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Biomedical subjects

J Cooper

Publications and source records attributed to J Cooper.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

The epidemiology of back injuries in nurses at a large Canadian tertiary care hospital: implications for prevention.

Two years of prospective data on 416 back injuries were gathered at a 1100-bed acute and tertiary care hospital to assist target prevention efforts. The rate of injury among 1645 nurses was found to be highest for those working on orthopaedic, medicine, neurology, spinal and surgery wards, indicating priorities for prevention. In fact, 51% of the orthopaedic nurses sustained at least one back injury during the two-year period. Gender did not significantly affect the risk of back injury; however, injuries were slightly more common in nurses with less seniority and younger nurses were found to be at significantly increased risk of back injury. Almost 63% of the back injuries which occurred in nurses working 8 h shifts on the high-risk wards occurred during the first two hours of the shift. Lifting and transferring patients with assistance were the two most common mechanisms for back injury (22.6% and 23.3%, respectively). In total, injured nurses attributed 52.3% of their injuries to inadequate training; inadequate staffing was given as the primary reason for 13.8% of the injuries. The results suggest that training in the indications for and use of mechanical devices for lifting/transferring patients requires intensification, and a 'warm-up' period should also be considered in the face of injuries occurring early in the shift if work activities cannot be evenly planned.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Immunogenicity of recombinant Plasmodium falciparum rhoptry associated proteins 1 and 2.

Mice and rabbits immunized with recombinant forms of malaria vaccine candidate antigens rhoptry-associated proteins 1 and 2 (RAP-1, RAP-2 and rRAP-1, rRAP-2) produce antibodies at titres equivalent to monoclonal antibody ascites fluid raised against the native proteins. Sera from animals immunized with rRAP-1 contain antibodies which recognize the native protein by indirect immunofluorescence and immunoblotting, partially inhibit erythrocyte invasion in vitro and are long lasting. Epitope mapping shows these antibodies predominantly recognize epitopes in the N-terminal third of rRAP-1, some of which coincide with the targets of inhibitory monoclonal antibodies. By contrast, sera from animals immunized with rRAP-2 contain antibodies which recognize the recombinant but not the native protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Characterization of the novel protein kinase activity present in the R1 subunit of herpes simplex virus ribonucleotide reductase.

We have compared the protein kinase activities of the R1 subunits from herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) ribonucleotide reductase following expression in Escherichia coli. Autophosphorylation activity was observed when kinase assays were performed with immunoprecipitated R1 or proteins purified to homogeneity, and the activity was stimulated by the basic protein protamine. Transphosphorylation of histones or calmodulin by purified or immunoprecipitated HSV-1 and HSV-2 R1 was not observed, and our results suggest that the activities of these two proteins are similar. We further characterized the protein kinase activity of HSV-1 R1 by producing insertion and deletion mutants constructed with a plasmid expressing R1 amino acids 1 to 449. C-terminal deletion analysis identified the catalytic core of the enzyme as comprising residues 1 to 292, and this polypeptide will be useful for structural determinations by X-ray crystallography. Insertion of a 4-amino-acid sequence at sites within the protein kinase domain identified regions essential for activity; insertions at residues 22 and 112 completely inactivated activity, and an insertion at residue 136 reduced activity sixfold. Similar insertions at residues 257, 262, 292, and 343 had no effect on activity. The ATP analog 5'-fluorosulfonylbenzoyladenosine, which covalently modifies conventional eukaryotic kinases at an essential lysine residue within the active site, did label HSV R1, but this labelling occurred outside the N-terminal domain. These data indicate that the HSV R1 kinase is novel and distinct from other eukaryotic protein kinases.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1995

Effect of low dose sotalol on the signal averaged P wave in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of low dose sotalol on the signal averaged surface P wave in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. DESIGN: A longitudinal within patient crossover study. SETTING: Cardiac departments of a regional cardiothoracic centre and a district general hospital. PATIENTS: Sixteen patients with documented paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The median (range) age of the patients was 65.5 (36-70) years; 11 were men. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Analysis of the signal averaged P wave recorded from patients not receiving antiarrhythmic medication and after 4-6 weeks' treatment with sotalol. P wave limits were defined automatically by a computer algorithm. Filtered P wave duration and energies contained in frequency bands from 20, 30, 40, 60, and 80 to 150 Hz of the P wave spectrum expressed as absolute values (P20, P30, etc) and as ratios of high to low frequency energy (PR20, PR30, etc) were measured. RESULTS: No difference in P wave duration was observed between the groups studied (mean (SEM) 149 (4) without medication and 152 (3) ms with sotalol). Significant decreases in high frequency P wave energy (for example P60: 4.3 (0.4) v 3.3 (0.3) microV2.s, P = 0.003) and energy ratio (PR60: 5.6 (0.5) v 4.7 (0.6), P = 0.03) were observed during sotalol treatment. These changes were independent of heart rate. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with low dose sotalol reduces high frequency P wave energy but does not change P wave duration. These results are consistent with the class III effect of the drug and suggest that signal averaging of the surface P wave may be a useful non-invasive measure of drug induced changes in atrial electrophysiology.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The determination of sensory deficits in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

Therapeutic intervention for children with cerebral palsy begins with accurate appraisal of abilities and disabilities. Currently, treatment focuses on the identified motor deficits, with any underlying sensory deficits often being overlooked. Sensory input is an essential component of motor function and motor control. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the presence and extent of sensory deficits in school-aged hemiplegic children using a formal clinical sensory battery, as well as somatosensory evoked potentials. A cross-sectional comparative study was performed comparing sensory function in hemiplegic children and healthy controls. Nine hemiplegic children and 41 healthy controls between 4 and 19 years of age were assessed. Hemiplegic children were included if they had a minimum level of receptive language function of 30 to 33 months and expressive language ability of 24 to 27 months, and no severe limitation of joint range of the hand. Significant bilateral sensory deficits (88.8%) were ascertained in hemiplegic children (P < .05), when compared to the performance of the healthy controls. Stereognosis and proprioception were the chief modalities affected bilaterally. The extent of sensory loss did not mirror the severity of motor deficit. Conversely, findings on somatosensory evoked potentials were closely related to motor function. Thus, a clinical sensory evaluation should be an integral part of the assessment of children with cerebral palsy. The likelihood of sensory impairment in one or more modalities on the hemiplegic or nonhemiplegic side is underappreciated and needs to be identified by rehabilitation specialists to maximize the functional potential of these children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Reliability of stomach temperature changes in determining feeding characteristics of seabirds

We examined the accuracy of stomach temperature archival units (STAUs), which are typically used to determine feeding activity in marine endotherms, with regard to determination of the time of prey ingestion as well as the number of prey items ingested and their masses. Units were deployed in nine species of free-living seabirds, where feeding conditions were uncontrolled, eight species of captive seabirds, where feeding conditions could be partially controlled, and in laboratory stomach simulations, where variables could be strictly controlled. The quality of data obtained on the timing of feeding, the mass ingested and the number of prey items ingested was subject to two main sources of error (i) those induced by changes in animal activity and (ii) those resulting from the physical form of the STAUs themselves. Animal activity factors considered important included the following: variability in (a) body temperature, (b) stomach blood perfusion, (c) consistency of stomach contents and (d) stomach churning and changes in body orientation. The physical form (size and buoyancy) of the STAU affected the location of the unit within the stomach, and thus the likelihood that ingested prey comes into contact with the sensor. The timing of prey ingestion can generally be determined accurately; however, considerable errors in mass estimates can occur if data acquired using STAUs are not critically assessed. An understanding of these sources of errors will allow researchers to construct STAUs appropriate to the species being studied and to analyze data critically so that errors are reduced.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1995

New classification for mental disorders with management guidelines for use in primary care: ICD-10 PHC chapter five.

A primary care version of the International classification of diseases (10th revision) chapter five for mental and behavioural disorders (ICD-10 PHC chapter five) has been developed. This provisional version focuses on 24 conditions which are frequently seen in primary care and which can be managed effectively by general practitioners. The classification is accompanied by a flipcard for each of the conditions. The cards have diagnostic guidelines on one side and management guidelines on the other. The latter provide information which should be given to the patient, advice on the content of counselling, the available treatment methods, and indications for specialist referral. This classification system is also supported by diagnostic decision making aids, medication cards, and patient leaflets to facilitate the recognition and management of patients with mental disorders in primary care settings. The draft version of ICD-10 PHC chapter five will be finalized after field trials which will test the applicability and usefulness of the system in different primary care settings in various countries.

Depression↗