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Biomedical subjects

E Taylor

Publications and source records attributed to E Taylor.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources
PubMed1968

Leaf temperatures of desert plants.

Temperatures of small leaves of many desert plants are within 3 degrees C of air temperature in contrast to the temperature of Opuntia in the same locale; this plant has a temperature 10 degrees to 16 degrees C above air temperature. Theoretical4 justification for the observation is given based on an energy budget analysis.

Computers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Absorption of di- and tripeptides by the intestine of the guinea-pig.

This paper describes a method of quantifying the amount of smaller peptides in physiological fluids and reports the preliminary results of studying the mesenteric blood of adult guinea-pigs during absorption of a partial hydrolysate of casein. Because of the different roles suggested for plasma and erythrocytes in the inter-organ transport of amino acids, both plasma and whole blood have been studied. Whole blood and plasma samples were deproteinized with sulphosalicylic acid, and amino acids and small peptides separated from residual small amounts of protein on a Sephadex G-25 column. Ion exchange chromatography was then performed before and after acid hydrolysis. The concentration of small peptides in blood seems to be much lower than was previously believed. The adult guinea-pig did not absorb small peptides across the intestine into mesenteric whole blood or plasma in our experiments. However, casein hydrolysates are not necessarily representative of all protein hydrolysates, and further studies are required using different proteins and varying degrees of hydrolysis. The possibility of peptide transfer during development, and in conditions involving mucosal damage, should also be investigated. The present investigation confirms the assumption that predominantly plasma, and not red blood corpuscles, carries amino acids from the gut to the liver. It is worth noting, however, that taurine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, citrulline and arginine were found in higher concentrations in whole mesenteric blood than in plasma.

Amino Acids↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Midazolam in combination with propofol for sedation during local anesthesia.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the sedative, anxiolytic, and amnestic effects, as well as the recovery characteristics, when midazolam (vs. a placebo) is administered to patients receiving a propofol infusion for sedation during local anesthesia. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the perioperative effects of intravenous (IV) midazolam. SETTING: Outpatient surgery center of a university-affiliated medical center. PATIENTS: One hundred thirty-nine consenting, ASA physical status I, II, and III outpatients undergoing elective surgical procedures under local anesthesia. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to receive either midazolam 2 mg IV or saline 2 ml IV prior to injection of local anesthesia. Intraoperative sedation was maintained using a variable-rate propofol infusion. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Preoperative assessment of sedation, anxiety, and amnesia was performed before and after IV midazolam. Intraoperative evaluations included level of sedation, as well as cardiovascular and respiratory measurements, at 1- to 5-minute intervals during the operation. Postoperatively, recovery of psychomotor function and patients' subjective feelings were assessed using the visual analog scale and questionnaires. Amnesia was assessed using picture recall during the perioperative period. In the operating room, midazolam 2 mg IV, compared with the placebo, produced a significantly greater increase in patients' level of sedation (7 +/- 13 mm to 49 +/- 21 mm for midazolam vs. 8 +/- 11 mm to 19 +/- 21 mm for the placebo; p less than 0.01) and a greater decrease in anxiety level (62 +/- 25 mm to 21 +/- 21 mm for midazolam vs. 54 +/- 27 mm to 53 +/- 22 mm for the placebo; p less than 0.01). Although the propofol dosage requirements to maintain comparable levels of sedation were similar in both groups, midazolam decreased patients' recall of intraoperative events (e.g., propofol-induced pain on injection and discomfort with local anesthetic injection) without significantly altering cardiorespiratory parameters or prolonging times to ambulation and discharge from the outpatient facility. CONCLUSIONS: Premedication with midazolam 2 mg IV produced increased sedation, amnesia, and anxiolysis when administered immediately prior to the propofol infusion as part of a sedation technique for outpatient surgery. This combination did not prolong the recovery room stay when compared with propofol alone.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Patient-controlled drug administration during local anesthesia: a comparison of midazolam, propofol, and alfentanil.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the perioperative effects of alfentanil, midazolam, and propofol when administered using a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device during local anesthesia. DESIGN: Randomized, single-blind comparative study. SETTING: Outpatient surgery center at a university teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Ninety outpatients undergoing minor elective surgical procedures with local anesthetic infiltration were assigned to one of three treatment groups. INTERVENTIONS: After premedication with midazolam 1 mg intravenously (IV) and fentanyl 50 micrograms IV, patients were allowed to self-administer 2 ml bolus doses of either alfentanil 250 micrograms/ml, midazolam 0.4 mg/ml, or propofol 10 mg/ml at minimal intervals of 3 minutes to supplement a basal infusion rate of 5 ml/hr. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The total intraoperative dosages of alfentanil, midazolam, and propofol were 2.7 +/- 1.1 mg, 4.7 +/- 2.7 mg, and 114 +/- 42 mg, respectively, for procedures lasting 48 +/- 28 minutes to 51 +/- 19 minutes (means +/- SD). Propofol produced more pain on injection (39% vs. 4% and 6% in the alfentanil and midazolam groups, respectively). Episodes of arterial oxygen saturation less than 90% were more frequent with alfentanil (28%) than with midazolam (3%) or propofol (13%). Using the visual analog scale, patients reported comparable levels of discomfort, anxiety, and sedation during the operation in all three treatment groups. Postoperative picture recall was significantly decreased with midazolam versus alfentanil and propofol. Finally, postoperative nausea was reported more frequently in the alfentanil group (29%) than in the midazolam (10%) or propofol (18%) groups, contributing to a significant prolongation of the discharge time in the alfentanil-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: When self-administered as adjuvants during local anesthesia using a PCA delivery system, alfentanil, midazolam, and propofol were equally acceptable to patients. However, propofol and midazolam were associated with fewer perioperative complications than was alfentanil.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Renal reabsorption and secretion of delta-aminolevulinic acid in the rat.

Renal mechanisms for handling delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) were investigated in control and lead-exposed rats infused with ALA at a range of rates which produced plasma ALA as high as 2380 ng/mL. The presence of both reabsorption and secretion mechanisms was demonstrated. Reabsorption is the more efficient of the two mechanisms at low plasma ALA concentrations, and masks secretion in this range. Net secretion is observed at very high plasma ALA concentrations. Exposure to up to 2000 micrograms lead/mL of drinking water for 12 to 18 months had no measurable effect on net ALA excretion at a given plasma ALA level.

Absorption↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sexual and physical abuse: do they compromise drug treatment outcomes?

Histories of sexual and physical abuse are frequently reported by individuals participating in substance abuse treatment, these experiences may be associated with psychopathology and poor drug treatment outcomes. This paper presents the findings from a longitudinal study of 330 subjects participating in 26 outpatient treatment programs. Sexual abuse among women was associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and PTSD, while physical abuse was associated with fewer psychological disturbances. For men, sexual abuse was associated only with anxiety. Physical abuse was associated with depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and PTSD. However, no significant association was found between sexual and physical abuse, and lower levels of treatment participation or drug use at follow-up. These findings indicate that there is a complex connection between abuse, psychopathology, treatment participation, and relapse. Clinical and research implications of these findings are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Neuroimaging in hyperkinetic children and adults: an overview.

The application of brain imaging techniques to children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders is reviewed, stressing methodological aspects. Findings are still provisional, but suggest minor structural changes in frontal and candate areas, especially on the right side. Functional studies suggest reduced activation in these and other areas. The techniques do not yet contribute to individual diagnosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Self-report of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder in adolescents.

The validity of self-report measurement varies widely according to the type of behaviour investigated. For behaviour of overactivity and inattention, adolescents seem to underestimate their problems. Well validated instruments for self-report of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are lacking yet, and research on ADHD beyond childhood relies quite heavily on self-report. In this study, an attempt is made to validate an adolescent interview scale for DSM-based ADHD symptoms. Results show that the measure has a high inter-rater reliability and is a good predictor of general outcome. However, adolescents do not validly report on symptoms specifically of ADHD. Possible implications for research and clinical practice are formulated.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Inattentive behavior in childhood: epidemiology and implications for development.

Poor concentration is a relatively common childhood problem. The current North American psychiatric diagnostic classification system (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition; DSM-IV), American Psychological Association, 1994) differentiates children whose problems are distinguished primarily by symptoms of inattention (ADHD-I) from those whose difficulties are characterized by overactive, impulsive behavior by providing various subtypes within a broad diagnostic category. Yet, comparatively little is known about children who exhibit purely inattentive behavior. This study aims to redress this issue by using a large, community-based, epidemiological sample of 7-year-old children to compare the developmental functioning, social, and environmental backgrounds of children with pure inattentive behavior to that of children with pure overactive behavior and combined problems of inattentive and overactive behavior. Five hypotheses, centered on the validity of distinguishing inattentive behavior from overactivity, are tested. Children with pure inattentive behavior were more likely to have general cognitive delays, particularly in the area of language development, and were more likely to come from a family in which the father was of low occupational status. The results are discussed in relation to the implications for research and the identification of needs and intervention with children who exhibit pure inattentive behavior.

Attention↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A model of the nature of family-therapist relationships: implications for education.

OBJECTIVES: The family play an important role in rehabilitation of persons with chronic disabilities and in supporting their reintegration into the community. To be prepared for family-centered intervention, educators need to frame the content that occupational therapy students must master. The purpose of this study was to develop a hierarchy of occupational therapists' attitudes about the family's involvement in services for a family member with special needs. METHOD: Participants were 302 occupational therapists who reported some contact with families of clients. Through an open-ended question, participants were asked to indicate the most important outcome of their interactions with their clients' families. RESULTS: Analysis of participant responses led to the development of a seven-level hierarchy of family-therapist interactions. The levels are based on the participants' views of the outcome of family involvement as suggested by their attitudes about a family's role and abilities. Knowledge and skills needed to work at different levels of the hierarchy are identified. CONCLUSION: Recommendations for preparation of entry-level practitioners to work at all levels of the model are discussed.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Attitudes of occupational therapists toward spirituality in practice.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined (a) occupational therapists' attitudes about spirituality in practice on the basis of whether they identified themselves as religious, (b) whether their personal definition of spirituality related to their religiousness, (c) whether their definition related to their attitude about spirituality in practice, and (d) the methods they used to address the spiritual needs of clients. METHOD: An attitude questionnaire was developed and mailed to 396 American occupational therapists. Fifty-two percent (n = 206) of the mailed questionnaires were analyzed. RESULTS: Overall, participants indicated a slightly positive attitude toward spirituality in occupational therapy practice. Participants who considered themselves to be religious indicated a more positive view toward spirituality in practice than those who did not consider themselves to be religious. Religiousness accounted for only 28% of the variance in choice of spirituality definition, indicating that additional variables account for what determines therapists' definitions of spirituality. No relationship was found between personal definition choice and attitude regarding spirituality in practice. The three methods most commonly used to address the spiritual needs of their clients were to (a) pray for a client, (b) use spiritual language or concepts with a client, and (c) discuss with clients ways that their religious beliefs were helpful. CONCLUSION: Therapists' conceptualization of spirituality and attitudes about spirituality in occupational therapy practice are quite diverse.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Educational banks for nursing staff development.

An educational bank policy that credits nursing staff members annually with funds for individualized educational activities is described. The policy gives employees access to various educational activities through flexible use of educational funds. The management of the educational bank funds, the policy's problems and solutions, and its benefits are discussed. The educational bank policy is an effective recruitment tool, extends the resources of a small department of nursing education, and promotes positive staff morale.

Education, Nursing, Continuing↗