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Biomedical subjects

J Godfrey

Publications and source records attributed to J Godfrey.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Developmental potential of murine germinal vesicle stage cumulus-oocyte complexes following exposure to dimethylsulphoxide or cryopreservation: loss of membrane integrity of cumulus cells after thawing.

BACKGROUND: Cumulus cells of the cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) are important in oocyte maturation. Thus, in preserving immature oocytes it is prudent to also preserve their associated cumulus cells. The survival and function of oocytes and their associated cumulus cells was assessed following cryopreservation or exposure to cryoprotectant without freezing. METHODS: Immature COCs were collected from mice primed with pregnant mare's serum. COCs were either slow-cooled or exposed to 1.5 mol/l dimethylsulphoxide without freezing. Treated and fresh COCs were stained for membrane integrity or, after in-vitro maturation and IVF, were assessed for developmental capability. Development of cumulus-denuded fresh oocytes, as well as denuded and frozen-thawed oocytes co-cultured with fresh cumulus cells, was assessed. RESULTS: Slow-cooled oocytes had significantly reduced coverage by intact cumulus cells compared with fresh COCs. Cumulus cell association and developmental capability were not substantially affected by exposure to cryoprotectant without freezing. Denuded fresh oocytes and cryopreserved COCs had decreased developmental potential that was not overcome by co-culture with fresh cumulus cells. CONCLUSIONS: Loss of association between oocyte and cumulus cells was induced by cryopreservation, but not by treatment with cryoprotectant alone. The data indicate that direct physical contact between cumulus cells and the oocyte, throughout maturation, improves subsequent embryo development.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

X-ray crystal structure of a monoclonal antibody that binds to a major autoantigenic epitope on thyroid peroxidase.

Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) catalyzes the production of thyroid hormones and is a major autoantigen in autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). It is believed that the majority of TPO autoantibodies bind to an immunodominant region consisting of two overlapping domains. Precise location of these domains would help our understanding of the interaction between TPO and TPO autoantibodies. 4F5 is a mouse monoclonal antibody (IgG1, kappa) that reacts with high affinity (2.6 x 10(10) mol/L(-1)) with one of the major autoantigenic regions on TPO. Heavy chain genes of 4F5 were from the VH1 germline gene family, germline genes for the D region could not be assigned and the J region was from the JH2 germline. Light chain genes were from Vkappa4/5 and Jkappa2, germline gene families. The Fab fragment of 4F5 was prepared by papain digestion, purified, crystallized, and the structure solved to 1.9 A using molecular replacement. The refined structure had an R factor of 19.5% and a free R factor of 23.9%. Deduced amino acid sequence and amino acid sequence obtained from diffraction analysis were compared and used to finalize the 4F5 Fab model. Structural analysis indicated that the structure of 4F5 is that of a standard Fab and its combining site is flat and is rich in tyrosine residues. Comparison of the structure of 4F5 with that of a TPO autoantibody Fab, TR1.9 suggests that the two antibodies are unlikely to recognise the same structures on TPO.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMed2000

The effects of atropine and adrenergic antagonists on behavioral arousal in rats.

Two experiments investigated the mechanism for changes in measures of behavioral arousal inhibition in rats following administration of atropine. In Experiment 1, 40-day-old rats were given administrations of atropine sulfate, the alpha-, beta-adrenergic blocker labetalol, or both. The drugs, either alone or in combination, increased transport response intensity, whereas both together increased dorsal immobility durations. In Experiment 2, rats were given atropine, the beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol, the alpha-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine, or a combination of two of the drugs. Propranolol blocked atropine-induced increases in transport response, and phentolamine was without effect. Phentolamine, when combined with atropine, increased dorsal immobility durations. Results are discussed with respect to aspects common to both transport response and dorsal immobility.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1999

Dental student assessment of learning programmes.

OBJECTIVES: To compare relevance, accessibility, role in the teaching-learning process, and user preference, of identical case-study-based teaching programmes in CAL and booklet format. DESIGN: Questionnaire assessment. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: Dental students at Sheffield Dental School. METHODS: 54 5th-year dental students were self-grouped as computer novice (n = 26) or proficient (n = 23) and sub-groups of 12 randomly selected from each. Half of each sub-group tested the CAL programme first and half the booklet-based programme, with cross-over, after 6 weeks. Assessment of packages was carried out immediately after use, and 2 weeks after completion, a further assessment was made on the basis of preference and value as a teaching medium. RESULTS: All subjects thought both packages relevant to clinical practice and written at an appropriate level, and the majority found the text, illustrations and tasks clear. Both groups competed the CAL package more quickly. Students asked to use such packages in the future,viewing them as support for, rather than replacement of, present teaching. The majority of computer-proficient students preferred CAL, considering it the superior teaching medium. CONCLUSIONS: Both CAL and booklet case-study materials were considered useful in addition to, rather than as a replacement for, other teaching methods. Most considered the CAL superior and preferred it. Nevertheless, while past computer experience determined preference for the format, it did not influence ability to access the medium. Future use of such materials is probably best in relation to preparation for tutorials and clinics. A key role is its availability as a revision aid.

Chi-Square Distribution↗
PubMed1999

A skills audit for the dental curriculum.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the core skills required of dental graduates, and to identify if and when these skills had been acquired. DESIGN: Postal questionnaire containing a stimulus list of clinical, technical and professional skills. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: General Dental Practitioners (GDPs) registered as vocational trainers, Vocational Dental Practitioners (VDPs) starting their vocational training (VT) year and VDPs ending their VT year in the NHS Trent Region of England. METHOD: The list of skills on the questionnaire was formulated following discussion with a group of 4 clinical academics and 5 GDPs working in the University of Sheffield School of Clinical Dentistry. The questionnaire was sent to the total population of GDPs and VDPs, and responses were requested on an anonymous basis. The purpose mirrored that of a previous survey undertaken in the University of Sheffield Medical School to identify core skills (1), initially in this present survey, defined as skills required by the majority of GDPs (> 50%) and/or used by VDPs (> 50%) in their VT year. RESULTS: 45 of the skills were identified by GDPs as those they expected of the new graduate. All these core skills had been acquired by > 50% of VDPs commencing their VT year with 32 of the skills acquired by > 75% of that group. Of the group ending their VT year, 90% and above had acquired the majority of these skills. At the time of graduation > 50% of VDPs had acquired 10 skills not expected by GDPs. At the end of the VT year, 6 of these unexpected skills had been acquired by > 75% of VDPs. CONCLUSIONS: The survey enabled us to audit the skills required at the end of the undergraduate course and provided the basis for monitoring skills development in undergraduate dental students.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1998

Illness specific patterns of psychological adjustment and cognitive adaptational processes in children with cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease.

Illness-specific patterns of adjustment and cognitive adaptational process were identified in children (7-12 years of age) with cystic fibrosis (CF, n = 40) or sickle cell disease (SCD, n = 40). Anxiety diagnoses were most frequent for both illness subgroups but children with CF had a higher rate of oppositional disorder (27.5%) than did children with SCD (2.5%). Significant portions of the variance in adjustment were accounted for by stress appraisal (19%), expectations of efficacy (9%) and health locus of control (9%) for children with CF and by stress appraisal (21%) and self-worth (12%) for children with SCD. The interaction of general and specific illness tasks and adaptational process with developmental tasks in delineating intervention opportunities is discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1998

Endoscopy of the gastroduodenal mucosa after carprofen, meloxicam and ketoprofen administration in dogs.

Endoscopy was undertaken to examine the gastroduodenal mucosa of 24 healthy dogs after seven days and again after 28 days of oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) administration. The dogs were divided into four groups. One group received ketoprofen (1 mg/kg every 24 hours), one group carprofen (2 mg/kg every 12 hours for seven days followed by 2 mg/kg every 24 hours), a third group meloxicam suspension (0.2 mg/kg every 24 hours), and the last group gelatin (one capsule every 24 hours). Serum biochemical and complete blood count parameters did not change significantly after NSAID administration. Gastroduodenal lesions were observed in 17 dogs, but in all cases these were mild to moderate. The dogs receiving gelatin or carprofen showed the fewest and the least severe lesions, although there was no statistically significant difference between the three test drugs and the control group (P < or = 0.05). None of the dogs showed any clinical signs related to the gastrointestinal lesions.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Identifying core skills for the medical curriculum.

A survey was undertaken at the University of Sheffield Medical School to identify clinical and other professional skills which are required on graduation and to assess whether and when these skills have been acquired. The purpose of the survey was to identify core practical skills, defined as skills which the majority of clinical firms require and which, in addition, were used by the majority of Pre-registration house officers (PRHOs). The survey ws conducted by questionnaires which were circulated to the following four sample groups (number in sample: % response rate): (1) consultants in clinical firms taking undergraduates and post-graduates from Sheffield Medical School (63: 75%); (2) house officers starting their pre-registration year (118; 52%); (3) house officers ending their pre-registration year (120: 43%); and (4) undergraduates starting their final year (110: 65%). The questionnaire contained a stimulus list of 31 clinical and four personal skills with an opportunity for respondents to list other skills they felt to be important. Of the 35 skills listed on the questionnaire, 26 were identified as core practical skills. Fifteen of the core skills had been acquired by the majority of students by the time they graduated, 13 of which were acquired prior to the final undergraduate year. Core skills not acquired as an undergraduate were acquired as a PRHO. The survey acted as a quality control mechanism for teaching at both undergraduate and post graduate levels and provided the basis of a medical school core of practical skills on the basic medical education continuum.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1995

The Pope and the ontogeny of persons.

In his recent book Crossing the Threshold of Hope, Pope John Paul II airs his views on human reproduction. The pity is that he ignores most of modern genetics and embryology.

Beginning of Human Life↗
PubMed1989

Vertical banded gastroplasty in the treatment of morbid obesity: results of three year follow up.

Vertical banded gastroplasty has replaced jejunoileal bypass in the surgical treatment of morbid obesity. Although this procedure carries a low incidence of early postoperative complications there is little information on either longer term follow up or the impact on nutritional status. The present study describes the outcome in 42 patients with morbid obesity who underwent vertical banded gastroplasty and were followed up in a special nutrition clinic between nine and 36 months postoperatively. Body mass index (BMI) fell from a preoperative value of 47.4 (6.7) kg/m2 (mean (SD] to 37.5 (5.8), 35 (6.2), 33.9 (6.1), and 33.1 (5.7) kg/m2 at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months respectively. Immediate postoperative complications were minimal but during follow up four patients developed stenosis of the gastroplasty stoma and required reoperation. Plasma albumen concentrations were maintained but three patients developed iron deficiency anaemia. Most patients were able to eat a normal diet in reduced quantities and noted a marked improvement in the quality of life. The benefits and safety of vertical banded gastroplasty suggest an important role for this operation in the management of morbid obesity.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Triple lumen catheters for parenteral nutrition.

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 61 patients in whom a total of 101 triple lumen catheters (TLCs) were used for parenteral nutrition for a total of 1,512 days (mean 15 +/- 11 days). Patients were categorized as those having culture-negative TLC tips either with or without infection elsewhere (groups 1 and 2, respectively) and those with culture-positive TLC tips (group 3). Temperature, WBC, alkaline phosphatase value, and SGOT level were recorded one or two days before TLC removal (period 1) and one or two days or three to five days after TLC removal (periods 2 and 3, respectively). The incidence of catheter sepsis was 4%. Fourteen other tips were contaminated. Patients in group 1 remained afebrile during all three periods, and all tips removed were culture-negative. Removal of the TLC in groups 2 and 3 caused neither defervescence nor decreased WBC. We conclude that TLCs can be used for total parenteral nutrition with a low incidence of infection, that TLC tips need not be cultured in afebrile patients without other sources of infection, and that a TLC can be safely left in place so long as the patient is afebrile. However, the risk of infection or contamination is high for catheters left in place for more than two weeks.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1988

Chorioamnionitis: how useful is the determination of C-reactive protein?

This study was designed to derive the predictive value of C-reactive protein (CRP) in peripheral venous serum of patients admitted to hospital with suspected premature rupture of the membranes (PROM). CRP was assayed by each of 4 separate methods and the results have been compared for accuracy and practical value with respect to clinical outcome and the histopathology of the placenta. Of the 4 techniques used only the latex test had characteristics suitable for a diagnostic screen. While the results were only semiquantitative, when comparisons were made to other techniques no significant change in clinical diagnosis would have been made. The results have confirmed that chorioamnionitis and preterm labour are often associated, but in some instances the extent of inflammatory infiltration was greater than might have been expected from the short time interval between documented membrane rupture and delivery. Thus it may be speculated that some cases of PROM are secondary to, rather than causative of, infection. Finally it is suggested that a controlled therapeutic trial of active intervention in those cases of PROM with elevated CRP in the absence of other clinical parameters suggestive of intrauterine infection should be undertaken.

C-Reactive Protein↗