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Biomedical subjects

J J Byrne

Publications and source records attributed to J J Byrne.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1990

Intestinal obstruction. Its serious nature and numerous pitfalls.

Clinical findings and radiographic studies are the most valuable tools in differential diagnosis of intestinal obstruction. Treatment depends on the type of obstruction. Functional ileus does not require surgery, but mechanical obstruction usually does. Ischemic obstruction demands urgent surgery to prevent or remove gangrene. Even when intestinal obstruction seems to be nonmechanical and uncomplicated, repeated follow-up observation is necessary. Functional ileus may transform to mechanical obstruction.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Treatment of pancreatitis. When do antibiotics have a role?

Experimental and clinical data on the use of antibiotics in treatment of pancreatitis vary widely, depending on the cause of the disease. Antibiotics have little effect on alcoholic or idiopathic pancreatitis, but they play a major role in treatment of bacterial infections in gallstone pancreatitis. Some antibiotics are effective in necrotizing pancreatitis; however, surgery and extensive debridement are often necessary when abscess is present or multiple-organ failure occurs.

Abscess↗
PubMed1987

Hypothyroidism and abnormalities in the kinetics of thyroid hormone metabolism in rats treated chronically with polychlorinated biphenyl and polybrominated biphenyl.

Studies were directed at the question of whether polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB; Aroclor 1254) and polybrominated biphenyl (PBB; Fire Master BP-6), when administered in the diets of female Sprague-Dawley rats over long periods of time (5-7 months) and at low dosages (0, 1, 5, 10, and 50 ppm), would depress the thyroid. By examining serum T3 and T4, kinetics of T4 metabolism, and in vivo thyroid response to exogenous TSH injections, an estimate of the degree of hypothyroidism was made, and abnormalities in T4 disappearance from serum were encountered. Serum T3 and T4 levels were greatly suppressed in a dose-related manner by PCB or PBB treatment. There was a diminished response of serum T3 and T4 to TSH injection in rats pretreated with PCB or PBB (5 and 10 ppm), the exception being T3 in the 5 ppm PCB treatment group. Had the PCB and PBB treatment-induced suppression of T4 and T3 been on the hypothalamo-pituitary axis, the response of the treated rats to exogenous TSH might have exceeded that of controls; however, the opposite occurred. Disappearance of injected doses of L-[125I]T4 diminished as treatment concentrations of PCB or PBB increased. Disappearance slopes (r = 0.98) and fractional turnover rate constants (k) were decreased (t1/2 was lengthened) at each treatment level compared to the control values. The T4 distribution space (per 100 g BW) was expanded with increasing dosage by as much as 8-fold in the 50 pmm PCB treatment group. T4 MCRs were not increased by PCB or PBB treatment; thus, decreases in serum T3 and T4 were not caused by increased catabolism. T4 production rates were decreased at all treatment levels, but maximally 6-fold by 50 ppm PCB treatment. Together these data indicate that PCB-PBB-induced decreases in serum T3 and T4 result primarily from direct damage to the thyroid rather than any enhanced hepatic or other peripheral catabolism per se. Expanded T4 distribution space demonstrated that nonthyroid damage was also an important factor in reducing serum T4. Cell membrane damage associated with PCB-PBB intoxication may have expanded pools for T4 dilution. The findings are consistent with reported histological and ultrastructural damage caused by PCB and PBB. It also appears that TSH plays little role in PCB-PBB-induced hypothyroidism.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Hand infections--the academic surgeon's perspective. 1. A historical sketch and the status of surgical drainage.

The academic surgeon must teach by example and action the importance of aseptic technique and proper wound care, practices that were supremely important in the prevention and treatment of surgical infections before the introduction of antibiotics but that remain so even in the modern medical age. The advent of antibiotics has greatly lowered the incidence of hand and other infections, opened the way for prophylactic treatment, and reduced the need for surgical drainage. However, over the years one theme has recurred: Initial care is preeminent in the prevention and treatment of all surgical infections.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1986

Hand infections--the academic surgeon's perspective. 2. A rundown of various causes.

A large number of organisms can cause infections of the hand, and they can enter the body in a number of ways--in animal or human bites, in punctures, by direct inoculation, or through the bloodstream, intravenous needles, or prosthetic implantation procedures. In addition, all types of scratches and abrasions can become contaminated--by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and a wide variety of marine organisms. When the body's defenses are impaired by disease or other factors, the organisms are more likely to take hold. Treatment depends on the organism involved and the extent of infection, but proper wound care and aseptic technique are paramount in all cases.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1984

Kinetic parameters of L-[125I]triiodothyronine degradation in rats pretreated with polyhalogenated biphenyls.

These studies were designed to elucidate the effects on thyroid function and thyroid-hormone activity of the long-term administration of low doses of four polyhalogenated aromatic compounds. The compounds studied were the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Aroclor 1254 and Aroclor 1242, and the polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) hexabromobiphenyl and octabromobiphenyl. Groups of eight female Sprague-Dawley rats, specified pathogen free, were fed a diet containing 50 ppm of one of the polyhalogenated biphenyls or control diet for 7 months. Significant effects on serum triiodothyronine (T3) were observed in the group given Aroclor 1254. Analysis of kinetic data revealed a decrease in T3 degradation rate and an increase of biological half-life after long-term exposure to Aroclor 1254. The T3 distribution space was increased in both groups treated with PCB, suggesting that PCB intoxication may open additional fluid pools to T3, possibly because of cell damage. Analysis of values for the same parameters for rats treated with PBBs showed less marked effects. The results of this study indicate that PCBs exert a direct effect on the thyroid gland and that the rate of synthesis of T3 may be reduced, and suggest that the mechanism of thyroid-hormone synthesis may be impaired.

Animals↗