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Biomedical subjects

K Walsh

Publications and source records attributed to K Walsh.

281 records · Page 16Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

A continuous model for interpreting the positions of bands in DNA locus-specific work.

A simple but rigorous approach is offered for evaluating the evidential value of single locus DNA autoradiographs. This approach does not use a binning technique and it does not treat alleles as discrete variables. Instead, the allele distribution is considered to be continuous. The variation between two comparable bands is assessed using previously determined experimental parameters. The Bayesian treatment leads to an expression of the "quality of a match".

Alleles↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Motor dysfunction in a mouse model for Down syndrome.

Motor deficits are among the most frequently occurring features of Down syndrome (DS). Individuals with DS exhibit disturbances in the dynamics of movement production and postural control that are thought to have a significant impact in delaying their acquisition of motor skills. The origin of these deficits has been hypothesized to be cerebellar. The Ts65Dn mouse is the most robust and genetically sound animal model for DS currently available. Ts65Dn mice show many DS-like features, including significant learning deficits in different behavioral tasks and neurodegeneration of cholinergic neurons. In the present study, we investigate the motor function of these animals. We have analyzed hind paw print patterns during walking, running speeds, rotarod performance, grip force production, swim paths, and swimming speeds. Our results indicate that Ts65Dn mice present mild to severe dysfunction according to all of the above assessments. The most evident impairments presented by these mice were related to equilibrium and motor coordination, which agrees with reported clinical observations made on individuals with DS. Because none of these findings were readily apparent by simple inspection of these animals, these findings reiterate the need for a careful evaluation of any mutant mouse strain for which there is reason to suspect motor deficits. The identification of motor dysfunction in Ts65Dn mice may have important consequences for the interpretation of some previous assessments of learning and memory of these animals that assumed intact motor function, and further strengthens the use of this aneuploid mouse strain as a model for DS.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Negative regulation of inflammation by Fas ligand expression on the vascular endothelium.

It is generally believed that the vascular endothelium serves as a barrier to inflammation by providing a nonadherent surface to leukocytes. Recently, we reported that vascular endothelial cells (ECs) express Fas ligand, which functions to actively inhibit inflammation by inducing apoptosis in Fas-bearing leukocytes. The inflammatory cytokine TNF alpha downregulates Fas ligand expression with an accompanying decrease in EC cytotoxicity toward Fas-bearing cells in co-culture. Endothelial Fas ligand expression in arteries is also downregulated by the local administration of TNF alpha, and this correlates with robust mononuclear cell infiltration of the subendothelial space. This TNF alpha-induced mononuclear cell infiltration is inhibited by pre-infecting the endothelium with a replication-defective adenovirus that constitutively expresses Fas ligand. Under these conditions, adherent leukocytes undergo apoptosis rather than extravasation. These findings suggest that Fas ligand expression on the vascular endothelium functions to inhibit inflammatory responses that are often associated with vascular disorders.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Assessing transfer probabilities in a Bayesian interpretation of forensic glass evidence.

When someone breaks glass a number of tiny fragments may be transferred to that person. If the glass is broken in the commission of a crime then these fragments may be used as evidence. A Bayesian interpretation of this evidence relies on the forensic scientist's ability to assess the probability of transfer. This paper examines the problem of assessing this probability and suggests some solutions.

Bayes Theorem↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Dimensions of parental involvement in pre-school programmes.

This report describes an approach towards the clarification of the role of parent involvement in the decision-making process and assessment of preschool programmes. A model-placing involvement on a continuum is developed using as its endpoints high and low levels of parent involvement. The implications of this distinction in the decision-making process are examined from the viewpoint of practical consequences for all those concerned with maximizing the effects of various pre-school programmes. Finally, an example of a case of programme evaluation which actively sought high levels of parent involvement in the development of a behaviour rating scale is presented and an extension of the model to other aspects of a child's life is suggested.

Child Development↗
PubMedDate not supplied

In utero pacing for fetal congenital heart block.

We report what we believe is the first percutaneous transvenous intracardiac cardiac pacing of a fetus. The case is important because it demonstrates that transvenous fetal cardiac pacing is technically possible and provides a basis for development of the technology.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Gene therapy to prevent restenosis, the Boston experience.

The delivery of genetic material to the vessel wall is being explored as a means to treat disorders of the vasculature. Gene therapy offers the possibility to directly or indirectly influence the molecular pathways that are disregulated. With regard to postangioplasty restenosis, gene therapy is most often aimed at inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. Here, we review the results of studies in our laboratories that have investigated a number of different strategies to inhibit proliferative vessel wall lesions. These strategies include the administration of genes that block cell cycle progression, induce apoptosis, or promote the growth of vascular endothelium.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effectiveness of mask ventilation performed by hospital doctors in an Irish tertiary referral teaching hospital.

The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of mask ventilation performed by 112 doctors with clinical responsibilities at a tertiary referral teaching hospital. Participant doctors were asked to perform mask ventilation for three minutes on a Resusci Anne mannequin using a facemask and a two litre self inflating bag. The tidal volumes generated were quantified using a Laerdal skillmeter computer as grades 0-5, corresponding to 0, 334, 434, 561, 673 and > 800 ml respectively. The effectiveness of mask ventilation (i.e. the proportion of ventilation attempts which achieved a volume delivery of > 434 mls) was greater for anaesthetists [78.0 (29.5)%] than for non anaesthetists [54.6 (40.0)%] (P = 0.012). Doctors who had attended one or more resuscitation courses where no more effective at mask ventilation than their colleagues who had not undertaken such courses. It is likely that first responders to in-hospital cardiac arrests are commonly unable to perform adequate mask ventilation.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Use of medical services during a 2-month period in the Seattle-King County (Washington) jail.

Total health care utilization in the Seattle-King County jail over a 2-month period in spring 1979 was studied. The annualized visit rate for men was 48 per prisoner per year, 2.6 times the rate for men studied in a long-term prison and almost 20 times the rate for men studied in the general population. The annualized rate for female prisoners was three times that of male prisoners. For all prisoners, the most common problems seen were skin conditions (9.7 percent), musculoskeletal (8.3 percent), and psychiatric (8.2 percent). An examination of practitioners' patterns in providing care demonstrated the primary role of registered nurses, who saw 70 percent of the patients. During the study period, 125 transfers were made to a hospital; 48.8 percent were for medical problems, 41.6 percent for trauma, and 9.6 percent for psychosocial problems.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A study of the effectiveness of an interactive computer classroom.

This study examined the use of an interactive computer classroom (ICC) compared with a traditional lecture/discussion format (LD) for a nursing management course taught from fall semester 1994 through fall semester 1996. The ICC was structured around a group systems support software, a tool previously used in business settings for group decision-making activities. Structured learning activities allowed all students to participate simultaneously and anonymously. Data were collected during the second and final semesters of the study. The outcomes included academic performance, measured by course exams; class participation, measured by direct observation; and attendance records. The control group was a concurrent management course taught with the same objectives and evaluated by identical examinations. The examination scores and the frequency of class participation of the ICC group were significantly higher than those measures of the LD group. There was no significant difference in class attendance. Evaluation forms with open-ended questions were completed by the ICC students and revealed that the students believed that the process enhanced application and understanding. The negative aspects of the ICC experience were the need for increased preparation time for faculty and the students' lack of tolerance when technical difficulties caused delays.

Computer-Assisted Instruction↗