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Biomedical subjects

L Sanderson

Publications and source records attributed to L Sanderson.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

In vitro and in vivo studies on the bioactivity of a ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract towards adult schistosomes and their egg production.

The bioactivity of an ethyl acetate extract of ginger (Zingiber officinale) towards Schistosoma mansoni adult pairs, both cultured in vitro and in vivo in laboratory mice, was investigated by monitoring worm mortality and fecundity. In vitro, a concentration of 200 mg l(-1) of extract killed almost all worms within 24 h. Male worms seemed more susceptible than female under these conditions. Cumulative egg output of surviving worm pairs in vitro was considerably reduced when exposed to the extract. For example, after 4 days of exposure to 50 mg l(-1), cumulative egg output was only 0.38 eggs per worm pair compared with 36.35 for untreated worms. In vivo efficacy of the extract was tested by oral and subcutaneous delivery of 150 mg kg(-1) followed by assessment of worm survival and fecundity. Neither delivery route produced any significant reduction in worm numbers compared with untreated controls. Worm fecundity was assessed in vivo by cumulative egg counts per liver at 55 days post infection with mice treated subcutaneously. Such infections showed egg levels in the liver of about 2000 eggs per worm pair in 55 days, in both treated and control mice, with no significant difference between the two groups. To ensure that density-dependent effects did not confound this analysis, a separate experiment demonstrated no such influence on egg output per worm pair, at intensities between 1 and 23 worms per mouse.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Control of water-borne parasitic diseases with natural products: the potential of Dialium guineense as a molluscicide.

The molluscicidal activity of the fruit and leaves of Dialium guineense was found to be due to glycosides of the triterpenoid oleanolic acid. Three glycosides were isolated from the fruit and a fourth from the leaves and are known compounds. The amount of total saponins present in D. guineense makes it a good candidate for a readily available molluscicide in Nigerian villages.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Language background and communication skills of medical students.

OBJECTIVE: The increasing proportion of medical students whose primary language is other than English and recent reports of poor communication skills of medical graduates has generated community concern about the methods of selection of students and their communication skills training. This paper examines the relationship between language background and examination performance in oral communication skills in Year 5 medical students. METHOD: Questionnaire data from all Year 5 students in the 1992 general practice terms were matched to examination results. RESULTS: Seventy percent of students responded. Most students whose primary language was not English passed, although some required remedial communication skills tuition. The most powerful predictors of poor performance were recent arrival in Australia and living in an environment where English was not spoken at home. CONCLUSION: Students with poor English oral communication skills should be encouraged to speak English away from the medical school and should be offered additional tuition so that their skills in other languages are not lost to the health-care system.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The plant molluscicide Millettia thonningii (Leguminosae) as a topical antischistosomal agent.

The West African legume Millettia thonningii is used in Ghana as an anthelmintic and as a purgative agent. A chloroform extract of the seeds of Millettia thonningii which is known to be molluscicidal and cercaricidal was topically applied to mouse skin 2 and 24 h prior to exposure to Schistosoma mansoni cercariae. The presence of Millettia thonningii extract components on the surface of the skin appeared to be effective in preventing subsequent establishment of infection. The compound responsible for the activity is thought to be the isoflavonoid alpinumisoflavone.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1995

Developing group practices: a management challenge.

The advantages and disadvantages of forming larger professional practices are often debated. This paper reports an exploration of the issues through three case studies involving clusters of Sydney general medical practitioners who had expressed a desire to amalgamate their solo or small group practices. Their most frequently stated goals were to reduce financial overheads, to improve the range of services offered to their patients and to improve the opportunities for recreational and study leave. Several barriers to successful amalgamation were identified, and methods of overcoming these were explored. Practices can successfully amalgamate, but only where there is a group of like-minded general practitioners who are willing to invest time to achieve mutually agreed objectives. Amalgamation will not be appropriate in all circumstances. Larger group practices should benefit from the employment of a professional practice manager. These findings may be relevant to veterinary and dental practices.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Forming large group practices: is it worth it?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate means of successful general practice amalgamation. PARTICIPANTS: Three clusters of Sydney general practitioners who wished to amalgamate their solo or small group practices. DESIGN: Structured interviews were conducted with individual general practitioners and group meetings were held with members of each cluster. RESULT: Successful amalgamation of solo/small practices starts with choosing compatible participants. Next, aims must be agreed upon and clearly spelt out. Commonly expressed goals of amalgamation were to reduce financial overheads, improve the range of patient services and increase opportunities for recreational and study leave. Financial and legal aid is essential for intending amalgamators. "Trial amalgamation" may be a safe option for those uncertain as to whether to commit themselves and their practices. CONCLUSIONS: Practices can successfully amalgamate, but only with a group of like-minded general practitioners who are willing to invest time to achieve mutually agreed objectives. Amalgamation is not always appropriate.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1994

Attenuation of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae with a molluscicide derived from Millettia thonningii.

A chloroform extract of molluscicidal plant secondary compounds from the seeds of a West African legume Millettia thonningii was used to attenuate cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni prior to infection of NMRI female mice. Exposure of cercariae to 0.3, 0.6, 1.3, 2.5, 10 or 20 mg/l concentrations of extract for 30 min, immediately before standardized infection, was associated with a concentration-dependent decline in worm establishment at 55 days post-infection. The mean numbers of adult worms established declined from about 17 worms/mouse with control cercariae and those exposed to 0.3 mg/l Millettia to 0.1 worms/mouse after 10 mg/l pre-treatment. Mice exposed to cercariae after 20 mg/l pre-treatment had no adult worms at 55 days post-infection. The activities of cercariae 30 min after exposure to Millettia extract at concentrations up to 2.5 mg/l were similar to those of control larvae: none was immobile. Exposure to higher concentrations of Millettia progressively reduced swimming activity and increased the proportion of immobile cercariae. After pretreatment with 20 mg/l Millettia the majority of larvae were immobile. Levels of anti-parasite antibodies (estimated by ELISA assay using an adult worm-based antigen preparation) rose between 21 and 55 days p.i. with control cercariae and those pre-treated with 2.5 mg/l Millettia. After 5 mg/l pre-treatment, cercariae induced a reduced antibody rise, while mice exposed to cercariae after 10 mg/l pre-treatment showed no rise in anti-parasite antibody levels. These results are discussed in the context of protocols which could possibly use Millettia-attenuated cercariae to induce useful levels of protection in mice towards further cercarial challenge.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

The influence of safety belt laws on self-reported safety belt use in the United States.

We assessed rates and trends in safety belt use by presence and type of safety belt law using data from states participating in the 1984-1989 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. State(s) with a safety belt law allowing law enforcement officers to stop vehicles for occupants' failure to use safety belts (primary enforcement law) had greater and more rapid increases in safety belt use rates than did states with laws requiring that vehicles must first be stopped for some other violation before a citation or fine for occupants' failure to use safety belts could be imposed (secondary enforcement law). Larger and sustained increases in safety belt use occurred when safety belt laws became effective or when fines were imposed for violations than when laws were first enacted. These data suggest that primary enforcement laws result in greater and more rapid increases in safety belt use than do secondary enforcement laws, and that initial increases in safety belt use following implementation of laws are sustained.

Humans↗
PubMed1983

Thoracic air gun injuries in children.

Four cases of thoracic air gun injuries in children are presented. Potentially lethal injuries with penetration of the heart and lung occurred. All of the children were treated with surgical removal of the pellet, two from the ventricular myocardium, one from the right atrial appendage, and one from the right middle lobe of the lung. All of the patients survived and had an uneventful recovery. The need for regulating the use of air guns by children has been alluded to, in addition to the need for public education regarding the potential danger of air gun injuries.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of perceived malpractice insurance costs on the family practice career goals of medical students.

A questionnaire regarding perceived training and practice goals was distributed to 185 consecutive medical students interviewing for a 1986-87 internship at a community hospital in Southern California. Students were asked to estimate the dollar cost of professional liability insurance for a hypothetical family physician in the first year in practice performing low-risk obstetrics in Southern California. Family physician applicants who planned to do obstetrics estimated an initial average yearly premium cost of $16,406, whereas those not planning to do obstetrics estimated costs of $25,710 per year. Non-OB directed family practice applicants had a statistically significant (P = .0018) higher estimate of professional liability insurance costs. Average premium costs were obtained from three separate professional liability insurance carriers. Cost estimates of mature rates were not necessarily unrealistic, but student ignorance of significantly lower initial rates was widespread. The broad ranges of estimates suggested that subsets of students may be dramatically overestimating these costs. The data and direct questioning of students suggest that perceived insurance costs may affect training goals and career choices of medical students.

California↗