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Biomedical subjects

H Harrison

Publications and source records attributed to H Harrison.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Second-trimester biochemical screening.

The past years have seen considerable progress in the area of biochemical screening. Increasing data have now clearly shown the advantages of multiple markers, particularly beta-hCG over AFP alone. There continues to be considerable controversy over the best mathematic algorithm and which markers are best (e.g., beta-HCG, uE3, and so forth). There seems to be a plateau of detection frequencies at about 65% to 70% with current methodologies. Further work needs to be done, however, including some new approaches, if there is to be substantial improvement of screening sensitivity. The combination of biochemical with biophysical parameters as discussed elsewhere in this issue represents the next level of sophistication in the attempt to identify the highest proportion of abnormalities with the fewest false-positives.

Algorithms↗

Where is UK general dental practice going?

Dentistry is a fundamental part of healthcare; without it a large proportion of the population would suffer severe detriment to their general health. However, in order to achieve our professional aims we have to pursue the business of dentistry.

General Practice, Dental↗

Paenibacillus associated with milky disease in Central and South American scarabs.

Thirty-one isolates of bacteria causing milky disease in scarab larvae collected in Central and South America were identified as Paenibacillus popilliae or Paenibacillus lentimorbus by use of DNA similarity analysis. The isolates were more similar to each other than to the North American isolates that are the type strains of the species. All of the bacteria of both species produced parasporal bodies, a characteristic previously believed to be unique to P. popilliae. Screening of the bacteria using PCR with parasporal protein primers revealed differences among the parasporal protein genes of P. popilliae isolates and between the parasporal genes of P. popilliae and P. lentimorbus. In contrast to P. popilliae from North America, none of the isolates from Central and South America was resistant to vancomycin, an indication of an interesting geographic distribution of the resistance genes.

Animals↗

Use of an outcome by gestation table for extremely premature babies: a cross-sectional survey of the views of parents, neonatal nurses and perinatologists.

OBJECTIVES: To promote family-centered care and strengthen the process of informed consent it is essential that parents have access to information on the problems their baby may face. We have constructed an Outcome by Gestation Table (OGT) with information on survival, short-term complications plus treatments of the most recent cohort of babies born at different gestations from 23 to 28 weeks. This study documents the views on the table from parents of babies < 29 weeks gestation, neonatal nurses, and doctors. STUDY DESIGN: A copy of the OGT and a questionnaire seeking views regarding the OGT was sent to the parents' support group (Preemie-List), 71 randomly chosen perinatologists in Australia and to the 35 nurses working in our NICU. Differences between groups were analyzed using chi 2 analysis. RESULTS: Forty-eight parents participated in the study. Forty-three (60.5%) doctors and 24 (68.5%) neonatal nurses replied. The three groups agreed that the OGT is not misleading. The majority of doctors feel that the table: is easy to understand but has too much information; is useful but they are ambivalent about using it in their practice. The results were highly significant with parents being most positive and accepting of the OGT, next nurses and finally doctors. CONCLUSION: It is important to seek the views of both consumers and carers on any aid in communication in the NICU.

Attitude↗

ChildLine--the first twelve years.

This brief article aims to give a history and overview of ChildLine's work in the first 12 years of its existence and to provide references to more detailed information on a range of issues that children and young people themselves have identified as important. All callers' names and identifying details have been changed to preserve confidentiality.

Child↗

Management of acute surgical orbital haemorrhage: an otorhinolaryngological and ophthalmological perspective.

This retrospective report describes the management and outcome of seven patients who suffered an acute surgical orbital haemorrhage (ASOH), secondary to a surgical procedure performed on either the sinuses, orbits or eyelids. All patients but one recovered their pre-operative vision. A management plan is outlined on how to assess and tackle this complication, so that the ENT surgeon may be better prepared to meet such an acute surgical emergency, should it arise.

Adult↗

A randomized comparison of homoeopathic and standard care for the treatment of glue ear in children.

OBJECTIVE: To pilot a model for determining whether homoeopathic treatment of children suffering from glue ear is more effective than standard GP care at producing a return to normal hearing (a hearing loss of less than 20 dB) within 12 months. DESIGN: Non-blind, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: General practice in two locations in southern England. SUBJECTS: Thirty-three children aged 18 months to 8 years with otitis media with effusion, hearing loss > 20 dB and an abnormal tympanogram. OUTCOME MEASURES: Hearing loss, tympanogram, referrals to specialists and number of courses of antibiotics at 12 month follow-up. RESULTS: A higher proportion of children receiving homoeopathic care had a hearing loss less then 20 dB at follow-up (64 vs 56%), though this difference did not reach statistical significance (95% confidence interval for the difference between means of -25 and 42%). More homoeopathy patients than controls had a normal tympanogram (75 vs 31%, P = 0.015). Referrals to specialists and antibiotic consumption was lower in the homoeopathy group, though differences between groups did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Further research comparing homoeopathy to standard care is warranted. Assuming recovery rates of 50 and 30% in homoeopathy and standard care groups respectively, 270 patients would be needed for a definitive trial.

Acoustic Impedance Tests↗

Gestation versus outcome table for parents of extremely premature infants.

Parents of extremely premature babies may have problems understanding and remembering information on likely outcome. We have constructed a simplified evidence-based "gestation versus outcome" table that could be offered to the parents. Such a table may promote consistency in the information given to parents by different members of the perinatal team.

Evidence-Based Medicine↗

Chronic fatigue syndrome and/or fibromyalgia as a variation of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome: an explanatory model and approach to laboratory diagnosis.

Chronic Fatigue and/or Fibromyalgia have long been diseases without definition. An explanatory model of coagulation activation has been demonstrated through use of the ISAC panel of five tests, including, Fibrinogen, Prothrombin Fragment 1+2, Thrombin/ AntiThrombin Complexes, Soluble Fibrin Monomer, and Platelet Activation by flow cytometry. These tests show low level coagulation activation from immunoglobulins (Igs) as demonstrated by Anti-B2GPI antibodies, which allows classification of these diseases as a type of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. The ISAC panel allows testing for diagnosis as well as monitoring for anticoagulation protocols in these patients.

Antiphospholipid Syndrome↗