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Biomedical subjects

B Wood

Publications and source records attributed to B Wood.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Hypomagnesemia is a common complication of aminoglycoside therapy.

Normal therapeutic dosages of aminoglycosides can cause hypomagnesemia in more than one-third of patients. Hypomagnesemia occurs early in therapy, results in renal Mg++ wasting and may produce hypocalcemia and hypokalemia. Patients who are NPO, eating poorly or not receiving supplemental Mg++ are at high risk for hypomagnesemia. Hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia and hypokalemia respond to Mg++ replacement therapy. We recommend serial monitoring of serum Mg++ levels in patients receiving aminoglycoside therapy.

Aminoglycosides↗
PubMed1983

Family boundaries in transition: a search for alternatives.

This paper attempts to clarify Minuchin's concept of family boundaries and to modify the original definition to one based on social systems concepts that are neutral with respect to pathology. The authors distinguish between logical and physical conceptualizations of "boundary" and differentiate the broad metaphor of family boundaries into proximity (i.e., interpersonal boundaries) and hierarchy (i.e., generational boundaries). Assuming that the nature of a relationship is reflected by the extent of overlap or sharing of interpersonal territories, Wood (14) adapted Goffman's (2) concept of territorial preserve to encompass six types of territories family members may share to a greater or lesser extent, reflecting the family's pattern of proximity. The family's hierarchy is reflected by who is "in charge," parents or children. We explore the process of boundary reorganization in families in transition, offering a nonstatic and health-oriented view of boundary permeability. Using the anthropological concept of "rite of passage," we suggest an alternative view of stressful transitional events such as marriage and divorce. We illustrate with examples the reorganization of proximity and hierarchy that occurs during periods of transition.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Serum copper: a marker of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis.

Serum copper concentrations were measured in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), osteoarthritis (OA), and in healthy controls. Median serum copper concentrations were raised significantly in RA and AS, but not in OA. Serum copper in RA correlated significantly with a number of disease activity markers--for example erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein, haemoglobin concentration, morning stiffness, and grip strength. It also correlated well with the overall disease activity as assessed by a composite index. Raised serum copper was associated with severe RA as manifested by the presence of immunoglobulin M rheumatoid factor, extra-articular features, weak grip and highly active disease. High serum copper might be related to the development of the pathological lesions observed in RA and not just be a secondary response.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

The transverse cervical trapezius myocutaneous island flap.

The transverse cervical trapezius myocutaneous island flap has demonstrated superior versatility and reliability when used in a series of eight patients. The technique differs from the previously described lateral trapezius myocutaneous flap in that the skin is centered more posterosuperior in the neck and is completely undersurfaced by a larger paddle of trapezius muscle. Experience has shown that surgical defects of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and skin of the cheek may be repaired with this flap with an acceptable incidence of complications. The advantages and disadvantages of this flap compared with other popular myocutaneous flaps are discussed.

Cheek↗
PubMed1982

An approach to total maxillectomy with emphasis on orbital preservation.

In view of recent reports suggesting that the orbital contents may be preserved in total maxillectomy for maxillary sinus carcinoma in cases where gross tumor is not found to invade the orbital periosteum, a technique has been presented that emphasizes the preservation of the orbital contents with the restoration of function. The main differences between this technique and the classical one are (1) a modified incision designed to reduce lower lid complications, (2) the preservation of the malar eminence, (3) the preservation of the premaxilla and teeth, and (4) the use of lyophilized dura as a sling for the remaining orbital contents.

Humans↗
PubMed1982

Cross-cultural problems for Southeast Asian refugee minors.

The process of assimilation is both painful and rewarding to the refugee and the people of the host country. Throughout the history of the United States, people have found creative ways to deal with cross-cultural differences. As illustrated in the composite case illustration, the resolutions involve overt adoption of the host culture's customs, acceptance of the refugee's cultural customs, compromise by both cultures, and peaceful coexistence of the two cultures. The broad issue is how a society responsibly assimilates groups of people with different cultures and customs in a way that does no condemn any culture and allows the refugees to become self-sufficient members of society. The struggles touched upon in this article do not stop after the first year of the refugee's resettlement. The process of assimilation of a group of people into mainstream society generally takes about three generations. For the refugees, it is a life-long struggle between the "old ways" and the "new ways" in their own lives, as well as in the lives of their children.

Acculturation↗
PubMed1981

A restriction map of the ribosomal RNA genes and the short single-copy DNA sequence of the pearl millet chloroplast genome.

The chloroplast rDNA genes of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum) have been cloned and physically mapped. The chloroplast genome of the pearl millet contains two identical rRNA genes located on DNA sequences that are inverted with respect to one another and separated by 12 kb of single-copy DNA. The rRNA genes were positioned on a restriction endonuclease map by using as hybridization probes specific cloned rDNA sequences from the chloroplast DNA of the alga Euglena gracilis. The 16S and 23S rRNA genes were shown to be approx. 2 kb from one another, and the 5S RNA gene is immediately adjacent to the 23S tRNA gene.

Bacteriophage lambda↗
PubMed1981

Early closure of the patent ductus arteriosus in very low-birth-weight infants: a controlled trial.

A controlled clinical trial comparing early closure (mean = 48.8 hours) of the patent ductus arteriosus using indomethacin to conventional medical management, with intervention only after cardiopulmonary decompensation (mean = 167.4 hours), was undertaken in 24 preterm infants with severe respiratory distress syndrome and evidence of PDA. An interval analysis of one-half the projected sample revealed that infants undergoing early closure of the PDA had significantly reduced occurrence of BPD or mortality by 6 months of age. A comparison of birth weight, Apgar scores, gestational age, age of initial PDA diagnosis, and fluid therapy during the first seven days of life showed no significant differences between early intervention and control groups. At the time of the interval analysis, there were no differences between the groups in duration of intermittent mandatory ventilation or oxygen exposure. Studies will be required to determine whether these and other variables can be altered by early closure of the PDA.

Bronchial Diseases↗
PubMed1981

Newborn tracheal aspirate cytology: classification during respiratory distress syndrome and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Cytopathologic examinations of tracheobronchial aspirates from 108 infants sampled during mechanical ventilation demonstrated a well-defined progression of cytologic changes in bronchial cells that could be divided into three classes. Seventy percent of infants with respiratory distress syndrome who developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia had pulmonary effluent cytology designated Class III; no infants with RDS but without BPD had these cytologic findings. Additionally, a temporal progression of events involving polymorphonuclear leukocyte and macrophage populations occurred in the absence of infection; these events were associated with duration of assisted ventilation and oxygen exposure. The technique described provides a useful way to monitor the progression of lung injury and repair and offers a cytologic method to predict and diagnose the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Bronchi↗
PubMed1981

Evaluation of group versus individual nutrition education in overweight patients with myocardial infarction.

Thirty-nine obese patients (weighing in excess of 110% of ideal weight) were studied for 52 weeks following admission to the Coronary Care Unit with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. The aim of the study was to compare, chiefly by anthropometric measurements, the response to a structured nutrition education program provided by a dietitian using three different levels of time involvement with the patients, firstly individual patient education, secondly group education and thirdly the issuing of written material only. Although there was no significant difference in the mean weight loss between the three education groups (8.1, 7.5 and 8.9 kg respectively) there was a trend towards more uniform weight reduction in those who received individual education. All but two of the 28 who attended at 52 weeks achieved weight loss. Thirteen patients attained 110% or less of their ideal weight, a 46% success rate. Reduction in body weight and most of the other anthropometric measurements occurred in the first twelve weeks of study, with no further significant weight change to 52 weeks. While these observations suggest that the overweight patient with acute myocardial infarction need not be subject to intensive nutrition education at the time of presentation, a more aggressive follow-up programme in subsequent months is recommended.

Body Weight↗
PubMed1981

Intrinsic defects in the fetal alcohol syndrome: studies on 76 cases from British Columbia and the Yukon Territory.

Children diagnosed as FAS using standard criteria of maternal alcoholism, poor growth, delayed development and characteristic facial appearance underwent an investigative protocol involving skeletal x-ray surveys, cardiac assessments and intravenous pyelograms (IVP). Significant skeletal findings included cervical spine fusion in 20 of 46 children (43%), x-ray confirmation of microcephaly in 26/49 (53%) and abnormal thoracic cage development in 13/48 (27%). Thirty-nine of 54 children (72%) demonstrated a characteristic tapering of the shaft and occasional associated prominence of the tuft of the distal phalanges Bone age was delayed 2 standard deviations or greater in 14 of 51 children (27%). Cardiac lesions were found in 31 of 76 (41%) and a further 12 (16%) had functional murmurs. Lesions were ventricular septal defect 20 (26%), Tetralogy of Fallot 4 (5.1%), plus a variety of less frequent abnormalities. IVP's were limited to 19 random cases with 5 (26%) showing alterations from the normal. Cervical spine abnormalities of FAS as compared to the Klippel-Feil Syndrome are dissimilar and probably represent a different entity. Hand and lateral cervical spine x-ray studies are felt to be a useful adjunct to the diagnosis and management of the fetal alcohol syndrome.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1980

A study of partial thiamin restriction in human volunteers.

A double blind study of partial thiamin restriction was undertaken in 19 volunteer male medical students for a period of 4 to 5 weeks. Each day the subjects followed a diet supplying 500 micrograms thiamin and took 1 capsule randomly assigned to contain 5 mg thiamin hydrochloride or thiamin placebo. This capsule also supplied physiological doses of other vitamins. At the end of the study all were repleted with thiamin hydrochloride. Ten thiamin-depleted subjects were correctly identified by low urinary thiamin excretion, decreasing erythrocyte transketolase activity, and elevation of the thiamin pyrophosphate effect. The remaining nine subjects were controls. The degree of thiamin depletion induced varied between individuals and had no measurable ill effect on health as assessed by subjective feelings, physical findings, psychological testing, nerve conduction studies, and work performance. Subclinical thiamin deficiency is defined from this study as the presence of a low urinary thiamin level (27 microgram thiamin/g creatinine) together with a thiamin pyrophosphate effect above 14.2% and below 35.4%. However, when urinary thiamin excretion is unknown, the data indicate that a thiamin pyrophosphate effect above 9% and below 41.6% is likely but not certain to represent subclinical thiamin deficiency. These guidelines, developed under experimental conditions, are a reference framework for assessment of thiamin status in population groups but should be applied with caution to individuals and to people with disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

The metabolic consequences of jejunoileal bypass for obesity.

Twenty-one female patients studied between six and 12 months following a jejunoileal bypass procedure for obesity were found to have a wide variety of metabolic disturbances. Hepatic histological abnormalities were common and included liver cell necrosis and inflammation in nine patients and hepatic fibrosis in five. Liver function tests were no guide to the degree of hepatic impairment. Vitamin B12 malabsorption occurred in seven patients, in six probably as a result of bacterial intestinal overgrowth; three of these six patients had the most serious hepatic morphological changes. Malabsorption rather than poor oral intake of food appeared to account for continued postoperative weight loss in the majority of patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Are breast-fed babies still getting a raw deal in hospital?

After preliminary validation of test weighing under ward conditions the fluid intake and weight gain of 39 breast-fed and 25 artificially fed infants were compared. All were fed every four hours for six feeds a day, and the breast-fed infants received dextrose supplements only. The average intake and weight gain of the breast-fed group was significantly less than that of the group fed artificially.When cows'-milk supplements are withheld from breast-fed infants a four-hourly regimen provides insufficient stimulus to lactation for their needs in the first week of life. If more than lip service is to be paid to the mother who desires to breast-feed in hospital, early and more frequent feeding should be practised.

Body Weight↗