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Biomedical subjects

R P Weir

Publications and source records attributed to R P Weir.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Therapeutic day programs in the treatment of adolescents with mental illness.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of day programs against other treatment modalities in adolescents with mental illnesses (including substance abuse). It also aims to identify patient and program factors associated with favourable outcomes for adolescents with mental illness treated in therapeutic day programs. METHOD: An extensive database search of published literature was conducted, supplemented by hand-searching of references of retrieved articles, and a search by author. There was no restriction by study design. Relevant studies were identified and appraised using standardised criteria. RESULTS: Of the 231 studies identified in the search, 26 were relevant to this review. The majority of studies identified day programs as effective. There was a lack of adequate comparisons between day programs and other organisational arrangements. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of the studies identified was low. Twenty-two of the 26 studies did not have an adequate control group. Higher-quality research is required in the evaluation of the effectiveness of day programs, and the identification of other factors promoting successful outcome in the treatment of adolescent mental illness.

Adolescent↗

EHDV-1, a new Australian serotype of epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus isolated from sentinel cattle in the Northern Territory.

In 1992, a virus (DPP2209) isolated from sentinel cattle located at Coastal Plains Research Station, latitude 12 degrees 39'S, longitude 131 degrees 20'E, approximately 60 km east of Darwin, Northern Territory. This virus was identified as a serotype of epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) of deer virus previously undescribed in Australia. An additional 17 isolation of this virus were made from eight animals during the period February to May. Electron microscopic studies showed the presence of orbivirus-like structures. Serogrouping ELISA, indirect immunofluorescence assay and the serogrouping plaque reduction neutralisation test indicated the virus was a member of the epizootic haemorrhagic disease serogroup. Serotype specific plaque reduction neutralisation tests, indicated the virus was a member of the epizootic haemorrhagic disease serogroup not previously isolated in Australia. Analysis of the VP3 gene confirmed this observation. Cross neutralisation testing of the isolate with known epizootic haemorrhagic disease serotype viruses including endemic Australian and exotic strains identified isolate DPP2209 as epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus serotype 1.

Animals↗

Demonstration of herpes simplex type 2 in the cerebrospinal fluid of two patients with recurrent lymphocytic meningitis.

AIMS: To investigate the aetiology of recurrent lymphocytic meningitis in two patients with a past history of recurrent genital herpes simplex infection. METHODS: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from two patients during an acute recurrent episode of lymphocytic meningitis was analysed by polymerase chain reaction for the presence of herpes simplex DNA. RESULTS: In both patients, the acute CSF was positive for herpes simplex type 2 DNA. A second CSF obtained 2 weeks later from one patient was negative for HSV DNA: CONCLUSIONS: Herpes simplex type 2 may be an important cause of recurrent lymphocytic meningitis. Available evidence suggests that viral DNA is cleared from the CSF between episodes and supports active viral replication as the pathological mechanism. The recurrences of meningitis need not coincide with clinical recurrences of genital herpes.

Adult↗

Arboviruses recovered from sentinel livestock in northern Australia.

Over 700 arboviruses were recovered between 1981 and 1987 from the blood of sentinel livestock near Darwin. Twenty-three isolates were made from sheep, goats, swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and horses, and the remainder were from cattle. The isolates have been typed as 27 separate viruses belonging to the bluetongue, epizootic haemorrhagic disease, Palyam, Simbu, bovine ephemeral fever, Tibrogargan and alphavirus groups. Ten of these viruses have not been isolated elsewhere in Australia and four have been isolated only in Darwin. Considerable annual variations in virus activity and in the durations of detectable viraemia were observed.

Animals↗

Arboviruses recovered from sentinel cattle using several virus isolation methods.

A group of 20 sentinel steers was bled weekly for 5 months in 1986 and the blood samples were examined for arboviruses by inoculation firstly into embryonated chicken eggs (ECE), baby mice, Aedes albopictus cells and BHK21 monolayers. A second group of cattle was similarly examined for virus in 1987, except that baby mice were not used. Viruses were recovered from 26% of the 878 weekly bleeds. The viruses identified consisted of 14 types belonging to the bluetongue, epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD), Palyam and Simbu groups with a single isolation of bovine ephemeral fever virus. The ECE system was found to be the best for isolating bluetongue and Simbu viruses, though the eggs were not usually killed by the inoculum. The ECE and A. albopictus systems were equally sensitive for recovering EHD viruses, while Palyam group viruses were most efficiently isolated in BHK21 monolayers.

Animals↗