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Biomedical subjects

G O'Connor

Publications and source records attributed to G O'Connor.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A multicentre randomized study of single-unit dose package of EMLA patch vs EMLA 5% cream for venepuncture in children.

Eutectic mixture of local anaesthetics (EMLA) cream with Tegaderm was compared with pre-packaged EMLA patch with regard to analgesic effect, adhesiveness and local reactions during venepuncture in 178 children from three to ten years. One EMLA patch, or half the contents of a 5 g tube of EMLA cream plus Tegaderm was applied to the dorsum of one hand or antecubital fossa for a minimum of 60 min before venepuncture. The subject and observer assessed the degree of pain on a three-point verbal rating scale. The adhesion of the patch vs Tegaderm to the skin and local reactions were recorded. There was no difference between the two groups in pain associated with venepuncture; 95% of the EMLA patch group and 94% of the EMLA cream group reported no or slight pain. There was no difference between the two treatment groups in terms of overall local reactions. The patch was less adhesive (P < 0.001), but this had no apparent influence on its effectiveness. In conclusion, EMLA patch is equivalent to 5% EMLA cream (2.5 g) in cutaneous pain relief when used for venepuncture in children.

Adhesiveness↗

Deriving a useful packed cell volume estimate from haemoglobin analysis.

A method is described whereby the packed cell volume (PCV) of a blood sample can be estimated from the haemoglobin concentration. The method defines the relation existing between haemoglobin concentration and the PCV of blood samples and uses the mathematical formula thus obtained to estimate an unknown PCV value for a sample by extrapolation from the known haemoglobin value of the same sample. The method could be used in large scale field studies where haematological services are not available and where an evaluation of red cell status of vitamins such as folate is required.

Erythrocyte Indices↗

Lack of disease associated HLA-DQ restriction fragment length polymorphisms in families with autoimmune thyroid disease.

Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is often familial and serological HLA disease associations have been described in many different populations. However, such HLA disease associations are weak and the precise molecular contribution of HLA antigens to thyroid disease susceptibility remains unknown. Much of the data available are cross-sectional and few studies have explored familial inheritance of AITD at the molecular level. We have, therefore, examined the inheritance of AITD in multiplex and multi-generational families using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of DNA digested with the restriction enzyme BamH1 and probed with a full length human HLA-DQ beta cDNA probe. Thirty seven subjects in 7 informative families were available for study. Eleven subjects had Graves' disease and 4 were diagnosed as having Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Segregation of polymorphic fragments enabled genotyping of each individual to produce fully informative families. LOD scores were computed, using the LIPED program, for dominant and recessive models of inheritance, for recombination fractions of 0.01 to 0.5 for each sex, and for penetrances of 0.1 to 1.0. The results showed that maximum LOD scores were negative for all of the inheritance models tested. If the primary locus for AITD were in the HLA region, LOD scores would be highly positive. These data, therefore, provide strong evidence against a disease locus for AITD in linkage disequilibrium with the HLA-DQ beta locus.

Adult↗

Daycare tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy at the British Columbia Children's Hospital.

The fact that tonsillectomy (T), or tonsillectomy with adenoidectomy (T & A) or adenoidectomy (A) can be performed safely in selected children on a daycare or outpatient basis is well proven. This article illustrates the approach that the British Columbia Children's Hospital (B.C.C.H.) took to confirm that the procedures were safe locally. A pilot project was started in June of 1984 to perform daycare adenoidectomies only, using two full-time pediatric otolaryngologists. When this proved successful, other otolaryngologists were encouraged to use the program. In June of 1988, a second pilot project was started for daycare tonsillectomies (or tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy). Criteria were established for patient selection, preparation, anesthesia, post-anesthetic recovery (PAR), Daycare Unit (DCU) nursing, and discharge. Follow-up information was obtained. Daycare tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy and daycare adenoidectomy are now routine procedures at B.C.C.H.

Adenoidectomy↗

Effect of doxorubicin on local recurrence following marginal resection in the MGH-OGS murine model.

Despite the fact that preoperative chemotherapy causes substantial necrosis in the primary osteosarcoma tumor, most authorities recommend resecting these lesions with a wide margin of normal tissue to avoid local recurrence. This study evaluated the effect of systemic chemotherapy (doxorubicin) on tumor growth and histology in the MGH-OGS transplantable murine model and examined whether this drug prevents local recurrence after resection of the tumor with positive microscopic margins. The results indicate that doxorubicin caused prolonged cessation of tumor growth, produced substantial necrosis within the lesion, and decreased the risk of local relapse following marginal surgery. The drug effect was dose-dependent and drug efficacy in preventing local relapse was maximal with administration prior to or at the time of surgery.

Animals↗

Mortality associated with respiratory function and symptoms in advanced age. The Framingham Study.

Pulmonary function, cigarette smoking, and respiratory symptoms were determined in 3,133 men and women at the 13th examination of the Framingham Study (1972 to 1976). Deaths in the subsequent 10-yr period were identified. Forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity were standardized for body size by dividing by the square of the height (FEV1/ht2, FVC/ht2). As expected, mean values of these pulmonary function measures were lower in women compared to those in men, older participants compared to younger, smokers compared to nonsmokers, and those with respiratory symptoms compared to those without. In men and women under 70 yr of age and women over 70 yr of age, FEV1/ht2 was inversely related to mortality after adjustment for age, smoking, and respiratory symptoms. In older men, FEV1/ht2 was not related to mortality, but symptoms of dyspnea were associated with increased risk of death.

Aged↗

Cost of neonatal intensive and special care.

A detailed costing of neonatal intensive and special care was made for the year 1986 at the Rotunda Hospital. Cost was expressed at 1986 prices in punts. There was 1,364 admissions including external transfers giving a total of 10,086 bed days, divided into 1,044 intensive care and 9,042 special care bed days. The total cost of intensive and special care was 1,342,500 pounds. Costs per inpatient day were 288 pounds for intensive and 115 pounds for special care. Sixty percent of the intensive care bed days were used by infants weighting less than 1,500 g birth weight and 93% by infants less than 2,500 g birth weight; this emphasizes the effect of population mix on resource use. The average cost of intensive care survivors by birth weight were: less than 1,000 g - 16,226 pounds (8,052 pounds-23,535 pounds); 1,000 g-1,499 g - 13,412 pounds (1,898 pounds-22,456 pounds); 1,500 g-2,499 g - 8,864 pounds (633 pounds-17,666 pounds); 2,500 g + - 5,123 pounds (384 pounds-12,636 pounds). The average cost of all admissions to special or intensive care was 984.24 pounds. Using this figure (984.24 pounds) and assuming that 13% of all births in 1986 required special or intensive care the total health care expenditure on neonatal special or intensive care in 1986 amounts to 8.03 million pounds of a total Department of Health budget of 1,269 million pounds. By allocating infants to the currently used neonatal diagnostic related groupings (DRGs) and assigning costs at 1987 US reimbursement levels, the total cost to the Rotunda would be 1,878,750 pounds punts. The current level of DRGs derived from the reimbursement rates in the United States which is insufficient to meet the actual cost incurred there, is 40% greater than current total funding of neonatal intensive and special care in the Rotunda. Current funding levels in the United Kingdom are 13% to 80% greater than in the Rotunda.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗

A DNA polymorphism of the apolipoprotein C-III gene in extracoronary atherosclerosis.

1. A genetic polymorphism of apolipoprotein (apo) C-III was studied in 49 Caucasian patients with extracoronary atherosclerosis demonstrated by angiography. 2. Twelve patients (24%) possessed an uncommon allelic variant of the apo A-I/C-III gene cluster compared with two (4%) in 50 healthy controls (P less than 0.01). 3. Of 27 patients with carotid atherosclerosis, 22% had the uncommon genotype (P less than 0.02), and in aorto-femoral atherosclerosis (n = 22) 27% possessed the uncommon variant (P less than 0.01). 4. When normotriglyceridaemic subgroups (n = 32) with arterial disease were studied the difference in genotype frequencies persisted, 22% having the uncommon allele (P less than 0.01), suggesting that such genetic variants have effects independent of circulating levels of plasma lipids.

Alleles↗

Effects of ambient ozone on respiratory function in healthy adults exercising outdoors.

The effect of exposure to ozone (O3) in ambient air on respiratory function was studied in 30 healthy adult nonsmokers engaged in a regular daily program of outdoor exercise in Tuxedo, NY during the summer of 1985. Each subject did the same exercise each day, but exercise intensity and duration varied widely between subjects, with minute ventilation ranging from 20 to 153 L and duration ranging from 15 to 55 min. Spirometry was performed immediately before and after each exercise period. O3 concentrations during exercise ranged from 21 to 124 parts per billion (ppb). All measured functional indexes showed significant (p less than 0.01) O3-associated mean decrements with FVC at -2.1 ml/ppb, FEV1 at -1.4 ml/ppb, PEFR at -9.2 ml/s/ppb, FEF25-75 at -6.0 ml/s/ppb, and FEV1/FVC at -0.038%/ppb. Mean decrements were smaller for 10 subjects with minute ventilations greater than 100 L than for 10 other subjects with minute ventilations between 60 and 100 L or for the 10 subjects with minute ventilations below 60 L. Overall, the functional decrements were similar in magnitude to those we have seen in children engaged in supervised recreational programs in summer camps. For 10 subjects with minute ventilations comparable to those used in controlled 1- and 2-h exposures to O3 in purified air in chambers (50 to 80 L), the effects were about twice as large as those reported for the chamber studies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Confidence trick.

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Complementary Therapies↗