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Biomedical subjects

C Carroll

Publications and source records attributed to C Carroll.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Resistance training improves single muscle fiber contractile function in older women.

The purpose of this study was to 1) examine single cell contractile mechanics of skeletal muscle before and after 12 wk of progressive resistance training (PRT) in older women (n = 7; 74 +/- 2 yr) and 2) to compare these results to our previously completed single cell PRT work with older men (n = 7; 74 +/- 2 yr) (Trappe S, Williamson D, Godard M, Porter D, Rowden G, and Costill D. J Applied Physiol 89:143--152, 2000). Knee extensor PRT was performed 3 days/wk at 80% of one-repetition maximum. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis before and after the PRT. Chemically skinned single muscle fibers (n = 313) were studied at 15 degrees C for peak tension (P(o)), unloaded shortening velocity (V(o)), and power. Due to the low number of hybrid fibers identified post-PRT, direct comparisons were limited to MHC I and IIa fibers. Muscle fiber diameter increased 24% (90 +/- 2 to 112 +/- 6 microm; P < 0.05) in MHC I fibers with no change in MHC IIa fibers. P(o) increased (P < 0.05) 33% in MHC I (0.76 +/- 0.04 to 1.01 +/- 0.09 mN) and 14% in MHC IIa (0.73 +/- 0.04 to 0.83 +/- 0.05 mN) fibers. Muscle fiber V(o) was unaltered in both fiber types with PRT. MHC I and IIa fiber power increased (P < 0.05) 50% [11 +/- 2 to 17 +/- 2 microN. fiber length (FL). s(-1)] and 25% (40 +/- 8 to 51 +/- 6 microN. FL. s(-1)), respectively. However, when peak power was normalized to cell size, no pre- to postimprovements were observed. These data indicate that PRT in elderly women increases muscle cell size, strength, and peak power in both slow and fast muscle fibers, which was similar to the older men. However, in contrast to the older men, no change in fiber V(o) or normalized power was observed in the older women. These data suggest that older men and women respond differently at the muscle cell level to the same resistance-training stimulus.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

PCR-ELISAs for the detection of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in poultry samples.

Campylobacter species, primarily Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli, are regarded as a major cause of human gastrointestinal disease, commonly acquired by eating undercooked chicken. We describe a PCR-ELISA for the detection of Campylobacter species and the discrimination of C. jejuni and C. coli in poultry samples. The PCR assay targets the 16S/23S ribosomal RNA intergenic spacer region of Campylobacter species with DNA oligonucleotide probes designed for the specific detection of C. jejuni, C. coli, and Campylobacter species immobilized on Nucleo-Link wells and hybridized to PCR products modified with a 5' biotin moiety. The limit of detection of the PCR-ELISA was 100-300 fg (40-120 bacterial cells) for C. jejuni and C. coli with their respective species-specific oligonucleotide probes and 10 fg (4 bacterial cells) with the Campylobacter genus-specific probe. Testing of poultry samples, which were presumptive positive for Campylobacter following culture on the Malthus V analyzer, with the PCR-ELISA determined Campylobacter to be present in 100% of samples (n = 40) with mixed cultures of C. jejuni/C. coli in 55%. The PCR-ELISA when combined with culture pre-enrichment is able to detect the presence of Campylobacter and definitively identify C. jejuni and C. coli in culture-enriched poultry meat samples.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Role of the sternocleidomastoid muscle flap preventing Frey's syndrome and maintaining facial contour following superficial parotidectomy.

The sternocleidomastoid muscle flap may play a significant role in reducing the incidence of Frey's syndrome and maintaining facial contour after parotidectomy. Patients who underwent superficial parotidectomy from August 1992 to March 1999 were divided into two groups (N = 26). One group had sternocleidomastoid muscle flap reconstruction. A historical cohort study was designed with the two groups being matched for sex, age, pathology, postoperative radiation, date of surgery, and extent of dissection. The starch iodine test was used to evaluate for gustatory sweating, and the Observer Rated Disfigurement Scale was used to assess facial contour and aesthetics. The results of our study suggest that the sternocleidomastoid flap reconstruction following parotidectomy surgery does not alter the incidence of Frey's syndrome and does not significantly improve facial contour and aesthetics.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed2001

Organ procurement 1999-2000: how is Hawaii doing?

With the advent of The Final Rule, the state of Hawaii should have potential organ donor identification and referral rates of 100%. However, a retrospective chart review of 4,697 deaths in 1999 and 4,730 deaths in 2000, revealed identification rates of 80% and 84%, and referral rates of 53% and 71%, respectively. Proper recognition and referral of all potential donors is essential to bridging the enormous gap between the supply of organs and its demand.

Hawaii↗
PubMed2000

Detection and differentiation of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in broiler chicken samples using a PCR/DNA probe membrane based colorimetric detection assay.

Campylobacter enteritis in humans has been linked to consumption of poultry meat. Surveys show that 30-100% of poultry harbour Campylobacter as normal flora of the digestive tract which indicates a need to identify prevalent organism types in flocks and trace their epidemiology. In this study we describe a Campylobacter genus specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, amplifying the 16 S-23 S rRNA intergenic spacer region with an internal Campylobacter genus specific DNA probe and species specific probes for Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli designed for confirmation of the amplified PCR products by Southern blot and colorimetric reverse hybridization assays. The specificity of this assay was established by testing a range of food pathogens. Broiler chicken samples were tested following presumptive positive identification by the Malthus System V analyser (Malthus Instruments, UK). The combined PCR and colorimetric reverse hybridization assay is easy to perform and faster than conventional methods for confirmation and identification of Campylobacter species.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Postirradiation morphea of the breast presentation of two cases and review of the literature.

The advent of radiation therapy as a common modality in the treatment and palliation of breast cancer has led to the observation of morphea developing months to years after supervoltage radiation therapy, in and around the site of treatment. We report 2 new cases of morphea at the site of previous supervoltage radiation therapy for breast cancer. The time period between irradiation and onset of morphea in our 2 patients were an atypically long 6.5 years and 32 years, the latter being the longest reported such interval. With conservative treatment, the inflammatory component of the lesions resolved over an approximately 1-year period, leaving residual sclerosis. These patients are compared to those previously reported in the medical literature so as to summarize the range of clinical presentation and course. Recognition of postirradiation morphea is important in distinguishing it from infectious cellulitis, recurrent carcinoma, metastatic carcinoma or development of a second primary carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Attitudes on organ donation among Hawaii physicians.

A survey of physicians attending the recent Hawaii Medical Association meeting was conducted in order to assess physician attitudes on organ donation. Physicians were asked 6 questions and demographics were collected. Results indicate that Hawaii physicians generally support organ donation and are aware of some of the current federal legislation regarding donation.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1999

The effect of wind speed and direction on the distribution of sewage-associated bacteria.

A study of the relationship between wind and the distribution of sewage-associated bacteria was undertaken at a location where the sewage was discharged into the sea adjacent to the mouth of a river. The numbers of presumptive Escherichia coli were determined in 149 sea-water samples taken from three locations at distances of 1.9, 2.4 and 4.3 km from the outfall. On each sampling occasion, data on the wind speed and direction in the 3 h prior to collection of the samples were also collected. Analysis of these data demonstrated a significant role for wind speed and direction. With respect to wind direction, the numbers of presumptive E. coli present in a sample were significantly higher when the sample site lay downwind of the outfall. Wind speed was shown to have an influence on the numbers of presumptive E. coli only when the sample site was downwind of the outfall. In an analysis of 61 samples, an inverse correlation (r2 = 0.73) between salinity and log presumptive E. coli numbers was demonstrated. These data demonstrate that wind speed and direction at the time of sampling significantly influence the numbers of presumptive E. coli detected in any sea-water sample. It is argued that failure to pay sufficient attention to these parameters in the design of monitoring programmes may result in the generation of data that could provide a seriously distorted picture of the microbiological status of a water body.

Colony Count, Microbial↗
PubMed1999

Characteristics of hepatitis C-positive blood donors in Victoria, Australia.

Data from 3156 voluntary blood donors in Victoria, Australia, who were repeatedly reactive on anti-HCV screening test were analysed. It showed that between 1990 and 1997, 0.97% of routine blood donors were anti-HCV repeat reactive. Sixty-four (64) donors tested positive for HCV RNA. They were more likely to be male, had a mean age of 32.7 +/- 10.9 years and a mean serum ALT level of 70.9 +/- 46.5 i.u.L-1: the latter value being significantly different from donors with biological false reactivity (P < 0.0001). Among HCV antibody-positive donors there was a significantly increased rate of prior injecting drug use (34 vs. 1%), transfusion (25 vs. 10%) and tattooing (31 vs. 7%) than among donors with biological false reactivity (all P < 0.0001). The association of these risk factors is stronger with positivity for both immunoblot and HCV RNA than immunoblot alone. The data suggest that efforts should be made to increase the efficacy of donor questioning about prior drug use.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Neuropsychological, neurological and functional outcome following pallidotomy for Parkinson's disease. A consecutive series of eight simultaneous bilateral and twelve unilateral procedures.

Intellectual, psychological and functional outcomes were evaluated in a consecutive series of 20 Parkinsonian patients who had unilateral (UPVP) or simultaneous bilateral posteroventral pallidotomy (BPVP) using Image Fusion and Stereoplan (Radionics Inc., Boston, Mass., USA) with stimulation for lesion localization. Comprehensive baseline and 3-month postoperative neuropsychological and neurological assessment protocols were administered together with questionnaire measures of functional disability, quality of life and psychological symptomatology. Changes in patients' clinical presentation and scores on psychometric tests, questionnaires and observational rating scales were then examined. We observed no new neuropsychiatric sequelae directly related to pallidotomy. Cognitive sequelae were restricted to selective reductions in categorical verbal fluency following UPVP (P < 0.001) and BPVP (P < 0.01) and a reduction in phonemic verbal fluency following BPVP (P < 0.01); these changes were not reported subjectively. A fall in diadochokinetic rates (P < 0.01) and some subjective reports of a worsening in pre-existing dysarthria, hypophonia and hypersalivation/drooling following BPVP also suggested changes in speech motor apparatus; however, these changes did not have significant functional consequences. There was one case of more generalized cognitive impairment following BPVP. We also observed significant symptomatic improvement on neurological rating scales; following UPVP, Total Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores improved by 27% (P < 0.01) and following BPVP the improvement was 53% (P < 0.05). Patients' perceptions of reduced postoperative functional disability and improvements in 'quality of life' also achieved statistical significance on a number of both physical and psychosocial questionnaire subscales.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1998

The mutational specificity of 1-nitroso-6-nitropyrene in the lacI gene of Escherichia coli strains deficient in nucleotide excision repair.

We have examined the mutational specificity of 1-nitroso-6-nitropyrene (1,6-NONP), an activated metabolite of the carcinogen 1,6-dinitropyrene, in the lacI gene of Escherichia coli strains which are deficient in nucleotide excision repair (strain NR6113, delta uvrB; strain CM6114, delta uvrB, plasmid pKM101). Separate collections of lacI- mutations and dominant lacI-d mutations, which contain DNA sequence alterations in the region of the lacI gene that encodes the DNA binding domain of the lacI repressor, were made following 1,6-NONP treatment. The DNA sequence of 418 mutations was determined, of which 228 were lacI- mutations and 190 were lacI-d mutations. Ninety three percent of the induced point mutations occurred at G:C residues.0 -(G:C) frameshifts were the dominant mutational class in the lacI- collections of both NR6113 and CM6114, and in the lacI-d collection of NR6113. The frameshift mutations occurred preferentially in runs of guanine residues and their frequency increased markedly with the length of the reiterated sequence. In strain CM6114, which contained the plasmid pKM101, there was a marked stimulation in the frequency of G:C-->T:A transversions that was particularly apparent in the lacI-d collection. We discuss models which might account for the apparent differences in mutational specificity resulting from the presence of the UmuD/C and MucA/B proteins. The results suggest that major classes of mutation are recovered in both the lacI- and lacI-d collections. However, the proportions of the major classes of mutations within the two collections can differ significantly. Depending on the genetic background of the host strain, the relative ratios of base substitutions to frameshift mutations in the lacI-d target can differ by almost an order of magnitude as compared with the lacI- target. This is primarily a function of the relative mutational target size of the different classes of mutation.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1998

Visual fields in patients with posterior GPi pallidotomy.

The objective of this study was to describe the incidence and types of visual field defects after posterior globus pallidus internus (GPi) pallidotomy for Parkinson's disease. The creation of the pallidotomy lesion carries a risk of damaging neighboring structures such as the optic tract. The reported frequency of visual field defects in patients after pallidotomy varies from 0 to 40%. Goldmann visual field testing was performed on 40 patients who underwent microelectrode-guided posterior GPi pallidotomy. The optic tract was identified during the procedure by listening during microelectrode recording for the evoked responses to light flashes and by assessing stimulation-induced subjective responses. After the first 18 patients, lesioning thresholds were increased from 0.5 to > or =1.0 mA so that the lesion was placed more distant from the optic tract. The location of individual lesions was determined on postsurgical MRI. Three patients (7.5%) had visual field defects likely related to the pallidotomy. These were contralateral homonymous superior quadrantanopias, associated in two patients with small paracentral scotomas. The incidence of visual field defects with the early technique was 11% (2/18) and decreased to 4.5% (1/22) after thresholds for lesioning were increased. Except for the location of the lesion relative to the optic tract (more ventral, adjacent to or extending into the optic tract), no other variable correlated with a post-pallidotomy visual field defect. Microelectrode-guided GPi pallidotomy is a relatively safe procedure as regards visual function even when the optic tract is used as a guide for lesion placement.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Nonadherent cultures of human monocytes kill Mycobacterium smegmatis, but adherent cultures do not.

Human peripheral blood monocytes are permissive for the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but the fate of nonpathogenic Mycobacterium smegmatis in these cells is not known. Since M. smegmatis may be used as a host with which to express and screen for M. tuberculosis genes needed for survival in monocytes, we determined whether human peripheral blood monocytes could restrict the growth of Mycobacterium smegmatis. Adherent human peripheral blood monocytes were permissive for the growth of M. smegmatis, as measured by ex vivo [3H]uracil uptake. However, human peripheral blood monocytes which were cultured nonadherently in Teflon wells were able to restrict the growth of M. smegmatis while remaining permissive for the growth of M. tuberculosis H37Ra. The loss of viability of M. smegmatis in nonadherent cells was correlated with an increase in nonspacious phagocytic vacuoles. The killing of M. smegmatis was not blocked by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, suggesting that it was not due to the production of reactive nitrogen intermediates. Incubation of the monocytes for 1 to 7 days before infection had no effect on the fate of M. smegmatis, suggesting that adherence versus nonadherence, and not differentiation, was the key determinant for the difference in functional ability. Nonadherent human peripheral blood monocytes may be a more appropriate model than adherent cells for the study of factors employed by bacterial to survive within monocytes and for selection screening of bacterial genes needed for intracellular survival.

Blood Bactericidal Activity↗
PubMed1994

A biomechanical comparison of techniques of flexor tendon repair.

Achieving satisfactory digital motion after suturing severed flexor tendons remains a challenge. Although a suture technique proposed by Savage is stronger in vitro than a true Kessler repair, the Savage technique has not been previously tested in vivo. We repaired 96 severed canine tendons using either of two modifications of the Kessler technique or the Savage technique. The tensile strength of these repairs were compared at 0, 1, 3, and 6 weeks after suturing. The Savage technique provided a significantly stronger repair than the "suture locking" method in vitro and at 1 and 3 weeks after repair. We found no significant differences between the tensile strengths of the Kessler-Tajima and suture-locking methods at any time.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

A prospective investigation of the long-term auditory-neurological sequelae associated with bacterial meningitis: a study from Vanuatu.

During the period August 1988-July 1991 all cases of bacterial meningitis admitted to Lenakel Hospital on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu were followed. During this period there were 83 cases of purulent meningitis giving an annual incidence of 134 per 100,000 population. There were 13 deaths during the acute illness phase (CFR = 15.7%). Of the 70 survivors 65 (93%) were successfully followed for a mean duration of 17.5 months. When grouped by severity of illness there was no significant difference in the mean age, duration of symptoms or sex of the patients. At the time of discharge 31.5% had auditory-neurological abnormalities. During follow-up 35% of the survivors were found to have one or more auditory-neurological sequelae. Hearing loss was the most frequent abnormality occurring in 32.2% of the study group. Of those with auditory-neurological sequelae 39% were judged to have severe disabilities likely to impair their ability to live independently. A statistically significant association was found between the severity of the illness at presentation and the risk of auditory-neurological sequelae. Meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae was associated with the highest incidence of sequelae and that caused by Hemophilus influenzae type b with the lowest. There was no association with sex or age group. Strategies to reduce the mortality and morbidity from bacterial meningitis in developing countries are briefly discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

The epidemiology of bacterial meningitis occurring in a Pacific Island population.

During a 36-month period 83 cases of bacterial meningitis were seen, giving an overall annual incidence rate of 134 per 10(5) population. The highest incidence was seen in infants (930 per 10(5) infants) and 59% of the patients were 0-5 years of age (incidence rate 207 per 10(5) children). Pathogens were successfully identified in 80% of the cases, by employing a combination of microscopy and antigen detection using a commercially available latex agglutination kit. Neisseria meningitidis was identified in 58%, Streptococcus pneumoniae in 29%, Haemophilus influenzae type b in 11% and dual infection with H. influenzae type b and S. pneumoniae in 3% of the cases. Serogrouping was successfully performed on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) deposits from 8 cases of meningococcal meningitis; 7 belonged to serogroup C and 1 to serogroup Y. There was a significant difference in the geometric mean age of meningitis caused by the three organisms. There was no seasonal or geographical clustering of cases caused by N. meningitidis. Although admissions for severe pneumonia in children less than 5 years of age peaked during the cold dry season (July-October), this was not associated with a similar peak in meningitis admissions caused by H. influenzae or S. pneumoniae. The overall case fatality rate was 15.7%, and the highest case fatality rate was found in infants (28%). Meningitis caused by H. influenzae was associated with the highest case fatality rate (29%) and N. meningitidis with the lowest (8%), but the difference was not statistically significant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗