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O Wilson

Publications and source records attributed to O Wilson.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Community assessment.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Community Health Nursing↗
PubMed1992

Carrier testing for cystic fibrosis: knowledge and attitudes within a local community.

We report a questionnaire survey of 216 adults (aged 16-68) attending the dental hospital in Newcastle. This was undertaken to provide a representative assessment of the level of knowledge in the community of cystic fibrosis and attitudes towards testing for carrier status. Knowledge of inheritance and symptomatology of the condition was scored and found to be less than previously reported in selected population groups. In the majority the source of information reported was the mass media; only 27 respondents had any contact with an affected individual. The questionnaire provided information about the inheritance and effects of cystic fibrosis. Three-quarters of the respondents accepted the idea of carrier testing for themselves, which included most of those of reproductive age, and all considered that testing should be available to those planning a family. General practice surgeries were the most favoured venue for testing. The implications of these findings for those involved in the planning of population screening programmes are considered.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Erythrocyte cation content and sodium transport in Siberian huskies.

Adult mixed-breed dogs and Siberian Huskies were used to study erythrocyte cation and water contents, as well as sodium transport kinetics. Erythrocyte sodium, potassium, and water contents, as well as sodium efflux and influx kinetics, were measured. Lithium efflux studies were also performed, because previous studies reported involvement of this ion in sodium transport kinetics. Sodium, potassium, and water contents in erythrocytes from mixed-breed dogs were significantly (P less than 0.05) different from those of Siberian Huskies when cells were washed in an isotonic sodium-free medium. Lithium efflux in hypertonic choline chloride was found to be significantly (P less than 0.048) different in erythrocytes obtained from Siberian Huskies, compared with those from mixed-breed dogs. Additionally, sodium efflux in isotonic choline chloride was significantly (P less than 0.01) lower in erythrocytes isolated from Siberian Huskies. Under these experimental conditions, sodium efflux was inhibited by 10 mM LiCl in erythrocytes of both groups. Amiloride (0.2 mM) was found to be a potent inhibitor of Na+ and Li+ efflux. These data indicate that Na+ metabolism may be altered in erythrocytes of Siberian Huskies, and may provide important insight into some of the erythrocyte transport abnormalities associated with specific human diseases in which erythrocyte cation content and sodium transport kinetics are altered.

Amiloride↗
PubMed1990

Expression of externally-disposed heparin/heparan sulfate binding sites by uterine epithelial cells.

A class of high-affinity binding sites that preferentially bind heparin/heparan sulfate have been identified on the external surfaces of mouse uterine epithelial cells cultured in vitro. [3H]Heparin binding to these surfaces was time-dependent, saturable, and was blocked specifically by the inclusion of unlabeled heparin or endogenous heparan sulfate in the incubation medium. A variety of other glycosaminoglycans did not compete for these binding sites. The presence of sulfate on heparin influenced, but was not essential for, recognition of the polysaccharide by the cell surface binding sites. [3H]-Heparin bound to the cell surface was displaceable by unlabeled heparin, but not chondroitin sulfate. Treatment of intact cells on ice with trypsin markedly reduced [3H]heparin binding, indicating that a large fraction of the surface binding sites were associated with proteins. Scatchard analyses revealed a class of externally disposed binding sites for heparin/heparan sulfate exhibiting an apparent Kd of approximately 50 nM and present at a level of 1.3 x 10(6) sites per cell. Approximately 9-14% of the binding sites were detectable at the apical surface of cells cultured under polarized conditions in vitro. Detachment of cells from the substratum with EDTA stimulated [3H]heparin binding to cell surfaces. These observations suggested that most of the binding sites were basally distributed and were not primarily associated with the extracellular matrix. Collectively, these observations indicate that specific interactions with heparin/heparan sulfate containing molecules can take place at both the apical and basal cell surfaces of uterine epithelial cells. This may have important consequences with regard to embryo-uterine and epithelial-basal lamina interactions.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Demand for DNA probe testing in three genetic centres in Britain (August 1986 to July 1987).

We report a preliminary analysis of the data collected during the first year of the evaluation of clinical genetics in the context of DNA probes in three genetic centres, to show the pattern of the demand for genetic services in the three centres and the services used in meeting that demand. The analysis includes information on 10,185 persons from 2852 families. The results are presented according to mode of inheritance and according to the most common disorders for which DNA probes have been used in the three centres. The results indicate that the use of DNA probes is now a major element of activity in genetic departments, and that as long as indirect DNA probe testing is the predominant manner of using recombinant technology, the clinical input will be an important element of the costs, probably more so than that of the DNA laboratories, as a large number of family members needs to be tested. In most cases centres have concentrated activity on DNA testing for common and severe genetic disorders. However, there are disorders, such as familial hypercholesterolaemia, which have not been part of the established pattern of services. Conversely, a relatively high number of families have been studied for some disorders of very low incidence. This suggests that the number of DNA laboratories should be limited. The precise arrangements will need to be established. With such services the distribution of DNA testing facilities for different disorders can be controlled to limit duplication. The model followed in Scotland based on collaboration between centres is worth considering. We have detected very large differences in take up rate of services within and between regions. Although many factors may contribute to these differences, ease of access and lay and professional awareness are probably the most important. This is supported by the fact that more patients from the same or neighbouring DHAs attend the genetic centre than from those further away. We also concluded that published guidelines for clinicians in general on the uses of DNA probes, the type of families that could benefit, and the centres to which referrals should be sent would be very useful in increasing coverage and maximising the effectiveness of the services. Since this may increase demand, this educative tool should be coordinated and agreed by the Departments of Health with all the genetic departments and centres in the country.

DNA Probes↗
PubMed1976

Freezing temperature of finger skin.

In 45 subjects, 154 frostnips of the finger were induced by cooling in air at -15 degrees C with various wind speeds. The mean supercooled skin temperature at which frostnip appeared was -9.4 degrees C. The mean skin temperature rise due to heat of fusion at ice crystallization was 5.3 degrees C. The skin temperature rose to what was termed the apparent freezing point. The relation of this point to the supercooled skin temperature was analyzed for the three wind speeds used. An apparent freezing point for a condition of no supercooling was calculated, estimating the highest temperature at which skin freezes at a given wind speed. The validity of the obtained differences in apparent freezing point was tested by an analysis of covariance. Although not statistically significant, the data suggest that the apparent freezing point with no supercooling decreases with increasing wind velocity. The highest calculated apparent freezing point at -15 degrees C and 6.8 m/s was 1.2 degrees C lower than the true freezing point for skin previously determined in brine, which is a statistically significant difference.

Adult↗