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Biomedical subjects

E M Scott

Publications and source records attributed to E M Scott.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Relationship between physiological factors and clinical pain in dogs scored using a numerical rating scale.

A study was designed to investigate the association between heart rate, respiratory rate and pupil dilation and a subjective pain score allocated using a numerical rating scale (NRS). Four groups of dogs (n = 17 to 20 per group) were included: orthopaedic surgery cases, soft tissue surgery cases, dogs with medical conditions and healthy dogs. Each dog was examined by five veterinary surgeons within a four-hour period. When examining each dog, the observers recorded heart rate, respiratory rate, pupil dilation (present or absent) and a pain score using a NRS (range 0 to 10). For surgical cases, all study assessments were carried out between 21 and 27 hours following the end of surgery. The correlation coefficients between physiological parameters and NRS score were small but, depending on the analysis, were significant for heart rate and NRS score (P < 0.05). However, the size of the coefficient, 0.168, indicated that the relationship was not biologically significant. There was no association between respiratory rate and NRS score. Analysis of the relationship between NRS score and pupil dilation indicated that there was an association between this factor and pain, depending on the analysis. This was significant for the surgical groups (P < 0.05) but not for the other groups. These findings indicate that heart rate and respiratory rate are not useful indicators of pain in hospitalised dogs. It is also unlikely that pupil dilation will be a useful tool in the assessment of pain.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Hospital-acquired pressure sores in surgical patients.

This study is based on a retrospective analysis of case notes of 314 elective and emergency patients who underwent major surgical procedures between November 1995 and March 1996. The research is part of a larger project on pressure sores in surgical patients. The effects of patient characteristics and the organisational processes of care on the development of hospital-acquired pressure sores were examined. Factors identified can be used as parameters in the assessment of pressure sore risk in surgical patients. This report presents the preliminary results of the univariate statistical analysis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

A strategy for osteoporosis in gastroenterology.

Osteoporotic fractures are a major public health problem. Gastroenterologists see many patients at risk of osteoporosis, particularly those with coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease. In this paper, the extent of the problem is reviewed and a strategy of investigation and treatment is recommended.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1998

Design and delivery of non-parenteral vaccines.

Non-parenteral delivery of vaccines is reviewed focusing on the delivery systems that have been used for various mucosal routes of administration. Systems considered include biodegradable micro- and nanoparticles, liposomes, live bacterial and viral vectors and mucosal adjuvants. New approaches to mucosal vaccine formulation using: (i) gene fusion technology to create non-toxic derivatives of mucosal adjuvants, (ii) genetically inactivated antigens with a deletion in an essential gene, (iii) coexpression of an antigen and a specific cytokine that is important in the modulation and control of a mucosal immune response, and (iv) genetic material itself that would allow DNA or RNA uptake and its endogenous expression in the host cell are described.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Benchmarking of numerical models describing the dispersion of radionuclides in the Arctic Seas.

As part of the International Arctic Seas Assessment Project (IASAP) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a working group was created to model the dispersal and transfer of radionuclides released from radioactive waste disposed of in the Kara Sea. The objectives of this group are: (1) development of realistic and reliable assessment models for the dispersal of radioactive contaminants both within, and from, the Arctic ocean; and (2) evaluation of the contributions of different transfer mechanisms to contaminant dispersal and hence, ultimately, to the risks to human health and environment. With regard to the first objective, the modelling work has been directed towards assessment of model reliability and asone aspect of this, a benchmarking exercise has been carried out. This paper briefly describes the benchmark scenario, the models developed and used, and discusses some of the benchmarking results. The role of the exercise within the modelling programme of IASAP will be discussed and future work described.

Arctic Regions↗
PubMed1995

Inhibitory effect of terbinafine on the invasion of nails by Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

BACKGROUND: Terbinafine has a broad spectrum of action in vitro and primary fungicidal action against many pathogenic fungi. Its mode of action against dermatophyte fungi in nail keratin is little understood. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the bioavailability of terbinafine in a nail fragment model. METHODS: The effect of terbinafine on adherence and germination of arthroconidia of Trichophyton mentagrophytes on nail fragments was assessed by gross examination and light and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Preexposure of nail fragments to terbinafine concentrations (0.001 to 10 mg/L) inhibited fungal growth and acted as a barrier to dermatophyte invasion. Damaged arthroconidia and distorted hyphae on the surface of nail fragments were observed. CONCLUSION: This in vitro model provides an alternative system for studying the activity of antifungal agents in nail and demonstrates the morphologic changes in dermatophyte fungi after exposure to terbinafine.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed1995

Demonstration of synergy with fluconazole and either ibuprofen, sodium salicylate, or propylparaben against Candida albicans in vitro.

The combination of fluconazole with either ibuprofen, sodium salicylate, or propylparaben resulted in synergistic activity (fractional inhibitory index, < 0.5) against Candida albicans NCYC 620 in a microdilution checkerboard assay. Synergism between miconazole and ibuprofen was also demonstrated. In three or four clinical isolates of C. albicans from AIDS patients, the combination of fluconazole and ibuprofen was synergistic. Preparation of the inoculum and the growth conditions used were those recommended by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards for susceptibility testing. A visual estimation of total inhibition of growth and determination of an 80% reduction in the optical density at 492 nm compared with those for the control were taken as endpoints for the calculation of synergy, and a good correlation between both estimates was demonstrated.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1995

Use of decimal assay for additivity to demonstrate synergy in pair combinations of econazole, nikkomycin Z, and ibuprofen against Candida albicans in vitro.

Interactions between six compounds (econazole, miconazole, amphotericin B, nystatin, nikkomycin Z, and ibuprofen) were investigated for their antifungal activities against Candida albicans by using pair combinations in an in vitro decimal assay for additivity based on disk diffusion. Additive interactions were observed between miconazole and econazole, amphotericin B and nystatin, and amphotericin B and ibuprofen, while an antagonistic interaction was observed between econazole and amphotericin B. Synergistic interactions were recorded for the combinations of econazole and ibuprofen, econazole and nikkomycin Z, and ibuprofen and nikkomycin Z.

Aminoglycosides↗
PubMed1995

Diffuse pleural thickening: percutaneous CT-guided cutting needle biopsy.

PURPOSE: To assess the diagnostic yield of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous cutting needle biopsy of diffuse pleural thickening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 42 consecutive adult patients with diffuse pleural disease seen, 45 CT-guided percutaneous biopsies were performed with an 18-gauge cutting needle powered by a hand-held, spring-operated biopsy instrument. Results were assessed retrospectively. RESULTS: Sufficient pleural tissue for histologic diagnosis was obtained in 42 of the 45 biopsies, with a correct histologic diagnosis made in 39 of the 42 specimens. Specificity and sensitivity for helping differentiate malignant from benign disease were 100% and 83%, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values were 1.0 and 0.60, respectively. By combining findings at biopsy and at CT (presence or absence of pleural thickness greater than 1 cm, mediastinal-circumferential involvement, irregular contour), sensitivity and negative predictive values reached 100% and 1.0, respectively. CONCLUSION: Combined findings of CT-guided percutaneous cutting needle biopsy and CT are useful in first-line investigation of diffuse pleural thickening.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1994

Time-survival studies for quantifying effects of azlocillin and tobramycin on Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Time-survival studies were conducted to estimate the effects of azlocillin and tobramycin on Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIMB 8295 (in the exponential phase of growth) at concentrations ranging from one-quarter to twice the MIC. The effects of the individual agents and their combinations were determined by measuring the viable counts (CFU per milliliter) over a 24-h period. The typical pattern observed from the plot of the logarithm of the CFU per milliliter against time was an initial rapid killing; this was followed by a period of stasis and regrowth. Initial rates of killing by tobramycin were concentration dependent, whereas this was not the case with azlocillin. From the time-survivor plots, the area under the curve for viable bacteria was also calculated. It offered a useful method of interpreting the results of time-kill studies, taking the overall pattern of killing and regrowth into consideration. The area under the curve for viable bacteria was concentration dependent for both antibiotics. A 2(2) factorial experimental design was used to analyze the joint effects of azlocillin and tobramycin. In such a factorial experiment, an interaction between two factors, in this case, azlocillin and tobramycin concentrations, is shown by a change in the slope of the plot when the concentration of the interactant is changed. Analysis of variance showed that the combination was synergistic at low concentrations, but this was not significant when the concentration of either interactant was increased.

Azlocillin↗
PubMed1993

Adherence of arthroconidia and germlings of anthropophilic and zoophilic varieties of Trichophyton mentagrophytes to human corneocytes as an early event in the pathogenesis of dermatophytosis.

The association (adherence) between human corneocytes and arthroconidia of Trichophyton mentagrophytes strains 121 and 126, and T. interdigitale strain 4 was studied in vitro. Adherence of arthroconidia to corneocytes from either the palm and sole occurred and increased with time up to 6 h, by which time germination of arthroconidia had started. Significant differences were seen between the T. mentagrophytes strains and T. interdigitale in their adherence to corneocytes from the palm. When adherence values for plantar corneocytes were compared, significant differences were found between T. mentagrophytes and T. interdigitale. Not all corneocytes from either site had adherent arthroconidia, although there was a time-dependent increase in the numbers of corneocytes with adherent fungal cells. By scanning and transmission electron microscopy it was seen that there was a loose association between arthroconidia and corneocytes with no apparent damage to the corneocyte membrane. Adherence of germlings of T. interdigitale to corneocytes from the palm appeared to be mediated by germling outer cell wall fibrils. Hyphal branches and secondary germlings were observed to enhance the attachment of the parent hypha to adjacent corneocytes.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed1993

Painful rib syndrome--a review of 76 cases.

The painful rib syndrome consists of three features: pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen, a tender spot on the costal margin, and reproduction of the pain on pressing the tender spot. This is a common cause for referral to a general medical/gastroenterology clinic, accounting for 3% of new referrals in Lincoln. Seventy six consecutive patients were studied. The mean age was 48 years and 70% were women. Forty three per cent had been investigated, often extensively, before referral, and eight had had a non-curative cholecystectomy. The case notes from all patients were reviewed and a follow up questionnaire was sent after a mean period of four years to those 72 still alive, of which 56 replied. Thirty nine (70%) still had the pain although all except three had learnt to live with it. Despite a firm diagnosis being given, 25 (33%) patients were referred again to hospital by their general practitioner. All further investigations were negative apart from the finding of gall stones in three patients. The four patients who died had died from unrelated causes. The painful rib syndrome is common but underdiagnosed. It is a safe, clinical diagnosis requiring no investigation. Systematic firm palpation of the costal margin in recommended in all patients presenting with pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed1992

Factors affecting quantitative assessment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa adherence to buccal epithelial cells.

The influence of experimental protocol on estimation of adherence of P. aeruginosa to buccal epithelial cells is highlighted. Use of membrane filtration to remove non-adherent bacteria was significantly affected by membrane pore size and rinse volume, but was not affected by inoculum size or test isolate. Even with optimum filtration conditions, over 58% of the non-adherent bacterial population were retained on the filters. Separation of non-adherent bacteria was greatly improved when density centrifugation was employed, with less than 30% of non-adherent bacteria present in the buccal epithelial suspension. Adherence values measured by a radiological and fluorometric method were significantly higher than those determined by microscopic counting. Radiological assays had the lowest variance. Gradient centrifugation was used to prepare a standard suspension of buccal epithelial cells. However, cells collected on different days showed significantly different adherence measurements. Adherence of bacteria to trypsinized buccal epithelial cells and to buccal epithelial cells from cystic fibrosis patients was similar, whereas adherence to normal buccal epithelial cells was significantly lower.

Bacterial Adhesion↗
PubMed1992

Dormancy of Trichophyton mentagrophytes arthroconidia.

Arthroconidia of Trichophyton mentagrophytes demonstrated an exogenous type of dormancy under environmental conditions unsuitable for germination, provided that these conditions were not lethal. Germination did not occur at 4 degrees C unless arthroconidia were shifted up to 37 degrees C. At 45 degrees C germination was inhibited even when arthroconidia were shifted down to 37 degrees C. Germination was dependent on humidified incubation conditions. The presence of human corneocytes enhanced the germination of arthroconidia in the presence of moisture.

Epidermis↗
PubMed1992

Germination of Trichophyton mentagrophytes on human stratum corneum in vitro.

The emergence of germ tubes from arthroconidia of Trichophyton mentagrophytes on stripped sheets of stratum corneum from different body areas was measured. Arthroconidia increased in size and started germination by 4 h at 37 degrees C. Germ tubes originated from a point on the arthroconidium surface mid-way between the points of attachment to adjacent conidia. With further incubation arthroconidial germination increased and germ tubes extended across the stratum corneum. Histological staining of transverse sections of infected stratum corneum showed hyphae penetrating longitudinally and perpendicularly through the thickness of the stratum corneum. By 7 days' incubation hyphae started to form arthroconidia thereby completing the vegetative growth cycle of the fungus. Scanning electron microscopy revealed penetration of corneocytes by germ tubes resulting in damage to the corneocyte surface.

Culture Techniques↗