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Biomedical subjects

D Donaldson

Publications and source records attributed to D Donaldson.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

First-year experience with a performance simulation system.

Providing a preclinical learning environment for the undergraduate dental student that is realistic and representative of the clinical setting has been a concern to dental teachers. This article describes a system that provides consistency in the optimal relationship of the operator and patient while emphasizing a balanced postural position. The dental simulator provides an approach that is transferable to all aspects of clinical dental treatment. The student is involved in a learning experience that serves as a basis for future behavior that is consistent with comfort and efficiency in the delivery of dental care.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1982

Anxiety: its management during the treatment of the adolescent dental patient.

Surveys indicate that the adolescent, in particular, suffers from acute anxiety in relation to dentistry. This anxiety is promoted by the general opinion they form of dentists and dentistry through portrayal by their peers and the media. In addition, their own attitude to dentistry, both positive and negative, is influenced to a large extent by the dentist himself. This patient-dentist relationship is, therefore, especially important when treating the adolescent and this should be emphasized in the dental undergraduate curriculum. Psychological methods can be effective in overcoming anxiety but they may be time-consuming. The technique of rapid induction analgesia, using hypnosis by indirect suggestion, may be the most practical modality in this field. Pharmacological techniques remain the principal method of stress reduction. The oral sedative-hypnotic of choice has progressed from the barbiturates to the benzodiazepines mainly due to the selective action of the latter on the limbic system coupled with their high therapeutic index. The newer benzodiazepines combine a more rapid onset with accelerated recovery. Nitrous oxide remains a safe and predictable agent for sedation but its ability to reinforce post-hypnotic suggestion has not been fully realized in the past. Intravenous sedation has evolved from a general anaesthetic technique to a predictable conscious sedation technique with the benzodiazepines again dominating the field. The advent of newer benzodiazepines with much shorter half-lives will improve their properties further. With the combination of the psychological and pharmacological techniques available, anxiety for the adolescent in dentistry may be overcome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Combined therapy with ascorbic acid and calcitonin for the relief of bone pain in Paget's disease.

In a short trial, 24 patients with Paget's disease of the bone were treated for 2 weeks with either ascorbic acid and calcitonin in combination, or with calcitonin alone. Pain relief was then assessed subjectively by the patients and classified as nil, some, or a marked reduction in pain. There were 11 patients in the group on combined therapy and 73% of them experienced pain relief, compared with 85% of the 13 patients in the group on calcitonin alone. In the patients who experienced pain relief, however, 62% of those on the ascorbic acid and calcitonin combination claimed a marked relief of pain compared with only 36% of the patients who responded to calcitonin alone. These results indicate that when calcitonin and ascorbic acid are used in combination they may provide an increase in the extent of pain relief, but do not increase the total proportion of patients actually obtaining relief. Urinary hydroxyproline excretion was reduced in the calcitonin treated group, but there was little change in the patients on the combined therapy.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed1980

Systemic complications with intravenous diazepam.

There are few published reports of complications following intravenous diazepam administration. However, more than 200 cases were reported to the United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare during a 7-year period. The systemic complications have been categorized by the authors, and common contributing factors are emphasized. The information obtained from these reports provides further knowledge of both the avoidance and the treatment of such complications and emphasizes the importance of reporting the adverse effects of any drug to a central body.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Folic acid and mental symptoms in children with epilepsy.

312 children resident at a hospital school received a neuropsychiatric examination and information was provided on their IQ status. Children with a fall in their IQ were identified. Serum and red cell folate values were estimated and the relationship between neuropsychiatric disturbances and folate disturbances explored. Patients with a fall in IQ, neurotic disturbance and depression all had significantly lower serum folic acid levels than the rest of the population, and the children with neurotic disturbances and depression had significantly lower red cell folate values. The relationship between folic acid metabolism and the neuropsychiatric disturbances is discussed in the light of these findings.

Child↗
PubMed1979

Specificity of chromatin transcription in vitro. Anomalies due to RNA-dependent RNA synthesis.

In the presence of Mn2+, globin mRNA can be transcribed into a partial RNA copy by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. This process also occurs when the mRNA is transcribed together with chromatin. A fraction, at least, of the newly synthesized RNA copy (anti-globin RNA) can serve as a template for the synthesis of globin sequences of the same polarity as the original mRNA. This process is sufficient to explain the specific synthesis of a subset of the globin RNA on mouse foetal liver chromatin. It also accounts for the synthesis of double-stranded RNA sequence by E. coli RNA polymerase, on chromatin as well as on pure mRNA. Results are presented suggesting that the poly(A) tract of the mRNA could be preferentially transcribed. In the presence of Mg2+, the RNA-dependent transcription is strongly inhibited, as well as the synthesis of double-stranded RNA. Under these conditions, the transcription on chromatin appears to be largely DNA dependent, and the synthesis of globin sequences is completely asymmetric. Spermine (0.3 mM) seems to improve the specificity of transcription. The transcription of chromatin in vitro is thus largely dependent on the nature of the divalent cation present in the in the incubation mixture.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Vitamin A, zinc and lung cancer.

Serum vitamin A concentration were measured in 26 newly diagnosed lung-cancer patients and found to be significantly lower than those of patients of similar age with either non-malignant lung or non-lung diseases. The levels of vitamin A in the lung-cancer patients, but not in the controls, were significantly correlated with serum concentrations of retinol-binding protein (RBP) and zinc. It is suggested that low levels of zinc might reduce the synthesis of RBP and thus reduce the mobilization of vitamin A from the liver.

Aged↗
PubMed1979

Teratogenic effects of diazepam in the hamster.

Pregnant hamsters were treated with different doses of oral and intravenous diazepam during the period of organogenesis. Teratogenic effects of diazepam were observed following oral treatment on days 8 and 10 and following intravenous treatment on day 11 of gestation. Types of malformations included cleft palate, exencephaly, limb anomalies, and hemorrhage. A dose-effect relationship was not observed. Comparison with reported literature seems to indicate that diazepam may be a mild teratogen in some species.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1979

The effects of nitrous oxide on the developing hamster embryos.

Pregnant hamsters were exposed to different concentrations of nitrous oxide during the period of organogenesis. Teratogenic effects were observed in a small but significant number of fetuses. Types of malformations included cleft palate, limb defects, gut herniation, and fetal edema. A dose-effect relationship was not observed. It is not clear from our observations whether the observed effect on the fetuses was due to the excess of nitrous oxide, hypoxia, or a combination of both. Comparison with published literature indicates that further studies on the effects of nitrous oxide in placental animals are needed.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1979

The relationship between nitrous oxide conscious sedation and the hypnotic state.

To evaluate the hypothesis that inhalation of low levels of nitrous oxide-oxygen produces an altered state of consciousness similar to hypnosis, 20 subjects were given three suggestions (analgesia, compulsive behavior, and amnesia) during double-blind administration of either nitrous oxide-oxygen or oxygen. Results suggest that administration of nitrous oxide-oxygen may be of increased clinical usefulness if it is combined with careful use of suggestion.

Anesthesia, Dental↗
PubMed1979

Recognition and treatment of patients with chronic orofacial pain.

Patients with chronic orofacial pain must be treated with methods different from those used with patients with acute pain. If different methods are not used, the characteristics of chronic pain may become firmly entrenched. Dentists should be aware of the various methods of treatment for this separate pain entity.

Acute Disease↗