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Biomedical subjects

G McKenna

Publications and source records attributed to G McKenna.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Effect of oncogene transformation of rat embryo cells on cellular oxygen consumption and glycolysis.

We found an unique effect of oncogene transfections on rat embryo cell (REF) respiration, glycolysis and radiation response. Radioresistance, defined as an increase in Do, increases for REF cells transfected with v-myc or H-ras oncogenes. The combination of both oncogenes confers the maximal radioresistance. Our work shows inhibition of oxygen uptake when cells are transfected with v-myc or H-ras alone. However, oxygen uptake increases when cells are transfected simultaneously with v-myc + H-ras (3.7,2.1,2.8). A higher oxygen consumption results from increased utilization of pyruvate via the Kreb's cycle. Succinate stimulates cellular oxygen consumption. The maximum stimulation of oxygen consumption by succinate occurred with v-myc + H-ras transfected cells. The glycolysis of the transfected cells is also altered by the oncogenes. Our glycolytic measurements indicate the H-ras oncogene causes the largest stimulation of glycolysis. Our data shows that transfection with oncogenes has a major effect on cellular glycolysis, oxidative metabolism as well as the subsequent radiation response.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

The scope for health education in the accident and emergency department.

This paper addresses the relevance and implementation of health education in the Accident & Emergency (A & E) department. The functions of an A & E department and the changing role of A & E nursing are introduced and the scope for health education in A & E is critically discussed. Factors which influence effective and realistic health education, such as inequalities of health, locus of control and the environment within a busy A & E department, are briefly explored. Finally, some recommendations for the implementation of realistic, meaningful health education are offered.

Emergency Nursing↗
PubMed1994

A clinical audit of glottic cancer in Nova Scotia: a paradigm for effectiveness research.

We conducted a clinical audit of the recurrence-free rates and absolute survival of 146 patients who presented with T1-T3 glottic cancer and received primary radiotherapy treatment at the Nova Scotia Cancer Centre between 1984 and 1990. The outcomes are compared with a review of published results from other centres. We used stage T3 glottic cancer as an example to illustrate concepts of effectiveness research which are used to determine at what level interventions operate in the day to day practice of medicine. The actuarial recurrence-free rates at 5 years are: T1 91%, T2 73%, and T3 44%. The actuarial absolute survival rates are: T1 84%, T2 68%, and T3 52%. Effectiveness research may utilize efficacy research, clinical audit, quality of life assessment and decision making theory. Its objective is to aid the implementation of appropriate clinical management for specific individuals and defined communities. Expert computer systems may be necessary to synthesize the data and to enhance communication and decision making.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Voluntarism: is it a useful concept for health education in the accident and emergency department?

As the year 2000 looms closer, the emphasis on health education as a means of attaining the 38 targets for 'Health for All' increases. Despite various initiatives, little, if any, progress has been made in narrowing the health divide. Currently, terms such as 'self-care', 'individual responsibility' and 'community empowerment' are often used with emphasis on individual freedom to choose. The author contends that to assume all individuals have that freedom and act voluntarily, is to deny the impact of social structure on health. Health education and the concept of voluntarism will be critically examined from the perspective of nursing in an accident and emergency department.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1985

Neurologic, neuropsychologic, and computed cranial tomography scan abnormalities in 2- to 10-year survivors of small-cell lung cancer.

In order to evaluate the relationship between neurologic function and cranial irradiation, 20 patients treated on National Cancer Institute (NCI) small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) trials who were alive and free of cancer 2.4 to 10.6 years (median, 6.2) from the start of therapy were studied. All were tested with a neurologic history and examination, mental status examination, neuropsychologic testing, and review of serial computed cranial tomography (CCT) scans. Fifteen patients had been treated with prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI), two patients with therapeutic cranial irradiation, and three received no cranial irradiation. All patients but one were ambulatory and none were institutionalized. Fifteen patients (75%) had neurologic complaints, 13 (65%) had abnormal neurologic examinations, 12 (60%) had abnormal mental status examinations, 13 (65%) had abnormal neuropsychologic testing, and 15 (75%) had abnormal CCT scans. Compared with those given low-dose maintenance chemotherapy during PCI using 200 to 300 rad per fraction, patients who were given high-dose induction chemotherapy during the time of cranial irradiation or large radiotherapy fractions (400 rad) were more likely to have abnormal mental status examinations (6/6 v 4/9) and abnormal neuropsychologic tests (6/6 v 4/9), but no major difference in CCT findings was present. CCT scans in the majority of cases (11/18) showed progressive ventricular dilatation or cerebral atrophy up to 8 years after stopping therapy. We conclude neurologic abnormalities are common in long-term survivors of SCLC, and may be more prominent in patients given high-dose chemotherapy during cranial irradiation or treated with large radiotherapy fractions. The CCT scan abnormalities are common and progressive years after prophylactic cranial irradiation and chemotherapy are stopped.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Degradation resistance of some candidate composite biomaterials.

The degradation resistance of matrix, fiber and composite systems which we have been studying as candidate orthopedic materials has been examined in two appropriate environments. Both resistance to steam sterilization in an autoclave environment and resistance to a simulated physiologic solution have been studied. In the autoclave study, samples were placed in a pressure cooker at 123 degrees C for differing amounts of time and tested for retention of mechanical properties. Results indicate that most of the materials tested could be autoclaved several times, as long as autoclave times did not exceed 1 hr. Longer autoclave times result in an accelerated degradation and loss of strength of all materials except the polypropylene. Polysulfone degrades after even the shortest autoclave duration. Resistance to the simulated physiologic environment was tested by measured retention of mechanical properties after immersion times in pseudo-extracellular fluid (PECF) at 37 degrees C for as long as three years. None of the materials showed any significant changes in properties after immersion in the PECF.

Amides↗
PubMed1978

Lymphoblastoid cell lines from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: identification of tumor origin by idiotypic analysis.

Multiple lymphoblastoid cell lines have been derived from two patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia with an associated monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) band. Idiotypic antisera raised against the monoclonal serum Ig bands were shown to be specific for the membrane Ig of the patients' leukemic cells. The idiotypic determinants in these patients thereby constitute tumor-specific antigens. Surface and intracellular immunofluorescence studies utilizing these idiotypic antisera were used to identify the cell lines of leukemic origin. These studies showed that certain cell lines from each patient were derived from the leukemic cells while other cell lines were derived from residual normal B lymphocytes. The leukemic cell lines were variable and contained different percentages of lymphoid cells with the idiotype-specific membrane Ig and, in addition, different percentages of plasma cells with intracellular Ig of the same specificity. Specific Ig synthesis was also demonstrated by hemagglutination-inhibition analysis of cell line supernatants. Aside from Ig specificity, no differences have been found between the leukemic cell lines and those derived from normal cells. One of the leukemic cell lines was cloned in soft agarose. All the clones were shown to be of leukemic origin.

Aged↗