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Biomedical subjects

S A Baker

Publications and source records attributed to S A Baker.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Immunogenicity of malondialdehyde-modified low density lipoproteins. Studies with monoclonal antibodies.

Malondialdehyde (MDA)-modified low density lipoprotein (LDL) can stimulate the accumulation of cholesteryl esters in cultured macrophages through its interaction with specific scavenger receptors. It has been speculated that such interaction occurs in vivo thus contributing to the formation of foam cells within atherosclerotic lesions. This report describes the development of new tools in the form of a specific assay for MDA-LDL to investigate this hypothesis. We have immunized BALB/c mice with malondialdehyde mouse low density lipoproteins and antibodies against malondialdehyde human low density lipoproteins were generated. Monoclonal antibodies were produced using hybridoma techniques and one particular clone (EB 7-3) was expanded for further studies. The immunoreactivity of several antigens was tested using antibody EB 7-3 in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In a typical assay malondialdehyde human LDL (with at least 40% of lysines modified) was coated (2 micrograms/ml, 100 microliter) in 96-well microtiter plates. Antibody plus one of several antigens were then added and the interaction between the antibody and coated antigen was measured using alkaline phosphatase-conjugated affinity purified goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin. The binding of antibody EB 7-3 to wells coated with malondialdehyde-LDL was competitively inhibited by malondialdehyde-LDL added in solution, with half maximal inhibition occurring at 150 +/- 80 ng/ml. In addition, the ability of malondialdehyde-LDL to inhibit this interaction was proportional to the degree of modification: the more lysines were modified the more did malondialdehyde-LDL inhibit the binding of antibody EB 7-3 to coated malondialdehyde-LDL.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1981

Treatment of nonunion of the greater trochanter.

Nonunion of the greater trochanter is an uncommon problem. Even when it occurs, many hips are sufficiently functional to obviate surgical intervention. When symptoms are significant and surgery appears necessary, firm fixation of the trochanter to an adequate bony bed is essential to achieve union. Pseudarthrosis at the site of nonunion must be excised down to viable bone, and near-perfect apposition to the femur must be achieved. Wiring must be performed carefully, the goals being adequate containment and firm fixation. Abduction stresses after surgery should be controlled; the security achieved at the time of reattachment is the only guide to the kind and degree of protection required. Although results in patients treated with early ambulation were not significantly different from those in patients with abduction splints or casts, the latter patients had been carefully selected; in certain cases, therefore, patients should receive prolonged treatment by abduction.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Occupational biohazards affecting clinical engineers & BMETs. Part I: Preliminary survey of perceived hazards.

The authors developed this preliminary survey in order to collect current information to answer three questions: 1) Is there reason to be concerned about the occupational health and safety of BMETs; 2) Is a larger study needed; and 3) Is continuing education about certain classes of hazards desirable? Of the 136 BMETs completing the questionnaire, 18.4% reported illnesses or disabilities believed to be job related. More than 90% of the respondents indicated a need for additional training on biological hazards in the workplaces of BMETs; likewise, 86% desired additional training on hazards related to chemicals, fire, and explosion.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Occupational biohazards affecting clinical engineers & BMETs. Part II: Common biohazard questions.

Worldwide concern about AIDS has prompted concern over the prevention of, and protection from, a variety of biological hazards. Healthcare workers are at greater risk for contracting and/or transmitting certain types of contagious disease organisms because of the nature and environment of their work. In response to requests from BMETs, the author developed an educational presentation on work-related biohazards. This article, the second in a five-part series, addresses some questions commonly raised by more than 300 biomedical personnel who have attended the presentation. Recommendations are also made to help BMETs and CEs avoid occupationally acquired illnesses.

Biomedical Engineering↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Occupational biohazards affecting clinical engineers & BMETs. Part III: Blood and other body fluids.

Results of a previously reported survey of BMETs and CEs indicated a need for further education of these professionals concerning work-related biohazards. In this third article of a five-part series, the dangers of disease transmission by blood and other body fluids are discussed. Susceptibility factors are cited to indicate those persons at greatest risk of infection, and recommendations are provided to assist BMETs and CEs in effectively protecting both themselves and other clinical and nonclinical personnel from infection. The recommendations presented include suggested disinfection procedures for contaminated equipment. Persons interested in further information are advised to contact the infection control officer at their facility, or the Centers for Disease Control.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Occupational biohazards affecting clinical engineers & BMETs. Part IV: Respiratory and gastrointestinal systems.

A previously published survey indicated that clinical engineers and BMETs may not be aware of the scope of biological hazards they may encounter in their work (Baker, 1989). In this third article of a four-part series, various pathogens affecting the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems are discussed. Infection hazards and methods of transmission are examined, and recommendations are provided to help ensure the safety of CEs, BMETs, and patients. The recommendations presented include suggested disinfection procedures for contaminated equipment. Persons interested in further information are advised to contact the infection control officer at their facility, or the Centers for Disease Control.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Occupational biohazards affecting clinical engineers & BMETs. Part V: Skin and urogenital diseases.

BMETs and clinical engineers must be aware of the biological hazards they face in the hospital so they can take precautions to avoid work-related illnesses. A need for educational material on the subject prompted this series of papers examining various biohazards. This paper, the last in the series, reviews a variety of common diseases of the skin and urogenital systems. Common pathogens, their routes of transmission, isolation precautions, and infection control techniques are discussed. The precautions cited are not intended to constitute a full infection control program. Persons interested in further information are advised to contact the infection control officer at their facility, or the Centers for Disease Control.

Biomedical Engineering↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A 1993 update on biohazards affecting clinical engineers and BMETs.

In late 1993, a survey was sent to the subscribers of the Journal of Clinical Engineering to determine: (1) if employers were responding to the biohazards protection needs of BMETs and CEs; (2) if personal protective equipment was being utilized; (3) if occupational exposure perceptions and concerns had changed since a previous survey four years ago; and (4) if educational efforts targeting BMETs and CEs were still needed. The 267 respondents were divided into four groups according to certification status and job title. Results showed that employers were doing an excellent job of providing personal protective equipment, but 50% of the BMETs and CEs chose not to use it. Even though though the occupational exposure illness and disability rate increased to 21% from the 1989 survey rate of 18%, BMETs and CEs still feel confident in their abilities to recognize potential biohazard problems based on visual clues, which can be an error in judgement that can lead to serious adverse effects including illness, disability, or death.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMedDate not supplied

AIDS: a new frontier in epidemiology.

HIV infection has become a pandemic. As such, it is the most recent inclusion to epidemiology studies. A review of past epidemics allows a different perspective on the current status of scientific knowledge regarding AIDS. HIV is a retrovirus, one of three groups identified. The other two groups are commonly referred to as HTLV I and II and do not cause AIDS. Two forms of HIV (HIV-1 and HIV-2) make up the third group, HTLV-III. As with any research, various theories are formed, tested, and often rejected. Some theories receive excessive publicity before testing, resulting in incorrect public beliefs that become myths. The cumulative number of cases of AIDS in the United States is 361,509, as of December 31, 1993. Healthcare workers experience multiple opportunities for exposure to the infection in the course of their duties. Based on data from the 1993 BMET/CE survey, several biohazard issues, as well as preventive measures, are discussed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatitis: protecting BMETs & CEs.

Hepatitis is the primary occupational hazard for healthcare workers. Not until the 1970s were hepatitis viruses isolated and identified as types A and B. In the late 1970s, hepatitis D was discovered as a major cause of fulminant hepatitis. Soon, it was evident that another type was also at work. Because testing was only available for types A and B, the new category was referred to as non-A, non-B. In the 1980s, scientists identified two more viruses from this non-A, non-B group, namely hepatitis E and hepatitis C. These five types of hepatitis have different modes of transmission. The fecal-to-oral route is the mode of transmission for hepatitis types A and E. But, types B and D are bloodborne pathogens. With the advent of a safe vaccine for hepatitis B, this category is declining. To date, hepatitis C appears to have multiple routes of transmission, with half the cases being posttransfusion. In the United States, 85,000 people per year develop chronic hepatitis C, which ultimately leads to severe liver damage. This paper addresses each of the five viruses that have been grouped by routes of transmission, prevention techniques for BMETs and CEs, and statistics of reported cases to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) over the last 20 years.

Biomedical Engineering↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Airborne transmission of respiratory diseases.

In surveys during the past decade, CEs and BMETs have reported an increasing frequency of respiratory illnesses they believed to be acquired as a result of their occupation. These illnesses varied from mild to severe in terms of long-term prognosis. With the increasing numbers of cases of drug-resistant organisms, respiratory infections are a growing concern for healthcare workers, employers, and government officials. Armed with a better knowledge base about symptoms, transmission and prevention, CEs and BMETs will be more aware of potential biohazardous situations and the necessary personal protective measures to be employed. Both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) have issued guidelines for preventing airborne transmission of infectious diseases. This paper addresses the respiratory illnesses reported by CEs and BMETs as occupational concerns, as well as briefly discussing potential epidemic pulmonary conditions.

Air Microbiology↗