PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Burns

Publications and source records attributed to S Burns.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

The spectrum of chest infections in HIV positive patients in Edinburgh.

In a retrospective analysis of all known HIV-positive patients admitted to the City Hospital before November 1989, 208 patients accounted for 612 admissions, 72% being injection drug users (IDUs). One hundred and eighty admissions (29%) were for chest-related disorders, and this was the commonest reason for admission. Unlike other U.K. centres where more than 50% chest problems are due to Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), only 27% of our chest admissions were for PCP. Fifty-four percent of chest admissions were for bacterial chest infections (BCIs), the commonest organism isolated being Haemophilus influenzae. Despite the fact that most (50/97) of these admissions were in patients with 'asymptomatic' HIV disease (CDC classification 2 and 3), 50% had radiological pneumonia, 43% were hypoxic, 28% were hypercapnic and the average duration of hospitalisation was 10 days. BCIs were more common in HIV-positive IDUs when compared with HIV-negative IDUs, other HIV-positive patients and the general age-matched population. Medical provision for IDU-related HIV disease should take into account the high rate of BCIs and of hospital admissions in patients who do not yet have CDC stage 4 disease.

Female↗
PubMed1992

Cloning and sequence of a beta-tubulin cDNA from Pneumocystis carinii: possible implications for drug therapy.

This work describes the isolation and characterization of a full-length cDNA clone encoding beta-tubulin from the pathogen Pneumocystis carinii. P. carinii contains a single gene encoding beta-tubulin. The complete sequence of this cDNA has been determined and its inferred amino acid sequence compared with the beta-tubulins from other organisms. This analysis augments the data indicating that P. carinii should be classified as a fungal organism. Further comparisons between the P. carinii beta-tubulin and those of fungal beta-tubulins resistant to benomyl, a beta-tubulin-binding drug, indicate a difference which may be exploited in the development of a new drug therapy for P. carinii pneumonitis. These results suggest that, theoretically, a drug presently administered for treatment of nematode worm infections may be an effective agent against P. carinii, without being toxic to the mammalian host. This possibility is currently being investigated.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

HIV-1 associated cognitive/motor complex in an injecting drug user.

The clinical and social consequences of AIDS dementia complex/HIV-1 associated cognitive/motor complex (ADC/HACC) in drug users have not been well documented. The value of prospective serial neuropsychological, neuroradiological and neurophysiological measurements to assist diagnosis of ADC/HACC in patients with premorbid personality disorder and intercurrent drug use is demonstrated. The psychosocial problems resulting from ADC/HACC with respect to community care and the location of hospitalization is considered. The relevance of the 1984 Mental Health Act (Scotland) with regard to drug users with ADC/HACC is discussed.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗
PubMed1990

Podiatric manifestations of AIDS.

Dermatologic, vascular, neurologic, and musculoskeletal complications are common among persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). These manifestations frequently involve the lower extremities and may be the initial presenting symptoms of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It is important that practitioners of podiatric medicine be aware of these syndromes to facilitate early diagnosis of AIDS and to provide the best possible care for immunodeficient patients. The author provides a review of the manifestations of AIDS frequently encountered in podiatric practice, along with guidelines for treatment.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Comparison between the counter-rotational toothbrush and multi-action toothbrush.

Previous studies have demonstrated that two types of powered toothbrushes (Interplak and Braun) are more effective than a manual toothbrush in the removal of bacterial plaque from tooth surfaces. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the Interplak Home Plaque Removal Instrument (A) and the Braun Electric Toothbrush (B) on supragingival plaque removal and gingival bleeding following (1) one time instruction; (2) reinstruction and one week of home use; (3) a third instruction and three weeks of home use. The sample population for this study consisted of twelve subjects: six (6) were randomly assigned to use the Interplak, and the remaining six (6) were assigned to use the Braun. Subjects met specific qualification criteria to participate in this examiner-blind study. The Turesky Modification of the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index and an Objective-Subjective Gingival Abrasion Index were scored before and after brushing at the initial appointment, one week later, and at the final appointment in three weeks. A timed bleeding index (Barnett-Muhleman) and probing depths were recorded at the beginning of all three appointments. Subjects received instructions on the use of the assigned toothbrush in a clinical demonstration and in a printed format to take home. Subjects were then supervised in their brushing technique. Data was analyzed using a Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test and Analysis of Variance with Repeated Measures where appropriate. Although the number of patients was small, a statistically significant difference (p less than .05) in plaque scores between the groups was obtained in favor of the Interplak.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Pressure pain threshold evaluation of the effect of spinal manipulation in the treatment of chronic neck pain: a pilot study.

Nine subjects with chronic mechanical neck pain syndromes were evaluated for pressure pain threshold (PPT) over standardized tender points in the paraspinal area surrounding a manipulable spinal lesion. The subjects were then allocated randomly to an intervention consisting of either an oscillatory mobilization of the cervical spine (n = 4), which was designated as the control procedure, or a rotational manipulation of the cervical spine (n = 5). An assessor-blinded re-evaluation of the pressure pain threshold levels was conducted after 5 min. In the group receiving a manipulation the mean increases in pressure pain threshold ranged from 40-56% with an average of 45%. In the control group no change in any of the pressure pain thresholds was found. These results were analyzed using ANOVA and were found to be statistically significant (p less than 0.0001). This study confirms that manipulation can increase local paraspinal pain threshold levels. The use of the pressure pain threshold meter allows for the determination of such a beneficial effect in the deeper tissues.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Herpes simplex virus, Candida albicans and mouth ulcers in neutropenic patients with non-haematological malignancy.

Mouth ulcers are a frequent cause of morbidity in patients rendered neutropenic as a result of chemotherapy. We report here a series of 28 such patients from whom swabs were taken for viral isolation and mycological culture. In 13 patients, herpes simplex virus (type I) was isolated and in 17 patients Candida albicans was cultured. Both organisms were isolated in 9 patients. Our results suggest that both a viral and fungal element may be important in the aetiology of oral ulceration and that antiviral and antifungal agents may each have a role in the prophylaxis and treatment of such patients.

Agranulocytosis↗
PubMed1989

Bacterial carriage by artificial versus natural nails.

Although health care workers are following fashion trends when they wear artificial nails, the implications of these nails for infection control is unknown. Cultures were obtained before and after handwashing from the fingertips of 56 nurses with artificial nails and 56 nurses with natural nails. After handwashing there were higher numbers of colony-forming units of gram-negative rods cultured from the fingertips of nurses with artificial nails than from nurses with natural nails. There were no significant differences in carriage of gram-positive cocci or normal flora. Because of the number of nosocomial infections caused by gram-negative rods, health care workers who wear artificial nails should consider the potential risk of increased carriage of gram-negative rods.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

The spinal accessory nerve plexus, the trapezius muscle, and shoulder stabilization after radical neck cancer surgery.

A clinical and anatomic study of the spinal accessory, the eleventh cranial nerve, and trapezius muscle function of patients who had radical neck cancer surgery was conducted. This study was done not only to document the indispensibility of the trapezius muscle to shoulder-girdle stability, but also to clarify the role of the eleventh cranial nerve in the variable motor and sensory changes occurring after the loss of this muscle. Seventeen male patients, 49-69 years of age, (average of 60 years of age) undergoing a total of 23 radical neck dissections were examined for upper extremity function, particularly in regard to the trapezius muscle, and for subjective signs of pain. The eleventh nerve, usually regarded as the sole motor innervation to the trapezius, was cut in 17 instances because of tumor involvement. Dissection of four fresh and 30 preserved adult cadavers helped to reconcile the motor and sensory differences in patients who had undergone loss of the eleventh nerve. The dissections and clinical observations corroborate that the trapezius is a key part of a "muscle continuum" that stabilizes the shoulder. Variations in origins and insertions of the trapezius may influence its function in different individuals. As regards the spinal accessory nerve, it is concluded that varying motor and sensory connections form a plexus with the eleventh nerve, accounting, in part, for the variations in motor innervation and function of the trapezius, as well as for a variable spectrum of sensory changes when the eleventh nerve is cut. For this reason, it is suggested that the term "spinal accessory nerve plexus" be used to refer to the eleventh nerve when it is considered in the context of radical neck cancer surgery.

Accessory Nerve↗
PubMed1987

Human immunodeficiency virus and drug misuse: the Edinburgh experience.

During 1985 many drug abusers who lived in Edinburgh were found to be infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). As a result an alternative counselling and screening clinic for testing for antibodies to HIV was established for use by drug abusers. Four hundred and forty one patients were counselled in the first year, and over 60% were either drug abusers or their sexual contacts. One hundred and fourteen (26%) patients were positive for HIV antibody, and 100 (88%) of these were current or former drug abusers. The HIV seropositivity rate in drug abusers was 52% but was only 7% in their sexual contacts. Services were provided for these people as well as counselling before and after the test. The cost of this counselling service for the first year was 27,000 pounds or 61.22 pounds per patient. The unexpected mobility of 23% of the Edinburgh drug abusers, particularly to other areas of Britain, suggests that similar services need to be set up elsewhere.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗