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Biomedical subjects

T McGuire

Publications and source records attributed to T McGuire.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Detection of Anaplasma-marginale-infected tick vectors by using a cloned DNA probe.

Anaplasmosis is the most widely distributed of several important tick-borne diseases that constrain cattle production throughout much of the world. Evaluation of the effectiveness of disease control strategies that integrate vaccination with tick control requires the ability to monitor tick and cattle infection rates. To detect Anaplasma marginale in ticks and bovine erythrocytes, a 2-kilobase DNA fragment from a cloned A. marginale gene coding for a surface protein having a Mr of 105,000 was prepared and evaluated as a probe. The probe was species specific and detected A. marginale DNA derived from infected bovine erythrocytes and adult Dermacentor ticks infected either as nymphs or adults. Tick infection was confirmed by microscopy and test feeding on a susceptible calf. The sensitivity of the probe is suitable for detecting infected ticks in experimental and field epizootiology studies.

Anaplasma↗

Survey of the utilization of psychiatrists and psychologists for hospitalized children.

Although interest by psychiatrists and psychologists in consultation to pediatric settings has increased in the past few years, little is known about how frequently they have been involved in providing psychosocial services to hospitalized children. The authors distributed a 20-item questionnaire to 136 pediatricians and 12 head nurses, representing 22 hospitals throughout Washington State. The questionnaire was designed to assess the disciplines involved in providing psychosocial care, the availability of various personnel, teaching functions, funding of services, and perceived need for further services. The results showed that psychiatrists and psychologists were utilized least often in all settings. Respondents from 68% of the hospitals represented specifically requested more services from psychiatrists and psychologists trained in pediatric issues. The authors discuss possible reasons behind the underutilization of psychiatrists and psychologists.

Child↗

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of uroliths in dogs: definitive determination of chemical type.

Effective treatment and prevention of urolithiasis depends on accurate determination of the chemical nature of the uroliths. A widely used qualitative chemical procedure was compared with quantitative crystallographic analysis of 272 canine uroliths. Agreement between the 2 methods was 78%. Qualitative analysis failed to detect 62% of calcium-containing uroliths and 83% of carbonate apatite uroliths. Qualitative analysis gave false-positive results for urates in 55% of cystine uroliths. Mixed uroliths comprising 6% of the total could not be classified without quantitative analysis. Silicate, cystine, and urate uroliths generally were of pure composition. Crystallographic analysis indicated the following distribution of major types: struvite, 69%; calcium oxalate, 10%; urate, 7%; silicate, 3.5%; cystine, 3.2%; calcium phosphate, 1%; and mixed, 6%. Among dogs with struvite uroliths, 66% had positive results of bacterial culturing from the urinary bladder. Six breeds (Miniature Schnauzer, Welsh Corgi, Lhasa Apso, Yorkshire Terrier, Pekingese, and Pug) had a significantly higher risk for urolithiasis, compared with other breeds. The German Shepherd Dog had a significantly lowered risk, compared with other breeds. Two breeds had significant relationship to a specific type of urolith: Miniature Schnauzer for oxalate, and Dalmatian for urate (P less than 0.001). It was concluded that quantitative analysis, using crystallography, was superior for the detection of calcium oxalate, carbonate apatite, cystine, urate, and mixed uroliths.

Animals↗

Profound shock following intervention for chronic untreated stool retention. A case report.

Chronic stool retention with soiling is a common and distressing condition in children. Diagnosis and treatment generally involve both medical and psychological aspects. This case addresses a potentially life-threatening complication of shock occurring during treatment of chronic stool retention with castor oil, and also explores the psychosocial factors felt to be contributory.

Adolescent↗

Development of a somatic mutation screening system using Hb mutants. IV. Successful detection of red cells containing the human frameshift mutants Hb Wayne and Hb Cranston using monospecific fluorescent antibodies.

The production and purification of antibodies detecting Hb Wayne, an alpha-globin frameshift mutant, and Hb Cranston, a beta-globin frameshift mutant, are described. The antibodies are of a nonprecipitating nature, and they permit strong fluorescent labeling of erythrocytes containing Hb Wayne or Hb Cranston. Studies using artificial mixtures containing cells with either of the two mutants in frequencies ranging from 1 in 10(2) to 1 in 10(5) showed that fluorescent antibodies can detect rare mutant red cells in the presence of vast excesses of normal erythrocytes. On the basis of the structures and the molecular lesions underlying production of the two abnormal hemoglobins, we predict that the anti-Hb Wayne antibody will detect several frameshift mutants resulting from deletion of 3n + 1 nucleotides or insertion of 3n + 2 nucleotides at the 5' side of the codon normally specifying residue 139 of the alpha chain. The anti-Hb Cranston antibody should be capable of detecting beta chains, the corresponding genes of which have sustained insertions of 3n + 2 nucleotides or deletions of 3n + 1 nucleotides on the 5' side of the codon normally specifying residue 144. The two antibodies may, therefore, prove to be valuable in the development of a system aimed at detecting rare erythrocytes that express mutations which arise in the hemopoietic stem cells of normal individuals and subjects exposed to mutagens.

Antibodies↗

The impact of managed care on the use of outpatient mental health and substance abuse services in Puerto Rico.

This paper estimates the impact of managed care on use of mental health services by residents of low-income areas in Puerto Rico. A quasi-experimental design evaluates the impact of a low capitation rate on a minority population using three waves of data from a random community sample. Results indicate that two years after introducing managed care, privatization of mental health services had minimal impact on use. Advocates had hoped health care reform would increase access in comparison to access seen within the public system, while opponents feared profit motives would lead to decreased access. Neither forecast turned out to be correct. The question remains as to how to improve access for the poor with low capitation rates.

Adolescent↗

An assessment of moving and handling practices among Scottish nurses.

The aim of this study was to examine current practices within the Lothian Health Board area in relation to reporting of occupationally induced musculoskeletal injuries, training in moving and handling, and use of mechanical aids. A sample of 5,184 nurses working throughout the health board was given a questionnaire containing both open and closed questions. The results showed a significant proportion of nurses had time off work due to musculoskeletal injury and that this was related to grade and specialty. There was also a significant proportion of the respondents who did not report injuries and/or who experienced pain/discomfort, but did not take time off work. Present moving and handling training appears to be inadequate and too infrequent for the needs of staff. These findings emphasise the need for a review of both accident reporting systems and training, in particular in the use of mechanical aids.

Back Pain↗

Epstein-Barr virus (herpesvirus 4) types A, B and herpesvirus-6 variants A and B in patients presenting with recurrent upper respiratory inflammation, persistent paravertebral thoraco-lumbar muscle spasm and fatigue by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

DNA from Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) Types A, B and Herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) Variants A and B was detected by the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the saliva of 51 non-immunocompromised donor patients and in the blood of seventy non-immunocompromised donor patients with specific signs and symptoms. The minimum selection criteria for each patient included acute or recurrent upper respiratory infection, unilateral thoracolumbar muscle spasm and fatigue. PCR DNA detection in the saliva of selected donors revealed 80% of the donors had either Type A or B EBV (41 of 51), 34.1% Type B EBV only (14 of 41), 9% Type A only (4 of 41), and 56.1% Type A and B EBV (23 of 41). HHV-6 DNA was detected in 45.0% (23 of 51). PCR for EBV in blood of selected donors revealed 68.5% Type A or B EBV (48 of 70), 0% type B EBV alone, 64.8% Type A EBV only (31 of 48) and 35.4% both Type A and B EBV (17 of 48). HHV-6 was detected in 96.4% (64 of 70). The association of Type B EBV in the pathogenesis of these patients is explored based on the PCR quantitation of B type EBV DNA present in the samples.

Antibodies, Viral↗