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Biomedical subjects

J Kern

Publications and source records attributed to J Kern.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Psychological aspects of patients in germ-free isolation: a review of child, adult, and patient management literature.

Life-threatening medical conditions such as severe combined immunodeficiency disease, leukemia, severe aplastic anemia, radiation injury, burns, organ transplantation, and aggressive administration of chemotherapy often necessitate the isolation of the patient in a protected germ-free environment for weeks or months. This treatment milieu has the effect of extensive psychological and physical isolation from family and staff. A review of the literature was undertaken to investigate the psychological implications of such treatment and to question the possibility that this isolation therapy might produce a unique type of psychological stress. Most authors agree that patients are able to withstand the emotional stress of germ-free isolation and that behavioral changes relate more to the severity of the illness rather than to the isolation. However, there may be inherent stresses related to isolator therapy that can be alleviated by environmental manipulation. Case vignettes are included and patient management in such an environment is outlined.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1982

Production and recovery of human leukocyte-derived alpha interferon using a cascade filtration system.

The use of a cascade filtration system for production and recovery of human leukocyte-derived alpha interferon (HuIFN-alpha) has been investigated. Included in the investigation were mass transfer studies of HuIFN-alpha across ultrafiltration membranes, design and evaluation of a laboratory-scale production system and determination of IFN production kinetics in both batch and filtration systems. The cascade filtration system allows separation of interferon from leukocytes and virus during production with simultaneous concentration and complete recovery. Kinetic studies indicate that HuIFN-alpha production can be enhanced by appropriate timing of the filtration procedure. While the current study is concerned with HuIFN-alpha, it is expected that the techniques developed will be applicable to the production and recovery of both natural and recombinant IFNs and lymphokines in general.

Cell Survival↗
PubMed1980

Age, increased ocular and blood pressures, and retinal and disc fluorescein angiogram.

From the densitometric and time curves of fluorescein angiograms of matched groups of normal, ocular hypertensive, and glaucomatous eyes, the time and rate of filling of the retinal arteries and veins, optic disc, and peripapillary choroid were measured. In the whole population of eyes, with increasing age there was a decreased rate of filling of the retinal arteries, optic disc, and the peripapillary choroid. With increased diastolic blood pressure, increased time was needed to fill the peripapillary choroid. Increased ocular pressures and decreased tonographic outflow facility were particularly correlated with the decreased filling of the retinal veins and the disc. Significant differences of circulatory changes in the retinal arteries and veins were obtained between the normal, ocular hypertensive, and glaucomatous eyes. Further evaluation of these circulatory events could be clinically useful, especially in differentiating normal from ocular hypertensive eyes in relation to the effect of ocular pressure on the retinal and disc circulations.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1977

[The endocrine psychosyndrome in the long term. II. A catamnestic reexamination after treatment of patients suffering from Cushing's syndrome (author's transl)].

Twelve patients with Cushing's syndrome (11 females, 1 male) who were examined for psychopathologic alterations in the course of the endocrine disease during the years 1960-61, were reexamined in 1976 regarding psychiatric sequelae after treatment. Ten patients had been treated by adrenalectomy, one patient by radiotherapy of the hypophysis, and one patient had refused any treatment. The average lapse of time from operation to reexamination or death (five patients) was 15 2/3 years. In seven patients it had been possible to stop completely the excessive production of adrenal hormones. Corresponding the long-term result was favorable, with complete recovery of the ability to work. The previous symptoms of the endocrine psychosyndrome disappeared almost completely. There was no permanent alteration of personality and the vital dependence on hormonal substitution was well tolerated. In four of the five patients with an unfavorable course of the disease it had not been possible to stop the excessive production of adrenal hormones. These patients became increasingly invalid and had to be cared for. Symptoms of chronic organic brain syndrome developed. In contrast to the course of panhypopituitarism where nonspecific personality factors are of considerable importance, in Cushing's syndrome the long-term prognosis depends entirely on the successful stoppage of the overproduction of adrenal hormones. The artificial subsitution is not necessarily a disadvantage for the psychic functioning of the patient.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Scanning microdensitometry of optic disc pallor in glaucoma.

A scanning microdensitometric technique has been developed for measuring the optical density of black and white photographs of the optic disc. From the frequency distribution curve of all the densities of the whole area of the optic disc, a separate peak was identified as corresponding to the area of pallor of the optic disc. Areas of pallor were measured as percentage of areas of the total disc for normal, ocular hypertensive, open-angle glaucoma patients, and those with suspect discs. Median values of percent area of pallor showed correspondence with the clinical diagnosis, the glaucoma patients having significantly larger areas than the normal subjects. The microdensitometric technique provides an objective means of measuring the amount of optic dis pallor. It has potential usefulness for screening and for following up suspect and confirmed glaucomas to determine progression of the disease.

Densitometry↗
PubMed1976

Community drug abuse agencies: an effective approach to the drug abuse problem.

Community-based drug agencies were established as a means for confronting the drug abuse dilemma. However, due to the traditional guidelines that were followed in developing CBDA programs, the unique aspects of the problem were overlooked. This uniqueness relates to the ability of the drug culture to satisfy basic human needs. To be effective CBDA must be able to satisfy the same needs that clients previously met through participation in the drug culture. This article examines three areas of weakness which limit the effectiveness of CBDA: (1) fragment delivery of services; (2) perpetuation of minimal client involvement, commitment, and responsibility; and (3) motivational considerations of board members. The alternative family structure is described as an innovative CBDA approach that directly relates to the uniqueness of the drug abuse problem.

Community Mental Health Services↗