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Biomedical subjects

D R Smith

Publications and source records attributed to D R Smith.

404 records · Page 23Linked to original sources
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Bacterial meningitis in infants: sonographic features.

Twenty-three infants with clinically proven bacterial meningitis were studied with real-time cranial sonography at the time of initial diagnosis and in several cases subsequently. A spectrum of sonographic abnormalities was observed, including bright convolutional markings, focal or diffuse increased and/or decreased parenchymal echoes, ventricular debris, and hydrocephalus. In three infants with virulent Gram-negative meningitis serial sonographic studies showed the development of encephalomalacia. Because clinical neurologic assessment of the infant is limited, a diagnostic imaging method that is sensitive to early structural change and suitable for serial observations is advantageous. Transfontanelle real-time sonographic examination of the brain was found to be a reliable, informative, and relatively inexpensive method of documenting and monitoring complicated bacterial meningitis.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Chick "crooked-toe" syndrome induced by polar lipid in synovial fluids from some rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Injection into fertile chicken eggs of synovial fluids from some rheumatoid arthritis patients resulted in either embryo death or the development of the "crooked-toe" (CT) syndrome, or both, in newly hatched chicks. Synovial fluids from most RA patients (and fluids from a few non-RA individuals), however, were harmless. Dialyzing, partitioning, and gel filtration experiments indicated that the CT syndrome-inducing factor consists of 1 or more heat stable, dialyzable, polar lipids with molecular weights of about 3 to 4 x 10(3). Thin-layer chromatography revealed quantitative and qualitative differences between partially purified lipid preparations from "active" and "inactive" synovial fluids.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Implications of lead binding proteins for risk assessment of lead exposure.

Lead-binding proteins have previously been isolated from rat and human target tissues. These molecules have shown to possess molecular masses in the general range of 10,000-30,000 daltons. The proteins are acidic in nature and rich in aspartic and glutamic amino acid residues. The molecules in rodents appear to play several important roles in mediating the low dose toxicity of lead in the kidney and brain. Preliminary studies presented in this report indicate that monkeys also possess similar proteins in the kidney and brain, thus providing a biochemical "bridge" in a non-human primate between rodent models and humans. Further, the excretion of these molecules into the urine of rodents increases with lead exposure, suggesting that may also prove useful as biomarkers of lead exposure in humans and monkeys once the dose-range and mechanism(s) of this phenomenon are further defined. Such studies should provide valuable risk assessment information for determining why individuals vary in their susceptibility to lead toxicity.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An unusual presentation of post-traumatic pseudocyst of the spleen: case report.

Splenic pseudocysts are rare complications of abdominal trauma. Through rare, these lesions have been well-documented in the literature. According to current classification schemes, approximately 30% of all splenic cysts or pseudocysts result from direct abdominal trauma. The case report herein is an example of a splenic pseudocyst with an atypical presentation. The patient was evaluated and treated for progressive hypertension initially. Inability to control hypertension, and the appearance of symptoms suggesting intra-abdominal pathology prompted radiographic evaluation and surgical consultation. Prompt resolution of the hypertension followed operative resection of the splenic pseudocyst.

Abdominal Injuries↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunization rates among young children in the public and private health care sectors.

INTRODUCTION: To meet the national goal of 90% immunization levels in 2 year olds, both the public and private sectors must achieve optimal standards for immunization delivery. This study investigated differences in characteristics of children receiving immunizations from public and private providers and assessed parental attitudes about prevention, perception of barriers, and attitudes about vaccines. METHODS: Data are from a 1994 statewide household survey of 3,813 parents of children between the ages of 3 and 24 months. Information on the percentage of children up-to-date for recommended diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, pertussis, oral polio, measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines was based on parent-held immunization records (72%) and parental recall. RESULTS: The percentage of children up-to-date for their immunizations was higher for those attending public clinics (59.8%) than those at private offices (53.8%). Users of the public system were more likely to be Hispanic, not to have graduated from high school, to be < or = 100% of poverty, never married, and unemployed. These parents also were significantly more likely to wonder about the safety and efficacy of vaccines and to have their child's immunization record. Multiple logistic regression showed that possession of an immunization record accounted for differences in immunization levels. CONCLUSIONS: Public clinics can achieve immunization levels in their pediatric clients comparable to those for children in the private health sector. Levels in both public and private sectors are well below 90% and need to be improved.

Attitude to Health↗