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Biomedical subjects

R Buttery

Publications and source records attributed to R Buttery.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Galectin-3: differential expression between small-cell and non-small-cell lung cancer.

AIMS: To compare the histological expression of galectin-3 in different lung cancers, including small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the UK. Galectin-3 is a beta-galactoside binding protein with a controversial role in malignant transformation. SCLC metastasizes early and is initially chemosensitive; NSCLC metastasizes later, offering the chance of surgical cure, but is much less chemosensitive. Mixed tumours present a diagnostic and therapeutic problem, with a poorer response to therapy. Insight into the cellular mechanisms that govern metastasis and chemoresistance will profoundly influence the future management of this disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study the histological expression of galectin-3 was assessed in a panel of lung tumour specimens, using the indirect streptavidin-biotin method. A striking difference in galectin-3 expression was observed between tumours, with high expression in NSCLC (42/47 samples) and low expression in SCLC (negative in 13/18, weak in 5/18). CONCLUSION: This differential expression of galectin-3 between histological types of lung carcinoma suggests that galectin-3 may have an important influence on tumour cell adhesion, apoptosis and the response of tumours to chemotherapy.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed2002

Causes of morbilliform rash in a highly immunised English population.

AIMS: To determine the causes of morbilliform rash and fever in a population with high vaccination coverage for measles and rubella. METHODS: Comprehensive laboratory investigation additional to routine oral fluid testing of children presenting to primary care physicians in East Anglia, England. RESULTS: Laboratory confirmation of infection was obtained in 93 (48%) of 195 children: parvovirus B19 in 34 (17%); group A streptococcus in 30 (15%); human herpesvirus type 6 in 11 (6%); enterovirus in nine (5%); adenovirus in seven (4%); and group C streptococcus in six (3%) (four individuals tested positive for two agents). None had measles or rubella. CONCLUSIONS: Oral fluid testing to cover infections additional to measles and rubella aids clinical management and is likely to maintain uptake of testing, which is essential for measles and rubella surveillance in highly immunised low incidence populations.

Adenoviridae Infections↗
PubMed1999

Outbreak of gastroenteritis associated with contamination of a private borehole water supply.

An outbreak of gastroenteritis affected 58 of 700 people served by a private water supply at a biological research institute located in a village. No cases were detected in 250 residents of the same village served by a public water supply over the same period. Consumer complaints of tainting and laboratory evidence of bacterial and chemical contamination were obtained for the private water supply, but not for the public water supply. The outbreak was probably caused by contamination from a nearby sewer of a borehole used for the private supply. The outbreak showed how a large, private water supply posed a substantial risk to public health. The regulatory framework for such water supplies should be modified to ensure their safer design and operation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Disturbance of sleep in blindness.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence and severity of sleep disturbance in blind subjects and its relation to the form and duration of visual loss. METHODS: Of 403 blind subjects (visual acuity of less than 20/200 or a visual field of less than 5 degrees) recruited for the study, 15 were excluded because of affective disorder as identified by Montgomery Asberg Depression Scale. The remaining 388 subjects and a comparison group of 44 normally sighted individuals underwent an interview, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire was administered. Sleep disturbance was classified as mild, moderate, or severe. RESULTS: Disturbance of sleep was recorded in 189 (48.7%) of the blind subjects. The prevalence was higher and the sleep disturbance was more severe in those with no perception of light than in those with light perception or better visual acuity. In the comparison group, four (9.1%) had mild sleep disturbance only. The differences between blind subjects and normally sighted individuals were highly significant (P < .001). The most common sleep-related problem among the blind subjects was interrupted sleep, followed by increased sleep latency, short sleep duration, and daytime naps. Among the blind subjects, no correlation was found between the extent of sleep disturbance and the duration and pattern of visual loss. CONCLUSIONS: Blind subjects who retain light perception, as well as those with total loss of vision, have a high frequency of sleep disturbance, although disorder is more common and more severe in subjects with no light perception. Management of the sleep disturbance may improve the quality of life in the visually handicapped.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Investigation of a hepatitis A outbreak in a primary school by sequential saliva sampling.

BACKGROUND: An outbreak of hepatitis A occurred in a primary school (children aged 4-11 years), starting in the Autumn of 1990 and terminating some 5 months later after some spread into the local community. OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to monitor the spread of the virus within the primary school over time, to document infection in asymptomatic individuals and the efficacy of using saliva for HAV antibody detection in young children as an acceptable screening method by using the Salivette method and ordinary cotton tipped swabs. STUDY DESIGN: Serial saliva samples were taken over a period of months and anti-HAV IgM and IgG antibodies measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Twenty-seven children in the school and nine individuals from the surrounding community acquired hepatitis A. Twenty-one (78%) of the 27 children were symptomatic, as were all the affected adults. The cotton-tipped swabs were found to be as effective a method as Salivette at diagnosing infection in those in whom the methods were compared. CONCLUSIONS: Despite many reports stating that children are more likely to be asymptomatic with HAV infection we found the majority to report significant symptoms. Young children do not easily accept serum sampling as a method for diagnosis or epidemiological studies, and we show that saliva sampling is an effective and acceptable diagnostic method.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1993

Dose dependent effects of alcohol on visual evoked potentials.

The effects of various alcohol doses on components of the visual evoked potential were investigated. Using a repeated measures, Latin square design, five alcohol dose conditions were administered to ten male subjects: 0.00 (placebo); 0.28; 0.36; 0.54 and 0.72 g/kg total body weight. EEG responses to a reversing checker board stimulus were measured in a standard oddball paradigm. In the alcohol conditions, latencies of the P1 and P2 components of the VEP were unaffected. However, reaction time, and the latencies of N2 and P3 displayed significant dose related increases with increasing blood alcohol levels. Further, RMS power of the P3 complex was reduced by higher alcohol doses, as was the N2-P3 amplitude difference at central and parietal sites. It is concluded that the latency and power of the endogenous components of the VEP are altered by alcohol, without effects being seen in earlier components.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

No evidence of linkage between the locus for autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa and D3S47 (C17) in three Australian families.

A linkage analysis has been performed on three Australian families segregating for autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (ADRP). No evidence of linkage has been found in any of the pedigrees studied between the locus D3S47 and the gene for ADRP. The D3S47 locus was found to show very close linkage with the ADRP gene in a large Irish pedigree. Our study together with a similar report on a British family indicates that there is genetic heterogeneity in this disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Hepatitis A outbreak involving bread.

An outbreak of hepatitis A involved more than 50 residents of a group of villages in the late spring and summer of 1989. The only food that was common to all the laboratory-confirmed cases was bread, purchased either unwrapped or as rolls, sandwiches or filled rolls, and supplied either directly from one shop or indirectly through its subsidiary outlets. It was concluded that this bread was the most likely vehicle of transmission of the hepatitis A virus and that the bread was contaminated by soiled hands which were inadequately washed because of painful skin lesions. Comprehensive control measures were successful in limiting further spread of the infection. This outbreak highlights the transmissibility of hepatitis A virus on food. The use of disposable gloves when handling food which is to be consumed without further cooking would prevent transmission of this or other infectious agents by this route.

Bread↗
PubMed1991

A survey of local anaesthesia use in cataract surgery in Australia.

A survey of the use of local anaesthesia in cataract surgery by ophthalmologists in Australia is presented. The main conclusions drawn from the survey were: 1. A marked trend towards the use of local anaesthesia in cataract surgery during the years 1983-88 throughout Australia. A less marked trend in country areas and in Western Australia. 2. The use of local anaesthesia did not correlate with the number of cataract operations performed by an ophthalmologist. 3. Day case cataract surgery was more often performed under local anaesthesia in private than in public hospitals. 4. Throughout Australia retrobulbar local anaesthesia was preferred to the peribulbar technique. 5. The most commonly used local anaesthetic mixture was 2% lignocaine and 0.5% marcaine with or without adrenaline and/or hyalase.

Anesthesia, Local↗
PubMed1989

Conal anaesthesia: a new approach to retrobulbar anaesthesia.

We have set out critically to assess the current percutaneous technique of retrobulbar anaesthesia. Access to the confined space within the muscle cone is limited by the globe itself and the medially directed lateral orbital wall. By approaching the retrobulbar muscle space with a curved needle through the inferior conjunctival sac these anatomical constraints are overcome. This technique is referred to as conal anaesthesia. A quantitative comparison of the two techniques demonstrates that the conal approach produces more reliable and effective muscle block with faster onset of action than conventional percutaneous anaesthesia. The conal approach is safe and offers advantages with its ease of application, excellent anaesthesia and akinesis and through its rapid and consistent results.

Anesthesia, Local↗
PubMed1986

Lessons from the outbreak of food poisoning at Stanley Royd Hospital: what are health authorities doing now?

The committee of inquiry into the outbreak of food poisoning at Stanley Royd Hospital identified serious deficiencies in the management of the outbreak and urged all health authorities to learn from the incident and prepare adequate plans for dealing with any future outbreaks. A survey of district health authorities in England showed that most authorities do not yet have a written plan or that their plans are incomplete and inadequate. The appreciable resistance to such planning suggests that most health authorities would be unable to deal with outbreaks of food poisoning effectively and efficiently.

Disease Outbreaks↗