PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R Marsden

Publications and source records attributed to R Marsden.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Conjugation of protein to immunostimulatory DNA results in a rapid, long-lasting and potent induction of cell-mediated and humoral immunity.

Immunostimulatory DNA sequences (ISS) are a potent Th1 adjuvant. We hypothesized that conjugation of ISS to protein antigens would strongly enhance their immunogenicity because both antigen and adjuvant (ISS) would be delivered to the same locale/antigen-presenting cell. To test this hypothesis, we conjugated a 22-mer immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotide (ISS-ODN) to two test antigens of differing intrinsic immunogenicity, namely Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase and the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120. We show that the antigen-ISS conjugates rapidly induce Th1 cells secreting high levels of IFN-gamma, strong CTL activity, and high titer IgG2a and HIV-neutralizing antibodies, exceeding gene and protein vaccination alone or immunization with mixtures of antigen and ISS-ODN. The data suggest that this procedure generates a novel and unique vaccine that rapidly triggers strong humoral and cell-mediated immunity.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Evaluation of a practice-based programme of health checks: financial cost and success at risk detection.

With the help and supervision of a facilitator, a scheme of nurse-run health checks was established in 1983 in a suburban group practice of approximately 12,000 patients. The practice receptionists recruited patients opportunistically when they presented to consult a doctor. After two and a half years, 1382 patients had been screened for cardiovascular risk factors; this was 94.0% of those invited to attend and 24.9% of the target population of patients aged 25-64 years. Recording of risk factors increased greatly between 1983 and 1986, although uptake of immunizations was low. Sixty five previously undiagnosed hypertensives were identified, as were 11 new diabetics. This was achieved with two sessions per week; thus to succeed in screening the whole population within five years, four weekly sessions would have been necessary. When the cost of equipment and staff salaries were offset against 70% reimbursement of salaries and item of service fees the net financial cost to practice from 1983-86 was approximately 1.73 pounds per patient, or 477.00 pounds per clinic session per year.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Human insulin produced by recombinant DNA technology: safety and hypoglycaemic potency in healthy men.

Human insulin synthesised by recombinant DNA technology was compared with highly purified porcine insulin in healthy men. Intracutaneous injection over a wide range of concentrations of both insulins into five subjects gave rise to no local reactions over a 48 h period. The glycaemic response to standard subcutaneous injection at high and low dose levels was measured with both insulins in each of six men. Plasma glucose decrement with the two insulins was similar but human insulin was perhaps slightly more potent than porcine insulin at the low dose, and slightly less so at the high. The glycaemic response to the isulins, each infused intravenously at high and low concentrations for 1 h in a further six subjects, showed a similar trend. Depression of glycaemia with human insulin slightly exceeded that with porcine insulin at the low concentration infusion and fell slightly short of it at the high. Genetically synthesised human insulin seems to be safe and effective in man. Its dose-response relationship may differ from that of porcine insulin.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Disabled people in hospital: evaluating the CNS role.

AIM: To evaluate a newly established clinical nurse specialist (CNS) post for disabled people in a large acute hospital. METHOD: An action research approach was used to collect the data. Information was obtained by speaking to people with disabilities, hospital and community staff and voluntary organisations. A questionnaire was devised and sent to 38 clients. Of these, 24 were returned. Other sources of information included case scenarios from the wards, admissions data, nurses' views, diary reflections and feedback from carers. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that the CNS role improved the support and information clients received before hospital admission. Clients felt less anxious about going into hospital. Staff's awareness of disability increased and the training and education needs of staff were also identified. CONCLUSION: The action research cycle enabled the CNS to identify problem areas in a structured way and to implement change through critical self-reflection. Some disabled people are not having their needs met in hospital. The main reason for this was a lack of awareness among staff about disability. However, the implementation of the CNS role improved the care of people with disability and increased staff awareness.

Acute Disease↗