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Biomedical subjects

Steve Taylor

Publications and source records attributed to Steve Taylor.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Predicting the likelihood of emergency admission to hospital of older people: development and validation of the Emergency Admission Risk Likelihood Index (EARLI).

OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate an evidence-based tool for predicting the likelihood of emergency admission to hospital of older people aged 75 years and over in the UK. METHODS: Prospective cohort study of older people registered with 17 general practices within Halton Primary Care Trust in the north-west of England. A questionnaire with 20 items was sent to older people aged>or=75 years. Items for inclusion in the questionnaire were selected from information gleaned from published literature and a pilot study. The primary outcome measurement was an emergency admission to hospital within 12 months of completing the questionnaire. A logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify those items which predicted emergency admission to hospital. A scoring system was devised to identify those at low, moderate, high and very high risk of admission, using the items identified in the predictive modelling process. RESULTS: In total, 83% (3032) returned the questionnaire. A simple, six-item tool was developed and validated-the Emergency Admission Risk Likelihood Index (EARLI). The items included in the tool are as follows: do you have heart problems? [odds ratio (OR) 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15-1.72]; do you have leg ulcers? (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.04-2.04); can you go out of the house without help? (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.47-0.75); do you have problems with your memory and get confused? (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.19-1.81); have you been admitted to hospital as an emergency in the last 12 months? (OR 2.16, CI 1.72-2.72); and would you say the general state of your health is good? (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.53-0.82). The tool had high negative predictive value (>79%) and identified over 50% of those at high or very high risk of emergency admission. A very high score (>20) identified 6% of older people, 55% of whom had an emergency admission in the following 12 months. A low score (<or=10) identified 74% of the older population of whom 17% were admitted. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we have developed and validated a simple-to-apply tool for identifying older people in the UK who are at risk of having an emergency admission within the following 12 months. EARLI can be used as a simple triage-screening tool to help identify the most vulnerable older people, either to target interventions and support to reduce demand on hospital services or for inclusion in testing the effectiveness of different preventive interventions.

Aged↗
PubMed2007

Simulation of high- and low-resolution mass spectra for assessment of calibration methods.

Calibrating mixtures of residual gases in quadrupole mass spectrometry (QMS) can be difficult since low m/z ratios of molecular ions and their fragments result in overlap of signals especially in the lower mass regions. This causes problems in univariate calibration methods and encourages use of full spectral multivariate methods. Experimental assessment of regression methods has limitations since experimental sources of error can only be minimised and not entirely eliminated. A method of simulating full spectra at low and high resolution to accurate masses is described and these are then used for a calibration study of some popular linear regression methods [classical least squares regression (CLS), partial least squares (PLS), principal component regression (PCR)].

Algorithms↗
PubMed2006

Are we meeting the standards set for endoscopy? Results of a large-scale prospective survey of endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatograph practice.

OBJECTIVE: To examine endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) services and training in the UK. DESIGN: Prospective multicentre survey. SETTING: Five regions of England. PARTICIPANTS: Hospitals with an ERCP unit. OUTCOME MEASURES: Adherence to published guidelines, technical success rates, complications and mortality. RESULTS: Organisation questionnaires were returned by 76 of 81 (94%) units. Personal questionnaires were returned by 190 of 213 (89%) ERCP endoscopists and 74 of 91 (81%) ERCP trainees, of whom 45 (61%) reported participation in <50 ERCPs per annum. In all, 66 of 81 (81%) units collected prospective data on 5264 ERCPs, over a mean period of 195 days. Oximetry was used by all units, blood pressure monitoring by 47 of 66 (71%) and ECG monitoring by 37 of 66 (56%) units; 1484 of 4521 (33%) patients were given >5 mg of midalozam. Prothrombin time was recorded in 4539 of 5264 (86%) procedures. Antibiotics were given in 1021 of 1412 (72%) cases, where indicated. Patients' American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) scores were 3-5 in 670 of 5264 (12.7%) ERCPs, and 4932 of 5264 (94%) ERCPs were scheduled with therapeutic intent. In total, 140 of 182 (77%) trained endoscopists demonstrated a cannulation rate >/=80%. The recorded cannulation rate among senior trainees (with an experience of >200 ERCPs) was 222/338 (66%). Completion of intended treatment was done in 3707 of 5264 (70.4%) ERCPs; 268 of 5264 (5.1%) procedures resulted in a complication. Procedure-related mortality was 21/5264 (0.4%). Mortality correlated with ASA score. CONCLUSION: Most ERCPs in the UK are performed on low-risk patients with therapeutic intent. Complication rates compare favourably with those reported internationally. However, quality suffers because there are too many trainees in too many low-volume ERCP centres.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

All in the family: media presentations of family assisted suicide in Britain.

This paper presents a preliminary investigation of the press coverage of family assisted suicide in Britain during the mid to late 1990s. The newspaper articles we examine focus on court cases in which a family member had been charged with assisting a terminally ill relative to put an end to their lives. The paper aims to typify basic characteristics of the coverage and to explore their potential political implications. The observations reveal a consistently supportive stance towards family assisted suicide that is produced by depictions of dying persons and perpetrators as autonomous and conscientious individuals; by idyllic portrayals of family relations; and by praising judges for their lenient verdicts. Presentations of the law as a dated State system, as well as the marginalization of opposing voices, further enhanced the supportive message. We suggest that the commending of actors' self-reliance and the call for decreased State interference in personal affairs aligns with the neo-liberal spirit that has come into prominence in Britain since the 1980s. Within this context, we raise some questions regarding the broader political significance of such media representations.

Attitude to Death↗
PubMed2006

Predictive value of the hemizona assay for pregnancy outcome in patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with intrauterine insemination.

OBJECTIVE: The hemizona assay (HZA) is an established functional test that examines in vitro sperm-zona pellucida binding capacity with high predictive power for fertilization outcome in IVF. The objective of this study was to evaluate the value of the HZA as a predictor of pregnancy in patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and intrauterine insemination (IUI). DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: Academic center. PATIENT(S): Eighty-two couples with unexplained or male factor infertility that underwent 313 IUI cycles. INTERVENTION(S): Basic semen analysis and HZA were performed within three months of starting COH/IUI therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Hemizona index (HZI) and clinical pregnancy. RESULT(S): Overall, patients with an HZI of <30 had a significantly lower pregnancy rate compared to patients with an HZI of > or =30 (11.1% vs. 40.6%, respectively; P<.05; relative risk for failure to conceive: 1.5 (confidence interval 1.2-1.9)). In all patients combined, and in the range of HZI 0-60, the duration of infertility (P=.000) and the HZI (P=.004) were significant determinants of conception (receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis). In couples with male infertility, the average path velocity and HZI were significant predictors of conception (P=.001 and P=.005, respectively, ROC analysis). The negative and positive predictive values of the HZA for pregnancy were 93% and 69%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis provided models of HZI (P=.021) and duration of infertility (P=.037) with highest predictability of conception in male factor and unexplained infertility groups, respectively. CONCLUSION(S): The HZA predicted pregnancy in the IUI setting with high sensitivity and negative predictive value in couples with male infertility. Results of this sperm function test are useful in counseling couples before allocating them into COH/IUI therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Mitochondrial membrane potential integrity and plasma membrane translocation of phosphatidylserine as early apoptotic markers: a comparison of two different sperm subpopulations.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether a relationship exists between loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and plasma membrane translocation of phosphatidylserine (PS) in subpopulations of human spermatozoa of men consulting for infertility. SETTING: A tertiary institutional research center. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. PATIENT(S): Twelve infertile men and five fertile controls were compared. INTERVENTION(S): Sperm subpopulations were compared after density gradient separation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Mitochondrial membrane potential was measured with a cationic dye, translocation of PS was evaluated with Annexin-V binding, and motion parameters were assessed manually. RESULT(S): In both the study and control groups and compared with the high-motility fraction, the low-motility fraction had significantly lower sperm motility and normal morphology, and significantly higher percentage of cells with disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential and plasma membrane PS translocation. There was a positive and significant correlation in both subfertile and control groups between the percentages of Annexin-V+ live cells and cells with mitochondrial membrane potential disruption (r = 0.82 and r = 0.85, respectively). CONCLUSION(S): The correlation of plasma membrane PS translocation and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential is suggestive of an early apoptosis phenotype, as is typically observed in somatic cells identified in sperm subpopulations with percentage of low-motile cells. We speculate that such changes might be used as diagnostic markers of sperm dysfunction(s) and that increased levels found in subfertile men might be indicators of reduced fertility potential.

Annexin A5↗
PubMed2006

Violent self-harm in schizophrenia.

Patients with schizophrenia have a substantial lifetime suicide risk, especially by violent means. Little published work exists on self-harm (SH) in this population. The goal of this study was to examine whether patients with schizophrenia were also more likely to self-harm in a violent manner. A retrospective analysis performed on method, motive, and suicidal intent in patients with schizophrenia (n = 50) and adjustment reaction (n = 138) who presented with SH over a 3-year period found that there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of violence of method or suicidal intent. Presence of positive symptoms of schizophrenia was not significantly associated with use of a violent method. This study suggests that the expected pattern of violent SH in schizophrenia is inaccurate and for the majority the acts are of a similar nature to those seen in adjustment reactions.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Painful dilemmas: an evidence-based look at challenging clinical scenarios.

Difficult clinical decisions are a part of every emergency practitioner's life. Dealing with difficult patients and recalcitrant consultants is seldom enjoyable, but can be made more palatable through the use of some of the clinical strategies contained in this article. Knowledge of the current best evidence and a willingness to discard outdated practice ideas will help ensure that emergency practitioners continue to provide state-of-the-art medical care. Expressions of care, concern, and respect for patients' problems, and development of a therapeutic alliance with these patients will maximize patient, and ultimately physician, satisfaction.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed2005

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt: 11 years' experience at a regional referral centre.

OBJECTIVES: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt (TIPSS) is now widely used in the treatment of uncontrolled and recurrent variceal haemorrhage. This study reports the outcome and long-term follow-up of 125 patients who were referred to a single centre for TIPSS. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-five patients were referred to undergo TIPSS. All but 10 had variceal haemorrhage. The 10 patients referred with refractory ascites were excluded from the analysis. Our follow-up protocol was to assess shunt patency only if bleeding recurred or there was a clinical indication. The mean age was 51.5 years (range 18-87 years) and 64 patients (56%) were male. The commonest aetiology for chronic liver disease was alcohol (80%). At referral, 19 patients (16%) were Child-Pugh class A, 26 patients (23%) were Child-Pugh class B and 70 patients (61%) were Child-Pugh class C. The mean follow-up period was 20.4 months (range 0-95 months). RESULTS: TIPSS was successfully placed in 108 of 115 patients (94%). The thirty-day mortality was 30%. One-year and 2-year overall cumulative survival was 52% (survival ratio, 0.525; 95% confidence interval, 0.432-0.619) and 43% (survival ratio, 0.436; 95% confidence interval, 0.340-0.532), respectively. CONCLUSION: TIPSS is effective in the treatment of uncontrolled or recurrent variceal bleeding. In comparison with previously published studies, our study suggests no value in regular or routine shunt surveillance to reduce rebleeding episodes or mortality, but this needs to be further assessed in prospective randomized studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Relationship of serum cardiac markers following successful percutaneous coronary intervention and subsequent exercise capacity in patients with chronic stable angina: a pilot study.

We performed a pilot study to assess the significance of modest, asymptomatic, elevated serum cardiac markers--troponin T (TnT) and creatinine kinase-MB (CK-MB)--18-24 h following successful elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and to explore their relationship with changes in aerobic exercise capacity, as measured by peak oxygen consumption (VO2), 6 weeks following the procedure. Twenty-three patients with single-vessel disease and chronic angina performed an incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test before and 6 weeks after successful uncomplicated PCI. A venous blood sample was taken at rest before PCI and 18-24 h after the procedure. Successful PCI resulted in a trend towards an increased peak VO2 [21.62 +/- 0.64 (pre) vs. 23.03 +/- 0.75 ml/ kg/min (post), p = 0.07; mean +/- SEM]. There was a significant increase [median (IQR)] in TnT, from 0.00 (0.00) microg/l at baseline increasing to 0.02 (0.03) microg/l at 18-24 h, p = 0.002. CK-MB levels showed no significant difference. In the group of 15/23 (65%) patients with an elevation in serum TnT (>/=0.01 microg/l), 18-24 h after successful PCI, there was no significant increase in peak VO2 [23.31 +/- 0.96 (pre) vs. 23.89 +/- 1.09 ml/kg/min (post), p = 0.57]. In 8 (35%) patients with no rise in TnT at 18-24 h, a significant increase in peak VO2 was observed following successful PCI [23.10 +/- 0.91 (pre) vs. 25.09 +/- 0.75 ml/kg/min (post), p = 0.02]. Although 7 of these 8 patients increased their peak VO2, the absence of a TnT rise at 18-24 h was not significantly associated with an increase in peak VO2 following successful PCI (p = 0.18). To confirm these interesting initial results and investigate the relationship of serum cardiac markers following successful PCI and subsequent exercise capacity, further studies are required.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Comparison of plasma N-brain natriuretic peptide, peak oxygen consumption, and left ventricular ejection fraction for severity of chronic heart failure.

We investigated whether a simple blood test of plasma N-brain natriuretic peptide (N-BNP), compared with echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), both measured at rest, correlated well with aerobic exercise capacity (peak oxygen consumption [VO(2)]) in patients with chronic heart failure. Plasma N-BNP was found to significantly correlate with peak VO(2) (p <0.001) and exercise duration (p = 0.001), whereas LVEF showed very poor correlations with peak VO(2) and exercise duration (both p >0.3). The results suggest that N-BNP actually reflects functional cardiac impairment better than LVEF.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed2004

Is plasma N-BNP a good indicator of the functional reserve of failing hearts? The FRESH-BNP study.

AIMS: Whether plasma N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (N-BNP) is useful in the diagnosis of heart failure (HF) depends traditionally on whether it is as good as the putative 'gold-standard', left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), in indicating cardiac dysfunction. However, since HF is primarily an impairment of function of the cardiac pump, we explored the relationship between N-BNP and direct and indirect indicators of cardiac pump dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighty-six HF patients (mean age 56 years) with a range of LVEF's (mean 36.9+/-15.2%, range 15-66%) and 10 age-matched healthy controls were recruited into the study and had resting N-BNP measured. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed to assess peak oxygen consumption (Vo(2)). A subgroup of 23 subjects underwent further exercise haemodynamic assessment to evaluate peak cardiac power output (CPO). The CHF group had significantly higher N-BNP (median [interquartile range]) levels (299 [705] fmol/ml) than the control group (7 [51] fmol/ml, P<0.005). Significant correlations between N-BNP and peak Vo(2), and N-BNP and peak CPO were observed (R> or =0.5, P<0.005). Although significant correlation was observed between N-BNP and LVEF (R=0.34, P=0.01), the correlations between LVEF and peak Vo(2) or peak CPO (all R<0.3, P>0.3) were not significant. Multivariate analysis identified plasma N-BNP and NYHA class, but not LVEF, as independent predictors of peak Vo(2). CONCLUSIONS: We have found that N-BNP was surprisingly good as a simple indicator of cardiac pump dysfunction. Since heart failure is an inadequacy of function, these results strongly support the notion that N-BNP is a useful blood test in estimating the extent of cardiac pump dysfunction and helpful in establishing positive diagnosis of heart failure.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Safety determination for the use of bovine milk-derived lactoferrin as a component of an antimicrobial beef carcass spray.

Bovine milk-derived lactoferrin (BMDL), an iron-binding glycoprotein, is known to be an effective natural antimicrobial. It is used as a spray, applied electrostatically, to raw beef carcasses to detach bacteria adhering to the surface in order to reduce microbial contamination. The use of BMDL as a component (at not more than 2% by weight) of an antimicrobial spray was determined Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) (GRN 67) for three proposed uses (i.e., beef carcasses, subprimals, and finished cuts), provided that the ingredient statement of food products that contain milk-derived lactoferrin identifies the source of the protein. The use of BMDL spray on only beef carcasses (not subprimals or finished cuts) at a level not to exceed 0.20 ml of formulation per kg of beef was determined safe without the requirement of labeling of food products so treated. The two key components of the assessment are: (1) a determination that exogenous lactoferrin exposure (resulting from its application to beef carcasses) is in the range of existing background exposures of lactoferrin as a result of lactoferrin found naturally in beef, and (2) a determination that this potentially small incremental increase in lactoferrin is safe (i.e., there is no reasonable expectation that BMDL will become an allergen under the conditions of its intended use).

Animals↗
PubMed2004

The role of primary care in the prevention of suicide and accidental deaths among young men: an epidemiological study.

BACKGROUND: Despite generally falling mortality and suicide rates, among young men the rates of violent death from accidents and suicide continue to rise. Most research has focused upon suicide, and the potential for effective interventions, particularly in primary care, remains controversial. AIMS: To compare health service contacts prior to suicidal and accidental deaths among young men. DESIGN OF STUDY: Examination of inquest data, postmortem and toxicology reports, and general practitioner (GP) and hospital records. SETTING: All sudden, unexpected, violent or unnatural deaths involving young men aged between 15 and 39 years and reported to the four coroner's offices of Merseyside and Cheshire during 1995. METHOD: We compared data on the timing and nature of final GP contacts before death among young men with a verdict of accident or misadventure and suicide or undetermined death. RESULTS: Out of a total of 268 violent deaths, 130 received verdicts of accident/misadventure and 97 received verdicts of suicide/undetermined death. Information on the final contact with a GP was available for 172 deaths. Although there was a significant difference between the proportion of suicide cases (56%) and that of cases of accidental death (41%) who had seen their GP during the 3 months before death, this was not significant at 1 month (38% versus 30%, respectively). Suicide cases were more likely to have seen a mental health professional at some time (27% for suicides versus 13% for accidental deaths). CONCLUSION: These findings confirm that relatively few young men consult their GP during the period before death from suicide or accidents. Prevention strategies must extend beyond suicide risk assessment, and consider ways to encourage young men to consult GPs when they are experiencing emotional distress or problems related to mental health or substance misuse.

Accidents↗