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Biomedical subjects

R G Masterton

Publications and source records attributed to R G Masterton.

53 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Specimen transport audit.

A specimen transport audit was performed at a routine and reference laboratory. Over the survey period (1986-89) the percentage of specimens received and assessed as hazardous (inadequately packed, misidentified, or contaminated by leakage) fell significantly from 12.0 to 2.8%. Specimen transport audit identified technical and logistical faults associated with sample transmission. It is concluded that no type of hazard should exceed 0.5% of samples, with the total being less than 1% of specimens received. Specimen transport audit is an additional laboratory performance indicator.

England↗

C-reactive protein in acute renal failure.

This paper demonstrates the utility of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the diagnosis of infection in patients with acute renal failure. C-reactive protein can be assayed using plasma as effectively as using serum, thus avoiding the problems of microclots in serum, which can occur in samples from a heparinised patient. Plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein are unaffected by the process of haemodialysis. In the complicated setting of the severely ill patient with acute renal failure, infection remains the most common cause of death and its detection is often difficult. The use of C-reactive protein assay in this setting is illustrated by data from 20 patients, and two representative cases are described in detail. It is recommended that C-reactive protein be assayed daily to aid in the detection of infection in patients with acute renal failure.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Control of an outbreak of group C meningococcal meningitis with a polysaccharide vaccine.

An outbreak of meningitis in Royal Air Force recruits due to Neisseria meningitidis Group C type PI, 2 gave the first opportunity for polysaccharide vaccine to be used for controlling such an outbreak in the U.K. The effect of the vaccine on an epidemic in a large recruit training centre was studied after chemoprophylaxis had failed. With the possible exception of one vaccinee, further cases did not arise among camp personnel. Vaccination was continued until the carriage rate of the epidemic strain among recruits leaving the camp had fallen from greater than 19 to less than 1%. Two persons who had only indirect contact with the camp developed the disease. Vaccination early in the course of such an outbreak appears to be a useful and practical method of limiting symptomatic infection but not acquisition of the epidemic strain.

Adolescent↗

Sexually transmitted diseases in a British military force in peacetime Europe, 1970-83.

A retrospective analysis was performed to identify the incidence and pattern of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) affecting a modern British peacetime military force in 1970-83. Relative risk factors for a comparable UK civilian population were assessed and showed a slightly greater risk or the military only in 1974-81. The development of incidence and pattern of STD affecting the military force was shown to be broadly similar to trends in the UK.

Adolescent↗

Streptococcus milleri infection of a hepatopulmonary hydatid cyst.

A case of hepatopulmonary hydatid disease in a Cypriot who presented with pyogenic infection with Streptococcus milleri is described. Although hydatid disease and pyogenic liver abscess are both rare in the UK, an underlying echinococcal pathology should be suspected in any patient from an area endemic for hydatid who presents with a pyogenic hepatic or hepatopulmonary abscess.

Echinococcosis, Hepatic↗

Immunity to diphtheria in young British adults.

Of 906 recruits aged between 16 and 20 years who were Schick-tested upon entry to the Royal Air Force, 775 were tested for circulating Corynebacterium diphtheriae antitioxin by means of an indirect haemagglutination (IHA) method. Of the total population, 95.7% were Schick-test negative, 3.5% were Schick-test positive and 0.8% gave pseudo-reactions. Of those tested by the IHA test, 37.7% were regarded as immune, 47.0% as 'immune-susceptible' and 15.3% as non-immune. Discrepancies between the two tests were discovered. Of those persons found to be Schick-test positive, 34.6% possessed circulating antitoxin; of those Schick-test negative, 13.5% were regarded as non-immune. A history of diphtheria immunisation in childhood was found to be a poor predictor of immunity. A protocol for selective diphtheria immunisation of adults is proposed.

Adolescent↗

Single-dose amoxycillin in the treatment of bacteriuria in pregnancy and the puerperium--a controlled clinical trial.

Ninety obstetric patients with significant bacteriuria were treated randomly with either a single dose of 3 g amoxycillin or with a conventional course of ampicillin over 7 days. Treatment groups were comparable in terms of age, gravidity and socioeconomic status, and the outcome of pregnancy in the two groups did not differ significantly. Cure rates, assessed at 1 week and 6 weeks after treatment, were not significantly different: 88% for single-dose treatment and 84% for conventional treatment. It is concluded that a single dose of 3 g amoxycillin is a safe, effective and acceptable treatment for bacteriuria in pregnancy and the puerperium.

Adolescent↗

An evaluation of gentamicin EMIT--its performance on the Kem-O-Mat and its role in the small laboratory.

An investigation was made into the use of gentamicin EMIT on the Coulter Kem-O-Mat in a small microbiology laboratory. EMIT was found to correlate well with plate assay and to be a more rapid, more precise and technically less time-consuming method. EMIT was more expensive in clinical use. This single disadvantage was considered to be outweighed by a saving in capital equipment expenditure and by the benefits to the laboratory and clinician.

Calibration↗

The role of oestrogen in the control of ciliated cells of the human endometrium.

The incidence of ciliated cells in the human endometrium was determined. Conditions associated with an excess of oestrogenic activity were characterized by an increased incidence of ciliated cells, whilst oestrogen deficiency was associated with decreased numbers. When endometrium was cultured, addition of oestradiol-17 beta caused an increase in the ciliated cell population.

Adolescent↗

The fine structure of the human endometrial ciliated cell.

Sixty-eight histologically normal specimens from all stages of the menstrual cycle were examined during an ultrastructural study of the human endometrial ciliated cell. The 'clear' ciliated cells found initially were seen to become at first dense and then secretory. These changes are advanced as an explanation to account for the previously observed reduction in frequency of the ciliated cell during the luteal phase. The possibility of an hormonal control mechanism is discussed.

Adolescent↗