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Biomedical subjects

R Velez

Publications and source records attributed to R Velez.

52 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Confirming the diagnosis of mild hypertension.

Patients with newly found raised blood pressure are known to have lower pressures at subsequent measurements even when not treated. A study was undertaken to determine the extent to which (a) the number of follow-up measurements and (b) the duration of the intervals between them contributed to this fall in pressure. In 42 general practices 110 patients were identified as having for the first time a diastolic pressure (phase V) greater than 90 and less than 110 mm Hg. Both diastolic and systolic pressures were appreciably lower when measured at return visits when compared with the first measurement. The systolic pressure dropped appreciably in the intervals between the first and the second visits and again between the second and third visits. The diastolic pressure fell appreciably only between the first and second visits. The duration of the interval between visits was not associated with a fall in either systolic or diastolic pressure, but the number of measurements was. This pattern of fall in pressure was not affected by the patient's age or sex. From these results we conclude that patients with newly identified blood pressures that are mildly raised should be seen at two further visits before a decision about treatment is made. The timing of these follow-up visits is not crucial.

Female↗
PubMed1982

Increasing trends of multiple myeloma mortality in England and Wales; 1950-79: are the changes real?

National statistics for England and Wales for the period of 1950-79 were examined to study the secular trends in multiple myeloma mortality and to evaluate the extent to which these changes may be due to biases associated with improvements in medical care. Age-adjusted mortality has increased more than fivefold during this 30-year period. Contrary to the impression obtained from clinical series, a slightly greater increase in age-adjusted mortality has occurred in males. Examination of age- and sex-specific mortality trends showed that the greatest apparent increase in myeloma mortality occurred in individuals over 70 years of age. The data are consistent with either a cohort effect, indicating a true increase in mortality, or an age-dependent diagnostic effect in which a greater percentage of deaths among the elderly are now being certified as myeloma. Analyses of mortality data by social class and region point toward improved case ascertainment being responsible for at least part of the apparent increase in reported mortality. The increase in reported mortality in the younger age groups may reflect a true increase in the incidence of this disease. This increase, however, would account for only a proportion of the total increase, even when extrapolated to the older age groups.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Pseudogynecomastia secondary to injection of heroin into breast tissue.

A 50-year-old man who has a heroin addict developed bilateral, symmetrical swelling of the breasts as a result of injecting himself directly into the breasts for several years. Results of histologic examination of the breast tissue showed granulomatous inflammation and a foreign body reaction without gynecomastia or tumor. Liver and endocrine functions were generally normal.

Breast↗
PubMed1976

Hemoglobin synthesis in somatic cell hybrids: independent segregation of the human alpha- and beta-globin genes.

Hybrid somatic cells containing a partial complement of human chromosomes were used to demonstrate that the human alpha- and beta-globin genes are located on different chromosomes. Two cell lines consisting of a cross of mouse with human fibroblasts contained the human alpha- and not the beta-globin gene, while a cross of human marrow cells with mouse erythroleukemia cells expressed the human beta- but not the alpha-globin gene.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Extinction of globin gene expression in human fibroblast x mouse erythroleukemia cell hybrids.

We have chosen human fibroblast x mouse erythroleukemia hybrid cells as a model system to examine regulation of unique genes. The globin genes were studied as a marker of erythroid differentiation. Three separate hybrid cell lines were incubated in 2% dimethylsulfoxide, an agent which induces erythroid differentiation of the parental erythroleukemia cells. Neither human nor mouse globin mRNA sequences could be detected by a sensitive molecular hybridization assay which utilized globin complementary D N A. However, td n a from one of the cell lines was shown to contain both the mouse and humand globin genes. Thus, loss of the genes by chromosomal segregation did not account for their failure to be expressed. Cocultivation of the mouse erythroleukemia cells with excess human fibroblasts did not prevent erythroid differentiation of the erythroleukemia cells in the presence of dimethylsulfoxide. Similarly globin gene expression was preserved in tetraploid cells generated by fusion of two erythroleukemia lines. Thus, extinction of globin geneated by fusion of two erythroleukemia lines. Thus, extinction of blobin gene expression in the human fibroblast x erythroleukemia hybrids occurred at the level of mRNA production and appeared to be due to the presence of the fibroblast genome within the hybrial cell.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

alpha-and beta-Globin complementary deoxyribonucleic acids of human and rabbit. Specificity of hybridization.

The specificity of hybridization was compared between the human and rabbit alpha and beta-globin complementary DNAs (cDNAs) and the corresponding alpha and beta-globin messenger RNAs (mRNAs). The globin chain-specific mRNAs of rabbit were prepared from polysomes incubated with O-methylthreonine (alpha and beta) or from postribosomal supernatant (alpha). Enrichment for either the alpha- or beta-globin mRNA was demonstrated by cell-free protein synthesis and by RNA-cDNA hybridization. Human mRNAs, active as templates for RNA-directed DNA polymerase, were prepared from reticulocytes of patients with hemolytic anemia, alpha-thalassemia (hemoglobin H disease), and beta-thalassemia. Because there was partial cross-hybridization between human mRNA and rabbit cDNA, the rabbit alpha- and beta-globin cDNAs could be used to demonstrate that the beta-thalassemia mRNA was enriched in human alpha-globin mRNA sequences and that the alpha-thalassemia mRNA was enriched in human beta-globin mRNA sequences. These results were confirmed by preparation of thalassemia globin cDNAs and subsequent hybridization to their template mRNAs. The amount of cross-hybridization between the human and rabbit alpha-globin mRNA and the two alpha-globin cDNAs was comparable to the cross-hybridization between the two beta-globin mRNAs and the two beta-globin cDNAs, indicating a similar degree of evolutionary divergence in the nucleotide sequences of the two globin genes.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinic-based interventions to promote breast and cervical cancer screening.

BACKGROUND: Breast and cervical cancer continue to claim the lives of women. Early detection modalities for these cancers are available; however, utilization rates are far from optimal. Studies have documented the motivating effect that physician recommendations have on compliance with preventive health behaviors. The goal of this study was to develop and implement strategies to improve the use of cervical and breast cancer screening among African-American women age 40 and older who resided in low-income housing communities. METHODS: Baseline surveys among clinic providers and a random sample of women in the target population indicated areas to be included in intervention material. Community health center-based strategies included educational interventions for providers and patients, follow-up interventions for abnormal screening tests, and the implementation of a computer tracking system. Pap smear and mammogram utilization rates at the health center were tracked throughout the project period to assess the effect of the clinic-based interventions. RESULTS: Both Pap smear and mammography rates increased over time. Fifteen cases of breast cancer and 1 case of invasive cervical cancer have been detected. Compliance rates for follow-up for cervical dysplasia have increased from 50 to 90%. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that clinic-based interventions can improve the use of breast and cervical cancer screening and follow-up among low-income women.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Computer-generated mailed reminders for influenza immunization: a clinical trial.

A randomized, single-blind, controlled trial was performed at a community health center to measure the impact of computer-generated reminders mailed to patients on the rate of influenza immunization. High-risk patients were randomized to one of three groups: 1) usual care, 2) one reminder letter, offering free influenza immunization without an appointment, or 3) two sequential reminder letters, offering the same. The reminders did not significantly affect rates of influenza immunization. Analysis of the combined groups indicates that an appointment with a primary care provider remains the most reliable method of immunizing high-risk patients at this health center.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cancer screening behaviors of low-income women: the impact of race.

Cancer mortality rates are greater for African Americans than for whites. Reasons for this are due in part to the disproportionate number of the poor who are African American. Of particular concern are breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer, as screening exams, when used regularly, can reduce mortality. As part of an National Cancer Institute-funded study to improve breast and cervical cancer screening among low-income, predominately African American women, a survey was done to collect data on knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer. A total of 300 women, African American and white residents of low-income housing communities, completed the survey. More African American women than white women had a mammogram within guidelines (52% vs. 40%), a clinical breast exam within the last year (60% vs. 56%), a Pap smear within the last 3 years (80% vs. 59%), and a Fecal Occult Blood Test within the last year (21% vs. 17%). Slightly more white women had a flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) exam within the last 5 years (31% vs. 24%). When adjusted for age differences in the two populations, the differences in receiving regular screening exams were not statistically significant. Variables related to receiving these tests for all women included receiving regular check-ups (breast cancer); beliefs (breast and colorectal cancer screening), and knowledge (cervical cancer). Among African American women, barriers to screening were important for breast screening and regular checkups were related to Pap smear screening (odds ratio [OR] = 13.9, p < .01). High perceived risk of colorectal cancer was related to recent FS only for white women (OR = 47.9, p = .012). Women in this homogenous income group had similar rates of screening and had similar barriers to receiving recommended screening tests; thus, interventions should address beliefs and knowledge of risk targeted to all low-income women.

Adult↗