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Biomedical subjects

P Hunter

Publications and source records attributed to P Hunter.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Oral health and quality of life in New Zealand: a social perspective.

This study addresses the social dimensions of oral health by relating oral quality of life (i.e. dental symptoms, perceived oral well-being and oral functioning) to oral health status. We propose a conceptual model which postulates that socioeconomic status, oral health behavior and oral health status each influence oral quality of life. Using data from the New Zealand National Oral Health Survey, we describe and analyze oral health status and oral quality of life among children aged 12-13 and adults aged 35-44 and 65-74. The study demonstrates the impact of oral health problems on the oral quality of life of children, middle-aged adults and older adults in New Zealand. The majority have experienced at least one dental symptom in the past year. Some of them perceive poor oral health and also dislike the way their teeth/dentures look. Various aspects of their social and physical functioning are adversely affected by oral health problems. The results of multiple regression analyses of oral quality of life demonstrate that perceived general health is a consistent predictor of quality of life. Furthermore, the adults' oral quality of life is positively related to asymptomatic dental visits and negatively related by symptomatic dental visits. Children's oral quality of life is positively related to more frequent brushing and flossing. Oral health status is closely associated with oral quality of life for both adults and children. Analyzing the New Zealand oral quality of life data and reviewing previous research findings using a conceptual model provide the possibility for a more comprehensive and integrated understanding of oral quality of life issues.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Heart rate variations during sleep in preadolescents.

Heart rate variations during sleep have been documented for infant and adult populations, but not for children and adolescents. To provide normative data for the preadolescent age group, this investigation used a combination of time-domain measures and nonlinear procedures (Poincare plots) to describe heart rate variations during two consecutive nights of undisturbed baseline sleep in 14 normal 8- to 10-year-old males. Heart rate variables, based on all-night analyses of computer-determined beat-to-beat (RR) intervals, were related to sleep stage and sleep cycle measures within and across nights. Time-domain summary statistics revealed a tendency for higher mean heart rates in rapid eye movement (REM) compared to slow-wave (SW) and stage 2 sleep, but the differences were not significant. Heart rate variability, as measured by average RR interval standard deviation, was greatest in stage 2 and least in SW sleep, but it did not vary significantly across sleep stages. Analyses of heart rate variables across the initial four sleep cycles showed a significant heart rate decrease (quadratic trend) and a significant increase (linear trend) for heart rate variability. All effects replicated across nights. Poincare plots revealed wide-ranging individual differences, generally characterized by greater dispersion at longer RR intervals and a remarkable night-to-night consistency in whole-night as well as stage-specific patterns. The sleep-stage plots uniformly indicated reduced overall range and variability in SW relative to REM and stage 2 and a general equivalence of stage 2 and REM patterns. The results indicate several features of sleep-related heart rate variations in preadolescents that differ from those in adults. The differences can be attributed to developmental variations in autonomic cardiac control and are consistent with increased parasympathetic influences reported to occur at this time.

Autonomic Nervous System↗
PubMed1996

The performance of southern African territories serotypes of foot and mouth disease antigen in oil-adjuvanted vaccines.

The performance of selected oil adjuvants containing Southern African Territories (SAT) serotypes of foot and mouth disease virus was assayed by testing antibody levels elicited in cattle, sheep and goats, and by testing protection of cattle on challenge. Various oil adjuvant formulations were tested initially in cattle and guinea pigs, and compared with a standard alhydrogel and saponin-based (AS) vaccine. A commercial double oil emulsion vaccine elicited higher antibody titres and a more prolonged antibody response than the conventional AS vaccine, than a commercial single emulsion oil formulation or an incomplete Freund's adjuvant formulation. Incomplete Freund's adjuvant was selected for the formulation of a trivalent vaccine which was assayed in cattle, sheep and goats for antibody response and local reactions. The double oil emulsion elicited a high level of antibodies, which was maintained for at least six months after a single inoculation. The product was easily injectable and did not cause local or systemic reactions.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1996

The 1992 foot-and-mouth disease epizootic in the Kruger National Park.

The monitoring of a foot-and-mouth disease epizootic amongst impala (Aepyceros melampus) in the Kruger National Park is described. Infection rates of different sex and age classes of impala within the outbreak focus were determined. Seroprevalence rates in other clovenhoofed species were also determined. RNA sequencing of a portion of the 1D gene of viruses isolated from SAT-2 viruses obtained from diseased impala showed that they were unrelated to previous SAT-2 isolates made from animals in the Kruger National Park.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1993

Nurse teacher stress in Northern Ireland.

Occupational stress among a 60% sample of all nurse tutors in Northern Ireland was investigated by means of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), Maslach Burnout Inventory and a stress questionnaire. Seventy per cent of tutors judged themselves to be worse or much worse than usual on 45% of GHQ items. Significant levels of moderate and high burnout were discovered on the sub-scales of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, with an almost unanimous (95%) report of high burnout arising out of feelings of lack of personal accomplishment. Male nurse tutors reported more frequent and more intense signs of burnout than their female counterparts at a statistically significant level of difference in emotional exhaustion (P = 0.028 and P = 0.003 respectively) and in depersonalization (P < 0.003 and P = 0.007 respectively). The work stressor most commonly identified by tutors (72%) was that of experiencing too little time to perform their duties to their satisfaction. The most common request for help to alleviate workplace stress (61%) was for more support and appreciation from their seniors.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Phaeochromocytomas as a cause of hypotension.

A patient presented with apparent septicaemic shock. Full invasive cardiovascular monitoring revealed systemic hypotension, high normal cardiac output, and a low systemic vascular resistance. Maintenance of systemic vascular resistance and blood pressure was shown to be highly dependent on noradrenaline. Subsequent investigation revealed the presence of a phaeochromocytoma producing adrenaline. The mechanisms by which phaeochromocytomas may produce hypotension are discussed.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1990

Failure of an Actinomyces pyogenes vaccine to protect sheep against an intravenous challenge.

The immunity conferred by an A. pyogenes bacterin-toxoid was evaluated in sheep, using an intravenous challenge system. Three sheep were vaccinated and 3 served as controls. The vaccinated sheep were not protected against pyogenic conditions. High antitoxin levels were induced by vaccination but could not be associated with protection against infection. Antibacterial antibody levels elicited with initial vaccination dropped progressively with the 2nd and 3rd vaccinations. Nevertheless, these antibodies did not seem to be necessary for protection against A. pyogenes conditions.

Actinomyces↗
PubMed1989

Coital urinary incontinence in an Australian population.

A total of 1,012 patients referred to 4 urodynamic centres were questioned, and subsequently investigated. Coital incontinence was present in 192 of the 839 (23%), who were sexually active. Ninety-five patients (49%) had the urodynamic diagnosis of genuine stress incontinence, alone or in association with cystocoele or interstitial cystitis. Fifty-one (26.6%) had urodynamically proven detrusor instability with or without interstitial cystitis. Forty-five (23.4%) had dual pathology as the final urodynamic diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Colposuspension for the treatment of female urinary incontinence.

Between June 1, 1983 and June 30, 1988, 174 patients with stress incontinence were treated with a colposuspension operation; 144 patients were cured, 30 remained wet. Sixteen patients who remained wet had detrusor instability; 9 of these were cured by anticholinergic medications. Of 25 patients who had dual pathology 19 were cured. Seventy nine patients had urinary tract infections. Two patients had ureteric obstruction due to kinking; it is postulated that this can be an infrequent and sometimes unavoidable complication.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Experience with silastic slings for female urinary incontinence.

Between September 1, 1985 and December 31, 1987, 54 patients with stress urinary incontinence were treated with a reinforced silastic sling using an abdominovaginal approach; 42 patients were cured, two improved and nine were the same or worse. Five patients who are continent required periodic intermittent self-catheterization. Eight patients developed detrusor instability postoperatively. One patient had to have the sling removed due to a persistent sinus. Fifteen patients had to have the sling adjusted.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

The possible involvement of immunosuppression caused by a lentivirus in the aetiology of jaagsiekte and pasteurellosis in sheep.

A South African isolate of ovine lentivirus was shown to cause a mild immunosuppression in sheep, reflected by a reduced delayed hypersensitivity reaction. This effect, measured in terms of skin swelling after intradermal inoculation with tuberculin, showed a positive linear relationship with the latency period before the appearance of jaagsiekte symptoms in animals co-infected with JSRV, as well as with the activity of monocytes. In a parallel study, increased susceptibility of lentivirus-infected sheep to infection with Pasteurella haemolytica was demonstrated. It is concluded that the lentivirus may play an enhancing role in both viral and bacterial infections of sheep by compromising the host's cellular immune response.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Serological reactions to Leptospira species in game animals of northern Natal.

Fifty sera collected from 12 different species of free-living game animals in game parks in the Northern Natal were tested against 8 Leptospira interrogans antigens using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Six out of 50 animals had titres, all less than 100. Three of these animals had titres to serovar mini, 1 animal to tarrasovi, and 3 animals had multi-serovar reactions, 1 to mini and hardjo, and 1 to tarrasovi, copenhageni and pomona.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1987

Transurethral ultrasonic ureterolithotripsy using a solid-wire probe.

A multicenter study evaluates a new technique for transurethral ultrasonic ureterolithotripsy utilizing a solid-wire probe. The transverse vibrations of the probe cause greater stone disintegration. A small ureteroscope is used and a basket is not required. There was a 96.6 per cent success rate in 118 cases. This technique has significantly improved ultrasonic lithotripsy. It has proved to be useful for upper ureteral stones not amenable to extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy and lower ureteral stones including "steinstrasse."

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗