Computer science. Creating a science of the Web.
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Journal Article↗
Biomedical subjects
Wendy Hall
Publications and source records attributed to Wendy Hall.
Memories for life: a review of the science and technology.
This paper discusses scientific, social and technological aspects of memory. Recent developments in our understanding of memory processes and mechanisms, and their digital implementation, have placed the encoding, storage, management and retrieval of information at the forefront of several fields of research. At the same time, the divisions between the biological, physical and the digital worlds seem to be dissolving. Hence, opportunities for interdisciplinary research into memory are being created, between the life sciences, social sciences and physical sciences. Such research may benefit from immediate application into information management technology as a testbed. The paper describes one initiative, memories for life, as a potential common problem space for the various interested disciplines.
Computer Simulation↗
Critical review of health effects of soyabean phyto-oestrogens in post-menopausal women.
A consensus view of soyabean phyto-oestrogens in clinical interventions in post-menopausal women is presented that is based on data from the EU-funded project Phytohealth. The phyto-oestrogens, primarily genistein and daidzein, were given as soyabean-protein isolates, whole-soyabean foods or extracts, supplements or pure compounds. A comprehensive literature search was conducted with well-defined inclusion or exclusion criteria. For areas for which substantial research exists only placebo-controlled double-blind randomised controlled trials (RCT) conducted on healthy post-menopausal women were included. For emerging areas all available human studies in post-menopausal women were reviewed. In order to make cross comparisons between studies the doses of isoflavones were calculated as aglycone equivalents. There is a suggestion, but no conclusive evidence, that isoflavones from the sources studied so far have a beneficial effect on bone health. The consumption of whole-soyabean foods and soyabean-protein isolates has some beneficial effects on lipid markers of cardiovascular risk. The consumption of isolated isoflavones does not affect blood lipid levels or blood pressure, although it may improve endothelial function. For menopausal symptoms there is currently limited evidence that soyabean-protein isolates, soyabean foods or red-clover (Trifolium pratense L.) extract are effective but soyabean isoflavone extracts may be effective in reducing hot flushes. There are too few RCT studies to reach conclusions on the effects of isoflavones on breast cancer, colon cancer, diabetes or cognitive function. The health benefits of soyabean phyto-oestrogens in healthy post-menopausal women are subtle and even some well-designed studies do not show protective effects. Future studies should focus on high-risk post-menopausal women, especially in the areas of diabetes, CVD, breast cancer and bone health.
Anticarcinogenic Agents↗
Extending the role of a healthcare digital library environment to support orthopaedic research.
A digital archive, together with its users and its contents, does not exist in isolation; there is a cycle of activities which provides the context for the archive's existence. In arguing for the broadening of the traditional view of digital libraries as merely collections towards the processes of collecting and deploying, we have developed an extend ed digital library environment for orthopaedic surgeons which bridges the gap between the undertaking of experimental work and the dissemination of its results through electronic publication.
Biomedical Research↗
Gastric mucosal mast cells are increased in Helicobacter pylori-negative functional dyspepsia.
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Mast cells might be involved in pathogenesis of functional dyspepsia because they can release a wide range of potent mediators, capable of altering gastric nerve and muscle function. This study aimed to determine whether mast cell numbers were increased in the gastric mucosa of patients with functional dyspepsia compared to control subjects. METHODS: Biopsy samples were taken from the antrum and corpus of 111 patients: 20 asymptomatic control subjects, 62 patients with Rome criteria functional dyspepsia (33 Helicobacter pylori positive, 29 H. pylori negative), and 29 inflammatory control subjects (H. pylori positive). Mast cells were detected immunohistochemically by using a mouse monoclonal antibody specific for tryptase. Quantification was performed with light microscopy, and results were expressed as mast cells/mm(2) +/- standard error of mean. RESULTS: Mast cells were significantly increased in H. pylori negative functional dyspepsia samples compared to normal control samples in the antrum (230.1 +/- 11.3 vs. 94.8 +/- 8.4, P < 0.001) and corpus (264.1 +/- 27.1 vs. 123.9 +/- 11.5, P = 0.001). Mast cells were also significantly increased in the antrum of patients with H. pylori positive functional dyspepsia compared to asymptomatic control subjects (166.5 +/- 17.0 vs. 94.8 +/- 8.4, P < 0.03). However, there was no significant difference between mast cell numbers in patients with H. pylori positive functional dyspepsia compared to inflammatory control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Mast cells are increased in functional dyspepsia, independently of inflammation. This might contribute to the pathogenesis of functional dyspepsia by altering signaling in the brain-gut axis.
Adolescent↗
Frequency and predictors for postpartum fecal incontinence.
OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to describe the frequency of postpartum fecal incontinence and to examine associated delivery events in a group of women participating in a validation study of a postpartum fecal incontinence survey. STUDY DESIGN: A self-administered survey of fecal incontinence symptoms and delivery events was administered to 50 women seen for their 6-week postpartum appointments. An analysis of association between postpartum fecal incontinence and individual delivery characteristics was performed. RESULTS: The frequency of at least one fecal incontinence symptom post partum was 38%. Specifically, 24% of women reported incontinence to flatus and 10% incontinence to stool. Vaginal delivery and perineal laceration were associated with an increased risk of reporting at least one symptom. Neither infant birth weight nor parity was associated with an increased risk of postpartum fecal incontinence. Cesarean delivery was associated with a lower frequency of overall fecal incontinence symptoms. CONCLUSION: The frequency of postpartum fecal incontinence was higher than previously reported. Similar to other studies, perineal laceration, especially extension into the anal sphincter, was an important risk factor for postpartum fecal incontinence.
Adult↗
Altered cardia epithelial cell kinetics induced by Helicobacter pylori infection and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: possible malignant potential?
BACKGROUND: The incidence of adenocarcinoma of the proximal stomach (cardia) is increasing. The pathophysiological processes underlying this trend are unclear. Normal cell turnover depends on cell proliferation being in balance with programmed cell death or apoptosis. It has been well documented that excessive proliferation potentiates the effects of any carcinogen that targets DNA. It is therefore accepted that excessive proliferation is a risk factor for subsequent neoplasia development. AIMS: To compare apoptosis and proliferation in normal cardia tissue, carditis, and cardia intestinal metaplasia, and to determine the effect of Helicobacter pylori infection and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. METHODS: Biopsies from the cardia were obtained from consecutive dyspeptic patients and asymptomatic controls at the time of gastroscopy. Samples were assessed histologically and classified as normal, carditis, or cardia tissue with intestinal metaplasia. All samples were then examined, employing immunohistochemical techniques, for the presence of proliferating and apoptotic cells. RESULTS: A total of 76 histological specimens were examined. There was a statistical significant difference in the proliferation index between controls and both carditis and cardia intestinal metaplasia, and also between carditis and cardia intestinal metaplasia. In contrast, there was a significant increase in the apoptotic index for carditis compared with controls, while that of intestinal metaplasia did not differ from controls. As a result, comparison of the apoptotic/proliferation ratios for each group revealed that, for both carditis and cardia intestinal metaplasia, the apoptotic index/proliferation index ratio is reduced significantly compared with controls, but as a result of different mechanisms. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that individuals with carditis and cardia intestinal metaplasia have alterations in epithelial cell kinetics. In particular, it shows that there is a persistent imbalance between proliferation and apoptosis, which may represent malignant potential.
Adult↗
Identification of a new segment involved in cagA 3' region variation of Helicobacter pylori.
The cagA 3' region shows marked variation among Helicobacter pylori strains. Two segments of 102 bp and 57 bp are reportedly responsible for this variation. We analysed the cagA 3' region in 70 H. pylori strains using polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. We found that another segment, namely beta segment, was also involved in the variation of this region. The beta segment was 105 bp long and located between the aforementioned two segments. Six genotypes were identified based on the structure of the cagA 3' region. No relationship was found between these genotypes and the clinical outcomes or vacA genotypes. The numbers of tyrosine phosphorylation sites within the cagA 3' region varied among strains, but this was not related to the cagA genotypes. Our data suggest that the cagA 3' region is significantly variable. It appears that the variation of the cagA 3' region might contribute to the modification of virulence.
Amino Acid Sequence↗