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Biomedical subjects

D Gaskin

Publications and source records attributed to D Gaskin.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

How accurate and reliable are doctors in estimating fracture angulation?

This study assessed the accuracy of doctors in estimating fracture angulation. Radiographs of fractured wrist and forearm of varying angulations were shown to all grades of doctors in the speciality of trauma and orthopaedics. They were asked to estimate the angulation at the fracture site without using a goniometer. The estimates were analysed for accuracy and variability. This study showed that doctors have a mean error of 8-9 degrees and had poor agreement with themselves and others. We recommend the use of a goniometer to assess fracture angulation.

Child↗
PubMed1999

Biomass conversion to mixed alcohol fuels using the MixAlco process.

The MixAlco process is a patented technology that converts any biodegradable material (e.g., sorted municipal solid waste, sewage sludge, industrial biosludge, manure, agricultural residues, energy crops) into mixed alcohol fuels containing predominantly 2-propanol, but also higher alcohols up to 7-tridecanol. The feedstock is treated with lime to increase its digestibility. Then, it is fed to a fermentor in which a mixed culture of acid-forming microorganisms produces carboxylic acids. Calcium carbonate is added to the fermentor to neutralize the acids to their corresponding carboxylate salt. The dilute (approximately 3%) carboxylate salts are concentrated to 19% using an amine solvent that selectively extracts water. Drying is completed using multi-effect evaporators. Finally, the dry salts are thermally converted to ketones which subsequently are hydrogenated to alcohols. All the steps in the MixAlco process have been proven at the laboratory scale. A techno-economic model of the process indicates that with the tipping fees available in New York (126 dollars/dry tonne), mixed alcohol fuels may be sold for 0.04 dollars/L (0.16 dollars/gal) with a 60% return on investment (ROI). With the average tipping fee in the United States rates (63 dollars/dry tonne), mixed alcohol fuels may be sold for 0.18 dollars/L (0.69 dollars/gal) with a 15% ROI. In the case of sugarcane bagasse, which may be obtained for about 26 dollars/dry ton, mixed alcohol fuels may be sold for 0.29 dollars/L (1.09 dollars/gal) with a 15% ROI.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Cystic thyroid lesions in children.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Cystic lesions of the thyroid encompass a wide and heterogeneous group of disease states in children, ranging from benign purely cystic entities to malignant tumors. The purpose of this study was to study both the presentation and management of cystic thyroid lesions in the pediatric population. METHODS: A retrospective review of all thyroid masses presenting between 1978 and 1996 and found to be purely or partially cystic on ultrasound examination was conducted, looking at presentation, family history, laboratory values, ultrasound scan and radionuclide imaging, and pathological and cytological evaluation. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (19 girls, 5 boys) aged 6 to 18 years received the diagnosis of cystic lesions of the thyroid. Of these, 23 presented with painless neck masses, 21 were clinically euthyroid, only one had a single abnormal thyroid function test, only two had mildly positive antithyroid antibody test results, and nearly 30% had a positive family history of thyroid disease. Ultrasonography showed pure cysts in five patients and mixed solid cystic lesions in 19 patients. On scintiscan, six lesions were hot, 13 were cold, three showed normal uptake, and two were mixed. Treatment included either observation, aspiration, cyst sclerosis, surgery, or combinations thereof. Pathological and cytological results included follicular adenoma (n = 9), cystic degeneration (n = 6), multinodular goiter (n = 4), carcinoma (n = 2), branchial cleft cyst (n = 1), and undetermined (n = 2). CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid cysts are often thought to represent benign degenerative disease. Our study, which is the first in the literature to specifically address thyroid cysts in children, shows that ultrasound scan is useful in evaluating thyroid masses, whereas laboratory and radionuclide are of less value, and that single lesions of mixed echogeneity are likely to represent neoplasms, a significant percentage of which are malignant.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Management of head and neck lymphatic malformations in children.

Lymphatic malformations (LM) are complex entities. Their development and management remain controversial. A retrospective review of 35 patients treated for lymphatic malformation over a 10-year period (1985-1995) is presented. The demographics of the cases, the method of presentation, treatment modalities, and outcomes are presented. The majority or patients presented at birth, and 83% were treated before the age of 7 years. The most common presentation was an asymptomatic neck mass (74%), of which 54% were in the posterior triangle and 17% were in the submandibular space. The treatment was primarily surgical excision: 22 (63%) patients had total surgical excision, 7 (20%) had partial excision, and 6 (17%) had needle aspiration. A proposal of management is presented.

Child↗
PubMed1992

Hashimoto's thyroiditis with medullary carcinoma.

The association of Hashimoto's thyroiditis with lymphoma and papillary carcinoma has been recognized, but there have been few reports of an association between Hashimoto's thyroiditis and medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland, especially in Canada. The authors report three cases, seen in an 18-month period, of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and medullary carcinoma in patients whose relatives had multiple endocrine neoplasia type II. The findings support the view that the thyroiditis occurred in response to the tumour process and not vice versa.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed1987

Uncoupling of the secretory pathways for IgA and secretory component by cholestasis.

Circulating polymeric immunoglobulin A (IgA) binds to secretory component (SC) on the surface of rat hepatocytes and is internalized and transported by vesicles to the canalicular membrane where the IgA-SC complex is secreted into bile. To further characterize this transport pathway, we examined the effects of bile flow reduction or transient bile duct obstruction on the secretion of IgA and SC into bile. In response to gradually increasing resistance to bile flow, the biliary concentration of IgA decreased as bile flow decreased, whereas total biliary protein concentration was little changed. After 2 h of bile duct clamping, the amount of IgA secreted into bile during the postclamp period was decreased to one-tenth of control values. Similarly, transport of biosynthetically labeled monoclonal IgA ([3H]MoIgA) during the postclamp period was reduced three-fold. In contrast to the impairment in IgA secretion, secretion of SC continued at nearly normal levels after resumption of bile flow. The reduced transport of IgA was not due to a failure of IgA to reach the hepatocyte, a functional alteration of the IgA, or a decrease in the number of hepatic IgA receptors. Our studies indicate that secretion of IgA is sensitive to bile flow and that the biliary secretory pathways for IgA and SC are dissociated after brief periods of cholestasis.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Screening of human brain tumors for SV40-related T antigen.

A series of 39 human brain tumors has been screened for the presence or absence of SV40-related T antigen by the direct and indirect immunoperoxidase methods. Two tumors of ependymal origin (malignant ependymoma, choroid plexus papilloma) revealed markedly positive nuclear staining for T antigen both in vivo and in vitro. The relationship of these tumors to their experimental counterparts inducible by recent human papovavirus isolates is discussed.

Antigens, Viral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Academic health centers in competitive markets.

Academic health center (AHC) hospitals and other major teaching hospitals have funded a portion of their academic missions through patient care revenues. Using all-payer state discharge data, this DataWatch presents information on how these institutions are being affected by market changes. Although AHCs are not as successful as other hospitals are in attracting managed care patients, competitive pressures had not eroded AHCs' financial status as of 1994. However, increasing enrollment in managed care and potential changes in both Medicare and Medicaid suggest that pressure on the financing of these institutions' social missions will continue to grow over time.

Academic Medical Centers↗