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Empson M, Lassere M, Craig J, Scott J. Therapy for miscarriage associated with antiphospholipid antibody or lupus anticoagulant. THE COCHRANE DATABASE OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS 2000. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd002859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Craig J, Chua R, Wootton R, Patterson V. A pilot study of telemedicine for new neurological outpatient referrals. J Telemed Telecare 2000; 6:225-8. [PMID: 11027124 DOI: 10.1258/1357633001935400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We investigated whether new patients attending a neurological outpatient clinic could be safely managed by neurologists at a distance, using a video-link. In Northern Ireland, a video-link, transmitting at 384 kbit/s, was set up between a neurological centre and a small rural hospital 140 km away. Twenty-five unselected patients who had been referred by their family doctor were assessed by a neurologist using the telemedicine link and then immediately by another neurologist face to face. Examiners were blinded to the results of each other's assessment. In 24 cases the diagnoses made after the telemedicine and face-to-face examinations were identical. There were minor differences between the type and number of investigations requested, and the requirements for treatment and follow-up between the two groups. Disposal method was the same in 21 of the cases. No major organizational difficulties were encountered during the study. The study showed that neurologists can deliver outpatient neurological care to distant patients using telemedicine. This has the potential to allow access to assessment for the large number of neurological outpatients who might otherwise be denied it.
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Craig J, Baron-Cohen S. Story-telling ability in children with autism or Asperger syndrome: a window into the imagination. THE ISRAEL JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY AND RELATED SCIENCES 2000; 37:64-70. [PMID: 10857274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum conditions are diagnosed on the basis of impaired imagination. The present study used a totally free story-telling method to assess if narratives produced by children with autism or Asperger Syndrome (AS) contained fewer imaginative events. METHOD In Condition 1, children were offered an imaginary theme and asked to elaborate a story. In Condition 2, they were offered a reality-based theme with the same instructions. Comparison groups included 13 children with autism, 14 children with AS, 15 children with moderate learning difficulties (MLD), and 14 normally developing children. The non-autistic controls had a verbal mental age (VMA) either equivalent or lower than the autism and AS groups. RESULTS Both the children with autism and AS were less likely to introduce imaginary elements into their stories in Condition 2, though the children with AS were more able to produce imaginative narratives than children with autism in Condition 1. CONCLUSIONS This study provides experimental evidence for imaginative impairments in story-telling in children with autism spectrum conditions. These are discussed in terms of two cognitive theories: executive dysfunction and theory of mind. LIMITATIONS In this study it was not possible to match the children with autism and AS with each other on VMA, as the children with autism were not as high-functioning. Future research could examine VMA matched groups of autism and AS.
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Craig J, MacWalter RS, Goudie BM. Which acute stroke patients with atrial fibrillation are prescribed warfarin therapy? Results from one-year's experience in Dundee. Scott Med J 2000; 45:110-2. [PMID: 11060912 DOI: 10.1177/003693300004500404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The recommended treatment of ischaemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is anticoagulation therapy with warfarin sodium and if this is contraindicated then aspirin should be used. The management of patients on warfarin therapy can be complicated and there is a risk of intra-cranial haemorrhage in elderly patients. However, these are the patients who stand to gain the most benefit from this treatment and therefore increased use of warfarin for secondary prophylaxis is likely to lead to a lower rate of subsequent admissions and less morbidity. The recommended treatment for these patients has often not been fully instigated in practice. This study was carried out in order to determine whether a group of patients admitted to a teaching hospital with diagnosis of ischaemic stroke and atrial fibrillation received appropriate antithrombotic therapy. Details of patients admitted with acute stroke during 1997 were obtained from the Dundee Stroke Database and information was extracted from the relevant clinical notes. Twenty-five out of 42 patients (60%) were considered eligible for anticoagulation and 14 out of those 25 (56%) were found to be on warfarin either on admission or subsequently. Of patients aged less than 75 years, 8/10 (80%) were on warfarin, whereas only 6/15 (40%) of those aged 75 years and older were being anticoagulated.
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Abstract
User satisfaction (i.e. that of patients, medical staff at a remote hospital and medical staff at a neurological centre) with realtime teleneurology consultations was studied prospectively. Twenty-five patients with neurological problems admitted to a hospital without permanent neurological cover were assessed from a neurological centre by specialist neurologists using realtime video-links transmitting at 384 kbit/s. All users reported high levels of satisfaction with the technical aspects of the consultations. Patients, almost universally, reported confidence in teleneurology as a means of dealing with their presenting complaints. Similarly, medical staff at either site felt confident in managing patients using teleneurology and almost always felt that a telephone consultation would not have achieved as good an outcome. No major organizational problems were identified. These findings suggest overall user satisfaction with realtime teleneurology for managing patients with neurological problems admitted to hospitals that do not have resident neurologists.
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Craig J, Chua R, Russell C, Patterson V, Wootton R. The cost-effectiveness of teleneurology consultations for patients admitted to hospitals without neurologists on site. 1: A retrospective comparison of the case-mix and management at two rural hospitals. J Telemed Telecare 2000; 6 Suppl 1:S46-9. [PMID: 10793970 DOI: 10.1258/1357633001934122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We are currently evaluating the use of telemedicine for improving the care of patients admitted with neurological symptoms to hospitals that do not have specialist neurologists on site. To do this we have been comparing the outcome of patients admitted to two small hospitals. In one hospital all patients with neurological symptoms are seen by a neurologist at a distance using an interactive video-link transmitting at 384 kbit/s; in the other patients with neurological problems are managed as per usual practices. For the results of this study to be valid, it is essential that the case-mix and process of management for neurological patients are similar at the two hospitals. We therefore compared the case-mix, process of management, and outcome for all patients admitted over a four-month period to either hospital who had been coded using ICD-10 as having a final diagnosis of a neurological condition. No appreciable differences were noted between the two hospitals for measures of case-mix or outcome. Likewise, most measures of process were similar, although there was a significant difference for the overall length of hospital episode between the two hospitals. When patients with prolonged hospital episodes were excluded, or only patients with a diagnosis of headache, epilepsy or transient ischaemic attack were considered (who as a group made up the bulk of neurological admissions), the difference in the length of hospital episode was not significant. It should therefore be possible for us to estimate the effect of telemedicine on the management of patients with neurological problems.
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Fessell DP, Jacobson JA, Craig J, Habra G, Prasad A, Radliff A, van Holsbeeck MT. Using sonography to reveal and aspirate joint effusions. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2000; 174:1353-62. [PMID: 10789795 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.174.5.1741353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Patterson V, Craig J, Pang KA, Wootton R. Successful management of unexplained coma by telemedicine. J Telemed Telecare 2000; 5:134-6. [PMID: 10628026 DOI: 10.1258/1357633991933341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Cranberries (particularly in the form of cranberry juice) have been used widely for several decades for the prevention and treatment of urinary tract infections. The aim of this review is to assess the effectiveness of cranberries in treating such infections. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of cranberries for the treatment of urinary tract infections. SEARCH STRATEGY The search strategy developed by the Cochrane Renal Group was used. Also, companies involved with the promotion and distribution of cranberry preparations were contacted; electronic databases and the Internet were searched using English and non English language terms; reference lists of review articles and relevant trials were also searched. SELECTION CRITERIA All randomised or quasi randomised controlled trials of cranberry juice or cranberry products for the treatment of urinary tract infections. Trials of men, women or children were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Titles and abstracts of studies that were potentially relevant to the review were screened by one reviewer, RJ, who discarded studies that were clearly ineligible but aimed to be overly inclusive rather than risk losing relevant studies. Reviewers RJ and LM independently assessed whether the studies met the inclusion criteria. Further information was sought from the authors where papers contained insufficient information to make a decision about eligibility. MAIN RESULTS No trials were found which fulfilled all of the inclusion criteria. Two trials were excluded because they did not have any relevant outcomes. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS After a thorough search, no randomised trials which assessed the effectiveness of cranberry juice for the treatment of urinary tract infections were found. Therefore, at the present time, there is no good quality evidence to suggest that it is effective for the treatment of urinary tract infections. Well-designed parallel group, double blind trials comparing cranberry juice and other cranberry products versus placebo to assess the effectiveness of cranberry juice in treating urinary tract infections are needed. Outcomes should include reduction in symptoms, sterilisation of the urine, side effects and adherence to therapy. Dosage (amount and concentration) and duration of therapy should also be assessed. Consumers and clinicians will welcome the evidence from these trials.
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Kwon K, Jenkins D, Firpo R, Tzeng T, Craig J. Complete myocardial revascularization on the beating heart. Am J Surg 1999; 178:501-4. [PMID: 10670861 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9610(99)00222-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Complete myocardial revascularization with excellent visualization, exposure, and stabilization can be accomplished on the beating heart without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). METHODS Three hundred patients were totally revascularized via median sternotomy with myocardial stabilization using the CardioThoracic System. All patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting were considered for the off-pump procedure. Pericardial sutures were placed at the level of the left atrial appendage and were pulled upwards to the right. The stabilizer was applied sequentially from circumflex, obtuse marginal, intermediate, diagonal, left anterior descending, and right coronary artery. Coronaries were occluded using the Calafiore technique, and multiple arterial grafts were inserted. RESULTS The average number of grafts was 3.4 per patient. Six percent had to be converted to standard CPB. Comorbidity was not a limiting factor with 8% redos, 48% having diabetes, and acute myocardial infarctions in 28%. The unadjusted mortality was 2.3%, and stroke rate was 0.7%. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that complete revascularization can safely be accomplished without CPB.
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Abstract
Idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia (IIH) is a rare cause of hypercalcemia in the 1st year of life and was initially considered part of a spectrum encompassing vitamin D intoxication, Williams syndrome, and idiopathic hypercalcemia. Identification of the gene for Williams syndrome now allows a clear separation of IIH from Williams syndrome. The inheritance and pathogenesis of IIH remains largely unknown, with only sporadic cases reported to date. This report describes a family with two siblings with IIH. The pedigree is consistent with autosomal recessive inheritance, but more complex inheritance is suggested by the occurrence of hypercalciuria in a number of family members. Although one affected patient demonstrated elevated 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) levels, no conclusions regarding the pathogenesis of this condition could be drawn.
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Panaretto K, Craig J, Knight J, Howman-Giles R, Sureshkumar P, Roy L. Risk factors for recurrent urinary tract infection in preschool children. J Paediatr Child Health 1999; 35:454-9. [PMID: 10571758 DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1754.1999.355417.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Children with urinary tract infections (UTI) are at risk of renal scarring which may lead to impaired renal function and hypertension. This study examines the risk factors that predispose to recurrent UTI in children and the role of recurrent UTI in renal scarring. METHODOLOGY A group of 290 children under 5 years of age with a first symptomatic UTI were studied. Micturating cystourethrogram and dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scintigraphy were performed at entry, and DMSA was repeated 1 year later. Two hundred and sixty-one children (90%) were followed up at 1 year. RESULTS There were 46 confirmed recurrent infections in 34 children, a recurrence rate of 12%. Multiple recurrence occurred in 14/34 (34%) children. Age of less than 6 months on entry independently predicted for recurrent UTI (odds ratio (OR): 2.9)). Compliance with prophylactic antibiotics fell throughout the year of follow up. Vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) was present in 14/34 (34%) of the group with recurrent UTI, 69/256 (27%) without recurrence. Urinary tract infection was significantly associated with bilateral and intrarenal reflux; grade 3-5 reflux independently predicted for recurrent UTI (OR: 3.5). Recurrent UTI was significantly associated with high grade DMSA defects on entry, renal parenchymal defects at 1 year follow up, and new defects at 1 year. CONCLUSION The independent risk factors for recurrent UTI identified by this study were an age of less than 6 months at the index UTI and grade 3-5 VUR. These findings suggest more selective targeting may minimize problems associated with prophylaxis and improve outcomes for children with urine infection.
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Needles B, Miranda E, Garcia Rodriguez FM, Diaz LB, Spector J, Craig J, Cohen G, Krasnow S, Brogden J, Ames M. A multicenter, double-blind, randomized comparison of oral ondansetron 8 mg b.i.d., 24 mg q.d., and 32 mg q.d. in the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with highly emetogenic chemotherapy. S3AA3012 Study Group. Support Care Cancer 1999; 7:347-53. [PMID: 10483821 DOI: 10.1007/s005200050274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to compare the efficacy and safety of orally administered ondansetron 8 mg b.i.d., 24 mg q.d., and 32 mg q.d. in the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with high-dose cisplatin-based chemotherapy (cisplatin > or = 50 mg/m2). This was a randomized, parallel-group, double-blind study conducted in North America. It was planned that all patients would receive one of the following orally administered ondansetron treatments 30 min before starting cisplatin dosing (administered over < or = 3 h): 8 mg b.i.d. with 8 h between doses (124 patients), 24 mg q.d. (116 patients), and 32 mg q.d. (117 patients). Use of prophylactic corticosteroids was not permitted. During the 24-h study period, the highest complete response rate (no emesis, rescue antiemetic therapy, or withdrawal) occurred in patients who received ondansetron 24 mg q.d.: 76/115 or 66%, as against 68/124 (55%) after ondansetron 8 mg b.i.d. and 64/117 (55%) after ondansetron 32 mg q.d. Complete control of nausea (no nausea, no rescue, no withdrawal) occurred in more patients in the ondansetron 24 mg q.d. group (64/114, 56%) than in the ondansetron 8 mg b.i.d. group (43/121, 36%) or in the ondansetron 32 mg group (55/117, 50%). These results demonstrate that following highly emetogenic cisplatin-based chemotherapy (> or =2 50 mg/m2), oral ondansetron 24 mg q.d. is more effective than 8 mg b.i.d. for overall control of nausea, and at least as effective if not more effective in the control of acute vomiting than 8 mg b.i.d. or 32 mg q.d. Ondansetron 24 mg q.d. was well tolerated, and no new or unexpected adverse events were identified.
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Pearson TC, Bareford D, Craig J, Egan EL, Green AR, Lucas GS, Ludlam CA, McMullin MF, Messinezy M, Oscier DG, Reilly JT. The management of 'low-risk' and 'intermediate-risk' patients with primary thrombocythaemia. MPD (UK) Study Group. Br J Haematol 1999; 106:833-4. [PMID: 10468882 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2141.1999.01653.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Abstract
Three studies are reported that address the often described impoverished creativity in autism. Using the Torrance Creativity Tests, Experiment 1 found that children with autism and Asperger syndrome (AS) showed impairments. Experiment 2 tested two explanations of these results: the executive dysfunction and the imagination deficit hypotheses. Results supported both hypotheses. Children with autism and AS could generate possible novel changes to an object, though they generated fewer of these relative to controls. Furthermore, these were all reality-based, rather than imaginative. Experiment 3 extended this using a test of imaginative fluency. Children with autism and AS generated fewer suggestions involving attribution of animacy to foam shapes, compared to controls, instead generating reality-based suggestions of what the shapes could be. Although this is evidence of executive dysfunction, it does not directly account for why imaginative creativity is more difficult than reality-based creativity.
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Gandhi M, Jestice H, Scott M, Bloxham D, Bass G, Craig J, Marcus R. A comparison of CD34+ cell selected and unselected autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma: a case controlled analysis. Bone Marrow Transplant 1999; 24:369-75. [PMID: 10467325 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1701938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Following ASCT for multiple myeloma, it is unclear whether relapse is due solely to the presence of residual myeloma cells after myeloablation, or whether it is in part attributable to contamination of the stem cell harvest with viable malignant cells. Positive selection of CD34+ cells markedly reduces plasma cell contamination. We performed a case controlled analysis in which 15 patients with myeloma who underwent autologous PBSCT with CD34+cell selection using the Ceprate System (index group), were compared with 15 matched controls. All subjects received an identical preparative regimen. The median times to neutrophils >/=0.5 x 10(9)/l and unsupported platelets >/=50 x 10(9)/l were 14 and 23 days for the CD34+cell selected group and 11 (P = 0.03) and 14 (P = 0.029) for the case controls. Median follow-up of purged patients from autologous PBSCT was 32 months (range 18-43). At 36 months, the probability of PFS was 47 +/- 14% and 46 +/- 14% in the index and control groups (P = 0.44). The 3 year probability of OS was 69 +/- 13% for the CD34+ cell selected arm and 66 +/- 12.4% in unpurged patients (P = 0.91). Median PFS for the cell selected group is 24 months (CI 19.1-36.0), and 29 months for controls (CI 7.1-50.9). Eleven patients undergoing cell selection remain alive, seven of whom are progression free. At the same time-point after unpurged autologous PBSCT, the corresponding figures are 12 patients alive, with seven remaining progression free. Autologous PBSCT with CD34+ cell selection is both feasible and safe, but results in delayed engraftment as compared to case controls. The 3 year probability of PFS and OS in the cell selected arm was similar to that of the unpurged controls. Our findings indicate that autologous PBSCT with CD34+ cell selection appears not to have any favourable effect on disease progression. However, the results of this case controlled analysis should be cautiously interpreted, and the role of CD34+ selection in autologous PBSCT should be further investigated by large randomised trials.
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Craig J. Recording tympanic temperature. PAEDIATRIC NURSING 1999; 11:10. [PMID: 10595161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
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Craig J, Morrison P, Morrow J, Patterson V. Failure of periconceptual folic acid to prevent a neural tube defect in the offspring of a mother taking sodium valproate. Seizure 1999; 8:253-4. [PMID: 10452927 DOI: 10.1053/seiz.1999.0283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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Goldberg K, Mirtich B, Yan Zhuang, Craig J, Carlisle B, Canny J. Part pose statistics: estimators and experiments. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1999. [DOI: 10.1109/70.795790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Liller KD, Craig J, Crane N, McDermott RJ. Evaluation of a poison prevention lesson for kindergarten and third grade students. Inj Prev 1998; 4:218-21. [PMID: 9788094 PMCID: PMC1730388 DOI: 10.1136/ip.4.3.218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to evaluate the MORE HEALTH poison prevention lesson that is given to kindergarten and third grade students in Hillsborough County, Florida. The lesson reaches approximately 6000 students per year. METHODS The evaluation was based on a post-test only control group design. Three schools were chosen as evaluation sites and three served as control settings. Students were administered a previously tested, age appropriate questionnaire that addressed the goals of the poison lessons. In addition, a survey was developed for intervention school parents to determine their poison prevention practices. RESULTS One hundred ninety four intervention schoolchildren and 184 control schoolchildren completed the study. Children in the intervention schools consistently answered more questions correctly than those in the control schools. The parent survey showed that the majority have homes that are safe from poisons, although fewer than 50% said they had syrup of ipecac in their homes. CONCLUSIONS These results show that key concepts related to poison prevention can be communicated effectively to primary school students and parents report having homes safe from many poisons.
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Craig J. To be or not to be--what are the odds? POPULATION TRENDS 1998:42-50. [PMID: 9679270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Life expectancies are averages. Among the group of people to which the average refers there will be wide variations in the length of their lives. This article quantifies these variations by looking at the chances of an early death and the chances of an exceptionally long life. Persons aged 40, for example, have an estimated average future length of life of 35 years for men and 40 years for women according to the most recent decennial English Life Tables. But some would die much sooner-1 percent within 5 or 7 years (respectively) and 10 percent within 20 or 24 years; while at the other extreme some would live much longer-10 percent for 49 or 53 years and 1 percent for 57 or 61 years. The article goes on to explain how these differences are related to the underlying patterns of mortality.
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Wohlwend JR, van Holsbeeck M, Craig J, Shirazi K, Habra G, Jacobsen G, Bouffard JA. The association between irregular greater tuberosities and rotator cuff tears: a sonographic study. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1998; 171:229-33. [PMID: 9648794 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.171.1.9648794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although an association between irregular greater tuberosities and rotator cuff tears has been suggested, no formal studies have been done. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between greater tuberosity irregularities, rotator cuff tears, and age. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Sonographic examinations of both shoulders of 77 asymptomatic individuals (154 shoulders) between 30 and 80 years old were performed. The rotator cuffs and greater tuberosities were evaluated. Full- and partial-thickness rotator cuff tears were given equal significance. A two-tailed Fisher's exact test, a Student's t test, and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data. RESULTS Sonography showed the greater tuberosity to be irregular in 36 (90%) of 40 shoulders with a rotator cuff tear. The greater tuberosity was irregular in only 12 (11%) of 114 shoulders without a rotator cuff tear. When the greater tuberosity was irregular, sonography showed 36 (75%) of 48 shoulders to have rotator cuff tears. When the greater tuberosity was normal, 102 (96%) of 106 of the rotator cuffs were normal on sonography. Statistical significance was detected (p < .001) for the association of greater tuberosity irregularity and rotator cuff tear. After accounting for age, a statistically significant association was found (p < .001) between rotator cuff status and greater tuberosity status. CONCLUSION On sonography, greater tuberosity irregularities are reliable indicators in the assessment of shoulders for rotator cuff tears. In addition, we have shown that greater tuberosity irregularities are not simply related to aging.
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Durm M, Schüssler L, Münch H, Craig J, Ludwig H, Hausmann M, Cremer C. Fast-painting of human metaphase spreads using a chromosome-specific, repeat-depleted DNA library probe. Biotechniques 1998; 24:820-5. [PMID: 9591132 DOI: 10.2144/98245dt02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
For chromosome painting, in situ suppression of repetitive DNA sequences has been well established. Such standard protocols usually require large amounts of Cot-I DNA. Recently, it has become possible to deplete repetitive DNA sequences from library probes by magnetic purification and PCR-assisted affinity chromatography. These "repeat-depleted library probes" appear to be extremely useful for Fast-FISH, a technique that omits denaturing chemical agents such as formamide in the hybridization buffer, resulting in a substantial acceleration and simplification of the complete protocol. Shown here is the application of Fast-FISH to a repeat-depleted, directly fluorochrome-labeled library probe of the q-arm of chromosome 15 (Fast-Painting) for human lymphocyte metaphase spreads. Following painting without Cot-I DNA and without formamide, visual inspection revealed sufficient chromosome painting after a few hours of hybridization. The fluorescence signals of the labeling sites were analyzed after hybridization times of 1 and 2 h (in one case, 4 h) using digital fluorescence microscopy. The painting efficiency expressed in values of relative fluorescence signal ratios was quantitatively evaluated by image analysis using line-scan procedures and area-morphometry of mean luminance. Two preparation protocols (ethanol dehydration without and with RNase A treatment followed by pepsin digestion for four different exposure times) were compared. These results indicated that RNase A treatment and pepsin digestion are steps that can be omitted.
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Nair SM, Werkman TR, Craig J, Finnell R, Joëls M, Eberwine JH. Corticosteroid regulation of ion channel conductances and mRNA levels in individual hippocampal CA1 neurons. J Neurosci 1998; 18:2685-96. [PMID: 9502826 PMCID: PMC6793106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Overexposure to corticosteroid hormones is harmful to hippocampal neuronal integrity, likely by perturbation of calcium homeostasis. To identify molecular mechanisms at the single-cell level, we characterized mRNA expression corresponding to voltage- and ligand-gated Ca channels in individual dissociated CA1 neurons in response to long-term corticosterone (CORT) exposure. Predominant mineralocorticoid receptor occupation (ADC-LO group) resulted in low levels of P/Q- and L-type Ca channel mRNAs, high levels of GluR-2 versus GluR-1, and a high ratio of NMDAR-2A to NMDAR-2B mRNA. Corresponding alterations in protein expression were consistent with the restriction of Ca influx. In contrast, additional glucocorticoid receptor occupation (ADC-HI group) altered the expression of these mRNAs in a manner consistent with enhanced Ca influx; interestingly, qualitatively similar alterations were seen in control ADX neurons. Electrophysiological data from the same neurons indicate that Ca current amplitudes also are modulated by CORT, although on a shorter time scale. Finally, principal components analysis (PCA) suggests that neuronal AMPA and NMDA receptor composition may be regulated by MR and GR activation in a complex manner. Therefore, our data implicate molecular events by which CORT may regulate Ca influx into CA1 hippocampal neurons.
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