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Biomedical subjects

H Murdoch

Publications and source records attributed to H Murdoch.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Surface decontamination of surgical instruments: an ongoing dilemma.

The issues of cross-infection and the survival of variant Creutzfeldt Jakob disease (vCJD) on surgical instruments have highlighted the importance of cleanliness of multiple-use surgical instruments. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of total protein contamination on a wide range of surgical instruments as an indication of the effectiveness of routine cleaning and disinfection in hospitals. Anonymized trays of wrapped and autoclaved instruments were supplied to two laboratories for analysis at the stage where they would normally be returned to operating theatres. Instruments were assessed for residual protein and total organic matter. Laboratory A showed that 17% (35/206) of instruments were above a threshold that equated to 200 microg. The worst examples, a McIvor gag, a Draffin rod (child) and a Yankaur sucker, had 1.028, 1.286 and 2.228 mg of extractable protein, respectively. The median (25th, 75th percentiles) amount of protein from instruments from different hospitals assessed in Laboratory B ranged from 8 (3, 30)mug (Hospital C) to 91 (35, 213) mug (Hospital D) (P=0.044). The residual matter washed from instruments varied from 0.62 (0.32, 0.81) mg (Hospital E) to 3.5 (3.5, 4.0) mg (Hospital A) (P=0.0001). In one case, 45 mg of residual organic matter was washed from an instrument (split stem). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that a proportion of instruments at the point of use show levels of protein that could pose a direct cross-infection risk via prion agents and other organic contamination that may reduce the effectiveness of cleaning/disinfection strategies targeted against either prions or traditional infectious agents.

Decontamination↗
PubMed2004

Interactions between G-protein-coupled receptors and periplakin: a selective means to regulate G-protein activation.

A substantial number of G-protein-coupled receptor-interacting proteins have been identified initially by the use of yeast two-hybrid screens. Using the C-terminal tail of both opioid receptors and the melanin concentrating hormone receptor-1 as bait, the actin and intermediate filament-binding protein periplakin was isolated. In each case, the site of interaction is within helix VIII of the receptor and periplakin limits agonist-mediated G-protein activation potentially by competing with G-protein for this region of the receptor.

Allosteric Regulation↗
PubMed2001

Prevalence, age of onset and demographic relationships of different areca nut habits amongst children in Tower Hamlets, London.

OBJECTIVE: To examine prevalence and demographic relationships of different areca nut habits amongst children. DESIGN: Self-administered questionnaire. SUBJECTS: Children aged between 11 and 15. Of 800 questionnaires distributed, 704 were fully completed (88%). SETTING: Two secondary schools in the London district of Tower Hamlets. MEASURES: Demographic, areca nut habits used, age first used, still using, frequency of use. RESULTS: Users of any areca nut habit were exclusively from the South Asian population. Of this population, 77% had engaged in a habit, and dependent upon habit between 54 and 92% of these still remained current users. The highest prevalence of current use for boys and girls respectively was for areca nut alone (36%, 43%), followed by mistee pan (35%, 29%), betel-quid (27%, 26%) and pan masala (14%, 16%). Of the current users, 44% engaged in one habit only, 24% two, 20% three and 13% all four. The highest period of risk for starting to use areca nut alone, betel-quid and mistee pan was between ages 5 and 12, whilst for pan masala it was after 10. Boys had a significantly higher risk of beginning use before 10 (P < .001) and a higher frequency of use for pan masala (P< .01), areca nut alone (P< .05) and betel-quid (P = .06) than girls. The frequency of using each habit was between 3 and 5 episodes per week, however boys use pan masala approximately 10 times per week. CONCLUSION: South Asian children may already be experienced users of areca nut. Greater attention should be directed towards identifying signs of oral submucous fibrosis, oral cancer and other potentially malignant lesions within the South Asian population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Stereotyped behaviors in deaf and hard of hearing children.

Stereotyped behaviors frequently cause anxiety to parents and educators, and behaviors that appear stereotyped may prompt negative reactions. There has been little research on whether deaf or hard of hearing children display such behaviors. This study surveyed 390 students aged 3-24 years attending 3 residential schools for the deaf and hard of hearing in the United Kingdom. At least 1 additional disability was reported in 79% of the students. The main findings were that: deaf and hard of hearing children without additional disabilities did not show apparently stereotyped behaviors; approximately 35% of children with additional disabilities did show such behaviors; some disabilities, in addition to hearing loss, were more likely than others to be associated with stereotyped behaviors. Implications of these findings for further research are considered with a view toward making recommendations for educational practice.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Visual screening in a school for hearing-impaired children.

Hearing-impaired children use vision to compensate for impaired auditory information. This fact, and the relatively high incidence of visual defect among the deaf population, render regular visual screening essential. The Royal School for Deaf Children, Margate, caters for children with a wide range of needs; screening involving a single-assessment structure for all pupils is felt to be inappropriate. This paper describes the implementation of a 'tiered' screening system, and the factors affecting allotment of pupils to particular 'tiers'. The screening structure is illustrated by a case study, and generalization of the system to other educational settings is discussed.

Adolescent↗