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Biomedical subjects

A Tennant

Publications and source records attributed to A Tennant.

63 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Association between asthenia and nutritional status, lean body mass, anemia, psychological status, and tumor mass in patients with advanced breast cancer.

Sixty-four consecutive patients with advanced breast cancer were included in a study designed to determine the prevalence of asthenia and its association with other clinical features. The Asthenia Score (AS, the average of four tests designed by our group to assess asthenia) was 59 +/- 9 for patients versus 88 +/- 7 for a group of 68 normal controls (p less than 0.001). Twenty-six patients (41%) scored below the tenth percentile of normal controls and were considered asthenics. AS was correlated with depression and the general severity index of the SCL-90 R test. No association was found between AS and nutritional status, lean body mass, tumor mass, anemia, or type of treatment. We conclude that asthenia is a frequent symptom in patients with advanced breast cancer, which, in our series, showed independent correlations only with psychological distress.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Simultaneous multifrequency observations of Markarian 421.

The highly variable BL Lacertae object Mrk 421 has been observed simultaneously in the radio, optical ultraviolet, and X-ray bands over a period of 4 days in early 1984 December and once again in early 1985 January. Using the EXOSAT observatory, we found that dramatic changes occurred in the X-ray flux on a time scale of less than a mouth. During this time the 2-10 keV flux dropped by a factor of 8, whereas the 0.1-1 keV flux decreased by a factor of only 2. These changes were not reproduced at longer wavelengths during the period of simultaneous observations. However, a drop in the ultraviolet flux occurred some months later, which is consistent with the longer characteristic loss times for the lower energy electrons. Since the ultraviolet through radio flux is stable when the X-ray flux is changing, it is extremely unlikely that a simple synchrotron model can account for the full spectrum; in this model the whole spectrum is expected to rise uniformly and in phase as a result of the injection of energetic particles. A simple synchroton self-Compton model that is self-absorbed in the radio also requires an X-ray flux which is many orders of magnitude greater than is observed. However, this discrepancy may be explained by relativistic beaming of electrons with delta > approximately 40 or by a model in which the self-absorption turnover occurs in the optical, and the synchrotron break occurs in the X-rays. Shorter time scale (approximately 10,000 s) variability was also apparent in the 2-10 keV X-ray light curves, and we suggest that it may be a direct measure of the injection time scale. Although reasonable fits resulted when the X-ray data were compared with a simple power-law model with some absorption, a substantial improvement in chi 2 was obtained by adding a high-energy exponential cutoff. Use of this model produced a spectral index close to that typically found in the optical for BL Lacertae objects, in contrast to the high values usually inferred from X-ray spectra.

Astronomical Phenomena↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A robot-controlled microwave antenna system for uniform hyperthermia treatment of superficial tumours with arbitrary shape.

A system for microwave hyperthermia by scanning an antenna 'footprint' over a disease site is demonstrated. A computer-controlled robot arm scans a 2.45 GHz helical antenna and controls the absorbed power distribution. The 'ideal' power distribution required to achieve steady-state temperature uniformity over a given region has been calculated and a corresponding antenna trajectory programmed to approximate this pattern. Computer models, based on the solution of the bio-heat equation, have been implemented to allow various system parameters, such as antenna beam size, scan path and velocity profile, to be optimized. Experiments on a homogeneous muscle-equivalent phantom have shown that the scanning antenna system produces uniform temperature distributions over large areas of arbitrary shape. The addition of a thermal control system, based on temperature signal feedback, would enable 'real-time' modification of the power distribution and allow inhomogeneous and perfused tissue structures to be heated more uniformly.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The long-term outcome of head injury: implications for service planning.

As most of those experiencing traumatic brain injury tend to be young, disabled survivors will be gradually accruing in each locality as each year passes. How many need continuing care a decade after injury? How many need day care, or need help with finding work, or continuing support for carers? 190 patients who had been admitted to two UK regional neurosurgical units on average some 7 years earlier were followed up. With an average age of 29 years these patients stayed in hospital for an average 33 days. At follow-up 23% were classified as having moderate disability or worse on the Glasgow Outcome Scale, including 7.4% who had died subsequent to discharge. Survivors were given a neuropsychological assessment and a socioeconomic interview. Of the survivors, 17% had failed to make a good recovery, but 36% were failing to occupy their time in a meaningful way. Age over 30 at time of injury, not occupied before injury, and above-average length of stay were some of the predictors for failing to occupy time. Quality of life was severely curtailed for those who could not occupy their time, as was the case for their carers. Appropriate counselling, vocational evaluation and family support in the early years following injury may help to improve quality of life for both the head-injured person and their carers.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The assessment of physical independence handicap: experience in a community disablement survey.

Two approaches to the ascertainment of physical independence handicap have been explored using data from a survey of disablement in the population. The survey used a two-stage methodology with an initial postal shift to ascertain those with selected disabilities, a stratified random sample of whom were followed-up with an in-depth interview. The first approach to handicap was direct ascertainment of the scale categories by means of a question in the interview schedule. The second approach was to synthesize the scale categories from the answers to interview questions about disabilities in activities of daily living and other relevant factors. The final synthesized algorithm gave a 75% match within one scale point with the direct question and 85% agreement with receipt of attendance allowance, a state benefit paid to those meeting certain criteria for dependence on others. The lessons learned from the work have been incorporated in a revised and expanded scale, which is suggested as a starting point for revision of physical independence dimension of handicap.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A survey of disablement in a British population using an action-orientated measure, physical independence handicap: problems with activities of daily living and level of support.

A population survey with the aim of obtaining information to facilitate the planning of services for younger physically disabled people provided the opportunity to explore the use of physical independence handicap in this context. A Phase 1 sift questionnaire was sent to one in three (25,167) occupied households in Calderdale, a district in Yorkshire, England, with a final 87% response rate. A Phase 2 in-depth interview was carried out on a stratified random sample of those identified as disabled in Phase 1. Interviews were obtained with 570 individuals aged 16-64 years, 93% of those available. The measure of physical independence handicap was derived from data obtained in the interview indicating need for help at infrequent or short intervals and immediate-needs dependence. The estimated prevalence of dependent people aged 16-64 in Calderdale is 26.6 per 1000 population (95% CI: 24.9-28.3). Rates were higher in females, and both prevalence and level of dependence increased with age. Disability in activities of daily living and locomotion was linked to the level of physical independence handicap. Problems with housework and collecting (including shopping) were most frequent for those who needed help on an infrequent basis, while self-care needs were substantial for the short and immediate-needs dependence groups. Only a small proportion reported receiving services in their home during the previous 12 months; 20% received services from a nurse and 10% the services of a local authority home help. Overall, 91% reported contact with the primary health care team within the previous 12 months and 68% with hospital and rehabilitation services.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Disability, resources, role demands and mobility handicap.

Research on disablement highlights a wide variability in the impact of disabling conditions on individuals' lives. However, in most of this work, the relationships between impairment/disability and features of individuals' social and physical environments are not specified conceptually. Recent conceptual work in the context of the International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities, and Handicaps (ICIDH) suggests that the impact of impairment/disability on individuals' lives is contingent on levels of resources and other aspects of social context. The research question addressed in this paper is whether selected social factors affect the impact of impairment/disability on mobility handicap, defined as 'the individual's ability to move about effectively in his/her surroundings'. Two types of social factors are considered: resources such as help from others or having a car available; and social role obligations such as having a job or visiting relatives. Data are derived from a 1986 probability sample of 570 individuals with disabilities living in communities in Calderdale, Yorkshire, England. Multiple-regression models indicate that the impact of walking disability on mobility handicap was reduced by availability of a car in the household and school or job obligations. Other impairments/disabilities, resources and social role demands examined did not act on mobility outcomes in this manner. Implications for conceptualizing and testing relationships between impairment, disability, handicap and social and physical environments are discussed. A critical task for future research is the investigation of personal and social resources and barriers that may moderate the impact of disability on individuals' lives.

Activities of Daily Living↗