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Biomedical subjects

R M Moore

Publications and source records attributed to R M Moore.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

The role of the veterinarian in hurricanes and other natural disasters.

Hurricanes create a multiplicity of complicated problems and hazards ranging from outbreaks of infectious disease to animal control problems precipitated by destruction of property. A multidisciplinary response is required to solve such problems. The pool of knowledge derived from various professionals interacting with multiple levels of government agencies (federal, state, and local) will provide the expertise needed. Because the veterinarian is trained to deal with disease involving populations of animals (e.g., herds or flocks) as well as individuals, and because of his/her intensive clinical training, the veterinarian is uniquely qualified to deal with the disaster situation. The veterinarian possesses extensive knowledge in disease and disease processes and has the capability of disease and injury management in affected populations, which qualifies him/her for an essential role, with unlimited potential as a member of any disaster relief team. There is considerable potential for veterinarians to play a role in responding to natural disasters. The areas of disease control, animal care, animal control, protection of the food supply, disinfection/sterilization, and planning are all areas where veterinarians can take an active part. Inclusion of the veterinarian in the process of planning for and responding to natural disasters will yield significant public health benefits.

Animal Welfare↗

Multi-state investigation of the actual disinfection/sterilization of endoscopes in health care facilities.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to observe and assess the actual disinfection or sterilization of endoscopes in health care facilities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 22 hospitals and four ambulatory care centers in three states were studied. Facility protocols were reviewed, interviews conducted with relevant personnel, actual disinfection or sterilization procedures observed, and biologic tests performed to determine and assess disinfection/sterilization procedures. RESULTS: Fundamental errors observed during the course of the investigation included respective failures to time the period of disinfection, to clean all channels, to flush all channels with disinfectant, to fully immerse the endoscope in the disinfectant solution, and to use a disinfectant. At 78% of the facilities, failure to sterilize all biopsy forceps was observed. A total of 23.9% of the bacterial cultures from the internal channels of 71 gastrointestinal endoscopes grew 100,000 colonies or more of bacteria. These cultures were obtained after the completion of all disinfection/sterilization procedures and the device was deemed ready for use in the next patient. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that actual disinfection/sterilization procedures for endoscopes are not always optimal, and high-level disinfection of gastrointestinal endoscopes is not always achieved.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

A retrospective study of 192 horses affected with septic arthritis/tenosynovitis.

The medical records of 192 horses with septic arthritis/tenosynovitis 1979-1989 were reviewed. Forty-three horses developed infection after an intra-articular injection, 46 following a penetrating wound, 25 following surgery, 66 were foals less than 6 months old, and 12 were adult horses without a known aetiology. Haematogenous infection of a joint occurs in adult horses and should be considered as a differential diagnosis in horses with an acute onset of severe lameness. The aetiology of the infection had a significant effect on the type of bacteria identified by culture. Staphylococcus was cultured from most of the horses that developed infection following a joint injection or surgery, 69% of the horses from which an organism was identified. Horses that developed infection secondary to a penetrating wound frequently provided cultures of more than one organism; Enterobacteriaceae and anaerobes were more frequently isolated in this group. The most common organisms isolated from foals were Enterobacteriaceae; E. coli was identified in more than 27% of the foals. The hock was the most frequently involved joint. Multiple treatments were used over the 10-year period of study. Survival rates were lowest in foals; only 45% survived to be released from the hospital. Survival was greater in adult horses; 85% of the horses that were treated were released from the hospital. Survival was significantly greater in horses with septic tenosynovitis; all 14 of the horses that were treated survived. Survival was not significantly affected by the joint involved or by the type of bacteria cultured from the synovial fluid.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Open drainage, intra-articular and systemic antibiotics in the treatment of septic arthritis/tenosynovitis in horses.

Open drainage was used to treat 26 horses with persistent or severe septic arthritis/tenosynovitis. Infected synovial structures were drained through a small (3 cm) arthrotomy incision that was left open and protected by a sterile bandage. Joint lavage was performed in all 26 horses. In addition to systemic antibiotics, 23 of these horses were also treated with intra-articular antibiotics; amikacin (17 horses), gentamycin (2 horses), cefazolin (2 horses), and 2 horses were injected at different times with gentamycin and amikacin. The infection was eliminated from the involved synovial structures in 25 of 26 horses; 24 survived and were released from the hospital. The arthrotomy incisions healed by granulation in 16 horses; in 9 horses the arthrotomy incision was sutured closed once the infection was eliminated. Seventeen horses returned to soundness and resumed athletic function. Open drainage was an effective method of achieving chronic drainage from a joint or tendon sheath. It is indicated in horses that have established intra-synovial infections or in horses that do not respond to joint lavage through needles.

Amikacin↗

Antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial isolates from 233 horses with musculoskeletal infection during 1979-1989.

Bacterial culture and susceptibility results were analysed from 233 horses with septic arthritis/tenosynovitis or osteomyelitis that developed after fracture repair. Antibiotics were deemed highly effective, effective or ineffective if > or = 85%, 70-84.9% or < 70% of the isolates were susceptible respectively. In total, 424 bacterial types were isolated; 386 were aerobic or facultative and 38 were anaerobic. Enterobacteriaceae (28.8%) were the most common bacterial group isolated, followed by non-beta-haemolytic streptococci (13.0%), coagulase-positive staphylococci (11.8%), beta-haemolytic streptococci (9.4%), and coagulase-negative staphylococci (7.3%). The remainder of the organisms were other Gram-negative (15.8%), other Gram-positive (2.3%) and miscellaneous (2.6%) bacteria. Penicillin and ampicillin were highly effective against beta-haemolytic streptococci, but were ineffective against other bacteria. Ampicillin was no more effective than penicillin against most bacteria. Amikacin was the most effective antibiotic against the wide range of bacteria isolated in this study. Amikacin was highly effective against coagulase-positive staphylococci, Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas and was effective against coagulase-negative staphylococci and Actinobacillus. Gentamycin was not highly effective against any bacterial group; but was effective against coagulase-positive and negative staphylococci, Pseudomonas, Salmonella and Actinobacillus. Kanamycin was ineffective against all bacteria with the exception of Actinobacillus. Cephalothin was highly effective against beta-haemolytic streptococci, coagulase-positive staphylococci and Actinobacillus and was effective against coagulase-negative staphylococci.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Seroprevalence of antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus in dialysis workers: results of a multi-center study.

The Center for Devices and Radiological Health, in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Brooklyn, N.Y., conducted a multi-center, multi-institutional study of the seroprevalence of antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among dialysis workers. Seven dialysis units and 112 dialysis workers participated in the study over a period of 2 years. Participation was limited to dialysis workers who, by questionnaire, denied non-occupational risk factors for HIV infection. The vast majority of the study participants were drawn from areas where the prevalence of HIV infection and AIDS cases are substantially greater than the national average. Study participants received the ELISA test for HIV antibodies. All 112 of the participants tested negative for HIV antibodies. These results are encouraging, as they failed to reveal unrecognized occupational transmission of HIV infection among dialysis workers.

HIV↗

Prevalence of artificial hips in the United States.

This report summarizes information about adults with artificial hips as derived from a national survey, the 1988 National Health Interview Survey Medical Device Implant Supplement. Based on extrapolation to the United States population from the survey sample, it is estimated that 674,000 adults are currently using 811,000 artificial hips. The prevalence rate is 3.8 persons per thousand (95% confidence interval, 3.2, 4.4). 91.5% of the implants are primary implants and 8.5% are revisions, with the predominant reason for revision being loosening. Arthritis and injury are the most common reasons for hip implantation. Almost 60% of the implants have been in use for 5 years or less. This prevalence information about adults with artificial hips is unique in that it represents the first such estimates based on a probability sample of the United States population.

Adolescent↗

Effect of xylazine on cerebrospinal fluid pressure in conscious horses.

Lumbosacral CSF pressure was measured in 6 horses via a catheter inserted through the lumbosacral space. Heart rate, facial artery pressure, central venous pressure, and CSF pressure were measured before IV injection of a saline solution control, for 15 minutes after saline solution injection, and for 60 minutes after the IV injection of 1.1 mg of xylazine/kg of body weight. Arterial pH and blood gases were analyzed before saline solution injection, 15 minutes after saline solution injection, and at 15, 30, and 60 minutes after xylazine injection. Constant craniocervical posture was maintained during sedation. Lumbosacral CSF pressure was significantly decreased for 15 minutes after xylazine injection. Diastolic arterial pressure was significantly increased 4 minutes after xylazine administration and diastolic and mean arterial pressure were increased at 6 and 8 minutes after xylazine administration. Small increases in systolic arterial blood pressure and central venous pressure, and a small decrease in heart rate were observed. There were no significant differences in the arterial blood gas values. It was concluded that IV injection of xylazine causes a decrease in intracranial pressure in healthy conscious horses. The effects may be different in horses with neurologic disease or cerebral trauma.

Animals↗

Orthopedic implant devices: prevalence and sociodemographic findings from the 1988 National Health Interview Survey.

National population-based estimates on the magnitude and distribution of orthopedic implant devices in the United States have not been available to date. The Food and Drug Administration's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (FDA/CDRH) collaborated with the Centers for Disease Control's National Center for Health Statistics (CDC/NCHS) in the design and conduct of a nationwide medical device implant survey to generate the first national population-based prevalence estimates of orthopedic implant devices. A Medical Device Implant Supplement to the 1988 National Health Interview Survey was administered in personal household interviews to a national sample of 47,485 households, which included 122,310 individuals. An estimated 6.5 million orthopedic implants were in use in the general US population in 1988, including 1.6 million artificial joints and 4.9 million fixation devices. As a group, orthopedic implants comprised nearly half of all medical device implants in use, 43.4%. The majority of artificial joint recipients were 65 years of age or older, white, and male. The majority of fixation device recipients were less than 45 years of age, white, and male. The limitations and strengths of these population-based estimates are discussed.

Adult↗

Glove use by health care workers: results of a tristate investigation.

The Center for Devices and Radiological Health, in collaboration with the state health departments of Iowa, Maryland, and Massachusetts, conducted a multi-state, multi-institutional investigation of glove use by health care workers (HCWs). Twenty-two hospitals and four ambulatory care centers were included in the investigation. All 26 health care facilities were found to have adopted universal precautions policies for glove use by HCWs, per Centers for Disease Control guidelines. Four hundred five observations were made of HCWs performing procedures that may involve contact with patient body fluids, particularly blood. The prevalence of glove use during selected procedures was as follows: arterial blood gas procedures, 92.3%; intravenous line initiation/maintenance, 77.6%; and phlebotomy, 70.6%. Glove use during phlebotomy (p less than 0.001) and intravenous line procedures (p less than 0.05) was significantly lower in the state with a prevalence of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) below the national average than in the states with a higher AIDS prevalence. The investigation suggests that health care facilities have responded to the Centers for Disease Control and Occupational Safety and Health Administration campaign to adopt universal precaution policies for glove use by HCWs. Actual glove use by HCWs appears to be substantial but not universal. Glove use by HCWs is significantly related to statewide AIDS prevalence.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

The effects of reprocessing cuprophane and polysulfone dialyzers on beta 2-microglobulin removal from hemodialysis patients.

To further define the relationship between dialyzer reuse and the removal of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2M) during dialysis, 26 patients who received hemodialysis were studied. Thirteen patients were dialyzed with conventional cuprophane dialyzers, and thirteen patients were dialyzed with high-flux polysulfone dialyzers. Patients in each group were dialyzed with only new dialyzers during the primary-use phase of the study, and reprocessed dialyzers during the reuse phase. Dialyzers were used six times during the reuse phase. Serum beta 2M levels were measured both predialysis and postdialysis, and adjusted for fluid loss. Dialysis with conventional cuprophane new dialyzers during the primary-use phase of the study resulted in a 3.3% increase in serum beta 2M levels, and a 2.4% increase in serum beta 2M levels during the reuse phase. The difference in the change of the concentration of beta 2M between primary-use and reuse phases was not statistically significant. Dialysis with high-flux polysulfone new dialyzers during the primary-use phase was associated with a decrease of 59.5% in the mean postdialysis concentration of serum beta 2M compared with the predialysis level. A corresponding decrease of 62.6% in serum beta 2M levels was observed after dialysis with high-flux polysulfone reprocessed dialyzers during the reuse phase. These data show no evidence of an adverse effect on the clearance of beta 2M during dialysis from the reuse of dialyzers up to six times. The results confirm previous studies that have reported that high-flux dialysis with polysulfone dialyzers removes substantial amounts of beta 2M, and dialysis with conventional cuprophane dialyzers does not.

Adult↗

How frequently are home pregnancy tests used? Results from the 1988 National Maternal and Infant Health Survey.

Many women use commercially available home pregnancy tests to determine their pregnancy status before seeking professional health care. Despite the increasing popularity of these products, no national estimates have been reported to date on their frequency of use. We analyzed available data from the 1988 National Maternal and Infant Health Survey to determine the frequency of use of home pregnancy tests during recent pregnancies of women of varying sociodemographic backgrounds. Approximately 33 percent (N = 4700) of the women surveyed used such a device. Use was most frequent among women who were white, married, over age 39 years, highly educated, or had a high family income. We conclude that home pregnancy testing appears to be a frequent procedure, especially among women of high socioeconomic background.

Adolescent↗

Protein kinase-C activation is required for oxytocin-induced prostaglandin production in human amnion cells.

In previous work we reported that oxytocin activates phospholipase-C (PLC) and increases prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release in amnion. Whether either of the consequences of activation of PLC by oxytocin, activation of protein kinase-C (PKC) or increases in intracellular calcium, directly results in the production of PGE2 is unknown. Phorbol esters (PMA) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) are also known to increase PGE2 release from amnion. In some tissues these agents are capable of activating the PLC postreceptor cascade system. This study was undertaken primarily to explore the mechanism of oxytocin-induced PGE2 production in amnion and secondarily to determine whether common aspects of PGE2 production by oxytocin, PMA, and EGF include activation of PLC or subsequent steps in this cascade followed by new mRNA/protein production. Involvement of PLC was assessed by inositol phosphate (IP1) turnover. IP1 turnover was increased by oxytocin (2.99 +/- 0.31-fold; P less than 0.01), but not by EGF or PMA. PMA inhibited oxytocin-provoked IP1 turnover (P less than 0.05). PKC involvement was initially evaluated with two PKC inhibitors, H7 and staurosporine. Each inhibited PGE2 production by oxytocin as well as that by PMA and EGF in a dose-dependent fashion. With H7, the IC50 for all agents was 5 microM; the IC50 for staurosporine was 2 nM for PMA and oxytocin and 5 nM for EGF. Agonist-induced PGE2 production was also assessed in cells in which PKC activity had been tachyphylaxed with a high concentration of PMA (400 ng/mL for 48 h). In such cells oxytocin and PMA no longer stimulated (P less than 0.001) PGE2 production, but EGF-stimulated PGE2 production was only slightly reduced. PKC involvement is, thus, implicated for oxytocin and PMA. Other enzymes that are inhibited by H7 and staurosporine are implicated in the production of PGE2 caused by EGF. Although tachyphylaxed cells produced no PGE2 with oxytocin, oxytocin increased intracellular calcium to levels higher than those seen in control cells (435 +/- 102 vs. 286 +/- 1.2) Actinomycin-D (P less than 0.001) and cycloheximide (P less than 0.05) inhibited PGE2 production caused by oxytocin, PMA, and EGF. PGE2 production by oxytocin in human amnion cells proceeds by activation of PKC, followed by new protein and mRNA production. Further, in cells without PKC, oxytocin-induced calcium transients do not increase PGE2. The ability of EGF to stimulate PGE2 in cells with no PKC activity also establishes that PKC activation is not a common intracellular step in the induction of PGE2 production by all agents.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

Occupational hazards to health care workers: diverse, ill-defined, and not fully appreciated.

Health care workers are challenged by an imposing group of occupational hazards. These hazards include exposure to ionizing radiation, stress, injury, infectious agents, and chemicals. The magnitude and diversity of these hazards are not fully appreciated. The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic has created additional occupational hazards and has focused attention on the problem of occupational hazards to health care workers. Concern over the nosocomial transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus has contributed to efforts to implement universal infection control precautions and to decrease needlestick injuries. Health care organizations and providers, who have prompted health and safety campaigns for the general public, should not overlook the dangers associated with the health care setting.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.↗

Knowledge in relation to cadaveric kidney donation in urban blacks.

A questionnaire survey of black residents of an inner city in the South was conducted to examine the relationship between awareness (knowledge) of cadaver kidney donation programs (CKDP) and socio-demographic factors. Nearly 64 percent of the respondents were unfamiliar with CKDP. Of the respondents who had previously been aware of CKDP, older persons were more likely than younger persons (under age 20) to have heard about cadaver kidney donation. Education and occupation were positively correlated with familiarity of cadaver kidney donation; those with higher education (college graduates) and professional or managerial occupations were more likely to know of it (54 percent and 53 percent respectively). Knowledge did not differ by sex. This finding is striking in that it delineates a target population within the black community for education to increase donorship.

Black or African American↗