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Biomedical subjects

S Moore

Publications and source records attributed to S Moore.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Increased levels of NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) in pancreatic tissues from smokers and pancreatic adenocarcinomas: A potential biomarker of early damage in the pancreas.

NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is elevated in several human tumors. This study was conducted to determine whether increased levels of NQO1 expression also occur in human pancreatic tumor tissue, and to compare expression levels in nontumorous tissue from smokers with those in nonsmokers. The expression of NQO1 was examined in pancreatic tissue samples from 82 human donors. These samples included normal (n = 20), smokers (n = 25), pancreatitis (n = 7), and adenocarcinomas of the pancreas (n = 30). Genotyping for the C609T polymorphism in NQO1 by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis was also performed. Polymorphic variants were confirmed by automatic sequencing. Higher levels of NQO1 expression were demonstrated in pancreatic adenocarcinomas (0.831 +/- 0.021) compared to those in nontumorous tissues from nonsmokers (0.139 +/- 0.024). These high levels were also found in smokers (0.729 +/- 0.167) and in pancreatitis tissues (0.923 +/- 0.184). NQO1 activity was also higher in smokers (2.43 +/- 0.61 nmol/min per mg protein) compared to nonsmokers (0.44 +/- 0.05 nmol/min per mg protein; p < 0.05). No differences were found in genotype distribution and frequencies of the variant alleles between normal and cancer tissues in this relatively small sample pool. Seventy-five percent of the normal pancreatic tissues showed 609(C/C) and 25% 609(C/T). In pancreatic adenocarcinomas the frequency distribution was 65% C/C, 30% C/T and 5% T/T. The increased expression in noncancer pancreatic tissue from smokers and the fact that smoking is a moderate risk factor for pancreatic cancer suggest that NQO1 expression may be a good candidate as a biomarker for pancreatic cancer, especially in risk groups such as smokers.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2006

Limited clinical value of regular bone marrow cytogenetic analysis in imatinib-treated chronic phase CML patients monitored by RQ-PCR for BCR-ABL.

Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for BCR-ABL mRNA in the peripheral blood (RQ-PCR) provides an accurate and reliable measure of response to therapy in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). We wanted to determine in what circumstances additional clinically relevant information was provided by simultaneous cytogenetic analysis in RQ-PCR monitored patients receiving imatinib treatment. We analysed 828 simultaneous RQ-PCR and bone marrow cytogenetic analyses from 183 patients with chronic phase CML with a median follow-up of 20 months. Cytogenetic progression was defined as Philadelphia (Ph)-positive clonal evolution, loss of complete cytogenetic response or an increase of > or = 20% Ph-positive cells. Cytogenetic progression occurred in 24/183 (13%) patients. At the time of cytogenetic progression, none of the 24 patients had a major molecular response (MMR; > or = 3-log reduction in BCR-ABL from standardised baseline). There were 320 RQ-PCR results from 95 patients indicating MMR. No abnormality was detected in any of the corresponding cytogenetic analyses. A policy of regular RQ-PCR monitoring with cytogenetic analysis targetted only to patients who have not achieved, or have lost MMR would represent a rational approach to monitoring and spare most patients the discomfort of multiple marrow aspirates. This approach depends upon availability of an accurate, reproducible RQ-PCR assay with ongoing quality assurance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Lost in translation: a genealogy of the "social capital" concept in public health.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To examine the genealogy of the social capital concept in public health, with attention to the epistemological concerns and academic practices that shaped the way in which this concept was translated into public health. DESIGN: A citation-network path analysis of the public health literature on social capital was used to generate a genealogy of the social capital concept in public health. The analysis identifies the intellectual sources, influential texts, and developments in the conceptualisation of social capital in public health. PARTICIPANTS: The population of 227 texts (articles, books, reports) was selected in two phases. Phase 1 texts were articles in the PubMed database with "social capital" in their title published before 2003 (n = 65). Phase 2 texts are those texts cited more than once by phase 1 articles (n = 165). MAIN RESULTS: The analysis shows how the scholarship of Robert Putnam has been absorbed into public health research, how three seminal texts appearing in 1996 and 1997 helped shape the communitarian form that the social capital concept has assumed in public health, and how both were influenced by the epistemological context of social epidemiology at the time. CONCLUSIONS: Originally viewed in public health research as an ecological level, psychosocial mechanism that might mediate the income inequality-health pathway, the dominance of the communitarian approach to social capital has given disproportionate attention to normative and associational properties of places. Network approaches to social capital were lost in this translation. Recovering them is key to a full translation and conceptualisation of social capital in public health.

Health Services Research↗
PubMed2006

Pollutant removal efficiency of alternative filtration media in stormwater treatment.

Sorption experiments were used to assess the ability of various materials (sand, compost, packing wood, ash, zeolite, recycled glass and Enviro-media) to remove heavy metal contaminants typically found in stormwater. Compost was found to have the best physicochemical properties for sorption of metal ions (Cu, Zn and Pb) compared with sand, packing wood, ash, zeolite and Enviro-media. The compost sorption of these metal ions conformed to the linear form of the Langmuir adsorption equation with the Langmuir constants (q,) for Zn(ll) being 11.2 mg/g at pH 5. However, compost was also found to leach a high concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC, 4.31 mg/g), compared with the other tested materials. Various combinations of sand, compost and other materials were observed to have excellent heavy metal removal (75-96% of Zn and 90-93% of Cu), with minimal DOC leaching (0.0013-2.43 mg/g). The sorption efficiency of the different Enviro-media mixes showed that a combination of traditional (sand) and alternative materials can be used as an effective medium for the treatment of dissolved metal contaminants commonly found in stormwater. The application of using recycled organic materials and other waste materials (such as recycled glass) also provides added value to the products life cycle.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2005

3D models of blood flow in the cerebral vasculature.

The circle of Willis (CoW) is a ring-like arterial structure located in the base of the brain and is responsible for the distribution of oxygenated blood throughout the cerebral mass. To investigate the effects of the complex 3D geometry and anatomical variability of the CoW on the cerebral hemodynamics, a technique for generating physiologically accurate models of the CoW has been created using a combination of magnetic resonance data and computer-aided design software. A mathematical model of the body's cerebral autoregulation mechanism has been developed and numerous computational fluid dynamics simulations performed to model the hemodynamics in response to changes in afferent blood pressure. Three pathological conditions were explored, namely a complete CoW, a fetal P1 and a missing A1. The methodology of the cerebral hemodynamic modelling is proposed with the potential for future clinical application in mind, as a diagnostic tool.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed2005

The Biomolecular Interaction Network Database and related tools 2005 update.

The Biomolecular Interaction Network Database (BIND) (http://bind.ca) archives biomolecular interaction, reaction, complex and pathway information. Our aim is to curate the details about molecular interactions that arise from published experimental research and to provide this information, as well as tools to enable data analysis, freely to researchers worldwide. BIND data are curated into a comprehensive machine-readable archive of computable information and provides users with methods to discover interactions and molecular mechanisms. BIND has worked to develop new methods for visualization that amplify the underlying annotation of genes and proteins to facilitate the study of molecular interaction networks. BIND has maintained an open database policy since its inception in 1999. Data growth has proceeded at a tremendous rate, approaching over 100 000 records. New services provided include a new BIND Query and Submission interface, a Standard Object Access Protocol service and the Small Molecule Interaction Database (http://smid.blueprint.org) that allows users to determine probable small molecule binding sites of new sequences and examine conserved binding residues.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

A case-control study to investigate an association between adverse pregnancy outcome and periodontal disease.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this case-control study was to ascertain if women who experienced a preterm (or premature) birth had any differences in periodontal disease severity compared with women who delivered at term. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Subjects were recruited postpartum. Case subjects delivered a baby before 37 weeks of gestation whereas control subjects gave birth at or around term. A questionnaire was administered by a Research Midwife, designed to collect demographic information, pregnancy outcome variables and information on other factors which may influence health in pregnancy. A periodontal examination was then performed at the bedside. RESULTS: Demographic variables were similar between case and control subjects. There was a higher proportion of case subjects who reported smoking. There were no differences in oral hygiene, bleeding on probing or loss of attachment; however, control subjects had a higher proportion of periodontal pockets probing 5 mm or greater. CONCLUSIONS: There was no association between the severity of periodontal disease and pregnancy outcome in this population.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Winning, losing, and violence.

BACKGROUND: Although international sports events attract huge interest, and results can be a barometer of popular national standing, their impact on violent behaviour has not been investigated. METHODS: Associations between assault related emergency department (ED) attendances and international sporting events (home and away rugby and soccer matches) in a European capital city (Cardiff) served by one ED, between 1 May 1995 and 30 April 2002 were investigated. The frequency of assault related ED attendances were studied relative to whether the national team won or lost, controlling for potential covariates: match attendance, match location (home/away), results (win/lose), net scores, and day of match (weekend/weekday). Multiple linear regression was used to identify significant associations with ED assault related attendances. RESULTS: Matches which the Wales team won (p = 0.03), match attendance (p<0.001), and weekend matches (p<0.001) were positively associated with ED assault related injury attendances. Assault frequency measured in this way was no different for home and away matches. CONCLUSIONS: Assault injury resulting in ED treatment was more frequent when national teams won than when they lost. Sport type made no difference. Violence prevention efforts should be increased on international match days, when the national team is expected to win, when match attendance is large, and for away as well as home matches.

Emergencies↗
PubMed2005

Visible and near-infrared calibrations for quality assessment of fresh phase I and II mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) compost.

Previous studies have shown that visible and near-infrared spectra (Vis-NIR) of dry and milled compost can be used for generating partial least squares (PLS) calibrations of phase II compost parameters including ammonia, nitrogen dry matter (NDM), dry matter (DM), pH, conductivity, carbon, microbial population, and potential productivity. The objective of this study was to develop robust calibrations for some of the key parameters from the spectra of fresh phase I and II composts. Samples of substrates from six commercial production yards were obtained during winter and summer months of 2000-2004 to monitor changes in quality and were analyzed for the test factors. Vis-NIR reflectance measurements of fresh samples (740) were made over the range of 400-2500 nm. After mathematical pretreatments, PLS calibrations of the key parameters were developed using the NIR (1100-2500 nm) and visible and NIR (400-2500 nm) regions and subsequently validated using an independent sample set of 123 phase I and II samples obtained during 2004-2005. The phase I and II standard errors of laboratory measurements of ammonia, pH, conductivity, DM, NDM, and ash were lower than the standard error of predictions of the same parameters, respectively, by the best NIR or Vis-NIR models. The degree of precision for some of the calibrations, especially ammonia, NDM, and DM, is suitable for composters to monitor changes in quality parameters during production. The laboratory measurement errors for phase I samples were greater than those of the phase II samples, except for ash, due to a higher degree of heterogeneity in the substrate. The calibrations, especially for pH, conductivity, and ash, need to be improved with new sample sets. A major advantage of NIR spectroscopy is the ability to assess substrate quality for a range of target parameters simultaneously, within a few hours of receiving the samples. The main drawbacks are the expensive instrumentation, expertise, and training necessary for operating the spectrometer and a dedicated chemometrician required for maintaining the equations compared to the reference methods.

Agaricus↗
PubMed2004

A prospective study to investigate the relationship between periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcome.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate a relationship between maternal periodontal disease and preterm birth, low birth weight and late miscarriage. DESIGN: Prospective study in a single centre. SETTING: Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital Trust, London, UK between August 1998 and July 2001. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Pregnant women were recruited on attending an ultrasound scan at approximately 12 weeks of pregnancy. Subjects completed a questionnaire and underwent periodontal examination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plaque and bleeding scores, pocket probing depth and loss of attachment. Pregnancy outcome data was collected retrospectively, including gestational age and birth weight at delivery. RESULTS: Data were collected for 3,738 subjects. Regression analysis indicated that there were no significant relationships between the severity of periodontal disease and either preterm birth (PTB) or low birth weight (LBW). In contrast, there did appear to be a correlation between poorer periodontal health and those that experienced a late miscarriage. CONCLUSIONS: There was no association between either preterm birth or low birth weight and periodontal disease in this population. There is evidence of a correlation between markers of poorer periodontal health and late miscarriage.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed2004

The changing face of femoral artery false aneurysms.

OBJECTIVES: To review the aetiology and method of treatment of all femoral artery false aneurysms from a single centre during the last 9 years. DESIGN: Retrospective case-note study. METHODS: All patients with a diagnosis of false aneurysm were identified from the hospital data-base between January 1995 and September 2003. A manual search of the case-notes was performed, and data collected on the location, cause and method of repair of the false aneurysm. For all patients with a diagnosis of femoral artery false aneurysm, the patients' medical and drug history and admission time attributable to the false aneurysm were recorded. RESULTS: One hundred and seven patients were identified. Seventy-nine had false aneurysms of the femoral artery. The majority (40.5%) were caused by coronary angiography, the second commonest cause being breakdown of previous graft anastomosis (29.1%). Over time, the method of treatment became increasingly radiological (most commonly ultrasound-guided thrombin injection), resulting in a significantly reduced hospital admission time (P=0.018). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of femoral artery false aneurysms appears to be increasing. This is largely a result of an increase in the number of cardiac interventional and diagnostic procedures performed. The introduction of ultrasound-guided thrombin-injection has reduced the inpatient stay of patients with femoral false aneurysms.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

An investigation into the association among preterm birth, cytokine gene polymorphisms and periodontal disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate a putative relationship between preterm delivery and the carriage of polymorphic genes that code for the cytokines interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) at codon +3953 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) at codon -308 in a group of postpartum women and to elucidate if the concurrent presence of periodontal disease increased the risk of preterm delivery in this group. DESIGN: Case-control study SETTING: Postnatal wards at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital Trust. POPULATION: Postpartum women from southeast London, UK. METHODS: Case subjects were defined as those who experienced a birth at less than 37 weeks of gestation. Control subjects gave birth at term. Demographic data were collected and a periodontal examination was performed. Blood samples were collected and analysed by restriction fragment length polymerase techniques for the presence of each of the allelic variants. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The level of periodontal disease and the carriage of allelic variants of IL-1beta+3953 and TNF-alpha-308 genes. RESULTS: Forty-eight case subjects and 82 control subjects were assessed. There was no statistically significant difference in the carriage of the IL-1beta+3953 allelic variant between cases and controls (29%versus 18%, P= 0.112). However, 23 (48%) of the case subjects and 24 (29%) of controls were heterozygous or homozygous for the variant TNF-alpha-308 gene (odds ratio [OR] 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0-5.0, P= 0.026). There was no association between the carriage of either the polymorphic IL-1beta+3953 or TNF-alpha-308 variant and the severity of periodontal disease. The combination of periodontal disease and the allelic variant did not increase the risk of preterm delivery. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, a higher proportion of women who delivered preterm carried the polymorphic TNF-alpha-308 gene. There did not appear to be any interaction between either of the genotypes and periodontal disease with preterm delivery as has been reported for bacterial vaginosis and the TNF-alpha-308 polymorphic gene.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Recrudescent herpes labialis during and prior to early pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the experience of recrudescent herpes labialis (RHL) before and during early pregnancy. METHODS: History of RHL prior to and during the first trimester of pregnancy was obtained from 3738 women attending at 10-15 weeks' gestation. The influence of age, ethnicity, socioeconomic group, smoking behavior, and alcohol intake on RHL was assessed. RESULTS: 1066 women (28.5%) reported a history of RHL lesions, with reduced incidence of RHL during pregnancy (0.111 lesions/subject per month) compared with outside pregnancy (0.19 lesions/subject per month) (P<0.0001). Those who did report lesions during pregnancy (n=296) experienced them at a higher monthly rate (0.41 lesions/subject per month) than before pregnancy (0.25 lesions/subject per month) (P<0.0001). RHL rate in early pregnancy was related solely to the previous rate of lesion recrudescence (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Pregnant women with a history of RHL report reduced incidence of RHL during pregnancy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Use of the metastable atom bombardment (MAB) ion source for the elimination of PCDE interference in PCDD/PCDF analysis.

The analysis of polychlorinated dioxins and furans (PCDDs/PCDFs) can produce erroneous results when polychloro diphenyl ethers (PCDEs) are present because they fragment and rearrange under electron ionization to give isobaric ions with PCDFs. Mass information must be generated to indicate the occurrence of possible PCDEs but uncertainty still exists if a PCDE congener has the same retention time as a PCDF congener. The metastable atom bombardment (MAB) ion source does not transfer enough energy to PCDE upon ionization to fragment the molecular ion, thus eliminating the need for PCDE tracking in PCDF analysis. Experiments were conducted with different gases, representing different ionization energies, to demonstrate that PCDE interference can be eliminated from PCDF analysis.

Benzofurans↗