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Biomedical subjects

L Spector

Publications and source records attributed to L Spector.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Medically recorded allergies and the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Data on five allergic conditions were abstracted from the medical records of 180 cases of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and 718 matched controls. Odds Ratios (OR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were estimated for composite variables and for individual allergies using conditional logistic regression modelling. Allergies were divided into late and early diagnoses (those made within the year before the matched case's ALL diagnosis and those made earlier, respectively). Among the early diagnoses, atopy or hives was significantly associated with ALL (OR=2.20; 95% CI: 1.16-4.16). Significant associations were found for late diagnoses of atopy or hives (OR=3.78; 95% CI: 1.00-14.29) and of asthma (OR=3.10; 95% CI: 1.39-6.95). None of the other allergic conditions were associated with ALL. These results are contrary to those of prior studies of childhood ALL and allergy.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed2000

Laparoscopic surgery and Kupffer cell activation.

BACKGROUND: Evidence tends to support a relative preservation of the systemic immune response with laparoscopy as compared with laparotomy. However, the role of hepatic macrophages, or Kupffer cells, in modulating this immune advantage is unknown. This study investigated the functions of Kupffer cells after either laparoscopy or laparotomy in a rat model. METHODS: Rats underwent laparoscopy, laparotomy, or control operations. Kupffer cells were harvested, cultured, and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. Culture supernatants were analyzed for tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Cytoplasmic lysates were analyzed for activation of two mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). RESULTS: Production of TNF-alpha and IL-6 was similar in laparoscopy, laparotomy, and control groups. Both laparotomy and laparoscopy showed increased activation of p38 MAPK as compared with controls. Activation of ERK1/2 was decreased during laparotomy as compared with laparoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Although cytokine production was similar in the laparoscopy and laparotomy groups, changes in MAPK activation suggest that intracellular pathways are more affected during laparotomy than during laparoscopy.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Mammalian heparanase: gene cloning, expression and function in tumor progression and metastasis.

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans interact with many extracellular matrix constituents, growth factors and enzymes. Degradation of heparan sulfate by endoglycosidic heparanase cleavage affects a variety of biological processes. We have purified a 50-kDa heparanase from human hepatoma and placenta, and now report cloning of the cDNA and gene encoding this enzyme. Expression of the cloned cDNA in insect and mammalian cells yielded 65-kDa and 50-kDa recombinant heparanase proteins. The 50-kDa enzyme represents an N-terminally processed enzyme, at least 100-fold more active than the 65-kDa form. The heparanase mRNA and protein are preferentially expressed in metastatic cell lines and specimens of human breast, colon and liver carcinomas. Low metastatic murine T-lymphoma and melanoma cells transfected with the heparanase cDNA acquired a highly metastatic phenotype in vivo, reflected by a massive liver and lung colonization. This represents the first cloned mammalian heparanase, to our knowledge, and provides direct evidence for its role in tumor metastasis. Cloning of the heparanase gene enables the development of specific molecular probes for early detection and treatment of cancer metastasis and autoimmune disorders.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

The relationship between psychiatrists' couple and family therapy training experience and their subsequent practice profile.

A 28-item questionnaire was returned by 291 psychiatrists who had completed training between 1962 and 1992. There were positive correlations between the amount of couple and family therapy training (CFTT) they received and the following: the extent to which graduate psychiatrists practice CFT; their involvement as supervisors, teachers, teaching program directors, or researchers; the extent to which they seek continuing education in CFT; their positive attitude toward CFT; and the extent to which they feel that their attitude to and interest in CFT has had a positive effect on the milieu in which they practice and on their personal lives.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

A resource kit for women with breast cancer: development and evaluation.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe the development and evaluation of the Resource Kit for Women With Breast Cancer, designed to facilitate adaptation to diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. DATA SOURCES: Distributed to more than 200 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer. Derived from the Roy Adaptation Model of Nursing and the literature. DATA SYNTHESIS: The kit may be helpful, particularly for women who are too overwhelmed by their situations to retain the vast amount of new information to which they are exposed. CONCLUSIONS: The kit has the potential to assist women to adapt physically, emotionally, functionally, and interpersonally by concisely combining numerous relevant resources in one place, thereby facilitating the location and review of specific information. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: The kit is a complete package that can be used independently of any professional support as a guide for women during individualized professional telephone support or as an adjunct to formal breast cancer support groups.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1992

Health care consortia: a mechanism for increasing access for the medically indigent.

In response to poor coordination among health and social service providers, health care consortia have emerged in many areas of the United States. Consortia link multiple providers in a common structure to create comprehensive systems of care. They can be formally structured or informal combinations of providers that engage in coordination but otherwise do not comprise an independent organization. The functions most common among all types of consortia are shared services and service coordination; however, a number of consortia also operate outreach/education programs. Consortia represent an innovative response to the need both for vertical integration--case management of all levels of care--and horizontal integration to prevent duplication among primary care providers. We outline the history of consortia in which federally-funded community health centers have participated. We also suggest an analytical framework for the various types of consortia; discuss lessons learned about building and maintaining consortia; and provide preliminary outcome data.

Community Health Centers↗