Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Wilson

Publications and source records attributed to S Wilson.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Genetic variation for egg production, egg quality and bone strength in selected and traditional breeds of laying fowl.

1. A multi-breed experiment was conducted with 25 commercial and traditional lines of laying fowl to determine the extent of between-breed genetic variation for adult body weight, sexual maturity, rate of lay, egg weight and egg composition to 55 weeks of age. The genetic variability for bone strength and eggshell strength was determined at 55 weeks of age and a comparison of commercially selected and traditional breeds was performed. 2. The proportion of the total variation that was associated with breed or line of origin was high (> 0.8) for body weight, sexual maturity and shell colour; moderately high (0.4 to 0.7) for rate of lay, early and late egg weight, weights of egg yolk, albumen and shell at 55 weeks; and low (< 0.4) for egg weight at 42 to 45 weeks, albumen quality and the number of egg inclusions. 3. There were no detectable differences between breed within category (traditional and commercial lines) for rate of lay, and estimates of breed variation for egg weight and egg components were substantially decreased within category compared with the overall analysis. 4. Commercial lines displayed earlier sexual maturity, greater rates and persistency of lay, and higher egg weights at earlier (32 to 35 weeks) and later (52 to 55 weeks) ages. At 55 weeks, the larger eggs from commercial birds contained more albumen of higher quality and paler yolks of similar weight to those from traditional breeds. The relative weight of the eggshell was similar in both categories. 5. There was considerable genetic variation between commercial lines for bone density and a moderate proportion of genetic variability for bone strength. Commercial lines had very weak bones compared with traditional lines but there was relatively little genetic variation for eggshell strength. The results suggest that eggshell quality is maintained in genetically selected lines at the expense of bone strength and bone radiographic density.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

How evidence based are recruitment strategies to randomized controlled trials in primary care? Experience from seven studies.

BACKGROUND: Failure to recruit adequate numbers of participants represents a major barrier to the completion of randomized controlled trials in primary care and is associated with substantial opportunity costs. However, uncertainty exists regarding the relative effectiveness of different methods to promote recruitment. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to estimate the proportion of strategies used to promote patient recruitment to randomized controlled trials in primary care that are evidence based. METHODS: Investigators from seven primary care-based clinical trials of dyspepsia management aiming to recruit a total of 6070 patients participated. Following a survey of trial organization, a Delphi technique was used to reach consensus on levels of evidence on the effectiveness of interventions or organizational characteristics in influencing recruitment. The main outcome measures were the proportions of interventions or organizational characteristics for influencing patient recruitment that are based upon randomized controlled trials, on convincing non-experimental evidence or meeting neither of these criteria. RESULTS: Out of a total of 56 interventions used across the trials, 35 (63%) were judged as evidence based. Out of a total of 29 organizational characteristics possessed by the trials, five (17%) were judged as evidence based. Across the seven dyspepsia trials, the presence of 'favourable' organizational characteristics appeared to be important contributors towards successful recruitment. CONCLUSIONS: A wide range of interventions and organizational characteristics with the potential to promote recruitment were used or possessed by seven primary care trials. Many were not evidence based. Our experience suggests that organizational characteristics could be more influential in trial recruitment than the use of specific interventions. Given the costs of primary care-based trials, researchers need more rigorous evidence to inform recruitment strategies.

Dyspepsia↗
PubMed2002

Detection of the parasitic dinoflagellate Hematodinium in the Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus by ELISA.

Norway lobsters Nephrops norvegicus from the coastal waters of Scotland are seasonally infected by a parasitic dinoflagellate of the genus Hematodinium. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed for the detection of the parasite in the haemolymph of N. norvegicus. The ELISA is simple to perform with a detection limit of 5 x 10(4) parasites ml(-1) haemolymph. The ELISA is currently being used to study the prevalence and seasonality of Hematodinium infection in N. norvegicus and other crustacean hosts.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Worry about ovarian cancer risk and use of ovarian cancer screening by women at risk for ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined reports of perceived risk of ovarian cancer, worry, and screening use in a large sample of women. While screening for asymptomatic women is not generally recommended, in 1994 a consensus conference concluded that women with multiple affected relatives are at high risk for ovarian cancer and should be encouraged to participate in screening. The consensus report also suggested that women with a single affected first-degree relative are at elevated risk and while these women were not encouraged to get screening it was suggested that they may choose to pursue screening outside of a randomized trial [NIH Consensus Conference. JAMA 1995;273(6) 491-7]. METHODS: A total of 3257 women participated in this research by completing a mailed survey on ovarian cancer risk, worry, and use of screening. One hundred forty-two of these women were at high risk for this disease due to a strong family history. An additional 144 women were at elevated risk due to a single first-degree affected relative with ovarian cancer. RESULTS: Family history did predict perceived risk, difficulties due to worry, and use of ovarian cancer screening. However, the group of women most likely to report high levels of perceived risk and to have received screening for ovarian cancer were women with a single affected relative rather than those at high risk, for whom screening is recommended. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that many women need additional education about ovarian cancer risk. Most women overestimated their risk for this disease. Some average-risk women get screening although it is not recommended outside of randomized trials, and a significant percentage of women at high risk fail to get recommended screening.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Relationship between home food-handling practices and sporadic salmonellosis in adults in Louisiana, United States.

Salmonellosis is the leading cause of death caused by foodborne bacterial pathogens in the United States. Approximately 90% of salmonella infections are sporadic, but most of what is known about salmonellosis has come from outbreak investigations. We studied the risk for sporadic salmonellosis among 115 persons aged > or = 15 years reported to the Louisiana Office of Public Health during May 1998-April 1999, compared with 115 age-matched controls. Significantly more case-patients than controls had chronic underlying medical conditions [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 4.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.2-8.7]. Although reported consumption of specific food items likely to contain salmonella was not associated with illness, inconsistent handwashing between preparation of meat and non-meat items was associated with illness (aOR = 8.3; CI = 1.1-61.8). Enhanced measures to provide a consistently safe food supply and promote safer food preparation in households will depend on prevention of sporadic salmonellosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Biofilm material properties as related to shear-induced deformation and detachment phenomena.

Biofilms of various Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were grown in glass flow cells under laminar and turbulent flows. By relating the physical deformation of biofilms to variations in fluid shear, we found that the biofilms were viscoelastic fluids which behaved like elastic solids over periods of a few seconds but like linear viscous fluids over longer times. These data can be explained using concepts of associated polymeric systems, suggesting that the extracellular polymeric slime matrix determines the cohesive strength. Biofilms grown under high shear tended to form filamentous streamers while those grown under low shear formed an isotropic pattern of mound-shaped microcolonies. In some cases, sustained creep and necking in response to elevated shear resulted in a time-dependent fracture failure of the "tail" of the streamer from the attached upstream "head." In addition to structural differences, our data suggest that biofilms grown under higher shear were more strongly attached and were cohesively stronger than those grown under lower shears.

Biofilms↗
PubMed2002

High-throughput screening in the diagnostics industry.

The diagnostics industry is constantly under pressure to bring innovation quicker to market and so the impetus to speed up product-development cycle times becomes greater. There are a number of steps in the product-development cycle where the application of high-throughput screening can help. In the case of lateral-flow immuno-diagnostics the selection of antibody reagents is paramount. In particular, rapid identification of antibody pairs that are able to 'sandwich' around the target antigen is required. One screen that has been applied successfully is the use of surface plasmon resonance biosensors like Biacore. Using such a system one can evaluate over 400 antibody pairings in under 5 days. Conventional approaches to screen this number of antibody pairs would take many months. Other automated screening systems like DELFIA can be used in processing the vast amount of tests required for clinical trials. In addition, the use of robotics to automate routine product testing can be used to shorten the product-development cycle.

Automation↗
PubMed2002

Epidemiology, treatment and outcome of candidemia: a five-year review at three Canadian hospitals.

To determine treatment regimens and epidemiological patterns in the occurrence of candidemia, a review of cases occurring from 1992 to 1996 in three large Canadian hospitals, University of Alberta Hospital (UAH) and Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH), Edmonton, and Foothills Medical Center (FMC), Calgary, was carried out. Cases were detected by reviewing microbiology laboratory records. There were 202 cases in all (UAH 104, FMC 70, RAH 28). For the five study years the candidemia rate was 4.5/10 000 discharges (UAH 7.6, FMC 4.9, and RAH 1.7; P < 0.05 for all interhospital comparisons). The rate remained stable between 1992 and 1995 but rose dramatically in 1996 to 7.6/10 000 (P < 0.01 compared to 1995) as a result of increases at UAH and RAH. Of the 208 species identified, Candida albicans accounted for 135 (65%). During hospitalization 93 (46%) patients died. Species did not influence outcome. Antifungal treatment with fluconazole alone was given to 14% of patients, and increased in frequency throughout the study. No antifungal therapy was given to 47 patients (23%). This group had a much higher mortality (68%) than those who received treatment (39% P < 0.01). Twenty of the untreated patients had already died by the time the blood culture had been reported as growing a yeast. Candidemia rates vary significantly between hospitals and increased in some but not all over the five study years. As many patients with candidemia will have died by the time laboratory diagnosis is made, presumptive antifungal therapy in high-risk patients may be necessary if outcome is to be improved.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

The effects of regular inhaled formoterol and budesonide on preformed Th-2 cytokines in mild asthmatics.

In a recent placebo-controlled study in mild atopic asthmatics, we observed a significant decrease in eosinophils in the bronchial submucosa, after 2 months oftreatment with inhaled formoterol and budesonide. Biopsy material from each treatment group; formoterol (24 microg bid), budesonide (400 microg b. i. d.) and placebo has been further assessed to investigatethe role of Th-2 cytokines by immunohistochemistry using Mabs to eosinophils as an index of inflammation, IL-4 and IL-5. Treatment with formoterol significantly reduced the number of eosinophils (EG2+) in the submucosa and epithelium, but this was not paralleled by changes in cytokine immunoreactivity In contrast, treatment with budesonide significantly reduced both the number of eosinophils (EG2+) and immunoreactivity for IL-4 and IL-5 in the submucosa. Thus, while budesonide has effects on cytokines involved in eosinophil recruitmentthis explanation does not apply tothe eosinopaenia observed with the long-acting beta2 adrenoreceptor agonist formoterol.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2002

Role of dietary calcium and available phosphorus in the aetiology of tibial dyschondroplasia in growing turkeys.

1. Large White male turkeys from a heavy commercial male-line were fed 16 diets containing 4 concentrations of calcium (6, 10, 14 and 18 g/kg) and available phosphorus (3, 5, 7 and 9 g/kg) in a 4 x 4 factorial experiment. There were three replicates (pens) of each treatment and the skeletal health, morphology and mineral status of 4 turkeys from each pen were assessed at 7, 10 and 13 weeks of age. 2. The prevalence of tibial dyschondroplasia increased after 7 weeks of age and was present in 50 and 71% of turkeys respectively at 10 and 13 weeks. The lesion was localised in the caudal aspect of the proximal tibiae. Dietary calcium and available phosphorus did not affect the prevalence of the lesion except in turkeys on the diet containing 6 g calcium/kg, where body weight and the incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia were low. 3. Histological investigation showed no evidence of rachitic changes. 4. Low dietary calcium was associated with lower tibial plateau angles at 10 and 13 weeks of age. Tibial torsion and the angle of rotation were not affected by dietary treatments or age. Tibial torsion and the angle of rotation were not affected by dietary treatments or age. 5. Increasing dietary calcium increased tibial radiodensity, cortical density and the widths of the cortex and proximal tibiotarsus. Radiodensities increased to 10 weeks and were significantly lower at 13 weeks of age. 6. Bone ash, calcium and phosphorus declined with age, particularly between 10 and 13 weeks, whereas bone calcium: phosphorus ratios were not affected by dietary treatment or age. 7. Dietary calcium was positively associated with blood calcium and calcium ion concentrations and was without effect on blood phosphorus. Available phosphorus was associated positively with increased blood phosphorus and lower calcium ion concentrations but had no effect on total calcium. Alkaline phosphatase activity was low at high concentrations of dietary calcium with low available phosphorus and there was higher activity on diets containing low calcium and high available phosphorus.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2002

Rapid mutation detection by the transgenomic wave analyser DHPLC identifies MYOC mutations in patients with ocular hypertension and/or open angle glaucoma.

AIMS: To rapidly screen Scottish patients with a family history of open angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT) for mutations in the myocilin gene (MYOC) and develop a new rapid screening method for MYOC mutation detection. METHODS: All three exons of the MYOC gene were amplified by PCR from genomic DNA and subjected to direct DNA sequencing. Mutation detection methodology was also developed based on denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC). A recurrent mutation was investigated by analysis of microsatellite haplotypes at the MYOC gene locus. RESULTS: Mutations were identified by DNA sequencing in four families. MYOC mutation Q368X was found in three kindreds and the fourth family carried the mutation G367R. The Q368X mutation was found to be associated with the same haplotype for markers closely flanking the MYOC gene. The mutations were identified by direct sequencing and were also readily detected by DHPLC analysis of PCR fragments, demonstrating that this is a robust method for MYOC analysis in future. CONCLUSIONS: Mutations in the MYOC gene were identified in patients presenting with highly variable phenotypes from normal through OHT to severe OAG. Haplotype analysis showed that mutation Q368X is likely to be an ancestral mutation in this population. DHPLC analysis is an accurate, rapid and cost effective method for MYOC mutation analysis in large population samples.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

The effect of a separate stream for minor injuries on accident and emergency department waiting times.

INTRODUCTION: To decrease waiting times within accident and emergency (A&E) departments, various initiatives have been suggested including the use of a separate stream of care for minor injuries ("fast track"). This study aimed to assess whether a separate stream of minor injuries care in a UK A&E department decreases the waiting time, without delaying the care of those with more serious injury. INTERVENTION: A doctor saw any ambulant patients with injuries not requiring an examination couch or an urgent intervention. Any patients requiring further treatment were returned to the sub-wait area until a nurse could see them in another cubicle. METHOD: Data were retrospectively extracted from the routine hospital information systems for all patients attending the A&E department for five weeks before the institution of the separate stream system and for five weeks after. RESULTS: 13 918 new patients were seen during the 10 week study period; 7117 (51.1%) in the first five week period and 6801 (49.9%) in the second five week period when a separate stream was operational. Recorded time to see a doctor ranged from 0-850 minutes. Comparison of the two five week periods demonstrated that the proportion of patients waiting less than 30 and less than 60 minutes both improved (p<0.0001). The relative risk of waiting more than one hour decreased by 32%. The improvements in waiting times were not at the expense of patients with more urgent needs. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of a separate stream for minor injuries can produce an improvement in the number of trauma patients waiting over an hour of about 30%. If this is associated with an increase in consultant presence on the shop floor it may be possible to achieve a 50% improvement. It is recommended that departments use a separate stream for minor injuries to decrease the number of patients enduring long waits in A&E departments.

Appointments and Schedules↗
PubMed2002

Single-tube, nested PCR for the diagnosis of human brucellosis in Kuwait.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) offers a sensitive and specific way of detecting microbial DNA in clinical samples. The aims of the present study were to develop an assay, based on a single-tube, nested PCR, for identifying Brucella in samples of human blood and then to explore the use of this test in diagnosis. The primers chosen were derived from IS711, the insertion sequence gene found in all species of Brucella. The assay amplified a 52-bp final product which was detected colorimetrically. The PCR was sensitive and specific, giving positive reactions with 14 strains of Brucella from five species. The lower limit of detection in vitro was 30 organisms. There were no false-positive reactions either with a range of bacteria known to evoke serological cross-reactions with Brucella (Vibrio cholerae, Yersinia enterocolitica, Serratia marcescens, Haemophilus influenzae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli K12) or with organisms producing similar clinical syndromes (Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Salmonella typhi). The results of a preliminary field trial of the assay in Kuwait indicate that the assay may be a valuable technique in the diagnosis of human brucellosis, meriting further study with larger numbers of cases. All 28 subjects with brucellosis (diagnosed on the basis of typical clinical features and confirmed by positive serology and, in three cases, by positive blood cultures) were PCR-positive whereas 28 healthy controls and 28 patients with febrile illness attributable to infections other than brucellosis were PCR-negative.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

AXOR12, a novel human G protein-coupled receptor, activated by the peptide KiSS-1.

A novel human G protein-coupled receptor named AXOR12, exhibiting 81% homology to the rat orphan receptor GPR54, was cloned from a human brain cDNA library. Heterologous expression of AXOR12 in mammalian cells permitted the identification of three surrogate agonist peptides, all with a common C-terminal amidated motif. High potency agonism, indicative of a cognate ligand, was evident from peptides derived from the gene KiSS-1, the expression of which prevents metastasis in melanoma cells. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was used to study the expression of AXOR12 and KiSS-1 in a variety of tissues. The highest levels of expression of AXOR12 mRNA were observed in brain, pituitary gland, and placenta. The highest levels of KiSS-1 gene expression were observed in placenta and brain. A polyclonal antibody raised to the C terminus of AXOR12 was generated and used to show localization of the receptor to neurons in the cerebellum, cerebral cortex, and brainstem. The biological significance of these expression patterns and the nature of the putative cognate ligand for AXOR12 are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗