Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Brooks

Publications and source records attributed to J Brooks.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Antimicrobial-resistant bacterial diarrhea in rural western Kenya.

Bacterial diarrheal diseases cause substantial morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, but data on the epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of enteric bacterial pathogens are limited. Between May 1997 and April 1998, a clinic-based surveillance for diarrheal disease was conducted in Asembo, a rural area in western Kenya. In total, 729 diarrheal specimens were collected, and 244 (33%) yielded >or=1 bacterial pathogen, as determined by standard culture techniques; 107 (44%) Shigella isolates, 73 (30%) Campylobacter isolates, 45 (18%) Vibrio cholerae O1 isolates, and 33 (14%) Salmonella isolates were identified. Shigella dysenteriae type 1 accounted for 22 (21%) of the Shigella isolates. Among 112 patients empirically treated with an antimicrobial agent and whose stool specimens yielded isolates on which resistance testing was done, 57 (51%) had isolates that were not susceptible to their antimicrobial treatment. Empiric treatment strategies for diarrheal disease in western Kenya need to be reevaluated, to improve clinical care.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

The A-B neuropsychological assessment schedule (ABNAS): the further refinement of a patient-based scale of patient-perceived cognitive functioning.

PURPOSE: To provide further evidence of the reliability and validity of the ABNAS as a measure of patient-perceived cognitive side effects of antiepileptic drug treatment. METHODS: The measure was developed specifically to assess patient-perceived cognitive side effects of antiepileptic drug treatment. Evidence of its reliability and validity has been previously documented and this evidence has been further extended by administration of a battery of 400 questionnaires to two groups (200 people with epilepsy, PWE; and 200 controls who do not have epilepsy). The questionnaire packs consisted of the ABNAS, HADS, the everyday memory questionnaire, and the Adverse Events Profile. Data were analysed using MAP-R and SPSS. RESULTS: Further evidence of the psychometric properties of the scale demonstrated that it had excellent reliability (Cronbach's alpha=0.96) and good face, congruent, content and construct validity. The sensitivity of the instrument was demonstrated through analysis of floor and ceiling levels. CONCLUSIONS: The ABNAS is a reliable, tool for the detection of cognitive impairments associated with epilepsy and its treatment. We have provided further evidence of its criterion validity. This measure has the potential to be a useful tool for both clinical practice and clinical trials.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

The growth of Bacillus stearothermophilus on stainless steel.

AIMS: To determine the potential for Bacillus stearothermophilus cells to form biofilms of significance in dairy manufacture. METHODS AND RESULTS: The ability of isolates of B. stearothermophilus from dairy manufacturing plants to attach to stainless steel surfaces was demonstrated by exposing stainless steel samples to suspensions of spores or vegetative cells and determining the numbers attaching using impedance microbiology. Spores attached more readily than vegetative cells. The attachment of cells to stainless steel was increased 10-100-fold by the presence of milk fouling the stainless steel. The growth of B. stearothermophilus as a biofilm on stainless steel surfaces was determined using a continuously flowing experimental reactor. Vegetative cells were released in greater numbers than spores from biofilms of most strains studied. Biofilms of one strain (B11) were studied in detail. Biofilms of > 106 cells cm-2 formed in the reactor and released approximately 106 cells ml-1 into milk passing over the biofilm. A doubling time of 25 min was calculated for this organism grown as a biofilm. CONCLUSION: The formation of biofilms of thermophilic Bacillus species within the plant appears to be a likely cause of contamination of manufactured dairy products. Methods to control the formation of biofilms in dairy manufacturing plants are required to reduce the contamination of dairy products with thermophilic bacilli. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Biofilms of B. stearothermophilus growing in dairy manufacturing plants can explain the contamination of dairy products with these bacteria.

Bacterial Adhesion↗
PubMed2001

The quality of life of older people with epilepsy: findings from a UK community study.

The impact of epilepsy on the quality of life of older people with epilepsy has rarely been investigated. As part of a large prevalence study of epilepsy conducted in one UK Health Region, we investigated the burden of their condition in older compared with younger people. A second analysis compared quality of life in those men and women diagnosed after the age of retirement from the workforce compared with those diagnosed before that age. Data were collected from men and women with epilepsy and from their primary and secondary care physicians. There were few differences between older and younger people with regard to their reported quality of life, though younger people were more likely to report feeling stigmatized by their condition. Older people with epilepsy diagnosed in later life were more anxious and depressed than those diagnosed earlier and their overall perception of quality of life was more likely to be negative. Our data emphasize that older people do not necessarily experience poorer quality of life than younger people, but those first diagnosed in later life do appear to have a quality of life which is more impaired. Consideration should be paid to the important psychosocial consequences of epilepsy in the older person.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2001

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma: an institutional review.

BACKGROUND: A thorough understanding of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), the most common subtype of soft tissue sarcoma, will lead to improved histologic-specific protocols. METHODS: 126 patients with histologically confirmed MFH were analyzed. The median follow-up was 42 months (range 1-233 months). RESULTS: Overall survival was 58% at 5 years and 38% at 10 years. Grade significantly influenced prognosis, with 10-year survival of 90%, 60%, and 20% for low, intermediate, and high grade tumors, respectively (p = 0.0007). Distant metastases at initial presentation (p = 0.0002) and size of the primary tumor (p = 0.0007) influenced outcome. Neither anatomic site nor depth of the primary tumor were significant prognostic factors. Positive microscopic margins were associated with a decreased disease-free survival (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor grade, size, and distant metastases at initial presentation remain the most important prognostic factors for MFH. Resection with negative microscopic margins decreased the incidence of local recurrence.

Disease-Free Survival↗
PubMed2000

Nurses' perceptions of the nature and frequency of aggression in general ward settings and high dependency areas.

Studies on aggression in healthcare settings have reported increased frequency of this behaviour in both psychiatric and accident and emergency areas; however, to date, very few studies have addressed this issue in general ward settings in Australia. This descriptive study was conducted to determine nurses' perceptions of the nature and frequency of aggressive behaviours in general wards and high dependency areas and thereby address the gap in the literature. Two hundred and nine nurses in one Australian hospital completed a 23-item questionnaire on aggression in the workplace. The findings revealed that the majority (89.5%) of nurses defined aggressive behaviour as including verbal aggression, physical aggression and intimidation. Ninety-five per cent of respondents had encountered at least several episodes of verbal aggression within the last 12 months. Patients were found to be the main perpetrators of aggressive acts, followed by relatives. After experiencing either verbal or physical aggression nurses most frequently reported feeling angry or emotionally hurt. These findings confirm that acts of aggression are experienced frequently in the general medical and surgical ward areas of the study hospital. Consequently, there is a need to provide staff with education and support in order to deal with this issue and minimize the impact of increasing levels of aggression in the workplace.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2000

The stigma of epilepsy: a European perspective.

PURPOSE: To study the stigma of epilepsy in a European sample. METHODS: Clinical and demographic details and information about patient-perceived stigma was collected by using self-completed questionnaires mailed to members of epilepsy support groups. RESULTS: Stigma data were collected from >5,000 patients living in 15 countries in Europe. Fifty-one percent reported feeling stigmatised, with 18% reporting feeling highly stigmatised. High scores were correlated with worry, negative feelings about life, long-term health problems, injuries, and reported side effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Cross-cultural comparisons revealed significant differences between countries. A multivariate analysis identified impact of epilepsy, age of onset, country of origin, feelings about life, and injuries associated with epilepsy as significant contributors on scores on the stigma scale. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the findings of previous studies that have identified the importance of both clinical and nonclinical factors in understanding the stigma of epilepsy. The results of cross-cultural differences require further explanation, and much more research should be conducted to reduce the stigma associated with epilepsy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Inferior vena cava filters for HIV infected patients with pulmonary embolism and contraindications to anticoagulation.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the mode of presentation, interventions, and outcome of HIV infected patients with pulmonary embolism and a contraindication to anticoagulation, who were treated with a bird's nest filter. METHODS: Retrospective review of case records and imaging department database at UCL Hospitals, London, UK. RESULTS: Three patients had pulmonary embolism and contraindications to anticoagulation. Contraindications were concomitant intracerebral pathology in two patients (one also had bleeding from gastric Kaposi's sarcoma and the other was cognitively impaired with HIV associated dementia complex) and alcohol induced liver disease/binge drinking in the third patient. Anticoagulation was avoided by introducing a bird's nest filter into the inferior vena cava via the common femoral vein. During follow up (7, 8, and 21 months) no complications or recurrent pulmonary emboli occurred. CONCLUSION: The bird's nest inferior vena cava filter has a role in preventing further pulmonary emboli in HIV infected patients with contraindications to anticoagulation.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

T cell depleted haploidentical bone marrow transplantation for the treatment of children with severe combined immunodeficiency.

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is fatal in early childhood if unrecognized and if not treated. The aim was to determine the efficacy of T cell depleted bone marrow transplantation (TCD BMT) in the treatment of children with SCID. Eleven children diagnosed with SCID received histocompatible related donor bone marrow transplantation--HRD BMT (group I). Thirty seven children diagnosed with SCID who did not have histocompatible donors were treated with TCD haploidentical parental bone marrow transplantation (BMT) (group II). TCD was performed by in vitro soybean lectin agglutination followed by E-rosette depletion. Patients were longitudinally assessed for the presence and function of T and B lymphocytes. In group I all children survived. The mean age of children in this group at the time of HRD BMT was 15.4 months. All surviving patients normalized their specific T cell function. Two out of 11 require treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin i.v. Ig. In group II 17 out of 37 (46%) children survived. At the time of TCD BMT the mean age of survivors was 7.5 months, vs. 11.4 months in patients who died. Death was caused most commonly by opportunistic infections, Epstein-Barr virus induced lymphoproliferative disease (EBV-LPD), and graft versus host disease (GvHD). Seventeen out of 17 surviving patients recovered normal numbers of CD3+ cells and antigen specific T cell function. Five out of 17 never recovered their B cell function and require i.v. Ig injections. Early diagnosis, prevention or treatment of opportunistic infections, and enhancement of immune recovery will be necessary to improve survival in patients with SCID treated with TCD BMT.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Gonadotroph-lactotroph associations and expression of prolactin receptors in the equine pituitary gland throughout the seasonal reproductive cycle.

An interaction between gonadotroph and lactotroph cells of the pituitary gland has long been recognized in several species. The current study was conducted to investigate whether an association between gonadotrophs and lactotrophs occurs in mares and whether prolactin receptors are expressed within the pituitary gland of this species. The effects of both reproductive state and season on these variables were examined in pituitary glands obtained from sexually active mares in July (breeding season), sexually active mares in November (non-breeding season) and anoestrous mares in November. Pituitaries were dissected out immediately after death and immunofluorescent staining was carried out on 6 micrometer sections using specific antibodies to the LHbeta subunit, FSHbeta subunit, prolactin and prolactin receptor. Gonadotrophs were observed in both the pars distalis and pars tuberalis; although they appeared mostly as isolated cells, small groups of gonadotrophs were also identified in the pars distalis. In contrast, lactotrophs were observed only as clusters of cells exclusively in the pars distalis of sexually active and anoestrous mares in November and in most of the sexually active mares in July. A specific gonadotroph-lactotroph association was identified only between large isolated gonadotrophs and lactotroph clusters. Double immunofluorescent staining for FSHbeta and prolactin revealed a similar gonadotroph-lactotroph association to the one detected for LH gonadotrophs. No statistical difference in the gonadotroph:lactotroph ratio was observed as a result of changes in reproductive status or season. However, a tendency for a simultaneous decrease in the number of gonadotrophs and an increase in the number of lactotrophs was detected in anoestrous animals. Prolactin receptor immunoreactivity was found in the pars distalis, but not in the pars tuberalis, of sexually active (July and November) and anoestrous animals for both long and short forms of the receptor. No prolactin receptor co-localization for either form of the receptor was observed in LH or FSH gonadotrophs in either of the reproductive states examined during both summer and winter seasons. Furthermore, no significant difference was apparent in the proportion of cells expressing prolactin receptors between mares of different reproductive state or season. The specific anatomical association between gonadotroph and lactotroph cells and the expression of prolactin receptors in the equine pituitary gland indicate a potential role of prolactin in the regulation of gonadotrophin secretion. However, the absence of evidence for co-localization of prolactin receptors in LH or FSH cells does not support the hypothesis of a direct effect of prolactin on the gonadotroph as reported in a short day breeder. The results raise the possibility that, in horses, an intermediate regulatory cell may mediate the action of prolactin on gonadotroph function.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Reconstitution of early lymphoid proliferation and immune function in Jak3-deficient mice by interleukin-3.

Expansion of early lymphoid progenitors requires interleukin-7 (IL-7), which functions through gamma(c)-mediated receptor activation of Jak3. Jak3 deficiency is a cause of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) in humans and mice. IL-3 activates many of the same signaling pathways as IL-7, such as Stat5, but achieves this effect through the activation of Jak2 rather than Jak3. We hypothesized that expansion of an IL-7-responsive precursor population through a Jak3-independent pathway using IL-3 may stimulate early lymphoid progenitors and restore lymphopoiesis in Jak3(-/-) mice. Newborn Jak3(-/-) mice that were injected with IL-3 demonstrated thymic enlargement, a 2- to 20-fold increase in thymocyte numbers, and up to a 10-fold expansion in the number of CD4(+), CD8(+), and B220(+)/IgM(+) splenic lymphocytes, consistent with an effect upon an early lymphoid progenitor population. In contrast to control mice, IL-3-treated Jak3(-/-) mice challenged with the allogeneic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-bearing tumor P815 developed a specific CD8-dependent cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response. IL-3-treated mice also mounted influenza-specific CTL responses and survival was prolonged. The beneficial effects of IL-3 are proposed to be produced by stimulation of a lymphoid precursor population of IL-7Ralpha(+)/IL-3Ralpha(+) cells that we identified in wild-type bone marrow. In vitro, we show that an early IL-7R(+) lymphoid progenitor population expresses IL-3R and proliferates in response to IL-3 and that IL-3 activates Stat5 comparably to IL-7. Clinically, IL-3 may therefore be useful treatment for X-linked and Jak3-deficient SCID patients who lack bone marrow donors.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Giant cell angiofibroma of the buccal mucosa.

We report a case of a patient with a recently described entity (giant cell angiofibroma) occurring in the oral cavity. A submucosal solid tumor arising in the right buccal mucosa of a 46-year-old woman was histologically characterized by a patternless spindle-cell proliferation within a generally myxoid stroma containing areas of perivascular sclerosis. Numerous multinucleated giant cells of the floret type were present. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells and multinucleated giant cells exhibited positivity for CD34. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a giant cell angiofibroma arising in the oral cavity.

Angiofibroma↗
PubMed1999

Comparison of weal and flare responses to platelet activating factor (PAF) and histamine, and the ultrastructural effects of PAF in the skin of atopic and normal subjects.

Weal volume and flare area responses to intradermal platelet activating factor (PAF) and histamine, both in the presence and absence of the protein carrier, human serum albumin (HSA), were measured in the skin of normal subjects, atopics without dermatitis, and in the normal-appearing skin of patients with atopic dermatitis. The ultrastructural effects of intradermal PAF were also studied in the same groups of subjects. Weal and flare dose-responses to PAF were enhanced by the presence of human serum albumin, HSA itself producing a significantly greater mean weal response in each group than lyso-PAF (P < 0.01). However, comparison of normal subjects, atopics without dermatitis and patients with atopic dermatitis, showed the differences in dose-response effects of PAF and histamine on weal volume and flare area to be nonsignificant. The cellular response to PAF in normal subjects and atopics consisted predominantly of neutrophil extravasation; eosinophils were noted in the normal-appearing skin of atopics and patients with atopic dermatitis 30 min and 4 h after injection. At an ultrastructural level PAF induced opening of endothelial gaps and extravasation of neutrophils in each group.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1999

Assessment of executive function in patients with mild traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: The nature of functional deficit after mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) defined by Glasgow Coma Score of 13-15 is not fully described. This study explored the sensitivity of several neuropsychological tests to identify sequelae of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: Eleven adult patients with mild TBI admitted to a Level 1 trauma center were studied. The battery of tests included the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children -Revised: Mazes Subtest, Trails A and B, the Boston Naming Test, The Multilingual Aphasia Examination: Controlled Oral Word Association Test, and the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task. RESULTS: Control subjects performed significantly better than patients with mild TBI on Trails A and B, the Controlled Oral Word Association Test, and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (subtests 2-4). No significant differences in performances between patients and controls was found for the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children -Revised: Mazes Subtest, Boston Naming Test, and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task Subtest 1. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that tests of specific frontal lobe executive functions are valuable in diagnosing and monitoring recovery from mild TBI.

Adult↗