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Biomedical subjects

M Ashley

Publications and source records attributed to M Ashley.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Upper limits on a stochastic background of gravitational waves.

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory has performed a third science run with much improved sensitivities of all three interferometers. We present an analysis of approximately 200 hours of data acquired during this run, used to search for a stochastic background of gravitational radiation. We place upper bounds on the energy density stored as gravitational radiation for three different spectral power laws. For the flat spectrum, our limit of omega0 < 8.4 x 10(-4) in the 69-156 Hz band is approximately 10(5) times lower than the previous result in this frequency range.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Limits on gravitational-wave emission from selected pulsars using LIGO data.

We place direct upper limits on the amplitude of gravitational waves from 28 isolated radio pulsars by a coherent multidetector analysis of the data collected during the second science run of the LIGO interferometric detectors. These are the first direct upper limits for 26 of the 28 pulsars. We use coordinated radio observations for the first time to build radio-guided phase templates for the expected gravitational-wave signals. The unprecedented sensitivity of the detectors allows us to set strain upper limits as low as a few times 10(-24). These strain limits translate into limits on the equatorial ellipticities of the pulsars, which are smaller than 10(-5) for the four closest pulsars.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Defects of dental appearance assessed by patient and dental student groups.

A study was carried out to establish the relative need for treatment of a range of defects of dental appearance and identify differences between individual and group assessments. Three groups (n = 42), two of patients (one referred for a defect of dental appearance and one not) and one of dental students, assessed urgency of need on a visual analogue scale (VAS), of four cases of dental defect presented as colour prints. All groups rated the need for treatment of the four cases in the same order. Data sets were non-normal with wide ranges. Patients without a defect of appearance usually assessed treatment need as significantly less urgent. Marked variation was discovered between individual assessments within otherwise similar groups. Based on group decisions, guidelines for treatment of defects of dental appearance could be established. However, so extreme are individual variations that very sympathetic application would be needed if dissatisfaction is not to result.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Preliminary report: skeletal muscle cell lipid and oxygen supply.

In a group of 12 normal-weight, normotensive, nondiabetic adult females, the intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) to creatine ratio of the soleus muscle was determined using localized (1)H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) and related to skeletal muscle blood (and oxygen) supply (as assessed by near infrared spectroscopy [NIRS] of the forearm). A significant positive association was found between IMCL content and reoxygenation rate of forearm muscle hemoglobin (Hb) after 1 minute of ischemic exercise (r = .70, P = .01). The relative efficiency of skeletal muscle oxygen supply may be a determining factor of IMCL content in skeletal muscle.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The assessment of the endodontically treated tooth.

This paper reviews the assessment of success and failure following endodontic treatment and highlights the fact that many referrals for specialist management of endodontic failure do not take into consideration established guidelines in this important area.

Endodontics↗
PubMed1998

An immediate adhesive bridge using the natural tooth.

There are several methods available for the replacement of missing anterior teeth. These include a removable prosthesis, a conventional fixed bridge, an adhesive bridge or a dental implant. The choice of the most suitable technique depends on several factors, such as the condition of the adjacent teeth, the occlusion, the patient's wishes and the financial implications of the proposed treatment.

Acid Etching, Dental↗
PubMed1998

Developing a team for multicultural, multi-institutional research on fatigue and quality of life.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe the process of establishing a multisite team to conduct research with a multicultural focus on fatigue. DATA SOURCES: Articles, book chapters, personal experience. DATA SYNTHESIS: Teamwork facilitated development of a productive professional working group, sharing of resources, and data collection culminating in a research proposal for studying cancer-related fatigue in a multicultural population. CONCLUSIONS: Establishing a common goal by investing time, committing to the process, and establishing trust was the secret to effective team functioning. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: The prospect of multi-institutional collaboration has implications for oncology nurses in the areas of research and practice. Goals that could not be achieved easily in the setting of a single institution are reached more easily with multisite collaboration and teamwork.

Cooperative Behavior↗
PubMed1996

Attitude of African-Americans regarding prostate cancer clinical trials.

The purpose of this study was to qualitatively assess attitudes associated with the willingness of African-Americans to participate in prostate cancer clinical trials. Fifty-six African-American males, 40 years of age and older, were recruited from South Central Los Angeles. Respondents were divided into lower or middle socio-economic groups based on education and occupation. Focus group discussions were conducted to assess their knowledge about prostate cancer and willingness to participate in prostate cancer clinical trials. In addition, information was obtained to identify their incentives and barriers towards participating in prostate cancer research. Middle socio-economic respondents expressed a greater willingness to participate in prostate cancer clinical trials than did men of lower socio-economic status. Many indicated that they would be more likely to participate if they were encouraged to do so by a physician or researcher who was viewed as being competent and compassionate. Barriers to participation in prostate cancer clinical trials included concerns about drug toxicity, medical experimentation and distrust of the medical establishment. Endeavors aimed at increasing minority representation in prostate cancer clinical studies should address these issues.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Attitudes of African Americans regarding screening for prostate cancer.

The purpose of this study was to identify attitudes associated with the willingness of African Americans to participate in prostate cancer screening. Subjects > or = 40 years were recruited from South Central Los Angeles. Fifty-six respondents were divided into low or middle socioeconomic groups based on education and occupation. Focus group discussions were conducted to assess knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about prostate cancer screening and treatment, willingness to participate in screening, incentives and barriers toward participating in screening, and source of medical care. The middle socioeconomic respondents expressed a greater willingness to participate in prostate screening. This difference was attributed to their greater knowledge about the disease and screening procedures, enhanced access to health promotion activities, being less fearful of discovering abnormal results, exposure to more aggressive behavior on the part of the provider with respect to screening, and receiving medical care in an environment that is more respectful toward the consumer. Efforts to increase minority participation in prostate cancer screening or prevention studies must take these findings into consideration.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1992

Inaccuracies in certification of nonmelanoma skin cancer deaths.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer is the most common cancer site in the United States, yet mortality from this cause is poorly understood. We sought medical records of the 16 reported deaths during 1979 through 1987 from this cause (International Classification of Diseases, 9th version [ICD-9], code 173) among Rhode Island residents to evaluate the accuracy of the reported cause of death. Of the 110 cases for which the cause of death could be classified as correct or incorrect, 59 (54%) were misclassified, 49 (83%) of which were mucous-membrane, squamous-cell carcinomas of the head and neck. For most of these, the written death certificate diagnosis was squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck, which was coded 173.4. Other problematic diagnoses were cancer of the head and neck and malignant fibrous histiocytoma. In response to a mailed survey, most health departments replied that squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck was coded under rubric 173 and malignant fibrous histiocytoma was coded under rubric 171, but there was no unanimity. The misclassification of other causes of death to ICD-9 rubric 173 is substantial. The vast majority were coded to rubric 173.4 and were due to a small number of diagnoses that are recognizable on examination of the death certificate.

Abstracting and Indexing↗
PubMed1991

Nonmelanoma skin cancer mortality. A population-based study.

To estimate the magnitude of nonmelanoma skin cancer mortality and describe its parameters, we reviewed the medical records of all deaths certified as due to this cause among Rhode Island residents from 1979 through 1987. After excluding acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated Kaposi's sarcoma, we confirmed that nonmelanoma skin cancer was the cause of death for 51 individuals, a quarter of the number of melanoma deaths reported. The age-adjusted nonmelanoma skin cancer mortality rate was 0.44/10(5) per year. Fifty-nine percent were due to squamous cell carcinoma, and 20% were due to basal cell carcinoma. Most appeared actinically induced. Among deaths from squamous cell carcinoma, the mean age was 73 years. At least 80% of the squamous cell carcinomas metastasized, and 47% arose on the ear. None appeared due to refusal of treatment. Among deaths from basal cell carcinoma, the mean age was 85 years, and refusal of surgical intervention was documented in 40%. Study of nonmelanoma skin cancer mortality provides for estimation of the magnitude of this problem, complements other studies of prognosis, and helps guide prevention, early detection, and treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

High frequency jet ventilation - its use in respiratory insufficiency. Two case reports.

High frequency jet ventilation was used in two patients with severe pulmonary disease, one of whom was deteriorating and the other not improving on a conventional regime of antibiotics, physiotherapy and intermittent positive pressure ventilation. In our first case high frequency jet ventilation was achieved using one side of a double lumen endotracheal tube, whilst intermittent positive pressure ventilation was applied to the other side. In the second case a specially designed endotracheal tube with a distal jetting orifice was employed. In both cases there was marked improvement in chest X-ray appearance, arterial blood gas analysis and clinical condition, permitting resumption of spontaneous ventilation, extubation and eventual discharge from the Intensive Therapy Unit.

Humans↗