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Biomedical subjects

J Weller

Publications and source records attributed to J Weller.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Evaluation in an anaesthetic simulator of a prototype of a new drug administration system designed to reduce error.

Ten anaesthetists were observed while providing anaesthesia for two simulated surgical procedures, twice using conventional methods and twice using a prototype of a new drug administration system designed to reduce error. Aspects of each method were rated by users on 10-cm visual analogue scales (10 being best) and comments were invited. Median safety scores were 7.7 cm (range 4.3-8.9) for the new system and 4.6 cm (1.3-8.2) for conventional methods (p = 0.009). The new system was compared favourably with conventional methods in respect of safety (p = 0.005), clinical acceptability (p = 0.008), organisation and layout (p = 0.047), and acceptability for use on patients (p = 0.005). The new system saved time in the preparation of drugs both before anaesthesia (105 vs. 346 s; p < 0.001) and during anaesthesia (20 vs. 104 s; p < 0.001). Comments facilitated development of the system and the evaluation endorsed proceeding to a clinical trial.

Anesthesiology↗
PubMed2001

Isolation and developmental expression of two nuclear receptors, MHR4 and betaFTZ-F1, in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta.

The cDNAs for two members of the nuclear receptor superfamily were isolated from the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. The deduced amino acid sequence of MHR4 shows 93-95% identity in the DNA-binding domain and the first portion of the hinge (D) region with the germ cell nuclear factor (GCNF)-related factors (GRFs) of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, and the mealworm, Tenebrio molitor, and with a genomic sequence from the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Northern blot hybridization showed that a 7.5 kb MHR4 mRNA appeared in Manduca abdominal epidermis just as the ecdysteroid titer began to decline during the larval molt, disappeared about 12 h later, then transiently reappeared shortly before larval ecdysis. During the pupal and adult molts, a similar pattern of expression was seen (the very end of the adult molt was not studied). At peak times of expression in the epidermis, MHR4 mRNA was also present in fat body and the central nervous system (CNS). The deduced amino acid sequence of Manduca FTZ-F1 is 100% and 96% identical to that of B. mori and Drosophila betaFTZ-F1, respectively, in the DNA-binding domain and the adjacent hinge region including the FTZ-F1 box. Northern blot analysis showed that the >9.5 kb betaFTZ-F1 mRNA appeared in Manduca epidermis during the decline of the ecdysteroid titer in the larval, pupal and adult molts as the first peak of MHR4 mRNA declined, then it disappeared in the larval and pupal molts before the second peak of MHR4 appeared. betaFTZ-F1 mRNA was also found in fat body and the CNS at the time of peak expression in the epidermis during the larval and pupal molts. Both MHR4 and betaFTZ-F1 mRNAs were found in the testis during the onset of spermatogenesis in the prepupal period.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Opportunities for future supernova studies of cosmic acceleration.

We investigate the potential of a future supernova data set, as might be obtained by the proposed SNAP satellite, to discriminate among different "dark energy" theories that describe an accelerating Universe. We find that many such models can be distinguished with a fit to the effective pressure-to-density ratio w of this energy. More models can be distinguished when the effective slope dw/dz of a changing w is also fit, but only if our knowledge of the current mass density Omega(m) is improved. We investigate the use of "fitting functions" to interpret luminosity distance data from supernova searches.

Astronomy↗
PubMed2001

Gain in strength and muscular balance after balance training.

The isolated effect of balance training on muscle strength of the flexors and extensors of the knee, without accompanying strength training, has not been addressed in the past. Effects of a balance training program alone were compared to a strength training program. Balance and strength training were performed by 15 persons each for 6 weeks including 12 training units of 25 min. Balance training was performed on instability training devices such as rolling board, mini trampoline and large rubber ball. The 15 persons of the strength training group trained on machines for leg curls and on leg presses for 25 min per unit. Measurements for balance were performed with one-leg balance on a narrow edge and a tilting stabilometer for 30 s; maximum isometric strength was measured using an isokinetic device for each leg separately. The muscular balance between dominant and non-dominant leg was calculated. Strength gain was similar for the flexors and extensors in both groups. One-leg balance improved after balance training (P< 0.01) with a 100% increase over the strength training group (P < 0.05) and the stabilometer test for each person in the balance (P < 0.01), but not in the strength training group. In the balance group the initial difference between right and left diminished. The results indicate balance training to be effective for gain in muscular strength, and secondly, in contrast to strength training, equalisation of muscular imbalances may be achieved after balance training.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The frequency and nature of drug administration error during anaesthesia.

We aimed to establish the frequency and nature of drug administration error in anaesthesia (a significant subset of error in medicine) at two hospitals. Anaesthetists were asked to return a study form anonymouslyfor every anaesthetic, indicating whether or not a drug administration error or pre-error (defined as any incident with potential to become an error) had occurred. Further details were sought if the response was affirmative. From 10,806 anaesthetics, 7794 study forms were returned, representing response rates of 80% from Hospital A and 57% from Hospital B (72% overall). The frequency (95% confidence intervals) of drug administration error; of any type, per anaesthetic was 0.0075 (0.006 to 0.009), of i.v. bolus errors was 0.005 (0.0035 to 0.006) and of pre-errors was 0.004 (0.003 to 0.005), with no significant difference between hospitals. Overall, one drug administration error was reported for every 133 anaesthetics. The two largest individual categories of error involved incorrect doses (20%) and substitutions (20%) with i.v. boluses of drug. Of the i.v. bolus substitutions, 69% occurred between different pharmacological classes. One patient was aware while under muscle relaxation, and two required prolonged ventilation. In addition, 47 transient physiological effects were reported, of which five required intervention. We conclude that drug administration error during anaesthesia is considerably more frequent than previously reported.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed2000

The genome sequence DataBase.

The Genome Sequence DataBase (GSDB) is a database of publicly available nucleotide sequences and their associated biological and bibliographic information. Several notable changes have occurred in the past year: GSDB stopped accepting data submissions from researchers; ownership of data submitted to GSDB was transferred to GenBank; sequence analysis capabilities were expanded to include Smith-Waterman and Frame Search; and Sequence Viewer became available to Mac users. The content of GSDB remains up-to-date because publicly available data is acquired from the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration databases (IC) on a nightly basis. This allows GSDB to continue providing researchers with the ability to analyze, query and retrieve nucleotide sequences in the database. GSDB and its related tools are freely accessible from the URL: http://www.ncgr.org

Databases, Factual↗
PubMed2000

The phytophthora genome initiative database: informatics and analysis for distributed pathogenomic research.

The Phytophthora Genome Initiative (PGI) is a distributed collaboration to study the genome and evolution of a particularly destructive group of plant pathogenic oomycete, with the goal of understanding the mechanisms of infection and resistance. NCGR provides informatics support for the collaboration as well as a centralized data repository. In the pilot phase of the project, several investigators prepared Phytophthora infestans and Phytophthora sojae EST and Phytophthora sojae BAC libraries and sent them to another laboratory for sequencing. Data from sequencing reactions were transferred to NCGR for analysis and curation. An analysis pipeline transforms raw data by performing simple analyses (i.e., vector removal and similarity searching) that are stored and can be retrieved by investigators using a web browser. Here we describe the database and access tools, provide an overview of the data therein and outline future plans. This resource has provided a unique opportunity for the distributed, collaborative study of a genus from which relatively little sequence data are available. Results may lead to insight into how better to control these pathogens. The homepage of PGI can be accessed at http:www.ncgr.org/pgi, with database access through the database access hyperlink.

Databases, Factual↗
PubMed2000

Hours of work and fatigue-related error: a survey of New Zealand anaesthetists.

A nationwide survey (70% response) documented anaesthetists' hours of work, their perceptions about safety limits and their recollection of fatigue-related errors in clinical practice. In the preceding six months, 71% of trainees and 58% of specialists had exceeded their self-defined safety limits for continuous anaesthesia administration. For 50% of trainees and 27% of specialists, their average working week exceeded their own limits for maintaining patient safety, and for 63% of trainees and 40% of specialists, it exceeded their limits for maintaining their personal well-being. Fatigue-related errors were reported by 86% of respondents, with 32% recalling errors in the preceding six months. Specialists were more likely to report a fatigue-related error if they had exceeded their own safety limits for continuous anaesthesia administration, or for weekly work hours. Current measures are not preventing anaesthetists from working hours that they consider to be unsafe for patients or harmful to their own well-being.

Anesthesiology↗
PubMed1999

Inhomogeneous Reionization and the Polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background.

In a universe with inhomogeneous reionization, the ionized patches create a second-order signal in the cosmic microwave background polarization anisotropy. This signal originates in the coupling of the free-electron fluctuation to the quadruple moment of the temperature anisotropy. We examine the contribution from a simple inhomogeneous reionization model and find that the signal from such a process is below the detectable limits of the Planck Surveyor mission. However, the signal is above the fundamental uncertainty limit from cosmic variance, so that a future detection with a high-accuracy experiment on subarcminute scales is possible.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Evaluation of AFLP, a high-resolution DNA fingerprinting method, as a tool for molecular subtyping of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 isolates.

The amplified fragment-length polymorphism (AFLPTM) technique is based on the selective PCR amplification of restriction fragments. We investigated the utility of AFLP in the molecular subtyping of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 isolates. We analyzed a total of 46 isolates of E. coli O157:H7 along with other serotypes, O26:H11, 0114:H19 and 0119:NT. Isolates of E. coli O157:H7 derived from the same outbreak showed an identical AFLP-banding pattern and were subtyped into the same group, giving results almost consistent with those of a pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) study, while other serotypes showed clearly different patterns from those of E. coli O157:H7. These results suggest that the AFLP technique has potential as an alternative tool for the molecular epidemiology of E. coli O157:H7.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗
PubMed1998

History of successful ballot initiatives--Oregon.

In this report, the author traces the background of Ballot Measure 44, which raised taxes on cigarette and other tobacco products in Oregon. He highlights the effect of a positive coalescing of different forces (nonprofit health groups and medical groups) despite initial differences in program strategy.

Humans↗
PubMed1997

Mode of chemotherapy does not affect complications with an implantable venous access device.

BACKGROUND: Few reports have been made regarding the long term safety of implantable venous access devices used for the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents. The authors' goals were to determine the frequency of complications in patients receiving chemotherapy with these devices; to determine whether complications were associated with the mode of chemotherapy delivery (push/bolus or infusional regimens); and to evaluate the influence of other risk factors, including home-based versus hospital-based administration. METHODS: A total of 152 oncology patients at the John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Administration Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas (ages 26-81 years; mean age, 62 years), who underwent surgical placement of an Infus-a-Port (Strato, Inc., Beverly, MA) between May 1, 1992 and May 31, 1994, were evaluated retrospectively for postplacement device complications, such as infection, thrombosis, and mechanical failure. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients experienced 1 complication each: 17 episodes of device-related sepsis, cellulitis, or fever of unknown origin; 8 episodes of thrombosis or catheter occlusion; 1 episode of drug extravasation; and 1 mechanical failure. Patient age, frequency of port accession, mode of chemotherapy delivery, tumor type, and neutropenia were evaluated as risk factors, but none was statistically significant. Complications were more frequent during the first 90 days after implantation, but they continued to occur throughout the observation period. CONCLUSIONS: Complications attributable to an implantable venous access device were infrequent in this patient population. No differences in complications for patients receiving home-based versus hospital-based chemotherapy administration were noted, opening the possibility of significant time and cost savings with home treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Probing the interactions of poly(U) and tRNA(Phe) with nucleotides 1530-1542 and 1390-1417 of 16 S rRNA of Escherichia coli.

The decoding region of 16 S rRNA (nucleotides 1396-1403) is not available to complementary DNA oligomer binding in 70 S ribosomes, despite high levels of binding of these oligomers to active 30 S ribosomal subunits. While addition of poly(U) or tRNA(Phe) alone did not affect the binding of either cDNA to 30 or 70 S ribosomes, poly(U)-directed tRNA(Phe) decreased the binding of cDNA (1396-1403) oligomers by 80% to the active 30 S ribosomal subunits. But the poly(U)-directed tRNA(Phe) cannot displace a prebound cDNA in this region, nor can the cDNA displace a prebound poly(U)-directed tRNA(Phe). A cDNA to the anti-Shine-Dalgarno region (nucleotides 1534-1541) binds equally well to 30 and 70 S ribosomal particles, but the simultaneous addition of poly(U)/tRNA(Phe) and cDNA results in a 50% decrease in binding of the cDNA. In this case the poly(U)-directed tRNA(Phe) does displace the prebound cDNA, but the cDNA cannot displace a prebound poly(U)-directed tRNA(Phe). Neither cDNA oligomer inhibits the reassociation of the ribosomal subunits into 70 S particles.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Comparison of healing of lesions in the calvarium of foetal lambs and young sheep.

This study compares the healing of lesions made in the occipital region of the calvarium of 5 foetal and 4 post-natal lambs. The foetuses, operated on between the 83rd and 91st day of gestation, had a bone flap elevated and the post-natal lambs, aged about 6 weeks, had a craniectomy and replacement of the bone pieces. The foetuses were delivered spontaneously at full-term. All the animals had computed tomographic (CT) scans and, after sacrifice, naked eye examination of the bony lesions. These showed that there was poor ossification of the lesions made in the foetuses compared to those made in the post-natal lambs. These findings need to be taken into account when intra-uterine correction of cranio-facial deformities are being contemplated.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1988

[Intracavernous injection of vasoactive substances in the treatment of erectile dysfunction].

Herein we report our experience with a clinical trial of intracavernous injection of vasoactive substances (Papaverin, Dibenzyran, Regitin) in 41 patients suffering from erectile dysfunction for longer than 1 year. In 14 out of 33 patients the application of papaverin alone was already sufficient to produce an excellent erection (T/E-grade 4) under clinical conditions. The simultaneous injection of two agents (Papaverin + Dibenzyran or Papaverin + Regitin) in patients with no or insufficient response to papaverin improved the results additionally. Besides a positively effect of delay from the injection to the erection could be observed in comparison with an injection of only papaverin. In conclusion, this method combined with an autoinjection therapy is an alternative approach to treat certain patients with erectile dysfunction.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗
PubMed1987

Multiple forms of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferases in the rat pineal gland: purification of one molecular form.

Rat pineal serotonin N-acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.87) activity is isolated in two molecular forms (Mr approximately equal to 10,000 and 95,000) by high performance size exclusion liquid chromatography in the presence of ammonium acetate (0.1 M, pH 6.5). In the presence of sodium citrate (0.1 M, pH 6.5), however, it is eluted as a single peak of intermediate size (Mr approximately equal to 30,000). A highly enriched preparation of one of the molecular forms has been obtained by a two-step purification procedure involving disulfide-exchange and anion-exchange chromatography. The N-acetyltransferase in 250 pineal glands obtained from isoproterenol-treated rats can be purified about 80-fold in 1 day; recovery is about 3%. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the final preparation indicates that a single major band (Mr approximately equal to 11,000) is present; this appears to be serotonin N-acetyltransferase.

Acetyltransferases↗