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Biomedical subjects

C H Lund

Publications and source records attributed to C H Lund.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Development of skin barrier function in premature infants.

Histologic analysis suggests that epidermal development is complete in utero at approximately 34 wk gestational age. Infants born more prematurely have elevated rates of both transepidermal water loss and transcutaneous heat loss, and have difficulty maintaining homeostasis. The underdeveloped integument is also a portal of entry for infection and the percutaneous uptake of toxins. Previous measurements of transepidermal water loss have suggested that, regardless of gestational age, competent barrier function is attained within 2-4 wk postnatal age. In this study we have utilized another noninvasive biophysical technique, low frequency impedance spectroscopy, to complement transepidermal water loss measurements. We present longitudinal data from infants ranging from 23 to 32 wk gestational age. The results suggest that, for ultra-low birth weight infants (23-25 wk gestational age), the complete development of a fully functional stratum corneum can require significantly longer than 4 wk. In contrast, the data from the older infants suggest that a postnatal existence period of 2-4 wk may not be necessary to attain functional maturity, because infants born at 30 and 32 wk gestational age were found to have barrier function comparable with that of adults.

Body Water↗
PubMed1997

Disruption of barrier function in neonatal skin associated with adhesive removal.

OBJECTIVE: Patients in the neonatal intensive care unit require life support and monitoring equipment that must be securely attached to the skin; removal or replacement often causes skin trauma. In this study, we compared the effects of application and removal of three different adhesives on the skin barrier function of premature neonates. The effects were measured by transepidermal water loss (TEWL), colorimetric measurements, and visual inspection. DESIGN: Thirty neonates, between 26 and 40 weeks of gestational age and with birth weights ranging from 690 to 3000 gm, were enrolled in the study during the first week of life. Pieces of plastic tape (1 cm2), pectin barrier, and hydrophilic gel were applied to previously undisturbed sites on the back. A fourth site was used as a control. We measured TEWL, colorimetric readings, and visual inspection scores of skin irritation and stripping at each of the four sites serially: before adhesive application, 30 minutes after adhesive removal, and 24 hours later. RESULTS: Thirty minutes after adhesive removal, TEWL, colorimetric measurements, and visual inspection scores were all significantly higher at the sites of plastic tape and pectin barrier removal than at the control and gel adhesive sites (p < 0.01), demonstrating greater disruption of skin barrier function with removal of the plastic tape and pectin barrier. When the neonates were divided into three groups on the basis of birth weight (< 1000 gm [n = 10], 1000 to 1500 gm [n = 11], and > 1500 gm [n = 9], the same pattern of greater disruption in skin barrier function, as measured by TEWL, was observed in each birth weight group. Twenty-four hours after adhesive removal, TEWL of the plastic tape and pectin barrier sites were not significantly different from the control site, indicating recovery of skin barrier function. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that a single application and removal of two commonly used adhesives, plastic tape and pectin barrier, disrupts skin barrier function in neonates of varying gestational ages.

Adhesives↗
PubMed1997

[CT and supplementary HR-CT of Kaposi's sarcoma of the pulmonary parenchyma--the morphology of the findings and the diagnostic value].

AIM OF THE STUDY: was an analysis of the CT appearances of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in the lung and to determine the diagnostic value of CT and supplementary high resolution CT. MATERIALS AND METHOD: 38 AIDS patients with cutaneous and/or mucocutaneous KS were examined by conventional radiography and CT of the chest during a prospective study. RESULTS: Evaluation of the CT appearances in 16 patients with proven pulmonary KS showed a typical pattern consisting of patchy and flame-shaped infiltrates in relation to the bronchovascular bundle these may be combined with non-necrotic confluent shadows surrounded by areas of ground glass opacity, thickened interlobular septa and round foci. In 12 patients the CT appearances were regarded as characteristic and in four as suggestive but not diagnostic. CONCLUSION: Combination of these features in patients with cutaneous or mucocutaneous manifestations but otherwise negative findings of pulmonary infection allows one to make a diagnosis of pulmonary KS with a high degree of certainty and helps to avoid invasive diagnostic procedures.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Benefits and challenges of a graduate nursing consortium.

The Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing (ICMSN), a partnership among four universities in Louisiana, is a proven articulation model for delivering graduate education in nursing. The authors describe the benefits and challenges of an academic consortium. Recommendations are offered for establishing similar models of multi-institutional collaboration in higher education.

Education, Nursing, Graduate↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Male caregivers of mentally ill relatives.

TOPIC: To describe the lived experiences of male caregivers of severely mentally ill relatives and their perceptions of this nontraditional role. METHODS: A qualitative study of informal interviews with purposively selected male caregivers (N = 10), using an informal interview guide that addressed psychosocial, physical, financial, and crisis-management categories. FINDINGS: The data yielded three themes of caregiving: expressions of burden, duration and depth of commitment, and role affirmation. CONCLUSIONS: The results can help health professionals develop needed education and support services for men in this emerging role and contribute to family health in the community.

Adaptation, Psychological↗