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Biomedical subjects

S Cameron

Publications and source records attributed to S Cameron.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Molecular investigation into outbreak of HIV in a Scottish prison.

OBJECTIVES: To support already established epidemiological links between inmates of Glenochil prison positive for HIV infection by using molecular techniques and thus provide evidence of the extent of acquisition during a recent outbreak of the disease resulting from needle sharing. To identify possible sources of the outbreak, and to demonstrate the ability of the methodology to make further links beyond the original outbreak. DESIGN: Viral sequences obtained from the blood of HIV positive prisoners previously identified by standard epidemiological methods were compared with each other and with sequences from other Scottish patients. SETTING: Glenochil prison for men, central Scotland. SUBJECTS: Adult inmates and their possible contacts. RESULTS: Phylogenetic analysis of viral sequences in two different genomic regions showed that 13 of the 14 HIV positive prisoners had been infected from a common source. Previous research had shown that six of these had acquired their infection in Glenochil; molecular evidence suggests that more than double this number were infected while incarcerated. Virus from two long term HIV positive patients who were in the prison at the time of the outbreak but who were not identified in the original or subsequent surveys was sufficiently different to make it unlikely that they were the source. A viral sequence from heterosexual transmission from one inmate showed the ability of these techniques to follow the infection through different routes of infection. CONCLUSION: The number of prisoners infected with HIV during the 1993 outbreak within Glenochil prison was more than twice that previously shown. This shows the potential for the spread of bloodborne diseases within prisons by injecting drugs.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Concurrent outbreaks of Salmonella Typhimurium in South Australia.

The Communicable Disease Control Branch of the South Australian Health Commission received 45 laboratory notifications of Salmonella between 23 December 1996 and 17 January 1997. A rapid screening test, undertaken by the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Adelaide, was the first indication that this was more than one outbreak, prompting the establishment of separate investigations. Three Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) phage types were subsequently identified. Investigations are continuing into an outbreak of S. Typhimurium phage type (PT) 64, while investigations failed to identify any association between four cases of PT 44. As of 12 February 1997, 71 notifications had been confirmed as S. Typhimurium PT 135. Epidemiological investigations found this outbreak was associated with consumption of bread rolls with a meat filling distributed through local Asian grocery stores from a home-based manufacturer. The product was voluntarily withdrawn and there have been no new cases of PT 135.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗
PubMed1997

Health effects of exposure to cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) during recreational water-related activities.

The aim of this study was to investigate effects on health of exposure to cyanobacteria as a result of recreational water activities. Participants, who were aged six years and over, were interviewed at water recreation sites in South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria on selected Sundays during January and February 1995. Telephone follow-up was conducted two and seven days later to record any subsequent diarrhoea, vomiting, flu-like symptoms, skin rashes, mouth ulcers, fevers and eye or ear irritations. On the Sundays of interview, water samples from the sites were collected for cyanobacterial cell counts and toxin analysis. There were 852 participants, of whom 75 did not have water contact on the day of interview and were considered unexposed. The 777 who had water contact were considered exposed. No significant differences in overall symptoms were found between the unexposed and exposed after two days. At seven days, there was a significant trend to increasing symptom occurrence with duration of exposure (P = 0.03). There was a significant trend to increasing symptom occurrence with increase in cell count (P = 0.04). Participants exposed to more than 5000 cells per mL for more than one hour had a significantly higher symptom occurrence rate than the unexposed. Symptoms were not correlated with the presence of hepatotoxins. These results suggest symptom occurrence was associated with duration of contact with water containing cyanobacteria, and with cyanobacterial cell density. The findings suggest that the current safety threshold for exposure of 20,000 cells per mL may be too high.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Oxygen consumption, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion in young adult women during backward walking at different speeds.

Backward walking has gained popularity as an adjunct to treatment for patients undergoing rehabilitation for patellofemoral pain syndrome and anterior cruciate ligament injuries. Researchers have suggested that backward walking decreases the compressive forces at the patellofemoral joint while also preventing overstretching of the anterior cruciate ligament. Prior to this study, precise prescription of backward walking speeds for women was not possible. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between heart rate, oxygen consumption, and backward walking speeds. Twenty-five healthy, adult female volunteers participated in this study. Subjects were tested at speeds of 0.96, 1.20, 1.43, 1.67, and 1.91 m/sec. Subjects also performed a graded exercise stress test. Analysis revealed curvilinear relationships between oxygen consumption and speed as well as between heart rate and speed. With these results, clinicians may now prescribe specific speeds of backward walking for women to elicit a desired cardiopulmonary response.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Ross River virus infection. Diagnosis and treatment by general practitioners in South Australia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the signs and symptoms used by general practitioners to diagnose Ross River virus (RRV) infection, to assess investigation and treatment patterns and to test differences between GPs, grouped by demographic characteristics. DESIGN AND SETTING: A postal questionnaire was sent to 264 GPs who had submitted serological specimens that proved to be positive for RRV to laboratories in Adelaide during the period October 1992 to August 1993. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-four questionnaires were returned. Most had diagnosed between two and five cases of RRV infection (64.7%), although 20.7% of rural practitioners had diagnosed six or more cases. The symptom of 'pain in the joints' was ranked as the most important for suspecting RRV infection with joint effusion, rash and pyrexia ranked as important signs. Ninety-six per cent of GPs reported that they always performed RRV serology on patients with these symptoms. The most frequently cited treatments were rest (93.4%) and prescription of non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) (68.5%). There were no clinically significant differences between GPs, grouped by demographic characteristics, in their approach to the diagnosis or treatment of RRV infection. CONCLUSIONS: GPs in South Australia use similar groups of symptoms and signs to diagnose RRV infection. Most always used serology to confirm their clinical diagnosis and a large proportion performed blood tests that could establish alternative diagnoses.

Australia↗
PubMed1997

Changes in burn patient care.

Little has changed in the care of patients with burns for many years but nurses are now becoming involved in the introduction of innovative treatments. This article introduces relevant information about two of these products; cerium nitrate-sliver sulphadiazine (Flammacerium) and Integra, a new form of 'artificial skin'.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗
PubMed1996

Iron overload and liver dysfunction after allogeneic or autologous bone marrow transplantation.

Patients who require a bone marrow transplant (BMT) for leukaemia, lymphoma or other haematological disorders receive large quantities of blood products, including red cell concentrates, during the transplant period. Many receive red cell transfusions as part of treatment prior to BMT, adding to the potential iron load. However, organ dysfunction as a consequence of the transfused iron load would be surprising given the amounts of iron transfused. We studied 76 survivors of allogeneic and autologous BMT who were at least 1 year post-transplant and found that the majority (88%) had raised ferritins. Impaired liver function was common in these patients and in half was unexplained by viral hepatitis, veno-occlusive disease or graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), suggesting that iron overload may be an important contributing factor to liver disease in the stable post-transplant setting. This view is supported by the observation of improving liver function tests in 10 patients after a trial of venesection therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Povidone-iodine (betadine) in the treatment of experimental Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis.

Topical 5% povidone-iodine for the treatment of corneal ulcers was observed in Sierra Leone, West Africa by one of us (D.J.D.). To test the efficacy of topical 5% povidone-iodine for infectious keratitis, experimental Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis was induced in 12 rabbits by first abrading the central 3 mm of corneal epithelium. Thirty milliliters of broth of P. aeruginosa strain ATCC 27835 (1.8 x 10(7) viable bacteria) was dropped twice on the wounded cornea. After 22 h, all corneas were clinically infected. Eight rabbits were treated with 5% povidone-iodine solution and four with 0.9% NaCl solution. All were given hourly drops. Twenty-four hours after treatment began, the central 8-mm button of the infected cornea was excised, homogenized, and serial dilutions plated onto MacConkey agar. The total number of viable Pseudomonas organisms was calculated. The treatment group had 5.2 +/- 0.4 CFUs (colony-forming units) per cornea. The control group had 4.8 +/- 0.4 CFUs per cornea (p = 0.11). The clinical scores (Hobden grading system) were 6.9 +/- 1.5 for the treated group and 7.3 +/- 2.5 for the control group (p = 0.74). There was no statistical difference between the treated and control groups. Povidone-iodine (5%) is not effective in the acute treatment of P. aeruginosa keratitis in this rabbit model.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The effect of unit type and gender on Jordanian nurses' job satisfaction: a comparison of operating room, medical-surgical, and critical care nurses.

This study examines the quality of nursing work life for men and women in Jordan. Specifically it focuses on similarities and differences across three unit types: operating room, intensive care/critical care, and medical-surgical. Findings suggest that both gender and unit type should be considered when examining nurses' perceptions of the quality of work life.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Murray River water, raised cyanobacterial cell counts, and gastrointestinal and dermatological symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether exposure to Murray River and allied water sources during a period of raised cyanobacterial cell counts was associated with gastrointestinal and dermatological symptoms. DESIGN: A case-control study selecting gastrointestinal and dermatological cases and controls from subjects attending 21 general practitioners in eight Murray River towns. The association between the proportion of consultations for such symptoms and mean log cyanobacterial count was also examined. SUBJECTS: 102 gastrointestinal cases, 86 dermatological cases and 132 controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The relative odds of gastrointestinal and dermatological symptoms, respectively, as opposed to no such symptoms, according to water-contact history during the week preceding the medical consultation. RESULTS: After adjusting for concurrent risk factors, subjects drinking chlorinated river water rather than rain water had a raised risk of gastrointestinal symptoms (P = 0.008), and those using untreated river water for domestic purposes rather than rain water had a raised risk of gastrointestinal (P = 0.034) and of dermatological (P = 0.048) symptoms. The proportion of consultations for gastrointestinal and dermatological symptoms correlated on a weekly basis with the mean log cyanobacterial cell count, although statistical significance was not achieved for the correlation with dermatological consultations or for separate reaches of the river. CONCLUSIONS: The raised risks of gastrointestinal and dermatological symptoms in those using Murray River water for drinking and other domestic purposes are consistent with causal relationships. However, the evidence for adverse health effects is, at best, only suggestive. Further research is indicated.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed1995

Outbreak of HIV infection in a Scottish prison.

OBJECTIVE--To investigate the possible spread of HIV infection and its route of transmission among prison inmates. DESIGN--In response to an outbreak of acute clinical hepatitis B and two seroconversions to HIV infection, counselling and testing for HIV were offered to all inmates over a two week period in July 1993. Information was sought about drug injecting, sexual behaviour, and previous HIV testing. SETTING--HM Prison Glenochil in Scotland. SUBJECTS--Adult male prisoners. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Uptake of HIV counselling and testing; occurrence and mode of HIV transmission within the prison. RESULTS--Of a total 378 inmates, 227 (60%) were counselled and 162 (43%) tested for HIV. Twelve (7%) of those tested were positive for antibody to HIV. One third (76) of those counselled had injected drugs at some time, of whom 33 (43%) had injected in Glenochil; all 12 seropositive men belonged to this latter group. Thirty two of these 33 had shared needles and syringes in the prison. A further two inmates who injected in the prison were diagnosed as positive for HIV two months previously. Evidence based on sequential results and time of entry into prison indicated that eight transmissions definitely occurred within prison in the first half of 1993. CONCLUSION--This is the first report of an outbreak of HIV infection occurring within a prison. Restricted access to injecting equipment resulted in random sharing and placed injectors at high risk of becoming infected with HIV. Measures to prevent further spread of infection among prison injectors are urgently required.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Basal cell adenocarcinoma of the submandibular gland.

Basal cell adenoma is a well recognized histopathologic variant of monomorphic adenoma of salivary gland, but in recent years there have been occasional reports of malignant basal cell tumors of major salivary glands. We present a case report of one such basal cell adenocarcinoma arising in the submandibular gland and discuss the differential diagnosis and distinction from a basal cell adenoma. We also review the published literature on basal cell adenocarcinoma. This is the first case of basal cell adenocarcinoma to be studied in detail by both immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. There has been debate in the past as to the cell of origin of salivary gland basal cell tumors and specifically as to whether myoepithelial differentiation occurs in these tumors. The immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features of this case provide evidence for a dual population of ductal and myoepithelial cells. A flow cytometric analysis of nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid content showed the presence of DNA aneuploidy within one tissue block.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

Anonymous HIV surveillance with risk factor elicitation at Scotland's largest prison, Barlinnie.

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of HIV infection and risk behaviours among male inmates of Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) Barlinnie, Glasgow, Scotland on 8-9 September 1994. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study: voluntary, anonymous HIV surveillance (using saliva samples) of all inmates and linked self-completion risk-factor questionnaire. SUBJECTS: Of 1073 prisoners available to participate, 985 (92%) completed a risk-factor questionnaire and 982 salivettes were received for testing, of which 978 were tested for HIV antibodies (four were dry samples); 928 questionnaires passed logical checks for consistency. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: HIV prevalence on saliva testing, related risk behaviours and ratio of overall-to-disclosed HIV prevalence. Proportion of all inmates who have ever injected drugs, ever injected inside prison, started injecting inside, ever had acute hepatitis, had a recent personal HIV test (since January 1993). RESULTS: Nine saliva samples [eight injecting drug users (IDU), one recognized other risk] out of 978 were HIV-antibody-positive (three presumptively from known HIV-infected inmates). Overall HIV prevalence was estimated at 1% compared with a known prevalence of 0.4%, giving an overall-to-disclosed HIV prevalence ratio of 2.6 in HMP Barlinnie in September 1994. A higher proportion of prisoners from Glasgow (48%) than elsewhere (19%) were IDU. Year of first injection was also different by residence with 23% of Glasgow IDU having first injected after 1988 compared with 45% of IDU from elsewhere, mainly West and South Scotland. Half the IDU inmates reported having injected while incarcerated and 6% had started to inject while incarcerated. Ten per cent of all prisoners and 20% of IDU inmates had had a personal HIV test since January 1993. Logistic regression showed that there was a significant deficit of recent HIV test uptake by Glasgow residents (odds ratio, 0.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.27-0.89), that IDU were more likely to have had treatment for a sexually transmitted disease, and that IDU who had injected inside and those whose injecting career began prior to 1989 were more likely to have had acute hepatitis. CONCLUSION: A consistent harm-reduction policy is needed across prisons in the United Kingdom to avoid transmission of blood-borne viral infections. Drug injecting inside prison is common, a proportion of IDU inmates having first injected drugs while in prison, and much higher rates of hepatitis have been reported in association with injecting while incarcerated compared with that for IDU who only injected outside prison.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Preventing admissions of seniors into the emergency department.

1. The Quick Response Program is a nurse-driven, client-centered model of care for seniors providing immediate assessment, counseling, and referral within emergency departments. 2. The major goals of the program are to identify and prevent potential hospital admissions by seniors and provide this population with referrals for professional and support services at home. 3. The demographic data and data regarding health problems reported by clients clearly support the need for a significant level of professional and support services in the community if clients are to be cared for safely and effectively at home.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Identification of a critical regulatory site in the human interleukin-3 promoter by in vivo footprinting.

Interleukin-3 (IL-3) is involved in proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Its expression is subject to precise, tissue-specific regulation, and has been studied extensively in the gibbon T-cell line MLA 144 by a combination of functional assays and DNA binding experiments. To extend these studies, the gibbon IL-3 promoter was cloned and in vivo footprinting of the gibbon and human IL-3 proximal promoters was performed. The gibbon IL-3 promoter was found to be highly homologous to its human counterpart and both promoters yielded identical in vivo footprints after induction of IL-3 synthesis. In particular, we observed specific protection of three guanines over a core sequence TGTGGTTT (IF-1IL3) that had not been recognized in previous studies. IF-1IL3 is not found in other cytokine promoters, but it is conserved in the IL-3 promoter of several species and is similar to a recurring motif in viral and T-cell-specific cellular enhancers. IF-1IL3 binds a specific complex in MLA 144 and Jurkat nuclear extracts in vitro, which shares the same specificity as the complex bound by the polyoma virus and T-cell receptor delta enhancers. Mutation of the three guanines in IF-1IL3 core sequence disrupts binding in vitro and abrogates the ability of the IL-3 promoter to mediate inducible expression in T cells. Although IF-1IL3 is necessary for IL-3 expression, it is not sufficient: a truncated IL-3 promoter with an intact IF-1IL3 site but no other activator sites is transcriptionally silent. These studies describe a new regulatory element within the IL-3 promoter that is essential for expression and conserved between species.

Amino Acid Sequence↗