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Biomedical subjects

S Jennings

Publications and source records attributed to S Jennings.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

The nature and amount of support college-age adolescents request and receive from parents.

While older adolescents appear to spend less time with their families, some research has shown parents to be the preferred source of support. The purpose of this study is to determine if adolescents receive instrumental and emotional support as requested from each parent, and if the support they receive is perceived as helpful. Study participants included 206 two-year college students (39% males and 61% female) with a mean age of 18.9 years. A mother/father-adolescent interaction inventory was used to measure perceived parental support and the "Who Helps With Your Problems?" inventory was used to measure received parental support within a two-week period. Results indicated that adolescents received support almost every time it was requested, although few requests were made. Gender differences were present for the type of support received, where females received significantly more emotional than instrumental support from both mothers (t = 3.88, p < .001) and fathers (t = 1.98, p < .05). Additionally, a positive correlation was found between perceived and received instrumental and emotional support from mothers (r = .33 and r = .27, p < .001 and p < .10, respectively) and fathers (r = .33 and r = .37, P < .001), respectively) for females only. Possible reasons for gender differences may be due to the roles society has ascribed to males and females. Recommendations for future research are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

DNA aptamers block L-selectin function in vivo. Inhibition of human lymphocyte trafficking in SCID mice.

Selectins participate in the initial events leading to leukocyte extravasation from the blood into tissues. Thus the selectins have generated much interest as targets for antiinflammatory agents. Therapeutic molecules based on the monomeric carbohydrate ligand sialyl Lewis X (SLe(X)) have low affinities and are not specific for a given selectin. Using SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential Enrichment) technology, we have generated aptamers specific for L-selectin that require divalent cations for binding and have low nanomolar affinity. In vitro, the deoxyoligonucleotides inhibit L-selectin binding to immobilized SLe(X) in static assays and inhibit L-selectin-mediated rolling of human lymphocytes and neutrophils on cytokine-activated endothelial cells in flow-based assays. These aptamers also block L-selectin-dependent lymphocyte trafficking in vivo, indicating their potential utility as therapeutics.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Calcium-dependent oligonucleotide antagonists specific for L-selectin.

The selectins are calcium-dependent C-type lectins that recognize complex anionic carbohydrate ligands, initiating many cell-cell interactions in the vascular system. Selectin blockade shows therapeutic promise in a variety of inflammatory and postischemic pathologies. However, the available oligosaccharide ligand mimetics have low affinities and show cross-reaction among the three selectins, precluding efficient and specific blockade. The SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) process uses combinatorial chemistry and in vitro selection to yield high affinity oligonucleotides with unexpected binding specificities. Nuclease-stabilized randomized oligonucleotides subjected to SELEX against recombinant L-selectin yielded calcium-dependent antagonists with approximately 10(5) higher affinity than the conventional oligosaccharide ligand sialyl LewisX. Most of the isolated ligands shared a common consensus sequence. Unlike sialyl LewisX, these antagonists show little binding to E- or P-selectin. Moreover, they show calcium-dependent binding to native L-selectin on peripheral blood lymphocytes and block L-selectin-dependent interactions with the natural ligands on high endothelial venules.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Why don't all general practices offer structured diabetes care? A comparison of practices that do not with those that do.

The aim of the study was to examine whether the minority of practices not qualifying for payment for structured diabetes care programmes differ systematically from those that do. Information was collected for all Leicestershire general practices on practice size, population structure, deprivation indices, diabetes related admissions over two years and number of insulin treated patients on the district register. The 21 practices not offering structured diabetes care had a median list size of 3204, compared to 6340 for the other 124 practices (P < 0.001). Jarman and Townsend scores were higher for these practices and estimated prevalence of diabetes was 29% higher (95% CI: 26-32%). Crude admission rates were significantly higher in those practices not offering structured care. However rates adjusted for diabetes prevalence were similar (39.3 vs 39.2 per 100 insulin treated diabetics per year, P = 0.9). These results suggest that some practices face specific problems related both to small practice size and higher prevalence. If these issues are not addressed, inequalities in access to diabetes care between practice populations will persist. There is no evidence that the provision of structured care is associated with lower admission rates in this district. However more information, particularly in relation to prevalence of diabetes, is needed in order to accurately quantify this relationship. Variations in prevalence between practices should be adjusted for in any comparison of admission rates or spurious conclusions may be drawn.

Diabetes Mellitus↗
PubMed1996

Multifocal remitting-relapsing cerebral demyelination twenty years following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

We report a case study of a female who received an allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from a sex-mismatched related donor and who, after a twenty-year interval, developed an acute fulminant biopsy-proven demyelinating disorder of cerebral white matter which followed a remitting-relapsing chronic course. In situ hybridization studies using Y-chromosome-specific markers revealed Y-chromosome-positive mononuclear cells in biopsy samples of white matter. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of the asymptomatic healthy male donor showed multiple white matter lesions. These observations suggest that donor lymphocytes were sensitized to central nervous system (CNS) antigens prior to or at the time of transplantation but remained dormant for 20 years before becoming activated to cause widespread demyelination.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis or ureter: patterns of failure.

OBJECTIVES: To identify recurrence patterns and possible indications for adjuvant treatment. METHODS: Ninety-four patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis or ureter were reviewed to determine their pattern of failure. Factors including gender and age, tumor stage and grade, and extent of surgical procedure and adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) were analyzed with respect to local and distant recurrence and survival. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients had resections without residual. On multivariate analysis, grade (P = 0.01) and adjuvant RT (P = 0.02) had significant effects on local control. Metastases were solely dependent on stage (P = 0.0001). Survival was dependent on stage (P = 0.0059) and age (P = 0.036), with the use of adjuvant RT of borderline significance (P = 0.07). Twenty-seven patients were excluded from local failure and survival analysis; of these, 3 died within 1 month of surgery, 5 had metastasis at presentation, and 19 had local disease that was unresectable. Eleven of these 19 were treated by RT, resulting in 2 long-term disease-free survivors after receiving doses of 45 and 50.4 Gy. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with adverse factors, such as high grade or stage, close margins, or positive nodes, local control can be improved with adjuvant radiation. Improvement in survival is of borderline significance on multivariate analysis, with approximately 50% of high stage or grade patients developing metastasis.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Isolation and sequence of the t-RNA ligase-encoding gene of Candida albicans.

The gene encoding tRNA ligase from Candida albicans was isolated from a genomic library by complementation of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain containing a disrupted structural gene, RLG1, encoding tRNA ligase. The cloned gene also complements a temperature-sensitive allele of RLG1. Sequence analysis revealed a single 2499-nt coding region. The gene encodes a protein of 833 amino acids that is 42% identical to S. cerevisiae tRNA ligase. Hybridization to chromosomes of C. albicans separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis located the gene to chromosome 1, the smallest C. albicans chromosome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

The epidemiology of rubella in the Republic of Ireland.

The trend in notified cases of rubella in the Republic of Ireland from 1950 to 1990 has been downward, with a mean interval of four years between peak periods. Vaccine uptake and antenatal immunity levelled out in the 1980s at 85% and 87%, respectively. One hundred and six cases of congenital rubella were recorded between 1975 and 1990, 66 being reported by paediatricians. The fact that cases of congenital rubella still occur highlights the need for a continued and aggressive immunisation policy, up-to-date and cohort-based data on vaccine uptake, and the introduction of a congenital rubella register.

Humans↗
PubMed1993

Trial of antihypertensive intervention and management: greater efficacy with weight reduction than with a sodium-potassium intervention.

The Trial of Antihypertensive Intervention and Management evaluated nine diet-drug combinations in 878 mildly hypertensive, moderately obese participants using a 3 x 3 factorial design. Drugs evaluated were placebo, diuretic (chlorthalidone), and beta-blocker (atenolol); diets were usual (no intervention), weight reduction, and low sodium/high potassium (Na/K). This article reports 6-month dietary changes and the effect of dietary change on blood pressure. Six-month mean weight change was -4.7 kg in the weight reduction group, -0.3 kg in the Na/K group, and -0.5 kg in the usual-diet group. At 6 months, daily electrolyte excretion had changed in the Na/K intervention group. Daily sodium excretion decreased from 138.0 to 112.0 mmol in the Na/K group and increased from 134.1 to 138.4 mmol in the weight reduction group and from 129.1 to 137.0 mmol in the usual-diet group. Daily potassium output increased from 58.7 to 71.4 mmol in the Na/K group, from 57.0 to 60.5 mmol in the weight reduction group, and from 55.3 to 59.1 mmol in the usual diet group. Analysis of 3-day food records indicated that sodium intake decreased from 141.1 to 85.8 mmol and potassium intake increased from 76.4 to 90.5 mmol. Our results indicate that the goal for weight reduction was more easily achieved than the goal for electrolyte modification.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Overexpression of Her-2/neu may be an indicator of poor prognosis in prostate cancer.

Previous reports have shown that Her-2/neu oncogene expression in human breast cancer and ovarian cancer may be associated with poorer prognosis. We report the expression of Her-2/neu on fresh samples of known prostatic adenocarcinoma but not on those of benign prostatic hypertrophy. Using a monoclonal antibody (TA1) directed against human Her-2/neu oncogene product and an immunohistochemical staining method, no Her-2/neu expression was noted with benign prostatic hypertrophy (15 samples). With prostatic adenocarcinoma samples, a subset (9 of 25) showed overexpression of Her-2/neu. Such overexpression is correlated with higher histological grade, higher stage of disease, and high S phase and aneuploidy on flow cytometric analysis. These findings suggest that Her-2/neu may be a prognostic marker in prostate cancer as well.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1992

Species differences in 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol hydroxylation by rat, monkey, and human prostate microsomes.

The 6 alpha-, 7 alpha-, and 7 beta-hydroxylation of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol by rat prostate microsomes appears to be catalyzed by a single, high-affinity cytochrome P450 enzyme. In the present study we have examined the hydroxylation of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol by prostate microsomes from cynomolgus monkeys and from normal subjects and patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Our results suggest that although rat, monkey, and human prostate microsomes catalyze the 6 alpha-, 7 alpha-, and 7 beta-hydroxylation of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol, these pathways of oxidation in monkeys and humans are not catalyzed by a single cytochrome P450 enzyme. The ratio of the three metabolites was not uniform among prostate microsomal samples from individual humans or monkeys. The 6 alpha-hydroxylation of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol varied independently of both the 7 alpha- and 7 beta-hydroxylation, which varied in unison. The 6 alpha-, 7 alpha-, and 7 beta-hydroxylation of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol by monkey prostate microsomes appeared to be differentially affected by in vivo treatment of monkeys with beta-naphthoflavone or dexamethasone. Treatment of a monkey with dexamethasone appeared to cause a 2.5-fold increase in both the 7 alpha- and the 7 beta-hydroxylation of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol without increasing the 6 alpha-hydroxylation. The 7 alpha- and 7 beta-hydroxylation of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol by human and monkey prostate microsomes, but not the 6 alpha-hydroxylation, was inhibited by antibody against rat liver NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase. Similarly, the 7 alpha- and 7 beta-hydroxylation of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol by human prostate microsomes, but not the 6 alpha-hydroxylation, was markedly inhibited (greater than 85%) by equimolar concentrations of the imidazole-containing antimycotic drugs ketoconazole, clotrimazole, and miconazole. These results suggest that the 7 alpha- and 7 beta-hydroxylation of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol by monkey and human prostate microsomes is catalyzed by a cytochrome P450 enzyme, whereas the 6 alpha-hydroxylation is catalyzed by a different enzyme which may or may not be a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase. The hydroxylation of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol by prostate microsomes from normal human subjects was quantitatively and qualitatively similar to its hydroxylation by prostate microsomes from patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Androstane-3,17-diol↗
PubMed1992

The epidemiology of pertussis in the Republic of Ireland.

Epidemiological data on pertussis in the Republic of Ireland have been gathered annually since 1941. However, no detailed analysis of these data has, until now, been carried out. Fifteen epidemics occurred between 1941 and 1989, an average of one per 3.1 years, which is similar to epidemic intervals observed elsewhere. After the introduction of a vaccine in the 1950s, annual pertussis notifications declined, from 175 per 100,000 in 1956 to 7.6 per 100,000 in 1972. Following adverse publicity in 1973, uptake of the vaccine fell to 30% in 1976. Although uptake has increased again in recent years, it has levelled out at only 40-45% and large epidemics of pertussis occurred in 1985 and 1989. At the same time, mortality from pertussis has fallen to almost negligible levels. Most cases occur in children more than one year of age. Changes in the vaccination schedule could have a major impact on the incidence of the disease in the Republic of Ireland. However, if a further decline in the incidence of the disease is to be achieved, parents have to be persuaded of the benefits of pertussis vaccination.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Adjuvant radiotherapy in high stage transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter.

This review was undertaken to assess the influence of adjuvant radiation therapy on failure patterns and survival in high stage transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis or ureter. Ninety-four patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis or ureter were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-six had American Joint Commission stage T3 or T4 N0/+, M0 disease and underwent curative resections (median follow-up 13.5 months, range 3-311). Local failure was defined as recurrence in the tumor bed, regional nodes, or ureteral stump. Time to recurrence and survival were calculated from the time of pathologic diagnosis. Variables associated with local failure, distant metastasis, and survival were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis. Seventeen received surgery only, nine received adjuvant radiation therapy (median dose 50 Gy). Local failure occurred in 9 of 17 without and 1 of 9 with adjuvant radiation therapy (p = 0.07). Actuarial 5-year local control was 34% without and 88% with adjuvant radiation therapy. Cox step-wise regression confirmed adjuvant radiation therapy (p = 0.006) and grade (p = 0.006) as significantly associated with local failure. No patients with low grade lesions suffered local failure either with or without adjuvant radiation therapy. High grade lesions had an local failure rate of 15% with and 71% without adjuvant radiation therapy. Metastatic disease occurred in 4 of 9 and 8 of 17 with and without radiation therapy. No significant factors influencing distant failure were identified. Five-year actuarial survival was 44% with and 24% without adjuvant radiation therapy. The survival differences were not statistically significant on univariate or multivariate analysis. High staged transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis or ureter has a substantial local failure risk after surgery alone. Adjuvant radiation therapy markedly reduces this risk but has no impact on distant disease which occurs in approximately 50%. Effective adjuvant therapy will require effective systemic therapy in addition to adjuvant radiation therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Neutrophil-derived oxidants promote leukocyte adherence in postcapillary venules.

The objective of this study was to determine whether hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hypochlorous acid (HOCl), and monochloramine (NH2Cl), at concentrations produced by activated neutrophils, promote leukocyte adherence to microvascular endothelium in post-capillary venules. Cat mesenteric venules (30-45 microns diameter) were examined using intravital video microscopy. Red blood cell velocity (VRBC), venular diameter (DV), and the number of adherent leukocytes (NWBC) were measured in postcapillary venules. Venular blood flow and wall shear rate (tau) were calculated from the measured values of VRBC and DV. Different concentrations (0.01-1.0 mM) of H2O2, HOCl, or NH2Cl were superfused on the mesentery. In some experiments, the contributions of the leukocyte adhesive glycoprotein CD11/CD18 and platelet-activating factor (PAF) in the oxidant-induced leukocyte adherence were determined using a CD18-specific antibody (IB4) and a PAF-receptor antagonist (WEB 2086), respectively. The results of our in vivo experiments indicate that H2O2 and NH2Cl, but not HOCl, promote leukocyte adhesion to venular endothelium. Incubation of isolated cat neutrophils with either NH2Cl or H2O2 resulted in activation of CD11/CD18, as assessed by flow cytometry. Although the leukocyte adhesion induced by both H2O2 and NH2Cl was associated with a reduction in venular wall shear rate, corresponding decrements in shear rate induced by partial occlusion of the mesenteric artery did not lead to similar levels of leukocyte adherence. The leukocyte adherence induced by H2O2 and NH2Cl was largely prevented by monoclonal antibody IB4, indicating that both oxidants promote leukocyte adherence via activation of CD11/CD18. The H2O2-induced, CD18-mediated leukocyte adherence appears to be elicited by PAF and by a direct effect of the oxidant on CD11/CD18 expression. The mechanism underlying the NH2Cl-induced leukocyte adherence remain unclear.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Behavioural risk factors among young adults in small areas with high mortality versus those in low-mortality areas.

A community-based cross-sectional survey of behavioural risk factors for premature mortality was carried out on a group of 354 adults aged 25-44 from previously identified high-mortality 'black-spots' in Dublin who were compared with 333 others from low-mortality areas. In the black-spot areas, 50.9% of respondents were current smokers versus 28.5% in low-mortality areas and 14.6% took 'sufficient' exercise versus 31.4% in low-mortality areas. People living in black spots were also less likely to make 'healthy' dietary choices than those in low-mortality areas. There is a higher prevalence of behavioural risk factors for premature mortality among young adults living in electoral wards/district electoral divisions (DEDs) with high standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) from all causes than among those in areas with low SMRs. A health promotion programme aimed at increasing exercise levels, reducing smoking and encouraging healthy eating should be aimed at young adults in DEDs with high SMRs.

Adult↗