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Biomedical subjects

N Grove

Publications and source records attributed to N Grove.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Effects of the Fusarium toxin deoxynivalenol on tissue protein synthesis in pigs.

The Fusarium toxin deoxynivalenol is known to be a potent protein synthesis inhibitor according to research in different in vitro and in vivo systems. However, the significance of this toxic feature was not yet evaluated for the pig. Therefore, an experiment was carried out to measure porcine tissue protein synthesis employing the so-called flooding dose technique using [(2)H(5)]-phenylalanine as tracer. A total of 25 male castrated pigs (initial weight of 23kg) were used. Seventeen pigs were fed the control diet (control) and eight the Fusarium toxin-contaminated diet (chronic oral deoxynivalenol (DON)) for approximately 4wks. Pigs recruited from the control group were treated with acute oral (n=7) and intravenous (i.v.) DON (n=5), and were exposed to the toxin once on the day of protein synthesis measurement. The DON-dose given prior to the beginning of protein synthesis measurement amounted to 2, 77, 83 and 53microg DONkg(-1) live weight for the control group, chronic oral DON-group, acute oral DON-group and acute i.v. DON-group, respectively. Protein synthesis expressed as fractional synthesis rate (FSR) was significantly reduced in kidneys, spleen and ileum of DON-exposed pigs with effects being less pronounced in the acute oral DON-group. FSR of liver, skeletal and heart muscle, mesenteric lymph nodes, duodenum, jejunum, jejunal mucosa cells, pancreas and lung were not affected by DON.

Albumins↗
PubMed2005

An Australian childhood obesity summit: the role of data and evidence in 'public' policy making.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity in Australia has risen at an alarming rate over the last 20 years as in other industrialised countries around the world, yet the policy response, locally and globally, has been limited. Using a childhood obesity summit held in Australia in 2002 as a case study, this paper examines how evidence was used in setting the agenda, influencing the Summit debate and shaping the policy responses which emerged. The study used multiple methods of data collection including documentary analysis, key informant interviews, a focus group discussion and media analysis. The resulting data were content analysed to examine the types of evidence used in the Summit and how the state of the evidence base contributed to policy-making. RESULTS: Empirical research evidence concerning the magnitude of the problem was widely reported and largely uncontested in the media and in the Summit debates. In contrast, the evidence base for action was mostly opinion and ideas as empirical data was lacking. Opinions and ideas were generally found to be an acceptable basis for agreeing policy action coupled with thorough evaluation. However, the analysis revealed that the evidence was fiercely contested around food advertising to children and action agreed was therefore limited. CONCLUSION: The Summit demonstrated that policy action will move forward in the absence of strong research evidence. Where powerful and competing groups contest possible policy options, however, the evidence base required for action needs to be substantial. As with tobacco control, obesity control efforts are likely to face ongoing challenges around the nature of the evidence and interventions proposed to tackle the problem. Overcoming the challenges in controlling obesity will be more likely if researchers and public health advocates enhance their understanding of the policy process, including the role different types of evidence can play in influencing public debate and policy decisions, the interests and tactics of the different stakeholders involved and the part that can be played by time-limited yet high profile events such as Summits.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Multisign combinations by children with intellectual impairments: an analysis of language skills.

Research suggests that people with intellectual impairments who use manual signs to augment or substitute for speech rarely progress beyond the stage of single signs and that word order is particularly problematic. However, the majority of studies have focused on experimental tasks, and relatively little is known about spontaneous sign production in naturalistic settings. The present study explored the linguistic development in sign and speech of 10 children who relied on manual signs (the Makaton vocabulary) as their main means of communication. Mean utterance length in sign ranged from 1.0 to 2.5, and analysis of semantic relations, lexical development, and word order suggested that the children had not developed their language beyond MLU Stage I. Examination of their abilities within the modality of sign indicated that some children were able to manipulate features of sign at a sublexical level. The results are discussed in relation to the language input by teachers, and inferences are drawn regarding the underlying modality of linguistic representation in children who use manual signs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Developing intelligible signs with learning-disabled students: a review of the literature and an assessment procedure.

The use of sign language as an augmentative medium of communication is a well-established approach in working with client groups who are handicapped in their effective use of verbal language. However, students with physical and learning disabilities may continue to experience problems in making themselves understood, because of inaccuracies in sign production which may be considered as analogous to phonological errors in speech. It is suggested in this paper that the evaluation and remediation of sign production errors is most usefully approached through an understanding of the phonological structure of sign language. The paper presents a review of the literature concerning the development of (1) motor patterns involved in sign production, and (2) the four major parameters of handshape, location, movement and orientation, in hearing-impaired and hearing children whose first language is sign, and in students with mental handicaps. A framework for assessing and monitoring sign production is suggested, and possible approaches to the development of intelligible signing are discussed. It is argued that the analysis and remediation of sign errors should always be related to the communication needs of the individual, rather than developed in isolation.

Child Development↗
PubMed1989

Prevention of hydrocephalus shunt catheter colonisation in vitro by impregnation with antimicrobials.

A process is described by which hydrocephalus shunt catheters can be impregnated with antimicrobials. The processed catheters showed antimicrobial activity at their surfaces for long periods and could be sterilised by autoclaving. When tested in vitro in a model of catheter colonisation using large challenge doses of Staphylococcus epidermidis and prolonged perfusion, some antimicrobials failed to protect against colonisation whereas others protected against one or two challenges. A combination of rifampicin and clindamycin gave best results, protecting against three successive challenges over a 28 day perfusion period. Resistant organisms did not develop. The process is likely to be useful in prevention of hydrocephalus shunt infection.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1985

Assessment of potential toxic effects of treated Hemofil injection in rats and mice and on the systemic hemodynamics in dogs.

The toxic effects of treated Hemofil (T-AHF) injection were evaluated by acute and subchronic intravenous administration to rats, mice, and dogs. Acute iv administration of T-AHF to rats and mice at dosages of 1320 units (U) of Factor VIII/kg did not produce toxic signs. Both species were found to have an LD50 greater than 1320 U. Seven-day iv administration to rats of T-AHF at dosages of 20, 40, and 60 U/kg and 3-mo administration (3 times/wk for 13 wk) of T-AHF at dosages of 100 and 200 U/kg did not produce any signs of toxicity. There were no treatment-related effects on body weights, hematology, clinical chemistry, urinalysis, ocular tissues, or histopathology. Intravenous administration to dogs at 0.5, 1.0, and 5.0 ml/min . kg (28 U/ml, 100 U/kg at each rate) produced no significant adverse effects on mean arterial pressure, cardiac output, or heart rate. No adverse changes in pulmonary function, as reflected by arterial blood-gas profiles, were observed. It is concluded that animals tolerated well T-AHF administered at dosages and rates similar to or greater than dosages used clinically. The results obtained from these studies establish a reasonable margin of safety and support the acceptability of the T-AHF for clinical use.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The impact of the Trial Coordinator in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT). The DCCT Research Group.

The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) is a multicenter, randomized clinical trial studying the effects of two different diabetes regimens on the development and progression of early vascular complications in persons with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). All of the centers have a Trial Coordinator. We administered a self-report questionnaire to each center to document the different activities for which the Trial Coordinator assumed responsibility in successfully orchestrating the trial. All Trial Coordinators were responsible primarily for recruitment, screening, medical management, education and training, and adherence and administration. Although documentation indicated that the Trial Coordinator was responsible for all of the above activities, the original applications reflected that very few of the Principal Investigators anticipated such a wide variety of duties. A Trial Coordinator was named in only 13 of the 21 applications and of these, only 6 actually assumed the position. This study points out the need to develop a means to define characteristics, background, and training appropriate for candidates for a Trial Coordinator position in future studies.

Allied Health Personnel↗