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Biomedical subjects

J Tanner

Publications and source records attributed to J Tanner.

68 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Life events, depressive relapse and maintenance treatment.

Occurrence of life events was recorded in 30 recovered depressed women undergoing clinical relapse in a controlled trial of maintenance treatment with amitriptyline and psychotherapy, and in 30 matched patients who did not relapse. Overall, patients who relapsed experienced significantly more life events in the three months before relapse, and especially in the month immediately preceding it. Undesirable events were particularly implicated. Event rates prior to relapse were closely comparable in treatment subgroups, giving no evidence that differential stress was required to produce relapse. The findings reinforce previous studies indicating an overall relationship between life events of certain types and depression, but do not suggest that the beneficial effects of maintenance treatment are specifically protective against life stress.

Adjustment Disorders↗

Temporal stability of symptom patterns in depression.

Temporal stability of symptom patterns was examined in 33 depressives studied initially at the height of illness and again some months later in a relapse following earlier recovery. Relapse symptoms were significantly less severe at the time of rating, and initial and relapse severity were not significantly related. Neverthless there were significant correlations between initial and relapse scores on two factors orthogonal to severity. One of these reflected symptom patterns important to the endogenous-neurotic distinction, the other a contrast between depression and anxiety. These findings indicate some consistency in symptom patterns in successive episodes of depression, and thereby support the value of clinical classifications depending on symptom patterns.

Adjustment Disorders↗

Participation in therapy. A study of attendance patterns in depressed outpatients.

The attendance patterns of 36 predominantly lower class, depressed women receiving outpatient psychotherapy were studied to determine the actual amount and frequency of therapy received in an 8-month period. At the initiation of therapy, the majority of patients expressed either neutral or negative attitudes to therapy. Contrary to the usually held belief that indifferent attitudes to therapy coupled with the patients' low socioeconomic status augured poorly for the patients' continuatioin therapy, we found that the sample studies attended regularly and remained in therapy until the end of the prescribed 8-month period. Missed appointments occurred rarely and were usually preceded by cancellations. The majority of therapy sessions were with patients, but provisions were available for the involvement of spouses and other relatives where indicated. It is suggested that the time-limited nature of therapy, the delineation of stort term, realistically attainable goals, and the vigorous outreach techniques by the therapists may have contributed to the unexpectedly high therapy attendance.

Adult↗

Pre-dialysis serum albumin is a poor indicator of nutritional status in stable chronic haemodialysis patients.

The correlation between pre-dialysis serum albumin and mortality has been linked with malnutrition. We measured pre and post-dialysis albumin in 86 stable haemodialysis patients and compared them with anthropometric measurements and body mass index (BMI). On the basis of pre-dialysis albumin 13% of patients would be classified as high risk, whilst on the basis of post-dialysis albumin only 12% would be classified as high risk. Change in albumin could be predicted by fluid removal during haemodialysis. Pre-dialysis albumin correlated weakly with mid upper arm circumference (MUAC). Post dialysis albumin correlated with MUAC and triceps skin fold thickness (TSF). There was a weak negative correlation between age and post-dialysis albumin. TSF strongly correlated with MUAC and BMI. Pre-dialysis albumin appears to be a poor predictor of nutritional status and does not correlate well with other nutritional parameters. The excess risk of death associated with a low pre-dialysis albumin may be related to fluid overload rather than malnutrition.

Anthropometry↗

Biogel Skinsense N: surgical glove management for latex allergies.

Healthcare staff with a high occupational exposure to latex gloves, such as those who work in the operating theatre, have a higher than average incidence of latex allergies. Certain patient groups are also known to be considered "high risk" for latex allergies. When wearing gloves, staff allergic to latex and those working with patients allergic to latex must wear latex-free gloves to protect themselves and their patients. Of all the different types of gloves available--examination, medical or diagnostic--surgical gloves have to meet the highest standards, offering both protection and comfort. However, latex-free surgical gloves have previously lacked some of the "comfort" qualities of natural latex. This article describes appropriate glove management for latex allergies and looks at the new generation of latex-free surgical gloves.

Elastomers↗

Adherence of Candida albicans to the surface of polymethylmethacrylate--E glass fiber composite used in dentures.

PURPOSE: The use of reinforcing fibers in dentures has raised concerns about possible increased adherence of yeasts to the surface. The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the adherence of Candida albicans to the surface of denture-base polymer and to E-glass fibers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Test specimens were made from an autopolymerized denture-base resin (Palapress) reinforced with preimpregnated unidirectional E-glass fibers, which were exposed at the surface. The test specimens were pretreated with parotid saliva and incubated without agitation in standardized yeast suspensions (10(8) colony-forming units per mL) in phosphate-buffered saline at 37 degrees C for 1 hour. The test specimens were then washed to remove nonadherent cells. After being air dried, they were sputter coated with gold-palladium for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). To compare the adherence to different surfaces, the number of yeast cells found either on the polymer matrix or on the glass fibers was counted from SEM fields (170 microns x 120 microns, 600 x) of randomly selected areas. RESULTS: The mean density of yeast cell found on the surface of the polymer matrix was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than that on the surface of glass fibers. The number of adherent yeast cells found at the interface between the fibers and polymer matrix was high. CONCLUSION: The adherence of C albicans to E-glass fibers was lower than to polymer matrix in the denture composite. If fibers are exposed only during polishing of the composite, the reinforcing material appears not to increase the adherence of this common oral yeast. However, areas with permanently exposed fibers may provide mechanical retention for yeast cells at the interface of the components.

Acrylic Resins↗

Does persistent fetal femoral anteversion contribute to osteoarthritis?: a preliminary report.

Persistence of femoral anteversion into adulthood is a developmental abnormality which Somerville has postulated may predispose to the later development of osteoarthritis of the hip. To test this hypothesis, the femoral anteversion was measured in 20 adult patients with idiopathic osteoarthritis of the hip. The average anteversion in painful hips was found to be 24 degrees compared with 12.11 degrees in the uninvolved hip. None of the pain-free hips had an anteversion of greater than 22 degrees while 54% of those with pain had anteversion greater than this value. While these results are preliminary, they suggest that increased femoral anteversion may definitely contribute to the later development of osteoarthritis of hip.

Adult↗