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Biomedical subjects

K Ford

Publications and source records attributed to K Ford.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Effects of co-factor and deoxycytidine substituted oligonucleotides upon sequence-specific interactions between MspI DNA methyltransferase and DNA.

MspI methyltransferase (M.MspI) catalyses the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosyl-L-methionine to the C-5 position of the outer deoxycytidine base in the DNA sequence 5'-CCGG-3'. Recombinant M.MspI when expressed and purified as a translational fusion with glutathione-S-transferase, shows all of the properties of the wild-type enzyme. We report the kinetic analysis of M.MspI binding to DNA, which suggests a two-stage methylation process, whose initial DNA binding rate is governed by the presence of a positively charged sulphonium centre on the cofactor. Results are also presented that indicate that M.MspI binds preferentially to hemi-methylated DNA and that full methylation of either deoxycytidine on both strands significantly impairs sequence-specific protein-DNA interactions. Furthermore, the importance of the 4-amino group of the inner deoxycytidine for sequence-specific protein-DNA interactions is demonstrated by substituting deoxycytidine with 2-pyrimidinone-1-beta-D-2-deoxyriboside. In addition, we detail the intrinsic structural elements of a cofactor, required to enhance the binding of M.MspI to its recognition sequence, by using S-adenosyl-L-methionine and a range of derivatives.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Breast-feeding and child health in the United States.

This paper evaluates the influence of breast-feeding on infectious and allergic diseases in infants and children through an analysis of data from a large national sample of US children. It controls for a large number of maternal and child health, demographic, and socioeconomic variables which have been shown to affect feeding patterns, and it includes several aspects of the feeding pattern in addition to breast-feeding. The results suggest that breast-feeding provides some protection against pneumonia and otitis media in the United States while early introduction of formula may have a separate and negative effect.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1993

AIDS and STDs: risk behaviour patterns among female sex workers in Bali, Indonesia.

This study investigated AIDS and STD knowledge, risk behaviour patterns and condom use among three distinct groups of female commercial sex workers (CSWs) in Bali, Indonesia. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 71 female CSWs. These CSW groups differ in the prices they charge, their places and modes of employment, educational backgrounds, levels of AIDS and STD knowledge, number of clients served and levels of condom use. Knowledge of the routes of transmission and appropriate prevention practices is low among all groups, and despite significant differences in their number of clients and their condom use, all groups report high levels of STD symptoms. Although HIV seroprevalence rates are currently low in Indonesia, high risk sexual behaviour patterns place all three groups of CSWs and their clients at great risk of infection. Interventions targeted to specific groups of CSWs and clients should be undertaken as soon as possible, including educational activities utilizing peer educators, condom promotion and distribution, together with improved STD diagnosis and treatment for CSWs and their clients.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1993

Urban, low-income, African-American and Hispanic youths' negative experiences with condoms. Implications for nursing intervention.

Research suggests that the rate of HIV infection is increasing dramatically in African-American and Hispanic youths who live in low-income, urban areas. Nurses need information about these youths' negative experiences with condoms to intervene effectively in the spread of acquired immune deficiency syndrome. This article discusses negative experiences with using condoms that were reported by a subsample of condom users (n = 975) from a household probability sample of low-income, urban, African-American and Hispanic youths. Condom users were asked about 12 different negative experiences with condoms. Results from this household survey highlight a need for nurses to provide clients with specific directions about how to use condoms correctly and to encourage clients to practice putting on condoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Meeting the needs of new parents.

Details recent research carried out into the needs of new parents. Details the findings, and discusses the broad recommendations, which are that there is a need to review parent education and develop a strategy for change so that the benefits from contact with, and expenditure on these clients can be maximized.

Female↗
PubMed1992

Correlation between subsequent lengths of postpartum amenorrhoea in a prospective study of breast-feeding women in rural Bangladesh.

The relationship between subsequent lengths of lactational amenorrhoea for individual women in a prospective study of breast-feeding women in Bangladesh was studied. The data indicate that previous length of amenorrhoea has significant predictive value for the subsequent length of amenorrhoea. Information on previous experience with lactational amenorrhoea should be therefore incorporated into guidelines for the introduction of family planning during lactation.

Amenorrhea↗
PubMed1992

A seasonal depression. Management of seasonal affective disorder.

1. SAD is a mood disorder characterised by recurring cyclic periods of autumn/winter dysthymia alternating with late spring/summer euthymia or hypomania. 2. It is now thought that SAD sufferers may be deficient in certain brain chemicals, and it is likely that the interactions of a number of neurotransmitters are responsible for the disorder. 3. In the UK, 72% of SAD sufferers report an increase in sleep from around seven hours in the summer to nine in winter. 4. Phototherapy has been proved an effective treatment for SAD, and lamps for phototherapy are becoming increasingly available.

Humans↗
PubMed1991

Urban African-American and Hispanic adolescents and young adults: who do they talk to about AIDS and condoms? What are they learning?

This paper reports on the first qualitative part of a study designed to investigate factors related to the use of condoms among African-American and Hispanic adolescents and young adults in Detroit. This paper describes who young, urban, African-American and Hispanic persons talk to about AIDS and condoms and what they are learning. The paper provides data on attitudes and beliefs about AIDS and condoms that are needed for further research and for prevention programs.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Who is breast-feeding? Implications of associated social and biomedical variables for research on the consequences of method of infant feeding.

The objective of this paper is to identify social and biomedical variables that influence the selection of methods of infant feeding in the United States and to provide guidelines for the choice of control variables in the design and interpretation of studies that examine the influence of breast-feeding on infant and child health. Data were drawn from a national household survey, the Child Health Supplement of the 1981 Health Interview Survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics. Relationships between demographic, socioeconomic, and health variables were studied for the total sample of children under age 5 y as well as for black and white women separately. The data provide evidence for the importance of both social and health variables as selection factors for breast-feeding in the United States.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Duration of residence in the United States and the fertility of U.S. immigrants.

"This paper analyzes census data on the fertility of U.S. immigrants to study trends in fertility after migration. The results showed that immigrant fertility may rise after arrival in the new country perhaps because immigrants are making up for births or marriages that may have been postponed due to the move. After a period of time, the fertility of immigrants may fall and as immigrants become more assimilated to the new country their fertility may come to be similar to cohorts of longer duration. These relationships were examined in a multivariate context so that variations between groups in socioeconomic status, fertility in the country of origin, age and marital status could be controlled. Relationships were studied for all U.S. immigrants as well as for subgroups defined by country or region of origin. The results indicate that simple measures of immigrant fertility that do not consider duration of residence are likely to be misleading if used to draw conclusions about the fertility impacts of immigration and advisable policy interventions."

Acculturation↗
PubMed1989

Bedside blood gas and electrolyte monitoring in critically ill patients.

A major advantage of near-patient testing is time savings that facilitate important diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. Recent technologic advances have made available a number of systems that allow for near-patient testing. The reliability of these instruments must be validated in the clinical setting in the hands of their intended users. We evaluated the Gemstat blood gas, electrolyte, and Hct portable analyzer in the critical care setting when used by numerous individuals with no previous laboratory training. Blood gas, Na, K, and Hct results were highly correlated with those from the clinical laboratories (PaO2, r = .96; PaCO2, r = .92, pH, r = .96; Na, r = .93; K, r = .95; Hct, r = .91). The Gemstat represents a new generation of portable, rapid, safe, and accurate instruments that are well suited for ICU settings. The instrument can facilitate clinical management of patients, and may improve patient care.

Blood Gas Analysis↗
PubMed1989

Birth-interval dynamics in rural Bangladesh and maternal weight.

This article reports on the results of a study conducted in rural Bangladesh on the influence of maternal weight on the components of birth intervals, including gestation and intrauterine mortality, the duration of postpartum amenorrhea, and the duration of waiting time to conception (the menstrual interval). When biological factors (including maternal age, parity, and supplementation practices) and behavioral variables, including religion, education, and occupation, were controlled, maternal weight was found to be related to the risk of intrauterine mortality and to the probability of resuming menses in the postpartum period. The implications of these findings for policies and programs in developing countries are discussed.

Amenorrhea↗
PubMed1987

DNA sequence preferences for an intercalating porphyrin compound revealed by footprinting.

The DNA sequence preferences of the compound meso-tetra-(4-N-methyl(pyridyl) porphyrin and its nickel complex have been investigated by means of footprinting experiments on several DNA fragments, using DNAase I and micrococcal nuclease as footprinting agents. A complex pattern of both AT and GC-protected sites was found. Ligand-induced long-range conformational changes were inferred in several instances to be related to the observed large-scale blockages of enzymatic cutting.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1987

Contraceptive usage during lactation in the United States: an update.

National Surveys of Family Growth data showed that as of 1982, most lactating women who were sexually active used a contraceptive method; barrier methods were most frequently used. Black women and women of higher parity and lower educational level were more likely to be sexually active and not using a method.

Adolescent↗