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Biomedical subjects

J Greig

Publications and source records attributed to J Greig.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Peritonitis due to the dermatiaceous mold Exophiala dermatitidis complicating continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Exophiala (Wangiella) dermatitidis is a dermatiaceous mold that is an occasional cause of infection in the immunocompromised. We report a case of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis probably due to environmental contamination with this organism. Prompt catheter removal and aggressive treatment with amphotericin B allowed an eventual return to peritoneal dialysis.

Exophiala↗

Development of the Knee Standardized Clinical Interview: a research tool for studying the primary care clinical epidemiology of knee problems in older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a standardized clinical interview, incorporating the perspectives of general practitioners (GPs) and rheumatologists, for primary care clinical epidemiological studies of adults aged 50 yr and over with knee problems. METHODS: Two parallel, consensus development studies using a modified nominal group technique involving GPs (n=5) and consultant rheumatologists (n=4) from North Staffordshire with reference panels of GPs (n=28) and rheumatologists (n=11) from selected centres in Great Britain, respectively. A single standardized clinical interview was formed using the clinical history questions identified in the consensus development studies and its feasibility was tested in a small sample of patients. RESULTS: In the GP consensus development study, 115 clinical history questions were identified, of which 71 were of agreed importance following postal rating, face-to-face discussion and re-rating. In the rheumatologist study, 158 questions were identified, of which 47 were of agreed importance. There was considerable overlap in the clinical history questions independently developed by the two studies. A single standardized clinical interview containing 74 questions was formed. It contained questions on the history, onset and recent course of the complaint; nature, location and severity of current knee symptoms; impact of knee problem; past history of knee problems; family history; comorbidity; previous/current investigations and treatment; ideas, concerns and expectations. In preliminary testing it took 20-45 min to conduct and was comprehensible to patients. CONCLUSIONS: A research tool-the Knee Standardized Clinical Interview (KNE-SCI)-has been formed from consensus development studies involving GPs and rheumatologists. In preliminary testing, it is comprehensible to patients, and forms a coherent clinical interview for research data collection. However, further evaluation is required to determine its accuracy and reliability and its usefulness for clinical epidemiological research.

Aged↗

Attempts to uncover subtypes of alpha-adrenoceptors and associated mechanisms by using sequential administration of blocking drugs.

By the sequential administration of alpha 1- and alpha 2-blockers it can be shown, in the pithed rabbit, that the dose/pressor response curve to noradrenaline consists of two separate curves, one for each receptor. alpha 2-mediated responses predominate at low doses and alpha 1-mediated responses predominate at high doses. Pressor responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation have, similarly, an alpha 2 component at low frequencies and a dominant alpha 1-mediated response at high frequencies: a residual response is resistant to combined alpha 1- plus alpha 2-blockade. This alpha-blocker-resistant pressor nerve response was further analysed in the pithed rat and was found to be partly susceptible to alpha,beta-methylene ATP, which desensitizes purinergic responses. However, reserpine pretreatment produced a greater reduction of nerve-mediated pressor responses than did alpha-blockade, suggesting that part of the 'alpha-blocker resistant' response might be adrenergic. It is concluded that sympathetic vasopressor nerve transmission is mediated for the greater part by alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors but that there is evidence for contributions from non-alpha-adrenergic and 'purinergic' elements. An even greater proportion of the responses to circulating catecholamines is attributable to the alpha-receptors with a relatively small but significant 'resistant' component.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Analysis of the alpha-adrenoceptor-mediated, and other, components in the sympathetic vasopressor responses of the pithed rat.

The vascular receptors activated following sympatho-adrenal stimulation were determined by analysing the effects of 'selective' antagonists on the vasopressor response to spinal sympathetic nerve activation in the pithed rat. The net vascular response to adrenal stimulation was a balance between alpha-adrenoceptor-mediated vasoconstriction and beta-adrenoceptor-mediated vasodepression. Part of the alpha-adrenoceptor-mediated response was 'prazosin-sensitive' (alpha 1) and the remainder was abolished by rauwolscine (alpha 2). As with adrenal stimulation, direct sympathetic nerve stimulation of the vasculature evoked pressor responses which were partly resistant to prazosin. Rauwolscine only partly blocked the prazosin-sensitive component. Reserpine pretreatment led to smaller responses than prazosin plus rauwolscine. Thus, the response resistant to alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists could be mediated, in part, by adrenoceptors distinct from alpha-adrenoceptors, as currently defined. alpha, beta-Methylene ATP reduced the nerve-mediated pressor response after alpha-adrenoceptor blockade or reserpine pretreatment but not in drug-free controls. The results suggest that stimulation of the adrenal medulla can produce a vasopressor response which consists of summating alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated components, and is identical to the effect of injected adrenaline. In contrast, the response to vasopressor nerve stimulation appears to be essentially mediated by alpha 1-adrenoceptors, with a facilitatory influence from alpha 2-adrenoceptors. A further response obtained after alpha-adrenoceptor blockade may contain a purinergic component and another which is adrenergic but not mediated by stimulation of alpha-adrenoceptors.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Multiple synthesis by the multipin method as a methodological tool.

The multipin method of peptide synthesis is demonstrated as a potent methodological tool, where large numbers of comparative studies can be performed concurrently. Two studies are presented. In each study, the test peptides were simultaneously synthesized, and the products examined by high throughput ion spray mass spectrometry and reverse-phase HPLC. In the first study, comprising 24 experiments, peptides 1 (AELFSTHYLAFKEDYSQ-NH2) and 2 (LKDFRVYFREGRDQLWKGPG-NH2) were prepared using Fmoc-Axx/BOP/HOBt/NMM [100 : 100 : 100 : 150 mM) and Fmoc-AXX/HATU/HOAt/NMM (100 : 100 : 100 : 150 nM) with 60, 90 and 120 min coupling times. The two reagent combinations were found to give comparable results. The second study compared the N-terminal coupling of Fmoc-Asn-OH, Fmoc-Asn(Mbh)-OH, Fmoc-Asn(Mtt)-OH, Fmoc-Asn(Tmob)-OH and Fmoc-Asn(Trt)-OH in the synthesis of seven test peptides: 3, NVQAAIDYIG-cyclo(KP): 4. NTVQAAIDYIG-cyclo(KP): 5. NRVYVHPFNL: 6. NRVYVHPFHL: 7. NEAYVHDAPVRSLN: 8. NQLVVPSEGLYLIYSQVLFK; 9, NPNANPNANPNA. A total of 33 experiments were performed. Peptides 3 and 4 were selected to highlight the effect of steric bulk of each Asn derivative on coupling efficiency. Reagent efficiency, as measured by target peptide purity, was as follows: Fmoc-Asn(Tmob)-OH > Fmoc-Asn-OH > Fmoc-Asn(Mtt)-OH = Fmoc-Asn(Trt)-OH > Fmoc-Asn(Mbh)-OH.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The nurse lecturer's role in mentoring the mentors.

AIM: This article reports on the results of a survey conducted early in 1999 investigating the effectiveness of current arrangements for mentor preparation and ongoing mentor support provided within adult placement areas within Greater Glasgow Health Board. METHOD: A sample of 150 mentors was surveyed with a response rate of 47 per cent (n = 71). RESULTS: Results indicate that although mentors are generally satisfied with the current approach to mentorship preparation, the issue of support from both managers and academic staff is problematic. CONCLUSION: Respondents indicated that they wished to see lecturers visiting the practice placement areas and providing support, particularly in relation to assessment of students. Also highlighted in this study is the need for more effective communication between placement areas and academic staff.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Persistent electrocardiographic changes after flecainide overdose.

Flecainide acetate is a potent class 1C antiarrhythmic agent, overdosage with which is rare. An overdose is reported in a patient on long-term therapy, resulting in life-threatening arrhythmias and prolonged electrocardiographic abnormalities.

Adolescent↗