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Biomedical subjects

B Taylor

Publications and source records attributed to B Taylor.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

MMR and autism: further evidence against a causal association.

The hypothesis that MMR vaccines cause autism was first raised by reports of cases in which developmental regression occurred soon after MMR vaccination. A previous study found no evidence to support this hypothesis. It has recently been suggested that MMR vaccine might cause autism, but that the induction interval need not be short. The data from the earlier study were reanalysed to test this second hypothesis. Our results do not support this hypothesis, and provide further evidence against a causal association between MMR vaccination and autism.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Evidence for fault weakness and fluid flow within an active low-angle normal fault.

Determining the composition and physical properties of shallow-dipping, active normal faults (dips < 35 degrees with respect to the horizontal) is important for understanding how such faults slip under low resolved shear stress and accommodate significant extension of the crust and lithosphere. Seismic reflection images and earthquake source parameters show that a magnitude 6.2 earthquake occurred at about 5 km depth on or close to a normal fault with a dip of 25-30 degrees located ahead of a propagating spreading centre in the Woodlark basin. Here we present results from a genetic algorithm inversion of seismic reflection data, which shows that the fault at 4-5 km depth contains a 33-m-thick layer with seismic velocities of about 4.3 km s(-1), which we interpret to be composed of serpentinite fault gouge. Isolated zones exhibit velocities as low as approximately 1.7 km s(-1) with high porosities, which we suggest are maintained by high fluid pressures. We propose that hydrothermal fluid flow, possibly driven by a deep magmatic heat source, and high extensional stresses ahead of the ridge tip have created conditions for fault weakness and strain localization on the low-angle normal fault.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Extension of a tuned log spiral of revolution fluorescence XAFS detector, designed for optimal detection of a particular element Z, to XAFS of elements other than Z.

Recently, it has been demonstrated that an x-ray detector in the form of a log spiral of revolution, covered with highly oriented pyrolytic graphite, is an excellent device for obtaining the fluorescence XAFS of an element of interest in the presence of competing fluorescence from other elements. In the present work we investigate the capabilities of a log spiral of revolution (LSR) detector, with a geometry optimized for one element (in this case Cr), if used for XAFS of other elements.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Recurrence of hydatid disease.

Surgical management of hepatic hydatid disease has been associated with an overall local recurrence rate of approximately 10%. Local recurrence is rarely seen following complete resection of an intact cyst and is usually the result of spillage of live parasites or leaving a residual cyst wall containing germinal epithelium, daughter cysts, or protoscolices during surgery. Recurrence is frequently asymptomatic, so the diagnosis depends on dedicated follow-up of treated patients with serology and either ultrasonography or computed tomography. The management of locally recurrent disease should include administration of albendazole followed by the appropriate application of interventional radiotherapy or operation. As with the treatment of primary disease, the preservation of liver function and minimizing the risk to the patient remain the guiding principles of therapy of local recurrence.

Albendazole↗
PubMed2001

Does oral polio vaccine cause intussusception in infants? Evidence from a sequence of three self-controlled cases series studies in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: The use of live oral poliomyelitis vaccine (OPV) has led to the elimination of poliomyelitis disease in many countries since licensure in 1960. The discovery of an increased risk of an intestinal obstruction known as intussusception following live rotavirus vaccination raised questions about the possibility of a link between live OPV and intussusception. METHODS: Three self-controlled case-series studies were carried out. The first was exploratory and included 218 intussusception episodes from hospital admissions data linked to vaccination records in the Thames region. The two subsequent studies, which used further hospital admissions data and the General Practice Research Database (GPRD) included 107 and 198 episodes respectively and were used to test hypotheses generated in the first study. RESULTS: In the exploratory study risk periods of up to 6 weeks after each dose were examined. The only period with some evidence of an increased risk was the 14-27-day period after the third dose (relative incidence (RI) = 1.97, p = 0.011). The second hospital admissions study and the GPRD study showed no evidence of an increased relative incidence in any putative risk period and did not confirm the increased risk in the 14-27-day period after dose 3 with a combined RI of 1.03. CONCLUSIONS: The sequence of studies does not support the hypothesis that OPV causes intussusception. The increased RI in the first study may be explained as a chance finding due to the number of risk periods examined and highlights the need for caution when looking at many risk periods without an a priori hypothesis.

Chi-Square Distribution↗
PubMed2001

HIV, stigma and health: integration of theoretical concepts and the lived experiences of individuals.

AIM: To explore individual concepts of health and the role of stigma in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and HIV disease. The balance of power and knowledge are examined from both macro and micro perspectives, including both concepts of health and health and illness behaviour. METHOD: A literature review which supports the integration of theoretical concepts and research findings demonstrating the lived experiences of individuals. CONCLUSION: Stigma is a social construct which has significant impact on the life experiences of individuals both infected with and affected by HIV. The stigma experienced is unique to each individual and changes dynamically throughout the course of the HIV illness trajectory. Each of the four identified phases poses unique stigmatic qualities.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2001

Identifying and transforming dysfunctional nurse-nurse relationships through reflective practice and action research.

This project facilitated reflective practice processes in experienced Registered Nurses (RNs) in order to raise critical awareness of practice problems, work systematically through problem-solving processes to uncover constraints, and improve the quality of care given by nurses in light of the identified constraints and possibilities. Twelve experienced female RNs working in a large Australian rural hospital shared their experiences of nursing during three action research cycles. A thematic concern of dysfunctional nurse-nurse relationships was identified, as evidenced by bullying and horizontal violence. The negotiated action plan was put into place and participants reported varying degrees of success in attempting to improve nurse-nurse relationships.

Health Services Research↗
PubMed2001

Patterns of relapse following radiotherapy for stage I seminoma of the testis: implications for follow-up.

A retrospective review was undertaken of 409 consecutive patients treated with adjuvant radiotherapy for Stage I seminoma between 1988 and 1997. A total of 339 men were treated to a volume encompassing the para-aortic nodes and 70 were treated with extended field radiotherapy. The patients were followed up within oncology clinics adhering to a standard protocol of clinical examination, chest radiography and measurement of serum marker levels. No routine computed tomographic (CT) scans were carried out. At a median follow-up of 57 months, 13 patients have relapsed, giving a recurrence-free rate of 97.2% at 3 years and 96.8% at 5 years. Of these, eight (62%) were detected at routine appointments and five (38%) requested early appointments. Chest radiography (2/5) and serum marker levels (3/5) identified disease in asymptomatic patients. Eight patients (62%) had raised markers at relapse, including two with normal serum markers at original presentation. The median size of pelvic node recurrences in the para-aortic-treated group was 7.3 cm (2.8-13 cm). Four patients have developed second testicular primaries: three were detected at routine appointments and one patient had requested an early appointment. We conclude that regular follow-up with serum marker estimations and chest radiography is sufficient to detect recurrence at an early stage and that our policy of no routine CT scanning has been shown to give acceptable results.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed2001

The effects of Healing Touch on the coping ability, self esteem and general health of undergraduate nursing students.

The study used a mixed methodology to investigate the effects of HealingTouch (HT) on the coping ability, self esteem and general health of undergraduate nursing students to: check the veracity of claims made by HT practitioners that the therapy is effective in reducing stress; monitor the effects of HTon participants' scores using instruments which measure coping, self esteem and general health; and compare objective data with subjective accounts relating to coping, self esteem and general health. Quantitative findings showed no effects of HT on the coping ability, self esteem and general health of first year students, but there were some slight effects for the third year students who were in the experimental group. Qualitative findings showed that all participants in the experimental group found the experience positive. However, conclusions may be drawn tentatively that HT is effective while acknowledging that this project's design may have been ineffective in measuring the effects of HT, as the questionnaire may not have tested the actual effects of the therapy, and objective measures may be inadequate for exploring subjective experiences such as HT.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2001

Narrative accounts of tracking the rural domestic violence survivors' journey: a feminist approach.

This research represents the first stage of a project to determine the level of use and effectiveness of informal support networks utilised by Australian rural women. We used a feminist narrative approach with semistructured interviews and a convenience sample of 26 rural women. Only 9 out of 12 women's stories are presented. We found that poverty and geographical, social, and emotional isolation resulted in the privatisation of abuse. Women were triggered to leave the family home when their children, friends, or family became victims of the abuse. They planned their escape by telephone with support of friends and family. Although they used these informal supports, the participants paradoxically expected a high level of expertise in domestic violence knowledge and skills. We recommend an integrated multilevel model of support for rural women in violent intimate relationships and their informal supporters.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2001

Outcome for children born after in utero laser ablation therapy for severe twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the postnatal development of a group of children born after in utero laser ablation therapy for severe twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort outcome study involving assessment of neurodevelopment and physical well being. SETTING: Harris Birthright Centre, King's College Hospital, London. PARTICIPANTS: Twins and singleton survivors treated via laser ablation therapy for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome over a four-year period. METHODS: Of 54 families contacted to participate in the study, who had been treated for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome during a four-year period, 24 families attended for paediatric assessment; 12 pairs of twins and 12 singleton survivors were assessed for perinatal, neurological and neurodevelopmental outcome using the Griffiths scales of mental development. A further 20 families were assessed via a proforma after contact with their general practitioner. A comparison of these groups showed no significant differences in sociodemographic factors or severity of disease between responders (44 families, 81.5%) and non-responders (10 families). RESULTS: The group of children assessed by a paediatrician had low birthweight (1619g donor, 1814g recipient, 1877g singleton) and had been born preterm (33 weeks twins, 31.2 weeks singleton) with attendant increased resuscitation, neonatal unit admission (mean 40 days) and instrumental delivery. Mean Griffiths scores were within the normal range of ability (91.2 donor vs 97.7 recipient and 101.6 singletons) with the only significant difference being in the locomotor subscale where donor (82.6) and recipient (85.3) were less than singletons: -99.1 (P < 0.05). There was no cerebral palsy in the singleton survivors, but there were five cases in the twin group. All except one affected child (with quadriplegia) had mean Griffiths scores in the normal range. In the GP proforma group there was one case, in a twin, of cerebral palsy. CONCLUSION: The overall cerebral palsy rate was 9%: 0% in the singleton survivors group and 13.3% in the twin survivors group. This pilot data highlights the need for careful long term follow up of children affected by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2001

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and MMR vaccine.

A CAUSAL ASSOCIATION BETWEEN MEASLES: mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) was confirmed using immunisation/hospital admission record linkage. The absolute risk within six weeks of immunisation was 1 in 22 300 doses, with two of every three cases occurring in the six week post-immunisation period being caused by MMR. Children with ITP before MMR had no vaccine associated recurrences.

Female↗
PubMed2001

Views of nurses, patients and patients' families regarding palliative nursing care.

This article presents the findings of a 3-phase project, that used the qualitative approach of storytelling to examine the degree of congruency between the perceptions of nurses, patients and patients' families respectively, in relation to the nature and effects of palliative nursing care. The major difference in the stories was the slight emphasis on the personal qualities palliative nurses bring to their work and the activities in which they engage. Nurses emphasized their work activities, whereas patients and relatives gave equal emphasis to the positive and negative aspects of nurses' qualities and activities.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Promoting self-help strategies by sharing the lived experience of arthritis.

A qualitative approach informed by the phenomenological concept of lived experience using semi-structured interviews explored the experience of living with arthritis. Audio-taped transcribed conversations were analysed using a computer-assisted thematic analysis procedure. Strategies were offered for managing mornings, ensuring personal comfort, keeping a positive attitude, doing housework, cooking and meals, getting exercise, existing in day-to-day life, living at a slower pace, acknowledging feelings, dealing with depression, trying alternative treatments, accepting illness, getting sleep and rest, getting help, using help and handy gadgets, having emotional support, having determination, managing pain relief using distractions, making adjustments, planning ahead, maintaining independence, having a social life, managing stress, adapting around young children, and facilitating self-awareness.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Overcoming obstacles in becoming a reflective nurse and person.

As a practical approach to overcoming obstacles in being a reflective nurse and person, this article confirms the personhood of nurses, and describes some types and methods of reflection, and their uses at work and in everyday home life. Practical and theoretical obstacles are identified, and strategies are offered for overcoming them.

Humans↗