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Biomedical subjects

J Morse

Publications and source records attributed to J Morse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Electron-beam tomography coronary calcium scores are superior to Framingham risk variables for predicting the measured proximal stenosis burden.

Previous studies of electron-beam tomography (EBT) have correlated coronary calcium scores with simplistic visual estimates of disease severity. In a clinical trial designed to evaluate 2 treatment strategies in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, we used quantitative coronary angiography to measure composite proximal stenosis burden from the baseline coronary angiogram and assessed the traditional Framingham risk variables in 146 patients. Stenosis burden is the sum, per patient, of percent stenosis for the worst lesion found in each of 9 standard proximal coronary segments. EBT estimates of coronary calcium (Agatston score, calcium volume score) were obtained for 115 of these patients. Stenosis burden was correlated with the calcium scores and risk variables. The best traditional correlates of stenosis burden were smoking status (r = 0.31, p = 0.001), prior myocardial infarction (r = 0.24, p = 0.005), body mass index (r = 0.23, p = 0.005), pack-years smoking (r = 0.20, p = 0.05), and age (r = 0.17, p = 0.04). With adjustment for age, all these correlations improved (eg, body mass index x age [r = 0.28, p = 0.001]). In addition, total cholesterol x age (r = 0.22, p = 0.008), fibrinogen x age (r = 0.19, p = 0.03), and systolic blood pressure x age (r = 0.18, p = 0.03) became significant correlates. Spearman correlations of the calcium scores with stenosis burden were considerably greater (Agatston: r = 0.62, p <0.0001; calcium volume: r = 0.63, p <0.0001). In multivariate regression analysis, calcium score, body mass index, and history of myocardial infarction were independent correlates of stenosis burden (R(2) = 0.45). At a given point in time, the EBT coronary calcium scores are greatly superior to the Framingham risk factors in predicting the measured proximal stenosis burden. Agatston and calcium volume scores are comparably predictive of stenosis burden.

Body Burden↗
PubMed2000

Use of archival tissue in epidemiologic studies: collection procedures and assessment of potential sources of bias.

Collection and analyses of archival tumor tissue as a means to increase our understanding of disease pathways is becoming an important avenue of epidemiologic research. In this paper, we present methods of collection and processing of archival tissue and assess the population characteristics of those for whom we were able to and unable to obtain tumor DNA. Cases of colon cancer diagnosed between September, 1991 and October, 1994 living in Utah, Northern California, or the Twin Cities Metropolitan area of Minnesota were targeted for this study. Of the 2477 people for whom we had permission to obtain tumor blocks, we were able to collect blocks and extract DNA for 2117 (85.5%). There were no differences in age, tumor site, or diet and lifestyle characteristics between those with and without DNA extracted. However, we were less likely to be able to extract DNA if the case was diagnosed at a more advanced disease stage or at the earliest disease. Potential bias from exclusion of those with the most advanced disease stage is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Unionizing the E.R.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

American Medical Association↗
PubMed1999

Doctors, nurses, and parents are equally poor at estimating pediatric weights.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relative accuracy of physicians, nurses, and parents in estimating the weight of children presenting to the emergency department. METHODS: One hundred pediatric patients between the ages of 0 and 8 years presenting to an urban teaching emergency department (40,000 patients per year) were enrolled over a 1-month period (September 1996). The parents, triage nurse, and examining physician were asked to estimate the patient's weight, each blinded to the others' estimates and the child's actual weight. RESULTS: Parents, nurses, and physicians all slightly underestimated patient weights (P < 0 .05), but these groups did not differ among themselves (P > 0 .05). The total range of estimates was broad in each group (parents +292% to -41%, nurses +30% to -36%, and physicians +43% to -56%). There was no significant relationship between estimates with regard to age, weight, or sex. Twenty-nine percent of physicians' estimates, 40% of nurses' estimates, and 16% of parents' estimates differed from the actual weight by more than 15%. CONCLUSION: Emergency department pediatric weight estimates by parents, nurses, and physicians are significantly and similarly unreliable.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1993

Injury-induced regulation of ciliary neurotrophic factor mRNA in the adult rat brain.

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a pleiotropic molecule that acts as a neurotrophic factor for a wide range of embryonic neurons as well as a differentiation factor for sympathetic neuroblasts and O2A progenitor cells in culture. CNTF messenger RNA (mRNA) is present at very low levels in the normal adult rat central nervous system (CNS), but is dramatically up-regulated after an aspiration lesion of dorsal hippocampus and overlying cortex, in the area coincident with glial scar. The increased level of CNTF mRNA in lesioned hippocampus is maximal by 3 days and is sustained for up to 20 days, the longest time point examined. In contrast, mRNA levels for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) were slightly decreased during the same period. In situ hybridization experiments revealed that cells expressing CNTF mRNA were concentrated at the margin of the wound, and also present within the gelfoam which filled the lesion cavity. This distribution of CNTF-expressing cells corresponded very closely to that of cells expressing high levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein mRNA at the wound site. Paralleling the observed increase in CNTF mRNA, increased levels of CNTF-like neurotrophic activity were apparent in soluble extracts of the lesioned tissues. This neurotrophic activity for ciliary ganglion neurons was completely blocked by the addition of neutralizing antiserum against CNTF. Basic fibroblast growth factor, which has been shown by others to increase after a similar lesion paradigm (Frautschy et al., Brain Res., 553, 291-299, 1991), does not contribute appreciably to this trophic activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1990

A cross-over comparison of acrivastine, pseudoephedrine and their combination in seasonal allergic rhinitis.

In a four period, double-blind cross-over study, forty patients with moderate to severe symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis received in randomised order 8 mg acrivastine, 60 mg pseudoephedrine, 8 mg acrivastine plus 60 mg pseudoephedrine and placebo. Each treatment was given three times daily for six days with a one day washout period between treatments. Acrivastine alone significantly reduced all the symptom severity scores when compared to placebo or pseudoephedrine alone (p less than 0.01). These severity scores were assigned daily by patients for itchy nose/throat, sneezing, running nose, blocked nose, watery eyes, itchy eyes and overall symptoms. The combination of acrivastine and pseudoephedrine was significantly better than either placebo or pseudoephedrine alone in controlling all symptom scores (p less than 0.01) and it was also superior to acrivastine alone (p less than 0.05) in controlling all symptoms except itchy eyes. The results confirm the expected additive rather than synergistic effect of acrivastine and pseudoephedrine in combination. The control of symptoms assessed at the end of each treatment period was considered either excellent or good by 79% of patients and 84% of investigators for acrivastine plus pseudoephedrine and, for acrivastine alone, by 69% of patients and 67% of investigators. Both acrivastine alone and acrivastine and pseudoephedrine in combination were well tolerated. There was no significant difference in the number of adverse experiences reported in either of these two groups compared to the number of adverse experiences reported in the placebo group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Oxygen tension measurements using an oxygen polarographic electrode sealed in an implantable silastic tonometer: a new technique.

Our new method is comparable to the standard, "open-end" tonometer system and incorporates all its abilities to monitor oxygen tension and perfusion. The new device has the advantage of being completely sealed, providing a true, continuous direct measurement over several days, with freedom of movement for the patient without operator attention and with improved stability of the electrode, which minimizes the drift artifacts previously encountered. These improvements will facilitate routine clinical monitoring of tissue oxygen tension.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Nifedipine therapy for diffuse esophageal spasm.

Although nifedipine therapy resulted in substantial relief of dysphagia in six patients with diffuse esophageal spasm, significant side effects, particularly in young working subjects, precluded prolonged use.

Dizziness↗