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Biomedical subjects

K Quinn

Publications and source records attributed to K Quinn.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Women with intellectual disability who have offended: characteristics and outcome.

BACKGROUND: There have been a few reports describing the characteristics and outcomes of male offenders with intellectual disability (ID). Therefore, while we are building up a reasonable picture of this client group, there are almost no reports of female offenders with ID. This paper is a preliminary attempt to present information on a small cohort of female offenders. METHODS: Characteristics of female offenders are presented including information on age, IQ, mental illness, referring agents, crimes committed, problems identified, sexual and physical abuse and outcome. Some comparisons are made with corresponding descriptions of male cohorts in Lindsay et al. (2004). RESULTS: The main result is that females constitute 9% of referrals to the service. Other notable results are that: at 61% sexual abuse in the cohort of female offenders is higher than in male cohorts but at 38.5% physical abuse is no higher than in appropriate comparison groups; as with mainstream female offenders identification of mental illness is high at 67%; and total re-offending over 5 years was 22% but, excluding prostitution, was only 16.5%. CONCLUSIONS: In some respects, this cohort of female offenders shows similar characteristics to their male counterparts. However, there are higher levels of mental illness, higher levels of sexual abuse and lower levels of re-offending. It is hypothesized that as females constitute such a low percentage of referrals, it suggests that women with ID do not show the same levels of sexually abusive behaviour or aggressive behaviour--the two most frequent reasons for male referral. Therefore, an intervening variable such as mental illness may indeed be a significant factor. Lower re-offending rates may indicate the success of interventions directed at psychological problems and mental illness.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Embryo survival and recipient pregnancy rates after transfer of fresh or vitrified, in vivo or in vitro produced ovine blastocysts.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of production system and of cryopreservation of ovine embryos on their viability when transferred to recipients. The experimental design was an unbalanced 2 x 2 factorial design of two embryo production systems (in vivo versus in vitro) and two embryo preservation conditions prior to transfer (transferred fresh versus transferred after vitrification/warming). For the production of blastocysts in vivo, crossbred donor ewes (n=30) were synchronised using a 13-day intravaginal progestagen pessary. Ewes received 1500 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) 2 days before pessary withdrawal, and were mated 2 days after pessary withdrawal and embryos were recovered surgically (6 days after mating). Blastocysts were produced in vitro (IVP) using standard techniques. Recipients (n=95) were synchronised using a progestagen pessary and received 500 IU eCG at pessary removal and were randomly assigned to receive (two per recipient) in vivo fresh (n=10), in vivo vitrified (n=10), in vitro fresh (n=35) or in vitro vitrified (n=40) blastocysts. Recipients were slaughtered at day 42 of gestation and foetuses recovered. Pregnancy and embryo survival rates were recorded and analysed using CATMOD procedures. Foetal weights and crown-rump lengths were recorded and analysed using generalised linear model (GLM) procedures. There were no statistically significant interactions between the effects of embryo production system and preservation status at transfer on pregnancy rate and embryo survival. The pregnancy rate following transfer of fresh IVP blastocysts was lower (P<0.07) than that of in vivo embryos (54.3% versus 90.0%, respectively). Vitrification resulted in a decrease in pregnancy rate, the effect being more pronounced in the case of IVP embryos (54.3-5.0%, P<0.001) compared with in vivo embryos (90.0-50.0%), although the absolute change was similar (49.3% versus 40.0%). Transfer of fresh IVP blastocysts resulted in a higher proportion of single (78.9% versus 33.3%) and lower proportion of twin (21.1% versus 66.7%) pregnancies than those produced in vivo. This was reflected in a significant difference in embryo survival rate (fresh: 32.8% versus 75.0%, P<0.01; vitrified: 2.5% versus 35.0%, P<0.001, for IVP and in vivo blastocysts, respectively). Similarly, all pregnancies resulting from the transfer of vitrified/warmed IVP blastocysts were single pregnancies, while 40% of those from vitrified/warmed in vivo blastocysts were twin pregnancies; this was reflected in an embryo survival rate of 35.0% versus 75.0%, respectively. There was a significant effect (P=0.0184) of litter size on foetal weight but not on foetal length (P=0.3304). Foetuses derived from the fresh transfer of IVP blastocysts were heavier (6.4+/-0.2g versus 5.8+/-0.2g, respectively, P<0.05) and longer (5.2+/-0.1cm versus 4.8+/-0.1cm, respectively, P<0.01) than those derived from fresh in vivo blastocysts. There was no difference in these parameters as a consequence of vitrification of IVP embryos. However, in vivo blastocysts subjected to vitrification resulted in heavier (6.6+/-0.3g versus 5.8+/-0.2g, respectively, P=0.055) and longer (5.2+/-0.1cm versus 4.8+/-0.1cm, respectively, P<0.05) foetuses than their counterparts transferred fresh.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Paternal influence on the time of first embryonic cleavage post insemination and the implications for subsequent bovine embryo development in vitro and fertility in vivo.

The objectives of this study were: (1) to evaluate the effect of sire on the time from insemination to first cleavage following insemination in vitro and the relationship of this parameter to field fertility and (2) to establish the relationship between the kinetics of cleavage in vitro and oocyte developmental competence for bulls of known field fertility. Frozen semen from six bulls with 150-day non-return rates ranging from 57-78% was used. In experiment 1, after insemination with semen from one of the six bulls, presumptive zygotes were transferred to IVC in droplets of synthetic oviduct fluid. Droplets were examined at 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 42, and 48 hr after insemination and the number of cleaved oocytes was recorded. Blastocyst yield was recorded on Days 6-, 7-, and 8-post insemination. In experiment 2, culture droplets were examined at 30, 36, and 48 hr after insemination. At each time point, the number of cleaved embryos was recorded and these embryos were transferred into new droplets and were cultured separately for the duration of the experiment. The proportion of embryos developing to the blastocyst stage was recorded for each of the groups for each bull. The best predictor of field fertility was a model containing 33-hpi-cleavage percentage only (r = 0.689, P < 0.0001). There was also a significant correlation between blastocyst yield and non-return rate, with Day 7 blastocyst yield having the highest correlation (r = 0.356), although this was relatively low in comparison. In experiment 2, irrespective of sire, a significantly higher proportion of those early-cleaving oocytes (before 30 hpi) developed to blastocysts than those cleaving later. In most cases, a higher proportion of blastocysts derived from early-cleaving oocytes hatched from the zona pellucida suggesting that such blastocysts are of superior quality to those derived from late-cleaving oocytes. In conclusion these data confirm our earlier observations that earliest cleaving zygotes are more competent in terms of development to the blastocyst stage than those that cleave later. This phenomenon is independent of the sire used. However, we have demonstrated that the kinetics of early embryonic development as measured by the timing of the first cleavage division post insemination vary between different bulls and that these differences can be used to discriminate between bulls of high and low bull field fertility.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

A comparison of physical and sexual abuse: histories of sexual and non-sexual offenders with intellectual disability.

OBJECTIVES: To review patterns of physical and sexual abuse in cohorts of sexual offenders and nonsexual offenders with intellectual disability. METHOD: Forty-six sexual offenders were compared with 48 male nonsexual offenders in relation to their experiences of sexual and physical abuse in childhood. Comprehensive assessments were taken over a period of at least one year, and were conducted independently by a range of professionals. RESULTS: Thirty-eight percent of the sexual offenders and 12.7% of the nonsexual offenders had experienced sexual abuse, while 13% of the sexual offenders and 33% of the nonsexual offenders had experienced physical abuse. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual abuse seems a significant variable in the history of sexual offenders, while physical abuse seems a significant variable in the history of nonsexual offenders. The results support the view that the "cycle of abuse" is neither inevitable nor an adequate explanation of future offending.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Validation of the Crisis in Family Systems-Revised, a contemporary measure of life stressors.

The objectives of this study were to establish the validity of the Crisis in Family Systems-Revised, a recently developed measure of contemporary life stressors, using the same validation technique as in the original validation and to provide further evidence of construct validity by assessing its relationship to socioeconomic status and residential location. We conducted 124 in-person interviews with parents in three outpatient pediatric asthma clinics affiliated with an academic medical center. The design was cross-sectional and correlational. Total count of life stressors accounted for 19% of the variance in scores on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression. Respondents using Medicaid and living in the city experienced more objective stressors, but the proportions of stressors rated as negative or positive (Valence), and ongoing (Chronicity) were fairly constant across subsamples, as was the Difficulty rating. Psychologists and health and mental health services researchers are in need of constructs relevant to contemporary society and its issues and tools to measure these constructs. Life stressors appears to be such a construct and the Crisis in Family Systems-Revised a measure with considerable utility.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Interventions for preventing ankle ligament injuries.

BACKGROUND: Some sports, for example basketball and soccer, have a very high incidence of ankle injuries, mainly sprains. This contributes to ankle sprains being one of the most commonly treated injuries. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of interventions used for the prevention of ankle ligament injuries or sprains in physically active individuals from adolescence to middle age. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Musculoskeletal Injuries Group trials register, MEDLINE (1966 to July 1996), EMBASE (1980 to September 1996), CINAHL (1982 to June 1996), and bibliographies of study reports. We also contacted colleagues and some trialists. Date of the most recent search: March 1997. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised or quasi-randomised trials of interventions for the prevention of ankle sprains in physically active individuals from adolescence to middle age were included provided ankle sprains were recorded. Interventions include use of modified footwear and associated supports, adapted training programmes and health education. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: At least four reviewers independently assessed methodological quality and extracted data. Wherever possible, results of outcome measures were pooled and sub-grouped by history of previous sprain. MAIN RESULTS: Five randomised trials with data for 3954 participants were included. All trials involved young, active, mostly male adults participating in high-risk, usually sporting, activities. With the exception of ankle disc training, all prophylactic interventions entailed the application of an external ankle support in the form of a semi-rigid orthosis, air-cast brace or high top shoes. There was a significant reduction in the number of ankle sprains in people allocated external ankle support (Peto odds ratio 0.49; 95% confidence interval 0.37 to 0.66). This reduction was greater for those with a previous history of ankle sprain, but still possible for those without prior sprain. There was no apparent difference in the degree of severity of the ankle sprain prevented nor any change to the incidence of other leg injuries. The protective effect of 'high-top' shoes remains to be established. There was limited evidence for reduction in ankle sprain for those with previous ankle sprains who did ankle disc training exercises. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: This review provides good evidence for the beneficial effect of ankle supports in the form of semi-rigid orthoses or air-cast braces to prevent ankle sprain during high-risk sporting activities (e.g. soccer, basketball). Participants with a history of previous sprain can be advised that wearing such supports may reduce the risk of incurring a future sprain. However, any potential prophylactic effect should be balanced against the baseline risk of the activity, the supply and cost of the particular device, and for some, the possible or perceived loss of performance. Further research is indicated principally to investigate other prophylactic interventions and general applicability.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Sodium-potassium-ATPase electrogenicity in cerebral precapillary arterioles.

Electrogenicity of the Na(+)/K(+) pump has the capability to generate a large negative membrane potential independently of ion-channel current. The high background membrane resistance of arterioles may make them susceptible to such an effect. Pump current was detected by patch-clamp recording from smooth muscle cells in fragments of arterioles (diameter 24-58 microm) isolated from pial membrane of rabbit cerebral cortex. The current was 20 pA at -60 mV, and the extrapolated zero current potential was -160 mV. Two methods of estimating the effect of pump electrogenicity on resting potential indicated an average contribution of -35 mV. In 20% of the recordings, block of inward rectifier K(+) channels by 10-100 microM Ba(2+) led to a small depolarization, but hyperpolarization was a more common response. Ba(2+) also inhibited depolarization evoked by 20 mM K(+). In arterioles within intact pial membrane, Ba(2+) failed to evoke constriction but inhibited K(+)-induced constriction. The data suggest that cerebral arterioles are vulnerable to the hyperpolarizing effect of the Na(+)/K(+) pump, excessive effects of which are prevented by depolarizing inward rectifier K(+) current

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: extending palliative care nursing knowledge.

In a 12-month period six people died from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in a Melbourne hospice. CJD is a rare neurodegenerative disease, which commonly follows an explosive course unabated into the terminal phase. For the purposes of this article the care of six patients was audited using a retrospective chart review and a focus group was conducted with nurses involved in their care. The nurses faced considerable challenges as they endeavoured to provide comfort and support for these patients. The differences in the illness trajectory of CJD in relation to the more common experiences of illness progression in advanced cancer are discussed in the context of palliative care. This review focuses on the particular care issues of six people with CJD and their families at the end of life. The personal issues experienced by the nurses who provided palliative care are also explored. The need for the future development of guidelines for families and health professionals who care for people with CJD is highlighted.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

A method for direct patch-clamp recording from smooth muscle cells embedded in functional brain microvessels.

The aim of this project was to develop a method to enable routine application of all patch-clamp configurations to smooth muscle cells while they remain embedded in blood vessels. Small blood vessels were isolated from rabbit brain using an enzymatic and mechanical procedure. Vessels were identified under a microscope and the majority were small arterioles with a mean external diameter, in Ca2+-containing (1.5 mM) solution, of 29 microm and variable lengths of 100 microm or more. Arterioles excluded trypan blue, constricted in response to 60 mM K+ and dilated in response to levcromakalim. Patch-clamp gigaOhm seals were made regularly on smooth muscle cells embedded in arterioles. The membrane potential recorded using amphotericin-B-containing patch pipettes averaged -72 mV. Short arteriolar segments could be voltage-clamped. Injection of depolarising current or bath application of 10 mM Ba2+ induced constriction of the entire arteriolar segment. Cell-attached patch, inside-out patch and outside-out patch recordings were made readily and K+ channel unitary currents were studied. The method is readily applied and has several advantages over previous methods for the study of ion channels in smooth muscle cells. Notably, avoidance of single-cell isolation means that enzymatic treatment is minimised and cells can be studied within their normal environment of the blood vessel wall.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

K(+)-induced dilation of a small renal artery: no role for inward rectifier K+ channels.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of K(+)-induced vasodilation in a small artery from the kidney, with a particular emphasis on the role of inward rectifier K+ channels. METHODS: Lumen diameter and isometric tension recordings have been made from rabbit renal arcuate artery using pressurised- and wire-myography respectively. In addition, conventional whole-cell and amphotericin-perforated patch whole-cell recordings have been made from single smooth muscle cells isolated from the vessel. RESULTS: Arcuate arteries dilated when the extracellular K+ concentration was raised to 8-10 mM from either zero or a normal physiological level of about 6 mM. The effect was not endothelium-dependent. Application of 0.01-1 mM Ba2+ to block inward rectifier K+ channels had no significant effect on K(+)-induced vasodilation in the arcuate artery, but under the same experimental conditions K(+)-induced dilation of the rat posterior cerebral artery was abolished by Ba2+. In the presence of 60 mM extracellular K+, inward rectifier K(+)-current was detectable in some single smooth muscle cells isolated from arcuate arteries but on average the current density was low (-1.44 pA pF-1 at -60 mV). K(+)-induced vasodilation of the arcuate artery was abolished by 10 microM ouabain and the half-effective concentration of K+ which induced vasodilation was 0.9-1.5 mM. CONCLUSIONS: The observations suggest that an increase in the extracellular K+ concentration (up to about 10 mM) dilates the rabbit renal arcuate artery and that the primary mechanism underlying the effect may be stimulation of Na(+)-K+ ATPase in the smooth muscle cell membrane. Inward rectifier K+ channels have a low average density in smooth muscle cells isolated from arcuate arteries and play no significant role in K(+)-induced vasodilation.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Evaluation of a PCR assay for identification and differentiation of Campylobacter fetus subspecies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a polymerase chain reaction assay for identification of Campylobacter fetus and differentiation of the defined subspecies. DESIGN: Characterisation of bacterial strains by traditional phenotyping, polymerase chain reaction, a probabilistic identification scheme and macrorestriction profiling using pulsed field gel electrophoresis. PROCEDURE: The results of identification of 99 bacterial strains as determined by conventional phenotyping or by polymerase chain reaction were compared. Two of these were type strains of C fetus subsp fetus and C fetus subsp venerealis; the remaining strains were field isolates putatively identified as C fetus. In cases where the subspecies identity was disputed, isolates were identified by means of a probabilistic identification scheme and by macrorestriction profiling. RESULTS: The agreement between strain identities initially suggested by traditional phenotypic methods and the PCR assay was found to be 80.8%. The polymerase chain reaction proved to be a reliable technique for the species and subspecies identification of C fetus; equivocal results were obtained in only two instances. Initial misidentifications by conventional phenotyping methods were attributed to methodological differences used in various laboratories. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that misidentification of C fetus in routine diagnostic laboratories may be relatively common. The PCR assay evaluated gave rapid and reproducible results and is thus a valuable adjunctive method for the identification of C fetus and subsequent subspecies differentiation.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Needs assessment of community-based services for children and youth with emotional or behavioral disorders and their families: Part 1. A conceptual model.

Communities throughout the nation are attempting to develop comprehensive systems of community-based, interagency care for children and youth with emotional or behavioral disorders and their families. Needs assessment has been identified as a key component of these initiatives. A needs assessment provides system planners with the data needed to make informed decisions with regard to improving the current system of care. In this first of a two-article series, an overview is presented of a model needs assessment designed for implementation by an interagency coalition interested in developing a comprehensive system of community-based services for children and youth with emotional or behavioral disorders and their families. Major components of the model include foundations for needs assessment, data collection, and data utilization.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Needs assessment of community-based services for children and youth with emotional or behavioral disorders and their families: Part 2. Implementation in a local system of care.

In a previous article, rationale and procedures were presented for a model needs assessment of community-based services for children and youth with emotional and behavioral disorders and their families. In this article, the authors describe initial needs assessment planning activities, examine the implementation of the proposed model, provide a general overview of the results, and review how the community that conducted the assessment used the information to identify system development priorities and action plans. Quantitative data are provided on the population demographics and parent and direct services provider surveys. Qualitative data are presented on the semistructured interviews with key stakeholders and direct service providers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

The association of elder abuse and substance abuse in the Illinois Elder Abuse System.

This article explores the role of abuser substance abuse in 552 cases of substantiated elder abuse in Illinois. When the abuser was identified as having a substance abuse (SA) problem, the type of elder abuse substantiated was more likely to involve either physical or emotional abuse than neglect or financial exploitation. Abusers with SA problems were more frequently men and children of their victims, and less likely to be caregivers. Abuser SA was associated with victim SA. Cases involving abusers with SA problems were more likely to be evaluated by case workers as having a high potential risk for future abuse. Elder abuser case workers should be trained to identify both victim and abuser SA and appropriate intervention strategies.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Folate and vitamin B12 status of the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between estimated folate and vitamin B12 intakes and their biochemical status in elderly persons. SUBJECTS: Twenty-eight males and 30 females ( > 65 years) were randomly selected from a larger sample of free-living elderly residents of Edmonton, Canada. Subjects were contacted through a seniors' service organization. Any subject using vitamin supplements or alcohol other than the social drink was excluded from the study. DESIGN: Dietary intake was estimated using a three-nonconsecutive-day food record. Biochemical status was assessed by measuring the plasma levels of folate and vitamin B12, as well as the red blood cell (r.b.c.) folate levels. RESULTS: Average daily intakes of both folate and vitamin B12 met the recommended requirements. Their mean plasma levels were within the accepted normal ranges in both males and females. However, probability analysis of dietary intake revealed an appreciable number of subjects at risk of deficiency, especially of folate (male 26%; female 21%). According to the interpretive guidelines of r.b.c. folate levels, an appreciable number of the study subjects were also found to be at risk of folate deficiency (male 57%; female 67%). CONCLUSIONS: The folate status appears to be a greater concern than the vitamin B12 status for the elderly population. It seems that although mean values of dietary intake and plasma concentrations of folate may indicate nutritional adequacy, a proportion of the older population may still be at nutritional risks.

Aged↗