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Biomedical subjects

J M Sutherland

Publications and source records attributed to J M Sutherland.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Computer-assisted newborn intensive care.

A minicomputer has been programmed to aid in the intensive care of high-risk newborn babies. The computer provides 24-hour on-line access to physiologic and environmental data and controls the heating of infant incubators. The control algorithm limits fluctuations in the incubator chamber and protects the infant against escape from neutral thermal conditions. The mortality rate for 105 infants cared for using the computerized systems was significantly reduced when compared to that of 105 matched high-risk infants cared for using standard non-computer-assisted techniques in the same nursery setting.

Computers↗

Essential (hereditary or senile) tremor.

Sixteen cases (eight in males and eight in females) of essential (hereditary or senile) tremor were collected over a two-year period. Ten patients had near relatives with a similar disorder. All but one patient had a tremor of the upper limbs which was absent when the arms were at rest, but which appeared on movement, and was made worse by emotion. The severity of the tremor varied considerably from patient to patient, and often was temporarily lessened by alcohol. The tremor involved the head and neck in six subjects and the legs in two. One subject has associated neurological abnormalities probably due to cerebral arteriosclerosis. Otherwise no neurological abnormality except tremor was present in any patient. No patient showed evidences of Parkinsonism. To the time of collection of the series the tremor had been present for periods of between one and 62 years. Many patients with essential tremor are not severely enough affected to warrant therapy. Propranolol, a beta-adrenergic blocking agent, appears to reduce the tremor in at least some patients who need treatment.

Adolescent↗

Geochemistry and multiple sclerosis: a hypothesis.

A hypothesis is presented and evidence is adduced to show that high-risk areas of multiple sclerosis are related to the ability of the soils of the locality to obtain and fix molybdenum perferentially to copper. Soil conditons capable of such partition are known to be present characteristically in cool temperate zones and are significantly present in acid podsols of these regions. On the other hand, under tropical and subtropical conditions, molybdenum is normally highly mobile and leached from the environment. Copper may also be leached but can accumulate in caliche deposits. This hypothesis is notopposed to the theory of a viral aetology of multiple sclerosis, but rather seeks to show that certain individuals, if exposed to trace element imbalance at a critical period in life, may be rendered susceptible to a slow virus infection.

Climate↗

Decreased colonization of newborn infants with Staphylococcus aureus 80/81: Cincinnati General Hospital, 1960-1972.

The changing pattern of colonization of newborn infants with Staphylococcus aureus was studied by examination of 25,662 nasal and umbilical cultures obtained at weekly intervals from 9,216 infants during 1960-1972. The frequency of colonization of infants in the newborn nursery with S. aureus 80/81 decreased significantly during 1963-1965 and has remained low since that time. This change in colonization was unrelated to the use of hexacholorophene for bathing infants or to changes in sensitivity to the commonly used systemic antibiotics, penicillin and kanamycin. A similar decrease occurred with S. aureus lysed by the group 2 phages, but this decrease rebounded to the earlier level after cessation of hexacholorphene use.

Baths↗

[Study of oxygen consumption in infants of diabetic mothers].

The energy expenditure (VO2) was measured during the first 36 hours of life in 10 infants of diabetic mothers (IDM) and in 16 normal newborns (NB). The mean VO2 was 5,72 ml/kg/min +/- 0,4 for the NB and 4,94 ml/kg/min. +/- 0,3 for the IDM. The respiratory quotients were similar for both groups. Blood glucose determination from all IDM were greater than 44 mg%. Although the low VO2 for IDM is unexplained, several hypothesis might be anticipated: either lack of utilization of abundant endogenous glycogen stores or increased metabolism of glucose by the cells.

Female↗

Buccal absorption of ergotamine.

The rate of disappearance of ergotamine from the mouth after buccal administration has been studied in seven subjects. Allowance has been made for non-absorptive losses of the drug due to experimental technique. The absorption of ergotamine across the buccal mucosa appears to be a passive process, pH-dependent but independent of ergotamine concentration or the simultaneous presence of caffeine. Because of the low solubility of ergotamine at the pH of saliva, it is unlikely that therapeutically useful amounts of the drug would have absorbed across the buccal mucosa even after the drug had been in the mouth for five minutes.

Absorption↗