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Biomedical subjects

J Fitzpatrick

Publications and source records attributed to J Fitzpatrick.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Technical report: Magnetic resonance direct thrombus imaging at 3 T field strength in patients with lower limb deep vein thrombosis: a feasibility study.

AIM: To investigate the feasibility of imaging lower limb deep vein thrombosis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3.0 T magnetic field strength with an optimized a T1 magnetization prepared rapid gradient echo technique (MP-RAGE) in patients with normal volunteers as controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with deep vein thrombosis (n = 4), thrombophlebitis (n = 2) and healthy volunteers (n = 9) were studied. MRI of the distal thigh and upper calf was performed at 3.0 T with MP-RAGE using two pre-pulses to suppress blood and fat (flip angle 15 degrees, echo time 5 ms, and repetition time 10 ms). A qualitative analysis was performed for detection of thrombi and image quality. Contrast-to-noise ratios were determined in thrombosed and patent veins. RESULTS: Thrombi were clearly visible as high-signal intensity structures with good suppression of the anatomical background. A blinded reader accurately diagnosed 15 out of 16 cases. The contrast-to-noise ratio measurements showed a positive contrast of thrombus over background muscle 16.9 (SD 4.3, 95% CI: 12.5-21.3) and a negative contrast of the lumen to muscle in patent veins of normal volunteers -7.8 (SD 4.3, 95% CI: -11.1 to -4.5), with p = 0.0015. CONCLUSION: Thrombi generate high signal intensity at 3.0 T allowing for their direct visualization if flowing blood, stationary blood and fat are sufficiently suppressed. This preliminary data supports the development of these techniques for other vascular applications.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Cross-sectional estimation of Babesia bovis antibody prevalence in cattle in two contrasting dairying areas in Tanzania.

The crude prevalence of antibodies to Babesia bovis infection in cattle was estimated by serology using indirect ELISA during the period January to April, 1999. Sera were obtained from 1,395 dairy cattle (of all ages, sexes and breeds) on smallholder farms, the majority being kept under a zero grazing regime. The crude prevalence of antibodies to Babesia bovis was 6 % for Tanga and 12 % for Iringa. The forces of infection based on the age sero-prevalence profile, were estimated at six for Iringa and four for Tanga per 100 cattle years-risk, respectively. Using random effect logistic regression as the analytical method, the factors (variables) of age, source of animals and geographic location were hypothesised to be associated with sero-positivity of Babesia bovis in the two regions.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2003

Evaluation of PCR to detect Theileria parva in field-collected tick and bovine samples in Tanzania.

The ability of PCR to detect infections of Theileria parva, the cause of East Coast Fever, in field-collected tick and bovine samples from Tanzania was evaluated. PCR-detected infection prevalence was high (15/20, 75%) in unfed adult Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks that fed as nymphs on an acutely-infected calf, but low (22/836, 2.6%) in unfed adult R. appendiculatus collected from field sites in Tanzania. Tick infection prevalence was comparable to that in previous studies that used salivary gland staining to detect T. parva infection in field-collected host-seeking ticks. Of 282 naturally-exposed zebu calves, seven had PCR-positive buffy coat samples prior to detection of Theileria spp. parasites in stained buffy coat cells or lymph node biopsies. Evidence of Theileria spp. infections was detected in stained smears of lymph node biopsies from 109 calves (38.6%) and buffy coat samples from 81 (28.7%), while buffy coat samples from 66 (23.4%) were PCR-positive for T. parva. Implications of these findings for the sensitivity and specificity of the PCR are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Serum amyloid A is a better early predictor of severity than C-reactive protein in acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an early and sensitive marker of the extent of tissue trauma and inflammation. The aim of this study was to compare the early prognostic accuracy of SAA with that of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in acute pancreatitis. METHODS: In a prospective multicentre trial, plasma SAA and CRP levels were measured in patients with severe and mild acute pancreatitis, and in a control group with acute abdominal pain. Plasma samples were collected on admission and at 6-h intervals for 48 h, every 12 h between 48 and 72 h, then daily for 5 days. Plasma SAA was measured by a new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and CRP was measured by immunoturbidometry. RESULTS: There were 137 patients with mild and 35 with severe acute pancreatitis, and 74 control patients. SAA levels were significantly higher in patients with severe acute pancreatitis than in those with mild acute pancreatitis, on admission, at 24 h or less after symptom onset, and subsequently. Whereas plasma CRP concentration was also significantly higher in patients with severe acute pancreatitis on admission, it failed to distinguish mild from severe acute pancreatitis until 30-36 h after symptom onset. SAA levels predicted severity (sensitivity 67 per cent, specificity 70 per cent, negative predictive value 89 per cent, mean(s.d.) area under curve 0.7(0.05)) significantly better than CRP (57 per cent, 60 per cent, 84 per cent, 0.59(0.06) respectively) on admission (P = 0.02) and at 24 h following symptom onset (area under curve 0.65(0.09) versus 0.58(0.09) respectively; P < or = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Plasma SAA concentration is an early marker of severity in acute pancreatitis and is superior to CRP estimation on hospital admission and at 24 h or less after symptom onset. This study suggests that plasma SAA concentration is clinically useful, with the potential to replace CRP in the management of acute pancreatitis.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed2001

Bovine Staphylococcus aureus mastitis: strain recognition and dynamics of infection.

Restriction enzyme fragmentation pattern (REFP) analysis was used to recognise Staphylococcus aureus strain variation in naturally occurring bovine subclinical mastitis. Multiple colony REFP analysis identified eight distinct strains of S. aureus in addition to the original strains A and B that were infused via the intramammary route, indicating that individual quarters of the udder may be colonised simultaneously by more than one strain of S. aureus. Examination of multiple colonies per milk sample may benefit bacterial strain recognition as an epidemiological tool in mastitis investigations. The dynamics of intramammary infection were determined using a novel double crossover experimental challenge. Quarters remained persistently infected for several weeks following challenge in all four cows, irrespective of the challenge strain. This indicated that no alteration of the original subclinical infection, including the possible induction of clearance of the quarters infected with S. aureus, or replacement of the original strain by the infused strain was induced by challenge. The persistent subclinical infection in all four animals supports previous reports on the chronicity of S. aureus intramammary infection in dairy cows.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Ready or not, here it comes: the legal, ethical, and clinical implications of E-mail communications.

Electronic mail (E-mail) has the potential to enhance the professional relationship both between physician and patient, and among physicians of the same and different specialties. Despite this promise, E-mail communication in the medical environment raises important questions of legal, ethical, and professional propriety. This article discusses the potential uses of E-mail in medical practice, identifies its benefits, and analyzes the hazards that may be associated with this new and powerful technology. In doing so, the authors hope to foster an approach to E-mail use that takes advantage of its strengths while developing policies and practices that mitigate its weaknesses.

Child↗
PubMed2000

Oral health care needs of dependent older people: responsibilities of nurses and care staff.

The population of older people as well as the number of dependent older people is steadily increasing. Those unable to live independently at home are being cared for in a range of settings and varying degrees of dependency means that many are unable to attend fully to their needs, one aspect of which is oral care. The fact that the oral and dental health of the UK population is generally improving, makes more emphatic the responsibilities of nurses and care staff in this area. This review of the literature reveals that oral health of older people in continuing care settings is generally inadequate and that nurses' and care staff's knowledge and practice of oral care for older people is variable. Inadequate oral care is identified as multifactorial, with implications for educators, policy makers, practitioners and researchers. The need to address oral care for nurses pre- and post-registration as well as adequate preparation for support workers is highlighted. Development of a robust oral assessment tool, as well as empirical investigation of the effectiveness of oral cleaning agents, equipment and techniques to inform standard setting is indicated, with monitoring of standards being imperative.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Families, groups and clusters of local and health authorities: revised for authorities in 1999.

This is the second of two articles describing the revision of The ONS classification of local and health authorities of Great Britain to take account of area changes in the 1990's. It presents local authorities in Great Britain as at April 1999 in terms of Families, Groups and Clusters, based on 37 socio-economic and demographic variables from the 1991 Census. Health authorities are presented in terms of Families and Groups only, based on the same variables. The previous article (in Population Trends 98) presented, for each local and health authority, up to four other authorities to which it is 'most similar'.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

An investigation into the role of oxygen free radical scavengers in preventing polymethylmethacrylate-induced necrosis in an osteoblast cell culture.

This study examined the effect of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) on osteocytic necrosis and the role of free radical scavengers in minimizing this damage. Bovine osteoblast cells with a characteristic phenotype were seeded at a density of 4x10(4) cells/cm2 and cultured in a DMEM supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum. A transwell insert with 2 cc of PMMA was suspended above the culture, and a time log response curve was established following elusion of free radicals around the osteoblast media. Chemiluminescence was used to determine quantitative free radical release. Using a Student's two-tailed t test there was a significant difference in the amount of hydroxyl radical released at 1-6 hours compared with controls (P=.028). Using histologic markers, there was a significant correlation between the use of PMMA and osteoblast cell necrosis. Transwell plates were coated with varying concentrations of mannitol, a known hydroxyl radical scavenger. A log dose response curve was established. There was a clear statistical association between a 10% mannitol solution and a reduction in the free radical release from PMMA (P=.03). Similarly, using Trypan blue histologic staining, there was a significant reduction in PMMA-induced cell necrosis when 10% mannitol was used as a scavenger (P=.01). A Rockwell superficial hardness test was used to determine whether mannitol had any effect on the surface hardness of the polymer. No statistical difference could be found between those treated with mannitol and controls at a depth of up to 1 mm. These results demonstrate hydroxyl radical is released from the polymerization reaction of PMMA. These radicals cause cell death in an osteoblast culture medium. This has been addressed using a 10% mannitol solution, which reduced cell necrosis.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed2000

Clinical perspective on apoptosis in the management of the BPH patient.

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, alpha(1)-adrenoceptor (AR) antagonists have been assumed to produce clinical benefit by an exclusive action on the tone of the periurethral stromal smooth muscle. However, recent evidence has emerged of additional intra- and extraprostatic actions. METHODS: This article attempts to put into clinical context the recently described effects of certain alpha(1)-AR on prostate cell dynamics (i.e., proliferation and apoptosis). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS There is good evidence that certain alpha(1)-AR antagonists, in addition to affecting stromal smooth muscle, have effects on prostatic apoptosis that contribute to the overall clinical profile. Furthermore, this is not a class effect and may be restricted to balanced quinazoline alpha blockers (BQABs), such as terazosin.

Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists↗
PubMed1999

Making use of official statistics in research on gender and health status: recent British data.

Macintyre et al. [Macintyre, S., Hunt, K., Sweeting, H., 1996. Gender differences in health: are things really as simple as they seem? Social Science and Medicine 42, 617-624] stated that the "whole topic of gender differences in health warrants periodic re-examination". In this paper we begin by presenting an overview of the main sources of national data that are available for monitoring patterns and trends in health by gender. We then give examples of a selection of indicators which contribute to the debate on the nature of differences between men and women in terms of their mortality. morbidity and health service utilisation. We conclude by urging readers to make more use of these sources of data to throw further light on the reasons for the differences and similarities in women's and men's experiences of health.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1999

The histology and immunohistochemistry of free buccal mucosa and full-skin grafts after exposure to urine.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the histological and immunohistochemical behaviour of free buccal mucosa and full-skin grafts after exposure to urine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A buccal mucosal graft and a full-skin graft were freely transferred into the bladder of 12 minipigs, after stripping the bladder mucosa. Endoscopic investigations were carried out 2 and 5 months after surgery, and the grafts examined after death at 7 months, both histologically and immunohistochemically. RESULTS: Shrinkage of the full-skin graft was apparent endoscopically in five cases. Of the nine full-skin grafts, four showed severe inflammatory reactions, two necrosis and two ulcerations. Conversely, the 10 buccal mucosal grafts had fewer pathological findings (three minimal inflammation and three with scars) and a pronounced similarity on immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSION: The buccal mucosal graft showed significantly fewer adverse histopathological findings after long-term exposure to urine than the full-skin graft and is therefore a preferable material for urethral reconstruction.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Salvation Army utilizes intensive personal cultivation campaign.

The cultivation program goal was to increase the cash income through developing good personal rapport with donors. It was decided that no one would be directly asked to give more money during the first couple of years until that rapport was established.

Charities↗
PubMed1999

Which authorities are alike?

This article describes the first results from the recent revision to The ONS classification of local and health authorities of Great Britain to allow for boundary changes. For each local and health authority of Great Britain as at April 1999 it presents 'most similar' authorities as measured by a selection of 37 socioeconomic and demographic variables from the 1991 Census. These results will assist local and health authorities in identifying other appropriate authorities for comparative studies. A second article, to be published in Population Trends 99, will present the results of the analysis to identify groups of authorities in a hierarchy of new Clusters, Groups and Families for the revised classification.

Censuses↗