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Biomedical subjects

J Ferguson

Publications and source records attributed to J Ferguson.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Enterobacter sakazakii infections in neonates associated with intrinsic contamination of a powdered infant formula.

We report an outbreak of Enterobacter sakazakii infection and colonization in neonates related to an infant formula contaminated during the manufacturing process. The outbreak occurred in a 20-bed neonatal intensive care unit during a six-week period in 1988, and involved a total of four infants. Three infants had sepsis and three had bloody diarrhea; all patients responded to intravenous antibiotics and recovered without complications. The E sakazakii isolated from the formula had the same plasmid and multilocus enzyme profile as those isolated from patients. This outbreak demonstrates the significance of commercially contaminated formulas and emphasizes the need to limit contamination and multiplication of bacteria in enteral formulas.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed1989

A study of the photodegradation of leukotriene B4 by ultraviolet irradiation (UVB, UVA).

In view of the presence of the polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) chemoattractant Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) in the surface scale of the psoriatic lesion and the known therapeutic effect of phototherapy in psoriasis, the photostability of LTB4 was investigated. LTB4 was irradiated with dosages of UVB (290-320 nm) ranging from 100-1500 mJ cm-2 and with dosages of UVA (320-400 nm) ranging from 5-40 J cm-2. Topical application of UVB irradiated LTB4 to the forearm skin of normal volunteers showed a marked reduction in cutaneous erythema, paralleled histologically by reduced transepidermal PMN migration when compared with sites of application of unirradiated and UVA irradiated LTB4. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) demonstrated a dose-dependent photodegradation of LTB4 by UVB irradiation. UVA irradiation produced no such effect. The wavelengths responsible lie within the absorption spectrum of LTB4. In vitro chemotaxis studies, using an under agarose technique, showed a statistically significant reduction in the migration of PMN from both psoriatic and non-psoriatic subjects to the UVB irradiated LTB4 compared with the unirradiated LTB4, whilst UVA irradiated LTB4 produced a normal PMN chemotactic response.

Chemotaxis, Leukocyte↗
PubMed1989

Production of additional atypical alloantibodies in Rh(D)-sensitized pregnancies managed by intrauterine investigation methods.

The production of additional atypical alloantibodies by previously Rh(D)-alloimmunized antenatal patients can complicate the clinical management of both mother and fetus. The relative risks of stimulating additional antibodies following the use of intrauterine investigation methods currently used for the management of haemolytic disease of the newborn have been assessed. A significantly (P less than 0.05, X2) greater number of additional antibodies were detected during pregnancy in the group of pregnancies managed by intrauterine transfusion (IUT) (3/29) than in those managed without recourse to intrauterine investigation (0/50), although one of the patients in the IUT group produced a further antibody following a fetal blood sample but before an IUT had been carried out. The number of additional antibodies detected post-delivery was significantly greater (P less than 0.02) in pregnancies managed by intrauterine transfusion (2/10) than in those managed by fetal haematocrit determination alone (0/28).

Blood Specimen Collection↗
PubMed1989

Polymorphonuclear leucocyte chemotaxis in response to leukotriene B4 in treated and untreated psoriatics.

Various chemoattractants have been implicated in the aetiology of the polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) migration into the epidermis seen in early lesions of psoriasis. Using an under-agarose technique, the in vitro chemotactic responses of PMN to the arachidonic acid lipoxygenase product leukotriene B4 (LTB4) were assayed in five groups of subjects: normal healthy volunteers (n = 12), untreated psoriatics (n = 11) and psoriatics treated with topical tar (n = 12), PUVA (n = 11) and UVB phototherapy (n = 10). No significant difference was observed between the responses of control subjects and of untreated psoriatics, nor between the untreated psoriatic group and the PUVA- and UVB-treated groups, respectively. However, comparison of the tar-treated and untreated groups revealed a significantly increased chemotactic response to LTB4 in the tar-treated group (p less than 0.01).

Chemotaxis, Leukocyte↗
PubMed1989

Photochemotherapy. A reappraisal of its use in dermatology.

Oral psoralen photochemotherapy was introduced for the treatment of psoriasis in the mid-1970s. Since then it has become an established technique, generally giving good clearance rates of affected areas, and its usefulness has extended to treatment of other conditions. It is popular with patients but possible ocular complications must be avoided and the potential for carcinogenesis should be recognised. Although essentially palliative rather than curative, it has achieved major successes in the treatment of psoriasis and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, and is also of benefit in the management of vitiligo. This article reviews over a decade of clinical and laboratory findings. Therapeutic responses are summarised and consideration is given to the protection of patients and staff.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Beliefs and inferences: a test of a rational-emotive hypothesis: 2. On the prospect of seeing a spider.

96 subjects were asked to imagine that they were about to enter a room in which there may have been one or more spiders. They were also asked to imagine that (a) they either held a rational or an irrational belief about spiders, (b) they were about to enter the room either alone or with someone, and (c) that the room was either dark or light. Having absorbed their assigned role, the subjects were then asked to make inferences about various elements of their situation. The results supported the hypothesis that holding an irrational belief leads to more negative inferences. It was also found that the lighting conditions in the room and whether the subject was alone or with someone affected the negativity of the inferences made. In addition, there were several two-way and three-way interactions between the independent variables which indicated that entering a light room or being with someone else tended to moderate the negativity of inferences made by those holding a rational belief rather than the opposite, amplifying the negativity of inferences made by those holding an irrational belief. The results supported Ellis's (1985) recent formulation concerning the complex relationship between events and inferences (A), beliefs (B), and emotional and behavioral consequences of beliefs (C).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Maternal alcoholism and anorexia nervosa: a possible association?

The use of modern epidemiological and biostatistical methods has been lacking in the research literature on anorexia nervosa. The present study utilized a retrospective case control design in which 40 cases of anorexia nervosa were matched to two separate control series, one being population based and one being clinic based. Odds ratio of 4.00 (p less than 0.006) and 7.67 (p less than 0.001) were obtained for family history of alcoholism and family history of psychological disorders, respectively, among the families of anorexia nervosa cases. The implications of this result for treatment planning and implementation are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Cardiac transplantation: University of South Florida--Tampa General Hospital experience.

Cardiac transplantation has evolved from an experimental procedure to an accepted mode of therapy that prolongs life in patients with severe heart failure. The University of South Florida-Tampa General Hospital began performing cardiac transplantation for the treatment of end-stage cardiac disease in June 1985. Since then 42 heart transplantations have been performed and 30 patients are alive and well. The one-year actuarial survival is 78.73% and the two-year actuarial survival is 72.15%. Multiple complications have been encountered most notably rejection and infection. The recent approval of the USF/TGH program as a Medicare funded cardiac transplantation center is expected to greatly expand the number of potential recipients and will provide the residents of Florida, and the Southeastern United States, with an additional health care resource.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Intestinal mucosal mast cells: enumeration in urticaria pigmentosa and systemic mastocytosis.

Endoscopic gastrointestinal mucosal biopsy specimens from one patient with systemic mastocytosis and five with urticaria pigmentosa (UP) were fixed with Carnoy's reagent and then stained for chloracetate esterase. The mast cell population densities were enumerated in the mucosa using cursor planimetry. Compared with controls, mast cell counts were increased in gastric and duodenal but not sigmoid mucosae. On a histological basis, systemic involvement would appear commoner in urticaria pigmentosa than is generally expected. Gastrointestinal symptoms did not relate to elevated mucosal mast cell counts.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

311 nm UVB phototherapy--an effective treatment for psoriasis.

Fifty two psoriatic patients were treated with a new experimental fluorescent lamp (Philips TL-01) emitting a narrow band at 311 +/- 2 nm (UVB) which had the advantage of a reduction in burning and carcinogenic wavelengths when compared with conventional broad band UVB therapy. Results of the '311' treated group when compared with broad band UVB therapy revealed a similar percentage of patients achieving a satisfactory response with fewer burning episodes and an increase in duration of remission.

Humans↗
PubMed1988

Antenatal fetal blood sampling for the management of alloimmunized pregnancies: effect upon maternal anti-D potency levels.

Increase in maternal anti-D concentrations after intrauterine investigation has been studied retrospectively in 95 rhesus (D) alloimmunized pregnancies; 48 were managed by fetal blood sampling (FBS) procedures (using fetoscopy or ultrasound-guided needle sampling) and 47 using amniocentesis. In those pregnancies where the fetus was rhesus (D) positive, the frequency of procedure-related increases (greater than 50%) in maternal anti-D potency was estimated following single procedures and found to be similar for the two methods of FBS employed (28%) and for amniocentesis (31%). The proportion of pregnancies showing an increase in anti-D potency was higher after ultrasound-guided needle sampling (75%) than after fetoscopic FBS (40%) and after amniocentesis (44%).

Amniocentesis↗
PubMed1988

The effect of epostane, a 3-beta hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase inhibitor, on maternal and fetal steroid levels during mid-gestation.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to assess the maternal and fetal endocrine effects of epostane, an inhibitor of progesterone synthesis, in mid-pregnancy. Although present in the maternal circulation, epostane was not detected in cord blood or amniotic fluid. Maternal and fetal progesterone levels fell by 80% and 95% respectively with maintenance of the fetal arterio-venous difference while oestradiol and aldosterone levels were affected to a lesser extent. The mechanism of 3-beta hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase suppression and the relation between fetal and maternal progesterone levels are discussed.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1988

Mutations in a gene encoding the alpha subunit of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae G protein indicate a role in mating pheromone signaling.

Mutations which allowed conjugation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells lacking a mating pheromone receptor gene were selected. One of the genes defined by such mutations was isolated from a yeast genomic library by complementation of a temperature-sensitive mutation and is identical to the gene GPA1 (also known as SCG1), recently shown to be highly homologous to genes encoding the alpha subunits of mammalian G proteins. Physiological analysis of temperature-sensitive gpa1 mutations suggests that the encoded G protein is involved in signaling in response to mating pheromones. Mutational disruption of G-protein activity causes cell-cycle arrest in G1, deposition of mating-specific cell surface agglutinins, and induction of pheromone-specific mRNAs, all of which are responses to pheromone in wild-type cells. In addition, mutants can conjugate without the benefit of mating pheromone or pheromone receptor. A model is presented where the activated G protein has a negative impact on a constitutive signal which normally keeps the pheromone response repressed.

Agglutinins↗
PubMed1988

Demystifying the patient dropout: a study of 122 brief-stay day-treatment center admissions.

Past studies examining the dropout from treatment phenomenon have failed to identify comparable populations or a standardized definition of the term "patient dropout." Although the phenomenon is widespread, few investigators have studied the problem within day-treatment programs serving subacutely disturbed clients in need of socialization or prevocational services. The primary purpose of the present study was to determine the reasons for brief Day Treatment Center (DTC) stays of 10 sessions or fewer and to ascertain implications of these findings for admission screening processes. Analysis of demographic information revealed that the average brief-stay patient was in his mid-thirties, was single (65%), was schizophrenic (39%) or suffering a mood disorder (27%), and had attended up to 4 days (63%) before leaving treatment. A retrospective review of 122 brief stay records revealed six categories of reasons for leaving the DTC: (1) a desire to return to work, (2) exacerbation of psychiatric symptoms, (3) resistance to treatment recommendations, (4) negative reaction to the treatment milieu, (5) a desire for less intense treatment, and (6) a belief that problems were resolved during the brief stay. The authors concluded that admission screening interviewers would benefit from complete past school and work records. Strategies for reducing dropout rates should include (1) longer transition periods for newly referred patients, (2) obligatory meetings with the patient and his family and therapist before inpatient discharge, and (3) improved orientation to the DTC program.

Day Care, Medical↗