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Biomedical subjects

S Brooks

Publications and source records attributed to S Brooks.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

The role of cytoreductive surgery in the management of stage IV epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

Patients with Stage IV epithelial ovarian carcinoma are generally treated in the same manner as are patients with disease confined to the abdomen--cytoreductive surgery followed by combination chemotherapy. Between 1980 and 1990, 35 women with histologically or cytologically documented Stage IV ovarian carcinoma were treated in this fashion. Sixteen women (45%) underwent optimal initial cytoreductive surgery, defined as less than 2 cm maximum residual disease. Eleven of the 19 women undergoing suboptimal initial procedures underwent interval cytoreduction after two to four cycles of chemotherapy, with 7 achieving an optimal status after the interval procedure. Overall, 23 of 35 patients (66%) were successfully cytoreduced to less than 2 cm either initially or at an interval procedure. Thirty-one of the 35 patients received combination regimens containing platinum as part of their initial therapy. Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated no significant difference in survival between those groups of women cytoreduced intervally or initially, or between those groups of women optimally cytoreduced at some point during their initial therapy and those who were not. The 5-year survival for the entire group was less than 5%, with no significantly prolonged survival seen in those patients undergoing successful cytoreduction.

Chemotherapy, Adjuvant↗
PubMed1992

Helix pomatia lectin binding pattern of brain metastases originating from breast cancers.

The glycosylation pattern of brain metastases originating from primary breast carcinomas was investigated using Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA), a lectin which recognises N-acetyl-galactosamine (GalNac) residues of glycoconjugates. In a previous retrospective study this lectin was shown to label only those primary breast cancers that metastasised. To explore this as a clinical marker of metastatic breast cancer behaviour it is necessary to analyse the HPA binding pattern of metastases to see if this differs from primary cancers. To test the question if brain metastases commitently retain this trait of metastatic primary tumors, we studied Helix pomatia binding pattern of brain metastases removed by surgical excision and immediately fixed and processed. Brain metastases from 16 patients with breast cancer were obtained, 13/16 metastases showed binding to the cytoplasm in the majority of cancer cells, 3/16 did not show binding to cancer cells. Normal adjacent brain showed binding to red blood cells, to capillary endothelium of several biopsies and to rare neurones; this binding did not relate to cancer cell binding. Therefore we conclude that HPA is a relatively stable marker for metastasizing breast cancer cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Short report: omeprazole plus antibiotic combinations for the eradication of metronidazole-resistant Helicobacter pylori.

Twenty-eight Helicobacter pylori-positive patients with metronidazole-resistant isolates and 25 with metronidazole-sensitive isolates were treated for 14 days with 40 mg omeprazole nocte plus 500 mg amoxycillin t.d.s. Eradication of H. pylori, defined as absence of the organism one month after cessation of treatment, was assessed using the [14C]urea breath test. The eradication rate in patients with metronidazole-resistant isolates was 14/28 (50%) while that in patients was metronidazole-sensitive isolates was 12/25 (48%). In contrast to these encouraging eradication rates, very poor results were obtained with a 7-day course of omeprazole (40 mg nocte) in combination with erythromycin ethylsuccinate (500 mg q.d.s.) and tripotassium dicitrato bismuthate tablets (120 mg q.d.s.). The latter eradication rates were 3/20 (15%) in patients taking erythromycin tablets and 3/19 (16%) in those taking a liquid formulation of erythromycin. All treatment regimens were well tolerated and all patients completed the prescribed course of therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Bond strength and rupture properties of some soft denture liners.

The bond strength and rupture properties of three soft acrylic liners (Coe-Soft, Coe Super-Soft and Vertex Soft) and two silicone liners (Molloplast-B and Flexibase) were tested immediately after processing and following immersion in water at 37 degrees C for 7 and 90 days. The bond test gave variable results, as some materials partly peeled and then stretched until rupture occurred. After saturation the acrylic liners exhibited an increase in tear resistance, whilst silicone materials deteriorated, in the case of Flexibase to approximately 25% of its original value. Vertex Soft was the exception, as tear resistance decreased as water sorption increased. Scanning electron microscopy revealed indefinite demarcation between soft acrylic resins and hard denture base, which was not altered after saturation in water. On the other hand, the interface between denture base and silicone liners was clearly visible before and after saturation. The results indicated that denture soft liners had variable water sorption values depending on their basic structure, and some properties changed after immersion in water, a finding that is of relevance to prosthodontic practice.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1992

Plasma amino acid concentrations in the overtraining syndrome: possible effects on the immune system.

Overtraining and long-term exercise are associated with an impairment of immune function. We provide evidence in support of the hypothesis that the supply of glutamine, a key fuel for cells of the immune system, is impaired in these conditions and that this may contribute to immunosuppression. Plasma glutamine concentration was decreased in overtrained athletes and after long-term exercise (marathon race) and was increased after short-term, high intensity exercise (sprinting). Branched chain amino acid supplementation during long-term exercise was shown to prevent this decrease in the plasma glutamine level. Overtraining was without effect on the rate of T-lymphocyte proliferation in vitro or on the plasma levels of interleukin-1 and -6, suggesting that immune function is not impaired in this condition. Given the proposed importance of glutamine for cells of the immune system, it is concluded that the decrease in plasma glutamine concentration in overtraining and following long-term exercise, and not an intrinsic defect in T lymphocyte function, may contribute to the immune deficiency reported in these conditions.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Repeated bouts of sprint running after induced alkalosis.

Seven healthy male subjects performed 10 maximal 6-s sprints, separated by 30-s recovery periods, on a non-motorized treadmill. On two occasions, separated by 3 days, the subjects ingested a solution of either sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3; alkaline) or sodium chloride (NaCl; placebo), 2.5 h prior to exercise. The doses were 0.3 g kg-1 body mass for the alkaline treatment and 1.5 g total for the placebo, dissolved in 500 ml of water. The order of testing was randomly assigned. Pre-exercise blood pH was 7.43 +/- 0.02 and 7.38 +/- 0.01 for the alkaline and placebo trials respectively (P less than 0.01). Performance indices (i.e. mean and peak power outputs and mean and peak running speeds) were significantly reduced as a result of the cumulative effects of successive sprints, but not significantly affected by the treatments. However, the total work done (i.e. mean power output) in the alkaline condition was 2% higher than that achieved in the placebo condition. Post-exercise blood lactate concentrations were higher for the alkaline treatment than for the placebo condition (15.3 +/- 3.7 vs 13.6 +/- 3.0 mM respectively; P less than 0.01), but blood pH was similar in both conditions (alkaline: 7.15 +/- 0.13; placebo: 7.09 +/- 0.11). In both conditions, a relationship was found between post-exercise blood lactate and mean power output (alkaline: r = 0.82, P less than 0.01; placebo: r = 0.79, P less than 0.01). No significant differences were found in VE, VO2 and VCO2 between the two experimental conditions. This study demonstrates that alkali ingestion results in significant shifts in the acid-base balance of the blood, but has no effect on the power output during repeated bouts of brief maximal exercise.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Physiological responses to maximal intermittent exercise: differences between endurance-trained runners and games players.

Six games players (GP) and six endurance-trained runners (ET) completed a standardized multiple sprint test on a non-motorized treadmill consisting of ten 6-s all-out sprints with 30-s recovery periods. Running speed, power output and oxygen uptake were determined during the test and blood samples were taken for the determination of blood lactate and pH. Games players tended to produce a higher peak power output (GP vs ET: 839 +/- 114 vs 777 +/- 89 W, N.S.) and higher peak speed (GP vs ET: 7.03 +/- 0.3 vs 6.71 +/- 0.3 m s-1, N.S.), but had a greater decrement in mean power output than endurance-trained runners (GP vs ET: 29.3 +/- 8.1% vs 14.2 +/- 11.1%, P less than 0.05). Blood lactate after the test was higher for the games players (GP vs ET: 15.2 +/- 1.9 vs 12.4 +/- 1.7 mM, P less than 0.05), but the decrease in pH was similar for both groups (GP vs ET: 0.31 +/- 0.08 vs 0.28 +/- 0.08, N.S.). Strong correlations were found between peak blood lactate and peak speed (r = 0.90, P less than 0.01) and between peak blood lactate and peak power fatigue (r = 0.92, P less than 0.01). The average increase in oxygen uptake above pre-exercise levels during the sprint test was greater for endurance-trained athletes than for the games players (ET vs GP: 35.0 +/- 2.2 vs 29.6 +/- 3.0 ml kg-1 min-1, P less than 0.05), corresponding to an average oxygen uptake per sprint (6-s sprint and 24 s of subsequent recovery) of 67.5 +/- 2.9% and 63.0 +/- 4.5% VO2 max respectively (N.S.). A modest relationship existed between the average increase in oxygen uptake above pre-exercise values during the sprint test and mean speed fatigue (r = -0.68, P less than 0.05). Thus, the greater decrement in performance for the games players may be related to higher glycolytic rates as reflected by higher lactate concentrations and to their lower oxygen uptake during the course of the 10 sprints.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Azelastine and desmethylazelastine suppress acetylcholine-induced contraction and depolarization in human airway smooth muscle.

We examined the effects of a new anti-asthmatic drug, azelastine, and its principal metabolite, desmethylazelastine, on the in vitro electromechanical response of human airway smooth muscle during cholinergic stimulation. Membrane potential and isometric force were simultaneously measured using an intracellular microelectrode and a microforce transducer. Desmethylazelastine significantly suppressed acetylcholine-induced depolarization and contraction at 10(-6) M, whereas azelastine produced similar results at 10(-4) M, suggesting that the metabolite may be the principal compound acting upon the airway smooth muscle cell.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1990

The hormonal responses to repetitive brief maximal exercise in humans.

The responses of nine men and nine women to brief repetitive maximal exercise have been studied. The exercise involved a 6-s sprint on a non-motorised treadmill repeated 10 times with 30 s recovery between each sprint. The total work done during the ten sprints was 37,693 +/- 3,956 J by the men and 26,555 +/- 4,589 J by the women (M greater than F, P less than 0.01). This difference in performance was not associated with higher blood lactate concentrations in the men (13.96 +/- 1.70 mmol.l-1) than the women (13.09 +/- 3.04 mmol.l-1). An 18-fold increase in plasma adrenaline (AD) occurred with the peak concentration observed after five sprints. The peak AD concentration in the men was larger than that seen in the women (9.2 +/- 7.3 and 3.7 +/- 2.4 nmol.l-1 respectively, P less than 0.05). The maximum noradrenaline (NA) concentration occurred after ten sprints in the men (31.6 +/- 10.9 nmol.l-1) and after five sprints in the women (27.4 +/- 20.8 nmol.l-1). Plasma cardiodilatin (CDN) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentrations were elevated in response to the exercise. The peak ANP concentration occurred immediately post-exercise and the response of the women (10.8 +/- 4.5 pmol.l-1) was greater than that of the men (5.1 +/- 2.6 pmol.l-1, P less than 0.05). The peak CDN concentrations were 163 +/- 61 pmol.l-1 for the women and 135 +/- 61 pmol.l-1 for the men. No increases in calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) were detected in response to the exercise. These results indicate differences between men and women in performance and hormonal responses. There was no evidence for a role of CGRP in the control of the cardiovascular system after brief intermittent maximal exercise.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Continuous intramuscular pH measurement during the recovery from brief, maximal exercise in man.

Muscle pH and temperature were measured before, and continuously for 30 min after, a 30-s maximal sprint exercise in ten subjects. These measurements were made with a needle-tipped pH electrode and a thermocouple placed in vastus lateralis. Venous blood samples were collected for pH, lactate and catecholamine estimations and measurements were also made of the arterial blood pressure and heart rate. The muscle and venous pH decreased from 7.17 +/- 0.01 (mean +/- SEM) and 7.39 +/- 0.01 to 6.57 +/- 0.04 and 7.04 +/- 0.03, respectively, in response to the exercise. No significant recovery occurred in either pH measurement for 10 min, after which muscle pH increased to 7.03 +/- 0.03 and venous pH to 7.29 +/- 0.01 by 30 min. Muscle temperature increased by 2.1 degrees C with exercise and also failed to return to pre-exercise values by 30 min. Blood lactate concentration increased from 0.75 +/- 0.04 mmol l-1 before exercise to a peak value of 15.76 +/- 0.35 mmol l-1 5 min after completion of the exercise, and then declined slowly to 10.30 +/- 0.61 mmol l-1 by 30 min. Arterial blood pressure increased transiently with exercise but recovered rapidly, whereas the exercise-induced tachycardia was sustained throughout the recovery period. The recovery from the metabolic and cardiovascular responses to maximal sprint exercise in man is incomplete 30 min after cessation of the exercise.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Responses of asthmatic and non-asthmatic athletes to prolonged treadmill running.

Metabolic and cardio-respiratory responses of four asthmatic and four non-asthmatic athletes to two hours of treadmill running at 70 percent of maximal oxygen uptake are compared. The asthmatic group had pre-exercise airflow obstruction, as indicated by the lower forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) even after medication (2.90 +/- 0.661) compared to the non-asthmatic group (4.09 +/- 1.331). Changes in blood lactate, glucose and catecholamine concentrations as a result of the two hour run were similar for the two groups. However, the pattern of breathing was different. The asthmatics had a slower breathing frequency but a similar tidal volume to the non-asthmatics. Both groups had an increase in the ventilation rate over the two hour run. For the non-asthmatic group, this increase in ventilation was achieved by an increase in the breathing frequency (p less than 0.01), whereas tidal volume was reduced (p less than 0.05). The increase in the ventilation rate over the two hour run for the asthmatic group was brought about by a small increase in breathing frequency (p less than 0.05), whereas tidal volume was not changed. This maintenance of the tidal volume by the asthmatic athletes during endurance running may compensate for the airflow obstruction, and so allow successful participation in endurance running.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1990

When a colleague commits suicide: how the staff reacts.

1. A literature review on the subject of suicide by mental health professional indicates that research has been limited to family member survivors. There is some data on reactions to patient suicide by psychiatrists and psychologists. 2. The results of this study show that mental health professional survivors of peer suicide experience similar reactions to the studied groups. These include anger, guilt, loss of self-esteem, disruption of relationships, and concern about assessing for suicidality. 3. Subjects felt the victim did not reach out for help because she feared stigmatization; mental health professionals are not permitted to have serious problems. 4. The clinical nurse specialist can perform an important role by addressing this dynamic and working to provide a supportive and nonpunitive environment for mental health professionals experiencing problems.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1990

Evaluation of the predictive power of progesterone receptor levels in primary breast cancer: a comparison with other criteria in 559 cases with a mean follow-up of 74.8 months. The Breast Cancer Prognostic Study Associates.

A total of 559 women with primary breast cancer treated by modified radical mastectomy were followed for a mean of 74.8 months to evaluate the relationship of sex hormone receptor content in the tumor with time to first recurrence and to death due to breast cancer. The prognostic significance of progesterone receptor (PgR) status was evaluated in terms of estrogen receptor (ER) status, age (less than or equal to 49 years, greater than or equal to 50 years), extent of lymph node involvement, tumor size, and morphologic characteristics. Overall, patients with PgR positive (greater than 9 femtomoles/10 mg wet weight tissue) tumors experienced a significantly longer period to both first recurrence and death due to breast cancer, but this advantage was restricted to those whose cancer had metastasized to their axillary lymph nodes. For women with nodal involvement, the extent of this involvement and the size of the primary lesion had the greatest predictive value followed by nuclear grade and PgR status. In these node-positive patients, PgR positivity, although strongly associated with ER positivity, had a greater predictive value than that of the estrogen receptor per se.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1990

Assessment of community health aides.

A research project funded by the Commonwealth Caribbean Medical Research Council (CCMRC) began in February 1987, to study aspects of the situation in connection with 508 Community Health Aides (CHAs) employed in the Government Service of Jamaica. There were in the service 1,328 CHAs in 1978, reduced to 1,183 in 1982 and to 1,168 in 1984. By 1985/86 the numbers were further reduced, reaching the low figure of 508. This report deals specifically with the responses of 615 members of the community who were interviewed, and questionnaires were returned from all parishes in the four Administrative Health areas in Jamaica. The responses from community members are very important in the assessment of community health aides as members of the community health team. A number of useful and practical suggestions were reflected in their responses regarding service from community health aides.

Community Health Services↗