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Biomedical subjects

J Collings

Publications and source records attributed to J Collings.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Assessment of long-term psychological well-being following intensive care.

The aim of this research, which remains in progress, has been the examination of long-term psychological consequences for survivors of intensive care. Seventy-two patients were followed up for 1 year, after discharge from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at St James's University Hospital in Leeds. Major objectives of the study included assessment of patients' sense of well-being at specified intervals post-discharge, and identification of ICU-related variables which might influence psychological recovery. Psychometric assessments used were the General Health Questionnaire 28-item version, the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, and the Impact of Event scale. This paper describes findings from the research so far. An exploratory analysis of the data suggests that distinctions can be drawn among surviving patients with regard to psychological recovery, by way of variables such as type of illness, mode of admission and amount of recall. The work expands previous research into post-ICU psychology and quality of life, and should allow increased understanding of this patient group.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Generic prescribing for epilepsy. Is it safe?

Generic prescribing for epilepsy remains controversial. This study aimed to ascertain if a change occurred in the incidence of seizures or side-effects when a different pharmaceutical manufacturer's version of the same antiepileptic drug was taken (a 'switch'). Forty general practices with a list size of 350 168 were recruited. They identified 2285 people being treated for epilepsy with either carbamazepine, phenytoin or sodium valproate. A questionnaire was sent to the people with epilepsy. Those who recalled taking a different pharmaceutical manufacturer's supply of the same antiepileptic drug over the last 2 years were interviewed by their practice if they reported a problem with the control of their epilepsy after a 'switch'. One thousand, three hundred and thirty-three (58.8%) people with epilepsy responded: 251 (18.7%) had experienced a 'switch', 27 (10.8%) reported 'validated' problems; 25 (9.9%) reported unproven problems; 22 (8.8%) reported problems, but follow-up was incomplete; 177 (70.5%) reported no problems. This study suggests that money saved by generic prescribing is outweighed by negative health gain for the person with epilepsy, increased work in general practice, and increased social costs.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Partial purification and characterization of a formylmethionine deformylase from rat small intestine.

A formylmethionine deformylase from rat small-intestinal mucosa has been isolated, characterized and partially purified. The enzyme catalyses the release of equimolar amounts of formate and the free amino acid. The deformylase was active against formylmethionine (Km 7.1 mM) and formylnorleucine, but showed reduced activity against formyl-leucine. It was inactive against a range of other polar and nonpolar formyl-amino acids and against formyl di- and tri-peptides. The Mr of the native enzyme was between 45,000 and 66,000, as determined by h.p.l.c. gel permeation. Further purification of the enzyme either by h.p.l.c. ion-exchange chromatography and concanavalin A-Sepharose or by isoelectric focusing yielded a preparation with one predominant band of Mr 50,000 on SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Bacteria in the intestine present the host with substantial amounts of formylmethionine (fMet) from proteinase and carboxypeptidase digestion of bacterial formyl-peptides in the intestinal lumen. fMet (0.01-1.0 mM) inhibited translation of a test RNA from brome mosaic virus in vitro, indicating that it could have adverse effects on cellular metabolism. Gut epithelial fMet deformylase may be required for deformylation of this exogenous (bacterial) and also endogenous (mitochondrial) fMet.

Amidohydrolases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

People choose nursing for love, not money.

This study looks at the occupational values of nursing students in the mid-1990s and compares the findings with a similar survey carried out in 1980 and published in Nursing Times. Both sets of respondents were particularly motivated by working with, and helping people. Extrinsic motivators, such as earning good money and having status and prestige, were not rated so highly.

Adult↗