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Biomedical subjects

D O'Reilly

Publications and source records attributed to D O'Reilly.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Insect-virus relationships: sifting by informatics.

Several groups of large DNA viruses successfully utilise the rich resource provided by insect hosts. Defining the mechanisms that enable these pathogens to optimise their relationships with their hosts is of considerable scientific and practical importance, but our understanding of the processes involved is, as yet, rudimentary. Here we describe an informatics-based approach that uses comparison of viral genomic sequences to identify candidate genes likely to be specifically involved in this process. We hypothesise that such genes should satisfy two essential criteria, namely, that they should be (i) present in those members of a virus family that infect insects, but absent from those that infect other hosts, and (ii) found in at least two unrelated taxa of insect viruses. These criteria currently identify six groups of viral genes, including one that encodes the fusolin/gp37 proteins. Demonstration that the fusolin/gp37 proteins can enhance oral infectivity of insect viruses provides a primary validation of this approach to the examination of insect-virus relationships.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Characterization of the ecdysteroid UDP-glucosyltransferase (egt) gene of Anticarsia gemmatalis nucleopolyhedrovirus.

The Anticarsia gemmatalis nucelopolyhedrovirus (AgMNPV) egt gene was cloned, sequenced and its expression characterized by RT-PCR and western blot analysis. Sequence analysis of the gene indicated the presence of an open reading frame (ORF) of 1482 nucleotides, which codes for a polypeptide of 494 amino acids. ATATA box and a conserved regulatory sequence (CATT) found in other baculovirus early genes were present in the promoter region of the egt gene. A poly-A consensus sequence was present in the 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR) of the gene. Homology comparisons showed that the EGT protein of AgMNPV is most closely related (95.9% amino acid sequence identity) to the EGT from the Choristoneura fumiferana DEF nucleopolyhedrovirus (CfDEF). Transcriptional analysis of the AgMNPV egt gene showed that egt-specific transcripts can be detected both early and late in infection. The EGT protein was detected, by western blot analysis, in the intra- (from 12 to 48 h post-infection) and extra-cellular (from 12 to 96 h post-infection) fractions of infected insect cells. The AgMNPV Bgl II-F fragment, which has homology to the AcMNPV ie-1 gene, was cloned and used to cotransfect SF21 cells with the cloned AgMNPV egt gene. EGT activity was observed, suggesting that AgMNPV ie-1 can transactivate egt expression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Generation of a recombinant Anticarsia gemmatalis multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus expressing a foreign gene under the control of a very late promoter.

A recombinant Anticarsia gemmatalis multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (AgMNPV) expressing beta-galactosidase under the control of the polyhedrin promoter was generated in our laboratory. To this end, we cloned the AgMNPV-2D genomic DNA fragment containing the polh gene and subcloned and sequenced the polyhedrin gene and its flanking regions. Based on this sequence information, sets of primers were designed to amplify the flanking regions by PCR, including appropriate restriction sites. The transfer vector (pAgPHZ) was constructed by the consecutive cloning of these PCR fragments flanking the Escherichia coli LacZ gene, in place of the polh gene. pAgPHZ was used for cotransfection of UFL-AG-286 insect cells with AgMNPV-2D DNA and the required recombinant, generated by homologous recombination with the polh locus, was identified by its polh(-)/LacZ+ plaque phenotype. Its genome structure was confirmed by PCR, restriction digestion and Southern blot analyses. The kinetics and levels of expression of beta-galactosidase in UFL-AG-286 cells infected with the recombinant were tested by SDS-PAGE and enzymatic activity assays.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

An analysis of perioperative care.

Perioperative nursing requires an appreciation of patients' needs throughout the episode of care. This article presents a critical analysis and examination of the perioperative care of a patient undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy. In addition to analysing the efficacy of care delivery in the perioperative setting, we will explore the application of nursing theory and research to everyday practice and the degree to which a hospital's infrastructure facilitates quality care.

Analgesia, Patient-Controlled↗
PubMed2001

Child health status, neurodevelopmental outcome, and parental satisfaction in a randomized, controlled trial of nitric oxide for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.

OBJECTIVE: To describe health and neurodevelopmental outcomes and parental satisfaction with hospital care among surviving intervention and control enrollees in a randomized, controlled trial of nitric oxide for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). METHODS: All surviving enrollees 1 to 4 years of age were eligible for follow-up. Outcomes were assessed by telephone using a trained interviewer and standardized instruments. Domains assessed included parental report of specific conditions and hospital use, rating of general health, cognitive and motor development, behavior problems, temperament, and satisfaction with the hospital stay. Fisher's exact test and the Wilcoxon rank sum test assessed differences between intervention and control infants. RESULTS: Interviews were completed on 60 of 83 survivors (72%). Eighteen families (22%) could not be located, 2 (2%) were non-English-speaking, and 3 (4%) declined participation. No postdischarge deaths were ascertained. Among those interviewed, race, income, and education of parents of intervention and controls were comparable, as were entry oxygenation index, extracorporeal oxygenation utilization, and days of hospitalization. No differences were found in pulmonary, neurologic, cognitive, behavioral, or neurosensory outcomes; hospital readmission rates; or parental ratings of child's health. The overall neurologic handicap rate was 15%. The rate of hearing deficit was 7%. The rate of significant behavioral problems was 26%. Levels of satisfaction expressed were high for each group. No differences in parental ratings were found between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: No adverse health or neurodevelopmental outcomes have been observed among infants treated with nitric oxide for PPHN. The parents of the critically ill infants enrolled in our clinical trial welcomed their child's inclusion and all expressed satisfaction with the care that their child received while at a tertiary care hospital. Enrollment in either arm of this randomized, controlled trial did not seem to affect parental satisfaction with the hospital care that their child received.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

General practice out-of-hours service, variations in use and equality in access to a doctor: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing dissatisfaction among general practitioners (GPs) with their 24 hour commitment despite the demand for GP services outside ordinary working hours. The creation of out-of-hours co-operatives has been welcomed by participating GPs and their families and patient satisfaction is generally high. However, there have been concerns about the lack of patient consultation in their development and on the quality of care provided. OBJECTIVES: To examine geographical variation in the rates of out-of-hours calls and to see if there is any systematic variation in how the co-operative that covers the area responds to calls. DESIGN OF STUDY: A secondary data analysis of 110,357 calls received by the co-operative during the second year of its operation. SETTING: A co-operative with four centres providing out-of-hours care for one mostly rural Health Board in Northern Ireland. METHOD: Deprivation score and mortality and long-term illness ratios provided indicators of need at an area level. Proximity to the four co-operative centres was measured as the distance in kilometres and estimated travel time (in minutes) along the road network. RESULTS: Out-of-hours call ratios were proportional to the area deprivation score and proximity to the co-operative centres, though not to area indicators of ill health. Older patients were more likely to be seen by the GP and females over the age of 15 years were more likely to receive telephone advice only (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.785, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.756-0.816, P < 0.001). Each kilometre from the centres reduced the likelihood of seeing the GP (OR = 0.978, 95% CI = 0.976-0.979, P < 0.001). Even after controlling for potential confounders a large difference remained in how centres responded to calls. CONCLUSIONS: It is not certain whether these inequalities in services delivery represent inequity as the apposite level or type of response cannot be determined until more is known about the appropriateness of the demand for out-of-hours medical care.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Reasons for patient removals: results of a survey of 1005 GPs in Northern Ireland.

There has been considerable debate on the issue of general practitioners (GPs) removing patients from their lists. The second report of the Health Service Ombudsman addressed this area in some detail and, among other observations, commented on the lack of information available on this subject. This is a report on a questionnaire survey of GPs, aimed at finding out their reasons for removing patients and their feelings about the changes that have been proposed regarding their automatic right to remove patients without giving them a reason.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2001

Telerheumatology--diagnostic accuracy and acceptability to patient, specialist, and general practitioner.

This study examines the diagnostic accuracy and acceptability of telemedicine in the field of rheumatology. One hundred patients had a telephone and televisual consultation and the results were compared with a face-to-face consultation. While the telephone consultations were often unsatisfactory, the televisual consultations were highly accurate (97%) and acceptable to patients, general practitioners, and specialists.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Accuracy of hospital discharge data for cancer registration and epidemiological research in Northern Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Cancer registries provide a basis for many epidemiological studies in cancer. Electronic data provide for prompt, economical data capture for disease registries; doubts, however, exist about their data quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the accuracy for cancer registration of a subset of 7043 electronically captured hospital discharge data. RESULTS: Note availability was 82%. Of the notes available for examination demographic data accuracy was high; however, 7.4% of cases coded on discharge as cancer had no malignancy recorded in case notes while 4. 1% had in-situ or benign tumors. Almost a third had some inaccuracy in coding tumor site. Prevalent cases accounted for 17.2% of cases examined reflecting a new registry. Electronic data capture reduces time spent examining notes; only 40% of cases notified from PAS required a quick validation check. It enhances data completeness; without electronic discharge data 11.5% of the final database would have been missed. The validation check prevented overinflation of the cancer registration database by 7.5%. Measures of accuracy in the final database were high. CONCLUSION: This study shows that discharge data are a valuable data source for cancer registries but require a targeted note review aimed at cases without corroborating data.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Adult hypoxaemia in the perioperative period: a review of the literature.

As a group of academic skills, learning to search for, obtain, read and critically review literature represents a considerable achievement. For the many perioperative nurses who may never be able to pursue their own research project, reading literature reviews is an excellent alternative which enables individuals to become better and more critically informed. A review of the available literature may provide answers to questions or indicate where a subject is in need of further research. In this article by Denise O'Reilly, perioperative hypoxaemia is defined and a range of literature about the subject is critically reviewed.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

An ex-vivo investigation into the effect of bracket displacement on the resistance to sliding.

This ex-vivo study investigated the effect that repeated bracket displacement has on sliding friction and the magnitude of bracket displacement, and hence tooth movement, required to release bracket/archwire binding. The design consisted of an ex-vivo laboratory study. A jig was designed that allowed repeated displacement of a bracket to occur, while the resistance to sliding (friction) was measured using an Instron universal testing machine. One type of stainless steel bracket was used in conjunction with four archwire types (0.016-inch stainless steel, 0.019 x 0.025-inch stainless steel, 0.021 x 0.025-inch stainless steel, 0.019 x 0.025-inch beta-titanium) and four magnitudes of displacement. Repeated bracket displacement has a significant effect on the sliding resistance at the bracket/archwire interface (P < 0.001). The reduction in sliding resistance noted with displacement depended on the archwire. Over the range of displacements tested, there was an 85 and 80 per cent reduction associated with 0.021 x 0.025-inch and 0.019 x 0.025-inch stainless steel, respectively. For 0.019 x 0.025-inch beta-titanium and 0.016-inch stainless steel, these reductions were 27 and 19 per cent, respectively. The importance of true friction, given the likelihood of bracket and/or archwire displacements in vivo, may be lessened.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1999

Asbestos related mortality in Northern Ireland: 1985-1994.

BACKGROUND: The association between Belfast and research into the hazardous effects of asbestos exposure goes back many years. This paper aims to update previous papers and review the burden of asbestos related disease in Northern Ireland today. METHODS: A study was carried out of all deaths in Northern Ireland between 1985 and 1994 inclusive, in which an asbestos related disease was mentioned anywhere on the death certificate. RESULTS: During this 10 year period, 527 asbestos related deaths were recorded; 88 per cent of these were in men. A total of 410 (77.8 per cent) were registered as the primary cause of death but only 405 (76.9 per cent) of cases were the subject of an autopsy. Standardized rates of pleural cancer in males have been increasing at 3.2 per cent per year though the trend was not significant. Lower rates in the last two years may herald the commencement of a decline. Deaths were clustered around the Belfast estuary, the site of Northern Ireland's shipbuilding industry. High proportional mortality ratios were demonstrated for occupations associated with the shipbuilding and construction industries. Evidence is presented that casts doubt on the attribution of peritoneal cancers in females to asbestos exposure. If lung cancers are included, there may be an average of 81 asbestos related deaths in Northern Ireland every year. CONCLUSION: Asbestos related diseases continue to extract a heavy burden of ill health in Northern Ireland today. There are some indications that the upward trend may be on the wane but confirmation of this will have to await further data. Measures to reduce exposure in the workplace to both asbestos and to tobacco smoke are the only means of reducing this burden.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Identification of phosphorylation sites within the herpes simplex virus tegument protein VP22.

The herpes simplex virus protein VP22 is a major phosphoprotein of infected cells. In this study, we identify two serine phosphorylation sites within VP22 and show that the N-terminal site is a substrate for casein kinase II, while the extreme C-terminal site is a substrate for another, as yet unidentified, cellular kinase. Furthermore, we show that a mutant of VP22 which has both sites altered is unable to incorporate phosphate in vivo, confirming that there are no other phosphorylation sites within VP22.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Efficiency of institutional long-term care and annual demands for placement.

The objective of this study was to determine the efficiency of and annual demands for institutional long-term care placement in the St. John's region. The study population comprised all applicants assessed for institutional long-term care through the Community Health St. John's Region Single Entry System in 1995-96. The outcome measures used for the study included estimates of client resource utilization employing the RUGs III and Alberta Resident Classification System; hospital beds occupied; time to placement; and annual demands on long-term care. The study concludes that objective criteria for admission to supervised care and nursing home care may help reduce the number of inappropriate placements (thus maximizing the use of existing nursing home beds) and decrease annual demands. Investment in alternatives to nursing home care for those with modest disability is suggested.

Activities of Daily Living↗