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Biomedical subjects

J Evans

Publications and source records attributed to J Evans.

At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

The superiority of maximum fiber elastance over maximum stress-volume ratio as an index of contractile state.

The end-systolic pressure-volume relationship has been used as a load-independent measure of ventricular pump performance. Since comparisons of load between ventricles of different size and thickness may be more accurately made with measurements of wall stress than with those of pressure, the end-systolic stress-volume relationship at one or more levels of end-systolic stress has been used to estimate contractile function in hypertrophied ventricles. Linear regression of end-systolic stress against end-systolic volume for differently loaded beats has a slope termed maximum fiber elastance (fiber Emax) and a volume intercept termed Vo; the maximum stress-volume ratio (MSVR) for a single beat is an approximation of fiber Emax but assumes Vo = 0. However, the influence of preload, afterload, and inotropic state on these indexes has not been examined. We therefore studied the stress-volume relationship in seven open-chest dogs instrumented with ultrasonic crystals and micromanometers. Postextrasystolic potentiation (PESP) increased both the MSVR (5.7 +/- 1.83 vs 4.85 +/- 1.43 at control, p less than .05) and fiber Emax (13.93 +/- 3.24 vs 9.24 +/- 2.15 at control; p less than .05). Augmentation of preload by infusion of dextran, with the use of nitroprusside to maintain afterload relatively constant, did not significantly influence either the MSVR or fiber Emax. Vo was not significantly influenced by PESP, but was shifted to higher values by augmentation of preload (17.5 +/- 14.8 vs 13.9 +/- 11.1 ml at control; p less than .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1985

On serious violence during sleep-walking.

It is not sufficiently realised that sleep-walking is not an hysterical condition, nor in any way related to epilepsy, nor that it can be accompanied by violent injury to the self or others. Three case reports here include that of a 14-year-old boy who rose from his bed at 2 a.m. and severely stabbed his five-year-old girl cousin. The sleeping mind is not in touch with reality and amnesia for events during sleep is usual.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Performance and attitudes of occupational therapists regarding sexual habilitation of pediatric patients.

A survey of 70 registered occupational therapists was conducted to determine the therapists' performance of tasks related to the sexual development of disabled children and the therapists' attitudes toward sexual habilitation issues. The questionnaire used in the survey was developed after a review of the literature on sexuality and disability. Respondents indicated which of the nine tasks listed they performed, which they considered important, and for the performance of which they felt adequately prepared. They also designated individuals who, in their opinion, were best suited for the performance of each task. Results showed a discrepancy between respondents' positive attitudes toward tasks of sexual habilitation and the low frequency of reported task performances. No single health professional was clearly identified as appropriate for performing any of the tasks, nor were parents so identified. Therapists who had received information on sexual habilitation and rehabilitation performed significantly more of the tasks than did therapists without this educational experience.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Distribution of 5'-nucleotidase in the tissues of sheep and the effect of kidney and liver lesions on the activity of the enzyme in plasma and urine.

The distribution of 5'-nucleotidase (5'-NT) activity in the tissues of the sheep differs from that of gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT). Nevertheless, both enzymes are released into the plasma of sheep which have been infected with Fasciola hepatica or in which the bile duct has been ligated. In a sheep dosed with sporidesmin, a fungal toxin which damages the biliary tract, there was an increase in GGT activity in the plasma and urine but no change in 5'-NT activity. Neither enzyme was released into the plasma or urine of sheep dosed with carbon tetrachloride. In sheep with renal tubular necrosis and hepatocellular necrosis caused by dosage with hexachlorobutadiene, both enzymes were released into the plasma, and GGT, but not 5'-NT activity was found in urine. In sheep with tubular necrosis of the kidney caused by the administration of mercuric chloride, GGT activity, but not 5'-NT, increased in the plasma and urine.

5'-Nucleotidase↗
PubMed1985

Sexual habilitation of youngsters with chronic illness or disabling conditions.

While health care professionals have acknowledged the need to address the area of sexuality in the rehabilitation of adults, the sexuality of children with habilitative needs is still largely ignored. Chronically ill and disabled children are at risk for psychosexual disorders and nonfulfillment of sexual needs. This article presents a model for identification of and intervention to overcome impediments to development of healthy sexuality. Specific suggestions for such intervention, organized by developmental stage, are provided. The questions of who is responsible for incorporating sexual habilitation into treatment and when intervention should begin are raised and answered. The potential problem of securing parental cooperation is also discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Does clearing of axillary lymph nodes contribute to accurate staging of breast carcinoma?

The major prognostic indicator in carcinoma of the breast is the presence of metastases in axillary lymph nodes. However, 25% of patients with negative axilliary nodes by standard pathologic techniques are dead of metastatic breast carcinoma within 10 years. "Clearing" of the axillary fat has been shown to increase the yield of lymph nodes. Forty-two pathologic Stage I and II breast carcinoma specimens were cleared following routine pathologic examination to determine whether stage was changed by the clearing procedure. A total of 857 lymph nodes were recovered from 42 patients by routine techniques. Clearing increased the number of nodes found by 30%, to 1114. In the 31 node-negative patients an additional 178 nodes were identified, increasing the mean number of nodes per patient from 20 to 26. The number of additional nodes found per specimen ranged from 0 to 19. None of the additional nodes identified contained metastases. In the node-positive patients, 79 additional nodes were found by clearing, including 33 with metastases. No change in stage resulted, although the mean number of nodes per patient was increased from 22 to 30. Although an occasional positive lymph node may be overlooked by manual dissection, the rarity of this event makes routine clearing of the axillary contents impractical for carcinoma of the breast except in a research setting. Whether this conclusion applies equally to other tumors and other lymph node groups requires further study.

Axilla↗
PubMed1984

Biological activities of isomers of 8,15-dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid.

Chemically synthesized 8(S), 15(S)-dihydroxy-5,11-cis-9, 13-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid and 8(R), 15(S)-dihydroxy-5,11-cis-9,13-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid were inactive, in comparison to leukotriene B4, in a human polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemokinetic assay and a rat polymorphonuclear leukocyte aggregation assay.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Congenital hepatic fibrosis associated with Mallory bodies and copper retention.

New observations are described in a case of congenital hepatic fibrosis. Histochemical stains of liver tissue for copper (rhodanine) and copper associated protein (orcein) were positive and hepatic copper concentration, measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy, was markedly elevated being 550 micrograms/g dry weight (NR less than 30 micrograms/g dry weight). Mallory bodies were observed in several areas in liver sections. These observations have not been previously recorded in congenital hepatic fibrosis. Increased hepatic copper concentration in this case may have contributed to the production of liver damage. Hepatic copper concentration should be specifically measured in other patients with congenital hepatic fibrosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

First year of life after the use of atenolol in pregnancy associated hypertension.

We describe the results of a prospective study in which 120 women who developed hypertension in the last trimester of pregnancy were randomly allocated in double blind manner to atenolol or placebo. The mean duration of treatment was five weeks. The only difference between groups during the neonatal period was in respiratory distress syndrome, mainly related to spontaneous premature labour, which occurred in six placebo group babies but in none from the atenolol group. Fifty five children from each group have been followed to 1 year of age. All in the atenolol group are developing normally but one child from the placebo group is brain damaged. These findings do not suggest any short or medium term paediatric complications after the use of beta blockers in pregnancy.

Atenolol↗
PubMed1984

Interstitial deletion of the short arm of chromosome 4.

A 17 year old girl investigated for mental retardation and minor anomalies was found to have an interstitial deletion of 4p. Her clinical and cytogenetic findings are compared with previous reported case of interstitial 4p deletion and with terminal 4p--deletions (Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome).

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1984

Disablement and eye contact.

This study investigated the effect of height level and wheelchair presence on eye contact and interaction. Presence of a wheelchair increased eye contact to a standing colleague, possibly due to the wheelchair-confined individuals' perceived dependence on others.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

The immune response of human neonates to Listeria monocytogenes infection.

Infection with Listeria monocytogenes during pregnancy has a high fetal and neonatal mortality. In rodents, it has been shown that resistance to Listeria infection is dependent upon a T cell-mediated immune response to the bacteria. The immune humoral and cell-mediated response to L. monocytogenes was studied in seven mother infant pairs who had documented evidence of L. monocytogenes sepsis. All studies were carried out 1 year following the initial infection as part of a clinical and immunological follow-up, and compared to an appropriate control group. The microagglutination titre and opsonizing activity of mothers previously infected with Listeria was significantly greater than that of the control mothers or their infected infants. There was no difference between the babies previously infected with L. monocytogenes when compared to control infants. The in vitro lymphoblastogenic response to Listeria, staphylococci, tetanus toxoid, and phytohemagglutinin was assessed. Infected mothers had a significantly greater proliferative response in the presence of Listeria than the control mothers, while the response of the previously infected infants was not different from that of the control infants. The response to the other antigens and PHA was similar in all groups. In conclusion, infants infected with L. monocytogenes during the perinatal period demonstrated neither a specific antibody response nor exhibited a cell-mediated immune response to this bacteria. These data support the idea that perinatally-infected infants have a markedly impaired immune response to L. monocytogenes and may, thus, explain their increased susceptibility to this infection.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗