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Biomedical subjects

J Donald

Publications and source records attributed to J Donald.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Erysipelas in the critically endangered kakapo (Strigops habroptilus).

This paper describes the effect of a disease outbreak on the success of a translocation for conservation management in a critically endangered species. Three juvenile kakapo from a group of 19 translocated birds died within 72 h of transport between New Zealand offshore islands. Clinical findings, gross necropsy changes, cytology, histopathology and bacterial culture confirmed systemic disease caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. On the island from which the kakapo were sourced, positive cultures of E. rhusiopathiae were obtained from the medulla of the ulna from 10 out of 15 seabird carcasses examined, suggesting that this could be the source of infection for the kakapo. Immediately after the diagnosis, all of the translocated birds were re-captured and treated with antibiotics. A vaccination programme has commenced using a commercial killed bacterin developed for turkeys. The disease outbreak has had costly implications for the population and conservation management of the species. This is the first report of erysipelas in wild parrots, and the first report of the management of erysipelas in a critically endangered wild population of birds.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of feasibility and accuracy of sentinel node biopsy in early breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Current literature has suggested that sentinel node biopsy may eventually replace axillary dissection as the nodal staging procedure of choice in early breast cancer. The goals of our study were to determine the accuracy of the sentinel node in predicting axillary nodal status and to evaluate the feasibility of incorporating sentinel node biopsy into a general surgical practice. METHODS: Between June 1999 and August 2000, 158 clinically node negative women with a histological diagnosis of T1 or T2 breast cancer were enrolled in the study. Both technetium sulfur colloid radiotracer and isosulfan blue dye were used to guide sentinel node biopsy. Sentinel node biopsy was always followed by a complete axillary dissection. The histopathology of sentinel nodes using serial sectioning and cytokeratin immunohistochemistry was compared with that of the nonsentinel nodes evaluated with routine hematoxylin and eosin stain. RESULTS: The overall sentinel node detection rate was 84% (89 of 106 patients). Sentinel node biopsy was most successful when a combination of radiotracer and dye was used. The staging accuracy of sentinel node biopsy was 98% (87 of 89); the sensitivity of the method was 94% (34 of 36); the false negative rate was 6% (2 of 36); the negative predictive value was 96% (53 of 55); and the rate of metastases to the sentinel node only was 56% (20 of 36). The results varied considerably among surgeons. CONCLUSIONS: The findings in our study support the hypothesis that the sentinel node is an accurate predictor of axillary nodal status in women with early breast cancer. These results suggest that the excellent findings in the literature can be reproduced by a group of general surgeons in a community-based hospital.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Localization to Xq27 of a susceptibility gene for testicular germ-cell tumours.

Testicular germ-cell tumours (TGCT) affect 1 in 500 men and are the most common cancer in males aged 15-40 in Western European populations. The incidence of TGCT has risen dramatically over the last century. Known risk factors for TGCT include a history of undescended testis (UDT), testicular dysgenesis, infertility, previously diagnosed TGCT (ref. 7) and a family history of the disease. Brothers of men with TGCT have an 8-10-fold risk of developing TGCT (refs 8,9), whereas the relative risk to fathers and sons is fourfold (ref. 9). This familial relative risk is much higher than that for most other types of cancer. We have collected samples from 134 families with two or more cases of TGCT, 87 of which are affected sibpairs. A genome-wide linkage search yielded a heterogeneity lod (hlod) score of 2.01 on chromosome Xq27 using all families compatible with X inheritance. We obtained a hlod score of 4.7 from families with at least one bilateral case, corresponding to a genome-wide significance level of P=0.034. The proportion of families with UDT linked to this locus was 73% compared with 26% of families without UDT (P=0.03). Our results provide evidence for a TGCT susceptibility gene on chromosome Xq27 that may also predispose to UDT.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

What makes your day? A study of the quality of worklife of OR nurses.

From data obtained in this study, the weak or negligible influences on the quality of worklife of OR nurses are: Organizational Structure Leadership, and Organizational Learning. Things that matter to OR nurses and that influence their quality of worklife are: Collaborative Decision-Making, Multiskilled Workers, Change, Organizational Culture, Locus of Control; and the most important influence of all- Teamwork. So, now when the question is asked "What Makes Your Day?" The answer is clear--at the end of the day, it all boils down to the most fundamental of all answers--People! People are involved in collaborative decision-making, multiskilled workers, change, organizational culture, locus of control, and teamwork. These People include the OR nurse, who is involved in collaborative decision-making and all the other items that affect your daily work environment. The people you collaborate with, the people you interact with in the organization, and the people that make up the team--you and everyone around you are responsible for that magic ingredient--Teamwork. What you say, what you do, and how you behave makes all the difference in the daily worklife of your colleagues. Each and every comment and interaction contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the team. Each and every day from this day forward, remember this--remember how important your role is in building a strong and effective team. At the recent AORN Congress, Joan Rivers shared a favourite saying with us: "The past is history, The future a mystery, Today is a gift from God, that is why it is called the present." Today is all that we really have--let us make the best of each and every day as we continue to respect and value each member of the team. Teamwork--our building block of the future--yours, mine, and every other member of the surgical team. Each member can make an enormous contribution--we only need to believe that the "best is yet to be--the best resides in me". Yes, we can do our part in making our workplace a good one. But we can only do so much. It's time for governments, administrators, and managers to examine the work environment, to identify the kinds of things that motivate nurses to get up in the morning and go to work, and what makes that workplace pleasant enough that they are happy to stay there. We are hearing about nursing shortages across Canada and the United States. Recruitment and retention strategies are returning to hospitals. Besides "sign-on" bonuses, it is time for governments and administrators to examine the culture of the workplace. Questions that must be answered: Are nurses included in decisions made? Do nurses have what they need to work with? Are they given a reasonable workload? Are nurses part of a team that values them and their unique contribution to patient care? In the words of Senator Lucie Pépin (1999): "We must turn our anger first, into passion, then into action. A hostile or unpleasant workplace must not be tolerated!" With confidence we must be assertive as we look to improve our work environment. Yes, we can do our part, but now it is time for the other stakeholders to pay attention!

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1996

HLA-DR2 haplotypic diversity in populations of South-East Asia, northern China, Melanesia and Australian aborigines using PCR-RFLP for DRB1, DRB5, DQA1 and DQB1. A novel DRB1 allele: DRB1*16022.

The polymorphism of the human leucocyte antigen HLA-DR2 and the heterogeneity of HLA-DR2 class II-related haplotypes (HLA-DRB1-DRB5-DQA1-DQB1) were investigated in four populations of east and south-east Asia (SEA) and five Melanesian populations using TaqI restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification-based techniques PCR-RFLP and sequence-specific oligonucleotide (SSO) typing. The haplotype DRB1*1502-DRB5*0101-DQA1*0102-DQB1*0601 was common in Malaysians, Javanese, Thursday Islanders, Madang, Goroka and the Australian Aborigines, while DRB1*16021-DRB5*0101-DQA1*0102-DQB1*0502 was common in the Thai and Thursday Islanders. DRB1*1501-DRB5*0101-DQA1*0102-DQB1*0602 was present at a high frequency in Northern Chinese, Goroka, Watut and Australian Aborigines. The study describes four rare or unusual haplotypes: HLA-DRB1*1501-DRB5*0101-DQA1*0101-DQB1*0601, DRB1*1502-DRB5*0101-DQA1*0101-DQB1*0502, DRB1*1502-DRB5*0102-DQA1* 0102-DQB1*0502 and DRB1*1501-DRB5*0101-DQA1*0101/2-DQB1*0503; the latter two were confirmed by segregation in two Javanese families. A new DR2 allele, initially detected by PCR-RFLP and confirmed by DNA sequencing as DRB1*16022 (previously designated DRB1*16Madang), was seen in a Madang individual. A new HLA-DR2 TaqI RFLP subtype, locally designated as DR15U, is also described. This RFLP subtype segregated in a Javanese family and correlated with a typically SEA haplotype, DRB1*1502-DRB5*0102-DQA1*0101-DQB1*0501. The allele HLA-DR16Thai, determined by TaqI DRB RFLP, was found by PCR-RFLP and SSO typing to correlate with a unique SEA haplotype, HLA-DRB1*16021-DRB5*0101-DQA1*0102-DQB1*0502, and was observed in the Thai, Malaysian, Thursday Islander, Javanese and Northern Chinese populations.

Alleles↗
PubMed1995

Sailing with the winds of change.

The theme for the 1994 Operating Room Nurse Week in the United States was, "We cannot change the wind, but we can adjust the sails." For the sailor, the wind is a powerful force. It must be constantly monitored and the sails adjusted to keep the vessel on course. Occasionally, if conditions are severe, the course may have to be altered.

Female↗
PubMed1994

Exclusion of close linkage of bipolar disorder to the Gs-alpha subunit gene in nine Australian pedigrees.

Growing evidence suggests that guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G proteins) may be involved in both the pathogenesis and treatment of bipolar affective disorder. Both overactive G proteins and increased levels of the alpha subunit of the stimulatory form (Gs-alpha) have been demonstrated in peripheral leucocytes of manic patients while an increase of Gs-alpha subunit levels has also been found in a postmortem study of bipolar disorder. The function of Gs and Gi alpha subunits has now been shown to be affected by lithium. The present study aimed to determine whether bipolar affective disorder was linked to the Gs-alpha subunit gene which has been mapped to chromosomal region 20q13.2. Linkage analysis utilized the PCR amplification of a portion of the Gs-alpha gene that contains a dinucleotide repeat (CA repeat) polymorphism. Linkage of bipolar disorder and recurrent depression to the Gs-alpha subunit gene was tested using a series of autosomal dominant and recessive models with varying penetrance levels. Additionally, linkage was examined using a series of levels of definitions of affective illness. Close linkage to the Gs-alpha subunit gene was strongly excluded using each model and definition. Thus, our study indicates that a genetic defect in the Gs-alpha subunit gene is unlikely to be the cause of bipolar disorder.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

C-type natriuretic peptides are potent dilators of shark vascular smooth muscle.

Previous studies of the effects of C-type natriuretic peptides (CNP) in intact mammals have demonstrated limited hypotensive responses, in contrast to other natriuretic peptides. Our previous studies, on isolated vascular smooth muscle (VSM) from various fish species, utilizing either mammalian or non-homologous fish atrial natriuretic peptides (ANP), have demonstrated vasodilation with a relatively high sensitivity (EC50 approximately 5 nM). The recent sequencing of a C-type natriuretic peptide from the heart of the dogfish shark, Squalus acanthias, has enabled us to compare the efficacy of this peptide on aortic VSM from that species with two other CNPs (from killifish and pig), as well as rat ANP. The EC50 of dilation for sCNP, as well as kCNP and pCNP, was 0.5 nM, over 15 times lower than the EC50 of the response to rANP. These data suggest that CNP is released from the dogfish shark heart and is a circulating hormone with potent vasodilatory effects, in sharp contrast to the apparent role of CNP predominantly as a brain neuropeptide in mammals.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Exclusion of close linkage of bipolar disorder to the dopamine D3 receptor gene in nine Australian pedigrees.

The recently cloned dopamine D3 receptor (DRD3) gene is of potential relevance to the aetiology of bipolar disorder because of an almost exclusive expression in limbic tissue, the region of the brain putatively responsible for control of emotion. We therefore aimed to determine whether bipolar disorder in nine pedigrees (with 171 members) was linked to this receptor gene, which has been mapped to chromosomal region 3q 13.3. Linkage of bipolar disorder and recurrent depression to the DRD3 gene was tested using a series of autosomal dominant and recessive models with varying penetrance levels. Additionally, linkage was examined using a series of levels of definitions of affective illness (ranging from bipolar I alone to all affective disorders). Close linkage to the DRD3 gene was strongly excluded using each model and definition, and these conclusions persisted when a wide range of rates of 'sporadic' (non-genetic) presentations of illness were incorporated in the analysis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Exclusion of close linkage of bipolar disorder to dopamine D1 and D2 receptor gene markers.

A potential role of dopamine in bipolar disorder has been suggested by several strands of evidence, namely the ability of dopaminergic agonists to induce mania and the effects of lithium, carbamazepine and the antipsychotics on central dopamine receptors and/or turnover. We therefore aimed to determine if bipolar disorder in two large bipolar pedigrees was linked to the recently cloned dopamine D1 (DRD1) and D2 (DRD2) receptors. (These have been mapped to chromosomal regions 5q35.1 and 11q22.3-q23, respectively). Linkage of bipolar disorder and recurrent depression to DRD1 and DRD2 was tested using a series of genetic models with varying penetrance levels. Additionally, linkage was examined using a series of levels of definitions of affective status (ranging from bipolar I alone to all affective illnesses). Close linkage to these markers was strongly excluded using each model and definition. The findings for DRD1 also persisted when a wide range of rates of 'sporadic' (non-genetic) presentations of illness were incorporated in the analysis, but the DRD2 results did not remain statistically significant at high sporadic rates. The exclusion of linkage to DRD2 is consistent with other recent reports.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Technical considerations in 113 percutaneous cholecystolithotomies.

Percutaneous cholecystolithotomy (PCCL) was considered appropriate on the basis of clinical and ultrasound criteria in 220 of 283 patients referred with symptomatic cholecystolithiasis. Contraindications to PCCL were a small, shrunken, thick-walled gallbladder or an intrahepatic gallbladder. PCCL was performed in 113 patients (80 women, 33 men; mean age, 56 years). Local anesthesia was used in 10 patients; general anesthesia, in 103 patients. The average procedure time was 1 hour. Complete stone clearance was achieved in 100 patients. PCCL was successful in 107 patients; in 77 of these, it was completed in a single stage. Six technical failures occurred, and seven patients had persistent cystic duct stones. Acute, nonfatal complications occurred in 15 patients and were managed conservatively. In 12 of 13 patients with stones impacted in the Hartmann pouch, patency of the cystic duct was restored. It is concluded that PCCL is a safe, effective procedure for clearing the gallbladder of calculi regardless of their size, composition, or number. It preserves the gallbladder, enables possible restoration of contractility, and can be performed without general anesthesia.

Cholangiography↗
PubMed1991

Close linkage of bipolar disorder to chromosome 11 markers is excluded in two large Australian pedigrees.

The relationship between bipolar disorder and chromosome 11 markers remains uncertain. Whilst re-analysis of the Amish pedigree weakened previous evidence for close linkage (but could not exclude the possibility of genetic heterogeneity), a recent French study has found a significant association between this condition and tyrosine hydroxylase polymorphisms. We aimed to determine if bipolar disorder in two large Australian pedigrees (of Irish and English extraction respectively) was linked to these markers. Of the 84 family members available for testing, nine were diagnosed as bipolar I, one as bipolar II and six had recurrent unipolar depression. Linkage of bipolar disorder and recurrent depression to the chromosome 11p15 markers c-Harvey ras, insulin and tyrosine hydroxylase was tested using a series of genetic models with varying penetrance levels. Additionally, linkage was examined using a series of levels of definitions of affective status (ranging from bipolar I alone to all affective illnesses). Close linkage to these markers was strongly excluded using each model and definition. The findings also persisted when a wide range of rates of 'sporadic' (non-genetic) presentations of illness were incorporated in the analysis. These results are consistent with other recent studies indicating that bipolar disorder is not linked to chromosomal region 11p15.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Localizing multiple X chromosome-linked retinitis pigmentosa loci using multilocus homogeneity tests.

Multilocus linkage analysis of 62 family pedigrees with X chromosome-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) was undertaken to determine the presence of possible multiple disease loci and to reliably estimate their map location. Multilocus homogeneity tests furnished convincing evidence for the presence of two XLRP loci, the likelihood ratio being 6.4 x 10(9):1 in favor of two versus a single XLRP locus and gave accurate estimates for their map location. In 60-75% of the families, location of an XLRP gene was estimated at 1 centimorgan distal to OTC, and in 25-40% of the families, an XLRP locus was located halfway between DXS14 (p58-1) and DXZ1 (Xcen), with an estimated recombination fraction of 25% between the two XLRP loci. There is also good evidence for a third XLRP locus, midway between DXS28 (C7) and DXS164 (pERT87), supported by a likelihood ratio of 293:1 for three versus two XLRP loci.

Chromosome Mapping↗