PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Howell

Publications and source records attributed to F Howell.

52 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Use of monoclonal antibodies to analyze peripheral blood and salivary gland lymphocyte subsets in Sjögren's syndrome.

Using monoclonal antibodies to cell surface antigens, we studied lymphocyte subsets in 15 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome. The absolute number of OKT8-positive cells (reactive with T suppressor/cytotoxic cells) was significantly decreased in such patients (353 +/- 186/mm3) compared to age-matched controls (631 +/- 150/mm3) (P less than 0.001). The number of OKT4-positive cells (reactive with T helper/inducer cells) was comparable in both groups (932 +/- 588/mm3 versus 1.073 +/- 290/mm3). The ratio of OKT4/OKT8-reactive peripheral blood lymphocytes was increased (greater than 2.4) in 67% of these patients and ranged from 1.0 to 6.4 (normal = 1.8 +/- 0.3). OKT4-positive cells were the predominant subset in lip biopsy specimens stained with immunofluorescence or immunoperoxidase techniques; the OKT4/OKT8 ratio exceeded 3.0 in all 5 patients examined. In 1 patient with pseudolymphoma, a lymph node biopsy specimen contained 80% T cells with an OKT4/OKT8 ratio of 3.2. Thus, OKT4-positive cells predominated in the peripheral blood lymphocytes as well as in sites of inflammation in primary Sjögren's syndrome. The decreased number of OKT8-positive cells in primary Sjögren's syndrome was probably not caused by circulating autoantibody, since patients' sera did not react with normal OKT8-positive cells. Functional studies using pokeweed mitogen demonstrated that T helper cell activity for immunoglobulin synthesis was contained in the OKT4-positive subset in both normal and patients' peripheral blood lymphocytes. Removal of OKT8-positive cells by complement-mediated lysis did not lead to increased immunoglobulin synthesis or production of rheumatoid factor. The identification of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets by use of monoclonal antibodies and the relationship of these subsets to tissue infiltrates and autoantibody production provide further insight into the pathogenesis of primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1969

THE ACTION SPECTRUM FOR BREAKING DIAPAUSE IN THE CODLING MOTH, Laspeyresia pomonella (L.), AND THE OAK SILKWORM, Antheraea pernyi GUER.

The action spectrum for breaking diapause in the oak silkworm, Antheraea pernyi Guer., and the codling moth, Laspeyresia pomonella (L.), was determined from 400 to 700 nm with a wedge-interference spectrograph. Insects were exposed to ten hours of white light, followed by six hours of spectral light each day for 45 days. The portion of the spectrum between 400 and 500 nm was found to be the most effective in terminating diapause. Diapause was broken for both insects with energy levels as low as 0.02 muw/cm(2).

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

How to improve the uptake of influenza vaccination in older persons at risk.

A study was carried out to ascertain if those older persons at risk from influenza in Ireland would respond to a personalized invitation to attend for vaccination. Of the 193 patients invited to attend for vaccination, 126 (65.3 per cent) presented for vaccination. This rose to 142 (73.6 per cent) after a reminder letter was went out. In the year previous to the study only 80 (41.5 per cent) of the same cohort of patients were vaccinated. This study has demonstrated how a simple invitation for influenza vaccination can dramatically improve the uptake rates.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Outpatient experiences in acute hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction surveys are useful in gaining an understanding of users' needs and their perceptions of the service received. AIM; To assess the views of outpatient department (OPD) attendees on the quality of service received. METHODS: OPD attendees were randomly selected from four acute hospitals in one health board region and sent a confidential postal questionnaire to assess their views on their visit. RESULTS: Of 3,037 attendees surveyed, there was a response rate of 75.7%. Levels of satisfaction were high at 94%. Doctors and nurses were perceived as friendly by 61% and 72%, professional by 44% and 30%, rushed by 8% and 7%, and rude by 1% and 1% of patients, respectively. Using logistic regression, age (being older), sex (being male), pain level (no pain), decisions about care (wanting more involvement) and being satisfied with their waiting time from arrival to being seen were significantly associated with a greater likelihood of being satisfied overall. CONCLUSION; Whilst there was a high level of satisfaction with the quality of care received, areas for improvement were highlighted from the patient's perspective.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Factors associated with self-reported depression and self-esteem among school-going adolescents from a geographically defined region in Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Recent reviews indicate that mental health problems in the young are increasing. AIMS: To measure the prevalence of, and risk factors associated with, depression and low self-esteem among Irish post-primary students. METHOD: 1,428 students, randomly selected from a sample of post-primary schools, were given an anonymised questionnaire. Analyses included bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Questionnaires were completed by 992 (69.9%) respondents. 206 (20.8%) had a high depression score. Being from a single parent family (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.5-5.4, p<0.001); having low self esteem (OR 13.44 95% CI 8.9-20.3, p<0.001); being female (OR, 3.7, 95% CI 2.5-5.6 p<0.001) and having a low fitness level (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.8 p<0.006) were independently associated with a high depression score. CONCLUSIONS: The level of self-reported depression was high among these respondents and risk factors identified include having low self-esteem, being female, being from a single parent family and having a low fitness level.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

PCDD, PCDF, and PCB in farm-raised catfish from southeast United States--concentrations, sources, and CYP1A induction.

Nine catfish fillets, three catfish nuggets, two feed samples, and one pond sediment were analyzed for PCDD, PCDF, and PCB. Farm-raised catfish from Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas contained significant levels of 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDD and PCDF. In addition, a large number of non-2,3,7,8-substituted congeners were present in all samples. The catfish fillets and catfish nuggets also contained high concentrations of dioxin-like PCB, as well as a number of non-dioxin-like PCB. The TEQ based on PCDD and PCDF ranged from 9.5 to 43.0 pg/g lipid and the TEQ based on PCB ranged from 0.45 to 4.9 pg/g lipid for all catfish samples. The dioxin-like PCB contributed 4-16% to the total TEQ (PCDD/PCDF/PCB) for the catfish samples. The major source for the PCDD, PCDF, and PCB appears to be from feed and not from pond sediment. Immunoreactive CYP1A protein was elevated 2.5 fold in the pond-raised catfish compared to the aquarium-raised one. The results of this study suggest that the PCDD/PCDF are more important than the PCB in the CYP1A induction.

Agriculture↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Home births and antenatal care: the G.P. perspective.

138 General Practitioners (G.P.s) in an Irish regional health authority were sent a postal questionnaire on antenatal services and home births. Replies were received from 100 G.P.s. (72% response rate). Most wanted more involvement in an antenatal care (92%) and were willing to facilitate shorter hospital stays for delivery only (91%). However, only a minority were in favour of midwife deliveries (32%), combined midwife/G.P. deliveries (15%) or complete midwife antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care (15%).

Family Practice↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The acceptability of pneumococcal vaccine to older persons in Ireland.

A study was carried out to demonstrate in an Irish population whether older persons at risk from pneumococcal disease would accept an offer of the pneumococcal vaccine at the same time as their influenza vaccination. Of the 450 patients from 2 practices invited to attend for vaccination, 367 (81.6%) accepted both vaccines, a further 17 (3.8%) accepted the influenza vaccine only and a further 3 (0.7%) accepted the pneumococcal vaccine only. Three hundred and seven (68.2%) patients had received influenza vaccine at some time in previous years and these were statistically more likely to accept either vaccine than those who had not. This study has demonstrated that older persons at risk from pneumococcal disease will respond positively to a written invitation from their GP to avail of the pneumococcal vaccine.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Uptake of influenza vaccine by healthcare workers in an acute hospital in Ireland.

Healthcare workers are recommended to receive influenza vaccination. The aims of this study were to assess the uptake of the influenza vaccine by healthcare workers in an acute hospital setting and ascertain factors as to why health care workers availed of the vaccine or not. The vaccine was available free of charge and the times when and the locations where the vaccine was available were well advertised. A questionnaire was distributed to a presenting sample of 300 healthcare workers at the end of December 2001 when the campaign was completed. A total of 228 (76.0%) responded. Almost two-thirds, 146(64.0%), had seen the notices about the availability of the vaccine and 175(76.8%) were aware that the vaccine was available free of charge. Forty (17.5%) received the vaccine. Professionals allied to medicine were more likely to have been vaccinated than other healthcare workers, whilst nurses were less likely to be vaccinated. The most common factors associated with not getting vaccinated were that the healthcare workers did not consider themselves at high risk and a fear of side effects of the vaccine. Nurses were more likely than other staff to cite side effects of the vaccine as a reason for not getting vaccinated (p < 0.03). A third of those who did not get the vaccine stated that they would consider getting the vaccine the following year compared to 26(65.0%) of those who got it in the current year. The main reason for getting the vaccine was to avoid influenza infection. If high uptake rates of influenza vaccine are to be achieved in healthcare workers creative and enduring methods will have to be employed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Infant feeding: factors affecting initiation, exclusivity and duration.

The study objective was to determine the initiation rate, duration and exclusiveness of breastfeeding, in women resident in the North Eastern Health Board (NEHB) region. An additional aim was to identify determinants that influence the initiation and duration of all types of breastfeeding. All eligible mothers completed a self-administered questionnaire. For breastfeeding mothers there was additional follow-up, by telephone, at six and fourteen weeks postnatal. In total, 127 (51.4%) mothers initiated breastfeeding. This gradually declined to 52 (21.1%) at 14 weeks postnatal. Mothers' attributes significantly associated with initiating breastfeeding included: having previously breastfed, completed third level education, decision to breastfeed made early in pregnancy, being a non-smoker, having a mother who also breastfed, belonging to higher social class and age 24 years or older. However, after controlling for all of these variables in a regression model, only the following factors remained significant: having previously breastfed, completed third level education and the decision to breastfeed made early in pregnancy. Therefore, as decisions on infant feeding method are made prior to or early in pregnancy, efforts to increase breastfeeding rates will have to occur at societal level. Health sector initiatives can only have limited effect. In addition, creative methods must be developed and employed to encourage women from lower socio-economic groups to breastfeed.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The use of hand held mobile phones by drivers.

The use of mobile phones by drivers has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of motor vehicle crashes. The aim of this study was to identify the use of hand held mobiles phones by drivers in Ireland. Their use was investigated by a direct observation survey of drivers. The study showed that 3.6% of drivers were using hand held mobile phones while driving. This rate is high compared to other studies. Van drivers were three times more likely than other drivers to use a mobile phone whilst driving. Legislation needs to be introduced to ban their use and thereby reduce the risk of crashes.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Tobacco advertising and coverage of smoking and health in women's magazines.

This study examines the extent of tobacco advertising and the coverage of smoking and health in all Irish produced women's magazines for 1989-93. There were 805 pieces in 402 magazines of which 684 (85%) were tobacco advertisements, 48 (5.7%) were new briefs; 27 (3.4%) were advice columns; 16 (2%) were feature articles; 15 (1.9%) were health promotion advertisements dealing with smoking and pregnancy; 10 (1.2%) were letters and 5 (0.61%) were editorials. Topics covered by the 106 articles on smoking were: smoking cessation-43 (40.6%); general health issues 35 (33%); smoking in pregnancy-4 (3.8%) and passive smoking 17 (16%). Of the 106 articles, 4 were negative about measures to control smoking. Four cigarette brands accounted for 70% of the advertisements. No tobacco advertisement carried the warning that "Smoking when pregnant harms your baby" or "Smoking kills". The 385002 cm2 of space devoted to tobacco advertising and negative messages about the dangers of tobacco and health represents 1.95% of total magazine space and is 14.5 times greater than the 26575 cm2 of positive messages about the dangers of smoking. That these magazines advertise tobacco without adequately covering the harmful effects of tobacco would suggest a degree of hypocrisy in their stated concern for women's health and lends further strength to the principle of a total ban on all tobacco advertising.

Advertising↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Storage and handling of vaccines by family doctors.

The aim of this study is to see if vaccine storage and handling procedures used by family doctors in a health board region maintain vaccines at maximum potency. All 144 family doctors in the region were invited to be part of the study. Doctors were interviewed in their practice premises about procedures used in dealing with vaccines. Following the interview, practice fridges were examined and temperature recorded. Samples of oral polio were taken from 20 randomly selected fridges for potency testing. Cold chain monitors and freeze watch indicators were used to monitor batches of vaccine stored. Of the 144 doctors, 142 (98.6%) agreed to participate. Of these, 140 used 111 fridges to store vaccine, 2 doctors store vaccine at room temperature. Of the 111 fridges, 6 (5.4%) had the power supply safeguarded, 9 (8.1%) had thermometers, and 36 (32.4%) had vaccine only stored therein. During defrosting, the vaccine in 22 (19.8%) of the fridges was not adequately protected. Of the 138 doctors who use multi-dose vaccine vials, 133 (97.2%) keep them for further use at the end of a day/session, of whom 3 store them at room temperature. The temperature recorded in 42 (37.8%) fridges was outside the recommended range. Thirteen (28.2%) cold-chain monitors indicated vaccine exposed to more than 10 degrees C. Eighteen (90%) of the oral polio samples showed a reduction in total titre of live virus, however, none were below the minimum acceptable. This study indicates that vaccine potency could be seriously compromised due to breaks in the cold-chain and suggests the need for guidelines to be drawn up, implemented and monitored to ensure the integrity of immunisation schemes.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Smoking in Irish journals: a content analysis 1960-1994.

This study was carried out to quantify the published research on smoking in Irish medical journals, to ascertain the type of research carried out and to identify the authors of that research. Five Irish medical journals published between 1960-94 were studied: The Irish Journal of Medical Science. The Journal of the Irish Medical Association/The Irish Medical Journal. The Journal of the Irish Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons and Forum. During the 35 years under study, 50 papers explicitly dealing, with smoking were published. Only two papers appeared in Forum. There was a decline in published papers in the eighties with a resurgence in the early nineties. Of the 50 papers a majority were observational and ten were editorials. Only one paper dealt with smoking cessation and one with preventive work. General practitioners were poorly represented as authors. One doctor (Prof. R. Mulcahy) published at least one paper on smoking in each quinquennium since 1960. This study underlines the relative insignificance of smoking as a topic for research in Ireland. A major sea change in attitude will be required if the government's targets for smoking cessation are to be realised, particularly if they are to be achieved by relying on the medical.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Women and smoking.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adolescent↗