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Biomedical subjects

A Hackett

Publications and source records attributed to A Hackett.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

A study to investigate women's experiences of radiation enteritis following radiotherapy for cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy remains the standard treatment for cervical cancer, especially for more advanced disease. It is estimated that the prevalence of chronic radiation enteritis (CRE) post-radiotherapy is in the region of 5-15%. However, preliminary studies at the study hospital suggest the problem to be more widespread (C. Israel, unpublished data). AIM: This qualitative study of 10 cervical cancer patients investigates experiences of CRE and its impact on quality of life. METHODS: Informed volunteers participated in one-to-one tape-recorded in-depth interviews exploring experiences following treatment. These interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using NUD*IST Nvivo. RESULTS: The majority of women reported side-effects from radiotherapy, predominantly diarrhoea. CRE had a significant impact upon the physical, psychological and social aspects of life of sufferers, enforcing some to be virtually housebound. Other sufferers were managing their symptoms with regular medication and/or self-imposed restricted diets. Few of these women had ever sought professional help in dealing with their problems because of embarrassment or reluctance to complain. CONCLUSIONS: If untreated the side-effects of CRE have a disabling affect on sufferers, who may be reluctant to seek help about their symptoms. Health professionals need to be more pro-active in identifying and caring for sufferers of CRE.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Changes over 20 years in macronutrient intake and body mass index in 11- to 12-year-old adolescents living in Northumberland.

Monitoring adolescent diets over time enables the assessment of the effectiveness of public health messages which are particularly important in vulnerable groups such as adolescents. In 2000, 424 children aged 11-12 years old completed two 3 d estimated dietary records. On the fourth day one nutritionist interviewed each child to clarify the information in the diary and foods were quantified with the aid of food models. Nutrient intake was calculated using computerised food tables. These children attended the same seven schools in the same Northumberland area as the 11- to 12-year-old children who recorded their diet using the same method in 1980 (n 405) and 1990 (n 379), respectively. Height and weight, and parental occupation were recorded in all three surveys for each child. Height and weight were used to calculate BMI, weight was used to estimate BMR and parental occupation was used to determine social class. Comparing the macronutrient intakes in 2000 with 1980 and 1990, energy intakes (EI) fell in boys (to 8.45 MJ) and girls (to 7.60 MJ). This fall may, at least in part, be due to an increase in low energy reporting. For 1980, 1990 and 2000 the percentage of boys with EI:BMR below 1.1 was 6, 15 and 23 %, respectively; for girls, 3, 14 and 18 %, respectively. Percentage energy from fat was unchanged between 1980 and 1990 but fell to 35 % (about 76 g/d) in 2000, alongside a 3 % increase in percentage energy from starch (30 %). Percentage energy from non-milk extrinsic sugars remained above recommendations (16 %; about 82 g/d). The number of overweight and obese children increased from 11 % to 30 % between 1980 and 2000. Positive changes have occurred in the Northumbrian adolescent diet but social inequalities, reported in previous surveys, remain.

Body Mass Index↗
PubMed2001

Missense mutations in COL8A2, the gene encoding the alpha2 chain of type VIII collagen, cause two forms of corneal endothelial dystrophy.

Corneal clarity is maintained by its endothelium, which functions abnormally in the endothelial dystrophies, leading to corneal opacification. This group of conditions includes Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy of the cornea (FECD), one of the commonest indications for corneal transplantation performed in developed countries, posterior polymorphous dystrophy (PPCD) and the congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophies (CHED). A genome-wide search of a three-generation family with early-onset FECD demonstrated significant linkage with D1S2830 (Z(max) = 3.72, theta = 0.0). Refinement of the critical region defined a 6-7 cM interval of chromosome 1p34.3-p32 within which lies the COL8A2 gene. This encodes the 703 amino acid alpha2 chain of type VIII collagen, a short-chain collagen which is a component of endothelial basement membranes and which represented a strong candidate gene. Analysis of its coding sequence defined a missense mutation (gln455lys) within the triple helical domain of the protein in this family. Mutation analysis in patients with FECD and PPCD demonstrated further missense substitutions in familial and sporadic cases of FECD as well as in a single family with PPCD. This is the first description of the molecular basis of any of the corneal endothelial dystrophies or of mutations in type VIII collagen in association with human disease. This suggests that the underlying pathogenesis of FECD and PPCD may be related to disturbance of the role of type VIII collagen in influencing the terminal differentiation of the neural crest derived corneal endothelial cell.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

An investigation of the validity and reliability of a food intake questionnaire.

AIMS: To evaluate the reliability and criterion validity of a food intake questionnaire (FIQ) designed for use in schoolchildren. METHODS: Study of reliability: 98 young people aged 13-14 years attending two schools in deprived areas of Liverpool completed the FIQ on three separate occasions over a 3-month period. VALIDITY STUDY: Ninety-six young people (aged 11-13 years) completed the FIQ and 2 weeks later completed a 3-day food diary (with interview). RESULTS: The FIQ gave consistent response on separate occasions over the 3-month reliability study period. Levels of agreement were consistent between survey combinations. Analysis of variance showed no differences in mean score for food groups between surveys. Pearson correlations for mean scores estimated by separate FIQ ranged from 0.42 for fibre food group to 0.76 for negative marker food group; the majority of the correlations were above 0.5. The data suggested the FIQ should be able to detect a change of +/-10% in eating habits. The validity study provided modest but significant Pearson correlations between energy intake, fat intake as a percentage of energy intake and sugars intake derived from 3-day diaries, and mean scores for the fatty, sugary and negative marker food group assessed by the FIQ. CONCLUSIONS: The results from both studies provide an indication of the FIQ's reliability, and suggest it has criterion validity for fatty and sugary and negative marker foods.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

NF-kappaB p65 (RelA) homodimer uses distinct mechanisms to recognize DNA targets.

BACKGROUND: The NF-kappaB family of dimeric transcription factors regulates the expression of several genes by binding to a variety of related DNA sequences. One of these dimers, p65(RelA), regulates a subclass of these targets. We have shown previously that p65 binds to the 5'-GGAA T TTTC-3' sequence asymmetrically. In that complex one subunit base specifically interacts with the preferred 5' half site and the other subunit binds non-specifically to the 3' half site. RESULTS: Here we describe the crystal structures of two new p65-DNA complexes. One complex contains a pseudosymmetric 5'-GGAA T TTCC-3' DNA sequence taken from the enhancer of the gene encoding interleukin 8 (IL-8) and the other contains the asymmetric 5'-GGAA T TCCC-3' target DNA taken from the enhancer of the gene encoding type VII collagen. As expected, the global positioning of the dimer on both DNA targets is roughly symmetric, however, the hydrogen-bonding patterns at the protein-DNA interfaces differ significantly. One of the p65 monomers in complex with the asymmetric DNA binds to an extra base pair located immediately upstream of the 5'-GGAA-3' half site. We also show that p65 binds to these targets with almost equal affinity and that different residues have variable roles in binding different kappaB targets. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these structures reveal that p65 exhibits the unique capability to specifically bind DNA targets of variable lengths from four to ten base pairs. Also, the small protein segment Arg41-Ser42-Ala43 is at least partially responsible for flexibility in DNA-binding modes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Successful vaginal delivery in a woman with amyoplasia.

We report on the pregnancy management of a 22-year-old woman with amyoplasia, the commonest type of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC). Extrapolating from childhood and adult studies, the majority of cases are likely to be ambulatory and live independent lives as adults. Many females, therefore, would be expected to achieve a pregnancy. There have been several case reports on anaesthetic management for Caesarean section delivery in women with arthrogryposis, but no medical literature exists regarding the likelihood or management of vaginal delivery. This is the first reported case of conservative management of a woman with amyoplasia. A multi-disciplinary team was involved in her care. This involved careful assessment of her suitability for vaginal delivery, possible anaesthetic complications and potential difficulties in caring for an infant at home. Induction of labour at 37 weeks gestation resulted in the successful vaginal delivery of a liveborn healthy male.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2000

Empowerment & reminiscence: possible tools in dietary health promotion in the elderly.

The COMA report "The Nutrition of Elderly People" recommended that elderly people should be targeted for health education programmes in order to maintain nutritional status in this group. Recent research indicates that interventions which aim to influence nutritional behaviour are more likely to succeed if they involve target populations at all stages of the process. This paper outlines a preliminary action research project which attempted to identify some key issues influencing eating behaviour in a group of elderly people based in the Halewood area of Knowsley, Merseyside. An innovative methodology, combining empowerment and reminiscence, was used to produce a nutritional advice leaflet which will be used as a resource within the local community.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Is a vegetarian diet adequate for children.

The number of people who avoid eating meat is growing, especially among young people. Benefits to health from a vegetarian diet have been reported in adults but it is not clear to what extent these benefits are due to diet or to other aspects of lifestyles. In children concern has been expressed concerning the adequacy of vegetarian diets especially with regard to growth. The risks/benefits seem to be related to the degree of restriction of he diet; anaemia is probably both the main and the most serious risk but this also applies to omnivores. Vegan diets are more likely to be associated with malnutrition, especially if the diets are the result of authoritarian dogma. Overall, lacto-ovo-vegetarian children consume diets closer to recommendations than omnivores and their pre-pubertal growth is at least as good. The simplest strategy when becoming vegetarian may involve reliance on vegetarian convenience foods which are not necessarily superior in nutritional composition. The vegetarian sector of the food industry could do more to produce foods closer to recommendations. Vegetarian diets can be, but are not necessarily, adequate for children, providing vigilance is maintained, particularly to ensure variety. Identical comments apply to omnivorous diets. Three threats to the diet of children are too much reliance on convenience foods, lack of variety and lack of exercise.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Nutritional intake, height and weight of 11-12-year-old Northumbrian children in 1990 compared with information obtained in 1980.

There is little age-specific information on changes in dietary intake over time in this country, yet this is valuable in assessing the effectiveness of health education programmes particularly in vulnerable groups such as adolescents. In 1990, 379 children aged 12 years completed two 3 d dietary records. They were interviewed by one dietitian on the day after completion of each diary to verify and enlarge on the information provided and, with the aid of food models, obtain a quantitative record of food intake. Nutrient intake was calculated using computerized food tables. These children attended the same seven Middle schools in Northumberland as 405 children of the same age who recorded their diet using the same method, 10 years previously. Heights and weights were also recorded in both studies in the same manner. Comparing the nutrient intakes in 1990 with 1980, energy intake fell in the boys (to 8.6 MJ) but not in the girls (8.3 MJ). The contribution of fat to energy intake was unchanged at about 40% (about 90 g/d). Likewise, intake of sugars was unchanged at about 22% of energy (about 118 g/d). Calcium intake remained the same in the girls (763 mg/d in 1990) but fell in the boys (786 mg/d in 1990). Iron, vitamin C and unavailable carbohydrate intakes increased in both sexes, and the nutrient density of the diet improved in all sex and social-class groups. However, a social trend evident in 1980 still existed in 1990 with low social groups having the poorest-quality diet. It is concluded that there is little evidence of substantial progress towards improving the diet of adolescents in this country.

Body Height↗
PubMed1987

Immunolocalization of a human basal epithelium specific keratin in benign and malignant breast disease.

This report describes the immunocytochemical localization of a human basal- or myoepithelial-specific anti-keratin antibody in benign and malignant breast disease. Reactivity patterns with this antibody have demonstrated the lack of myoepithelial or basal epithelial participation in most benign breast specimens examined including those displaying cystic disease, fibrosis, or hyperplasia. However, in specimens of sclerosing adenosis, strong reactivity with the majority of cells in most ducts suggests a major participation of the myoepithelial cell type. Analysis of 118 breast carcinoma specimens has demonstrated strong, homogeneous reactivity in 4% of the specimens, suggesting a role for the basal epithelial cell in malignancy of the human mammary gland and implications for the prognosis of such tumors. Antigenic characterization of the malignant and benign mammary specimens which are uniformly reactive with the antibody has demonstrated the presence of a 51 kd keratin polypeptide not found in the non-reactive specimens.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1986

Albumin excretion in children and adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes.

Microalbuminuria has been shown to predict end-stage renal failure in adults with insulin-dependent diabetes. We have measured albumin excretion rates (AER) in 106 normal adults, 64 normal children and 68 children with insulin-dependent diabetes. The median AER's in both groups of children were similar and both were significantly lower than in the adult population. In normal and diabetic children there was a significant positive correlation of AER with age, but not with duration of disease or HbA1 in the diabetic group. We conclude that AER is lower in children than in adults and that the levels of albumin excretion which are predictive of clinical diabetic nephropathy in adults may not be applicable to children.

Adolescent↗