Biomedical subjects

Elizabeth Fuller

Publications and source records attributed to Elizabeth Fuller.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Beta-lactam resistance in Staphylococcus aureus cells that do not require a cell wall for integrity.

Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 9144 cells with defective cell walls were generated on a medium with elevated osmolality in the presence of sublethal levels of penicillin G. On removal of antibiotic pressure, the cells exhibited stable penicillin and methicillin resistance. The resistance was homogeneous and its acquisition was enhanced following transient cell wall-defective growth. The resistant cells were mecA negative, beta-lactamase negative and did not contain any mutations in the coding regions of pbp genes. When penicillin was added back to resistant cells, they continued to grow and produced a diffuse cell wall that was resistant to the action by lysostaphin but was very sensitive to lysis with Triton X-100. These data indicate that the resistant cells are not dependent upon an intact cell wall for osmotic stability and they are able to switch readily to this mode of growth in the presence of penicillin G.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed2003

Current perception threshold evaluation of the female urethra.

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of the current perception threshold (CPT) evaluation in the female urethra. Women without LUT dysfunction underwent CPT testing using a Neurometer (Neurotron, Inc., Baltimore, MD) connected to a ring electrode in the urethra. Testing was done in a standardized fashion at three frequencies, 2000, 250 and 5 Hz, to determine when subjects first perceived the stimuli and when perceived stimuli became painful. Current perception threshold testing was accomplished in all 10 subjects studied. The level at which subjects first perceived stimuli was significantly lower than that at which the stimuli became painful ( P<0.002). Mean perception thresholds at 2000, 250 and 5 Hz were 70 microA (range 14-230), 25 microA (4-80) and 17 microA (2-78), respectively, and mean pain thresholds were 229 microA (54-424), 91 microA (24-162) and 110 microA (25-200), respectively. There was no difference in subjects' perception thresholds at 250 and 5 Hz ( P=0.206). Perception thresholds and pain thresholds were significantly different at all other frequencies. Women without LUT dysfunction have lower perception thresholds than pain thresholds and can distinguish between most stimuli at different frequencies. Current perception threshold testing of the female urethra is technically feasible and may be useful for assessing the functional integrity of different afferent pathways.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Bladder-anal reflex.

AIMS: The purposes of this study were to evaluate the bladder-anal reflex (BAR) latency in asymptomatic women and determine the pathway of the reflex using selective anesthesia and neuromuscular block. METHODS: Urinary incontinence, voiding dysfunction, and pelvic organ prolapse are common problems in women. Evaluation of pelvic nerve function often augments the clinical assessment of these women. Urethral-anal and clitoral-anal reflex testing have been reported as methodologies to assess patients with neurogenic disorders. A bladder-anal reflex is also obtainable but has not been reported previously in the literature. Twenty-two subjects and two patients were recruited for evaluation of the BAR. RESULTS: This study has allowed us to estimate reference ranges for BAR latency and threshold. We defined the upper limit of these reference ranges as two standard deviations above their respective means. For the BAR latency, the upper limit of the reference range is 91 msec. Any latency value above this limit should be considered abnormal. The upper limit for the BAR threshold reference range is 37.7 mA. Lower thresholds are not thought to be clinically meaningful due to the presence of several low sensory thresholds in this asymptomatic normal population. CONCLUSIONS: The BAR was obtainable in asymptomatic women and compatible with known anatomy and innervation of the lower urinary tract.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Influence of surface finish in total hip arthroplasty.

The influence of femoral component surface finish was investigated by comparing 2 finishes, precoat and satin finish, for 1 cemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) system using 1 acetabular cup design. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon in 2 consecutive series. Minimum 2-year follow-up outcomes (36 precoat, 25 satin) were compared using Harris Hip Scores, radiographs, and survivorships. The precoat population experienced significantly more radiographic and debonding failures than the satin-finish population, and significantly more pain (P <.05). Comparing failures and nonfailures within the precoat population disclosed neither significant preoperative nor significant cement-grade differences. Because of failure performance of the precoat surface finish, this surgeon no longer implants these components.

Cementation↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Symptom experiences of chronically constipated women with pelvic floor disorders.

PURPOSE: Chronic constipation is a frequent and bothersome problem in women with pelvic floor disorders, and standard treatment protocols are often ineffective. The purposes of this study were to describe the constipation symptom experience, perceived effectiveness of symptom-management strategies, and the lifestyle limitations associated with constipation symptoms among women with pelvic floor disorders. DESIGN: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used. SETTING: Participants were recruited from a tertiary-level outpatient urogynecology center. SAMPLE: Thirty women with pelvic floor disorders completed a self-administered instrument at the time of their clinic appointment. METHODS: The instrument included questions about the distress, frequency, intensity, and occurrence of constipation symptoms. In addition, the effectiveness of symptom-management strategies used to treat constipation and the lifestyle limitations associated with constipation were assessed. FINDINGS: The symptom experience of chronic constipation in these women included multiple distressing and uncomfortable symptoms that resulted in mild lifestyle limitations. Although self-management strategies were perceived to have limited effectiveness, the most effective strategies used by the women to manage constipation included use of laxatives, using their hand in or near the vagina or rectum to expel stool, and using an enema. CONCLUSIONS: More effective interventions are needed to promote satisfactory symptom management of chronic constipation for women with pelvic floor disorders. Further assessment of outcomes, including comfort and depression, may be warranted. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: A more thorough assessment of constipation symptoms in this population is recommended. A combination of symptom-management strategies may be needed to relieve the multiple symptoms associated with constipation.

Adult↗