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Biomedical subjects

M Wilson

Publications and source records attributed to M Wilson.

At least 811 records · Page 45Linked to original sources

Evaluation of a new antiseptic-containing alginate impression material.

A comparison was made of the disinfection achieved in impressions taken in Blueprint Asept alginate impression material and those taken in the plain brand of this material disinfected by immersion in 1% Hycolin solution for one minute. The plain Blueprint impression material without disinfection was used as a control. Impressions were taken of dies which had been contaminated with 0.75 ml of saliva from each of 20 volunteers. The surfaces of the impressions were used to inoculate Wilkins-Chalgren agar plates immediately and after 1 and 2 hours' storage of the impressions. The number of organisms recovered from the surface of the Blueprint Asept impressions was 1.5% of the control immediately after removal from the dies and complete disinfection was observed within one hour. In contrast, the number of organisms recovered from the surface of the impressions disinfected with 1% Hycolin solution was 30% of the control immediately after disinfection, and viable organisms could still be recovered after 2 hours' storage. Blueprint Asept impression material appears, therefore, to provide a high degree of disinfection when compared with the plain material treated with 1% Hycolin solution for one minute.

Adult↗

Effects in humans of intravenously administered endotoxin on soluble cell-adhesion molecule and inflammatory markers: a model of human diseases.

1. Endotoxin, a component of the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria, could be a predisposing mediator of many pathological disorders. The present study was undertaken to determine the effects and time-course of acute endotoxin challenge on inflammatory and cell-adhesion molecule markers shedding in the plasma as potential surrogates. 2. Six normal male subjects per group (age range 21-35 years) were injected with 4 ng/kg, i.v., reference standard Escherichia coli (0113:h10:k) endotoxin or physiological saline. 3. Plasma inflammatory markers (tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6 and TNF-receptor I (RI)) and cell-adhesion molecule markers (soluble L-selectin, soluble P-selectin, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1) were determined using sensitive and specific ELISA. 4. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha increased from a basal level of 2.8 pg/mL to approximately 800 pg/mL at 90 min after endotoxin. Similarly, IL-6 peaked 2-3 h after endotoxin injection, with a rapid decline by 6-8 h, and levels returned to basal values by 24 h. 5. In contrast, TNF-RI peaked at 2 h (increasing from basal levels of 900-3300 pg/mL) with a much slower decline and without return to basal levels at 24 h (1400 pg/mL). 6. Endotoxin resulted in a rapid rise in soluble L-selectin within 1 h, which increased from a basal of 150-425 ng/mL. This rapid rise in soluble L-selectin was sustained for up to 2.5 h and then rapidly declined to basal levels by 3.5 h. 7. In contrast, plasma soluble P-selectin levels showed a delayed and progressive increase up to 8 h (increasing from a basal level of 50-95 ng/mL), with a partial decline at 24 h (80 ng/mL). 8. Similarly, soluble VCAM-1 levels showed a progressive rise up to 24 h (increasing from basal values of 600-1000 ng/mL). 9. This acute human model of endotoxin exposure demonstrated an upregulation of inflammatory stimuli leading to a short-term hyperactivation of leucocytes and a more sustained activation of platelets and endothelium. 10. This model provides a non-invasive method for studying the complex effects of endotoxin-like pathogens on different cellular events using soluble plasma surrogate markers.

Adult↗

Giving postanesthesia care in the critical care unit.

As more patients come directly to critical care units after surgery, nurses need to know about anesthesia and its complications. This article reviews commonly used anesthetics, their adverse effects, and nursing management of complications.

Anesthesia↗

Using benchmarking practices for the learning resource center.

Structured ongoing and systematic evaluation is required to ensure up-to-date resources and continuous quality improvement plans to meet the learning needs of the diverse student population and the complex needs of patients. Using benchmarking to achieve evaluation goals in the learning resource center has great merit as schools of nursing respond to consumer demand for improvement, rapid changes resulting from changing patient needs, and the technology explosion.

Benchmarking↗

Co-localization of macrophage inflammatory protein-3alpha (Mip-3alpha) and its receptor, CCR6, promotes pancreatic cancer cell invasion.

PURPOSE: Macrophage inflammatory protein-3alpha (Mip-3alpha) is par t of a family of chemotactic cytokines involved in recruiting inflammatory cells throughout the body. CCR6 is a G-protein-linked, seven-transmembrane receptor that is highly specific for Mip-3alpha. The role of Mip-3alpha has been well defined in several inflammatory conditions, but its role has not been well defined in neoplastic processes. Mip-3alpha has been shown to promote pancreatic cancer cell migration, but no studies have demonstrated the effect of Mip-3alpha on pancreatic cancer cell invasion. We hypothesize that Mip-3alpha and its CCR6 receptor promote pancreatic cancer cell invasion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining was per formed for Mip-3alpha and CCR6 in pancreatic cancer tissue and the human pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1. RNA was isolated from PANC-1 cancer cells, and the presence of Mip-3alpha messenger RNA in PANC-1 cancer cells was determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. PANC-1 cancer cell invasion of type IV collagen was evaluated in the presence of Mip-3alpha and anti-CCR6 antibody with the use of a modified Boyden chamber invasion assay. RESULTS: Co-localization of Mip-3alpha and its CCR6 receptor in pancreatic cancer was confirmed using immunohistochemical staining for Mip-3alpha and its CCR6 receptor and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for Mip-3alpha. Immunohistochemical staining of pancreatic cancer tissue and the PANC-1 cancer cell line showed positive staining for Mip-3alpha and its CCR6 receptor within the cancer cells. Staining was also positive for Mip-3alpha within stromal cells adjacent to the cancer cells in pancreatic cancer tissue. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction demonstrated the presence of Mip-3alpha messenger RNA within PANC-1 cancer cells. Invasion studies showed that increasing concentrations of Mip-3alpha promoted a dose-dependent increase in pancreatic cancer cell invasion of type IV collagen. The addition of 100 ng/mL of Mip-3alpha promoted a threefold increase in pancreatic cancer cell invasion over that of the control group. Anti-CCR6 antibody inhibited Mip-3alpha-stimulated PANC-1 cancer cell invasion of type IV collagen by 63%. DISCUSSION: Co-localization of Mip-3alpha and its CCR6 receptor promotes pancreatic cancer cell invasion of type IV collagen. This finding continues to highlight the importance that inflammation plays in the progression of pancreatic cancer. As the relationship between the inflammatory and neoplastic processes involved with pancreatic cancer becomes better defined, therapies targeting the inflammatory process may help prevent pancreatic cancer invasion and metastasis.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Children's judgements of psychological harm in normal and noncanonical situations.

This study investigated children's (3-, 5-, and 7-year-olds) and adults' (total N = 92) integration of information about intentions, acts, and outcomes in moral judgments of psychological harm. Behavioral and emotional predictions and judgments of act acceptability and punishment were made under normal and noncanonical causal conditions. Participants at all ages judged it wrong to inflict negative psychological reactions of fear or embarrassment on unwilling participants, even when these reactions were idiosyncratic or noncanonical. When assigning punishment, younger children tended to use an outcome rule, whereas older participants were more likely to use an intention rule or a conjunction rule (if outcome is negative and intention is negative, then punish). The results show that children as young as 3 years are able to take into account other people's idiosyncratic perspectives when making moral judgments of psychological harm.

Affect↗

The effect of variable energy input from a novel light source on the photoactivated bactericidal action of toluidine blue O on Streptococcus Mutans.

Although the combination of toluidine blue O (TBO) dye and laser light at a wavelength of 633 nm has a bactericidal effect, light from laboratory lasers can only be directed externally at a bacterial colony or suspension. In this study a novel delivery system guided the laser light to an 800-micrometer diameter spherical tip (an isotropic tip) from which light radiated producing a uniform sphere of light within the colony or suspension. The system was highly effective in killing TBO-treated Streptococcus mutans NCTC 10449 in stirred planktonic suspension, killing at least 10(9 )cfu/ml. Antibacterial action increased as the delivered energy dose increased. Energy doses of 1.8 J or more produced 100% kills and log reductions of 8-10 cfu/ml. Neither TBO dye nor light alone had a significant antibacterial effect under the experimental conditions used. The existence of a threshold energy, i.e. a minimum energy required before bactericidal action occurred, could not be demonstrated.

Colony Count, Microbial↗

The photo-activated antibacterial action of toluidine blue O in a collagen matrix and in carious dentine.

The main aim of this study was to determine the susceptibility to photo-activated disinfection (PAD) of Streptococcus mutans when the organism was present in a collagen matrix--an environment similar to that which would exist within a carious tooth. In addition, the susceptibility to PAD of bacteria present in carious human teeth was also determined. Light was delivered to the collagen and teeth using a system comprising a 0.8-mm diameter isotropic tip emitting light at 633 +/- 2 nm. A single concentration of TBO (10 microg/ml) was used with both collagen and dentine. Two contact times, 30 and 180 s, were evaluated in intact collagen and additionally, for 180 s only, in collagen partially disrupted by shredding. The effect of energy doses from 1.8 to 14.4 J on the kills attained was assessed by determining the number of surviving viable bacteria. In carious dentine, two contact times, 30 and 60 s and one energy dose, 4.8 J, were used. Antibacterial effects were less than those obtained using planktonic suspensions with a maximum mean log reduction of 1.4 in shredded collagen and dentine. Increasing contact time increased the antibacterial effectiveness in both substrates although this was not always of statistical significance. Shredding the collagen resulted in significantly increased bacterial kills compared to those obtained in intact collagen for the 30-second contact time. The collagen matrix appeared to be a suitable model for carious dentine with advantages of availability and reproducibility. The results of this study have shown that PAD can achieve appreciable kills of oral bacteria, including S. mutans, when the organisms are embedded in a collagen gel or are present in carious teeth.

Animals↗

An item response theory analysis of the Conners Teacher's Rating Scale.

We used an item response theory (IRT) measurement model to examine the 28-item Conners Teacher's Rating Scale (CTRS) for the diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Using an Israeli sample of 453 pairs of respondents (parents and teachers), we broke down our sample into nonclinical (n = 306) and clinical (n = 147) subsamples. IRT analyses based on a rating scale model revealed structural inadequacies involving the apparent inappropriateness of the 4-point Likert-type scale used by the CTRS. Additionally, IRT analyses were able to shed light on differences in the structure of the latent trait for the ADHD variable as measured by the CTRS for all four groups of respondents. Implications for the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD are presented.

Adolescent↗

Magnetic resonance imaging of knee hyaline cartilage and intraarticular pathology.

Injuries to the hyaline cartilage of the knee joint are difficult to diagnose without invasive techniques. Even though these defects may be the most important prognostic factors in assessing knee joint injury, they are usually not diagnosed until arthrotomy or arthroscopy. Once injuries to hyaline cartilage are found and/or treated, no technique exists to follow these over time. Plain radiographs, arthrograms, and even computed tomography fail to detail most hyaline cartilage defects. We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate five fresh frozen cadaver limbs and 10 patients whose pathology was known from arthrotomy or arthroscopic examination. Using a 0.35 Tesla superconducting magnet and spin-echo imaging technique with a head coil, we found that intraarticular fluid or air helped to delineate hyaline cartilage pathology. The multiplane capability of MRI proved to be excellent in detailing small (3 mm or more) defects on the femoral condyles and patellar surface. Cruciate ligaments were best visualized on sagittal oblique projections while meniscal pathology was best seen on true sagittal and coronal projections. MRI shows great promise in providing a noninvasive technique of evaluating hyaline cartilage defects, their response to treatment, and detailed anatomical information about cruciate ligaments and menisci.

Adolescent↗

Experience of coding ambulatory visits to outpatient clinics.

Clinical data for all current outpatients at a large tertiary hospital has been collected for analysis. Patient diagnoses for selected "key" clinics have been coded to ICD-9-CM standards. Methods to reduce the volume of coding required for such data collection are discussed, and include short-lists of codes, default assignment of diagnoses codes according to the nature of visit, and producing a "discharge" summary for outpatients, similar to that routinely produced for inpatients.

Ambulatory Care↗

Nurses' willingness to perform AIDS patient care.

We evaluated nurses from hospitals with different prevalences of AIDS patients and with different levels of nursing education to measure their willingness to provide care to AIDS patients. Nurses who were most experienced in AIDS patient care, employed in high-prevalence hospitals, and who considered themselves most knowledgeable about infectious disease consistently were less willing to provide nursing care for AIDS patients. Nurses with BSN or MSN education employed in hospitals with low and moderate prevalence of AIDS were the most willing to provide AIDS patient care. The results are discussed in light of recent research on universal precautions adherence and factors that may contribute to increasingly negative attitudes for nurses who provide sustained AIDS patient care.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Normative values for visual fields in 4- to 12-year-old children using kinetic perimetry.

We report normative data for 4- to 12-year-old children using a kinetic perimetry technique that employs a double arc perimeter with a 6-degree target designed for use with infants and children. The subject population consisted of 84 children in four age groups (4, 5, 7, and 10 yrs) and 21 adults as comparison subjects. Individuals had eye examinations to rule out causes of abnormal visual fields. Mean visual field size was determined separately for the right and left eyes in each age group. In the 4-year-old group, the mean extent of visual field along each of the four meridians for the right eye was 59, 48, 52, and 85 degrees of arc for radial meridians orientation set at 45, 135, 225, and 315 meridians, respectively. The visual field extent in each quadrant generally increased with age. The overall extent of field as measured along the four meridians for all subject groups increased significantly with the age, indicating a continued growth of visual field size in older children. These data suggest that adult visual field size is achieved at about 11.6 years of age.

Adult↗

The unsuitability of minoxidil for the treatment of moderate hypertension.

Minoxidil is very effective in the treatment of severe or resistant hypertension but fluid retention and hypertrichosis have been side-effects. This study examines the suggestion that the use of small doses of minoxidil may be effective in the treatment of moderate hypertension without causing these adverse effects. Sixteen patients with an elevated blood pressure level that was suboptimally controlled by combination therapy with diuretic and beta-adrenoreceptor blocking agents entered a randomized open trial to compare the efficacy and acceptability of minoxidil and prazosin as supplementary therapy to bendrofluazide and metoprolol. Blood pressure control was similar in the two groups. However, relatively large doses of minoxidil were required and over-all tolerance to the drug was poor; five of eight patients who were receiving minoxidil experienced marked fluid retention that necessitated a change in diuretic agent to substantial doses of frusemide. Low doses of minoxidil do not appear to be effective in the treatment of moderate hypertension, and the drug cannot be recommended for this indication.

Adolescent↗