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Biomedical subjects

C Cummings

Publications and source records attributed to C Cummings.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Side effects of phenobarbital in toddlers; behavioral and cognitive aspects.

Cognitive and behavioral effects of phenobarbital in toddlers were assessed in a randomized, placebo-controlled study of patients who had had a febrile seizure. There were no significant differences in IQ (Binet or Bayley Scales) between placebo and phenobarbital groups after eight to 12 months of therapy. However, detrimental effects of phenobarbital were found in memory, for which serum level influenced scores, and in comprehension, in that length of treatment time affected performance. Hyperactivity was not seen. Behavioral changes, reported by parents, were increased fussiness and a characteristic disturbance of sleep. These changes varied in severity and were classified as transient, dose related, or unacceptable. After 12 months in the study, most parents could not distinguish between phenobarbital and placebo. Our data suggest that although most toddlers do not have major side effects from phenobarbital therapy when treated for a year, serum levels and length of time on phenobarbital should be kept at a minimum to reduce negative cognitive and behavioral effects.

Child Behavior Disorders↗
PubMed1976

Nonspecific immunotherapy by Corynebacterium parvum: phase I toxicity study in 12 patients with advanced cancer.

Corynebacterium parvum, a non-specific immunopotentiator, was administered intravenously to 12 patients with advanced cancer at 2, 3, and 4 mg/m2 dose levels in combination with radiation therapy. One dose of C. parvum was given every 7 days for a total of 4 doses in 21 days. Symptoms and signs developed by these patients for a period of 3 to 6 hours during and shortly after the i.v. infusion of the first dose of C. parvum were moderately severe in nine patients and mild in three patients. For the second, third, and fourth doses of C. parvum, patients had fewer and less intense reactions and were given their treatments on an outpatient basis. There was no added morbidity to the patients' tolerance to either palliative or radical dose levels of radiation therapy. Changes in renal, hepatic, hematologic, and immunologic functions were minimal. At the above dose levels, the use of C. parvum to stimulate the reticuloendothelial system in humans by the intravenous route can be safe and well tolerated provided the side effects are appreciated and symptomatic treatments administered.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1976

A "community" of face-limb malformation syndromes.

A boy with faciodigital malformations is reported who bears a striking resemblance to Charlie M, a patient described by Gorlin as representing a new syndrome, and to two other previously reported patients. One may interpret this as supporting the validity of the "Charlie M" syndrome as a nosologic entity. However, these patients share a number of features with several other face-limb malformation syndromes. We suggest that these syndromes form a "community," in which the overlapping phenotypes of the member syndromes reflect underlying developmental relationships.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Personal and parental alcohol abuse, and victimization in obese binge eaters and nonbingeing obese.

Current obesity research has begun to emphasize the importance of pretreatment assessment and more individually tailored treatment protocols. Obese binge eaters have been identified as a subgroup of the obese who do not respond well to standard behavioral treatment programs. We were interested in identifying variables that are important to consider when assessing and treating obese binge eaters. The present study assessed the prevalence of personal alcohol abuse, parental alcohol abuse, and victimization in 62 males and 274 females seeking treatment for obesity. Obese binge eaters (OBE) had significantly greater rates of personal alcohol abuse, parental alcohol abuse, and victimization than the nonbingeing obese (NBO) in our sample. Further studies of the OBE population are recommended.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparing no-touch and tympanic thermometer temperature recordings.

Temperature is a vital sign which can be measured using various types of clinical thermometers. Pulmonary artery temperature is considered the 'gold standard', but this measurement is not usually clinically practical. There is currently no consensus for optimal alternative site or equipment. This research compares 178 simultaneous measurements from 5 clinical areas, using two types of thermometers: tympanic and no-touch temporal. No-touch thermometers were all set to oral equivalent. Tympanic thermometers were adjusted to either oral (n=105) or core (n=73) equivalent. Maximum acceptable difference was identified as 1oC. Two data sets (oral/core; oral/oral) were analysed using Bland-Altman method on Excel programmes, comparing all thermometers and separating oral and core-equivalent tympanics. The two thermometers were found not to be equivalent. As a simple comparison between two thermometers, this research cannot identify which thermometer is more accurate.

Bias↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A model combining centralized and decentralized staff development.

Traditionally, most nursing staff development departments are either decentralized or centralized. This article presents the advantages and disadvantages of each of these organizational systems and describes a model used at the National Institutes of Health that combines elements of both. Strategies to control for the disadvantages are outlined. This organizational structure may enable staff development educators to better meet the educational needs of nurses in today's health care settings.

Hospitals, Teaching↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A comprehensive system to enhance the staff role in patient education.

This article describes the development and implementation of a comprehensive system to support the staff nurse's role in patient education. An overview of the content and process of a two-part workshop is presented. The system used for documenting, disseminating, filing, and revising patient education programs is discussed. The ways this system have enhanced patient education and staff satisfaction are described. This system can be used to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of patient education in any health-care setting.

Humans↗