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Biomedical subjects

C L Armstrong

Publications and source records attributed to C L Armstrong.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Home visits for pregnant diabetic women: environmental assessment as a basis for nursing intervention.

A major goal in management of pregnancies complicated with diabetes is strict control of blood glucose levels. After glucose control is achieved, home visits by the Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist (PCNS) who has advanced knowledge and skills in the management of high risk pregnancies can be invaluable. The PCNS systematically assesses the client's environment and its effects upon the client's ability to carry out the many therapeutic self-care demands associated with the diabetic pregnancy. These include the client's ability to: identify and act upon episodes of hypo- or hyperglycemia, monitor blood glucose levels, self-administer insulin, self-monitor fetal activity, and identify and act upon danger signs in pregnancy and signs of labor. The PCNS, by assessing and planning within the framework of the client's environment, facilitates continued control of diabetes as the woman makes the transition from the hospital to the home and/or work environment.

Female↗

A carcinogenesis reversibility study of the effects of butylated hydroxyanisole on the forestomach and urinary bladder in male Fischer 344 rats.

A reversibility study was initiated to determine if the length of feeding with 2% butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) altered the incidence of forestomach lesions observed after a 24-month observation period. Groups of male Fischer 344 rats were fed 2% BHA for 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months and then the basal diet for the completion of the 24-month experimental period. Subgroups were serially sacrificed for histopathological examination and [methyl-3H]thymidine radioautography at the time when each group of animals was transferred to the basal diet and also at 15 months. The results showed that except for carcinomas and some epithelial downgrowths, cellular proliferation, measured by radioautography in the epithelium lining the greater and the lesser curvature of the forestomach, remained dependent on the continuous presence of 2% BHA for, at least, 12 months. Superficial hyperplasias, inflammatory lesions and many of the papillomas regressed after cessation of treatment at 12 months. The epithelial downgrowths did not appear to enlarge after the BHA was withdrawn. The squamous cell carcinomas occurred in almost identical yields whether the rats were fed 2% BHA for 12 months and then returned to the basal diet for 12 months or received 2% BHA continuously for 24 months. It is shown here that at several times, 2% BHA stimulated the [methyl-3H]thymidine labelling index of the transitional epithelium of the urinary bladder and that at 3 months the no observed effect level was greater than 0.5% BHA. The significance of the studies on the forestomach and bladder epithelia are discussed. It is concluded that the lesions induced by BHA are most unlikely to be relevant to humans exposed to much lower levels of BHA.

Administration, Oral↗

Susceptibility of human skeletal muscle culture to influenza virus infection. I. Cytopathology and immunofluorescence.

We found that fused human muscle in culture supports neurotropic influenza A viral infection, as demonstrated by viral growth experiments, hemadsorption, observation of cytopathic changes and detection of intracellular viral antigen. The time of peak virion production and the appearance of cytopathic effects in these experiments were similar to previously described characteristics in influenza A-susceptible organotypic cultures of other tissues. Cytopathological changes occurred earlier in mononucleated cells than in myotubes and included cell-rounding; cytoplasmic retraction, granularity and vacuolization; ribonucleic acid-containing cytoplasmic inclusions; nucleolar enlargement; and clumping of chromatin. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrated early nuclear fluorescence, followed by spread of viral antigen into the cytoplasm. A subpopulation of mononucleated cells, shown by cloning studies to be myoblasts, showed no cytopathic effects or evidence of intracellular viral antigen and was presumably resistant to neurotropic influenza A infection. The adverse effects of influenza A on fused human muscle cells in tissue culture contrast with the inability of the virus to replicate in skeletal muscle after animal inoculation in acute experiments. Therefore, host factors may affect attempts to produce an animal model of human muscle disease with this virus.

Cell Nucleus↗

Susceptibility of human skeletal muscle culture to influenza virus infection. Part 2. Ultrastructural cytopathology.

Cultured post-fused human skeletal muscle monolayers exposed to WSN influenza A virus were analyzed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. At 12-14h post-inoculation (p.i.), affected mononuclear cells retracted from the cell surface, but remained anchored to the substrate by taut filar processes. Retraction was accompanied by shortening of microvilli, appearance of hemispherical cytoplasmic protrusions and corrugation of the surface proper. These changes were more pronounced at 24 and 48h p.i. The rounded, moribund mononuclear cells eventually detached from the substratum. Surface alterations were accompanied by the intracellular appearance of electron-dense nuclear inclusions (often associated with the nucleolus) and paracrystalline ribosomestudded cytoplasmic bodies, which increased in size and number with time. In myotubes, distinct surface alterations appeared later (24h p.i.). Early myotube retraction was accompanied by accentuation of the longitudinally oriented surface pleats and appearance of "blebs" followed by cell-rounding. At 48-72 h, many myotubes detached from the substratum. The surfaces of those still adhering appeared corrugated. Intranuclear and cytoplasmic inclusions accumulated, and budding virions, often filamentous, could be demonstrated at the plasmalemma of mononuclear cells and myotubes. Late (end-stage) cytopathic effects included clumping of chromatin, breakdown of the nuclear envelope, disappearance of cortical and endoplasmic cytofilaments, mitochondrial swelling, and vesiculation of surface membranes. The lesions leading to cell injury and cell death appeared to be due to massive accumulation of virus-induced products that altered cellular metabolism, with physical and functional abnormalities of surface membranes.

Autoradiography↗

Toxicity of fumonisin B1 to B6C3F1 mice: a 14-day gavage study.

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a fungal toxin produced by members of the genus Fusarium. Ingestion of FB1 causes species-specific neurotoxic, nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic and pulmonary effects. The clinical, haematological and pathological responses of adult male and female B6C3F1 mice to FB1 were assessed following 14 daily gavage doses ranging from 1 to 75 mg FB1/kg body weight/day. There were no consistent sex-related changes. Although all responses were modest, the most notable effects of FB1 were on the liver, bone marrow, adrenals and kidneys. In the liver, hepatocellular single cell necrosis, mitosis and anisokaryosis were observed, accompanied by elevated serum ALT. In the kidneys, minor histopathological changes were confined to female mice, while mild decreases in ion transport and increases in blood urea nitrogen were seen only in males. Small changes in glutathione levels were observed in the kidneys and livers of male mice. Adrenal cortical cell vacuolation was observed at 15 mg FB1/kg and higher in females and from 35 mg FB1/kg in males. Serum cholesterol was elevated in both male and female mice, possibly due to FB1-induced changes in lipid metabolism in the liver and adrenals. Although bone marrow cell numbers were unchanged, increases in vacuolated myeloid cells and lymphocytes were observed in female mice. In general, the degree of changes observed indicate that mice are not as sensitive a model of FB1 toxicity as rats.

Administration, Oral↗

Surfactant replacement therapy. Innovative care for the premature infant.

Prematurity is one of the most perplexing problems in perinatal care. Since the discovery of a surfactant deficiency as the primary etiology of hyaline membrane disease, attempts have been made to supplement surfactant in the premature infant. Surfactant replacement therapy is a promising new treatment for the premature infant with hyaline membrane disease. The history of surfactant replacement therapy, current trials of this therapy, nursing care of the infant receiving surfactant replacement, and future directions for nursing research in this area are discussed. Infants receiving this therapy require special nursing care to assure the best possible outcome. Nursing interventions at the time of delivery as well as those required in the neonatal intensive care unit are discussed.

Humans↗

From diagnosis to home management: nutritional considerations for women with gestational diabetes.

Each year 90,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with gestational diabetes. The transition from diagnosis to home management is a time of high stress for these women. Anxiety may lead to difficulty with self-care in general and the diabetic diet in particular. Follow-up education by a diabetes educator can help clients plan meals that comply with the nutritional meal plan without disrupting the family's eating habits. The client should be taught to measure portions, to recognize sugar as an ingredient in foods and medicines, and to deal with special occasions such as holiday meals, travel, and illness. If extended home care is not feasible, the creative diabetes educator will devise other educational opportunities, such as home videos, telephone support networks, special childbirth classes for women with gestational diabetes, and luncheon meetings at which nutritionally correct meals are served.

Diabetes, Gestational↗

Pregnant women with diabetes: antepartum and postpartum morbidity.

Despite advances in obstetrical management, the problems that women with diabetes experience most frequently during their pregnancies and postpartum have not been clearly defined. The purpose of this study was to provide morbidity data on this patient population to assist in determining appropriate interventions.

Adolescent↗