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Lind CM, Meyers RA, Moore IT, Agugliaro J, McPherson S, Farrell TM. Ophidiomycosis is associated with alterations in the acute glycemic and glucocorticoid stress response in a free-living snake species. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 339:114295. [PMID: 37121405 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Emerging fungal pathogens are a direct threat to vertebrate biodiversity. Elucidating the mechanisms by which mycoses impact host fitness is an important step towards effective prediction and management of disease outcomes in populations. The vertebrate acute stress response is an adaptive mechanism that allows individuals to meet challenges to homeostasis and survival in dynamic environments. Disease may cause stress, and coping with fungal infections may require shifts in resource allocation that alter the ability of hosts to mount an acute response to other external stressors. We examined the glucocorticoid and glycemic response to acute capture stress in a population of free-living pygmy rattlesnakes, Sistrurus miliarius, afflicted with an emerging mycosis (ophidiomycosis) across seasons. In all combinations of disease status and season, acute capture stress resulted in a significant glucocorticoid and glycemic response. While disease was not associated with elevated baseline or stress-induced corticosterone (CORT), disease was associated with an increased glucocorticoid stress response (post-stress minus baseline) across seasons. Both baseline and stress-induced glucose were lower in snakes with ophidiomycosis compared to uninfected snakes. The relationship between glucose and pre- and post-stress CORT depended on infection status, and positive correlations were only observed in uninfected snakes. The variables which explained CORT and glucose levels were different. The pattern of CORT was highly seasonal (winter high - summer low) and negatively related to body condition. Glucose, on the other hand, did not vary seasonally or with body condition and was strongly related to sex (male high - female low). Our results highlight the fact that circulating CORT and glucose are sensitive to different intrinsic and extrinsic predictor variables and support the hypothesis that disease alters the acute physiological stress response. Whether the effects of ophidiomycosis on the acute stress response result in sublethal effects on fitness should be investigated in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig M Lind
- Stockton University, 101 Vera King Farris Dr, Galloway, NJ 08205, United States.
| | - Riley A Meyers
- Virginia Tech, Dept. Biological Sciences, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
| | - Ignacio T Moore
- Virginia Tech, Dept. Biological Sciences, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
| | - Joseph Agugliaro
- Fairleigh Dickinson University, 285 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940, United States
| | - Samantha McPherson
- Stetson University, 421 N Woodland Blvd, DeLand, FL 32723, United States
| | - Terence M Farrell
- Stetson University, 421 N Woodland Blvd, DeLand, FL 32723, United States
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McPherson S, Wada-Katsumata A, Silverman J, Schal C. Glucose- and disaccharide-containing baits impede secondary mortality in glucose-averse German cockroaches. J Econ Entomol 2023; 116:546-553. [PMID: 36888567 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toad030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Glucose aversion in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), results in behavioral resistance to insecticidal baits. Glucose-averse (GA) cockroaches reject foods containing glucose, even in relatively low concentrations, which protects the cockroaches from ingesting lethal amounts of toxic baits. Horizontal transfer of baits and the resulting secondary mortality have been documented in German cockroaches, including in insecticide resistant strains. However, the effects of the GA trait on secondary mortality have not been investigated. We hypothesized that ingestion of insecticide baits that contain glucose or glucose-containing disaccharides would result in behaviorally relevant glucose levels in the feces, possibly deterring coprophagy by GA nymphs. We fed adult female cockroaches hydramethylnon baits rich in either glucose, fructose, sucrose, or maltose and compared secondary mortality of GA and wild-type (WT) nymphs via coprophagy. When adult females were fed baits containing glucose, sucrose, or maltose and their feces offered to nymphs, secondary mortality was significantly lower in GA nymphs than in WT nymphs. However, survival of GA and WT nymphs was similar on feces generated by adult females fed fructose bait. Analysis of feces indicated that disaccharides in baits were hydrolyzed into glucose, some of which was excreted in the feces of females that ingested the bait. Based on these results, we caution that baits containing glucose or glucose-containing oligosaccharides may impede cockroach interventions; while GA adults and large nymphs avoid ingesting such baits, first instars reject the glucose-containing feces of any WT cockroaches that consumed the bait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha McPherson
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Ayako Wada-Katsumata
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Jules Silverman
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Coby Schal
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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3
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McPherson S, Kelly J, Pan L, Guo L, Wu R, Chen M, Zhou T. P21-15 Comparison of routine toxicology parameters between the Göttingen and the Chinese Bama Minipig. Toxicol Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2022.07.695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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McPherson S, Wada-Katsumata A, Hatano E, Silverman J, Schal C. Nutritional condition affects tergal gland secretion and courtship success of male cockroaches. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271344. [PMID: 35921282 PMCID: PMC9348660 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
An integral part of the courtship sequence of the German cockroach (Blattella germanica) involves the male raising his wings to expose tergal glands on his dorsum. When a female cockroach feeds on the secretion of these glands, she is optimally positioned for mating. Core chemical components have been identified, but the effect of male diet on the quality of the tergal gland secretion remains unexplored. After validating the pivotal role of tergal feeding in mating, we starved or fed reproductively mature males for one week. We then paired each male with a sexually receptive female and observed their interactions through an infrared-sensitive camera. While starvation had no effect on male courtship behavior, it did influence the duration of female tergal feeding and mating outcomes. Females fed longer on the gland secretion of fed males, and fed males experienced greater mating success than starved males (73.9% vs. 48.3%, respectively). These results suggest that the quality of the tergal gland secretions, and by association mating success, are dependent on the nutritional condition of the male.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha McPherson
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Ayako Wada-Katsumata
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Eduardo Hatano
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jules Silverman
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Coby Schal
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Wada-Katsumata A, Hatano E, McPherson S, Silverman J, Schal C. Rapid evolution of an adaptive taste polymorphism disrupts courtship behavior. Commun Biol 2022; 5:450. [PMID: 35551501 PMCID: PMC9098494 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03415-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of adaptive behavior often requires changes in sensory systems. However, rapid adaptive changes in sensory traits can adversely affect other fitness-related behaviors. In the German cockroach, a gustatory polymorphism, ‘glucose-aversion (GA)’, supports greater survivorship under selection with glucose-containing insecticide baits and promotes the evolution of behavioral resistance. Yet, sugars are prominent components of the male’s nuptial gift and play an essential role in courtship. Behavioral and chemical analyses revealed that the saliva of GA females rapidly degrades nuptial gift sugars into glucose, and the inversion of a tasty nuptial gift to an aversive stimulus often causes GA females to reject courting males. Thus, the rapid emergence of an adaptive change in the gustatory system supports foraging, but it interferes with courtship. The trade-off between natural and sexual selection under human-imposed selection can lead to directional selection on courtship behavior that favors the GA genotype. A study of German cockroaches with glucose-aversion reveals how this adaptation to avoid glucose-containing insecticides causes females to reject courting males, because their salivary enzymes degrade sugars in the male’s nuptial gift into glucose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayako Wada-Katsumata
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology and W.M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27695, USA.
| | - Eduardo Hatano
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology and W.M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27695, USA
| | - Samantha McPherson
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology and W.M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27695, USA
| | - Jules Silverman
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology and W.M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27695, USA
| | - Coby Schal
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology and W.M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27695, USA.
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McPherson S, Wada-Katsumata A, Hatano E, Silverman J, Schal C. Comparison of Diet Preferences of Laboratory-Reared and Apartment-Collected German Cockroaches. J Econ Entomol 2021; 114:2189-2197. [PMID: 34260722 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toab139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.) (Blattodea: Ectobiidae), is a common pest of human-built structures worldwide. German cockroaches are generalist omnivores able to survive on a wide variety of foods. A number of studies have concluded that laboratory-reared B. germanica self-select diets with an approximate 1P:3C (protein-to-carbohydrate) ratio. We predicted that field-collected insects would exhibit more variable dietary preferences, related to the wide-ranging quality, quantity, and patchiness of foods available to them. We compared diet self-selection of B. germanica within apartments and in the laboratory by offering them a choice of two complementary diets with 1P:1C and 1P:11C ratios. We observed high variation in the population-level self-selection of these diets among individual apartment sites as well as among various life stages tested in laboratory-based assays. Significant differences between populations in various apartments as well as between populations maintained in the laboratory suggested that factors beyond temporary food scarcity influence diet choice. Nevertheless, we found significant correlations between the amounts of diets ingested by cockroaches in apartments and cockroaches from the same populations assayed in the laboratory, as well as between males, females, and nymphs from these populations. These findings suggest that females, males, and nymphs within apartments adapt to the local conditions and convergently prefer similar amounts of food of similar dietary protein content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha McPherson
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Ayako Wada-Katsumata
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Eduardo Hatano
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Jules Silverman
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Coby Schal
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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McPherson S, Yang C, Ding J. Investigation of pre and postnatal developmental toxicity of caffene in rats. Toxicol Lett 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4274(21)00648-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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8
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Simpson H, Manley P, Lawler J, Morey S, Buchanan E, Hewett M, Knowles J, Miller C, McCarron B, Valappil M, McPherson S. Distance to treatment as a factor for loss to follow up of hepatitis C patients in North East England. J Public Health (Oxf) 2020; 41:700-706. [PMID: 30351415 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdy190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A large proportion of the 200 000 HCV-infected individuals in the UK are undiagnosed or lost to follow-up. Engaging known infected individuals in treatment is essential for elimination. METHODS Using PHE surveillance data and HCV treatment registers from North East of England (NE) treatment centres for 1997-2016, we estimated the number of HCV cases not linked to treatment and the proportion with active infection. We compared distances of treated and untreated cases to treatment services, and assessed the effect of expanding HCV treatment into existing drug and alcohol treatment centres in the NEE on treatment accessibility. RESULTS The odds of being treated was associated with distance to treatment services. Confirmatory results for ~50% were not reported to PHE NE. Overall, 3385 patients reported to PHE NE had no record of treatment; we estimated 1621 of these may have been lost to follow-up after confirmation of active infection. CONCLUSIONS Poor access to healthcare services may contribute to under-diagnosis or loss to follow-up. Expanding HCV treatment delivery into NEE drug and alcohol treatment centres would improve the accessibility of treatment services to people infected with/at risk of HCV. This may increase the proportion receiving treatment and support progress towards elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Simpson
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - P Manley
- Field Epidemiology Service Newcastle, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - J Lawler
- Public Health England, North East Health Protection Team, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - S Morey
- Department of Health and Life Science, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - E Buchanan
- Viral Hepatitis Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - M Hewett
- Viral Hepatitis Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - J Knowles
- Centre for Infection, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK
| | - C Miller
- Viral Hepatitis Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - B McCarron
- Centre for Infection, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK
| | - M Valappil
- Viral Hepatitis Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Public Health Laboratory North East, PHE, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - S McPherson
- Viral Hepatitis Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University), Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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9
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DeLory T, Funderburk K, Miller K, Smith WZ, McPherson S, Pirk CW, Costa C, Teixeira ÉW, Dahle B, Rueppell O. Local Variation in Recombination Rates of the Honey Bee ( Apis mellifera) Genome among Samples from Six Disparate Populations. Insectes Soc 2020; 67:127-138. [PMID: 33311731 PMCID: PMC7732154 DOI: 10.1007/s00040-019-00736-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Meiotic recombination is an essential component of eukaryotic sexual reproduction but its frequency varies within and between genomes. Although it is well-established that honey bees have a high recombination rate with about 20 cM/Mbp, the proximate and ultimate causes of this exceptional rate are poorly understood. Here, we describe six linkage maps of the Western Honey Bee Apis mellifera that were produced with consistent methodology from samples from distinct parts of the species' near global distribution. We compared the genome-wide rates and distribution of meiotic crossovers among the six maps and found considerable differences. Overall similarity of local recombination rates among our samples was unrelated to geographic or phylogenetic distance of the populations that our samples were derived from. However, the limited sampling constrains the interpretation of our results because it is unclear how representative these samples are. In contrast to previous studies, we found only in two datasets a significant relation between local recombination rate and GC content. Focusing on regions of particularly increased or decreased recombination in specific maps, we identified several enriched gene ontologies in these regions and speculate about their local adaptive relevance. These data are contributing to an increasing comparative effort to gain an understanding of the intra-specific variability of recombination rates and their evolutionary role in honey bees and other social insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy DeLory
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC, USA
- Current address: Department of Biology, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Karen Funderburk
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC, USA
- Current address: Applied Mathematics for the Life & Social Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Katelyn Miller
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC, USA
| | | | - Samantha McPherson
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC, USA
- Current address: Current address: NCSU Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, Campus Box 7613, 100 Derieux Place, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Christian W. Pirk
- Social Insects Research Group, Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Cecilia Costa
- Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricolturae l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria, Via Po, 14 - 00198 Rome, Italy
| | - Érica Weinstein Teixeira
- Honey Bee Health Specialized Laboratory, Biological Institute, São Paulo State Agribusiness Technology Agency, Av. Prof. Manoel César Ribeiro, 1920, Pindamonhangaba, São Paulo 12411-010, Brazil
| | - Bjørn Dahle
- Norwegian Beekeepers Association, Kløfta, Norway
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Olav Rueppell
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC, USA
- Corresponding author: 312 Eberhart Bldg, 321 McIver Street, Greensboro NC 27403, USA. Phone: (+1) 336-2562591,
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Affiliation(s)
- T Hardy
- Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, North Shields, UK.,Institute of Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - S McPherson
- Institute of Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.,Liver Unit, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Stirnimann G, Berg T, Spahr L, Zeuzem S, McPherson S, Lammert F, Storni F, Banz V, Babatz J, Vargas V, Geier A, Stallmach A, Engelmann C, Trepte C, Capel J, De Gottardi A. Treatment of refractory ascites with an automated low-flow ascites pump in patients with cirrhosis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2017; 46:981-991. [PMID: 28940225 PMCID: PMC5698811 DOI: 10.1111/apt.14331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 04/17/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Refractory ascites (RA) is a frequent complication of cirrhosis, requiring large volume paracentesis or placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS). The automated low-flow ascites pump (alfapump, Sequana Medical AG, Zurich, Switzerland) is an innovative treatment option for patients with RA. AIM To assess safety and efficacy of this treatment in patients with a contraindication to TIPSS. METHODS Fifty-six patients (43 males; mean age 62 years) from centres in Germany, Switzerland, UK and Spain were included and followed for up to 24 months. Complications, device deficiencies, paracentesis frequency and patient survival were recorded. RESULTS At the time of this analysis, 3 patients completed the 24-month observation period, monitoring of 3 was ongoing, 9 underwent liver transplantation, 17 patients were withdrawn due to serious adverse events and 23 patients died. Most frequently observed technical complication was blocking of the peritoneal catheter. Twenty-three pump-related reinterventions (17 patients) and 12 pump exchanges (11 patients) were required during follow-up. The pump system was explanted in 48% of patients (in 17 patients due to serious adverse events, in 9 at the time of liver transplantation and in 1 due to recovery from RA). Median frequency of paracentesis dropped from 2.17 to 0.17 per month. CONCLUSIONS The alfapump can expand therapeutic options for cirrhotic patients with RA. Continuous drainage of ascites in a closed loop automated system led to significant reduction in paracentesis frequency. Technical and procedural improvements are required to reduce the rate of adverse events and reinterventions. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01532427.
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Gallacher J, McPherson S. Editorial: progress towards a simple tool for screening for hepatic steatosis in the general population. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2017; 46:559-560. [PMID: 28776747 DOI: 10.1111/apt.14217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J Gallacher
- Gastroenterology, South Tyneside Hospital Foundation Trust, South Shields, UK
| | - S McPherson
- Liver Unit, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Institute of Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
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Mansour D, McPherson S. Editorial: further evidence for the use of advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques to monitor NAFLD. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2017; 45:1269-1270. [PMID: 28370048 DOI: 10.1111/apt.14005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D Mansour
- Liver Unit, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - S McPherson
- Liver Unit, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Institute of Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
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McPherson S, Dyson JK, Hudson M. Editorial: improving in-hospital management of decompensated cirrhosis by a 'care bundle' - hope, frustration and lessons to learn. Authors' reply. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2017; 45:755-756. [PMID: 28150450 DOI: 10.1111/apt.13933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S McPherson
- Liver Unit, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Institute of Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - J K Dyson
- Liver Unit, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Institute of Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - M Hudson
- Liver Unit, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Institute of Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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15
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Dyson JK, Rajasekhar P, Wetten A, Hamad AH, Ng S, Paremal S, Baqai MF, Lamb CA, Masson S, Hudson M, Dipper C, Cowlam S, Hussaini H, McPherson S. Implementation of a 'care bundle' improves the management of patients admitted to hospital with decompensated cirrhosis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2016; 44:1030-1038. [PMID: 27666418 PMCID: PMC5412833 DOI: 10.1111/apt.13806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Revised: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since 1970, there has been a 400% increase in liver-related deaths due to the increasing prevalence of chronic liver disease in the United Kingdom (UK). The 2013 UK National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death report found that only 47% of patients who died from alcohol-related liver disease received 'good care' during their hospital stay. AIM To develop a 'care bundle' for patients with decompensated cirrhosis, aiming to ensure that evidence-based treatments are delivered within the first 24 h of hospital admission. METHODS This work gives practical advice about how to implement the bundle and examines its effects on patient care at three National Health Service Hospital Trusts in the UK by collecting data on patient care before and after introduction of the bundle. RESULTS Data were collected on 228 patients across three centres (59% male, median age 53 years). Alcohol-related liver disease was the aetiology of chronic liver disease in 85% of patients. The overall mortality rate during hospital admission was 15%. The audits demonstrated improvements in patient care for patients with a completed care bundle who were significantly more likely to have a diagnostic ascitic performed within the first 24 h (P = 0.020), have an accurate alcohol history documented (P < 0.0001) and be given antibiotics as prophylaxis against infection following a variceal haemorrhage (P = 0.0096). In Newcastle, the bundle completion rate increased from 25% to 90% during the review periods. CONCLUSIONS The introduction of a care bundle was associated with increased rates of diagnostic paracentesis and antibiotic prophylaxis with variceal haemorrhage in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. K. Dyson
- Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cellular MedicineNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | | | - A. Wetten
- City Hospitals SunderlandSunderlandUK
| | | | - S. Ng
- Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | - S. Paremal
- Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | | | - C. A. Lamb
- Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | - S. Masson
- Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cellular MedicineNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | - M. Hudson
- Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cellular MedicineNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | - C. Dipper
- Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | - S. Cowlam
- City Hospitals SunderlandSunderlandUK
| | | | - S. McPherson
- Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cellular MedicineNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
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McPherson S, Wilkinson M. Health informatics and the cultural divide: a UK perspective. Health Informatics J 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/146045820100700202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This paper discusses the concerns about the growing ‘digital divide’ within society which has implications for maintaining both health and social inequalities in the UK. The main focus of the paper is about inequalities in health relating to culture and ethnicity. Different theoretical approaches to cultural differences in health are set out as well as different ways of classifying cultural and ethnic differences in health service research. The argument then goes on to suggest that the emphasis on cultural and ethnic categorization only further divides people and fails to reduce inequalities. Transculturalism is defined and set out as a more useful way of approaching cultural difference as it is less restrictive and prescriptive. The paper sets out how this approach can be used to develop better quality health content in health informatics that is useful and relevant to a wider range of users, thus tackling both the digital divide and health inequalities.a
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Affiliation(s)
- S. McPherson
- Health Informatics Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 49-51 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP,
| | - M. Wilkinson
- Health Informatics Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 49-51 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP,
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Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects up to a third of the population in many developed countries. Between 10% and 30% of patients with NAFLD have non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) that can progress to cirrhosis. There are metabolic risk factors common to both NAFLD and cardiovascular disease, so patients with NASH have an increased risk of liver-related and cardiovascular death. Management of patients with NAFLD depends largely on the stage of disease, emphasising the importance of careful risk stratification. There are four main areas to focus on when thinking about management strategies in NAFLD: lifestyle modification, targeting the components of the metabolic syndrome, liver-directed pharmacotherapy for high risk patients and managing the complications of cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J K Dyson
- Liver Unit, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Q M Anstee
- Liver Unit, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - S McPherson
- Liver Unit, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a histological spectrum of liver disease, from simple steatosis through to cirrhosis. As the worldwide rates of obesity have increased, NAFLD has become the commonest cause of liver disease in many developed countries, affecting up to a third of the population. The majority of patients have simple steatosis that carries a relatively benign prognosis. However, a significant minority have non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and have increased liver related and cardiovascular mortality. Identifying those at risk of progressive disease is crucial. Liver biopsy remains the gold standard investigation for assessing stage of disease but its invasive nature makes it impractical for widespread use as a prognostic tool. Non-invasive tools for diagnosis and disease staging are required, reserving liver biopsy for those patients where it offers clinically relevant additional information. This review discusses the non-invasive modalities available for assessing steatosis, steatohepatitis and fibrosis. We propose a pragmatic approach for the assessment of patients with NAFLD to identify those at high risk of progressive disease who require referral to specialist services.
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Affiliation(s)
- J K Dyson
- Liver Unit, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, Freeman Hospital, , Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Dyson JK, Anstee QM, McPherson S. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a practical approach to treatment. Frontline Gastroenterol 2014; 5:277-286. [PMID: 25285192 PMCID: PMC4173737 DOI: 10.1136/flgastro-2013-100404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2013] [Revised: 12/26/2013] [Accepted: 01/01/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects up to a third of the population in many developed countries. Between 10% and 30% of patients with NAFLD have non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) that can progress to cirrhosis. There are metabolic risk factors common to both NAFLD and cardiovascular disease, so patients with NASH have an increased risk of liver-related and cardiovascular death. Management of patients with NAFLD depends largely on the stage of disease, emphasising the importance of careful risk stratification. There are four main areas to focus on when thinking about management strategies in NAFLD: lifestyle modification, targeting the components of the metabolic syndrome, liver-directed pharmacotherapy for high risk patients and managing the complications of cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J K Dyson
- Liver Unit, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Q M Anstee
- Liver Unit, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK,Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - S McPherson
- Liver Unit, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK,Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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McPherson S, Valappil M, Moses SE, Eltringham G, Miller C, Baxter K, Chan A, Shafiq K, Saeed A, Qureshi R, Hudson M, Bassendine MF. Targeted case finding for hepatitis B using dry blood spot testing in the British-Chinese and South Asian populations of the North-East of England. J Viral Hepat 2013; 20:638-44. [PMID: 23910648 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2012] [Accepted: 12/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a frequent cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Targeted HBV screening is recommended by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention for subjects born in countries with >2% HBV prevalence. However, there are no UK guidelines. Here, we applied the (CDC) recommendations to the British-Chinese and British-South Asian community of North-East (NE) England. British-Chinese and South Asian subjects were invited to attend for HBV education and screening sessions held in community centres. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core total antibody (HBcAb) were tested with dry blood spot tests. South Asians were also tested for hepatitis C antibody (HCVAb). A total of 1126 subjects (606 Chinese and 520 South Asian) were screened. Sixty-two (5.5%) were HBsAg positive. Ten of these reported a previous diagnosis of HBV. The prevalence of HBsAg positivity was 4.6% when previously diagnosed individuals were excluded. The HBsAg prevalence was significantly higher in the Chinese subjects compared with South Asians (8.7% VS. 1.7% P < 0.001). In Chinese subjects, HBsAg positivity was highest in subjects born in Vietnam (17.4%), followed by China (11%), Hong Kong (7.8%) and the UK (6.7%). Subjects from Pakistan had the highest HBsAg and HCV Ab prevalence in the South Asians (3.1% and 1.8%, respectively). Ten percentage of HBsAg positive patients who had follow-up assessment had active disease requiring antiviral treatment. Undiagnosed HBV infection was above the 2% threshold for screening suggested by the CDC in the British-Chinese and Pakistani community of NE England, which provides evidence for a UK HBV-targeted screening programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- S McPherson
- Liver Unit, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation NHS Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
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Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a histological spectrum of liver disease, from simple steatosis through to cirrhosis. As the worldwide rates of obesity have increased, NAFLD has become the commonest cause of liver disease in many developed countries, affecting up to a third of the population. The majority of patients have simple steatosis that carries a relatively benign prognosis. However, a significant minority have non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and have increased liver related and cardiovascular mortality. Identifying those at risk of progressive disease is crucial. Liver biopsy remains the gold standard investigation for assessing stage of disease but its invasive nature makes it impractical for widespread use as a prognostic tool. Non-invasive tools for diagnosis and disease staging are required, reserving liver biopsy for those patients where it offers clinically relevant additional information. This review discusses the non-invasive modalities available for assessing steatosis, steatohepatitis and fibrosis. We propose a pragmatic approach for the assessment of patients with NAFLD to identify those at high risk of progressive disease who require referral to specialist services.
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Khavandi A, Bentham J, Marlais M, Martin RP, Morgan GJ, Parry AJ, Brooks MJ, Manghat NE, Hamilton MCK, Baumbach A, McPherson S, Thomson JD, Turner MS. Transcatheter and endovascular stent graft management of coarctation-related pseudoaneurysms. Heart 2013; 99:1275-81. [DOI: 10.1136/heartjnl-2012-303488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
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Elsharkawy AM, McPherson S, Masson S, Burt A, Dawson RT, Hudson M. [Cholestasis in young men after taking anabolic steroids]. Praxis (Bern 1994) 2012; 101:661-664. [PMID: 22565557 DOI: 10.1024/1661-8157/a000949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A M Elsharkawy
- Freeman Hospital, Liver Unit, Newcastle upon Tyne, Grossbritannien. ahmede.@doctors.org.uk
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van der Laan LJW, Hudson M, McPherson S, Zondervan PE, Thomas RC, Kwekkeboom J, Lindsay AS, Burt AD, Kazemier G, Tilanus HW, Bassendine MF, Metselaar HJ. Results of a two-center study comparing hepatic fibrosis progression in HCV-positive liver transplant patients receiving cyclosporine or tacrolimus. Transplant Proc 2011; 42:4573-7. [PMID: 21168740 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2010.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2010] [Accepted: 10/11/2010] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
A 2-center retrospective analysis was performed in 60 patients undergoing liver transplantation for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related disease (cyclosporine in 20, tacrolimus in 40). Mean (±SEM) follow-up was 23.6 ± 22.5 and 22.3 ± 13.7 months in patients receiving cyclosporine or tacrolimus, respectively. Clinically indicated biopsies were performed in 15/20 cyclosporine patients (75%) and 22/40 tacrolimus patients (55%; P = .17). The Ishak fibrosis score was significantly lower in cyclosporine-treated patients versus tacrolimus-treated patients (mean 1.7 ± 0.4 vs 3.1 ± 0.4; P = .023), as was percentage of fibrosis grade Ishak ≥4 (7% vs 41%; P = .028). The mean time to moderate fibrosis (Ishak score ≥3) was 38.2 ± 15.1 months in cyclosporine patients (4/15) and 23.5 ± 12.6 months in tacrolimus patients (14/22); the difference was not statistically significant (P = .09). This retrospective study suggests that cyclosporine-based immunosuppression is associated with less severe hepatic fibrosis in HCV-positive liver transplant recipients compared with tacrolimus-based regimens, but a larger prospective comparative trial is necessary to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- L J W van der Laan
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Subesinghe M, Pearce J, Hammond C, Robertson R, McPherson S. Pulmonary artery embolization for recurrent haemoptysis in cavitatory sarcoidosis. Clin Radiol 2011; 66:478-80. [PMID: 21300328 DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2010.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2010] [Revised: 12/02/2010] [Accepted: 12/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M Subesinghe
- Radiology Academy, Department of Radiology, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Great George Street, West Yorkshire, Leeds, UK.
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Girn HRS, McPherson S, Nicholson T, Mavor AID, Homer-Vanniasinkam S, Gough MJ. Short series of emergency stent-graft repair of symptomatic penetrating thoracic aortic ulcers (PTAU). Vasc Med 2009; 14:123-8. [DOI: 10.1177/1358863x08098951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Acute penetrating thoracic aortic ulcers (PTAU) are associated with vessel rupture, particularly when intramural haematoma (IMH) is present. Although surgical repair is the treatment of choice for PTAU in the aortic arch, definitive treatment of PTAU in other locations of the thoracic aorta remains controversial, particularly in this frail cohort of patients. Recent series of elective and semi-elective endovascular stent-graft repair of PTAU of the descending thoracic aorta show comparable results with the previously advocated best medical management. We report our results from a retrospective, observational study of acute stent-graft repair of symptomatic PTAU. Between 2000 and 2005, 11 patients (seven male, four female; median age 71 years) presented with acute PTAU. CT scans demonstrated an associated IMH in six, a contained leak in three or rupture in four unstable patients. All were covered by a single endovascular stent [Gore (5), Talent (5), Zenith (1); 10 inserted via the groin and one via iliac conduit within 1 week of presentation (five < 24 h). Technical success was 90.90% (10/11) and 3/11 (27%) died within 30 days (two ARDS, one a persistent leak and rupture at 48 h). One patient developed transient paraplegia; three haemothoraces required chest drains, one of which subsequently required empyema drainage. In survivors, CT scans were satisfactory, with no further intervention required at 32.5 (6–66) months of median follow-up. In conclusion, endovascular management of acute PTAU appears effective and durable with mortality rates that are likely to be better than for open surgery. However, haemodynamic compromise at presentation remains a robust denominator of over-all survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- HRS Girn
- Leeds Vascular Institute, Leeds General Infirmary
| | - S McPherson
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Leeds General Infirmary
| | - T Nicholson
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Leeds General Infirmary
| | - AID Mavor
- Leeds Vascular Institute, Leeds General Infirmary
| | | | - MJ Gough
- Leeds Vascular Institute, Leeds General Infirmary
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Burr JM, Mowatt G, Hernández R, Siddiqui MAR, Cook J, Lourenco T, Ramsay C, Vale L, Fraser C, Azuara-Blanco A, Deeks J, Cairns J, Wormald R, McPherson S, Rabindranath K, Grant A. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of screening for open angle glaucoma: a systematic review and economic evaluation. Health Technol Assess 2008; 11:iii-iv, ix-x, 1-190. [PMID: 17927922 DOI: 10.3310/hta11410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess whether open angle glaucoma (OAG) screening meets the UK National Screening Committee criteria, to compare screening strategies with case finding, to estimate test parameters, to model estimates of cost and cost-effectiveness, and to identify areas for future research. DATA SOURCES Major electronic databases were searched up to December 2005. REVIEW METHODS Screening strategies were developed by wide consultation. Markov submodels were developed to represent screening strategies. Parameter estimates were determined by systematic reviews of epidemiology, economic evaluations of screening, and effectiveness (test accuracy, screening and treatment). Tailored highly sensitive electronic searches were undertaken. RESULTS Most potential screening tests reviewed had an estimated specificity of 85% or higher. No test was clearly most accurate, with only a few, heterogeneous studies for each test. No randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of screening were identified. Based on two treatment RCTs, early treatment reduces the risk of progression. Extrapolating from this, and assuming accelerated progression with advancing disease severity, without treatment the mean time to blindness in at least one eye was approximately 23 years, compared to 35 years with treatment. Prevalence would have to be about 3-4% in 40 year olds with a screening interval of 10 years to approach cost-effectiveness. It is predicted that screening might be cost-effective in a 50-year-old cohort at a prevalence of 4% with a 10-year screening interval. General population screening at any age, thus, appears not to be cost-effective. Selective screening of groups with higher prevalence (family history, black ethnicity) might be worthwhile, although this would only cover 6% of the population. Extension to include other at-risk cohorts (e.g. myopia and diabetes) would include 37% of the general population, but the prevalence is then too low for screening to be considered cost-effective. Screening using a test with initial automated classification followed by assessment by a specialised optometrist, for test positives, was more cost-effective than initial specialised optometric assessment. The cost-effectiveness of the screening programme was highly sensitive to the perspective on costs (NHS or societal). In the base-case model, the NHS costs of visual impairment were estimated as 669 pounds. If annual societal costs were 8800 pounds, then screening might be considered cost-effective for a 40-year-old cohort with 1% OAG prevalence assuming a willingness to pay of 30,000 pounds per quality-adjusted life-year. Of lesser importance were changes to estimates of attendance for sight tests, incidence of OAG, rate of progression and utility values for each stage of OAG severity. Cost-effectiveness was not particularly sensitive to the accuracy of screening tests within the ranges observed. However, a highly specific test is required to reduce large numbers of false-positive referrals. The findings that population screening is unlikely to be cost-effective are based on an economic model whose parameter estimates have considerable uncertainty. In particular, if rate of progression and/or costs of visual impairment are higher than estimated then screening could be cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS While population screening is not cost-effective, the targeted screening of high-risk groups may be. Procedures for identifying those at risk, for quality assuring the programme, as well as adequate service provision for those screened positive would all be needed. Glaucoma detection can be improved by increasing attendance for eye examination, and improving the performance of current testing by either refining practice or adding in a technology-based first assessment, the latter being the more cost-effective option. This has implications for any future organisational changes in community eye-care services. Further research should aim to develop and provide quality data to populate the economic model, by conducting a feasibility study of interventions to improve detection, by obtaining further data on costs of blindness, risk of progression and health outcomes, and by conducting an RCT of interventions to improve the uptake of glaucoma testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Burr
- Health Services Research Unit, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, UK
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Azuara-Blanco A, Burr J, Thomas R, Maclennan G, McPherson S. The accuracy of accredited glaucoma optometrists in the diagnosis and treatment recommendation for glaucoma. Br J Ophthalmol 2007; 91:1639-43. [PMID: 17537783 PMCID: PMC2095552 DOI: 10.1136/bjo.2007.119628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/11/2007] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
AIM To compare the diagnostic performance of accredited glaucoma optometrists (AGO) for both the diagnosis of glaucoma and the decision to treat with that of routine hospital eye care, against a reference standard of expert opinion (a consultant ophthalmologist with a special interest in glaucoma). METHODS A directly comparative, masked, performance study was undertaken in Grampian, Scotland. Of 165 people invited to participate, 100 (61%) were examined. People suspected of having glaucoma underwent, within one month, a full ophthalmic assessment in both a newly established community optometry led glaucoma management scheme and a consultant led hospital eye service. RESULTS Agreement between the AGO and the consultant ophthalmologist in diagnosing glaucoma was substantial (89%; kappa = 0.703, SE = 0.083). Agreement over the need for treatment was also substantial (88%; kappa = 0.716, SE = 0.076). The agreement between the trainee ophthalmologists and the consultant ophthalmologist in the diagnosis of glaucoma and treatment recommendation was moderate (83%, kappa = 0.541, SE = 0.098, SE = 0.98; and 81%, kappa = 0.553, SE = 0.90, respectively). The diagnostic accuracy of the optometrists in detecting glaucoma in this population was high for specificity (0.93 (95% confidence interval, 0.85 to 0.97)) but lower for sensitivity (0.76 (0.57 to 0.89)). Performance was similar when accuracy was assessed for treatment recommendation (sensitivity 0.73 (0.57 to 0.85); specificity 0.96 (0.88 to 0.99)). The differences in sensitivity and specificity between AGO and junior ophthalmologist were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Community optometrists trained in glaucoma provided satisfactory decisions regarding diagnosis and initiation of treatment for glaucoma. With such additional training in glaucoma, optometrists are at least as accurate as junior ophthalmologists but some cases of glaucoma are missed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Azuara-Blanco
- The Eye Clinic, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN, UK.
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Schrodt L, McPherson S, Palmer C, Watson D, Boles K, Harris J, Ohmann G, Wood J. WHAT CAN BRIEF GAIT AND BALANCE PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES TELL US ABOUT MORE DEMANDING TASK PERFORMANCE IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS? J Geriatr Phys Ther 2007. [DOI: 10.1519/00139143-200712000-00043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- R S Moisey
- Department of Endocrinology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, LS1 3EX, UK
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Schrodt L, McPherson S, Crowe A, Martin W. DOES PARTICIPATION IN A WELLNESS SCREENING PROGRAM PROMOTE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY MODIFICATIONS IN COMMUNITY DWELLING OLDER ADULTS? J Geriatr Phys Ther 2005. [DOI: 10.1519/00139143-200512000-00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Mitchell JM, Mengs U, McPherson S, Zijlstra J, Dettmar P, Gregson R, Tigner JC. An oral carcinogenicity and toxicity study of senna (Tinnevelly senna fruits) in the rat. Arch Toxicol 2005; 80:34-44. [PMID: 16205914 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-005-0021-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2005] [Accepted: 08/23/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Senna (Tinnevelly senna fruits), a known laxative derived from plants, was administered by gavage to Sprague-Dawley (Crl:CD (SD) BR) rats once daily at dose levels of 0, 25, 100 and 300 mg/kg/day for up to 104 consecutive weeks. Based upon clinical signs related to the laxation effect of senna, the highest dose (300 mg/kg/day) was considered to be a maximum tolerated dose. Sixty animals per sex were assigned to the control and dose groups. Assessments included clinical chemistry, hematology, full histology (control and high-dose groups; in addition, low and mid dose: intestinal tract, adrenals, liver, kidneys, brain and gross lesions) and toxicokinetics. The primary treatment-related clinical observation was mucoid feces seen at 300 mg/kg/day. When compared to controls, animals administered 300 mg/kg/day had slightly reduced body weights, increased water consumption and notable changes in electrolytes in serum (increases in potassium and chloride) and urine (decreases in sodium, potassium and chloride). The changes in electrolytes are most likely physiologic adaptations to the laxative effect of senna. At necropsy, dark discoloration of the kidneys was observed in animals in all treated groups. Histological changes were seen in the kidneys of animals from all treated groups and included slight to moderate tubular basophilia and tubular pigment deposits. In addition, for all treated groups, minimal to slight hyperplasia was evident in the colon and cecum. These histological changes, together with the changes seen in the evaluation of clinical chemistry and urine parameters, have been shown to be reversible in a previous 13-week rat study of senna. No treatment-related neoplastic changes were observed in any of the examined organs. Based upon these data, it is concluded that senna is not carcinogenic even after daily administration for 2 years at dosages of up to 300 mg/kg/day in Sprague-Dawley rats.
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McPherson S, Cairns P, Carlyle J, Shapiro DA, Richardson P, Taylor D. The effectiveness of psychological treatments for treatment-resistant depression: a systematic review. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2005; 111:331-40. [PMID: 15819726 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2004.00498.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A systematic review of all studies (controlled and uncontrolled) to evaluate psychological interventions with treatment-resistant depression. METHOD A systematic search to identify studies evaluating a psychological intervention with adults with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder who had not responded to at least one course of antidepressant medication. RESULTS Twelve studies met inclusion criteria, of which four were controlled and eight uncontrolled. Treatment effect sizes were computable for four studies and ranged from 1.23 to 3.10 with a number of better quality studies demonstrating some improvements in patients following a psychological intervention. CONCLUSION Psychological treatments for depression are commonly delivered and often recommended following the failure of medication. The paucity of evidence for their effectiveness in these situations is a significant problem. There is a need for studies with a strong controlled design investigating the effectiveness of psychological treatments for patients with treatment-resistant depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- S McPherson
- Psychotherapy Evaluation Research Unit, Tavistock Centre, London, UK.
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McPherson S, Forrest EH. Acute hepatitis C in a nursing home resident. Age Ageing 2005; 34:188-9. [PMID: 15713868 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afi014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Elderly patients commonly present with jaundice from a multitude of causes. We present an unusual case of acute hepatitis C in an elderly nursing home resident who had no risk factors. Possible causes and treatment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S McPherson
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ward 8/9, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Castle Street, Glasgow G4 0SF, UK.
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Simpson ER, McPherson S, Jones M, Robertson K, Boon WC, Risbridger G. Role of estrogens in the male reproductive tract. Ernst Schering Res Found Workshop 2004:89-112. [PMID: 15248507 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-05386-7_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- E R Simpson
- Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
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Mengs U, Mitchell J, McPherson S, Gregson R, Tigner J. A 13-week oral toxicity study of senna in the rat with an 8-week recovery period. Arch Toxicol 2004; 78:269-75. [PMID: 14997282 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-003-0534-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2003] [Accepted: 11/18/2003] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Senna was administered by gavage to Sprague Dawley rats once daily at dose levels of 0, 100, 300, 750 or 1500 mg/kg for up to 13 consecutive weeks followed by an 8-week recovery period for selected animals. Dose- and treatment-related clinical signs included abnormal feces, which were seen to varying degrees from animals at 300 mg/kg per day and more. Animals receiving 750 or 1500 mg/kg per day had significantly reduced body weight gain (males only) and, related to the laxative properties of senna, increased water consumption and notable changes in electrolytes in both serum and urine. At both the terminal and recovery phase necropsy, an increase in absolute and relative kidney weights was seen for male and female animals receiving 750 and/or 1500 mg/kg per day. A dark discoloration of the kidneys was observed at necropsy along with histopathological changes in the kidneys (slight to moderate tubular basophilia and pigment deposits) at 300 mg/kg and above. However, there were no indications in laboratory parameters of any renal dysfunction. In addition, for all treated groups, minimal to slight hyperplasia was recorded in the forestomach and large intestine. Following 8 weeks of recovery, with the exception of the brown pigment in the kidneys, there were no histopathological abnormalities. Thus, the biochemical and morphological changes seen following 13 weeks of treatment of senna significantly reversed following 8 weeks of recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Mengs
- Madaus AG, 51101, Cologne, Germany.
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Russell DA, McPherson S, Gough MJ. Stenosis and carotid endarterectomy. Lancet 2003; 361:1655; author reply 1656. [PMID: 12747913 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(03)13283-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify levels of psychological distress in accident and emergency (A&E) senior house officers (SHOs). METHODS Questionnaire survey given to SHOs at training sessions. MEASURES General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and the Brief COPE. RESULTS Over half of the 37 respondents (51%; 95% CI: 36% to 67%) scored over the threshold for psychological distress on the GHQ. This is considerably higher than for other groups of doctors and for other professional groups. Correlational analysis revealed that the coping style Venting was significantly related to greater anxiety (r=0.34; p<0.05) and depression (r=0.33; p<0.05), while the coping style Active was significantly related to lower anxiety (r=-0.38; p<0.05), somatic complaints (r=-0.46; p<0.001) and years since qualification (r=0.40; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Replicating findings from a study of stress in A&E consultants, this study shows higher levels of overt psychological distress among A&E SHOs than among other groups of doctors. An intervention to improve coping strategies may be useful for this group of doctors.
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Affiliation(s)
- S McPherson
- Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, London, UK.
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Girten B, McPherson S, Lee M, Grethe N, McDowell R, McPherson L, Tuttle RR. Effectiveness of a cytokine restraining agent (CRA (TM)) in attenuating disuse deconditioning induced by hindlimb unloading in rats. J Gravit Physiol 2001; 2:P121-2. [PMID: 11538892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
Abstract
Spaceflight alters many immune responses and among the regulatory components of an organisms response system that have been to be affected by spaceflight is the cytokine network. Spaceflight, as well as ground-based model systems of spaceflight, have been shown to affect the production and activation of various cytokines including interleukins (IL) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Levels of urinary IL-2 are elevated on the first day of spaceflight and again after returning from space. Most results from ground-based studies in rodents indicate either no alterations in cytokines or decreased levels. Results from this experiment indicate that HP 228, a potent cytokine restraining agent (CRA (TM)) was effective in attentuating many of the disuse deconditioning changes induced by the ground-based hindlimb suspension model that simulates weightlessness in rats. HP 228 is a novel heptapeptide with unnatural amino acids and can effectively restrain lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced increased levels of several key cytokines, including plasma TNF alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6. HP 228 has also been shown to be effective in several rodent models of pain, inflammation and LPS-induced lethality, as well as in reducing inducible nitric oxide synthase.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Girten
- Houghten Pharmaceuticals, Inc., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
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41
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Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients exhibit a variety of behavioral alterations including agitation, apathy, depression, anxiety, delusions, irritability and disinhibition. Most patients with AD exhibit neuropsychiatric symptoms, and behavioral changes become more frequent with advancing disease severity. The NPI is a valid and reliable means of assessing neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with dementia. The NPI correlates with increasing disability in activities of daily living and increasing cognitive impairment. Physical illness contributes little to behavioral symptoms measured by the NPI. Reduced frontal lobe metabolism and perfusion have been identified in patients with apathy, agitation, psychosis and depression. Patients with elevated agitation scores on the NPI have a higher burden of frontal lobe neurofibrillary tangles than patients without agitation. The NPI is sensitive to behavioral improvements following treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors and psychotropic agents. Neuropsychiatric symptom profiles differ among dementia syndromes, and the NPI provides a means of assessing neuropsychiatric symptoms that may aid in differential diagnosis. Evaluation of neuropsychiatric symptoms is a critical aspect of dementia diagnosis and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Cummings
- Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90095-1769, USA.
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Abstract
The Tower of London (TOL) task has been used extensively as a test of planning ability in neuropsychological patients and normal populations. Participants are asked to preplan mentally a sequence of moves to match a start set of discs to a goal, and then to execute the moves one by one. The mental preplanning stage has been identified as critical to efficient performance. The current experiments examined whether manipulations of mental preplanning influence performance on the TOL. In Experiment 1, the effect of different planning instructions was examined. Those told to make full mental plans spent considerably longer in planning than participants given no specific planning instructions, yet there was no effect of instruction condition on the efficiency of executing plans. Experiment 2 investigated whether people were able to plan mentally, by looking at their ability to identify intermediate states of an optimum mental plan. Results indicated that most individuals could make accurate preplans up to two subgoals ahead, but not three. However, making an efficient preplan did not result in better subsequent execution of moves to solve the TOL trial. It is concluded that people can make effective mental plans for a limited number of moves. However, on the TOL task, mental preplanning does not offer benefits in terms of quicker performance, or more accurate solution. The nature of planning in the TOL task is therefore questioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- L H Phillips
- Department of Psychology, William Guild Building, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 2UB, Scotland.
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McPherson S, Buckwalter GJ, Tingus K, Betz B, Back C. The Satz-Mogel short form of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale--revised: effects of global mental status and age on test-retest reliability. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2000; 22:545-53. [PMID: 11094390 DOI: 10.1076/1380-3395(200010)22:5;1-9;ft545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Abbreviated versions of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) have been developed as time saving devices that provide accurate estimates of overall level of general intellectual functioning while decreasing test administration time. The Satz-Mogel short form of the WAIS-R has received substantial attention in the literature as an accurate measure of intellectual functions when compared with the Full WAIS-R. However, most studies comparing the Satz-Mogel version to the Full WAIS-R have only provided correlational analyses. Our study was an attempt to apply a more rigorous statistical methodology in determining if the Full WAIS-R and abbreviated versions are equivalent. We explored the impact of level of global mental status and age on the Satz-Mogel version. Although the two forms of the test correlated highly, repeated measures design indicated significant differences between Satz-Mogel and Full WAIS-R when participants were divided into groups based on level of global impairment and age. Our results suggest that the Satz-Mogel version of the test may not be equivalent to the full WAIS-R and is likely to misrepresent a patient's level of intellectual functioning, particularly for patients with progressive degenerative conditions. The implications of applying Satz-Mogel scoring to the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III (WAIS-III) are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S McPherson
- UCLA Alzheimer's Disease Center, Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1769, USA.
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Abstract
Poliovirus replicon vectors transiently express foreign proteins selectively in motor neurons of the anterior horn of the spinal cord. Here we intraspinally inoculated mice transgenic for the poliovirus receptor (PVR) with replicons encoding murine tumor necrosis factor alpha (mTNF-alpha). We detected high-level expression of mTNF-alpha in the spinal cords of these animals at 8-12 h post inoculation; this returned to background by 72 h. The mice exhibited ataxia and tail atony, whereas animals given a replicon encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) exhibited no neurological symptoms. Histology of spinal cords from mice given the replicon encoding mTNF-alpha revealed neuronal chromatolysis, reactive astrogliosis, decreased expression of myelin basic protein, and demyelination. These animals recovered with only slight residual damage. This study shows that replicon vectors have potential for targeted delivery of therapeutic proteins to the central nervous system and provide a new approach for treatment of spinal cord trauma and neurological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- A W Bledsoe
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 35294, USA
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Abstract
Recent studies have identified cognitive deficits in semantic memory and verbal language abilities among women with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Few studies to date have explored gender differences in episodic memory function in AD. The present study compared the performance of men and women diagnosed with AD on a battery of neuropsychological measures. Results indicated the presence of gender-related cognitive deficits on tasks of confrontation naming, expressive word knowledge, and both episodic and semantic memory for women with AD, relative to findings in men.
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Affiliation(s)
- S McPherson
- Alzheimer's Disease Center, Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90095-1769, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Grossman
- Department of Interventional Radiology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson 39216, USA
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Malow RM, Baker SM, Klimas N, Antoni MH, Schneiderman N, Penedo FJ, Ziskind D, Page B, McMahon R, McPherson S. Adherence to complex combination antiretroviral therapies by HIV-positive drug abusers. Psychiatr Serv 1998; 49:1021-2, 1024. [PMID: 9712205 DOI: 10.1176/ps.49.8.1021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- R M Malow
- University of Miami and the Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Florida, USA.
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Basak S, McPherson S, Kang S, Collawn JF, Morrow CD. Construction and characterization of encapsidated poliovirus replicons that express biologically active murine interleukin-2. J Interferon Cytokine Res 1998; 18:305-13. [PMID: 9620357 DOI: 10.1089/jir.1998.18.305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Poliovirus genomes have been constructed in which the capsid genes have been substituted with the murine gene encoding interleukin-2 (IL-2) (referred to as replicons). One replicon contained the gene for IL-2 in place of the poliovirus capsid VP2 and VP3 genes, and a second replicon was constructed that contained the murine IL-2 substituted for the poliovirus VP3 and VP1 genes. The IL-2 genes were cloned into the replicon so as to maintain the translational reading frame with the remaining poliovirus proteins. Transfection of either replicon into cells resulted in the expression of replicon-encoded proteins and replication of replicon RNA. Using a procedure developed in this laboratory, we have encapsidated these replicons into authentic polio virions by passaging the replicons in the presence of a recombinant vaccinia virus, VVP1, which expresses the capsid precursor, P1, protein. Using a quantitative immunoassay, we determined that the majority of the IL-2 produced remained intracellular, with approximately 1%-2% released from the infected cells, and that the IL-2 was biologically active. The results of these studies demonstrate the utility of poliovirus replicons for expression of small bioactive molecules and are discussed with respect to future applications as immune adjuvants as well as potential new tumor therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Basak
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 35294, USA
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Porter DC, Ansardi DC, Wang J, McPherson S, Moldoveanu Z, Morrow CD. Demonstration of the specificity of poliovirus encapsidation using a novel replicon which encodes enzymatically active firefly luciferase. Virology 1998; 243:1-11. [PMID: 9527910 DOI: 10.1006/viro.1998.9046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The specificity of poliovirus encapsidation has been studied using a novel chimeric genome in which the gene encoding firefly luciferase has been substituted for the VP2-VP3-VP1 genes of the poliovirus capsid (P1) gene. Transfection of RNA transcribed in vitro from this genome resulted in a VP4-luciferase fusion protein which retained luciferase enzyme activity. Since the detection of enzyme activity was dependent upon replication of the transfected RNA genome, we refer to these genomes as replicons. The replicon encoding luciferase was encapsidated upon transfection of the genomic RNA into cells previously infected with a recombinant vaccinia virus, VV-P1, which encodes the poliovirus type 1 capsid proteins (P1). Infection of cells with each serial passage, followed by analysis of luciferase enzyme activity, revealed that encapsidated replicons could be detected at the first passage with VV-P1. Amplification of the titer of encapsidated replicons occurred upon serial passage with VV-P1, as evidenced by the high expression levels of luciferase enzyme activity following infection. Serial passage of the luciferase replicons with poliovirus type 1, 2, or 3 resulted in the trans encapsidation into the type 1, 2, or 3 capsids, respectively. In contrast, serial passage with bovine enterovirus, Coxsackievirus A21 or B3, or enterovirus 70 did not result in trans encapsidation, even though co-infection of cells with the replicon and different enteroviruses resulted in high-level expression of luciferase. The results of this study highlight the specificity of poliovirus encapsidation and point to the use of encapsidated replicons encoding luciferase as a reagent for dissecting elements of replication and encapsidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- D C Porter
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35294, USA
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50
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Porter DC, Wang J, Moldoveanu Z, McPherson S, Morrow CD. Immunization of mice with poliovirus replicons expressing the C-fragment of tetanus toxin protects against lethal challenge with tetanus toxin. Vaccine 1997; 15:257-64. [PMID: 9139483 DOI: 10.1016/s0264-410x(96)00187-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we describe the construction of poliovirus genomes or "replicons" which contain the C fragment gene of tetanus toxin substituted for the poliovirus P1 capsid. Upon transfection of replicon RNA into cells, we immunoprecipitated a protein corresponding to the C-fragment of tetanus toxin using tetanus-specific antibodies. Using a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing poliovirus P1 capsid protein (VV-P1) to provide P1 protein, the replicon RNA was encapsidated; stocks of the replicons were generated by passage with VV-P1. The immunogenicity of the replicons was determined by immunization of transgenic mice which are susceptible to poliovirus. A serum antibody response to poliovirus and tetanus toxoid was detected in all of the immunized mice. Protection against a lethal dose of tetanus toxin generally correlated with the levels of serum anti-tetanus antibodies. To address whether pre-existing antibodies to poliovirus limit the effectiveness of the replicon as a vaccine vector, mice were first immunized with the inactivated poliovirus vaccine followed by immunization with the replicons expressing C-fragment protein. Anti-tetanus antibodies were detected in these mice after a single administration of the replicon; these antibodies conferred protection upon challenge with tetanus toxin. These results demonstrate the potential use of poliovirus replicons encoding foreign proteins to induce a protective antibody response, even in the presence of pre-existing antibodies to poliovirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- D C Porter
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35294, USA
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