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Biomedical subjects

J Hammond

Publications and source records attributed to J Hammond.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Weight-for-height in children aged 4-12 years. A new index compared to the normalized body mass index.

Data from the 1990 survey of the National Study of Health and Growth, comprising 3357 white English boys and 3050 white English girls, were used to construct and evaluate a new index of weight-for-height. Prediction of triceps + subscapular skinfold thickness, using half of the data, led to the index (weight -9)/height3.7, where weight was in kilograms, height in metres. Using the second half of the data the index was shown to have almost as good a correlation with normalized (triceps + subscapular skinfold) as the body mass index (BMI) in children aged 4-12 years. The new weight-for-height index had stable variance from age 4 to 12 years after simple log transformation, unlike the BMI which required transformation via three age-related parameters prior to analysis or centile calculation. Neither index was a good proxy for skinfold measurements for comparison of ethnic groups. From data from inner city areas surveyed in 1989 children of Indian subcontinent origin had substantially lower weight-for-height, but only Gujarati children were thinner than white children, whereas Afro-Caribbean children were slightly heavier for their height, but thinner. Centiles of weight-for-height, and of BMI by age, for ages 4-12 years, were calculated for white English boys and white English girls.

Body Height↗

Balanced translocation (14;20) in a mentally handicapped child with cystinuria.

A mentally handicapped 3 year old child with cystinuria is presented. Routine chromosomal analysis showed an apparently balanced de novo translocation in the child with breakpoints 14q22 and 20p13. Family studies suggested that the child is a type I/type II compound heterozygote for cystinuria. This translocation may indicate a possible locus for the gene for cystinuria.

Child, Preschool↗

Predictive value of historical and physical characteristics for the diagnosis of child abuse.

Child abuse by burning may be difficult to recognize, especially since the injuries are often small. Historical and physical findings that can be elicited in the initial examination can be helpful in initiating a more in-depth investigation. An injury inconsistent with the history given or a delay in seeking medical treatment were the two most frequent reports that elicited suspicion. As isolated findings, however, they had a low predictive value. The presence of two or more of 13 factors increased the yield in child abuse identification to more than 60%.

Adolescent↗

Burns in octogenarians.

Trauma is the fifth leading cause of death for the elderly. Approximately 7.4 million (3% of the population) are more than 80 years old (the so-called "old" old). More than 40% of Americans will reach the age of 80 years, and those who do can expect to live an average of 8 years more. The advanced elderly burn victim creates special demands because of a greater morbidity and mortality associated with a smaller body surface area burn. From September 1982 through August 1990, there were 29 patients 80 years old or older treated at our burn center. The mean age was 83 years, and 72% of the patients were women. The most common preexisting medical problems were hypertension and diabetes. Seventeen (59%) survived. The mean percentage of body surface area (BSA) burned was 6% among the survivors, with a mean length of hospital stay of 24 days. The mean BSA burned was 32% among those who died, with a mean stay of 17 days. Five of the 12 deaths were due to burns of less than 20% BSA, below the standard commonly used to define a "major" burn. The abbreviated burn severity index (ABSI) was a good indicator of survival. Eleven of 12 with an ABSI of 7 or less survived, and nine of 11 with an ABSI of 9 or more died. Twelve patients had operation; seven survived. Of the 15 survivors living independently before the injury, 11 were discharged home and four were transferred to nursing facilities. In this age group, even small burns can be problems, and indications for hospital admission should be broadened. The advanced elderly also cause financial burdens to burn centers because of inadequate diagnosis-related group (DRG) reimbursement. For those surviving, there is a good chance for maintaining independent function and for being discharged home.

Aged↗

Comparison and differentiation of potyvirus isolates and identification of strain-, virus-, subgroup-specific and potyvirus group-common epitopes using monoclonal antibodies.

A panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) generated against an admixture of 12 potyvirus isolates was used to compare and differentiate diverse potyviruses. Both native and denatured virions of strains of bean yellow mosaic (BYMV), potato virus Y, tobacco etch, pea seed-borne mosaic, iris severe mosaic, iris mild mosaic and asparagus virus-1 potyviruses were used as immunogen and as antigen for screening of the hybridoma cell lines. Thirty cell lines secreting potyvirus-specific antibodies reactive in indirect antigen-coated plate (ACP-) ELISA were selected for detailed analysis. All 30 MAbs reacted with at least one strain of BYMV; 11 MAbs reacted with between one and eight of the nine BYMV strains and an additional three MAbs reacted only with isolates within the BYMV subgroup (BYMV, pea mosaic virus and clover yellow vein virus). The remaining 16 MAbs reacted with a BYMV isolate and with at least one of the other 43 potyvirus isolates tested. MAb PTY 1 reacted with all 55 potyvirus isolates tested (representing at least 33 different and distinct aphid-transmissible potyviruses). The potyvirus cross-reactive MAbs generally gave higher reactivity values in ACP-ELISA with dissociated virus than with polyclonal antibody-trapped intact virions in triple antibody sandwich ELISA (i.e. were cryptotope-specific). The BYMV strain- and virus-specific MAbs reacted strongly with both types of antigens (i.e. were metatope-specific). At least 25 distinct epitopes (12 cryptotopes and 13 metatopes) could be identified from the MAb-antigen reactivity patterns. The distribution of these epitopes between virus isolates can be used to detect and differentiate potyviruses in infected plant extracts and to examine virus architectures. Some of these epitopes are shared by potyvirus isolates not previously shown to be serologically related. The broad spectrum-reacting MAb PTY 1 recognizes a cryptotope conserved on all of the aphid-transmissible potyviruses examined and should be a valuable tool for the detection and assay of these potyviruses.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

A qualitative comparison of paper flowsheets vs a computer-based clinical information system.

Demonstrating the value of computerized clinical information systems (CIS) relative to its cost has been difficult. Decreased mortality in the intensive care unit or a reduction in nursing staff have not been apparent, but CIS does lead to a significant improvement in documentation over handwritten flowsheets, both in volume and accuracy. This may have a medicolegal and quality assurance impact, as well as enhancing patient care.

Burn Units↗

Trauma systems. Economic and political considerations.

Mounting morbidity and mortality from trauma should be viewed as a societal problem. Preventable trauma deaths can be reduced to less than 10% with a regionalized trauma system. Trauma systems, however, incorporating categorization, regionalization, registry data, and prevention efforts, are difficult to design and maintain. As of 1988, only two states had full coverage of all components deemed essential to such a system. Burdens such as uncompensated care, increased malpractice liability, and the need for uniform standards must be overcome to insure survival of trauma systems.

Florida↗

Perceptions of the FRACGP examination. A study of Victorian candidates.

It is proposed that by 1995 Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners will be the only recognised endpoint of vocational training in general practice in Australia. Currently however only one in six eligible general practitioners and one in three college members holds the FRACGP in Victoria. This case-controlled study carried out by survey questionnaire was designed to compare and contrast perceptions of the FRACGP examination of a group of candidates with a group of demographically matched non candidates. The study suggested that those who sat the examination did so to improve their self esteem, and wished their knowledge, competence and skills to be 'peer reviewed'.

Adult↗

The value of speech-language assessment in the diagnosis of child abuse.

Language deficits and developmental delays may be helpful clues in the diagnosis of child abuse and neglect. Speech-language assessment of 27 children burned through abuse or neglect identified 22 (81%) with language delays. Other significant trends included a decreased attention span, inappropriate affect, irritability, and withdrawn behavior. We recommend speech-language assessment for all burned children suspected to be victims of abuse or neglect as part of the abuse team investigation and to identify children who may benefit from intervention.

Affect↗

Molecular cloning, sequencing and expression in Escherichia coli of the bean yellow mosaic virus coat protein gene.

The sequence of 1015 nucleotides from the 3' poly(A) tract of the potyvirus bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) RNA has been determined from two cDNA clones. This sequence contained a single long open reading frame (ORF) starting upstream of the cloned region. The ORF was expressed as a fusion protein in Escherichia coli, and the product was detected by antibodies specific for the coat protein of BYMV. The predicted length of the coat protein gene was 822 nucleotides, corresponding to a 273 amino acid coat protein of Mr 30910. The deduced amino acid sequence of the BYMV coat protein was compared to the chemically determined amino acid composition of purified virion protein, and of protein prepared from trypsin-treated virions. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences were compared to the sequences of the coat protein genes of other potyviruses. The BYMV coat protein gene was found to be 50 to 61% homologous to those of other potyviruses at both the nucleotide and amino acid levels; the greatest variation was between the 5'-proximal one-fifth of the genes. Amino acid sequences and hydrophilicity plots of the different potyvirus coat proteins showed similarities which indicated that the structure of the coat protein is highly conserved; a non-terminal region of variability was predicted to be exposed on the exterior of the virion. A putative cleavage site at a glutamine-serine dipeptide was identified by similarity in context to the cleavage sites of tobacco etch virus and tobacco vein mottling virus coat proteins from the viral polyproteins. The BYMV 3'-terminal non-coding region of 166 nucleotides is followed by a poly(A) tract.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A modified method for human bone marrow filtration prior to bone marrow transplantation.

A technique is described for filtering harvested bone marrow using disposable materials, namely a 4 x 4 inch piece of sterile gauze that is gently packed into the barrel of a 60-ml plastic disposable syringe, which is connected directly to a blood collection bag. The filtration of marrow directly into the collection bag eliminates additional filtration steps and therefore may potentially reduce the incidence of inadvertent microbial contamination. In this study we describe this filtering technique and compare it to the method described by Thomas and Storb. Numbers of granulopoietic progenitors (CFU-GM) and erythropoietic progenitors (BFU-E), total white cell counts, percentage of cells positive for the CD3 (OKT3) lymphocyte surface membrane marker, and volume changes were studied following filtration by each method. The two techniques were shown to be comparable in terms of these parameters. Furthermore, when compared with historical controls, this method resulted in a reduced incidence of microbial contamination compared to filtration using successive stainless steel screens.

Adolescent↗