS: Of the 14 subjects who received transdermal fentanyl, 3 had clinically significant fentanyl toxicity, mandating early removal of the device. The range during the plateau from 12 to 24 h in subjects still wearing the device was 0.34-6.75 ng/ml, a 20-fold range in concentration. In subjects wearing the device for 24 h, the terminal half-life of fentanyl after removal of the device was 16 h. The bioavailability of transdermally administered fentanyl was 63 +/- 35% coefficient of variation. The rate of fentanyl absorption from 12-24 h ranged from 10 to 230 micrograms/h in subjects still wearing the device. In two subjects, the rate within the first 6 h briefly exceeded 300 micrograms/h. Both of these subjects demonstrated fentanyl toxicity, requiring early removal of the device. CONCLUSIONS: The Cygnus transdermal fentanyl device shows great variability in the rate of fentanyl absorption, resulting in highly variable plasma fentanyl concentrations. Some persons may rapidly absorb fentanyl from the device in the first few hours after application, leading to fentanyl toxicity. The variability in effect of the Cygnus transdermal fentanyl device is appreciably greater than that reported for the currently available Duragesic transdermal fentanyl device, which is contraindicated for postoperative analgesia.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1994

Somatic allelic loss at the DCC, APC, nm23-H1 and p53 tumor suppressor gene loci in human prostatic carcinoma.

We present a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of 29 benign and 30 malignant prostatic tumors, using polymorphic DNA probes to the putative tumor suppressor genes DCC (Deleted in Colorectal Carcinoma; chromosome 18q21.3), nm23-H1 (17q21.3), APC (Adenomatous Polyposis Coli; 5q21) and p53 (17p13). Six of 23 evaluable cancers (26%) showed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at DCC; 5 were advanced stage and one was clinically localized (p < 0.05). Mapping 18q deletions, another (advanced) cancer showed LOH at a locus distal to DCC (18q22), but no LOH at DCC. Three of 15 evaluable cancers (20%), all advanced, showed LOH at APC. Three of eight (38%) cancers, of which 2 were advanced, showed LOH at p53. One high grade/stage cancer of 21 (5%) showed LOH at nm23-H1 (and also at DCC). Combining data, allelic losses at either DCC, APC, or p53 genes were seen in 13% of localized cancers, but in 71% of advanced cancers (p < 0.002). Allelic loss involving nm23-H1 is rare in prostatic carcinoma. We suggest that loss of tumor suppressor genes DCC and/or an unidentified gene located distally on chromosome 18q, APC, or p53 may influence progression in prostatic carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1994

Loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 18q is associated with muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Somatic allelic loss is regarded as a hallmark of tumour-suppressor gene (TSG) inactivation. Thirty-one human bladder transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs) were examined for allelic loss at five chromosome 18q loci, including the DCC gene (deleted in colorectal carcinoma) and at chromosome 11p15 in a restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Allelic loss was observed at one or more 18q loci in 9/26 (35%) samples, associated with muscle-invasive disease (P < 0.02). Allelic loss was observed at DCC in 8/24 (33%) samples, associated with muscle-invasive disease (P = 0.05). Three out of the five evaluable recurrent TCCs exhibited allelic loss at DCC, two of which were superficial. No allelic losses were detected at other 18q loci in tumours which retained both DCC alleles. Allelic loss was observed at 11p15 in 5/20 (25%) tumours. These data suggest the presence of a late-acting TSG located on 18q in TCC bladder cancer. DCC is a candidate gene since it lies within the region of most common deletion (18q21.3-qter).

Alleles↗
PubMed1994

Detection of cocaine, norcocaine, and cocaethylene in the meconium of premature neonates.

Our objective was to investigate the methodologic detection of cocaine abuse during pregnancy by determining the viability of meconium analysis for cocaine and its metabolites using chromatographic procedures as an alternative to urine testing using enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique. Our design was as follows: meconium and urine were taken from 106 very low birthweight premature babies. Meconium analysis for cocaine and its metabolites using extraction and chromatographic analysis was compared with the criterion standard immunoassay testing for urine. The work was carried out at The University of Chicago Hospital, Department of Pediatrics and the University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Pharmacodynamics. Our patients were very low birthweight, premature babies (mean birthweight 1109 g; mean gestational age 29.1 weeks). Gender was evenly divided between male and female. The outcome measures were as follows: two active metabolites, norcocaine and cocaethylene, were detected in the meconium, but not in the urine, of some of the neonates. Determination of cocaine exposure in the newborn influenced assignment of babies in research studies as well as psychosocial evaluation and subsequent treatment of the neonate. Our results were: of the 106 meconium samples analyzed, 21 (19.8%) were positive for cocaine (n = 19, 0.24-0.78 mg/kg), norcocaine (n = 7, 0.10-0.56 mg/kg), cocaethylene (n = 1, 0.12 mg/kg) or combinations thereof. Benzoylecgonine was not detected in any of the samples. Of the urine samples analyzed by immunoassay, only 8 (7.5%) were positive for cocaine metabolites. We conclude that meconium is a better sample than urine for determining cocaine exposure in utero.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1993

Advance directives.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Advance Directives↗
PubMed1992

Determination of cocaine and benzoylecgonine in human amniotic fluid using high flow solid-phase extraction columns and HPLC.

A new solid-phase extraction procedure for the determination of cocaine and benzoylecgonine in amniotic fluid, using high flow co-polymeric sorbents is reported. The recoveries of cocaine and benzoylecgonine within the range 0.1-1 mg/l were 95.7% and 50.3%, respectively. The use of high-flow sorbents allowed the easy extraction of amniotic fluid regardless of sample viscosity or physical nature. The use of these solid-phase columns provided many advantages over the more commonly used solvent extraction, including an increase in extraction speed and efficiency, reduced operator time, reduced solvent use and disposal volumes and exceptional extract quality. Further, the determination of amniotic fluid obtained from pregnant cocaine users may provide important information about handling of cocaine by the fetus at various gestational ages. The procedure was successfully applied to amniotic fluid from suspected cocaine abusers.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1992

Determination of cocaine and its metabolites in brain tissue using high-flow solid-phase extraction columns and high-performance liquid chromatography.

A new solid-phase extraction procedure for the determination of cocaine and some of its metabolites in brain tissue, using high-flow co-polymeric sorbents is reported as a substantial improvement on our recently reported procedure. The recovery of cocaine, norcocaine and cocaethylene was excellent as was the reproducibility of the extraction. The use of high-flow sorbents allowed the easy extraction of tissue without the need for a time-consuming lipase digestion, regardless of sample viscosity or physical nature. The use of these solid-phase columns provided many advantages over the more commonly used solvent extraction, including an increase in extraction speed and efficiency, reduced operator time, reduced solvent use and disposal volumes and exceptional extract quality. The procedure was successfully applied to rabbit brains spiked with cocaine, benzoylecgonine, norcocaine and cocaethylene.

Animals↗