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Biomedical subjects

J O Smith

Publications and source records attributed to J O Smith.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Proton beam irradiation of subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation in age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and potential toxicity of proton beam radiation in the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) due to age-related manner degeneration (ARMD) in a prospective, non-randomised study. METHODS: Forty-eight eyes of 46 consecutive patients with subfoveal CNVM due to ARMD, not amenable to laser photocoagulation, were treated prospectively with a single proton beam exposure. Two dose regimens were evaluated: 8 CGE (Cobalt Gray Equivalent) and 14 CGE. Patients were followed for an average of 22.1 months after proton beam treatment. RESULTS: At the 12 month follow-up, 44% of eyes in the 8 CGE group and 75% of the eyes in the 14 CGE group had stabilized or improved visual acuity. Complex size in the 8 CGE group as measured on standard fluorescein angiography (FA), decreased or had no change initially but showed less effect over time, while the eyes treated with 14 CGE maintained decreased leakage over the follow-up period of 12 months. However, 11 eyes in the 14 CGE group experienced radiation retinopathy, with the onset between 3 and 30 months. Seven of these 11 eyes have demonstrated some visual loss but only 1 eye developed severe visual loss at 15 months after proton treatment. CONCLUSIONS: To date, 14 CGE has suggested a favourable influence on visual function and growth inhibition of CNVM. Proton beam irradiation appears to inhibit CNVM growth. The 14 CGE dose regimen appears to have a longer effect of CNVM growth than does 8 CGE, with overall stabilisation of visual function and growth inhibition. Radiation retinopathy has developed over time, but severe visual loss has been limited. On the basis of the incidence of radiation retinopathy, adjustments in the total radiation dosage and/or fractionation of the dosage should be considered.

Aged↗

Gender and acute myocardial infarction: is there a different response to thrombolysis?

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to 1) determine the effect of gender on early and late infarct-related artery patency and reocclusion after thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction; 2) examine the effect of gender on left ventricular function in response to injury/reperfusion; and 3) assess the independent contribution of gender to early (30-day) mortality after acute myocardial infarction. BACKGROUND: Women have a higher mortality rate than men after myocardial infarction. However, the effect of gender on infarct-related coronary artery patency and left ventricular response to injury/reperfusion have not been fully defined in the thrombolytic era. METHODS: Patency rates and global and regional left ventricular function were determined in patients at 90 min and 5 to 7 days after thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction. The effect of gender on infarct-related artery patency and left ventricular function was determined. Thirty-day mortality differences between women and men were compared. RESULTS: Women were significantly older and had more hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, heart failure and shock. They were less likely to have had a previous myocardial infarction, history of smoking or previous bypass surgery. Ninety-minute patency rates (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction [TIMI] flow grade 3) in women and men were 39% and 38%, respectively (p = 0.5). Reocclusion rates were 8.7% in women versus 5.1% in men (p = 0.14). Women had more recurrent ischemia than men (21.4% vs. 17.0%, respectively, p = 0.01). Ninety-minute ejection fraction and regional ventricular function were clinically similar in women and men with TIMI 2 or 3 flow (ejection fraction [mean +/- SD]: 63.4 +/- 6% vs. 59.4 +/- 0.7%, p = 0.02; number of chords: 21.4 +/- 0.9 vs. 21.0 +/- 1.9, p = 0.7; SD/chord: -2.4 +/- 08 vs. -2.4 +/- 0.2, p = 0.9, respectively). No clinically significant differences in left ventricular function were noted at 5- to 7-day follow-up. Women had a greater hyperkinetic response than men in the noninfarct zone (SD/chord: 2.4 +/- 0.2 vs. 1.7 +/- 0.1, p = 0.005). The 30-day mortality rate was 13.1% in women versus 4.8% in men (p < or = 0.0001). After adjustment for other clinical and angiographic variables, gender remained an independent determinant of 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Women do not differ significantly from men with regard to either early infarct-related artery patency rates or reocclusion after thrombolytic therapy or ventricular functional response to injury/reperfusion. Gender was an independent determinant of 30-day mortality after acute myocardial infarction.

Aged↗

Differences in perceptions of managerial roles by gender among southern business students.

Perception of the roles necessary for managerial success based on the 10 verbal descriptors of the Mintzberg roles were gathered from 128 business students at a southern U.S. university. The objective was to assess whether these 72 men and 56 women viewed the importance of the roles differently. Ratings were collected on the 10 roles for each of four different types of managers. The data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance, chi-squared analysis, and Spearman rank-order correlation. No differences were observed in the perception of men and women in these roles or of their relative importance.

Adult↗

Pyoderma gangrenosum in a kindred. Precipitation by surgery or mild physical trauma.

Five cases of pyoderma gangrenosum occurring in a kindred are presented. Three of the cases occurred after abdominal surgery and tended to be confused with postoperative wound infections. Two cases occurred after superficial injury to the leg and were also thought to represent a peculiar form of cellulitis. None of the patients are known to have any of the underlying diseases usually associated with pyoderma gangrenosum. The cases are presented to alert the physician to this entity and to document the unusual familial occurrence.

Abdomen↗

Guidelines for planning faculty development workshops.

This article presents guidelines for developing workshops based on practical experience and a review of the literature. Health science faculty tend to prefer workshops as a method of learning. However, the success of a workshop depends on thoughtful planning. The needs and expectations of participants should be thoroughly assessed. Workshop leaders must be competent, enthusiastic, and flexible; they must create a successful adult learning environment, especially for professionals with teaching experience. Evaluation of workshops should include both formative and summative methods.

Curriculum↗

Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia: errors in diagnosis.

Experience with 42 cases of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is reviewed. The correct diagnosis was most readily made when: (1) the injury was recent, (2) the tear was left sided and large with readily identifiable structures herniated, (3) appropriate diagnostic procedures were carried out (chest film, upper gastrointestinal examination, barium enema study, nuclear liver scan, computed tomography), and (4) a high index of suspicion was maintained. The diagnosis was likely to be missed when: (1) the history of trauma, usually remote, was not obtained or was disregarded, (2) the hernia was right sided with herniation of the liver or other solid (water density) organs, or (3) diagnostic tests were not properly correlated (i.e., abnormal barium enema and chest film) or were not obtained. The rather characteristic appearance of herniated liver on the nuclear liver/spleen scan is noted and its use rather than pneumoperitoneum is recommended.

Adolescent↗

Continuing education needs assessment in dentistry: the SNAP system.

Needs assessment has become an integral step in planning for continuing education. This article describes a computer-based needs assessment system that has been used successfully in planning continuing dental education in South Carolina. The Statewide Needs Assessment Program (SNAP) provides a general purpose system for collecting and analyzing continuing education needs data for large populations. Needs assessment data from 489 practicing dentists in South Carolina are presented and analyzed.

Computers↗