Biomedical subjects

I D Cameron

Publications and source records attributed to I D Cameron.

42 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1991

Elder abuse--an Australian case series.

OBJECTIVE: To report a series of older patients who had been physically abused or neglected and to describe their disabilities and social situation, the abuser, interventions offered and outcomes. DESIGN: A retrospective case series. Patients were included if they met the requirements of a predetermined definition of physical abuse or neglect. SETTING: An area-based geriatric and rehabilitation service attached to a district hospital. PATIENTS: Fifteen men and women aged over 65 who met the requirements of our definition of abuse and who were referred to the service over a 12-month period. For each patient an abuser was identified. RESULTS: Risk factors for elder abuse were a high degree of dependency of the elderly person resulting from cognitive or physical impairment; psychopathology in the abuser or stress on the carer. Intervention was effective for a majority of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The findings are similar to those of overseas studies. Awareness of the problem and early intervention with counseling, provision of appropriate services and accommodation are likely to be successful in limiting the impact of elder abuse.

Aged↗

PubMed1981

A toxicological study in rats receiving immunotherapeutic doses of cyclosporin A.

Cyclosporin A (Cy A, 25 or 50 mg.kg-1/48 hr) administered during the course of the response, markedly suppressed graft-versus-host (GVH) reactivity in the rat, as assessed by the 7-day popliteal lymph node weight assay. Serum biochemical studies revealed small, but statistically significant increases in serum urea levels at both doses of Cy A and, at 50 mg.kg-1/48 hr, reduction in total serum protein, alkaline phosphatase, serum transaminase, and iron. In an additional experiment, Cy A (50 mg.kg-1/48 hr) was administered to rats over 4 weeks. Serum biochemical and hematological investigations were conducted at weekly intervals and at 28 days tissue (liver, kidney, spleen, lymph nodes, and small intestine) was taken for histological and ultrastructural examination. Glomerular function, monitored by creatinine and urea clearance was unaffected by Cy A treatment, but serum urea and creatinine levels were elevated. Hepatic function was not affected and hematological, histological, and ultrastructural observations, apart from evidence of hepatic fatty change, did not differ from those in vehicle-treated controls.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

PubMed1981

Immune suppression with cyclosporin A-optimism and caution.

There have been no fundamental changes over the past 15 to 20 years in the immunosuppressive agents used in clinical transplantation. Equally efficient, but less toxic alternatives have been sought for some time. Cyclosporin A is an important new pharmacological immune suppressant, with a unique structure, which prolongs graft survival in a variety of species. It exerts a highly selective inhibitory effect on those T lymphocytes responding to antigenic challenge and is not myelotoxic. Indeed, no toxic effects have been reported at therapeutic doses in animals. Clinical trials indicate that it could prove extremely useful in management of graft rejection and autoimmune disease, however there are some doubts regarding possible hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects in man. There is also concern over the reported incidence of malignant lymphomas in cyclosporin A treated graft recipients.

Animals↗

PubMed1980

Hepatic and renal function in rats receiving immunotherapeutic doses of cyclosporin A.

Adult Sprague--Dawley rats were given either 25 or 50 mg/kg cyclosporin A (Cy A) orally every 48 h during the course of an immune response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC). A profound reduction in serum haemagglutinin titres was observed at 7 and 14 days only in animals given 50 mg. Apart from a small transient elevation in transaminase levels there were no serological indications of impaired hepatic or renal function at either dose of Cy A. There was also no increase in urinary NAG (N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase) levels, indicating the absence of damage to renal tubular cells. These observations are consistent with the normal histological and ultrastructural findings in liver and kidney in this study.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

PubMedDate not supplied

External hip protectors: likely non-compliance among high risk elderly people living in the community.

The factors that may influence compliance with wearing of external hip protectors by potential users living in the community were investigated. Elderly women (median age 83 years) who were hospitalised after fracture, joint replacement or falls and were expected to return to community living participated. Five focus groups were conducted. Most participants said they would not use the hip protector demonstrated. The main objections were a perceived lack of comfort in wearing the appliance, particularly in bed, coupled with the belief that they were not at high risk. Other lesser issues were the extra effort needed to wear the device, appearance, accuracy of fit, cost and unfamiliarity with the protectors. These findings suggest that, in general, high risk elderly women living in the community will be unlikely to use external hip protectors unless there is considerable encouragement from family members and/or health professionals. Educational programmes could reduce some misconceptions about hip fracture, and reinforce the benefits of wearing a protective appliance. They may also increase awareness of personal risk. An introductory period of supervised wearing of the hip protectors, while in hospital or respite care, may enhance compliance.

Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Accelerated rehabilitation after proximal femoral fracture: a randomized controlled trial.

This randomized controlled trial compared accelerated rehabilitation after surgical treatment of proximal femoral fracture with conventional care and was conducted in a general hospital in an outer urban area. Participating were 261 sequentially admitted patients over the age of 50 years who met predetermined inclusion criteria and all were followed up until death or 4 months after fracture. Patients who were treated with the accelerated rehabilitation programme had a 20% reduction in length of hospital stay. Improved physical independence (as measured by Barthel Index) was observed after fracture in accelerated rehabilitation programme patients with limited pre-existing disability. Non-nursing-home patients receiving accelerated rehabilitation were also less likely to be discharged to nursing-home care or die in hospital. Accelerated rehabilitation led to a substantial reduction in length of hospital stay with a modest short-term improvement in level of physical independence and accommodation status after discharge.

Activities of Daily Living↗