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J Murray

Publications and source records attributed to J Murray.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

High-resolution mapping of crossovers in human sperm defines a minisatellite-associated recombination hotspot.

Little is known about the fine-scale distribution of meiotic crossovers in human chromosomes. Methods have therefore been developed for detecting and mapping recombination products directly in human sperm DNA. Analysis of crossovers adjacent to the GC-rich minisatellite MS32, which is known to mutate by conversion and crossover within the repeat array, revealed an intense and highly localized recombination hotspot centered upstream of the locus and extending into the beginning of the minisatellite. Allele-specific cosuppression of crossovers and repeat instability suggests that the hotspot is responsible for driving repeat turnover at MS32 and thus that minisatellites might evolve as by-products of localized meiotic recombination in the human genome.

Alleles↗
PubMed1998

TRISS methodology in trauma: the need for alternatives.

BACKGROUND: Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) methodology has become a standard tool for evaluating the performance of trauma centres and identifying cases for critical review. Recent work has identified several limitations and questioned the validity of the methodology in certain types of trauma. METHODS: The usefulness and limitations of the TRISS methodology were evaluated in an urban trauma centre. Trauma registry data of 5445 patients with major trauma were analysed with respect to 30 demographic, prehospital, injury severity and hospitalization attributes. The performance of TRISS was measured primarily by the percentage of misclassifications, including false positives and false negatives, comparing the survival status predicted by TRISS with the true status. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were also measured for subgroups defined by the 30 attributes. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify significant independent factors related to the performance of TRISS. RESULTS: The overall misclassification rate was 4.3 per cent. However, in many subgroups of patients with severe trauma the misclassification rate was very high: 34 per cent in patients older than 54 years with Injury Severity Score (ISS) greater than 20; 29 per cent in those with fall injuries and ISS above 20; 29 per cent in patients with injuries involving four or more body areas and ISS greater than 20; 28.6 per cent in patients with injuries needing admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and ISS greater than 20; 26.4 per cent in patients in severe distress before reaching hospital with ISS greater than 20; and 26.1 per cent in patients whose ISS score was above 20 and who had complications in hospital. CONCLUSION: The TRISS methodology has major limitations in many subgroups of patients, especially in severe trauma. In its present form TRISS has no useful role in major urban trauma centres. Its use should be seriously reconsidered, if not abandoned.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Selective management of renal gunshot wounds.

BACKGROUND: Gunshot wounds to the kidney have been managed traditionally by surgical exploration. Concerns over increased nephrectomy rates and unnecessary explorations have placed this method under scrutiny. Selective renal exploration based on solid clinical and radiographic criteria may be a safer alternative and deserves evaluation. METHODS: The medical records of 52 consecutive patients with renal gunshot wounds, who were managed between September 1994 and August 1995 by a protocol of selective exploration, were reviewed. Renal injuries were explored only if they involved the hilum or were accompanied by signs of continued bleeding. Main outcome measures were the numbers of kidneys lost, as well as the morbidity and mortality related to the management of the renal injury. RESULTS: Three patients died from associated injuries shortly after admission. Fifteen patients suffered complications but only two had complications directly associated with the renal injury. Thirty-two patients underwent renal exploration and 17 of them required nephrectomy for major renovascular or parenchymal trauma (grade IV and V). Renal exploration was successfully avoided in the remaining 20 patients. No kidneys were lost unnecessarily as a result of this policy. CONCLUSION: Mandatory exploration of all gunshot wounds to the kidney is not necessary. Injuries that produce stable peripheral haematomas do not require exploration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

The second national hospital costing study: background, results and implications.

The costing of hospital outputs, and especially of acute admitted patients categorised by DRG, has been the focus of considerable attention in the last decade. Many individual hospitals now routinely estimate the costs of their main products, several State and Territory health authorities undertake periodic multi-site studies, and there have been a few one-off national studies. This paper summarises the methods and results of the most recent national study, which measured costs at a sample of public and private hospitals around Australia for the 1996-97 financial year. We briefly describe the main results and note some implications.

Australia↗
PubMed1998

Prediction of response to hepatitis B vaccine in health care workers: whose titers of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen should be determined after a three-dose series, and what are the implications in terms of cost-effectiveness?

We identified the demographics of 385 health care workers (HCWs) to identify those whose chance of developing a protective response to a standard primary hepatitis B immunization series was so high that the need for testing for antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) would be obviated following immunization. In addition, using sensitivity analysis, we analyzed the economic consequences of not determining anti-HBs titers for any individual after primary immunization and of using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-recommended post-hepatitis B exposure prophylaxis for high-risk HCWs. Nonsmoking women < 50 years old with a weight-height index of < 42 had a 98.2 +/- 0.9% chance of developing a protective anti-HBs titer. Male nonsmokers < 50 years old with a weight-height index of < 29 had a 94.7 +/- 1.8% chance of a protective response. Economic analysis revealed that use of the CDC guidelines for post-hepatitis B exposure prophylaxis in male HCWs whose anti-HBs status is unknown is always more cost-effective than determining anti-HBs titers following primary immunization for those at high risk. In female HCWs, post-hepatitis B exposure prophylaxis is more cost-effective until hepatitis B exposure rats are approximately 50%. It is possible to predict who will have a high probability of developing a protective response to hepatitis B vaccine; for these people, determining postimmunization anti-HBs titers is unnecessary and not cost-effective.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The Clinical Standards Advisory Group (CSAG) Cleft Lip and Palate Study.

A national study of care and outcomes in children born with a unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) was performed over a 15-month period. Two cohorts of children ('5-year-olds' and '12-year-olds') were examined. There were 57 active cleft teams in the U.K. with 105 consultant orthodontists involved in the care of these children. Only 36 teams could provide basic data such as patients names. Of the patients, 47-51 per cent had neonatal appliances. The dental arch relationships were measured with the Goslon Index and a Five-Year-Old Index, 37-39 per cent of both age groups were either 'poor' or 'very poor'. Seventy per cent of the 12-year-old patients had a Skeletal III relation and 42 per cent of bone grafts were seriously deficient or failed. Dental treatment for active caries was needed by 40 per cent of 5-year-olds and 20 per cent of 12-year-olds. In addition, the training of recently appointed consultant orthodontists involved in the care of these children was scrutinized. As a whole, the results were disappointing with standards of care not significantly raised in the last decade. Recommendations have been made to the Department of Health and the implications for the orthodontic profession are explored. Overall, it seems that fewer orthodontists will need to be involved in a centralized care model for these children.

Bone Transplantation↗
PubMed1998

Developing an AHC-MCO alliance for research and care.

Academic health centers (AHCs) and managed care organizations (MCOs) appear to be on a collision course. Is it possible to develop a partnership to enable both parties to achieve their respective goals and objectives? The Kimmel Cancer Center of Thomas Jefferson University and AEtna US Healthcare, one of the nation's largest MCOs, have developed an alliance designed to generate cancer prevention and control research. This arrangement engages the participants in a collaborative effort that is aimed at creating new knowledge that can be used to enhance the provision of health care to a defined population.

Academic Medical Centers↗
PubMed1998

One hundred five penetrating cardiac injuries: a 2-year prospective evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the parameters measured in the field, during transport, and upon arrival of the physiologic condition of patients sustaining penetrating cardiac injuries, along with the Cardiovascular Respiratory Score (CVRS) component of the Trauma Score, the mechanism and anatomical site of injury, operative characteristics, and cardiac rhythm as predictors of outcome. We also set out to identify a set of patient characteristics that best predict mortality outcome and to correlate cardiac injury grade as determined by the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma-Organ Injury Scale (AAST-OIS) with mortality. METHODS: This report was a prospective study at American College of Surgeons Level I urban trauma center. Interventions included thoracotomy, sternotomy, or both, for resuscitation and definitive repair of cardiac injury. The main outcome measures used were those parameters measuring physiologic condition of patients, CVRS, mechanism and anatomical site of injury, mortality, and grade of injury. RESULTS: A total of 105 patients sustained penetrating cardiac injuries: 68 injuries (65%) were gunshot wounds and 37 injuries (35%) were stab wounds. The mean Injury Severity Score was 36. Of the 105 wounds, 23 wounds (22%) involved multiple-chamber injuries. The overall survival was 35 of 105 patients (33%): survival of gunshot wound victims was 11 of 68 patients (16%); survival of stab wound victims was 24 of 37 patients (65%). Emergency department thoracotomy was performed in 71 of the 105 patients (68%) with 10 survivors (14%). CVRS: 94% mortality (50 of 53) when CVRS = 0, 89% mortality (57 of 64) when CVRS = 0 to 3, and 31% mortality (12 of 39) when CVRS 4 to 11 (p < 0.001). The presence of sinus rhythm when pericardium was opened predicted survival (p < 0.001). Anatomical site of injury (injured chamber) and the presence of tamponade did not predict survival. Stepwise logistic regression analysis identified gunshot wound, exsanguination, and restoration of blood pressure as most predictive variables of mortality. AAST-OIS injury grade and mortality: grade I, 0 of 1 (0%); grade II, 1 of 2 (50%); grade III, 2 of 3 (66%); grade IV, 28 of 50 (56%); grade V, 29 of 38 (76%); grade VI, 10 of 11 (91%). Overall incidence: grades IV-VI, 99 of 105 (94%). CONCLUSIONS: Parameters measuring physiologic condition, CVRS, and mechanism of injury are significant predictors of outcome in penetrating cardiac injuries. AAST-OIS injury grades I-III are rare in penetrating cardiac trauma. AAST-OIS Injury grades IV-VI are common in penetrating cardiac trauma and accurately predict outcome.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1998

Relative bradycardia in patients with traumatic hypotension.

BACKGROUND: Tachycardia is considered a physiologic response to traumatic hypotension. The inability of the heart to respond to shock with tachycardia has been described as paradoxical bradycardia or relative bradycardia. The incidence and clinical significance of this condition in major trauma is not known. The objective of this study was to examine the incidence and prognostic significance of tachycardia and relative bradycardia in patients with traumatic hypotension. Relative bradycardia is defined as a systolic pressure < or = 90 mm Hg and a pulse rate < or = 90 beats per minute. METHODS: This is a retrospective study conducted at a large Level I academic trauma center during a 4-year period. Seventeen demographic and injury severity factors were analyzed for their possible role in tachycardic or bradycardic response in hypotensive patients. Incidence and mortality were derived for each subpopulation. Bivariate analysis of the association of incidence and mortality with each risk factor was performed. Factors with p values < 0.2 were included in stepwise logistic regression analyses that identified significant risk factors and derived adjusted relative mortality risks between tachycardic and bradycardic hypotensive patients. RESULTS: Excluding transfers and patients dead on arrival, 10,833 major trauma patients were seen during the study period. Seven hundred fifty patients (6.9%) had systolic blood pressure < or = 90 mm Hg; 533 patients had tachycardia (overall incidence of 4.9%, or 71.1% of hypotensive patients), and 217 patients had bradycardia (overall incidence of 2.0%, or 28.9% of hypotensive patients). The overall crude mortality was 29.2% among tachycardia patients and 21.7% among bradycardia patients (crude relative risk = 1.34; 95% confidence interval = 1.00-1.81; p = 0.047). The adjusted relative mortality risk between the two groups was 1.23 (95% confidence interval = 0.84-1.73; p = 0.284). Multivariate analysis showed that patients with relative bradycardia in the subgroups with Injury Severity Scores > or = 16, chest Abbreviated Injury Scale scores > or = 3, or abdominal Abbreviated Injury Scale scores > or = 3 had significantly better survival than patients with similar injuries presenting with tachycardia. CONCLUSION: Relative bradycardia in hypotensive trauma patients is a common hemodynamic finding. Mortality among tachycardic patients was more predictable than among bradycardic patients using commonly used demographic and injury indicators. The presence of relative bradycardia in some subgroups of patients with severe injuries seems to be associated with better prognosis than the presence of tachycardia.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Detection of cytomegalovirus in upper gastrointestinal biopsies from heart transplant recipients: comparison of light microscopy, immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridisation, and nested PCR.

AIM: To establish the diagnostic value of in situ hybridisation and the nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in detecting clinically relevant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in upper gastrointestinal biopsies from heart transplant patients. METHODS: Test sensitivity and specificity for detection of CMV early gene RNA by in situ hybridisation and CMV intermediate early gene by PCR were established and then compared with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunocytochemical detection of CMV in order to establish the best pathological diagnostic approach. All investigations were carried out on formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue. RESULTS: Nested PCR had the highest test sensitivity, followed by in situ hybridisation and immunocytochemistry with the same sensitivity; H&E had the lowest. H&E and immunocytochemistry were the most specific but both had a significant false negative rate which was less of a problem with PCR. However, PCR gave no other diagnostic information, and in situ hybridisation was no better than immunocytochemistry. Both in situ hybridisation and PCR were technically complex and more expensive. CONCLUSIONS: H&E and immunocytochemistry represent the best initial screen for CMV and other diseases in upper gastrointestinal biopsies from heart transplant patients. If H&E and immunocytochemistry were negative, nested PCR could significantly increase the diagnostic yield of clinically relevant CMV infection. In situ hybridisation appeared to have no advantages and some drawbacks compared with immunocytochemistry and PCR.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Risk of pulmonary tuberculosis relative to silicosis and exposure to silica dust in South African gold miners.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the following questions. (1) Is silica dust on its own, without the presence of silicosis, associated with an increased risk of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in workers exposed to silica dust? (2) In the absence of silicosis is the excess risk dose related? (3) What is the predominant chronological sequence between the development of PTB and the development of silicosis after the end of exposure to dust? METHODS: A cohort of 2255 white South African gold miners has been followed up from 1968 to 1971, when they were 45-55 years of age, to 31 December 1995 for the incidence of PTB. During the follow up 1592 (71%) men died. Of these, 1296 (81%) had a necropsy done at the National Centre for Occupational Health (NCOH) to determine the presence of silicosis and PTB. The incidence of PTB in the cohort was studied relative to cumulative exposure to dust and the onset of silicosis. For the miners with necropsy, the incidence for PTB was studied relative to the severity of silicosis found at necropsy. RESULTS: There were 115 subjects who developed PTB. The total person-years of follow up was 39,319. For the whole cohort, the factors associated with increased risk of PTB were cumulative exposure to dust (mg/m3.y) (the adjusted rate ratio (RR) 1.07; (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.04 to 1.10)), silicosis diagnosed radiologically (3.96 (2.59 to 6.06)), and tobacco pack-years (1.02 (1.01 to 1.03)). The RR (95% CI) for PTB increased with increasing quartiles of cumulative exposure to dust 1.0, 1.51 (0.78 to 2.91), 2.35 (1.28 to 4.32), and 3.22 (1.75 to 5.90). In miners who did not have radiologically diagnosed silicosis (n = 1934, PTB = 74), the adjusted RR (95% CI) for PTB and cumulative exposure to dust was 1.10 (1.06 to 1.13), and increased with quartiles of cumulative exposure to dust as 1.00, 1.46 (0.70 to 3.03), 2.67 (1.37 to 5.23), and 4.01 (2.04 to 7.88). For the subjects who had a necropsy (n = 1296, PTB = 70), the adjusted RR (95% CI) for PTB increased with the severity of silicosis found at necropsy; 1.0 for no silicosis, 1.88 (0.97 to 3.64) for negligible, 2.69 (1.35 to 5.37) for slight, and 2.30 (1.16 to 4.58) for moderate or marked silicosis. For subjects who had a necropsy and no silicosis (n = 577, PTB = 18), the adjusted RR (95% CI) increased slightly with quartiles of cumulative dust 1.0, 1.11 (0.31 to 4.00), 1.42 (0.43 to 4.72), and 1.38 (0.33 to 5.62). CONCLUSION: Exposure to silica dust is a risk factor for the development of PTB in the absence of silicosis, even after exposure to silica dust ends. The risk of PTB increases with the presence of silicosis, and in miners without radiological silicosis, with quartiles of exposure to dust. The severity of silicosis diagnosed at necropsy was associated with increasing risk of PTB and even < 5 nodules--that is, undetectable radiologically--was associated with an increased risk of PTB. The diagnosis of PTB was on average 7.6 years after the end of exposure to dust, at around 60 years of age. The onset of radiological silicosis preceded the diagnosis of PTB in 90.2% of the cases with PTB who had silicosis. The results have implications for medical surveillance of workers exposed to silica dust after the end of exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Microbiological quality of Australian beef carcass meat and frozen bulk packed beef.

Two studies were undertaken to determine the microbiological of beef carcass meat and frozen boneless bulk packed beef produced in Australia. Samples were collected from 1,063 beef carcasses and from 929 cartons of frozen boneless bulk packed beef over a period of approximately 12 months. Samples were collected from works processing beef carcasses for the Australian domestic market and from works targeting export markets. On carcasses processed for export markets, where bacterial counts were obtained, the log10 mean of the APC (aerobic plate count) was 3.13 CFU/cm2, the geometric mean of the coliform count was 19 MPN/cm2, and the geometric mean of Escherichia coli was 13 MPN/cm2. A small percentage (0.59%) of export samples were found positive for Listeria monocytogenes, 0.16% were positive of r coagulase-positive for Campylobacter jejuni/coli, 0.22% were positive for Salmonella spp., and 29% were positive for coagulase-positive Staphylococcus spp. Bacterial numbers were lower on carcasses processed for export markets and higher carcasses chilled for more than 24 h. Escherichia coli O157 was recovered from 4 of 893 export carcasses tested (0.45%). Of the export frozen boneless bulk packed beef samples that tested positive, the log10 mean of the APC was 2.5 CFU/g, the geometric mean of the coliform count was 15 MPN/g, and the geometric mean number of e. coli was 15 MPN/g. Three of 787 export frozen samples (0.38%) tested positive for Salmonella spp., E. coli O157 was not isolated from any of the 685 export frozen samples tested for this bacteria. Export samples tested for this bacteria. Export samples on average had lower APCs than domestic samples. Results from both surveys are compared with data from similar studies in other countries.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1998

Prevalence of dental caries: retrospect and prospect.

In spite of the general decline in dental caries, as illustrated in national surveys of children's health and by BASCD surveys, considerable unmet need remains. If good oral health is to be ensured for all sections of the UK community, the issues discussed in this article must be addressed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

The effect of dosage cards on compliance with directly observed tuberculosis therapy in hospital.

We evaluated the effect of a dosage card signed by both patient and health worker on compliance in a tuberculosis ward. Compliance was assessed by testing a urine specimen from each patient for the presence of isoniazid and rifampicin pre-intervention and at two weeks, six weeks and 16 months post-intervention. Pre-intervention compliance was 62% and increased to 88%, 91% and 93% in the short, medium and long-term, respectively (P = 0.03, P = 0.02, P < 0.01). The assumption that directly observed therapy is successfully practised in hospital is not always correct. Simple inexpensive measures can improve compliance and have an impact on tuberculosis control.

Antitubercular Agents↗
PubMed1998

An evaluation of practice nurses working with general practitioners to treat people with depression.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis and treatment of depression constitutes a significant component of a general practitioner's workload. A pilot study has suggested that the practice nurse may have an important contribution to make in the care of patients with depression. AIM: To evaluate an extended role for practice nurses in improving the outcome of depression through two specially-designed interviews running in parallel. METHOD: Two naturalistic, random allocation studies took place concurrently over four months. Study 1 evaluated the effectiveness of standardized psychiatric assessment by a practice nurse and feedback of information to the general practitioner (GP). Study 2 evaluated the above assessment and feedback combined with nurse-assisted follow-up care. Twenty general practices participating in the Medical Research Council General Practice Research Framework took part in the study. Subjects included general practice attenders identified as depressed by their GP. The main outcome measures were a change in Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores and in the proportion of patients fulfilling DSM-III criteria for major depression. RESULTS: A total of 577 patients were recruited; 516 [89% (95% CI = 86-92%)] were rated as depressed on the BDI and 474 [82% (95% CI = 79-85%)] met criteria for DSM-III major depression. Altogether, 524 (91%) patients completed follow-up at four months. All groups of patients showed improvement, but no difference in the rate of improvement was shown for the nurse intervention groups. BDI mean scores fell from 18.54 (95% CI = 17.53-20.06) to 11.53 (95% CI = 10.02-13.04) in Study 1, and from 21.01 (95% = CI 20.26-21.86) to 10.62 (95% CI = 9.73-11.51) in Study 2. The proportion of patients fulfilling criteria for DSM-III major depression in Study 1 fell from 80% (95% CI = 73-87%) to 30% (95% CI = 22-38%), and in Study 2 from 80% (95% CI = 76-84%) to 27% (95% CI = 23-31%). Prescription rates of antidepressant medication were higher than expected, ranging between 63% and 76% in the two studies. CONCLUSION: There was an increase in the rate of antidepressant prescription, but no additional benefit could be adduced for patients who received a nurse intervention.

Adolescent↗