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Biomedical subjects

J Kent

Publications and source records attributed to J Kent.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Improved detection of rhinoviruses in nasal and throat swabs by seminested RT-PCR.

A seminested RT-PCR (nRT-PCR) was used to detect picornavirus (PV) RNA in cell cultures inoculated with rhinoviruses (HRVs) and enteroviruses (EVs). PCR tests in which a primary "touchdown" PCR was followed by secondary reactions using PV or HRV specific primers were able to differentiate HRVs of 48 serotypes from EVs. PVnRT-PCR and HRVnRT-PCR were then used to test nasal and throat swabs from adult subjects with naturally acquired respiratory virus infections. The swabs were also analysed for respiratory viruses by cell culture techniques and the rates of PV identification by the two methods were compared. PVnRT-PCR was found to be at least five times more sensitive than cell culture for the detection of PVs in these clinical specimens. Paired acute and convalescent serum samples were tested for complement fixing antibodies to adenovirus, influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza viruses 1, 2, and 3, Myco plasma pneumoniae, and Chlamydia psittaci. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect rises in antibody level to coronavirus types 229E and OC43. The overall rate of pathogen identification in 159 swabs from adult asthmatics increased from 28% when only cell culture and serology were used to 57% when these methods were supplemented by PVnRT-PCR.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Impact of respiratory virus infection in patients with chronic chest disease.

This study investigated the morbidity associated with respiratory virus infections in patients with well-documented chest disease, and the risk of transmission between close contacts. Patients informed the study team if they were exposed to a family member or colleague with a cold. Patients and symptomatic index cases recorded respiratory symptoms during the study period. Acute nasopharyngeal swabs and paired sera were obtained for viral diagnosis. Twenty-five (43%) of 58 recorded exposures resulted in a symptomatic illness and 16 (28%) patients developed lower respiratory tract symptoms. Sixteen (64%) of the 25 symptomatic patients contacted their general practitioner, 14 (56%) received antibiotics and 4 (16%) were hospitalized. Mean duration of illness was 10.6 days in symptomatic patients and 5.7 days in their corresponding index cases (P < 0.005). Mean symptom scores were 100.6 in symptomatic patients and 62.2 in index cases (P < 0.01). Respiratory viruses were identified in 19 (33%) episodes. Rhinovirus, coronavirus and respiratory syncytial virus infections were all associated with lower respiratory tract exacerbations. Respiratory tract symptoms following exposure to a cold were comparatively severe in these patients with chronic chest disease. This group of patients might gain particular benefit from the introduction of effective vaccines or antiviral therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

An evaluation of pre-registration midwifery education in England. Research design: a case study approach.

In this paper some aspects of research design are described and discussed. A national study to evaluate pre-registration midwifery education in England is currently in progress. As part of that study six case study sites have been selected. How those sites were selected and the theory and method of the case study approach are discussed in this paper. The value of the case study approach is discussed as are methodological issues of the case study method. What is a case? Are case studies representative? How can you generalise from case studies? What is theoretical sampling? What is the difference between statistical and logical inference? These are some of the questions raised and examined. It is suggested that an understanding of these theoretical issues and the research process is important to understand the research findings. By making the research design explicit and describing the research process the study also adopts a reflexive approach.

Education, Nursing↗
PubMed1992

Immunogenicity of inactivated influenza vaccine in residential homes for elderly people.

One hundred and seventy residents of 11 Leicester City Council homes for the elderly, with a total of 515 beds, were studied during a 30-week period from September 1988 to March 1989 to determine the use of influenza vaccine, the levels of influenza antibody, the incidence of influenza, and the protection afforded by vaccination. The study group of 133 women and 37 men had a mean age of 85 years and 59% had one or more chronic medical conditions. The immunization rates by home for the 170 symptomatic residents ranged from 8% to 90% (mean 45%). Seventy-one sera, 36 from vaccinated and 35 from non-vaccinated residents were collected between 1 December 1988 and 24 March 1989 and were assayed for antibody to A/Taiwan/1/86 (H1N1), A Sichuan/2/87 (H3N2) and B/Beijing/1/87. Analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between the antibody profiles of vaccinated and unvaccinated subjects. Six influenza A and 6 influenza B infections were confirmed among the 170 subjects with upper respiratory tract infections. Influenza vaccination was not associated with significant levels of protection against influenza A or B. Studies of the haemagglutinins of the vaccine strains and influenza isolates during 1988/89 showed that they were closely related.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Unilateral hypoxic-ischemic injury in neonatal rat results in a persistent increase in the density of striatal tyrosine hydroxylase immunoperoxidase staining.

Little is known of the alterations in the neurochemical anatomy of the striatum following neonatal hypoxic-ischemic injury. In an experimental model in rodent, it has been shown that striatal biochemical markers of dopaminergic systems appear to be relatively spared. We sought to define the morphologic correlates of this finding by staining striatal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive fibers with the immunoperoxidase technique. Since this model is unilateral, it is possible to examine relative changes in the density of TH-positive staining of the striatum at the population level within the same section. We find that in immature animals (3-4 weeks) there is an increase in the relative density of striatal TH-positive staining on the injured side. There is also an increase in the relative density of staining in the nucleus accumbens, in the absence of shrinkage of that nucleus. There is no relationship between the degree of density increase in the striatum, and its degree of shrinkage. This increase in relative density is a persistent change, as it is also observed in adult rats (9-12 weeks). While the functional significance of these findings are unknown, they are compatible with a relative increase in the dopaminergic innervation of the hypoxia-ischemia injured striatum.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Prophylactic intranasal alpha 2 interferon and viral exacerbations of chronic respiratory disease.

BACKGROUND As respiratory virus infections often lead to exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and asthma an effective antiviral drug may be helpful in such patients. Alpha 2 interferon has been shown to give protection against rhinovirus infections in field studies. METHODS Patients with chronic respiratory disease exposed to close contacts with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection were randomly allocated to receive nasal sprays of recombinant alpha 2 interferon (3 x 10(6) IU) or placebo twice daily for five days. Of the 123 patients recruited into the study, 69 took 117 courses of medication; 11 courses were excluded from analysis. RESULTS No important side effects were recorded and the incidence of possible adverse effects was similar in the two groups. Interferon treatment did not reduce the number or severity of symptomatic episodes; 11 of 48 patients given interferon and 16 of 58 given placebo developed lower respiratory symptoms. There were no differences in mean symptom scores (51 interferon and 52 placebo), number of symptomatic days (3.3 interferon and 5.0 placebo), peak flow values, number of general practitioner consultations, or use of antibiotics. CONCLUSION Alpha 2 interferon 3 x 10(6) IU taken twice daily for five days does not protect patients with chronic respiratory disease from exacerbations after they have been in contact with an upper respiratory tract infection.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1990

Malaria in Leicester 1983-1988: a review of 114 cases.

We have reviewed 114 episodes of malaria in 110 patients who were admitted to the Infectious Diseases Unit in Leicester during the 5 year period from February 1983-January 1988. There were 71 episodes of vivax malaria (62%), 33 episodes of falciparum malaria (29%), four patients with mixed infection and six patients with negative blood films who were diagnosed on clinical suspicion alone. Most patients presented in the summer months, 68% were aged under 40 years, 39% were born in the Indian subcontinent, 23% in East Africa and 23% in Britain. Eighty-two per cent of patients with falciparum malaria had recently returned from Africa whereas 82% with vivax malaria had visited Asia. Thirty six per cent had been given antimalarial chemoprophylaxis but only half of these took medication correctly. Seventy five per cent of episodes of falciparum malaria presented within 2 weeks of arrival in Britain, however vivax malaria could present at any time and 49% of cases occurred over 3 months after exposure. Presenting symptoms and signs were often non-specific. Twenty nine per cent of patients had been treated with antibiotics and 11% received antimalarials prior to admission. Vivax malaria was generally a mild infection but falciparum malaria was often severe with 39% of patients experiencing complications including one death. Although Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum are morphologically similar the diseases caused by the two species of parasite are quite distinct. Physicians must ensure that malaria is excluded in anyone who has travelled to an endemic area.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Acute upper respiratory tract viral illness and influenza immunization in homes for the elderly.

Occupants of 482 long-stay and 33 short-stay beds in 11 Leicester City Council homes for the elderly were studied during a 30-week period from September 1988 to March 1989 to determine the incidence, aetiology, morbidity, and mortality of acute upper respiratory tract viral infections and the use of influenza vaccine. Influenza immunization rates by home ranged from 15.4 to 90% (mean 45%). There were no differences in the distribution of medical conditions by home. The highest immunization rates were seen in people with chest disease (77%), heart disease (60%), diabetes (56%), and those with three medical conditions (75%). There was an average of 0.7 upper respiratory episodes per bed per annum with a mortality of 3.4% (6/179). Half of all episodes were seen by a general medical practitioner and 81 of 90 (90%) referrals were prescribed antibiotics costing approximately 7.50 pounds per patient. Lower respiratory tract complications developed during 45 (25%) of 179 episodes including 3 of 12 coronavirus infections, 3 of 9 respiratory syncytial virus infections, 2 of 4 adenovirus infections, 1 of 11 rhinovirus infections, but none of 5 influenza infections. Respiratory infections were caused mostly by pathogens other than influenza virus during the influenza period documented nationally. This highlights the role of coronaviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, and unidentified agents in the elderly, and questions the assumptions made in American estimates on the impact of influenza and the value of influenza vaccines.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1989

Serum amyloid A protein (SAA) in horses: objective measurement of the acute phase response.

A sensitive and precise immunoassay for equine serum amyloid A protein (SAA) was established and used to determine, for the first time, the circulating concentration of this protein in health and disease. As in other species, equine SAA was present only at trace levels in healthy animals but behaved as an extremely sensitive and rapidly responding acute phase reactant following most forms of tissue injury, infection and inflammation, objectively reflecting the extent and activity of disease. Measurements of SAA should make a significant contribution to diagnosis and management of viral and bacterial infection in horses, and routine serial assays could provide an objective criterion for monitoring prospectively the general health of horses in training and racing.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗
PubMed1988

Time-resolved spectroscopy of hemoglobin and myoglobin in resting and ischemic muscle.

Difficulties of quantitation of hemoglobin/myoglobin absorption changes in muscle have led to the development of a new approach using short pulses of light. This method uses input light pulses sufficiently short so that the time course of travel of light through the brain can be precisely measured. The time of arrival of light at the detector gives the optical path length, given the velocity of light in tissues. The intensity profile of photon migration in tissues permits determination of the path length that the exiting photons have traveled and the concentration change of the pigments. A cavity-dumped liquid dye laser illuminates the tissue with 130-ps pulses detected as 600-ps duration at a half height at 3.0-cm distance from the input point. The decay of intensity from the 50% point onward to 0.1% follows a logarithmic function of slope mu which is attributed to the total absorption coefficient of the tissue. Increments of mu due to deoxyhemoglobin absorption at 760 and 630 nm are used to calculate the concentration change. This permits the calculation of the path length for continuous light measurements of 2 cm for a particular geometry. Variation of the wavelength of the laser affords determination of a spectrum of changes in the tissue.

Adult↗