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Biomedical subjects

A Breen

Publications and source records attributed to A Breen.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Spinal manipulation for low-back pain: a treatment package agreed to by the UK chiropractic, osteopathy and physiotherapy professional associations.

Trials of manipulative treatment have been compromised by, amongst other things, different definitions of the therapeutic procedures involved. This paper describes a spinal manipulation package agreed by the UK professional bodies that represent chiropractors, osteopaths and physiotherapists. It was devised for use in the UK Back pain Exercise And Manipulation (UK BEAM) trial--a national study of physical treatments in primary care funded by the Medical Research Council and the National Health Service Research and Development Programme. Although systematic reviews have reported some beneficial effects of spinal manipulation for low-back pain, due to the limited methodological quality of primary studies and difficulties in defining manipulation, important questions have remained unanswered. The UK BEAM trial was designed to answer some of those questions. Early in the design of the trial, it was acknowledged that the spinal manipulation treatment regimes provided by practitioners from the three professions shared more similarities than differences. Because the trial design specifically precluded comparison of the effect between the professions, it was necessary to devise a homogenous package representative of, and acceptable to, all three. The resulting package is 'pragmatic', in that it represents what happens to most people undergoing manipulation, and 'explanatory' in that it excludes discipline-specific variations and other ancillary treatments.

Chiropractic↗
PubMed2000

Communication between general and manipulative practitioners: a survey.

A survey of general practitioners (GPs) in the south of England was undertaken to determine their understanding and communication needs in referring patients to practitioners of manipulation. Eighty-six out of 309 GPs replied to a postal questionnaire (28% response). The results suggest that, while routine communication is important for improving understanding, GPs appear to have a preference for disciplines of which they have personal experience. The majority of responders favoured receiving a report on one side of A5 paper when the patient completes treatment. This should contain the nature of treatment and advice given and an indication of its outcome. Those who desired an initial report wanted it to contain a summary of the nature of the problem, a brief history, a summary of relevant findings from the examination, any investigations and a prognosis. Many GPs commented that they were more comfortable in referring to physiotherapists because they felt they had a better understanding of the treatment involved. Furthermore, chiropractic and osteopathic terminologies were reported to be confusing more often than physiotherapy terminology. Bearing in mind the potential bias in responses due to its geographical limitations and low response rate, this study provides useful indicators for manipulative and GPs who wish to work more closely together.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Fungi in lignocellulose breakdown and biopulping

Biological pulping has the potential to improve the quality of pulp, properties of paper and to reduce energy costs and environmental impact relative to traditional pulping operations. It has been suggested that energy savings alone could make the process economically viable. Other benefits include improved burst strength and tear indices of the product and reduced pitch deposition during the production process. The technology has focused on the white rot fungi, which have complex extracellular ligninolytic enzyme systems that can selectively remove or alter lignin and allow cellulose fibers to be obtained. Although still far from completely understood, these enzyme systems are being characterized mechanistically and on a molecular level with primary emphasis on the enzymes lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase and laccase. Scale-up to industrial process requirements presents challenges that are difficult to simulate in laboratory or pilot-scale tests. Inoculation, aeration and heat dissipation are key parameters for maintaining fungal activity. It may be possible to monitor and maintain consistent treatments through a program of active wood chip pile management. Overcoming these challenges will determine, in large part, if biopulping becomes a reality.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Benzothiopyran-4-one based reversible inhibitors of the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) protease.

A novel class of CMV protease inhibitors based on a benzothiopyran-S,S-dioxide nucleus has been discovered. Enzyme kinetic data supports a reversible mode of inhibition for a representative member of this class, 2-(3-pyridyl-N-oxide)benzothiopyran-4-one-S,S-dioxide, 1. Experiments in the presence and absence of the disulfide reducing agent DTT suggest that the inhibition by 1 is not due to oxidative inactivation of the enzyme. Also presented are results of some SAR studies of the benzothiopyranone ring system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Microbial characterization of biological filters used for drinking water treatment.

The impact of preozonation and filter contact time (depth) on microbial communities was examined in drinking water biofilters treating Ohio River water which had undergone conventional treatment (coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation) or solutions of natural organic matter isolated from groundwater (both ozonated and nonozonated). With respect to filter depth, compared to filters treating nonozonated waters, preozonation of treated water led to greater differences in community phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles, utilization of sole carbon sources (Biolog), and arbitrarily primed PCR fingerprints. PLFA profiles indicated that there was a shift toward anaerobic bacteria in the communities found in the filter treating ozonated water compared to the communities found in the filter treating nonozonated settled water, which had a greater abundance of eukaryotic markers.

Filtration↗
PubMed1997

Daleformis, a new phytoalexin from the roots fo Dalea filiciformis: an inhibitor of endothelin converting enzyme.

As part of a search for novel inhibitors of endothelin converting enzyme (ECE), the MeOH-CH2Cl2 extract of the roots of Dalea filiciformis was shown to be active. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract yielded a novel phytoalexin, daleformis (1), whose structure was determined by interpretation of spectral data and X-ray analysis. Daleformis (1) inhibited ECE with an IC50 of 9 microM.

Acetylation↗
PubMed1996

Halistanol disulfate B, a novel sulfated sterol from the sponge Pachastrella sp.: inhibitor of endothelin converting enzyme.

As part of a search for novel inhibitors of endothelin converting enzyme (ECE), the MeOH extract of a South African sponge, Pachastrella sp., was shown to be active. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract yielded a novel sterol sulfate, halistanol disulfate B (1). The structure and stereochemistry of 1 was established mainly by interpretation of spectral data. Disulfate (1) was found to be active at a micromolar concentration in the ECE assay.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Application of DNA amplification fingerprinting (DAF) to mixed culture bioreactors.

The use of DNA amplification fingerprinting (DAF) as a tool for monitoring mixed microbial populations in bioreactors was evaluated. Short (8-mer or 10-mer) oligonucleotides were used to prime DNA extracts from various biological reactors during polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. The reactors examined in this study included two sets of anaerobic stirred tank continuous flow bioreactors. One set of anaerobic reactors was operated under methanogenic conditions and one set was operated under sulfate-reducing conditions. The anaerobic reactor communities in the methanol-fed reactors showed extensive DAF homology. DAF was also applied to a fixed-film azo dye degrading reactor to examine the degree of uniformity of colonization of the substratum in representative regions of the reactor. This method is a quick and relatively inexpensive means of monitoring microbial community structure during biological processes. Since no cultivation of the sample is involved, the genetic profile of the community is not biased by outgrowth conditions. DAF profiles may be useful for comparisons of population changes over time or of bench-scale vs pilot-scale reactors but not adequate for assessing community diversity.

DNA Fingerprinting↗
PubMed1994

Aerobic degradation of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) by Alcaligenes eutrophus A5.

Biotransformation of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) by Alcaligenes eutrophus A5 was demonstrated by analysis of ethyl acetate-extracted products from resting cell cultures. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry characterization of the neutral extracts revealed two hydroxy-DDT intermediates (m/z = 370) with retention times at 19.55 and 19.80 min that shared identical mass spectra. This result suggested that the hydroxylations occurred at the ortho and meta positions on the aromatic ring. UV-visible spectrum spectrophotometric analysis of a yellow metabolite in the culture supernatant showed a maximum A402 with, under acidic and basic conditions, spectrophotometric characteristics similar to those of the aromatic ring meta-cleavage products. 4-Chlorobenzoic acid was detected by thin-layer chromatography radiochemical scanning in samples from mineralization experiments by comparison of Rf values of [14C]DDT intermediates with that of an authentic standard. These results were further confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. This study indicates that DDT appears to be oxidized by a dioxygenase in A. eutrophus A5 and that the products of this oxidation are subsequently subjected to ring fission to eventually yield 4-chlorobenzoic acid as a major stable intermediate.

Aerobiosis↗
PubMed1992

The reliability of palpation and other diagnostic methods.

Incompatibility between levels of reliability of physical examination techniques and their clinical usefulness produces an enormous chasm, into which any hope of accurate diagnosis falls and flounders. Bridging this chasm will require validation of the examination techniques along more than just observer variability lines. Greater attention to the use of gold standards is recommended, even though they themselves must be critically evaluated for the errors which they contain and for technicalities involved in developing elaborate and accurate standards.

Back Pain↗
PubMed1991

Mineralization of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate by a four-member aerobic bacterial consortium.

A bacterial consortium capable of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) mineralization under aerobic conditions was isolated from a chemostat inoculated with activated sludge. The consortium, designated KJB, consisted of four members, all of which were gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria that grew in pairs and short chains. Three isolates had biochemical properties characteristic of Pseudomonas spp.; the fourth showed characteristics of the Aeromonas spp. Cell suspensions were grown together in minimal medium with [C]LAS as the only carbon source. After 13 days of incubation, more than 25% of the [C]LAS was mineralized to CO(2) by the consortium. Pure bacterial cultures and combinations lacking any one member of the KJB bacterial consortium did not mineralize LAS. Three isolates carried out primary biodegradation of the surfactant, and one did not. This study shows that the four bacteria complemented each other and synergistically mineralized LAS, indicating catabolic cooperation among the four consortium members.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1990

Chlorinated biphenyl mineralization by individual populations and consortia of freshwater bacteria.

Comparative studies were performed to investigate the contribution of microbial consortia, individual microbial populations, and specific plasmids to chlorinated biphenyl biodegradation among microbial communities from a polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated freshwater environment. A bacterial consortium, designated LPS10, was shown to mineralize 4-chlorobiphenyl (4CB) and dehalogenate 4,4'-dichlorobiphenyl. The LPS10 consortium involved three isolates: Pseudomonas testosteroni (LPS10A), which mediated the breakdown of 4CB and 4,4'-dichlorobiphenyl to 4-chlorobenzoic acid; an isolate tentatively identified as an Arthrobacter sp. (LPS10B), which mediated 4-chlorobenzoic acid degradation; and Pseudomonas putida bv. A (LPS10C), whose role in the consortium has not been determined. None of these isolates contained detectable plasmids or sequences homologous to the 4CB-degradative plasmid pSS50. A freshwater isolate, designated LBS1C1, was found to harbor a 41-megadalton plasmid that was related to the 35-megadalton plasmid pSS50, and this isolate was shown to mineralize 4CB. In chemostat enrichments with biphenyl and 4CB as primary carbon sources, the LPS10 consortium was found to outcomplete bacterial populations harboring plasmids homologous to pSS50. These results demonstrate that an understanding of the biodegradative capacity of individual bacterial populations as well as interacting populations of bacteria must be considered in order to gain a better understanding of polychlorinated biphenyl biodegradation in the environment.

Arthrobacter↗
PubMed1985

Application of DNA-DNA colony hybridization to the detection of catabolic genotypes in environmental samples.

The application of preexisting DNA hybridization techniques was investigated for potential in determining populations of specific gene sequences in environmental samples. Cross-hybridizations among two degradative plasmids, TOL and NAH, and two cloning vehicles, pLAFR1 and RSF1010, were determined. The detection limits for the TOL plasmid against a nonhomologous plasmid-bearing bacterial background was ascertained. The colony hybridization technique allowed detection of one colony containing TOL plasmid among 10(6) Escherichia coli colonies of nonhomologous DNA. Comparisons between population estimates derived from growth on selective substrates and from hybridizations were examined. Findings indicated that standard sole carbon source enumeration procedures for degradative populations lead to overestimations due to nonspecific growth of other bacteria on the microcontaminant carbon sources present in the media. Population estimates based on the selective growth of a microcosm population on two aromatic substrates (toluene and naphthalene) and estimates derived from DNA-DNA colony hybridizations, using the TOL or NAH plasmid as a probe, corresponded with estimates of substrate mineralization rates and past exposure to environmental contaminants. The applications of such techniques are hoped to eventually allow enumeration of any specific gene sequences in the environment, including both anabolic and catabolic genes. In addition, this procedure should prove useful in monitoring recombinant DNA clones released into environmental situations.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1983

Sleep disturbances in the institutionalized aged.

One hundred eighty nursing home residents, not psychotic or demented, average age 82 years, were administered a 30-minute structured interview to identify and characterize their sleeping patterns, health status, medications, psychosocial environment, and living conditions. In addition, both the residents and the night nurses rated quality of sleep on a five-point scale. Residents and nurses on all shifts also rated appetite and exercise on five-point scales. Residents were classified as having a sleep disturbance if they met at least one of the following criteria and reported poor sleep quality: onset of sleep latency greater than 30 minutes, three or more nighttime awakenings, and less than six hours sleep per night. Forty-five per cent of the residents met at least one clinical research criterion. Residents with sleep disturbance rated their sleep quality significantly lower than their peers not meeting research criteria. However, the nurses' ratings did not discriminate problem sleepers, and they correlated poorly with the residents' ratings. These subjective patient evaluations are discussed in relation to nursing evaluations, prescription of hypnotic medications, and other variables.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Kinetic characterization of the interaction of biotinylated human interleukin 5 with an Fc chimera of its receptor alpha subunit and development of an ELISA screening assay using real-time interaction biosensor analysis.

The interaction of biotinylated human interleukin 5 ([BT]hIL5) with immobilized receptor was measured with a real-time biosensor, and these results were used as a basis for configuring an ELISA for screening antagonists of hIL5-receptor binding. The recombinant proteins used, hIL5 and shIL5R alpha-Fc (chimeric fusion receptor constructed by linking the soluble component of the hIL5 receptor alpha subunit to the constant domain (Fc) of immunoglobulin G), were produced by the expression of cloned vectors in Drosophila schneider (S2) cells. Initial attempts to develop a screening assay by direct immobilization of soluble IL5 receptor to microtiter plates proved unsatisfactory and led to use of the Fc chimera attached by oriented immobilization via protein A. Hence, shIL5R alpha-Fc was bound to protein A covalently immobilized on a carboxymethyl dextran (CM-5) biosensor chip. Specific binding was demonstrated of [BT]hIL5 to protein A/shIL5R alpha-Fc receptor complex. The binding was high affinity (Kdapp = 6 nM), reversible and saturable. The affinity of [BT]hIL5 was similar to that determined with the biosensor assay for unmodified hIL5. The observed kinetics of the interactions of Fc chimera with protein A (slow dissociation) and of [BT]hIL5 with immobilized Fc chimera (faster dissociation) were favorable for subsequently establishing a microtiter plate based ELISA assay. In the latter, Fc chimera was immobilized to the plate via protein A as in the biosensor experiment. Binding of [BT]hIL5 to immobilized Fc chimera in the ELISA was concentration dependent and was competed by both hIL5 and shIL5R alpha.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A digital videofluoroscopic technique for spine kinematics.

The kinematic behaviour of the vertebral segments under the influence of spinal injury and other mechanical problems is difficult to quantify in patients. This paper describes the use of a calibration model and human subjects to investigate the accuracy of a method for determining lumbar intervertebral rotations using images digitized from an image intensifier. The main influences were found to be observer error in marking co-ordinates, scaling of the image presented by the computer's monitor, distortion caused by out-of-plane images and loss of image quality as a result of scattered radiation from the soft tissues. The technique may be valuable in the light of its efficiency and low X-ray exposure to patients.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗