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Biomedical subjects

E J Moore

Publications and source records attributed to E J Moore.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Effective hand hygiene education with the use of flipcharts in a hospital in El Salvador.

In developing countries, continuing education for healthcare staff may be limited by staff shortages and lack of sophisticated means of delivery. These limitations have implications for compliance with an important infection control practice, namely good hand hygiene. A comparison was made between the efficacy of two educational tools commonly used in healthcare and practical sanitation settings in developing countries, i.e. videotapes and flipcharts, in delivering hand hygiene education to 67 nurses in a paediatric hospital in El Salvador. Efficacy was measured on the basis of scores obtained in pre- and post-training tests consisting of 10 multiple-choice questions. Half of the nurses received video-based instruction and half received instruction via flipcharts. Both methods of instruction increased participants' knowledge of good hand hygiene, and the extent of knowledge acquisition by the two methods was similar. Feedback obtained from flipchart users six months after training indicated that most of the respondents used the flipchart to teach hand hygiene to patients' families (62.5%), patients (50%) and healthcare workers (43.8%). Flipchart users ranked flipcharts as their favourite educational tool. Flipcharts offer an economical, easy-to-use, non-technological yet effective alternative to videotapes for delivering education in developing countries. Although the use of flipcharts requires a skilled and well-trained instructor, flipcharts could be used more widely to deliver education in resource-poor settings.

Audiovisual Aids↗

Insulin lispro: a potential role in preventing nocturnal hypoglycaemia in young children with diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: The long duration of action of soluble insulin given in the evening could contribute to the high prevalence of nocturnal hypoglycaemia seen in young children with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). We examined whether replacing soluble insulin with insulin lispro reduced this risk in children on a three times daily insulin regimen. METHODS: Open crossover study comparing insulin lispro vs. soluble insulin in 23 (16 boys) prepubertal children (age 7-11 years) with T1DM on three injections/day; long-acting isophane insulin remained identical. At the end of each 4-month treatment arm, an overnight 15-min venous sampled blood glucose profile was performed. RESULTS: Despite similar blood glucose levels pre-evening meal (lispro vs. soluble: mean +/- se 6.5 +/- 1.0 vs. 7.1 +/- 1.1 mmol/l, P = 0.5), post-meal (18.00-22.00 h) blood glucose levels were lower on insulin lispro (area under curve 138 +/- 12 vs. 170 +/- 13 mmol min-1 l-1, P = 0.03). In contrast, in the early night (22.00-04.00 h) the prevalence of low blood glucose levels (< 3.5 mmol/l) was lower on lispro (8% of blood glucose levels) than on soluble insulin (13%, P = 0.01). In the early morning (04.00-07.00 h) mean blood glucose and prevalence of low levels were no different between the two treatment groups, and fasting (07.00 h) blood glucose levels were similar (6.1 +/- 0.8 vs. 6.3 +/- 0.9 mmol/l, P = 0.8). At the end of each treatment arm there were no differences in HbA1c (lispro vs. soluble 8.6% vs. 8.4%, P = 0.3), or in insulin doses (mean, range 0.97, 0.68-1.26 vs. 0.96, 0.53-1.22 U/kg per day, P = 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: The shorter duration of action of insulin lispro given before the evening meal may reduce the prevalence of early nocturnal hypoglycaemia without compromising HbA1c in young children with T1DM.

Blood Glucose↗

Prospective analysis of the efficacy of continuous intraoperative nerve monitoring during thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy, and parotidectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Continuous intraoperative electromyographic monitoring was prospectively performed in all parotidectomies, thyroidectomies, and parathyroidectomies over approximately 5 years to assess the efficacy of this technology. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Continuous intraoperative nerve monitoring with perioperative nerve assessment was performed. The postresection minimal stimulation level of the nerves was determined to evaluate if this level would predict nerve function postoperatively. RESULTS: Forty-four parotidectomies and 70 thyroid/parathyroid operations were performed with 140 nerves at risk (44 facial, 96 recurrent laryngeal). The incidence of temporary facial paralysis was 15.9% (7 of 44) and the incidence of permanent paralysis was 0%. The incidence of temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis in terms of nerves at risk was 1.0% (1 of 96), and the incidence of permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis was 0%. All patients with normally functioning facial and recurrent laryngeal nerves postoperatively had minimal stimulation levels less than or equal to 0.4 mA. CONCLUSION: Continuous intraoperative nerve monitoring was associated with extremely low rates of temporary and permanent nerve paralysis in our series of 140 nerves at risk as compared to the rates documented in the literature.

Adolescent↗

The I' potential of the human auditory brainstem response to paired click stimuli.

When stimulated with an appropriate stimulus, the hair cells of the organ of Corti depolarize, causing the release of a neurotransmitter substance, which excites afferent VIIIth nerve dendrites. It is reasonable to hypothesize that excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) generated by the dendrites of the auditory nerve in turn initiate a compound action potential (CAP). The EPSP is thought to be the generator potential for the CAP, and may be recorded in auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) as the I' potential. Determining the anatomical origin of I' may enhance the sensitivity of the ABR technique in hair cell/dendrite/auditory nerve evaluations. Whether I' is of sensory or of neural origin is equivocal, and therefore I' is not well understood. To investigate this dilemma, ABRs were recorded from human subjects using standard and paired-click stimuli, and using subtraction methods to generate a derived ABR. Two early peaks, designated as I degree and I', occurred before wave I in the derived ABR. It was hypothesized that peaks I degrees and I' represent the summating potential and the generator potential, generated by the cochlea and VIIIth nerve dendrites, respectively.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Microcystins (cyanobacterial toxins) in drinking water enhance the growth of aberrant crypt foci in the mouse colon.

Microcystis aeruginosa produces toxic cyclic peptides called microcystins, potent hepatotoxins that have been implicated in tumor promotion in skin and liver. The model used in this investigation was the azoxymethane (AOM)-induced aberrant crypt focus (ACF) in the male C57Bl/6J mouse colon. Three intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of 5 mg/kg AOM were administered at 7-d intervals to mice; 19 d after the last AOM injection, drinking water containing Microcystis extract was commenced and continued for a further 212 d. The content of microcystins in the drinking water was determined by mouse bioassay, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), capillary eletrophoresis, and protein phosphatase inhibition. The doses employed were 0, 382, and 693 micrograms/kg bodyweight/d at the midpoint of the trial. Following postmortem examination blood cells, serum enzymes and organ pathology were investigated. A significant microcystin dose-dependent increase in the area of aberrant crypt foci was observed. There was no marked increase in the number of crypts/colon. Two overt colonic tumors (approximately 30 mm3) were seen in microcystin-treated mice, and one microscopic colonic tumor in an AOM-alone-treated mouse. This investigation provides the first evidence for the stimulation of preneoplastic colon tumor growth by microcystin.

Animals↗

Preoperative and postoperative topical tretinoin on high-tension excisional wounds and full-thickness skin grafts in a porcine model: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Tretinoin induces neovascularization and the formation of collagen when applied topically. OBJECTIVE: The goal was to determine whether preoperative and postoperative treatment with tretinoin enhances the healing of high-tension, full-thickness excisional wounds and the survival of full-thickness skin grafts. METHODS: A blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study involved high-tension excisional wounds and full-thickness skin grafts treated perioperatively with tretinoin in a porcine model. RESULTS: Perioperative treatment of high-tension excisional surgery sites with tretinoin appeared to have no consistent beneficial or adverse effects on wound healing or scar spreading. In the full-thickness skin graft model, a trend toward impaired wound healing was noted. CONCLUSION: The collagen-inducing effects of topical tretinoin do not appear to enhance the healing of high-tension excisional surgery wounds in a porcine model. Tretinoin does not appear to improve the survival of full-thickness skin grafts and, in fact, a detrimental effect was apparent in our model.

Administration, Topical↗

Auditory brainstem responses in Golden Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) affected with the Wh gene.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The anophthalmic white (Wh) gene in Golden Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) is autosomal semi-dominant and causes several developmental defects, including hearing loss. The Wh mutation is thought to be homologous to Waardenburg syndrome in humans, apparently affecting similar developmental processes. The purpose of this study was to assess the hearing of hamsters in the AN/As-Wh strain. METHODS: Using auditory brainstem responses, electrophysiologic activity was determined in 20 hamsters of the AN/As-Wh strain, with the aim of elucidating hearing status. Hamsters were classified into five genotypes and were evaluated by use of click stimuli. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Hamsters assigned to the genotypes differed in their hearing sensitivity and could be classified into categories of normal hearing, moderate hearing loss, and profound hearing loss.

Animals↗

Review by a local medical research ethics committee of the conduct of approved research projects, by examination of patients' case notes, consent forms, and research records and by interview.

OBJECTIVE: To monitor the conduct of medical research projects that have already been approved by the local medical research ethics committee. DESIGN: Follow up study of ethically approved studies (randomly selected from all the studies approved in the previous year) by examination of patients' case notes, consent forms, and research records and by interview of the researchers at their workplace. SETTING: Tayside, Scotland (mixed rural and urban population). SUBJECTS: 30 research projects approved by Tayside local medical research ethics committee. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Adherence to the agreed protocol, particularly for recruitment (obtaining and recording informed consent) and for specific requirements of the ethics committee, including notification of changes to the protocol and of adverse events. RESULTS: In one project only oral consent had been obtained, and in a quarter of the studies one or more consent forms were incorrectly completed. Inadequate filing of case notes in five studies and of consent forms in six made them unavailable for scrutiny. Adverse events were reported, but there was a general failure to report the abandoning or non-starting of projects in two studies the investigators failed to notify a change in the responsible researcher. CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring of medical research by local medical research ethics committees promotes and preserves ethical standards, protects subjects and researchers, discourages fraud, and has the support of investigators. We recommend that 10% of projects should undergo on-site review, with all others monitored by questionnaire. This would require about six person hours of time and a salary bill of 120 pounds per study monitored.

Consent Forms↗

Sodium and potassium currents of type I spiral ganglion cells from rat.

Ion channel activity of acutely dissociated type I spiral ganglion cells isolated from rats was investigated using the whole-cell variation of the patch clamp technique. Tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium current and tetraethylammonium-sensitive potassium current were recorded. With a holding potential of -80 mV, peak sodium currents were generated by depolarizations to membrane potentials more positive than -50 mV. Potassium currents were elicited at membrane potentials more positive than -40 mV. Some cells which did not exhibit sodium current exhibited delayed rectifier potassium currents. Steady-state sodium channel inactivation curve yielded a slope of 12 mV and a half-inactivated potential of -83 mV. Recovery from inactivation of the sodium channel proceeded with a fast and slow time course; recovery began as early as 0.8 ms and proceeded with a time constant of 7.5 ms. It is concluded that type I spiral ganglion cells are endowed with sodium and potassium channels which are responsible for generation and propagation of auditory nerve action potentials.

Action Potentials↗

Improved long term survival after intracavitary interleukin-2 and lymphokine-activated killer cells for adults with recurrent malignant glioma.

BACKGROUND: The median survival for adults with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is 12 months, despite surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Regimens using interleukin-2 (IL-2) plus lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells have been beneficial against systemic cancers, albeit with significant toxicity. METHODS: Nineteen adults with recurrent malignant glioma (5 GBMs, and 4 anaplastic astrocytomas (AA)), Karnofsky performance status 60 or greater, were treated with intracavitary autologous LAK cells plus IL-2 after reoperation. Lymphokine-activated killer cells and IL-2 were given on day 1, and IL-2 alone was given 5 times during a 2-week cycle. This cycle was repeated at 2 weeks to constitute one 6-week course of therapy. Each two-cycle course of treatment was repeated at 3-month intervals for patients with stable disease or response to therapy. At the conclusion of immunotherapy, all patients were offered chemotherapy, generally carmustine or procarbazine, including responders. Corticosteroids were strictly limited during immunotherapy. Sequential reservoir aspirates were obtained for microbiologic and cytologic analyses. RESULTS: The maximal tolerated dose for a 12-dose course of therapy was 1.2 million international units (MIU) per dose. Dose-limiting, cumulative IL-2-related central nervous system (CNS) toxicity was observed at 2.4 MIU per dose. Three responses were confirmed by computed tomography scan during therapy: one complete response (CR) (1 AA), and two partial responses (PR) (2 GBM); as well as a significant increase in GBM survival. One additional CR (GBM) was observed at 17 months. The median survival for immunotherapy patients with GBM was 53 weeks after reoperation (N = 15) (mean, 87.9 +/- 21.4 weeks, standard error for the mean), with 8 of 15 surviving more than 1 year (53%). The median survival for 18 contemporary patients with GBM reoperated and treated with chemotherapy was 25.5 weeks (mean, 27.4 +/- 3.7 weeks), with 1/18 alive at 1 year (> 6%). Six of the 15 patients with GBM had additional surgery or biopsy, and chemotherapy after immunotherapy. The contribution of subsequent chemotherapy to survival cannot be discounted. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphokine-activated killer cells and IL-2 can be administered safely within the CNS resulting in improved long term survival in patients with recurrent glioblastoma. Increased survival was associated with significant biologic changes characterized by a regional eosinophilia, and extensive lymphocytic infiltration. A prospective randomized clinical trial is warranted.

Adult↗

Auditory cortex neurons: primary culture and ion channel activity in rat.

We have developed a primary dissociated cell culture of the fetal (E17) and post-natal (P0-P10) rat auditory cortex. Pyramidal and non-pyramidal cells had a mean cross-sectional diameter of 12.73 +/- 1.80 microns (mean +/- S.D., n = 25) and 17.58 +/- 1.67 microns (mean +/- S.D., n = 10), respectively, measured at 6 days in culture. These cells were viable for as long as 18-21 days. They expressed voltage-gated sodium and potassium channel currents as early as one day in culture, and at various phases in cell culture. Sodium current, activated at membrane potentials more positive than -60 mV, displayed fast activation and inactivation kinetics. Fifty percent inactivation of sodium channels occurred at a pre-pulse potential of -63 mV. Delayed rectifier potassium channels were activated at potentials positive to -40 mV. Large hyperpolarizing constant current pulses elicited anode break action potentials, and large depolarizing constant current pulses exhibited rectification indicative of the delayed rectifying potassium channel activity.

Animals↗

The dietary habits of 11-12 year-old children in two Tayside secondary schools--comparison with the targets set by the Scottish Diet Report.

The diets of over 300 children in their first year at two Tayside secondary schools were assessed using a simplified food frequency questionnaire. Results were compared with the recent targets (Scottish Diet Report 1993) set for children for the year 2005. It was estimated that only six (< 2%) of the 331 children achieved all of the first five targets, namely 3-4 portions of vegetables and fruit per day; whole grain or granary bread or cereals twice daily; semi-skimmed milk; fish twice weekly; and meat products less than twice weekly. In addition, less than 5% achieved a Healthy Food Choice score (devised by the authors) commensurate with a healthy diet containing daily fruit and vegetables, semi-skimmed milk, wholemeal or similar bread or cereals, and fish at least once a week.

Adolescent↗

The I' potential of the brain-stem auditory-evoked potential.

We have consistently recorded a positive wave which precedes wave I, and is called I', within the human brain-stem auditory-evoked potential. It is postulated that I' represents initial neural activity of the auditory nerve, which presumably has as its origin auditory nerve dendrites. Thus, I' may represent a summed far-field dendritic potential from currents of excitatory postsynaptic potentials. We report latency and amplitude values of I'.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Cone biopsy: a review of 112 cases.

A chart review of 112 patients who underwent cold knife conisation was performed. Records showed that 73.5% of the patients smoked cigarettes and 26.5% were using oral contraception. In 85.7% of cases pre-operative cytology/colposcopy findings were within one grade of the cone histology. The majority of lesions were CIN III (59.9%). Only 4.5% were normal. Human papilloma virus infection was detected histologically in 26.8% of patients. Pre-operative punch biopsy was undertaken in only five cases. Post-operative haemorrhage (9.0%) and genito-urinary infection (9.0%) were the main complications seen. The incidence of residual disease and post-cone hysterectomy was significantly higher if the margins of resection of the cone were unclear. Large-loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) has now replaced cold knife conisation in both study centres due to its lower morbidity and reduced demand on hospital resources.

Adult↗

Effects of alternative street school on youth involved in prostitution.

Prostitution-involved adolescents self assigned into one of three groups: school attenders (of alternative street school), unable to attend, and school refusers. Data were collected at intake and 50 days after intake for the following measures: Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Quality of School Life Scale, and self-reported weekly prostitution events. School attenders improved significantly on all measures, showing less depression, improved school sentiment, improved self-esteem, and reduced prostitution activity after less than 2 months of street school. Except for self-esteem, no significant changes on these dependent variables were observed for either of the other school groups.

Adolescent↗

A microcomputer-based system for auditory evoked potentials.

We have been using a microprocessor/microcomputer-based system which affords flexibility in the recording of neuroaudiologic and neurophysiologic data. To date, we have used it to record auditory sensory and neural events. Data such as spontaneous oto-acoustic emissions, evoked oto-acoustic emissions, compound action potentials, and auditory brain-stem responses can be recorded, displayed and analysed. The system hardware is configured from commercially available and 'off-the-shelf' components. The software which directs stimulus generation, data recording, data display and analysis is all written in compiled BASIC or C. A hard-disk organizational scheme has also been developed to permit ease in categorizing, storing, and using in-house or commercially available systems, utility and applications software.

Computer Systems↗