Biomedical subjects

E Gibbons

Publications and source records attributed to E Gibbons.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

The impact of economic sanctions on health and human rights in Haiti, 1991-1994.

OBJECTIVES: This report examines the impact of an economic embargo from 1991 to 1994 on health, well-being, and human rights in Haiti. METHODS: Data from surveillance systems for nutrition, reportable diseases, and hospital diagnoses were combined with survey data and interviews with affected women, governmental representatives, diplomats, and staff of nongovernmental organizations. RESULTS: Changes included declining income, rising unemployment, poorer nutrition, declining infant mortality, rising mortality among 1- to 4-year-olds, decreased attention to children's well-being and education, and family breakdown. Survival strategies among poor Haitians included changed dietary habits, informal-sector economic activity, moving in with relatives, selling domestic goods, increased informal unions among couples, decreased school attendance, and indentured servitude among children. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of economic sanctions in Haiti resulted in extensive violations of rights; the impact was greatest on the most disadvantaged Haitians. Many Haitian and international supporters of democracy were unaware of the extensive negative impact that sanctions could have. The impact continues now, 5 years after sanctions ended. Modified policies reduced some of the burden of sanctions, and international assistance prevented what otherwise might have become a humanitarian disaster during sanctions.

Child Health Services↗

PubMed1998

Can aromatherapy replace pre-medication?

An examination of the use of the therapy within the theatre environment would be a useful extension of the care we already give our patients. It would be interesting to explore the cost effectiveness of oils versus conventional medication, and even though there may be a negative result the desire to provide holistic care may overshadow the cost. If this care can be achieved through therapeutic touch such as massage, and enhanced by the addition of aromatic oils, then perhaps theatre nurses should be training to meet the needs of the patient. It may be appropriate therefore for studies to be undertaken into the suggested benefits of aromatherapy. If, as it has been implied, this therapy is beneficial in reducing the levels of anxiety, it would seem sensible to introduce it to preoperative patients who suffer varying degrees of anxiety.

Aromatherapy↗

PubMed1997

Maternal immunization of pregnant cattle with recombinant VP8* protein of bovine rotavirus elicits neutralizing antibodies to multiple serotypes. Colostral neutralizing antibody by rotavirus VP8*.

Neonatal calf diarrhoea caused by bovine rotavirus is one of the most common diseases in cattle. VP8 portion of the rotavirus VP4 protein is known to contain neutralizing epitopes and hemagglutination activity. We expressed the VP8* portion of bovine rotavirus strain C486 (G6P1 serotype) in E. coli, and examined potential of the recombinant VP8* protein for induction of neutralizing antibody responses in host animals. One hundred twenty pregnant beef cows were selected and immunized eight weeks prior to parturition with the recombinant VP8* protein. Colostral and milk samples were collected 12 hours and 10 days post-calving, respectively, and the virus neutralizing titers elicited by the recombinant subunit antigen were determined by plaque reduction assay. Colostral antibody titres of the vaccinated group were significantly higher than those of the unvaccinated control group, and these titers were equivalent to the titers elicited by a commercial vaccine. While titers of the control group rapidly decreased to 220 after 10 days of calving, neutralizing titers in the milk of the vaccinees remained 510. Rabbit and bovine antibodies induced by the recombinant VP8* protein were also able to neutralize bovine rotavirus P5 serotype (B641) at significant level and P11 serotype (B223) moderately. Our results suggest that the E. coli-produced recombinant VP8* protein can be an useful subunit vaccine candidate to prevent rotavirus infection in new-born calves.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Antiviral screening of British Columbian medicinal plants.

One hundred methanolic plant extracts were screened for antiviral activity against seven viruses. Twelve extracts were found to have antiviral activity at the non-cytotoxic concentrations tested. The extracts of Rosa nutkana and Amelanchier alnifolia, both members of the Rosaceae, were very active against an enteric coronavirus. A root extract of another member of the Rosaceae, Potentilla arguta, completely inhibited respiratory syncytial virus. A Sambucus racemosa branch tip extract was also very active against respiratory syncytial virus while the inner bark extract of Oplopanax horridus partially inhibited this virus. An extract of Ipomopsis aggregata demonstrated very good activity against parainfluenza virus type 3. A Lomatium dissectum root extract completely inhibited the cytopathic effects of rotavirus. In addition to these, extracts prepared from the following plants exhibited antiviral activity against herpesvirus type 1: Cardamine angulata, Conocephalum conicum, Lysichiton americanum, Polypodium glycyrrhiza and Verbascum thapsus.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Immunological response to recombinant VP8* subunit protein of bovine roravirus in pregnant cattle.

Bovine rotavirus VP8*, N-terminal trypsin cleavage product of VP4, was produced in Escherichia coli. To examine if this antigen could induce neutralizing antibody responses, different species of animals were immunized with the recombinant VP8* protein. The VP8* antigen was found to stimulate a neutralizing immune response in rabbits. When VP8*-immunized mice were exposed to bovine rotavirus strain C486, significantly higher antibody responses were observed than if they were only exposed to C486. To stimulate a current vaccination protocol in the field with livestock, mice were exposed to live C486 virus first and then to VP8*. These mice had the elevated immune responses indicating that VP8* could boost immunity in primed mice. The immune response to VP8* was also tested in pregnant cows. The efficacy of VP8* in stimulating milk antibody was compared with a commercial inactivated vaccine. Differences in colostral antibody titres between VP8*-vaccinated and unvaccinated cows were statistically significant (P < 0.05) and equivalent to the commercial vaccine (P = 0.0569). The milk antibody titres on day 10 were comparable between VP8*- and commercial vaccine-vaccinated animals and were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in unvaccinated controls. Furthermore, rabbit and bovine antibodies induced by VP8* were able to neutralize different P types of bovine rotaviruses to varying degrees, suggesting that serotype-specific and cross-reactive epitope(s) are present on the VP8* protein of rotavirus. Taken together, E. coli-expressed VP8* may be useful as a subunit vaccine candidate for bovine rotavirus.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Assembly of recombinant rotavirus proteins into virus-like particles and assessment of vaccine potential.

Rotavirus structural proteins VP4, VP6 and VP7 from Bovine Rotavirus Strain C486 were cloned and expressed in a baculovirus expression system. Combinations of the proteins were assembled into a series of virus-like particles, and a murine model was used to determine the capacity of the recombinant proteins and particles to induce protective immunity. All of the proteins induced humoral immunity as measured by an ELISA against whole virus. However, only the antisera from animals immunized with VP4 neutralized virus and inhibited haemagglutination. Challenge of neonates born to animals immunized with VP4 protein on assembled particles or in cell lysates showed protection against challenge with both homologous (bovine C486) and heterologous (SA-11) strains of rotavirus. In contrast, the offspring of mice immunized with VP6 were only partially protected. Neonates of animals immunized with virus-like particles composed of VP7 assembled on VP6 spherical particles were protected against challenge with the homotypic virus and significantly protected from a heterotypic challenge whereas unassembled VP7 protein provided only partial protection against challenge.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Assembly of double-shelled rotaviruslike particles by simultaneous expression of recombinant VP6 and VP7 proteins.

Simultaneous coinfection of Spodoptera frugiperda cells with baculovirus recombinants containing the genes for VP6 and VP7 of bovine rotavirus strain C486 resulted in the production of spherical particles resembling smooth, double-shelled rotavirus. These particles were predominantly located in the cell culture supernatant instead of being cell associated. Pretreatment of infected-cell culture supernatants with CaCl2, prior to particle purification, was found to enhance the smooth appearance of the particles. The authenticity of the proteins making up the particles was demonstrated by their reactivity with antiserum specific for double-shelled C486 rotavirus.

Animals↗

PubMed1979

Gastric inhibitory polypeptide response to hyper- and hypoglycemia in insulin-dependent diabetics.

The response of gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) levels to oral glucose in 11 insulin-dependent diabetics was compared to that in 8 age- and sex-matched healthy controls to determine whether they would show the pattern of GIP hypersecretion reported by other workers in maturity-onset, insulin-independent diabetes. One gram of glucose per kg bw resulted in a higher level of glycemia and a significantly diminished GIP response in diabetics when compared to controls (6,018 +/- 1,337 vs. 11,343 +/- 2,353 pg/ml.180 min min, respectively). There was virtually no beta cell response in the diabetics, as measured by changes in the levels of free insulin and connecting peptide. A significant lowering of glucagon levels occurred in the controls, while an inconsistent response was seen in the diabetics. An insulin infusion test was administered to test the hypothesis that insulin suppresses GIP secretion. Although hyperinsulinism, hypoglycemia, and suppression of endogenous insulin secretion were produced in the controls, no suppression of baseline GIP was detected. Similarly, hyperinsulinism and hypoglycemia failed to suppress baseline GIP levels in the diabetics. These results do not support a direct role for insulin in suppressing GIP in normal or diabetic subjects.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of oral rehydration therapy in Matiguas, Nicaragua.

Use of oral rehydration salts is an effective tool to decrease deaths due to diarrheal dehydration. Following concerted educational efforts to introduce oral rehydration therapy, Nicaragua reported a significant decrease in deaths of young children from diarrhea and dehydration over a 5-year period. Further decline in the mortality rate has not occurred, however, and factors that would affect usage and impact are poorly understood. A health survey was administered in 155 randomly selected homes in Matiguas, Nicaragua, in July 1990. Caretakers of children were asked about their knowledge, attitudes, and practices in treating diarrhea in children younger than age 5. They were also asked to demonstrate their knowledge of mixing World Health Organization oral rehydration salts packets. Ninety percent of the respondents said they used oral rehydration therapy. The major reason quoted for not using it was dislike of the taste. Of the three-quarters willing to mix the oral rehydration salts, 62 percent prepared the solution correctly and 38 percent incorrectly. Knowledge about diarrhea and the role of oral rehydration therapy was high in this population, and those with this knowledge were more likely to use it. Respondents who learned to mix the oral rehydration salts at the health center had more years of education and were more likely to mix the salts correctly. In this study, there is a positive association between contact with the health center and correct use of the rehydration salts. The relationship of this association with morbidity and mortality needs further research.

Adolescent↗