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Biomedical subjects

Alison Williams

Publications and source records attributed to Alison Williams.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Importance of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in allergic airway remodelling and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) plays an important role in the activation of inflammatory cells and in the proliferation of airway structural cells. We investigated the role of p38 MAPK by using a selective inhibitor of p38 alpha and beta isoforms, SD282, in a chronic model of 15 ovalbumin exposures in sensitised mice using two doses (30 and 90 mg/kg). Allergen exposure induced bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine as measured by the concentration of methacholine needed to increase pulmonary resistance by 200% (PC200), eosinophilia in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and increase in airway smooth muscle area and goblet cell hyperplasia. In addition, p38 MAPK activity as measured by phosphorylated p38 expression on Western blots was increased after allergen challenge, which was suppressed by SD282 at both doses. SD282 inhibited bronchial hyperresponsiveness, but had no effect on eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. It also reduced airway smooth muscle and goblet cell hyperplasia, but had no effect on serum immunoglobulin E. p38 MAPK is involved in the pathogenesis of bronchial hyperresponsiveness but not in eosinophilic inflammation or the allergic response; however, remodelling features such as airway smooth muscle or goblet cell hyperplasia are regulated through p38 MAPK. Furthermore, bronchial hyperresponsiveness induced by chronic allergen exposure may be related to the development of airway wall remodelling.

Alcian Blue↗
PubMed2006

The cleft audit protocol for speech-augmented: A validated and reliable measure for auditing cleft speech.

OBJECTIVES: To develop an assessment tool for use in intercenter audit studies of cleft speech and to test its acceptability, validity, and reliability. The tool is to be used systematically to record and report speech outcomes, providing an indication of treatment needs and continuing burden of care. SETTING: Regional Cleft Center, U.K. METHODS: The Cleft Audit Protocol for Speech-Augmented (CAPS-A) was developed by three cleft speech experts who identified the key features required from existing assessment measures. Criterion validity was assessed by comparing the Cleft Audit Protocol for Speech-Augmented outcomes reported for 20 cases with clinical assessment results and other investigations. Intra- and interrater reliability were tested following the training of specialist speech and language therapists who used the Cleft Audit Protocol for Speech-Augmented on two occasions to assess 10 cases. The raters evaluated acceptability and ease of using a questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean percentage agreement for criterion validity in each section was 87% (range 70% to 100%). Both intra- and interexaminer reliability were rated as good/very good (Kappa 0.61 to 1.00) for seven sections and moderate (Kappa 0.41 to 0.60) for three sections. Raters reported that the Cleft Audit Protocol for Speech-Augmented was acceptable and easy to use with appropriate training. CONCLUSION: An acceptable, valid, and reliable cleft speech audit tool has been developed based on a small sample. The Cleft Audit Protocol for Speech-Augmented is recommended for use in intercenter audit studies in the U.K. and Ireland and could be used in other English-speaking countries. In addition, it has wider applicability for use in reporting speech outcomes of surgical procedures.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Elevated amino acid biosynthesis in Phytophthora infestans during appressorium formation and potato infection.

Appressorium formation is believed to be an important event in establishing a successful interaction between the late blight pathogen, Phytophthora infestans, and its host plants potato and tomato. An understanding of molecular events occurring in appressorium development could suggest new strategies for controlling late blight. We used parallel studies of the transcriptome and proteome to identify genes and proteins that are up-regulated in germinating cysts developing appressoria. As a result, five distinct genes involved in amino acid biosynthesis were identified that show increased expression in germinating cysts with appressoria. These are a methionine synthase (Pi-met1), a ketol-acid reductoisomerase (Pi-kari1), a tryptophan synthase (Pi-trp1), an acetolactate synthase (Pi-als1), and a threonine synthase (Pi-ts1). Four of these P. infestans genes were also up-regulated, although to lower levels, during the early, biotrophic phase of the interaction in potato and all five were considerably up-regulated during the transition (48 hpi) to the necrotrophic phase of the interaction. Real-time RT-PCR revealed that expression of potato homologues of the amino acid biosynthesis genes increased during biotrophic and necrotrophic infection phases. Furthermore, we investigated levels of free amino acids in the pre-infection stages and found that in most cases there was a decrease in free amino acids in zoospores and germinating cysts, relative to sporangia, followed by a sharp increase in germinating cysts with appressoria. Amino acid biosynthesis would appear to be important for pathogenicity in P. infestans, providing a potential metabolic target for chemical control.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed2005

Prevalence and determinants of influenza vaccination in Australians aged 40 years and over--a national survey.

OBJECTIVES: To determine influenza vaccination coverage in 2001 in Australian adults aged > or = 40 years, assess awareness of and attitudes to influenza vaccine, factors associated with vaccination, and estimate uptake of free vaccine provided to those aged > or = 65 years. METHODS: National computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) survey in October/November 2001. RESULTS: Interviews were completed with 5,266 people aged > or = 65 and 2,415 aged 40-64 years. Thirty per cent of selected households participated. Overall, 67% of respondents believed that the vaccine was somewhat to very effective in preventing influenza. Seventy-eight per cent of those aged > or = 65 years reported influenza vaccination; 89% had received it free. Independent predictors of vaccination were: belief that influenza vaccine is effective in preventing influenza (OR=13.5, 95% CI 10.6-17.2); and the presence of chronic disease (OR=1.6, 95% CI 1.3-2.0). Overall, 24% of those aged 40-64 years were vaccinated; only 34% of those who met any of the criteria for vaccination (medical risk factor, at-risk occupation, or being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander) reported vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Influenza vaccine coverage was high in those aged > or = 65 years, but coverage of those at-risk aged 40-64 years remained suboptimal. Immunisation against influenza was influenced more by beliefs about the vaccine's effectiveness and existing medical risk factors, rather than socio-demographic factors such as gender and income.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Are general practice registrars prepared for immunisation? A cross sectional survey.

OBJECTIVE: To describe undergraduate formal training on immunisation as remembered by general practice registrars and its perceived helpfulness. SETTING AND METHODS: Self completed questionnaire by all general practice registrars in advanced general practice terms (second 6 months of general practice) in New South Wales during 2002. RESULTS: Formal undergraduate training in immunisation was reported by 68% (84/123) of respondents. The 20% who remembered formal practical training were significantly more likely to rate it as helpful (OR: 1.7 p<0.05). Only 33% recalled a practical session offered by one university during an undergraduate paediatrics rotation. The most frequent training request was for practical experience, and the most commonly used print resource was the Australian Immunisation Handbook. DISCUSSION: General practice registrar access to a training session on practical immunisation techniques and childhood immunisation before commencing the basic general practice term might be helpful. Registrars should automatically receive a copy of the Australian Immunisation Handbook which might address perceived education needs.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2003

Prediction of outcomes of secondary alveolar bone grafting in children born with unilateral cleft lip and palate.

The aim of this cross-sectional clinical outcome study using retrospective data capture of treatment histories was to examine the characteristics of children born with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) in the United Kingdom (UK) who were not grafted at the appropriate age or who had an unsuccessful secondary alveolar bone graft. The subjects were born with complete non-syndromic UCLP between 1.4.82 and 31.3.84 and were aged between 12.0 years and 14.7 years at the time of data collection under the care of 48 cleft teams. The success of secondary alveolar bone grafting was assessed using a modification of the Bergland index. There were no independent predictors for unmet bone grafting need. The outcome of secondary alveolar bone grafting was assessed for 164 subjects; 90 (55%) had a successful first graft. Non-Caucasian (P = 0.037) and increasing age at grafting (P = 0.007) were risk factors for poor outcome. After adjustment for other risk factors, increased age at grafting was independently associated with having a seriously deficient or failed graft (OR = 1.03; 95% CI 1.01-1.06 P = 0.036). All the non-Caucasians in this sample had an unsatisfactory graft. Increasing age in months at grafting and ethnicity are predictors for poor outcome of secondary alveolar bone grafting in children born with UCLP in the UK.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Reduction in the hepatitis B related burden of disease--measuring the success of universal immunisation programs.

There is collective evidence from countries of both low and high endemicity that administration of hepatitis B vaccination at birth saves lives and reduces the burden of disease from acute and chronic infection. However, a discussion on the cost-effectiveness of vaccination for HBV is beyond the scope of this article. In Australia, longer term follow-up of HBV disease burden is required following the more recent introduction of routine and universal infant vaccination. Universal vaccination for HBV at birth can be seen as a 'safety-net' against infection at a very young age. However, it is estimated that the effect of universal infant vaccination will not be evident for at least another 15 years in Australia. The obstacles to vaccination with HBV, which have historically included fears that the vaccine may be linked to multiple sclerosis, should be put to rest, and concerns about the thiomersal content allayed by communicating the current availability of thiomersal-free vaccines to all providers and parents or care-givers. Furthermore, ongoing adverse events surveillance should be in place to detect any rare adverse events which may be related to the vaccine. Currently, more than one half of the world's infants are still not being immunised for HBV, and the need for a global initiative for universal infant hepatitis B vaccination is apparent. This is especially true for countries with high prevalence, and the costing issues and logistics of such an initiative still remain to be addressed. In addition, there is a need to address the implementation of guidelines for screening and vaccination of families who have immigrated to Australia from countries with a high prevalence of hepatitis B.

Australia↗