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Biomedical subjects

R Higgins

Publications and source records attributed to R Higgins.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Multicenter trial of Towne strain attenuated virus vaccine in seronegative renal transplant recipients.

The Towne strain of attenuated CMV vaccine was compared with placebo in seronegative renal transplants who later received kidneys from seropositive donors. This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted at 3 different institutions. The results were consistent with 2 prior studies, in that whereas mild CMV disease was only slightly and insignificantly reduced in vaccine recipients, severe disease was markedly reduced. In the current study, all 4 severe cases of CMV disease occurred in placebo recipients, for an incidence of 17%, versus 0% in vaccine recipients (P < 0.03). Thus, prior immunization rendered seronegative patients more resistant to the effects of CMV infection.

Cytomegalovirus↗
PubMed1994

Increase of capsular material thickness following in vivo growth of virulent Streptococcus suis serotype 2 strains.

Protein profile and capsular material thickness of Streptococcus suis serotype 2 strains were compared after in vitro and in vivo growth. Three virulent and one avirulent strains were used. These strains were grown in Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) broth, cells were collected by centrifugation, resuspended in a sterile saline solution and injected in diffusion chambers. The devices were then inserted in rat abdomens for 17 h. In vitro grown strains were also inoculated into fresh BHI broth and cultivated for 17 h at 37 degrees C. In vivo as well as in vitro grown bacteria were harvested by centrifugation, processed in a French pressure cell, treated with lysozyme and centrifuged to collect cell proteins for SDS-PAGE analysis. Transmission electron microscopy using polycationic ferritin labeling to stabilize capsular material was also carried out. No significant modification was noted in the protein profile for any strain after in vivo growth except for a 39 kDa protein of one virulent strain. On the other hand, an increase in thickness of capsular material was noted for the three in vivo grown virulent strains while no change was noted for the avirulent strain. This increase in capsular material thickness of virulent strains was accompanied by an increased resistance to killing by pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The capacity to produce more capsular material in vivo seems to be an attribute of some virulent S. suis serotype 2 strains.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

The efficacy of a sonographic morphology index in identifying ovarian cancer: a multi-institutional investigation.

Transvaginal sonography (TVS) has been shown to be the most effective means to screen for ovarian cancer. TVS is associated with a high sensitivity and specificity. However, the positive predictive value associated with TVS in the diagnosis of malignancy is low. A morphologic scoring index for use with TVS has been used at the University of Kentucky since 1991. The current study was performed to more fully evaluate the efficacy and interobserver variation in ultrasonographic morphology index scores attributed to ovarian tumors. Ultrasound records of 213 patients from five participating centers were reviewed by three independent observers. Morphology index scores were assigned to each tumor in a blinded fashion. The morphology index scores were then compared with the final histopathologic findings. One hundred sixty-nine patients had benign tumors and 44 patients had ovarian malignancies. The mean morphology index scores were significantly higher in malignant ovarian tumors (MI 7.3 +/- 1.9) than in benign ovarian tumors (MI 3.3 +/- 1.8). Statistical evaluation of the morphology index scores revealed a sensitivity of 89% and a positive predictive value of 46%. Interobserver variation was lowest in assessing ovarian volume and higher in the evaluation of wall structure and septal structure. A multilogistic regression model was used to evaluate the predictive power of each component of the morphology index. The use of a morphology index is an effective and cost-efficient method of increasing the positive predictive value of TVS screening for ovarian cancer. Use of this index in large numbers of patients will generate data which should help refine appropriate structural scoring categories and reduce interobserver variation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Implementing case management in mental health services.

This paper reports the principal findings of an initiative in Wakefield, UK, to implement a case management approach to the resettlement of individuals from a long-stay psychiatric hospital. Nurses and their managers, while welcoming the needs-led, user-centred orientation of such an approach, found some difficulty with it in practice. The principal lesson to be drawn from the experience is that there is still much to learn about case management within the context of British health and social care. Case management is a process, it is not directly concerned with prescribing outcomes.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1994

Involving users in health care.

The publication of Caring for People, The NHS and Community Care Act 1990, and The Patient's Charter, placed involving users at the forefront of discussions concerning the future organisation and management of health and social care services. Ray Higgins describes the evaluation of an advocacy project and the challenges for managers it presented.

Hospital-Patient Relations↗
PubMed1994

Genomic relatedness among reference strains of different Streptococcus suis serotypes.

Hybridization studies using genomic DNA and a rDNA probe revealed genetic relatedness among reference strains of different Streptococcus suis serotypes. Although most serotype 22 isolates are biochemically atypical, the reference strain of capsular type 22 is genetically related to other S. suis serotypes, but not to Streptococcus pneumoniae. Using DNA digested with BamHI and BglII for ribotyping, some S. suis reference strains had common patterns, but this analysis mainly revealed variations in patterns of S. suis strains of different serotypes.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMed1994

Bacterial and fungal flora in healthy eyes of birds of prey.

Birds of prey are often affected with external ocular injuries that are routinely treated with antimicrobial agents used for small animals. The resident ocular bacterial and fungal flora is still unknown in birds of prey and this knowledge would be very useful in assessing the accuracy of treatments. In a study involving 65 raptors with healthy eyes, swabs were taken from both eyes to identify the resident bacterial and fungal flora. Fifty-five birds had a positive culture in one or both eyes. Both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms were isolated, with a predominance of Staphylococcus spp., which were found in 52.3% of cultures. Only two fungal species, Aspergillus spp. and Cladosporium spp. were found. The overall results of this study are similar to previous studies carried out in humans and other animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Immunization of mice against Streptococcus suis serotype 2 infections using a live avirulent strain.

In this study, the IgG response of mice injected with two virulent strains and one avirulent Streptococcus suis capsular type 2 strain was compared by Western blotting. The serum from mice immunized against the avirulent strain could recognize most proteins of the various strains tested and similar results were obtained with serum from mice injected with virulent strains. The live avirulent strain was injected twice (days 0 and 10) to groups of five mice, and four virulent strains from different geographical origins were used to challenge the animals. All mice, except one in one group, survived the challenge. These results suggest that a live avirulent strain could be used for immunization of swine, the natural host.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Comparison of pig, rabbit and mouse IgG response to Streptococcus suis serotype 2 proteins and active immunization of mice against the infection.

The aim of this study was to compare the IgG response of different animal species to Streptococcus suis serotype 2 proteins and to evaluate the immunogenic potential of these proteins in the mouse experimental model of infection. The protein profiles of ten different S. suis capsular type 2 isolates were compared by Western blotting using antisera produced in mice, rabbits and pigs against the reference strain. Strains were grown overnight in Todd-Hewitt broth, harvested by centrifugation, processed in a French press cell and digested with lysozyme. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was then performed and proteins transferred to nitrocellulose. The rabbit antiserum recognized seventeen common immunoreactive proteins, of which, proteins of 33, 44, 96, 122 kDa were present in all strains. Two, 128 and 136 kDa proteins were recognized by swine serum in many strains. An additional protein of 30 kDa was recognized by the mouse antiserum. These seven proteins, originating from the reference strain, were excised directly from polyacrylamide gels, mixed with incomplete Freund's adjuvant and given to groups of five mice on days 0 and 10. Immunoglobulin G response to each protein was monitored on day 20 using Western blots. Mice were then experimentally infected on day 21. Results indicated that vaccination with proteins of 33, 44, 128 and 136 kDa resulted in an IgG response and protection against the challenge with the reference strain, but gave only a partial protection against another virulent S. suis serotype 2 strain.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Evaluation of the antibody response in pigs vaccinated against Streptococcus suis capsular type 2 using a double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

A double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was standardized for the detection of specific antibodies following vaccination with Streptococcus suis capsular type 2 bacterins. No statistically significant increase of antibody titers was detected in vaccinated piglets compared to the nonvaccinated control group, even if a minority of piglets demonstrated an important postvaccinal response. Three of four vaccinated sows showed a low antibody response to vaccine and specific immunity was detected in piglets of only one litter of these three sows. Passive protection studies showed that none of the sera from vaccinated piglets were protective for mice whereas serum obtained from hyperimmunized pigs gave protection.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Raised voices.

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England↗