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Biomedical subjects

B Bain

Publications and source records attributed to B Bain.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Human immunodeficiency virus and human T-lymphotropic virus type I infection among homosexual men in Kingston, Jamaica.

From August 1985 through January 1986, 125 homosexual or bisexual men from the Kingston area were enrolled in a study to evaluate risk factors for infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I). Twelve men (10%) were seropositive for HIV and 6 (5%) for HTLV-I; 1 man had possible coinfection with HIV and HTLV-I. One third of the men reported having had homosexual encounters with foreign visitors or while travelling outside Jamaica, and sexual contact with men in the U.S. was weakly associated with HIV infection (p = 0.11). The median number of partners was 12 per year (range 0-135) and a greater number of homosexual partners per year was associated with HIV seropositivity (p = 0.01). HIV seropositives also were more likely to have a history of lymphadenopathy (p = 0.07). For HTLV-I, there were no obvious risk factors identified, and age-adjusted seroprevalence was not significantly higher than that of heterosexual men. Compared to studies of homosexual men in the U.S. prior to the advent of extensive AIDS education, the Jamaican homosexual population was more sexually conservative. Despite this circumstance, HIV appears to have entered this population via sexual contact with foreign men and spread efficiently among men with a greater number of sexual partners. The frequency of bisexuality (65/125 men) and the 11% HIV prevalence in bisexual men suggest that secondary infection of female sexual partners may occur.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1987

An evaluation of the Coulter Counter Model T660.

An evaluation of a Coulter Counter Model T660 has been carried out. This instrument is a compact, fully automated, blood cell counter which measures WBC, RBC, Hb, haematocrit, MCV and platelet count on a 100 microliter sample of whole blood. The instrument was assessed during one month of regular use. One possible microbiological hazard was detected, which could be corrected by an instrument modification. No mechanical hazards were identified. The instrument as supplied produced some inaccurate WBCs; this malfunction appeared to be consequent on a design fault relating to the burn circuit of the white cell aperture and following instrument modification performance was considerably improved. Results produced were broadly comparable with those produced by a Coulter Counter Model S Plus IV. Precision was satisfactory. Deviations from linearity on dilution were not sufficient to be of practical importance. Carryover was satisfactorily low. Time-lapse of up to 48 h did not introduce inaccuracy of sufficient magnitude to be of practical importance. Throughout varied from 52 to 63 specimens/h. Following instrument modification the overall assessment was that the T660 was easy to operate, reliable, and clinically useful.

Blood Cell Count↗
PubMed1986

An evaluation of the Coulter Counter Model S880.

An evaluation of a Coulter Counter Model S880 has been carried out. Certain findings have been further evaluated on a second instrument. Several safety hazards have been identified which could be corrected by minor modifications of the instrument or the mode of operation. Precision was found to be generally satisfactory, though for the platelet count and the WBC it was sometimes worse than specified. Most parameters were not strictly linear on dilution but only for the MCV and the MCH was the deviation from linearity sufficient to be of practical importance. Carryover was satisfactory. Results were generally comparable with those of a Coulter Counter Model S Plus IV. Estimates on all parameters were satisfactory on blood samples stored up to 24 h at either 4 degrees C or room temperature; beyond 24 h inaccuracy was seen particularly in the WBC, platelet count and MCV. Throughput was 60 to 70 samples/h in the whole-blood mode. Start-up and shut-down times were acceptably short. The instrument was assessed as acceptable and clinically useful, although reliability was somewhat less than expectations.

Blood Cell Count↗
PubMed1985

The value of haematological screening for AIDS in an at risk population.

The haematological variables measured by automated full blood count in matched homosexual and heterosexual men attending a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) were compared with those of normal controls and patients infected with the human T lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III). Homosexual and heterosexual men were statistically identical for all variables, but both differed noticeably from patients with clinical diagnoses of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS related disease. A full blood count as a screening test for AIDS is only interpretable in the context of clinical assessment.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1984

The estimation of the lymphocyte percentage by the Coulter Counter Model S Plus III.

The accuracy of the Coulter Counter Model S Plus III in determining lymphocyte percentage was assessed. In 'routine' adult blood counts accuracy was satisfactory but in infectious mononucleosis, and in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and other lymphoproliferative disorders, there was a high rejection rate and an often considerable underestimation of the lymphocyte percentage. The S Plus III lymphocyte percentage was of no use in neonates because of inaccuracy and a high rejection rate. In infants the relationship with lymphocyte percentages based on manual differential counts was non-linear, and there was underestimation of some high percentages. The white cell size histogram was useful in altering staff to abnormalities, and also suggested that lymphocytes of neonates and infants were larger than those of adults, with plots being very similar to those of some adults with lymphoproliferative disorders. The S Plus III lymphocyte percentage was useful in reducing the need for differential counts in adult patients but did not replace examination of a blood film or a manual lymphocyte percentage in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia or a lymphoproliferative disorder.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Normal values for peripheral blood white cell counts in women of four different ethnic origins.

Total and differential white cell counts were studied in 399 women living in the same community in Britain but drawn from four different ethnic groups. The groups were white (northern European), Indian, black (African and West Indian), and Oriental. The total white cell count and absolute neutrophil count were significantly lower in the black group than in each of the other groups. The absolute monocyte count was higher in whites than in each of the other groups. Contrary to earlier reports, the absolute eosinophil count in blacks was no higher than in whites, suggesting that the high eosinophil counts previously found had an environmental rather than a genetic cause. The eosinophil count of Indians was only marginally higher than that of whites and the difference was not significant, again suggesting that high eosinophil counts previously reported had an environmental cause. No ethnic variation was found in the absolute lymphocyte count. The lower white cell count and neutrophil count found in blacks is of considerable practical importance, and blacks should not be assessed in relation to reference ranges derived for whites. Nevertheless, the eosinophil count in healthy blacks is no higher than that of whites and counts above reference ranges for whites should be considered clinically important. The differences between white cell counts of Indians and Orientals and those of whites are minor and for practical purposes they can be assessed in relation to reference ranges derived for whites.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

The effect of stimulus variation on lexical learning.

At some early stage in a child's development of the comprehension and production of language, he/she must recognize that single words correspond to referents in the environment. How to best present the critical aspects of the environment to which a verbal label is attached is not entirely known. For language-impaired children it is important to know how to highlight this relationship between linguistic and nonlinguistic cues so that therapy will be most effective. To examine how language-impaired children best learn single word lexical items, nouns and verbs were taught expressively through two modes of stimulus presentation thought to highlight the nonlinguistic environment: object manipulation and picture identification. The efficacy of these two treatment conditions was assessed with four children functioning at Piaget's sensorimotor period of development by using a single subject, alternating treatments design. The results indicated individual variation in learning strategies. Two of the children learned more single words (nouns and verbs) in the object manipulation condition. One child learned equally well in both conditions and the fourth child learned best in the picture identification condition. Variables accounting for the individual variation are discussed.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1983

An assessment of the sensitivity of 3 bleeding time techniques.

The sensitivity of 3 bleeding time techniques to an aspirin-induced defect of platelet function has been assessed in 35 normal volunteers. A carefully standardised Ivy technique was compared with 2 commercial devices for a template bleeding time, the Simplate II and the Thrombolette. The standardised Ivy and the Simplate II were found to have a similar sensitivity; the Thrombolette tended to be less sensitive but the difference was not significant.

Aspirin↗
PubMed1983

Lymphoma-like presentation of acute monocytic leukaemia.

Four patients in whom a diagnosis of acute monocytic leukaemia (M5) was subsequently made presented with extramedullary disease clinically resembling lymphoma. In all patients histological sections were initially misinterpreted as showing malignant lymphoma or anaplastic carcinoma. The diagnosis of M5 leukaemia was subsequently made on the basis of morphological and cytochemical studies of peripheral blood and bone marrow. The histological diagnosis of the soft tissue lesions of M5 leukaemia (monocytic sarcoma) is difficult, although features such as abundant cytoplasm and the presence of some reniform nuclei are helpful. If there is no peripheral blood or bone marrow involvement and only fixed paraffin-embedded tissues are available, demonstration of lysozyme by an immunoperoxidase technique may confirm the diagnosis but results are not invariably positive. An early diagnosis of M5 leukaemia has therapeutic implications since the disease evolves through a progressive leukaemia phase and systemic therapy is essential.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Ticarcillin-induced immune haemolytic anaemia.

Immune haemolytic anaemia may be induced by high doses of benzylpenicillin. A small number of cases have also followed the administration of semisynthetic penicillins in addition to benzylpenicillin. We have observed immune haemolytic anemia consequent on ticarcillin administration in a patient who had previously received benzylpenicillin. Although the antibody agglutinated penicillin-treated and ticarcillin-treated cells it was demonstrated by serum fractionation to be IgG.

Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune↗
PubMed1980

A sex difference in the bleeding time.

The bleeding time by a modified Ivy technique was estimated on 128 normal volunteers, 59 men and 69 women. The bleeding time was found to be significantly longer in women than men (p < .001). This was not attributable to a difference in platelet count nor to any detectable difference in platelet aggregability. It is likely that a difference in blood vessels or supporting tissues is responsible for the observed difference.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Cis-platinum treatment of metastatic adrenal carcinoma.

Cis-platinum was used in the management of four patients with metastatic carcinoma of the adrenal cortex. In each instance, clinical and objective response was observed. This agent would appear to warrant further trial in the management of this rare tumour.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1980

Heparin and the activated partial thromboplastin time--a difference between the in-vitro and in-vivo effects and implications for the therapeutic range.

The in-vivo sensitivity to heparin of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) reagents is different from the in-vitro sensitivity. Equivalent therapeutic ranges for reagents of very different sensitivities may be determined from the regression line of aPTT against whole blood clotting time. The commonly used ratio of 1.5 to 2.5 times the normal control value is appropriate for some reagents, but for the other reagents a higher or lower range is appropriate. A suitable aPTT reagent for heparin control should be sensitive both to a threshold effect of heparin and to increasing dosage. Some reagents discriminate poorly at the threshold level.

Heparin↗
PubMed1980

Resistance and recovery studies on ultraviolet-irradiated spores of Bacillus pumilus.

A spore suspension model and a procedure for recovering ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated spores of Bacillus pumilus were investigated. A most-probable-number tube dilution method using double-strength Trypticase soy broth was found to be superior to the agar plate method for recovering optimal numbers of spores irradiated with sublethal doses of UV energy. Aqueous suspensions of B. pumilus survived UV doses up to 108,000 ergs/mm2 as determined by a most-probable-number recovery and estimation procedure. Resistance and stability data were consistent and reproducible, indicating the dependability of this method for recovering UV-damaged spores. The procedures used to collect information concerning resistance characteristics for two strains of B. pumilus are discussed.

Bacillus↗