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Biomedical subjects

C Michie

Publications and source records attributed to C Michie.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The challenge of mastitis.

The process of lactation and feeding, referred to by some as the final stage of labour is remarkably successful. This phase of infant care has been subjected to considerable evolutionary pressure since the earliest mammals, reptiles and birds diversified. It has allowed thousands of species to occupy a vast range of ecological niches. Yet a significant complication of breast feeding remains inflammation of the lactating tissue: the pathology of mastitis. Mastitis rarely develops outside lactation, although it may affect individuals at any age in relation to congenital lesions such as duct ectasia, chronic disseminated infections such as tuberculosis, or during granulomatous, autoimmune or malignant processes. The immunology and consequences of mastitis as well as its impact on vertical transmission of infection require careful examination.

Breast Feeding↗

Kawasaki disease: an evidence based approach to diagnosis, treatment, and proposals for future research.

This article proposes a clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of Kawasaki disease in the UK based on the best available evidence to date, and highlights areas of practice where evidence is anecdotal or based on retrospective data. Future research as proposed by the London Kawasaki Disease Research Group is outlined, and clinicians are invited to prospectively enroll their suspected cases into this collaborative research project.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Xenotransplantation, endogenous pig retroviruses and the precautionary principle.

Xenotransplantation poses challenges to scientists, ethicists and clinicians. Recent studies of the role of endogenous retroviruses suggest that these agents could threaten the safety of porcine xenotransplantation both for the recipient of a transplant, and possibly for people who have contact with that patient. Although the risk of such complications is low, the history of recent infectious diseases suggests that the precautionary principle should be invoked.

Animals↗

Psychopathy and ethnicity: structural, item, and test generalizability of the Psychopathy Checklist--Revised (PCL-R) in Caucasian and African American Participants.

The Psychopathy Checklist--Revised (PCL-R) is an important measure in both applied and research settings. Evidence for its validity is mostly derived from male Caucasian participants. PCL-R ratings of 359 Caucasian and 356 African American participants were compared using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and item response theory (IRT) analyses. Previous research has indicated that 13 items of the PCL-R can be described by a 3-factor hierarchical model. This model was replicated in this sample. No cross-group difference in factor structure could be found using CFA; the structure of psychopathy is the same in both groups. IRT methods indicated significant but small differences in the performance of 5 of the 20 PCL-R items. No significant differential test functioning was found, indicating that the item differences canceled each other out. It is concluded that the PCL-R can be used, in an unbiased way, with African American participants.

Adult↗

Refining the construct of psychopathy: towards a hierarchical model.

Psychopathy is characterized by diverse indicators. Clinical accounts have emphasized 3 distinct facets: interpersonal, affective, and behavioral. Research using the Psychopathy Checklist--Revised (PCL-R), however, has emphasized a 2-factor model. A review of the literature on the PCL-R and related measures of psychopathy, together with confirmatory factor analysis of PCL-R data from North American participants, indicates that the 2-factor model cannot be sustained. A 3-factor hierarchical model was developed in which a coherent superordinate factor, Psychopathy, is underpinned by 3 factors: Arrogant and Deceitful Interpersonal Style, Deficient Affective Experience, and Impulsive and Irresponsible Behavioral Style. The model was cross-validated on North American and Scottish PCL-R data, Psychopathy Screening Version data, and data derived from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) antisocial personality disorder field trial.

Adult↗

Recurrent skin peeling following Kawasaki disease.

Long term follow up of 259 cases of Kawasaki disease led to the observation that 11% of children have episodes of recurrent peeling of the skin for several years after their recovery. These events were usually associated with an upper respiratory tract infection and were distinct from a recurrence of Kawasaki disease. Repeeling was significantly less frequent in children who had suffered coronary artery dilatation and was more frequently seen in those with nasal staphylococcal colonisation. The mechanism for this phenomenon is unclear, but it has been observed in a number of other conditions caused by infectious agents and their toxins. Paediatricians need to be aware of this phenomenon which is distinct from recurrence of Kawasaki disease.

Adolescent↗

Psychopathy across cultures: North America and Scotland compared.

Differences in the prevalence and presentation of psychopathic personality disorder between North America and Scotland were evaluated. R. D. Hare's (1991) Psychopathy Checklist--Revised ratings obtained from a sample of 2,067 North American male prisoners and forensic patients were compared with ratings obtained from 246 Scottish male prisoners. Item response theory methods were used to examine differences in the performance of items and to equate the scale across settings. The items had equal relevance to the description of psychopathic personality disorder in both settings; however, the Scottish prisoners had to have higher levels of the underlying latent trait before certain characteristics became apparent. The prevalence of the disorder appears to be lower in Scotland. Explanations for the observed differences in terms of enculturation, socialization, and migration are explored.

Adolescent↗

Ecthyma gangrenosum as a very early herald of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Ecthyma gangrenosum is a manifestation of cutaneous infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The lesion may be associated with immunocompromise, in particular neutropenia. We present a case of ecthyma gangrenosum in a previously healthy child who 3 months later developed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia; we use this to illustrate the lack of information on the growth rate of malignant and premalignant leukaemic cells in children.

Antibodies, Neoplasm↗

Over-the-counter emergency contraception: a feasible option.

BACKGROUND: The high number of unintended pregnancies and terminations in Britain indicates that women who could use emergency contraception do not. Knowledge of access to sources of emergency contraception is limited. Oral administration of combined oestrogen-progestogen is safe and does not require routine physical administration, and there are proposals to re-regulate this from a prescription-only medicine to a pharmacy medicine, available over the counter in community pharmacies under the supervision of a pharmacist. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to demonstrate that the availability of combined, oral oestrogen-progestogen under the supervision of the community pharmacist would be safe and effective. METHOD: Guidelines were developed by a multidisciplinary group incorporating pharmacists, GPs, a pharmacologist and a consultant in family planning. The guidelines were based on published evidence, where possible. CONCLUSION: Guidelines have been developed to accompany the provision of combined, oral oestrogen-progestogen which demonstrate that over-the-counter availability could be a safe and effective method of reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies in Britain.

Contraceptives, Oral↗

Should we estimate liver span in the right mid-clavicular line or the midline?

OBJECTIVE: Comparison was made between the accuracy of repeated measurements of liver projection below the costal margin in the right mid-clavicular line (RMCL) and in the midline (ML). METHODOLOGY: Clinical measurement of liver span was studied in 34 children under 5 years of age by five members of junior ward staff. Three patients were followed longitudinally by the same observers. RESULTS: The coefficient of reliability between different observers for measurement in the RMCL was 13 mm but for that in the ML was 7 mm. Estimates of liver size in the RMCL were particularly inaccurate when examining larger livers. CONCLUSION: More reliable sequential estimates of liver size are likely to be obtained using measurements both in the midline and in a well-defined and agreed point below the right costal margin.

Age Factors↗