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Biomedical subjects

J A Farr

Publications and source records attributed to J A Farr.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Tuberculosis and HIV co-infections in Jamaican children.

BACKGROUND: There has been a worldwide increased prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) in recent years, with a similar trend observed in Jamaica and more recently in children admitted to the University Hospital of the West Indies, Jamaica. Data regarding paediatric TB, especially as it relates to all aspects of HIV co-infection, are needed from developing countries in diverse geographic settings to enhance prevention and treatment policies (National Institutes of Health, Office of AIDS Research, FY 2005 Budgetary Planning Meeting, March 11, 2003, Washington, DC). OBJECTIVE: To determine associated factors and outcomes of tuberculosis in HIV-infected and noninfected children in Jamaica. METHOD: We reviewed records of children aged 0 - 12 years attending the University Hospital of the West Indies during January 1999 to December 2002. Associated factors and outcomes in HIV-infected and HIV-negative cases with TB were compared using exact statistical methods to account for the small number of children and an adjustment for multiple testing. TB diagnosis was determined using modified World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. RESULTS: There was a significant increase of active TB cases from 1999 to 2002 with 24 children diagnosed over this period All 24 children (100%) had received the Bacillus-Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine. Eleven (46%) of these were HIV-infected, all via mother-to-child transmission. HIV-infected children were statistically more likely to be older than non-infected children (mean 4.2 vs 2.6 years), and also to have failure to thrive, digital clubbing, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, generalized adenopathy and negative Mantoux tests. Appropriate in-hospital anti-TB therapy was given. Hospital stay was longer (median 7.4 vs. 2.8 months) and death was more likely (7/11 vs 2/13) in HIV-infected vs non-infected children. Triple antiretroviral therapy was given in three of the 11 HIV-infected cases and this markedly improved outcome. Household family members with active TB were identified in twelve cases. CONCLUSIONS: HIV and TB co-infection is an increasing problem in Jamaican children. Severity of illness and death is greater in HIV-infected children, despite appropriate anti-TB therapy. Antiretroviral drugs must be made available to this population. Efforts must be enhanced to reduce mother-to-child-transmission of HIV/AIDS and to strengthen the public health management of TB (contact tracing and completion of TB therapy by directly observed therapy) to eliminate the spread

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1980

The effects of juvenile social interaction on growth rate, size and age at maturity, and adult social behavior in Girardinus metallicus Poey (Pisces: Poeciliidae).

The aim of the following experiments is to identify and to describe those factors most probably important in determining reproductive success in male Girardinus metallicus and to investigate how competition among juveniles affects these characters. The quantitative relationships among male size, male aggressiveness, and male sexual activity are examined. Small male are either more aggressive or less affected by aggression than large male, and they tend to exhibit higher sexual vigor. Male which are subordinate to other individuals as juveniles mature later at a larger size and tend to be less sexually active than male dominant as juveniles. Juvenile male are more aggressive than juvenile females. The results are discussed in terms of the ecology of the species, and interspecific comparisons are made.

Aggression↗
PubMed1978

2-acetylaminofluorene-induced unscheduled DNA synthesis in hepatocytes isolated from 3-methylcholanthrene treated rats.

The dose-dependent induction of unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) by 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) and N-OH-2-acetylaminofluorene (N-OH AAF) in primary rat hepatocytes isolated from untreated and 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) treated rats was investigated. 3-MC treatment was not necessary for the dose-dependent induction of UDS induced by N-OH AAF, suggesting the presence of enzyme levels adequate for its esterification to an active form in isolated primary hepatocytes. Although all doses of AAF increased the level of [3H]thymidine incorporation above that of the control, a dose-dependent response could not be demonstrated, suggesting inadequate constitutive levels of N-hydroxylating enzymes. Treatment of rats with 3-MC 24 h prior to hepatocyte isolation resulted in a dose-dependent induction of UDS by AAF. 3-MC treatment increased the amount of UDS per cell, as well as the percentage of cells induced to repair their DNA.

2-Acetylaminofluorene↗
PubMed1976

An experimental study of the efficacy of perceptual-motor training.

The efficacy of 40 h of perceptual-motor training among a group of culturally disadvantaged kindergarten children was investigated. The training procedures produced a significant improvement in perceptual-motor abilities such that each group was raised to a "non-dysfunctioning" level as evaluated by the Rosner-Richman Perceptual Motor Survey. In terms of the design of this study, the effects observed and the differences obtained cannot be attributed either to maturation or to attendance in school per se.

Child Development↗