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John Young

Publications and source records attributed to John Young.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Characterization of the first nonmammalian T2 cytokine gene cluster: the cluster contains functional single-copy genes for IL-3, IL-4, IL-13, and GM-CSF, a gene for IL-5 that appears to be a pseudogene, and a gene encoding another cytokinelike transcript, KK34.

A genomics approach based on the conservation of synteny was used to develop a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) contig across the chicken T2 cytokine gene cluster. Sequencing of representative BACs showed that the chicken genome encodes genes for the homologs of mammalian interleukin-3 (IL-3), IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). These sequences represent the first T2 cytokines found outside of mammals, and their location demonstrates that the T2 cluster is ancient (at least 300 million years old). Four of these genes (IL-3, IL-4, IL-13, and GM-CSF) are expressed at the mRNA level and can be expressed as recombinant protein. In contrast to the other four genes, the chicken IL-5 (ChIL-5) gene we sequenced lacks a recognizable promoter and regulatory sequences in the predicted 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR). Further, there is no evidence for its expression at the mRNA level. We, therefore, hypothesize that it is a pseudogene. Genomic analysis revealed that a recently characterized cytokinelike transcript, KK34, not identified in our initial analysis of the BAC sequence, is also encoded in this cluster. This gene may represent a duplication of an ancestral IL-5 gene and may encode the functional homolog of IL-5 in the chicken.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2004

Combined analysis of two randomized trials of community physiotherapy for patients more than one year post stroke.

BACKGROUND: Some patients continue to have mobility problems as a long-term consequence of stroke and it is unclear whether routine, further contact with a physiotherapy service is beneficial. Two single-centre, randomized controlled trials of physiotherapy for patients more than one year post stroke have been undertaken in Oxford and Bradford in the UK and the results from these two trials have been combined to give a more precise estimate of effectiveness. METHOD: The computerized databases from both trials were combined for a joint analysis. Outcome measures common to both trials were: Rivermead Mobility Index; gait speed measured over 10 metres; Barthel Index; Frenchay Activities Index; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. RESULTS: There were 264 patients available for the combined analysis (Oxford = 94; Bradford = 170). There was a significant but clinically small improvement in mobility at three months in the combined treatment group measured by the Rivermead Mobility Index (median of the differences = 0 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0, 1); interpolated values = 0.43 (95% CI 0.08, 0.80)) and gait speed (treatment effect 2.7 m/min (95% CI 0.94, 4.46)). There were no other significant differences. Intervention given in both studies was at the discretion of the physiotherapists and was of similar and low intensity (mean visits Oxford = 4 (SD 2.5); Bradford = 5 (SD 4.5)). CONCLUSION: A more effective physiotherapy intervention is required for stroke patients with persisting mobility problems after stroke.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

A randomized trial to evaluate an education programme for patients and carers after stroke.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of an education programme for patients and carers recovering from stroke. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: One hundred and seventy patients admitted to a stroke rehabilitation unit and 97 carers of these patients. INTERVENTIONS: The intervention group received a specifically designed stroke information manual and were invited to attend education meetings every two weeks with members of their multidisciplinary team. The control group received usual practice. MEASURES: Primary outcome was knowledge of stroke and stroke services. Secondary outcomes were handicap (London Handicap Scale), physical function (Barthel Index), social function (Frenchay Activities Index), mood (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and satisfaction (Pound Scale). Carer mood was measured by the General Health Questionnaire-28. RESULTS: There was no statistical evidence for a treatment effect on knowledge but there were trends that favoured the intervention. The education programme was associated with a significantly greater reduction in patient anxiety score at both three months (p =0.034) and six months (p =0.021) and consequently fewer 'cases' (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale anxiety subscale score > or =11). There were no other significant statistical differences between the patient or carer groups for other outcomes, although there were trends in favour of the education programme. CONCLUSION: An education programme delivered within a stroke unit did not result in improved knowledge about stroke and stroke services but there was a significant reduction in patient anxiety at six months post stroke onset.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

A survey to investigate the role of the district nurse in stroke care.

The long-term needs of people who have had a stroke and their carers are not being adequately addressed. A stroke care coordinator based in primary care might improve service delivery: the district nurse has been suggested as a possible candidate. A postal survey was conducted with three primary care trusts in Bradford to investigate the current role of the district nurse in stroke care and to examine their potential as stroke care coordinator. District nurses from 24 (59%) teams responded to the survey. Twenty-two (44%) were aware of the national clinical guidelines for stroke and five (10%) had received stroke-related training within the previous year. The district nurses demonstrated insight into the types of longer term problems experienced by people who have had a stroke and their carers. While findings of the survey suggests that they would be a likely candidate for the stroke care coordinator role, there are major educational, training and organizational challenges to implementing this change.

Community Health Nursing↗
PubMed2003

Effects of historic PCB exposures on the reproductive success of the Hudson River striped bass population.

Scientists and regulatory agencies have expressed concern that exposures to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) might be contributing to reductions in the abundance of fish populations exposed to these chemicals. The specific effects of concern involve impairment of fish reproduction, including both reduced egg production and decreased viability of eggs and larvae. We tested hypotheses concerning the effects of PCBs on fish populations using long-term data sets available for the striped bass population of the Hudson River, NY, a population that has long been a subject of regulatory concern because of potential effects of PCB exposures. The data sets examined include both measurements of PCB concentrations in adult female striped bass over the period from 1976 through 1997 and estimates of the numbers of striped bass eggs, larvae, and juveniles produced annually during this same period. We found strong correlations between estimates of the abundance of spawners and the number of eggs and larvae produced by those spawners and also between independent estimates of year-class strength derived from different sampling programs. However, we found no relationships between PCB exposure and any measure of striped bass abundance or reproduction. Although inconsistent with the expected effects of PCB exposures, trends in all measures of striped bass abundance and reproductive success were consistent with the expected effects of striped bass harvest restrictions that were imposed during the 1980s. Our results demonstrate a need for caution in inferring risks to populations in nature from effects observed in laboratory studies.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

An estimate of post-acute intermediate care need in an elderly care department for older people.

There is an expectation that intermediate care services for older people will be widely introduced in England. The planning of such services should be based on an understanding of required capacity. The present study provides a needs estimate for post-acute intermediate care. Older patients admitted acutely to an elderly care department in a district general hospital serving a large city in northern England were followed prospectively by a research team until medical stability had occurred in the opinion of the senior ward nurses and the responsible consultant. The clinical staff then determined if the patient had continuing post-acute care needs or if imminent discharge was possible. Out of 1211 acutely admitted patients, 997 became medically stable and 312 [25.8% of admissions; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 23.3-28.2%] were considered to require post-acute care, and of these, 251 (20.7% of admissions; 95% CI = 18.4-23.0%) needed post-acute rehabilitation care. In conclusion, the present authors suggest that intermediate care services providing post-acute care for older people should have a capacity to address the needs of up to one-quarter of acute admissions to a district general hospital elderly care department.

Aftercare↗
PubMed2003

Developing a primary care-based stroke service: a review of the qualitative literature.

The aim of this review was to identify the most frequently encountered longer-term problems experienced by stroke patients and their informal carers. Systematically identified qualitative studies describing self-reported experiences of stroke-related long-term problems were independently reviewed and the findings analysed using a clustering technique. Twenty-three qualitative studies, which included approximately 500 patients and 180 carers, were identified by the search methods. Most of the studies were cross-sectional, United Kingdom-based, and employed semi-structured individual interviews. The review identified 203 problem areas, which were categorised into five domains: hospital experience; transfer of care; communication; services; and social and emotional consequences. The largest domain was the social and emotional consequences of stroke, representing 39% of all problem areas. These included problems relating to mood, social changes, attitudes to recovery, and changes in self-perception and relationships. Service deficiencies, encompassing both health and social care, was the second largest domain, accounting for 29% of the problem areas. The review provides a basis for a user-focused, longer-term stroke service. The need for responses that go beyond the traditional physical rehabilitation approach is evident, and research to identify broader treatment strategies is now required.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2003

Developing a primary care-based stroke model: the prevalence of longer-term problems experienced by patients and carers.

BACKGROUND: Over the last two decades, the need for a longer-term perspective to stroke management has become increasingly recognised. This paper reports a component of a larger project aimed at developing a systematic, primary care-based service for stroke aftercare. AIM: To identify the types and prevalence of longer-term problems experienced by stroke patients and their carers in the United Kingdom (UK). METHOD: Systematically identified quantitative surveys reporting the prevalence of long-term stroke-related problems were reviewed and the findings extracted and interpreted against a patient and carer defined classification system, identified during an earlier review of the qualitative stroke literature. RESULTS: Twenty-seven UK surveys, including approximately 6000 patients and 3000 carers, and two literature reviews were identified by the search methods. Most of the problem areas identified in the qualitative stroke literature review were reported in the quantitative surveys and an additional two problems were identified (falls and sexual problems). The prevalence of problems in each of the areas was as follows: 19% to 62% for emotional problems; 18% to 46% for social problems; 13% to 77% for service issues; 18% to 88% for poor communication; 33% to 100% for transfer of care; and 10% to 73% for other areas. CONCLUSION: This review confirms the findings and recommendations from earlier work about the need for a longer-term holistic approach to the rehabilitation of stroke patients and support for carers. Having established the nature and frequency of the main problems experienced by stroke patients and their carers, the appropriate evidence-based interventions need to be identified and consolidated into a stroke service, facilitated by a robust patient-assessment process.

Caregivers↗
PubMed2002

A direct pyrophosphatase-coupled assay provides new insights into the activation of the secreted adenylate cyclase from Bordetella pertussis by calmodulin.

Continuous recording of the activity of recombinant adenylate cyclase (CyaA) of Bordetella pertussis (EC ) by conductimetric determination of enzyme-coupled pyrophosphate cleavage has enabled us to define a number of novel features of the activation of this enzyme by calmodulin and establish conditions under which valid activation data can be obtained. Activation either in the presence or absence of calcium is characterized by a concentration-dependent lag phase. The rate of formation and breakdown of the activated complex can be determined from an analysis of the lag phase kinetics and is in good agreement with thermodynamic data obtained by measuring the dependence of activation on calmodulin concentration, which show that calcium increases k(on) by about 30-fold. The rate of breakdown of the activated complex, formed either in the presence or absence of calcium, has been determined by dilution experiments and has been shown to be independent of the presence of calcium. The coupled assay is established as a rapid, convenient and safe method which should be readily applicable to the continuous assays of most other enzymes that catalyze reactions in which inorganic pyrophosphate is liberated.

Adenylate Cyclase Toxin↗
PubMed2002

Physiotherapy for patients with mobility problems more than 1 year after stroke: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Community physiotherapy is often prescribed for stroke patients with long-term mobility problems. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of this treatment in patients who had mobility problems 1 year after stroke. METHODS: We screened 359 patients older than 50 years for a single-masked, randomised controlled trial to assess the effects of community physiotherapy. Assessments were made at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months in 170 eligible patients assigned treatment or no intervention. The primary outcome measure was mobility measured by the Rivermead mobility index. Secondary outcome measures were gait speed, number of falls, daily activity (Barthel index scores), social activity (Frenchay activities index), hospital anxiety and depression scale, and emotional stress of carers (general health questionnaire 28). Analyses were by intention to treat. FINDINGS: Follow-up was available for 146 patients (86%). Changes in scores on the Rivermead mobility index (score range 0-15) differed significantly between treatment and control groups at 3 months (p=0.018), but only by a median of 1 point (95% CI 0-1), with an interpolated value of 0.55 (0.08-1.04). Gait speed was 2.6 m/min (0.30-4.95) higher in the treatment group at 3 months. Neither treatment effect persisted at 6-months' and 9-months' follow-up. Treatment had no effect on patients' daily activity, social activity, anxiety, depression, and number of falls, or on emotional stress of carers. INTERPRETATION: Community physiotherapy treatment for patients with mobility problems 1 year after stroke leads to significant, but clinically small, improvements in mobility and gait speed that are not sustained after treatment ends.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2002

Increased fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor and tissue plasminogen activator levels in insulin resistant South Asian patients with ischaemic stroke.

The aim of this study was to determine differences in atherothrombotic risk factors in South Asian subjects with a history of ischaemic stroke and South Asian subjects free from personal and family history of clinically detectable stroke. Eighty South Asian patients with ischaemic stroke (confirmed on cranial computerised scan) and 80 South Asian controls with similar age and gender distributions were recruited at random. The frequency of hypertension (P=<0.0001), myocardial infarction (P=0.003) and diabetes mellitus (<0.0001) were significantly higher in stroke patients. Stroke patients had lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (0.95 vs. 1.1 mmol/l, P=<0.0001), higher plasma glucose (8.1 vs. 6.6 mmol/l, P=0.01) and trendwise higher HBA(1C) (6.4 vs. 6.0%, P=0.09). There was no difference in insulin levels but insulin resistance was significantly higher in stroke patients (3.75 vs. 2.66, P=0.01). Stroke patients showed elevated levels of fibrinogen (3.78 vs. 3.41 mg/dl, P=0.02), von Willebrand factor (1.78 vs. 1.50 IU/ml, P=0.006) and tissue plasminogen activator (12.8 vs. 11.3 ng/ml, P=0.04), but the differences did not persist after adjustment for glucose, triglycerides, HDL, WHR, and BMI. Higher levels of fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor and t-PA in South Asian stroke patients disappeared after adjustment for features of insulin resistance syndrome but persisted after adjustment for presence of diabetes, confirming that these changes are essentially dependant on features of insulin resistance syndrome. A prospective study would be required to elucidate the role of thrombotic risk factors in South Asians with ischaemic stroke.

Asia, Southeastern↗
PubMed2002

Determinants of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in South Asians with ischaemic stroke.

To investigate the relationship of circulating plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels with features of insulin resistance and genotype at a single nucleotide insertion/deletion (4G/5G) polymorphism in the promoter region of the PAI-1 gene in 101 South Asian ischaemic stroke patients and 102 symptom-free reference subjects. The allele frequencies were 4G-0.51, 5G-0.49 and 4G-0.61, 5G-0.39 in patients and reference subjects, respectively. There was a significant association between PAI-1 promoter genotype and PAI-1 antigen levels in patients. Regression analysis with significant correlates in the model demonstrated age, gender and triglycerides in patients and fasting insulin and HDL cholesterol in reference subjects as independent predictors of PAI-1 antigen.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Reliability of gait speed measured by a timed walking test in patients one year after stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the reliability of gait speed in late-stage stroke patients. DESIGN: Test-retest reliability of three timed walks to 10 metres repeated during two assessments one week apart. SETTING: The patient's home. SUBJECTS: Twenty-two stroke patients with mobility problems more than one year after stroke. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Gait speed measured in seconds taken to walk 10 metres. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Intraclass correlations (ICCs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and the Bland and Altman method for assessing agreement by calculating the mean difference between measurements (d); the 95% CI for d; the standard deviation of the difference (SDdiff); a reliability coefficient and the 95% limits of agreement. RESULTS: There was a trend for decreased times taken to walk 10 metres both within each assessment and between assessments. ICCs for within-assessment reliability were 0.95-0.99. The d (SDdiff) for the second and third walks for assessment 1 was -1.00 (2.63) seconds and for assessment 2 was -0.70 (1.58) seconds. The reliability coefficient was 5.26 for assessment 1 and 3.17 for assessment 2. ICCs for between-assessment reliability were 0.87-0.88. The d (SDdiff) for the comparison of the third walks at assessment 1 and assessment 2 was -0.90 (5.01) seconds. The reliability coefficient was 10.02 and the 95% limits of agreement were -10.92 to +9.12 seconds. CONCLUSION: Within-assessment gait speed measured at home is highly reliable. The between-assessment reliability of gait speed measurement is less reliable but comparable with other studies.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Coagulation factor VII activity, Arg/Gln353 polymorphism and features of insulin resistance in first-degree-relatives of South Asian patients with stroke.

The aim of the study was to determine associations of factor VII:C levels in 140 South Asian stroke subjects and 143 first-degree relatives versus age-sex matched 146 control subjects without a personal or a family history of stroke subjects living in UK. There were no significant differences in Factor VII:C levels or FVII Msp I gene polymorphism (Arg-Gln 353) R353Q genotype frequency between the groups. R353Q genotype determined Factor VII:C levels in all the three groups. Factor VII:C levels correlated with triglycerides (patients, r = 0.23; relatives r = 27; control subjects, r = 0.24) and plasminogen activator inhibitor activity (patients, r = 0.30; relatives r = 0.22; control subjects r = 0.20) in all the three groups, but with insulin only in patients (p = 0.19). Circulating levels of Factor VII:C are determined by R353Q genotype and cluster with other risk factors associated with insulin resistance in South Asian ischaemic stroke patients, first-degree relatives and control subjects but are not related to stroke or a family history of stroke.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Predicting Performance on the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification Examination From Grade Point Average and Number of Clinical Hours.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether grade point average, hours of clinical education, or both are significant predictors of performance on the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification examination and whether curriculum and internship candidates' scores on the certification examination can be differentially predicted. DESIGN AND SETTING: Data collection forms and consent forms were mailed to the subjects to collect data for predictor variables. Subject scores on the certification examination were obtained from Columbia Assessment Services. SUBJECTS: A total of 270 first-time candidates for the April and June 1998 certification examinations. MEASUREMENTS: Grade point average, number of clinical hours completed, sex, route to certification eligibility (curriculum or internship), scores on each section of the certification examination, and pass/fail criteria for each section. RESULTS: We found no significant difference between the scores of men and women on any section of the examination. Scores for curriculum and internship candidates differed significantly on the written and practical sections of the examination but not on the simulation section. Grade point average was a significant predictor of scores on each section of the examination and the examination as a whole. Clinical hours completed did not add a significant increment for any section but did add a significant increment for the examination overall. Although no significant difference was noted between curriculum and internship candidates in predicting scores on sections of the examination, a significant difference by route was found in predicting whether candidates would pass the examination as a whole (P =.047). Proportion of variance accounted for was less than R(2) = 0.0723 for any section of the examination and R(2) = 0.057 for the examination as a whole. CONCLUSIONS: Potential predictors of performance on the certification examination can be useful to athletic training educators in assisting students. These findings must be used cautiously because of the low proportion of explained variance. Low R(2) values suggest that the largest contributors to performance on the examination were not identified in this study. Although the results of this study support the decision to discontinue the internship route to certification, continued research focusing on identification and investigation of the constructs that contribute to examination success is needed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

The ECAT ART Scanner for Positron Emission Tomography. 1. Improvements in Performance Characteristics.

The widespread use of positron emission tomography (PET) has been to some extent limited by the cost and complexity of PET instrumentation. Recognition of the wider applicability of clinical PET imaging is reflected in the ECAT ART design, a low cost PET scanner targeted for clinical applications, particularly in oncology. The ART comprises two asymmetrically opposed arrays of BGO block detectors. Each array consists of 88 (transaxial) by 24 (axial) crystals, and the arrays rotate continuously at 30 rpm to acquire a full 3D projection data set. Sensitivity and count rate limitations are key performance parameters for any imaging device. This paper reports on improved performance characteristics of the ART, achieved by operating the scanner with a decreased block integration time, reduced coincidence time window, and collimated singles transmission sources. Compared to the standard ART configuration, these modifications result in both improved count rate performance and higher quality transmission scans.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An examination of the evidence-based literacy research in deaf education.

The ability to read and write for a variety of purposes is essential to success in school and in contemporary society. The purpose of this investigation was to conduct an exhaustive review of the literature and a meta-analysis of literacy research in the field of deaf education. Computer and manual searches of 40 years of peer-reviewed journal articles were conducted. A total of 964 articles related to literacy and deafness were identified and examined; 22 articles met the criteria for inclusion in the review. Results indicate that (a) no two studies examined the same dimension of literacy; (b) there was a paucity of well-designed group studies; (c) there were no systematic replication of studies; (d) there is limited data to establish evidenced-based practices. Consequently, increasing the quantity and improving the quality of research in the field is recommended.

Education of Persons with Hearing Disabilities↗