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Biomedical subjects

R Haynes

Publications and source records attributed to R Haynes.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Unemployment rate as an updatable health needs indicator for small areas.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study was to compare updatable unemployment rates with the unemployment rate and composite deprivation indices from the 1991 Census as health needs indicators for small areas. METHODS: Townsend, Carstairs and Jarman indices and male unemployment rates were calculated from the 1991 Census, for 275 wards of the former East Anglian health region with unchanged boundaries between 1981 and 1991. Male unemployment rates were also derived from April 1991 unemployment benefit claimant figures, using both Office of Population Censuses and Surveys mid-year estimates of population and estimates derived from Family Health Services Authority patient registers as the denominator. Ward values were compared using Pearson product moment correlation. RESULTS: All three unemployment measures were closely related to each other and all were broadly as effective in predicting ward variations in mortality and long-term illness in 1991 as the compound deprivation indices of Jarman. Townsend and Carstairs. CONCLUSION: Updatable unemployment rates were as suitable as the composite indices as an indicator of relative health needs for small areas in the year of the Census and might be expected to be superior in inter-censal years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Factors affecting non-response to cervical cytology screening in Norfolk, England.

A geographic information system was used to integrate information on the uptake of cervical cytology screening for general medical practices in Norfolk with other data on the characteristics of the practices and the population they served. Regression analysis was employed to explore the extent to which variations in non-response were associated with explanatory factors. Non-response to the earlier system of opportunistic screening was found to be associated with the size of practice, the presence of a female doctor, the District Health Authority in which the practice was located, the age structure of the practice population, its degree of socio-economic deprivation and levels of rural remoteness. Compared with the earlier system, the new population-based call and recall system was found to be reaching a larger proportion of the population at risk. The former relationships were weaker under the new system, but non-response was still significantly associated with both social and organisational factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Stage- and ribosome-specific alterations in nascent chain-Sec61p interactions accompany translocation across the ER membrane.

Near-neighbor interactions between translocating nascent chains and Sec61p were investigated by chemical cross-linking. At stages of translocation before signal sequence cleavage, nascent chains could be cross-linked to Sec61p at high (60-80%) efficiencies. Cross-linking occurred through the signal sequence and the mature portion of wild-type and signal cleavage mutant nascent chains. At later stages of translocation, as represented through truncated translocation intermediates, cross-linking to Sec61p was markedly reduced. Dissociation of the ribosome into its large and small subunits after assembly of the precursor into the translocon, but before cross-linking, resulted in a dramatic reduction in subsequent cross-linking yield, indicating that at early stages of translocation, nascent chain-Sec61p interactions are in part mediated through interactions of the ribosome with components of the ER membrane, such as Sec61p. Dissociation of the ribosome was, however, without effect on subsequent translocation. These results are discussed with respect to a model in which Sec61p performs a function essential for the initiation of protein translocation.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Limiting long-term illness and its associations with mortality and indicators of social deprivation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To examine geographical variation in limiting long-term illness in England and Wales and assesses the extent of its similarity with the distribution of mortality rates and of deprivation. DESIGN: A geographically based study using data from the 1991 census on limiting long term illness. Maps and regression analysis are used to compare the distribution of standardised illness ratios with standardised mortality ratios and indicators of social deprivation. SETTING: A total of 401 local authority districts in England and Wales. PARTICIPANTS: The population of England and Wales enumerated in the 1991 census. MAIN RESULTS: The geographical pattern of limiting long term illness shows many similarities with that of mortality but there are also some differences. Both are positively associated with indicators of social deprivation, with limiting long term illness tending to show stronger correlations, particularly in the elderly. Most of Wales and many industrial areas of northern England have higher rates of long term illness than would be expected from their mortality rates, while much of south eastern England has lower than expected rates. CONCLUSIONS: Moves towards using data on limiting long term illness instead of standardised mortality rates would have important implications for NHS resource allocations. Further assessment of the reliability of these data on self reported morbidity is required. in particular, there is a need to assess how much they reflect real differences in ill health rather than the influence of socioeconomic or cultural factors affecting the likelihood of a positive answer to the census question on limiting long term illness.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Assessing the validity of the updated Medical College Admission Test.

This report represents early information about the validity of the updated Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) battery introduced in 1991. Data are given on both the use of the new examination in the selection of medical students and its estimated predictive value for freshman students' performance. Admission officials from 114 institutions responded to a survey on medical school admission practices and on the use of MCAT data; also elicited were assessments of the examination in relation to its design and implementation objectives. Regression-based evaluations of the predictive validity of the MCAT, undergraduate grades, and of undergraduate selectivity data for first-year grades at 12 institutions are described. Survey responses suggest that MCAT data are viewed in relation to the varied information needs of admission decision making and are supplemented by other academic and nonacademic information in selection. The new battery generally is judged favorably by admission officials. Predictive validity results reflect the usefulness of MCAT scores, undergraduate grades, and selectivity data for identifying individuals apt to succeed in medical school. The authors conclude that preliminary information about the results of the new examination is encouraging. The members of the MCAT Validity Studies Advisory Group, who assisted the authors in framing and conducting the research presented in this report, continue their research and deliberations about the use, utility, and impact of the updated MCAT.

College Admission Test↗
PubMed1992

Evaluation of a mobile branch surgery in a rural area.

Access to the family doctor at his or her surgery is a problem for many people living in rural Britain. The service provided by a caravan used as a general practice mobile branch surgery in a rural part of Norfolk was evaluated using a survey of residents and examination of practice records. In a village where the mobile surgery replaced a conventional branch surgery, consultation rates increased slightly during the first year of operation. In a village where the mobile surgery was a new facility, consultation rates increased substantially in the first year. Replies from residents indicated that although the limitations of the mobile surgery were recognised, the service reduced the problems of physical access in remote villages to the level of those in the village where the main surgery is situated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Inequalities in health and health service use: evidence from the General Household Survey.

The General Household Survey data file for 1982 was examined to identify variations in self-reported morbidity and health service use between socio-economic groups and geographical areas in Great Britain. Both acute and chronic morbidity varied with socio-economic status. Morbidity was more strongly related to housing tenure and car availability than to occupational class. A north-west to south-east gradient in sickness was observed, although morbidity was comparatively high in Wales and comparatively low in Scotland, taking mortality differences into account. The highest age-adjusted morbidity ratios were for females in multiple occupancy inner city areas. Service use rates in relation to reported sickness showed little systematic variation. There was an indication that lack of car transport was an inhibiting factor for the sick in rural areas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Attitudes to a return to nursing: a survey in the Norwich Health District.

A crisis in the recruitment of nurses is expected in the mid-1990s. One possible strategy is to attract trained nurses who have left active nursing back into the service. This study seeks to identify non-practising nurses in the Norwich Health District and find out what changes would be most likely to attract them back to nursing. Most of the 642 non-practising nurses who responded to the survey had left the service relatively recently and the most common reason for leaving was pregnancy. Over half of the respondents said that it was likely that they would return to nursing at some time in the future. Younger females were the most likely to indicate an interest in returning. There was widespread agreement on the measures that would be most successful in attracting trained nurses back into the service. The suggestions that received most support were almost all concerned with providing opportunities for part-time nursing work with hours to suit women with children of school age. The register of non-practising nurses established by this survey will be maintained updated and used as the basis for regular contact with a potential labour force.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Score reporting for the 1991 Medical College Admission Test.

In December 1988, a 16-member advisory panel, made up of medical school deans, basic science faculty, clinical scientists, medical education researchers, medical students, premedical advisers, and practicing physicians, completed a full-scale review of the format, content, and score-reporting system of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The advisory panel's recommendations will shape the MCAT to be introduced in 1991. Presented here are data the panel used in deciding to keep the score scale for the upcoming MCAT. Survey data on student selection practices in U.S. and Canadian medical schools and acceptance information for 1987 applicants showed that medical schools used the scores differently within each school and between the schools in deciding whom to admit. The data demonstrated the value of the current reporting system and led the advisory panel to recommend retention of the 15-point MCAT score scale in 1991.

Canada↗
PubMed1986

Cancer mortality and urbanization in China.

Maps of 14 cancer types in China appear to show distinctive geographical distributions, but principal components analysis reveals that they share an underlying pattern which reflects variations in urbanization. Differences in risk factors between rural and urban areas, the process of disease transition and geographically biased data recording might explain the association.

China↗
PubMed1985

Effects of gymnemic acid on the chorda tympani proper nerve responses to sweet, sour, salty and bitter taste stimuli in the chimpanzee.

In man gymnemic acid is able to abolish the sweet taste. Also in man, the neural correlate of that effect is a disappearance of the response to sweet stimuli in the taste nerves, as indicated by the observations of Diamant et al. (1965). Although a variety of other mammals also show neural responses to sweet-tasting compounds, the corresponding effect of gymnemic acid has not been demonstrated. This study presents chorda tympani proper nerve recordings from the chimpanzee before and after gymnemic acid. On the chimpanzee tongue, application of 2 ml gymnemic acid (3-10 mg X ml-1 for 3-4 min) completely abolished the taste responses to 0.0035 M acesulfam-K, 0.0018 M aspartame, 0.015 M D-tryptophan, 0.02% monellin, and 0.02% thaumatin, reduced by 75% the response to 0.3 M sucrose, and by 50% that of 0.76 M xylitol. No decrease was recorded in the responses to 0.001 M quinine, 0.1 M NaCl, 0.02 and 0.04 M ascorbic acid, 0.02 and 0.04 M citric acid. The response to the sweeteners recovered with time and the recovery was complete or nearly complete after one and a half hours. It was also found that after application of 2 ml miraculin, 3 mg X ml-1 for 3 min to the tongue the neural response to acids was about 1.5 times as large as before. Gymnemic acid applied before miraculin prevented this enhancement and gymnemic acid after miraculin depressed the enhancement by miraculin of the response to citric and ascorbic acid.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

The geographical distribution of mortality by cause in Chile.

Standardised mortality ratios for 19 causes of death are computed for the provinces of Chile. All have a particular geographical distribution in common: they are either positively or negatively associated with the availability of health services. This is likely to be the result of the propinquity of health services to populations of higher socio-economic status and also the differences in recording accuracy between urbanised provinces and provinces where access to health services is especially difficult. By holding the effects of health service variability constant, other geographical patterns in mortality rates emerge. For lung cancer, two northern provinces have death rates ten times those of central Chile.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Changing incidence of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

The incidence of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis was measured in the West Midlands Health Region between 1974 and 1980. It increased from 2.1/1000 Caucasian births in 1974 to 3.5/1000 in 1980 and reflects a reported increase in Central Scotland. Several artefacts were excluded--for example, repeat admissions to the same hospital, transfers to other hospitals, and changes in treatment and in diagnostic standards. Two main demographic changes were excluded as explanations, ethnic changes and changes in the birth rank distribution. The increase is therefore considered real and may be related to changes in breast feeding practice.

Birth Order↗
PubMed1982

Vidarabine therapy of varicella in immunosuppressed patients.

In order to assess further the clinical usefulness of vidarabine therapy of chicken pox, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed in immunocompromised patients. Thirty-four patients entered the trial; 19 received vidarabine and 15 the placebo. All patients had disease less than or equal to 72 hours in duration and 23 had lymphoproliferative malignancies. Both patient populations were balanced for underlying disease, preceding chemotherapy, and duration of chicken pox. No patient received zoster immune globulin. Drug therapy accelerated cessation of new vesicle formation (P = 0.015) and decreased median daily lesion counts (P = 0.06 on days 2 and 3). Fever (greater than or equal to 37.8 degrees C orally) resolved more rapidly in the drug-treated group. By day five, 70% of drug-treated subjects were afebrile in contrast to 35% of placebo recipients (P = 0.066). One drug recipient developed mild pneumonitis during the study which resolved with therapy, whereas eight placebo recipients developed varicella-related complications which led to death in two patients (P less than 0.01). These results were achieved with minimal evidence of laboratory or clinical toxicity related to drug administration. The findings indicate that vidarabine has a good therapeutic index (efficacy/toxicity) for treatment of chicken pox in immunocompromised patients when given early in the course of the infection.

Aspartate Aminotransferases↗