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Biomedical subjects

C Torrance

Publications and source records attributed to C Torrance.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Disruption of p53 in human cancer cells alters the responses to therapeutic agents.

We have examined the effects of commonly used chemotherapeutic agents on human colon cancer cell lines in which the p53 pathway has been specifically disrupted by targeted homologous recombination. We found that p53 had profound effects on drug responses, and these effects varied dramatically depending on the drug. The p53-deficient cells were sensitized to the effects of DNA-damaging agents as a result of the failure to induce expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21. In contrast, p53 disruption rendered cells strikingly resistant to the effects of the antimetabolite 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), the mainstay of adjuvant therapy for colorectal cancer. The effects on 5-FU sensitivity were observed both in vitro and in vivo, were independent of p21, and appeared to be the result of perturbations in RNA, rather than DNA, metabolism. These results have significant implications for future efforts to maximize therapeutic efficacy in patients with defined genetic alterations.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Pressure sore survey: Part One.

Prevalence and equipment surveys were performed annually in the first of a three-part survey investigating the prevalence of pressure sores in an NHS trust, and the effect of staff knowledge and attitudes. The study was undertaken in an integrated trust with acute and community services. The surveys investigated prevalence of pressure sores and availability of equipment, and identified characteristics of the patient population for comparison with other studies. The results of the equipment survey indicated that there is enough suitable pressure-reducing apparatus to treat those patients with existing severe and superficial sores and more than enough to provide preventive assistance to patients at medium and low risk. The results over the five year period studied suggest that the introduction of pressure sore incidence monitoring is helpful in focusing attention on the pressure sore problem.

Beds↗
PubMed1999

Pressure sore survey. Part 2: Nurses' knowledge.

This is the second of a three-part article which investigates the prevalence of pressure sores and nurses' knowledge and attitudes in one NHS trust. This study was designed to explore the assumption that lack of knowledge might be a contributory factor to pressure sore formation. A cross-section of trained and untrained staff over several areas of work in the acute and community settings were represented. Overall, the differences in awareness and opinions among staff were not indicative of major deficits in knowledge that could account for failure to prevent pressure sores. It is suggested that the problem may well be one of individual or organisational motivation.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Pressure sore survey. Part 3: Locus of control.

This is the third in a three-part article which investigates the prevalence, knowledge and attitudes to pressure sores in one NHS trust. This study describes the methodology used in choosing and developing attitude scales to explore whether there are any relationships between the locus of control and pressure sore prevention. Factors to do with attitude and the value associated with pressure sore prevention have a central role. Attitudes and beliefs affect what we do and may contribute to pressure sore development.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1996

Student nurses' knowledge in relation to blood pressure measurement by sphygmomanometry and auscultation.

A 20-item questionnaire was used to explore student nurses' knowledge in several areas of blood pressure measurement by sphygmomanometry and auscultation. Questions were asked about factors that might influence blood pressure; on resting the subject before BP measurement; which arm should be used; the interval between repeat readings; the markings of the mercury column; on the details of sphygmomanometry technique and recording of the result. The questionnaire was administered to a group of Project 2000 students nearing the end of their common foundation programme. Out of 93 students, 78 consented to take part, representing 84% of the cohort. Deficits were evident in students' background knowledge-90% had not heard of either Korotkoff sounds or auscultatory gap. Major deficits were also evident in the students' knowledge of correct measurement techniques. The results suggest that more attention is required in preparing students to carry out this basic nursing activity.

Auscultation↗
PubMed1996

An observational study of student nurses' measurement of arterial blood pressure by sphygmomanometry and auscultation.

An observational study was conducted looking at blood pressure measurement, in a mock-clinical situation, by Project 2000 students nearing the end of their Common Foundation Programme. The observation schedule looked for compliance with published guidelines for blood pressure determination. The results indicate little compliance with guidelines. Only 6% of the students allowed the subject to rest for at least 5 minutes before taking the blood pressure and no students checked for extraneous variables such as recent eating or smoking which might affect blood pressure. Cuff placement was generally accurate but the arm was usually held straight and nearly one-third of the students left the arm unsupported. In 44% of the observations, the arm was above or below heart level. Only 5 students obtained an estimate of systolic pressure by palpation before using the stethoscope. A clear terminal digit zero preference was evident in the recorded readings and 16% ended in an odd number. These results suggest that preparing students to be 'knowledgeable doers' in relation to blood pressure measurement may require more detailed preparation and supervised practice in the necessary techniques.

Auscultation↗
PubMed1992

Purification of recombinant chimeric B72.3 Fab' and F(ab')2 using streptococcal protein G.

Streptococcal protein G has been used extensively for the purification of antibodies using the interaction of the Fc region with protein G. Many antibodies also interact with protein G through a low-affinity binding site for the Fab region. The exploitation of this low-affinity interaction for the purification of Fab' fragments is described here. Chimeric mouse-human B72.3 Fab' and F(ab')2 fragments were expressed by CHO cells and purified from CHO cell supernatant using protein G-Sepharose. Since chimeric B72.3 Fab' bound weakly to the protein G-Sepharose it could be separated from F(ab')2 and eluted with a pH 7 wash whereas B72.3 F(ab')2 required elution at pH 2. Both Fab' and F(ab')2 were recovered with full immunoreactivity and could be further purified using gel-filtration chromatography to greater than 99% purity. This method allows the simple purification of directly expressed Fab' or F(ab')2 fragments from CHO cell supernatant.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Morphological study of cultured preantral ovarian follicles of mice after transplantation under the kidney capsule.

Isolated ovarian follicles taken from 10-day-old mice and cultured in collagen gel for 5 days, in the presence or absence of serum, were transplanted under the kidney capsule of ovariectomized mice. Hosts showed vaginal opening within 5 days and cornified vaginal smears by 9 days. Follicles proceeded to Graafian stages and luteinization occurred. Ovulation was not observed and oocytes degenerated within the luteinized follicle. Theca formation was preceded by the appearance of blood vessels within the graft. In-vitro fertilisation of harvested oocytes resulted in embryos.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Quantitative study of the development of isolated mouse pre-antral follicles in collagen gel culture.

Follicles were isolated from the ovaries of 10-day-old C57BL6/CBA F1 hybrids by mechanical and enzymic treatment, embedded in a collagen-gel matrix to maintain the 3 dimensional integrity of the follicle and cultured for up to 14 days. Gels were removed at various times during the culture period and prepared for histology. Follicles grew from unilaminar to multilaminar stages within 6 days of the culture period. A more detailed assessment of growth by counting follicles at different stages and measuring oocyte and follicle diameters showed that follicle growth was maintained for up to 14 days in culture. Initially the proportion of unhealthy follicles was high but this declined after 6 days in culture.

Animals↗