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Biomedical subjects

G Fowler

Publications and source records attributed to G Fowler.

82 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

The use of sequential silver and quinacrine staining to determine the parental origin and breakpoints of a ring-22 human chromosome.

We delineated a G-ring syndrome in 1968 and suggested it was due to a ring-22 (Weleber et al. 1969). We confirmed in 1972 that the ring was derived from chromosome 22 (Magenis et al. 1973). The present report constitutes a new case of the ring-22 syndrome with clinical findings virtually identical to those we described earlier. By sequential staining techniques with silver and quinacrine, it was possible to determine the parental origin of the ring (maternal) and to estimate the breakpoints in the chromosome 22 (22p12 and 22q13) leading to the ring configuration. The clinical abnormalities are due to terminal deletion of 22q distal to the breakpoint in band 22q13. The silver technique, especially in sequence with other stains, provides new and useful data concerning the origin and precise cytology of this, one of the tiniest rings known in humans.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1980

A needs-assessment method for planning alternatives to hospitalization.

A one-day caseload survey was conducted in Los Angeles County's public inpatient facilities in order to estimate needs for alternatives to hospitalization. According to the primary therapists of each client in the caseload, 43 per cent of the inpatients could, on the day of the survey, be served in alternative programs. Responses to questions about the kinds of living arrangements and medical-diagnostic services needed in community programs for those clients showed a high need for residential care with close supervision or locked wards or both. The author concludes that while a significant number of inpatient days could be eliminated through the use of minimal-supervision alternatives, a large decrease in hospitalization could be expected only if more intensive community programs were implemented.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Smoking cessation: a consensus statement with special reference to primary care.

Nicotine addiction is a serious medical condition that needs to be treated like any other chronic disease. Primary care must play a key role in smoking cessation and offering help should be a routine part of primary care practice. As the most frequent opportunity for intervention lies within primary care, GPs should ensure that they raise the issue of stopping smoking at least annually with their smoking patients. When the smoker is ready to stop, the initial personal involvement of the GP is likely to increase the chance of a successful quit attempt. Follow-up may be with another healthcare professional. The support of healthcare professionals for the smoker who is motivated to quit, combined with appropriate pharmacotherapy, can substantially increase the chances of a successful quit attempt. Secondary care staff should also make every effort to help people to stop smoking and should communicate effectively with primary care--opportunities during hospitalisation are frequently missed. Specialist smoking cessation clinics have an essential role in providing more intensive specialist treatment and the expertise to partner and support the primary care effort. Smoking cessation is one of the most cost-effective healthcare interventions that can be made.

Family Practice↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Health profiles of current and former smokers and lifelong abstainers. OXCHECK Study Group. OXford and Collaborators HEalth ChecK.

The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which smokers and smoking quitters differ in habits and risk factors from non-smokers. Subjects comprised 8,109 patients aged 35-67 years having health checks in British primary care. We compared lifestyle and measured cardiovascular risk factors in smokers, former smokers and lifelong abstainers in cross-sectional analyses, and in prospective data in quitters. Results were adjusted for confounding factors. Considering 25 aspects of lifestyle, smokers had significantly worse habits in 20 compared to abstainers, and in 17 compared to former smokers. These included eating more white bread, full cream milk, fried food and meat, and less fruit and vegetables, wholemeal bread and bran cereals. Smokers report drinking more alcohol and taking less exercise. Smokers' mean serum levels were higher for total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides and lower for high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Within five years ex-smokers' data became comparable to lifelong abstainers for most factors, with apparent attenuation over up to 20 years for triglyceride, body mass index and scores for fibre and polyunsaturated fat intake. Smokers who quit after initial examinations had better health profiles even before quitting (p = 0.016) and subsequently made more beneficial health changes (p = 0.039) than continuing smokers. Smoking is associated with relatively poor health choices and risk factor levels. Stopping smoking is associated with a wide range of improved health markers beyond avoidance of tobacco toxicity.

Adult↗