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Biomedical subjects

R Y Wong

Publications and source records attributed to R Y Wong.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Food sampling practice in the United Kingdom.

As an integral part of the UK food surveillance scheme, routine food sampling is undertaken by officers at local councils. One of the main purposes of the food sampling programme is to detect food contaminants before they are sold to the public. This paper investigated the current UK food sampling activity undertaken by the local Environmental Health Departments and examined the effectiveness of the food programme. A national survey was undertaken by means of a questionnaire sent to 439 UK local authorities and a response rate of 39.2% (172 LAs) was achieved. Thirty-nine per cent of replies indicated that ensuring food safety and hygiene was the most important aim of sampling. Less than half of the returns suggested that their food programmes contributed to the prevention of foodborne illness. However, over three-quarters agreed that the current food sampling system could be improved upon. This study concluded that current UK food sampling is marginalized by financial constraints. In order to design an effective routine food programme, it should be based on an overall co-ordinated approach from local to European levels. Future work towards a statistically validated approach to the design will improve the effectiveness of food sampling programme.

Food Contamination↗
PubMed2001

Identification of benzethonium chloride in commercial grapefruit seed extracts.

Commercial grapefruit seed extracts (GSE) were extracted with chloroform. The solvent was evaporated, and the resulting solid was subsequently analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and elemental analysis (by proton-induced X-ray emission [PIXE] analysis). The main constituent was identified as benzethonium chloride, a synthetic antimicrobial agent commonly used in cosmetics and other topical applications. This compound comprised 8.03% (n = 2) of the liquid GSE sample. Higher amounts of benzethonium chloride were found in powder GSE samples.

Benzethonium↗
PubMed2001

The responsibilities and activities of internal medicine clerkship directors.

PURPOSE: To characterize the responsibilities, activities, and scholarly productivity of internal medicine clerkship directors (CDs). METHODS: In 1999, internal medicine CDs from 122 U.S. medical schools and one Canadian medical school were surveyed. The instrument asked about the CDs' demo-graphics, workloads, clerkship characteristics, and scholarly productivity. RESULTS: The response rate was 89%; 72% of the respondents were men. Mean age was 45 years, mean time as CD was 6.5 years, and 58% of the CDs had completed fellowship training. The CDs spent 28% of their professional time on the clerkship, three half days weekly in clinic, and three months on inpatient services. The CDs had published a mean of 2.2 (range 0-20) articles and received a mean of 0.7 (range 0-4) grants. Similar factors were associated with publishing articles and receiving grants; gender (men), < or = three clinic half days weekly, fellowship training, having a faculty development program, teaching other courses, and discussing expectations with their department chairs. In a multivariate analysis, fellowship training, clinic half days, teaching other courses, and discussing expectations explained 22% of the variance for papers published. For grants received, a model with gender, clinic half days, a faculty development program, discussing expectations, and teaching other courses explained 35% of the variance. CONCLUSIONS: An internal medicine CD invests significant effort administering the clerkship and contributing to clinical and educational activities. The factors associated with successful scholarship may be useful for fostering CDs' academic careers.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1997

Accuracy, precision and user-acceptability of self blood glucose monitoring machines.

The performance of six self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) machines (Accutrend, Reflolux S, Companion 2, Glucometer GX, Glucometer IV and One Touch II) were examined using venous blood samples from 88 patients. Whole blood glucose (BG) values were measured by four machines from each brand. Machine-generated whole blood glucose (BG) values were corrected before comparison with laboratory plasma glucose values, measured by a glucose oxidase method. Based on error grid analysis, most of the corrected machine-generated BG values were clinically acceptable. Accutrend, Glucometer IV and Companion 2 showed the greatest consistency between machines of the same brand. Over 80% of corrected BG values generated by Glucometer IV fell within +/-10% of the reference values. One Touch II yielded the most reproducible results with a mean CV of 2.7% and was considered the most user friendly machine. More studies are required to examine the performance of these machines in the hands of patients.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1995

Use of a single lumen endotracheal tube and continuous CO2 insufflation in transthoracic endoscopic sympathectomy.

BACKGROUND: Transthoracic endoscopic sympathectomy (TES) is an accepted standard surgical treatment for palmar hyperhidrosis. For anesthetic management, a double lumen endobronchial tube is usually used to deflate the lung on the operative side. Recently we have applied continuous insufflation of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the pleural cavity to merely compress one lung while ventilating both lungs with a conventional single lumen endotracheal tube. METHODS: We have studied 45 patients (ASA I and II) who underwent bilateral TES, Thirty-three were ventilated by single lumen tube and the other 12 by double lumen endobronchial tube with one lung ventilation. In both groups I and II, CO2 was insufflated slowly through the scope to a intrapleural pressure of 20 cm H2O. Both lungs were ventilated with peak pressure of less than 20 cmH2O at tidal volume of 5-12 ml/kg at 10-16 beats/min. RESULTS: In these patients, no CO2 retention was noted. Oxygenation and cardiovascular stability were maintained and there were no complications. In the double lumen series, we found that oxygen saturation was less uniform and less stable than those in the single lumen series. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the use of single lumen endotracheal tube with continuous insufflation of CO2 in TES is easy, simple and safe.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Comparison of risk and patterns of practice in patients older and younger than 70 years with acute myocardial infarction in a two-year period (1987-1989)

To further evaluate contemporary risk and practice patterns in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 402 consecutive patients with AMI between July 1, 1988, and June 30, 1989 were studied. The clinical investigations, medical therapy and outcome of patients aged greater than or equal to 70 years (n = 132; group 1) were compared with patients aged less than 70 years (n = 270; group 2). In group 1, 20% of patients had no typical cardiac pain versus 6% in group 2 (p less than 0.01). History of previous AMI, Q-wave AMI and peak creatine kinase were not different in the 2 groups. In-hospital mortality was markedly higher in group 1 (27%) than in group 2 (8%), p less than 0.01. Multivariate analysis revealed previous AMI, presentation without typical pain and age greater than or equal to 70 years to be independently associated with the greatest relative risk. Post-AMI exercise testing, ejection fraction calculations and coronary angiography were all performed less often (p less than 0.01); proven effective medical therapies, including thrombolysis, beta blockers, acetylsalicylic acid and nitrates were all used less frequently (p less than 0.01). The very high mortality and less aggressive management of elderly patients with AMI confirm similar data from our 1987 AMI patient cohort and other recently reported AMI patient outcome analyses. However, it remains uncertain why older patients with AMI are investigated and treated differently from younger patients. Further studies are warranted.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The use of methylmethacrylate in primary total knee replacements with large tibial defects.

Bone defects in the tibial plateau present technical problems in primary knee replacement surgery. A variety of techniques is available to solve these problems. Of 59 patients treated with a cement fill and followed an average of 7.1 years (range, five to 11 years), there was only one failure requiring revision. Overall, knee scores averaged 78 points and roentgenogram scores averaged 85 points. Radiolucent lines were noted in 43 of the 59 patients, but none were progressive except in the one failure. There was no clinical correlation between the presence of radiolucent lines and clinical symptoms. Good long-term results might be expected from the cement fill when the bone defects are smaller than 20 mm and affect less than 50% of either plateau.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Transposition of Tn1000: in vivo properties.

Transposition mediated by the Tn1000 transposase was investigated by using transposon variants carrying synthetic or wild-type termini but no intact Tn1000 genes. Transposon Tn1001, whose only homologies to Tn1000 are in its 38-base-pair terminal inverted repeats, transposed at the same rate as Tn1005, an artificial construct carrying wild-type Tn1000 termini and approximately 1 kilobase of flanking Tn1000 DNA at each end, when transposase was supplied in trans. The majority of the transpositions into pOX38 gave rise to cointegrates, but approximately 10% of the products expressed phenotypes of direct transpositions. The expression and temperature dependence of the tnpA gene product were examined by studying transposition of Tn1001 to bacteriophage lambda. The temperature optimum for transposition was 37 degrees C, and the transposase was stable for up to 2 h at this temperature.

DNA Transposable Elements↗
PubMed1986

Stress fracture as a cause of chronic pain following revision total hip arthroplasty. Report of two cases.

Femoral stress fractures following revision total hip arthroplasty developed about a cortical window in two patients. These cases differ from previously reported fractures in that there was no significant trauma, the pain was gradual in onset, and there was no displacement at the fracture site. Tomograms and radionuclide bone scans were necessary to reveal the fracture. One femur healed with hip spica immobilization, while the other required bone grafting. Femoral stress fractures should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with thigh pain after revision total hip arthroplasty, particularly if a cortical window had been necessary.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

Rotational isomerism about the 17(20)-bond of steroids and euphoids as shown by the crystal structures of euphol and tirucallol.

The influence of configuration at C-20 on rotation about the 17(20)-bond in steroids and euphoids was examined by x-ray crystallographic studies of the C-20 epimers euphol and tirucallol. The H atom on C-20 was in back next to C-18 in the crystal structures of both of the compounds, and C-22 was found to be cis-oriented ("left-handed") to C-13 in euphol and trans-oriented to it ("right-handed") in tirucallol. The results, which are consistent with the known left-handed crystal structure of 24(25)-dihydroeuphol and right-handed crystal structure of cholesterol and other natural sterols, lend further credence to the earlier suggestion that rotational isomerism at the 17(20)-bond can arise in C-20 epimers and that there is preference for an arrangement with the 20-H atom adjacent to C-18.

Isomerism↗
PubMed1979

Drowning and near-drowning involving children: a five-year total population study from the City and County of Honolulu.

A study of all serious childhood immersion accidents (both drowned and near-drowned cases) is reported from Hawaii. This is a total population-based survey of 140 consecutive cases (0--15 years) occurring during the five-year period (1973--1977. Age-specific, sex-specific, and osmolality-specific (salt versus fresh water) data are presented both for survivors and fatalities. The overall annual drowning rate of 3.1 per 100,000 children at risk is low, for a water-oriented society. The survival rate following loss of consciousness in the water is 73 per cent. There is no evidence from this study that osmolality affected the probability of survival. The rank order of importance of drowning sites is swimming pools, surf, sheltered salt water bathing, domestic bath tubs, fresh water streams, salt water canals, and garden fish ponds. Specific accident rates, by sex, outcome, and site of immersion are also presented. No secular trend in the rate of drowning was observed in this study. Comparison with the only other available total population survey (Australia) of childhood immersions reveals common epidemiological and demographic patterns in modern urban societies and suggests that safety regulations play a role in reducing swimming accidents and fatalities in children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1974

Toxaphene insecticide: a complex biodegradable mixture.

Adsorption and gas-liquid chromatography separate toxaphene into at least 175 polychlorinated 10-carbon compounds including Cl(6), Cl(7), Cl(8), Cl(9), and Cl(10) derivatives. One toxic component is 2,2,5-endo,6-exo,8,9,10-heptachlorobornane. Rats metabolically dechlorinate toxaphene, removing about half of the chlorine from the technical insecticide and from each of seven subfractions of varying composition and toxicity.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fear of hypoglycaemia among insulin-treated Hong Kong Chinese patients: implications for diabetes patient education.

This study investigated fear of hypoglycaemia among insulin-treated Chinese patients in Hong Kong. The study employed a cross-sectional descriptive design. Using structured-interviews, the authors collected data from 120 insulin-treated adults attending a diabetes centre. Results showed that although hypoglycaemic attacks were generally mild, they were common amongst one-third of patients. Fear was predominantly low, however 15% of respondents reported high fear. In addition, fear correlated positively with time since insulin-treatment, frequency of hospitalization due to hypoglycaemia, and frequency of hypoglycaemia affecting working life. Results also showed that although all respondents were insulin-treated, 40% had undesirable metabolic control. No statistically significant differences were found between the respondents' rating of adequacy of their diabetes knowledge among three groups of respondents who had completed, defaulted or were attending an education programme. Implications for diabetes patient education and further study are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Repin, a sesquiterpene lactone from Acroptilon repens possessing exceptional biological activity.

Consumption of Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens) by horses results in the necrosis of neural cells in the substantia nigra. Repin, one of the sesquiterpene lactones found in Russian knapweed, has been shown to possess high toxicity toward chick embryo sensory neurons. The possible causal relationship between repin and equine nigropallidial encephalomacia disease prompted a more complete structural assignment of repin, which was accomplished by X-ray and 1H-nmr analyses.

Animals↗