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Biomedical subjects

S O'Connor

Publications and source records attributed to S O'Connor.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Unemployment rate as predictor of rate of psychiatric admission.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relation between rates of psychiatric admissions and both the rate of unemployment and the underprivileged area score within small areas. DESIGN: Calculation of correlation coefficients and explanatory power by using data on psychiatric admissions from April 1990 to March 1992. Crude and age standardised rates were used based on all admissions and also on the number of people admitted regardless of the number of times each person was admitted. SETTING: Sectors with an average population of 45,000 consisting of aggregations of neighbouring wards in Bristol and District Health Authority and electoral wards with an average population of 9400 in the city of Bristol. RESULTS: Unemployment rates explained 93% of the variation in the crude person based admission rates standardised for age for those aged under 65 in the sectors. Person based rates correlated more strongly with unemployment than did rates based on all separate admissions. Inclusion of people aged 65 and over weakened the relation. Within electoral wards unemployment rates explained only about 50-60% of the variation but were still more powerful than the underprivileged area score. There was a significant negative correlation between average length of stay and readmission rates--that is, sectors with short lengths of stay were more likely to have patients readmitted (r = -0.64, 95% confidence interval -0.25 to -0.85). CONCLUSIONS: Unemployment rates are an extremely powerful indicator of the rates of serious mental illness that will need treatment in hospital in those aged under 65. This should be considered in the process of resource allocation, particularly to fundholders in general practice, or people with serious mental illness living in areas of high unemployment could be considerably disadvantaged.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Rapid diagnosis of malignancy using flow cytometry.

The rapid and accurate diagnosis of childhood malignancy is important both in the planning of appropriate treatment and in relieving the inevitable family anxiety. The use of flow cytometry to analyse monoclonal antibody coated single cell suspensions is widely accepted as having increased the speed and accuracy of diagnosis in leukaemias, though its use in solid tumour diagnosis is not widely reported. Ten cases of childhood malignancy in whom the diagnosis was initially made by flow cytometry and subsequently confirmed histologically are described. The technique has a number of advantages. Only a small sample is required as the analysis is carried out on a single cell suspension, the method is rapid, a diagnosis being reached within three hours of receipt of the sample, and information is obtained on cell lineage and stage of differentiation. Diagnostic accuracy is good when compared with histological results.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Reduced P300 amplitude in relation to family history of alcoholism and antisocial personality disorder among young men at risk for alcoholism.

Both a family history of alcoholism (FH+) and a personal history of Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASP) increase the risk for developing alcoholism, particularly among males. Previous studies suggest that a reduced P300 event-related potential (ERP) amplitude is a marker of the presence of a family history of alcoholism. The present study examined the effects of both a FH+ and a personal history of ASP in relation to the P300 amplitude in a sample of 79 nonalcoholic young men. Reduced P300 ERP amplitudes elicited by a visual oddball task were found at the frontal electrode sites for both the FH+ and ASP groups, but not their interaction. There were no group differences in P300 latencies. P300 amplitude at Pz was associated with behavioral measures of figural memory, while P300 at F8 was associated with behavioral measures of cognitive flexibility.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Let the team decide? Evaluation of self-rostering on an acute general medical ward.

1. Self-rostering enables staff to develop their managerial skills. 2. Self-rostering combined with a system of team nursing could allow the team to function at a high level of self-reliance and autonomy. 3. This project indicated that these outcomes could be achieved, but as with any implementation of change, the time required for staff preparation should never be underestimated.

Humans↗
PubMed1992

Unusual presentation of common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen-positive extramedullary disease in childhood. Two patients with isolated masseter muscle involvement.

Two children with unusual extramedullary common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA)-positive (CD10) disease are reported. Isolated masseter infiltration with CD10/CD19-positive lymphoblasts was present in both patients with no other evidence of disease. One child had relapse of common acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and the other had primary disease. Disease may have spread from lymph nodes overlying the masseter muscle. Immunophenotyping and immunogenotyping provided a rapid and accurate diagnosis for both children.

Child↗
PubMed1992

Complex chromosomal rearrangements in an unusual variant of hairy cell leukemia.

An unusual case of variant HCL with multiple ribosomal lamellar complexes and complex chromosomal changes is described. The karyotype of the main cell clone is characterized by involvement of chromosome 5 at q13.3 and interstitial deletion of 7q. However, there is no other evidence of myelodysplasia and the abnormal cells are of lymphoid origin with a B-cell immunophenotype. The clonal chromosomal evolution involves rearrangements at sites known to be specifically altered in lymphoid tumors.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Variation in evoked potential measures over the menstrual cycle: a pilot study.

The P3 component of a visual event related potential (ERP) was studied for five consecutive weeks in six women with normal menstrual cycles. Serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2) and progesterone were studied during the same period. Increases in P3 amplitude, although nonsignificant, were noted in the week preceding onset of menses. No significant changes in reaction times to target/nontarget stimuli were noted over the same time period.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

A comparison of Abrams and Raja pleural biopsy needles.

The diagnostic yield of the recently developed Raja pleural biopsy needle was compared to that of the Abrams needle. Paired biopsies were obtained in 12 cases. In two cases the Raja yielded a diagnosis of malignancy when the Abrams was negative, and in two other cases (one TB and one leukaemia) the Raja provided more specific diagnostic material. There were no cases where the Abrams provided information not present in a Raja biopsy. In our hands, the Raja pleural biopsy needle gave a diagnostic yield superior to the Abrams needle.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1991

Radioligand binding to adenosine receptors and adenosine uptake sites in different brain regions of normal and narcoleptic dogs.

The present study compares the characteristics of radioligand binding to adenosine receptors and adenosine uptake sites in 100- and 50-day-old normal and narcoleptic dogs. Binding to A1 receptors was quantified using a selective A1 agonist ([3H]N6-[(R)-1-methyl-2-phenylethyl] adenosine, [3H]R-PIA) and an antagonist ([3H]dipropyl-8-cyclopentyl-xanthine, [3H]CPX). Differences in the binding of [3H]R-PIA and that of [3H]5'-ethylcarboxamide adenosine ([3H]NECA), which binds to both A1 and A2 receptors with similar affinities, were used to quantify A2 receptors. Nucleoside transport sites were labeled with [3H]nitrobenzylthioinosine ([3H]NBTI), a potent inhibitor of nucleoside transport systems. The present study offered no evidence that either adenosine A1 receptors and adenosine uptake sites in the frontal cortex or adenosine A2 receptors in the putamen were altered in narcoleptic dogs. However, we found that adenosine A1 receptors in the dog exist in different affinity states and that the affinity state in which the receptor is found depends on the brain region examined. A characterization of these low- and high-affinity sites was performed and results indicated that these sites cannot be explained by a single interaction of the A1 receptor with a single G-protein population.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1991

Autoantibodies and rheumatic disorders in a neurology inpatient population: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence and spectrum of underlying rheumatic diseases, especially Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and the antiphospholipid syndrome, and the prevalence of the lupus anticoagulant, antinuclear antibody (ANA), and rheumatoid factor (RF) within a neurologic patient population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study design entailed a prospective, consecutive sample of patients admitted to a university-affiliated neurology service for 72 hours or more. Study patients were obtained from a sequential evaluation of 100 inpatients with a wide spectrum of neurologic diseases. Another 31 eligible patients were not included due to refusal (n = 4), inability to give consent (n = 12), or an incomplete database (n = 15). All patients underwent a physical examination and responded to a rheumatic disease questionnaire (administered by one rheumatologist) assessing signs and symptoms relevant to rheumatic disease. All had lupus anticoagulant, ANA, and RF determinations. An independent patient evaluation was done by the attending neurologist. RESULTS: Eleven patients had a rheumatic or autoimmune disorder directly related to their neurologic admission: three patients with SS (one each with embolic stroke, dementia, and hemiparetic somatization); three patients with lupus anticoagulant syndrome (all with stroke, recurrent in two); one patient with systemic lupus erythematosus accompanied by migraine headache and the lupus anticoagulant; and one patient each with isolated central nervous system (CNS) angiitis, neuro-Behçet's disease, CNS Whipple's disease, and HLA-B27-associated spondyloarthropathy. Nineteen patients had one or more autoantibodies: ANA greater than or equal to 1:80 (n = 10); RF greater than or equal to 1:80 (n = 6); and positive lupus anticoagulant (n = 7). The seroreactivity of 10 of these patients remained unexplained. CONCLUSIONS: This neurologic population demonstrated significant seroreactivity and rheumatic disease associations, with SS and lupus anticoagulant-related neurologic disease the most common. Since SS and the antiphospholipid syndrome can be overlooked, it is recommended that a formal evaluation for SS and a direct lupus anticoagulant assay should be considered in the examination of patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Healing potential of experimental meniscal tears in the rabbit. Preliminary results.

This study assessed the healing potential of longitudinal or transverse incisions in the peripheral, central, and inner rim regions of rabbit medial menisci. Longitudinal and transverse incisions were made in 48 male New Zealand white rabbits. The incisions were either repaired with sutures or left open. The effect of joint motion on repair was also evaluated. In one group, longitudinal incisions were made in the peripheral, central, and inner rim regions of the meniscus. Some of these incisions were sutured, whereas others were not repaired. In another group, transverse incisions were made in the meniscus, extending from the inner rim to the middle of the meniscus or to the peripheral attachment (radial tear). Again, the lesions were left open or repaired. The effect of joint motion on healing was assessed by immobilizing several knees from each group with Kirschner wires temporarily for ten weeks. Suture of the meniscus incision did not substantially affect the rate of healing. When the healing rates of menisci at the periphery, body, and rim were compared, incisions at the periphery healed significantly better than incisions at the meniscal body and central rim regions. K-wire immobilization did not substantially affect the rate of healing. The difference in healing with regard to the type of incision, either longitudinal or transverse, was not statistically significant.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Inhaled micronised gentamicin powder: a new delivery system.

Forty patients undergoing routine bronchoscopy were randomised to receive inhaled micronised gentamicin powder (180 mg) or nebulised gentamicin solution (160 mg) one hour before the procedure. Similar levels of gentamicin were detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in the two groups (micronised powder (n = 20) 9.3 (SD 9.3) mg/l, nebulised solution (n = 20) 8.0 (7.8) mg/l). The micronised gentamicin powder preparation caused cough in half the patients but this did not stop their receiving a full dose. Dry powder gentamicin may be a convenient formulation for long term inhaled treatment if the problem of cough can be overcome.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1990

The application of electrophysiology to research in alcoholism.

Recent findings from the application of electrophysiologic measurement techniques to research in alcoholism are reviewed. Computerized electroencephalography has detected subtle but significant differences in the information processing abilities of alcohol research subjects compared to control subjects. The differences may reflect the effects of a paternal history of alcoholism; the effects of acute, progressive, and chronic alcohol use; or the effects of abstinence following dependence on ethanol. Because they are revealed in several paradigms and across stimulus modalities, the electrophysiologic findings are robust. The results are clearest in response to visual stimuli and in tasks requiring active attention and evaluation of stimulus properties. Methodological and technical problems associated with the research are also reviewed.

Alcohol Drinking↗