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Biomedical subjects

J Beadle

Publications and source records attributed to J Beadle.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Comparison of four different backpacks intended for school use.

Four backpacks were evaluated for their desireability for use as school bags. Three of the four backpacks were specifically designed for school use based on previous research and ergonomic principles while the fourth (standard) backpack was chosen from two backpacks that their manufacturer considered to be the most likely to be used as a school bag. Twelve school students evaluated each of the backpacks firstly by examining them, again after donning them and again after walking with them on a treadmill by completing a questionnaire asking about the appearance, function and comfort of each backpack. On initial examination, the standard backpack was the most favoured but as functionality became increasingly important during the treadmill walk, the backpack which was designed specifically for school use and had two major compartments, substantial back padding and side compression straps became the most favoured. This particular design of backpack was reported as having the greatest practicality, being the least physically demanding and allowing the greatest balance and ease of walking. The results of this study suggest that school student's preference of backpack may change from when they first examine a prospective backpack to when they have used it. The study also shows that school students' preferred attributes in a backpack may shift over this time from 'style and image' to 'function and fit'.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Electrophoretic karyotype analysis in fungi.

The resolution of chromosomal-sized DNAs by PFGE has many applications that include karyotyping, strain identification of similar species, characterization of transformed strains, building of linkage maps, and preparation of DNA for genomic analysis. Successful electrophoretic separation of chromosomes is an empiric process in which the initial concentration of intact chromosome-sized DNA and the optimization of electrophoretic parameters are the most important experimental variables. Nonetheless, inherent attributes of the genome architecture of certain species may thwart success. When a karyotype contains numerous chromosomes of the same size and/or many large (greater than 8 Mb) chromosomes, no amount of manipulation of the electrophoretic parameters will resolve individual chromosome bands using present technology. Further, fungi display a surprising amount of intraspecific variation in both chromosome number and size, making it difficult to establish a standard "reference" karyotype for many species. Although PFGE is not a panacea for bringing genetics to species that lack classical genetic systems, it often does provide a way for developing a molecular linkage map in the absence of a formal genetic system. It is far faster than parasexual analysis in the discovery of linkage relationships. For genomics projects, DNA can be recovered from pulsed field gels and used to prepare chromosome-specific libraries. Where whole genome sequencing strategies are used, chromosomes separated by PFGE provide an anchor for sequencing data. Electrophoretic karyotypes can be probed with anonymous pieces of DNA from bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) contigs, thereby facilitating the building of physical maps. In conclusion, despite its shortcomings, the PFGE technique underlies much of our current understanding of the physical nature of the fungal genome.

Chromosomes, Fungal↗
PubMed2000

The effect of vitamin C supplementation on coagulability and lipid levels in healthy male subjects.

Although dietary intake and plasma levels of vitamin C have been inversely associated with cardiovascular disease, the mechanism through which it may exert its effect has not been fully explained. Since thrombosis plays an important role in the onset of cardiovascular disease, we investigated the effect of vitamin C on measures of hemostasis that have been associated with cardiovascular risk. The effect of vitamin C on lipid levels was also evaluated. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study, we determined the effect of 2 g daily of vitamin C supplementation on platelet adhesion and aggregation, levels of tissue plasminogen activator antigen, plasminogen activator inhibitor, fibrinogen, plasma viscosity, von Willebrand factor, and lipid levels in 18 healthy male volunteers with low normal vitamin C levels. No striking effects of vitamin C on the hemostatic measures were observed, although tissue plasminogen activator antigen levels were inversely related to Vitamin C levels. Von Willebrand factor levels were slightly higher with vitamin C, although within the normal range. Total cholesterol levels were 10% lower when subjects were receiving vitamin C compared to placebo (167+/-7 mg/dL vs. 184+/-7 mg/dL), P=0. 007), although the total cholesterol/HDL ratio was not significantly different. Higher levels of tissue plasminogen activator antigen, which in the present study were associated with lower vitamin C levels, have been shown in prospective studies to convey an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Further studies of the effect of vitamin C on hemostatic measures are required in higher risk populations or those with known cardiovascular disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Unmet health care needs in the aged in two rural South African communities.

An evaluation of the unmet health care needs of all the aged people in two rural villages in the northern Transvaal was undertaken by assessing 7 indicators of health status to determine the prevalence of significant health problems and of receipt of health care for such problems. Oral health problems were found in 81% of the sample, visual problems in 62%, low peak expiratory flow in 48%, significant gastrointestinal symptoms in 38%, significant urinary symptoms in 32%, anaemia in 23%, and a lack of independence in 14%. There were 283 problems needing care, for which treatment had been received in the last year in only 30 instances (11%). The lack of care is attributed mainly to the inaccessibility of health services and the lack of health care resources in 'homeland' areas.

Black or African American↗