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Biomedical subjects

Angela Williams

Publications and source records attributed to Angela Williams.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The first gene-based map of Lupinus angustifolius L.-location of domestication genes and conserved synteny with Medicago truncatula.

We report the first gene-based linkage map of Lupinus angustifolius (narrow-leafed lupin) and its comparison to the partially sequenced genome of Medicago truncatula. The map comprises 382 loci in 20 major linkage groups, two triplets, three pairs and 11 unlinked loci and is 1,846 cM in length. The map was generated from the segregation of 163 RFLP markers, 135 gene-based PCR markers, 75 AFLP and 4 AFLP-derived SCAR markers in a mapping population of 93 recombinant inbred lines, derived from a cross between domesticated and wild-type parents. This enabled the mapping of five major genes controlling key domestication traits in L. angustifolius. Using marker sequence data, the L. angustifolius genetic map was compared to the partially completed M. truncatula genome sequence. We found evidence of conserved synteny in some regions of the genome despite the wide evolutionary distance between these legume species. We also found new evidence of widespread duplication within the L. angustifolius genome.

Alleles↗
PubMed2006

Quality of life in children with chronic kidney disease-patient and caregiver assessments.

BACKGROUND: Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) require strict dietary and lifestyle modifications, however, there is little information on their quality of life. Our objective was to compare health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children with different stages of CKD to each other and to a control population. METHODS: A cross-sectional assessment of HRQOL for physical, emotional, social and school domains was performed using the PedsQL Generic Core Scale. Data were collected from 20 children with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI; creatinine > 200 micromol/l), 12 on maintenance haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis (DIAL) and 27 with renal transplants (TX). Caregiver proxy reports were obtained for CRI (n = 20), DIAL (n = 17) and TX (n = 21). Between-group differences were assessed with ANOVA for the CKD groups; t-tests compared our CKD samples with controls. RESULTS: Children with CKD scored lower than the controls in all subscales, however, only TX compared with controls was significant (P < 0.02). DIAL children scored equal to or higher than the TX group in all domains. Analysis of covariance with number of medications as covariate yielded a significant result for the physical subscale (F = 8.95, df = 3, 53, P = 0.004). Proxy caregiver scores were lower than patient scores in all four domains. CONCLUSIONS: Children with CKD rate their HRQOL lower than the healthy controls do. It may be reassuring to caregivers that children on dialysis rate their HRQOL higher than would be expected. However, it is of some concern that caregiver perception of improved HRQOL following transplantation was not shared by their children in the present study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Current issues in the use of colposcopy for examination of sexual assault victims.

Colposcopic examination is considered the gold standard in child sexual abuse evaluations in Australia. However, there remain contentious issues with its use, especially in adult victims, which we sought to address by a review of the literature. Colposcopy has been shown to be a sensitive and acceptable tool for detection of anogenital abnormalities in children. The significance of some genital findings remains controversial, especially when images are interpreted by inexperienced clinicians. Its use in adult assessments is hampered by a lack of comparative studies on colposcopically detected genital injuries in adults following consensual v. non-consensual sexual intercourse. Further research is urgently needed before the use of colposcopy can be routinely recommended for adult victims.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Analysis of strawberry volatiles using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with headspace solid-phase microextraction.

The aims of the current study were to develop an enantioselective multi-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) method for the examination of strawberry volatiles and to use this method to make comparisons between the volatile profiles of different cultivars and between fresh picked and post-harvest berries of the same cultivar. Strawberry volatiles were sampled using solid-phase microextraction (SPME), and the repeatability and reproducibility of this method was examined. Semi-quantitative analysis of the volatiles was conducted using the relatively new technique of comprehensive multi-dimensional gas chromatography, using enantioselective (chiral) columns for the differentiation of analyte enantiomers. Chiral GC x GC facilitated the detection of key enantiomers in strawberry flavour. The (-)-enantiomer of 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-(2H)-furan-3-one (DMHF) and the S-enantiomer of linalool were tentatively identified as the predominant forms in both the cultivars Selva and Adina. The compounds benzaldehyde and methyl hexanoate were shown to decrease in post-harvest berries, whilst DMHF and nerolidol increased upon storage.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed2005

Giving evidence.

BACKGROUND: The Australian civil and criminal court systems are adversarial. They are based on the concept of two opposing sides, one eventually becoming the 'winner' as determined by a neutral/independent judge. Doctors are often requested to present evidence on behalf of one of the 'sides', although it is imperative that their evidence remains unbiased or bipartisan. For most doctors, attending court is infrequent, perhaps contributing to the fear associated with being summonsed. OBJECTIVE: This article provides information and skills training for doctors on how to be 'expert witnesses' and giving evidence in court. DISCUSSION: With a good understanding of the issues involved and the provision of evidence, attending court may be made easier for doctors. Prior knowledge of the system and adequate preparation of the case is important in ensuring the medical evidence is both admissible and weighted correctly.

Australia↗
PubMed2004

Breast health information needs of women from minority ethnic groups.

BACKGROUND: For women from minority ethnic groups to make informed decisions about their health, and particularly about whether to participate in breast cancer screening programmes, access to a range of appropriately designed high quality, culturally-specific and sensitive health information is needed. AIMS: Through a critical review of the literature, this paper aims to determine the breast health and breast cancer screening information needs of women from minority ethnic groups and to discuss the implications of cultural difference for nurses in relation to the development and dissemination of health information. METHODS: A critical review of the research literature published in English between 1996 and 2002 was conducted. Electronic and the relevant Cochrane Collaboration databases were searched using a range of search terms to retrieve literature specifically relevant to the aims of the review. The use of personal contacts and posting a request for information on the mailing list at minority-ethnic-health@jiscmail.ac.uk facilitated the retrieval of grey literature. All references retrieved were entered on a bibliographic database. The title and abstract of each was examined to assess it for inclusion in the review. FINDINGS: There was little published information about specific breast cancer screening information needs from the perspective of women from minority ethnic groups. In comparison with the indigenous population, the information needs of people from minority ethnic groups differ in relation to their cultural beliefs and values and the effects of these on health care practices. Inadequate knowledge about breast health and breast cancer screening may be a consequence of the provision of insufficient or culturally inappropriate information. CONCLUSIONS: There is a dearth of research highlighting breast health and breast cancer screening information needs of women from minority ethnic groups. In providing information, their needs appear to have been an 'add on'. Health care professionals' lack of understanding about cultural beliefs, values and knowledge, together with racial stereotyping and misconceptions about cancer in minority ethnic groups, pose challenges to information dissemination. Health care professionals need to work collaboratively with women from minority ethnic groups, identifying culturally-specific beliefs and values about breast cancer, breast cancer risk and screening, in order to develop appropriate and acceptable information and dissemination strategies.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed2004

Managing adult sexual assault.

BACKGROUND: It is estimated that only 15-20% of women who have been sexually assaulted report to police and therefore the real incidence of sexual assault in males and females is unknown. Once reported, acutte cases of sexual assault (within 72 hours of the allegation) may undergo a forensic medical examination to document injuries, collect forensic specimens and provide an opinion to be used by the criminal justice system. OBJECTIVE: This article outlines the process of a forensic medical examination as well as providing a management flowchart for medical practitioners who are caring for a victim of sexual assault who does not wish to report to police. DISCUSSION: Dealing with a sexual assault case is easier and more efficient when the treating doctor has a good understanding of the issues involved in adult sexual assault and how to obtain crisis care for the victim. Early management of a victim of sexual assault, regardless of whether they want to report to police, is important for minimising associated risks (sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, psychological sequelae), and documentary injuries and obtaining forensic specimens.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Spirocyclic NK(1) antagonists II: [4.5]-spiroethers.

A series of novel spiroether-based neurokinin-1 (NK(1)) antagonists is described. The effect of modifications to the spiroether ring and aromatic substituents are discussed, leading to the identification of compounds with high affinity and excellent CNS penetration.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Increasing peritoneal contact area during dialysis improves mass transfer.

Previous studies in mice demonstrated that relatively large volumes in the peritoneal cavity made contact with only 40% of the anatomic peritoneum and that this contact area (A(contact)) could be increased with use of a surfactant, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS). To investigate the hypothesis that mass transfer rates during peritoneal dialysis are dependent on the area of peritoneum in contact with the dialysis solution, rats were dialyzed for 2 h with a solution that contained (14)C-mannitol, with or without 0.02% DSS. The mass transfer-area coefficients (MTAC) were determined to be (mean +/- SEM, ml/min): no DSS, 0.163 +/- 0.008; with DSS, 0.247 +/- 0.006 (P < 0.002). DSS also caused an increase in total protein loss over 2 h (mean +/- SEM, mg): no DSS, 83.8 +/- 15.8; DSS, 159.5 +/- 6.3 (P < 0.001). In a separate set of animals, the ratio (R) of A(contact) to anatomic area in each plane was measured as in the previous study R(mean) (mean +/- SEM) and equaled 0.466 +/- 0.075, no DSS; 0.837 +/- 0.074, with DSS. The ratio of MTAC (1.52) and protein loss (1.90) approximate the ratio of R(mean(S)) (1.78). Because MTAC = mass transfer coefficient (MTC) x A(contact), small peritoneal transport chambers were used to determine MTC for (14)C-mannitol and fluorescein isothiocyanate-albumin. MTC(mannitol) did not change significantly with the addition of DSS. MTC(albumin) (cm/min x 10(4), mean +/- SEM) equaled 1.47 +/- 0.45 without DSS and 1.78 +/- 0.52 with DSS (P < 0.04). It was concluded that DSS increases the mass transfer rates of mannitol and protein by increasing A(contact), whereas protein transport is further augmented by an apparent increase in the barrier permeability to protein.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Quality-of-life and asthma control with low-dose inhaled corticosteroids.

Guidelines are available to assist healthcare professionals in the appropriate management of patients with asthma, a highly prevalent and debilitating disease. Despite these guidelines many patients are still not being optimally treated, often resulting in poor asthma control and consequent impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The present study concerns the findings of a multinational survey designed to evaluate the reported level of asthma control and HRQoL of patients with asthma. This analysis focuses on those patients receiving treatment with low-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) alone. The findings confirm that many patients on a low-dose ICS alone are not receiving appropriate treatment to control their asthma, and this has a marked negative impact on their HRQoL. Revising management and treatment can improve asthma control and HRQoL for these patients, liberating them from the burden of this disease.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Silver dressings: absorption and antibacterial efficacy.

Alan Lansdown and colleagues report on a small study that aimed to illustrate patterns of silver release and distribution in wound sites using non-invasive methods. It demonstrated that silver released into a wound bed is absorbed by exudate or dead tissue and that patients' health is not compromised

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗