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Biomedical subjects

R Doyle

Publications and source records attributed to R Doyle.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

An evaluation of the Australian government's policy of access and equity strategy in selected localities.

Australia is a country of 17 million people from diverse cultural and racial backgrounds. To respond to this diversity, the Australian Commonwealth Government in 1986 announced an Access and Equity Strategy as part of the Agenda for a Multicultural Australia. The Strategy was evaluated in 1991, and included five locality studies which assessed the implementation of the Strategy from the perspective of target groups of Aboriginal and non-English speaking people (NESB). This article describes this evaluation and the development of the Australian multicultural policy within which the Strategy is conceived. The findings and recommendations from the locality studies provide case examples of government wide policy development and implementation processes.

Australia

The membrane-induced proton motive force influences the metal binding ability of Bacillus subtilis cell walls.

Bacillus subtilis 168 is a gram-positive bacterium whose cell wall contains the highly electronegative polymers peptidoglycan (chemotype A1 gamma) and glycerol-based teichoic acid to produce a surface with a net negative charge with high metal binding capacity. During metabolism, a membrane-induced proton motive force continuously pumps protons into the wall fabric. As a result, a competition between protons and metal ions for anionic wall sites occurs, and less metal is bound in living cells than in nonliving cells or those in which the plasma membrane has been uncoupled. This was shown by using two metallic ions, UO2(2+) and Sc3+, on control cells, cells uncoupled with either carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone or NaN3, or cells killed by gamma radiation. Transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma atomic-emission spectroscopy showed that more metal was retained in the walls of nonliving cells and those with deenergized membranes than in their living counterparts.

Bacillus subtilis

Genetic characterization of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 associated with respiratory disease in Australia.

Techniques were developed for genetic characterization of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 by using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Allozyme analysis provided an index of the discrimination achieved by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Isolates from human cases of legionellosis were examined by both methods, and their profiles were compared with reference strains of L. pneumophila serogroup 1 obtained from the American Type Culture Collection. Eighteen distinct clones were evident among the isolates examined. Both methods could be used to trace the source of an outbreak of legionellosis caused by L. pneumophila serogroup 1.

Australia

Biofeedback therapy technique for treatment of urinary incontinence.

Biofeedback treatment of urinary incontinence is a management method that has low risk and therapeutic efficacy for selected patients. Biofeedback therapy techniques vary widely and have not been well described or standardized. A technique for biofeedback therapy is described that allows accurate signal monitoring and assures appropriate biofeedback to the patient. External anal sphincter electromyographic performance is presented to the patient as a color line graph with pitch variable audio feedback. The method has complete flexibility in providing biofeedback training according to patient performance level and is one that can be easily interpreted by patients who have voiding dysfunctions.

Aged

The Roy Adaptation Model. Health teaching about osteoporosis.

1. Osteoporosis has an impact on quality of life and places a financial strain on the health care system. Occupational health nurses can play a key role in health education about osteoporosis because they have the most frequent contact with at risk persons. 2. The Roy Adaptation Model presents a holistic approach for assessment of persons at risk and allows for planning of nursing interventions. 3. A concerted effort must be made to ensure persons at risk engage in health promoting strategies to decrease the incidence of the disease.

Adaptation, Psychological

Genetic relatedness of Legionella longbeachae isolates from human and environmental sources in Australia.

The genetic relatedness of Legionella longbeachae isolated in Australia since 1987 was investigated by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and allozyme electrophoresis. Three radiolabeled probes were used in Southern hybridizations for the RFLP studies. They were Escherichia coli 16S and 23S rRNA and cloned fragments of L. longbeachae selected empirically from genomal banks in lambda and a cosmid. The legionellae included in the study comprised 11 Legionella longbeachae serogroup 1 organisms isolated from humans, 28 L. longbeachae serogroup 1 isolates from environmental sources, and 3 L. longbeachae serogroup 2 environmental isolates. These were compared with the American Type Culture Collection reference strains of both serogroups and some other related Legionella species. Results of allozyme and RFLP analysis showed that all the isolates from humans and all but three of the environmental L. longbeachae serogroup 1 isolates were closely related. They were also closely related to L. longbeachae serogroup 1 ATCC 33462. There was wider variation among the three L. longbeachae serogroup 2 environmental isolates. One of these was closely related to L. longbeachae serogroup 2 ATCC 33484. RFLP studies with the rRNA probe provided the most discrimination among isolates but did not distinguish between the two serogroups.

Australia

A meeting of minds.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Attitude to Health

Surface electrodes in perineal electromyography.

In 40 elderly male patients undergoing multiple urodynamic evaluations, surface electrodes were used for recording electromyographic (EMG) activity of pelvic sphincter muscles; placement site was the external anal sphincter. The measured wave form was displayed as an analog plot. Different types of surface electrodes were evaluated in selected patients. The EMG wave form measurements varied with the type of surface electrode used and placement of the electrode. Surface electrodes for external anal sphincter EMG resulting in optimum signal response require a small metallic recording surface with an adhesive that will secure the electrode to the skin, proper anatomic placement of the electrode, appropriate preparation of the skin surface at the site of application of the electrode, and capabilities for oscilloscope monitoring of the sphincter EMG signal wave form. If properly used, surface electrodes result in a signal amplitude and frequency that approach the quality of concentric needle electrodes.

Aged

Usefulness of twice-daily isosorbide-5-mononitrate in preventing development of tolerance in angina pectoris.

Development of tolerance to nitrates during long-term therapy is a major concern. It has been suggested that isosorbide-5-mononitrate (IS-5MN), an active metabolite of isosorbide dinitrate, administered twice daily 12 hours apart does not lead to development of tolerance. The duration of effects of IS-5MN at a dose of 20 and 40 mg and of placebo was studied in patients with angina pectoris who responded to nitrates after the first dose (n = 12) and after 1 week of twice-daily therapy (n = 9). The study was double-blind, randomized and crossover in design. Compared with placebo values, after the first dose of 20 and 40 mg IS-5MN, exercise duration was higher at 2 hours (p less than 0.001) and 6 hours (p less than 0.02). After 1 week of twice-daily therapy at these doses, exercise duration increased at 2 hours (p less than 0.05) but not at 6 or 10 hours after the dose. After the first dose of 20 and 40 mg IS-5MN, standing systolic blood pressure decreased at 2 hours (p less than 0.02). Blood pressure did not change significantly after chronic therapy. Tolerance to antianginal effects during twice-daily therapy with 20 and 40 mg of IS-5MN developed despite higher plasma IS-5MN concentrations at 2 and 6 hours during twice-daily therapy than after the first dose. The tolerance during twice-daily therapy with IS-5MN was characterized by a reduced peak effect at 2 hours and shortened duration of action compared with first-dose effects.

Aged

Duration of effects and tolerance of slow-release isosorbide-5-mononitrate for angina pectoris.

Isosorbide-5-mononitrate (IS-5MN) is an active metabolite of isosorbide dinitrate, but unlike its parent compound, is nearly 100% bioavailable after oral administration. Once-a-day therapy with a slow-release formulation of IS-5MN is used widely in Europe for 24-hour prophylaxis of angina pectoris. In a randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the duration of effects of 50 and 100 mg of slow-release IS-5MN were evaluated after the first dose and after once-a-day therapy for 1 week in 9 patients with stable angina pectoris. Compared with placebo values, standing blood pressure decreased (p less than 0.001) and exercise time to the onset of angina and total exercise duration increased (p less than 0.008 and p less than 0.003) at 4 hours, but not at 20 or 24 hours after first dose of 50 and 100 mg of slow-release IS-5MN. After once-a-day therapy for 1 week, no improvement in exercise duration or reduction in ST-segment depression was seen after 50 or 100 mg of slow-release IS-5MN at 4, 20 or 24 hours despite high plasma IS-5MN concentrations. Thus, despite therapeutic plasma concentrations, 50 and 100 mg of slow-release IS-5MN did not exert antianginal or anti-ischemic effects at 20 and 24 hours after the first dose and at 4, 20 and 24 hours after sustained once-a-day therapy for 1 week.

Adult

Isosorbide-5-mononitrate in angina pectoris: plasma concentrations and duration of effects after acute therapy.

In a double-blind, randomized, crossover study, the duration of effects of single oral doses of 20 and 40 mg isosorbide-5-mononitrate (IS-5MN) and matching placebo were studied in 12 male patients with angina pectoris. Plasma IS-5MN concentrations (mean +/- SD) 2 and 6 hours after administration were 300 +/- 60 and 144 +/- 43 ng/ml after 20 mg IS-5MN and 551 +/- 191 and 376 +/- 129 ng/ml after 40 mg IS-5MN. Exercise time to the onset of angina 2 and 6 hours after administration increased after 20 mg IS-5MN (5.88 +/- 1.85; P less than 0.001 and 5.08 +/- 1.97 minutes; P less than 0.002) and 40 mg IS-5MN (6.17 +/- 1.88; P less than 0.001 and 5.78 +/- 1.72 minutes; P less than 0.001) in comparison to placebo (4.57 +/- 1.22 and 4.15 +/- 1.22 minutes). Similarly, total exercise duration increased at 2 (P less than 0.001) and 6 hours (P less than 0.002) after both doses of IS-5MN. Compared with placebo, ECG ST segment depression during exercise was less (P less than 0.05) 2 hours after both doses of IS-5MN. Thus single oral doses of 20 and 40 mg IS-5MN exert antianginal and anti-ischemic effects for at least up to 6 hours.

Administration, Oral

Hysteresis of left ventricular end ejection pressure-dimension relations after acute pressure loading in the intact canine heart.

The left ventricular end systolic pressure-volume relation of the isolated canine heart is linear and independent of the loading conditions. The effects of acute pressure loading on the left ventricular end ejection pressure-length relations were studied in the intact canine heart. The lengths of two wall segments of the left ventricle parallel to the minor axis were measured with pairs of miniature piezoelectric crystals. At two levels of filling pressure, with and without control of heart rate, acute increases in left ventricular afterload were produced for six successive beats by occluding the thoracic aorta. After abrupt release of this occlusion, at left ventricular end diastolic pressure less than 10 mmHg, end ejection lengths were longer than before the occlusion for both segments despite the same or lower end ejection pressures. When heart rate was not controlled the mean(SD) difference in end ejection length was 0.46(0.21) mm (n = 100). When heart rate was controlled by atrial pacing after autonomic blockade the difference was 0.37(0.11) mm (n = 80). In contrast, at left ventricular end diastolic pressure greater than 10 mmHg there was no significant difference between end ejection lengths before and after release of the aortic occlusion. Gradual release of the aortic occlusion over 4-5 beats produced clockwise hysteresis of the left ventricular end ejection pressure-length relation when left ventricular end diastolic pressure was less than 10 mmHg. No hysteresis occurred when left ventricular end diastolic pressure was greater than 10 mmHg. Hysteresis of the end systolic pressure-dimension relation was also seen when major and minor axis dimensions of the left ventricular were measured.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Colonic bacterial flora and serum cholesterol: alterations induced by dietary citrus pectin.

The influence of dietary pectin on blood lipids and stool bacterial flora, enzyme activity, and physical properties was investigated. Fifteen grams of citrus pectin were added to the normal diets of 10 subjects. A decrease in serum cholesterol was observed after 2 wk of dietary supplementation, but was not statistically significant after the 3rd wk. Fecal bacterial flora was modified by pectin; anaerobic bacteria increased and aerobic bacteria increased. No change in stool bacterial 7 alpha dehydroxylase or cholesterol dehydrogenase activity was observed. The daily stool output, pH, and water content were not influenced by the addition of pectin to the diet.

Adult

Enzyme-linked lectinosorbent assay (ELLA) for detecting Bacillus anthracis.

An enzyme-linked lectinosorbent assay (ELLA) has been developed for the rapid identification of Bacillus anthracis. Using two different lectin-conjugates, the ELLA test can differentiate Bacillus anthracis from closely related species, such as Bacillus cereus and Bacillus cereus var. mycoides, in approximately two hours. In addition to having high specificity, the test can also detect small numbers of the bacterium.

Bacillus

Lectins in diagnostic microbiology.

Current literature suggests that lectins are becoming valuable reagents for the laboratory identification of infectious agents. The identification of bacteria, fungi, or protozoa may be confirmed if they bind to or agglutinate with certain lectins. Assay kits utilizing specific lectin agglutination reactions, coupled with conventional enzyme determinations, have been proposed for several bacteria. Factors such as specificity, stability, assay rapidity, and costs combine to make lectins attractive diagnostic reagents. It is likely that the use of lectins in diagnostic microbiology will continue to grow.

Bacillus