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Biomedical subjects

E Walton

Publications and source records attributed to E Walton.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Shedding of Mycobacterium bovis in the nasal mucus of cattle infected experimentally with tuberculosis by the intranasal and intratracheal routes.

Four groups of six calves were infected experimentally with either a low dose of approximately 10(4) colony-forming units (cfu) or a high dose of approximately 10(6) cfu of Mycobacterium bovis. Each dose was delivered by the intranasal and intratracheal routes. More severe disease was observed in the groups inoculated with the high dose. Visible lesions were identified in 21 of the 24 animals, all of which also gave positive skin tests and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) responses. Nasal shedding was detected in 15 of the 24 animals and the frequency of shedding was influenced by both the route and the dose of infection; no shedding was observed in the group infected intratracheally with the low dose. Two of the 15 confirmed shedders had no visible lesions at postmortem examination; both of these calves gave IFN-gamma responses but only one was skin test positive.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1999

[Quality control of medical documentation of in-patients at the St. Stephen Municipal Hospital in Budapest].

Within the frame of hospital quality control programme, the authors have investigated since 1997 the medical documentation concerning in-patients of St. Stephen Hospital Budapest. An assessment form of 26 items related to main elements of medical documentation has been created for the study. Choosing of both order of departments' succession and cases to be investigated took place at random. Evaluation was performed at a scala of 0-3 points, by a five-membered work-group; all members first carried out the qualifications independently of each other, and then they formed the final opinion together at common sessions. Investigation of 204 "first round" cases proved the feasibility of the applied method. As it turned out from the results, the quality of documentation showed statistically significant differences between departments of the hospital and the average standard of documentation could not be declared as satisfying at the period of basic survey. Deficiencies of documentation especially in respect of case history, disease course, personal data and informed consent have been found. On the other hand, registration of status on admission and final report got a relatively high average score-number. The authors call attention to the importance of ordinary control of medical documentation.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1997

Case-control study of stroke and the quality of hypertension control in north west England.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the risk of stroke in relation to quality of hypertension control in routine general practice across an entire health district. DESIGN: Population based matched case-control study. SETTING: East Lancashire Health District with a participating population of 388,821 aged < or = 80. SUBJECTS: Cases were patients under 80 with their first stroke identified from a population based stroke register between 1 July 1994 and 30 June 1995. For each case two controls matched with the case for age and sex were selected from the same practice register. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure > or = 160 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure > or = 95 mm Hg, or both, on at least two occasions within any three month period or any history of treatment with antihypertensive drugs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of hypertension and quality of control of hypertension assessed by using the mean blood pressure recorded before stroke) and odds ratios of stroke (derived from conditional logistic regression). RESULTS: Records of 267 cases and 534 controls were examined; 61% and 42% of these subjects respectively were hypertensive. Compared with non-hypertensive subjects hypertensive patients receiving treatment whose average pre-event systolic blood pressure was controlled to < 140 mm Hg had an adjusted odds ratio for stroke of 1.3 (95% confidence interval 0.6 to 2.7). Those fairly well controlled (140-149 mm Hg), moderately controlled (150-159 mm Hg), or poorly controlled (> or = 160 mm Hg) or untreated had progressively raised odds ratios of 1.6, 2.2, 3.2, and 3.5 respectively. Results for diastolic pressure were similar; both were independent of initial pressures before treatment. Around 21% of strokes were thus attributable to inadequate control with treatment, or 46 first events yearly per 100,000 population aged 40-79. CONCLUSIONS: Risk of stroke was clearly related to quality of control of blood pressure with treatment. In routine practice consistent control of blood pressure to below 150/90 mm Hg seems to be required for optimal stroke prevention.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

A community based stroke register in a high risk area for stroke in north west England.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To develop a community based stroke register to assess the magnitude of the problem of stroke in an entire health district in a high risk area for stroke. DESIGN: Community based stroke register from general practice data. SETTING: East Lancashire Health Authority with a 1995 population of 534,287. PATIENTS: The stroke register was developed and maintained for one calendar year in East Lancashire between 1 July 1994 and 30 June 1995. Efforts were made to include all patients who had a stroke during this period from participating general practices, using several sources of referral. MAIN RESULTS: Of the district's 118 general practices, 93 (79%) participated fully, covering a population of 405,272. A total of 932 strokes, including 642 first ever cases, were cross checked and confirmed, with only 50% from any single source, mainly the practices. The total stroke incidence rate was 1.60 per 1000 per year, adjusted for the England and Wales 1991 census population. The rate increased considerably with age from 0.88/1000 for ages 50-54 to 20.56/1000 for ages 85-89 years. From 50-74 years, the age specific incidence was higher in men, but overall it was higher in women (1.87; 95% confidence interval 1.67, 2.04 per 1000) than in men (1.31; 1.15, 1.47 per 1000), and slightly lower than in Oxford a decade earlier. The rate also varied in different localities, with higher rates in the central towns of Hyndburn (2.05/ 1000), Blackburn (1.63/1000), and Burnley (1.80/1000) and lowest values in rural areas (1.18/1000 in Pendle). Case fatality from stroke at 28 days was 34% and the hospital admission rate was high at 70%. CONCLUSIONS: The multiple source registration method is required for a stroke register. Stroke incidence in this area was still high and there was considerable variation across the district. Case fatality rates were similar to those in previous studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Detection of Mycobacterium bovis infection in skin test-negative cattle with an assay for bovine interferon-gamma.

Mycobacterium bovis was isolated from respiratory secretions and lymph nodes from 15 skin test-negative cattle which exhibited interferon-gamma responses. These field cases, identified by blood testing, constituted a significant proportion of skin test-negative cattle which had been subjected to extensive post mortem examinations. Typical tuberculous lesions were found in seven of them. The consequences of cattle with early tuberculosis infection not being detected by traditional tuberculin testing are considered.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Cognitive-behavior therapy for late-life insomnia.

Twenty-four older adults with persistent psychophysiological insomnia were randomly assigned to an immediate or a delayed cognitive-behavioral intervention in a waiting-list control group design. Cognitive-behavior therapy consisted of an 8-week group intervention aimed at changing maladaptive sleep habits and altering dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleeplessness. Treatment was effective in reducing sleep latency, wake after sleep onset, and early morning awakening, and in increasing sleep efficiency. The magnitude of changes obtained on polysomnographic measures was smaller but in the same direction as that obtained on daily sleep diaries. Sleep improvements obtained by the immediate-treatment group were replicated with the delayed treatment condition. Therapeutic gains were well maintained at 3- and 12-month follow-ups. Clinical validation of outcome was obtained through collateral ratings from the patients and their significant others. The findings indicate that late-life insomnia can be effectively treated with nonpharmacological interventions.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Mineral status of beef cattle in Papua New Guinea.

Groups of 22 steers grazed eight diverse environments in Papua New Guinea for one year. Haemoglobin, packed cell volume, MCHC, plasma albumen, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper and saliva sodium and potassium were measured; half of each group received cobalt supplements. Growth rate was measured. Cobalt deficiency was tentatively diagnosed at two sites, sodium deficiency at five sites and phosphorus at three with two other sites marginal. Sodium supplementation at the three most affected sites corrected sodium status and increased growth rate. Additionally, at two of these sites plasma phosphorus concentration increased to more normal levels presumably due to increased appetite. Statistically significant differences between sites occurred in the concentrations of other minerals but were not related to growth rates. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to assessment of mineral status in beef cattle.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Azasteroids: structure-activity relationships for inhibition of 5 alpha-reductase and of androgen receptor binding.

A series of steroids, primarily 4-azasteroids, were prepared and tested in vitro as inhibitors of human and rat prostatic 5 alpha-reductase and of binding of dihydrotestosterone to the rat androgen receptor. The primary structural modifications were changes of the A ring and of moieties attached at the C-17 position of the steroid nucleus. New A-ring modifications included the 4-cyano-3-oxo-delta 4 system in the carbocyclic series and 1 alpha-CN, 1 alpha-CH3, 1 alpha,2 alpha-CH2, 2 beta-F, 2-aza, 2-oxa, and A-homo changes in the 3-oxo-4-aza series. In addition, 4-azasteroids with a D-homo ring or methyl substitution at C-7 (alpha and beta) or C-16 (alpha and beta) were prepared. The majority of the C-17 substituents were prepared from reactive intermediates derived from the 17 beta-COOH. Enhanced 5 alpha-reductase inhibition in both the human and rat enzyme assays is seen with 4-CN substitution on 3-oxo-delta 4 steroids and with a C-17 side chain incorporating a lipophilically substituted semipolar group on the 4-aza-3-oxo-5 alpha-androstane nucleus. Fewer highly active compounds were found in the human enzyme assay than in the rat assay. Structural requirements for inhibition of the rat androgen receptor are much different from those for inhibition of the enzyme. The 17 beta-OH moiety enhances potency more than any other feature while introduction of double bonds at C-1 or C-5 in the azasteroid gives a small improvement. Azasteroids unsubstituted at the 4-position show greatly diminished receptor activity.

5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors↗
PubMed1982

Quaternary heterocyclylamino beta-lactams: a generic alternative to the classical acylamino side chain.

6 beta-[(1-Substituted-4-pyridinio)amino]penam-3-carboxylates and 7 beta-[(1-substituted-4-pyridinio)amino]ceph-3-em-4-carboxylates have been found to be interesting new classes of antibacterial beta-lactams, readily available by SN2 Ar coupling of fluoro-substituted quaternized pyridines and appropriate amino lactam carboxylic acids. Compared to penicillin G, the penam 12c exhibited a spectrum extended to Gram-negative species, such as Escherichia, Shigella, Klebsiella and Enterobacter, offset by a loss of potency against Gram-positive species. Excluding Pseudomonas, many examples of the cephems showed excellent activity against the above Gram-negative organisms, and in some cases, such as 15i, the spectrum included good performance against the staphylococci and streptococci. With Serratia and many Proteus species, there was an adverse inoculum and medium effect which was not observed in the good Gram-positive reach of the cephem series.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1978

The preparation, properties and action on Staphylococcus aureus of purified fractions from the cationic proteins of rabbit polymorphonuclear leucocytes.

A micropreparative electrophoresis system for purifying the major staphylocidal fractions of cationic proteins from rabbit polymorphonuclear leucocytes is described. The most staphylocidal fraction prepared is also the most cationic and contains two bands migrating immediately behind protamine sulphate on analytical acid gel electrophoresis. SDS gel electrophoresis indicates that these proteins have low molecular weights between 3,500 and 14,400. The staphylocidal activity of the fraction is affected in the same manner as a crude extract of rabbit PMN granules by iron compounds, respiratory inhibitors, and compounds affecting energy transfer and oxidative phosphorylation. It is stable to heating up to 80 degrees and amino acid analysis shows that it contains 24% arginine. Electron microscopy of staphylococcal spheroplasts treated with the purified fraction or with the crude extract shows that they both have a very marked "blebbing" and distorting action on the double membrane. Comparisons are made between the action of the purified fraction and protamine, and it is concluded that they have very similar, although not identical, properties and actions on staphylococci.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1976

Factors affecting the susceptibility of staphylococci to killing by the cationic proteins from rabbit polymorphonuclear leucocytes: the effects of alteration of cellular energetics and of various iron compounds.

Anaerobiosis, various respiratory inhibitors and certain agents altering cellular energetics profoundly affect the staphylocidal action of the cationic proteins from rabbit polymorphonuclear leucocytes. It is suggested that sensitivity to these proteins depends on the structure of the cell membrane as influenced by (1) the oxidation level of the cytochrome chain and (2) its energized state. Agents such as amytal and rotenone, which cause a block at the beginning of the chain and would increase its oxidation level, enhance killing, whereas those causing a block in or at the end of the chain, such a 2-n-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide, cyanide and anaerobiosis, which would cause reduction of a part or whole of the chain, prevent killing. Among agents altering the energized state of the membrane, dicyclohexyl-carbodi-imide, an ATPase inhibitor, does not prevent killing, whereas 2,4-dinitrophenol, carbonylcyanide-trifluoromethoxy-phenylhydrazone and 5-Cl, 3-t-butyl, 2'-Cl, 4'-NO2-salicylanilide, all uncouplers and ionophores for a specific ion, do prevent killing, although gramicidin, a relatively nonspecific ionophore, does not. The paper also contains an extension of previous work on the effect of iron and haematin, to include various other iron compounds and haematin derivatives.

Amobarbital↗
PubMed1975

A study of the action of the cationic proteins from rabbit polymorphonuclear leucocytes on the staphylococcal cell membrane.

The inhibitory effect of cationic proteins from rabbit polymorphonuclear leucocytes on the oxidation of NADH by staphylococcal membrane preparations is described. Both cyanide and haematin are shown to interfere with the inhibitory process, by different mechanisms. Other authors have shown that glucose repressed staphylococci are diverted to a fermentative mode of metabolism. These findings were confirmed by demonstrating that membrane preparations from staphylococci grown in the presence of glucose have diminished cytochrome and succinic dehydrogenase levels. From a comparison of the effect of the cationic proteins on NADH oxidation in membrane preparations from organisms grown normally and under conditions of glucose repression, and from knowledge of the different susceptibility to the cationic proteins of the two types of organisms, it is suggested that the cationic proteins exert their bactericidal action on staphylococci following an energy dependent binding to the membrane.

Blood Proteins↗