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Biomedical subjects

Peter Williams

Publications and source records attributed to Peter Williams.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Pharmacodynamic profile of daptomycin against Enterococcus species and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a murine thigh infection model.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the pharmacodynamic profile of daptomycin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococci species based on bacterial density in an immunocompromised mouse thigh infection model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The pharmacodynamic (PD) profile of daptomycin was determined against two MRSA, one vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, and one vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecalis using the immunocompromised murine thigh model. Efficacy was assessed by the change in log10 cfu in thighs after 24 h of drug treatment. RESULTS: Daptomycin produced a maximal kill of 4.5-5 log10 cfu against the MRSA and 1.5-2 log10 for the Enterococcus species. AUC/MIC was the most predictive of the PD parameters. Utilizing MICs determined in serum or broth in the calculation of the PD parameters had minimal effect on this correlation. AUCfree/MICbroth required for static effects with MRSA and Enterococcus species were 12-36 and 5-13, whereas 99% of maximal kill was achieved at ratios of 171-442 and 38-157, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These data reveal the potent in vivo bactericidal activity of daptomycin against MRSA and Enterococcus species using clinically achievable drug exposures (dose 4-6 mg/kg per day) currently under investigation in man.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Inert gas clusters ejected from bursting bubbles during sputtering.

Ar(+)(n) cluster ions (n<or=6) produced during prolonged Ar+ ion surface bombardment of various sample materials at room temperature are shown to result from the ejection of neutral argon clusters following the rupture of high-pressure subsurface gas bubbles. Subsequent ion formation is shown to take place by resonant charge exchange with incident primary Ar+ ions in the gas phase up to at least 175 microm above the surface. Xe+2 clusters are similarly produced from Xe+-bombarded solids. The ion intensities of Ar+2 and Xe+2 are found to have a characteristic second-order dependence on primary Ar+ or Xe+ current density.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Delivering consumer health information digitally: a comparison between the web and touchscreen kiosk.

Employing survey and web log data the study presented here compares the use and users of two digital health information platforms geared toward consumers-web-sites and touchscreen information kiosks. The kiosks featured are those supplied by InTouch With Health and the web-site is surgerydoor (some analysis of NHSDirect Online is also supplied). Problems of making direct comparisons between the two platforms are discussed and comparative figures provided. The two platforms were compared using the following metrics: page view time, session duration, number of sessions conducted, pages viewed per session, and topic/subject of pages viewed. Possible reasons for the differences between the two platforms are discussed, including the environment in which they are housed, the proximity of the platform to the user, the specific purpose of the individual platform, the different audiences served, the extent of delegation, the computer literacy of the audiences served, the quantity and comprehensiveness of the platform's information, and user's perceptions of authority. The research reminds and informs web-site and kiosk designers of the different audiences that they serve. The work reported here forms part of a Department of Health funded study which is evaluating digital health information provision to the consumer, in particular the use and impact of more than seventy heath kiosks located in all kinds of locations throughout the United Kingdom.

Community Participation↗
PubMed2003

Non use of health information kiosks examined in an information needs context.

Whilst great emphasis has rightly been placed on the increased availability and use of health information, little research has been undertaken into the non use of such material, particularly with regard to electronic sources. Computer transactional log data from health information touch screen kiosks, collected as part of an ongoing Department of Health-funded study being carried out by City University, showed that females in the 55-74 age group were particularly under-represented as users. To explore reasons for this, in-depth interviews were carried out with 13 non-kiosk-using, primary-care out-patients fitting this profile, at a surgery which had a kiosk that was being monitored. Subjects were interviewed at length about their information needs and information-seeking behaviour, to determine reasons (if any) they might have had for non-kiosk use. The study utilized an interview schedule and technique loosely based on the 'Sense-Making' methodology of Brenda Dervin (Talk Presented at the International Communication Association Annual Meeting, May 1983, Dallas, Texas, USA. Available from: http://communicationsbsohio-stateedu/sense-making/art/artdervin83html.). Findings elicited many factors accounting for non use of the system. The first and major source of information remained the doctor, with written or other sources only being consulted where recommended or provided. There was evidence that patients wanted little more than the minimum information or instructions required to deal with their condition. Many appeared unaware of the presence of the kiosk and others assumed either that it was not for patient use or that it would not serve their needs. The methodology proved itself, with certain caveats, to be an appropriate vehicle for this kind of exploratory work.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

A case study of sodium reduction in breakfast cereals and the impact of the Pick the Tick food information program in Australia.

In 1997, one of Australia's largest food companies undertook a program of salt reduction in 12 breakfast cereals. The National Heart Foundation's Pick the Tick program criterion (<400 mg sodium per 100 g) was used as a target value where possible. Twelve products were reformulated, with reductions ranging from 85 to 479 mg sodium per 100 g and an average reduction of 40% (12-88%). As a result, 235 tonnes of salt were removed annually from the Australian food supply and five more products were able to carry the tick logo. The impact of the Pick the Tick program in changing the food supply extends beyond those products that are part of the food approval program.

Australia↗
PubMed2003

Nutrition and related claims used on packaged Australian foods--implications for regulation.

The aim of this study was to describe the use of nutrition and related claims on packaged food for sale in Australia and measure the compliance of such claims with regulations governing their use. A survey was conducted of the labelling of 6662 products in 40 different food categories on sale in New South Wales in 2001. Levels of compliance were assessed by comparing the claims on the label and data in the nutrition information panel with requirements of the Foods Standards Code and the Code of Practice on Nutrient Claims. Half of the products (51.3%) carried some type of nutrition related claim and 36.2% made at least one nutrient claim, with an average of 1.2 nutrition related claims on every food product. The foods with the highest use of nutrient claims were sports drinks, breakfast cereals, meat substitutes, pretzels and rice cakes, muesli bars and yoghurt. The most common nutrient claims were for fat, cholesterol, vitamins, minerals, and sugar. More than 20% of products carried claims related to additives. Many nutrient claims (12.9%) did not comply with current regulations, especially those in the voluntary Code of Practice. Adoption of mandatory requirements for all claims within the Food Standards Code may improve the levels of compliance. Implications for the regulation of nutrition and related claims are discussed. The impact of nutrition claims on consumer purchasing and consumption behaviour deserves further study.

Australia↗
PubMed2002

High-throughput protein characterization using mass spectrometric immunoassay.

A high-throughput mass spectrometric immunoassay system for the analysis of proteins directly from plasma is reported. A 96-well format robotic workstation was used to prepare antibody-derivatized affinity pipette tips for subsequent use in the extraction of specific proteins from plasma and deposition onto 96-well format matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) targets. Samples from multiple individuals were screened with regard to the plasma protein transthyretin (TTR), followed by analysis of the same plasma samples for the transthyretin-associated transport protein, retinol-binding protein (RBP). Analyses were able to detect the presence of posttranslationally modified TTR and RBP, as well as a mutation present in the TTR of one individual. Subsequent analyses of wild-type and mutated TTR using enzymatically active MALDI-TOF MS targets were able to identify the site and nature of the point mutation. The approach represents a rapid (approximately 100 samples/2 h, reagent preparation-to-data) and accurate means of characterizing specific proteins present in large numbers of individuals for proteomic and clinical/diagnostic purposes.

Antibody Affinity↗
PubMed2002

Surfing for health: user evaluation of a health information website. Part one: Background and literature review.

The Government in Britain is set on using the Internet to expand the provision of health information to the general public. Concerns over the quality of the health information have preoccupied commentators and organizations rather than the way users interact with health information systems. This report examines the issues surrounding the provision of electronic health information, and describes an evaluation undertaken of a commercial health website-that of Surgerydoor (http://www.surgerydoor.co.uk/), and comprises two parts. Part one outlines the literature on electronic health information evaluation. It discusses quality issues, but also redresses the imbalance by exploring other evaluative perspectives. Part two describes an evaluation of a health information Internet site in terms of its usability and appeal, undertaken as part of a Department of Health funded study on the impact of such systems.

Consumer Behavior↗
PubMed2002

Dietitians in New South Wales: workforce trends 1984-2000.

Complete surveys of the dietetic workforce in NSW were conducted in 1984 and 1991 and have now been updated with a new survey in 2000. In the nine years since 1991, the total active workforce grew by 48%. Although there were significant improvements in the ratios of hospital dietitians per 100 acute beds (from 0.88 to 1.08) and dietitians per million population (from 69.7 to 96.5), the supply of dietitians does not yet reach recommended levels, especially in rural areas. Other trends were significant increases in the proportion of dietitians employed outside hospitals (to 38% in 2000) and in non-clinical work (50% in 2000), and declines in the number of technical support staff for dietitians.

Allied Health Personnel↗
PubMed2002

Multiple stenting in Takayasu arteritis.

PURPOSE: To illustrate the possible peri- and postprocedural complications of stent treatment for Takayasu arteritis and suggest ways of reducing these risks. CASE REPORT: A 69-year-old woman with Takayasu arteritis had multiple stents implanted in the aortic arch (3 Memotherm) and main branches of the thoracic aorta (individual Corinthian stents in the subclavian and brachiocephalic arteries) following balloon dilation. She suffered reperfusion injury with cerebral hemorrhage following the procedure, preventing the use of anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy. Further cerebral infarctions/hemorrhages over the ensuing months led to her death. CONCLUSIONS: Severe vascular disease of any cause confers a poor prognosis. Endovascular stenting may seem an attractive option for management of these patients, but there is often significant morbidity and mortality associated with the underlying disease as well as the stent.

Aged↗