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Biomedical subjects

J Jeffries

Publications and source records attributed to J Jeffries.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

From DNA to data privacy.

Genetic research is revolutionizing healthcare by predicting diseases and revealing cures. At the same time, the information presents new challenges to HIM professionals charged with keeping this vital data from the wrong hands. Here's a look at the role genetic information is playing in healthcare and what you need to know about keeping it private.

Attitude to Health↗

Informed consent and tardive dyskinesia. Long-term follow-up.

Informed consent allows patients to make treatment decisions based on the best possible information. The current study examines the long-term impact of the informed consent process on schizophrenic patients. Patients were administered a baseline questionnaire and were given an information form, which was read aloud to them by the investigator. Patients were re-administered the questionnaire at 4 weeks and were randomly assigned to no review (single-session group) or a review of the information (educational review group). All patients were administered the questionnaire at 2-year follow-up. Both the single session and the educational review process significantly increase the schizophrenic patient's knowledge about the benefits and risks of neuroleptic medication. No previous study has examined the impact of informed consent for antipsychotic medication at 2-year follow-up.

Antipsychotic Agents↗

Insecticide toxicity, glutathione transferases and carboxylesterase activities in the larva of the Aedes mosquito.

1. Toxicity evaluations of DDT, lindane, abate and carbaryl were carried out in the larvae of two wild Aedes aegypti strains from Kuala Lumpur and Klang. The Kuala Lumpur strain was more susceptible to the insecticides than the Klang strain. 2. The lethal toxicity time was also determined. The insecticides were found to take a longer time to exert their effect in the Klang strain as compared to the Kuala Lumpur strain. 3. Carboxylesterase activity was determined to be higher in the Kuala Lumpur strain, but glutathione transferase activities were higher in the Klang strain.

Aedes↗

Polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in adipose tissue lipid and serum of past and present transformer repair workers and a comparison group.

The concentrations of individual PCB's were determined in both serum and adipose tissue lipid from 35 transformer repair workers currently exposed to PCBs, mainly Aroclor 1260, 17 previous transformer repair workers, and 56 comparison workers never occupationally exposed to PCBs. The analysis used fused-silica capillary gas chromatography with electron capture detector (FSCGC/ECD) and FSCGC with negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry to verify PCB congener levels. Eighty-nine PCB peaks were identified and confirmed. More congeners were detected in adipose tissue. In serum approximately 50% of peaks were below the level of detection. Statistical techniques to account for left and interval censoring allowed comparison of concentration distributions even where data were incomplete. We found that unquantifiable levels were unlikely to contribute substantially to the true values for total [PCBs] over and beyond the contribution of the measured values. However, the total serum [PCBs] determined by FSCGC/ECD greatly exceeded that from standard packed cell gas chromatography (PCGC/ECD). The underestimation was less marked for adipose samples. In serum the total [PCBs] was highest in currently exposed workers and lowest in unexposed workers, with past-exposed workers clearly intermediate. In adipose tissue [PCBs] in the currently exposed group was much higher than in the other two groups, in whom the distribution of results was broadly similar. In all worker groups hexachlorinated and heptachlorinated species predominated followed by octachlorinated and pentachlorinated. The relative distribution of individual PCB congeners in the three groups was similar although the amounts varied. The seven major peaks in serum and adipose tissue were 2,3,5,6,3',4',5'/2,3,4,5,2',4',5' hepta-CB; 2,3,4,2',3',5' hexa-CB; 2,4,6,3',4',5'/2,4,5,2',4',5'/2,3,4,5,2',5' hexa-CB; 2,3,4,5,2',3',4' hepta-CB; 2,3,4,5,2',3',5',6'/2,3,4,5,6,2',3',5', octa-CB; 2,4,5,3',4',/3,4,5,2',3' penta-CB; and 2,3,4,2',3',4'/2,3,5,6,2',4',5'/2,3,4,5,2',4',6' multi-CB. The distribution of PCB peaks in our populations differs from that in capacitor workers (exposed to less highly chlorinated PCBs) and from Yu-Cheng patients suggesting differing toxic potentials from PCBs in these three circumstances.

Adipose Tissue↗

Seropositivity to LAV/HTLV-III in 11 European countries.

The ECP Working Group on AIDS has evaluated data on seropositivity to LAV/HTLV-III supplied by members in II Western European countries. The period covered is 1981-84. The rise in LAV/HTLV seropositivity parallels the incidence of cases of AIDS in the different countries. LAV/HTLV now spreads freely within Europe and spread has become less dependent upon promiscuity. The epidemic is about to enter Eastern Europe. Intravenous drug abusers appear to be the risk group experiencing the most rapid spread at present. Furthermore, seropositivity in males and females outside the traditional risk groups seems on the rise, and as in the US the percentage seronegative in individuals with PGL is quite high. AIDS is rapidly becoming a major cause of cancer in young adults. A coordinated European preventive effort is urgently needed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

The question of lithium/neuroleptic toxicity.

The question of lithium-haloperidol incompatibility has been debated for a number of years now. The difficulty remains in distinguishing a combined toxicity syndrome, rather than toxicity to either agent alone. The authors reviewed a further case of adverse drug response following the concomitant use of lithium and haloperidol. It is their conclusion that a combined toxicity syndrome does exist, although it remains for future investigations to determine whether this effect is additive or synergistic. Finally, the possibility of underlying organic susceptibility is raised with reference to the case presented here.

Adult↗