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Biomedical subjects

T Williams

Publications and source records attributed to T Williams.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Non-viraemic transmission of Thogoto virus: vector efficiency of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Amblyomma variegatum.

Previous studies have demonstrated that Thogoto virus is transmitted from infected to uninfected ticks when co-feeding on uninfected guinea-pigs, even though the guinea-pigs do not develop a detectable viraemia. Furthermore, tick to tick transmission is potentiated by factors associated with the salivary glands of ticks (saliva activated transmission). The vector efficiency of 2 ixodid tick species, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Amblyomma variegatum, for Thogoto virus was assessed using this model. The number of uninfected recipient ticks that acquired Thogoto virus when co-feeding with virus-infected ticks (donors) on uninfected guinea-pigs was determined. When nymphs of either tick species were employed as donors, there was no significant difference in the number of infected recipient nymphs. In contrast, a significant difference in the vector efficiency of adults ticks was observed: 77.0% of recipient ticks which co-fed with R. appendiculatus donor adults acquired Thogoto virus compared to 44.7% of recipient ticks which co-fed with A. variegatum donors. No significant difference in susceptibility to Thogoto virus infection was observed between recipient ticks of the 2 species. Thus, adults of R. appendiculatus are more efficient than A. variegatum in mediating non-viraemic transmission.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Experimental functional analyses for challenging behavior: a study of validity and reliability.

The convergent validity of an experimental (analog) functional analysis was investigated by a comparison of three separate ways of interpreting the data derived from such an assessment: two previously published methods and the criterion Z method derived by the authors. Data from the experimental functional analysis of the challenging behavior(s) of 27 individuals with intellectual disabilities were analyzed to assess agreement between the three forms of interpretation. The test-retest reliability of all three methods over periods of 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months was also calculated. The results suggest that the methods of interpreting function from experimental assessments can give different results and that the test-retest reliability of the experimental functional analyses is poor. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to clinical practice.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The Ontario forest health data co-operative.

The Canadian Forest Service, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment all conduct monitoring of forest health in Ontario. Among these agencies over 1500 permanent sample plots are monitored for purposes of assessing tree condition and/or site productivity. The data and length of record differ depending on the original intent of the plot system. However, a number of common variables are collected including basic tree measurements (tree height, stem diameter), mortality and site condition. Other variables collected at certain sites include crown condition, pest damage, ground vegetation, soils descriptions, and soils and foliage chemistry. A co-operative has been formed to compile this information from various sources and to make it more easily accessible. Information from these projects is available through the co-operative web site and can be extracted to report on forest health in a region of the province, or on an individual tree species. Information from these sources provide a picture of forest health in Ontario.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A mouse locus at which transcription from both DNA strands produces mRNAs complementary at their 3' ends.

The organization and large size of the mammalian cell genome allows spatial separation of different transcription units. In those cases where more than one species of messenger are synthesized from the same cellular DNA sequence, they have been found to be generated from transcription proceeding in the same direction. These mRNAs always share regions of homology and can differ from one another as a result of differential processing (splicing and/or polyadenylation) or alternative initiation. In contrast, complementary mRNAs transcribed from opposite strands of the same cellular DNA sequence have not previously been observed. Here we have identified a region of mouse DNA at which processed mRNAs from two adjacent convergent transcription units overlap by 133 base pairs (bp) at their 3'-untranslated ends. One of the transcription units appears to encode a second mRNA which does not contain this overlapping region. This represents the first description of the natural occurrence of processed mammalian cell mRNAs transcribed from opposite strands of the same DNA sequence. The implications of these complementary regions in normal gene regulation are discussed in the context of the finding that the artificial introduction into cells of DNA constructs synthesizing anti-sense RNAs complementary to regions of mRNA transcribed from a chromosomal gene, can inhibit the gene's activity, presumably by the formation of double-stranded RNA.

Animals↗
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Codependency.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
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Reimbursement warfare: who loses?

The challenge facing healthcare providers is to maximize available reimbursement to cover home care and outpatient management for a growing number of oncology patients who no longer meet inpatient criteria.

Cost Control↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The Mary Sheridan Unit: an evaluation of the effects of a hospital unit on the development of visually-impaired multiply handicapped children.

The evidence in this study appears to indicate that adopting a goal-planning approach can provide demonstrable and clear improvements in the developmental functioning of multiply handicapped blind children. However, while the improvements in functioning for self-help and sensorimotor abilities are quite significant, those for communication and language skills are much less so. Three possible hypotheses have been advanced as to why this should be so. The hypothesis that the setting might be an institutionalizing one was rejected on the grounds that some of the evidence did not fit with that from other populations. The second hypothesis referred to the lack of formal speech and communication training on the unit. The best possible test of this hypothesis would be to employ a speech therapist to work on the unit and support for such a scheme is being sought. Finally, it was hypothesized that the way in which the staff interacted with the children was not being sufficiently modified to take account of the children's handicaps.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

W. Edwards Deming and total quality management: an interpretation for nursing practice.

The purpose of this article is to introduce nurses to W. Edwards Deming and the 14 points of his management philosophy, the basis of total quality management (TQM) (Deming, 1986). Each of Deming's points has been subject to in-depth analysis from business executives for the past 40 years. Quality improvement is at the very center of TQM. To adopt TQM will require a major thought transformation for many nursing leaders, but the benefits that nurses and the profession as a whole can reap from this revolutionary style of management make the effort to change worthwhile. If you are not satisfied with the status quo and are looking for a better way to conduct business, the information in this article will begin to define quality improvement and will help you strive for the highest possible level of service to your ultimate customer--the patient.

Japan↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Repairs by trephination and suturing of longitudinal injuries in the avascular area of the meniscus in goats.

Trephination may encourage healing of a tear in the avascular area of the meniscus, but healing may not be complete in unstable tears. We studied trephination with suture of longitudinal injuries in the avascular area of the medial meniscus in 20 goats; samples were studied at 3, 8, and 25 weeks. All 20 tears treated by trephination and suture were completely (4 samples) or partly (16 samples) healed. The average tensile strength of the healed repair was 40.4 kg/cm2 at 25 weeks. The level of DNA synthesis and tissue ingrowth decreased with time; DNA synthetic activity was also found in the chondrocytes of the menisci treated by suture alone. Only three of the menisci treated by suture alone were partly healed, and the remainder showed no gross evidence of healing. The addition of trephination to the sutured meniscus appears to promote healing of longitudinal injuries in the avascular area and is recommended rather than suturing or trephination alone. Meniscal suture alone may stabilize the tear and stimulate cell proliferation for healing, but it appears to be significantly restricted without an adequate blood supply.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Impact of sustainability policies on sterilization services in Latin America.

The Association for Voluntary Surgical Contraception retrospectively examined the impact of funding decreases on access to sterilization services at 20 nongovernmental family planning clinics in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Brazil. Clinic staff were asked questions about client fees, caseloads, availability of comparable low-cost or free services nearby, cost-recovery activities, and the socioeconomic profile of clients before, during the time, and after subsidies were lowered or eliminated. Funding reductions were followed by decreased caseloads at 14 of the 20 sites studied. Of the six others, four experienced an increase in caseloads, one saw no perceptible change, and one experienced a decrease only as a result of management policy to cut the caseload to improve quality. The most common response to the decrease in funding (shared by 17 sites) was an increase in client fees. In all but three of the 17 clinics, the increase in fees was met with a decline in caseloads. Moreover, at nine of these 17 sites, the fee increase effected a change in client mix; anecdotal evidence suggests that more middle-income and fewer lower-income clients were using sterilization services. Four lessons can be drawn from this study: Donors need to plan funding phase-outs carefully, in conjunction with grantees; grantees need to assess the costs of the procedure realistically, and assign fees accordingly; management needs to seek alternative funding sources in lieu of, or in addition to, increasing fees; and caseloads can be increased and costs recovered by diversifying services.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
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An evaluation of Profamilia's female sterilization program in Colombia.

The findings of three surveys and three studies used by Profamilia to evaluate and improve their voluntary female sterilization program are presented. The surveys measured sociodemographic characteristics of users, factors behind the sterilization decision, and user satisfaction with the operation in the short run and over time. The studies explored methodologies for more accurate cost-effectiveness analysis. Results of the projects were used by Profamilia management to identify areas of program strengths and weaknesses and to implement operational changes.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Toxicity of phencyclidine and ethanol in combination.

The role of ethanol in phencyclidine-related death and loss of motor co-ordination was studied in male ICR albino mice. LD50s, and ED50s for loss of righting reflex, and for the "rotarod" test were determined for each drug in the presence of various doses of the other. Isobolograms (plots of equieffective dose combinations) of these LD50s and ED50s showed that low doses of ethanol reduced the LD50 of phencyclidine (PCP) by about 20%, while higher doses (1-3 g/kg) of ethanol were without further effect. In contrast to effects on lethality, there was synergism (potentiation) of loss of motor co-ordination. Doses of ethanol above 1 g/kg reduced the ED50 of PCP for loss of righting from about 60 mg/kg to 1-3 mg/kg. Similarly, low doses of PCP (less than 40 mg/kg) reduced the ED50 of ethanol from 3 g/kg to 1 g/kg. There was a slight but consistent synergism between the drugs in the rotarod test over the range of effective doses (0.25-2.0mg/kg PCP and 0.1-1.2 g/kg ethanol). It is concluded that consumption of ethanol does not greatly increase the risk of death from PCP overdose; however the severe adverse effects on motor co-ordination of moderate doses of PCP together with moderate doses of ethanol are greatly potentiated by doses of the other drug. It is estimated that commonly used doses could result in total loss of motor ability, which could explain the prevalence of accidental deaths (especially drowning) when PCP and ethanol have been consumed together.

Animals↗