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Biomedical subjects

J J Ryan

Publications and source records attributed to J J Ryan.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Belief in the existence of multiple personality disorder among psychologists and psychiatrists.

The present study surveyed the attitudes of psychiatrists and psychologists with regard to the existence of dissociative and multiple personality disorders. Questionnaires were sent to psychiatrists and psychologists in all VA Medical Centers. A total of 1,120 VA psychologists and psychiatrists completed the surveys. More than 97% of respondents indicated that they believed in dissociative disorders, while 80% reported a belief in multiple personality disorder. Belief in multiple personality disorder was related significantly to profession, age, and years of experience.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

A principal components analysis of the Dissociative Experiences Scale in a substance abuse population.

A principal components analysis with a varimax rotation was performed on the Dissociative Experiences Scale using a substance abuse population. Results based on a combination of the eigenvalue greater than 1 criterion and factor interpretability indicated that a four-factor solution best fit the data. Implications for interpreting the Dissociative Experiences Scale with substance abusers were discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Reduction mammaplasty for the teenage patient: a critical analysis.

Despite relatively few complications with reduction mammaplasty, there has been some hesitance to perform the procedure on the teenage patient. To examine the questions about teenage reduction, 16 teenage female patients were evaluated, all undergoing a modified McKissock technique. Followup averaging 42 months was obtained on 15 patients. Two complications were recorded. Subjective nipple sensation was the same or increased in 60% of our patient group. All patients were satisfied with their surgical results and relief of symptoms. The study revealed that reduction mammaplasty is a safe, viable surgical option for the adolescent female. Psychological, physical, and emotional symptoms are relieved.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Blood serum levels of PCDFs and PCBs in Yu-Cheng children peri-natally exposed to a toxic rice oil.

Children secondarily exposed through their mothers to a toxic rice oil containing PCDFs and PCBs in the Yu-cheng incident have shown developmental delay even a decade after the incident. Forty-five serum samples were collected from these children in February 1991 ad small amounts analyzed for their contaminant content using sample enrichment and isotope dilution mass spectrometry. In about one-half the samples, detectable levels of PCDFs and PCBs could still be determined with average values for 2, 3, 4, 7, 8-PnCDF and 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8-HxCDF of 300 and 620 ng/kg serum lipid, respectively. The mean of the total PCBs on a whole weight basis was 7.5 micrograms/kg. These concentrations of PCDFs and PCBs are still 10 to 25 times higher than those from a matched control population. Although the serum levels did not correlate with developmental delays, those for the two PCDFs but not the total PCBs correlated with duration of breast feeding indicative of postnatal exposure. The results of this study suggest that estimation of past prenatal exposure of children to PCDFs is best carried out using current mother and not current child blood concentrations.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Alteration of p53 conformation and induction of apoptosis in a murine erythroleukemia cell line by dimethylsulfoxide.

Programmed cell death, or apoptosis, may play an important role in the regulation of hematopoiesis. The tumor suppressor protein p53 has been identified as a key regulator of apoptosis in both normal and malignant hematopoietic cells. Modulation of p53 function is of interest, therefore, both in understanding the control of apoptosis and as a potential therapeutic intervention. In this study we describe the effect on murine erythroleukemia cells, transfected with a temperature-sensitive mutant p53, of exposure to the differentiating agent dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Rather than terminally differentiating, these cells are induced to undergo apoptosis. Interestingly, exposure to DMSO leads to an alteration of the protein conformation of the p53 mutant to one recognized by a wild-type specific monoclonal antibody. This is accompanied by a translocation of the p53 protein from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. These results suggest that the activity of some mutant p53 proteins can be functionally modified by exogenous compounds.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Musculoskeletal changes in children prenatally exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls and related compounds (Yu-Cheng children).

Fifty-five Yu-Cheng (oil-disease) children born between 1978 and 1985 to mothers who ate PCB-contaminated rice oil in 1978-1979 were studied and compared to age- and sex-matched control subjects in 1991. The children's growth profiles, bone mineral density and soft tissue composition, joint laxity, and serum parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, calcium, alkaline phosphatase, and phosphate were compared. The Yu-Cheng children were 3.1 cm (p < .05) smaller and had less total lean mass and soft tissue mass as compared to the matched control subjects. All other parameters studied were similar in both groups. The shorter height and decreased total lean mass and soft tissue content were only seen in the Yu-Cheng children who were the first born after the ingestion, but not in subsequent children. This was most likely due to decreased body burdens of the PCBs and related contaminants over time in the mothers.

Birth Order↗
PubMed1994

Chlorinated and brominated dioxins and dibenzofurans in human tissue following exposure.

With substantial improvements in analytic techniques over the past decade, it has become possible to measure polychlorinated dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in human tissue in a congener-specific fashion down to the low parts per trillion level. This paper reviews findings using these new techniques from a number of recent medical and environmental case studies. These studies include those of workers exposed to a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) transformer fire in the United States, German chemical workers exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) while cleaning up after an explosion, workers at a municipal incinerator in New York City, a chemist exposed to brominated and chlorinated dioxins, U.S. veterans and also Vietnamese civilians exposed to Agent Orange contaminated with TCDD in Vietnam, and victims of the polychlorinated dibenzofuran and PCB contaminated rice oil (Yusho) incident in Japan.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1994

Chlorinated dioxins and dibenzofurans in human tissue from general populations: a selective review.

During the past decade a considerable amount of data has been generated concerning polychlorinated dibenzodioxin (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) levels in humans from many geographical locations. To organize these data in a useful fashion for environmental purposes and for consideration of human toxicity, selected portions of our data are presented in a somewhat atypical fashion, by percentage contribution of individual congeners to total PCDD/Fs in human tissue, and to the total dioxin equivalents (TEq). This is done to better characterize congener contributions from environmental contamination in various geographical regions at this time and health-related levels. To present the findings in a global perspective, data from widely different locations are presented including the United States, Germany, Vietnam, the former Soviet Union, Thailand, Cambodia, China, South Africa, and Guam.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1994

Exposure of remote maritime populations to coplanar PCBs.

Two remote maritime populations were evaluated for their biological exposure to organochlorines in 1989-1990. Because of their high intake of seafood, these two populations have high biological levels. One hundred nine breast milk samples from Inuit women from Arctic Québec were analyzed to determine levels of polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) including non-ortho, mono-ortho, and di-ortho congeners. Total 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TEqs) for PCBs were 3.5 times higher in Inuit milk samples than in 96 Caucasian milk samples. Among the 185 fishermen from the Lower North Shore of the Gulf of the St. Lawrence River, we evaluated 10 highly exposed fishermen for their coplanar PCB blood levels. Total TEqs were 900 ng/kg for highly exposed individuals with 36 ng/kg for controls. In these two nonoccupationally exposed populations, coplanar PCBs make a larger contribution to the TEq than PCDDs and PCDFs. However, the mono-ortho penta CB No. 118 is the major contributor for the total toxicity.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Neurodiagnostic implications of abnormal verbal-performance IQ discrepancies on the WAIS-R: a comparison with the standardization sample.

The neurodiagnostic value of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) Verbal-Performance IQ (VIQ-PIQ) discrepancies was evaluated in a brain-damaged sample. The VIQ-PIQ differences of 260 neurologically impaired patients was compared to the WAIS-R standardization sample. The average VIQ-PIQ discrepancy of the patients was significantly larger than the mean IQ difference for normals. Comparison of the number of subjects whose VIQ-PIQ discrepancy equaled or exceeded 95% of the controls revealed no differences for the total sample and for individuals with low average or average intelligence. Conversely, the frequency of abnormal VIQ-PIQ differences was significantly greater among patients with Full Scale IQs <or= 79. The occurrence of an abnormal VIQ-PIQ discrepancy in persons with IQs <or= 79 should serve as a stimulus for further assessment.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1994

Factor structure of the WAIS-R by educational level: an examination of elderly persons.

A factor analysis of the WAIS-R by educational level for persons 75 years and older was conducted. Two- and three-factor solutions were generated for persons with 0 to 11 years of education and for high school graduates. A two-factor solution composed of verbal and perceptual-organization factors best explained the WAIS-R scores for subjects with 11 or fewer years of education. However, a three-factor solution emerged for persons with 12 or more years of schooling and consisted of the verbal comprehension, perceptual-organization, and freedom from distractibility factors. Clinicians must be aware of the potentially different factor structures generated by educational level to provide the most accurate interpretation of WAIS-R scores for elderly persons.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1994

Male breast cancer: three case reports and review of the literature.

Carcinoma of the breast occurs so infrequently in men that it is not at al well known either to patients or physicians. The causes of breast cancer in men are unknown. The most common clinical manifestation of breast cancer in men is a painless, firm subareolar mass or a mass in the upper outer quadrant of the breast. Diagnosis can be confirmed by fine-needle aspiration or surgical biopsy. Infiltrating ductal carcinoma is the predominant histologic type. After primary surgical treatment, men with axillary lymph node metastasis should receive adjuvant systemic chemotherapy. The use of radiation therapy for local control of the disease is recommended if there is invasion of the chest wall. Because most men with carcinoma of the breast have estrogen and progesterone-receptor positive tumors, breast cancer in men is likely to respond to hormonal manipulation.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Current concepts review: management of melanoma.

Management of melanoma is still based almost exclusively on the thickness of the primary lesion. Recent studies demonstrated that a surgical margin of 1 cm is adequate for most thin melanomas (1 mm or less in Breslow thickness), whereas thicker lesions may be removed with a surgical margin of 2 to 3 cm without adversely affecting the rate of local recurrence or patient survival. The value of prophylactic lymph node dissection in the management of primary melanoma is still debated. The role of chemotherapy and immunologic modalities in the treatment of this type of neoplasm requires better understanding and awaits the results of randomized, prospective studies.

Combined Modality Therapy↗
PubMed1994

Indications, complications, and long-term results of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: a retrospective study.

The purpose of this study was to determine the indications, success rate, procedure related complications, duration of tube feeding and long-term outcome in 35 consecutive patients in whom we attempted a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). All procedures were performed in a small University affiliated VA Medical Center Between July 1988 and June 1991 by the same team. Follow-up continued until death or October 1992. The most common indications for PEG were neurologic disorders (n = 30, 90%). PEG was successfully placed in 32 (91%) of the 35 patients. There was no procedure related mortality. Complications occurred in 43% of patients, most of which were minor (97%). In seven patients (22%), tubes were removed as eating was resumed. Two patients died within 30 days of tube placement. Most of the deaths occurred between one and six months (40%) after tube placement. Pneumonia was the most common cause of death and was attributed to aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions. Our experience suggests that PEG is safe and has a low complication rate, even in patients with multiple medical problems.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Clinicopathologic review of 92 cases of colon cancer.

This review included 92 cases with confirmed primary colon cancer seen at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota between 1988 and 1992. The presenting symptoms and signs and their relation to the site of the tumor, as well as the diagnostic procedures used, methods of treatment and follow-up are presented. Anemia was the initial presentation in 48 patients (52.2%), rectal bleeding in 19 patients (20.4%), and change in bowel habits in 15 patients (16.4%). Seventy-one of these cases (77.2%) were diagnosed by colonoscopy and biopsy, and the remaining 21 patients (23%) were diagnosed by exploratory laparotomy. Invasive adenocarcinoma was the predominant cell type and was present in 75 patients (81%). At the time of diagnosis, 64 (69%) of the patients were in stage I and II and 28 (30.4%) were in stage III and IV. The extent of the disease clearly affects survival, with high mortality in those patients diagnosed at late stages. This review again emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis in reducing the morbidity and mortality from this common neoplasm.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Reading level of the Dissociative Experiences Scale.

Reading difficulty values based upon the Flesch reading grade level and reading ease score (Flesch, 1949) were calculated for the 28 items of the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES; Bernstein & Putnam, 1986). Item reading levels ranged from the sixth to more than the thirteenth grade. According to the reading level formula, 43% of the items required at least a high school education. The reading ease estimate suggested that only 1 item required at least 12 years of schooling. Overall, a tenth- to eleventh-grade reading level was required for the entire DES. For persons with confirmed or suspected reading difficulties, interpretation of the DES should be made cautiously.

Dissociative Disorders↗
PubMed1993

Is the WAIS-R an acceptable test for the elderly? Opinions of examinees 75 years and older.

Two hundred twenty-four healthy volunteers, 75 years of age and older (M = 80.67 years; SD = 4.99), completed the WAIS-R and a post WAIS-R questionnaire. The questionnaire gathered information about the subjects' perceptions of the Wechsler Scale across five categories. The vast majority of subjects (over 92%) experienced the WAIS-R as interesting, challenging, motivating, and within their endurance. Only two subtests were rated negatively; Picture Arrangement and Block Design were experienced as tricky by 17% and 22% of the subjects, respectively. There were no significant differences on IQ and subtest scores between subjects who perceived the WAIS-R in a negative manner and those who viewed it positively.

Age Factors↗