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J Perkins

Publications and source records attributed to J Perkins.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Developing a musculo-skeletal screening survey for Indigenous Australians living in rural communities.

INTRODUCTION: Indigenous Australians living in rural communities experience high levels of musculoskeletal conditions that significantly impair their daily activities. Aboriginal health workers (AHWs) have a close understanding of their communities' needs and play a central role in the assessment and management of these conditions. To assist in the musculoskeletal assessment process a screening survey was collaboratively developed, trialled and evaluated for use by AHWs. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was developed following discussions with key community informants, and a literature review for relevant survey instruments. It was piloted before being administered by AHWs and the findings compared with those of a clinical assessment conducted by musculoskeletal health professionals. The participants included 189 members of an Australian rural Indigenous community. RESULTS: The screening survey achieved face and content validity. It provided high sensitivity (above 70%) and moderately high specificity (above 60%) for measuring musculoskeletal conditions in this community. It did not achieve high enough Kappa scores when measuring agreement between the screening tool and clinical assessment. A significant correlation was, however, obtained between the most prevalent musculoskeletal condition and between reported overall pain as assessed by AHWs and chiropractors. CONCLUSIONS: The screening survey has applicability in this community and has the potential to be adapted in similar settings. Incorporating a basic range of motion and palpation assessment to localise painful anatomical sites may help to further improve the sensitivity and specificity of this instrument.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Valganciclovir is safe and effective as pre-emptive therapy for CMV infection in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Despite significant advances in prevention and therapy, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection continues to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipient. The standard drug for pre-emptive therapy is intravenous ganciclovir (GCV). Valganciclovir (VGC), the oral pro-drug of GCV, has excellent bioavailability and is ideal for oral therapy. Since March 2002, VGC was adopted in our center for outpatient pre-emptive therapy in all patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT. Fifty-two allogeneic HSCT recipients were followed weekly via Digene hybrid capture assay. Patients with a positive assay were treated with VGC 900 mg p.o. b.i.d. x 14 days followed by 900 mg p.o. QD until at least 7 days after a negative test. Eighteen patients (14 sib, four MUD) had 30 episodes of CMV DNA detection treated with oral VGC. Median duration of therapy was 21 days (range 10-21 days). The rate of response was 93% (28/30) as confirmed by a negative assay within 14 days. No significant toxicity was encountered. Two patients failed oral VGC. One case of CMV enteritis was diagnosed in a patient with acute GVHD. Pre-emptive therapy of CMV infection with oral VGC is safe and effective in allogeneic HSCT recipients.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2005

A new Coenzyme Q10 tablet-grade formulation (all-Q) is bioequivalent to Q-Gel and both have better bioavailability properties than Q-SorB.

Commercial Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10, ubiquinone) formulations are often of poor intestinal absorption. We investigated the bioavailability of DSM Nutritional Products Ltd. (Kaiseraugst, Switzerland) CoQ10 10% TG/P (all-Q), a new tablet-grade formulation, with CoQ10 Q-Gel Softsules based on the Bio-Solv technology (Tishcon Corp., Salisbury, MD; marketed by Epic4Health, Smithtown, NY) and Q-SorB (Nature's Bounty, Bohemia, NY). Twelve healthy male subjects participated in a randomized, three-period crossover bioequivalence study. Plasma CoQ10 was determined from pre-dose until +36 hours. To compare bioavailability, corrected maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve from 0 to +14 hours [AUC(0-14 h)] were assessed and tested for bioequivalence. The bioequivalence ranges of 0.8-1.25 hour x microg/mL for AUC(0-14 h) and 0.75-1.33 microg/mL for Cmax were applied. In summary, the kinetic profiles of all CoQ10 preparations revealed a one-peak plasma concentration-time course. Highest Cmax values were seen after Q-Gel application, whereas time to Cmax was nearly identical across all treatments. The AUC(0-14 h) values were highest for Q-Gel, narrowly followed by all-Q. The tests for bioequivalence showed a bioequivalence between Q-Gel and all-Q, and both preparations were found to have better bioavailability properties than Q-SorB. Although all-Q and Q-Gel have equivalent bioavailability properties, all-Q can be directly used in tablets, while this is not the case for Q-Gel or other similar forms.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Aboriginal health in Aboriginal hands: development, delivery and evaluation of a training programme for Aboriginal health workers to promote the musculoskeletal health of Indigenous people living in a rural community.

CONTEXT: Indigenous Australians living in rural communities suffer from multiple musculoskeletal problems that significantly impair their activities of daily living. They commonly report physical disability and 'having learned to live with their pain'. A pilot, accredited musculoskeletal training program in the form of a sports massage course was designed and implemented in an attempt to address modifiable, commonly-presenting musculoskeletal conditions in this community. ISSUE: Sports massage was taught to 20 participant Aboriginal Health workers (AHWs) and community Elders at Durri Aboriginal Corporation, New South Wales, Australia. Sports massage was chosen as the vehicle for skills development because sport was widely valued in the community. The participants were taught a variety of theoretical and massage skills in the 2 week course using the informal 'round table' techniques developed by Booroongen Djugun College, NSW, Australia. The course was evaluated positively by participants. Because the course was developed according to community guidelines it had high cultural acceptability. LESSONS: Sports massage skills have been adapted for treatment of patients with chronic illness and stress within the community. Development of the course according to community needs was essential for acceptance, as was the active involvement of AHWs in all phases. For sustainability, such courses require appropriate funding.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions, associated pain and disability and the barriers to managing these conditions in a rural, Australian Aboriginal community.

INTRODUCTION: Internationally, musculoskeletal conditions are a major morbidity issue for Indigenous populations and the social and economic burden imposed by musculoskeletal complaints is significant. However, little is known about the prevalence and associated pain and impairment of musculoskeletal conditions among rural Indigenous Australians. METHODS: The study was conducted between January 2001 and July 2002. DESIGN: A cross-sectional research design was used. SAMPLE: Participants included 189 Indigenous members of the community, 80 of whom were randomly selected and 109 were recruited using a convenience sample. The sample included 87 males (46%) and 102 females (53%). Participants' mean age was 44 years (+/-14.8). MEASURES: The main outcome measures were sites of current pain, self-reported levels of pain, limitations to activities of daily living, and barriers to managing these conditions. PROCEDURE: Following a screening survey participants underwent a clinical examination conducted by musculoskeletal health professional trained in standardised, clinical assessment procedures. RESULTS: Lower back pain, followed by neck, head and shoulder pain were the most common conditions. Approximately 57% of participants suffered from 2 to 4 musculoskeletal conditions. The most commonly endured level of pain was 'high'. There were no significant differences between male and female participants in terms of reported levels of pain. The level of pain reported was relatively high compared with the level of associated limitation of activities of daily living. A majority of participants had suffered from their principal condition for 7 weeks or more, indicating high levels of chronicity in the community. CONCLUSION: The majority of people living in this large rural, Indigenous community have learnt to live with chronic levels of pain affecting multiple anatomical sites. Strategies such as community musculoskeletal health promotion and appropriately trained community health workers can assist the community manage this chronic burden of disability. There is scope for further study into the musculoskeletal health of both rural and urban Indigenous populations.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

The use of microbial tracers to monitor seasonal variations in effluent retention in a constructed wetland.

Effluent retention in a constructed wetland was determined using both microbial and chemical tracers. Seasonal variation in effluent retention was the main focus of the study. The biotracers used in the study were the coliphage MS2, a bacteriophage of Enterobacter cloacae and antibiotic resistant endospores of Bacillus globigii. Two separate tracer runs were conducted, Winter high flow (January 2002) and Summer low flow (June 2002). The three biotracers were evaluated simultaneously on both occasions, with the commonly used chemical tracer, rhodamine WT, a bright red fluorescent dye, being evaluated during the final experiment. The Winter tracer run was conducted during a typical Winter storm, with a mean effluent discharge of 4.1 ls(-1). Tracer recovery was 98% MS2, 91% Ent. cloacae phage and 2% endospore. Effluent retention was estimated at between 2 and 4 h at 90% phage tracer recovery. The Summer tracer run was conducted at a typical site operating discharge rate of 0.8 ls(-1). Tracer recovery was 23% MS2, 36% Ent. cloacae phage, 8% rhodamine and 14% for the endospores. Effluent retention was estimated at between 11 and 18 h at 90% of phage tracer recovery. Initial results are encouraging and indicate bacteriophage to have further potential as tracing agents in wetlands.

Bacillus↗
PubMed2004

Bleeding ethics.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Evaluation of biotracers to monitor effluent retention time in constructed wetlands.

AIMS: With concern surrounding the environmental impact of chemical tracers on the aquatic environment, this paper presents the initial evaluation of biotracers used to determine the effluent retention time, an important performance indicator, in a Free Water Surface Constructed Wetland. METHODS AND RESULTS: Production of the biotracers, coliphage MS2, and the bacteriophage of Enterobacter cloacae and antibiotic resistant endospores of Bacillus globigii is described in detail. Their subsequent use in three separate tracer experiments - January, March and June (2000) - revealed the variability of retention time with respect to effluent flow. The biotracer MS2 showed the constructed wetland had a retention time of 8-9 h at a mean discharge of 0.9 l s-1, increasing to 10-12 h at a mean discharge 0.3 l s-1. A similar retention of 9-10 h at a mean discharge of 0.3 l s-1 was calculated for the Ent. cloacae phage. In contrast, use of endospores revealed considerably longer retention times at these mean discharge rates; 12-24 h and 36-48 h, respectively. CONCLUSION: Biotracers could provide a useful and environmentally friendly technique to monitor effluent retention in constructed wetlands. At this stage the phage tracers appear particularly promising due to ease of isolation and recovery. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Initial results are encouraging and have highlighted the potential of biotracers as alternatives to chemical tracers, even in microbially-rich waters.

Bacillus↗
PubMed2003

The effects of local anaesthetic solution in the navicular bursa of horses with lameness caused by distal interphalangeal joint pain.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Analgesia of the palmar digital (PD) nerves has been demonstrated to cause analgesia of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint as well as the sole. Because the PD nerves lie in close proximity to the navicular bursa, we suspected that that analgesia of the navicular bursa would anaesthetise the PD nerves, which would result in analgesia of the DIP joint. OBJECTIVES: To determine the response of horses with pain in the DIP joint to instillation of local anaesthetic solution into the navicular bursa. METHODS: Lameness was induced in 6 horses by creating painful synovitis in the DIP joint of one forefoot by administering endotoxin into the joint. Horses were videorecorded while trotting, before and after induction of lameness, at three 10 min intervals after instilling 3.5 ml local anaesthetic solution into the navicular bursa and, finally, after instilling 6 ml solution into the DIP joint. Lameness scores were assigned by grading the videorecorded gaits subjectively. RESULTS: At the 10 and -20 min observations, median lameness scores were not significantly different from those before administration of local anaesthetic solution into the navicular bursa (P > or = 0.05), although lameness scores of 3 of 6 horses improved during this period, and the 20 min observation scores tended toward significance (P = 0.07). At the 30 min observation, and after analgesia of the DIP joint, median lameness scores were significantly improved (P < or = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that pain arising from the DIP joint can probably be excluded as a cause of lameness, when lameness is attenuated within 10 mins by analgesia of the navicular bursa. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Pain arising from the DIP joint cannot be excluded as a cause of lameness when lameness is attenuated after 20 mins after analgesia of the navicular bursa.

Anesthesia, Local↗
PubMed2002

Differences in the absorption, metabolism and biliary excretion of a diastereomeric pair of alphavbeta3-antagonists in rat: limited role of P-glycoprotein.

1. The study investigated mechanisms underlying the pharmacokinetic differences of two zwitterionic diastereomers ((3S)-3-[(3R or 3S)-2-oxo-3-[3-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,8-naphthyridin-2-yl)propyl]pyrrolidin-1-yl]-3-quinolin-3-ylpropanoic acid) with different lipophilicities using a combination of in vivo and in vitro approaches. 2. In rat, both isomers possessed comparable plasma clearances (CL). However, the more lipophilic diastereomer I exhibited a higher metabolic clearance (>2-fold higher than II), whereas the hydrophilic zwitterion II exhibited a higher biliary clearance (approximately 5-fold higher than I). Following oral administration, the bioavailability (F) of I (17%) was much higher than that of II (1%). 3. Consistent with these in vivo observations and the expectation based on their lipophilicity differences, the metabolism in rat liver microsomes was faster and the permeability in Caco-2 and LLC-PK1 cells and in situ rat intestinal loop was better for I than for II. 4. Only the absorption of the more lipophilic diastereomer I was subjected to an efflux system in the Caco-2 and in situ rat intestinal loop models. I was a good substrate for P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in both the human MDR1 and mouse mdr1a transfected cell lines, and in the wild-type mdr1a (-/-) mouse when compared with the P-gp-deficient mdr1a (-/-) mouse. Concomitant administration of I with verapamil in rat caused significant increases in oral AUC, F and Cmax of I without affecting its CL, further supporting the effect of P-gp in limiting the intestinal absorption of I in vivo in this animal model. 5. Since the findings that the lipophilic diastereomer I, but not II, was a good P-gp substrate were not in line with the observations that I was excreted to bile much slower than II and that I was absorbed better than II, the results suggested that P-gp played a minor role to the observed differences in the biliary excretion and intestinal absorption of the diastereomers I and II in rat.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed2001

Molecular-based electronically switchable tunnel junction devices.

Solid-state tunnel junction devices were fabricated from Langmuir Blodgett molecular monolayers of a bistable [2]catenane, a bistable [2]pseudorotaxane, and a single-station [2]rotaxane. All devices exhibited a (noncapacitive) hysteretic current-voltage response that switched the device between high- and low-conductivity states, although control devices exhibited no such response. Correlations between the structure and solution-phase dynamics of the molecular and supramolecular systems, the crystallographic domain structure of the monolayer film, and the room-temperature device performance characteristics are reported.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

A supramolecular system for quantifying aromatic stacking interactions.

A supramolecular complex for investigating the thermodynamic properties of intermolecular aromatic stacking interactions has been developed. The conformation of the complex is locked in a single well-defined conformation by an array of H-bonding interactions that force two aromatic rings on one end of the complex into a stacked geometry. Chemical double-mutant cycles have been used to measure an anthracene-aniline interaction (+0.6 +/- 0.8 kJ mol(-1)) and a pentafluorophenyl-aniline interaction (-0.4 +/- 0.9 kJ mol(-1)) in this system. Although the interactions are very weak, the pentafluorophenyl interaction is attractive, whereas the anthracene interaction is repulsive: this is consistent with the dominance of pi-electron electrostatic interactions. The nitropyrrole subunits used to control the conformation of these complexes lead to problems of aggregation and multiple conformational equilibria. The implications for the thermodynamic analysis are examined in detail, and the double-mutant-cycle approach is found to be remarkably robust with respect to such effects, since systematic errors in individual experiments are removed in a pair-wise fashion when the cycle is constructed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

The mechanism of action of bacimethrin, a naturally occurring thiamin antimetabolite.

The mechanism of bacimethrin (2) toxicity has been determined. This compound is converted to 2'-methoxy-thiamin pyrophosphate (10) by the thiamin biosynthetic enzymes. Of the seven thiamin pyrophosphate utilizing enzymes in Escherichia coli, 2'-methoxy-thiamin pyrophosphate inhibits alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, transketolase, and deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase. Bacimethrin does not cause repression of the genes coding for the thiamin biosynthetic enzymes.

Antimetabolites↗
PubMed2001

Effect of a community action intervention on cervical cancer screening rates in rural Australian towns: the CART project.

BACKGROUND: The effect of community action on cervical cancer screening rates was explored in 20 rural Australian towns. METHODS: Town quarterly Pap test counts, from the Australian Health Insurance Commission, were converted to town rates using Census populations. Pap test rates for 12 quarters before and after mobilization were examined. RESULTS: Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests demonstrated significantly higher per capita Pap test rates pre- to postmobilization for intervention towns compared to matched control towns for women whose last Pap test was more than 2 years ago (P=0.008). Maximum efficiency robust tests examining the equality of mean differences (intervention-control) of per capita rates between pre- and post-mobilization periods also found significant differences for Pap tests where last procedure was between 1 and 2 years ago (R = 13.9, P = 0.039) and near significance for Pap tests where last procedure was less than one year ago (R = 10.6, P = 0.087). CONCLUSIONS: It appeared that underscreened women were more likely and overscreened women were less likely to have a Pap test in response to the intervention. The results indicate that a community action program can positively impact cervical cancer screening rates.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Effect of a community action program on adult quit smoking rates in rural australian towns: the CART project.

BACKGROUND: This article describes one outcome of a randomized controlled trial of community action for cancer prevention. The aims of this article were to (a) explore the effectiveness of a community action program in decreasing community smoking rates in rural Australian towns and (b) describe the relationship between adult smoking quit and uptake rates and demographic variables. METHODS: In 1992, 20 towns were selected for randomization. Community action involved formation of community committees and utilization of access point networks to initiate and maintain intervention strategies. At post-test, outcomes were proportion of "quitters" from a cohort of self-described smokers, proportion of "uptakers" from a cohort of self-described nonsmokers, and "net effect." RESULTS: Differences in quit rate, uptake rate, and net effect for intervention compared to control condition favored the intervention in all cases, although mainly nonsignificant. Significantly more male smokers quit in intervention towns than in control towns [7.0% (95% CI: 0.6, 13.5)]. CONCLUSIONS: Given that CART utilized and improved upon strategies argued as effective in the literature, the limited success of the project in reducing adult smoking, considered in combination with COMMIT findings, suggests the need for further innovation in the field.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

The effect of a community action intervention on adolescent smoking rates in rural australian towns: the CART project. Cancer Action in Rural Towns.

BACKGROUND: This paper describes one outcome of a randomized controlled trial of community action for cancer prevention, Cancer Action in Rural Towns. The aims are to [1] explore the effectiveness of community action in decreasing adolescent smoking in rural Australian towns; and [2] describe the relationship between adolescent smoking rates and demographic variables. METHODS: In 1992, 20 rural Australian towns were selected. Community action involved formation of community committees and utilization of access-point networks to initiate and maintain intervention strategies. Cross-sectional surveys of smoking behaviors for all Year 9 and Year 10 students (13-16 years) in each town were conducted pre- and posttest. The main outcome measure was self-reported smoking in the past 4 weeks. SUDAAN software was used to look at differences between treatment. RESULTS: The results showed strong secular trends toward increased adolescent smoking, regardless of treatment group, particularly for females. There was no significant intervention effect. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing adolescent smoking rates found in this and other studies highlight that the definitive strategy to stem the adolescent smoking epidemic has not been found. Hope may remain for recent legislative strategies, but rigorous evaluation is essential, and compliance with legislation should be carefully monitored.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Ocular complications of thermal injury: a 3-year retrospective.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis and treatment of thermal ocular injuries are often delayed because facial burns are usually associated with life-threatening injuries requiring immediate intervention. The purpose of the present study is to review the diagnosis and management of ocular complications associated with thermal burns in a tertiary care burn unit. METHODS: In this retrospective study, the charts of patients admitted to the Loyola University Medical Center Burn Unit between January 1993 and January 1996 were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 1,461 patients who were admitted to the burn unit during that period, 155 (10.6%) required ophthalmic consultation. Sixty-one patients (4.2%) had ocular injury, the most common type being periorbital burn and edema followed by corneal involvement. Thirty-one of the 61 patients (51%) received consultation on the day of admission. Six of the 61 patients (10%) required surgical intervention. There was no correlation between number of days to consultation and need for surgical intervention. Patients requiring surgery were more likely to have suffered third-degree burns. CONCLUSION: Because it is difficult to predict which patients suffering from thermal burns involving the eyes will require surgical intervention, ophthalmic consultation should be sought early.

Adolescent↗