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Biomedical subjects

D H Baker

Publications and source records attributed to D H Baker.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

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Accounting↗

Nitrogen metabolism and reproductive response of gravid swine fed an arginine-free diet during the last 84 days of gestation.

Based upon nitrogen retention and urinary excretion of orotic and citric acid, previous experiments have shown that the gravid gilt does not require a dietary source of arginine during late gestation. This experiment was designed to evaluate effects of feeding an arginine-free diet for a major portion of gestation. Three diets, 0% L-arginine, 0.38% L-arginine and a fortified corn-soybean meal control, were fed to two litter-mate trios from day 30 of gestation until parturition. The experimental diets contained crystalline amino acids as the sole source of nitrogen and provided 12.6% crude protein equivalent. All gilts received 2 kg of diet daily and were housed throughout the 84-day feeding period in metabolism crates. Nitrogen retention tended to increase with advancing pregnancy, but was uninfluenced by dietary treatment. Averaged across all three gestational trimester periods, nitrogen retention was 11.2, 9.7 and 12.0 g/day for the 0% arginine, 0.38% arginine and cor-soybean meal diet, respectively. Urinary excretion of orotic acid was not significantly affected by arginine intake. Moreover, number and weight of pigs at birth and weaning were unaltered by dietary treatment. Thus, it is evident that satisfactory reproductive response can be achieved with gravid swine fed an arginine-free diet during the last 84 days of pregnancy.

Animals↗

Mathematical modeling and the redesign of a teaching ambulatory clinic.

Mathematical modeling was utilized in the planning and decision-making process involved in reorganizing a teaching clinic to effect continuity of care. The model interrelated physicians, time and space, facilitating value judgments and decisions. After examining multiple model runs, the authors finally selected a per-clinic-session doctor mix of 5 interns, 2.3 residents, and 1.6 fellows. Group productivity by model simulation was 14.6 pts/hour, utilizing 10.1 rooms. Subsequently, 90 house officers were each assigned to the clinic one-half day a week on a continuing basis. Time-motion data, from 10 sessions five months after the change, showed that during one week 353 patients were seen at a rate of 13.9 patients per hour in the rooms and time available. The fact that the reorganization was successful and the outcomes remarkably similar to model predictions has engendered confidence in the role of modeling in the planning process.

Ambulatory Care↗

Measurement of the staphylococcal epidermolytic toxin: a comparison of bioassay, radial immunodiffusion, and radioimmunoassay.

Three methods of measuring the epidermolytic toxin Staphylococcus aureus-bioassay in newborn mice, radial immunodiffusion, and radioimmunoassay-were compared for reproducibility, specificity, and sensitivity. The bioassay is highly specific and remains the only functional assay. It is reproducible only if newborn mice of the same age are used. The time required for epidermolysis follows a dose-response relationship only if concentrations of toxin large enough to cause peeling in 90 min or less are used. This limits the sensitivity of the bioassay to about 5 mug per ml. Single radial immunodiffusion in agar is a specific and reproducible assay method, but its sensitivity is also about 5 mug per ml. A radioimmunoassay was established by the Farr technique using purified epidermolysin radiolabeled with 125iodine. This assay was highly reproducible and specific. The staphylococcal products, alpha-toxin and enterotoxins A and B, did not cross-react with anti-epidermolysin antibodies. The sensitivity of the radioimmunoassay is 20 ng per ml.

Animals↗

Upper airway obstruction in infants and small children. Improved radiographic diagnosis by combining filtration, high kilovoltage, and magnification.

Selective filtration, high kilovoltage, and fine focal spot magnification produce detailed radiographs of the airway of infants and small children. This technique has been applied to the study of upper airway obstruction in the glottic, subglottic, and supraglottic areas. Its great diagnostic yield is accompanied by a reduction in radiation dose compared to that of a nonfilter technique. The physical factors dictating choice of filter and film-screen combination are discussed.

Airway Obstruction↗

Opinion: Caveat doctor: the x-ray collimator industry takes a giant step backward.

Markedly improved imaging of the upper airway in infants and children with magnification high kVp technique is accomplished with added heavy filtration. Unfortunately, in the newer x-ray collimators, no slot is provided for this purpose. The authors can think of no reason, medical, physical or economic, as to why a simple slot cannot be provided. A few manufactures make machines with the added filter slot; all radiologists are urged not to neglect this information when selecting new equipment.

Humans↗

Megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome: a new cause of intestinal obstruction in the newborn. Report of radiologic findings in five newborn girls.

Five newborn girls presented with small intestinal obstruction and microcolon and a giant bladder (megacystis). Organic causes of obstruction were not found, and the gastrointestinal tract failed to function after appropriate diversion. Two died in the postoperative period, two lived several months on central venous hyperalimentation, and one died at 34 months of age following chronic though intermittent hyperalimentation. Pathologic studies showed an abundance of ganglion cells in both dilated and narrowed areas of intestine; the combined small bowel-colon length was one-third of normal in the absence of an evident obstructive or vascular insult. The five patients represent the most severe manifestation of defective intestinal peristalsis in a larger group of distended newborns in whom organic gastrointestinal obstruction is not found. Treatment with central venous hyperalimentation may sustain life, and some patients eventually recover gastrointestinal function. The hypoperistalsis is largely refractory to pharmacologic treatment; its cause is unknown.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

The choline requirement of broiler chicks during the seventh week of life.

Male crossbred chicks were used to quantify the choline requirement and choline-sparing value of methionine and betaine for broiler chicks during the seventh week of life. The sulfur amino acid (SAA) requirement of male and female chicks was also determined. In all assays a crystalline amino acid diet containing 14.9% protein equivalent and 3400 kcal. M.E./kg, was employed. Increasing increments (0.08%) of SAA (equal mixture of DL-methionine and L-cystine) were fed from 0.38 to 0.70% of the diet. Least squares analysis indicated SAA requirements for maximal weight gain of 0.61 and 0.62% of the diet for males and females, respectively. The choline requirement was determined by feeding six levels of choline in the presence of 0.62% SAA. Gain but not gain/feed responded linearly to choline addition. Least squares analysis of gain indicated a dietary choline requirement of 358 p.p.m. of 30.6 mg./day. The choline-replacement value of methionine and betaine was found to be minimal.

Age Factors↗