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Biomedical subjects

J Swan

Publications and source records attributed to J Swan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Development of polymorphic expressed sequence tag-derived microsatellites for the extension of the genetic linkage map of the black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon).

In this study, microsatellite markers were developed for the genetic linkage mapping and breeding program of the black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon. A total of 997 unique microsatellite-containing expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were identified from 10 100 EST sequences in the P. monodon EST database. AT-rich microsatellite types were predominant in the EST sequences. Homology searching by the blastn and blastx programs revealed that these 997 ESTs represented 8.6% known gene products, 27.8% hypothetical proteins and 63.6% unknown gene products. Characterization of 50 markers on a panel of 35-48 unrelated shrimp indicated an average number of alleles of 12.6 and an average polymorphic information content of 0.723. These EST microsatellite markers along with 208 other markers (185 amplified fragment length polymorphisms, one exon-primed intron-crossing, six single strand conformation polymorphisms, one single nucleotide polymorphism, 13 non-EST-associated microsatellites and two EST-associated microsatellites) were analysed across the international P. monodon mapping family. A total of 144 new markers were added to the P. monodon maps, including 36 of the microsatellite-containing ESTs. The current P. monodon male and female linkage maps have 47 and 36 linkage groups respectively with coverage across half the P. monodon genome.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Audit of surgeon awareness of readmissions with venous thrombo-embolism.

AIM: An audit was undertaken to assess whether surgeons were informed of the readmission of their patients with postoperative deep venous thrombosis (DVT), or pulmonary embolus (PE). METHODS: A retrospective medical record review was conducted to detect patients who had an unplanned readmission in which DVT or PE formed part of the diagnosis and the first admission included a surgical procedure. The readmission was to John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, Australia, a major tertiary referral teaching hospital, and the first admission was to any acute care hospital. The main outcome measures were: (i) hospital and specialty of the admitting doctor, (ii) the type of surgery performed, (iii) the length of time between admissions and (iv) the patient's previous medical history. The medical record was reviewed for documented evidence that the surgeon who performed the procedure was aware of the readmission. RESULTS: Of the 215 patient reviewed, 34 were classified as unplanned readmissions following a surgical procedure. Twenty-four patients (70.6%) were readmitted under a different specialty, three (8.8%) patients were readmitted under the same specialty but under a different surgeon, and seven (20.6%) patients were readmitted under the same surgeon. Of the 27 patients admitted under a different consultant, only 12 (44.4%) had documented evidence that the previous surgeon was aware of the readmission. CONCLUSION: The rate of DVT/PE complications following surgery is underestimated. This may lead to a reduced emphasis in DVT/PE prophylaxis in the mistaken belief that DVT/PE frequency is rarer than it is. Improved communication between teams is necessary to improve care.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Prevention of orthopaedic wound infections: a quality improvement project.

Using clinical practice improvement methodology, a project was undertaken to reduce the incidence of surgical wound infections following elective hip and knee replacement surgery. A team was established, key measures for improvement were identified, strategies for change were developed and an action plan was implemented. Outcomes for this project included a reduction in the rate of clean surgical wound infection for joint replacement surgery from 28% to zero. Average length of stay for total hip replacement surgery was reduced from 13.9 to 9.3 days and from 14.6 to 10.4 days for total knee replacement surgery. Guidelines for patient selection were developed along with a protocol for the management of preparation to prevent urinary tract infections. Post-discharge surveillance and a preoperative rehabilitation and exercise programme have been implemented. There is potential for wider uptake and implementation of the quality principles described herein.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip↗
PubMed2001

State Medicaid nursing home reimbursement rates: adjusting for ancillaries.

PURPOSE: State variation in inclusion of ancillary services in daily Medicaid nursing home reimbursement rates, versus covering ancillary costs outside of such rates, makes rate comparisons difficult. The purpose of this study is to adjust for inclusion of ancillaries when comparing Medicaid rates across states. DESIGN AND METHODS: Data for 1987-1998 were drawn from a national survey of Medicaid reimbursement. Employing a random-effects model, the PANEL option in the LIMDEP software was used to estimate effects on state average Medicaid nursing facility constant-dollar rates of the inclusion in those rates of a set of ancillaries: physical therapy, occupational therapy, prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, durable medical equipment (DME), medical supplies, and physician services. RESULTS: Rates averaged higher when they included occupational therapy, physician services, nonprescription drugs, and both DME and medical supplies. Adjusting for the inclusion of ancillaries leads to a much different ranking of states than for unadjusted rates. IMPLICATIONS: Public and industry policy makers should consider the inclusion of ancillaries in rates when considering the relative adequacy of rates across states.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

A review of 165 cases of transvaginal sacrospinous colpopexy performed by the Endo Stitch technique.

The Endo Stitch technique has been in use in Geelong since 1994 as the method of performing transvaginal sacrospinous colpopexy (TSC). This article looks at the outcome of 165 of these procedures as assessed by a questionnaire. As the operation is technically easy, has a low complication rate and a high level of patient satisfaction we suggest that the Endo Stitch technique may be the method of choice for TSC.

Female↗
PubMed2001

Residential care supply and cognitive and physical problem case mix in nursing homes.

OBJECTIVES: A rapid evolution has occurred in state policy and industry practices relative to assisted living and expanded use of residential care facilities for people with physical and cognitive frailty, yet relatively little is known about the interrelationship between this housing supply and nursing-home case mix. METHODS: The association between residential care supply and the proportion of cognitively and physically impaired nursing facility residents was examined in more than 1,500 facilities in five states. RESULTS: The proportion of nursing-home cases with only physical and cognitive impairment likely to be affected by emerging long-term care policy appears to be well under 10%. This effect is more persistent among admissions than continuing cases. DISCUSSION: The findings raise caution about the optimistic assumptions of the interplay between residential care/assisted living policy and nursing-home use.

Diagnosis-Related Groups↗
PubMed2000

Modulation of corneal endothelial hydration control mechanisms by Rolipram.

Corneal stromal hydration is maintained by an active HCO3- transport mechanism located in the corneal endothelium. Whilst modulation of transport activity by changes in intracellular cAMP concentration have been noted, the site of effect is undefined. To resolve this question, the effects of Rolipram, a cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, on endothelial physiology were determined. Addition of 0.1 mM Rolipram caused a threefold increase in intracellular cAMP with no change in cGMP. Associated with the increase in cAMP was a transient whole corneal thinning and a similarly transient increase in trans-endothelial potential difference, short-circuit current and resistance. The membrane potential hyperpolarized and the intracellular Na+ concentration decreased. The decreased intracellular Na+ was associated with an increased rate of Na+ extrusion between the endothelial cell and extracellular space. It is concluded that Rolipram increases the concentration of cAMP which activates the basolateral membrane Na+/K+-ATPase activity and increases net HCO3- transport. In addition there is a reduction in endothelial permeability which combined with the increase in pump activity may jointly explain the observed stromal thinning. The duplicity of responses indicates that if cAMP has a physiological role in regulating corneal hydration then it may operate on both the endothelial pump and the endothelial permeability.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed2000

Residential care supply, nursing home licensing, and case mix in four states.

Simulation analyses quantify admission and continuing physical and cognitive impairment patient case-mix changes under two scenarios: with increases in residential care supply and with all nursing homes licensed only as skilled care facilities. Findings raise caution about the assumed interplay between residential care supply and nursing home use. The proportion of nursing home patients with only physical and cognitive impairment likely to be affected by current and emerging long-term care (LTC) policy was well under 25 percent of the nursing home population in each of the four study States. States varied in LTC supply and utilization controls.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Infertility in female rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) alloimmunized with the rabbit zona pellucida protein ZPB either as a purified recombinant protein or expressed by recombinant myxoma virus.

Development of immunocontraceptives for wild rabbit populations requires selection of both effective antigens and effective delivery systems. Recombinant rabbit zona pellucida glycoprotein B (ZPB) produced in eukaryotic cells in vitro was an effective antigen and induced sustained infertility in 70% of female rabbits. This required two boosts and serum antibody titers of 12 800 or greater. Antibody titers in females were low after the initial immunization, as might be expected with a self-antigen; however, male rabbits had a strong antibody response, indicating that the protein was immunologically foreign. To develop a delivery system, ZPB was delivered by infection with a recombinant myxoma virus. In contrast to the results with ZPB protein, infection of rabbits induced a similar serum antibody response to ZPB in both sexes. This indicated that presentation of ZPB in the context of a virus infection was able to overcome tolerance in females. However, the antibody titers were lower than 12 800, and only 25% of female rabbits were infertile. This antibody response was boosted by injections of recombinant ZPB protein, after which 80% of female rabbits were infertile. Infertility was associated with antibody binding to zonae and varying degrees of ovarian pathology characterized by follicular degeneration and substantial depletion of primordial follicles. Oocyte and follicular degeneration appeared to be the principal mechanism of infertility and may be primarily induced by antibodies to ZPB.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Wearing two hats. Consumer & provider.

To change public attitudes toward people with mental illness, consumers need positive visibility and a strong community voice. We are making progress, although slowly, to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness. Progress can be attributed to the fact that the mentally ill are now living in our communities among us, and people are beginning to understand them more.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Cancer surveillance in the U.S.: can we have a national system?

Cancer-related services are consuming ever-increasing health resources; along with this trend, health care costs are rising. As health care planners, researchers, and policymakers formulate strategies to meet this challenge, they are looking to cancer registries and the health information system built around them as collectors of the most extensive information regarding cancer treatment in the U.S. Currently, there are multiple programs collecting and reporting data regarding cancer incidence, morbidity, mortality, and survival. This report profiles cancer surveillance efforts in the U.S. and describes the National Coordinating Council for Cancer Surveillance, which was organized in 1995 to facilitate a collaborative approach among the organizations involved.

American Cancer Society↗
PubMed1998

Protein and cell engineering of components of the human immunoglobulin E receptor/effector system: applications for therapy and diagnosis.

Adaptive immune responses characterised by the synthesis of antibodies of the immunoglobulin E (IgE) isotype play an important role in type I hypersensitivity disorders and parasitic infestations, diseases which have an significant socioeconomic impact world-wide. This paper considers potential applications of recent advances in our understanding of the origin of isotype specific immune responses which emerged as a result of cell and protein engineering studies on components of the human IgE/receptor/effector system. Furthermore, the identification of the receptor binding regions in IgE as a result of the development of a stable assay system has important applications for the design of rational therapeutic interventions in allergy and asthma, the treatment of mast cell tumours, and the establishment of procedures for the selective isolation of cells expressing the high-affinity receptor for IgE for functional studies.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Volume-controlled ventilation is made possible in infants by using compliant breathing circuits with large compression volume.

We studied the weight dependency of set tidal volume (VTset) during volume-controlled ventilation of 80 infants (ASA physical status I-IV, 0.7-20 kg), including prematures, neonates, and exprematures, who were anesthetized for major and minor surgery, including abdominal, thoracic, and neurosurgical procedures. After neuromuscular blockade and endotracheal intubation, infant's lungs were ventilated with an Ohmeda 7800 volume-limited ventilator and either a pediatric or adult circle breathing system (PC or AC) or a Bain circuit (Ba) and a pediatric- or adult-sized bellows (PB or AB). Except for larger and older infants in the ACAB group, body weight, age, peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), ETCO2, and SPO2 did not differ among groups. Compression volume loss was large in the five circuits tested. We found that VTset/kg varied with weight in a curvilinear relationship where y represents volume added and x represents PIP (y = 175.02x-0.87; r2 - 0.87), whereby VTset is approximately 150-200 mL/kg for a 1-kg infant and approximately 25 mL/kg for infants > or = 10 kg. Ventilation was adequate in each infant, except for one with extremely poor pulmonary compliance. We conclude that large compression volumes associated with compliant breathing systems make possible the use of volume-controlled ventilators in small infants.

Body Weight↗
PubMed1994

Insulin resistance, lipoproteins, body fat and hemostasis in nonobese men with angina and a normal or abnormal coronary angiogram.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare metabolic risk factors in men with anginal chest pain and a normal or abnormal coronary angiogram with those in healthy men. BACKGROUND: Risk factors for coronary heart disease, including lipoprotein abnormalities, hypertension and adiposity, may be metabolically interlinked, with insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia being pivotal to these disturbances. METHODS: Glucose and insulin metabolism, lipids and lipoproteins, hemostasis, blood pressure and body fat distribution were measured in 77 nonobese middle-aged men who had anginal chest pain (39 with an abnormal coronary angiogram and 38 with no detectable angiographic abnormality) and were compared with those of 40 healthy men of similar age and body mass index. RESULTS: Patients with chest pain had higher insulin responses to an intravenous glucose challenge, lower insulin sensitivity, lower high density lipoprotein (HDL) and subfraction 2 cholesterol, lower apolipoprotein AI, higher triglycerides, greater android fat and higher systolic blood pressure at rest compared with levels in healthy control subjects (p < 0.05). Those with an abnormal coronary angiogram had lower tissue plasminogen activator levels, higher plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 levels and more android fat than did those with a normal angiogram (p < 0.05). Insulin sensitivity correlated positively with HDL (p < 0.05) and subfraction 2 (p < 0.001) cholesterol and negatively with triglycerides (p < 0.01), android fat proportion (p < 0.01) and systolic blood pressure (p < 0.05), whereas insulin response showed converse correlations. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide new evidence of the central role of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia in the development of risk factors associated with coronary heart disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Internal calvarial bone distraction in rabbits with experimental coronal suture immobilization.

Correction of craniosynostosis involves removal of the coronal suture to allow for expansion of the developing brain and normal craniofacial growth. Frequently, however, the site reossifies, restricts growth, and requires additional surgery. The present study was designed to assess the effects of an internal, subperiosteal calvarial distractor on suturectomy site patency and compensatory craniofacial growth changes in an experimental rabbit model of coronal suture synostosis. In the present study, 43 1 1/2-week-old rabbits were used. Amalgam markers were placed across the frontonasal, coronal, and anterior lambdoidal sutures in all animals. Twenty-nine rabbits underwent bilateral coronal suture immobilization using methyl methacrylate. Fourteen rabbits were left untreated and served as sham controls. At 6 weeks of age, the immobilized rabbits were divided into three groups: (1) immobilized (controls), (2) suturectomy, and (3) suturectomy and distraction. The distractors were activated percutaneously at an average of 0.6 mm/week for 5 weeks (3 mm total). Lateral head radiographs were taken at 1 1/2, 6, 12, and 18 weeks of age. Results revealed that, by 6 weeks of age, animals with coronal suture immobilization exhibited significantly (p < 0.01) reduced growth across the coronal suture, resulting in shorter and inferiorly rotated cranial vaults compared with sham controls. By 12 weeks of age, rabbits with distraction returned to normal (sham control) coronal suture marker separation, whereas rabbits with immobilized sutures and suturectomy only showed significantly reduced marker distances. Rabbits with distraction also exhibited greater anterior cranial base lengths compared with the other experimental groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗