Single question screening for problem drinking.
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Alcoholism↗
Biomedical subjects
D Parrish
Publications and source records attributed to D Parrish.
Isolation of fecal coliform bacteria from the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin centrata).
Total and fecal coliform bacteria were isolated from the cloaca and feces of the estuarine diamondback terrapin. The majority of samples contained fecal coliforms. Escherichia coli was the predominant fecal coliform species isolated, and members of the genus Salmonella were isolated from 2 of 39 terrapins. Fecal coliform numbers are used to regulate shellfish harvests, and diamondback terrapins inhabit the brackish-water habitats where oyster beds are found; therefore, these findings have implications for the efficacy of current regulatory parameters in shellfishing waters.
Animals↗
Addition of a bone marrow "facilitating cell" population increases stem cell-derived cobblestone area formation in impaired long-term bone marrow culture stroma.
Treatment of mouse bone marrow (BM) with rabbit anti-mouse brain serum (RAMBS) plus complement (C') depletes several cell types, including T cells and facilitating cells (FCs), that is, cells that facilitate engraftment of sorted allogeneic stem cells (SCs) in vivo. In the present study, treatment of BM with RAMBS+C' resulted in the depletion of approximately half of the late cobblestone area (CA)-forming stem cells as assayed on irradiated long-term bone marrow culture (LTBMC) stroma. In addition, LTBMC of RAMBS+C'-treated BM produced functionally impaired stroma with reduced ability to support CA formation by nontreated exogenous SCs. This stromal impairment was not due to depletion of TCRalphabeta T cells in the BM, because BM cultures from TCR alpha-chain knockout mice supported normal numbers of exogenous CAs. Because CD8+/TCR- cells are enriched for FCs, we tested the effect of adding these cells back to the treated BM prior to culture. The sorted FCs alone did not produce CAs, but did improve the ability of the impaired stroma to support late CA formation by sorted SCs. These studies provide a new model for dissecting the roles of different cellular components of BM in producing functional stroma that supports CA formation by SCs, and show that the number of CAs formed depends on the "quality" of the stroma as well as the number of SCs seeded. These findings further suggest that CD8+/TCR- BM cells may be important for the establishment of functional stroma.
Animals↗
Purchase considerations for a radiology information system.
Since choosing a radiology information system can be a trying endeavor, this "nuts and bolts" article offers some practical advice. The authors first emphasize that a strong partnership between the institution and vendor must exist for successful implementation to happen. Ms. Rowe and Ms. Parrish then proceed to outline the commitment, tasks and training necessary to ensure that your organization undertakes this project with favorable results!
Computer User Training↗
Driving in Parkinson's disease.
Altered motor or mental skills in Parkinson's disease (PD) could adversely affect driving ability. We interviewed 150 patients regarding their driving habits and compared them with 100 controls. Thirty patients had stopped driving because of PD. PD patients had no more lifetime accidents than controls. With increased disability, however, there was a smaller percentage of patients still driving with fewer miles traveled and with proportionately more accidents occurring. Though disability scores did not correlate well with driving ability, there were significantly more accidents in subjects with more severe PD. The presence of cognitive impairment was associated with an increased accident rate. We conclude that driving in PD may be a public health problem and that some PD patients should not drive.
Accidents, Traffic↗
A cost analysis of film image management and four PACS based on different network protocols.
Picture Archive and Communication Systems (PACS), which allow the electronic acquisition, storage, transportation, and viewing of medical images, hold the eventual promise of reduced costs, improved image-management logistics, and ultimately, improved patient care. But at what point in the future will PACS really cost less than film-based image management for a given hospital size; and how are these costs affected by the choice of the digital communication network? To address these questions, a static differential cost model has been constructed. PAC systems based on two high-speed networks (less than 150 megabytes per second Mbps) and two low-speed networks, as well as film, were considered for five different sized hospitals (ranging from 15,000 to 125,000 procedures per year) and two time periods (1995 and 2000). PACS equipment was assumed to have a payoff of five years. The model considered all capital and supply costs and personnel costs for the PACS and for film storage and retrieval. It did not consider any possible cost savings from logistics improvement likely to result from the adoption of a PACS. Based on the assumptions outlined, high-speed-network PACS are less costly than those based on low-speed networks for all scenarios considered. Further, even though all possible PACS cost savings were not considered, high-speed network PACS appear to be less costly than film for hospitals larger than 60,000 procedures in 1995 and larger than 15,000 in 2000, while low-speed-network PACS should cost less than film for 60,000 and 30,000 procedure hospitals in 1995 and 2000 respectively.
Computer Communication Networks↗
Sexual dysfunction in Parkinson's disease.
Sexual functioning was investigated in 50 parkinsonian male and female patients using a questionnaire. A loss of sexual interest and functioning was reported in a high percentage of patients. Depression was not prevalent but 70% had some evidence of autonomic nervous system dysfunction that may be related to sexual dysfunction. It is concluded that the sexual function is frequently impaired in Parkinson's disease.
Aged↗
Enhanced ventricular ectopy following pindolol: an adverse effect of a beta blocker with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity.
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Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
The hemodynamic and clinical responses to terazosin, a new alpha blocking agent, in congestive heart failure.
To determine the hemodynamic effects of a new alpha 1 blocker, terazosin, in congestive heart failure, six patients with this condition underwent hemodynamic testing (at rest and during exercise) before and after dosing. Doses of 2, 5, and 10 mg were examined in sequence over 3 days to define dose-response characteristics. Terazosin, in these doses, decreased pulmonary and systemic vascular resistances and right atrial and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures. Terazosin increased stroke volume and cardiac output, presumably through afterload-reduction, without altering heart rate. These aforementioned responses were apparent both at rest and during exercise. While a direct relationship existed between dose and plasma concentration, a similar relationship was not observed for dose (or plasma concentration) and hemodynamic response; no differences were noted between the hemodynamic responses to the three doses. Improvement in hemodynamics persisted and the clinical status and exercise capacity improved in the four patients chronically treated (over 2 months) with terazosin. Treating the heightened tone of the sympathetic nervous system in congestive heart failure with the alpha 1 blocker, terazosin, may be of benefit to some patients afflicted with this disorder.
Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
Preliminary observations of chronic indoramin therapy in congestive heart failure.
Twenty-one patients with congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association functional class III) underwent a double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of indoramin (average dose of 50 mg every 12 h in 11 patients) versus placebo (n = 10). The study lasted 2 months and was initiated and terminated with the measurement of resting and exercise hemodynamics. Compared with baseline values, chronic administration of indoramin caused a mild reduction in resting mean systemic blood pressure (mean change of -10 mm Hg), and postdosing results included a drop in systemic and pulmonary vascular resistances and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and a mild increase in stroke volume. Compared with baseline responses, chronic indoramin administration (postdosing) elicited a mild reduction in systemic and pulmonary vascular resistances and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure during submaximal exercise. At this dose, chronic indoramin administration did not alter hemodynamics at maximal exercise or exercise duration to maximal exercise. While certain individual patients experienced clinical improvement on chronic indoramin therapy, the overall clinical status (symptoms, signs, diuretic requirements) of the indoramin-treated group did not change significantly when compared with that of the placebo control group.
Blood Pressure↗
Global left ventricular contractility in three models of hypertrophy evaluated with Emax.
Using the load independent contractility index, end-systolic pressure-volume ratio (Emax), contractility of the hypertrophied left ventricle (LV) from three different models was evaluated in conscious, resting dogs. The experimental animals included 12 dogs with perinephritic hypertension (HYP) (aortic diastolic pressure 130 +/- 5 mm Hg), 12 dogs who underwent aortic banding (AOB) at 6 to 8 weeks of age (resting aortic gradient 110 +/- 15 mm Hg), and 12 dogs with chronic fluid overload from aortocaval fistula (ACF). These were compared with 12 normal dogs (CTL). LV dimension and pressure were measured with ultrasonic tranducers and micromanometers. All three models resulted in hypertrophy with significant (P less than 0.01) increase in LV weight-to-body weight ratio (6.3 +/- 0.4, 8.4 +/- 0.5, 6.3 +/- 0.4, respectively, vs 4.4 +/- 0.1 g/kg). Cardiac output (6908 +/- 740 vs 2424 +/- 276 ml/min) and end-diastolic volume (118 +/- 11 vs 50 +/- 4 ml) were significantly (P less than 0.01) increased in AOB (18 +/- 1 vs 9 +/- 2 mm Hg). dp/dtmax was not significantly different among all groups. Emax (CTL = 5.3 +/- 0.4 mm Hg/ml) was not significantly changed in HYP (9.5 +/- 2.1) but was significantly (P less than 0.01) increased in AOB (14.1 +/- 2.6), and significantly (P less than 0.01) depressed in ACF (2.4 +/- .03). Thus, LV hypertrophy from systemic hypertension (HYP) or proximal aortic hypertension (AOB) is, at least initially, associated with preservation of contractility and normal hemodynamic performance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Animals↗
Evaluation of a direct potentiometric method for sodium and potassium used in the Du Pont aca.
We evaluated an accessory that enables the Du Pont aca discrete analyzer to measure Na+ and K+ by direct potentiometry (aca/ISE). Na+ and K+ gave linear responses in both the blood and urine modes, with no carryover. No interfering species were identified in the blood mode. Intra-assay and interassay precision for Na+ and K+ were more than adequate and analytical recoveries comparable to those with flame photometry were found for plasma. The Na+ and K+ values for plasma were comparable with those obtained by use of another direct potentiometric analyzer (the Orion SS-30), but slightly higher than flame-photometric values. Samples from patients with hyperlipemia and multiple myeloma gave clinically relevant values with the aca/ISE, but the flame photometric values were artefactually low. Whole blood could not be accurately analyzed. The aca/ISE is a precise, easy-to-use instrument, which gives values for plasma similar to those obtained with direct potentiometric analyzers. For analysis of urine, certain precautions are necessary.
Autoanalysis↗
Small bowel permeability in animals and man.
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Animals↗
Quantitative evaluation of sympathetic and parasympathetic control of iris function.
The use of quantitative measurements of pupil size as an index of autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity in normal and diabetic subjects is described. The dual innervation of the iris by the parasympathetic (PNS) and sympathetic (SNS) nervous system was demonstrated by measurement of steady-state pupil size before and after changes in ANS activity by pharmacologic agents. In the presence of total PNS blockade, dark-adapted pupil size was a reliable index of SNS activity to the iris. Latency time (time from light stimulation to initial pupil response) appeared to be a good index of PNS activity. However, increased SNS activity may also prolong the latency time. Thus, consideration of SNS activity is necessary when evaluating the latency time. In 25 diabetic subjects, there was evidence of impaired SNS activity (smaller dark-adapted pupil size during total PNS blockade) and PNS activity (prolonged latency time). In a subgroup of diabetic subjects without clinical manifestations of autonomic neuropathy and normal subjects, both dark-adapted pupil size during PNS blockade (SNS index) and latency time (PNS index) were abnormal. The coefficient of variation for these two indices was less than 5% in glycemic stable diabetic subjects. Thus, these two indices are reliable and sensitive measures of the SNS and PNS activity to the iris in normal and diabetic subjects.
Adult↗
Macroamylasemia: a simple stepwise approach to diagnosis.
Typically, macroamylasemia is a condition of elevated serum amylase in the absence of symptomatic disease. However, in the presence of symptoms, especially of abdominal origin, it is important that this condition be identified accurately in order to avoid unnecessary treatment for pancreatitis or other related diseases. This report offers a review of the literature, a case example, and an algorithm for systematically considering the diagnosis of macroamylasemia.
Amylases↗