Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Helen Hughes.
The perovskite Bi2Mn4/3Ni2/3O6 is polar and combines relative permittivity behavior consistent with ferroelectricity with the magnetic response of a concentrated spin-glass. Bi2Mn4/3Ni2/3O6 is accessible by ambient pressure synthesis despite the instability of the end-members BiMnO3 and BiNiO3 under these conditions.
The recent spread of highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza has highlighted the threat posed by pandemic influenza. In the early phases of a pandemic, the only treatment available would be neuraminidase inhibitors, which many countries are considering stockpiling for pandemic use. We estimate the effect on hospitalization rates of using different antiviral stockpile sizes to treat infection. We estimate that stockpiles that cover 20%-25% of the population would be sufficient to treat most of the clinical cases and could lead to 50% to 77% reductions in hospitalizations. Substantial reductions in hospitalization could be achieved with smaller antiviral stockpiles if drugs are reserved for persons at high risk.
This paper illustrates the potential of the sol-gel process to imprint the pharmaceutical active--N-[N-[(1S)-1-carboxssy-3-phenylpropyl]-l-lysyl]-L-proline, (lisinopril dihydrate). This template exhibits unique difficulties such as limited solubility in non-polar and most polar porogens with multiple functionality evident in its 4 pKa values. Selectivity for this template was achieved using a 3-monomer sol-gel system utilising solid phase extraction (SPE). Analysis of the template and its related substances was achieved using HPLC. The effect of solvent polarity on the rebinding of the template was studied. Through optimisation of porogen and extraction solvent, the imprinted material (MIP) demonstrated enhanced selectivity, for the template, over a non-imprinted material (NIP). Selectivity was also illustrated for the original template over two of its related substances. The effect of starting monomer ratio on selectivity was studied to determine the interactions, which could best be exploited to further enhance selectivity.
Reducing occupational stress among nursing staff is a public health priority in many western countries. This study assessed stress differentials between psychiatric nurses (PNs) and general nurses (GNs), and the moderating function of social support. It was expected that PNs would report different (higher) stress levels than GNs given PNs' lower levels of social support. A questionnaire was completed and returned by 73 nurses at several public hospitals in England. Multivariate analysis of variance showed that social support moderated stress differentials between PNs and GNs, albeit not as anticipated; the latter group reported significantly higher and lower stress levels when social support was low and high, respectively. This interaction was applicable to both the quality and quantity of social support. Overall, the benefits of social support seemed to accrue primarily to GNs. Implications of these findings for the development of stress-reduction interventions are considered.