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D B Douglas

Publications and source records attributed to D B Douglas.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Prevention of mammary tumors with a chimeric HER-2 B-cell epitope peptide vaccine.

Synthetic peptide vaccines targeting B-cell epitopes of the extracellular domain of the HER-2 oncoprotein were evaluated for their capacity to elicit HER-2-specific antibodies with antiproliferative activity. Several HER-2 B-cell epitopes were identified by computer-aided analysis of protein antigenicity, and selected B-cell epitopes were synthesized colinearly with a promiscuous T-helper epitope (208-302) derived from the measles virus fusion protein at either the NH2 or COOH terminus linked via a four-residue turn sequence (GPSL). In addition, one epitope sequence, 628-647, was mutated to optimize disulfide pairing to mimic the native HER-2 receptor. All of the four selected epitopes elicited high-titered antibodies in outbred rabbits with exceptionally high titers for MVF-HER-2(628-647). These antibodies were cross-reactive with the native HER-2 receptor. Antibodies elicited by MVF HER-2(628-647) inhibited proliferation of human HER-2-overexpressing breast cancer cells in vitro and caused their antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Furthermore, immunization with MVF-HER-2(628-647) prevented the spontaneous development of HER-2/neu-overexpressing mammary tumors in 83% of transgenic mice. The engineered, chimeric peptide B-cell immunogen MVF-HER-2(628-647) may have applications in the prevention of HER-2-overexpressing cancers.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1986

Alcoholism as an addiction: the disease concept reconsidered.

The concept of alcoholism as a disease is compared to the concept of addiction in regard to individual intentionality, the resultant social and legal accountability and especially the total phenomenology of the addictive process. It is held that alcoholism is essentially an addiction like any other that if active, can culminate in various diseases and in death but that its most significant and characteristic volitional disorder: starting to drink when sober, is not explained by the disease concept. The concept of alcoholism as a disease is basically due to a reversal of the perception of cause and effect and has thereby impoverished full understanding and treatment of the entire process of addictive emotionality, addictive relationships and the addictive way of life. The disease concept can contribute best by inclusion to describe the results of active alcoholism but not as an explanation. This means we must turn to the concept of addiction to provide more accurate guidance in the development of adequate domestic and societal responses to alcoholism and especially for more adequate management methods for the physician confronted with the many overt and hidden forms of alcoholism in daily practice.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1985

Pulmonary function of London firemen.

In a longitudinal study of a sample of firemen in London 1006 firemen were interviewed and examined in 1976 and 895 were seen a second time 12 months later. On each occasion a Medical Research Council respiratory questionnaire was administered and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were measured. The average levels of FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC in both years compared favourably with conventional predicted values. Separate multiple regression analysis for the two years indicated that the FEV1 and FVC fell more rapidly in those aged over 40, and that cigarette smoking had a strong harmful effect on these measures of function. Only among men with over 20 years' service was there possibly any evidence (not statistically significant) of an effect from duration of employment. The comparatively large fall in FEV1 and FVC from 1976 to 1977 was due mainly to instrumental variation. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was higher in smokers than non-smokers and increased with the number of cigarettes smoked.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Implications of health and safety legislation.

The UK Health and Safety at Work Act is described; the duties of the employer, including manufacturers, importers and suppliers, and of the employee for health and safety are laid down. This Act provides the necessary legislative framework for the control of carcinogenic, mutagenic and other health hazards at work. Proposed regulations dealing specifically with carcinogenic substances and with the notification of toxic properties will add strength to these general provisions. The implementation of the new regulations will be the responsibility of the Health and Safety Commission, advised by an expert subcommittee. Ad hoc decisions about handling known and suspected carcinogens are made in consultation with employers and employees. For practical purposes, there must be working limits for carcinogens; zero levels and 'lowest levels of detection' are impracticable. The difficulties of defining the criteria by which substances are judged to be carcinogenic to humans are outlined. Science plays only one part in decision-making, and final decisions depend also on social and economic needs.

Carcinogens, Environmental↗
PubMed1975

On research in Zen.

Zen is one of several mental or spiritual disciplines that have become the object of recent scientific interest and theory. The authors discuss several aspects of Zen, such as the psychophysiological effects of meditation and the general impact of enlightenment, that are potential areas of fruitful research. They stress, however, that researchers can gain true understanding of the different perception and experience of reality to which Zen gives access only by practicing Zen meditation themselves. Without such understanding, the planning and interpretation of research will inevitably be in error and a resource of the greatest potential value misused.

Buddhism↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hypnosis: useful, neglected, available.

Hypnosis is presented as a valuable and frequently neglected resource for many patients with chronic and terminal illness. Particular attention is given herein to the use of hypnosis in attaining relaxation, overcoming insomnia, helping the patient achieve pain relief, and, most particularly, teaching the patient to work with relatives and other persons close to them, as caregivers in a special relationship that can be a very important source of relief to the patient. A brief overview of indications, contraindications, errors, and safeguards is given. Sources of education and training are briefly reviewed and a bibliography is included to identify the nature of professional societies, three in the United States and one international, together with some standard publications. The purpose of this article is to affirm the value of hypnosis as a complementary or alternative therapy for hospice patients, to summarize its clinical applications, and to list the most standard and best known professional societies and publications.

Breast Neoplasms↗