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Biomedical subjects

C Forrester

Publications and source records attributed to C Forrester.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Phosphorylation of Wzc, a tyrosine autokinase, is essential for assembly of group 1 capsular polysaccharides in Escherichia coli.

Wzc proteins are tyrosine autokinases. They are found in some important bacterial pathogens of humans and livestock as well as plant-associated bacteria, and are often encoded within gene clusters determining synthesis and assembly of capsular and extracellular polysaccharides. Autophosphorylation of Wzc(cps) is essential for assembly of the serotype K30 group 1 capsule in Escherichia coli O9a:K30, although a genetically unlinked Wzc(cps)-homologue (Etk) can also participate with low efficiency. While autophosphorylation of Wzc(cps) is required for assembly of high molecular weight K30 capsular polysaccharide, it is not essential for either the synthesis of the K30 repeat units or for activity of the K30 polymerase enzyme. Paradoxically, the cognate phosphotyrosine protein phosphatase for Wzc(cps), Wzb(cps), is also required for capsule expression. The tyrosine-rich domain at the C terminus of Wzc(cps) was identified as the site of phosphorylation and autophosphorylation of Wzc requires a functional Walker A motif. Intermolecular transphosphorylation of Wzc(cps) was detected in strains expressing a combination of mutant Wzc(cps) derivatives. The N- and C-terminal domains of Wzc(cps) were expressed independently to mimic the situation found naturally in Gram-positive bacteria. In this format, both domains were required for phosphorylation of the Wzc(cps) C terminus, and for capsule assembly. Regulation by a post-translational phosphorylation event represents a new dimension in the assembly of bacterial cell-surface polysaccharides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders in active union carpenters.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for work related musculoskeletal disorders among union carpenters. METHODS: A detailed questionnaire on musculoskeletal symptoms and work history was administered to 522 carpenters. The symptom questions assessed if carpenters experienced pain, numbness, or tingling in a particular body region. A subset of this group then received a physical examination of the upper extremities and knees. RESULTS: The study group was primarily white (94.9%) and male (97.8%) with a mean age of 42.3 years. The highest prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders cases by carpentry specialty ranged from 20%-24% for those doing drywall or ceiling, finishing or framing, and the building of concrete forms. Generally, as duration of employment increased, the prevalence of symptoms increased. An adjusted logistic regression analysis showed that the group with the longest (> or = 20 years) duration of employment in carpentry was significantly associated with work related musculoskeletal disorders of the shoulders (odds ratio (OR) 3.2, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.1 to 8.9), hands or wrists (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.1 to 8.4), and knees (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.3 to 9.2). Also, analyses showed that carpenters who reported that they had little or no influence over their work schedule had significant increases of work related musculoskeletal disorders of the shoulders, hips, and knees with ORs of 1.9 (95% CI 1.1 to 3.2), 2.9 (95% CI 1.1 to 7.2), and 2.3 (95% CI 1.2 to 4.1), respectively. Feeling exhausted at the end of day was also a significant risk factor for work related musculoskeletal disorders of the knee (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.1). Upper extremity disorders were the most prevalent work related musculoskeletal disorders reported among all carpenters. Drywall or ceiling activities involve a considerable amount of repetitive motion and awkward postures often with arms raised holding heavy dry walls in place, whereas form work is notable for extensive lumbar flexion and had the two highest rates of work related musculoskeletal disorders. The psychosocial element of job control was associated with both upper and lower extremity disorders. These union carpenters, who were relatively young, already were experiencing considerable work related physical problems. CONCLUSION: This study supports the need for vigilant ergonomic intervention at job sites and early ergonomic education as an integral part of apprenticeship school training to ensure that carpenters remain fit and healthy throughout their working lifetime.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Nested case-control study of hand and wrist work-related musculoskeletal disorders in carpenters.

Unionized carpenters (n = 522) participated in a telephone interview regarding their jobs and musculoskeletal symptoms. From this group, a nested case-control study was conducted on 25 symptomatic carpenters who met a hand or wrist work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMD) case definition and on 35 asymptomatic carpenters who were of similar age, sex, height, and weight. The purpose of the study was to determine if questionnaire symptom data could be used to estimate the prevalence of hand/wrist WMDs. To test this hypothesis, a subset of subjects underwent physical examination and electrodiagnostic testing to determine if these symptom-derived cases had findings of carpal tunnel syndrome or other hand or wrist musculoskeletal disorders. Standardized upper extremity physical examinations and unilateral ulnar and median nerve conduction studies were administered. Physical examination findings of CTS were significantly increased among WMD cases. Mean median sensory and motor distal latencies were significantly longer (P < 0.05) and median sensory amplitudes smaller in cases compared to controls. Median relative to ulnar sensory and motor latencies also were longer in cases. A median mononeuropathy at the wrist was found in 78% of the cases. These findings suggest that symptom-derived WMD data are useful in estimating estimating the prevalence of CTS among carpenters.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Development of a statewide trauma registry.

In October 1986, the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation (PTSF) developed a statewide registry. Development concentrated on four major issues: 1) data elements; 2) patient selection; 3) confidential mandatory involvement for trauma centers; and 4) reporting/analysis. The overall compliance of the trauma centers was 81.5%. Documentation of prehospital run times and admission trauma scores were 21% and 70%, respectively. PTSF patients 55 years or older (27.9%) had twice the mortality as younger patients. Falls accounted for 76% of injuries to elderly patients. Finally, 42.6% of survivors had moderate to severe disabilities. Defining the "major trauma patient" is extremely difficult. A registry must have uniform quality data without undue costs. To obtain such data, maintenance of an active registry must be viewed as important as medical care, if organized trauma systems are to remain cost effective.

Abbreviated Injury Scale↗
PubMed1985

Pseudomonas mesophilica infections in humans.

Reported here is the case of a patient with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung who had bacteremia involving Pseudomonas mesophilica. Of the common laboratory media tested at 35 degrees C, buffered charcoal yeast extract agar and nutrient agar provided the best growth; however, other media supported growth at lower temperatures. Since blood cultures are routinely subcultured onto chocolate agar and then incubated at 35 degrees C, awareness of the characteristics of P. mesophilica and of the isolation techniques as outlined may enhance the recovery of this and related bacterial species.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Salmonella infections in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Salmonella infections occurred in six patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and one patient with probable AIDS. The immune system defects increase the susceptibility of patients with AIDS to salmonella infections. Recognition of salmonellosis in patients with AIDS is important because of a high propensity of this organism to invade the bloodstreams of these patients, and because, unlike other infections in patients with AIDS, this infection can be easily treated.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1984

Mycobacterium xenopi infection in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

A case of Mycobacterium xenopi infection in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is described and the clinical experience of others in the United States with this organism is reviewed. Disseminated infection by this organism appears to occur only in the immunocompromised host. Because M xenopi has been found in hot water systems by others and is an organism more susceptible to the traditional antituberculosis antibiotics, recognition and distinction of this organism from the more resistant and difficult to treat Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare in the patients with AIDS may be important.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1979

Association between polyneuritis and multiple sclerosis.

We report two cases in which multiple sclerosis and inflammatory polyneuritis occurred separately, and suggest that this association supports the idea that the two conditions may have an aetiological link.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An ergonomic evaluation of a patient handling device: the elevate and transfer vehicle.

This study evaluated a Patient Handling Device (PHD) called the Elevate and Transfer Vehicle (ETV). The ETV works on the principle of leverage to transfer a patient from one seated position to another. Three types of product evaluation were used: expert appraisal; user trials; and performance tests. Expert appraisal was conducted by a panel of 11 people including an ergonomist, an industrial designer, two engineers, including one employed as an academic in a School of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Medical Engineering, and seven health professionals. The experts evaluated the ETV using a checklist and group discussions. They generally agreed that the advantages of the ETV tested were it's simplicity, the convenient position to adjust clothing for toileting and the need for only one carer. They noted comfort, security of straps, centre of gravity and manoeuvrability as the main areas for improvement. User trials consisted of nine male and nine female volunteer users assigned to carer/patient pairs. Following a training period, each user subjectively evaluated the ETV by structured interview. User trial results indicated ease of use, prevention of back injuries in carers and minimal body contact were advantages of the ETV. The main problems with using the ETV appeared to be the inadequate 'prop' and straps, the 'jolt' and lack of dignity for the patient. Several critical performance tests were conducted to determine compliance to Australian Standards for design. Areas of non-compliance included strength of frame and static stability. The findings suggest that most of the identified problems of the ETV could be overcome with minor design improvements. The general consensus of participants was to keep the design simple, maintain fast transfers and maintain the position of the patient to enable ease of clothing adjustment for toileting.

Adult↗