Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J Perry.
Normal gait involves a well-defined sequence of joint motion and muscle activity. In cerebral palsy there are significant alterations. Surgical and orthotic plans should be made with the aid of the knowledge of these deviations.
A series of 7 allergic patients seen by one Allergy Service in a two-year period were identified as being allegedly involved in anti-social activities. They were either seriously ill or mimicked serious illness and by their behavior constituted a potential risk to themselves, other patients or health care personnel. Early identification of such high risk patients protects both patients and health care personnel.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The pattern of motor paralysis that commonly follows C6 tetraplegia creates an increased demand on upper limb function. The present investigation documented shoulder motion and muscular activity during planar motions and four activities of daily living (ADLs) in 15 men with spinal cord injuries (SCI) resulting in C6 tetraplegia. Three-dimensional (3-D) shoulder motion was recorded using a VICON motion system, and intramuscular electrodes recorded electromyographic (EMG) activity of 12 shoulder muscles. Active flexion and abduction required greater EMG than control subjects lifting a 2-kg weight. Relative EMG was similar for most muscles during hair combing, drinking, and reaching forward, although increased humeral elevation commonly resulted in a greater relative muscular effort. Hair combing had the most humeral elevation (90 degrees) with moderate to high levels of activation (32% to 63% maximum) recorded in the anterior deltoid, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and scapular muscles. During reaching for the perineum, posterior deltoid and subscapularis activity dominated.
The transfer of nursing education into higher education institutions is challenging nurses to re-think educational structures and processes. Traditionally, nursing education has used objective curriculum models which tend to reinforce bureaucratic rather than professional values. Critics suggest that these models, by their failure to incorporate social, political and cultural realities, contribute to theory-practice dichotomies. This paper shares the intentions of Deakin University's School of Nursing in developing alternative approaches to curriculum design and to learning and practising nursing.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The pattern of muscle activity was determined in 40 hemiplegic stroke patients with equinus, equinovarus or varus deformities. Although the exact pattern of muscle activity varied with each patient, the following general conclusions are possible. Premature firing of the triceps surae due to release of primitive locomotor control mechanisms and a hyperactive stretch response during limb loading are important causes of equinus. Prolonged firing of the tibialis anterior during stance and inactivity of the peroneus brevis are the principal factors responsible for varus.
Lower extremity abnormalities in stroke patients can be reliably improved by surgery. Surgical treatment is most frequently recommended for patients with: equinovarus; toe curling; excessive hip and knee flexion; limb scissoring. Unless the patient's disability is so severe he cannot walk, the operation is performed not before 6 and preferably not until 9 months after sroke.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Ninety consecutive patients with hemiplegic involvement following a single cerebrovascular accident were studied to assess the relative importance of factors affecting balance and ambulation. Only 50% of the patients achieved a community level of ambulation. Intact balance reactions correlated strongly with the ability to walk (r = 0.79). Balance was found to be dependent on limb control and proprioception. Age, sex, hemiplegic side, and structural factors did not correlate with function or recovery. The total score in each category of function was more highly correlated with balance and ambulation than were the individual scores.
Computed tomographic (CT)-guided stereotaxic procedure have become established in a few major centers but a single optimal system has not yet emerged. At Duke University Medical Center, availability of a stereotaxic frame with design features that lend themselves to CT adaptation made modification of this unit, rather than construction of a new dedicated frame, cost-effective. As other centers may seek to modify available stereotaxic equipment in a similar way, this report documents the modifications ans the early clinical experience in four patients in whom CT-guided stereotaxic biopsy procedures were performed.
Hindfoot function involves eccentric loading of the subtalar joint and repetitive strain of the calcaneal soft tissues. Both are induced by the serial pattern of foot support. The subtalar joint experiences rapid eversion following heel strike and subsequent inversion during terminal stance. Although these actions reduce the rotatory strain on the ankle joint, they also challenge the local soft tissues and controlling muscles. Compression and traction of the soft tissues about the heel are normal events during each walking cycle. Loading the limb at the onset of stance causes heel pad compression. Conversely, the plantar fascia and tendo Achillis are subjected to significant traction as body weight is transferred onto the forefoot during the latter half of the single limb support period. The intensity of hindfoot stress increases with the vigor of activity. Running creates symptoms that do not arise with ordinary walking. Microtrauma is cumulative. Also, the aging process reduces the ability of tissue to accommodate repetitive force.
A non-fatal drug overdose may be an actual suicide attempt or a suicidal gesture. The latter incurs a small risk of death but is intended to signal that something is wrong. Drug overdose is more common in girls than boys. Statistics may underestimate the actual incidence because of misdiagnosis or taboos about the label. Psychiatrists recommend hospital admission and psychiatric assessment for most adolescents who overdose. Once physical safety is achieved, the role of nurses is vague and barely documented. Nursing textbooks refer to the physical care required and the custodial role of preventing further injury while giving little coverage of the psychological care necessary. Peterson found that generally nurses demonstrated knowledge of psychosocial nursing but usually limited nursing to physical care. Yet, as another author points out, 'the seriousness of the patient's physical condition bears little relationship to the suicidal risk or the need for psychiatric treatment'. This paper focuses on the nurse's role in care.