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Biomedical subjects

A Mahoney

Publications and source records attributed to A Mahoney.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Continuing transmission of sexually transmitted diseases among patients infected with HIV-1 attending genitourinary medicine clinics in England and Wales.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether those who are aware of being infected with HIV continue to adopt behaviours that place others at risk of HIV infection. DESIGN: Ongoing survey of current diagnosis of sexually transmitted disease and awareness of HIV infection among patients attending genitourinary medicine clinics. SETTING: Six genitourinary medicine clinics in England and Wales (two in London and four outside) participating in unlinked anonymous HIV serosurveillance during 1990-3. SUBJECTS: All attenders having blood drawn for syphilis serology for the first time during the calendar quarter of attendance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The proportion of syphilis serology specimens with antibody to HIV-1 detected by unlinked anonymous testing of the residue. The proportion of attenders infected with HIV-1 who remained clinically undetected, and the proportion who had another recently acquired sexually transmitted disease. RESULTS: Of 85441 specimens tested, 2328 (2.7%) were positive for antibodies to HIV-1. About 30% of these specimens were from attenders whose HIV-1 infection remained clinically undetected. HIV-1 infection was found to coexist with another recently acquired sexually transmitted disease in 651 attenders, of whom 522 were homosexual or bisexual men. Of these, 245 (47%) already knew themselves to be infected with HIV-1. This proportion increased between 1990 and 1993. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable proportion of patients infected with HIV-1 are not identified by voluntary confidential HIV testing in genitourinary medicine clinics. Substantial numbers of homosexual or bisexual men attending genitourinary medicine clinics continue to practise unsafe sex despite being aware of their infection with HIV-1.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Survey of human immunodeficiency virus infection among pregnant women in England and Wales: 1990-93.

We report on the first four years (1990-93) of a survey within the national HIV prevalence monitoring programme. The survey's objective is to monitor the prevalence of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in pregnant women in London and elsewhere in England. The survey--based in forty centres that offer antenatal care in London, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, and adjacent non-metropolitan areas--uses repeated cross sectional serosurveillance for anti-HIV-1 and 2 and the unlinked anonymous test method on blood left over from specimens collected for antenatal screening for immunity to rubella. The seroprevalence of HIV-1 ranged from 0.007% (1 in 14,530) in non-metropolitan areas, to 0.011% (1 in 8790) in metropolitan areas outside London, and 0.23% (1 in 440) in London. Evidence of HIV-2 infection was found in only four specimens, in London (1 in 50,300). The seroprevalence of HIV-1 in London varied more than tenfold between centres, from 0.03% (1 in 3190) to 0.51% (1 in 200). The highest prevalence of infection was in London in women aged between 20 and 30 (0.30%; 1 in 335). The seroprevalence in London centres rose from 0.18% in 1990 (1 in 560) to 0.26% in 1993 (1 in 390) and the rise was significant in all age groups. If voluntary confidential HIV testing (with counselling) among pregnant women in England were to be promoted, its cost effectiveness would be greater if focused on particular centres that provide antenatal care in London.

Adult

Depression and attachment problems.

This study investigated the characteristics related to attachment of 42 depressed psychiatric patients and 42 non-depressed psychiatric controls. The depressed subjects demonstrated an anxious pattern of attachment, characterized by either intense care-seeking in relation to their attachment figure or angry withdrawal from their attachment figure when their desire for security was frustrated. The results are discussed in terms of Bowlby's attachment construct.

Adult

Is the IEMA combined incubator/shaker device preferable to a waterbath for incubating enzyme immunoassays?

An incubator/shaker device proved to be a convenient alternative to a waterbath for the incubation of enzyme immunoassays (EIA). The device achieved effective and even heat transfer. In two of five EIAs it increased reactivity and in three of five EIAs it slightly increased the discrimination between seronegative and seropositive specimens though, for the samples investigated, extra sensitivity was not thereby achieved. At a high shaking frequency (1400 rpm) there was cross-contamination between wells, but this did not occur at 900 rpm. The relative contributions of heating and of shaking to the incubation of EIAs deserve further investigation.

AIDS Serodiagnosis

Repair of traumatic transection of the thoracic aorta: esmolol for intraoperative control of arterial pressure.

We report the intraoperative use of esmolol for control of arterial pressure during repair of a traumatic transection of the descending thoracic aorta. A mean infusion rate of esmolol 50.5 micrograms kg-1 min-1 resulted in a decrease in mean arterial pressure to 63 mm Hg and heart rate to 99 beat min-1 and was associated with excellent surgical conditions. The infusion rate of esmolol was titrated easily against mean arterial pressure, which increased rapidly on discontinuing its infusion. Control of arterial pressure with esmolol was comparable to that achieved with sodium nitroprusside, but without the reflex tachycardia or decrease in Pao2 associated with the latter agent.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists

Effects of pancuronium and vecuronium on plasma levels of immunoglobulins, IgG, IgM and IgE, in patients undergoing minor gynaecological surgery.

1. The effects of two competitive neuromuscular blocking agents, pancuronium and vecuronium, on plasma levels of immunoglobulins, IgG, IgM and IgE, were studied and compared, using the ELISA assay, in patients undergoing minor gynaecological surgery. 2. The results showed that neither pancuronium (0.1 mg/kg) nor vecuronium (0.1 mg/kg) had any significant effect on IgG, IgM and IgE levels in these patients. However, the underlying trend was that both pancuronium and vecuronium slightly increased the IgG and IgM levels, (by 19.5%, 22.1%, of control IgG, and by 17.3%, 28.8% of control IgM, respectively), with vecuronium being more effective than pancuronium). In addition, pancuronium, but not vecuronium, also slightly increased the IgE levels (by 5.9% of control IgE). Vecuronium, on the other hand, slightly decreased the IgE level (by 4.9% of control IgE). However, these increases or decreases were not statistically significant. 3. The significance of the present results are discussed in relation to changes in immunoglobulins and adverse effects induced by drugs, such as muscle relaxants.

Adult

Soft neurological signs and impulsivity in children.

To evaluate the relationship between soft neurological signs and various proposed dimensions of impulsivity (behavioral and cognitive), 31 boys (6-13 years, mean +/- SD 10.1 +/- 1.8) with disruptive behavior disorders, and 45 age-matched boys without DSM-III-R pathology, were independently assessed on clinical ratings of impulsivity, a battery of cognitive tests intended to score impulsive responding, and a neurological examination for soft signs. After being corrected for age, neurological soft signs correlated positively with impulsive responding on the Matching Familiar Figures Test (inpatients and normals) and the Continuous Performance Test (in normals), but not with IQ or clinical impulsivity rating scores. These findings suggest a relationship between neurological dysfunction/immaturity and performance on specific tasks requiring response inhibition, thus adding value to the cognitive assessment of impulsivity.

Adolescent

Chemical colitis due to endoscope cleaning solutions: a mimic of pseudomembranous colitis.

A unique form of colitis was observed during endoscopy of the lower gastrointestinal tract in 21 patients. The patients were prepared using either tap-water enemas or standard lavage solutions. Patients were found to have discrete or confluent white plaques adherent to the colonic mucosa, mild to severe erythema of the surrounding mucosa, and variable amounts of foamy liquid upon withdrawal of the endoscope. Stool assays for Clostridium difficile toxin and bacterial cultures were negative. Mucosal biopsies revealed vacuolar changes in the lamina propria, with slight to moderate vascular congestion and foci of intramucosal hemorrhage. Five patients developed rectal bleeding, tenesmus, and increased frequency of stools, lasting up to 12 days. We believe these cases were due to contamination of the endoscope's air-water channel with solutions used during endoscope cleaning. Recognition of this entity is important, as it is preventable and may mimic pseudomembranous colitis.

Colitis

Acute care hospitals providing elderly and long-term care services: a survey of the Massachusetts experience.

To assess the involvement of hospitals in geriatric, community and long-term care services, a survey was undertaken of the 104 acute care hospitals in Massachusetts. Results show that hospitals (N = 81) are adding geriatric expertise but as yet have taken on community services and long-term care only to a small extent. Hospitals perceive major deficiencies in physician service to nursing homes (89 per cent) and in availability of inpatient geriatric units (94 per cent). Responding hospitals have targeted for development by 1985 geriatric inpatient units (17 per cent), respite care (16 per cent), and hospice care (16 per cent). The financial implications of the survey results are discussed with respect to prospective reimbursement and public health implications.

Aged

Serial changes in arterial endothelium following ischemia and perfusion.

The acute and chronic changes produced in canine femoral arteries by ischemia and by perfusion with D10W were examined by light and by scanning electron microscopy. Mild changes of injury characterized by medial and adventitial inflammation and an increase in intimal lining cells occur following 30 minutes of perfusion with return to a normal microscopic appearance within one week. Perfusion for 6 hours produces significant injury to the entire arterial wall, as evidenced by depletion of cells and elastin from the media, replacement with collagen, and eventual fibrosis. The intimal surface is replaced by a layer of spindle cells which appear to originate in the media. The internal elastic membrane is flattened and thrombosis is prominent, particularly in areas where medial fibrosis is severe. Many of the vascular changes produced by perfusion injury may persist for 3 months and some may even by permanent. A period of 6 hours of ischemia also produces similar but less prominent alterations in vascular morphology which return to near-normal appearance within 8 weeks.

Animals