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Biomedical subjects

H Klee

Publications and source records attributed to H Klee.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

A new target for behavioural research--amphetamine misuse.

Despite the increase in social research into drug misuse that has occurred in the wake of the AIDS pandemic, the focus of the research has tended to be overly restricted in terms of the populations studied. Younger, non-opiate, non-agency samples are more representative of national patterns of illicit drug use but have been relatively neglected in favour of older, opiate users receiving treatment from drug agencies. Amphetamine misuse illustrates the dangers of such sampling bias. In comparing the HIV-related risk behaviour of amphetamine injectors with that of heroin injectors, the data suggest that amphetamine misuse is associated with patterns of behaviour that have serious implications for the transmission of HIV infection.

Amphetamine↗
PubMed1991

Risk reduction among injecting drug users: changes in the sharing of injecting equipment and in condom use.

In an investigation of risk behaviour among injecting drug users in the North-West of England, information was obtained concerning the sharing of injecting equipment, respondent's sexual partners and the use of condoms. Between six and nine months after the initial contact, 169 respondents (56%) were contacted again. The emphasis in the second phase of the project was on changes, if any, in risk behaviour that had occurred in the intervening period. Significant reductions were found in sharing, mostly in the more indiscriminate use of others' injecting equipment. No reduction was observed in sharing between injecting partners and little in sharing between close friends. The number of sexual partners had decreased and the use of condoms, although it increased among those involved in temporary relationships, remained low. Impediments to further progress in risk reduction are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

The sharing of injecting equipment among drug users attending prescribing clinics and those using needle-exchanges.

Three groups of injecting drug-users were defined in terms of their experience of methadone treatment: treatment for periods longer than 6 months, treatment for shorter periods, and no treatment. Methadone treatment and the use of needle exchanges were related in subsequent analysis to the sharing of injecting equipment. Comparisons between groups were made on other variables believed to be associated with sharing. Significant differences were observed between treatment groups in the recency of sharing and in the use of needle-exchanges. Age and length of drug use were important factors in sharing, which was least prevalent among older respondents in long-term treatment. Regular use of needle-exchanges was associated with the passing on of used equipment to others. Subsequent analysis of regular users suggested respondents in long-term treatment were less likely to pass on their equipment than those in the other two groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Expression and fine structure of the gene encoding N epsilon-(indole-3-acetyl)-L-lysine synthetase from Pseudomonas savastanoi.

The gene encoding N epsilon-(indole-3-acetyl)-L-lysine synthetase, iaaL, from Pseudomonas savastanoi was localized within a 4.25-kilobase EcoRI fragment derived from pIAA1 of oleander strain EW 2009. Two open reading frames of 606 and 1188 nucleotides were identified upon sequencing, which directed the in vitro synthesis of Mr 21,000 and Mr 44,000 proteins. Expression of an open reading frame-2 subclone, pMON686, in Escherichia coli indicates that (indole-3-acetyl)-L-lysine synthetase is encoded solely by open reading frame-2. Hydrophobicity plots of the deduced open reading frame-1 protein suggest that it may be a membrane-bound protein, whereas the predicted iaaL gene product possesses considerable hydrophilic character, consistent with the demonstration of (indole-3-acetyl)-L-lysine synthetase activity in cell-free aqueous extracts. No nucleotide or protein homologies were found between iaaL and any sequences contained within the GenBank or National Biomedical Research Foundation data bases (April 13, 1989).

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Factors associated with risk behaviour among injecting drug users.

A project which investigated the injecting and sexual behaviour of drug users in the North West of England revealed several social and behavioural factors strongly associated with HIV-related risk behaviour. For example, homelessness, crime, ignorance of drug-related health problems and drug use by a regular partner were associated with the sharing of injecting equipment. Other variables predicted casual sexual intercourse and intercourse without condoms. Some factors were identified that were common to both injecting and sexual risk behaviour.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Sexual partners of injecting drug users: the risk of HIV infection.

The sexual mediation of HIV infection by injecting drug users to the heterosexual population has become a major issue in AIDS prevention. Infection that is acquired through sharing contaminated injecting equipment can be passed on to non-injecting drug using partners and to non-drug using partners through sexual intercourse. A study of risk behaviour among injecting drug users in the North West of England focused, inter alia, upon aspects of their sexual activity and attitudes that have relevance for HIV transmission. It was found that in those respondents with regular partners, the level of sexual activity was related to the partner's use of drugs. The use of condoms was low in the sample as a whole, including those who reported having casual sexual contacts and sharing others' injecting equipment. These data confirm the need for concern and the advisability of targetting safer-sex education on drug users.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

AIDS-related risk behaviour, polydrug use and temazepam.

In a study of AIDS-related risk behaviour among injecting drug users in the north west of England it was found that 90% were polydrug users, and 28% were using temazepam. A third of all polydrug users had regularly used more than three drugs in addition to their preferred drug in the previous year. Statistical analysis revealed that the use of temazepam and extensive polydrug use were associated with sharing injecting equipment. Significant associations were also found with indices of sexual risk behaviour. It was concluded that multiple drug use and the use of temazepam were associated with behaviour that could increase exposure to HIV infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

Effect of morphine on the electroencephalogram and other physiological and other physiological and behavioral parameters.

A double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled study was carried out in 10 healthy male volunteers to investigate the effects of subcutaneously administered single doses of 4 and 8 mg morphine and 2.5 and 5 mg of a new centrally acting analgesic with a benzomorphane structure. After an adaptation session, each subject received all five treatments in a random sequence at intervals of 1 week. Quantified EEG, cardiovascular and behavioral parameters, quantitative respiratory measurements, body temperature, symptom reports, pain threshold estimates, and blood drug assays were used to assess the effects of the drugs. The measurement battery was completed before injection and after 30, 60, 120, 240 and 360 min. In addition, EEG, blood samples and respiratory signals were also taken during/after the first 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 min. As the new compound did not show any obvious advantages over morphine, only the results with the latter substance are reported here. As the main effects of morphine on the EEG a dose-dependent slowing and monorhythmization of alpha and an increase of the average frequency of fast beta activity were observed. Slow EEG waves tended to decrease. Heart rate and body temperature decreased, whereas there was no discernible effect on blood pressure. Subjects reported feelings of drowsiness, muzziness, lethargy and mental slowness. The pain threshold increased. All these effects had a maximum between min 120 and 240, although the highest blood levels of the parent drug were measured 10-25 min after drug administration. An explanation for this delay might be that the pharmacological effects are due not to free morphine but to one of its metabolites.

Adult↗