Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to G N Fox.
Craniotabes is a frequent, benign physical finding in newborn infants. Resolution occurs spontaneously by two to three months of age. If the history and physical examination are otherwise normal, no further investigation is necessary or desirable. Craniotabes may be related to pressure due to early engagement of the fetal head or to subtle abnormalities of maternal calcium and vitamin D metabolism.
Carotidynia is a common but seldom recognized syndrome in which the patient typically complains of a sore throat. Closer questioning usually reveals the soreness to be in the neck. On physical examination, tenderness is noted along a localized segment of the carotid artery. Often the syndrome is misdiagnosed as cervical adenitis and inappropriately treated with an antibiotic. Etiology is unknown. Anti-inflammatory therapy is effective.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The purpose of this investigation was twofold: (1) to identify and characterize the enzymatic ATP hydrolysis system of epithelial cilia, and (2) to develop a quantitative, biochemical test for the ciliotoxic cystic fibrosis (CF) factor based on inhibition of ATP utilization by ciliary preparations. Our rationale for selecting this system for CF factor analysis relates to the tight and essential mechanochemical coupling of functioning cilia. Using rabbit tracheal epithelium as the source, a high molecular weight (greater than 200,000) ATPase was identified, partially purified, and extensively characterized. The properties of this protein were similar to those observed in previous studies of others with flagellar and ciliary dynein (the motility-associated ATPase) isolated from microorganisms. Analysis of the pH profile revealed a broad range of high enzymatic activity between 6.5 and 9. Studies with potential cation activators showed that the enzyme is activated equally by either Ca2+ or Mg2+ in equimolar concentrations. No activation occurred in the presence of Zn2+, Na+, H+, or Na+ plus K+ and the effect of Mg2+ or Ca2+ was not inhibited by Na+, K+, or Na+ plus K+. The enzyme hydrolyzed Mg2+-containing solutions of UTP, CTP, and ADP at 51-54% the rate of ATP dephosphorylation, whereas Mg-deoxy-ATP was hydrolyzed 79% as effectively as ATP. Using a newly devised, analytical technique with [gamma-32P]ATP as the substrate, the ATP hydrolysis of various ciliary preparations from rabbit trachea and oyster gill (including motile suspensions) was monitored in the presence of sera from CF homo- and heterozygotes. Reproducible rates of ATP dephosphorylation averaging 27 nmol/min/mg protein were demonstrable with homogenates of ciliated epithelium. None of the test systems evaluated, however, were capable of demonstrating CF-related differences in ATPase activity or ATP utilization. Although these attemps have been unsuccessful thus far, the approach described in this report provides an example of an objective, quantitative, biochemical assessment of ciliary function.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
BACKGROUND: Accumulated data indicate that the administration of low-dose subcutaneous heparin reduces the incidence of deep venous thrombosis in high-risk surgical and medical patients. Because deep venous thrombosis predisposes to pulmonary embolism, it is generally accepted that reducing deep venous thrombosis will reduce pulmonary embolism, the most common preventable cause of death in hospitalized patients. There are few data, however, regarding physicians' use of heparin for deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis in medical patients. METHODS: We reviewed charts of medical patients aged 50 years and older who were admitted to family practice services in a community teaching hospital and excluded patients who were not candidates for heparin prophylaxis. RESULTS: Eighty (65 percent) of 123 patients received heparin for deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis. Patients admitted to a residency teaching service were more likely to receive heparin for deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis than were patients admitted to nonteaching services (odds ratio 3.37, 95 percent confidence interval 1.26-9.21, P = 0.012). An association between the patient's number of risk factors for deep venous thrombosis and likelihood of receiving deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis approached statistical significance (P = 0.078). CONCLUSIONS: In our institution, heparin for deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis is frequently but not uniformly prescribed for appropriately selected family practice inpatients. No similar data for nonsurgical patients were found for comparison.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Many ambulatory pediatric encounters result in drug therapy. Drug dose determination, based on a child's weight, can often be simplified by modifying the order of mathematical calculation. Specifically, multiplying by body weight as the last calculation, rather than as the initial calculation, often yields values easily manipulated mentally. With this mathematical manipulation, the identical calculation is often performed repetitively which, with time, may facilitate the calculation.