Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Newman

Publications and source records attributed to S Newman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Assessment of the spatial distribution of soil properties in a northern Everglades marsh.

Florida Everglades restoration plans are aimed at maintaining and restoring characteristic landscape features such as soil, vegetation, and hydrologic patterns. This study presents the results from an exhaustive spatial sampling of key soil properties in Water Conservation Area 1 (WCA 1), which is part of the northern Everglades. Three soil strata were sampled: floc, upper 0- to 10-cm soil layer, and 10- to 20-cm soil layer. A variety of properties were measured including bulk density (BD), loss on ignition (LOI), total phosphorus (TP), total inorganic phosphorus (TIP), total nitrogen (TN), total carbon (TC), total iron (TFe), total magnesium (TMg), total aluminum (TAl), and total calcium (TCa). Interpolated maps and model prediction uncertainties of properties were generated using geostatistical methods. We found that the uncertainty associated with spatial predictions of floc, particularly floc BD, was highest, whereas spatial predictions of soil chemical properties such as soil Ca were more accurate. The resultant spatial patterns for these soil properties identified three predominant features in WCA 1: (i) a north to south gradient in soil properties associated with the predominant hydrological gradient, (ii) areas of considerable soil nutrient enrichment along the western canal of WCA 1, and (iii) areas of considerable Fe enrichment along the eastern canal. By using geostatistical techniques we were able to describe the spatial dynamics of soil variables and express these predictions with an acceptable level of uncertainty.

Aluminum↗
PubMed2006

Composition and physical properties of Enceladus' surface.

Observations of Saturn's satellite Enceladus using Cassini's Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer instrument were obtained during three flybys of Enceladus in 2005. Enceladus' surface is composed mostly of nearly pure water ice except near its south pole, where there are light organics, CO2, and amorphous and crystalline water ice, particularly in the region dubbed the "tiger stripes." An upper limit of 5 precipitable nanometers is derived for CO in the atmospheric column above Enceladus, and 2% for NH3 in global surface deposits. Upper limits of 140 kelvin (for a filled pixel) are derived for the temperatures in the tiger stripes.

Ammonia↗
PubMed2006

Preferences for involvement in medical decision making: comparing British and German views.

Despite beneficial outcomes of patients' involvement in medical decision processes, it has been claimed that patients are generally not interested in medical decision making (MDM). Whereas current research focuses on actual MDM, this research explored the impact of nationality and perceptual processes of MDM. Preferences for involvement in decision making were examined in a sample of 204 German and 143 British university students. Hierarchical multiple regressions were employed to explore the link between socio-demographic information, individuals' perceived relationship with their GP, Health Locus of Control - Powerful Others, perceptions regarding the frequency and sufficiency of information provision and involvement in MDM, and individuals' preferred level of involvement and information. A significant amount of the variance in individuals preferences for involvement could be explained (Adjusted R2 = .59, p < .001). Independent t-test analyses showed that British and German perceptions of care differed significantly on a variety of different measures. Separate analyses for the German and British group highlighted cross-national differences in care and preferences for involvement. The study suggests that preferences to become involved might depend more on perceptual processes than actual involvement in decision making, and that communication and national health policy could play an important role.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Engaging patients in managing their cardiovascular health.

Psychological factors play a major part in the impact, course, and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Patients' cognitions and emotions feed into their responses to their illness and its treatments and can, for example, affect the likelihood of attendance at cardiac rehabilitation programmes. It is important to view the rehabilitation process from the perspective of the patient and to examine and assess patients' beliefs. Self management and self efficacy need to be encouraged. Depression and anxiety are common after myocardial infarction and can influence outcome. A patient's mood state should be assessed routinely and regularly.

Affect↗
PubMed2003

The fear of prostate cancer in men with lower urinary tract symptoms: should symptomatic men be screened?

OBJECTIVE: To explore the concerns and worries in men with uncomplicated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS, but no evidence of prostate cancer) relating to their symptoms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: There is no current prostate cancer screening programme in the UK. Evidence suggests that men with LUTS have the same risk of prostate cancer as aged-matched asymptomatic men. However, most men with LUTS are 'screened' with a digital rectal examination (DRE) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing as part of routine assessment. Whether this screening offers any benefit to patients and whether national screening for prostate cancer and subsequent early treatment offer any long-term survival or quality of life benefit is uncertain. Thus 30 men with uncomplicated LUTS were qualitatively interviewed to explore their concerns and worries about their symptoms. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and subjected to content analysis using validated techniques. RESULTS: Of the 30 men, 22 (73%) expressed a fear of prostate cancer at the time of their initial presentation. This fear was independent of race, social class and symptom severity; older men were less worried. Of the 22, 15 (68%) stated that after reassurance their symptoms were less bothersome and easier to cope with. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest there is a considerable gain in health by explicitly addressing the concerns of prostate cancer in men with uncomplicated LUTS. Informing these men of their true risk of prostate cancer (before or after a DRE and PSA estimate) may alleviate much of the bother associated with their symptoms. Despite no evidence of any greater risk of prostate cancer than in asymptomatic men, symptomatic men should continue to be screened after appropriate counselling.

Decision Making↗
PubMed2003

The psychological perspective: a professional view.

Psychological issues surrounding the care of patients with cardiovascular disease are many and diverse. This paper discusses three main areas: cognitions, emotions, and social support. The examples given relate primarily to post-myocardial infarction patients but the concepts discussed are relevant to other aspects of cardiovascular disease. Patients' cognitions can influence early help seeking for symptoms of myocardial infarction, attendance at cardiac rehabilitation, behaviour change, and return to work. Depression and anxiety are common following myocardial infarction and can be associated with increased mortality. Mood changes must therefore be addressed as part of the cardiac rehabilitation programme. Social support also plays an important part in cardiac rehabilitation.

Affect↗
PubMed2002

Lung deposition of salbutamol in healthy human subjects from the MAGhaler dry powder inhaler.

The MAGhaler (Mundipharma GmbH) is a multidose dry powder inhaler (DPI) containing a novel formulation of drug and lactose compacted by an isostatic pressing technique (GGU GmbH). On actuation, a precise dose is metered from a compacted ring-shaped drug tablet. In this study, the lung deposition of salbutamol from this device has been assessed. Ten healthy non-smoking subjects completed a two-way cross-over study assessing the pulmonary deposition of salbutamol (200 microg) from the MAGhaler at high (60 l/min) and low (30 l/min) peak inhaled flow rates (PIFRs), representing maximal and sub-maximal inspiratory efforts. The formulation was radiolabelled with 99mTc, and lung and oropharyngeal depositions were quantified by gamma scintigraphyThe mean (SD)% ofthe delivered dose deposited in the lungs was 26.4 (4.3)% at 60 l/min and 21.1 (5.1)% at 30 l/min (P < 0.05), corresponding to mean lung depositions of 52.8 and 42.2 microg salbutamol, respectively. The distribution of drug within different lung regions did not vary significantly with inhaled flow rate. The data provided proof of concept for the novel inhaler device and the innovative drug formulation. In comparison with previous deposition data obtained with other DPIs, the lung deposition was relatively high, relatively reproducible (coefficient of variation 16% at 60 l/min) and relatively insensitive to the change in peak inhaled flow rate.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Purebred-crossbred performance and genetic evaluation of postweaning growth and carcass traits in Bos indicus x Bos taurus crosses in Australia.

Growth and carcass data on 7,154 cattle from a purebred project and 1,241 cattle from a crossbred project, comprising 916 first-crosses and 325 purebred Brahman controls, were analyzed to estimate genetic parameters, including the genetic correlations between purebred and crossbred performance (rpc). The data also allowed the estimation of sire breed means for various growth and carcass traits. Crossbred calves were produced using 9 Angus, 8 Hereford, 7 Shorthorn, 14 Belmont Red, and 8 Santa Gertrudis sires bred to Brahman dams. These same sires produced 1,568 progeny in a separate purebreeding project. Cattle in both projects were managed under two finishing regimens (pasture and feedlot) to representative market live weights of 400 (domestic), 520 (Korean), and 600 kg (Japanese). The traits studied included live weight at around 400 d of age (400W), hot carcass weight (CWT), retail beef yield percentage (RBY), intramuscular fat percentage (IMF), rump fat depth (P8), and preslaughter ultrasound scanned eye muscle area (SEMA). Estimated breeding values (EBV) of sires from their BREEDPLAN genetic evaluations were used to assess their value in predicting crossbred performance. Regressions of actual crossbred calf performance on sire EBV for each of the traits differed little from their expectation of 0.5. Angus sires produced crossbred carcasses with the highest P8 and lowest RBY but highest IMF. In contrast, crossbred progeny from Belmont Red sires had the lightest 400W and CWT, lowest P8, and highest RBY. Estimates of rpc were 0.48, 0.48, 0.83, 0.95, 1.00, and 0.78 for 400W, CWT, RBY, IMF, P8, and SEMA, respectively. Commercial breeders selecting sires for crossbreeding programs with Brahman females, based on EBV computed from purebred data, might encounter some reranking of sire's performance for weight-related traits, with little expected change in carcass traits.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2001

An introductory overview of orbital tumors.

The term "orbital tumors" comprises a wide variety of lesions that often share the same cardinal clinical finding (exophthalmos) and clinical history. Age at presentation, associated ophthalmological findings, and radiological features, however, provide invaluable information as to the possible histological type of tumor. The present article serves as an introductory overview regarding the pathological characteristics, clinical features, radiological characteristics, and principles of treatment of orbital tumors.

Exophthalmos↗
PubMed2001

A randomized, controlled trial of remacemide for motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Preclinical studies suggest that glutamate antagonists help ameliorate motor fluctuations in patients with PD treated with levodopa. METHODS: In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, dose-ranging study, the authors assessed the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of the glutamate receptor blocker remacemide hydrochloride in 279 patients with motor fluctuations treated with levodopa. The primary objective was to assess the short-term tolerability and safety of four dosage levels of remacemide during 7 weeks of treatment. Patients were also monitored with home diaries and the Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS) to collect preliminary data on treatment efficacy. RESULTS: Remacemide was well tolerated up to a dosage of 300 mg/d on a twice daily schedule and 600 mg/d on a four times daily schedule. The most common dosage-related adverse events were dizziness and nausea, as observed in previous studies of remacemide. The percent "on" time and motor UPDRS scores showed trends toward improvement in the patients treated with 150 and 300 mg/d remacemide compared with placebo-treated patients, although these improvements were not significant. CONCLUSION: Remacemide is a safe and tolerable adjunct to dopaminergic therapy for patients with PD and motor fluctuations. Although this study had limited power to detect therapeutic effects, the observed improvement is consistent with studies of non-human primates with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced parkinsonian signs and symptoms. Additional studies are warranted to confirm these results over an extended period of observation, and to explore the potential neuroprotective effects of remacemide in slowing the progression of PD.

Acetamides↗
PubMed2001

Opinions and experiences in general practice on osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis and management.

We determined to survey the general practice population regarding their attitudes to and knowledge of osteoporosis as a baseline prior to publication of national guidelines for the management of osteoporosis. All 2515 general practitioners registered in the 10 Health Authorities of the North Thames region, London, UK were surveyed by a postal questionnaire. Responses relating to epidemiology, public health and education on osteoporosis were analyzed. The overall response was 1153 (46%). General practitioners who responded were younger, predominantly female and in group practice. There is considerable awareness of the importance of preventing osteoporosis. General practitioners are active in identifying groups at risk, particularly those who are aged 40 years and older. A prevention strategy for osteoporosis is viewed as effective. However, two thirds of general practitioners remain unconvinced about the efficacy of drug therapy. Education on osteoporosis is considered inadequate. General practitioners would welcome further information on management issues and access to osteoporosis services. In conclusion, educational initiatives will be important both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels to increase awareness and knowledge of osteoporosis. General practitioners are aware of the public health impact of this condition and express a preference for educational material of direct relevance to the care of their patients. Therefore better cooperation between primary and secondary care should lead to ways of breaking down barriers to change in clinical practice and promoting fully integrated care of patients with osteoporosis.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2001

Blood pressure responses to small doses of amiloride and spironolactone in normotensive subjects.

The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is a principal site for sodium reabsorption and as such may participate importantly in blood pressure (BP) regulation. Amiloride, a direct inhibitor of ENaC, characteristically has mild antihypertensive properties, consistent with ENaC having more minor influences on BP regulation. Counter-regulatory influences may, however, prevent amiloride from effectively lowering BP. Aldosterone secretion is known to increase in response to the reduced sodium reabsorption that follows amiloride inhibition of ENaC, and because aldosterone upregulates ENaC function, we considered the possibility that secondary hyperaldosteronism mitigates the ability of amiloride to reduce BP. In the present study, the BP responses to amiloride (5 mg per day), spironolactone (25 mg per day), the combination of the 2 drugs, and placebo were studied in healthy normotensive subjects. Over 4 weeks of treatment, the combination of amiloride and spironolactone lowered systolic BP by 4.6+/-1.6 (mean+/-SEM) mm Hg (P=0.022) and diastolic BP by 2.2+/-1.2 mm Hg (P=0.30), whereas either drug alone had no significant effect on BP. The findings suggest that the 2 drugs with different modes of action-amiloride, a direct inhibitor of ENaC, and spironolactone, a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist-may compliment each other's ability to inhibit ENaC and thereby reduce sodium reabsorption to a point at which BP decreases. On the other hand, we cannot rule out that the BP response resulted from the greater dose of total drug. The lowering of BP with small doses of inhibitors of ENaC serves as additional evidence for the importance of ENaC to the tonic maintenance of BP.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Neuropsychological analyses of impulsiveness in childhood hyperactivity.

BACKGROUND: Neuropsychological analyses of impulsiveness are needed to refine assessment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). AIMS: To investigate specific impairments in hyperactive children in a neuropsychological task battery of impulsiveness, the Maudsley Attention and Response Suppression (MARS) task battery, and to identify the neural substrates. METHOD: Impulsiveness was assessed using different tasks of inhibitory control and time management (MARS) in 55 children with ADHD, other diagnoses and controls. Functional magnetic resonance images were obtained from adolescents with and without ADHD during three of the tasks. RESULTS: Children with ADHD, but not psychiatric controls, were impaired on tests of response inhibition, but not of motor timing. Reduced right prefrontal activation was observed in hyperactive adolescents during higher level inhibition and delay management, but not during simple sensorimotor coordination. CONCLUSIONS: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is characterised by specific deficits in tasks of motor response inhibition, but not motor timing, and by dysfunction of frontostriatal brain regions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Recall bias, pain, depression and cost in back pain patients.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between recall bias for pain stimuli in chronic low back pain patients and the cost of managing their back pain in primary care. DESIGN: A retrospective cross-sectional investigation. METHOD: A sample of 63 low back pain patients were interviewed in a primary care setting. Information was gathered on their pain intensity, disability ratings, depression, anxiety, and duration of pain. They were also presented with a surprise recall test for pain descriptors. The cost of each patient's treatment specifically for back pain in the previous 12 months was calculated. The relationship between the cost of back pain treatment and the scores from the interview were calculated first for total cost, and then for the breakdown of individual cost items. RESULTS: Results indicated that recall bias for pain stimuli were significantly related to total cost (R2 = 8%). A detailed analysis revealed that pain intensity was related to the number of appointments with the general practitioners; depression scores related to the number of appointments with the in-house osteopaths; and recall bias for pain stimuli related to referrals to external experts (out-patients). A minority of patients high on recall bias was found to account for a disproportionate amount of the cost. CONCLUSION: Although no causal path can be deduced from the findings, the study provides a novel approach to measuring psychological factors in back pain in reference to health care utilization. It is limited by its retrospective design, and should be followed by prospective studies to understand fully the relationship between cognitive bias and utilization of health services.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Inadequate dietary copper increases tumorigenesis in the Min mouse.

Multiple intestinal neoplasia (Min) mice are a good model for the investigation of the effects of dietary alterations on genetic susceptibility for intestinal cancer. In the current study, nursing dams and their pups were placed on an AIN-93G diet containing either 1 or 6 ppm copper. The pups were maintained on the same concentration of dietary copper after weanling until they were 13-weeks-old. Animals fed copper deficient diets had a significantly (P<0.0003) higher small intestine tumor incidence and a significantly (P<0.04) higher small intestine tumor burden than animals fed adequate dietary copper. Therefore, inadequate dietary copper can increase the spontaneous tumorigenesis that occurs in the Min mouse.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Hypescheme: an operational criteria checklist and minimum data set for molecular genetic studies of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders.

Investigators engaged in mapping the genetic basis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) currently use a number of measures for the collection of clinical information. This gives rise to difficulties in comparing datasets and research communications between independent groups. This paper describes the development of Hypescheme, which is an operational criteria checklist for ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder (CD), and is proposed as a minimum dataset for those engaged in molecular genetic studies of ADHD. Hypescheme consists of a computerised data checklist system that includes all the operational criteria required for both DSM-IV and ICD-10 diagnostic criteria and a systematic record of information about comorbid psychiatric, developmental, and neurological disorders. Using this data, an algorithm applies both DSM-IV and ICD-10 criteria to generate operational diagnostics under both these systems. Hypescheme is not designed to replace current assessment protocols but to be a final common checklist that can be completed by experienced researchers using all available data.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMed2000

Factors associated with anxiety and depression in facial arthromyalgia.

Facial arthromyalgia (temporomandibular joint pain dysfunction syndrome, TMD) is a chronic pain condition of unknown origin. This paper examines the extent to which the condition is associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression. It also identifies factors which may be predictive of raised levels of these two moods and of the presence of clinical anxiety and clinical depression. Self-report measures of pain beliefs, coping strategies, pain intensity, disability and mood were administered to a sample of 80 facial arthromyalgia patients of differing chronicity. The results showed anxious mood to be associated with several factors including beliefs that pain is itself worsened by negative mood, passive coping in terms of catastrophising about pain, and speech problems. Depressed mood was associated with catastrophising and disability in the form of disturbance in taste and digestion. These factors may be considered as potential targets for therapy, rather than the orthodox objective of pain relief.

Adaptation, Psychological↗