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Biomedical subjects

J Bingham

Publications and source records attributed to J Bingham.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Telemedicine and cardiopulmonary resuscitation: the value of video-link and telephone instruction to a mock bystander.

We evaluated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed by persons with no previous experience on a resuscitation dummy. Subjects were randomized into four groups, one of which had no instruction. The other three groups were instructed for 3 min in mock CPR by a supervisor using a telephone, a video-link, or directly in person. They were compared with a group which had had previous CPR training. The main outcome measures were the number of correct ventilations, chest compressions and compressions with correct hand position. Video-link instruction was associated with significantly higher median scores for all three outcome measurements (P < 0.05), whereas telephone instruction and previous CPR training were associated with higher scores on only one, namely ventilations (P < 0.05). Video-link instruction was comparable with direct observer instruction. There was no significant difference between previously trained subjects and the intervention groups. Video-link instruction can produce significant improvements in the quality of CPR in mock resuscitations for persons with no resuscitation training.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The epidemiology of rabies in Zimbabwe. 1. Rabies in dogs (Canis familiaris).

The epidemiology of rabies in dogs in Zimbabwe is described using data from 1950, when rabies was re-introduced after a 37-year absence, to 1996. Dogs constituted 45.7% of all laboratory-confirmed rabies cases and were the species most frequently diagnosed with the disease. Slightly more cases were diagnosed from June to November than in other months. From 1950 to the early 1980s, most dog cases were recorded from commercial farming areas, but since the early 1980s most have been recorded from communal (subsistence farming) areas. This change appears to be due to improved surveillance in communal areas and not to any change in the prevalence of rabies. Dog rabies therefore appears to be maintained mainly in communal area dog populations, particularly the large communal area blocks. Urban rabies was not important except in the city of Mutare. Where dog rabies prevalence was high, the disease was cyclic with periods between peak prevalence ranging from 4-7 years. Dog rabies cases were, on the whole, independent of jackal rabies and rabies in other carnivores. There was a significant negative relationship between the annual number of rabies vaccine doses administered nationally to dogs and the annual number of dog rabies cases lagged by one year, indicating that the past levels of immunisation coverage have had a significant effect on the number of rabies cases. However, dog vaccination coverage has clearly not been adequate to prevent the regular occurrence of rabies in dogs.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

The epidemiology of rabies in Zimbabwe. 2. Rabies in jackals (Canis adustus and Canis mesomelas).

The epidemiology of rabies in Canis adustus (the side-striped jackal) and Canis mesomelas (the black-backed jackal) in Zimbabwe is described using data collected from 1950-1996. Cases in the two species made up 25.2% of all confirmed cases, second only to domestic dogs. Since the species of jackal cases was not recorded on rabies submission forms, the country was divided into areas according to species dominance and jackal cases were assigned to either C. adustus or C. mesomelas dominant zones or a sympatric zone where the relative status of the species is not known. Jackal rabies in both species is maintained in the commercial farming sector. Jackal rabies in the C. adustus zone occurs as dense epidemics, which begin at a single focus and spread centrifugally. The foci were initiated by rabid dogs, but once initiated the epidemic is maintained by C. adustus independently of other species. The extent of outbreaks in the C. adustus zone was limited by geographical (landuse type and jackal species interface) boundaries. Jackal rabies in C. adustus zones showed two seasonal peaks with the main peak occurring during late summer and the second peak during winter. In the C. mesomelas zone jackal rabies was more sparse but it occurred during most years. C. mesomelas is also able to maintain rabies independently of other species, although the epidemiology of the disease in this species is unclear. Transmission of rabies cycles between the two jackal species zones does not appear to occur as epidemics terminate when crossing the C. adustus and C. mesomelas interface boundaries.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1999

Presence of antibodies to canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus and canine adenovirus type 1 in free-ranging jackals (Canis adustus and Canis mesomelas) in Zimbabwe.

A survey of free-ranging jackals (Canis adustus and Canis mesomelas) in Zimbabwe was conducted to determine the prevalence of serum antibodies to canine distemper virus (CDV), canine parvovirus (CPV) and canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1). Sera from 16 Canis adustus and 22 Canis mesomelas were collected from 1990 to 1993 from various regions of Zimbabwe and assayed by means of immunofluorescent techniques. Seroprevalence in C. adustus and C. mesomelas respectively were 50% and 63.6% for CDV, 12.5% and 18.2% for CPV and 37.5 and 9.1 for CAV-1. These results demonstrate that jackals are infected with these viruses and may act as reservoirs of them, although their susceptibility to the viruses is not known.

Adenoviruses, Canine↗
PubMed1998

The Genome Sequence DataBase (GSDB): improving data quality and data access.

In 1997 the primary focus of the Genome Sequence DataBase (GSDB; www. ncgr.org/gsdb ) located at the National Center for Genome Resources was to improve data quality and accessibility. Efforts to increase the quality of data within the database included two major projects; one to identify and remove all vector contamination from sequences in the database and one to create premier sequence sets (including both alignments and discontiguous sequences). Data accessibility was improved during the course of the last year in several ways. First, a graphical database sequence viewer was made available to researchers. Second, an update process was implemented for the web-based query tool, Maestro. Third, a web-based tool, Excerpt, was developed to retrieve selected regions of any sequence in the database. And lastly, a GSDB flatfile that contains annotation unique to GSDB (e.g., sequence analysis and alignment data) was developed. Additionally, the GSDB web site provides a tool for the detection of matrix attachment regions (MARs), which can be used to identify regions of high coding potential. The ultimate goal of this work is to make GSDB a more useful resource for genomic comparison studies and gene level studies by improving data quality and by providing data access capabilities that are consistent with the needs of both types of studies.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Mokola virus infection: description of recent South African cases and a review of the virus epidemiology.

Five cases of Mokola virus, a lyssavirus related to rabies, are described. The cases occurred in cats from the East London, Pinetown and Pietermaritzburg areas of South Africa from February 1996 to February 1998. Each of the cats was suspected of being rabid and their brains were submitted for laboratory confirmation. Four of the cases were positive, but with atypical fluorescence, and 1 was negative. Mokola virus infection was identified by anti-lyssavirus nucleocapsid monoclonal antibody typing. As in rabies cases, the predominant clinical signs were of unusual behaviour. Aggression was present, but only during handling. Four of the 5 cats had been vaccinated for rabies, which is consistent with other studies that show that rabies vaccination does not appear to protect against Mokola virus. Since Mokola may be confused with rabies, the incidence of Mokola virus may be more common in Africa than is currently reported. As human infections may be fatal, the emergence of this virus is a potential threat to public health.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

A nucleotide-specific polymerase chain reaction assay to differentiate rabies virus biotypes in South Africa.

Antigenic and nucleotide sequence analyses have shown that two distinct biotypes of rabies virus are circulating in South Africa. One of these typically infects members of the family Canidae, while the other comprises a heterogeneous group of apparently indigenous viruses, infecting members of the Viverridae family. In recent times, it has become evident that a considerable amount of cross-infection may occur and the manifestation of viverrid rabies in non-viverrid animals in particular appears to have become more commonplace. Consequently, the need to rapidly distinguish between rabies virus biotypes has become increasingly important in efforts to monitor the epidemiology of rabies in the southern African region. In this study, a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed to distinguish between these two groups of rabies viruses. Consensus oligonucleotides were used to amplify the cytoplasmic domain of the rabies virus glycoprotein and the adjacent intergenic region. The resultant amplicon was subsequently used as template in second round heminested PCR in the presence of type-specific primers, thereby successfully generating amplicons of characteristic size for each biotype.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Cancer pain management. Improving knowledge and patient care.

OBJECTIVE: A pain management project was designed to assess the effectiveness of a multifaceted intervention for improving GPs' knowledge of cancer pain management. Two hypotheses were tested: that the intervention would influence GPs' knowledge in the area of cancer pain management; that information would be gathered to assist in the production of educational material. METHOD: The project involved assessment of GP knowledge, feedback and discussion at project officer visits, mailings and participation in developing guidelines. RESULTS: All participants who completed the second round of visits were glad they had participated in the program. A discussion of the information topics covered is included. CONCLUSION: Increasing GPs' knowledge of the management of symptoms is only one of many factors that influence their prescribing patterns. In cancer pain management lack of knowledge is a significant contributor to unnecessary patient suffering. We have been able to demonstrate the success of a multifaceted intervention in improving the knowledge of cancer pain management by GPs. Although not measured directly, it is hoped that this will lead to improved quality of life for patients cared for by these practitioners.

Australia↗
PubMed1998

Evaluation of a cancer pain education program for general practitioners.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a cancer pain education program. METHOD: Participants in the program completed an evaluation form covering various aspects of the program's design. RESULTS: All participants who completed the program were glad that they had done so. The most and least useful aspects are included in the article. Participants were satisfied with the program and eager to participate in similar ones. CONCLUSION: The education program was both successful at improving participants' knowledge of cancer pain management and provided in a manner acceptable to the participants. Ideas for future similar projects are included.

Australia↗
PubMed1997

Innocuity studies of SAG-2 oral rabies vaccine in various Zimbabwean wild non-target species.

The SAG-2 modified live rabies vaccine was tested for innocuity when administered by the oral route in several potential wild non-target bait-consuming species, as follows: ten chacma baboons (Papio ursinus), six African civets (Civettictis civetta), six slender mongooses (Galerella sanguinea), six honey badgers (Mellivora capensis), six large-spotted genets (Genetta tigrina), 39 multi-mammate mice (Mastomys natalensis), 26 bushveld gerbils (Tatera leucogaster) and six pied crows (Corvus albus). At least 9.0 log10 median tissue culture infectious doses (TCID50), given in a volume of 1 ml, was administered orally to each of the animals, except the rodents which received 8.0 log10 TCID50, given in 0.1 ml. All the animals were observed for not < 90 days for signs of vaccine-induced rabies. Most of the species were also tested for vaccine virus replication in the oral cavity and persistent virus infection in the brain, salivary gland and tonsil. None of the animals died of rabies and no persistent infection was found. Rabies virus which was pathologically and serotypically indistinguishable from the vaccinal strain was isolated from the saliva of one genet 1 day after vaccine administration. From this study it was concluded that SAG-2 rabies vaccine would be safe for use in most situations where oral vaccination campaigns for jackals are required in Zimbabwe.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1996

Peroxynitrite augments fMLP-stimulated chemiluminescence by neutrophils in human whole blood.

The neutrophil respiratory burst was examined by the technique of luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (LDCL) triggered by submaximal concentrations of N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) in diluted whole blood. We sought to identify the chemical species responsible for LDCL in whole blood, to examine the role of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and other arachidonic acid metabolites as mediators of the fMLP signaling pathway, and to investigate the effect of peroxynitrite on this response. Both sodium azide and taurine significantly inhibited LDCL (93% inhibition with 100 microM azide, 52% inhibition with 10 mM taurine). More modest inhibition was seen with superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), and with inhibitors of the cyclooxygenase (indomethacin), lipoxygenase (AA-861; no effect), and cytochrome P-450 (SKF 525-A) pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism. The nitric oxide donor SIN-1 (1-100 microM) and peroxynitrite (10-300 microM) also augmented fMLP-induced LDCL. The augmentation seen with peroxynitrite and SIN-1 was attenuated by SOD. Despite the increase in LDCL, peroxynitrite caused a dose-related inhibition of fMLP-stimulated LTB4 release. In summary, our results indicate that (1) LDCL elicited by fMLP in diluted whole blood appears primarily mediated by hypochlorous acid derived from myeloperoxidase; (2) pretreatment with the nitric oxide donor SIN-1 or with peroxynitrite augments LDCL; and (3) LTB4 release does not contribute to fMLP-stimulated LDCL or in the modulation of LDCL by SIN-1 or peroxynitrite.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed1996

A comparison of MRI and bone SPET in the diagnosis of knee pathology.

Bone single photon emission tomography (SPET) of the knees has been shown to be of diagnostic value for the investigation of knee pain. This study compared bone SPET with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis of knee disorders. Thirty-six patients were studied with modalities, performed an average of 4 months apart (range 0-10 months). There was agreement on the presence or absence and nature of pathology in 24 (67%) patients. In a further three patients, there was an abnormal SPET with equivocal change for the same pathology on MRI. Equivocal change on both modalities for the same pathology were found in one patient. Three patients had abnormalities on MRI with normal SPET, with the remaining patients having equivocal or non-specific changes on one modality only. In the majority of patients, there was agreement on the presence or absence of pathology and the nature of pathology with both modalities. Significant pathology detected on MRI was also identified by bone SPET. This initial study suggests that further work should be undertaken to evaluate the role of bone SPET as a screening test for the evaluation of knee disorders and its role in relation to MRI is justified.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Mechanism of the negative inotropic effect of thiopental in isolated ferret ventricular myocardium.

BACKGROUND: Thiopental's myocardial depressant effects are well known and most likely involve some alteration in intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of thiopental's negative inotropic effects and its underlying mechanism in isolated ferret ventricular myocardium (which shows physiologic characteristics similar to human ventricular myocardium), and in frog ventricular myocardium, in which Ca2+ ions for myofibrillar activation are derived almost entirely from transsarcolemmal influx. METHODS: The authors analyzed the effects of thiopental after beta-adrenoceptor blockade on variables of contractility and relaxation, and on the free intracellular Ca2+ transient detected with the Ca(2+)-regulated photoprotein aequorin. Thiopental's effects also were evaluated in ferret right ventricular papillary muscles in which the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function was impaired by ryanodine and in frog ventricular strips with little or no SR function. RESULTS: At concentration > or = 10(-4) M, which is in the high range of the clinically encountered free plasma thiopental concentrations, thiopental decreased contractility and the amplitude of the intracellular Ca2+ transient. At equal peak force, peak aequorin luminescence in 10(-4) M thiopental and [Ca2+]0 > 2.25 mM was slightly smaller than that in control conditions at [Ca2+]o = 2.25 mM. This indicates that thiopental causes a small increase in myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity. After inactivation of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release with 10(-6) M ryanodine, a condition in which myofibrillar activation depends almost exclusively on transsarcolemmal Ca2+ influx, thiopental caused a further decrease in contractility and in the amplitude of the intracellular Ca2+ transient, and thiopental's relative negative inotropic effect was not different from that in control muscles not exposed to ryanodine. Thiopental, > or = 10(-4) M, decreased contractility in frog ventricular myocardium. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that the direct negative inotropic effect of thiopental results from a decrease in intracellular Ca2+ availability. At least part of thiopental's action is caused by inhibition of transsarcolemmal Ca2+ influx. These effects become apparent at concentrations routinely present during intravenous induction with thiopental.

Aequorin↗
PubMed1995

Efficacy of SAD (Berne) rabies vaccine given by the oral route in two species of jackal (Canis mesomelas and Canis adustus).

Eight black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) and seven side-striped jackals (Canis adustus) were given SAD (Berne) rabies vaccine by direct oral instillation. Three different vaccine doses were used: 10(6.3), 10(6.8) and 10(7.5) median tissue culture infectious doses. Two additional jackals were given vaccine in chicken heads. One group of jackals was challenged with a lethal dose of jackal-derived rabies virus 1 mo after vaccination and a second group 12 mo after vaccination. All 17 vaccinated jackals developed high and persistent serum neutralizing antibody titers. All challenged jackals resisted a lethal dose of rabies virus, whereas three control jackals given the same challenge succumbed to rabies.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1995

Ante-mortem diagnosis of human rabies by the skin biopsy technique: three case reports from Zimbabwe.

Three cases of human rabies were diagnosed antemortem by the skin biopsy technique. The skin biopsies were taken from the nape of the neck and processed by cryosectioning and staining using the direct fluorescent antibody test (FAT). Rabies antigen was demonstrated in the network of nerve fibres surrounding the hair follicles. As the skin biopsy technique is relatively simple and cheap to perform it could be a practical technique for use in African countries, where it is not routinely used in the diagnosis of rabies in humans.

Adult↗