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Biomedical subjects

E J Martin

Publications and source records attributed to E J Martin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The role of balance dynamics in the active perception of orientation.

The Stoffregen and Riccio (1988) hypothesis that perceived orientation is determined primarily by balance dynamics was tested. Perception of orientation was evaluated in the context of a task that required Ss to control the roll orientation of a device in which they were seated. The device's direction of balance was manipulated across trials and thus was independent of gravity. Eighteen Ss participated in the investigation. After each trial, Ss estimated their mean tilt with respect to upright. Correlations of perceived tilt with tilt from balance were consistently higher than the correlations with gravity tilt. The dominance of balance over gravity depended on the magnitude of tilt from balance.

Adult

Composite tumor of the larynx.

Composite tumor of the larynx has been described as a mixed squamous cell and oat cell carcinoma originating in the larynx. Only eight cases of composite tumor of the larynx have been described in the world medical literature. We present the ninth case ever reported. Therapy for this very aggressive malignancy is with a combined approach--surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. A common etiology for both squamous cell and oat cell carcinoma has been proposed. Recommendations for diagnostic evaluation as well as therapeutic intervention will be discussed.

Aged

Rauwolfia use and breast cancer: a case-control study.

Breast cancer risk among 1,362 cases and 1,250 controls participating in a large multicenter screening program was examined in relation to hypertension and the use of rauwolfia derivatives. A previous diagnosis of hypertension, reported by 22% of the cases and 23% of the controls, was not associated with an increased risk of breast cancer [odds ratio (OR) = 0.9]; nor was there any excess risk for long-term hypertensives. In addition, there was no significant increase in risk associated with use of either rauwolfia derivatives (OR = 1.2), thiazide preparations (OR = 1.2), or methyldopa (OR = 1.1). However, there were significant excess risks among long-term users and those with extended intervals since first use of rauwolfia. Rauwolfia users of 10 or more years' duration or those whose initial use occurred greater than or equal to 10 years before diagnosis had risk ratios of 4.5 (95% Cl, 1.2-19.8) and 3.8 (95% Cl, 2.3-11.6), respectively. These results suggest that women exposed to long-term rauwolfia use have an elevated risk of developing breast cancer, although the results fail to support previous observations of a generalized adverse effect.

Aged

Toxicity of human hemoglobin solution infused into rabbits.

Aqueous human hemoglobin is being considered as an oxygen-transporting resuscitation solution. However, there are some indications that such solutions may be toxic. We report here that at a clinically significant dose (20% to 30% of the estimated blood volume) of hemoglobin solution (10 gm/dl), toxicity similar to that reported in humans is produced in rabbits. This toxicity is characterized by cardiac rhythm disturbances (25%) and coagulation abnormalities, manifested as intravascular thrombi. Hypoxia, tissue necrosis (brain 29%, liver 25%), and death (22%) were seen. Hypoxia appears to be the cause of death, because the arterial PO2 of rabbits that died was significantly lower (43 +/- 8 mm Hg) than that of rabbits that lived (80 +/- 12 mm Hg). We also report the effect of the method of preparation or degree of purity on the observed toxicity. Stroma-free red blood cell hemolysate, stroma-free hemoglobin, zinc-precipitated hemoglobin, and chromatographically purified hemoglobin were infused. Purification of these solutions ranged from removal of stroma to removal of all detectable nonhemoglobin protein components. In addition, the nonhemoglobin proteins were concentrated and infused into rabbits to compare their effects. All of these hemoglobin solutions induced similar toxicity for rabbits infused with stroma-free hemoglobin. The nonhemoglobin proteins, as well as human serum albumin, exhibited no toxicity. These results demonstrate that, at the clinically relevant dose, hemoglobin or something inherently associated with hemoglobin is toxic.

Animals

Comments on Frey's "Data analysis reveals significant microwave-induced eye damage in humans".

Frey's critique and analysis of the Appleton-McCrossan and Appleton et al studies were examined. Frey is criticized for: ignoring pooling problems in his chi-square test; not analyzing the opacity data in Appleton et al; not analyzing the data on vacuoles and posterior subcapsular iridescence in Appleton and McCrossan and Appleton et al; and failing to do log-linear analysis which is appropriate for the design in the two studies. Application of log-linear tests to the opacity data in both studies leads to the conclusion that subject age was significantly associated with the occurrence of opacities, but, contrary to Frey's conclusion, microwave radiation was not.

Aging

Gestational outcome of clomiphene-related conceptions.

The experience of the gynecologic endocrinology and infertility clinic at The Johns Hopkins Hospital has been subjected to a nonconcurrent prospective analysis in an attempt to evaluate the gestational fate of clomiphene-related conceptions (study series, n = 86). This latter series was contrasted with a series of pregnancies following bilateral ovarian wedge resection (BOWR) (n = 51) in a comparative analysis of gestational outcome event rates. Post-therapy follow-up was available for varying time spans of up to 15 years. A 12.8% twinning rate constituted the single most important complication of clomiphene therapy, resulting in measurable increments in perinatal morbidity and mortality rates. The observation of a 26.5% spontaneous abortion rate would seem to suggest that clomiphene-related conceptions are at little or more risk for spontaneous abortion than would have been expected from the infertile population under discussion. A 3.1% incidence of post-clomiphene birth defects was not increased as compared with commonly quoted rates for the population at large. The corresponding incidence rates of twinning, spontaneous abortion, and birth defects for the BOWR series were 0%, 21.6%, and 0%, respectively.

Abortion, Incomplete

Factors influencing the success of salpingostomy techniques for distal fimbrial obstruction.

The present study reviews the pregnancy outcome of 99 patients treated with salpingostomy techniques for distal fimbrial obstruction. Eighty-seven patients were treated with terminal salpingostomy, 10 with medioampullary salpingostomy, and 2 with isthmic salpingostomy. The pregnancy rates were 28%, 20%, and 0%, respectively. Within the terminal salpingostomy group, 5 of 18 patients treated with a prosthesis conceived, for a pregnancy rate of 28%. Nineteen of the 69 patients treated with an eversion technique conceived, for a pregnancy rate of 28%. No advantage with the use of a terminal prosthesis could be demonstrated. Tubal disease treated with techniques of salpingostomy was categorized according to a classification incorporating the several prognostic factors thought to influence subsequent conception. The pregnancy rate was found to be in direct relationship to the extent of tubal disease and pelvic adhesion formation. The tubal patency rate decreased in direct relationship to the extent of disease. The use of postoperative hydrotubation did not appear to improve the conception rate after salpingostomy for distal fimbrial obstruction.

Actuarial Analysis