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Biomedical subjects

S Warner

Publications and source records attributed to S Warner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Calcitonin: characterisation and expression in a teleost fish, Fugu rubripes.

The present report describes the structure and expression of the calcitonin gene in Fugu rubripes. It is composed of 4 exons and 3 introns. Splicing of exons 1, 2 and 3 generates the calcitonin pre-proprotein, while splicing of exons 1, 2 and 4 generates calcitonin gene-related protein (CGRP). Exons 1 and 2 encoding the signal sequence and the N-terminal peptide are common in both the gene products and this gene organisation has been conserved in human, rat, chicken and salmon. The gene environment around calcitonin in Fugu has been poorly conserved when compared with human, apart from a small gene cluster. The calcitonin gene in Fugu has a widespread tissue distribution but it is most highly expressed in the brain. The abundance of gene expression in the ultimobranchial gland and the pituitary indicates that these are important sites of production and that the peptide is probably secreted into the circulation and/or acts as a paracrine or autocrine controlling factor. Whilst the function of calcitonin in fish is still largely unknown, the distribution described here suggests that one of the potential functions may be as a neuropeptide.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Women in special hospitals: understanding the presenting behaviour of women diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.

This paper critically examines the development of the concept of borderline personality disorder (BPD) in terms of the assumed centrality of abnormal early environments and abusive relationships. It is suggested that if BPD is conceptualized as an expression of past experiences in adult life, information regarding early histories can assist in 'making sense' of later behaviour. The aim of this review therefore is to explore how histories of women diagnosed as BPD, within a High Secure Psychiatric Hospital, may facilitate an interpretation of the 'adaptive' nature of presenting 'symptomology'. Case note material is utilized to gain insight into specific aspects of childhood experiences that have been documented, and are thus deemed significant. These findings support the perception that the role of the early environment and associated relationships are significant within written accounts of women diagnosed as having BPD. By exploring the links between trauma and BPD, this article suggests that an understanding of the effects of trauma and the importance of relationships can offer a way forward for self-reflection and future care.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Evidence that Equine rhinitis A virus VP1 is a target of neutralizing antibodies and participates directly in receptor binding.

Equine rhinitis A virus (ERAV) is a respiratory pathogen of horses and is classified as an Aphthovirus, the only non-Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) member of this genus. In FMDV, virion protein 1 (VP1) is a major target of protective antibodies and is responsible for viral attachment to permissive cells via an RGD motif located in a distal surface loop. Although both viruses share considerable sequence identity, ERAV VP1 does not contain an RGD motif. To investigate antibody and receptor-binding properties of ERAV VP1, we have expressed full-length ERAV VP1 in Escherichia coli as a glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein (GST-VP1). GST-VP1 reacted specifically with antibodies present in serum from a rabbit immunized with purified ERAV virions and also in convalescent-phase sera from horses experimentally infected with ERAV. An antiserum raised in rabbits to GST-VP1 reacted strongly with viral VP1 and effectively neutralized ERAV infection in vitro. Using a flow cytometry-based binding assay, we found that GST-VP1, but not other GST fusion proteins, bound to cell surface receptors. This binding was reduced in a dose-dependent manner by the addition of purified ERAV virions, demonstrating the specificity of this interaction. A separate cell-binding assay also implicated GST-VP1 in receptor binding. Importantly, anti-GST-VP1 antibodies inhibited the binding of ERAV virions to Vero cells, suggesting that these antibodies exert their neutralizing effect by blocking viral attachment. Thus ERAV VP1, like its counterpart in FMDV, appears to be both a target of protective antibodies and involved directly in receptor binding. This study reveals the potential of recombinant VP1 molecules to serve as vaccines and diagnostic reagents for the control of ERAV infections.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Sequence scanning chicken cosmids: a methodology for genome screening.

The chicken genome is relatively poorly studied at the molecular level. The karyotype 2n=78 is divided into three main chromosomal sub-groups: the macrochromosomes (six pairs), the intermediate microchromosomes (four pairs) and the microchromosomes (29 pairs). Whilst the microchromosome group comprise only 25% of the DNA, increasing evidence is proving that this is disproportionate to their gene content. This paper demonstrates the utility of cosmid sequence scanning as a potential method for analysing the chicken genome, providing an economical method for the production of a molecular map. The GC content, gene density and repeat distribution are analysed relative to chromosomal origin. Results indicate that gene density is higher on the microchromosomes. During the scanning process an example of conserved linkage between chicken and human (12q34.2) has been demonstrated.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Generation and analysis of 25 Mb of genomic DNA from the pufferfish Fugu rubripes by sequence scanning.

We have generated and analyzed >50,000 shotgun clones from 1059 Fugu cosmid clones. All sequences have been minimally edited and searched against protein and DNA databases. These data are all displayed on a searchable, publicly available web site at. With an average of 50 reads per cosmid, this is virtually nonredundant sequence skimming, covering 30%-50% of each clone. This essentially random data set covers nearly 25 Mb (>6%) of the Fugu genome and forms the basis of a series of whole genome analyses which address questions regarding gene density and distribution in the Fugu genome and the similarity between Fugu and mammalian genes. The Fugu genome, with eight times less DNA but a similar gene repertoire, is ideally suited to this type of study because most cosmids contain more than one identifiable gene. General features of the genome are also discussed. We have made some estimation of the syntenic relationship between mammals and Fugu and looked at the efficacy of ORF prediction from short, unedited Fugu genomic sequences. Comparative DNA sequence analyses are an essential tool in the functional interpretation of complex vertebrate genomes. This project highlights the utility of using the Fugu genome in this kind of study.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Body composition and health-related quality of life in patients with obstructive airways disease.

This study evaluated the effects of body weight and lean mass abnormalities on health-related quality of life (HRQL) in obstructive airways disease. Body weight, lean mass (using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), and HRQL (using the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ)) were measured in 50 patients. Low lean mass was defined as a lean mass index (lean mass/height2) below the fifth percentile of a control population. Dyspnoea was measured by the baseline dyspnoea index. The mean (SD) age was 69+/-9 yrs; the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was 39+/-19% of predicted. Patients had 2.4+/-4.1 kg less lean mass than predicted. Increased dyspnoea was the most influential predictor of poor HRQL. Compared to normal-weight patients, those who were underweight had significantly greater impairment in activity, impact, and total SGRQ scores, while those who were overweight had greater impairment in impact and total SGRQ scores. Low lean mass was associated with greater impairment in symptoms, activity and impact subscores and the total SGRQ score. When dyspnoea was added to the model as a covariate, neither weight nor lean mass remained significantly related to HRQL. Thus, although body weight and lean mass abnormalities influence health-related quality of life, their effects appear to be mediated through increased levels of dyspnoea.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1996

Schizophrenic patients' experiences of neuroleptic medication: a Q-methodological investigation.

Q-methodology was used to explore the experiences of 50 medicated schizophrenic patients. Four main factors were identified. Participants loading on the first factor agreed with statements suggesting an uncomplaining attitude towards their medication and also with statements indicating a dependent attitude towards the medical profession. Those loading on the second factor endorsed statements indicative of a sceptical attitude towards medication, together with a concern for personal autonomy. Participants loading on the third factor had apparently made a balanced appraisal of the advantages and disadvantages of their medication, whereas those who loaded positively on the final factor reported positive benefits of medication but a sceptical attitude towards medical advice. The study highlights the complexity of psychiatric patients' attitudes to treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Immunisation of mares to control endometritis caused by Streptococcus zooepidemicus.

Normal mares were immunised by the intramuscular and intrauterine administration of an antigen with adjuvant and they and unimmunised control mares were later challenged by the intrauterine instillation of pathogenic Streptococcus zooepidemicus; the response of all the mares was monitored clinically and bacteriologically for seven days. Significantly fewer S zooepidemicus were present in cervical swabs taken from the immunised mares than from the control mares (P < 0.01) and the degree of inflammation in the genital tract of the immunised mares was also significantly less (P < 0.001). This protective effect of immunisation was associated with the specific IgG response in the serum, and an IgG and IgA response in the uterine secretions. These results are the first demonstration that a previous immunisation with a suitable antigen can reduce an infection of the reproductive tract of mares.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Controlling microbial contamination on beef and lamb meat during processing.

The microbiological quality of carcases, meat and environmental surfaces was evaluated in commercial boning rooms processing beef and lamb. There was considerable variation in the level of microbial contamination on both carcases and meat, with counts ranging from less than 20 to 10(8)/cm2 on carcases and to 2 x 10(7)/cm2 on meat. The level of microbial contamination on meat was influenced by the level of carcase contamination at boning and by the boning process itself. Carcase contamination was the major determinant of microbiological quality, as more than 70% of carcase had microbial counts greater than 10(3)/cm2. Cutting boards were a major source for microbial dissemination during boning, particularly when carcase counts were less than 10(3)/cm2. If carcases were heavily contaminated, the contamination of processing surfaces was irrelevant in determining microbial loads on meat. Where carcase contamination was at low to moderate levels, the contribution of the boning process to the contamination on meat assumed increased significance. Under these conditions, improved sanitation of cutting surfaces in the boning room resulted in a significant reduction in microbial contamination on the surface of meat. These results can form the basis for ensuring that improvements made in carcase management before boning, to improve microbiological quality, will be preserved through attention to cutting board hygiene during boning.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

The Milieu Enhancement Model: a nursing practice model, Part I.

The Milieu Enhancement Nursing Practice Model (MEM) served as the conceptual framework for implementing a 3-year project funded by the Department of Health and Human Services through the Division of Nursing as a demonstration grant (No. 1 D10 NU 600013) from October 1987 through September 1990. The MEM is described and examples of its use in developing health care forms, conducting research, guiding practice, and categorizing enhancements are presented.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

The cost-effectiveness of a nursing demonstration project, Part II.

The Milieu Enhancement Project was funded for 3 years by the Division of Nursing, Department of Health and Human Services. The goals, setting, project personnel, roles, and implementation activities are described. This project allowed faculty and graduate students to practice independently in a children's residential setting. A needs assessment identified problems related to organizational, academic, and sex- and health-related concerns. These concerns were addressed and outcome measurements identified. A cost-effectiveness framework was used to describe the interventions in terms of improvement. Statistical analyses supported the effectiveness of several project activities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

The cost-benefits of a nursing demonstration project, Part III.

The Milieu Enhancement Nursing project was funded for 3 years by the Division of Nursing, Department of Health and Human Services. One of the project goals was to perform a cost/benefit analysis of project activities. The conceptual framework and formulas used for data analysis are presented. The project was deemed successful, as data supported a favorable cost to benefit ratio.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Pregnancy characteristics and outcomes of Cambodian refugees.

This study describes the perinatal characteristics of Cambodian refugees in Massachusetts. Data were abstracted from the records of 452 consecutive pregnancies among Cambodian women and 110 low-income Whites receiving obstetrical services at the same clinic and hospital in Lowell, Massachusetts. Pregnancies of Cambodian women were marked by a higher proportion of older mothers, grand multiparas, previous adverse birth outcomes, and short interpregnancy intervals. We identified maternal anemia (29.9 percent with hemoglobin less than 110 g/L) and inadequate utilization of prenatal care (32.3 percent with first visit in the 3rd trimester) as possible risk factors for the Cambodians. The prevalence of primary cesarean birth was only 6.3 percent in the Cambodians, compared to 15.6 percent in the comparison group, largely due to the infrequent occurrence of prolonged labor among multiparas. Despite the prominence of several risk factors for adverse birth outcomes in this population, major pregnancy complications were less common and the prevalence of low birthweight (6.4 percent) was close to the state average. Logistic regression analysis of risk factors for low birthweight identified young maternal age and short stature as the strongest factors operative in this community. Many of our findings are consistent with a strong cultural emphasis on managing the size of the baby to avoid a difficult labor and delivery.

Adult↗