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J S Bell

Publications and source records attributed to J S Bell.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Genetic evaluation of Addison's disease in the Portuguese Water Dog.

BACKGROUND: Addison's disease, also known as hypoadrenocorticism, has been reported in many individual dogs, although some breeds exhibit a greater incidence than the population as a whole. Addison's is presumed to be an autoimmune mediated hereditary defect but the mode of inheritance remains unclear. In particular, the heritability and mode of inheritance have not been defined for the Portuguese Water Dog although Addison's is known to be prevalent in the breed. RESULTS: The analyses present clear evidence that establishes Addison's disease as an inherited disorder in the Portuguese Water Dog with an estimate of heritability of 0.49 (+/- 0.16); there were no differences in risk for disease across sexes (p > 0.49). Further, the complex segregation analysis provides suggestive evidence that Addison's disease in the Portuguese Water Dog is inherited under the control of a single, autosomal recessive locus. CONCLUSION: The high heritability and mode of inheritance of Addison's disease in the Portuguese Water Dog should enable the detection of segregating markers in a genome-wide scan and the identification of a locus linked to Addison's. Though the confirmation of Addison's disease as an autosomal recessive disorder must wait until the gene is identified, breeders of these dogs may wish to keep the present findings in mind as they plan their breeding programs to select against producing affected dogs.

Addison Disease↗
PubMed2002

The Aberdeen Trauma Screening Index: an instrument to predict post-accident psychopathology.

BACKGROUND: A key challenge in trauma care is the prevention of psychopathology. However, no definitive method of identifying individuals at risk of developing psychopathology exists. The Aberdeen Trauma Screening Index (ATSI) is a brief screening tool developed for use in a clinical setting by non-mental health professionals to facilitate the early identification of individuals most at risk of psychopathology 3-months post-accident. METHODS: The ATSI derived from a prospective study of a 150 out of an initial pool of 213 consecutive admissions to the Orthopaedic Trauma Unit and the Accident and Emergency Department of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Potential predictors were identified by a comprehensive assessment conducted within 1-week post-accident. Outcome at 3-months post-accident was measured using 'caseness' according to the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). RESULTS: The ATSI is based on a final model comprising only seven variables with a sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 65%. A predictive index score (0-100) was produced to ensure the practical utility of the ATSI in a clinical setting. A ROC curve was constructed to illustrate the relationship between sensitivity and the specificity values with their corresponding threshold scores. On the basis of a prevalence rate of 55% 'caseness', as identified in the present study, a cut-off point of 45 provides the optimal outcome with a sensitivity value of 70% and a specificity value of 71%. CONCLUSIONS: The ATSI can accurately identify those most at risk of developing psychopathology 3-months post-accident in a sample of accidentally injured adult subjects recruited as consecutive admissions to an urban hospital in the North East of Scotland. However, to establish the generalizability of these findings, it is important that the ATSI be validated in both similar and diverse populations.

Accidents↗
PubMed2001

Temporal changes in soil properties at an upland Scottish site between 1956 and 1997.

The aim of this study was to examine the frequency with which soil samples require to be taken in order to determine significant temporal changes in soil properties. The examination was carried out using data from Glensaugh Research Station in north-east Scotland where podzolic soils were sampled in 1956, 1977 and 1997, and by re-analysis of archived material. Significant differences in chemistry due to storage were detected, particularly decreases in pH of air-dried organic soils. In these cases original data were used for statistical analysis to establish changes between 1956 and 1997. Temporal changes were found for exchangeable Ca and Mg which generally decreased with time throughout the soil profile, whereas exchangeable H increased. Derived data, such as percent base saturation, declined dramatically due to decreases in exchangeable base cations. Similar podzolic soils were sampled at an adjacent Environmental Change Network (ECN) site in 1993. Application of statistical techniques to the ECN soil chemistry data allowed an estimation of the detectable change between any two years. These data along with the rates of temporal change from 1956 to 1997 allowed the calculation of the number of years required for measurable changes to be achieved. These changes and sampling intervals vary among different horizons and chemistries. Although they are site-specific, they do confirm that the current ECN protocols of a 5-year and 20-year sampling would be appropriate in order to detect changes in soil properties over time at this site.

Calcium↗
PubMed2001

Can obstetric complications explain the high levels of obstetric interventions and maternity service use among older women? A retrospective analysis of routinely collected data.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the higher levels of obstetric intervention and maternity service use among older women can be explained by obstetric complications. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of routinely collected data from the Aberdeen Maternity and Neonatal Databank. PARTICIPANTS: All residents of Aberdeen city district delivering singleton infants at the Maternity Hospital 1988-1997 (28,484 deliveries). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Odds ratios for each intervention in older maternal age groups compared with women aged 20-29. Interventions considered include obstetric interventions (induction of labour, augmentation, epidural use, assisted delivery, caesarean section) and raised maternity service use (more than two prenatal scans, amniocentesis, antenatal admission to hospital, admission at delivery of more than five days, infant resuscitation, and admission to the neonatal unit). METHODS: Logistic regression was used to investigate the association between maternal age and the incidence of interventions. The odds ratios for each intervention were then adjusted for relevant obstetric complications and maternal socio-demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Levels of amniocentesis, caesarean section, assisted delivery, induction, and augmentation (in primiparae) are all higher among older women. Maternity service use also increases significantly with age: older women are more likely to have an antenatal admission, more than two scans, a hospital stay at delivery of more than five days, and have their baby admitted to a neonatal unit. Controlling for relevant obstetric complications reveals several examples of effect modification, but does not eliminate the age effect for most interventions in most groups of women. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of intervention among older women are not explained by the obstetric complications we considered.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Endometriosis. Will identifying risk factors enable an early diagnosis?

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is a common condition seen in general practice, affecting 10% of women of reproductive age. Recognition of risk factors on history and examination can lead to an earlier diagnosis and appropriate referral. This may ultimately lead to improved quality of care for women with symptoms of endometriosis. OBJECTIVE: This article aims to identify risk factors in the clinical history and examination that may indicate a more likely diagnosis of endometriosis in women presenting to their general practitioner. DISCUSSION: Some risk factors stand out in the literature as increasing the likelihood of a diagnosis of endometriosis. The GP can utilise these factors to help identify women at risk and those who would benefit from referral for diagnostic laparoscopy. The early diagnosis of endometriosis means that effective medical and surgical treatments can be used to control symptoms and improve the long term outcome for patients.

Endometriosis↗
PubMed2000

Cerebellar degeneration in Old English Sheepdogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate related and unrelated Old English Sheepdogs (OESD) by clinical examination, histologic evaluation, and pedigree analysis to determine whether cerebellar degeneration develops in this breed and whether there are genetic implications. DESIGN: Case study and pedigree analysis. ANIMALS: 24 clinically normal or affected OESD; brain tissue specimens from 25 unaffected or affected OESD. PROCEDURE: Twenty-four OESD that were chosen because of a family history of gait abnormalities were given physical and neurologic examinations to determine whether they had clinical signs of cerebellar degeneration. Tissue specimens from 25 brains of OESD were examined histologically. Nine OESD that were determined to have cerebellar degeneration histologically as well as 2 clinically affected littermates of the histologically confirmed affected OESD were included in the pedigree analysis. Standard statistical evaluation of pedigrees for hereditary conclusions was used. RESULTS: Twelve of the 24 OESD evaluated by neurologic examination had a progressive gait abnormality. Clinical signs of cerebellar degeneration typically started later in life in OESD, compared with description for other dog breeds, and progressed ore slowly. Results of pedigree analysis revealed that 11 of 49 dogs were affected in 9 litters, providing an affected-to-total ratio of 22.49%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of our study indicate that a slowly progressing late-onset form of cerebellar degeneration develops in OESD, and the mode of inheritance is by an autosomal recessive gene.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Supporting staff in employment: the emotional wellbeing of staff in an NHS psychiatric hospital.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the emotional wellbeing of a broad sample of NHS employees in a psychiatric setting; to seek their views on sources of distress; and to identify preferred ways of dealing with it. DESIGN: A cross-sectional postal survey, employing two questionnaires: GHQ-28, and a semi-structured questionnaire. These were sent to a nominal 50% sample (n = 599). SETTING: The population was the staff of a large Scottish psychiatric service. RESULTS: A 47.9% response rate was achieved; 32.9% of respondents exceeded a cut-off score of four on the GHQ-28. Neither occupational, group nor gender effects were significant on this measure. The reporting of emotionally-distressing problems affecting their performance was found to be more common amongst doctors; males, overall, showed a non-significant trend towards having been affected more than females by such problems; and older staff (above 45) were affected significantly more often than younger staff. Almost a third of staff were unaware of the availability of an internal organisational resource (the Occupational Health service). CONCLUSION: NHS Trusts should ensure the culture at work is appropriate from a preventative point of view and be aware that factors outwith the workplace can affect employees emotional wellbeing and performance. Preventative and supportive measures to minimise psychological distress in the workforce should be considered; the Scottish Needs Assessment Programme: Mental Health in the Workplace offers useful guidance.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Hereditary polioencephalomyelopathy of the Australian cattle dog.

A vacuolar degeneration affecting primarily the gray matter in the central nervous system (CNS) of young Australian Cattle Dogs is described. An initial presentation of seizures was followed by a progressive spastic tetraparesis. Grossly evident bilateral and symmetrical foci of malacia were in the nuclei of the cerebellum and brain stem and the gray matter of the spinal cord. Microscopically, vacuolation of glial cells, dilation of the myelin sheaths and reactive astrocytosis characterized mild CNS changes. More advanced lesions displayed progressive dissolution of the neuropil, prominent vacuolation of reactive astrocytes, numerous glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive coiled astrocytic processes, neuronal vacuolation and loss with relative sparing of large neurons. Ultrastructurally marked mitochondrial accumulation and swelling were seen in astrocytes. In the appendicular muscles, changes interpreted as long-term denervation atrophy accompanied by widespread expression of the neonatal isoform of myosin were observed. The character of the neurological sings, the nature and the distribution of the lesions within the neuroaxis have not been reported in domestic animals. An inherited biochemical defect, possibly mitochondrial, is proposed as the cause. Selected conditions with a bilateral and symmetrical distribution affecting the gray matter of domestic animals are summarized.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Asphyxiating laryngeal cyst.

Cysts of the larynx are uncommon lesions that on rare occasions may cause sudden death. We report herein the asphyxial death by an obstructing vocal cord cyst in a woman whose body was found in a setting that aroused suspicions of foul play. Features of this case and the autopsy findings are compared with a literature review of laryngeal cysts.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Autopsy of teleosts from contaminated areas.

A systematic procedure provides one method of assessing xenobiotic-induced abnormalities in fish following environmental exposures. Behavioral, external (or gross), histopathological, and internal organ changes allow determination of the severity of toxicant impact on an endemic population provided a sufficient number of specimens is analyzed. Over the past 15 years, these methods have led to the establishment of causal factors in metal- and metalloid-induced toxicity.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Clinical forensic medicine.

This article discusses the merits of participation by medical examiners in the area of clinical forensic medicine. The present connotation that we deal after the fact should be abandoned with enhanced involvement in assisting the living. The paper focuses on a broad range of categories where forensic scientists by virtue of their training and experience could be most helpful in the application of medical knowledge to the solution of questions of law.

Education, Medical↗
PubMed1986

Psychometric prediction of psychogeriatric day care outcome.

A comparison was made between sets of psychometric variables [the Clifton Assessment Procedures for the Elderly (CAPE)] and personal socio-demographic variables in predicting the outcome of psychogeriatric day care. Two groups of elderly patients referred for day care were investigated: 40 new admissions to a psychogeriatric day centre and 63 new admissions to psychogeriatric day hospitals. Discriminant function analysis was employed to compare the classification accuracy obtained from the personal socio-demographic variables and the CAPE psychometric data. The results demonstrated the incremental validity of the CAPE in predicting outcome of day care in both settings and support the routine use of such brief measures as appropriate screening procedures in these settings.

Aged↗