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Biomedical subjects

M D Finch

Publications and source records attributed to M D Finch.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Human recombinant interleukin-6 enhances antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of human tumor cells mediated by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

The effects of human recombinant interleukin-6 (hrIL-6) on antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity mediated by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMNC) were investigated. Human PMNC were preincubated for 24 h with various concentrations of hrIL-6 and were used as effector cells in a 4-h 51Cr-release assay. The ability of hrIL-6 to augment ADCC was measured using anti-colorectal carcinoma mAbs D612, 17.1A and 31.1 (each directed against a distinct tumor antigen) and using three human colorectal carcinoma cell lines, LS-174T, WiDr and HT-29, as targets. A significant increase in ADCC activity was observed after PMNC were preincubated in 100-400 U/ml but not in lower concentrations of hrIL-6. Variations in activities of PMNC among donors were observed. Non-specific mAb showed no effect in augmenting ADCC activity. hrIL-6 treatment did not augment non-specific (non-mAb-mediated) cytotoxicity. The enhancement of ADCC activity was blocked by the addition of an antibody against hrIL-6 but not by an antibody to the IL-2 receptor (capable of blocking the induction of lymphokine-activated killer cell cytotoxicity by IL-2), suggesting that hrIL-6 augmentation of ADCC activity may not be mediated through IL-2. These results demonstrate that hrIL-6 augments ADCC activity of human PMNC using mAbs to human tumor antigens and human tumor cells as targets, suggesting a potential role for IL-6 in combination with anti-cancer antibodies for cancer immunotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Patient characteristics and outcomes in institutional and community long-term care.

This paper examines the three-way relationships among patient characteristics, type of care (admission to a nursing home or community setting), and 6-month outcomes of 352 long-term care patients. The study found that patient characteristics influenced the type of care received and that substantial portions of the variance in the outcomes were attributable to initial differences among patients in the two types of care. Controlling for the effect of selective admission, type of care had no significant impact on patients' ADL scores, mobility scores, or disposition after 6 months in the long-term care setting.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1991

Adult foster care for the elderly in Oregon: a mainstream alternative to nursing homes?

BACKGROUND: In Oregon, adult foster care (AFC) homes, which are private residences where a live-in manager cares for one to five disabled residents, have been covered by Medicaid since 1981 and seem to offer a mainstream alternative to nursing homes. They house almost 6000 older people, two thirds of which pay privately. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, we interviewed 400 AFC and 400 nursing home residents. Data analyses included descriptive cross-tabulations; hierarchial loglinear models for judging the effects of care setting and payment status on resident characteristics; and logit analyses for predicting care setting and payment status within care settings. RESULTS: On average, nursing home residents were more physically and cognitively impaired than AFC residents, but there was considerable overlap in patterns of frailty in the two settings. Medicaid AFC residents were less disabled than privately paying AFC residents. AFC residents reported more social activity, even when we controlled for disability status. AFC residents and their families were more likely to value privacy and homelike settings when choosing a care setting, whereas nursing home residents were more likely to value rehabilitation and organized activity programs. CONCLUSIONS: Both AFC and nursing homes are viable components of a long-term care repertoire. The greater disability levels of private-pay AFC residents refutes the criticisms that disabled Medicaid residents were being inappropriately channeled to AFC.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Palliation for nonpancreatic malignant obstruction of the biliary tract.

To determine the best palliation for nonpancreatic malignant obstruction of the biliary tract, we analyzed 36 patients with unresectable tumors who were treated from 1970 to 1986. Eleven men and 25 women were treated for 12 cholangiocarcinomas, ten carcinomas of the gallbladder, two advanced ampullary tumors and 12 metastatic tumors. Ten of the patients underwent biliary-enteric bypasses; 18 had stents placed, 11 operatively and nine percutaneously. The remaining eight patients received chemotherapy, radiation therapy or no treatment. Median survival time for patients was 209 days after discharge. Survival was not significantly prolonged for patients with bypass versus those with stents. Achieving and maintaining a bilirubin level of less than or equal to 4 were correlated with survival time (p less than 0.01, p less than 0.001). All ten patients with a bypass versus nine of 18 patients with a stent achieved a bilirubin level of less than or equal to 4 milligrams per deciliter (p less than or equal to 0.01). A multivariate analysis was done using 18 of 27 variables identified by univariate analysis. Albumin was found to be the primary predictor of over-all and hospital-free survival time and was a co-predictor of prolonged maintenance of low bilirubin levels along with biliary-enteric bypass. Placement of a stent was the only predictor of the number of episodes of sepsis and bypass was among the few predictors of length of hospitalization and of over-all morbidity (it was negatively correlated). We concluded that biliary-enteric bypass is the only effective means of palliation in that it improves the quality of life by maintaining low bilirubin levels and minimizing septic complications. Albumin is a strong predictor of survival and maintenance of low bilirubin values and should be a major factor in deciding which patient should undergo a bypass procedure.

Adenoma, Bile Duct↗
PubMed1981

Reduction of daunomycin toxicity by razoxane.

A single dose of 200 mg/kg razoxane protected mice against the subchronic lethal effects (i.e. within 21 days) of 10 mg/kg daunomycin. When the razoxane dose was split into 2 doses of 100 mg/kg, even better protection against higher doses of daunomycin was obtained. The best protective effect was seen when the razoxane was given 24 h before or simultaneously with the daunomycin, and it was still present, though less, 24 h later. Histopathological examination to determine the site of protection showed it to be in the small bowel. Marrow and cardiac tissue showed no evident changes when examined by light microscopy.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

The dimensionality of body-cathexis.

In an exploratory examination of the dimensionality of body perception in terms of satisfaction with body aspects, a principal components analysis was performed on data from 226 male and female college students. Results indicate that the complex of body aspects can be discussed in terms of a relatively small number of dimensions. The variable content of the factors is interpreted as suggesting the perceptual grouping of body aspects, and in this regard the similarities and differences between males and females are discussed and related to previous research on body-cathexis.

Body Image↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The cost effectiveness of post-acute care for elderly Medicare beneficiaries.

This study used a novel method to examine the cost effectiveness of post-acute care (PAC) in different settings. The analysis found that home health care was more cost effective than PAC in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) or rehabilitation facilities. The cost effectiveness for home health care was also more favorable relative to being home without formal care. Post-acute care in SNFs was not cost effective compared to being home without formal care. The cost-effectiveness analysis showed mixed support for PAC in rehabilitation facilities. These results, and the use of cost-effectiveness analysis in general, provide a basis for a more efficient Medicare reimbursement system for PAC.

Aftercare↗