PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Jenny Smith

Publications and source records attributed to Jenny Smith.

3 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Evaluation of an alternative transport initiative in Perth, Western Australia, 2000-04.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: Perth, Western Australia, has the highest proportion of per capita car ownership in Australia. Despite the various health, environmental and traffic-related benefits, the uptake of alternative forms of transportation such as walking, cycling and public transport are low. METHODS: In response to a growing reliance on motorised transport, the Department for Planning and Infrastructure's (DPI's) Cycling Unit conducts an annual Bike to Work Breakfast to promote cycling as a viable form of transport to work. During this event a short, cross-sectional survey is distributed to assess the usual cycling behaviours of attendees. Topical issues relating to cycling are also investigated. RESULTS: Results from the 2004 survey indicated that the majority of respondents cycled at least 2-3 times per week (85%) to improve fitness (88%), for enjoyment (70%) and because it was a cost-effective means of transport (45%). Most of the respondents (92%) supported the need for more cycle-friendly infrastructure such as advanced stop lines at intersections and safety measures such as wearing cycle helmets (85%). These findings were consistent with results from similar surveys conducted between 2000 and 2003. CONCLUSIONS: The DPI's Bike to Work Breakfast is a popular event within the cycling calendar that provides the opportunity to gain a snapshot of cycling behaviours and attitudes of cyclists. Prior consultation with the evaluators in the development of the survey instrument has the potential to investigate barriers and enablers to cycling on a regular basis. Age and gender differences could also be explored.

Advertising↗
PubMed2004

Raman spectroscopy for identification of epithelial cancers.

There is a real need for improvements in cancer detection. Significant problems are encountered when utilising the gold standard of excisional biopsy combined with histopathology. This can include missed lesions, perforation and high levels of inter- and intra-observer discrepancies. The clinical requirements for an objective, non-invasive real time probe for accurate and repeatable measurement of tissue pathological state are overwhelming. This study has evaluated the potential for Raman spectroscopy to achieve this goal. The technique measures the molecular specific inelastic scattering of laser light within tissue, thus enabling the analysis of biochemical changes that precede and accompany disease processes. Initial work has been carried out to optimise a commercially available Raman microspectrometer for tissue measurements; to target potential malignancies with a clinical need for diagnostic improvements (oesophagus. colon, breast, andd prostate) and to build and test spectral libraries and prediction algorithms for tissue types and pathologies. This study has followed rigorous sample collection protocols and histopathological analysis using a board of expert pathologists. Only the data from samples with full agreement of a homogeneous pathology have been used to construct a training data set of Raman spectra. Measurements of tissue specimens from the full spectrum of different pathological groups found in each tissue have been made. Diagnostic predictive models have been constructed and optimised using multivariate analysis techniques. They have been tested using cross-validation or leave-one-out and demonstrated high levels of discrimination between pathology groups (greater than 90% sensitivity and specificity for all tissues). However larger sample numbers are required for further evaluation. The discussions outline the likely work required for successful implementation of in vivo Raman detection of early malignancies.

Algorithms↗