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Biomedical subjects

B Holmes

Publications and source records attributed to B Holmes.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Burkholderia cocovenenans (van Damme et al. 1960) Gillis et al. 1995 and Burkholderia vandii Urakami et al. 1994 are junior synonyms of Burkholderia gladioli (Severini 1913) Yabuuchi et al. 1993 and Burkholderia plantarii (Azegami et al. 1987) Urakami et al. 1994, respectively.

Reference strains of Burkholderia cocovenenans and Burkholderia vandii were compared with strains of other Burkholderia species using SDS-PAGE of whole-cell proteins, DNA-DNA hybridization and extensive biochemical characterization. Burkholderia gladioli and B. cocovenenans were indistinguishable in the chemotaxonomic and biochemical analyses. Burkholderia plantarii and B. vandii had indistinguishable whole-cell protein patterns but the B. vandii type strain differed from B. plantarii strains in several biochemical tests. The DNA-DNA binding levels (higher than 70%) indicated that (i) B. gladioli and B. cocovenenans, and (ii) B. plantarii and B. vandii each represent a single species. It is concluded that B. cocovenenans and B. vandii are junior synonyms of B. gladioli and B. plantarii, respectively.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1998

Schwannomas limited to the infratemporal fossa: report of two cases.

Schwannomas limited to the infratemporal fossa are rare lesions that may also involve the maxillary sinus, the orbit and the retropharyngeal space. We present two cases of schwannoma arising from the extradural divisions of the trigeminal nerve, with corresponding areas of sensory loss. Both patients had been operated for spinal canal schwannomas previously. Complete tumor removal was accomplished in both cases. The schwannoma of the maxillary division was excised using an orbitozygomatic extradural approach. The schwannoma of the mandibular division was excised using a subtemporal-infratemporal approach. Trigeminal nerve function was preserved and complete recovery of function was achieved in each patient. Identification of an infratemporal schwannoma should alert the physician to consider the diagnosis of neurofibromatosis. The literature regarding schwannomas limited to the infratemporal fossa is reviewed.

Cranial Nerve Neoplasms↗
PubMed1998

Hemangioendothelioma of the cavernous sinus: case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Hemangioendothelioma is an uncommon vascular neoplasm, and its intracranial occurrence is extremely rare. The occurrence of such a tumor within the cavernous sinus has not been reported previously. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We report a 36-year-old woman who presented with right-sided retro-orbital pain and diplopia caused by a right sixth nerve paresis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a lesion within the right inferior cavernous sinus. INTERVENTION: The tumor was excised completely via an orbitozygomatic approach. CONCLUSION: Hemangioendothelioma is a rare, indolent vascular tumor, and its characteristics are reviewed. The need for complete excision is emphasized, and the advantages of the orbitozygomatic approach for the removal of tumors of the cavernous sinus is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Occurrence of multiple genomovars of Burkholderia cepacia in cystic fibrosis patients and proposal of Burkholderia multivorans sp. nov.

We performed an integrated genotypic and phenotypic analysis of 128 strains of the genera Burkholderia, Ralstonia, and Pseudomonas in order to study the taxonomic structure of Burkholderia cepacia and its relationships with other Burkholderia species. Our data show that presumed B. cepacia strains isolated from cystic fibrosis patients belong to at least five distinct genomic species, one of which was identified as Burkholderia vietnamiensis. This group of five phenotypically similar species is referred to as the B. cepacia complex. The name Burkholderia multivorans is proposed for one of these genomic species, which was formerly referred to as B. cepacia genomovar II; the remaining B. cepacia groups are referred to as genomovars I, III, and IV, pending additional differential phenotypic tests. The role and pathogenic potential of each of these taxa, particularly in view of the potentially fatal infections in cystic fibrosis patients, need further evaluation. The data presented also demonstrate that Pseudomonas glathei and Pseudomonas pyrrocinia should be reclassified as Burkholderia species.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1996

Relationship of lumbar strength in shipyard workers to workplace injury claims.

STUDY DESIGN: Strength testing of lumbar extensors of shipyard workers without back injury claims was accomplished to compare isolated lumbar strength with the severity of their workplace physical demands and the incidence of workplace back injury during a 2-year period. OBJECTIVES: To determine if strength is a predictor of workplace injury and if there is a relationship between the physical demands of the job and strength. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The role of preplacement strength testing has not been clarified as a potential means for predicting workplace injury. It has not been clarified whether work activity affects the strength of the worker. METHODS: One hundred fifty-two shipyard workers were strength tested for isometric lumbar extensor strength. They had been classified as to the severity of their job demands according to the Physical Demand Characteristics. All workers at this industry were likewise classified. Those workers who were tested were followed for 2 years to evaluate for claims of back injury. RESULTS: There was a higher incidence of low back injuries in the heavy and very heavy classification. There was, however, no difference in strength among those workers classified in medium, heavy, and very heavy work. Nine percent of those workers tested had back pains during the following 2 years. All but two had higher-than-average strength. CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence that preplacement back strength testing would predict workplace claims of injury.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Quinolone resistance in Oligella urethralis-associated chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis peritonitis.

Oligella urethralis is an organism which is normally isolated as a commensal from the genitourinary tract. We describe the first two reported cases of CAPD-associated peritonitis caused by this organism. Both isolates were found to be resistant to ciprofloxacin, while relatively sensitive to a wide range of antimicrobial drugs. These findings indicate that this organism may be an opportunistic pathogen for CAPD patients, and that extensive ciprofloxacin usage provides a selection pressure for emergence of resistance.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Learning opportunities for internal medicine residents: comparison of a tertiary care setting and a regional setting.

PURPOSE: To compare the learning opportunities for internal medicine residents in tertiary care and community hospital settings. METHOD: Two sites were studied: Victoria General Hospital, a teaching hospital affiliated with the Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine, staffed by five general internists and serving Halifax County (population of 420,000); and South Shore Regional Hospital, serving the community of Bridgewater (with a catchment area of 50,000) and staffed by three general internists. All in- and outpatients seen in the two settings over a one-year period (1993) were described in accordance with the Canadian Institute for Health Information's major clinical categories, as well as a case mixture recommended as providing appropriate learning experiences for internal medicine clerks. Over a one-month period (August 1993), consecutive patients were interviewed, completing a health status questionnaire, the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 (SF-36). RESULTS: Data were collected from the records of 2,763 patients, and the SF-36 questionnaire was administered to 406 patients. The data indicate that the settings were relatively similar except that there was more case variety in the tertiary care setting, and that more patients with cardiovascular disease and no patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome were seen in the regional setting. Quality-of-life scores showed similarities to norms in the United States and United Kingdom, except that the ambulatory patients in the regional setting had rather lower scores. CONCLUSION: Overall, the patients' problems in the regional and tertiary care settings offered similar learning opportunities.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

A probability matrix for the identification of campylobacters, helicobacters and allied taxa.

A probabilistic identification matrix for campylobacteria, comprising 76 phenotypic characters and 37 taxa, is described. The accuracy and integrity of the matrix was evaluated using established computer-assisted methods. Certain taxa (for example, Campylobacter concisus and Camp. gracilis) demonstrated significant phenotypic diversity; previous data corroborated these findings. Differentiation between a few pairs of taxa proved difficult, although discriminatory characteristics were noted in each of these cases. The results indicate that most campylobacteria can be identified accurately and objectively with phenotypic tests when probabilistic methods of data assessment are employed.

Campylobacter↗
PubMed1996

Outbreak of meningitis in weaner pigs caused by unidentified asaccharolytic gram-negative bacterium.

Several organisms are known to cause outbreaks of meningitis in pigs, with Haemophilus species being the most frequently implicated. We report such an outbreak in which necropsied pigs manifested an unusual combination of meningitis, tracheitis, and bronchitis. The causative agent appeared to be an asaccharolytic gram-negative nonfermentative bacterium whose classification has yet to be determined. The organism was isolated from the brain and was extremely capnophilic, growing in air only after several serial subcultures.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Comparison of female geriatric lumbar-extension strength: asymptotic versus chronic low back pain patients and their response to active rehabilitation.

We compared lumbar-extension strength between healthy asymptomatic geriatric females (HEAL) and symptomatic geriatric females (INJ) seeking medical attention for chronic low back pain. The INJ group used the MedX lumbar-extension machine to perform isotonic exercises two times per week and were eventually reduced to one time per week. Range of motion (ROM) and strength were significantly different between groups before beginning the program. After the program, ROM and strength improved significantly and were not different from those of the HEAL group. The average length of treatment was 97 days and 20 visits. Subjective pain ratings were significantly reduced (60%) and exercise weights significantly increased (71%). This reconfirms the notion that many back pain sufferers have weaker lumbar-extension strength and that some symptomatic geriatric women can increase strength with progressive resistance exercise, which leads to a decrease in low back pain.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

A test to measure lift capacity of physically impaired adults. Part 2--Reactivity in a patient sample.

STUDY DESIGN: Test reactivity is the based on the idea that experience with a test may affect performance on subsequent tests, independent of what the test purports to measure. The reactivity of a test of lift capacity was studied in a single-blind randomized clinical trial was studied in a single-blind randomized clinical trial in which subjects were assigned to one or two groups. One group received lift testing before and after a therapeutic trial, while the other group received lift testing only at the conclusion of the therapeutic trial. OBJECTIVE: To measure the reactivity of a lift capacity test over the course of treatment. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The reactivity of a test is an important criterion by which an outcome measure must be judged. Change in response to treatment is assumed to be independent of changes resulting from the evaluee's experience with the test, although this is rarely addressed. METHODS: The EPIC Lift Capacity test was administered to 55 patients with low back pain in a treatment program after they were randomized into a pre-test/post-test and a post-test only group. Additional measures were taken on a pre-test/post-test basis for all subjects. RESULTS: Analyses of variance demonstrated no difference between the randomized groups after treatment. However, the pre-test/post-test group demonstrated significant improvement over the course of treatment. Other measures of outcome were similarly affected. CONCLUSION: The reactivity of the EPIC Lift Capacity test was negligible over an 8-week treatment regimen that did not include lifting tasks.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The effect of lumbar belts on isolated lumbar muscle. Strength and dynamic capacity.

STUDY DESIGN: This study analyzed the effect of lumbar support belts on functional performance. OBJECTIVE: To compare lumbar muscle strength and lifting capacity with and without a lumbar belt. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Industrialized settings have begun to encourage the use of lumbar support belts for their employees. It is believed that the belts may decrease the risk of injury and enhance the functional performance of the individual. METHODS: Twenty-two subjects (average age, 27.5 years) were tested on four separate days to evaluate the effect of a commercially available belt on isolated lumbar isometric strength and functional dynamic lifting capacity. All subjects had no history of low back problems. The order of testing with and without a belt was randomized for both conditions. On the first 2 days, subjects performed a seven-angle isometric lumbar extension strength test, 1 day with and 1 day without a lumbar belt. On the following 2 days, subjects were tested to evaluate functional capacity with and without a lumbar belt. The functional capacity evaluation was performed by progressively lifting weighted canisters from various levels. Heart rates were monitored to ensure that a maximum effort was achieved over the different days. RESULTS: T tests revealed that isometric lumbar strength and functional lifting capacity was not significantly affected by the belt. CONCLUSION: The use of a lumbar belt does not enhance isometric lumbar muscle strength or dynamic lifting capacity.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Outcomes analysis in cranial base surgery - preliminary results.

A system of analysis addressing predictors of management outcomes in Cranial Base Surgery has yet to be published. We therefore report data on seventy-nine consecutive patients undergoing surgery for tumors involving the cranial base, excluding patients with the diagnosis of pituitary microadenoma. Outcomes were defined prospectively in terms of completeness of tumor resection, complications of treatment with emphasis on neurological morbidity, and return to work or independent living. Also, preoperative features are analyzed as influencing cost of treatment, estimated in terms of the number of surgical procedures required, duration of hospital and Intensive Care Unit stay, and time taken to return to work. Preliminary analysis of data reveals that severe brainstem compression, large tumor size (average diameter > 3 cm), high cavernous sinus grade, and tumor encasement of major cerebral arteries are associated with incomplete tumor resection (p < 0.05). Patient age greater than 65, preoperative Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS) less than 80, and severe brainstem compression are associated with increased risk of stroke (p < 0.05). Age greater than 65 and preoperative KPS less than 80 are associated with an increased length of stay (p < 0.05). Other untoward events did not occur with sufficient frequency to reach statistical significance. A model of outcomes analysis in Cranial Base Surgery is proposed utilizing a database to incorporate a group of non-operated patients and include quality of life measurements in long-term patient follow-up.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1995

Campylobacter hyointestinalis subsp. lawsonii subsp. nov., isolated from the porcine stomach, and an emended description of Campylobacter hyointestinalis.

The taxonomic relationships of seven isolates obtained from porcine stomachs (the "CHY" group), which resembled (but were distinct from) the type strain and other reference strains of Campylobacter hyointestinalis, were examined by using phenotypic and genomic methods. The phenotypic characteristics and ultrastructure of the new organisms were characteristic of Campylobacter species, although they could be distinguished from all previously described taxa. A numerical analysis of 38 phenotypic characters revealed that the new isolates formed a distinct group at a similarity level of 90.1% and could be clearly distinguished from reference strains representing 20 related taxa, principally species and subspecies belonging to the genera Campylobacter, Arcobacter, and Helicobacter. DNA-DNA hybridization studies revealed that the porcine stomach strains were genomically homogeneous (levels of relatedness, 84 to 90%), although the levels of DNA homology with type and reference strains of C. hyointestinalis were relatively high (56 to 71%). Differences in the DNA base compositions of the CHY group and C. hyointestinalis strains were also observed. Our data indicate that the new porcine isolates should be considered members of a subspecies of C. hyointestinalis, for which we propose the name Campylobacter hyointestinalis subsp. lawsonii subsp. nov. The type strain is strain CHY 5 (= LMG 14432 = NCTC 12901 = CCUG 34538). The description of C. hyointestinalis is emended accordingly, and a description of Campylobacter hyointestinalis subsp. hyointestinalis subsp. nov. is given.

Animals↗