Biomedical subjects
D Watson
Publications and source records attributed to D Watson.
Postnatal growth in infants born between 700 and 1,500 g.
Our purpose was to examine postnatal growth in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (n = 54). A high frequency of intrauterine growth retardation was noted that was corrected by plotting birth weight against crown-heel length and not gestational age. No differences in postnatal growth were noted between infants whose size was appropriate for gestational age (n = 37) and those small for gestational age (n = 17). Overall, growth tended to exceed that previously published. Weight but not length or head gain was less in the smaller (< or = 1,000 g) when compared to the larger (> 1,000 g) VLBW infant. Poorer weight gain could not be related to more "illness" or less nutrient intake in the smaller infants.
Search for an eta bound state in pion double charge exchange on 18O.
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Testing of Streptococcus pneumoniae for resistance to penicillin.
The increasing prevalence of penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae requires antibiotic susceptibility tests that can be done with greater ease and reliability. We measured the MIC of penicillin for pneumococci by the tube macrodilution method with Mueller-Hinton broth (MHB), Haemophilus Test Medium (HTM), Todd-Hewitt broth with 0.5% yeast extract (THY), and MHB with 3% lysed horse blood (LHB). Eight (19%) and 6 (14%) of 42 pneumococcal isolates failed to generate turbid growth in MHB and HTM, respectively, whereas all pneumococcal isolates did so in THY and LHB. For those strains that replicated to turbidity, the mean MICs of penicillin were lower in MHB and HTM than in THY and LHB, with differences being significant (P < 0.05) for comparisons with LHB. Four isolates appeared to be penicillin susceptible in HTM but were actually moderately resistant in THY and LHB, and two isolates appeared to be moderately resistant but were resistant. A similar failure to detect resistance was seen with MHB. S. pneumoniae ATCC 49619, a moderately penicillin-resistant strain that has been proposed for quality control testing, gave variable results in MHB or THM and appeared to be susceptible to penicillin in some assays, whereas the MICs for S. pneumoniae ATCC 49619 in THY or LHB fell within a twofold dilution range, with geometric means of 0.16 and 0.18 micrograms/ml, respectively. Pneumococcal isolates thus may appear falsely susceptible to penicillin when tested in MHB or HTM. LHB remains the standard medium; however, because THY is an easily prepared clear medium that can be used in automated systems and appears to yield results similar to those obtained with LHB, THY deserves consideration for routine use.
Inverting papilloma of the head and neck: the UCLA update.
Inverting papilloma of the nose and paranasal sinuses is a benign disease with malignant potential. This disease is characterized by multiple recurrences, especially after minimal operative therapy. Controversy exists over the most appropriate treatment for this rare tumor. This review presents an update of the UCLA experience with inverting papilloma over the past four decades along with a review of the literature. A retrospective study of 61 patients seen at the UCLA Medical Center was conducted. The mean age at presentation was 63 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 2:1. The most common symptom at presentation was nasal obstruction (71%), followed by epistaxis (27%). Seventeen percent of the patients in this series either had concurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the nose or paranasal sinuses, or it developed. Patients treated with a lateral rhinotomy and medial maxillectomy had a recurrence rate of 30 percent. Those treated with a less aggressive operation had a recurrence rate of 71 percent. Despite a trend for a more conservative sinus operation in recent literature, we continue to advocate a lateral rhinotomy and medial maxillectomy as the treatment of choice for inverting papilloma of the head and neck.
Concealed illegal drugs: an actual cause of airway obstruction.
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Response of critically ill patients to treatment aimed at achieving supranormal oxygen delivery and consumption. Relationship to outcome.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the response to therapy aimed at achieving supranormal cardiac and oxygen transport variables (cardiac index [CI] > 4.5 L/min/m2, oxygen delivery [DO2] > 600 ml/min/m2, and oxygen consumption [VO2] > 170 ml/min/m2) in a heterogenous group of critically ill patients and to assess its relationship to outcome. DESIGN: Patients were divided retrospectively into two groups. Group 1 (n = 15) achieved supranormal values for CI, DO2 and VO2 simultaneously during the first 24 h. Group 2 (n = 17) failed to achieve these goals simultaneously at any time point. SETTING: General intensive care units in a teaching and a district general hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty-two patients at risk of developing multiple organ failure were studied prospectively. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received volume expansion and then, if necessary, dobutamine (5 to 200 micrograms/kg/min) to increase CI and DO2 until all three goals were achieved simultaneously. RESULTS: In group 2, target VO2 could never be reached despite the fact that 11 (65 percent) patients achieved target CI and DO2 simultaneously. In this group, lactate levels did not fall and 16 patients died. In contrast, in group 1, attainment of all goals was associated with a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in blood lactate levels, and all but one of these patients survived. The persistently raised lactate levels in group 2 were associated with significantly higher venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) and lower oxygen extraction ratio (OER); in these patients, SvO2 rose and OER fell in response to increases in DO2. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that failure to increase VO2 was related predominantly to an inability of the tissues to extract or utilize oxygen rather than a failure to increase DO2. These findings support the hypothesis that in order to survive a critical illness, patients must achieve a high level of VO2. An inability to do so is reflected in persistently elevated blood lactate levels and an extremely poor prognosis.
A review of the results of laparoscopic versus open appendectomy.
Proponents of laparoscopic appendectomy emphasize the advantages of laparoscopic operation--decreased hospitalization, paralytic ileus, postoperative pain and wound complications, including infection. This study compared open laparoscopic appendectomy with laparoscopic appendectomy. To compare the two techniques, patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy at four hospitals were compared with patients undergoing open appendectomy during a six month period. Excluded were incidental appendectomies and patients with perforated appendicitis. An equal number of pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic and open procedures were included in the analysis to avoid bias, because most of the laparoscopic appendectomies were performed in the adult patient population (age of more than 16 years). A University Medical Center, a Veterans Administration and two community hospitals were the settings. Patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy (n = 54) had an average age of 25.7 +/- 1.5 (range of six to 59 years). These patients were compared with 121 patients undergoing open appendectomy whose average age was 23.7 +/- 1.8 (range of three to 83 years). The race and gender distribution were similar in the two groups. Traditional open appendectomy was compared with a group of patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy. Variables evaluated were operating room time, number of patients who reported nausea, days until patient tolerated a regular diet, days of hospitalization, postoperative pain medication and wound infection rate. Results are expressed as the mean plus or minus standard error of the mean. Analysis of variance was used to compute continuous variables and Fischer's exact test was used for discrete variables. The laparoscopic approach was attempted in 61 patients and completed in 54 patients. Open appendectomy was performed upon 121 patients. Nineteen patients (18 who underwent open operation and one patient who underwent laparoscopic operation) were excluded from further analysis because of perforated appendicitis. The open procedure took less time (p < 0.05). However, there were more wound infections than in the laparoscopic group (seven of 103 versus zero of 53; p = 0.09). Patients with acute appendicitis recuperated more quickly from the laparoscopic procedure, as evidenced by the time until eating regular diet, period of hospitalization, incidence of nausea and pain medications on postoperative day one (p < 0.05). The absence of wound infections after laparoscopic appendectomy can be attributed to the practice of placing the appendix in a sterile bag or into the trocar sleeve before removal from the abdomen. Laparoscopic appendectomy reduces the period of hospitalization, postoperative ileus, nausea and postoperative pain in patients with acute appendicitis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
ESRD--finite or infinite treatment options.
There are several treatment options for end stage renal disease (ESRD)--renal transplantation, peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis or no treatment. The treatment of choice will vary from individual to individual and some of the treatments may not be suitable for, or available to each individual. This is a case presentation of Maria, who, over 18 years has had all of the treatment options available for ESRD. Maria moved from treatment with peritoneal dialysis to transplant, and then following her second transplant failure, she commenced hemodialysis. While on hemodialysis she exhausted all of the vascular access options available, requiring an innovative permanent inferior vena cava catheter. Finally, she decided to withdraw from treatment. The nursing role throughout the treatment course is highlighted, with a focus on the nursing interventions during the last two years, at which time Maria exercised her right to withdraw from treatment.
Plasmapheresis in chronic demyelinating polyneuropathy.
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The effect of budesonide and triamcinolone acetonide on hepatic microsomal testosterone metabolism in the rat.
The hepatic microsomal metabolism of testosterone was studied in male rats after treatment with either budesonide or triamcinolone acetonide for 13 weeks. The in vitro metabolism was determined using a testosterone concentration of 35 nM which is comparable to the levels found in plasma. It was shown that the total microsomal testosterone metabolism was decreased in budesonide-treated rats and increased in rats treated with triamcinolone acetonide. The testosterone metabolites produced were measured and thus it was revealed that budesonide treatment brought about its effect through a 50% decrease in the activity of steroid 5 alpha-reductase, but did not affect other reductive enzymes, or the oxidation of testosterone. Triamcinolone acetonide treatment decreased steroid 5 alpha-reductase activity by 95% and also decreased the activities of steroid 3 alpha- and 3 beta-reductases by more than 90%. In addition, treatment with triamcinolone acetonide caused a 50% increase in the oxidative metabolism of testosterone, which resulted in the observed increase in total testosterone metabolism. The presence of 0.1 microM budesonide in the microsomal incubations was without effect on testosterone metabolism. However, 0.1 microM triamcinolone acetonide inhibited testosterone oxidation by 65%, without affecting the reductive pathway of testosterone metabolism.
Effects of type of dietary protein on acid-base status, protein nutritional status, plasma levels of amino acids, and nutrient balance in the very low birth weight infant.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of the type of dietary protein (3.3 gm/kg per day) on acid-base status, protein nutritional status, plasma amino acid concentrations, and nutrient (nitrogen, fat, mineral, trace element) balance. SUBJECTS: Preterm infants (birth weight less than or equal to 1250 gm, gestational age less than or equal to 32 weeks) with no evidence of systemic disease, who had achieved a minimal enteral intake of 110 kcal/kg per day by 21 days of age. INTERVENTIONS: Each infant was fed three study formulas that differed only with respect to the ratio of whey to casein (60:40, 35:65, 18:82). Each formula was given for 1 week. At the end each week, blood was drawn and a 48-hour balance was determined. MAIN RESULTS: Late metabolic acidosis, uremia, and hyperammonemia were not observed. No differences in pH or serum bicarbonate were noted. Base excess was greater with the casein-predominant formula (18:82 greater than 35:65, 60:40) but remained within normal limits for the preterm infant. Plasma concentrations of threonine (60:40 greater than 35:65 greater than 18:82), phenylalanine, and tyrosine (18:82 greater than 35:65 greater than 60:40) differed. Nitrogen absorption (60:40 less than 35:65, 18:82), nitrogen retention (60:40 less than 35:65, 18:82), fat absorption (60:40, 35:65 greater than 18:82), and phosphorus absorption (60:40 less than 35:65, 18:82) also differed. CONCLUSIONS: At an intake of 3.3 gm/kg per day, the type of dietary protein had little effect on metabolic status. Differences in plasma amino acid concentrations and nutrient balance suggest that a formula containing protein with a whey/casein ratio of 35:65 may be preferable to that with a whey/casein ratio of 60:40 or 18:82 for the very low birth weight infant.
Affect, personality, and social activity.
These studies examined relations between social activity and state and trait measures of Positive and Negative Affect. In Study 1 Ss completed scales relevant to 3-factor models of personality and a weekly mood and social activity questionnaire for 13 weeks. In Study 2 Ss completed measures of the 5-factor model of personality and a daily mood and social activity survey for 6-7 weeks. In within- and between-Ss analyses, socializing correlated significantly with state measures of Positive Affect and with trait measures of Extraversion/Positive Emotionality. These relations were relatively general across various types of positive affect and social events; however, specific types of social events also were differentially related to affect. In contrast, social activity had no consistent association with measures of Negative Affect or the other personality dimensions. The results support a temperamental view of Extraversion.
Prior chemotherapy does not prevent effective mobilisation by G-CSF of peripheral blood progenitor cells.
In this study we demonstrate that the hemopoietic growth factor, G-CSF successfully mobilised progenitor cell populations into the peripheral blood in a population of patients despite intensive pretreatment with chemotherapy. Administration of G-CSF increased the numbers of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) by a median of 76-fold above basal levels. Maximal levels of PBPC were observed on days 5 and 6 after G-CSF treatment. In two patients a second cycle of G-CSF mobilised PBPC to levels comparable with those seen after the first cycle of G-CSF treatment. An earlier hemopoietic cell population (pre-CFC's) was also mobilised with levels increased up to 50-fold above basal levels. Using a standard mononuclear cell leukapheresis technique the PBPC were collected extremely efficiently (essentially 100%) and could be further successfully enriched by separation using a Ficoll gradient. For patients who underwent the optimal collection protocol (i.e. leukapheresis on days 5, 6 and 7) a total of 32 +/- 6 x 10(4) GM-CFC kg-1 were collected. The ability to mobilise PBPC using G-CSF alone and to successfully and efficiently harvest these cells has important implications for the future of transplantation and high dose chemotherapy procedures.
Antibody to capsular polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae after vaccination of human immunodeficiency virus-infected subjects with 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends that, because of a greatly increased susceptibility to pneumococcal infection, all persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) receive pneumococcal vaccine. Using an ELISA specific for antibody to capsular polysaccharide, a postvaccination antibody was evaluated to five commonly infecting serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Thirty-nine HIV-infected persons with less than or equal to 500 CD4 cells exhibited significantly fewer responses than did healthy controls; overall, only 46 (24%) of 195 possible responses were positive compared with 45 (75%) of 60 in 12 HIV-infected subjects with greater than 500 CD4 cells and 92 (74%) of 125 in 25 healthy controls (P less than .001). Subjects with less than or equal to 500 CD4 cells responded to a mean of 1.1 antigens versus a mean of 3.8 and 3.7 in those with greater than 500 CD4 cells and controls, respectively (P less than .001). There were no differences between responses in those with less than 200 and those with 200-500 CD4 cells. Within groups stratified by CD4 cell counts, further stratification by clinical status did not reveal significant differences. Since asymptomatic HIV-infected persons with less than 500 CD4 cells show abnormal responses, pneumococcal vaccine should be given when HIV infection is first detected.
Oxyhaemoglobin saturation following elective abdominal surgery in patients receiving continuous intravenous infusion or intramuscular morphine analgesia.
Oxygen saturation was continuously measured using computerised pulse oximetry for 8 h overnight pre-operatively and for the first 24 h postoperatively in 40 patients receiving intermittent intramuscular morphine or continuous infusion of morphine following elective upper abdominal surgery. The proportion of time with an oxygen saturation less than 94% was used as an index of desaturation. Patients receiving continuous infusion analgesia received a larger morphine dose and achieved better analgesia than the intramuscular group. Postoperatively, the duration of desaturation increased 10-fold over pre-operative values, 'intramuscular' patients spending 39.0% (SD, 37.0%) and 'continuous infusion' patients 40.0% (SD, 37.5%) of the time below 94% saturation. Although newer therapies (e.g. epidural analgesia and patient-controlled analgesia) are currently receiving greater attention, the sequelae of these more traditional analgesic techniques warrant further study.
The potential hazards of using iodine as an antiseptic solution.
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On traits and temperament: general and specific factors of emotional experience and their relation to the five-factor model.
In this article we investigate relations between general and specific measures of self-rated affect and markers of Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. Replicating previous research, we found strong and pervasive associations between Neuroticism, its facets, and the various negative affects; and between Extraversion, its facets, and the positive affects. Conscientiousness also had a significant, independent relation with general positive affect, but this effect was entirely due to the specific affect of attentiveness, which was more strongly related to Conscientiousness than Extraversion. Conversely, only the achievement facet of Conscientiousness correlated broadly with the positive affects. Finally, hostility had a strong independent association with (low) Agreeableness. The results for Neuroticism and Extraversion further clarify the temperamental basis of these higher order trait dimensions; whereas those obtained for Agreeableness and Conscientiousness illustrate the importance of examining personality-affect relations at the lower order level.