Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J C Butler

Publications and source records attributed to J C Butler.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Assessment of the full content of physique stereotypes with a free-response format.

A major limitation of physique stereotyping research is that American subjects have used a restricted set of traits provided by the experimenter to evaluate endomorphs, mesomorphs, and ectomorphs. A free-response procedure was used in Study 1 to identify the full domain of traits associated with each physique. Although many of the traits identified were similar to those used in previous research, a number of new trait dimensions were uncovered. In Study 2, the large number of traits generated with the free-response format was reduced by combining synonyms. This new set of traits was placed in semantic differential format and given to a new sample of subjects to evaluate. The results paralleled those of the first study with the exception that ectomorphs were seen more favorably. This discrepancy, as well as the fact that raters listed trait antonyms within each of the three major physiques in Study 1, suggests the possibility of unique subtypes within the global stereotypes. Examples of these subtypes are proposed.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Use of polymerase chain reaction in an epidemiologic investigation of Pontiac fever.

In June 1992, 13 (38%) of 34 resort guests experienced illness that met a symptom-based case definition of Pontiac fever. Each ill guest reported using an indoor hot tub compared with 6 (29%) of 21 nonill guests (P < .001). Water samples from the indoor hot tub were culture-negative for legionellae using standard techniques, coculture with amebae, and intraperitoneal inoculation of guinea pigs. However, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of the water samples indicated the presence of Legionella pneumophila. Direct fluorescent antibody testing identified the organism as serogroup 6. Seroconversion to L. pneumophila serogroup 6 occurred in 7 (64%) of 11 ill guests and none of 5 nonill guests (P = .03). These results suggest that in certain circumstances, culture of environmental samples should be supplemented with additional tests such as PCR. These results are also consistent with the concept that Pontiac fever can be caused by nonviable legionellae.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Treating measles: the appropriateness of admission to a Wisconsin children's hospital.

OBJECTIVE: A large number of children with measles were hospitalized at a children's hospital during a metropolitan measles outbreak. In this study we addressed the appropriateness of those admissions. METHODS: Charts of all 634 patients with a diagnosis of measles who were treated between August 1989 and April 1990 were reviewed. Determination of the appropriateness of hospital admission was based on severity of illness and presence of severe complications of measles. RESULTS: Of 564 patients with clinical measles or serologic evidence of recent infection, 252 were inpatients (median age 1.5 years) and 312 were outpatients (median age 2.1 years). Fifty-nine (23.4%) of the inpatients had been inappropriately admitted. Inpatients were significantly more likely than outpatients to have physiologic instability or a clinical complication. Children 15 months of age or younger were more likely to be hospitalized, as were children evaluated in the first 3 months of the outbreak period, even if admission was not appropriate on the basis of physiologic instability or complications. CONCLUSIONS: Younger patients with measles and patients evaluated earlier in the epidemic were more likely to be admitted to the hospital even when admission was inappropriate as assessed by degree of physiologic instability or presence of complications.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1993

Measles severity and serum retinol (vitamin A) concentration among children in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Studies in developing countries have shown that children with measles have low serum retinol concentrations and that lower retinol levels are associated with measles-related mortality. Vitamin A therapy has been shown to reduce mortality among African children with acute measles. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether serum retinol concentration is low among children with measles in the United States and to determine whether retinol concentration is associated with illness severity. SETTING: Pediatric referral hospital and clinic in Milwaukee, WI, during the measles outbreak of 1989-1990. PATIENTS: One hundred fourteen patients < or = 5 years of age evaluated for serologically confirmed measles with serum obtained within 5 days following rash onset. METHODS: Serum retinol concentration was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Clinical data were collected by hospital record review. A modified Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) score was used to assess physiologic instability as a measure of illness severity. RESULTS: Retinol concentrations ranged from 0.25 to 1.18 mumol/L (median 0.58 mumol/L); 82 (72%) patients had low retinol concentration (< or = 0.70 mumol/L). Median retinol concentrations were lower among hospitalized patients (0.56 vs 0.70, P = .006) and patients with pneumonia (0.52 vs 0.64, P = .02) but higher among children with otitis media (0.63 vs 0.54, P = .01). Higher modified PRISM scores, reflecting greater physiologic instability, were associated with lower retinol concentration (beta coefficient -.0147, P = .025). In multivariate analysis, higher modified PRISM scores were associated with lower retinol concentration (beta coefficient -.0144, P = .025) even after controlling for hospitalization, presence of complications, race, age, receipt of Aid to Families With Dependent Children, gender, and interval from rash onset until serum was collected. CONCLUSIONS: Among these children with measles in an urban United States community, retinol concentrations were depressed, and the degree of depression was associated with illness severity. Vitamin A therapy should be considered for children with measles in the United States who require hospitalization.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1992

Clusters of invasive group A streptococcal infections in family, hospital, and nursing home settings.

The spread of group A streptococcal infection to close contacts of infected persons is well recognized. With the resurgence of invasive group A streptococcal infections, there is an increased potential for clusters of patients with invasive disease. We reviewed data collected since December 1988 at the Centers for Disease Control (Atlanta) to identify clusters of infection in which one or more patients had invasive disease. Twelve family clusters were identified. Infection in index cases included the toxic shock-like syndrome and septicemia. Infection in family contacts included invasive infections, pharyngitis, or asymptomatic carriage. Most invasive disease occurred in adults, while the majority of noninvasive infections were in children. Five nosocomial clusters with spread of infection from patients to hospital personnel were documented. All index patients had the toxic shock-like syndrome; secondary infections included the toxic shock-like syndrome, pneumonia, bullous cellulitis, lymphangitis, and pharyngitis. Clusters of invasive infections also were identified in five nursing homes. Pneumonia, cutaneous infections, and the toxic shock-like syndrome occurred most commonly. Clustering by nursing home unit occurred in three outbreaks. In hospitals and nursing homes, improved infection control will likely decrease secondary spread; in families, spread of disease may be prevented by identifying and treating those harboring the organism or by chemoprophylaxis. Studies that characterize the rate of secondary infection are needed before definitive recommendations can be made.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Postlaminectomy kyphosis. Causes and surgical management.

Postlaminectomy instability of the cervical spine can be managed either anteriorly or posteriorly. The posterior procedures that have been described are best performed at the time of the original decompressive procedure. Thus, the development of a kyphotic deformity is prevented. Generally, it is technically easier to achieve anterior stabilization and arthrodesis if a postlaminectomy kyphosis develops.

Cervical Vertebrae↗
PubMed1991

Severe illness associated with group A-hemolytic streptococcal infections.

The Wisconsin Division of Health (DOH) began surveillance for severe illnesses associated with group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABS) infections in late 1989 to describe the current epidemiologic features and clinical spectrum of these infections in the state. Severe illness was defined by the isolation of GABS from the blood or by the development of one or more of the following in a patient infected with GABS: shock, extensive tissue injury, desquamating rash, disseminated intravascular coagulation, renal failure, adult respiratory distress syndrome, or death. Case reports involving 28 patients with severe GABS-related illnesses with onset from November 1989 through October 1990 were received by the DOH. The majority of the case-patients had sepsis (57%), cellulitis (50%) or both. Nine (32%) cases were fatal. Those who died were older than those who survived (median age 74 years v 43 years, p = 0.002) and were more likely to have clinical diagnoses that included pneumonia (relative risk [RR] 3.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2, 7.3) or necrotizing fasciitis/myositis (RR 3.7, 95% CI 1.5, 9.0). The median interval from illness onset to hospitalization was similar for fatal cases (1 day) and non-fatal cases (2 days), suggesting that early intervention after the appearance of clinical illness may not improve the outcome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Performance of retrieved Kuntscher intramedullary rods: improved corrosion resistance with contemporary material design.

Eighteen Kuntscher-type intramedullary rods were obtained after human implantation periods ranging from 1 to 23 years. A clinical evaluation, metallurgical and chemical analyses of each implant were performed. Idiopathic, implant-related pain was the most common reason for removal, but was not related to extent of implant corrosion. When classified as early versus contemporary material compositions, a significant increase in surface corrosion, inclusion content and carbon content were demonstrated in rods made of the earlier composition of stainless steel. Intergranular corrosion was associated with structural design, rather than material microcleanliness or composition. While contemporary intramedullary fracture fixation provides excellent clinical results, the present investigation suggests that the performance of stainless steel implants may be improved through continued refinement of steel composition, careful consideration of structural design and fabrication techniques, and by routine removal of implants at the earliest opportunity.

Biocompatible Materials↗
PubMed1990

Superficial cultures in neonatal sepsis evaluations. Impact on antibiotic decision making.

The authors performed a retrospective analysis of neonatal superficial cultures and their effect on antimicrobial decision making during a nine-month period at Nashville General Hospital. They obtained and reviewed charts of infants (n = 66) having paired superficial (skin and/or gastric aspirate) and deep (blood and cerebrospinal fluid) cultures for the evaluation of early-onset sepsis. Superficial cultures were positive for pathogens (any streptococcus or enteric gram-negative) in 15% (10/66) of cases. Antimicrobial decision making was affected in only one of these cases, and in a seemingly inappropriate manner. In summary, there was no evidence or review that superficial cultures used in sepsis evaluation influenced physician antimicrobial decision making; in one case they may have led to unnecessary antibiotic exposure.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1990

Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome in Wisconsin.

Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) is a newly recognized illness characterized by intense eosinophilia, debilitating myalgia, and absence of any condition that could account for the eosinophilia or myalgia. The disorder has previously been associated with ingestion of capsules containing the amino acid L-tryptophan. In 1989, the Wisconsin Division of Health began surveillance for EMS. Each of 25 persons reported with the illness and meeting a standardized case definition were using L-tryptophan when their symptoms began, between June 1989 and January 1990. The median age of the patients was 43 years (range 26-82 years); 92% were female, and 96% were white. The majority of patients reported were using L-tryptophan for insomnia (36%), premenstrual syndrome (28%), or depression (20%). Common signs and symptoms in these cases included cough or dyspnea (60%), arthralgia (44%), edema of the extremities (44%), fever (36%), and rash (32%). Other epidemiologic investigations to date suggest that EMS may be associated with a product contaminant.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Clinical and roentgenographic evaluation of bipolar prostheses with noncemented anatomic medullary locking femoral stems.

Fifty-six DePuy anatomic medullary locking femoral bipolar prostheses were reviewed clinically and roentgenographically in 50 patients at an average follow-up period of 30 months (range, 24-71 months). Forty-four of the implantations were in 40 male and 12 were in ten female patients. Forty-five devices were placed in primary operations, while 11 were used in revisions. The overall average age was 53.5 years. The average Harris hip scores for the primary bipolars were 29.8 preoperative and 77.3 postoperative, while the revision bipolars had Harris hip scores of 35.9 preoperative and 75.1 postoperative. Nearly one-half (47%) of all primary and 54% of the revision patients experienced pain to some degree on ambulation. Roentgenographically, all femoral components appeared to be well fixed biologically. Roentgenographic changes occurred with time in both primary and revision prostheses. On roentgenographic zonal analysis of primary prostheses, radiolucencies greater than 1 mm were present most frequently in the most proximal lateral zone and at the distal tip of the prosthesis. Although the use of noncemented bipolar prostheses generally shows acceptable clinical results, noncemented fixed acetabular components with noncemented femoral components produce a more satisfactory clinical result.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Complications with the variable spinal plating system.

From January 1986 to June of 1987, 40 patients underwent transpedicle fixation and fusion using the variable spinal plate system. Nineteen patients had undergone surgery at the same level or levels, and 21 patients had undergone no previous surgery. Diagnostic categories include spondylolisthesis, thoracolumbar and lumbar fractures, internal disc derangement, spinal stenosis, pseudarthrosis, mechanical instability, and fracture mal-union. Minimum follow-up has been 14 months, with the average being 20 months. Overall results showed 13 excellent, 12 good, seven fair, and eight poor. The overall complication rate was 45%. In those patients undergoing no previous surgery, it was 29%, but with those patients having previous surgery, it was 63%. Most of these complications were minor in nature and resolved before discharge. Implant failure occurred in seven patients, and consisted of screw breakage. Design modifications currently available should help minimize this complication. Although this method of internal fixation and fusion is technically demanding and has a high complication rate, it is considered to be indicated in lumbar fractures, revision of pseudarthrosis, spondylolisthesis with or without reduction, and failed surgery with marked instability.

Bone Plates↗
PubMed1989

The os in os appearance in the spine and pelvis of adults.

Three cases of radiodense lines contained within bone and coursing parallel to the bony surfaces in skeletally mature patients are discussed. These lines were found to be distinct with normal appearing bone on either side and formed a miniature model of the present bony structure. This "bone within a bone" appearance was discovered on roentgenograms of patients with no history of musculoskeletal disorders. This radiologic finding probably represents a time-limited insult to the immature skeleton and appears to have no clinical significance.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Fasciocutaneous flap closure of a grade III lower third tibial fracture: an alternative to free flap coverage.

We present a patient who sustained a close-range shotgun wound resulting in a grade III fracture of the lower tibia. The wound was debrided on several occasions and, on day 4, was closed with a flexor digitorum muscle and pedicled fasciocutaneous flap. Grades III and IV lower one-third tibial fractures generally require a free flap to accomplish stable soft-tissue coverage. Free-tissue transfer, however, remains a tedious and lengthy procedure. Occasionally a fasciocutaneous flap may be available to facilitate wound closure and spare the patient a lengthy procedure and distant donor site. The established principles of compound tibial coverage must be adhered to when choosing a local fasciocutaneous flap.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Anterior lumbar fusion utilizing transvertebral fibular graft.

In those instances of failed posterior arthrodesis for spondylolisthesis, iatrogenic spondylolisthesis due to posterior neural decompression or severe (grade III or IV) spondylolisthesis, anterior stabilization using a fibular strut graft appears to be feasible and successful. Eleven patients were treated with this technique and ten achieved solid anterior arthrodesi; the eleventh fused posterolaterally. All improved symptomatically with no postoperative complications, including sexual dysfunction in the male.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Perinatal medical negligence closed claims from the St. Paul Company, 1980-1982.

One hundred fifty-three closed claims involving perinatal injury or death filed from 1980 through 1982 with the St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company were studied. The claims included were those in which an indemnity was paid or $1,000 or more was expended on the legal defense. Five obstetricians reviewed these cases to identify obstetric and neonatal risk factors. In addition, cases were classified as to the presence or absence of medical negligence. Most of the complications leading to claims arose during labor and delivery. Many claims resulted from the failure to evaluate or treat in a manner consistent with accepted standards of care. Many lacked documentation of the physician's recognition of the risk factors involved. Low Apgar scores at both one and five minutes were the newborn risk factors seen most commonly. In the opinion of the reviewers, medical negligence occurred in 47% of the cases. Indemnity payment occurred with most of the claims judged to be associated with medical negligence. Payment to the claimant was made in a number of cases in which the reviewer thought no malpractice occurred. These results suggest that improvements may be needed in prenatal and perinatal health care as well as in the legal system used to address the problem of perinatal medical negligence.

Birth Injuries↗