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Biomedical subjects

J L McCoy

Publications and source records attributed to J L McCoy.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Comparison of estrogen and progesterone receptor status to lymphocyte immunity against tumor antigens in breast cancer patients.

Estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) content of tumors were determined by both the dextran-coated charcoal (DCC) cytosol and immunocytochemical assays (ICA), and these hormone receptor results were compared to lymphocyte immunity against tumor antigen(s) for 52 breast carcinoma patients. Hormone receptor analysis by both methods demonstrated that 60% of the patients' tumors had ERs, while 44% were positive for PgRs. The ICA procedure was more sensitive than the cytosol technique for determining PgR content of the tumors. This increased sensitivity was not observed for ER by ICA. Patient age, tumor size, and nodal status were not related to the ER and PgR receptor status. A total of 21/52 (40%) of the patients had positive lymphocyte immunity against tumor antigen. This immunity was independent of patient age, tumor size, and nodal status. There was no significant relationship between lymphocytic immunity against tumor antigen and ER or PgR content of tumors, suggesting that patient lymphocyte immunity against tumor is independent of hormone receptor status. This is further evidence that lymphocyte immunity against tumor antigen status is an independent prognostic indicator that may be useful in the selection of a subset of node negative patients for adjuvant chemotherapy.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1994

Relationship of serum and tumor levels of iron and iron-binding proteins to lymphocyte immunity against tumor antigen in breast cancer patients.

Fifty-two breast cancer patients were evaluated for levels of several molecules related to iron metabolism including determining their tumor tissue and serum ferritin levels, serum transferrin levels, and serum iron levels. In addition the patients' lymphocyte immunity against autologous tumor antigen was investigated. Forty percent (21 of 52) of the patients had lymphocyte immunity against tumor antigen. Iron metabolism molecules were expressed in abnormal quantities in some breast cancer patients: 27% (13 of 49) had elevated tumor tissue ferritin levels, 4% (2 of 49) had abnormally high serum ferritin, 10% (5 of 49) had abnormally low serum transferrin levels, and 43% (21 of 49) had depressed serum iron levels. None of these abnormalities in iron metabolism are associated with tumor immunity. These iron metabolism molecules may be indicative of rates of cell proliferation or may influence growth of breast cancer cells, but do not appear to influence host lymphocyte immunity against tumor associated antigens.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1994

Dose-response relationship in skin sensitization.

The dose-response relationship (challenge phase) of the skin sensitization response was investigated in previously sensitized Hartley guinea pigs. Larger numbers of animals were used per group at the lower doses so that statistically significant observations could be made. Model compounds known to be skin sensitizers were used: a strong sensitizer, dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), and a weaker sensitizer, p-phenylenediamine (PPDA). A gradation in response to changing DNCB doses was easily observed by using either the open epicutaneous test (OET) or the Buehler occlusive patch test. The Buehler test was used to study the dose-response relationship of DNCB sensitization. The sensitivity of the OET and Buehler test was judged not adequate to measure the dose response for PPDA, because at high doses a high incidence of responders was not obtained. Therefore, the maximization test was used to evaluate PPDA. Similar, non-linear dose-response curves were obtained with each compound. The higher doses produced a somewhat linear relationship, but at lower doses the curves flattened out and more slowly approached a zero response. Thus, for potent sensitizers, concentrations found in exposure situations might be in the linear portion of the dose-response curve. For weak responders, use concentrations might be in the shallow portion of the curve, where reactions would be underestimated if a linear dose-response curve were assumed.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Disabled workers' risk of hospitalization and death.

Data from the 1982 New Beneficiary Survey (NBS) were matched with 5 years (1984-88) of Social Security and Medicare data to analyze disabled workers' probability of death and inpatient care. Fifteen percent of the disabled workers died within 18-24 months of initial eligibility; 34 percent died within 5 years. Older disabled workers had higher probabilities of death and hospitalization. Males were two times as likely to die as females, but no more likely to be hospitalized. Black persons also had a higher risk of death but no greater risk of hospitalization than other races. Additional health insurance had no influence on survival, but was differentially associated with inpatient care. Married males were more likely to survive. Physical functioning capacity had no influence on survival or hospitalization. Respiratory, circulatory, and digestive disorders increased the probability of hospitalization and mortality.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1994

The hazard of mortality among aging retired- and disabled-worker men: a comparative sociodemographic and health status analysis.

This article reports on the hazard of mortality of aging retired- and disabled-worker men over the decade after they became Social Security beneficiaries. Basic patterns of mortality rates are described using data from the 1982 New Beneficiary Survey linked to administrative records. The article examines the association of increasing age, race, socioeconomic status, private health insurance, and other demographic and health characteristics with the duration of life between the two groups of men, using statistical models. Over the decade, the hazard of death for retired workers significantly increased with aging and with lower socioeconomic status. The hazard of death for the disabled was significantly associated with being black.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1994

Geographic patterns of disability in the United States.

Geographic patterns of county prevalence rates of disability benefit receipt are shown for the Social Security Administration's Disability Insurance (DI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. Prevalence rates were calculated by dividing each county's December 1990 DI and SSI disability caseloads by the population aged 18-64 for that year in that county. Separate maps were also constructed for men and women recipients. Areas with the highest overall DI prevalence rates included Appalachia, the Southeast Coastal Plains, the Mid-south, northwestern Montana, the coastal counties of Washington, and isolated counties of the Southwest. Areas with the highest SSI prevalence rates included the Mississippi Delta, scattered counties in Oklahoma, the Missouri "Boot Heel," parts of Appalachia, isolated counties in South and North Dakota, the "Four Corners" regions of the Southwest, the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valley regions of California, isolated parts of the upper Great Lakes States, northern Maine, and the coastal region of southwestern Alaska. Disability prevalence rates were also calculated for the overall population and by sex for each of the 10 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services administrative regions.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Evaluation of lymphocyte immunity in breast cancer patients.

One hundred forty-two breast cancer patients were evaluated for three functional immunologic parameters: the ability of their lymphocytes to proliferate in response to general T-(phytohemagglutinin) and B-lymphocyte (pokeweed mitogen) stimulators and their ability to proliferate in response to specific autologous tumor antigens. Tests were performed on patient blood specimens collected approximately 2 hours prior to surgery or 2-4 weeks following chemotherapy. T-lymphocyte functional competence was impaired in 83/142 (58%) of the patients, while B-lymphocyte competence was impaired in 34/142 (24%) of these patients. A total of 21/52 (40%) of the patients had lymphocyte immunity against autologous tumor antigen. There were weak associations between the ability of patients' T- and B-lymphocytes to function normally, and their ability to respond to autologous tumor-antigen. There was no relationship of age, tumor burden (clinical or pathological tumor size), extension to skin and/or muscle, or metastasis to any of the three immunological parameters. A relationship (p = 0.0463) between T-lymphocyte competence and pathological nodal status was observed; individuals that were node positive for disease, tended to have impaired T-lymphocyte function. When evaluating T- and B-lymphocyte competence and lymphocytic immunity against tumor antigen in pre- and post-chemotherapy patients, an immunologic rebound (increase in immune parameters shortly after completion of chemotherapy) was observed in some patients. These results demonstrate the utility of measuring these immune parameters in breast cancer patients, their relevance to the natural biology of the disease, and the influence that chemotherapy may have on host immune function.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1992

Health of retired workers: survival status and Medicare service use.

Data from the Social Security Administration's 1982 New Beneficiary Survey and Master Beneficiary Record were matched with 1984 data from the Medicare Automated Data Retrieval System to study the effects of self-reported health on subsequent health service usage and survival. Proportionately, more new retired workers who reported poorer health in 1982 were decreased by December 1984. Functionally dependent beneficiaries as determined by the Functional Capacity Limitation Index had death rates four to five times greater than those who reported no limitations. The health status of retired workers who received Social Security benefits before age 65 was no better than beneficiaries 65 or over. Decedents were more likely than survivors to incur Medicare charges, and to have substantially higher median charges--$8,834 compared with $285.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1990

Surveying board and care homes: issues and data collection problems.

National information is seriously lacking concerning the number and types of board and care homes, their residents, and the quality of services provided. Shortcomings in current living arrangement classification procedures used in federal surveys are critically examined. A definition and classification system is proposed that would transcend state and local government differences caused by differences in licensure and regulations.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

Indirect leukocyte migration inhibition in breast cancer and benign breast disease patients by mouse mammary tumor virus grown in feline kidney cells.

Indirect migration inhibition assays were performed with normal and mammary tumor-bearing C3H/HeN mice and patients with breast disease to assess cellular immunity against three different mouse mammary tumor virus (MTV) preparations grown in feline kidney cell cultures and against a mouse-derived MTV preparation. MTV obtained after passage through feline kidney cells and the mouse-derived MTV were capable of eliciting macrophage migration inhibitory factor production by mouse spleen cells obtained from normal or mammary tumor-bearing C3H/HeN mice, thus demonstrating a similar degree of antigenicity of these preparations. In experiments with human breast cancer patients' leukocytes, leukocyte inhibitory factor (LIF) was produced by 32-50% of these patients in response to the mouse-derived MTV or to three different MTV preparations obtained after passage through feline kidney cells. A significant proportion (31-54%) of benign breast disease patients also reacted with both the mouse-derived and feline-derived MTV preparations. Patients with both malignant and benign breast disease, however, had a significantly different (P less than .05) pattern of reactivity to mouse- and feline-derived MTV preparations from that observed with normal donors. Finally, some LIF activity was also observed (but not statistically significant with the use of nonparametric analysis methods) when feline leukemia virus was used as antigen with these patients. The data suggest that both breast cancer and benign breast disease patients were reactive against antigens largely specific for MTV in the feline cells and, presumably, were not reactive against feline cellular components, although the second possibility cannot be completely ruled out.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Cell-mediated immunity to mouse mammary tumor virus antigens by patients with hyperplastic benign breast disease.

Peripheral blood leukocytes of patients with preoperative breast cancer, benign breast disease, and benign gynecologic disorders and normal healthy females were tested, as blind coded specimens, with murine mammary tumor virus (MuMTV) antigens in the direct and indirect leukocyte migration inhibition (LMI) assays. The incidence of reactivity by patients with breast cancer was low. (From 5 to 35% breast cancer patients reacted, depending on which group of control individuals they were compared to and what antigen was used.) Nonparametric analyses showed no differences between control groups (normal donors and patients with gynecologic disorders) and breast cancer patients with either assay. However, there was a significant difference between benign breast disease patients with hyperplasia and 1) benign breast disease patients without hyperplasia (P less than 0.03) and 2) patients with gynecologic disorders (P less than 0.04) in the direct assay when it was performed blindly with the gp52 antigen. Patients with hyperplasia (benign breast disease as well as breast cancer) had a higher incidence of enhanced migration in the indirect test than breast disease patients without hyperplasia. The enhanced migration to the MuMTV was correlated to enhanced migration to a 3-M KCI extract of the breast cancer cell line MCF-7 in simultaneous tests. Thus the LMI assays with MuMTV antigens do not appear valuable in breast cancer diagnosis, but they may help to identify a small group of benign breast disease patients whose breast pathology is thought to be associated with a high risk for developing breast cancer.

Antigens, Viral↗
PubMed1981

Contextual and sociodemographic antecedents of institutionalization among aged welfare recipients.

Data obtained in the 1973 Survey of Low-Income Aged and Disabled were used to predict 1974 institutionalized status among aged (65+) welfare recipients. Principal factor analysis was used to derive an index of self-care based on activities of daily living items. Two levels of ability were determined and separate logistic analyses were performed for demographic, contextual and community contact variables. County and other contextual indicators were used to test effects of bed supply and concentration of poverty. The following characteristics were associated with greater probabilities of institutionalization: functional impairment, advanced age, household isolation, presence of nonrelatives and white racial background. Variables associated with greater probabilities of noninstitutionalization included: southern residence, residence in counties with greater concentrations of poverty, frequent contact with friends and relatives, and propinquity of children. Receipt of services was associated with greater probability of institutional placement.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1981

Income and living arrangements among poor aged singles.

It is generally agreed that income plays an important part in determining the living arrangements of unmarried old persons. Numerous studies of later life have concluded that large numbers of old persons live with their friends, adult children, and other relatives simply because they cannot afford to maintain separate homes of their own. The literature contains few references, however, to the effect of income change on the living arrangements of persons after they have become old and poor. This article focuses on the correlates of living arrangements among unmarried older welfare recipients in 1973, and then examines the effect of income change on living arrangements in 1974. Logit analysis identifies several patterns of household change associated with income increase and decrease but, overall, the capacity to care for oneself was the best predictor of living arrangement in 1974.

Adaptation, Psychological↗