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Biomedical subjects

C Delahunty

Publications and source records attributed to C Delahunty.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Exposure, health information and flavour-masking strategies for improving the sensory quality of probiotic juice.

Probiotics are live microbial food supplements, which have been shown to exert numerous health benefits. Research has identified that probiotics cause perceptible off-flavours that often contribute to consumer dissatisfaction. This research consisted of three objectives. Firstly, to confirm whether probiotics have a significant effect on the sensory quality and the consumer acceptance of juices. Secondly, to evaluate whether the addition of tropical juices masks probiotic off-flavours, thereby increasing consumer liking. Thirdly, to determine whether non-sensory factors (i.e., repeated exposure, and health information) have an impact on consumer liking. Three orange juice products were manufactured for analysis; Control juice, juice containing probiotics, and juice containing probiotics and tropical fruit juices (10% v/v). Descriptive sensory analysis using a trained panel (n=8) determined that probiotic juices possessed unique 'medicinal' characteristics. Using labelled affective magnitude scales, consumers (n=116) evaluated their 'overall liking' of the three juices in a randomised order in the laboratory. Once assigned into one of three balanced exposure groups, each consumer took home seven, 100mL bottles of one of the juices, and consumed one bottle each day for 7 days. After each in-home consumption, consumers evaluated their 'overall liking' to familiarize themselves with the juice. Furthermore, half of the consumers were provided with information about the presence and the health benefits of probiotics, while the other half of consumers received no information. After 7 days of in-home usage, consumers returned to the laboratory for post-exposure sensory testing, where they re-evaluated their 'overall liking' of the three juices in a randomised order. Results showed that tropical juices were effective in masking the off-flavours associated with probiotic ingredients, and that consumer liking for the probiotic juice containing tropical juice flavours was maintained over the 7-day exposure period. Exposure and information had significant effects on the 'overall liking' of juices containing probiotic cultures. A significant interaction between exposure and information was observed. Therefore, exposure, health information and flavour-masking techniques can have a positive effect on the hedonic qualities of probiotic juices.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

HealthSense: how changes in sensory physiology, sensory psychology and sociocognitive factors influence food choice.

HealthSense is a multi-centre shared cost research project in sensory and consumer sciences. This project was initiated in response to changing population demographics, which predict a significant increase in the older age group. The primary objective of HealthSense is to determine accurately the effects of ageing on the perceptual abilities of the sensory systems, and ultimately how age-related change determines sensory preferences and food choice. The project is carried out by 24 participating institutes located in 10 different European countries. The project is funded by the European Commission Quality of Life Fifth Framework Programme (QLKI-CT-1999-00010).

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Testing the hypothesis of a recombinant origin of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 subtype E.

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) epidemic in Southeast Asia has been largely due to the emergence of clade E (HIV-1E). It has been suggested that HIV-1E is derived from a recombinant lineage of subtype A (HIV-1A) and subtype E, with multiple breakpoints along the E genome. We obtained complete genome sequences of clade E viruses from Thailand (93TH057 and 93TH065) and from the Central African Republic (90CF11697 and 90CF4071), increasing the total number of HIV-1E complete genome sequences available to seven. Phylogenetic analysis of complete genomes showed that subtypes A and E are themselves monophyletic, although together they also form a larger monophyletic group. The apparent phylogenetic incongruence at different regions of the genome that was previously taken as evidence of recombination is shown to be not statistically significant. Furthermore, simulations indicate that bootscanning and pairwise distance results, previously used as evidence for recombination, can be misleading, particularly when there are differences in substitution or evolutionary rates across the genomes of different subtypes. Taken jointly, our analyses suggest that there is inadequate support for the hypothesis that subtype E variants are derived from a recombinant lineage. In contrast, many other HIV strains claimed to have a recombinant origin, including viruses for which only a single parental strain was employed for analysis, do indeed satisfy the statistical criteria we propose. Thus, while intersubtype recombinant HIV strains are indeed circulating, the criteria for assigning a recombinant origin to viral structures should include statistical testing of alternative hypotheses to avoid inappropriate assignments that would obscure the true evolutionary properties of these viruses.

Evolution, Molecular↗
PubMed1998

What do doctors record in the medical notes following discussion with the parents of sick premature infants?

UNLABELLED: In a retrospective review of medical notes we determined: (1) how often doctors record discussions with the parents of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants during the neonatal period; (2) what details of any discussion they actually record and; (3) if they are more likely to record discussion with the parents of sicker infants. A random sample (30%) of all VLBW infants admitted between 1989 and 1993 to a regional NICU was reviewed, n = 87. No discussion was documented in 47 cases, one of whom died, 24 had a single episode of discussion recorded and 16 had two or more episodes recorded. Specific discussion about prognosis was only recorded in the notes of 27 babies. Discussion was more likely to be documented in sicker infants as measured by CRIB (clinical risk index for babies) score, t = -3.9, P < 0.001. CONCLUSION: A record of discussion between medical staff and parents is found in the medical notes of less than half of all VLBW infants. These findings may have practical, ethical and legal implications.

Ethics, Medical↗
PubMed1998

Evolution of a simian immunodeficiency virus pathogen.

Analysis of disease induction by simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIV) in macaques was initially hampered by a lack of molecularly defined pathogenic strains. The first molecularly cloned SIV strains inoculated into macaques, SIVmacBK28 and SIVmacBK44 (hereafter designated BK28 and BK44, respectively), were cases in point, since they failed to induce disease within 1 year postinoculation in any inoculated animal. Here we report the natural history of infection with BK28 and BK44 in inoculated rhesus macaques and efforts to increase the pathogenicity of BK28 through genetic manipulation and in vivo passage. BK44 infection resulted in no disease in four animals infected for more than 7 years, whereas BK28 induced disease in less than half of animals monitored for up to 7 years. Elongation of the BK28 transmembrane protein (TM) coding sequence truncated by prior passage in human cells marginally increased pathogenicity, with two of four animals dying in the third year and one dying in the seventh year of infection. Modification of the BK28 long terminal repeat to include four consensus nuclear factor SP1 and two consensus NF-kappaB binding sites enhanced early virus replication without augmenting pathogenicity. In contrast, in vivo passage of BK28 from the first animal to die from immunodeficiency disease (1.5 years after infection) resulted in a consistently pathogenic strain and a 50% survival time of about 1.3 years, thus corresponding to one of the most pathogenic SIV strains identified to date. To determine whether the diverse viral quasispecies that evolved during in vivo passage was required for pathogenicity or whether a more virulent virus variant had evolved, we generated a molecular clone composed of the 3' half of the viral genome derived from the in vivo-passaged virus (H824) fused with the 5' half of the BK28 genome. Kinetics of disease induction with this cloned virus (BK28/H824) were similar to those with the in vivo-passaged virus, with four of five animals surviving less than 1.7 years. Thus, evolution of variants with enhanced pathogenicity can account for the increased pathogenicity of this SIV strain. The genetic changes responsible for this virulent transformation included at most 59 point mutations and 3 length-change mutations. The critical mutations were likely to have been multiple and dispersed, including elongation of the TM and Nef coding sequences; changes in RNA splice donor and acceptor sites, TATA box sites, and Sp1 sites; multiple changes in the V2 region of SU, including a consensus neutralization epitope; and five new N-linked glycosylation sites in SU.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Comparison of a limited computerized diagnostic system (ResCare Autoset) with polysomnography in the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.

The increasing numbers of patients referred for evaluation of suspected obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) places a growing burden on available sleep laboratory resources. A number of limited diagnostic systems have been developed in an effort to cope with this clinical problem. In this study, the diagnostic capabilities of one limited diagnostic system (ResCare Autoset) were compared with full polysomnography (PSG), using the Oxford SAC computerized system. Thirty six patients with suspected OSA had simultaneous studies performed both with the Autoset and Oxford PSG systems. The apnoea plus hypopnoea index (AHI) (events x h(-1)) scored by the Autoset system was compared with the AHI scored from the PSG raw tracings by an experienced sleep technician. There were highly significant correlations between the Autoset AHI and the AHI scored by the manual PSG scoring method (r=0.92; p<0.001). The positive predictive value for diagnosis of OSA for the Autoset was 86% when compared with manual PSG scoring, based on an AHI threshold for OSA of 15 events x h(-1). However, the agreement between Autoset and PSG was poor in severe cases of OSA, although not sufficiently so as to result in mistaken diagnosis in any of these cases. We conclude that the Autoset system is a sensitive and easy to use system, which facilitates screening for obstructive sleep apnoea with a reasonable degree of accuracy.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed1996

Testing the feasibility of DNA typing for human identification by PCR and an oligonucleotide ligation assay.

The use of DNA typing in human genome analysis is increasing and finding widespread application in the area of forensic and paternity testing. In this report, we explore the feasibility of typing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by using a semiautomated method for analyzing human DNA samples. In this approach, PCR is used to amplify segments of human DNA containing a common SNP. Allelic nucleotides in the amplified product are then typed by a colorimetric implementation of the oligonucleotide ligation assay (OLA). The results of the combined assay, PCR/OLA, are read directly by a spectrophotometer; the absorbances are compiled; and the genotypes are automatically determined. A panel of 20 markers has been developed for DNA typing and has been tested using a sample panel from the CEPH pedigrees (CEPH parents). The results of this typing, as well as the potential to apply this method to larger populations, are discussed.

Alleles↗
PubMed1994

Intrathoracic extra-mediastinal cystic hygroma in infancy.

An infant with intrathoracic extra-mediastinal cystic hygroma is described. Fluid collection within the fetal chest was noted on routine antenatal ultrasound scan and this was subsequently drained. Postnatally, echocardiogram and thoracic CT scan demonstrated a cystic space between the pericardium and right mediastinal pleura. Thoracotomy performed at six weeks of age showed a multiloculated cystic mass adherent to the right pericardium and to the medial aspect of the diaphragm. Histology revealed the tumour to be a cystic hygroma (lymphangioma). Intrathoracic cystic hygroma occurring outside the mediastinum is extremely rare and has never been diagnosed previously in infancy.

Humans↗