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J A McCullough

Publications and source records attributed to J A McCullough.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Gastric myoelectrical activity post-chemoradiotherapy and esophagectomy: a prospective study using subscapular surface recording.

The aims of this study were to prospectively evaluate gastric function in esophageal cancer patients after chemoradiotherapy and following surgery, using cutaneous electrogastrography (EGG). Twenty-three patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma were recruited to the study. A subset of patients (n = 11) underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and were also studied at 14 days after treatment. All patients underwent EGG studies prior to and following surgery, at 3 months postoperatively. Ten of these patients were also studied at medians of 6 months and 12 months after surgery. Twenty normal volunteers were used as controls. Post-operative EGG studies were monitored with a modified technique; the electrodes being placed in the subscapular region in the area of the transposed stomach. Following neoadjuvant treatment there was a significant increase in abnormal gastric myoelectrical activity involving changes in tachygastrias and decreased motility as measured by power ratio. Post-operatively there was a significant increase in bradygastria which persisted at 6 months but not at 12 months. There was a corresponding decrease in normogastria which persisted at 6 months and to a lesser extent at 12 months. Dominant frequency remained significantly depressed at 3, 6 and 12 months. Gastric myoelectrical activity is normal in untreated esophageal cancer. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy causes a disruption to normal myoelectrical activity involving reduced motility and tachygastrias. Surgery causes a depression in dominant frequency with a reduced incidence of normogastria at 3 months and 6 months but with a tendency towards normality at 12 months.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2001

Performance on a Spanish picture-identification task using a multimedia format.

An option for estimating the word-recognition performance of patients who do not speak English as a first language involves using auditory materials, presented in the patient's native language, in conjunction with a closed-set response mode incorporating pictures or written words. The advantage of this auditory/visual paradigm is that the audiologist is not required to know the foreign language and is therefore not required to judge the accuracy of an oral response to speech stimuli in a foreign language. Spanish auditory/visual materials, known as the Spanish Picture-Identification Task, were developed to be used in a computer-driven multimedia administration and scoring format. Performance data, both in open- (word-recognition) and closed-set (word-identification) response modes, were established for the Spanish Picture-Identification Task using subjects whose first language was Spanish. The results from the open-set paradigm indicate that the Spanish Picture-Identification Task word lists are essentially equivalent to conventional Spanish and English materials used for word recognition. Findings from the closed-set conditions indicate that the Spanish Picture-Identification Task materials are appropriate for estimating the word-identification abilities of Spanish-speaking adult listeners.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Speech-spectrum analysis of Mandarin: implications for hearing-aid fittings in a multi-ethnic society.

Using similar recording and analysis techniques, the long-term average speech spectra of English and Mandarin were compared in order to identify difference that might influence hearing-aid fitting strategies. Despite the well-documented pitch contour differences between English and Mandarin, no significant difference was found in the long-term average spectral analysis. Implications for hearing-aid prescription are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Auditory-visual word identification test materials: computer application with children.

The purpose of this investigation was to obtain performance data from normal-hearing children using the written word portion of existing auditory-visual word identification materials, for example, the Picture Identification Task (Wilson and Antablin, 1980). The response foils, consisting of four written words (target and alternative words) were entered into computer memory so that responses were made by pointing to a computer monitor. Subjects were 24 fourth graders with normal hearing who repeated auditory-stimulus words in noise in oral conditions, and pointed to written words representing the stimulus words in pointing conditions. Mean percent correct performance scores were higher in the pointing conditions than in the oral conditions, reflecting closed- versus open-set tasks. The results indicated that the written word portion of the Picture Identification Task can be utilized to assess the word identification performance of children who read at a fourth grade level or above.

Audiovisual Aids↗
PubMed1992

Effects of interaural speech-recognition differences on binaural advantage for speech in noise.

The relationship between interaural differences in speech-recognition performance and binaural advantage for speech in noise was studied. Subjects were five hearing-impaired listeners with symmetrical pure-tone air-conduction audiograms and significant interaural differences in speech recognition. All subjects repeated nonsense syllables in the presence of competing noise in monaural and binaural conditions. Binaural advantage was calculated as the difference in signal-to-noise ratio that afforded 50 percent correct performance between the monaural and binaural conditions. The results were diverse. Although the majority of the subjects retained some degree of binaural advantage, a conclusive relationship between interaural differences in speech recognition and binaural advantage could not be established. The implications for binaural hearing aid fittings are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

WAIS scores for a non-clinical British sample.

The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) was administered to a British sample of 63 volunteers. The mean Full Scale Intelligence Quotient obtained was 116.5, with a standard deviation of 9.7. This finding is discussed in relation to the accepted (American) WAIS norms, and further study suggested.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

D2 lymphadenectomy in the management of gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Gastric carcinoma is a significant cause of death in Ireland. Surgery offers the best option of cure, but the five-year survival following resection remains dismal at 10-15%. Experience from Japan and from some Western units suggest that an extended (D2) lymphadenectomy in association with gastrectomy increases the prospect of cure, but concern about the morbidity and mortality of this operation and lack of evidence from randomised studies has limited its acceptance. AIMS: This study reports the experience of a specialist upper gastrointestinal unit with D2 gastrectomy in a four-year audit. METHODS: Sixty-two resections were performed for gastric cancer. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were deemed unsuitable for the D2 procedure and underwent a more limited lymphadenectomy (D0 or D1). Forty-three patients underwent D2 resection, 12 with an oesophagogastrectomy, 22 with total gastrectomy and nine with a sub-total distal resection. Eight patients undergoing D2 resection had extended resections, five with splenectomy and three with a distal pancreatectomy. Post-operative complications occurred in 31% of patients. Thirty-day and 90-day mortality were zero. Median survival was 822 days in the D2 group (range 120-1,320). CONCLUSIONS: These results show that a D2 gastrectomy can be performed with a low morbidity and mortality and a median survival of greater than two years.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Electrogastrography: a non-invasive measurement of gastric function.

BACKGROUND: Electrogastrography (EGG) is the non-invasive measurement of gastric electrical activity. With the development of modern technology, improved recording and automated analysis, it is a reliable and accurate technique for the measurement of gastric myoelectrical activity providing information about the frequency and regularity of the gastric slow wave. AIM: The aim of this report is to evaluate its role in clinical practice. METHODS: The literature is reviewed and its role investigated. RESULTS: EGG has been successfully used in the investigation of gastroparesis, non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD), gastric emptying (GE) disorders and diabetes mellitus (DM). EGG also provides an insight into the effect of medications on gastric function, e.g. edrophonium, cisapride, erythromycin and proton-pump inhibitors (PPI). CONCLUSIONS: EGG has a developing role in the assessment of gastric dysfunction and on the effect of medical treatment. The effect of surgery and anaesthesia on gastric myoelectric activity is less clear.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

New OTC drugs and devices 1999: a selective review.

OBJECTIVES: To educate pharmacists about newly introduced nonprescription products/devices/diagnostic products, and to create a heightened awareness of the dilemma of dietary supplements and the problems their use poses for consumers and pharmacists. DATA SOURCES: Recent clinical and pharmaceutical industry literature. DATA SYNTHESIS: It is critical for the pharmacist to be knowledgeable about dietary supplements to be able to appropriately counsel patients on benefits and risks associated with their use. In addition, numerous other nonprescription products, including home diagnostic products and accessories, will continue to become available on the U.S. market. It is important that the pharmacist become as knowledgeable as possible about these and be capable of educating the consuming public about their appropriate use. CONCLUSION: Dietary supplements will continue to flood the self-care market. Pharmacists need a balanced understanding of these products to assist the consumer. The new nonprescription medications cited in this review represent valuable additions to the growing array of self-care products for consumer use.

Dietary Supplements↗