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J Sikorski

Publications and source records attributed to J Sikorski.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

The structure of a local population of phytopathogenic Pseudomonas brassicacearum from agricultural soil indicates development under purifying selection pressure.

Among the isolates of a bacterial community from a soil sample taken from an agricultural plot in northern Germany, a population consisting of 119 strains was obtained that was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and genomic fingerprinting as belonging to the recently described species Pseudomonas brassicacearum. Analysis of the population structure by allozyme electrophoresis (11 loci) and random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR; four primers) showed higher resolution with the latter method. Both methods indicated the presence of three lineages, one of which dominated strongly. Stochastic tests derived from the neutral theory of evolution (including Slatkin's exact test, Watterson's homozygosity test and the Tajima test) indicated that the population had developed under strong purifying selection pressure. The presence of strains clearly divergent from the majority of the population can be explained by in situ evolution or by influx of strains as a result of migration or both. Phytopathogenicity of a P. brassicacearum strain determined with tomato plants reached the level obtained with the type strain of the known pathogen Pseudomonas corrugata. The results show that a selective sweep was identified in a local population. Previously, a local selective sweep had not been seen in several populations of different bacterial species from a variety of environmental habitats.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2001

Pseudomonas kilonensis sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from agricultural soil.

A total of 131 bacterial isolates related to Pseudomonas corrugata were obtained from an agricultural soil from northern Germany. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, PCR-based genome fingerprinting and multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, they formed two groups, A (119 strains) and B (12 strains). As members of each group were highly similar, a single strain of each group was subsequently characterized by a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The selected member of group A was identified as a strain of Pseudomonas brassicacearum, whereas the selected member of group B was distinct from other species of the genus Pseudomonas. Although DNA-DNA hybridization suggested a close affiliation of the group B strain with P. brassicacearum and Pseudomonas thivervalensis and ribotyping suggested a close affiliation with P. brassicacearum, RAPD data, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phenotypic characterization indicated the presence of a distinct taxonomic entity. This strain differed from the type strains of P. thivervalensis and P. brassicacearum in 10 and 12 metabolic properties, respectively, whereas the two organisms differ from one another by only two properties. Strains of group B are therefore considered to be members of a new species, for which the name Pseudomonas kilonensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain 520-20T (= DSM 13647T = CFBP 5372T).

Base Composition↗
PubMed2001

Prevalence of breastfeeding at four months in general practices in south London.

BACKGROUND: Successive quinquennial National Infant Feeding Surveys have provided a valuable picture of national and regional variations in infant feeding practices within the United Kingdom. Social variation in breastfeeding has been recognised to be an important source of health inequalities in childhood by the Independent Inquiry into Inequalities in Health Report. AIM: To determine the prevalence of breastfeeding at birth and at four months in a sample of women from urban general practices, its variation between practices, and relation to practice population deprivation scores. To report the timing of introduction of solid feeds. DESIGN OF STUDY: Cross-sectional questionnaire survey based on a random cluster sample. SETTING: Women with infants aged four months in general practices in South London. METHOD: Mode of infant feeding at birth and four months, and time of introduction of solids. Jarman score as a measure of practice population deprivation. Housing tenure, maternal ethnic group, and maternal age at leaving full-time education. RESULTS: Twenty-five general practices were sampled. Median practice Jarman score was 15.0 (interquartile range [IQR] = 12.6-21.9). Responses were received from 1053 out of 1532 mothers approached (69%). Of these, 87% (897) had breastfed at birth, while 59% (609) were still breastfeeding their babies at four months. Mothers in rented accommodation were less likely to breastfeed than owner-occupiers (odds ratio [95% CI] = 0.52 [0.37-0.74]), as were women of white, compared with those of black, ethnic origin (odds ratio [95% CI] = 0.55 [0.36-0.82]). Those who completed up to two years and more than two years education after the age of 16 were 2.94 (95% CI = 1.85-4.66) and 9.25 (95% CI = 6.02-14.21) more likely to breastfeed at four months, respectively, than mothers whose formal education was completed at or before 16 years. Practice-specific rates of breastfeeding ranged from 71% to 100% at birth (median 87%; IQR = 79-93%) and 22% to 83% at four months (median 61%; interquartile range = 47-66%). The intra-practice correlation coefficient for breastfeeding at four months was 0.052 (within-cluster variance = 0.23, between-cluster variance = 0.013). There was no association between breastfeeding at four months and practice-specific Jarman score. Median age of starting solids was 16 weeks (IQR = 15-17 weeks). CONCLUSIONS: Housing tenure, maternal education, and ethnic group are significantly associated with breastfeeding prevalence at four months. Between-practice variation in breastfeeding prevalence is not associated with measures of practice population deprivation, as assessed by Jarman scores. Consideration should be given to including information on maternal ethnic group and housing tenure in future National Infant Feeding Surveys. Current weaning practices fall short of the recommendation of the World Health Assembly.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Support for breastfeeding mothers.

BACKGROUND: Exclusive breastfeeding rates at three to four months remain low in many health care settings. In economically advantaged countries, young mothers, those in low-income groups or those who ceased full-time education at an early age are least likely to breastfeed. In poorer countries, more affluent groups may breastfeed less. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of breastfeeding support. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (last searched March 1998), Medline (from 1993), Embase (from 1980), Cinahl, Midirs (from 1991), English National Health Board database and reference lists of articles. We contacted researchers in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA: Controlled trials of acceptable quality comparing extra support for breastfeeding mothers with usual maternity care. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were extracted by one reviewer and checked by the second reviewer. MAIN RESULTS: Thirteen trials were included. The relative risk for stopping exclusive feeding within two months was 0. 83, 95% confidence interval 0.72 to 0.96. The relative risk for stopping breastfeeding within two months was 0.74, 95% confidence interval 0.65 to 0.86. One more mother will breastfeed for two months if support is provided for nine women (95% confidence interval 6 to 21). Similarly, one more woman will breastfeed exclusively if support is given to nine women (95% confidence interval 6 to 40). REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: The provision of extra support by professionals with special skills in breastfeeding appears to result in more mothers breastfeeding their babies until two months of age, and more mothers breastfeeding their babies exclusively to two months of age.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed2000

An economic evaluation comparing two schedules of antenatal visits.

OBJECTIVES: To conduct an economic evaluation comparing a traditional antenatal visiting schedule (traditional care) with a reduced schedule of visits (new style care) for women at low risk of complications. METHODS: Economic evaluation using the results of a randomised controlled trial, the Antenatal Care Project. This took place between 1993 and 1994 in antenatal clinics in South East London and involved 2794 women at low risk of complications. RESULTS: The estimated baseline costs to the UK National Health Service (NHS) for the traditional schedule were 544 Pounds per woman, of which 251 Pounds occurred antenatally, with a range of 327-1203 Pounds per woman. The estimated baseline costs to the NHS for the reduced visit schedule was 563 Pounds per woman, of which 225 Pounds occurred antenatally, with a range of 274-1741 Pounds per woman. Savings from new style care that arose antenatally were offset by the greater numbers of babies in this group who required special or intensive care. Sensitivity analyses based on possible variations in unit costs and resource use and modelled postnatal stay showed considerable variation and substantial overlap in costs. CONCLUSIONS: Patterns of antenatal care involving fewer routine visits for women at low risk of complications are unlikely to result in savings to the Health Service. In addition, women who had the reduced schedule of care reported greater dissatisfaction with their care and poorer psychosocial outcomes which argues against reducing numbers of antenatal visits.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed2000

Antenatal visits.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Appointments and Schedules↗
PubMed1999

Analysis of genotypic diversity and relationships among Pseudomonas stutzeri strains by PCR-based genomic fingerprinting and multilocus enzyme electrophoresis.

Molecular fingerprinting procedures including random amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR (RAPD), repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR (rep-PCR) with REP, ERIC, and BOX primers and multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) were used for genotypic characterization of 16 P. stutzeri strains originally isolated from marine, waste water, clinical and soil samples. A distinct genotype of each strain and overall great genotypic diversity were found within P. stutzeri. Cluster analysis (UPGMA) of the electrophoretic patterns of all PCR-based methods used resulted in concordant grouping of 8 strains. With the other strains conflicting clustering was noticed. The variability of clustering in PCR-based analyses suggested the occurrence of chromosomal rearrangements. When RAPD-, rep-PCR and MLEE fingerprints were used in a cluster analysis of combined electrophoretic patterns, the P. stutzeri strains could be differentiated into seven distinct genotypic groups. These results supported the subdivision of the species in several genomovars and reproduced, with higher resolution, the strain grouping after 16S rRNA phylogenetic reconstruction. The combined use of several fingerprint-based genotypic analyses results in higher resolutive strain clustering by UPGMA than each of the single ones analyzed separately. Additionally, this combination of individual typings proved to be reliable of the determination of the great genotypic diversity and relationships among the P. stutzeri strains.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Does reducing the frequency of routine antenatal visits have long term effects? Follow up of participants in a randomised controlled trial.

1117 low risk women, who had been randomly allocated to either the traditional schedule of 13 antenatal visits or a reduced schedule of six to seven visits, were followed up 2.7 years after their delivery. Follow up was by means of a postal questionnaire (assessing the mother-child relationship, maternal psychological wellbeing, health service use, health-related behaviour and health beliefs), and patient record data on the frequency of contacts in general practice. There was no evidence of differences between the two groups for any of the outcomes examined. Offering a reduced schedule of routine antenatal visits to low risk women does not appear to have any long term effects.

Appointments and Schedules↗
PubMed1996

A randomised controlled trial comparing two schedules of antenatal visits: the antenatal care project.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical and psychological effectiveness of the traditional British antenatal visit schedule (traditional care) with a reduced schedule of visits (new style care) for low risk women, together with maternal and professional satisfaction with care. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Places in south east London providing antenatal care for women receiving shared care and planning to deliver in one of three hospitals or at home. SUBJECT: 2794 women at low risk fulfilling the trial's inclusion criteria between June 1993 and July 1994. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measures of fetal and maternal morbidity, health service use, psychosocial outcomes, and maternal and professional satisfaction. RESULTS: Pregnant women allocated to new style care had fewer day admissions (0.8 v 1.0; P=0.002) and ultrasound scans (1.6 v 1.7; P=0.003) and were less often suspected of carrying fetuses that were small for gestational age (odds ratio 0.73; 95% confidence interval 0.54 to 0.99). They also had some poorer psychosocial outcomes; for example, they were more worried about fetal wellbeing antenatally and coping with the baby postnatally, and they had more negative attitudes to their babies, both in pregnancy and postnatally. These women were also more dissatisfied with the number of visits they received (odds ratio 2.50; 2.00 to 3.11). CONCLUSIONS: Patterns of antenatal care involving fewer routine visits for women at low risk may lead to reduced psychosocial effectiveness and dissatisfaction with frequency of visits. The number of antenatal day admissions and ultrasound scans performed may also be reduced. For the variables reported, the visit schedules studied are similar in their clinical effectiveness. Uncertainty remains as to the clinical effectiveness of reduced visit schedules for rare pregnancy problems.

Anxiety↗
PubMed1996

Women's satisfaction with traditional and reduced antenatal visit schedules.

OBJECTIVE: to ascertain: (i) which demographic, obstetric, maternity care, practical and attitudinal variables, and which variables relating to social support and life problems predict satisfaction with traditional antenatal visit schedules; and (ii) which of these variables predict satisfaction with reduced antenatal visit schedules. DESIGN: a secondary analysis of data from the Antenatal Care Project (a randomised controlled trial comparing two schedules of routine antenatal visits). SETTING: three hospitals and their community sites in south-east London. PARTICIPANTS: 1882 pregnant women, that is all those who took part in the Antenatal Care Project, on whom maternity record data were available, and who returned their antenatal questionnaire. INTERVENTION: participants were randomly allocated to follow either the traditional schedule of 13 routine antenatal visits, or a reduced schedule of seven visits for nulliparous women and six visits for multiparous women. MEASUREMENTS: a questionnaire developed specifically for the Antenatal Care Project. Also some data extracted from women's maternity records. FINDINGS: women satisfied with reduced schedules were more likely to live in rented accommodation, and to have a caregiver who both listened and encourage them to ask questions than women not satisfied with reduced schedules. Women satisfied with the reduced schedules were less likely to be depressed in pregnancy than those not satisfied with reduced schedules. Women satisfied with the traditional schedule were more likely to have their general practitioner involved in their antenatal care, and to receive social support from relatives than those not satisfied with the traditional schedule. Initial preferences and expectations were also associated with satisfaction. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: (i) groups most likely to be satisfied with traditional or reduced antenatal visit schedules cannot be easily identified. It is therefore necessary to talk to women individually, and tailor care to their particular preferences; (ii) social support for depressed women needs to be safeguarded if reduced schedules are to be introduced; (iii) improving the psychosocial quality of antenatal care may be a good strategy for making reduced visit schedules more acceptable to pregnant women.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

A survey of health professionals' views on possible changes in the provision and organisation of antenatal care.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the views of midwives, obstetricians and general practitioners (GPs) on possible changes in the provision of antenatal care, and to describe any differences in attitude between the three professional groups. DESIGN: survey using postal questionnaire. SETTING: Three hospitals in south-east London. PARTICIPANTS: The questionnaire was sent to 251 midwives, 50 obstetricians, and 438 GPs. The overall response rate was 70%. MEASUREMENTS: A questionnaire asking whether the health professionals would like to see, were undecided, or would not like to see, 12 possible changes in the provision of antenatal care. FINDINGS: The changes that most health professionals wanted to see were individualised visit schedules and an increase in continuity of care-giver. There were significant differences between the three professional groups for 11 of the 12 possible changes, with midwives being the group most keen, and GPs tending to be the least keen, to see change. KEY CONCLUSIONS: It is important to recognise and address the different views of midwives, obstetricians and general practitioners at this time when major changes in the organisation of antenatal care are being planned or implemented. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Differences in attitudes between health professionals need to be addressed when planning changes in the provision of antenatal care.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗