PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Pickett

Publications and source records attributed to M Pickett.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Reverse transcription with nested polymerase chain reaction shows expression of basic fibroblast growth factor transcripts in human granulosa and cumulus cells from in vitro fertilisation patients.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a potent angiogenic factor that has also been implicated in granulosa cell and oocyte maturation. We now report the expression of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) encoding bFGF in human granulosa and cumulus cells obtained at oocyte recovery in in vitro fertilisation patients. It was necessary to use the sensitive technique of a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) after reverse transcription (RT) to detect transcripts. This finding in conjunction with a recent report showing the presence of transcripts for transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) in the same type of cells by PCR indicates that mechanisms are in place for controlling extracellular proteolysis and cell differentiation.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Determinants of anticipatory nausea and anticipatory vomiting in adults receiving cancer chemotherapy.

There is a need for further empirical investigation of variables that may contribute to the occurrence of anticipatory nausea and/or anticipatory vomiting (AN/AV) in persons receiving cancer chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of AN/AV in adults receiving an initial course of cancer chemotherapy in an outpatient setting with the following set of variables: symptom distress, mood disturbance, stage of disease, sensitivity to conditioning cues, emetic potential of antineoplastic drugs, age, psychosocial stress, and ability to cope. Thirty-two percent of the sample developed anticipatory nausea. Multivariate statistics were used to examine the contribution of the variables to the prediction of AN/AV. Analysis of the data revealed that 53% of the variance accounted for was contributed by the following combination of variables: emetic potential of drug, level of symptom distress, mood disturbance, stress and ability to cope (p = .001). The total percentage of cases correctly classified was 88.3%. This combination of variables correctly classified 100% of patients who experienced anticipatory nausea (n = 15). Eighty-two percent of patients who did not experience anticipatory nausea and/or anticipatory vomiting (n = 28) were classified correctly.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1987

Cloning and characterization of the aldA gene of Aspergillus nidulans.

We have cloned and sequenced the aldA (encoding aldehyde dehydrogenase) gene of Aspergillus nidulans. The gene contains two introns which are similar in size and structure to other fungal introns. The amino acid sequence of aldehyde dehydrogenase (497 residues) shows a significant level of homology with analogous sequences in other organisms. Comparison of the primary structure of the active sites of the mammalian cytosolic and mitochondrial enzymes shows that the Aspergillus enzyme closely resembles the mammalian mitochondrial enzyme. Analysis of the 5' non-coding region of the aldA gene shows a TATA-like sequence located 90 bp upstream from the initiation codon. Two messenger-RNA start points are located 36 and 42 bp upstream from the start codon.

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1984

Sequence of an antifreeze protein precursor.

The amino acid sequence of the precursor to the second-most-abundant serum antifreeze protein (B) in the winter flounder has been determined by a combination of protein and DNA sequencing. The precursor is an 82-residue preproprotein which differs in only three positions from the amino acid sequence of the precursor for the most-abundant serum antifreeze protein (A). The base changes responsible for these substitutions, as well as several silent changes, are all clustered within the DNA coding for the mature protein portion. Among the post-translational modifications that the precursor undergoes is the removal of the c-terminal glycine residue. Cloning of full-length antifreeze protein cDNA has enabled us to identify the transcription initiation site which occurs 49 nucleotides upstream from the initiation codon.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fatigue and quality of life outcomes of exercise during cancer treatment.

PURPOSE: Despite the recognition of fatigue as a common and distressing symptom during cancer treatment, there are few evidence-based interventions available to manage such fatigue. The purpose of this multi-institutional pilot study was to explore the effects of a home-based moderate walking exercise intervention on fatigue, physical functioning, emotional distress, and quality of life (QOL) during breast cancer treatment. DESCRIPTION OF STUDY: Fifty-two women were recruited from five university hospital outpatient departments for this pilot study with an experimental design. Subjects were randomly assigned to the walking program or to usual care during adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy for breast cancer. Symptoms, physical functioning, and QOL were measured at baseline, midtreatment, and at the end of treatment. RESULTS: Women who exercised at least 90 minutes per week on 3 or more days reported significantly less fatigue and emotional distress as well as higher functional ability and QOL than women who were less active during treatment. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: A home-based walking exercise program is a potentially effective, low-cost, and safe intervention to manage fatigue and to improve QOL during adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy for breast cancer. This health-promoting self-care activity needs further testing in large randomized clinical trials.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A model of survivors' psychological responses following a residential fire.

Residential fires result in loss of life, property, and displacement from one's neighborhood. It would be expected that grief experienced in the aftermath of residential fires has a significant impact on survivor's recovery and reintegration into the community. Although there is some research on psychological responses to community-wide fires and large scale disasters, little is known about such responses among survivors of home fires that occur episodically. Appropriate interventions cannot be developed until more is learned about variables influencing survivors' psychological response to a residential fire. A theoretical model of survivors' psychological response post-fire is proposed.

Disasters↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Demographic characteristics, fire experiences, and distress of residential fire survivors.

The United States has one of the highest per capita fire death rates in the world. Death rates alone, however, fail to reflect the breadth of loss experienced by residential fire survivors. Despite the frequency of home fires and the potential for loss, little is known about this vulnerable population. Interviews were conducted with 440 fire survivors 14 weeks after fires. Demographic characteristics of residential fire survivors, survivors' fire experiences, psychological distress after fires and the interrelationships among these variables were examined. This sample of urban fire survivors largely comprised poor, middle-aged African American women. Psychological distress was measured by the General Severity Index of the Brief Symptom Inventory, and the results showed that survivors were highly distressed, even in the absence of fire-related death or physical injury.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Experiences of African American and Caucasian women who survive urban residential fires.

This study examined differences in socioeconomic characteristics, traumatic experiences suffered, and psychological distress in African American and Caucasian women 3 months after urban residential fires. Distress was measured by the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). The sample included 310 women (224 African Americans and 86 Caucasians). The African American women had lower levels of education and income than the Caucasian women, and were more likely to be unmarried. Injury and deaths of loved ones were similar in the two groups; African American women reported greater loss of possessions, less insurance coverage, and less displacement than Caucasian women. African American and Caucasian women scored similarly on the BSI. Scores on the BSI for both groups were higher than the norms reported in the literature.

Adult↗