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Biomedical subjects

D A Flanagan

Publications and source records attributed to D A Flanagan.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Detection of genes for periplasmic nitrate reductase in nitrate respiring bacteria and in community DNA.

A nested PCR primed by four degenerate oligonucleotides was developed for the specific amplification of sequences from the napA gene encoding the periplasmic nitrate reductase. This approach was used to amplify fragments of the napA gene from 10 Pseudomonas species and one Moraxella sp., previously shown to be able to express the periplasmic nitrate reductase activity, from Rhodobacter capsulatus and from community DNA extracted from a fresh-water sediment. Amino acid sequences encoded by the napA fragments were compared to one another and to the corresponding regions of related enzymes. This comparison indicates that the amplification protocol is specific for its intended target. The napA sequences amplified from community DNA were tightly clustered, which may indicate a degree of homogeneity in the sediment community. All tested Gram-negative strains capable of aerobic nitrate respiration were found to have periplasmic nitrate reductase genes. However, some strains which have and express the genes are incapable of aerobic nitrate respiration. The PCR primers and amplification protocols described will be useful in future studies of nitrate respiring populations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Antimicrobial activities of dental impression materials.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to measure the in vitro killing effects five commercial alginate impression materials had on five test microorganisms. METHODS: Two alginates with no added disinfectant, one supplemented with chlorhexidine and two others containing quaternary ammonium compounds were tested. Challenge microbes included two gram-positive cocci, two gram-negative bacilli and a yeast. Saline solutions containing standardized concentrations of test microbes were used to mix the alginates. Some set specimens were immediately homogenized and the resulting fluids diluted and spread plated. Other specimens were processed 30 or 60 min after setting. After culturing, the numbers of colonies were counted and the levels of microbial reductions determined. RESULTS: Unsupplemented alginates had no antimicrobial effects. The quaternary-ammonium-containing alginates were completely effective against all five test microorganisms. The alginate with chlorhexidine killed all the gram-negative bacilli and the majority (95-99%) of the gram-positive cocci and yeast. SIGNIFICANCE: Results indicated that disinfectant-containing alginate impression materials could reduce the number of soiling microorganisms present on and within test specimens.

Alginates↗
PubMed1998

A retrospective analysis of expressed emotion (EE) and affective distress in a sample of relatives caring for traumatically brain-injured (TBI) family members.

OBJECTIVES: To examine levels of expressed emotion (EE) and affective distress in relatives caring for severely brain-injured family members. DESIGN: The study took the form of a retrospective, observational cross-sectional analysis. METHOD: Data on 28 relatives were reviewed. Each participant completed one affective health-related questionnaire (Leeds Scales for the Self-Assessment of Anxiety and Depression; Snaith, Bridge & Hamilton, 1976) and their EE was rated using the Camberwell Family Interview (CFI; Brown, Birley & Wing, 1972; Vaughn & Leff, 1976, modified for head-injury relatives. Participants were rated as either high or low EE. Comparative statistical analysis examined differences in affective distress between the two groups. RESULTS: Of the 28 participants, 12 were rated high EE and 16 were rated low EE. Levels of anxiety were significantly higher among the high EE group, but levels of depression were not significantly different between the high and low EE groups. A significant correlation was found between EE and carer status, i.e. sole carers or family carers, with sole carers displaying significantly higher levels of EE than family carers. Multiple regression also revealed that carer status was most predictive of EE. CONCLUSIONS: Discussion considers EE as a coping strategy. Further research into the predictive capability of EE as an indicator of affective distress in head-injury families is suggested.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1998

Can scintimammography reduce "unnecessary" biopsies?

99Tc-sestamibi prone scintimammography (SMM) is a new, noninvasive method of imaging breast tumors. A pilot study has suggested that SMM increases the specificity of mammography, and that SMM could be used as an adjunct to mammography to reduce the number of mammographically indicated biopsies. The goal of this study was to further evaluate the efficacy of SMM in diagnosing or excluding breast carcinoma. This was a prospective case series with each patient serving as her own control. All subjects who had an abnormal mammogram, a palpable breast mass, or both were eligible for inclusion. All patients underwent breast examination, conventional mammography, SMM, and breast biopsy. Of the 81 women originally enrolled, 79 women with 80 lesions completed the study. SMM produced the following results: a sensitivity of 81 per cent, a specificity of 81 per cent, a positive predictive value of 61 per cent, and a negative predictive value of 92 per cent. These values were significantly lower than the pilot study results at a power of 80 per cent and P = 0.05. Our results indicate that SMM does not increase the specificity of conventional mammography and has a low negative predictive value. We would not recommend it as a screening technique to avoid biopsy.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1998

Urachal-sigmoid fistula in an adult male.

Urachal cysts are unusual anomalies resulting from incomplete closure of the urachus. They comprise 38 per cent of urachal abnormalities. They present commonly in childhood, and there are only 20 reported cases of urachal cysts presenting in a person over the age of 40. Only one reported case appears of urachal-colonic fistula, and this was in the setting of colonic diverticulitis. This report presents the second reported case of urachal-colonic fistula and the first case of a fistula in a patient with a normal colon. The pathophysiology and management of urachal cyst are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Expressed emotion and panic-fear in the prediction of diet treatment compliance.

The 'expressed emotion' (EE) of the key relatives of 30 severely obese patients was assessed on intake to a calorie-restricted diet programme. At the same time the patients and 30 matched controls were administered the MMPI 'panic-fear' scale. After five months on the diet the weight of the patients was measured, and weight loss or gain in the five-month period was used as an indicator of compliance or non-compliance with the treatment. The results indicated that the obese patients showed more anxiety (measured by the panic-fear scale) than did the control subjects. Compliant patients had lower panic-fear scores than did non-compliant patients, and patients living with a high EE relative were much less likely to comply with treatment than were those living with a low EE relative. Patients with a high EE relative were more likely to have a high panic-fear score. The results suggest that dietary treatments for obesity need to be accompanied by both individual and family behavioural interventions.

Adult↗