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Biomedical subjects

I Harris

Publications and source records attributed to I Harris.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Gait, cost and time implications for changing from PTB to ICEX sockets.

The ICEX system (Ossur, Iceland), allows a socket to be manufactured directly onto the stump and is thought to provide improved comfort due to better pressure distribution whilst being easier to fit and manufacture. The aims of this project were to a) compare gait performance by measuring several gait characteristics, b) compare production and fitting times, c) investigate financial implications and d) attempt to gauge the amputees' subjective opinions of socket comfort. A randomised, controlled trial was conducted on 27 trans-tibial amputees with an existing patellar tendon bearing (PTB) socket on the Endolite system (Chas A. Blatchford, UK). Twenty one (21) subjects completed the study. Of these, 10 in the control group received new PTB sockets while 11 in the experimental group received ICEX. Gait analysis wearing existing sockets was performed and kinetic data obtained from a force plate. This was repeated with the new sockets after a 6 week period of adjustment. Mann-Whitney tests were used in statistical evaluations with a significance level of 5%. Subjects were asked to score their prosthesis for comfort using the Socket Comfort Score (Hanspal et al., 2003) and the frequency of visits for socket adjustments over a three-month period post-delivery of the sockets was recorded. This study demonstrates no significant difference in any of the gait parameters measured. Though the time required to manufacture a PTB prosthesis was found to be considerably longer than the ICEX, the overall cost for producing the ICEX was significantly greater. Subjects showed only minor comfort preference for the ICEX design and there was no significant difference in the mean number of visits for socket adjustments. In view of the considerable additional cost of providing ICEX and the lack of evidence of improvement in any parameter tested, the routine provision of ICEX prostheses to unselected trans-tibial amputees cannot be recommended.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

A comparison of the macrophyte cover and macroinvertebrate fauna at three sites on the River Kennet in the mid 1970s and late 1990s.

In 1974-1976, baseline studies were carried out on the flora and macroinvertebrate fauna of the R. Kennet at two sites downstream of Marlborough (Savernake Upper and Lower) and at one site upstream of Hungerford (Littlecote). Simplified maps of each site, showing the cover of macrophytes, were obtained monthly between April 1974 and April/June 1976, and replicated quantitative samples of the macroinvertebrates were collected on the dominant macrophyte and on gravel in June 1974, and also in June and December 1975. As a consequence of two major droughts and increasing concern over water quality in the Upper Kennet in the 1990s, the studies recommenced in the summer of 1997 using the same sites and methodologies. Maps and macroinvertebrate samples were obtained in early July and December 1997 and in June of both 1998 and 1999. At the Savernake sites, mapping in summer 1997 confirmed what had been apparent for some years. That is, macrophyte cover (both Ranunculus and Schoenoplectus) was much lower than in the 1970s. In contrast, the site downstream at Littlecote retained a relatively high cover of Ranunculus, despite the drought. In late autumn 1997, phosphate stripping commenced at Marlborough Sewage Treatment Works, the drought ended and in addition, the spring of 1998 was unusually wet. Ranunculus recolonised both Savernake sites with remarkable speed by summer 1998 and retained this dominant position in 1999. Quantitative samples of macroinvertebrates collected on gravel and the dominant macrophyte at each of the three study sites indicated that there was no evidence of major loss of family richness between the 1970s and 1990s as a result of the low flows or enrichment. However, at Savernake (but not Littlecote) in summer 1997, the macroinvertebrate assemblage was affected by low flows and/or enrichment. This took the form of changes in the abundance of some families, with lentic forms being favoured in relation to some lotic families. Following the end of the drought, many macroinvertebrate families at Savernake showed a rapid response to the new conditions and the assemblages reverted to those expected in a fast-flowing cretaceous chalk stream. Continued monitoring through the next drought is advisable to provide a greater understanding of the interplay between water quality, the discharge regime, habitat quality (including macrophyte growth) and the response of the macroinvertebrate fauna.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

The effect of volatile fatty acids in acidified fermented piggery effluent on shiga-toxigenic and non-toxic resident strains of Escherichia coli.

AIMS: To examine the effects of acidified acidogenically fermented piggery effluent containing Volatile Fatty Acids (VFA) on shiga-toxigenic and resident strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) as part of the development of a waste treatment process. METHODS AND RESULTS: Four shiga-toxigenic E. coli strains (O157:H7, 091.H-, 0111.H-, and 0123.H-) and four non-toxic resident enzootic strains were all killed by 3 h treatment with fermented piggery effluent liquor (153 mmol l(-1) total VFA) at pH 4.3. The shiga-toxigenic strains showed greater sensitivity after 1 h of treatment. The fermented liquor at pH 6.8 was not inhibitory. CONCLUSIONS: The shiga-toxigenic strains were no more resistant to the toxic effects of VFA than the non-toxic strains tested. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Shiga-toxigenic strains and resident enzootic non-toxigenic strains are equally susceptible to inactivation by this waste treatment process and by acidified VFA in general.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Development and implementation of a web-based evaluation system for an internal medicine residency program.

Evaluation and feedback are fundamental components of graduate medical education. Paper-based evaluation systems are inefficient and costly and the evaluation data they provide are difficult to retrieve and analyze. In view of these problems, in 1996-1997, the authors developed and implemented a World Wide Web-based electronic evaluation system for the internal medicine residency program at the University of Minnesota. Residents were evaluated using the American Board of Internal Medicine Resident Evaluation Form. Custom evaluations were created for the assessment of sites, rotations, and faculty. The evaluations were completed by accessing an evaluation Web site from any location using standard computers and Web browsers. The evaluations were submitted electronically and automatically entered into a database. The system tracked compliance and automatically sent out reminders. Other features of the system included extensive reporting capabilities, automatic notification of substandard performance, and the ability to send confidential information to the program director. The total compliance rate ranged between 81% and 92% during the first 12 months of operation, with no significant difference in compliance observed between faculty and residents. The system was easy to use and could quickly and confidentially identify performance problems of residents and faculty from large numbers of evaluations.

Educational Measurement↗
PubMed2001

The assessment of the endodontically treated tooth.

This paper reviews the assessment of success and failure following endodontic treatment and highlights the fact that many referrals for specialist management of endodontic failure do not take into consideration established guidelines in this important area.

Endodontics↗
PubMed2001

Continuing medical education. What do Minnesota physicians want?

CONTEXT: Continuing medical education (CME) is necessary for ongoing licensure and is critical in maintaining professional expertise. However, educators may not always consider their students preferences when developing new programs. OBJECTIVE: To determine physician preference for the format of CME programs and to learn what factors contribute to selecting a CME activity. DESIGN: Survey with 12 multiple response items pertaining to educational objectives, past educational experiences, and demographic information. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1,967 Minnesota physicians were sent the survey; 385 physicians returned surveys within 2 months of mailing date (20% return rate). RESULTS: The vast majority of respondents reported participating in traditional CME programs during the preceding two years, and most said they planned to attend a traditional program in the next two years. CONCLUSIONS: Minnesota physicians overwhelmingly prefer attending traditional CME programs to participating in more interactive, technology-based activities. Before new technology such as the Internet can be widely used in CME, it must be made attractive to the practicing physician.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2001

PDA support for outpatient clinical clerkships: mobile computing for medical education.

This project provides educational support for students enrolled in a family practice clerkship by supplying PDA-based clinical references and tools to collect information about the patients they see and the seminars they attend. Each student is supplied with a Handspring Visor Deluxe to use during the clerkship. Supplied software includes a clinical reference (Five Minute Clinical Consult) and Lexidrugs drug reference and a medical calculator. The data collection software consists of a patient log for recording simple demographic and diagnostic information about each patient seen during the clerkship, a seminar evaluation module for recording student feedback about each didactic presentation during the course, and an evaluation form where they students supply their reactions to the use of the Visor. Despite encountering a number of problems, the devices appear to be beneficial tools. The applications provide useful references for students who do not have access to the resources of the University in their family medicine clerkship. They also provide an improved, though not perfect, means to capture data regarding patient encounters and course evaluations. However, the challenge remains to better integrate the PDA with the student s workflow in the clinic.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMed2000

Power versus participation in health service teams: a delicate balance.

The purpose of this paper is to critically review the effectiveness of a participative management approach within health service teams. It questions the reality of staff empowerment as an essential product of this approach, and examines the influence of power issues on the degree of empowerment that the organization may allow. The benefits and challenges of staff participation are highlighted, with reference to the manager's role in the participation process. The article concludes by advocating the positive use of power in order to maintain the integrity and effectiveness of a participative management approach.

Conflict, Psychological↗
PubMed1999

Coenzyme Q10, a cutaneous antioxidant and energizer.

The processes of aging and photoaging are associated with an increase in cellular oxidation. This may be in part due to a decline in the levels of the endogenous cellular antioxidant coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone, CoQ10). Therefore, we have investigated whether topical application of CoQ10 has the beneficial effect of preventing photoaging. We were able to demonstrate that CoQ10 penetrated into the viable layers of the epidermis and reduce the level of oxidation measured by weak photon emission. Furthermore, a reduction in wrinkle depth following CoQ10 application was also shown. CoQ10 was determined to be effective against UVA mediated oxidative stress in human keratinocytes in terms of thiol depletion, activation of specific phosphotyrosine kinases and prevention of oxidative DNA damage. CoQ10 was also able to significantly suppress the expression of collagenase in human dermal fibroblasts following UVA irradiation. These results indicate that CoQ10 has the efficacy to prevent many of the detrimental effects of photoaging.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed1997

Case report: multi-disciplinary treatment in the management of traumatised anterior teeth.

A case is described in which delayed treatment of traumatised anterior teeth resulted in unwanted tooth movement. Loss of interocclusal space and a reduction in clinical crown height complicated restoration of the teeth. Treatment using fixed-appliances and protraction headgear followed by surgical crown-lengthening facilitated the restorative process.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Comparison of light reflection rheography with ascending venography in the diagnosis of lower limb deep venous thrombosis.

A prospective evaluation of light reflective rheography (LRR) in the diagnosis of acute lower limb deep venous thrombosis (DVT) has been conducted by the comparison of rheographic changes with ascending venography. LRR reliably predicts the absence of DVT, but cannot accurately detect its presence. It is suggested that the technique may be used for surveillance but should not replace venography as a method for establishing the diagnosis of DVT.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

The occupational therapist as an expert analyst on the cost of future health care in legal cases.

The purpose of this paper is to explain the legal criteria the court follows when awarding monies to an injured individual for Cost of Future Care. It also describes the role of, and procedures used by, the occupational therapist in analyzing future care costs for the court's consideration. It describes the benefits to the client, the legal system and society arising from the occupational therapist's expertise, and the role the therapist plays in obtaining information related to the client's case from other professionals.

Canada↗