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Biomedical subjects

C Barker

Publications and source records attributed to C Barker.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

The partner relationship in psychological response to breast cancer.

The social support literature has demonstrated that interpersonal relationships play an important role in adaptation to serious illness. However, researchers have recently emphasized the limitations of the social support construct and have urged a focus of attention away from global measures of perceived support and towards specific processes that occur in close relationships. The present study examined the role of one such process--informal helping from the partner--in women's psychological response to breast cancer. Structured interviews were conducted with 113 women who had received a diagnosis of breast cancer within the previous year. We found that satisfaction with the partner helping relationship was associated with psychological well-being. Even though most women had a good helping relationship with another person, this did not compensate for a problematic helping relationship with the partner. Good communication with the partner was characterized by high empathy and low withdrawal. The findings suggest that the partner plays an important role in breast cancer patients' adaptation, and that interventions aimed at couples may be an effective way of reducing psychological distress.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1995

Research and the health services manager in the developing world.

Recent work such as that of the Joint Health Systems Research Project has done a great deal to support and encourage health systems research. Despite that, health service managers in developing countries only rarely regard research as integral to the process of priority setting, planning and management. To some extent, this is because the organisational environment is not supportive of managerial initiatives for research-based change. Furthermore, health-related research tends to support a relatively narrow range of managerial activity. The research process itself militates against those qualitative research methods which would frequently provide the appropriate tools for the study of management problems. Six possible reasons for this are proposed. The first is the expectation of those controlling funding and research, that it should produce generalisations. Second, there is a gap between the biomedical research which tends to get funded, and the problems managers really need to solve. Third, disproportionate attention is given to the evaluation of health status over and above organisational states. Fourth, much health systems research tends to embody a simplistic assumption that the only social function of health services is to improve health. Fifth, much of the research which is done is evaluative, and evaluations are frequently required to tell us whether formal goals have been achieved; this both rules out a learning process approach, and militates against finding out what is actually happening. Sixth, the question is raised that funding agencies may play a major role in limiting the use of qualitative research methods. It is suggested that any such effect may be peculiar to the health sector. As a way ahead, conscious efforts to increase the extent to which the research environment helps managers to develop a problem-solving approach, are needed.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1995

Adverse drug reactions in a paediatric intensive care unit.

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were prospectively studied in critically ill infants and children. Seventy-six ADRs were reported in 63 patients out of a study group of 899 patients. The majority of the ADRs were mild (49), although 19 were of moderate severity and 8 were severe. Thirty-five ADRs required treatment or alteration in treatment. Midazolam, morphine, salbutamol, vecuronium, hydrocortisone and theophylline were the drugs most likely to cause an ADR. One-third of the ADRs were due to drugs used outside their product licence. The majority of the ADRs were reported by nurses (36) and pharmacists (30). We believe that it is possible to prospectively study drug toxicity in critically ill infants and children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Clients' preferences for styles of therapy.

Clients' preferences for different styles of therapy were studied by showing videos depicting five different styles (psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, humanistic, external and naïve) to psychiatric day hospital patients. After seeing each video, clients rated credibility, personal preference, and the depth and smoothness subscales of the Session Evaluation Questionnaire. Credibility and personal preference were highly correlated. Overall, clients had clear differential preferences between styles. The cognitive-behavioural style was preferred to other styles in all measures. There were only weak associations between individual difference variables and preferences.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Prolactin (PRL)-dependent expression of a zinc finger protein-encoding gene, Gfi-1, in Nb2 lymphoma cells: constitutive expression in autonomous sublines.

The proliferation of cultured rat Nb2 lymphoma cells is dependent on prolactin (PRL) acting as the principal growth factor. Previously, PRL-independent Nb2 sublines were obtained by PRL starvation of the parent line and cloning of surviving cells. Development of PRL independence was in some cases found to be associated with a reciprocal translocation involving chromosome 14 at breakpoint 14p22. In the present study, a novel, 14p22 zinc finger protein-encoding gene, Gfi-1, has been examined for a role in Nb2 cell proliferation. PRL-dependent Nb2 cells expressed the gene during active growth; in comparison, in stationary, early G1-arrested cells obtained by an 18 hr lactogen starvation, Gfi-1 gene expression was markedly decreased. Addition of PRL to such stationary cells led to induction of Gfi-1 gene expression within a few hr with a maximum in late G1. Actively growing cells from 5 different PRL-independent Nb2 sublines, cultured in chemically defined, mitogen-free medium, expressed the gene constitutively. In two sublines, carrying the 14p22 rearrangement, the gene was markedly overexpressed. The results suggest the Gfi-1 gene product has a regulatory role in Nb2 cell mitogenesis and that unscheduled activation could contribute to loss of PRL dependency.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Extended sleep in humans in 14 hour nights (LD 10:14): relationship between REM density and spontaneous awakening.

The sleep patterns of 8 normal subjects living in a winter-type photoperiod (10 h light and 14 h darkness; LD 10:14) for 4 weeks were characterized by the presence of periods of spontaneous wakefulness alternating with periods of spontaneous sleep. Transitions from sleep to wakefulness occurred much more frequently out of REM sleep than out of NREM sleep (P < 0.002). REM periods that terminated in wakefulness showed shorter REM durations (P < 0.0005) and higher REM densities (P < 0.0005) than REM periods that did not terminate in wakefulness. The authors discuss these results in terms of a possible relationship between REM density and arousal level. The higher REM density preceding wakefulness and the increased number of REM periods terminating in spontaneous awakenings could reflect an enhanced level of a brain arousing process, resulting from reduced sleep pressure in the extended nights.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Identification of the gene encoding the mitochondrial elongation factor G in mammals.

Protein synthesis in cytosolic and rough endoplasmic reticulum associated ribosomes is directed by factors, many of which have been well characterized. Although these factors have been the subject of intense study, most of the corresponding factors regulating protein synthesis in the mitochondrial ribosomes remain unknown. In this report we present the cloning and initial characterization of the gene encoding the rat mitochondrial elongation factor-G (rEF-Gmt). The rat gene encoding EF-Gmt (rMef-g) maps to rat chromosome 2 and it is expressed in all tissues with highest levels in liver, thymus and brain. Its DNA sequence predicts a 752 amino acid protein exhibiting 72% homology to the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondrial elongation factor-G (YMEF-G), 62% and 61% homology to the Thermus thermophilus and E. coli elongation factor-G (EF-G) respectively and 52% homology to the rat elongation factor-2 (EF-2). The deduced amino acid sequence of EF-G contains characteristic motifs shared by all GTP binding proteins. Therefore, similarly to other elongation factors, the enzymatic function of EF-Gmt is predicted to depend on GTP binding and hydrolysis. EF-Gmt differs from its cytoplasmic homolog, EF-2, in that it contains an aspartic acid residue at amino acid position 621 which corresponds to the EF-2 histidine residue at position 715. Since this histidine residue, following posttranslational modification into diphthamide, appears to be the sole cellular target of diphtheria toxin and Pseudomonas aeruginosa endotoxin A, we conclude that EF-Gmt will not be inactivated by these toxins. The severe effects of these toxins on protein elongation in tissues expressing EF-Gmt suggest that EF-Gmt and EF-2 exhibit nonoverlapping functions. The cloning and characterization of the mammalian mitochondrial elongation factor G will permit us to address its role in the regulation of normal mitochondrial function and in disease states attributed to mitochondrial dysfunction.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

You in Mind: a preventive mental health television series.

This study of BBC Television's 'You in Mind' series provides preliminary evidence for the benefits of a mass media approach to preventive mental health. The series was seen by a large national audience who appraised it positively. It had a greater impact in the area of understanding problems as opposed to seeing what to do about them, and a greater impact on the viewer's perceptions of the problems of people the viewers knew, as opposed to the problems of the viewers themselves. Measures of intentions to change behaviour, even when corrected for over-reporting, suggest that a significant minority of the audience had changed or intended to change their behaviour as a result of the series. However, no specific pre-post changes in coping or help-seeking were found. These findings are discussed in terms of the potential and limitations of the mass media for mental health promotion.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Detection of silent temporal gaps between narrow-band noise makers having second-formantlike properties of voiceless stop/vowel combinations.

Temporal gap detection thresholds were measured in narrow-band noise-burst markers having acoustic characteristics representative of isolated steady-state second-formant (F2) properties for/p,t,k/paired separately with/i,ae,u,o/. The results revealed that gap detection threshold increased systematically as the difference was increased between the simulated stop and vowel F2 frequencies. A strong positive correlation (r = 0.87) between gap detection threshold and linear marker center frequency difference was highly significant (p < 0.001). Differences in other stimulus features had little influence on gap detection performance. Implications for speech perception are discussed.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1993

Conservation of photoperiod-responsive mechanisms in humans.

In animals, circadian pacemakers respond to seasonal changes in day length by making corresponding adjustments in the durations of diurnal and nocturnal periods of circadian rhythms; these adjustments mediate effects of photoperiod on breeding and other seasonally recurring phenomena. Little is known about photoperiod responses of human circadian pacemakers. To investigate this question, we recorded and compared circadian rhythm profiles of 15 individuals after chronic exposures to short (8 h) and long (14 h) nights. As occurs in animals, durations of nocturnal periods of active melatonin secretion (11.9 +/- 1.6 vs. 10.3 +/- 1.3 h, df = 14, t = 4.583, P < 0.0005, paired t test), high prolactin secretion (12.9 +/- 2.1 vs. 9.9 +/- 2.2 h, df = 11, t = 2.917, P < 0.01), and sleep (10.6 +/- 0.8 vs. 7.6 +/- 0.4 h, df = 14, t = 17.122, P < 0.0005) were longer after exposure to long nights than after short ones. Durations of nocturnal periods of low rectal temperature (11.6 +/- 2.3 vs. 9.5 +/- 1.6 h, df = 12, t = 3.912, P < 0.001) and rising cortisol secretion (10.8 +/- 1.6 vs. 9.3 +/- 1.9 h, df = 14, t = 3.130, P < 0.005) were also longer. Some of these differences persisted during 24-h periods of enforced wakefulness in constant dim light, indicating that prior exposure to the two regimes induced abiding changes in the timing of internal processes, such as circadian pacemaker oscillations, that control the durations of nocturnal and diurnal periods of the rhythms.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Effect of Towne live virus vaccine on cytomegalovirus disease after renal transplant. A controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To test the efficacy of vaccination with the Towne live attenuated cytomegalovirus vaccine. DESIGN: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in candidates for renal transplantation. The cytomegalovirus serologic status of both recipients and donors were determined, and the recipients were followed for periods of 6 months to 7 years after transplant. SETTING: A university transplant center. PATIENTS: The analyses were made on 237 patients who were given either vaccine or placebo, received renal transplants, and were followed for at least 6 months. INTERVENTION: Subcutaneous inoculation with Towne live attenuated virus or with placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The presence of cytomegalovirus infection was defined by virus isolation and antibody tests. If infection occurred, a prearranged scoring system for cytomegalovirus disease was used to objectify disease severity. RESULTS: The vaccine was well tolerated, and there were no discernible long-term adverse effects. Recipients who were originally seropositive did not clearly benefit from vaccination. Protective efficacy was analyzed in the group at highest risk for cytomegalovirus disease; recipients who were seronegative at the time of vaccination and who received a kidney from a seropositive donor. Compared with placebo recipients, vaccinated patients in this group had significantly less severe cytomegalovirus disease, with a significant reduction in disease scores (P = 0.03) and 85% decrease in the most severe disease (95% CI, 35% to 96%), although infection rates were similar. Graft survival at 36 months was improved in vaccinated recipients of cadaver kidneys (8 of 16) compared with unvaccinated recipients (4 of 16) (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Previous vaccination of seronegative renal transplant recipients with live cytomegalovirus results in reduction of disease severity mimicking the action of naturally derived immunity.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Inhibition of alpha-L-fucosidase by derivatives of deoxyfuconojirimycin and deoxymannojirimycin.

Deoxyfuconojirimycin (1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino-L-fucitol) is a potent, specific and competitive inhibitor (Ki 1 x 10(-8) M) of human liver alpha-L-fucosidase (EC 3.2.1.51). Six structural analogues of this compound were synthesized and tested for their ability to inhibit alpha-L-fucosidase and other human liver glycosidases. It is concluded that the minimum structural requirement for inhibition of alpha-L-fucosidase is the correct configuration of the hydroxy groups at the piperidine ring carbon atoms 2, 3 and 4. Different substituents in either configuration at carbon atom 1 (i.e. 1 alpha- and beta-homofuconojirimycins) and at carbon atom 5 may alter the potency but do not destroy the inhibition of alpha-L-fucosidase. The pH-dependency of the inhibition by these amino sugars suggests very strongly that inhibition results from the formation of an ion-pair between the protonated inhibitor and a carboxylate group in the active site of the enzyme. Deoxymannojirimycin (1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino-D-mannitol) is also a more potent inhibitor of alpha-L-fucosidase than of alpha-D-mannosidase. This can be explained by viewing deoxymannojirimycin as beta-L-homofuconojirimycin lacking the 5-methyl group. Conversely, beta-L-homo analogues of fuconojirimycin can also be regarded as derivatives of deoxymannojirimycin. This has permitted deductions to be made about the structural requirements of inhibitors of alpha- and beta-D-mannosidases.

1-Deoxynojirimycin↗
PubMed1990

Coping and help-seeking in the UK adult population.

A large national sample of the UK adult population was surveyed to find out how respondents would cope and whom they would turn to for help if they experienced psychological problems. Overall, the most frequently endorsed coping methods were cognitive or behavioural rather than avoidance- or substance-based. Respondents tended to endorse informal rather than formal helpers, especially partners and close relatives, although the family doctor was given greater endorsement than in corresponding US studies. Individual differences in coping and help seeking were examined with respect to demographic variables and level of reported psychological symptoms. Respondents who reported higher levels of symptoms tended to endorse more coping methods, especially avoidance methods, and to show greater readiness to seek help. The implications of the findings for traditional clinical work and for mental health education and promotion are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗