Should oral contraceptive users be screened for factor V Leiden? Oral contraceptives are not the only effective contraceptives.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Contraceptives, Oral↗
Biomedical subjects
T Ward
Publications and source records attributed to T Ward.
Electric field-enhanced activation of hematoporphyrin derivative: effects on a human tumour cell line.
In a recent report we described the effects of combined electroactivation and photoactivation of hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) on human erythrocytes and established that activation-induced cell lysis was more pronounced when both modes of activation were sequentially applied to the system. Here we demonstrate that electric field-induced activation of HPD-treated HeLa cells results in cell death. This effect is shown to be dependant on both electric field strength and on HPD concentration. In addition, we demonstrate that exposure of HPD-treated cells to short and intense electric pulses prior to photoactivation, results in increased cell mortality. The results confirm our earlier suggestion that HPD may be activated in the presence of an applied electric field. The results further suggest that activation of photosensitizers using combined exposure to electric fields and light may play an important role in increasing the efficiency of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of cancer.
Cell Survival↗
Cognitions of restrained and unrestrained eaters under fasting and nonfasting conditions.
It has recently been suggested that the cognitions of unrestrained eaters and those of individuals with eating disorders are at opposing ends of a continuum, with restrained eaters occupying an intermediate position. The present study explored the everyday cognitions of 10 restrained and 10 unrestrained eaters under fasting and nonfasting conditions using a random thought-sampling technique. Analysis of the thought transcripts yielded a number of categories related to food, self, and others. The results revealed no differences between restrained and unrestrained eaters in terms of their relative percentages of thoughts about food and self. Differences were evident, however, in the nature of their cognitions. The results from this study suggest that the continuum hypothesis may hold only when it is the nature of cognitions, not their frequency, that is considered.
Adolescent↗
Rape and rapists: theory and treatment.
The sexual assault of adult women is noteworthy by its huge social and personal cost to the victims, their families, and ultimately society as a whole. The past decade has seen burgeoning research and clinical interest regarding child molesters but a lack of equivalent effort concerning rapists. Rapists are significantly different from child molesters. While considerable heterogeneity exists within this group, there is a lack of distinctiveness when compared to the wider population of serious criminal offenders. These two features of rapists have implications both for research and treatment. We also argue that despite the advances of the last decade this has been in terms of theory proliferation rather than integration, and that major explanatory gaps remain. In particular, there is a need for more middle-level theory that articulates mechanisms and can underpin treatment. Current treatment approaches have typically been developed for child molesters, and while there has been a significant increase in comprehensiveness and sophistication, the evidence for treatment efficacy with rapists remains tentative. Treatment programs need to be tailored to the specific needs of rapists and to the issues of treatment engagement and completion. We conclude with a variety of suggestions for the research agenda over the next decade.
Female↗
Cognitive distortions in sex offenders: an integrative review.
Clinicians and researchers have noted that maladaptive beliefs and distorted thinking play an important role in facilitating or justifying sexual offenses. There have been a number of attempts to describe the nature of these beliefs and to develop ways of measuring them, but in the absence of any integrating theory. We suggest that an understanding of the cognitive processes underlying the initiation, maintenance, and justification of sexual offending is a vital prerequisite to the development of successful treatment programs. In this paper, we use a social cognition framework to review the literature on the role of cognition in sexual offending. Pertinent research in the sexual offending domain, specifically cognitive products, information processing, cognitive change, and the impact of affective and motivational factors on cognitive processes, is described and related to the social cognitive approach. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed in light of the major issues and problems highlighted in our review.
Adult↗
A note of caution for clinicians using the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task.
In this study, a group of 30 university students were administered the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT) and their performance compared with that of an older group matched for ability on the National Adult Reading Test (NART). They were also compared on measures of memory (forwards and backwards digit span) and a timed visual search task. The younger participants showed significantly inferior performance on the PASAT. This is counter-intuitive considering that the test is viewed primarily as a measure of speed of processing. There were no differences on measures of short-term memory, but the older participants found fewer targets on the visual search task. The implications of this result for clinicians using the PASAT are discussed.
Adult↗
Localization of BRCA1 and a splice variant identifies the nuclear localization signal.
Inherited mutations in BRCA1 confer susceptibility to breast and ovarian neoplasms. However, the function of BRCA1 and the role of BRCA1 in noninherited cancer remain unknown. Characterization of alternately spliced forms of BRCA1 may identify functional regions; thus, we constructed expression vectors of BRCA1 and a splice variant lacking exon 11, designated BRCA1 delta 672-4095. Immunofluorescence studies indicate nuclear localization of BRCA1 but cytoplasmic localization of BRCA1 delta 672-4095. Two putative nuclear localization signals (designated NLS1 and NLS2) were identified in exon 11; immunofluorescence studies indicate that only NLS1 is required for nuclear localization. RNA analysis indicates the expression of multiple, tissue-specific forms of BRCA1 RNAs; protein analysis with multiple antibodies suggests that at least three BRCA1 isoforms are expressed, including those lacking exon 11. The results suggest that BRCA1 is a nuclear protein and raise the possibility that splicing is one form of regulation of BRCA1 function by alteration of the subcellular localization of expressed proteins.
3T3 Cells↗
Evaluation of stress prevention and management workshops in the community.
Little emphasis has been placed by clinicians on the need for routine evaluation of outcomes of community mental health nursing interventions. Although numerous descriptive studies exist, there is little systematic evaluation of the work of community mental health nurses, and this problem is particularly acute in the field of preventative work. This paper presents the results of a small initiative to incorporate outcome evaluation into the clinical work of a community mental health team. Ninety-nine participants in a series of stress management workshops completed stress questionnaires before a series of 2-day workshops and were followed up at between 3 and 6 months afterwards. At follow-up, participants reported greater gains in terms of stress management than did no-treatment controls. The study offers tentative evidence for the effectiveness of community mental health nurses in offering effective preventative interventions and also indicates that such interventions are amenable to outcome evaluation within the context of routine clinical practice.
Burnout, Professional↗
The effects of electric fields on photosensitized erythrocytes: possible enhancement of photodynamic activation.
In this study it has been found that exposure of photosensitized erythrocytes to short, intense electric pulses, resulted in cell lysis. When erythrocytes were photosensitized with increasing concentrations of the photosensitizer, hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD), and subjected to electric pulses in the absence of light, cell lysis increased with increasing photosensitizer concentration. In addition, it has been shown that exposure of photosensitized erythrocytes to electric field pulses of increasing field strength resulted in increased cell lysis. Light activation of photosensitized erythrocytes, pre-treated with electric pulses, also resulted in increased cell lysis. The results presented here suggest that HPD may be activated in the absence of light using electric pulses. We suggest that enhancement of activation by electric field stimulation may find application in increasing the overall efficiency of photodynamic therapy.
Electric Stimulation↗
Use of real-time confocal laser scanning microscopy to study immediate effects of photodynamic activation on photosensitized erythrocytes.
With a view towards the design of systems capable of combining the use of chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy in the treatment of cancer and other disorders, it has been proposed that photosensitized erythrocytes might be employed as carriers/vehicles for agents such as cancer chemotherapeutics. In studying the light dependent release of entrapped agents from such a system, the efficacy of light induced release is usually studied by measuring release of an entrapped component into centrifugation supernatants following photoactivation. It has hitherto been extremely difficult to examine what occurs upon immediate irradiation at the microscopic level in real-time. In this study we demonstrate that, using real-time confocal laser scanning microscopy, it is possible to directly observe immediate short-term events occurring during direct irradiation with the visualizing beam. Following irradiation of photosensitized erythrocytes with the visualizing beam form the confocal scanning system, it was noticed that some from of cell-disruptive event occurred. In this study we demonstrate a dose dependent response between this relatively immediate, light induced disruptive event with respect to both irradiation exposure and photosensitizer concentration. We suggest that this system may provide a novel means of observing, at a microscopic level, events occurring in real-time during photodynamic therapy.
Erythrocytes↗
The proper focus of nursing: a critique of the "caring" ideology.
Some nurse educators in the United Kingdom are following the lead of North American theorists by asserting that caring "is" the core of nursing. This paper offers a focused critique of the caring ideology, through an examination of: (a) the views of a founding figure in the "caring" movement, and (b) a proposal for the integration of a "caring curriculum" within Project 2000. An overview of the "caring" literature prefaces an examination of Watson's notion of a "science of caring". Finally, Kirby and Slevin's recent proposals for a "curriculum of care" are examined in terms of their necessity and practicality.
Altruism↗
Mycoprotein reduces glycemia and insulinemia when taken with an oral-glucose-tolerance test.
This study investigated the effects of mycoprotein, a food produced by the continuous fermentation of Fusarium graminearum (Schwabe), on acute glycemia and insulinemia in normal healthy individuals. Subjects participated in two single-meal study periods in a crossover design. After an overnight fast, subjects were given milkshakes containing mycoprotein or a control substance, which were isoenergetic and nutrient balanced. Each milkshake contained 75 g carbohydrate, equivalent to a standard World Health Organization oral-glucose-tolerance test. Blood samples were taken fasting and at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min postprandially for the measurement of serum glucose and insulin. Glycemia was reduced postmeal after mycoprotein compared with the control and was statistically significant at 60 min (13% reduction). Insulinemia was reduced postmeal after mycoprotein compared with the control and was statistically significant at 30 min (19% reduction) and 60 min (36% reduction) postmeal. These results may be significant in the dietary treatment of diabetes.
Adult↗
Alkalophilic Bacillus sp. strain LG12 has a series of serine protease genes.
Four tandem subtilisin-like protease genes were found on a 6,854-bp DNA fragment cloned from the alkalophilic Bacillus sp. strain LG12. The two downstream genes (sprC and sprD) appear to be transcribed independently, while the two upstream genes (sprA and sprB) seem to be part of the same transcript.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Characterization of the echovirus 7 receptor: domains of CD55 critical for virus binding.
CD55, or decay-accelerating factor (DAF), is a cell surface glycoprotein which regulates complement activity by accelerating the decay of C3/C5 convertases. Recently, we and others have established that this molecule acts as a cellular receptor for echovirus 7 and related viruses. DAF consists of five domains: four short consensus repeats (SCRs) and a serine/threonine-rich region, attached to the cell surface by a glycosylphosphatidyl inositol anchor. Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transfected with deletion mutants of DAF or DAF-membrane cofactor protein recombinants were analyzed for virus binding. The results indicate that the binding of echovirus 7 to DAF specifically requires SCR2, SCR3, and SCR4. There is also a nonspecific requirement for the S/T-rich region which probably functions to project the binding region away from the cell membrane. The three nonpeptide modifications of DAF, N-linked glycosylation, O-linked glycosylation, and the glycosylphosphatidyl inositol anchor, are not required for virus binding. The SCRs of membrane cofactor protein, the closest known relative of DAF, cannot substitute for those of DAF with retention of virus binding activity. The monoclonal antibody used to identify DAF as an echovirus receptor, and which inhibits binding of the virus (monoclonal antibody 854), binds to SCR3.
Animals↗
Prison doctors and prison suicide research.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
England↗
Decay-accelerating factor CD55 is identified as the receptor for echovirus 7 using CELICS, a rapid immuno-focal cloning method.
Using an anti-receptor mAb that blocks the attachment of echovirus 7 and related viruses (echoviruses 13, 21, 29 and 33), we have isolated a complementary DNA clone that encodes the human decay-accelerating factor (CD55). Mouse cells transfected with the CD55 clone bind echovirus 7, and this binding is blocked by the anti-receptor mAb. The method used (CELICS) allows rapid and direct cloning of genes encoding cell surface receptors. It is based on episomal replication and high efficiency expression of complementary DNA clones in the vector pCDM8 in COS or WOP cells, in conjunction with a sensitive immuno-focal screen that uses antibody probes linked to beta-galactosidase. Receptor positive cells were identified by a colour change and isolated individually using a micromanipulator. DNA extracted from a small number of cells was then cloned directly in Escherichia coli.
Animals↗
The abstinence violation effect in child molesters.
The reformulation of the abstinence violation effect (AVE) is briefly described together with the empirical support for the construct. Twenty-six incarcerated male child molesters were assessed, using the Differential Emotions Scale and the Attributional Dimension Scale, at three points (high-risk, lapse, and relapse) while they listened to an audiotaped recording of a description of their most typical offense chain. Eighteen Ss experienced an AVE at the point of relapse and 7 as a result of lapse. There were significant increases in most negative emotions and decreases in interest over the relapse chain. There were significantly higher disgust, contempt, hostility, fear, shame, shyness and anger scores reported by those showing an AVE. Conversely, the AVE group showed significantly lower scores for joy and surprise. There were no significant differences on any of the 4 attributional dimensions across the relapse process but those showing an AVE reported significantly more uncontrollability and higher stability scores. The significance of these results for clinical practice are discussed.
Adolescent↗
The relevance of drug injectors' social and risk networks for understanding and preventing HIV infection.
Focusing on the social environment as well as the individual should both enhance our understanding of HIV transmission and assist in the development of more effective prevention programs. Networks are an important aspect of drug injectors' social environment. We distinguish between (1) risk networks (the people among whom HIV risk behaviors occur) as vectors of disease transmission, and (2) social networks (the people among whom there are social interactions with a mutual orientation to one another) as generators and disseminators of social influence. These concepts are applied to analyses of data from interviews with drug injectors in two studies. In the first study drug injectors' risk networks converge with their social networks: 70% inject or share syringes with a spouse or sex partner, a running partner, or with friends or others whom they know. Qualitative data from interviews with injectors in the second study also show that the social relationships between drug injectors and members of their risk network are often based on long-standing and multiplex relationships, such as those based on kinship, friendship, marital and sexual ties, and economic activity. In the first study the vast majority of injectors, over 90%, have social ties with non-injectors. Injectors with more frequent social contacts with non-injectors engage in lower levels of injecting risk behavior. Risk settings may function as risk networks: injectors in this study who inject at shooting galleries are more likely than those who do not to rent used syringes, borrow used syringes and inject with strangers. Since the adoption of a network approach is relatively new, a number of issues require further attention. These include: how to utilize social networks among drug injectors to reduce risk through peer pressure; how to promote risk reduction by encouraging ties between injectors and non-injectors; and how to integrate biographical and historical change into understanding network processes. Appropriate methodologies to study drug injectors' networks should be developed, including techniques to reach hidden populations, computer software for managing and analyzing network data bases, and statistical methods for drawing inferences from data gathered through dependent sampling designs.
Adult↗