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Biomedical subjects

N Reed

Publications and source records attributed to N Reed.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging features of nasopharyngeal lymphoma in two cats with concurrent intracranial mass.

Lymphoma is reported to be the most common nasal and second most common intracranial neoplasm in cats. Intracranial lymphoma may occur as a primary central nervous system lymphoma or as part of multi-centric disease. Two cats were presented with histopathologically confirmed nasopharyngeal lymphoma and concurrent mass within the middle fossa of the cranial cavity, with magnetic resonance imaging suggestive of direct communication. Both cats demonstrated evidence of bilateral oculomotor nerve deficits and upper respiratory tract noise. In one cat, bilateral optic nerve deficits were also present. The magnetic resonance imaging features were similar in both cases and demonstrated a contrast-enhancing intracranial mass on the ventral aspect of the middle fossa of the cranial cavity and an adjacent mass arising from the dorsal aspect of the nasopharynx. Lymphoma should be included as an important differential diagnosis in cats presented with middle cranial fossa syndrome (in particular ophthalmoplegia) and stertor.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

A phase II trial of capecitabine (Xeloda) in recurrent ovarian cancer.

Oral capecitabine is a highly active, well-tolerated and convenient treatment for breast and colorectal cancer. This trial assessed the efficacy and safety of single-agent capecitabine in patients with previously treated ovarian cancer. A total of 29 patients with platinum-pretreated relapsed ovarian cancer were enrolled in this prospective, open-label, single-centre, phase II study. Patients received oral capecitabine 1250 mg m(-2) twice daily on days 1-14 of a 21-day cycle. Tumour response was evaluated using serum CA125. Out of 29 enrolled patients, 28 were evaluable, and a response was observed in eight patients (29%, 95% confidence interval (CI), 13-49%). Median progression-free and overall survivals were 3.7 (95% CI, 2.8-4.6) and 8.0 (95% CI, 4.1-11.8) months, respectively. After 6 months of treatment, 28% (95% CI, 13-48%) of patients remained progression-free and 62% (95% CI, 42-79%) were still alive. The most common clinical adverse events were hand-foot syndrome (HFS), nausea and diarrhoea. Grade 3 HFS occurred in 14% of patients, grade 3 vomiting in 10%. Efficacy and safety of capecitabine compare favourably with other monotherapies in platinum-refractory epithelial ovarian cancer. The convenience and improved safety profile of capecitabine compared with intravenous. regimens make it an ideal agent for administration in the outpatient setting.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2003

Cisplatin, doxorubicin and ifosfamide in carcinosarcoma of the female genital tract. A phase II study of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Gynaecological Cancer Group (EORTC 55923).

Carcinosarcomas of the female genital tract are highly malignant tumours composed of carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements. In the past, these tumours were frequently treated as sarcomas. However, a number of arguments, including the sensitivity of these tumours to platinum-based chemotherapy, suggest that these tumours behave more like poorly differentiated carcinomas. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Gynaecological Cancer Group therefore decided to perform a prospective phase II study in patients with advanced or metastatic carcinosarcoma with an approach such as that used in gynaecological carcinomas. Eligible patients could have primary or recurrent disease, but prior radiotherapy or chemotherapy was not allowed. The treatment plan recommended upfront debulking, followed by chemotherapy with cisplatin, ifosfamide and doxorubicin. Patients who could be debulked to non-measurable disease remained eligible for the study, but the response assessment was restricted to patients who had measurable disease before the start of chemotherapy. A total of 48 patients (39 primary disease, 9 recurrent disease) were registered, 41 of them being eligible. In 9 patients, all macroscopic lesions could be removed, 32 patients were left with residual disease and were assessable for response. The overall response rate was 56%: a complete response (CR) was observed in 11 (34%) patients and partial response (PR) in 7 (22%) patients. No change occurred in 5 patients and progression in 2 patients. In 7 patients, response could not be assessed. Median survival for all of the 41 eligible patients was 26 months. Severe leucopenia and thrombocytopenia were common and necessitated dose reductions or delays in 60% of patients. From a clinical point of view, the most severe non-haematological toxicity was renal dysfunction, and one patient died of this complication in the absence of disease progression. The results of this study are in-line with the hypothesis that carcinosarcomas are chemosensitive, in particular for the currently investigated regimen. The treatment also included upfront cytoreduction when feasible. Considering the observed toxicities, alternative platinum-based regimens with more favourable toxicity profiles should be explored.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Implementation of videoconferencing to support a managed clinical network in Scotland: lessons learned during the first 18 months.

Managed clinical networks (MCNs) are usually built on established groups of health professionals from both acute and primary care sectors. We have used videoconferencing to support the gynaecological oncology MCN in the west of Scotland. Videoconferencing was implemented simultaneously at five sites in 2001 and DICOM image-capture software was added in 2003. Videoconferencing and live PC links allowed the multidisciplinary teams to discuss individual cancer diagnoses without the extensive travelling previously required. Our experience of the implementation suggests that local ownership is crucial. In the present project, each of the stakeholders had an important role in the delivery of a successful system. High-quality project management is required during implementation and for some time thereafter to achieve sustainability.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed2001

Tumorigenesis in neurofibromatosis: new insights and potential therapies.

The neurofibromatoses NF1 and NF2 are inherited cancer predisposition syndromes in which affected individuals are prone to development of mostly benign, but occasionally malignant, tumors. The NF1 and NF2 genes function as tumor suppressor genes (negative growth regulators), such that their loss of expression predisposes to tumor formation. Neurofibromin, the protein product of the NF1 gene, acts as a negative regulator of the ras proto-oncogene, to reduce cell growth. Merlin, the NF2 gene product, is involved in regulating cell proliferation and motility, and probably plays a role in integrating multiple cell-signaling pathways. By understanding the function of these tumor suppressors, we have a unique opportunity to develop targeted pharmacotherapeutic interventions for these disorders.

Cell Division↗
PubMed2001

Toward a unified fielder theory: what we do not yet know about how people run to catch a ball.

Linear optic trajectory theory claims that people catch balls by running in a direction that keeps an optic trajectory of the ball linear. The authors show a range of ball trajectories for which departures of the optic trajectory from linearity do not predict which direction people will run, and the direction they choose does not correct these departures. Data from a wide range of ball trajectories show that people run so that the angle of elevation of gaze to the ball increases at a decreasing rate. But it is not yet known why people choose the particular path they do from the many that would achieve this.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

The National Lesbian Family Study: 3. Interviews with mothers of five-year-olds.

This third report from a longitudinal study of lesbian families presents data obtained from interviews with mothers of five-year-old children conceived by donor insemination. Results indicated that 87% of the children related well to peers, 18% had experienced homophobia from peers or teachers, and 63% had grandparents who frankly acknowledged their grandchild's lesbian family. Of the original couples, 31% had divorced. Of the remainder, 68% felt that their child was equally bonded to both mothers. Concerns of lesbian families are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2000

Oxaliplatin or paclitaxel in patients with platinum-pretreated advanced ovarian cancer: A randomized phase II study of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Gynecology Group.

PURPOSE: This was a multicentric, open, randomized, phase II study of single-agent paclitaxel and oxaliplatin to evaluate the efficacy of oxaliplatin in a relapsing progressive ovarian cancer patient population and to analyze the safety profile and impact of both agents on quality of life, time to progression, and survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-six patients with platinum-pretreated advanced ovarian cancer were randomly assigned to two arms: 41 received paclitaxel at 175 mg/m(2) over 3 hours every 3 weeks, and 45 received oxaliplatin at 130 mg/m(2) over 2 hours every 3 weeks. For inclusion, patients had to have a performance status of 0 to 2 and to have received at least one and no more than two prior cisplatin- and/or carboplatin-containing chemotherapy regimens within the last 12 months. RESULTS: Seven confirmed responses were observed in each arm, for an overall response rate in the total treated population of 17% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7% to 32%) in the paclitaxel arm and 16% (95% CI, 7% to 29%) in the oxaliplatin arm. Median time to progression was 14 weeks and 12 weeks, and overall survival was 37 weeks and 42 weeks in the paclitaxel and oxaliplatin arms, respectively. Among 63 patients with a 0- to 6-month progression-free, platinum-free interval, there were five objective responses with paclitaxel in 31 patients and two objective responses with oxaliplatin in 32 patients. Nine patients (22%) in the paclitaxel arm had grade 3 or 4 neutropenia (National Cancer Institute of Canada [NCIC] Common Toxicity Criteria). Two patients (4%) experienced grade 3 thrombocytopenia in the oxaliplatin arm. Maximum grade (grade 3) NCIC neurosensory toxicity was experienced by three patients (7%) in the paclitaxel arm and by four patients (9%) in the oxaliplatin arm. CONCLUSION: Single-agent oxaliplatin at 130 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks is active with moderate toxicity in patients with cisplatin-/carboplatin-pretreated advanced ovarian cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Comparison of treatment outcomes with banded and bonded RPE appliances.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the treatment outcomes with a banded (n = 38) versus a bonded (n = 55) rapid palatal expansion appliance followed by edgewise orthodontics. Both lateral cephalometric radiographs and orthodontic study casts were evaluated at pretreatment and posttreatment time periods. Overall, the banded rapid palatal expansion group had more vertical change than the bonded group. However, most of these changes were less than 1 degrees or 1 mm and may be considered clinically insignificant. This study could not establish superiority of one type of rapid palatal expansion technique over another.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

The National Lesbian Family Study: 2. Interviews with mothers of toddlers.

In this second report from a longitudinal study of lesbian families in which the children were conceived by donor insemination, interviews yielded the following data: Most couples shared parenting co-equally; the majority felt closer to their family of origin; adoptive co-mothers felt greater legitimacy as parents; biology and nurture received the same ratings for mother-child bonding; and political and legal action had increased among many participants. The impact of these findings and that of homophobia on lesbian family life are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The national lesbian family study: 1. interviews with prospective mothers.

This first report from a longitudinal study of 84 lesbian families, 70 of which include a co-mother as well as a birthmother whose child was conceived by donor insemination, presents interview data on parental relationships, social supports, pregnancy motives and preferences, stigmatization concerns, and coping strategies. Methodological limitations of studying this special population are noted, and plans for follow-up interviews over the course of 25 years are outlined.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1996

Antenatal assessment using the FECG obtained via abdominal electrodes.

During the past decade a variety of intrapartum fetal monitors have been constructed that process the entire fetal electrocardiogram (FECG), obtained via a scalp electrode. They therefore differ from conventional monitors in aiming to extract relevant timing and magnitude information from the morphology of the FECG rather than simply the RR interval and hence heart rate. An intrapartum monitor such as this has been successfully developed by ourselves. This paper describes the early results obtained whilst attempting to extend this form of monitoring forward into the antenatal period. In order to achieve this the FECG must be acquired via surface electrodes placed on the maternal abdomen, which yields a signal containing the FECG amidst a number of noise sources. Our investigations into the feasibility of "antenatal abdominal FECG analysis" have been on two fronts. The first has been to produce a bedside monitor similar in function to our intrapartum device, whilst the second has been to address the possibility of performing such monitoring in ambulant subjects. At present the antenatal bedside monitor has successfully extracted and processed the FECG in approximately 75% of the cases studied, with subjects ranging from 20 weeks through to term having been monitored. We also have demonstrated the feasibility of the long term monitoring of maternal and fetal heart rate using a portable instrument.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1995

Methylmalonic aciduria in pregnancy: a case report.

Methylmalonic aciduria is a rare metabolic disorder of amino acid metabolism that is characterized by accumulation of large amounts of methylmalonic acid in the blood and urine. To our knowledge this is the first case report of a patient with methylmalonic aciduria who carried a pregnancy to term; the outcome was favorable despite high levels of methylmalonic acid in the serum and urine.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Sequential recording of the abdominal fetal electrocardiogram and magnetocardiogram.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the acquisition of both the fetal magnetocardiogram (FMCG) and fetal electrocardiogram (FECG) from the abdomen of the same subject. This contrasts with previous reported studies which have generally recorded one or other of these signals but not the two together. Both signals were successfully recorded and averaged to produce a typical complex, thus allowing their direct comparison.

Electrocardiography↗