Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Downie

Publications and source records attributed to J Downie.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Assessment of self-report in HIV surveillance: a pilot study.

The basis of HIV exposure category classification was investigated among selected cases of newly diagnosed HIV infection. Questionnaires seeking specific information on patient-reported exposure to HIV were forwarded to doctors who had requested the HIV antibody test for patients who met the study sample criteria. The cases of interest were those newly diagnosed between 1 January and 31 October 1991 and notified to state and territory health authorities as having been attributed to exposures to HIV other than male homosexual contact or receipt of blood, blood products or tissue. A total of 158 questionnaires was forwarded and 59 per cent were returned. Among the returned questionnaires included in the study sample, exposure to HIV on the original notification to the health authority was given as injecting drug use (8 per cent, 3 of 37), heterosexual contact (46 per cent, 17 of 37), or unavailable (46 per cent, 17 of 37). A clear basis for HIV exposure category classification was provided on the questionnaires for 70 per cent (7 of 10) of cases among women, whereas among men whose infection was attributed to heterosexual contact, a basis for exposure category classification was specified for only 43 per cent (10 of 23) of cases. Although the study was limited by the low response rate, use of the questionnaire provided a relatively simple means for assessing self-reported HIV exposure history.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Ethics education for Canadian medical students.

This study was designed to determine the nature, extent, and quality of medical ethics education for students in Canadian medical schools. In 1989, a questionnaire that used primarily open-ended questions was sent to all 16 Canadian medical schools; they all responded. Significant findings include the following: 15 of the 16 schools provided some ethics education (with wide-ranging objectives); the amounts of time alloted for such instruction ranged from ten and a half hours to 45 hours (per degree, not per year), with no discernible pattern in the distribution of hours across the years; most teaching was case-based and issue-oriented; most instructors were physicians; and almost all the schools conducted assessments of students using a pass-fail standard.

Canada↗
PubMed1990

Prophylaxis against postsplenectomy pneumococcal infection.

An excess risk of overwhelming sepsis following splenectomy is well established. In view of this, surgical responsibility must embrace the administration of pneumococcal prophylaxis. Current recommendations vary, but routine pneumococcal vaccination, together with penicillin prophylaxis in selected patients, is advocated widely. This retrospective review of 75 patients undergoing splenectomy was undertaken in order to evaluate the extent to which current practice complies with these recommendations. Among surviving patients, the incidence of vaccination with polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine (PPV) was found to vary according to operative indication. All haematological patients received pre-operative PPV. Two-thirds of multitrauma patients were vaccinated, while 42% of patients who required splenectomy following accidental intra-operative trauma received PPV. Only 11% of patients who underwent incidental splenectomy were vaccinated. Long-term antibiotic prophylaxis was commenced in 33% of surviving patients under 20 years of age, and in 8% with underlying malignancy. These results highlight a need for greater vigilance in the administration of pneumococcal prophylaxis, particularly following accidental or incidental splenectomy.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Influenza in Melbourne, 1982. Epidemiology and virology.

The major features of the outbreaks of influenza A and B, which occurred in Melbourne during the winter of 1982, are described. Diagnoses of influenza A or influenza B were established in 310 patients by virus isolation, immunofluorescence, and serological tests. Immunofluorescence was found to be a valuable, rapid, but considerably less sensitive, test than virus isolation, and serodiagnosis was the test of choice either when patients did not present or when specimens were not collected until late in the illness. The results of haemagglutination-inhibition tests performed with a panel of monoclonal antibodies suggest that at least two recognizably different strains of influenza A and influenza B were circulating in the community.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Swine influenza-like viruses in turkeys: potential source of virus for humans?

Influenza A viruses (subtype H1N1), recently isolated from turkeys in different areas of the United States, were determined to be closely related to strains typically associated with pigs. This conclusion was based on comparisons of H1N1 isolates from pigs, humans, ducks, and turkeys with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, RNA-RNA competitive hybridization, and replication studies. One of the H1N1 isolates from turkeys caused influenza in a laboratory technician, who displayed fever, respiratory illness, virus shedding, and seroconversion. These results suggest that turkeys as well as pigs are involved in the maintenance of these viruses and their transmission to humans.

Animals↗
PubMed1974

Levels of prostaglandins in human endometrium during the normal menstrual cycle.

The levels of prostaglandins in the human endometrium throughout the normal menstrual cycle were measured by bioassay. The identity of prostaglandin F(2alpha) and prostaglandin E(2) in endometrial tissue extracts was established by combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.The levels of prostaglandin F(2alpha) and prostaglandin E(2) are low during the proliferative phase of the cycle (10-25 ng/100 mg tissue). Prostaglandin F(2alpha) rises significantly during the luteal phase to levels of 65-75 ng/100 mg of tissue. Prostaglandin E(2) levels are similar to prostaglandin F(2alpha) levels in the proliferative phase but remain lower during the luteal phase. The prostaglandin E(2) level is highest at menstruation (52 ng/100 mg tissue). The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the menstrual process and to the steroid hormonal changes during the cycle.

Journal Article↗