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Biomedical subjects

J Wong

Publications and source records attributed to J Wong.

At least 649 records · Page 36Linked to original sources

The retailing of health care.

A number of striking parallels between recent developments in health care marketing and changes in the retailing industry exist. The authors have compared retailing paradigms to the area on health care marketing so strategists in hospitals and other health care institutions can gain insight from these parallels. Many of the same economic, demographic, technological and lifestyle forces may be at work in both the health care and retail markets. While the services or products offered in health care are radically different from those of conventional retail markets, the manner in which the products and services are positioned, priced or distributed is surprisingly similar.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗

Severe acute pancreatitis caused by parasites in the common bile duct.

Nine cases of acute pancreatitis due to parasites in the common bile duct (Ascaris lumbricoides 4, Clonorchis sinensis 5) are reported. Eight cases were discovered at laparotomy and one at postmortem. The indications for operation were worsening pancreatitis, sepsis or cholangitis. Decompression of the biliary system and removal of parasites resulted in the recovery of the eight cases operated upon. In endemic areas, all patients with acute pancreatitis should be screened for parasites. Antibiotics and/or antihelminthics should be given if they are found. Surgery is necessary for those with worms causing biliary or pancreatic obstruction who do not respond.

Acute Disease↗

Clinical and microbiological features of otitis externa.

A prospective study of 40 cases of acute otitis externa and 99 cases of chronic otitis externa in unselected patients revealed that otitis externa affects males and females with a similar frequency. The peak incidence occurs in the summer and early fall months of the year. Exposure to water, previous use of ear drops, and cotton-tipped applicators predisposed to both acute and chronic otitis externa. Hearing aid ear molds appear to be a predisposing factor in the development of chronic otitis externa. Pain, itching, discharge, and hearing loss were the most common presenting complaints in both acute and chronic otitis externa. The discharge in chronic otitis externa is more commonly purulent, whereas in acute otitis externa it is more commonly mucoid. The tympanic membrane is not frequently involved in acute otitis externa; however, in chronic otitis externa changes in the tympanic membrane were more often encountered. Most infections were of a pure bacterial origin, primarily Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Fungi were the causative organisms more commonly in chronic otitis externa than in acute otitis externa (Figure 7). It was found that previous usage of ear drops was more often associated with otomycosis in acute otitis externa and yet was not related to a higher frequency of otomycosis in chronic otitis externa. The presence of a foreign material, such as an ear mold, was associated with a greater frequency of mixed infections (bacteria and fungi) in the group with chronic otitis externa. The presence of a greenish discharge or foul odor was not related to any particular organism.

Adolescent↗

Recovery of malignant tumor cells from the right atrium during hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Tumor cells were recovered from the right atrium in three of five patients during hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. Mechanical factors during blunt mobilization and rotation of the hepatic tumor appeared to be responsible for tumor dislodgement into the venous circulation. Tumor embolization to the lungs may be one of the important reasons for the poor results of surgery in this disease. Two possible technical and therapeutic modifications are suggested to prevent or neutralize this phenomenon.

Blood↗

Extracellular volume expansion and delayed resolution of hypertension after canine aortic coarctectomy.

The hemodynamic changes occurring after surgical correction of thoracic aortic coarctation were studied in two neonatally coarcted dogs at six months of age and compared to sham surgery in two littermate controls. Excision of the tight iatrogenic aortic band with direct aortic reanastomosis abolished pressure gradients. Post-coarctectomy systemic pressure rose, after an early transient fall, to pre-operative proximal levels and was sustained for two to four weeks before decreasing to control normotensive values. Femoral systolic pressure (and renal perfusion pressure) rose by 47-57 mmHg in coarcted dogs (p less than .001). Extracellular volume (ECV) increased in both coarcted animals, peaking 28-32 cc/kg (7.1-7.6% increase) above precoarctectomy levels. Peak ECV expansion coincided with the peak post-coarctectomy blood pressure. Fluid administration, blood losses and plasma renin activity (PRA) were comparable in all animals. Post-coarctectomy tachycardia was also noted in coarcted dogs (p less than .001), whereas neither ECV nor heart rate changes occurred in control animals. We postulate that post-coarctectomy baroreceptor stimulation results in sympathetically-mediated renal sodium retention, not only preventing a pressure diuresis, but resulting in overt volume expansion. Failure of PRA suppression despite increased distal pressure and volume excess may also reflect sympathetic activation. Data are compatible with the view that sympathetic activation and consequent volume expansion transiently sustain hypertension in the post-coarctectomy setting until baroreceptor re-adjustments permit normalization of blood pressure.

Animals↗

Effects of gastrocystoplasty on serum gastrin levels and gastric acid secretion.

Hypersecretion of gastric acid and hypergastrinaemia occur when the antrum of the stomach is transposed as a diverticulum to the colon. Thus, when an antral pouch is transposed to increase bladder capacity or to replace the bladder as a gastrocystoplasty, similar pathophysiological disturbances can be anticipated. However, previous studies in our laboratories in dogs have shown that acid overproduction and stomal ulcerations do not occur. This paper reports the results of gastrocystoplasty in 13 patients followed up from 1 to 6 years. Gastric acid hypersecretion and hypergastrinaemia did not occur.

Adult↗

Treatment of metabolic alkalosis with intravenous infusion of concentrated hydrochloric acid.

A concentrated hydrochloric acid (1 N) infusion was utilized for treatment on 35 occasions of metabolic alkalosis in 24 patients. The amount of hydrochloric acid to be infused was calculated from total base excess. To avoid over-correction, two thirds of the calculated dosage of hydrochloric acid only was infused. 1 N hydrochloric acid solution was infused at a speed of 1 mEq/min through a roentgenographically confirmed central venous line. Metabolic alkalosis was successfully treated in all instances without any complication. However, increased respiratory stimulation was not demonstrated in these observations. Concentrated hydrochloric acid infusion is a safe, reliable, and effective method of rapid correction of metabolic alkalosis. Because only small volumes are needed, this method is especially useful when fluid intake must be restricted.

Adult↗

Effect of pressurization on methylmethacrylate-bone interdigitation: an in vitro study of canine femora.

Aseptic mechanical loosening of the femoral and acetabular components is a major long term complication of total hip arthroplasty. Pressurized injection of bone cement (polymethylmethacrylate) has been advocated for increasing cement-bone interlock. To determine the relationship between cement intrusion pressure and its penetration into cancellous bone, an in-vitro study of paired, fresh frozen canine femora was conducted. Methacrylate cement was injected at predefined constant pressures from 0.11 to 1.23 MPa (16-175 psi). The penetration was quantified for each injection pressure. The results showed a positive logarithmic relationship between the relative penetration and the intrusion pressure, the former reaching a near asymptotic value at approximately 0.70 MPa (100 psi). Unequal radial distribution of cement within the metaphysis was demonstrated. Greater penetration was observed into the proximal postero-lateral cancellous bone bed as compared to other regions. The relationship between cement penetration and bone size was explored at a single-constant pressure of 0.35 MPa (50 psi). Although absolute cement penetration was found to be linearly related to the bone size, the relative penetration remained nearly constant with bone size.

Animals↗

Proximal gastric vagotomy, truncal vagotomy with drainage, and truncal vagotomy with antrectomy for chronic duodenal ulcer. A prospective, randomized controlled trial.

The relative merits of proximal gastric vagotomy (PGV), truncal vagotomy with drainage (TV + D), and truncal vagotomy with antrectomy (TV + A) in the treatment of chronic duodenal ulcer were evaluated and compared in 152 patients in a prospective, randomized and controlled clinical trial. One death occurred after TV + A, resulting in an operative mortality of 2% after gastrectomy and 0.7% for the entire series. After one to six years, stomal and duodenal ulcers proven by endoscopy occurred in eight patients after PGV (16%) and in six patients after TV + D (11.8%); the difference was not statistically significant (p greater than 0.5). One additional patient developed a gastric ulcer nine months after PGV. There was so far no ulcer recurrence after TV + A. Majority (13 patients) of the recurrent ulcers were discovered within three years after surgery. Patients after PGV experienced significantly less unwanted side effects than those after either TV + D or TV + A; particularly, dumping, epigastric fullness, and diarrhea. When the functional status was graded according to a modified Visick system that excluded ulcer recurrence, significantly more PGV patients were placed in the near-perfect grade (82.1%) than TV + A patients (58%). Patients after TV + D fared better than patients after TV + A; but the differences were not significant. However, when ulcer recurrence was included in the functional assessment, the advantage of PGV was lost.

Chronic Disease↗

A conceptual approach to the development of motivational strategies.

Teachers in both general and professional education are well aware of the importance of motivation as the basis of effective teaching. Heidgerken maintains that a major problem that faces nursing educators is to select the right type of motivation and to know how to effect motivation. The authors propose a conceptual model for developing strategies to deal with motivational problems. This model is an application of Vroom's value/expectancy theory and Rotter's social learning theory, and is based on the premise that nursing faculty are in strategic positions to enhance student motivation for learning by manipulating variables that are believed to influence motivation. These suggested strategies include: enhancing student's need value by rewarding them with rewards that they value the most; increasing student's perceptions of a strong link between performance and rewards; providing students with consistent and clear role perceptions; improving student satisfaction towards learning.

Achievement↗

Surgical management of benign oesophago-pleural fistula.

Three cases of oesophago-pleural fistula are presented. Two resulted from foreign body perforation of the oesophagus and one followed left lower lobectomy for bronchiectasis. All three presented late; the time lapse ranged from 6 days to 2 months. An initial course of conservative treatment was given to all three patients. Alimentation via nasogastric tube feeding, gastrostomy or total parenteral nutrition was carried out. The pleural fluid grew the anaerobe, Bacteriodies melaninogenicus, in all three cases. Gram-negative aerobes, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis, were also cultured. Closed intercostal drainage and a course of appropriate antibiotics were instituted. The patients were subjected to surgery after the infection had been brought under control. Simple repair was performed in two patients. Exclusion of the oesophageal leak with drainage and later reconstruction was carried out in the third patient. Although all three patients recovered, the morbidity was considerable. The duration of hospital stay ranged from 2 to 4 months.

Adult↗

Tracheostome construction during laryngectomy--a method to prevent stenosis.

A new technique for construction of the tracheostome at the time of total laryngectomy is described. It involves making an X-shaped incision on the lower skin flap and four slits on the divided trachea. The result is a serrated suture line at the tracheocutaneous junction. The incidence of stenosis in 116 patients who did not have this method of construction was 31%. Sex difference and previous irradiation was not found to be related to the occurrence of stenosis. Of 25 patients who had the new method of tracheostome construction, only one patient had to wear a tube until she died at 7 months. The rest, followed up for at least 9 months, did not have stenosis. It is concluded that this new method of tracheostome construction will reduce the incidence of stenosis.

Female↗