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Biomedical subjects

M Horan

Publications and source records attributed to M Horan.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Mass sociogenic illness in a youth center.

In July, 1989, 63 (42%) of 150 children ages 4-14 years attending an outreach program at a youth center in Florida, but no employees, developed acute and rapidly resolving upper gastrointestinal symptoms 2 to 40 minutes after a prepackaged lunch. All ill children were sent to 3 local hospital emergency departments for evaluation. However, clinical evaluation was normal for all. Of 102 children who ate any prepackaged foods, 48 (47%) became ill compared to 1/19 (5%) for children who did not eat (rate ratio [RR] = 8.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3-60.9). No employees ate any of the food items served. Consumption of sandwiches was associated with a moderate increased risk of illness (RR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0-2.9). The attack rate did not differ by age, but was greater for girls (39/56, 70%) than for boys (9/46, 20%; [RR = 3.6, 95% CI: 1.9-6.6]). Over 3,000 similar prepackaged meals from the same caterer were served in the same area of Florida that day. An inquiry in the area documented absence of similar symptoms elsewhere. Unopened meal samples tested negative for pesticide residues, heavy metals, staphylococcal toxin, or Bacillus cereus. We diagnosed the outbreak as mass sociogenic illness. Complaints of a bad tasting sandwich by the index case and possible staff anxiety about food poisoning may have contributed to the development of the outbreak.

Child↗
PubMed1991

Monocyte responses to sulfatide from Mycobacterium tuberculosis: inhibition of priming for enhanced release of superoxide, associated with increased secretion of interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha, and altered protein phosphorylation.

In monocytes, sulfatide, a lipid from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, blocked priming for enhanced release of superoxide (O2-) by the macrophage activating factors lipopolysaccharide, gamma interferon, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and muramyl dipeptide. Sulfatide, in the presence of lipopolysaccharide, also caused increased secretion of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha into monocyte culture medium. Sulfatide altered the pattern of phosphorylation of monocyte proteins. Cell lysates prepared from monocytes treated with sulfatide showed decreased activity of protein kinase C, but sulfatide did not directly inhibit protein kinase C activity when added to lysates. A known inhibitor of protein kinase C, staurosporine, also inhibited O2- release and caused increased secretion of IL-1 beta. Thus, sulfatide appeared to indirectly affect protein kinase C, implicating protein kinase C as part of the mechanism of priming. Because sulfatide blocked priming for enhanced release of O2-, which could interfere with monocyte bactericidal activity, while causing enhanced secretion of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha, which could promote formation of granulomata, sulfatide might be an important factor in the pathogenesis of M. tuberculosis.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗
PubMed1990

Dipyridamole inhibits O2- release and expression of tissue factor activity by peripheral blood monocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide.

Monocytes can be induced to synthesize and express tissue factor procoagulant activity. They can also be stimulated to release a broad spectrum of inflammatory agents including superoxide anion (O2-) that are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. Dipyridamole, an inhibitor of platelet aggregation blocks the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced increase in monocyte-associated tissue factor activity and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) stimulated O2- release from monocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Dipyridamole inhibition of O2- release can be reversed by increased glucose in the culture media, whereas dipyridamole inhibition of tissue factor can not be reversed by increased glucose in the culture media. These results reveal that dipyridamole influences monocytes by at least two distinct mechanisms. Further, it may serve as an anti-thrombotic agent by virtue of its effect on both platelet aggregation and monocyte tissue factor activity.

Biological Transport↗
PubMed1977

A method for producing synchronized audio signals.

An examination of the work dealing with dichotic listening reveals that technical problems prevent clear interpretation of the data. One of the most crucial problems is that of achieving simultaneity of output so that dichotic (simultaneous but different) material is introduced into the auditory system. A simple method for achieving such synchrony on stereotape is described together with a method for testing for degree of simultaneity, if possible.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Maternal employment effects on family and preterm infants at three months.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of maternal employment status and the mother's degree of choice and satisfaction regarding her employment status on family functioning and on the preterm infant's development at three months chronologic age. Families with preterm infants (N = 110) were categorized as employed, nonemployed, and on leave of absence based on the mother's employment status at three months postpartum. There were no significant differences across employment groups on family functioning and child development. The infant's motor development was positively correlated with number of hours employed per week and degree of choice for the employed mother families, but negatively correlated with choice for the nonemployed mother families. These results suggest that maternal employment may not be detrimental for infants born prior to term. Indeed, it may be beneficial, especially if the mother has a choice in the matter.

Employment↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Data management issues in longitudinal research.

Much of the existing literature about the research process has neglected data management. While design, instrumentation, sampling, and analysis are important parts of the process, paying attention to the issues surrounding data management is crucial to the success of the study. Data entry and analysis are facilitated when the details of data structure and management are decided before data collection begins.

Database Management Systems↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Factors related to maternal employment status following the premature birth of an infant.

A sample of 110 two-parent families whose preterm infants were less than 37 weeks gestation, appropriate for gestational age, and free of major congenital anomalies were recruited from two level-III intensive care nurseries. At 3 months postpartum, 40 mothers (36.4%) were employed, 15 (13.6%) stated they were on a leave of absence, and the remaining 55 mothers (50%) were not employed. Although not significantly different on demographic or infant morbidity variables, employed mothers were significantly more employment-oriented and reported less choice and satisfaction with employment status than nonemployed mothers. In addition, employed mothers were employed more hours prenatally and reported prenatal plans to be employed sooner after the infant's birth than nonemployed mothers. Employed mothers also perceived more support from others for their employment and greater financial necessity and availability of child care than nonemployed mothers. Higher scores on employment orientation were correlated with higher maternal education level, fewer children, more hours employed, higher total support for their employment, higher financial necessity, and less choice and satisfaction with employment status.

Adult↗