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Biomedical subjects

R M Baird

Publications and source records attributed to R M Baird.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Burkholderia cepacia is resistant to the antimicrobial activity of airway epithelial cells.

There has been much interest recently in the antimicrobial properties of cationic peptides called beta-defensins from epithelial cells. Human beta-defensin (hBD)-1 and -2 have been particularly implicated in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, where their inhibition by high salt concentrations may explain in part the susceptibility of the CF lung to bacterial infection. In this work, we have employed a simple co-culture system using the 16-HBE human bronchial epithelial cell line to assess growth inhibitory activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia. In medium alone, P. aeruginosa proliferated more than 100,000-fold, whereas in the presence of 16-HBE cells or 16-HBE-conditioned medium, bacterial proliferation was less than 100-fold. Raising the salt concentration of cell-free 16-HBE conditioned medium to approximately 200 mM significantly reduced this growth inhibitory activity. In contrast, there was no evidence of epithelial-derived growth inhibitory activity against two strains of B. cepacia. RT-PCR analysis indicated expression of the hBD-2 mRNA in 16-HBE cells, but not hBD-1. These data demonstrate for the first time that B. cepacia is resistant to epithelial-derived antimicrobial substances and argue against them being important in the defense against this organism in the lung.

Burkholderia cepacia↗
PubMed1995

Media used in the detection and enumeration of Staphylococcus aureus.

Over the years a range of selective and diagnostic media have been developed to assist in the detection and enumeration of Staphylococcus aureus in routine food surveillance programmes and food poisoning investigations and these are reviewed here. Baird-Parker agar remains, however, the medium of choice for direct plating and enumeration of S. aureus in both Europe and the US. This paper also reports on a comparison of the productivity and selectivity of trypticase soy broth with 10% NaCl and 1% sodium pyruvate (PTSBS) with trypticase soy broth (TSB) for the isolation of S. aureus. Using three strains of S. aureus and a strain of S. hyicus the productivity ratio of PTSBS to TSBS ranged from -0.17 to 0.57. In the recovery of heat-injured cells of S. aureus, PTSBS offered little or no improvement over TSB with sodium chloride but no pyruvate in a three-tube MPN assessment. Of the seven other bacterial cultures tested, none grew well on the PTSBS. Selectivity ratios of 4.4-7 were found.

Colony Count, Microbial↗
PubMed1990

Recurrence after lumpectomy for comedo-type intraductal carcinoma of the breast.

The morphologic subgroups of intraductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast may be biologically different. Thirty-eight patients with comedo-type DCIS treated with local resection with or without radiotherapy are presented. Thirteen of 35 patients had a family history of breast cancer, with 11 patients having an affected first-degree relative. This is significantly increased over other series of breast cancer patients. Recurrence was ipsilateral in all patients and occurred at the site of the original disease. Recurrence occurred in 4 of 30 patients treated with local resection only and 2 of 8 treated with local resection plus radiotherapy. The length of mean follow-up was 39 months. Because of the paucity of studies, these results cannot be compared with others, but there does appear to be a significant incidence of local recurrence after resection for comedo-type DCIS. Immunohistochemical and oncogene studies as they relate to comedo-type DCIS are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The risk of occult invasive breast cancer after excisional biopsy showing in-situ ductal carcinoma of comedo pattern.

Between Jan. 1, 1985 and Aug. 31, 1987, 62 in-situ ductal carcinomas with a predominantly comedo pattern were identified in 61 patients in British Columbia from excisional biopsy of a palpable or mammographically demonstrable lesion of a breast. The biopsies were intended to remove the lesion completely. Fifty-seven (92%) of the 61 patients required wide re-excision or total mastectomy, usually within a month of the initial biopsy. Occult invasive disease was demonstrated in 14 of the re-excision specimens (24.5%) and residual in-situ carcinoma was present in a further 24 (42.1%), giving an overall rate of residual disease of 66.6%. Axillary lymph nodes were sampled in 54 cases. Metastases were found in two cases (3.7%) and each was associated with occult infiltrating ductal carcinoma in the breast. This suggests that in-situ ductal carcinoma having a predominant comedo pattern may be more widespread and associated with a higher incidence of invasive ductal carcinoma than is generally believed.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

A comparison of two incubation temperatures for the isolation of gram-negative contaminants from raw materials and non-sterile pharmaceuticals.

Selective and non-selective broth enrichment techniques may be used in the isolation of microbial contaminants from pharmaceutical products. A non-selective method may give better recovery rates for damaged organisms. A trial was carried out to determine whether the recovery of Gram-negative contaminants could be improved by using an incubation temperature of 30 degrees C for 48 h, rather than the more widely used 37 degrees C for 24 h. Contaminants were isolated from 3.2% of samples incubated at the lower temperature compared with 0.8% at the higher temperature. The recovery rate from raw materials improved noticeably (9.0% compared with 0.9%).

Alcaligenes↗
PubMed1985

Microbial contamination of non-sterile pharmaceutical products made in hospitals in the North East Thames Regional Health Authority.

Non-sterile pharmaceutical products made in nine hospitals in the North East Thames Regional Health Authority were examined for microbial contamination as part of a quality assurance programme. The incidence of contamination was found to vary between hospitals, but in all cases improvements were seen during the 3-year monitoring period in the microbiological quality of products made in individual hospitals. The most common isolates were aerobic spore bearers--usually less than 10(2) colony forming units/g or ml. Gram-negative isolates were found in at least one product from each hospital. Pseudomonas spp. were isolated from several samples of peppermint water.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1984

Breast cancer in association with lobular carcinoma in situ. Clinicopathologic review and treatment recommendation.

A 6 year follow-up study of 80 women with coexisting lobular carcinoma in situ and infiltrating breast cancer has been conducted to emphasize the natural history and management of these cancers. Treatment of the contralateral breast is of utmost importance as lobular carcinoma in situ is a multicentric neoplasm associated with a subsequent high occurrence of invasive cancer. This series has documented a high incidence of bilateral cancer. Six patients (7.5 percent) had simultaneous bilateral tumors and eight patients (10 percent) had the subsequent development of a second primary tumor, representing approximately four times the expected rate. Despite a well structured out-patient department, follow-up was suboptimal. Six of eight metachronous tumors were detected at a late stage (T2 and greater).

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Liquid modification of Baird-Parker's medium for selective enrichment of Staphylococcus aureus.

A liquid modification of Baird-Parker's medium is suggested for the detection of low (less than 20/g) numbers of Staphylococcus aureus. Model experiments showed that the medium had an acceptable level of selectivity and that it was non-inhibitory to injured cells. Practical evaluation demonstrated the advantage of selective enrichment procedures over both non-selective enrichment technique and direct plating methods.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1980

Long-term parenteral nutrition with arteriovenous fistula.

Sixteen arteriovenous fistulas were created for parenteral nutrition. The complications included stenosis at the site of needling or at the site of vascular anastomosis. Two infections occurred from the surgical creation of a fistula. There were no infections related to fluid infusion. The advantage of the technique is simplicity of fluid administration and the absence of dressings and catheters between infusions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Contaminated medicaments in use in a hospital for diseases of the skin.

Topical medicaments used by patients with diseases of the skin were examined for microbial contamination. Ps. aeruginosa was isolated from stock pots of a diluted emulsifying ointment used as a soap substitute in the bath. Cross-contamination between patients and medicament was subsequently shown to have occurred.

Baths↗
PubMed1979

Microbial contamination of pharmaceutical products in the home.

One thousand, nine hundred and seventy-seven pharmaceutical products used in the home were examined for microbial contamination. Viable micro-organisms were recovered from 14.0% of samples. Medicines used in the home are apparently not exposed to the same opportunities for contamination as those used in hospital.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1979

Microbial contamination of topical medicaments used in the treatment and prevention of pressure sores.

Topical medicaments used in the treatment and prevention of pressure sores in patients in three hospitals were examined for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus contamination. Contamination rates were found to vary between hospitals and were affected by differences in the packaging of the product and in the method of application used by the nursing staff.

Administration, Topical↗