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Biomedical subjects

D L Jones

Publications and source records attributed to D L Jones.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Programming of single movements in Parkinson's disease: comparison with Huntington's disease.

The preparation of individual finger movements was examined in Parkinson's disease (PD), in comparison with a similar study of Huntington's disease (HD). Motor programming was varied by increasing the amount of information available in advance of each movement. PD patients had particular difficulty when there was no cue light in advance of the movement, and when two upcoming movements were cued ahead of the current movement. Such difficulties suggest that PD patients may have difficulty in performing movements without sensory cuing, and in maintaining and organising a future sequence of movements. HD patients had been previously shown to have similar deficits. Commonalities in these once contrasted disorders probably arise from disruption of common mechanisms.

Adult↗

Effects of defibrillation shocks delivered directly over a major coronary artery.

This study investigated the influence of defibrillator shocks delivered directly over a coronary artery, independent of ventricular fibrillation, on cardiac hemodynamics. Thirty-six open chest, halothane anesthetized pigs were randomized to receive six shocks at one of 5.0, 7.5, or 10.0 joules (J). Shocks were delivered between two mesh electrodes (Medtronic TX-7) sutured onto the epicardium, one over the left anterior descending coronary artery and the second directly opposite on the posterobasal ventricular surface. Shock delivery was synchronized to the R wave of the cardiac cycle, to reduce the risk of inducing fibrillation, with a 5-minute stabilization period between successive shocks. Pressure from the left ventricle, the left anterior descending coronary artery, distal to the mesh electrode and the left circumflex (control) artery and contractility in the regions perfused by both arteries were measured. The shocks invariably produced an immediate (2-second postshock), but transient, depression in systolic pressure of the same magnitude for the left anterior descending coronary artery, circumflex artery and the left ventricle that recovered by 5-minute postshock. There was no dose dependent relationship to energy. Also there was no clear difference in myocardial wall motion between the area perfused by the left anterior descending coronary artery and that perfused by the circumflex artery. These results suggest that shocks up to 10 J delivered over an epicardial artery do not cause arterial spasm and do not compromise coronary artery blood flow.

Animals↗

Impairment in bilateral alternating movements in Parkinson's disease?

Although problems in bilateral simultaneous movements in Parkinson's disease (PD) are well known, such deficits have not been reported to be any more impaired than simultaneous movements within the same limb. This is surprising, since (a) the parallels between supplementary motor area (SMA) damage and PD are well documented and (b) the SMA seems to play a special role in bilateral motor control. Bilateral versus unilateral movements in PD were examined by using a task that compared alternating movements of fingers of the same hand with alternating movements of fingers of the opposite hands. PD patients showed particular problems in programming and transferring motor activity to fingers on the opposite side of the body, as opposed to switching motor activity between fingers on the same side of the body. These findings outline the relevance of SMA dysfunction to PD.

Aged↗

A permanent transvenous lead system for an implantable pacemaker cardioverter-defibrillator. Nonthoracotomy approach to implantation.

A transvenous lead system for implantable defibrillators would obviate a surgical thoracotomy and reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with implantation. We evaluated the clinical performance of a new nonthoracotomy lead system that included a defibrillation lead in the coronary sinus. At the time of defibrillator implantation, transvenous defibrillation leads were inserted percutaneously through the left subclavian vein into the right ventricular apex (RVA), superior vena cava (SVC), and distal coronary sinus (CS) under fluoroscopic guidance. A subcutaneous patch electrode (SQ) was also available if required. The first single- or dual-pathway electrode configuration that successfully terminated three of four ventricular fibrillation episodes using 18 J or less was implanted. Eleven men and three women aged 39-77 years (60.0 +/- 10.1 years) with left ventricular ejection fraction ranging from 16% to 63% (33.4 +/- 13.1%) were evaluated. Nine presented with ventricular tachycardia, three had ventricular fibrillation, and two had both. A totally transvenous lead system (RVA/CS/SVC) was implanted in seven patients (50%) with a mean defibrillation threshold of 15.6 +/- 2.9 J (10-18 J). Four patients received a partial transvenous lead system (RVA/CS/SQ). An effective nonthoracotomy lead system was not found in three patients; they received epicardial electrodes. After cumulative follow-up of 73 patient-months, nine patients remain alive and free of problems related to the implanted nonthoracotomy leads. One patient died of respiratory failure 3 months after defibrillator implant, and the leads from another patient were removed at 9 months because of bacterial infection. A transvenous lead system that includes a defibrillation lead in the coronary sinus is a safe, reliable, and, at least in the short term, effective nonthoracotomy approach for automatic defibrillator implantation.

Adult↗

Effect of a fluoride solution on dentinal hypersensitivity.

This two-phase experiment assessed the effects over time of a solution containing 1.09% sodium fluoride, .40% stannous fluoride, and .14% hydrogen fluoride (.717% fluoride solution, DentinBloc) on pain associated with dentinal hypersensitivity. During phase I, 30 subjects demonstrating dentinal hypersensitivity to a blast of cool air were divided into three double blind experimental groups. After baseline data were collected for all subjects, one group was instructed to apply the .717% fluoride solution twice a day. A second group was instructed to apply a gel containing .04% stannous fluoride (Gel-Kam) twice a day. A third group was instructed to apply distilled water. Each subject was assessed at 2, 4, 8, and 16 weeks utilizing the "method of limits" with a standardized, repeatable cold thermal stimulus. The results of a two factor repeated ANOVA indicated that those subjects who applied the .717% fluoride solution reported significantly less sensitivity at the 2-week period than the other groups (P < .05). In addition, those subjects whose solution contained the 0.4% stannous fluoride reported significantly less sensitivity at the 4- to 8-week periods (P < .05). Phase II of the study assessed the .717% fluoride solution on a more precise time course. These included: immediately, 15 minute, 1 day, 1 week and 2 weeks. A one factor repeated ANOVA revealed that this effect presented 15-minute post application (P < .05) and continued throughout the testing periods. It was concluded that the fully active 0.717% fluoride solution was an effective agent in the control of dentinal hypersensitivity after two 1-minute applications.

Analysis of Variance↗

Results of multidisciplinary management of bilateral cleft lip and palate at the Iowa Cleft Palate Center.

Bilateral cleft of the lip and palate is by many standards the most complex and severe form of the defect. The complexity and severity of the defect require an unusual degree of cooperation among all specialists and especially between the surgeon and the orthodontist. There are no published findings that we know about in which comprehensive data from a number of disciplines are reported for the same group of bilateral cleft patients. Fifty randomly selected patients with bilateral complete clefts were examined by the Iowa team and two orthodontists from other institutions. The evaluations revealed that a large number of patients over the age of 10 have multiple residual problems requiring further treatment. Only 23 percent of the older patients studied were judged to have had treatment completed by the surgeon, speech pathologist, and orthodontist. It is very difficult to state whether the results obtained by our team can be considered satisfactory because there are no comparable studies that have attempted to evaluate the same parameters in multidisciplinary management.

Adolescent↗

Effects of lidocaine and verapamil on defibrillation in humans.

Patients with automatic defibrillators frequently require chronic antiarrhythmic drug therapy or receive acute therapy with the onset of symptoms. The effects on energy requirements for defibrillation of lidocaine hydrochloride and verapamil hydrochloride, two commonly used antiarrhythmic agents, were examined in 20 successive patients undergoing corrective arrhythmia surgery. The minimum energy requirement for ventricular defibrillation before and 5 minutes after the administration of 150 mg of lidocaine intravenously (n = 8), or 10 minutes after 10 mg of verapamil intravenously (n = 12), were determined. Each patient was assigned to receive either verapamil or lidocaine. Three mesh coil defibrillating electrodes (Medtronic 6891, 6892) were sutured to the epicardium of the right and left ventricles. Ventricular fibrillation was induced using alternating current. After a minimum of 10 seconds of fibrillation, the minimum energy for defibrillation was established using sequential pulse defibrillation. The preselected drug was then infused and the ventricular defibrillation energy was again determined after 5 or 10 minutes circulation time. Lidocaine did not alter the minimum energy for defibrillation (3.0 +/- 1.4 J vs. 3.0 +/- 1.8 J, mean +/- SD), despite plasma levels of lidocaine that averaged 13.2 +/- 1.9 mumol/l. In contrast, verapamil significantly increased (3.9 +/- 2.2 J vs. 6.5 +/- 2.9 J) the minimum energy necessary for defibrillation. The difference in defibrillation energy was significantly correlated to the fall in systolic blood pressure induced by verapamil administration (r = 0.72). These data reinforce the necessity for determining efficacy of defibrillation when medication changes are instituted. Verapamil should be used with caution in patients with automatic defibrillators and marginal defibrillation threshold.

Adult↗

Effects of lidocaine on defibrillation threshold in the pig: evidence of anesthesia related increase.

Some antiarrhythmic drugs may influence the ability of a shock to defibrillate a patient but the effect of lidocaine on defibrillation efficacy has been controversial, suggesting multiple influencing factors. We determined the effects of three doses of lidocaine on defibrillation thresholds, using single and sequential shocks, in 36 open chest halothane-anesthetized pigs. An additional eight pigs were anesthetized with barbiturate and received the highest infusion regime of lidocaine. Shocks were delivered through three mesh electrodes sutured over the anterior right ventricle, posterior right ventricle, and lateral left ventricle for sequential pulse shocks and between a lateral right to a lateral left ventricular mesh electrode for single pulse shocks. Triplicate defibrillation thresholds (DFTs) were obtained before and after lidocaine (n = 32) or saline (n = 12) administration, either with halothane or barbiturate anesthesia. Lidocaine did not alter DFT at any dose with either the single pulse (control 17.4 +/- 3.7 joules [J], highest dose of lidocaine 13.5 +/- 1.7 J, P = NS) or sequential pulse shocks (control 7.6 +/- 0.8 J, highest dose lidocaine 6.6 +/- 0.7 J, P = NS), when halothane anesthesia was used. Similar results were obtained with lower doses. In contrast, lidocaine in pentobarbital anesthetized pigs produced a significant increase of the DFT with single (control 13.7 +/- 1.9, during lidocaine 16.6 +/- 3.1, P less than 0.01) and sequential shocks (control 11.1 +/- 2.2, during lidocaine 14.5 +/- 3.4, P less than 0.01). Interaction between barbiturates and lidocaine, and/or pH may account for the inconsistency in previous studies and must be considered for animal and clinical experiments.

Anesthesia↗

Defibrillation shocks increase myocardial pacing threshold: an intracellular microelectrode study.

Defibrillation is known to cause inability to pace the heart acutely, but the mechanism is unknown. This study used microelectrode techniques to directly evaluate the effect of defibrillation shocks on the pacing threshold and membrane potentials from superfused guinea pig papillary muscles. Failure of pacing stimuli to induce action potentials (pacing failure) followed shocks of 50-200 V/cm, with pacing failure duration correlated with shock intensity. Increasing pacing strength from one to three times diastolic threshold decreased the incidence and duration of pacing failure. Decreased extracellular calcium concentration and verapamil added to the superfusate increased the duration of pacing failure. Membrane potential depolarization occurred after shock, but pacing failure did not correlate with depolarization magnitude. We conclude that defibrillation shocks directly cause shock intensity-dependent increase of myocardial pacing threshold. The pacing threshold of the myocardium can be increased after defibrillation shock independent of hypoxia or shock-induced depolarization and may involve membrane changes in calcium handling.

Action Potentials↗

Defibrillation efficacy. Comparison of defibrillation threshold versus dose-response curve determination.

When an automatic defibrillator is implanted, it is essential to determine the efficacy of the defibrillating system accurately, while balancing the need to keep the number of fibrillation episodes to a minimum. Two methods have evolved to assess defibrillation efficacy: 1) the "defibrillation threshold," which requires few ventricular fibrillation episodes, and 2) the "dose-response curve," which requires many ventricular fibrillation episodes and relates percent success to energy. The purpose of this study was to compare these two methods directly. Twenty open-chest anesthetized pigs had triplicate defibrillation threshold determinations. To produce a dose-response curve, six shocks then were delivered at 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, and 2.0 times the mean defibrillation threshold, in a balanced randomized order, during separate episodes of ventricular fibrillation. The data were fitted by logistic regression, conversions of the logistic regression, and a saturable exponential and nonsaturable growth exponential. A comparison was made of the mean defibrillation threshold and the 50% point on the dose-response curve (ED50) for each model, for each animal. In addition, the reliability of each measure was assessed by comparing the coefficients of variation. There was no statistical difference between the group defibrillation threshold (6.6 +/- 0.5 J) and group ED50 values (ED50 range of the models, 5.7 +/- 1.9 to 7.0 +/- 0.9 J). However, the variability about the defibrillation threshold was less than that of the ED50 values for all mathematical models except the true logistic equation, which was virtually the same.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Basal prolactin and total lactogenic hormone levels by microbioassay and immunoassay in normal human sera.

The availability of an improved microbioassay for prolactin measurement has enabled comparison of lactogenic hormone bioactivity and immunoreactivity in normal human serum. Serum was studied from 61 normal females and 15 normal males. The correlation of both assays was very close for all subjects with a mean ratio of bioassay to immunoassay of 1.5 (range 0.8-2.0) for prolactin and 1.4 (range 0.5-1.9) for total lactogenic hormone. There was no significant variation in prolactin or total lactogenic hormone values by microbioassay or immunoassay with sexual or menstrual status. Postmenopausal prolactin levels were lower by both assays compared with premenopausal values with a relative and absolute decrease in prolactin bioactivity with age. These findings indicate that there is a good correlation between prolactin bioactivity and immunoactivity in human serum.

Adult↗

Motor control of velopharyngeal structures during vowel production.

This investigation was designed to measure the ability of normal adult speakers to exert voluntary control over velopharyngeal positioning. Speakers were asked to phonate the vowels [a] and [i] at 50 percent and 75 percent of complete velopharyngeal closure, using visual feedback of velopharyngeal opening and closing gestures from a phototransducer. The musculature of the velopharyngeal mechanism was hypothesized to act as a coordinated system that may demonstrate both motor flexibility and plasticity (Folkins, 1985) when forced to function in a novel way. Evidence of both motor system responses to a novel speaking condition was observed. Speakers were able either to phonate at intermediate closure levels without having to learn new motor rules, or to learn new rules for velopharyngeal muscle activation that resulted in the ability over time to position the velopharyngeal mechanism appropriately. As such, support is derived for the notion (Folkins, 1985) that speakers develop motor rules or coordinative structures involving the velopharyngeal mechanism that govern velopharyngeal movement. The characteristics of this coordinative structure framework has not yet been described, however, and are the subject of ongoing research efforts.

Adult↗

Factors that affect patient attitudes toward infection control measures.

This study examined how differences in infection control procedures and patients' perceived knowledge of infection control, and how AIDS and hepatitis might affect attitudes toward the use of such measures. Patients receiving treatment at two sites where the methods of infection control and the frequency of their use differed (dental school and private dental practices) were surveyed concerning their approval/acceptance of infection control measures and self-report of knowledge concerning infectious disease and possible transmission of infectious disease during dental treatment. Data were collected from 379 patients, 272 from the dental school and 107 from five private practices. A high percentage (95 percent) of both dental school and private patients felt they were adequately protected, while fewer than 2 percent expressed anxiety about infection control procedures being used in either setting. Factors such as gender, age, and years of formal education did not significantly affect attitudes toward infection control measures, but age and education were correlated with perceived knowledge of infectious diseases. Patients' reported knowledge of infectious disease had a significant effect on their decision to leave a practice if the dentist was HIV positive. A significantly higher percentage of dental school patients felt that barrier infection control techniques should be used routinely. Patients treated where such techniques were not routinely used nevertheless expressed satisfaction with that level of protection, implying that patients tend to accept the level of infection control being practiced where they receive treatment.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Velopharyngeal function and dysfunction.

The concepts regarding velopharyngeal function, the production of disordered nasalization, and the management of velopharyngeal dysfunction can be summarized as follows: 1. Although the function of the velopharyngeal mechanism is critical to the control of oral-nasal balance, the configuration and function of the speech articulatory system as a whole will determine the degree of nasalized speech that is produced. 2. Velopharyngeal dysfunction can be related to one or a combination of structural and motor limitations within the velopharyngeal mechanism. 3. There are two perceptual manifestations of velopharyngeal dysfunction. One is acoustic (nasality); the other is aerodynamic (nasal emission). For any given speaker, it is possible to hear both, and it is possible to hear one and not the other. 4. Velopharyngeal dysfunction can be treated in a variety of ways. The method of treatment should be determined by the structural characteristics of the velopharyngeal mechanism and the speech-motor abilities of the patient.

Child↗

Ouabain injected into the hypothalamus elicits pressor responses in anaesthetized rats: a mapping study.

Cardiac glycosides are known to have a narrow therapeutic index, due in part to their effects on the brain. Injections of cardiac glycosides into the ventricles of the brain elicit activation of the autonomic nervous system, and may even elicit cardiac arrhythmias. However, the specific brain regions responsible for such action are unknown. The hypothalamus receives chemo- and baro-receptive innervation from the cardiovascular system. In turn, there are both direct and indirect effector pathways from the hypothalamus accessing the sympathetic preganglionic and parasympathetic ganglia regions. This suggests that the hypothalamus may be a prime candidate for the central toxic effects of cardiac glycosides. The purpose of this experiment was to map the rostral diencephalon to determine sites at which injections of a low dose of the cardiac glycoside, ouabain, resulted in altered cardiovascular responses in the anaesthetized rat. Microinjections of 20 ng of ouabain in 200 nl were made into sites throughout the rostral diencephalon of urethane (1.2 g/kg) anaesthetized rats while monitoring heart rate and blood pressure. Injections into the nucleus medianus, paraventricular, anterior and posterior hypothalamic nuclei produced increases in pressure of from 5 to 25 mmHg. These data suggest that part of the toxicity resulting from the cardiac glycoside administration may be due to the direct action of the glycosides on these hypothalamic structures. The paraventricular region has the greatest sensitivity and may be a primary target due to its direct connections with the preganglionic sympathetic regions in the spinal cord.

Anesthesia↗

Preclinical abortions: incidence and significance in the Norfolk in vitro fertilization program.

Clinical and prognostic significance of preclinical abortions in assisted reproduction is ill defined. Strict diagnostic criteria include a transient and synchronous elevation of serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), estradiol, and progesterone levels 13 days after hCG administration, ending in a bleeding episode no more than 14 days after the missed period. The preclinical abortion study group (54 patients, 178 cycles) was compared with matched control groups A (54 patients, 132 cycles) and B (54 patients, 155 cycles), representing normal term pregnancies and all outcomes, respectively. Control group C included the overall population during the study period. The abortion rate per transfer (preclinical abortion and total miscarriage rates) and total pregnancy wastage in the study group were significantly higher; the ongoing pregnancy rate was significantly lower. Preclinical abortion should be considered as a true reproductive failure with similar implications.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Are implantation and pregnancy outcome impaired in diethylstilbestrol-exposed women after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer?

Forty-six infertile women with a history of diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure in utero underwent 149 stimulation attempts for in vitro fertilization (IVF). The mean (+/- SE) number of preovulatory oocytes harvested at retrieval and transferred was 3.9 +/- 3.3 (536/138) and 2.6 +/- 1.4 (328/124). When compared with patients with tubal factor infertility and less than or equal to 4 pre-embryos transferred, the clinical pregnancy rate (15.3% versus 22%) was not statistically different. However, the term/ongoing pregnancy rate was significantly lower in the study group (8% versus 16%). Comparison of the IVF outcome with different uterine anomalies as detected by hysterosalpingogram (n = 29) showed a trend for a worse prognosis in women with constrictions and a combination of T-shape and constrictions. It is concluded that implantation and pregnancy outcome are impaired in DES-exposed women after IVF.

Adult↗