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Biomedical subjects

J Price

Publications and source records attributed to J Price.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

Matiruku, a Fijian madness: an initial assessment.

In Fijian, matiruku means literally 'low tide in the morning' and figuratively somebody periodically insane. In this study, the conceptual basis of matiruku was examined by means of a questionnaire completed by 24 Fijians which explored its occurrence, aetiology and precipitation, phenomenology, management and prognosis. It was concluded that matiruku corresponds to hypomania, which may have special features in Fiji: short duration, frequent recurrence and an intensification of symptoms in the morning.

Bipolar Disorder↗

Battered wives: a controlled study of predisposition.

The possibility that women who are battered by their husband are predisposed to this treatment is examined in a controlled study of 30 such women and 30 control subjects. A number of father-related items distinguished between the two groups: in the battered group fathers had more mental illness, were more violent and tended to be more strict. Battered women more often witnessed violence by their husband to other prior to marriage. All participants were rated for hostility using the Hostility and Direction of Hostility Questionnaire (HDHQ). Both groups emerged as significantly and globally more hostile than a group of normal subjects.

Adult↗

Some age-related effects of the 1974 Brisbane floods.

Some age-related effects of the 1974 Brisbane floods are examined. The impact of the floods on health increased in those over 35 years of age probably because they were more likely to be householders. Women under 65 years of age had more psychiatric symptoms than men, but this sex difference disappeared in those over 65 years, perhaps because the working man is not constantly confronted with the damage to his home in the way that others are. The possibility that people over 75 years living in flood-affected suburbs experienced increased morbidity even though not themselves flooded cannot be excluded.

Adolescent↗

The ascertainment of psychiatric cases in a developing country.

This artricle suggests procedures for locating these individuals in a developing country who have mental health problems. It assumes minimum facilities, e.g. that there is no mental hospital and no qualified psychiatrist and is based on experience in Tonga. The register of those involuntarily admitted to an institution looking after the mentally sick is invaluable for a variety of reasons and will well repay detailed study. Voluntary health and Welfare organisations may also supply valuable data. Home visiting often achieves much more than prearranged hospital or clinic appointments which are often not kept. A study of neglected cases may indicate the need to educate a community to recognize the value of medical treatment for the mentally sick.

Developing Countries↗

Coronary xeroradiography.

Xeroradiography is shown to be especially helpful in coronary arteriography. Comparatively low concentrations of contrast medium are sufficient to provide adequate diagnostic details in the image. Selection injection techniques yield exceptional resolution of small vessels. The possibility of obtaining adequate coronary arteriograms by aortic root injections, with its inherently lower risk to the patient, is examined.

Angiography↗

Probucol: a new cholesterol-lowering drug effective in patients with type II hyperlipoproteinemia.

Type II hyperlipoproteinemia or hyperbetalipoproteinemia (B-HLP), a condition with considerable atherogenic potential, is one of the most difficult lipid disorders requiring treatment. Since this abnormality responds minimally to dietary therapy alone, supplemental drug therapy is usually essential. Although the available bile-sequestering resins are effective in B-HLP, these substances are unpalatable and constipating. Since lifelong drug therapy is necessary as an adjunct to diet in the treatment of B-HLP, the ideal drug should be both effective and well tolerated. Probucol, a new cholesterol-lowering drug in tablet form without serious adverse effects, was evaluated in a 12-wk double-blind crossover trial in 11 patients with B-HLP whose serum cholesterol levels were in excess of 275 mg/dl. Probucol, in a dosage of 500 mg twice daily, produced a 10% or greater reduction in serum cholesterol levels in all 11 patients. Serum cholesterol was lowered (p less than 0.01) from 353 to 291 mg/dl in the entire group receiving probucol. There was no significant change (p greater than 0.1) in serum cholesterol (352 mg/dl) during placebo administration. These were no untoward drug effects during the study, and all patients maintained excellent complicance to the schedule of medication. These results indicate that probucol possesses considerable cholesterol-lowering activity and may be a promising new nontoxic therapeutic agent in type II hyperlipoproteinemia.

Cholesterol↗

Vitreous hemorrhages and disseminated intravascular coagulation in the newborn.

Of 164 consecutive newborns seen in consultations, three babies had either a preretinal or a vitreous hemorrhage, a rare occurrence. Two of these babies had a mild form of disseminated intravascular coagulation. The hemorrhages cleared within a few months after birth. Each of the three babies was premature, had a respiratory distress syndrome, and was born to a primiparous mother. The possibility of a coagulation defect causing intraocular hemorrhage in newborns should be considered along with the tranditional mechanical theories.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation↗

The encephalopathic action of five-carbon-atom fatty acids in the rabbit.

1. Five-carbon-atom organic acids (C-5 acids) have been administered intravenously to rabbits with ventriculocisternal perfusion and continuous electroencephalographic recording (EEG). The concentration of the acids in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) perfusate have been compared with changes in integrated low-frequency activity in the EEG. 2. The C-5 acids investigated were those accumulating in inborn errors of metabolism, i.e. isovaleric acid, beta-methylcrotonic acid, tiglic acid and alpha-keto- and alpha-hydroxy-isovaleric acid. There activity was compared with that of valeric acid. 3. Valeric acid and isovaleric acid produced coma and pronounced increase in slow-wave electrical activity and these changes paralleled the increase in concentration of the acids in the CSF perfusate. 4. The concentration of beta-methylcrotonic acid and tiglic acid in the CSF perfusate reached values comparable with valeric acid and isovaleric acid but showed less encephalopathic activity. An interaction between beta-methylcrotonic acid and isovaleric acid was observed. 5. Although the concentrations of alpha-ketoisovaleric acid and alpha-hydroxyisovaleric acid rose to the lesser extent in the CSF perfusate, changes in rousability of the animal and in the EEG recording were demonstrated. 6. It is concluded that all the C-5 acids tested have encephalopathic activity although this is lessened by the presence of either a double bond or an oxygenated functional group.

Animals↗

An evaluation of psychiatric after-care in a developing country (Fiji).

The effectiveness of a community mental health programme in a developing country (Fiji) is examined. The programme was remarkable in that very little expertise was available in the community for it to be carried through. The results indicate that one category of hospital in-patient will subsequently derive significant benefit, namely the patient diagnosed as having schizophrenia who has been in a mental hospital more than once. Evidence from this study confirmed observations made by others that benign acute psychotic episodes are not infrequent in this sort of setting.

Aftercare↗

Otitis externa in children.

The commonest cause of ear-ache in children is otitis externa and five new cases of otitis externa will be seen for every case of otitis media.ACUTE OTITIS EXTERNA AND OTITIS MEDIA ARE QUITE DIFFERENT AND DISTINCT CLINICAL ENTITIES IN CHILDREN: the former is a tender, dirty, pruritic ear, often recurring in children with simple febrile illnesses; the latter is more isolated than is realised, non-recurrent and usually accompanying upper respiratory catarrhal illness.The fleeting nature of otitis externa as seen in childhood is typical of clinical material in general practice that presents quite differently from that in hospital practice. The long aetiological lists quoted in all series of cases of otitis externa in adults do not apply to otitis externa as seen in children.

Adolescent↗

Suicide in Fiji: a two-year survey.

This article reviews certified suicide in Fiji during the 2-year period from 1971-1972. The data show the much higher incidence of suicide in Fiji Indians than in other races, the incidence in Fiji Indian females being particularly high. The findings on a more detailed sample survey of 50% of the certified cases are presented. In the Fiji Indian population, a positive correlation between suicide and rural residence and a negative correlation between suicide and Moslem religion were found. These findings are discussed in relation to the cultural and social characteristics of the population of Fiji.

Adolescent↗

Foreign language interpreting in psychiatric practice.

This article examines the problems of foreign language interpreting in psychiatric practice. It is demonstrated how an interpreter's apparent competence may readily be mistaken for true competence and that it is well worthwhile formally assessing an interpreter's command of his second language. In interpreting from patient to psychiatrist, the omission of important material was found to be a noteworthy feature. Here the meaninglessness of material not only favoured its omission but also often indicated important psychopathology. It was found that the more psychotic the patient the more likely it was that mistakes in interpreting from patient to doctor would occur.

Acute Disease↗