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Biomedical subjects

M Laird

Publications and source records attributed to M Laird.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Telemedicine diagnosis of eye disorders by direct ophthalmoscopy. A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To report a pilot study of telemedical direct ophthalmoscopy in the diagnosis of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related retinopathy in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive population and in the diagnosis of glaucoma, cataract, and retinopathy in a diabetic population. DESIGN: Prospective comparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Seventeen HIV-positive and 20 diabetic patients. METHODS: A direct ophthalmoscope custom-fitted with a digital microcamera capable of transmitting images from any of 61 sites within the Georgia Statewide Telemedicine Program was used by a nonophthalmologist to examine 34 eyes of 17 HIV-positive patients and 39 eyes of 20 patients with diabetes. Fundus images were transmitted in real-time to a reviewing ophthalmologist. An in-person, comprehensive examination including indirect ophthalmoscopy, was performed by a second ophthalmologist. Telemedical examination was compared to the in-person comprehensive examination. RESULTS: For the HIV study, 21 eyes did not show HIV retinopathy (noninfectious retinopathy with cotton-wool spots) by in-person examination. Telemedical examination correctly identified 20 of these eyes as disease-free (specificity = 95%). HIV retinopathy was present in 12 of the 34 eyes by in-person evaluation with telemedical examination correctly diagnosing 10 of these eyes (sensitivity = 83%). One eye with dense cataract and retinal detachment was unable to be evaluated ophthalmoscopically by either in-person or telemedical examination. Telemedical and in-person assessments for HIV retinopathy were identical in 100% of eyes without cataract. Disagreement in diagnosis between telemedical and in-person examination was associated with cataract (P < 0.0007). For the diabetes study, because of an inadequate image, telemedical examination was unable to classify 46% and 36% of eyes for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, respectively. Inability to make a telemedical determination for glaucoma (P < 0.011), nonproliferative (P < 0.064) and proliferative (P < 0.064) diabetic retinopathy was associated with cataract. Of the eyes that were able to be assessed by telemedical examination for diabetic retinopathy (n = 25), glaucoma (n = 21), and cataract (n = 39), the accuracy was poor (sensitivity = 29%, 50%, and 41%, respectively). Telemedical examination for diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma was more likely to agree with in-person examination in eyes without cataract as compared to eyes with cataract (not statistically significant). CONCLUSION: Telemedical direct ophthalmoscopic, real-time fundus imaging may provide a valuable means for providing ophthalmic consultation to the primary care physician in younger patients without lens or media opacity, but is inadequate for eyes with any degree of lens or media opacity.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1998

Modulations in lipid A and phospholipid biosynthesis pathways influence outer membrane protein assembly in Escherichia coli K-12.

The assembly defect of a mutant outer membrane protein, OmpF315, can be corrected by suppressor mutations that lower lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels and indirectly elevate phospholipid levels. One such assembly suppressor mutation, asmB1, is an allele of lpxC (envA) whose product catalyses the first rate-limiting step in the lipid A (LPS) biosynthesis pathway. Besides reducing LPS levels, asmB1 confers sensitivity to MacConkey medium. A mutation, sabA1, that reverses the MacConkey sensitivity phenotype of asmB1 maps within fabZ (whose product is needed for phospholipid synthesis from a precursor) is also required for lipid A synthesis. In addition to reversing MacConkey sensitivity, the sabA1 mutation reverses the OmpF315 assembly suppression phenotype of asmB1. These results show that OmpF315 assembly suppression by asmB1, which is achieved by lowering LPS levels, can be averted by a subsequent aberration in phospholipid synthesis at a point where the biosynthetic pathways for these two lipid molecules split. OmpF315 assembly suppression can also be achieved in an asmB+ background where FabZ expression is increased. The data obtained in this study provide genetic evidence that elevated phospholipid levels and/or phospholipid to LPS ratios are necessary for assembly suppression.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins↗
PubMed1998

Predicting and preventing pressure ulcers in adults.

Advanced practice nurses and staff nurse skin-care team members provided the necessary expertise and information to integrate AHCPR recommendations in a protocol for patients at risk for skin impairment. Regular practice monitoring and education regarding skin management have proven to be successful strategies. A skin-impairment management protocol is provided.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Mobility as a mediator of the effects of child maltreatment on academic performance.

This study examined the role of residential and school mobility as a mediator between child maltreatment and academic outcomes. Using a sample of 711 maltreated and nonmaltreated children ranging from 5 to 15 years old matched on gender, grade, school, and socioeconomic status, path analytic techniques were employed to assess direct and indirect effects of maltreatment on recent achievement test scores, current grades, and grade repetitions. The results indicated that mobility did help account for the effects of maltreatment on each of the outcomes. For grades in English/reading, 32.7% of the effect of maltreatment was accounted for by amount of mobility, while for test scores and grade repetitions the numbers were 14.6% and 19.1%, respectively.

Achievement↗
PubMed1994

Japanese Aedes albopictus among four mosquito species reaching New Zealand in used tires.

Since a 1988-89 survey of northern New Zealand revealed no additions to the known mosquito fauna, this country's used tire importations have much increased. Relevant entomological quarantine was thus monitored in a November 1992-January 1993 Auckland project, during which almost 1/3 of 8,549 casings from Japan proved wet on inspection. In this study and at 2 South Island ports afterwards, 5 vessels from Japan and one from Australia were found to have brought in mosquito-infested used tires. Live Aedes albopictus (all larval instars, pupae, and adults) and Aedes japonicus, and dead Tripteroides bambusa were discovered in shipments from Japan (3 interceptions each in the first 2 cases, and one in the 3rd). Live Tripteroides tasmaniensis were recorded from the Australian cargo. One of the Ae. albopictus arrivals was followed by an apprehended introduction at an Auckland importer's premises.

Aedes↗
PubMed1992

Northernmost occurrences of the protistan pathogen, Coelomomyces stegomyiae var. stegomyiae.

Now reported as parasitizing the ovaries of female Aedes albopictus on Kabeshima (33.33N x 129.53E), Coelomomyces stegomyiae var. stegomyiae had been found earlier in larvae of this mosquito on Mikura-jima (33.53N x 139.35E). These findings from 2 widely separated little Japanese islands constitute the parasite's most northerly records to date. Few previous reports of Coelomomyces spp., none concerning C. stegomyiae, have involved adult mosquitoes. Possible reasons for this are advanced.

Aedes↗
PubMed1991

Improving knowledge of emergency physicians about child physical and sexual abuse.

The purpose of this project was to study the effect of self-instructional programs regarding physical and sexual abuse on the knowledge and case recognition of physicians. Data from a total of 191 emergency physicians revealed significant improvements from pre- to posttests, as well as increases in case recognition skills. More than 90% of physicians using each kit reported that the information had been valuable and that they would recommend the program to a colleague. The finding that knowledge mastery was high, combined with the recommendations of participating physicians, suggests that the programs tested are promising tools for educating emergency physicians about child physical and sexual abuse.

Child↗
PubMed1990

New Zealand's northern mosquito survey, 1988-89.

The latest mosquito survey of the warmer regions of New Zealand (NZ) sampled 2,304 larval mosquito habitats of all major categories. While revealing no evidence of new establishments of exotic mosquitoes, it produced important data revealing the underutilization of types of habitats that could be invaded now or in the future (especially if the "greenhouse effect" eventually causes even quite small rises in average temperatures and sea levels). Although long feared additions of malaria vectors to a fauna still lacking any species of Anopheles, or of essentially tropical arbovirus vectors from neighboring countries to the north and northeast, may not materialize failing climatic amelioration, a new danger appeared at the beginning of the 1988-89 Northern Mosquito Survey when Aedes albopictus was reported for the first time from Fiji. This vector of dengue hemorrhagic fever and Ross River virus has since been spreading widely on the archipelago's main island, Viti Levu, whence much air and sea traffic reaches NZ. Information presented and discussed herein strongly supports the continuance and improvement of international aircraft disinsection and other insect quarantine measures.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Tabanomyces milkoi (Dudka and Koval) emended, genus novum, a fungal pathogen of horseflies.

A fungus originally described as a new species of Coelomomyces (C. milkoi) from larval Tabanidae in the Ukraine, USSR, is transferred to a new genus, Tabanomyces, and described in detail. The zygospores germinate to form a linear four-celled conidiophore, each cell producing a spherical conidium ejected as in Conidiobolus, thus confirming that the organism belongs in the Entomophthorales. The resemblance between the conidiophore of Tabanomyces milkoi and the basidium of the rusts supports the old concept that the rust fungi may be related to the Entomophthorales.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1978

Plasmodium durae Herman from the introduced common peafowl in northern Nigeria.

Plasmodium (Giovannolaia) durae Herman was originally described from Kenya, the type host being the common turkey, Meleagris gallopavo Linnaeus. There are no field records of this association outside of Africa, where the parasite, herein reported from another introduced and domesticated bird (the common peafowl, Pavo cristatus Linnaeus), was recently listed from 2 native Phasianidae of the genus Francolinus. The justification for the present identification is submitted against background data concerning malaria parasites from turkeys and other Galliformes in Africa and elsewhere, and restraint is urged in describing yet more "new species" of avian Plasmodium belonging to morphologically close taxa within Novyella and Giovannolaia. A near relative of P. durae, Plasmodium dissanaikei de Jong, is transferred from the former subgenus to the latter one.

Animals↗