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Biomedical subjects

B Welsh

Publications and source records attributed to B Welsh.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Immunogenicity of pneumococcal vaccine in renal transplant recipients--three year follow-up of a randomized trial.

Routine pneumococcal vaccination is recommended at regular intervals posttransplant. However, there is limited data on durability of vaccine response and the impact of vaccine type on antibody persistence. We determined the durability of response for patients enrolled in a randomized trial of conjugate (PCV7) versus polysaccharide (PPV23) pneumococcal vaccination. Response was defined as a twofold increase from baseline and a titer > or =0.35 microg/mL using a pneumococcal ELISA for seven serotypes (measured at 8 weeks and 3 years). Forty-seven patients were evaluated and had received either PPV23 (n = 24) or PCV7 (n = 23). Response rates and geometric mean titers varied by serotype but declined significantly at 3-years for 6 of 7 serotypes (p < 0.001). No significant difference in durability was found in patients that had received PPV23 versus PCV7. Compared to the 8-week response, 20.6% fewer patients had a response to at least one serotype by 3 years. The largest relative declines were seen for serotype 4 (response dropped from 40.4% at 8 weeks to 17.0% at 3 years) and serotype 9V (44.7% dropping to 21.3%). The only factor predictive of response durability was a strong multiserotype initial response (p < 0.001). In conclusion, vaccine responses decline significantly by 3 years and conjugate vaccine does not improve the durability of response.

Adult↗

How might districts identify local barriers to participation for children with cerebral palsy?

OBJECTIVES: To explore how data about participation and the local environment might be used to identify barriers to participation for children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: Participation is measured at 5 years of age using the six domains of the lifestyle assessment questionnaire. Individual child score profiles are compared with expected patterns from similar children and with the use of relevant services. Average scores for districts are compared with selected local authority performance indicators. Self-completion questionnaires are used to solicit information on barriers from families of children. RESULTS: Individual children who have poorer-than-expected participation scores and those who make less-than-expected use of relevant services can be identified. Children who live in districts with more facilities for the disabled appear to have better social participation scores. Common local barriers as well as specific access problems for individuals are revealed by simple questionnaires to families. Attitudes of strangers and staff in public places, lack of suitable transport and the presence of stairs are important barriers in many settings. CONCLUSIONS: Environmental barriers for children with cerebral palsy can be identified and related to their participation.

Activities of Daily Living↗

A non-aphid-transmissible isolate of bean yellow mosaic potyvirus has an altered NAG motif in its coat protein.

An isolate of Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) not transmitted by aphids (NAT) was compared with the aphid-transmissible isolate (MI) from which it was derived. For each isolate, the sequence of the coat protein and parts of the helper component was determined. A single nucleotide substitution caused a NAG to NAS alteration in the coat protein of the non aphid-transmissible isolate. Loss of aphid transmissibility in isolate BYMV(MI)-NAT was most likely caused by this mutation within the NAG motif. Systemic movement and accumulation of the virus in infected plants were not affected by the mutation.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Schnitzler's syndrome: report of a case with progression to Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia.

Schnitzler's syndrome is a rare but distinct entity in which chronic urticaria is a prominent feature. Our patient presented with an urticarial rash associated with intermittent fevers, lethargy, a migratory polyarthralgia and loss of weight. Skin biopsy revealed a neutrophilic urticaria. An IgM kappa paraprotein was detected on serum protein electrophoresis at a level of 8 g/L (0.6-2.5 g/L). Bone marrow biopsy was normal. Marked improvement of the arthralgia, fever and lethargy was obtained with oral prednisolone. The urticarial rash, however, was only partly responsive. For the next 10 years the patient remained stable but corticosteroid dependent. Over a period of 10 years the IgM paraprotein had slowly risen to 47 g/L. Repeat bone aspirate and trephine revealed a diagnosis of a low grade lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma consistent with Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia. To date, despite six cycles of chemotherapy with oral chlorambucil, his disease remains persistent but stable.

Female↗

Doctor Dee's ether apparatus.

In the early 1940s, Dr M. H. Armstrong-Davison devised an apparatus for inhalational anaesthesia. The apparatus was essentially a combination of Water's to-and-fro soda-lime canister and Hewitt's ether inhaler. The description of the apparatus is followed by a brief historical note on Dr Armstrong-Davison.

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗

Effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on acetylcholine metabolism in rat brain.

The main objective of this study was to determine whether uncontrolled hyperglycemia, as a consequence of diabetes, altered the metabolism of acetylcholine (ACh) in rat brain. To accomplish this, rats received injections of streptozotocin (STZ, 60 mg/kg, i.v.) or vehicle, and were maintained for up to 7 weeks after the injections. Various indices of ACh metabolism were determined in striatum and hippocampus, two brain regions densely innervated by cholinergic neurons. STZ induced diabetes in 96% of the rats injected, as evidenced by glucose spillage into the urine within 48 hours. Serum glucose levels increased to 326% of control values by 1 week and remained at this level for the duration of the study. The steady-state concentrations of ACh and choline, determined in brain tissue from animals killed by head-focused microwave irradiation, did not differ between the control and STZ-injected groups. However, the synthesis and release of neurotransmitter by striatal slices, measured in vitro, decreased in a time-dependent manner. Although the basal release of ACh was unaltered at 1 week, neurotransmitter release decreased significantly by 21% at 5 weeks and by 26% at 7 weeks. The release of ACh evoked by incubation with 35 mM KCl was inhibited significantly by 20% at all time points studied. ACh synthesis by slices incubated under basal conditions decreased by 13% and 27% at 5- and 7-weeks, respectively, the latter significantly less than controls. Synthesis by striatal slices incubated with 35 mM KCl was inhibited by 17% at 7 weeks.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylcholine↗

A qualitative study of the physical, social and attitudinal environments influencing the participation of children with cerebral palsy in northeast England.

PURPOSE: The social model of disability considers participation to be determined by the social, attitudinal and physical environments experienced by an individual. This study aims to ascertain from families of children with cerebral palsy the features of such environments which facilitate or restrict participation. METHOD: Thirteen in-depth interviews using a topic guide were conducted with the parents of children with cerebral palsy. Interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed and analysed with NVivo software. RESULTS: The main themes emerging from the interviews were the importance of mobility, transport, support by and to parents and attitudes of individuals and institutions towards children. Most parents did not raise the policies and legislation determining participation barriers, although these are also likely to be influential. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the importance of the environment for the participation of children with cerebral palsy. Statutory agencies need to attend the attitudes and policies in their organization in order to plan the inclusive environments which parents report will facilitate their child's participation. This study also contributes to the development of a tool to quantify the environment to allow the development of models to determine the environments which maximize children's participation.

Activities of Daily Living↗