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Biomedical subjects

P Herbert

Publications and source records attributed to P Herbert.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Relationship between biogenic amines and free amino Acid contents of wines and musts from Alentejo (Portugal).

The concentration of biogenic amines and free amino acids was studied in 102 Portuguese wines and 18 musts from Alentejo demarcated (D.O.C.) regions. Most wines were commercial, except for 38 monovarietals obtained by micro vinification. Musts from the varieties used to produce the latter wines were also studied. Both biogenic amines and free amino acids were analyzed by HPLC using fluorescence detection for their o-phthalaldehyde/fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (OPA/FMOC) derivatives. The most significant amines (average 10.8 mg/L for histamine+tyramine in red, and 7.4 mg/L for white wines) were found to be present at low levels and, although no important relationship between each individual biogenic amine could be obtained, the total amine content depends significantly on the assimilable amino acid content in wine.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed2005

In-vitro evaluation of the PALL Leukotrap Affinity Prion Reduction Filter as a secondary device following primary leucoreduction.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A filter (PRF1) designed to remove abnormal prion proteins from red-cell units has been developed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of red cells produced using this device. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Leucocyte-depleted red-cell units (CPD, CPD-A1 and CPD/SAGM) processed according to standard UK practices were filtered using PRF1. Filtered and control units were stored and sampled on day 1, day 7 and on the date of expiry and were tested using standard measures of red-cell quality. RESULTS: Filtered units were found to have significantly higher percentage haemolysis levels, lower haemoglobin levels and a smaller volume compared with controls. All results, however, were well within the permitted 0.8% haemolysis level at the end of storage and all units met the UK guidelines for haemoglobin and volume. The other test parameters measured showed no significant differences between the test and control units. CONCLUSIONS: The PRF1 filter was found to be easy to use and resulted in red-cell units that met all relevant UK and European Guidelines.

Erythrocyte Transfusion↗
PubMed2001

Treatment of psychogenic polydipsia: comparison of risperidone and olanzapine, and the effects of an adjunctive angiotensin-II receptor blocking drug (irbesartan).

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine the outcome of novel strategies in managing a case of severe polydipsia. CLINICAL PICTURE: The patient was a 39-year-old male with a 20-year history of paranoid schizophrenia who, despite only mild residual psychotic symptoms, had been hospitalized for the previous 10 years because of severe polydipsic behaviour complicated by water intoxication. TREATMENT: Novel antipsychotic agents, risperidone and olanzapine, as well as the specific angiotensin-II receptor blocking drug, irbesartan were employed at selected intervals in a study lasting nearly 3 years. A strict behavioural management programme was ongoing, in which diurnal weight change and the number of breaches of weight limits, requiring management in a low-stimulus environment, were documented on a daily basis. Summary measures of diurnal weight change and behavioural intervention were charted against changes in treatment. OUTCOME: Polydipsic behaviour improved on risperidone up to 4 mg daily, but was not sustained. Olanzapine was similarly successful in stabilizing polydipsia, and improvement was achieved with the addition of irbesartan. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the D2-sparing profiles of receptor binding achieved with low-dose risperidone and olanzapine may account for this beneficial effect. The benefit derived with irbesartan implicates the involvement of brain angiotensin systems centrally in helping to regulate drinking behaviour.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Missense translation errors in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We describe the development of a novel plasmid-based assay for measuring the in vivo frequency of misincorporation of amino acids into polypeptide chains in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The assay is based upon the measurement of the catalytic activity of an active site mutant of type III chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CATIII) expressed in S. cerevisiae. A His195(CAC)-->Tyr195(UAC) mutant of CATIII is completely inactive, but catalytic activity can be restored by misincorporation of histidine at the mutant UAC codon. The average error frequency of misincorporation of histidine at this tyrosine UAC codon in wild-type yeast strains was measured as 0. 5x10(-5) and this frequency was increased some 50-fold by growth in the presence of paromomycin, a known translational-error-inducing antibiotic. A detectable frequency of misincorporation of histidine at a mutant Ala195 GCU codon was also measured as 2x10(-5), but in contrast to the Tyr195-->His195 misincorporation event, the frequency of histidine misincorporation at Ala195 GCU was not increased by paromomycin, inferring that this error did not result from miscognate codon-anticodon interaction. The His195 to Tyr195 missense error assay was used to demonstrate increased frequencies of missense error at codon 195 in SUP44 and SUP46 mutants. These two mutants have previously been shown to exhibit a translation termination error phenotype and the sup44+ and sup46+ genes encode the yeast ribosomal proteins S4 and S9, respectively. These data represent the first accurate in vivo measurement of a specific mistranslation event in a eukaryotic cell and directly confirm that the eukaryotic ribosome plays an important role in controlling missense errors arising from non-cognate codon-anticodon interactions.

Alanine↗
PubMed1997

Competency to stand trial evaluations: a study of actual practice in two states.

A criminal defendant must be competent to stand trial (CST) to safeguard the fundamental right to a fair trial. If there is a question as to a defendant's ability to assist in his or her own defense, a mental health professional is asked to perform a CST evaluation. Forensic assessment is a growing field, and CST is the most frequent evaluation requested. Over the years, forensic examiners' reports to the courts have been criticized for lack of relevance, insufficiency, and invading the province of the judge. If mental health professionals wish to advance the field of forensic assessment and respond to these criticisms, research on current practice with suggestions for advancement are necessary. A total of 66 CST reports conducted within the last five years in two states were compared to a proposed model for CST assessment. Results indicated that although forensic examiners are maintaining legal relevance, some CST reports may lack thoroughness and/or provide information that exceeds their role responsibilities. The findings support the need for the development of a standardized method of conducting and writing CST evaluations that should improve the quality of such reports.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Midwifery in Canada: the struggle for recognition.

The pattern of development of midwifery as a profession in Canada and the UK has been similar, but Canada is nearly 75 years behind. Despite its size and international stature, Canada is one of only eight countries in the world where midwifery has not yet been legally recognised nationally. Each of the 12 provincial governments of Canada enacts its own legislation. So far, four provinces have passed appropriate legislation. Midwifery degree programmes are now under way in some provinces.

Canada↗
PubMed1993

It's all in the name.

In recent years it has become fashionable to call a person seeking health care a client instead of a patient. Some consider that this is part of the change in nursing, from the old military model that Florence Nightingale was acquainted with to the new consumer model. Nurses are also finding themselves in the position of acting as advocates for the care-seeking person. For me, none of these models appear appropriate for nursing.

Models, Nursing↗
PubMed1987

Albumin Canterbury (313 Lys----Asn). A point mutation in the second domain of serum albumin.

Albumin Canterbury is a fast-migrating variant of human albumin. It constituted 50% of the total serum albumin in two unrelated New Zealand males. Two-dimensional tryptic mapping suggested that the mutation occurred between residues 313 and 317 inclusive. This was confirmed by mapping of S. aureus V8 proteinase digests. The expected neutral peptide Ser-Lys-Asp-Val-Cys-Lys-Asn-Tyr-Ala-Glu (312-321) was missing and was replaced by an acidic peptide Ser-ASN-Asp-Val, Cys, Lys, Asn, Tyr, Ala, Glu. The mutation of 313 Lys----Asn, which occurs in the second domain of albumin Canterbury, does not alter the thyroxine (T4) or T3 binding. There was no discernible physical handicap associated with the presence of this new albumin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1983

Evaluation of a new range of air drawover vaporizers. The 'PAC' series--laboratory and 'field' studies.

The 'Ether Pac' and 'Fluo Pac' temperature compensated vaporizers have been evaluated in the laboratory and the 'field'. Rigorous testing has demonstrated that these vaporizers are robust and reliable. Shaking, tilting and overturning do not significantly affect their performance. Both vaporizers deliver lower concentrations of the vapour than the setting on the vaporizers at low tidal volumes (100 ml). The 'Ether Pac' vaporizer output declines progressively with ambient temperatures below 23 degrees C and a similar result occurs with the 'Fluo Pac' at temperatures below 20 degrees C. Clinical trials in Nepal, Kenya, Burma and the UK have demonstrated that, when halothane is used, oxygen enrichment is necessary during spontaneous and controlled ventilation. When ether is used with controlled ventilation oxygen enrichment is probably not necessary even with ambient pressures as low as 619 mmHg.

Adolescent↗