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Biomedical subjects

J Ford

Publications and source records attributed to J Ford.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Utilization of prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis in women of advanced maternal age in Australia, 1979-1982.

This paper reports the results of a complete national survey to measure utilization rates of prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis (P.C.D.) in women of advanced maternal age in Australia. P.C.D. has been available throughout Australia for the last decade. Every laboratory in Australia providing a P.C.D. service for the years 1979-1982 took part in this study. Utilization rates (both National and State rates) by ages of mothers, are presented. Big interstate differences exist. The 1982 National P.C.D. utilization rate for pregnant women who were 40 years of age and over was 38.8 per cent, and this rate has shown an average annual increase of 9 per cent. In those four States which offered P.C.D. to pregnant women of 35 years or over the median utilization rate was 20 per cent. These Australian rates indicate an under-utilization of P.C.D. services with (in 1982) 50-80 per cent of 'at risk' women not being tested. Factors which influence this are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of tacrine hydrochloride on hepatic drug metabolism.

The aim was to assess tacrine hydrochloride (THA) as an inhibitor of rat hepatic oxidative enzymes. A model of hepatic microsome oxidative metabolism was established using antipyrine (AP) incubated with NADPH. AP and its metabolites, 3-hydroxymethyl antipyrine (HMA). 4-hydroxy antipyrine (OHA) and norantipyrine (NORA) were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Aliquots of 200, 400 and 600 microg/ml antipyrine were incubated with the microsomal preparation alone, with 20 microg/ml cimetidine or with 40, 80 or 200 microg/ml THA. Cimetidine inhibited HMA production by 35-38% (P<0.001) and OHA production by 49-52% (P<0.001). Incubation with the 3 concentrations of THA inhibited HMA production by 17%, 24% and 41% (P<0.001) and OHA production by 52%, 55% and 79%, respectively (P<0.001). NORA was identifiable when antipyrine was incubated with NADPH alone, but could not be identified after incubation with either cimetidine or THA. This study has shown that THA causes the inhibition of AP metabolism to HMA, OHA and possibly NORA. We suggest THA is an inhibitor of three different hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 enzyme sub-families.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Photographic measurement of volar forearm skin movement with wrist extension: the influence of elbow position.

An important function of skin is to allow joint range of motion to occur. An assumed clinical relationship exists between joint movement and skin pliability. The purpose of this research was to document skin movement of the forearm and wrist with photography, to quantify the amount of skin movement during wrist extension, and to investigate the influence of elbow positions on forearm skin movement. Twenty volunteers had markings placed on the skin of the volar forearm. Each subject performed the motion of wrist extension in two elbow test positions of flexion and extension. Photographs were taken of the skin markings at the beginning and end of wrist extension. A significant difference was found in the amount of forearm skin movement that occurred when the elbow was extended and flexed (p < 0.001). These results substantiate the use of multijoint range of motion during burn rehabilitation.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Accurate T2 NMR images.

We present a method for producing accurate calculated T2 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) images. A modified Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill pulse sequence is used to obtain a series of images with progressive T2 dependence. This image series is then analyzed pixel by pixel to generate a T2 and initial signal strength image. Tests performed using four samples of known T2 indicate accuracies of better than 9%.

Image Enhancement↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Relaxation times of normal and atrophied muscle.

Magnetic resonance imaging is being used to investigate physiological changes induced by microgravity. Using human (bed rest) and animal (tail suspension) models simulating zero gravity, muscle atrophy was studied. Despite significant physiological changes in muscle mass, distribution of blood flow, and muscle water, no changes in muscle proton relaxation times were found at several different resonant frequencies (6, 10, 20, and 200 MHz). These results suggest that observed changes in relaxation times as reported in pathologic studies are likely due to the pathological changes and not the accompanying muscle atrophy.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Aftercare under supervision: implications for CMHNs.

This article examines the implications for practice of the Mental Health (Patients in the Community) Act 1995, which came into force on 1 April 1996. The main purpose of this legislation is to introduce a system of 'aftercare under supervision' in the community for certain patients who have previously been detained under the Mental Health Act 1983, before discharge. The nominated 'supervisor' will have responsibility for ensuring that the aftercare plan requirements are fulfilled. As a result of their role as community keyworkers it is likely that community mental health nurses will undertake this role. Careful consideration needs to be paid to education and training in relation to these responsibilities, and practitioners need to become aware of the challenges that such a role is likely to present.

Aftercare↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Use of thiocyanate elution to estimate relative avidity of allergen specific IgE antibodies.

Although several methods for estimating avidity of antigen-antibody reactions are available, most are impractical for the study of human IgE antibodies because of a requirement for pure allergen and antibody in relatively large amounts. To determine the relative avidity of specific IgE antibodies for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergens, seven concentrations of the chaotropic thiocyanate ion were used to disrupt epitope-antibody binding in a specific IgE immunoassay system, using sera from 16 allergic patients with marked skin test reactivity to a standardized D. pteronyssinus extract. Relative avidity, the molarity of thiocyanate required to produce a 50% decrement in binding, ranged from 0.29-3.1. Within assay coefficient of variation (CV) was 9.9% and between assay CV was 13%. D. pteronyssinus specific IgE levels ranged from 0.66-141 kUa/L, not correlating with relative avidity (rho = -0.12). Thiocyanate elution appears to be a useful method for estimating relative avidity of specific IgE antibodies for the myriad epitopes of the allergenic proteins in an allergen extract. It could be used to study the immunochemistry of specific IgE assays; avidity maturation in allergen immunotherapy and in asymptomatic but sensitized patients; and preseasonal versus postseasonal changes in avidity within individuals. With a suitable solid phase, it could be modified to examine avidity at the epitope level.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Computers and nursing. Possibilities for transforming nursing.

The use of computers is becoming commonplace in the clinical setting. However, the impact of computer use and its implications for nursing have yet to be understood (Birckhead, 1978). The purpose of this article is to explore how computer technology may transform nursing. The discourse is guided by Burch's (1985) thesis that "the use of technology is non-neutral. It transforms experience, whether for better or worse, and ultimately shapes human thinking and being". If one values nursing as a humanizing activity, then most of the potential transformations can be viewed as negative. When viewed from an instrumental framework, however, the computer may have a positive rather than a negative impact because computer use promotes expediency, efficiency, and precision.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Estimating the burden of illness in an Ontario community with untreated drinking water and sewage disposal problems.

The Hamilton-Wentworth regional health department was asked by one of its municipalities to determine whether the present water supply and sewage disposal methods used in a community without piped water and regional sewage disposal posed a threat to the health of its residents. Three approaches were used: assessments by public health inspectors of all households; bacteriological and chemical analyses of water samples; and completion of a specially designed questionnaire by residents in the target community and a control community. 89% of the 227 residences in the target community were found to have a drinking water supply that, according to the Ministry of Environment guidelines, was unsafe and/or unsatisfactory. According to on-site inspections, 32% of households had sewage disposal problems. Responses to the questionnaire revealed that the target community residents reported more symptoms associated with enteric infections due to the water supply. Two of these symptoms, diarrhea and stomach cramps, had a relative risk of 2.2 when compared to the control community (p less than 0.05). The study was successfully used by the municipality to argue for provincial funding of piped water.

Diarrhea↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Collaboration puts the ENB Higher Award into practice.

The ENB Framework for continuing professional education and Higher Award for nurses, midwives and health visitors was introduced in April 1992. The framework outlines 10 key characteristics to guide practitioners in the integration of theory and practice. This paper describes how a group of teachers and practitioners have applied the framework. They explain how it helps pull theoretical learning and practice together for practitioners. For educators, involvement with practitioners has helped them be more involved in practice. Three-way, or tripartite, tutorial work between the practitioner, the teacher and the facilitator in the clinical area is central to the success of this initiative.

Certification↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Area variations in health behaviours.

Many studies of health inequalities use household income as an indicator of socioeconomic status. Because household income is usually subject to high item non-response rates area or census-based measures have been suggested as an alternative. A number of studies have shown that these are as good as or better than conventional measures of socioeconomic status at identifying variations in health status and use of health services. This paper examines the association of the median household income of the enumeration area in which a subject lives, with a variety of oral and general health behaviours. After the confounding effects of age and sex were controlled for, this area-based indicator was significantly associated with six of ten health behaviours for which data were collected. Four of the associations remained significant after the effects of house hold income were controlled for. These results suggest that area-based measures of socioeconomic status may have a useful role in understanding the influence of social contexts on health behaviours.

Adolescent↗