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Biomedical subjects

D A Phillips

Publications and source records attributed to D A Phillips.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

An epidemic of dengue 3 in far north Queensland, 1997-1999.

OBJECTIVES: To describe an epidemic of dengue type 3 that occurred in far north Queensland in 1997-1999 and its influence on the further development of dengue prevention and control strategies. DESIGN: Epidemiological and laboratory investigation of cases, entomological surveys and phylogenetic analysis of dengue virus isolates. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Numbers and characteristics of confirmed cases; Breteau Index (BI; number of containers breeding Aedes aegypti per 100 premises); effect of control measures on mosquito populations; genetic homology of epidemic virus with other dengue virus isolates. RESULTS: The epidemic lasted 70 weeks and comprised 498 confirmed cases in three towns (Cairns, Port Douglas and Mossman); 101 patients (20%) were admitted to hospital. Median interval between symptom onset and notification was seven days (range, 0-53 days), and cumulative duration of viraemia of public health significance was 2,072 days. BIs in affected areas were high, particularly in Mossman (45) and Port Douglas (31). Control measures significantly reduced mosquito populations (assessed as number of ovitraps containing Ae. aegypti eggs and mean number of eggs per trap [P< 0.05 for both]). However, transmission persisted in several foci, in part due to undetected waterfilled containers breeding Ae. aegypti. The epidemic virus belonged to serotype 3; phylogenetic analysis suggested it was imported from Thailand. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemic had greater morbidity than other recent Queensland epidemics of dengue and was harder to control, necessitating substantial revision of the Dengue Fever Management Plan for North Queensland. The epidemic's severity supports the hypothesis that dengue viruses from South East Asia are more virulent than others.

Aedes↗
PubMed2001

A chemometric approach to understanding the bioelimination of anionic, water-soluble dyes by a biomass using empirical and semi-empirical molecular descriptors.

Single correlation and multiple linear regression analyses have been applied to understand the bioelimination of 103 anionic, water-soluble dyes by a biomass at a wastewater treatment works. The chemometric approach highlighted that anionic, water-soluble dyes with larger molecular size/ionic charge ratios and containing more primary aromatic amines and unsulphonated naphthalene nuclei and fewer aliphatic alcohol groups had superior levels of bioelimination.

Alcohols↗
PubMed2001

Methodology for social accountability: multiple methods and feminist, poststructural, psychoanalytic discourse analysis.

Bridging the gap between the individual and social context, methodology that aims to surface and explore the regulatory function of discourse on subjectivity production moves nursing research beyond the individual level in order to theorize social context and its influence on health and well-being. This article describes the feminist, poststructural, psychoanalytic discourse analysis and multiple methods used in a recent study exploring links between cultural discourses of masculinity, performativity of masculinity, and practices of male violence.

Culture↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of bacteria isolated from rice for plant growth promotion and biological control of seedling disease of rice.

Of 102 rhizoplane and endophytic bacteria isolated from rice roots and stems in California, 37% significantly (P < or = 0.05) inhibited the growth in vitro of two pathogens, Achlya klebsiana and Pythium spinosum, causing seedling disease of rice. Four endophytic strains were highly effective against seedling disease in growth pouch assays, and these were identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens (S3), Pseudomonas tolaasii (S20), Pseudomonas veronii (S21), and Sphingomonas trueperi (S12) by sequencing of amplified 16S rRNA genes. Strains S12, S20, and S21 contained the nitrogen fixation gene, nifD, but only S12 was able to reduce acetylene in pure culture. The four strains significantly enhanced plant growth in the absence of pathogens, as evidenced by increases in plant height and dry weight of inoculated rice seedlings relative to noninoculated rice. Three bacterial strains (S3, S20, and S21) were evaluated in pot bioassays and reduced disease incidence by 50%-73%. Strain S3 was as effective at suppressing disease at the lowest inoculum density (106 CFU/mL) as at higher density (10(8) CFU/mL or undiluted suspension). This study indicates that selected endophytic bacterial strains have potential for control of seedling disease of rice and for plant growth promotion.

Algal Proteins↗
PubMed2001

Entomological investigations of an outbreak of Japanese encephalitis virus in the Torres Strait, Australia, in 1998.

Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus first appeared in Australia in 1995, when three clinical cases (two fatal) were diagnosed in residents on Badu Island in the Torres Strait, northern Queensland. More recently, two confirmed human JE cases were reported in the Torres Strait Islands and Cape York Peninsula, in northern Queensland in 1998. Shortly after JE virus activity was detected in humans and sentinel pigs on Badu Island in 1998, adult mosquitoes were collected using CO2 and octenol-baited CDC light traps; 43 isolates of JE virus were recovered. Although Culex sitiens group mosquitoes yielded the majority of JE isolates (42), one isolate was also obtained from Ochlerotatus vigilax (Skuse). Four isolates of Ross River virus and nine isolates of Sindbis (SIN) virus were also recovered from members of the Culex sitiens group collected on Badu Island in 1998. In addition, 3,240 mosquitoes were speciated and pooled after being anesthetized with triethylamine (TEA). There was no significant difference in the minimum infection rate of mosquitoes anesthetized with TEA compared with those sorted on refrigerated tables (2.8 and 1.6 per 1,000 mosquitoes, respectively). Nucleotide analysis of the premembrane region and an overlapping region of the fifth nonstructural protein and 3' untranslated regions of representative 1998 Badu Island isolates of JE virus reveled they were identical to each other. Between 99.1% and 100% identity was observed between 1995 and 1998 isolates of JE from Badu Island, as well as isolates of JE from mosquitoes collected in Papua New Guinea (PNG) in 1997 and 1998. This suggests that the New Guinea mainland is the likely source of incursions of JE virus in Australia.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Language as a constitutive: critical thinking for multicultural education and practice in the 21st century.

Postmodern understandings of language can function as revolutionary critical thinking tools and enable multicultural education in a way yet to be resolutely embraced by the discipline. This thesis is illustrated with critical thinking examples relevant to topics in nursing education, such as maternal infant attachment, HIV prevention education, standardized instruments measuring quality of life and self-esteem, domain of person, and adolescent male identity formation. Working through postmodern positions on language produces important questions. It offers nursing provocative ways of thinking about education and provides radically different approaches to critical thinking and cultural competence. Capitalizing on postmodern sensibilities about language to create multicultural education and practice will take persistent self-reflective educational practices that question the ground that nursing stands on, as well as good intentions regarding a deep and broad embrace of complexly understood cultural competence.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1999

Identification of lumichrome as a sinorhizobium enhancer of alfalfa root respiration and shoot growth.

Sinorhizobium meliloti bacteria produce a signal molecule that enhances root respiration in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and also triggers a compensatory increase in whole-plant net carbon assimilation. Nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, and ultraviolet-visible absorption identify the enhancer as lumichrome, a common breakdown product of riboflavin. Treating alfalfa roots with 3 nM lumichrome increased root respiration 21% (P < 0.05) within 48 h. A closely linked increase in net carbon assimilation by the shoot compensated for the enhanced root respiration. For example, applying 5 nM lumichrome to young alfalfa roots increased plant growth by 8% (P < 0.05) after 12 days. Soaking alfalfa seeds in 5 nM lumichrome before germination increased growth by 18% (P < 0.01) over the same period. In both cases, significant growth enhancement (P < 0.05) was evident only in the shoot. S. meliloti requires exogenous CO2 for growth and may benefit directly from the enhanced root respiration that is triggered by lumichrome. Thus Sinorhizobium-alfalfa associations, which ultimately form symbiotic N2-reducing root nodules, may be favored at an early developmental stage by lumichrome, a previously unrecognized mutualistic signal. The rapid degradation of riboflavin to lumichrome under many physiological conditions and the prevalence of riboflavin release by rhizosphere bacteria suggest that events demonstrated here in the S. meliloti-alfalfa association may be widely important across many plant-microbe interactions.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Japanese encephalitis in north Queensland, Australia, 1998.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the circumstances of two cases of Japanese encephalitis (JE) in north Queensland in 1998, including one acquired on the Australian mainland. DESIGN: Serological surveillance of sentinel pigs for JE virus activity; serological surveys of humans and pigs and viral cultures of mosquito collections. SETTING: Islands in the Torres Strait and communities in the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) and near the mouth of the Mitchell River in Cape York, Queensland, in the 1998 wet season (December 1997-May 1998). RESULTS: Sentinel pigs in the Torres Strait began to seroconvert to JE virus in February 1998, just before onset of JE in an unvaccinated 12-year-old boy on Badu island. By mid-April, most sentinel pigs had seroconverted. Numerous JE viruses were isolated from Culex annulirostris mosquitoes collected on Badu. In early March, a person working at the mouth of the Mitchell River developed JE. Serological surveys showed recent JE virus infection in 13 young pigs on a nearby farm, but not in 488 nearby residents. In NPA communities, sentinel pigs seroconverted slowly and JE viruses were isolated from three, but none of 604 residents showed evidence of recent infection. Nucleotide sequencing showed that 1998 JE virus isolates from the Torres Strait were virtually identical not only to the 1998 isolate from an NPA pig, but also to previous (1995) Badu isolates. CONCLUSIONS: JE virus activity was more widespread in north Queensland in the 1998 wet season than in the three previous wet seasons, but ecological circumstances (e.g., less intensive pig husbandry, fewer mosquitoes) appear to have limited transmission on the mainland. Nucleotide sequencing indicated a common source for the 1995 and 1998 JE viruses. Circumstantial evidence suggests that cyclonic winds carried infected mosquitoes from Papua New Guinea.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

A Nod factor-binding lectin is a member of a distinct class of apyrases that may be unique to the legumes.

Recent studies from our laboratory have found that a root lectin from the legume Dolichos hifloris is present on the root surface, binds rhizobial Nod factor and has apyrase activity. To assess the broader significance of this lectin/nucleotide phosphohydrolase (Db-LNP), we have cloned a second related cDNA (Db-apyrase-2) from D. hiflorus, as well as related cDNAs from the legumes Lotus japonicus and Medicago sativa, and from Arabidopsis thaliana, a non-legume. The deduced amino acid sequences of these apyrases were aligned with one another and with the sequences of other apyrases from plants, animals, yeast and protozoa. Phylogenetic analysis shows that Db-LNP has closely related orthologs only in other legumes, while Db-apyrase-2 is more closely related to apyrase sequences from non-leguminous plants. We also show that the orthologs of Db-LNP from M. sativa and Pisum sativum have carbohydrate binding activity. The results suggest that legume LNPs may represent a special class of apyrases that arose by gene duplication and subsequent specialization.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Genetic analysis of the bone morphogenetic protein-related gene, gbb, identifies multiple requirements during Drosophila development.

We have isolated mutations in the Drosophila melanogaster gene glass bottom boat (gbb), which encodes a TGF-beta signaling molecule (formerly referred to as 60A) with highest sequence similarity to members of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) subgroup including vertebrate BMPs 5-8. Genetic analysis of both null and hypomorphic gbb alleles indicates that the gene is required in many developmental processes, including embryonic midgut morphogenesis, patterning of the larval cuticle, fat body morphology, and development and patterning of the imaginal discs. In the embryonic midgut, we show that gbb is required for the formation of the anterior constriction and for maintenance of the homeotic gene Antennapedia in the visceral mesoderm. In addition, we show a requirement for gbb in the anterior and posterior cells of the underlying endoderm and in the formation and extension of the gastric caecae. gbb is required in all the imaginal discs for proper disc growth and for specification of veins in the wing and of macrochaete in the notum. Significantly, some of these tissues have been shown to also require the Drosophila BMP2/4 homolog decapentaplegic (dpp), while others do not. These results indicate that signaling by both gbb and dpp may contribute to the development of some tissues, while in others, gbb may signal independently of dpp.

Alleles↗
PubMed1999

BioS, a biotin-induced, stationary-phase, and possible LysR-type regulator in Sinorhizobium meliloti.

Sinorhizobium meliloti 1021 produces biotin required for growth, but it also responds to external biotin signals from alfalfa plants through the bioS regulatory locus. Mutation of bioS increases biotin uptake, extends stationary phase in the presence of biotin, and impairs competitive growth in the presence of biotin. New data supporting the relevance of this gene to plant-microbe interactions show that a bioS-gusA reporter fusion is expressed by bacteria on plant roots, by bacteria in alfalfa root nodules, and more generally by any stationary-phase bacterial cells in the presence of biotin. Significant transcription of bioS-gusA was detected at 50 pM biotin, and a 16-fold induction was measured in stationary-phase cells with 1 nM biotin. A positive autoregulation of bioS is suggested by the fact that, in the presence of 10 nM biotin, a bioS-gusA fusion in wild-type cells was transcribed at more than twice the rate of the same reporter fusion in a bioS mutant background. Analyses of primer extension products and expression studies with three different bioS-gusA promoter fusions defined major characteristics of the bioS promoter. Expression of bioS in Escherichia coli resulted in the production of a 35-kDa BioS protein with characteristics of an LysR-type regulator. Those traits included a deduced amino acid sequence containing possible helix-turn-helix DNA-binding structures and three T-N(11)-A motifs upstream from the bioS gene. A regulatory role for BioS protein was supported by tests showing that a 321-bp DNA fragment containing the bioS promoter altered the electrophoretic mobility of recombinant BioS and of a corresponding band in protein extracts from S. meliloti 1021. The absence in BioS of any significant homology to known amino acid sequences was consistent with the fact that DNA hybridization tests with seven genera of bacteria detected bioS only in Sinorhizobium.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

The timeliness of notification of clinically suspected cases of dengue imported into north Queensland.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the timeliness of notifications by medical practitioners of clinically suspected dengue importations into north Queensland (NQ). Describe the features the disease and determine the likely duration of viraemia prior to implementating public health measures. METHOD: Since December 1994, the Tropical Public Health Unit (TPHU) has maintained a register of all imported cases of dengue into NQ. Only confirmed viraemic cases were included in the study. Timeliness of notifications was defined as the interval between the first medical consultation in NQ and notification to TPHU. An Epi info database was developed and used to analyse data. RESULTS: There were 31 confirmed dengue importations into NQ during the study period, including all four dengue serotypes. The largest source (39%) was Papua New Guinea. The median time for notifications was 5.5 days. Doctor notifications ranged from 0 to 21 days (median 2 days), remaining notifications range from 1 to 42 days (median 10 days) (p < 0.05). The mean duration of viraemia of public health importance was 7 days (2-12 days). CONCLUSIONS: Of concern, doctors failed to notify > 50% of suspected cases and only 26% of notifications were received within 48 hours. Notification delays led to prolonged viraemia of public health importance increasing the potential risk of secondary infections. IMPLICATIONS: General practitioners need to promptly notify all clinically suspected cases of dengue in travellers recently arrived in NQ. The TPHU intends to reemphasise to general practitioner the importance of timely notifications and develop an orientation package for new doctors.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Arboviruses in the Australian region, 1990 to 1998.

Arboviruses continue to be major human pathogens in the Australian region. This report provides a summary of the activities of these viruses over the past eight years, and comments on new findings relevant to their respective ecologies. Of particular interest and concern is the propensity of these viruses to spread. The examples discussed include the initiation of dengue epidemics in north Queensland by virus imported in viraemic travellers; the spread of Japanese encephalitis virus to the Australasian region and its probable enzootic establishment in the south-west of Papua New Guinea; the potential spread of Ross River virus to other countries, as demonstrated by the 1979-80 outbreak in the South Pacific, and the recent occurrence in military personnel from the United States of America after an exercise; and the recent spread of Barmah Forest virus into Western Australia.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

A presumptive case of fatal Murray Valley encephalitis acquired in Alice Springs.

A presumptive case of Murray Valley Encephalitis (MVE) acquired in Alice Springs in March 1997 is reported. The patient subsequently died in Mackay. The diagnosis of Murray Valley Encephalitis was supported by the detection of flavivirus IgM in cerebrospinal fluid. Low titres of IgM specific to Murray Valley Encephalitis and Alfuy were detected in a single serum sample. The patient's travel movements indicate that his infection was acquired in the Alice Springs vicinity. This conclusion was further supported by the detection of Murray Valley Encephalitis activity in sentinel animals in the area and by the presence of large numbers of the principal mosquito vector of Murray Valley Encephalitis in the Northern Territory.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1998

Two contiguous outbreaks of dengue type 2 in north Queensland.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate two outbreaks of dengue type 2 in north Queensland, one in the Torres Strait beginning in late 1996, the other in a Cairns suburb in early 1997. DESIGN: Epidemiological investigation of all laboratory-confirmed cases of dengue, entomological investigation of the local environment, and laboratory analysis of the isolated dengue viruses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Numbers of confirmed and of locally acquired cases; virus serotype; comparison of nucleotide sequences between viruses isolated from the two outbreaks; and Breteau Index (BI = number of containers with larvae of the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti found per 100 houses investigated) on the affected islands and in the Cairns suburb. RESULTS: There were 201 confirmed cases of dengue in the Torres Strait outbreak, which lasted nearly seven months, and seven confirmed cases in the Cairns outbreak, which lasted about nearly 11 weeks. Most (190) were confirmed as dengue type 2. Nucleotide sequencing of viruses isolated from the two outbreaks showed they were identical. Ae. aegypti breeding sites were very common on the five Torres Strait islands surveyed (BIs, 73-219--high risk), but less so in the Cairns suburb (BI, 23). The most common breeding sites were water storage reservoirs, particularly rainwater tanks, on the outer Torres Strait islands, discarded containers (such as plastic containers, buckets and tyres) on Thursday Island, and garden items (such as flowerpot bases and jars) in Cairns. CONCLUSIONS: The virus responsible for the Cairns outbreak was most probably introduced from the Torres Strait, whereas the virus responsible for the Torres Strait outbreak was imported from Papua New Guinea. Preventive strategies tailored to specific locations are needed to reduce breeding of Ae. aegypti in north Queensland, and the consequent risk of future outbreaks of dengue.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Characterization of a new Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain from alfalfa.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain 1D1609 is reported here as the first field isolate from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Unlike well-characterized A. tumefaciens strains such as C58 and Ach5, strain 1D1609 is highly virulent on alfalfa and has a distinctive host range. Interestingly, strain 1D1609 is naturally resistant to kanamycin and spectinomycin. The Ti plasmid in strain 1D1609 is an octopine-type; thus, tumors formed by strain 1D1609 synthesize octopine, which is utilized by the bacterium as a sole carbon source. Reciprocal exchange of Ti plasmids between strains 1D1609 and C58 showed that both chromosomal and Ti plasmid genes in strain 1D1609 contribute specifically to tumor formation on alfalfa. In addition, the nondormant CUF101 alfalfa cultivar from which strain 1D1609 was isolated was significantly more susceptible to all Agrobacterium strains tested than was the dormant Agate cultivar.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens↗
PubMed1998

Distress and the micturating cystourethrogram: does preparation help?

This study evaluates the impact of therapeutic preparation methods on children undergoing MCUG. Parents of 35 children who had undergone MCUG were surveyed by questionnaire. The child's reaction to investigation was assessed using the Groningen Distress Rating Scale (rating 1 = calm > 5 = panic) and parental coping styles using the Utrecht Coping List. Families received one of two types of therapeutic preparation: storybooklet or storybooklet and play preparation. Reported distress levels were significantly lower with therapeutic preparation (mean score 2.5 +/- 1.02 SD) than without (mean score 3.3 +/- 1.22 SD). Previously, controls reported 46% of anxiety-linked behaviour changes post-MCUG, falling to 13% after therapeutic preparation. Parents who gave a candid explanation reported significantly lower child distress levels (mean 2.0 +/- 0.91 SD) than those parents who avoided upsetting details (mean 3.1 +/- 0.47 SD). We conclude that distress associated with the MCUG can be reduced by therapeutic preparation of the child and family prior to investigation.

Adaptation, Psychological↗