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Biomedical subjects

L Moran

Publications and source records attributed to L Moran.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Antibiotic resistance of retail food and human Campylobacter isolates on the island of Ireland from 2001-2002.

The antimicrobial resistance profiles of Campylobacter isolates recovered from a range of retail food samples (n=374) and humans (n=314) to eight antimicrobial compounds were investigated. High levels of resistance in food C. jejuni isolates were observed for ceftiofur (58%), ampicillin (25%) and nalidixic acid (17%) with lower levels observed for streptomycin (7.9%) and chloramphenicol (8.3%). A total of 80% of human C. jejuni isolates were resistant to ceftiofur, while 17% showed resistance to ampicillin and nalidixic acid, 8.6% to streptomycin and 4.1% to chloramphenicol. Resistance to clinically relevant antimicrobials such as erythromycin, ciprofloxacin and tetracycline was 6.7, 12, and 15% respectively for all food isolates and was similar to corresponding resistance prevalences observed for human isolates, where 6.4, 12 and 13% respectively were found to be resistant. Comparisons of C. jejuni isolates in each location showed a high degree of similarity although some regional variations did exist. Comparison of total C. jejuni and C. coli populations showed minor differences, with C. jejuni isolates more resistant to ampicillin and ceftiofur. Multidrug resistance patterns showed some profiles common to human and clinical isolates.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2006

Lifestyle choices, diet, and insulin sensitizers in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is significantly affected by environmental regulators impacting on genetic predisposition. Lifestyle changes can significantly modulate the phenotype of this disease. Diet, exercise, smoking, stress, and other factors adversely affect reproductive outcomes in PCOS. These influences can be modulated by structure change in an individual or group. Lifestyle choices should be discussed in this group of patients. The role of insulin sensitizers, including metformin, has still to be determined in this condition.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2004

Occurrence of Campylobacter in retail foods in Ireland.

A surveillance study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Campylobacter in a range of retail foods purchased in three Irish cities over a 20-month period between March 2001 and October 2002. In total 2391 food samples were analysed during this period. Campylobacter was isolated from 444 raw chicken (49.9%), 33 turkey (37.5%) and 11 duck samples (45.8%). Lower isolation rates of 7/221 (3.2%), 10/197 (5.1%) and 31/262 (11.8%) were observed for raw beef, pork and lamb, respectively. One sample of pork paté from 120 samples analysed (0.8%) was Campylobacter-positive. A total of three shellfish samples (oysters) from 129 raw specimens examined (2.3%) were found to contain Campylobacter. Low prevalences of the organism (0.9%) were also isolated from fresh mushrooms. Of 62 raw bulk tank milk samples analysed, Campylobacter was recovered in a single sample (1.6%). Campylobacter was not detected in any of the comminuted pork puddings, prepared vegetables and salads, retail sandwiches or cheeses made from unpasteurised milk. In total, 543 Campylobacter were isolated from all of the food samples analysed, of which 453 (83.4%) were confirmed as Campylobacter jejuni and the remaining 90 (16.6%) as Campylobacter coli.

Agaricales↗
PubMed2004

Understanding and managing disturbances in insulin metabolism and body weight in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common clinical and metabolic condition in women of reproductive age. It is associated with short-term reproductive and long-term metabolic dysfunction. Treatment has traditionally focused on fertility and hormonal therapy. However, general obesity, central obesity and insulin resistance are strongly implicated in its aetiology and improving these factors has proved highly successful in some clinical situations, reducing the need for costly assisted reproduction. A low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet is thought to improve insulin sensitivity, aid in weight loss and reduction of metabolic and reproductive symptoms and improve the long-term maintenance of a reduced weight. However, there has been recent community interest in adopting a protocol advocating a moderate increase in dietary protein for improving weight loss and PCOS symptoms. Altering the glycaemic index of the diet has also received considerable attention as a regime for promoting satiety and reducing metabolic risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Exercise and other lifestyle changes are essential for altering the short- and long-term effects of PCOS. It is vital that the efficacy of these strategies is assessed so that accurate medical and dietetic advice can be given both to patients and to the health-care community.

Diet, Reducing↗
PubMed2004

An empirically-derived clinical placement evaluation tool: a 3-country study.

We report the development of a brief and simple-to-complete clinical placement evaluation scale. Unlike many previous attempts to develop such tools, the one reported here gives reliable numerical scores with a firm empirical foundation. The scoring correlates well between three European countries: UK, Finland, and Germany.

Education, Nursing↗
PubMed2004

The effects of extracorporeal shock-wave therapy on the ultrasonographic and histologic appearance of collagenase-induced equine forelimb suspensory ligament desmitis.

Extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT) may stimulate healing of desmitis in multiple species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ultrasonographic and histologic appearance of collagenase-induced suspensory ligament (SUL) desmitis in untreated ligaments and ligaments treated with ESWT in horses. Four mature horses had SUL desmitis induced in both forelimbs. Beginning 3 weeks after induction of the lesions, one ligament per horse was treated 3 times at 3-week intervals with ESWT. The percent lesion, echogenicity and fiber alignment scores of the SULs were evaluated at 3-week intervals for a total of 15 weeks. At the completion of the study, the horses were euthanized and the SULs collected, fixed and processed for histopathologic evaluation. Ultrasonography showed treated SULs had a smaller percent lesion at the maximal injury zone (p = 0.001), and the total percent lesion (p = 0.01), total fiber alignment score (p = 0.0167) and total echogenicity (p = 0.0023) were all smaller in the treated ligaments. The fiber alignment score and echogenicity were not statistically different at the maximal injury zone. The treated SULs had a more concentrated area of metachromasia associated with healing than the untreated ligaments, where metachromasia appeared more diffuse throughout the ligament. ESWT improved the rate of healing as assessed ultrasonographically.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Quantitative gene expression profiling implicates genes for susceptibility and resistance to alveolar bone loss.

Periodontal disease is one of the most prevalent chronic inflammatory diseases. There is a genetic component to susceptibility and resistance to this disease. Using a mouse model, we investigated the progression of alveolar bone loss by gene expression profiling of susceptible and resistant mouse strains (BALB/cByJ and A/J, respectively). We employed a novel and sensitive quantitative real-time PCR method to compare basal RNA transcription of a 48-gene set in the gingiva and the spleen and the subsequent changes in gene expression due to Porphyromonas gingivalis oral infection. Basal expression of interleukin-1 beta (Il1b) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (Tnf) mRNA was higher in the gingiva of the susceptible BALB/cByJ mice than in the gingiva of resistant A/J mice. Gingival Il1b gene expression increased further and Stat6 gene expression was turned on after P. gingivalis infection in BALB/cByJ mice but not in A/J mice. The basal expression of interleukin-15 (Il15) in the gingiva and the basal expression of p-selectin (Selp) in the spleen were higher in the resistant A/J mice than in the susceptible BALB/cByJ mice. In the resistant A/J mice the expression of no genes detectably changed in the gingiva after infection. These results suggest a molecular phenotype in which discrete sets of differentially expressed genes are associated with genetically determined susceptibility (Il1b, Tnf, and Stat6) or resistance (Il15 and Selp) to alveolar bone loss, providing insight into the genetic etiology of this complex disease.

Alveolar Bone Loss↗
PubMed2004

Efficacy of a commercial mycotoxin binder in alleviating effects of ochratoxin A, fumonisin B1, moniliformin and zearalenone in adult mink.

The addition of nutritionally inert adsorbents to mycotoxin-contaminated animal feed has been a popular approach to decreasing toxicity in animals and carryover of mycotoxins from contaminated feed to animal by-products. Some studies suggest that esterified glucomannan derived from the cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is effective in reducing the bioavailability of at least some of the mycotoxins occurring in contaminated feed. Because cereal grains are important components of ranch mink diets, mycotoxicoses in mink is a potential problem faced by mink ranchers. We conducted a series of studies to determine if inclusion of a commercially available esterified glucomannan in ranch mink feed was effective in alleviating clinical signs indicative of exposure to ochratoxin A, fumonisin B1, moniliformin or zearalenone in adult mink. In 4 separate trials, mink were fed diets that contained 2.5, 5 or 10 mg ochratoxin A/kg feed, 200 mg fumonisin B1/kg feed, 20 mg moniliformin/kg feed, or 30 mg zearalenone/kg feed with or without 2 g esterified glucomannan/kg feed. Male mink fed diets containing ochratoxin A had significantly decreased feed intake as well as renal lesions characteristic of exposure to that mycotoxin. Inclusion of the esterified glucomannan did not ameliorate these effects. Male mink exposed to fumonisin B1 had increased urinary sphinganine concentration, which was not significantly reduced by the mycotoxin adsorbent. Male mink that consumed monilformin-contaminated diets had characteristic ultrastructural changes in the heart that were not reduced in severity by the esterified glucomannan. Female mink exposed to zearalenone had increased uterine weight, which was not reversed by inclusion of commercial mycotoxin binder in the contaminated feed. The results of this study suggest that a commercial esterified glucomannan was generally ineffective in alleviating effects indicative of exposure to ochratoxin A, fumonisin B1, monilformin and zearalenone in mink.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2003

Inter-laboratory evaluation of three flagellin PCR/RFLP methods for typing Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli: the CAMPYNET experience.

AIMS: To compare typeability, discriminatory ability, and inter-laboratory reproducibility of three flagellin PCR/RFLP (fla typing) methods previously described for Campylobacter. METHODS AND RESULTS: The sample set (n = 100) was diverse, including both C. jejuni (n = 85) and C. coli (n = 15). Two of the three flaA typing methods amplified flaA alone, whereas one, a multiplex assay, amplified flaB in addition to flaA. DdeI restriction enzyme was employed for all methods, but HinfI was also investigated. 98-100% typeability was obtained for flaA-based methods, but only 93% for the multiplex assay, due to inconsistent amplification of a non-specific product. In addition, there appeared to be selective amplification of flaA over flaB. More DdeI types were generated using a longer flaA PCR amplicon, whilst additional use of HinfI increased the number of types by ca 25%. Inter-laboratory reproducibility for both flaA-based methods was defined at 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Fla typing requires standardization with respect to PCR primers and restriction enzymes. This study identified an assay, employing the full flaA gene and DdeI digestion, as an appropriate method on which to standardize. 100% inter-laboratory reproducibility was demonstrated using that method. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This work should facilitate progress towards inter-laboratory standardization of fla typing.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Effect of soil compaction on organic carbon amounts and distribution, South-Central Iowa.

Soils on the Mormon Trail have been compacted for over 150 years. Bulk density, carbon, and nitrogen samples were taken in 5-cm increments to 20 cm. Bulk density was determined using rings of known volume; total carbon and nitrogen with a LECO CHN-600. Total above ground biomass (AGB) samples were collected by clipping vegetation within a 0.25 m2 frame and were analyzed for carbon. Statistical comparisons were made using a t-test (alpha = 0.05). Bulk density was higher in the on-trail soils from 5 to 20 cm; soil carbon and C/N ratios were higher in the off-trail soils from 10 to 20 cm. AGB and AGB carbon is significantly less on the trail. Results indicate the compacted layer on the trail alters the soil carbon pool by limiting additions of fresh organic matter to the soil, limiting vegetative production, and by "pooling" carbon additions in the upper 10 cm of the soil.

Carbon↗
PubMed2000

Optimising recovery of Campylobacter spp. from the lower porcine gastrointestinal tract.

To determine the incidence of campylobacters in Northern Ireland pigs, ileal contents and anal swabs were taken shortly after death. Direct streaking onto Preston agar, and modified charcoal cefoperazone desoxycholate agar (mCCDA), were compared, as was enrichment in selective broths prior to streaking onto the corresponding solid medium. For anal swabs direct plating on mCCDA was most efficient, with 100% of samples positive, whilst for ileal contents enrichment in mCCD broth was best with 86% of samples positive. Although only 34% of ileal samples enriched in Preston broths were positive they yielded three species not isolated from mCCD broth, and hence indicated that some pigs were infected by at least two species of Campylobacter. Overall, the number of samples found to contain campylobacters, and the range of species isolated, was seen to be markedly affected by both the choice of selective medium and the isolation procedures.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1999

Review of investigation and management of severe hyponatraemia in a hospital population.

The purpose of this study was to assess retrospectively the prevalence of severe hyponatraemia in a hospital population and its laboratory investigation, treatment and clinical outcome. Over a 6-month period 47 patients (27 women and 20 men) were found to have a plasma sodium concentration of < or = 120 mmol/L (this number made up less than 0.17% of all plasma sodium requests over that time period). The mean patient age was 75 +/- 16 years and the average hospital stay was 37 +/- 45 days (1-179 days). Patient mortality was 51% (women 57% and men 43%). The mean initial plasma sodium concentration was 116 +/- 4.5 mmol/L, rising after therapeutic intervention to a mean of 130 +/- 4.2 mmol/L. The mean plasma sodium correction rate was 4.7 +/- 4.3 mmol/L/24 h (0.9-17.5 range). Twelve per cent of the patients had their plasma sodium raised at a rate of greater than 10 mmol/L/24 h after their initial presentation. Two patients may have had symptoms and signs suggestive of cerebral oedema/cortical dysfunction: in one patient the sodium concentration was raised at a rate of 9.5 mmol/L/24 h and in the other at 12.0 mmol/L/24 h. Sixty-one per cent of the patients had a chest infection, 44% were on diuretics, 28% had congestive cardiac failure, 28% were post-operative (9% orthopaedic procedures), 19% had carcinoma and 9% were on a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor. Regarding laboratory investigations, 56% had liver function tests, 41% had thyroid function tests, 36% had plasma osmolality determination, 36% had urinary electrolytes including urinary osmolality and < 2% had tests to exclude hypoadrenalism.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Hypocholesterolaemia in a hospital population.

The purpose of this study was to observe the prevalence of hypocholesterolaemia in a hospital population and also the causes and clinical outcome of this condition. Fifty-seven patients were found with a plasma cholesterol of < or = 3.0 mmol/L, which was less than 0.50% of all plasma cholesterol requests; there were 39 men and 18 women (P < 0.05, Chi-squared test). The mean age was 53.8 [21.3] (range 3-83 years). The mean plasma cholesterol concentration was 2.28 [0.56] mmol/L (1.16-3.0) and the mean triglyceride concentration was 1.58 [1.09] mmol/L (0.49-7.35). There was a significant correlation between plasma cholesterol concentration and plasma albumin (Rs = 0.48, P < 0.01) and between plasma total protein concentration (Rs = 0.49, P < 0.01). However, there was no relationship between the concentrations of plasma cholesterol and triglyceride (Rs = 0.10, P > 0.05). Eighteen per cent of patients with hypocholesterolaemia died during their hospitalization. Thirty-nine per cent of those who had a plasma cholesterol of < or = 2.0 mmol/L died whereas 71% of those who had a plasma cholesterol concentration of < 1.5 mmol/L died. Hypocholesterolaemia was more commonly seen in the intensive care unit and in post-operative patients, those with malignancy, sepsis, acute myocardial infarction, those who had inflammatory bowel disease and diabetics on insulin. Hypocholesterolaemia may be a useful predictor of mortality in hospital patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Chemiluminescent detection of sequential DNA hybridizations to high-density, filter-arrayed cDNA libraries: a subtraction method for novel gene discovery.

A chemiluminescent approach for sequential DNA hybridizations to high-density filter arrays of cDNAs, using a biotin-based random priming method followed by a streptavidin/alkaline phosphatase/CDP-Star detection protocol, is presented. The method has been applied to the Brugia malayi genome project, wherein cDNA libraries, cosmid and bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) libraries have been gridded at high density onto nylon filters for subsequent analysis by hybridization. Individual probes and pools of rRNA probes, ribosomal protein probes and expressed sequence tag probes show correct specificity and high signal-to-noise ratios even after ten rounds of hybridization, detection, stripping of the probes from the membranes and rehybridization with additional probe sets. This approach provides a subtraction method that leads to a reduction in redundant DNA sequencing, thus increasing the rate of novel gene discovery. The method is also applicable for detecting target sequences, which are present in one or only a few copies per cell; it has proven useful for physical mapping of BAC and cosmid high-density filter arrays, wherein multiple probes have been hybridized at one time (multiplexed) and subsequently "deplexed" into individual components for specific probe localizations.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Dopamine clearance in critically ill patients.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the validity of the low-dose "renal" dopamine regimen in critically ill patients by investigating the steady-state clearance of dopamine. DESIGN: A prospective clinical study. SETTING: Teaching hospital intensive care unit. PATIENTS: 48 haemodynamically stable patients receiving a dopamine infusion. INTERVENTIONS: Sampling of arterial blood and dopamine infusates. MEASUREMENT AND RESULTS: Plasma and infusate dopamine levels were measured by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Steady-state clearance was determined by dividing the actual infusion rate by the steady-state plasma concentration. Dopamine clearance for the whole group was 46.4 +/- 35.9 ml/kg per min (mean +/- SD), which is significantly lower than 70 +/- 15.2 ml/kg per min reported for elective surgical patients (p = 0.01). Twelve patients with renal dysfunction had significantly lower dopamine clearances (36 +/- 16.6 ml/kg per min) than the remaining 36 patients (61 +/- 38.5 ml/kg per min, p = 0.022). There was a very poor correlation between plasma dopamine level and infusion rate for the group as a whole (r = 0.47), and this worsened (r = 0.31) when only those patients on a "renal" dose of 2-5 microg/kg per min were considered (n = 30). CONCLUSION: Plasma dopamine clearance is lower in critically ill patients and there is a large interindividual variation. It is therefore impossible to predict the plasma level from the infusion rate. Consequently, the concept of a selective renovascular low-dose dopamine infusion is invalid in critically ill patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Cloning and expression of the ApaLI, NspI, NspHI, SacI, ScaI, and SapI restriction-modification systems in Escherichia coli.

The genes encoding the ApaLI (5'-GTGCAC-3'), NspI (5'-RCATGY-3'), NspHI (5'-RCATGY-3'), SacI (5'-GAGCTC-3'), SapI (5'-GCTCTTCN1-3', 5'-N4GAAGAGC-3') and ScaI (5'-AGTACT-3') restriction-modification systems have been cloned in E. coli. Amino acid sequence comparison of M.ApaLI, M.NspI, M.NspHI, and M.SacI with known methylases indicated that they contain the ten conserved motifs characteristic of C5 cytosine methylases. NspI and NspHI restriction-modification systems are highly homologous in amino acid sequence. The C-termini of the NspI and NlaIII (5'-CATG-3') restriction endonucleases share significant similarity. 5mC modification of the internal C in a SacI site renders it resistant to SacI digestion. External 5mC modification of a SacI site has no effect on SacI digestion. N4mC modification of the second base in the sequence 5'-GCTCTTC-3' blocks SapI digestion. N4mC modification of the other cytosines in the SapI site does not affect SapI digestion. N4mC modification of ScaI site blocks ScaI digetion. A DNA invertase homolog was found adjacent to the ApaLI restriction-modification system. A DNA transposase subunit homolog was found upstream of the SapI restriction endonuclease gene.

Amino Acid Sequence↗