Biomedical subjects

J Kramer

Publications and source records attributed to J Kramer.

299 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Changes in self-concept, cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength of children with spina bifida aged 8 to 13 years in response to a 10-week physical-activity programme: a pilot study.

The purposes of this study were to document the self-concept, cardiovascular endurance and isometric muscular strength of children with spina bifida, and to examine the changes in these variables in response to a structured 10-week exercise programme. Eight children trained for about 1 hour a week for 10 weeks, while the five control-group children did not participate in the physical-activity programme. The exercise group improved significantly on five of eight criterion means, while the control group showed no significant improvements. This programme represents an initial attempt to delineate the essential elements in a physical-activity programme to enhance physical fitness and self-concepts of children with spina bifida, and provides a framework for further study.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Monitoring steam sterilization practices in primary care settings.

Steam sterilization is a common method for processing reusable instruments in ambulatory care settings. Ensuring that sterilization practices are consistent with accepted standards is a quality-of-care parameter as well as an infection control issue. Factors that must be considered in improving performance in this important area are: operator training and continued competency, selection of chemical and biological media and methods, work flow controls, documentation methods and standards, written policies and procedures to support practices, and ongoing monitoring of the system and practices with feedback to responsible persons.

Ambulatory Care↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of a new method for assessing symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Many studies in rhinology are based on results from symptom scoring. Numerous methods are used to estimate symptoms. With some of them the patients choose between various alternatives for estimating the severity of their symptoms, but the commonest method is the visual analogue scale (VAS), which is regarded as reliable. METHODS: In this study, we evaluate a new method for assessing symptoms, with which the patient uses the telephone to call a computer. We compare the results using the new method with those using symptoms estimation with VAS. RESULTS: The results are based on 487 observations in patients with birch pollen allergic rhinitis in the pollen season. A high correlation was found between the results using the new method and those using the VAS. In a questionnaire, the patients answered questions concerning the two methods. Most patients preferred the new telephone method. They found it easier to estimate their symptoms properly and easier to perform. CONCLUSION: We conclude that telephone scoring of symptoms is a reliable and adequate method when symptom scoring is used as hard data in a study.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Knee flexor and extensor strength during concentric and eccentric muscle actions after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the semitendinosus tendon and ligament augmentation device.

The purposes of this study were to compare operated and nonoperated knees after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the semitendinosus tendon and a polypropylene ligament augmentation device, and to determine the interrelationships among strength, knee stability, and current activity levels. Isokinetic tests for knee flexion (prone position) and extension (sitting position) strength during concentric-eccentric muscle action cycles were completed at 60 and 180 deg/sec angular velocities, and passive anterior displacement were determined for 15 male and 15 female patients (mean age, 27 +/- 8 years; mean time since surgery, 21 +/- 3 months). With the exception of eccentric muscle actions during knee extension, peak torque and work done were significantly greater on the nonoperated leg (P < 0.05). Passive anterior displacement was significantly greater in the operated than the nonoperated knee (P < 0.01). Strength measurements tended to be modestly related to current activity level (R > 0.40 in 24 of 32 correlations; P < 0.05), whereas anterior displacement was not related to current activity level (R = -0.19, operated knee; R = -0.09, nonoperated knee; P > 0.05). Greater emphasis should be directed toward strengthening the knee flexors and knee extensors after this surgery. Although joint-specific tests (completed actively via isokinetic dynameter) are more related to activity levels than are knee laxity tests (completed passively via knee arthrometer), neither test should be relied on as the only predictor of activity level in this patient population.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The modified Scarf bunionectomy.

The Scarf bunionectomy offers the surgeon the ability to correct a mild to moderate intermetatarsal angle with the stability inherent to this procedure. When an increased proximal articular set angle is encountered, this procedure could previously only address either the increased intermetatarsal angle or the increased proximal articular set angle. The authors' modifications will incorporate the best attributes of the Scarf, Reverdin, and McBride bunionectomies to allow for concomitant correction of the osseous and soft tissue components of the hallux abducto valgus deformity. The authors' experience with 27 of these procedures performed on 15 different patients from 1987 to 1991 is presented.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

MR angiography of the extracranial carotid arteries using a two-slab oblique 3-D acquisition.

PURPOSE: To describe an oblique, two-slab 3-D acquisition technique for MR angiography of the extracranial carotid arteries, an approach chosen to minimize saturation effects when the body coil is used as transmitter, as is often the situation when a dedicated neck coil is used as receiver. SUBJECTS: Five healthy subjects and 17 patients in whom carotid artery disease was suspected underwent MR angiography using the above technique. RESULTS: Flow contrast was much better than in direct sagittal acquisition. Comparisons between multislab transverse 3-D acquisition and the oblique approach showed that a greater length of the carotid arteries was depicted and scan time was less for oblique acquisitions. CONCLUSIONS: Use of oblique imaging is a simple and effective solution to the problem of coil-related saturation effects.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied