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Biomedical subjects

G Higgins

Publications and source records attributed to G Higgins.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The association of homocysteine and its determinants MTHFR genotype, folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 with bone mineral density in postmenopausal British women.

We studied the association between plasma total homocysteine (tHcy), its determinants folate, vitamin B(12), vitamin B(6) and MTHFR genotype, and bone mineral density (BMD) in 328 postmenopausal British women. When the subjects were assigned to one of 3 groups (control, osteopenic or osteoporotic) according to their BMD at the os calcis, those in the osteoporotic group had, compared with the controls, a significantly lower serum folate concentration, a significantly higher % of current smokers and a significantly higher incidence of recent fracture. In the population as a whole, we found significant associations of BMD with tHcy (r=-0.130, p=0.033, log tHcy) and folate (r=0.132, p=0.025, log folate). The association of folate with BMD was maintained after correction for age, weight and height (r=0.124, p=0.042, log folate), but the association of tHcy with BMD weakened after correction for age, weight, height and creatinine (r=-0.117, p=0.059, log tHcy). Vitamins B(12) and B(6) were not associated with BMD, but were significantly associated with tHcy, vitamin B(12) (r=-0.34, p<0.0001), vitamin B(6) (r=-0.16, p=0.007), as was folate (r=-0.41, p<0.0001). There was an increasing frequency of the MTHFR TT genotype across the 3 BMD groups, but this did not attain significance. Individuals with the TT genotype had significantly higher plasma tHcy but there was no difference between the genotypes (CC, CT, TT) for folate or BMD. Smoking was associated with a highly significant reduction in BMD and lower weight, and a significant reduction in circulating folate and vitamin B(6) concentrations, but no change in tHcy or vitamin B(12) concentrations when compared with non-smokers. We conclude that low serum folate is a significant risk factor for osteoporosis, with plasma tHcy having a lesser effect. Both vitamins B(12) and B(6), by acting through tHcy, may also have an effect on the skeleton, albeit a weaker one than folate. Cigarette smoking is a strong determinant of BMD, and may act through effects on folate and vitamin B(6).

Aged↗

Diagnosis of acute Q fever by PCR on sera during a recent outbreak in rural south Australia.

Diagnosis of Q fever has largely been dependent upon serology, which may lead to delayed diagnosis as seroconversion can take weeks to develop. During a recent Q fever outbreak (27 patients) in rural South Australia, we compared the diagnostic rate of serology with two separate real-time PCRs, the 27kDa outer membrane protein and the insertion sequence. PCR was positive (on either or both PCR assays) in sera of 67% of the patients. Median time required for making serological diagnosis was 17 days, compared with 4 days by PCR. Q fever PCR is an effective tool in the diagnosis of acute Q fever infection.

Coxiella burnetii↗

Are humans infected by Hantaviruses in Australia?

Hantavirus antibody-positive rodents have been found across Australia although, to date, there are no reports of infections in humans. This could be due to misdiagnosis clinically and/or inadequate laboratory technique/skills. There are close trading ties between Australia and Asian countries as well as our geographical neighbours where both human and rodent infections are found, so importation is a continuing threat. We consider that further sero-epidemiological surveys are warranted among rodents (especially those captured from ports in Australia), in patients from renal and respiratory wards of hospitals, and in residents and employees close to harbours using more specific and sensitive laboratory techniques than have been available in the past.

Australia↗

Interleukin 2 receptor antagonists for kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin 2 receptor antagonists (IL2Ra) are used as induction therapy for prophylaxis against acute rejection in kidney transplant recipients. Use of IL2Ra has increased steadily, with 38% of new kidney transplant recipients in the United States, and 23% in Australasia receiving IL2Ra in 2002. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to systematically identify and summarise the effects of using an IL2Ra, as an addition to standard therapy, or as an alternative to other antibody therapy. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Renal Group's specialised register (June 2003), the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (in The Cochrane Library issue 3, 2002), MEDLINE (1966-November 2002) and EMBASE (1980-November 2002). Reference lists and abstracts of conference proceedings and scientific meetings were hand-searched from 1998-2003. Trial groups, authors of included reports and drug manufacturers were contacted. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in all languages comparing IL2Ra to placebo, no treatment, other IL2Ra or other antibody therapy. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data was extracted and quality assessed independently by two reviewers, with differences resolved by discussion. Dichotomous outcomes are reported as relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). MAIN RESULTS: One hundred and seventeen reports from 38 trials involving 4893 participants were included. Where IL2Ra were compared with placebo (17 trials; 2786 patients), graft loss was not significantly different at one (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.04) or three years (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.22). Acute rejection (AR) was significantly reduced at six months (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.74) and at one year (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.75). At one year, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.03) and malignancy (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.33 to 1.36) were not significantly different. Where IL2Ra were compared with other antibody therapy no significant differences in treatment effects were demonstrated, but adverse effects strongly favoured IL2Ra. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Given a 40% risk of rejection, seven patients would need treatment with IL2Ra to prevent one patient having rejection, with no definite improvement in graft or patient survival. There is no apparent difference between basiliximab and daclizumab. IL2Ra are as effective as other antibody therapies and with significantly fewer side effects

Graft Rejection↗

A broad spectrum of human papillomavirus types is present in the skin of Australian patients with non-melanoma skin cancers and solar keratosis.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) may play a role in the pathogenesis of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) patients, but in the general population no specific HPV types have been associated with these lesions. Objectives To examine the spectrum of HPV types present in the skin and tumours of Australian patients with NMSC or solar keratosis (SK). METHODS: Biopsies from tumours, and cotton swab samples of perilesional skin and buttock skin from each of 59 Australian patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or SK were tested for HPV DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using HPV consensus (FAP) primers and by type-specific primers for HPV 38 and candidate HPV 92. The identification of HPV type from consensus PCR was performed by sequencing and comparison with GenBank. RESULTS: In total, 49 of 59 (83%) patients harboured HPV DNA, which was detected in 28 of 64 (44%) biopsies, 48 of 64 (75%; P < 0.001) perilesional swabs and 36 of 59 (61%; P = 0.04) buttock swabs. Forty-five different HPV types/putative types were detected: 15 were previously characterized HPV types, 17 were earlier described putative types and 13 were new putative types. In addition, six subtypes and four variants of HPV sequences were identified. HPV types within the B1 group (EV HPV types) were found in 26 of 64 (40%) lesions, 44 of 64 (69%) perilesional swabs and 35 of 59 (59%) buttock swabs. HPV 38 was detected in 23 of 59 (39%) patients, and was found in seven of 16 (43%) SKs, but was less common in SCCs [three of 23 (13%); P = 0.037] and BCCs [four of 25 (16%); P = 0.056]. Candidate HPV 92 was found in seven of 59 (12%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: A broad spectrum of HPV types, the majority from the B1 group, was found in skin of Australian patients with skin tumours. HPV 38 was found significantly more often in SK than in SCC. However, the role of cutaneous HPV infection in the pathogenesis of NMSC remains elusive.

Adult↗

Accuracy of intra-articular injections for osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint.

A study was conducted to determine the accuracy of intra-articular injections for osteoarthritis (OA) of the trapeziometacarpal joint (TMCJ). Over a period of 12 months intra-articular injections on 60 TMCJs (12 males and 48 females) were carried out. All the injections were performed in the operating theatre. The operator inserted the needle into the position clinically assessed to be the TMCJ and the position was assessed using biplanar fluoroscopy. In 42% of cases, the needle was incorrectly placed and its position had to be adjusted, using fluoroscopy, to ensure correct intra-articular placement. Entry into an osteoarthritic TMCJ with a blind passage of the needle is not straightforward. A proper injection technique must be employed to enter the correct joint. Using an image intensifier greatly facilitates accurate needle placement.

Adult↗

Effect of perioperative administration of dexketoprofen on opioid requirements and inflammatory response following elective hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, the safety and analgesic efficacy of perioperative dexketoprofen were evaluated. METHODS: Thirty ASA I or II patients undergoing elective hip arthroplasty were randomized to one of two groups. One group (D) received dexketoprofen 25 mg tds for 24 h before and 48 h after surgery; the second group (P) received placebo tablets at equivalent times. Hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine (17.5 mg if greater than 70 kg and 15 mg if less than 70 kg) and preservative-free morphine (0.6 mg) were administered intrathecally. Postoperatively, PCA was provided (bolus morphine sulphate 1 mg; lockout 5 min; no continuous infusion). RESULTS: The two groups were similar in terms of age, gender, weight, height, ASA class, duration of operation, and level of sensory block on arrival to the recovery room. Groups were also similar in terms of blood loss, transfusion requirements, ventilatory frequency, and haemodynamic variables. According to visual analogue pain scores patients in group D experienced less pain at 15 h (P=0.02) postoperatively. Cumulative morphine consumption was also less in group D compared with group P at 6 (0.06 (0.2) vs 0.85 (1.4) mg, P=0.04) and 48 h postoperatively (10.1 (8) vs 26.2 (20) mg, P<0.01). Plasma interleukin 6 concentrations increased postoperatively to a significantly lesser extent in group D than in group P (P=0.02). Nausea and vomiting were less (P<0.01) in group D compared with group P at 18 h postoperatively. Sedation scores were less (P=0.03) in group D. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative administration of dexketoprofen 25 mg 8 hourly markedly improves analgesia and decreases opioid requirements (and associated adverse effects) following hip arthroplasty. It appears that this regimen decreases the postoperative pro-inflammatory response.

Aged↗

Predicting outcome to chemotherapy in patients with germ cell tumors: the value of the rate of decline of human chorionic gonadotrophin and alpha-fetoprotein during therapy.

PURPOSE: The prognostic significance of the rate of decline of the serum tumor marker alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) during the first two cycles of chemotherapy in germ cell tumor (GCT) patients was initially reported by us, but its value has been debated. We re-examined this issue in the context of the International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group (IGCCCG) risk classification system and investigated the role of including in the analysis patients whose markers normalized early. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred eighty-nine GCT patients with elevated AFP/HCG marker values treated with platinum-based chemotherapy between 1986 and 1998 were included in this analysis. Patients were classified as good, intermediate, or poor risk by the IGCCCG criteria and as having satisfactory or unsatisfactory marker decline. Risk and marker decline were correlated with response, event-free survival, and overall survival. RESULTS: Satisfactory marker decline predicted improved complete response (CR) proportion and event-free and overall survival (P <.0001). The CR proportion, 2-year event-free, and 2-year overall survival rates for patients with a satisfactory and unsatisfactory marker decline were 92% versus 62%, 91% versus 69%, and 95% versus 72%, respectively. Marker decline remained a significant variable for all three end points when adjusted for risk (P <.01) with the outcome differences most pronounced in the poor-risk group. CONCLUSION: The rate of marker decline during chemotherapy has prognostic value independent of risk and may play a significant role in the management of poor-risk patients. It is appropriate to include patients whose markers normalized early.

Adolescent↗

Role of postchemotherapy adjunctive surgery in the management of patients with nonseminoma arising from the mediastinum.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of postchemotherapy surgery in patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumors arising from the anterior mediastinum. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients with nonseminoma arising from a mediastinal primary site were treated on a clinical trial at our center, and they underwent postchemotherapy surgery. The results of postchemotherapy surgical resection, frequency of viable tumor found during postchemotherapy surgery, and prognostic factors for survival were assessed. RESULTS: Complete resection of all gross residual disease was achieved in 27 patients (84%). Histologic analysis of resected residua postchemotherapy revealed viable tumor in 66%, teratoma in 22%, and necrosis in 12% of the specimens. Viable tumor included embryonal carcinoma, choriocarcinoma, yolk sac carcinoma, seminoma, and teratoma with malignant transformation to nongerm cell histology (eg, sarcoma). Clinical characteristics associated with a shorter survival after surgery included the presence of viable tumor in a resected specimen (P =.003) and more than one site resected during surgery (P =.06). There were no statistically significant differences in survival for patients who underwent surgical resection with normal markers compared with patients with elevated serum tumor markers (P =.33). A trend toward shorter survival was found in patients with increasing tumor markers before surgery compared with patients with normal and declining serum tumor markers (P =.09). CONCLUSION: Surgical resection of residual mass after chemotherapy plays an integral role in the management of patients with primary mediastinal nonseminoma. Teratoma and viable tumor were found in the majority of resected residua after chemotherapy. Because patients who undergo conventional salvage chemotherapy programs rarely achieve long-term disease-free status, selected patients with elevated markers after chemotherapy are considered candidates for surgical resection.

Adolescent↗

Work characteristics and pesticide exposures among migrant agricultural families: a community-based research approach.

There are few data on pesticide exposures of migrant Latino farmworker children, and access to this vulnerable population is often difficult. In this paper we describe a community-based approach to implement culturally appropriate research methods with a migrant Latino farmworker community in Oregon. Assessments were conducted in 96 farmworker homes and 24 grower homes in two agricultural communities in Oregon. Measurements included surveys of pesticide use and work protection practices and analyses of home-dust samples for pesticide residues of major organophosphates used in area crops. Results indicate that migrant farmworker housing is diverse, and the amounts and types of pesticide residues found in homes differ. Azinphos-methyl (AZM) was the pesticide residue found most often in both farmworker and grower homes. The median level of AZM in farmworker homes was 1.45 ppm compared to 1.64 ppm in the entry area of grower homes. The median level of AZM in the play areas of grower homes was 0.71 ppm. The levels of AZM in migrant farmworker homes were most associated with the distance from fields and the number of agricultural workers in the home. Although the levels of AZM in growers and farmworker homes were comparable in certain areas, potential for disproportionate exposures occur in areas of the homes where children are most likely to play. The relationship between home resident density, levels of pesticide residues, and play behaviors of children merit further attention.

Adult↗

Ifosfamide, paclitaxel, and cisplatin for patients with advanced transitional cell carcinoma of the urothelial tract: final report of a phase II trial evaluating two dosing schedules.

BACKGROUND: A combination regimen of ifosfamide, paclitaxel, and cisplatin (ITP), recycled every 4 weeks, was reported in the treatment of previously untreated patients with advanced transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). This study sought to examine ITP at 3-week intervals to assess its feasibility and toxicity, compare the results for different schedules, and assess the impact of prognostic factors and postchemotherapy surgery on outcome. METHODS: ITP (ifosfamide 1.5 g/m(2) daily for 3 days, paclitaxel 200 mg/m(2) over 3 hours, and cisplatin 70 mg/m(2) on Day 1) was administered to patients with metastatic or unresectable TCC and was recycled every 4 weeks (for 30 patients) or 3 weeks (for 15 patients). Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor was given during each cycle. RESULTS: Thirty of 44 assessable patients (68%; 95% confidence interval, 52-81%) demonstrated a major response (10 complete responses [23%], 20 partial [45%]), with durations of response ranging from 4 to 36 months. At a median follow-up of 28 months, the median survival was 20 months. Eleven patients (25%) were disease free at last follow-up. Overall toxicity for the 15 patients whose treatment was recycled at 3 weeks was similar to that for patients treated every 4 weeks. Hematologic toxicity included anemia, thrombocytopenia, and febrile neutropenia. Febrile neutropenia was observed in 7 patients (16%) and in 3.3% of cycles of therapy. No Grade 4 nonhematologic toxicity was observed. Grade 3 nonhematologic toxicity included alopecia, renal insufficiency (11%), and neuropathy (9%). CONCLUSIONS: ITP is an active, well-tolerated regimen for previously untreated patients with TCC of the urothelial tract, resulting in a median survival of 20 months. Treatment can be recycled at 3-week intervals without enhanced toxicity.

Adult↗

Comparison of six nucleic acid extraction methods for detection of viral DNA or RNA sequences in four different non-serum specimen types.

BACKGROUND: Extraction of viral nucleic acids from serum samples is widely used in diagnostic pathology tests. However, the heterogeneous nature of non-serum samples may contribute to variations in the yields of viral nucleic acids with different extraction methods and specimen types. OBJECTIVES: Six different methods were compared for optimal extraction of viral DNA or RNA from four types of non-serum specimens. STUDY DESIGN: The DNA viruses used were herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus. The RNA viruses were poliovirus, rotavirus and small round structured virus. The specimens used were from respiratory, genital, faecal and peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples. The extracted nucleic acids were amplified by PCR and detected in an enzyme immunoassay using digoxygenin-labelled amplicons. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: For extraction of viral DNA, the phenol-chloroform method yielded the highest amount of DNA as judged by endpoint titration. The three methods compared for extraction of viral RNA used guanidine isothiocyanate and the QiaRNA kit was shown to yield the highest amount of viral RNA.

Cytomegalovirus↗

Phase II trial of pyrazoloacridine as second-line therapy for patients with unresectable or metastatic transitional cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: A phase II trial of pyrazoloacridine (PZA) was conducted to assess its activity and toxicity in patients with advanced transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) refractory to or progressing after one prior cisplatin-, carboplatin- or paclitaxel- based regimen. PATIENTS AND METHODS: PZA at a dose of 750 mg/m2 was administered to 14 patients as a three-hour intravenous infusion on day 1 every 21 days. Premedication consisted of lorazepam 0.5-1.0 mg prior to each cycle to alleviate central nervous system toxicity. Reduction of subsequent doses was made for hematologic or central nervous system toxicity. RESULTS: Among fourteen patients evaluable for response, no responses were observed (0% response rate; 95% confidence interval 0% to 23%). The median duration of survival for all patients was 9 months with a median follow-up of 8.5 months. Toxicity to PZA included grade 3 or 4 neutropenia in 8/14 (57%) and grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia in 2/14 (14%). Non-hematologic toxicity was mild. CONCLUSIONS: PZA at this dose and schedule does not have significant single-agent activity in patients with TCC who have failed one prior regimen.

Acridines↗

Comparison of five cyclosporin immunoassays with HPLC.

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is the reference method for cyclosporin (CyA) measurements but therapeutic monitoring of the drug is frequently made using the more practical immunoassays. Cross-reactivity with CyA metabolites may compromise the specificity of immunoassays, particularly in liver graft recipients where metabolites may accumulate. The aim of this study was to compare with HPLC the performance of two recently introduced CyA immunoassays (the AxSYM fluorescent polarisation immunoassay (FPIA) and non-extraction CEDIA assay). The comparison was extended to the well-established TDx monoclonal FPIA (TDx mono) and the enzyme multiplied (EMIT)-specific assays and to the polyclonal FPIA (TDx poly), in which metabolite cross-reactivity is extensive. Assays were performed on 106 blood samples (taken 6 days to 118 months post-liver transplant) and results were compared by non-parametric regression analysis and difference plots. AxSYM and CEDIA showed both constant and proportional bias against HPLC (unlike EMIT) but the mean difference from HPLC was least for AxSYM (2.7 microg/l vs. 11.7, 9.4 and 54 microg/l for CEDIA, EMIT and TDx mono, respectively. (TDx poly - HPLC) values were proportional to all immunoassay results, with slopes of 0.33, 0.38 and 0.45 for EMIT, AxSYM and CEDIA, respectively. Our data suggest close agreement between AxSYM, CEDIA and EMIT results.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Evaluation of drug delivery and survival impact of dose-intense relative to conventional-dose methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin chemotherapy in urothelial cancer.

The efficacy of dose-intense methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (M-VAC) chemotherapy relative to conventional-dose M-VAC in patients with advanced transitional cell carcinoma is unknown. The outcomes of 33 patients on two successive protocols using dose-intense M-VAC with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) support were compared with those of 129 patients treated with conventional-dose M-VAC to assess for an impact of dose-intense therapy on long-term survival. The mean relative dose intensity of chemotherapy delivered to the dose-intense cohort was 55% higher than that delivered to the conventional-dose cohort (p = 0.0001). However, no significant differences were observed with regard to response proportion (72% vs. 76%), median survival (13.3 vs. 16.7 months, p = 0.31), or 5-year survival (16% vs. 15%). Growth factor support enabled a statistically significant increase in the delivered dose intensity of M-VAC chemotherapy, but no survival advantage relative to conventional-dose M-VAC was observed.

Adult↗

Phase II trial of intermediate dose methotrexate in combination with vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin in patients with unresectable or metastatic transitional cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to determine whether the use of intermediate dose methotrexate in combination with vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin as first-line therapy increases the proportion of major responders and overall survival in patients with unresectable or metastatic transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urothelial tract. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with histologically confirmed TCC received methotrexate at a dose of 1000 mg/m2 on Day 1 followed by leucovorin calcium rescue on Day 2 and vinblastine (3 mg/m2), doxorubicin (30 mg/m2), and cisplatin (70 mg/m2) (VAC) on Day 2. Therapy was recycled at 28-day intervals. RESULTS: Fourteen of 28 patients (50%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 31-69%) achieved a major response, including 6 pathologic or clinical complete responses (CR) and 8 partial responses (PR). Nine patients were rendered disease free after postchemotherapy surgical resection of residual disease (surgical CR), including five patients who had PR and four nonresponders to chemotherapy alone. Five of 18 patients with disease limited to lymph nodes attained CR, in contrast to only 1 of 10 patients with visceral metastatic disease. The median survival for the entire population was 13.6 months. CONCLUSIONS: The escalation of methotrexate to 1000 mg/m2 in combination with vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin did not result in a response proportion or median survival superior to that observed with standard dose M-VAC. As previously observed in a Phase II trial of M-VAC, only the attainment of CR was associated with prolongation of survival.

Adult↗

Apolipoprotein E expression by neurons surviving excitotoxic stress.

In the adult brain, apolipoprotein E (apoE) mRNA is thought to be expressed by nonneuronal cells. Yet, when a brain damage has occurred, the protein is found in neurons. We have studied apoE expression following systemic kainic acid (KA), injected in rats to induce hippocampal neurodegeneration. We describe two effects. First, a moderate increase of apoE levels in astrocytes. Second, and unexpected, a very strong increase of apoE mRNA levels in clusters of CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons. Neuronal identity of these cells is supported by a series of observations. First, apoE hybridization signals were found in cells with morphological characteristics of pyramidal neurons. Second, the cells were positive for the neuronal marker MAP2. Third, the cells were negative for the astrocytic marker GFAP and for the microglia marker OX42. Fourth, the same distribution pattern was found with probes hybridizing to c-fos, a transcription factor transiently expressed in neurons under stress. At 48 and 72 h following KA, most of the excitotoxic cell death had already occurred. Since no morphological signs of programmed cell death were observed in apoE-positive pyramidal neurons, we suggest that expression of apoE by neurons may be part of a rescue program to counteract neurodegeneration.

Animals↗