Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Blue

Publications and source records attributed to J Blue.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Longitudinal evaluation of bovine mammary gland health status by somatic cell counting, flow cytometry, and cytology.

Bovine mastitis phases induced by Staphylococcus aureus were assessed in 6 lactating cows before challenge and at 1, 4-8, and 9-14 days postinoculation (dpi). Milk lymphocytes, macrophages, and polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) were counted by conventional (manual) cytology, identified by CD3+ and CD11b+ immunofluorescence and counted by flow cytometry (based on leukocyte forward and side light scatter values). Somatic cell counts (SCC) and recovery of bacteria were recorded at the same times. Preinoculation samples showed a lymphocyte-dominated composition. At 1 dpi, the percentage of PMN increased and that of lymphocytes decreased. At 4-8 dpi, PMN were predominant, but the percentage of mononuclear cells increased above that at 1 dpi and further increased by 9-14 dpi (when lymphocytes approached prechallenge values). Based on leukocyte percentages, 3 indices were created from the data: 1) the PMN/lymphocyte percentage ratio (PMN/L), 2) the PMN/macrophage percentage ratio (PMN/M), and 3) the phagocyte (PMN and macrophage)/lymphocyte percentage ratio (Phago/L). Significant correlations were found between cytologic and flow cytometric data in all of these indicators (all with P < or = 0.01). These indices identified nonmastitic, early inflammatory (1-8 dpi), and late inflammatory (9-14 dpi) animals. In contrast, SCC and bacteriology did not. Although sensitivity of the SCC was similar to that of Phago/L, the specificity of SCC was almost half that of the Phago/L index. Based on flow cytometry indicators, an algorithm for presumptive diagnosis of bovine mastitis was developed. Flow cytometry provides results as valid as those obtained by conventional (manual) cytology, shows greater ability to identify mastitic cases than does SCC, and may identify 3 mammary gland health-related conditions.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2001

Breast cancer audit: adapting national audit frameworks for local review of clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of using a nationally devised data set for breast cancer audit at a local level for reviewing clinical practice. DESIGN: Audit proforma based on the Scottish Cancer Therapy Network (SCTN) minimum data set and database completed prospectively from January 1999. SETTING: Hairmyres Hospital, a district general hospital within Lanarkshire Acute Services NHS Trust. SUBJECTS: The inclusion criteria were those developed by SCTN for the core minimum data set for breast cancer (SCTN 1999). RESULTS: The results indicate that the SCTN minimum data set can be usefully employed to collect prospective data on breast cancer. The data set is sensitive enough to identify any problem areas, which can be reviewed at greater detail when required. This datset is a robust mechanism for collecting meaningful and comparable data both at a local and national level. CONCLUSIONS: The use of SCTN's minimum data set has been successful for local review of practice. This has led to the identification of "out-liers" from the normal range of process indicators and further internal examination of these at a local level by individual clinicians is under way. This exercise has also proved fruitful in identification of other fields, which can be added to the data set to refine the data collected. The database provided by SCTN is easily manipulated allowing for refinement where required. Breast cancer audit carried out in this way is a useful way of reflecting on clinical practice throughout the multidisciplinary team.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1997

The role of the breast physician in the multidisciplinary breast centre.

The term breast physician was coined in Australia in 1990 to describe a female medical practitioner who is skilled in interpreting screening mammograms and the diagnostic work-up of women with symptomatic breast problems. The Australian Society of Breast Physicians was formed in 1990, and in 1995 became the Australasian Society to incorporate the New Zealand breast physicians. There is now a network of breast physicians throughout Australia who are involved in breast screening clinics or breast diagnostic centres. Thirty women doctors in the United Kingdom work in a similar role. The role of the breast physician is a new, exciting and challenging career option for women doctors. The authors believe that breast physicians have an important role in the diagnosis, treatment and follow up of women with symptomatic breast problems.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗
PubMed1997

Dipodascus starmeri sp. nov., a new species of yeast occurring in cactus necroses.

In a previous publication describing the geographic distribution of yeasts associated with cactus necroses (W. T. Starmer, M.-A. Lachance, H. J. Phaff, and W. B. Heed, Evol. Biol. 24:253-296, 1990), 127 isolates were identified as strains of Candida ingens van der Walt et van Kerken on the basis of morphology and certain phenotypic characteristics. Here we show by using DNA hybridization and additional phenotypic properties that these strains were misidentified and that they represent a minimum of three separate species that can be differentiated from C. ingens and from each other by utilization of 2-propanol or acetone, sensitivity to digitonin, utilization of L-lysine as a sole nitrogen source, vitamin dependence, NaCl tolerance, lipolytic activity, and habitat. One of the new species is haploid and heterothallic, and its teleomorph represents the genus Dipodascus. We describe Dipodascus starmeri sp. nov. The phylogenetic relationship of D. starmeri with other members of the genus Dipodascus and its anamorph, the genus Geotrichum, was estimated from ribosomal DNA nucleotide sequence divergence. The type strain, a heterothallic haploid isolate, is UCD-FST 72-316 (= CBS 780.96 = ATCC 200546 = NRRL Y-17816). The complementary mating type is UCD-FST 81-513.3 (= CBS 781.96 = ATCC 200547 = NRRL Y-17817).

Base Composition↗
PubMed1995

Pharmacologic profile of diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin in hemodialysis patients.

Various hemoglobin compounds have been evaluated as potential oxygen-carrying, blood volume expanders, but toxicity has prevented clinical application. Diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin (DCLHb) represents a modified hemoglobin compound that is derived from human red blood cells and maintained in a tetrameric configuration by cross-linkages between the two alpha chains of the hemoglobin molecule. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blind, cross-over trial, DCLHb's safety and pharmacologic parameters were evaluated in 18 subjects receiving chronic hemodialytic therapy. A 30-minute infusion of 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg DCLHb or placebo was given at the start of routine hemodialysis. One week later, the alternate treatment (placebo or DCLHb) was administered. Maximum plasma hemoglobin concentrations and terminal half-life values were calculated for each dosage group. Dialysate was collected and assayed for hemoglobin. Changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure from baseline and the volume of hypertonic saline administered for treatment of hypotension during hemodialysis were measured. The maximum plasma hemoglobin concentrations increased with DCLHb dose and occurred at the end of DCLHb infusion. The mean (+/- SD) terminal half-life ranged from 2.1 +/- 1.0 hours in the 25 mg/kg DCLHb group to 4.3 +/- 1.4 hours in the 100 mg/kg group, but did not differ significantly between groups. Mean baseline plasma hemoglobin corrected areas under the plasma concentration-time curves increased from 89 to 1,136 mg/hr/dL across the fourfold dose range. Diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin was not dialyzable as none was detected in dialysate. The maximum increase in systolic blood pressure from baseline increased significantly with DCLHb dose compared with placebo (P < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Social cognitions as organizers of autonomic and affective responses to social challenge.

Autonomic and affective responses to children were assessed as a function of adult perceptions of interpersonal control. Women (N = 160) interacted with and provided feedback to computer-simulated children who "behaved" responsively or unresponsively on a computer game. Women were categorized as low in perceived control (PC) if they attributed high control to children but low control to self over negative events on the Parent Attribution Test. As predicted, low-PC women were maximally reactive to child characteristics, manifesting peak levels of defensive arousal (increased level of heart rate and electrodermal activity) and negative affect with unresponsive children and minimal levels of arousal and negative affect with responsive children. Intermediate response levels were shown by high-PC Ss. We interpreted results as suggesting mediating factors that may operate in dysfunctional interaction patterns previously found for low-PC caregivers.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Granulated round cell tumor of cats.

Morphologic and biologic features of five feline granulated round cell tumours were compared with those previously reported to be of globule leukocyte and large granular lymphocyte origin. The five cats ranged from 6 to 9 years of age and presented with nonspecific gastrointestinal signs. Four of the five cats were tested for feline leukemia virus and were negative by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The neoplastic process involved the abdominal cavity in all cases, with a predilection for the distal small intestine and mesentery. The liver and peripheral and thoracic lymphoid tissues were also sporadically affected. Neoplastic round cells contained 0.5-1.5-microns eosinophilic cytoplasmic granules that were difficult to discern on causal observation with hematoxylin and eosin stain but were deep blue and easily visualized when stained with phosphotungstic acid-hematoxylin. In two cases, epithelium in the affected ileum and liver contained unusually large numbers of apparently normal globule leukocytes. Ultrastructurally, the tumor granules tended to cluster at one nuclear pole and were spindle to round in shape with variably dense contents. Some granules contained a dense "cap" at one end or internal crystalloid bars that distorted the granule membrane. The tumors reported herein are similar to all three of the previously reported feline granulated round cell tumors and probably have a common cellular origin.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1993

Renal failure in a calf secondary to chronic enteritis.

This clinical report describes a case of renal failure in a Holstein calf. It is suggested that the renal failure was hemodynamically-mediated. The combination of a chronic enteritis and failure to ingest adequate fluids produced the hyponatremia, hypochloremia, and metabolic acidosis. The elevated BUN, creatinine, FENa, and isosthenuria confirmed the diagnosis of renal failure. Continued testing of the heifer demonstrated persistence of the renal failure even though the heifer appeared normal on clinical examination. Monitoring the growth rate of the heifer calf demonstrated a severe reduction when compared to age-matched herdmates.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Influences of witnessed affect on information processing in children.

Children between the ages of 5 and 10 years watched a videotape of a child having a routine medical exam. Embedded within the scenes were systematic variations of depicted facial affect shown by doctor and child. Measures were taken of autonomic reactions and information-processing errors in response to positive, neutral, and negative affective cues. For 5-6-year-olds, processing errors were greatest in the negative affect condition. Additionally, peak increases in heart rate (HR) and skin conductance level (SCL) were demonstrated by 5-6-year-olds in response to negative affect shown by the witnessed child; increases in HR were in turn predictive of processing errors. Older children (9-10 years) showed trends reflecting reduced processing errors in response to witnessed negative affect. It was suggested that younger children respond to salient threat cues with a "defensive" response pattern that is relatively adaptive at younger but not older ages.

Affect↗
PubMed1988

New directive for documentation review in radiation oncology.

A new directive from the Health Care Financing Administration regarding reimbursement for daily patient care underscores the importance of accurate documentation in radiation oncology. Ms. Blue describes a quality control system in use at her institution which involves a comparison of what is documented in the medical record with what has been charged.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S.↗
PubMed1987

Pulmonary aspergillosis in a horse with myelomonocytic leukemia.

Acute myelomonocytic leukemia was diagnosed in a 2-year-old Standardbred mare that had hind limb edema and fever unresponsive to antibiotics. The mare had anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukocytosis, with circulating myeloblasts and monocytoid cells. A bone marrow specimen was hypercellular, with myeloblasts and monocytoid cells. Peroxidase, chloroacetate esterase, and alpha naphthyl acetate esterase activities were detected in many bone marrow cells. Interstitial pulmonary densities were seen radiographically. The mare was euthanatized and necropsied. Infiltrates of leukemic cells were found microscopically in specimens of spleen, lymph nodes, liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and lungs. Granulomas containing fungal hyphae were seen microscopically in the lungs, and Aspergillus sp was isolated from the lesions.

Animals↗