PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Gibson

Publications and source records attributed to M Gibson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Central venous catheters: the role of radiology.

The insertion and management of long-term venous catheters have long been the province of anaesthetists, intensive care physicians and surgeons. Radiologists are taking an increasing role in the insertion of central venous catheters (CVCs) because of their familiarity with the imaging equipment and their ability to manipulate catheters and guide-wires. The radiological management of the complications of CVCs has also expanded as a result. This article reviews the role of radiology in central venous access, covering the detection and management of their complications.

Aorta↗

Effects of season and inclusion of corn distillers dried grains with solubles in creep feed on intake, microbial protein synthesis and efficiency, ruminal fermentation, digestion, and performance of nursing calves grazing native range in southeastern North Dakota.

Nine ruminally and duodenally cannulated (145 +/- 21 kg of initial BW; Exp. 1) and sixteen intact (181 +/- 36 kg of initial BW; Exp. 2), commercial, Angus, nursing, steer calves were used to evaluate the effects of advancing season and corn distillers dried grains with solubles in creep feed on intake, digestion, microbial efficiency, ruminal fermentation, and performance while grazing native rangeland. Calves were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: a supplement containing 41% soybean meal, 26.25% wheat middlings, 26.25% soybean hulls, 5% molasses, and 1.5% limestone (control) or a supplement containing 50% corn distillers dried grains with solubles, 14.25% wheat middlings, 14.25% soybean hulls, 14% soybean meal, 5% molasses, and 1.5% limestone (CDDGS). Calves were offered supplement individually (0.45% of BW) once daily. Three 15-d collection periods occurred in June, July, and August. In Exp. 1, there were no differences in OM intake, or OM, N, NDF, or ADF digestion between control calves and those fed CDDGS. Forage and total OM intake increased (P < 0.03), whereas OM digestion decreased (P < 0.01), with advancing season. Duodenal microbial N flow (g/d) was not affected (P = 0.50) by treatment and increased linearly (P = 0.003) as season progressed. Calves consuming CDDGS had decreased (P < 0.01) ruminal acetate:propionate ratio, increased (P < 0.01) molar proportion of butyrate, and decreased (P < 0.001) molar proportions of isobutyrate and isovalerate. In Exp. 2, supplement OM intake (% of BW) was less for CDDGS compared with control calves, but there were no differences in performance or subsequent carcass composition between treatments. Inclusion of 50% corn distillers dried grains with solubles in a creep supplement for nursing calves produced similar results compared with a control creep feed based on soybean meal, soybean hulls, and wheat middlings.

Animal Feed↗

Outside the box.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Education, Dental↗

Multi-tasking in practice: coordinated activities in the computer supported doctor-patient consultation.

UNLABELLED: The paper provides detailed descriptions of general practitioners (GPs') interactions, both with their computers and their patients, with the aim of facilitating the detailed understanding of how GPs use their computers while in consultation with patients. The focus is on the coordinated activities of the doctor and patient and the multitasking that is required during consultation. The data consists of primary care doctor-patient consultations for asthma and angina where clinical scenarios, supported by dummy electronic and paper records for use by the doctor, were played out. Although not 'naturally occurring', the mock scenario is a traditional medical training technique. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: This paper describes and demonstrates a data transcription methodology, involving seven discrete levels of activities, developed to account for the intricate multitasking that occurs in a GP consultation. The transcription method, developed to support the evaluation of a prototype medical prescribing decision support system (Prodigy) for use by general practitioners in consultation with patients, builds on data description techniques from conversation analysis (CA) and video analysis (VA). CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that the methodology described could also be applicable to other scenarios involving the observation of human-computer-human interaction.

Decision Support Systems, Clinical↗

Introduction to competition between continuous cultures of Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Dunaliella tertiolecta.

When the diatom, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, and the microalga, Dunaliella tertiolecta, are cultured together in a chemostat at dilution factors of approximately 0.5 day-1, the diatom develops the higher population density. At dilution factors above 1.2 day-1 the inability of the diatom to assimilate nutrient as fast as it flows into the chemostat results in the microalga generating the larger population. This change in population densities is accompanied by an increase in the chlorophyll content of the diatom and a decrease in the chlorophyll content of the microalga. Two species of phytoplankton can coexist when they compete for nutrient in a chemostat providing they do not otherwise interact. When the species do interact coexistence in a stable steady state is possible providing intraspecies interactions exceed the interactions between the species. Both species adjust their consumption to minimise the concentration of nutrient in the chemostat and their growth is modified to match the dilution factor of the flow.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Subintimal angioplasty for superficial femoral artery occlusion: poor patency in critical ischaemia.

INTRODUCTION: Subintimal angioplasty has been proposed for the treatment of long segment occlusive disease and for patients with critical limb ischaemia (CLI) with significant co-morbidity. There is no consensus as to short- and long-term patency. We present our experience with this technique. METHODS: Between 1995 and 2000, 43 consecutive patients (48 limbs) underwent subintimal angioplasty for superficial femoral artery occlusions. Outcome measures were haemodynamic and/or symptomatic patency. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 14/17 limbs with CLI (82%) and 30/31 (97%) with intermittent claudication (IC). There were 7 complications (15%), 6 occurring in the claudicant group. The median occlusion length was 10 cm for CLI and 6 cm for IC. Patency at 12 and 36 months, on an intention-to-treat basis, was 69% and 58% for claudicants and 25% and 25% for patients with CLI (P = 0.0005 and P = 0.0044, respectively). Following only technically successful procedures, 12-month patency was 72% (IC) and 31% (CLI) (P = 0.009). Patients with occlusions > or = 10 cm were more likely to re-occlude than those < 10 cm (12-month patency 60% versus 25%;P = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: In this series, short- and long-term patency in patients with CLI is poor. Subintimal angioplasty in the treatment of CLI should be reserved for those patients not fit for surgical bypass.

Adult↗

Effect of high-dose intravenous eletriptan on coronary artery diameter.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the coronary vasoconstrictive effects of high doses of eletriptan compared with a standard dose of sumatriptan. Patients with no clinically significant coronary artery disease were randomized to receive high-dose intravenous eletriptan (n = 24) vs a standard dose of sumatriptan (n = 18; 6 mg subcutaneously) vs placebo (n = 18). Serial angiograms were obtained. The primary non-inferiority analysis found equivalence between the mean maximum change in left anterior descending coronary artery diameter for eletriptan, -22%[95% confidence interval (CI) -26, -19], and sumatriptan, -19% (95% CI -22, -16). The change due to placebo was -16% (95% CI -20, -12). No individual cases of clinically significant vasoconstriction were observed. The results confirm that eletriptan has a broad cardiovascular safety margin, with plasma concentrations comparable to three to five times the Cmax of an oral 80-mg dose associated with modest vasoconstriction equivalent to standard therapeutic doses of sumatriptan.

Adult↗

Abnormal cognitive function in treated congenital hypopituitarism.

AIMS: To assess cognitive function in school age children with congenital pituitary hormone deficiency (PHD). METHODS: Ten children with PHD (aged 6.0-15.6 years, mean 11.5 years) and sibling controls (aged 8.7-14.9 years, mean 12.1 years) were assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III UK). RESULTS: The patients' full scale IQ scores were all below average (mean 75, 95% CI 70-80), but were not significantly different to those of sibling controls (mean 82, 95% CI 75-89). There was no difference in verbal IQ between patients and siblings, but performance IQ was significantly reduced (mean 75, 95% CI 68-82 in patients; mean 88, 95% CI 80-96 in sibling controls). The reduced performance IQ reflected a poorer performance in tasks assessing perceptual organisational skills. CONCLUSIONS: Data suggest that children with PHD have an IQ that is below average when compared to the population norm and a reduced performance IQ when compared to sibling controls. This may reflect abnormal brain development or could be linked to the impact of hypoglycaemia or low thyroxine concentrations in early life. This information is of value when counselling parents and planning a child's care and education, although further, more extensive studies of patients and siblings are required.

Adolescent↗

Prevalence of sensitisation to cellulase and xylanase in bakery workers.

AIMS: To assess the prevalence of sensitisation to a range of exogenous fungal enzymes used in bakeries, and determine the relation between sensitisation and work related symptoms. METHODS: Serum samples (n = 135) from a previous cross sectional study investigating the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and sensitisation to dust components, were reanalysed for specific IgE to the mixed enzymes cellulase, hemicellulase, and xylanase. RESULTS: Eight (6%) of sera tested had detectable specific IgE to mixed enzymes (excluding fungal alpha-amylase) and 16 (12%) to fungal alpha-amylase. A significant increase (p = 0.03) in nasal symptoms was found in those workers sensitised to enzymes (including alpha-amylase and the mixed enzymes, but with or without sensitisation to wheat flour) when compared to those sensitised to wheat flour alone. Both groups had significantly greater levels of nasal symptoms in comparison to those with no evidence of sensitisation. CONCLUSIONS: The association between specific IgE to mixed enzymes, and an increased prevalence of nasal symptoms in individuals sensitised to enzymes, highlights the importance of measuring sensitisation to the full range of exogenous enzymes used in the baking industry, as well as to wheat flour.

Cellulase↗

Apollo: a sequence annotation editor.

The well-established inaccuracy of purely computational methods for annotating genome sequences necessitates an interactive tool to allow biological experts to refine these approximations by viewing and independently evaluating the data supporting each annotation. Apollo was developed to meet this need, enabling curators to inspect genome annotations closely and edit them. FlyBase biologists successfully used Apollo to annotate the Drosophila melanogaster genome and it is increasingly being used as a starting point for the development of customized annotation editing tools for other genome projects.

Animals↗

Computed tomography-detected abnormalities following conventional abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair.

PURPOSE: To determine how time since the operation influences vascular abnormalities following conventional infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. METHODS: In 47 patients computed tomography was performed 1 to 12 years following the aneurysm repair. Aortic diameters at different levels were measured and other abnormalities recorded. RESULTS: Significant correlation was found between time since operation and diameter of the suprarenal aorta (R=0.51, P<0.001) but not with aortic neck diameter (R=-0.10, P=0.48) or diameter of the prosthetic graft (R=0.07, P=0.66). However, measured diameters of graft and aortic neck showed a significant positive correlation (R=0.40, P=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Dilatation of the suprarenal aorta has a different pattern from aortic neck dilatation. The latter showed correlation with the diameter of the prosthetic graft. This may be of interest for future design of endovascular stent-grafts.

Aged↗

Neuroendocrine control of pulsatile GnRH secretion during the ovarian cycle: evidence from the ewe.

This article reviews the neuroendocrine control of episodic GnRH secretion during the ovine oestrous cycle. There is general agreement that endogenous opioid peptides (EOPs) mediate the negative feedback action of progesterone on GnRH pulse frequency during the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle and recent preliminary data have implicated the dynorphin-kappa-receptor system in this effect of progesterone. Progesterone also acutely inhibits GnRH pulse frequency via a non-EOP mechanism, as naloxone does not block the rapid effects of this steroid. The effects of bicuculline, 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one and RU486 consistently indicated that the gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABA-A) receptor is also not involved in the acute actions of progesterone. Thus, the neural system mediating this effect remains to be determined. Oestradiol has several actions on episodic GnRH secretion. The most well characterized action is inhibition of GnRH pulse amplitude, which is probably mediated by noradrenergic neurones. Oestradiol also increases the response to progesterone negative feedback, alters GnRH pulse shape and increases GnRH pulse frequency. The first two of these actions may involve EOPs, whereas the mechanisms underlying GnRH pulse frequency are currently unknown. Finally, there is also evidence that EOPs play a physiological role in synchronizing the firing of the GnRH neurones responsible for episodic release. Specifically, the effects of naloxone on the GnRH pulse shape lead to the hypothesis that EOP tone contributes to the termination of each GnRH pulse and prevents random firing of these GnRH neurones between pulses. Thus, it appears that EOPs play an important role in controlling several different aspects of pulsatile GnRH release during the ovine oestrous cycle.

Animals↗

Prevalence of Salmonella spp in cull (market) dairy cows at slaughter.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of Salmonella spp in the cecal-colon contents of cull (market) dairy cows at slaughter because of potential public health ramifications. DESIGN: Survey study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Cecal-colon contents collected from 5,087 cull (market) dairy cows at slaughter at 5 slaughter establishments across the United States. PROCEDURE: During 2 periods of the year, winter (January and February) and summer (July through September), 5 cull (market) cow slaughter establishments in the United States--west (WE), southeast (SEE), central (CE), north central (NCE), and south central (SCE)--establishments were visited, and cecal-colon contents of cull dairy cows were obtained at the time of slaughter. Samples were examined by microbiologic culture at a single laboratory for Salmonella spp. RESULTS: Salmonella spp were detected in 23.1% of cecal-colon content samples from cull dairy cows across the 5 slaughter establishments. The highest site prevalence (54.5%) was detected at the WE during the summer period, whereas the lowest was found at the CE during the summer (4.3%) and at the NCE during the winter (4.5%). Considerable variation in the daily prevalence of Salmonella spp was found, particularly at the WE and the SCE. Salmonella spp were isolated from 93% of cecal-colon contents collected on a summer day at the WE. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results strongly suggest that there is a high prevalence of Salmonella spp in cull dairy cows at slaughter, which could burden Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point programs implemented in slaughter establishments. Procedures to reduce Salmonella load at the dairy farm and during transport to slaughter could reduce the risk of spread during the slaughter process.

Abattoirs↗

Diversity of Salmonella serotypes in cull (market) dairy cows at slaughter.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diversity of Salmonella serotypes isolated from a large population of cull (market) dairy cows at slaughter. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Salmonella organisms isolated from the cecal-colon contents of 5,087 market dairy cows. PROCEDURE: During winter and summer 1996, cecal-colon contents of cull dairy cows at slaughter were obtained from 5 US slaughter establishments. Specimens were subjected to microbiologic culturing for Salmonella spp at 1 laboratory. Identified isolates were compared with Salmonella isolation lists published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) for approximately the same period. The Simpson diversity index was used to calculate the likelihood that Salmonella isolates selected randomly by establishment were different. RESULTS: Of 58 Salmonella serotypes identified, Salmonella ser. Montevideo was the most prevalent. Two of the top 10 CDC serotypes identified from in 1996, Salmonella ser. Typhimurium and S Montevideo, appeared on our top 10 list; 8 of the top 10 were found on NVSL listings. Thirty-one of 59 S. Typhimurium isolates were identified as DT104 and found at a west slaughter establishment, 30 during the winter and 1 during the summer. The greatest diversity of serotypes was at a southeast establishment during the summer; the least diversity was at a central establishment in the winter. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: 58 Salmonella serotypes were isolated from market dairy cows at slaughter and could pose a threat for food-borne illness. Salmonella Montevideo was the most frequently isolated serotype and may contribute substantially to salmonellosis in dairy cattle.

Animals↗