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Wiersma YF, Skinner R. Predictive distribution model for the boreal felt lichen Erioderma pedicellatum in Newfoundland, Canada. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2011. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Haupt R, Pisani P, Garwicz S, Hawkins M, Skinner R, Hjorth L. 21 INVITED The Epidemiology of Childhood Cancer Survivors. Eur J Cancer 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/s0959-8049(11)70236-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Clarke SA, Skinner R, Guest J, Darbyshire P, Cooper J, Vora A, Urquhart T, Jenney M, Powell J, Eiser C. Clinical outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) following haemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for paediatric leukaemia. Child Care Health Dev 2011; 37:571-80. [PMID: 21143268 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2214.2010.01182.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Haemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a life-saving but intensive procedure associated with potentially severe adverse late effects. We aimed to determine morbidity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a sample of survivors aged 8-18 years at least 1 year post HSCT for paediatric acute leukaemia, compared with a non-transplanted group of survivors matched for age, gender, initial disease and time since treatment. METHODS Families (N = 54; HSCT n= 29) recruited from four UK centres completed measures of child behaviour and school attendance, HRQOL and finances. Mothers completed measures of their own well-being. Clinical outcome data were extracted from medical records. RESULTS Children in the HSCT group had significantly more late effects and had received more tests for vision, bone, dental and skin health, and thyroid, lung, and gonadal function than the non-transplanted group. HRQOL scores for the HSCT group were significantly lower in all domains compared with the non-transplanted group and population norms, but were not significantly related to clinical indices. Mothers in the HSCT group had significantly poorer mental well-being than population norms. CONCLUSION Significant morbidity and compromised HRQOL was found in survivors of HSCT. The burden of caring for a child after HSCT has a continuing toll on mothers' well-being.The importance of counselling families about possible long-term consequences is emphasized.
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Millar M, Zhou W, Skinner R, Pizer B, Hennessy E, Wilks M, Gilbert RE. Accuracy of bacterial DNA testing for central venous catheter-associated bloodstream infection in children with cancer. Health Technol Assess 2011; 15:1-114. [PMID: 21294989 DOI: 10.3310/hta15070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Central venous catheters (CVCs) are widely used for children with cancer and are a major risk factor for bloodstream infection. Early and specific diagnosis of CVC-associated bloodstream infection allows early targeted treatment, reducing the risk of CVC removal and avoiding the operative risks and trauma of reinsertion, but peripheral vein sampling, as used in adults, improves specificity but is not usually acceptable in children. OBJECTIVE To improve the detection and treatment of CVC-associated bloodstream infection in children (aged 0-18 years) with cancer admitted with fever. METHODS There were four main studies: (1) evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of a quantitative molecular method for the detection of bacterial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), based solely on blood samples drawn through the CVC; (2) analysis of the prognostic risk of CVC removal and duration of intravenous (i.v.) antibiotic treatment days in relation to presenting clinical features, blood culture results and bacterial DNA test results; (3) systematic reviews of treatment options for CVC-associated infection and a questionnaire survey of current practice in paediatric oncology centres; (4) evaluation of the clinical effectiveness of different test-treatment strategies to reduce i.v. antibiotic treatment days and unnecessary CVC removals. RESULTS (1) The bacterial DNA test detected two-thirds [95% confidence interval (CI) 44% to 83%] of children classified with probable CVC-associated infection - specificity was 88% (95% CI 84% to 92%). Although high bacterial DNA concentrations were associated with subsequent CVC removal and long duration of i.v. antibiotic treatment, the test did not improve the prediction of these outcomes over and above clinical signs of CVC-associated infection combined with blood culture results. (2) High DNA load was predictive of CVC removal and i.v. treatment duration, before blood culture results became available at 48 hours after sampling. (3) There was limited evidence that antibiotic lock treatment reduces the risk of recurrent CVC-associated infection or CVC removal (pooled relative risk 0.7, 95% CI 0.47 to 1.05), but prophylactic use of antimicrobial locks halved the risk of bloodstream infection (pooled incidence rate ratio 0.43, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.51). Contrary to this, the national survey of paediatric oncology centres found that locks are being used for treatment rather than prevention and that problems related to the formulation of lock solutions currently impede a shift to their prophylactic use in children. (4) Most i.v. treatment days would be saved by early stopping of treatment for children at low risk of infection. LIMITATIONS The accuracy study was limited primarily by the lack of an adequate reference standard, and the main limitation of the series of systematic reviews was the poor quality of included studies and lack of randomised controlled trials of CVC removal or antimicrobial locks for treatment of infection. CONCLUSIONS There is strong evidence to support the use of antimicrobial locks for prevention of CVC-associated infection; however, few of these studies involved children with cancer. The analysis does not support routine bacterial DNA testing on admission to detect CVC-associated infection, but repeated testing (as a marker of microbial load) should be evaluated in high-risk groups. Further research should determine the effectiveness of antibiotic locks for treating CVC-associated infection. TRIAL REGISTRATION Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN68138140. FUNDING This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 15, No. 7. See the HTA programme website for further project information.
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Skinner R, Conlon L, Gibbons D, McDonald C. Cannabis use and non-clinical dimensions of psychosis in university students presenting to primary care. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2011; 123:21-7. [PMID: 20199489 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2010.01546.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the relationship between cannabis use and self-reported dimensions of psychosis in a population of university students presenting for any reason to primary care. METHOD One thousand and forty-nine students attending the Student Health Unit, National University of Ireland, Galway, completed self-report questionnaires on alcohol and substance misuse, non-clinical dimensions of psychosis [Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE)], anxiety and depression [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)]. Association of cannabis use with psychiatric symptoms was explored whilst controlling for confounds. RESULTS More frequent cannabis use was independently associated with greater intensity of positive, negative and depressive psychotic symptoms. The earlier the age of onset of cannabis use, the more positive psychotic symptoms were reported. CONCLUSION These findings support the hypotheses that cannabis use increases the risk of developing psychotic symptoms and that this risk is further increased in those individuals who use cannabis more heavily and commence it at a younger age.
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McFaull S, Skinner R, Herbert M. Emergency Department presentations for injuries related to cribs. Inj Prev 2010. [DOI: 10.1136/ip.2010.029215.550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Woods AJ, Philbeck J, Chelette K, Mennemeier M, Skinner R, Garcia-Rill E, Chichka D, Potolicchio S. Cortical arousal influences early but not late visual perception. J Vis 2010. [DOI: 10.1167/9.8.1113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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Skinner R, Conlon L, Gibbons D, MacDonald C. PW01-194 - Cannabis use and non-clinical dimensions of psychosis in university students presenting to primary care. Eur Psychiatry 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/s0924-9338(10)71601-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
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Clarke SA, Skinner R, Guest J, Darbyshire P, Cooper J, Shah F, Roberts I, Eiser C. Health-related quality of life and financial impact of caring for a child with Thalassaemia Major in the UK. Child Care Health Dev 2010; 36:118-22. [PMID: 19961496 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2214.2009.01043.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thalassaemia Major (TM) is a serious condition characterized by life-long dependence on blood transfusions and chelation therapy. Our aim was to determine health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children with TM living in the UK, and the impact of caring for a child receiving National Health Service treatment on family finances. METHODS This was a cross-sectional assessment of HRQOL in children (n= 22) with TM aged 8-18 years. Children were recruited from three UK Paediatric Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant centres. Mothers completed measures of their child's HRQOL [PedsQL 4.0 (Measurement Model for the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, James W. Varni PhD, PedMetrics, Quantifying the Qualitative SM, Copyright 1998-2009)] and behaviour (Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire), and the impact of caring for the child on family finances. RESULTS Child behaviour was within the normal range but child HRQOL was significantly lower than population norms. Family financial concerns associated with TM were associated with poorer child HRQOL (P= 0.020). CONCLUSIONS Thalassaemia Major poses a considerable challenge to child HRQOL, well documented in areas of the world where TM is prevalent. Despite the availability of National Health Service care and financial benefits our study suggests a similar burden in the UK.
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Grenier D, Ugnat AM, Skinner R, Laffin Thibodeau M. Travel-Related Illnesses and Conditions. Paediatr Child Health 2009. [DOI: 10.1093/pch/14.suppl_a.24a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Yule SM, Skinner R, English MW, Cole M, Pearson AD, Lucraft HH, Craft AW. Outcome and toxicity of an Ifosfamide-based soft tissue sarcoma treatment protocol in children. The importance of local therapy. Sarcoma 2008; 2:171-7. [PMID: 18521250 PMCID: PMC2395403 DOI: 10.1080/13577149877939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. Although the survival of children with soft tissue sarcoma (STS) has improved considerably, the outcome of patients with metastatic disease, and those with primary tumours of the extremities or parameningeal sites remains disappointing. We describe the clinical outcome of an ifosfamide-based regimen with local therapy directed only to children who failed to achieve a complete response to initial chemotherapy. Patients and Methods. Twenty-one children with STS (16 rhabdomyosarcoma) who presented with
unresectable tumours were treated with five courses of ifosfamide (9 g/m2) and etoposide
(600 mgm2). Patients who did not achieve a complete response then received local therapy. Chemotherapy
with ifosfamide combined with etoposide, vincristine (1.5 mg/m2 and doxorubicin (60 mg/m2) or
vincristine and actinomycin D (1.5 mg/m2) was continued for one year. Results and Discussion. Objective responses to five courses of ifosfamide and etoposide were seen in all patients. Disease free survival (DFS) at a median follow up of 59 months was 57% (95% CI 29–75%). The DFS of children who received local therapy was 89% compared with 33% in those who received chemotherapy alone (p=0.027). Locoregional recurrences did not occur in children who received radiotherapy to the site of the primary tumour. Ifosfamide-based chemotherapy does not reduce the incidence of loco-regional recurrence in children who do not receive local therapy.
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Skinner R, Velangi M, Bown N. Donor lymphocyte infusions for post-transplant relapse of refractory anemia with excess blasts and monosomy 7. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008; 50:670-2. [PMID: 17253642 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.21146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
An 8-year-old male relapsed with refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB) and monosomy 7 and mixed chimerism (MC) 21 months after HLA-matched unrelated donor bone marrow transplant (BMT). He received three donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) using an escalating dose schedule. He developed grade II acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) 9 days after the third DLI, but continued to deteriorate for 2 months with decreasing marrow cellularity but persisting blasts, MC, and monosomy 7, before exhibiting a delayed but complete response which has persisted for 5 years. This case suggests that DLI and graft-versus-myelodysplasia (GVMDS) may be beneficial in post-transplant relapse of pediatric myelodysplasia.
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MESH Headings
- Anemia, Refractory, with Excess of Blasts/drug therapy
- Anemia, Refractory, with Excess of Blasts/genetics
- Anemia, Refractory, with Excess of Blasts/surgery
- Anemia, Refractory, with Excess of Blasts/therapy
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/administration & dosage
- Bone Marrow Transplantation
- Child
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7/genetics
- Combined Modality Therapy
- Humans
- Lymphocyte Transfusion
- Male
- Monosomy
- Recurrence
- Remission Induction
- Tissue Donors
- Transplantation Conditioning
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Millar MR, Johnson G, Wilks M, Skinner R, Stoneham S, Pizer B, Hemsworth S, Fogarty A, Steward C, Gilbert R, Hennessy EM. Molecular diagnosis of vascular access device-associated infection in children being treated for cancer or leukaemia. Clin Microbiol Infect 2007; 14:213-20. [PMID: 18093238 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2007.01909.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Blood samples were collected for quantitative 16S rDNA analysis from the vascular access device (VAD) of patients presenting with fever at participating centres of the UK Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group. In total, 260 of 301 episodes of fever were evaluable and were classified as probable, possible, unlikely or unclassifiable VAD-associated infection. The sensitivity of the 16S rDNA assay declined concomitantly with delays from time of presentation to sampling. The sensitivity with >0.125 pg of bacterial DNA/microL of whole blood was 80% for the 20 probable VAD-associated infections diagnosed with samples collected on the day of or day following presentation. The specificity rose with increasing amounts of bacterial DNA, from 93% with >0.125 pg, to 98% with 0.25-0.5 pg, and to 100% with >0.5 pg/microL blood. The positive predictive value (for probable or possible) was 88% (95% CI 70-98%) with 0.25 pg/microL, and 100% (95% CI 83-100%) with >0.5 pg/microL. All 18 (6.8%) episodes with >0.5 pg of bacterial DNA/microL blood were associated with positive blood cultures. Identifications derived from the DNA sequence were consistent with the blood culture identifications for 15 of the 17 episodes with a DNA sequence identification. The VAD was removed because of suspected infection in six (2.8%) of 216 episodes with <0.125 pg of bacterial DNA/microL, in one (5%) of 20 episodes with 0.125-0.25 pg/microL, in one (16.7%) of six episodes with 0.25-0.5 pg/microL, and in nine (50%) of 18 episodes with >0.5 pg/microL. A bacterial DNA concentration of >0.5 pg/microL in blood drawn through a central venous catheter at the time of fever presentation had a high positive predictive value for VAD-associated infection and predicted an increased risk of VAD removal because of suspected infection.
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Henneman P, Garb J, Capraro G, Smithline H, Haiping L, Skinner R, Wait R. Geography and Travel Distance Impact ED Visits. Acad Emerg Med 2007. [DOI: 10.1197/j.aem.2007.03.1293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Abstract
Some paediatric patients with cancer can be treated with antibiotic regimens of reduced intensity and duration
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Warren-Forward H, Arthur L, Hobson L, Skinner R, Watts A, Clapham K, Lou D, Cook A. An assessment of exposure indices in computed radiography for the posterior–anterior chest and the lateral lumbar spine. Br J Radiol 2007; 80:26-31. [PMID: 16916804 DOI: 10.1259/bjr/59538862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies have indicated that computed radiography (CR) can increase radiation dose to the patient, leading to potential biological effects. Although manufacturers have set parameters to safeguard against overexposure, it is unclear whether these are being used by radiographers or if their recommended values are consistent with the ALARA principle. The research aims are to investigate (i) whether radiographers are producing images with exposure indices within the manufacturers recommended range (MRR); (ii) the phenomenon of exposure creep, and (iii) the relationship between exposure indices (EIs) and radiation dose. A retrospective analysis of exposure indices over an 18-month period for the posteroanterior (PA) chest and lateral (LAT) lumbar spine at two centres using Kodak 800 and 850 CR systems was conducted. A phantom study was performed to assess the relationship between EI and entrance surface dose (ESD) for fixed and varying tube potentials. Kodak recommends that images have EIs between 1700 and 1900. Thirty percent of LAT lumbar spine examinations at hospital B and 38% of PA chest examinations at hospital A were produced with EIs below 1700. In the phantom study, when using a varied tube potential (70-125 kVp) and maintaining a constant EI of 1550, ESD was reduced by 56%. All clinical and phantom images were assessed to be of a diagnostic quality. The retrospective results indicate that there is a potential to reduce the MRR and optimize patient dose. There is also evidence to suggest that EI is not a reliable indicator of patient dose. The authors recommend that staff training is essential on these newer systems.
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Ramalingam J, Pathan MS, Feril O, Ross K, Ma XF, Mahmoud AA, Layton J, Rodriguez-Milla MA, Chikmawati T, Valliyodan B, Skinner R, Matthews DE, Gustafson JP, Nguyen HT. Structural and functional analyses of the wheat genomes based on expressed sequence tags (ESTs) related to abiotic stresses. Genome 2006; 49:1324-40. [PMID: 17218960 DOI: 10.1139/g06-094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
To gain insights into the structure and function of the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genomes, we identified 278 ESTs related to abiotic stress (cold, heat, drought, salinity, and aluminum) from 7671 ESTs previously mapped to wheat chromosomes. Of the 278 abiotic stress related ESTs, 259 (811 loci) were assigned to chromosome deletion bins and analyzed for their distribution pattern among the 7 homoeologous chromosome groups. Distribution of abiotic stress related EST loci were not uniform throughout the different regions of the chromosomes of the 3 wheat genomes. Both the short and long arms of group 4 chromosomes showed a higher number of loci in their distal regions compared with proximal regions. Of the 811 loci, the number of mapped loci on the A, B, and D genomes were 258, 281, and 272, respectively. The highest number of abiotic stress related loci were found in homoeologous chromosome group 2 (142 loci) and the lowest number were found in group 6 (94 loci). When considering the genome-specific ESTs, the B genome showed the highest number of unique ESTs (7 loci), while none were found in the D genome. Similarly, considering homoeologous group-specific ESTs, group 2 showed the highest number with 16 unique ESTs (58 loci), followed by group 4 with 9 unique ESTs (33 loci). Many of the classified proteins fell into the biological process categories associated with metabolism, cell growth, and cell maintenance. Most of the mapped ESTs fell into the category of enzyme activity (28%), followed by binding activity (27%). Enzymes related to abiotic stress such as β-galactosidase, peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and trehalose-6-phosphate synthase were identified. The comparison of stress-responsive ESTs with genomic sequences of rice (Oryza sativa L.) chromosomes revealed the complexities of colinearity. This bin map provides insight into the structural and functional details of wheat genomic regions in relation to abiotic stress.
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Piccinelli KJ, Taj M, Lucraft HH, Skinner R. Secondary parotid mucoepidermoid carcinoma after TBI and chemotherapy in childhood AML. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2006; 47:345-6. [PMID: 16572403 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.20832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
MESH Headings
- Adult
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects
- Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid/diagnosis
- Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid/pathology
- Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid/radiotherapy
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/diagnosis
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy
- Male
- Neoplasms, Second Primary/diagnosis
- Neoplasms, Second Primary/pathology
- Neoplasms, Second Primary/radiotherapy
- Parotid Neoplasms/diagnosis
- Parotid Neoplasms/pathology
- Parotid Neoplasms/radiotherapy
- Recurrence
- Remission Induction
- Treatment Outcome
- Whole-Body Irradiation/adverse effects
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Velangi MR, Reid MM, Sen S, Skinner R, Taj MM. Hybrid chemotherapy in two children with acute leukemia of ambiguous lineage. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2006; 46:833. [PMID: 16411195 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.20709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Skinner R, Velangi M, Bown N. Successful use of donor lymphocyte infusions in post-BMT relapse of RAEB (monosomy 7). Leuk Res 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/s0145-2126(06)80060-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Abstract
Adolescents are a growing area in paediatric practice in both hospital and community settings. They make up around one quarter of the practice of many paediatricians. Yet until recently there has been little formal interest in young people's health in the UK. The situation is now changing, particularly following the publication of the "National Service Framework for children, young people and maternity services", which places a major emphasis on adolescent health. Given that this area is relatively new to many paediatricians, this article aims to provide an overview of the range of health problems that affect young people, to provide practical advice for working with this group in paediatric practice, and to outline current and future opportunities for training in adolescent health in the UK.
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Jasper MJ, Bromfield JJ, Skinner R, Robertson SA. 242. LIF expression is induced in the mouse oviduct following activation by seminal factors. Reprod Fertil Dev 2005. [DOI: 10.1071/srb05abs242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A precisely regulated sequence of molecular and cellular changes occurs in the female reproductive tract in early pregnancy to facilitate development of the embryo and its successful implantation. Cytokine–leukocyte networks are integral in the tissue remodelling and immuno-regulatory processes underpinning successful implantation. Seminal factors are implicated in activating expression of cytokine genes and inflammatory leukocyte recruitment in the uterus, but whether semen-induced effects extend to the oviduct to influence blastocyst development has not been examined. The aim of this study was to quantitate the expression of mRNA encoding epidermal growth factor (EGF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGFII), leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), tumour necrosis factor (TNFα), transforming growth factor (TGFα) and TGFβ from oviducts collected from mice at oestrus and on day 1 of pregnancy, after mating with intact, seminal plasma deficient (svx) and vasectomised (vas) mice. Total RNA was extracted, DNAse treated, reverse transcribed into cDNA, and quantified by real-time PCR using SYBR Green chemistry. All cytokine-specific primers were designed using GenBank sequences and data were normalised to β-actin mRNA expression. Expression of LIF mRNA was induced following mating with intact or vas males, but not svx males, showing that LIF mRNA is induced by factors present in seminal plasma. mRNAs encoding EGF, GM-CSF, HB EGF, IGFII, TNFα, TGFα and TGFβ were all detected in oviduct cDNA collected from oestrus and day 1 mice. These data support the proposal that cytokine-leukocyte networks shown previously to be operative in the uterus extend to the oviduct, and are influenced by exposure to seminal plasma at mating. The cytokines expressed in the oviduct during early pregnancy are likely to be key regulators of embryo growth and development.
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Skinner R, Ineson P, Hicks WK, Jones HE, Sleep D, Leith ID, Sheppard LJ. Correlating the Spatial Distribution of Atmospheric Ammonia with ?15N Values at an Ammonia Release Site. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004. [DOI: 10.1007/s11267-004-3032-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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49
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Miftahudin, Ross K, Ma XF, Mahmoud AA, Layton J, Milla MAR, Chikmawati T, Ramalingam J, Feril O, Pathan MS, Momirovic GS, Kim S, Chema K, Fang P, Haule L, Struxness H, Birkes J, Yaghoubian C, Skinner R, McAllister J, Nguyen V, Qi LL, Echalier B, Gill BS, Linkiewicz AM, Dubcovsky J, Akhunov ED, Dvorák J, Dilbirligi M, Gill KS, Peng JH, Lapitan NLV, Bermudez-Kandianis CE, Sorrells ME, Hossain KG, Kalavacharla V, Kianian SF, Lazo GR, Chao S, Anderson OD, Gonzalez-Hernandez J, Conley EJ, Anderson JA, Choi DW, Fenton RD, Close TJ, McGuire PE, Qualset CO, Nguyen HT, Gustafson JP. Analysis of expressed sequence tag loci on wheat chromosome group 4. Genetics 2004; 168:651-63. [PMID: 15514042 PMCID: PMC1448824 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.104.034827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2003] [Accepted: 06/01/2004] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A total of 1918 loci, detected by the hybridization of 938 expressed sequence tag unigenes (ESTs) from 26 Triticeae cDNA libraries, were mapped to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) homoeologous group 4 chromosomes using a set of deletion, ditelosomic, and nulli-tetrasomic lines. The 1918 EST loci were not distributed uniformly among the three group 4 chromosomes; 41, 28, and 31% mapped to chromosomes 4A, 4B, and 4D, respectively. This pattern is in contrast to the cumulative results of EST mapping in all homoeologous groups, as reported elsewhere, that found the highest proportion of loci mapped to the B genome. Sixty-five percent of these 1918 loci mapped to the long arms of homoeologous group 4 chromosomes, while 35% mapped to the short arms. The distal regions of chromosome arms showed higher numbers of loci than the proximal regions, with the exception of 4DL. This study confirmed the complex structure of chromosome 4A that contains two reciprocal translocations and two inversions, previously identified. An additional inversion in the centromeric region of 4A was revealed. A consensus map for homoeologous group 4 was developed from 119 ESTs unique to group 4. Forty-nine percent of these ESTs were found to be homoeologous to sequences on rice chromosome 3, 12% had matches with sequences on other rice chromosomes, and 39% had no matches with rice sequences at all. Limited homology (only 26 of the 119 consensus ESTs) was found between wheat ESTs on homoeologous group 4 and the Arabidopsis genome. Forty-two percent of the homoeologous group 4 ESTs could be classified into functional categories on the basis of blastX searches against all protein databases.
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Bajwa RPS, Skinner R, Windebank KP, Reid MM. Demographic study of leukaemia presenting within the first 3 months of life in the Northern Health Region of England. J Clin Pathol 2004; 57:186-8. [PMID: 14747447 PMCID: PMC1770212 DOI: 10.1136/jcp.2003.12039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To determine the incidence and outcome of congenital leukaemia. METHODS Retrospective population based study of putative leukaemia arising during the first 3 months of life over an 18 year period within the Northern Health Region of England. RESULTS Nine infants with putative leukaemia were identified. Five had acute leukaemia and four had transient myeloproliferative disorder (TMD). Trisomy 21, either as Down's syndrome or perhaps restricted to proliferating marrow cells, was present in all four infants with TMD. The incidence of congenital acute leukaemia was 8.6/10(6) live births/year, but would be less than half this value if only patients presenting within 4 weeks of birth were counted. Remission was induced in three of the five patients with acute leukaemia. One patient, who presented at birth, remains well five years after diagnosis. All four patients with TMD survive. CONCLUSIONS Congenital leukaemia is very rare but is not inevitably fatal. Finding trisomy 21 in spontaneously dividing blood or bone marrow cells of an infant with putative acute leukaemia, particularly within 3 months of birth, should encourage a cautious clinical approach and suggests that the diagnosis might be TMD.
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