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Biomedical subjects

J Anderson

Publications and source records attributed to J Anderson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Comparison of psychosocial adaptation and sexual function of survivors of advanced Hodgkin disease treated by MOPP, ABVD, or MOPP alternating with ABVD.

BACKGROUND: Survivors of advanced Hodgkin disease, who were assigned randomly to treatment by mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (MOPP); doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD); or MOPP alternating with ABVD in a clinical trial of the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (protocol 8251), were compared in terms of their psychosocial adaptation and psychosexual function an average of 2.2 years after completion of treatment (range, 1-5 years). The study was undertaken to determine if there were differences among treatments in these functional areas as a consequence of differential long-term gonadal damage in the three regimens. METHODS: Ninety-three disease-free survivors of advanced Hodgkin disease (56 men and 37 women) were studied (a minimum of 1 year after completion of treatment) by an interview conducted over the telephone. Standardized measures were used to assess their psychologic, sexual, family, and vocational functioning, including the following tests: the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale--Self Report, the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Profile of Mood States, and the Impact of Event Scale. RESULTS: Contrary to expectation, no statistically significant differences in survivors' psychosocial adaptation or psychosexual function were found by treatment arm. Infertility (based on survivors' reports of medical test results and perceptions) and lower income 1 year before the diagnosis of cancer were significant predictors of poorer adjustment. Most survivors reported a range of problems that they attributed to having had cancer: 35%, proven or perceived infertility; 24%, sexual problems; 31%, health and life insurance problems; 26%, a negative socioeconomic effect; and 51%, conditioned nausea, associated with visual or olfactory reminders of chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: No significant long-term advantage in psychosocial adaptation or psychosexual function was found for survivors of Hodgkin disease treated by the less gonadally toxic ABVD regimen 1 to 5 years after completion of treatment.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1992

Effects of verapamil on the acute toxicity of doxorubicin in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Studies indicating that verapamil substantially enhances doxorubicin levels in certain drug-resistant tumor cells have led to the use of verapamil in combination with doxorubicin in animal and clinical studies of multidrug-resistant tumors. These studies have shown this drug combination to be associated with severe toxic effects. It is important to determine whether verapamil modulates the dose-limiting and potentially lethal cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin and to elucidate possible mechanisms. PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to evaluate the in vivo effects of verapamil on (a) doxorubicin-stimulated cardiac lipid peroxidation and cardiac damage, (b) doxorubicin-induced animal mortality, and (c) biodistribution of doxorubicin to the heart. METHODS: Male (BALB/c x DBA/2)F1 mice were treated with a high dose of doxorubicin (15 mg/kg, injected intraperitoneally), verapamil (25 mg/kg, injected intraperitoneally), or combinations of the two. Lipid peroxidation was determined using the 2-thiobarbituric acid assay for malonaldehyde. Light microscopy was used for histopathologic examination of cardiac tissue. A fluorometric assay procedure was employed to determine doxorubicin levels in the heart. RESULTS: Verapamil was an effective inhibitor of peroxidative damage to myocardial lipids following a high dose of doxorubicin (15 mg/kg, injected intraperitoneally). However, mice treated with verapamil and doxorubicin had a lower survival rate and a higher initial peak concentration of doxorubicin in the heart than those treated with doxorubicin alone. They also demonstrated a higher incidence and severity of degenerative changes in cardiac tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that verapamil effectively inhibits doxorubicin-mediated lipid peroxidation in vivo but that cardiac lipid peroxidation is not the major limiting mechanism underlying doxorubicin-induced toxicity. A possible explanation for the excess mortality and cardiac injury in mice treated with verapamil plus doxorubicin is that verapamil alters the pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin. IMPLICATIONS: Further studies are necessary for development of safer protocols and/or drug combinations to treat multidrug-resistant tumors. We are currently studying treatment of tumor-bearing animals with a cumulative dosage regimen of doxorubicin in the presence and absence of verapamil.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Hodgkin disease survivors at increased risk for problems in psychosocial adaptation. The Cancer and Leukemia Group B.

BACKGROUND: The long-term psychosocial adaptations of 273 survivors of advanced Hodgkin disease were assessed to determine the nature and extent of problems experienced and to identify those at high risk for maladaptation. METHODS: Hodgkin disease survivors were identified who initially had been treated in clinical trials within the Cancer and Leukemia Group B from 1966 to 1986, were currently disease free, and had completed treatment for a minimum of 1 year. All survivors had advanced Hodgkin disease (with disease diagnosed at a mean age of 28 years). Survivors were at a mean age of 37 years at the time of interview (6.3 years after treatment completion), and 60% were male. Survivors were interviewed over the telephone 7-10 days after questionnaires were mailed to them concerning their psychological, social, vocational, and sexual functioning. RESULTS: Psychological distress was found to be elevated by one standard deviation (SD) above that of healthy subjects on the Brief Symptom Inventory, and 22% met the criterion suggested for a psychiatric diagnosis. In addition, the following problems were reported by survivors to be a consequence of having had Hodgkin disease: denial of life (31%) and health (22%) insurance, sexual problems (37%), conditioned nausea in response to reminders of chemotherapy (39%), and a negative socioeconomic effect (36%). Survivors found to be at high risk for maladaptation were: men earning less than $15,000 per year or who were currently unemployed; unmarried individuals; those with serious illnesses since treatment completion; and those who were less educated. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that including a routine assessment of these factors would help to target survivors in need of additional evaluation and treatment.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1992

Pregnancy outcome in survivors of advanced Hodgkin disease.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy outcome was reported by 139 survivors of advanced Hodgkin disease treated on nine protocols of Cancer and Leukemia Group B from 1966 to 1986. METHODS: These patients provided data on 302 singleton pregnancies of a duration of at least 20 weeks that occurred before, during, or after treatment for Hodgkin disease (252, 26, and 24 pregnancies, respectively). RESULTS: There were 4 perinatal deaths, as compared with 5.7 expected. Cancer subsequently developed in 2 offspring (expected, 1.2). However, 22 newborn infants had low a birth weight, exceeding the expected number of 13.7 (relative risk 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-2.4). The excess number of low weight births occurred primarily during the period of Hodgkin disease diagnosis and treatment but is based on small numbers. CONCLUSION: No increase in adverse outcome occurred in pregnancies that antedated the development of Hodgkin disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Characterization of a factor VIII immunogenic site using factor VIII synthetic peptide 1687-1695 and rabbit anti-peptide antibodies.

A 9 amino acid peptide, Ser-Pro-Arg-Ser-Phe-Gln-Lys-Lys-Thr, corresponding to the clotting factor VIII (FVIII) sequence Ser1687-Thr1695, was synthesized in order to analyze a site on FVIII to which antibody inhibitors of FVIII may be directed. This sequence contained a thrombin cleavage site. It was predicted to be immunogenic because a Hopp-Woods hydrophilicity analysis of the amino acid sequence of FVIII showed it to be very hydrophilic, and it contained a proline. The HPLC-purified peptide was cleaved by thrombin at Arg1689-Ser1690, as determined by amino acid sequencing of the cleavage product. Thrombin which had been treated with a specific chloromethyl ketone inhibitor, did not cleave the peptide. Two rabbits immunized with the peptide/keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugate generated FVIII inhibitory sera with titers of 5.4 and 4.8 Bethesda units. These rabbit anti-peptide antibodies reacted with a peptide/-BSA conjugate on immunodot blot analyses and with native, affinity-purified FVIII in Western blots. In competitive immunoradiometric assays, cryosupernatants of 38/82 patients with FVIII inhibitors reacted with the synthetic peptide. We conclude that FVIII peptide Ser1687-Thr1695 is cleaved by thrombin at the same peptide bond which is cleaved in FVIII, and the peptide contains a site to which patients' inhibitory antibodies can be directed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

The association between the use of urinary catheters and morbidity and mortality among elderly patients in nursing homes.

To determine whether the use of urinary catheters in elderly patients in nursing homes has an independent effect on morbidity and mortality, the authors conducted a 1-year prospective study among 1,540 patients in a stratified random sample of nursing homes. Patient mortality was assessed at 1 year in relation to the presence or absence of a catheter at entry to the study, acquisition of a catheter, and the proportion of nursing home days spent catheterized during the study year. The independent association of catheter use with mortality was assessed by logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, activities of daily living, mental status, skin condition (decubitus ulcers), and 20 medical diagnoses. The effect of catheterization on hospitalization, use of systemic antimicrobial drugs, and mortality was also examined by matched pairs analysis. At entry, 10.5% of patients had catheters, and they tended to remain catheterized during most of the study year. An additional 10% were catheterized during the year. The following factors were found to have a significant independent association with mortality: urinary catheters, age, mental status or activities of daily living, cancer, cardiac disease, diabetes, and skin condition. There was a stepwise increase in mortality with duration of catheterization. Patients who were catheterized for 76% or more of their days in the nursing home were three times more likely to die within a year. The number of hospitalizations, duration of hospitalization, and use of antimicrobial drugs were all three times greater among catheterized patients.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1992

AI/Learn/Rheumatology. A computer-assisted educational system for teaching about rheumatic diseases.

Education of health professionals about the rheumatic diseases is in need of improvement. The computer is an instrument that can be used efficiently to educate large numbers of users. With specific educational principles in mind, we developed AI/Learn/Rheumatology, a computer-assisted interactive videodisc system for teaching the rheumatic diseases. While interacting with the user, it conveys knowledge using visual and problem-solving techniques. The system is efficient, enjoyable to use, and useful for small groups and independent study. It is applicable for teaching medical and allied health professional students, postgraduate trainees, and primary care physicians.

Computer-Assisted Instruction↗
PubMed1992

Phase II trial of ifosfamide/mesna and mitoxantrone in previously treated patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: cancer and leukemia group B study 8753.

Ifosfamide (2.0 g/m2 intravenously/day x 3) with mesna (400 mg/m2 intravenously q 4 h daily x 3) was combined with mitoxantrone (14 mg/m2 intravenously x 1) and given on a 3 week schedule to patients with previously treated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In 45 eligible/evaluable patients, a 47% response rate (95% confidence interval: 32%, 62%) was achieved of which 25% were complete responses and 22% were partial responses. Median duration of remission was 10 months with 42% of patients in remission at 18 months. Hematologic toxicity (granulocytopenia) was the dose-limiting toxicity with severe or life-threatening granulocytopenia in 98% of patients at full protocol doses. Nausea/vomiting was seen in 73% of patients but was usually mild/moderate. Three patients had significant hematuria secondary to ifosfamide. Two patients had severe changes in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) secondary to mitoxantrone; and one patient had acute neurologic dysfunction secondary to ifosfamide. Ifosfamide/mesna can be safely combined with mitoxantrone at full doses in previously treated patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This combination should be considered for other trials in lymphoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Meta-analysis for descriptive research.

Although nurses have begun to use meta-analysis, a review of the nursing literature demonstrates that its use has not been maximized. Meta-analysis can be employed to synthesize descriptive as well as experimental research, yet attention in nursing has focused almost exclusively on meta-analysis techniques for, and meta-analytic studies of, experimental research. Furthermore, nursing literature has emphasized use of the effect size index (d) rather than the correlation index (r); the latter may, in some cases, be the more suitable metric, particularly with meta-analysis of correlational studies. An argument is made for the value of meta-analysis as a technique for integrating descriptive research, and an overview of different meta-analytic approaches to data analysis using the correlational index with descriptive research is provided.

Humans↗
PubMed1992

Clostridium difficile toxin-induced reactive arthritis in a patient with chronic Reiter's syndrome.

The first case of Clostridium difficile toxin-induced reactive arthritis in a patient with chronic Reiter's syndrome is described and compared with previous cases of reactive arthritis associated with this organism. This case demonstrates how distinct clinical manifestations may develop at different times in Reiter's syndrome, according to the infecting organism. Diagnostic terminology is discussed in this context. Clostridium difficile should now be considered a firmly established cause of reactive arthritis.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Cytomegalovirus antibody detection in blood donors and mothers of very low birth weight neonates by using three serologic methods.

We compared three serologic methods for cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibody detection and determined the CMV antibody seroprevalence of blood donors and mothers of very low birth weight (less than 1250 g) neonates in the Greater Hartford region. CMV serology was determined for 577 healthy blood donors as well as for 147 mothers of premature infants. Plasma from blood donors and sera from mothers were tested by either latex agglutination (LA) or by an immunofluorescent antibody assay (IFA), and results were compared with those from an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sensitivity and specificity for LA to ELISA were significantly better than for IFA to ELISA [sensitivity 79/81 (97%) vs 171/202 (85%), and specificity 90/94 (96%) vs 257/347 (74%), p less than 0.01]. These differences remained whether plasma or sera were tested. Borderline values explained only two (33%) of six LA-ELISA as well as only 70 (58%) of 121 IFA-ELISA discordance. CMV seroprevalence rate for the donor blood population was 38%, and for the mothers was 53%. The LA assay is superior to the IFA assay for CMV screening of blood donors and maternal populations.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1992

Correlates of physician utilization of physical therapy.

A survey of 200 physicians explored the relationship between their beliefs in the efficacy of physical therapy (PT) and their use of PT for their patients with cerebral palsy (CP). Results show that utilization of PT is related to physicians' use of PT in general and is inversely related to the percentage of CP in physicians' patient loads, but is not related to their opinions of the value of PT services.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1992

Dementia in Melton Mowbray--a validation of earlier findings.

In 1981 a survey of elderly persons aged 75 years and over who belonged to a general practice in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire found a prevalence of moderate cognitive impairment of 4.7%. The criterion which determined the impairment was a score of 7 or under on the CAPE Information/Orientation (IO) sub-test. The prevalence rate has been considered to be much lower than in some key studies, notably the 13% reported in 1970 from Newcastle upon Tyne. Although rates based on cognitive scales are likely to give different results from those based on diagnostic assessment, the suggestion is that the IO sub-test is an insensitive screening instrument for dementia. Using results on the sensitivity and specificity of the CAPE IO sub-test (cut-point 8/9) to detect moderate or severe dementia as defined by clinical diagnosis using the Cambridge Mental Disorders of the Elderly (CAMDEX) schedule, the adjusted prevalence rates of moderate or severe dementia were found to be 3.4% in 1981 and 5.2% in 1988. Both these figures were lower than the observed rates scoring 8 or under on the IO sub-test, confirming that insensitivity of the IO sub-test was not the reason for the supposed low rate in Melton Mowbray in 1981. As the prevalence of dementia in those aged 75 years and over has been reported by other studies to range from 3% to 24%, it is more likely that high rates are due to screening instruments with low specificity.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Misclassification of dementia by the mini-mental state examination--are education and social class the only factors?

The 1988 Melton Mowbray Study of the Elderly comprised an initial screen with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) followed by a detailed clinical assessment using the Cambridge Mental Disorders of the Elderly Examination (CAMDEX) for all those scoring 21 and under on the MMSE, a one in two sample of those scoring 22 or 23 and a one in ten of the remainder. A total of 1579 subjects completed the initial screen with 438 subjects undergoing the CAMDEX assessment. Analysis of those subjects who were found to be free of dementia at the clinical assessment (n = 155) demonstrated that the very elderly, those from the manual social classes and subjects with visual impairments had an increased chance of being misclassified as demented by the MMSE. Low educational level and various measures of physical disability also showed a tendency to result in misclassification as falsely positive by the MMSE when viewed alone but these effects appeared to be due solely to their association with extreme age and/or manual social class.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1992

DSM-III disorders from age 11 to age 15 years.

Although research into the continuity of disorder from childhood to adolescence is sparse, results from both longitudinal and cross sectional studies suggest that the prevalence of disorder increases for girls but may remain more stable for boys. In this paper, the methodologies of two assessment phases of the Dunedin longitudinal study have been equated to estimate the continuity of DSM-III disorder from ages 11 to 15. Although the overall prevalence of disorder doubled between the ages, this was primarily because of an increase in nonaggressive conduct disorder and major depressive episode. The sex ratios in disorder had largely reversed from a male predominance at 11 to a female predominance at 15. In terms of persistence, over 40% of those with disorder at age 11 were also identified at age 15. However, over 80% of those identified with disorder at 15 did not have a history of disorder at 11. Significant sex differences were also found in the continuity of internalizing and externalizing disorders, with externalizing disorders showing more continuity for boys, and internalizing for girls. Logistic regression models were employed to evaluate the roles family background, academic and social competence, and early histories of behavior problems may play in the determination of disorder continuity.

Adolescent↗