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K Dolan

Publications and source records attributed to K Dolan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Epidemiological indicators and ethnographic realities of female cocaine use.

This study is an ethnographic examination of differences in the male-to-female ratio among cocaine users in epidemiological indicators from emergency room departments, local drug-user treatment programs, and the pretrial detention center. In-depth interviews were conducted with female cocaine users. The lower female ratio in drug treatment and emergency department sources seems related to barriers to drug-user treatment for women and the image of emergency departments as an extension of the criminal justice system. The women's involvement in visible illegal activities and their perception as easy arrestees may explain the arrestee data ratio. The findings indicate that epidemiological indicators may misrepresent the gender distribution among drug users.

Cocaine-Related Disorders↗
PubMed1998

A mathematical model of HIV transmission in NSW prisons.

A mathematical model was developed to estimate HIV incidence in NSW prisons. Data included: duration of imprisonment; number of inmates using each needle; lower and higher number of shared injections per IDU per week; proportion of IDUs using bleach; efficacy of bleach; HIV prevalence and probability of infection. HIV prevalence in IDUs in prison was estimated to have risen from 0.8 to 6.7% (12.2%) over 180 weeks when using lower (and higher) values for frequency of shared injections. The estimated minimum (and maximum) number of IDU inmates, infected with HIV in NSW prisons was 38 (and 152) in 1993 according to the model. These figures require confirmation by seroincidence studies.

Databases, Factual↗
PubMed1998

Allelotype analysis of oesophageal adenocarcinoma: loss of heterozygosity occurs at multiple sites.

Deletions of tumour-suppressor genes can be detected by loss of heterozygosity (LOH) studies, which were performed on 23 cases of adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus, using 120 microsatellite primers covering all non-acrocentric autosomal chromosome arms. The chromosomal arms most frequently demonstrating LOH were 3p (64% of tumours), 5q (45%), 9p (52%), 11p (61%), 13q (50%), 17p (96%), 17q (55%) and 18q (70%). LOH on 3p, 9p, 13q, 17p and 18q occurred mainly within the loci of the VHL, CDKN2, Rb, TP53 and DCC tumour-suppressor genes respectively. LOH on 5q occurred at the sites of the MSH3 mismatch repair gene and the APC tumour-suppressor gene. 11p15.5 and 17q25-qter represented areas of greatest LOH on chromosomes 11p and 17q, and are putative sites of novel tumour-suppressor genes. LOH on 9p was significantly associated with LOH on 5q, and tumours demonstrating LOH at both the CDKN2 (9p21) and MSH3 (5q11-q12) genes had a significantly higher fractional allele loss than those retaining heterozygosity at these sites. Six of nine carcinomas displaying microsatellite alterations also demonstrated LOH at CDKN2, which may be associated with widespread genomic instability. Overall, there are nine sites of LOH associated with oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1997

Children in accident and emergency.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the many issues surrounding the care of children within Accident and Emergency (A & E) departments. A review of relevant literature reveals the principles that are pertinent to the care of the child in hospital and specifically within an A & E department. Theories of child development are introduced and discussed in relation to nursing care of children. The reflective cycle is used to examine two critical incidents. The analysis of these events allows further scrutiny of the ideas relating to the care of children and illustrates the way in which such ideals can be used to guide practice. The authors concludes that a sound knowledge of the developmental process of the child, and an understanding of the particular issues relevant to the care of the child within the accident and emergency environment can ensure optimum care for each child and their family.

Child↗
PubMed1990

S-100B but not NGF, EGF, insulin or calmodulin is a CNS serotonergic growth factor.

The effects of S-100B, nerve growth factor (NGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin were tested in cultured mesencephalic neurons. Only chronic S-100B showed enhancement (maximal at 3.2 ng/ml is 171%) after 3 days of incubation of the [3H]5-HT uptake capacity by serotonergic neurons. A single application at initial plating of S-100B (maximal at 5 ng/ml is 185%), but not calmodulin, increased the development of the [3H]5-HT uptake capacity by the cultured serotonergic neurons. Morphometric analysis of cultured 5-HT immunoreactive (IR) neurons showed an increase (135 and 147%) in neurite length 30 h after S-100B application of 16 and 3.2 ng/ml (respectively). These results suggest that S-100B is a serotonergic growth factor in the mammalian brain.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Changes in HIV risk behaviour in clients of syringe-exchange schemes in England and Scotland.

The impact of syringe-exchange schemes on the behaviour of injecting drug users was investigated through self-reported behaviour change. Fifteen syringe-exchange schemes in England and Scotland participated in a government-sponsored pilot programme from April 1987. Clients were provided with sterile injecting equipment and condoms, and with knowledge of HIV risks. One hundred and forty-two injecting drug users who first attended between April 1987 and March 1988 participated in a prospective interview-based survey with questions at two points in time. Measurements were self-reported attitudinal, knowledge and behavioural changes relevant to HIV infection and transmission. Many clients maintained or adopted low-risk behaviours: 79% sustained or adopted low or lower levels of syringe sharing. Trends identified include decreases in syringe-sharing, from 34 to 27%; using others' syringes (risk of infection) from 25 to 19%; passing on syringes (risk of transmission) from 30 to 25%. Many clients reported changes in sexual behaviour; those with sexual partners decreased from 77 to 69% and those with two or more sexual partners from 26 to 21%. However, non-use of condoms increased from 62 to 79%. Comparison groups of non-attenders showed higher levels of risk behaviour (59-62% sharing syringes, 86-88% with sexual partners). Overall, changes in HIV risk behaviour show small but encouraging trends and support arguments that injectors can be helped to change their behaviour, which could be of cumulative importance in reducing the spread of HIV.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

The natural history of untreated hyperprolactinemia: a prospective analysis.

This report describes the results of a long term prospective study of 30 women with hyperprolactinemia who were not treated and who underwent yearly clinical, hormonal, and radiographic evaluation for an average of 5.2 yr (range 3-7 yr). At entry into the study 18 women had amenorrhea, 8 had oligomenorrhea, and 4 had regular menstrual periods. The initial mean serum PRL levels did not differ in women grouped according to menstrual function. Nine women (35%) had improvement in clinical symptoms. Serum PRL decreased, and menstrual periods normalized more often in those who initially had oligomenorrhea or regular menstrual periods. In most amenorrheic women serum PRL levels did not decline, and menstrual symptoms did not improve. Six of 30 women had an increase in serum PRL, 14 had no change, and 10 had a decrease, in 6 of whom serum PRL was normal at the last observation. Twenty-seven women had serial radiographic studies. Four (15%) of the 13 women with initially abnormal radiographic findings had normal studies later, 2 had tumor progression, and 7 no change. Four of 14 women who had normal radiographic studies initially developed radiographic evidence of a pituitary tumor, although the radiographic changes were minimal, and no patient developed a macroadenoma or pituitary hypofunction. Increases or decreases in serum PRL did not accurately predict changes in tumor size. Prior estrogen use and previous pregnancies did not increase the likelihood of tumor appearance or enhance tumor growth. The clinical presentation of the patient was an important factor in predicting which patients had a decline in serum PRL and resolution of symptoms. We conclude that patients with hyperprolactinemia are unlikely to have progression of their disease and may, in fact, have clinical and radiographic improvement.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Syringe exchange schemes for drug users in England and Scotland.

In 1987 experimental schemes for distributing injecting equipment to intravenous drug users to help prevent the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus were started by the government. After six months the schemes were found to have been reasonably successful in attracting clients but were less successful in keeping them. It has been shown that equipment can be distributed to drug users on an exchange basis. Many of the clients who were attracted to these schemes had had no treatment or other help for their drug problems.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗