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Biomedical subjects

M Isaac

Publications and source records attributed to M Isaac.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Re-engineering pathology: an IT solution to the data conundrum.

AIMS: To develop a simple process for data transfer between disparate laboratory computer systems, and to assist in the rationalisation of services while maintaining or improving clinical care. METHODS: Using existing hardware and software in the laboratories, data manipulation was reduced in the sending and receiving laboratories by using scripting languages to perform the import and export routines from disparate laboratory systems. RESULTS: Data exchange between Carmarthen and Swansea laboratories (12,000 specimens per year) was achieved in a semiautomatic manner for most specimens. Turnaround times were equalled or improved with the new arrangements, and significant reductions were obtained in staff costs. CONCLUSIONS: Data exchange between disparate laboratory computer systems can be achieved inhouse using simple systems. The process offers a route to assist in the management of reducing resources. The process could be readily utilised in other pathology disciplines or with any data integration exercise. There is scope for further enhancement that is currently being investigated.

Clinical Laboratory Information Systems↗
PubMed1997

ICD-10 and DSM-IV symptoms of somatoform disorders in different cultures.

In spite of an effort to harmonize the latest editions of International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), a number of differences between the two classification systems still exist. One of these differences is related to the category of somatoform disorders. The cross-cultural applicability of ICD-10 and DSM-IV criteria for somatoform disorders have been explored in the context of the ongoing WHO International Study of Somatoform Disorders. The study demonstrated that the current diagnostic concepts of somatoform disorders are cross-culturally acceptable in spite of the differences in their descriptions and classifications. However, it was found that a number of culture specific symptoms of somatoform disorders which do not appear in ICD-10 and DSM-IV were important and necessary for their diagnosis in specific cultures.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Cutaneous aspergillosis.

Aspergillosis comprises a spectrum of diseases caused by species of a ubiquitous saprophytic mold, Aspergillus, that usually live on decaying vegetation. Aspergillus organisms rarely behave as pathogens in an immunocompetent host. In the presence of immunosuppression, however, aspergillus may be invasive and take a fulminant course. Aspergillosis is the second most frequent opportunistic fungal infection surpassed only by candidiasis; therefore, early detection and treatment are essential to minimize morbidity and mortality. This article reviews the historical aspects, etiology, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, pathology, and treatment of this disease and focuses on the cutaneous aspects of species of Aspergillus known to infect humans.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed1995

Somatoform disorders in different cultures--a mail questionnaire survey.

A mail questionnaire survey was organized by WHO to obtain expert opinion on the cross-cultural applicability of ICD-10 definitions of somatoform disorders. A response was obtained from 42 experts in 23 countries representing all five continents. The results showed that the ICD-10 concept of somatoform disorders was generally acceptable for use across cultures. However, a number of culture-specific symptoms, characteristics and terms that do not appear in ICD-10 were found to be common and important for the diagnosis of somatoform disorders in particular cultures. Pointing out the relative restrictiveness of ICD-10 criteria for somatization disorder, the experts emphasized the usefulness of having the more inclusive category of undifferentiated somatoform disorder. The survey was organized as the starting point of the WHO International Study of Somatoform Disorders. The major goal of the study is to improve understanding of the somatic presentation of psychological disorders in different cultures.

Cross-Cultural Comparison↗
PubMed1995

Medically unexplained somatic symptoms in different cultures. A preliminary report from phase I of the World Health Organization International Study of Somatoform Disorders.

The World Health Organization has recently launched an international study of somatoform disorders in different cultures. Five centres representing distinct cultures participated in phase I of the project, the main objective of which was to test the cross-cultural applicability and reliability of instruments for the assessment of somatoform disorders. The analysis of the assessed somatic symptoms showed that various aches and pains in different parts of the body represented cross-culturally the most frequent symptoms for which there was no medical explanation. Such symptoms may indicate the presence of an underlying mental disorder but can also represent a means for culture-specific expression of psychosocial distress. This bears particular significance for health professionals in primary and general medical care, who are most likely to encounter patients presenting with multiple, persistent and medically unexplained somatic symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Antibody class capture assay (ACCA) for rubella-specific IgM antibody.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for IgM antirubella were carried out on 1,546 sera, using an IgM capture method with a F (ab')2 conjugate (ACCA). Under the conditions described, sera containing IgM antirubella bound up to 15 times as much enzyme activity as negative specimens. Paired serum specimens from 27 patients, serial serum specimens from 6 patients, and single serum specimens from 15 patients who had had recent rubella were examined by the haemagglutination inhibition test (HAI) in the presence and absence of 2-mercaptoethanol following sucrose density gradient centrifugation (SDGC). ACCA confirmed all the results found with HAI following SDGC. Specimens were examined from ten patients with congenital rubella; ACCA confirmed the results found with both immunofluorescence following SDGC and radioimmunoassay. Pre- and post-vaccination specimens from 123 patients who had been vaccinated against rubella were examined. An IgM response could only be demonstrated in the 57 cases when IgG was absent in the first specimen. The specificity of the assay was confirmed by testing 31 serum specimens from rubella immune patients that also contained rheumatoid factor, 163 serum specimens from patients with acute infections other than rubella, and 12 serum specimens from infants with miscellaneous neonatal abnormalities other than congenital rubella. The ACCA proved a simple, sensitive, and specific test for IgM antirubella and the results compared favourably with those obtained by the SDGC technique.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1982

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using antibody class capture for the detection of antitoxoplasma IgM.

Sera from 180 patients with suspected toxoplasmic lymphadenopathy were examined for antitoxoplasma IgM by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using antibody class capture (ACCA). Of 82 positive ACCA results, 78 were confirmed by testing the IgM fractions of the sera, obtained by sucrose density gradient centrifugation (SDGC). The four positive results which could not be confirmed were all from patients with at least a year's history of lymphadenopathy. Sera from 10 patients with low Sabin Feldman dye test (DT) titers gave positive ACCA results and subsequent specimens from them showed a rise in antibody concentration, confirming the diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis. The antitoxoplasma IgM immunofluorescent antibody test (IgM-IFA) on whole serum was relatively insensitive and gave false-positive results with sera containing rheumatoid factor (RF) and antinuclear factor (ANF). There were no false-positive ACCA results with such sera, probably because the conjugates were prepared from F(ab')2 fragments of antitoxoplasma serum. The ACCA proved to be sensitive, specific and easily automated enabling examination of large numbers of specimens.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay↗
PubMed1980

I11-defined somatic symptoms in a South Indian rural clinic. Some preliminary clinical observations.

A detailed physical and psychiatric examination was carried out on 125 patients presenting with vague illdefined sensory symptoms, at a South Indian rural primary care clinic. Among these 94 cases were found to have a predominantly sensory peripheral neuropathy, 19 cases had evidence of other medical illnesses, and only 12 cases could be categorised as being functional. The large number of cases of peripheral neuropathy in a South Indian village is probably nutritional and resembles the clinical pattern of the burning feet syndrome. The significance of the presentation of these cases with vague somatic and psychological symptoms to psychiatric epidemiology is stressed.

Adult↗
PubMed1971

Listeriosis.

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Animals↗