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Biomedical subjects

S Clarke

Publications and source records attributed to S Clarke.

410 records · Page 23Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of fatty acids on hepatic gene expression.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have dramatic effects on hepatic lipid metabolism by regulating the transcription of specific genes encoding enzymes involved in glycolysis and lipogenesis. The S14 gene, a putative lipogenic protein, has been used as a model to define the molecular basis of PUFA action on hepatic gene expression. We have shown that PUFA-regulated hepatic transcription factors target cis-regulatory elements located between -220 and -80 bp upstream from the 5' end of the S14 gene. Peroxisomal proliferators (PP) also have dramatic effects on hepatic lipid metabolism through effects on gene expression. The mechanism of PP action is mediated, at least in part, through nuclear receptors, i.e. PP activated receptor (PPAR). We found that the potent PP, i.e. WY14,643, suppressed mRNAS14 and the activity of an S14CAT fusion gene in cultured primary hepatocytes. Preliminary mapping studies showed that WY14,643 cis-regulatory elements were located either within the S14 proximal promoter (-290 and +19), the S14 TRE (-2900 to -2500) or both regions. Gel shift analysis showed that PPAR did not bind S14 promoter elements. These studies suggest that PUFA- and PP-regulated factors may share common cis-acting elements within the S14 promoter. However, if PUFA control of S14 gene transcription is mediated by PPAR, this mechanism does not involve direct interaction of PPAR with the S14 proximal promoter.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Outcome of occlusion treatment for amblyopia.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the level of visual acuity following occlusion treatment for strabismic and anisometropic amblyopia and to analyze the factors that influence the outcome. METHODS: In this observational study, we examined the medical records of 246 patients discharged between April 1991 and March 1996, including those who failed to complete treatment. Two groups were identified: Group 1 esotropia (n = 151); and Group 2 anisometropic amblyopia with or without microtropia (n = 79). Factors influencing outcome of treatment were analyzed, success being defined as 6/12 or better in the amblyopic eye. RESULTS: In Group 1, 85% achieved 6/12 or better in the worst eye (linear acuity test), 15% achieved less than 6/12. (73% achieved 6/9 or better, 16% achieved 6/12 or 6/18, and 11% achieved less than 6/18). In group 2, 95% achieved 6/9 or better in the worst eye (linear acuity test); 5% achieved 6/12. CONCLUSION: Outcome was better than other full population studies to date. A good visual outcome was achieved in all cases of pure anisometropic amblyopia. Significant factors influencing outcome in the esotropic group were compliance, anisometropia, and visual acuity at start of treatment. An occlusion protocol is suggested aimed at further improving compliance and outcome.

Amblyopia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Junior doctors and the full shift rota--psychological and hormonal changes: a comparative cross-sectional study.

We studied the hormonal and psychological effect of the full shift rota on junior doctors after implementation of the European Working Time Directive, using a comparative, cross-sectional study design of male doctors in South Yorkshire. Cortisol and testosterone levels were measured and subjects completed the general health questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the androgen deficiency in the aging male screening questionnaire (ADAM), after a week of holiday (baseline), a week of nights, and a normal working week. The results showed that cortisol levels decreased from 480.6 +/- 33.1 nmol/l at baseline (after a week of holiday), to 355.7 +/- 29.1 nmol/l post normal working week (p = 0.003); to 396.7 +/- 32.5 nmol/l post nights (p = 0.03). GHQ-12 scores increased from 0.5 +/- 0.3 at baseline, to 1.8 +/- 0.5 post normal working week (p = 0.02) and to 2.3 +/- 0.5 post nights (p = 0.005). These results suggest that there are still appreciable physiological consequences with new work patterns.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The modulator effect of bradykinin with respect to tracheobronchial clearance in healthy subjects].

Bradykinin (Bk), a vasoactive nonapeptide which has been proposed as mediator in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, is a potent secretagogue in canine airways and in human nasal mucosa in vivo. A study was carried out in order to evaluate the effect of inhaled Bk on tracheobronchial clearance (TBC), measured by a radioaerosol technique in 10 healthy volunteers. Subjects inhaled Bk (8 mg/mL) or vehicle placebo on two occasions, at least 2 weeks apart, in a double blind and randomized fashion 30 min after radioaerosol inhalation. TBC, expressed as the area under the tracheobronchial radioaerosol retention curve calculated for the first 6 hours (AUC 0-6h), was enhanced in 9 of 10 subjects following inhaled Bk when compared to placebo. The mean values for AUC 0-6h were significantly reduced from 132%.h to 92%.h (p < 0.001) with placebo and Bk respectively. We conclude that Bk has a marked effect on tracheobronchial clearance in normal human airways.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Increasing resistance to ciprofloxacin among isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoea in Dublin.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae cases are increasing in Ireland. Ciprofloxacin is often used as first line treatment for this infection in STI clinics. A retrospective study to analyze resistance in two Dublin clinics was undertaken. Cases were defined as patients from whom an isolate of N. gonorrhoea was recovered. All cases from two clinics between January 1997 and June 2003 were included. Antimicrobial resistance data was correlated with sex and sexuality. One thousand one hundred and eighty laboratory-confirmed cases were identified. Eighty seven percent were male. Sixty nine percent were MSM. Twenty seven percent of isolates demonstrated reduced susceptibility to penicillin and 6% to ciprofloxacin. Isolates with reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin increased year on year from 3.8% in 1997 to 15% in 2003. Prevalence of isolates of N. gonorrhoea with reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin has exceeded 10% in these clinics since 2002. In concordance with international guidelines, ceftriaxone became the treatment of choice for gonorrhoea in July 2003.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Health profiles of early adolescent delinquents.

Comparison of the health status of 53 delinquent and 51 nondelinquent boys revealed that 57 percent of the delinquents, as compared with 20 percent of the nondelinquents, had experienced two or more serious adverse health events (such as hospitalization, loss of consciousness, or an automobile accident). Physical examinations revealed many more conditions requiring intervention in the delinquent than in the nondelinquent boys. Major differences in the two groups' use of health care were apparent: 34 percent of the delinquents either had no medical care or had used only the emergency room, as contrasted with only 8 percent of the nondelinquents. An overall health index that was used to compare the two groups remained statistically significant for a subset of 16 pairs matched on socioeconomic indicators. These results do not imply an etiological link between health status and delinquency, but they do suggest a strong de facto link. The recurrent hospitalizations of the delinquent boys, their substantial use of medications, and their episodic use of health care underscore the importance of an awareness on the part of public health personnel of this group's medical status and of the urgent need for adequately planning the health care of all youngsters in the juvenile justice system.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Let the caring show.

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Dementia↗
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Women's health. Factors linking women and CHD.

Is coronary heart disease in women receiving the attention it deserves? Much of the advice on the prevention of CHD has been focused on men, and women tend to concentrate on reducing their families' risk of heart disease rather than their own. This paper investigates the importance of the disease in women and examines the way certain aspects of women's lives can have an adverse effect on their health.

Coronary Disease↗
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Tommy's campaign.

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Charities↗