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Biomedical subjects

I G Johnston

Publications and source records attributed to I G Johnston.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Survey of intensive care nurses' knowledge relating to the pulmonary artery catheter.

In 2003 there was an increase in the use of pulmonary artery catheters in Australia from 12,000 to 16,000 units in intensive care and peri-operative care. This survey of intensive care nurses in five intensive care units in Queensland addressed knowledge of use, safety and complications of the pulmonary artery catheter, using a previously validated 31 question multiple choice survey. One hundred and thirty-nine questionnaires were completed, a response rate of 46%. The mean score was 13.3, standard deviation +/-4.2 out of a total of 31 (42.8% correct). The range was 4 to 25. Scores were significantly higher in those participants with more ICU experience, higher nursing grade, a higher self-assessed level of knowledge and greater frequency of PAC supervision. There was no significant correlation between total score and hospital- or university-based education, or total score and public or private hospital participants. Fifty-one per cent were unable to correctly identify the significant pressure change as the catheter is advanced from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery.

Catheterization, Swan-Ganz↗

Which women want food during labour?: results of an audit in a Scottish DGH.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the proportion of women who would want to eat during labour and to identify any distinguishing characteristics of this group. DESIGN: Audit questionnaire, completed within 36 hours of delivery. SUBJECTS: One hundred and forty nine post-natal women, over a five-week period. RESULTS: A significant minority (30%) of women would wish to eat during labour. A quarter of these feel that eating would have significantly enhanced their satisfaction during the event. In addition, some of these women admitted to eating secretly during labour. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians involved in the care of pregnant women should be aware of the arguments for and against allowing food during labour, in order to help these women reach an informed decision.

Choice Behavior↗

Molecular cloning of a novel mRNA using an antibody directed against synaptic glycoproteins.

It has been suggested by a number of investigators that glycoproteins may play a role in the development and/or maintenance of synapses in the mammalian CNS. For many synaptic glycoproteins, however, little precise structural or functional information is available. In an effort to isolate probes specific to individual glycoproteins, we have screened a rat brain cDNA expression library with a mixed polyclonal antibody directed against concanavalin A-binding synaptic junctional glycoproteins. Using this approach, we have previously reported the cloning of SC1, a putative extracellular matrix glycoprotein found in adult brain (Johnston et al., Neuron 2:165-176, 1990). We now report the cloning and characterization of a second novel cDNA, which has been designated SC2. Northern blots show that this cDNA recognizes a 1.2-kb mRNA that is present throughout postnatal development in the rat. It is expressed at high levels in brain and is also found at lower levels in several other tissues. In situ hybridization suggests that the SC2 mRNA is strongly expressed by many types of neurons. Sequence data reveals a single open reading frame in the cDNA, encoding a putative hydrophobic protein with a calculated molecular weight of 36.1 kDa. Sequence analysis reveals some similarity between SC2 and 5 alpha-reductase, a microsomal membrane protein important in testosterone metabolism.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Determination of contamination of a chemical warfare-proof operating theatre with volatile anaesthetic agents and assessment of anaesthetic gas scavenging systems.

Three types of anaesthetic waste scavenging systems (active antipollution system, Papworth Block passive system and activated charcoal absorber system) were compared with a non-scavenging control to assess their effectiveness in reducing waste halothane concentrations in a chemical warfare-proof operating theatre. All three systems were found to reduce the level of pollution significantly.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

Molecular cloning of SC1: a putative brain extracellular matrix glycoprotein showing partial similarity to osteonectin/BM40/SPARC.

We describe the cloning of SC1, a novel cDNA that was selected from a rat brain expression library using a mixed polyclonal antibody directed against synaptic junction glycoproteins. SC1 detects a 3.2 kb mRNA expressed throughout postnatal development of the brain and present at high levels in the adult. In situ hybridization reveals that the SC1 mRNA is expressed widely in the brain and is present in many types of neurons. DNA sequence data suggest that the SC1 product is a secreted, calcium binding glycoprotein. Strikingly, the carboxy-terminal region of the SC1 protein shows substantial similarity to the extracellular matrix glycoprotein osteonectin/BM40/SPARC. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that SC1 is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein in the brain.

Activated-Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule↗

Flumazenil in ketamine and midazolam anaesthesia.

A double-blind, parallel group study using flumazenil and placebo was carried out to determine whether patients who received flumazenil would awake more quickly and whether this drug would reverse the protection conferred by midazolam on the psychic sequelae of ketamine. Fifty female patients were studied. The results showed that there was a significant reduction in awakening time (p = 0.02) and a very significant increase (p = 0.001) in the incidence of dreams in the flumazenil group.

Adolescent↗

Anaesthesia in the field. Spontaneous ventilation--a new technique.

In recent years the British Army has used the Triservice Anaesthetic Apparatus in the field. Trichloroethylene is no longer manufactured in the United Kingdom and halothane is not recommended for closely repeated anaesthetics. A method based on existing equipment is described for patients breathing spontaneously. A background infusion of ketamine, midazolam and alfentanil supplements the inhalation of isoflurane in oxygen-enriched air.

Adolescent↗