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Biomedical subjects

D C Hall

Publications and source records attributed to D C Hall.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Effect on neutrophil kinetics and serum opsonic capacity of intravenous administration of immune globulin to neonates with clinical signs of early-onset sepsis.

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that administration of immune globulin to human neonates with early-onset bacterial sepsis would (1) facilitate neutrophil egress from the marrow, (2) improve serum opsonic capacity, and (3) facilitate recovery from the infectious illness. Twenty-two newborn infants with clinical signs of early-onset sepsis were given an intravenous infusion of either 750 mg of immune globulin (IVIG) per kilogram of body weight or the same volume of a vehicle control (albumin). All 22 infants survived, but significant hematologic, immunologic, and respiratory differences were observed after the IVIG and not after the control infusion. Eleven of the patients had neutropenia; 24 hours after the infusions, the neutropenia had resolved in all six IVIG recipients but persisted in all five control recipients (p less than 0.001). Ten patients had I/T neutrophil ratios (a measure of immature neutrophils to total neutrophils on the leukocyte differential count) of less than 0.2. One hour after completion of the infusions, all five IVIG recipients had elevated I/T ratios (mean +/- SEM:0.10 +/- 0.05 before vs 0.43 +/- 0.03 after infusion; p less than 0.001), suggesting a prompt release of neutrophils from the marrow neutrophil storage pool into the circulation; no increase in the I/T ratio was observed in the control recipients. Six hours after the IVIG infusions, the ratio of arterial oxygen tension to fraction of inspired oxygen increased; no increase was observed after control infusions. Serum concentrations of IgG, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, and total hemolytic complement and the capacity of serum to support opsonophagocytosis of type II and type III group B streptococci increased markedly in the IVIG recipients but not in the control subjects. We conclude that administration of 750 mg IVIG per kilogram to neonates with clinical signs of early-onset sepsis was associated with immunologic, hematologic, and physiologic improvement.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1989

Doppler ultrasound evaluation for lower extremity deep venous thrombosis in a community hospital.

The accuracy of Doppler examination for lower extremity deep venous thrombosis in a community hospital vascular laboratory was determined by comparing the Doppler results with venograms of 97 limbs in 90 patients. There were 47 limbs with a normal Doppler study, 46 abnormal (consistent with deep venous thrombosis) and 4 with an equivocal study. The overall accuracy was 95%. Both the sensitivity and specificity were 94% when equivocal studies were considered abnormal. Based on these results, we recommend venography or repeat Doppler examination for patients with a normal Doppler study only if the clinical findings are strongly suggestive of deep venous thrombosis. Patients with an abnormal Doppler examination and clinical findings consistent with deep venous thrombosis can be treated for deep venous thrombosis, with a high degree of confidence in the diagnosis, without venography. Patients with equivocal Doppler examinations are advised to have a venogram. While our results are equal to the best reports from research-oriented university vascular laboratories it should not be assumed that they can be readily reproduced in other settings. The technologists performing these studies should be highly skilled, experienced and preferably board certified. Internal quality control of any testing facility is necessary to assure accurate and reliable Doppler ultrasonic results prior to recommending treatment of deep venous thrombosis based on Doppler ultrasound without venography.

Hospitals, Community↗
PubMed1987

An algorithm for planning stereotactic brain implants.

A computer software package was developed for the planning and execution of brain biopsy and radioactive implant procedures with the BRW Stereotaxic System. With the application of computer graphics and a zero-one integer variable programming algorithm, an implant plan with accompanying isodose distributions and stereotactic coordinates can be easily accomplished at the time of the operation when the computer imaging terminal and a printer/plotter is placed in the operating room.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1987

Effects of aerobic and strength conditioning on pregnancy outcomes.

This study evaluated the effects of a physical conditioning program on pregnancy outcomes and the subjective pregnancy experience. Pregnancy outcomes included length of labor, mode of delivery, length of hospitalization, and gestational age, birth weight, and Apgar scores of newborn infants. Subjective data included level of tension, general physical comfort, and self-image. The 845 subjects in the study were divided into a control group (n = 393) and into groups of low, medium, and high levels of exercise (n = 82, 309, and 61, respectively). Exercise sessions consisted of treadmill or bicycle warm-up, individually prescribed exercises on weight-lifting equipment for arms, legs, abdomen, and back, and 1- to 2-mile workout on bicycle ergometer. Pregnancy outcomes were more favorable in the exercise groups, particularly the high-exercise group. Significant data included length of hospitalization, incidence of cesarean section, and Apgar scores. All patients reported positive subjective responses to the conditioning program.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Effects of certain training parameters on detection of simulated breast cancer.

Forty-two female subjects, constituting 14 groups, palpated a silicone breast model in a lump detection task. Three variables, number of trials (amount of practice), search pattern requirement (restricted vs. unrestricted), and the presence or absence of lumps, were manipulated according to 3 x 2 x 2 design. The effect of all modes of practice on detection performance in posttest 1 was evidenced by an increase in percent of lumps detected and a decrease in detection threshold, but no form of practice was superior to the others. Following posttest 1 a brief search-training procedure was administered to 39 subjects which further lowered detection threshold, increased percent of lumps detected, and increased trial duration in posttest 2. The results indicate the effectiveness of the training procedure for improving detection ability and suggest the need for a more complex model to determine more specifically the effects of the practice models employed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Progress in manual breast examination.

Manual breast examination, despite recent advances in mechanical screening devices, remains a primary diagnostic procedure for early detection of breast cancer. The potential effectiveness of breast self-examination for reducing mortality relies on the effectiveness of a technology for training women to detect small tumors through manual palpation. Research indicates that although the regular practice of breast self-examination can lead to the detection of small tumors, current training methods are inadequate to ensure proper performance and maintain regular practice. An alternative interdisciplinary research and training approach, involving medicine, biomaterials engineering, psychophysics, and experimental psychology, is suggested. A dynamic lifelike breast model with variable lumps would provide the basis for generating systematic data regarding the factors affecting detection of small lumps and lead to development and evaluation of efficient and effective methods to teach manual examination.

Breast↗