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Biomedical subjects

V M White

Publications and source records attributed to V M White.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Smoking behaviours of Australian adults in 1995: trends and concerns.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of smoking among Australian men and women in 1995 and to examine trends in smoking prevalence in Australia over the past 10 years. DESIGN: A representative sample of adults participated in face-to-face interviews conducted by a large market research company. PARTICIPANTS: 2819 men and 2880 women over the age of 16. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Self-reported smoking behaviours assessed by standard questions. RESULTS: Overall, 27.1% of men and 23.2% of women were smokers of tobacco (factory-made cigarettes, pipes, cigars or roll-your-own cigarettes). This difference in smoking prevalence of men and women was significant. More men (32.1%) than women (21.7%) were past smokers and more women (53.4%) than men (39.3%) had never been regular smokers. On average, male smokers smoked about 20 factory-made cigarettes a day, while women smoked about 18. Occupation and education levels were inversely related to smoking prevalence. Comparisons with earlier data suggest that the decline in smoking prevalence seen in previous surveys has ceased. However, the number of cigarettes consumed daily decreased between 1992 and 1995. In the period between 1983 and 1989, when per capita expenditure on adult antismoking campaigns rose, smoking prevalence declined, but levelled off thereafter in a period when expenditure on campaigns fell. CONCLUSION: Failure to find a continuing decline in prevalence of smoking among the Australian population is of great concern and indicates the importance of continuing and extending antismoking programs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Hyperkalemia.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1995

Australian adult smoking prevalence in 1992.

To estimate the prevalence of smoking among Australian adults in 1992, 6046 adults aged 16 years and over (3063 men and 2983 women) were interviewed. A large market-research firm interviewed the sample, face-to-face in their homes during weekends. Overall, 28.2 per cent of men and 23.8 per cent of women were current smokers; 32.3 per cent of men and 21.9 per cent of women were past smokers. On average, male smokers consumed 22.1 factor-made cigarettes a day and female smokers consumed 19.1 cigarettes a day. The daily tar intake was 179 mg for male smokers and 131 mg for women. The most popular packet size was 25 (40 per cent of smokers) followed by the packet of 50 (17 per cent). Occupational and education status were inversely related to smoking prevalence. Men and women with less education and men in low-status occupations were more likely to use cigarettes from the large packet sizes. Comparison with earlier data suggests that smoking prevalence is still declining, with a significant recent drop in female but not male smoking prevalence. While in 1992, the prevalence of smoking among women was less than that for men, projected estimates suggest that by the year 2001 more women than men will smoke.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Changes in the investigation and management of primary operable breast cancer in Victoria.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the surgical practice and adjuvant therapies used in the treatment of primary operable breast cancer in Victoria in 1990 and compare them with results of a similar study in 1986. DESIGN: All 856 cases of primary operable breast cancer registered by the Victorian Cancer Registry between 1 April and 30 September 1990 were identified. Each patient's surgeon was sent a standard questionnaire covering diagnosis, investigations, operative procedures, adjuvant therapies and reasons for certain management choices. Data were collected on 89% of the patients from 176 participating surgeons. RESULTS: Most patients (82%) were referred to surgeons by general practitioners. Mammographic screening detected 14% of the cancers. The proportion of women receiving breast-conserving operations rose from 22% in 1986 to 42% in 1990. Surgeons operating on more than 20 breast cancers per annum were most likely to perform breast-conserving operations. The most common reasons given for non-conservative operations were the size of the tumour (37%), its central location (25%) and/or patient concern about the risk of recurrence if the breast was to be conserved (22%). Among these patients, reconstruction was done at the time of primary treatment in 13%, subsequently in 2%, and was planned by another 5%. Of all patients, 33% were referred to a radiation oncologist and 24% actually received radiotherapy (similar to 1986). Medical oncologists saw 33% of the patients and 20% of all patients received chemotherapy (similar to 1986), which was given by a medical oncologist in 83% of the cases. Use of endocrine therapy increased from 20% in 1986 to 40% in 1990. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a strong trend towards more conservative breast surgery in Victoria, with surgeons who are most active in breast cancer surgery most likely to perform breast-conserving operations. Apart from a significant increase in the use of endocrine therapy, use of adjuvant therapies was unchanged from 1986.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Tobacco and alcohol use among Australian secondary school students in 1990.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain up-to-date prevalence estimates of tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking among Australian secondary students, and to compare these estimates with those obtained from similar studies conducted in 1984 and 1987. DESIGN: Data were collected from 24,892 secondary students aged 12 to 17 years from all Australian States and the Northern Territory. A stratified two-stage sample design was used. First, a random sample of schools was selected and second, for each school a sample of 80 students was randomly selected from predetermined year levels. A total of 351 schools participated in the survey. Students completed an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire on their smoking and drinking behaviours. RESULTS: The prevalence of current smoking (defined as having smoked at least one cigarette in the week preceding the survey) was found to increase with age to reach a peak of 25% among 16-year-old boys and 29% among girls aged 15 years. From the age of 13, smoking was more prevalent among girls than boys. Among current smokers, boys were heavier smokers than were girls. Unlike smoking, drinking was slightly more prevalent among boys than girls; boys were heavier drinkers. The proportion consuming at least one alcoholic drink in the week before the survey rose with age to a peak of 51% of boys and 46% of girls aged 17 years. Comparisons with data obtained from a similar survey conducted in 1987 showed that there had been a decrease in the proportion of 12 to 15 year olds smoking. The prevalence of drinking among both 12 to 15 year olds and 16 to 17 year olds was significantly lower in 1990 than 1987. CONCLUSIONS: While the continuing downward trends in smoking and drinking among younger students is encouraging, the results show that there are still large numbers of students smoking and drinking.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Alcohol use, smoking habits and the Adult Eysenck Personality Questionnaire in adolescent Australian twins [corrected].

In 1988, questionnaires were received from 1,400 twin pairs (17% MZM, 23% MZF, 17% DZM, 19% DZF, 24% DZO) aged 11 to 18, registered with the Australian NHMRC Twin Registry. Twins reported independently on themselves and on the perceived behaviour of their parents, siblings and friends. For smoking and for drinking in the previous month, the prevalence was modelled as a logistic function of age, sex, perceived smoking or drinking behaviour of family and friends, and the Adult Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (AEPQ) scales. Strengths of association were: family behaviour, odds ratio (OR) < or = 2; Extraversion and Psychoticism, interquartile OR approximately 1.6; behaviour of friend, OR approximately 3 to 6. Twin associations were represented by odds ratios. For smoking they were 16 in MZ and 7 in DZ same-sex pairs, and 3 in DZO pairs. Although the former is consistent with genetic factors determining adolescent smoking behaviour, the reduced association in DZO pairs and strong association with smoking by friends argue to the contrary. For drinking, twin odds ratios were 11 in MZM, MZF and DZF pairs, and 4 in DZM and DZO pairs, consistent with genetic factors determining alcohol use in male but not female, adolescents. Twin odds ratios were not influenced by adjustment for the AEPQ scales; this does not support the hypothesis that genetic factors which determine personality also determine smoking or drinking behaviour during adolescence [corrected].

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Barriers to cervical screening in older women.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the reasons why some older women do not have regular Papanicolaou smear tests. SETTING: The Ballarat region of Victoria. DESIGN AND METHOD: Cross-sectional survey administered by telephone interview. SAMPLE: Three hundred and forty-seven women aged 40 to 70. RESULTS: 1. 41% of women had not had a Papanicolaou smear test within the preceding 2 years. 2. Women who agreed with the statement that healthy women do not need to have Papanicolaou tests were six times more likely to be overdue for a Papanicolaou test than women who did not agree. 3. Being over 60 significantly increased the likelihood that a woman would be overdue for a Papanicolaou test, compared with younger women. 4. Women who thought that the test is only needed at intervals of 3 years or more were over six times more likely to be overdue than women who believed the interval to be 2 years or less. 5. Women who perceived themselves as being too embarrassed were nearly seven times more likely to be overdue than women who claimed no embarrassment. 6. Women who saw themselves as being too busy to have the test were three times more likely to be overdue than women who did not see themselves this way. 7. Women with a spouse were less likely to be overdue than other women. 8. Women who knew to start having Papanicolaou tests when they were sexually active were less likely to be overdue than women who did not know this. CONCLUSION: Many of these barriers can be overcome by the clinician in routine practice.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Australian patterns of tobacco smoking in 1989.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the national prevalence of smoking. DESIGN: A total of 4820 adults aged 16 years and over (2364 men, 2456 women) were surveyed throughout Australia in 1989 by a large market research company. SETTING: Interviews were conducted in the participants' homes. RESULTS: Overall, 30.2% of men and 27.0% of women were current smokers; 29.8% of men and 19.3% of women were past smokers. The mean daily consumption of factory-made cigarettes among male smokers was 22 and among female smokers 18.9. Taking into account the published tar content of the brand smoked, it was estimated that the average daily exposure to tobacco tar for men was 204 mg and for women 157 mg. Occupational and educational status were inversely related to the prevalence of smoking. The most popular packet size was 25 (preferred by 48% of smokers) and those in lower occupational and educational categories were more likely to purchase cigarettes in large packet sizes. CONCLUSIONS: Comparison with an earlier series of studies commenced in 1974 showed that the national prevalence of smoking among adults has continued to fall, particularly among men.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Tobacco and alcohol use among Australian secondary schoolchildren in 1987.

A survey of 19 166 secondary schoolchildren aged 12-17 years in five Australian states, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory was undertaken in 1987 to determine the prevalence of tobacco and alcohol use. Current smoking (that is, smoking at least one cigarette in the last week) rose with age to 27% in boys who were aged 16 years and to 30% in girls who were aged 16 years. The prevalence of current drinking (that is, consuming one alcoholic drink in the last week) rose with age to 55% in boys who were aged 16 years and to 50% in girls who were aged 17 years. Compared with an identical survey in 1984, the prevalence of smoking among 12- to 17-year-old schoolchildren had fallen significantly. The prevalence of drinking alcohol among 12- to 15-year-old schoolchildren also had fallen significantly, but not to the same extent as that of smoking; no significant reduction was found in the drinking of alcohol among 16- to 17-year-old schoolchildren. These trends are encouraging, but a need remains for all states to enact tobacco-control legislation, including the prohibition of tobacco advertising.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Measures of tobacco smoking in Australia 1974-1986 by means of a standard method.

Trends in smoking among Australian adults as based upon surveys with a standard method in 1974, 1976, 1980, 1983 and 1986 are presented. The percentage of male cigarette smokers fell from 42.2% in 1974 to 31.9% in 1986 and the percentage of female smokers was 29.5% in 1974 and 28.8% in 1986. Over the period of observation, the percentage of past smokers of both sexes climbed steadily and, in 1986, reached 28.1% of men and 16.8% of women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Distribution and metabolism of vincristine in mice, rats, dogs, and monkeys.

An extraction procedure that allows measurement of [3H]vincristine and its metabolites in biologic fluids and tissues has been developed and used to determine the distribution and metabolism of vincristine in mice, rats, dogs, and monkeys. Very little tritium exchange occurred during the experiments. In mice and rats injected ip with [3H]vincristine, the peak serum levels of drug were reached at 15 minutes. For both mice and rats, the concentration of vincristine metabolites rose in the serum for 30 minutes, then remained high through 3 hours. For dogs and monkeys given an iv dose of [3H]vincristine, the initial serum levels fell rapidly, with half-lives for the first phase of 6 and 10 minutes respectively. The half-life for both of the second phases was 190 minutes. For both species, the serum level of metabolites fell for 2 hours, then remained relatively constant. These results were not appreciably altered when the animals were injected simultaneously with prednisone. Compared to serum levels in mice, rats, dogs, and monkeys, there was a marked accumulation of [3H]vincristine in all tissues examined, except the brain. The pancreas, spleen, kidneys, lungs, and liver of dogs and monkeys contained the largest amounts. The tissue distribution was not greatly different in dogs and monkeys injected simultaneously with prednisone. Urinary excretion of intact vincristine and its metabolites was observed for all four species. Both vincristine and its metabolites appeared in the bile of dogs and monkeys.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Distribution and metabolism of prednisone in mice, dogs, and monkeys.

A chromatographic procedure that allows measurement of [3H]prednisone and [3H]prednisolone in biologic fluids and tissues was developed and used to determine some of the biochemical properties of prednisone and its distribution and metabolism in mice, dogs, and monkeys. When prednisone was added to mouse serum in vitro at a concentration of 50 microgram/ml, approximately half of the drug became bound to serum proteins. Homogenates of mouse liver metabolized prednisone to prednisolone. Following ip or oral doses of prednisone to mice, serum levels of prednisone, prednisolone, and other metabolites were maximum at 15 minutes. 20-Dihydroprednisolone was identified as a metabolite in several biologic samples. For dogs and monkeys given in iv dose of prednisone, disappearance from the serum was biphasic with apparent half-lives of 15 and 82 minutes and 33 and 78 minutes respectively. The serum levels of prednisone and prednisolone in mice, dogs, and monkeys were not increased beyond expected levels by simultaneous administration of iv doses of vincristine. The prednisone content of the kidneys, liver, intestine, and bile of a monkey killed 30 minutes after an iv dose was higher than that in serum. Oral doses of prednisone were absorbed erratically by dogs and monkeys. Only small amounts of prednisone and prednisolone were excreted in the urine of dogs and monkeys given an iv or oral dose.

Animals↗