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Biomedical subjects

A J McBride

Publications and source records attributed to A J McBride.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Expression of the B-cell and T-cell epitopes of the rabies virus nucleoprotein in Mycobacterium bovis BCG and induction of an humoral response in mice.

Expression vectors containing rabies virus nucleoprotein B-cell and T-cell epitopes in Mycobacterium bovis BCG were constructed. The epitopes were subcloned into the M. leprae 18-kDa gene to ensure correct presentation to the host immune system. Expression of the 18-kDa::B+T epitope fusion protein was driven by either the hsp60 promoter, which is constitutively activated at a high level in M. bovis BCG, or the 18-kDa promoter, which is strongly induced in vivo. Mice were immunised intra-peritoneally with the recombinant BCG cultures and compared to a control group vaccinated with the commercial rabies vaccine Rai-SAD. Both of the expression vectors elicited a higher antibody titre than that of the rabies vaccine, with the highest response shown by M. bovis BCG (pUP203), expression controlled by the 18-kDa promoter. Immunisation with M. bovis BCG (pUP202), expression controlled by the hsp60 promoter, resulted in a continuously increasing antibody titre up to 60 days post immunisation. The mice antibodies were also capable of recognising the whole rabies virus and not only the synthetic peptide epitopes.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Needle fixation, the drug user's perspective: a qualitative study.

AIMS: Changing drug users' injecting behaviour is central to the project of drug services. Information about the idea of "needle fixation" is fragmentary and of uncertain relevance to contemporary injecting drug users. The aim of the study is to describe injecting drug users' ideas about needle fixation. PARTICIPANTS AND DESIGN: Twenty-four participants, some of whom identified themselves as needle fixated, were recruited from four drugs agencies in south Wales. Participants took part in semi-structured interviews, recorded, transcribed and qualitatively analysed using Atlas/ti software. FINDINGS: Participants describe a range of behaviours and experiences which fit with previous ideas of needle fixation, including ritualization, substitution of other drugs, injection of water and associations with deliberate-self-harm and sex. Participants describe high levels of needle aversion and add detail to previous partial descriptions of needle fixation. CONCLUSIONS: Issues conveniently considered together as needle fixation are current among injecting drug users and may be relevant to the inability of some drug users to change from injecting drug use.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Self detoxication by amphetamine dependent patients: a pilot study.

Fifty current or past amphetamine dependent clients attending a Community Drug and Alcohol Team service took part in structured interviews about their previous attempts to stop using amphetamine. Thirty three had made a total of 47 attempts at self detoxication; 15 had undergone enforced withdrawal and ten had previously sought medical treatment. A total of 86% of subjects described significant withdrawal symptoms on stopping use of amphetamines. Increased use of other drugs was commonly reported as a means of coping with withdrawal, psycho-social techniques being used less systematically. The implications for the provision of attractive, effective treatments are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Three cases of nalbuphine hydrochloride dependence associated with anabolic steroid use.

Three case reports are presented of nalbuphine hydrochloride dependence meeting DSM IIIR and ICD10 criteria for opioid dependence. Nalbuphine hydrochloride is being obtained from illicit sources and used by those using performance enhancing drugs. In some cases this leads to opioid dependence. There is a potential risks of crossover between the misuse of drugs of performance and the misuse of psychoactive drugs by injection. Further research into the dependence potential of nalbuphine and the extent of the crossover between steroid misuse and other psychoactive drug misuse is required. The legal status of nalbuphine should be reviewed in the light of its availability on the black market.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Cannabis use in a drug and alcohol clinic population.

Cannabis using behaviour was determined, by structured interview, in 100 consecutive clinic attenders who had used cannabis within 28 days. Subjects were white, 85 were male, mean age was 27.6 years and duration of cannabis use was 12.4 years. The mean consumption of the past week was 10.5 g. Sixty percent smoked daily. The average cannabis cigarette comprised three cigarette papers, the tobacco from three-quarters of a king sized cigarette, and 0.35 g of cannabis resin. Eating cannabis was unusual. Fifty subjects had a conviction for possession of cannabis. Subjects fulfilled criteria for 'heavy' use. The findings are discussed in the context of previous research.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

A forcast of requirements for the treatment of chronic renal failure in Victoria.

Using a Markov chain mathematical model, dialysis and transplantation requirements for Victoria in the next five to ten years have been predicted. The numerical constants in the model are based on data from past Australian experience. Predictions showed a steady rise in numbers requiring dialysis and transplantation. Home dialysis numbers will probably double within five years but hospital dialysis numbers will only increase by 50% in the same period. If as many patients as possible were trained for home dialysis on entering the treatment programme, home dialysis numbers could triple in five years, but hospital dialysis numbers would be correspondingly reduced. It is hoped that this model will enable planning authorities to allocate resources for renal failure treatment in a more rational manner.

Australia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The drug treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms: a systematic review.

A computer-assisted and cross-reference literature search identified trials of therapy for alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Those with a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled design were systematically assessed for quality of methodology. Fourteen studies were identified investigating 12 different drugs. The quality of methodological design, even among this highly selected group of published studies, was often poor. Study populations were generally under-defined, most studies excluded severely ill patients, control groups were poorly matched, and the use of additional medication may have confounded results in some studies. Twelve different rating scales were used to assess severity of symptoms. All 12 compounds investigated were reported to be superior to placebo, but this has only been replicated for benzodiazepines and chlormethiazole. Further research using better methods is required to allow comparison of different drugs in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. On the evidence available, a long-acting benzodiazepine should be the drug of first choice.

Alcoholism↗