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Biomedical subjects

S Hart

Publications and source records attributed to S Hart.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Fluid intake, personality and behaviour in patients with eating disorders.

OBJECTIVE: To examine psychological and behavioural variables associated with the disordered fluid intake of 112 eating disorder patients. METHOD: Fluid intake history for previous seven days, and standardized psychological and behavioural measures of eating disorders, mood, personality and health, were completed on admission to hospital. RESULTS: Only behaviours associated with eating disorders were associated with fluid intake. Greater amounts of total and energy-free fluids are consumed if patients report overeating, binge eating and dieting between overeating more frequently, drinking more caffeine-containing energy free drinks, vomiting and using laxatives. Energy-containing fluid intake is higher if patients feel their body weight is less important and if they binge eat. There is a significant difference in the amount of fluid drunk (ml or ml/kg) by patients with bulimia nervosa (BN) when compared to patients with no current diagnosis but not compared with anorexia nervosa (AN) or eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS) patients. DISCUSSION: Fluid intake is associated with eating disorder behaviour rather than personality and psychological variables. Patients eating more drink more.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and survival following breast cancer diagnosis.

Although hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use has been associated with breast cancers that have better prognostic features, it is not clear whether this leads to improved survival. We studied a cohort of 4022 postmenopausal women diagnosed with breast cancer between 1993 and 2000, who attended a mammographic screening program, among whom 312 deaths subsequently occurred. Proportional hazards models were used to examine survival from breast cancer and all-causes among HRT users and non-users. The multivariate hazard ratio for HRT use was 0.64 (95% CI: 0.41-1.00) for breast cancer deaths and 0.69 (95% CI: 0.49-0.96) for all-cause mortality. This was attenuated by grade (HR 0.71; 95% CI: 0.45-1.10). HRT use at diagnosis was associated with modestly improved survival from breast cancer that appeared in part to be explained by the influence of HRT on tumour grade, although we cannot exclude the possibility of confounding by factors associated with the choice to use HRT.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Localised extranodal lymphoma of the head and neck: the Sheffield Lymphoma Group experience (1971-2000).

AIMS: Over the 30-year period from 1971-2000, 3750 cases of lymphoma were referred to the Sheffield Lymphoma Group for investigation and treatment. Of these, 580 were extranodal presentations and, of these, 190 (33%) were localised to the head and neck region. The aim of this lymphoma database review was to evaluate the patient characteristics and survival rates for these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample included 98 women and 92 men, with a median age at presentation of 65 years. RESULTS: The most common site affected was tonsil (34%), followed by salivary glands (16%). Other common sites were the thyroid, orbit and nasopharynx. The most frequent presenting feature was a swelling or mass, with pain, dysphagia and nasal obstruction also comprising large groups. All cases were non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Fifty-five cases were histological grade 1; 132 were grade 2. Diffuse large B cell was the most common histological subtype. The overall 5- and 10-year survival rates were 55% (95% CI 47-62) and 44%, (95% CI 36-53), respectively, with a median survival of 92 months (95% CI 56-128). Stage and grade were both found to influence survival. CONCLUSION: This data concords with and extends information available from previous studies. More detail is now required on specific head and neck sites.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

EGFR signal transactivation in cancer cells.

The EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) plays a key role in the regulation of essential normal cellular processes and in the pathophysiology of hyperproliferative diseases such as cancer. Recent investigations have demonstrated that GPCRs (G-protein-coupled receptors) are able to utilize the EGFR as a downstream signalling partner in the generation of mitogenic signals. This cross-talk mechanism combines the broad diversity of GPCRs with the signalling capacities of the EGFR and has emerged as a general concept in a multitude of cell types. The molecular mechanisms of EGFR signal transactivation involve processing of transmembrane growth factor precursors by metalloproteases which have been recently identified as members of the ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) family of zinc-dependent proteases. Subsequently, the EGFR transmits signals to prominent downstream pathways, such as mitogen-activated protein kinases, the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway and modulation of ion channels. Analysis of GPCR-induced EGFR activation in more than 60 human carcinoma cell lines derived from different tissues has demonstrated the broad relevance of this signalling mechanism in cancer. Moreover, EGFR signal transactivation was linked to diverse biological processes in human cancer cells, such as cell proliferation, migration and anti-apoptosis. Together with investigations revealing the importance of this GPCR-EGFR cross-talk mechanism in cardiac hypertrophy, Helicobacter pylori -induced pathophysiological processes and cystic fibrosis, these findings support an important role for GPCR ligand-dependent EGFR signal transactivation in diverse pathophysiological disorders.

ErbB Receptors↗
PubMed2002

Jasmine absolute (Jasminum grandiflora L.) and its mode of action on guinea-pig ileum in vitro.

Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum L.) is used in aromatherapy as a holistic treatment for apathy, hysteria, uterine disorders and childbirth, muscle relaxation and coughs. Its stimulant nature, on inhalation, has been shown both in animals and man. Jasmine has a spasmolytic activity on guinea-pig ileum and rat uterus in vitro. The mechanism of action of the spasmolytic activity, studied in vitro using a guinea-pig ileum smooth muscle preparation, was postsynaptic and not atropine-like. The spasmolytic effect of jasmine absolute was most likely to be mediated through cAMP, and not through cGMP. The mode of action in vitro resembled that of geranium, lavender and peppermint oils. The contradictory effect in vitro and in vivo is probably due to the solely physiological effects of jasmine absolute in vitro (producing a relaxation) compared with that in vivo, where it has a strong psychological input, producing a stimulant effect in man and enhanced movement in animals.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Anorexia nervosa symptoms are reduced by massage therapy.

Nineteen women (M age = 26) diagnosed with anorexia nervosa were given standard treatment alone or standard treatment plus massage therapy twice per week for five weeks. The massage group reported lower stress and anxiety levels and had lower cortisol (stress) hormone levels following massage. Over the five-week treatment period, they also reported decreases in body dissatisfaction on the Eating Disorder Inventory and showed increased dopamine and norepinephrine levels. These findings support a previous study on the benefits of massage therapy for eating disorders.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Cross-industry benchmarking: is it applicable to the operating room?

The use of benchmarking has been growing in nonmedical industries. This concept is being increasingly applied to medicine as the industry strives to improve quality and improve financial performance. Benchmarks can be either internal (set by the institution) or external (use other's performance as a goal). In some industries, benchmarking has crossed industry lines to identify breakthroughs in thinking. In this article, we examine whether the airline industry can be used as a source of external process benchmarking for the operating room.

Aviation↗
PubMed2001

Buchu (Agathosma betulina and A. crenulata, Rutaceae) essential oils: their pharmacological action on guinea-pig ileum and antimicrobial activity on microorganisms.

The mode of action of essential oils from two buchu species (Agathosma betulina and A. crenulata, Rutaceae) from the Cape region of South Africa has been studied on smooth muscle in-vitro using guinea-pig ileum. At high concentration, the oils had an initial spasmogenic activity followed by spasmolysis. The spasmolytic action was post-synaptic, not atropine-like and did not involve adrenoceptor or guanylyl cyclase activation. In the presence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor rolipram, the spasmolytic action of A. betulina was significantly increased whilst that due to A. crenulata was also increased but not to a significant level. These results suggested a mode of action for the oils involving cyclic adenosine monophosphate. In addition, A. betulina appeared to block calcium channels but this was not seen with A. crenulata, possibly because the initial spasmogenic activity complicated the study of its spasmolytic action. Neither essential oil (10 microL, undiluted) demonstrated antimicrobial action against Enterococcus hirae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa but very low activity was observed against Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Staphylococcus aureus, suggesting little potential for these oils as antimicrobial agents/preservatives.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

In-vitro activity of S. lavandulaefolia (Spanish sage) relevant to treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Salvia lavandulaefolia Vahl. (Spanish sage) essential oil and individual monoterpenoid constituents have been shown to inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase in-vitro and in-vivo. This activity is relevant to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, since anticholinesterase drugs are currently the only drugs available to treat Alzheimer's disease. Other activities relevant to Alzheimer's disease include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and estrogenic effects. Results of in-vitro tests for these activities are reported here for S. lavandulaefolia extracts, the essential oil and its major constituents. Antioxidant activity (inhibition of bovine brain liposome peroxidation) was found in the EtOH extract of the dried herb (5 mg mL(-1)) and the monoterpenoids (0.1 M) alpha- and beta-pinene and 1,8-cineole. Thujone and geraniol had lower antioxidant effects, while camphor had no antioxidant effects. Possible anti-inflammatory activity (eicosanoid inhibition in rat leucocytes) was found in the EtOH extract (50 microg mL(-1)) and was shown by the monoterpenoids alpha-pinene and geraniol (0.2 mM), but not 1,8-cineole, thujone or camphor. Possible estrogenic activity (via induction of beta-galactosidase activity in yeast cells) was found in the essential oil (0.01 mg mL(-1)) and the monoterpenoid geraniol (0.1-2 mM). 1,8-Cineole, alpha- and beta-pinene and thujone did not exhibit estrogenic activity in this analysis. These results demonstrate that S. lavandulaefolia, its essential oil and some chemical constituents have properties relevant to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and provide further data supporting the value of carrying out clinical studies in patients with Alzheimer's disease using this plant species.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed2001

The epidermal growth factor receptor family as a central element for cellular signal transduction and diversification.

Homeostasis of multicellular organisms is critically dependent on the correct interpretation of the plethora of signals which cells are exposed to during their lifespan. Various soluble factors regulate the activation state of cellular receptors which are coupled to a complex signal transduction network that ultimately generates signals defining the required biological response. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family of receptor tyrosine kinases represents both key regulators of normal cellular development as well as critical players in a variety of pathophysiological phenomena. The aim of this review is to give a broad overview of signal transduction networks that are controlled by the EGFR superfamily of receptors in health and disease and its application for target-selective therapeutic intervention. Since the EGFR and HER2 were recently identified as critical players in the transduction of signals by a variety of cell surface receptors, such as G-protein-coupled receptors and integrins, our special focus is the mechanisms and significance of the interconnectivity between heterologous signalling systems.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Patterns of cigarette smoking and alcohol use among lesbians and bisexual women enrolled in a large health maintenance organization.

OBJECTIVES: This study compared the prevalence of cigarette smoking and alcohol use among lesbians and bisexual women with that among heterosexual women. METHODS: Logistic regression models were created with data from an extensive member health survey at a large health maintenance organization. Sexual orientation was the primary predictor, and alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking were outcomes. RESULTS: Lesbians and bisexual women younger than 50 years were more likely than heterosexual women to smoke cigarettes and drink heavily. Lesbians and bisexual women aged 20 to 34 reported higher weekly alcohol consumption and less abstinence compared with heterosexual women and older lesbians and bisexual women. CONCLUSIONS: Lesbians and bisexual women aged 20 to 34 years are at risk for alcohol use and cigarette smoking.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Hearing loss in space.

BACKGROUND: Temporary and, in some cases, permanent hearing loss has been documented after long-duration spaceflights. METHODS: We examined all existing published data on hearing loss after space missions to characterize the losses. RESULTS: Data from Russian missions suggest that the hearing loss, when it occurs, affects mainly mid to high frequencies and that using hearing protection often might prevent the loss. Several significant questions remain about hearing loss in space. While the hearing loss has been presumed to be noise-induced, no clear link has been established between noise exposure and hearing loss during spaceflight. In one documented case of temporary hearing loss from the Shuttle-Mir program, the pattern of loss was atypical for a noise-induced loss. Continuous noise levels that have been measured on the Mir and previous space stations, while above engineering standards, are not at levels usually associated with hearing loss in ground-based studies (which have usually been limited to 8-10 h exposure periods). Attempts to measure hearing in space using threshold-based audiograms have been unsuccessful in both the American and Russian programs due to noise interference with the measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The existing data highlight the need for reliable monitoring of both hearing and noise in long-duration spaceflight.

Astronauts↗
PubMed2000

Band 3 mutations, renal tubular acidosis and South-East Asian ovalocytosis in Malaysia and Papua New Guinea: loss of up to 95% band 3 transport in red cells.

We describe three mutations of the red-cell anion exchangerband 3 (AE1, SLC4A1) gene associated with distalrenal tubular acidosis (dRTA) in families from Malaysia and Papua NewGuinea: Gly(701)-->Asp (G701D), Ala(858)-->Asp(A858D) and deletion of Val(850) (DeltaV850). The mutationsA858D and DeltaV850 are novel; all three mutations seem to berestricted to South-East Asian populations. South-East Asianovalocytosis (SAO), resulting from the band 3 deletion of residues400-408, occurred in many of the families but did not itselfresult in dRTA. Compound heterozygotes of each of the dRTA mutationswith SAO all had dRTA, evidence of haemolytic anaemia and abnormal red-cell properties. The A858D mutation showed dominant inheritance and therecessive DeltaV850 and G701D mutations showed a pseudo-dominantphenotype when the transport-inactive SAO allele was also present. Red-cell and Xenopus oocyte expression studies showed that theDeltaV850 and A858D mutant proteins have greatly decreased aniontransport when present as compound heterozygotes (DeltaV850/A858D,DeltaV850/SAO or A858D/SAO). Red cells with A858D/SAO had only 3% ofthe SO(4)(2-) efflux of normal cells, thelowest anion transport activity so far reported for human red cells. The results suggest dRTA might arise by a different mechanism for eachmutation. We confirm that the G701D mutant protein has an absoluterequirement for glycophorin A for movement to the cell surface. Wesuggest that the dominant A858D mutant protein is possibly mis-targetedto an inappropriate plasma membrane domain in the renal tubular cell,and that the recessive DeltaV850 mutation might give dRTA because ofits decreased anion transport activity.

Acidosis, Renal Tubular↗
PubMed2000

Mutational analysis of X-linked amelogenesis imperfecta in multiple families.

Seven mutations in the amelogenin gene are associated with X-linked amelogenesis imperfecta. These mutations can produce reductions in the amount of enamel and the degree of mineralization. Two families have been identified from western North Carolina exhibiting features of amelogenesis imperfecta, characterized by brown enamel in affected males and interposed vertical bands of normal appearing and brown enamel in presumably heterozygous females. Mutational analysis reveals a C-A mutation in exon 6 at codon 41 of the X-chromosomal amelogenin gene, resulting in a pro-thr change in all individuals having the amelogenesis imperfecta phenotype. This mutation was previously reported in a family with X-linked hypomaturation amelogenesis imperfecta. There is no known relationship between any of the three families but the presence of similar phenotypes and common mutations suggests they may be distantly related. For individuals from all three families, the haplotype for six highly polymorphic loci flanking the amelogenin gene was determined. A common haplotype was demonstrated among two of the three families, suggesting that the mutation may have been inherited from a common ancestor. The finding that the third family had a distinct haplotype may indicate that the C-A mutation at codon 41 represents a mutational hotspot that occurs with greater frequency than other known amelogenin gene mutations. The phenotype resulting from this mutation was highly consistent in affected male members of the same family and between families.

Amelogenesis Imperfecta↗
PubMed2000

The effect of increasing age on the outcome of hysteroscopic endometrial resection for management of dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome of hysteroscopic endometrial resection for dysfunctional uterine bleeding according to women's age. DESIGN: Long-term follow-up by telephone interview (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University-affiliated medical center. Patients. One hundred sixty-nine women with abnormal uterine bleeding unresponsive to conservative medical management. INTERVENTION: Hysteroscopic endometrial resection. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Questionnaires were completed for 162 (95.9%) patients with mean +/- SD follow-up of 32 +/- 17 months. The frequency of postoperative complications was not related to age. After ablation, the rate of amenorrhea was significantly higher in 31 women age 50 years or older than in younger women (p <0.001), and also in 72 women age 45 to 49 than in 59 age 44 or less (p <0.05). Complete relief of dysmenorrhea was achieved significantly more often in women age 45 to 49 (p <0.005) and 50 or older (p <0.05) than in those age 44 or younger. Dissatisfaction with the outcome of endometrial resection was uncommon, but most frequent among women age 44 or younger (p <0.10). There was no difference in the proportion of women requiring second ablation or hysterectomy in any age group. CONCLUSION: Significantly higher rates of amenorrhea and complete relief of dysmenorrhea after endometrial resection are achieved in older than in younger women.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Safety and industrial relations in the Newfoundland offshore oil industry since the Ocean Ranger disaster in 1982.

Based on an examination of safety and industrial relations since the Ocean Ranger disaster, the article argues that government and industry changes have not fully addressed the problems that emerged from the investigation. Although the establishment of a single regulatory agency in the province is an improvement, some jurisdictional ambiguity remains and occupational health and safety regulations are still in draft form after their introduction more than ten years ago. Unionization is seen as an important step toward a safe workplace offshore, particularly in view of some current concerns: working schedules, training, evacuation, and search-and-rescue helicopters.

Journal Article↗