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Biomedical subjects

K Kennedy

Publications and source records attributed to K Kennedy.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Critical issues for practice in residential treatment: the view from within.

A large proportion of children in residential treatment engage in extreme acting-out behavior and suffer from severe attachment disorders and abuse reactivity. At the same time, practice is increasingly alienated from theory and public policy. The challenges to practitioners posed by these difficulties are described and illustrated by vignettes, their impact on residential group care practice is discussed, and their implications for the redesign of practice and for the development of a new theoretical base are examined.

Acting Out↗
PubMed1991

Effect of dietary iron deficiency or excess on the induction of mammary carcinogenesis by 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea.

The hypothesis that low body iron stores are protective against cancer whereas high body stores promote tumor occurrence was examined in the 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced experimental model for breast cancer. Twenty-one-day-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into one of three experimental groups and fed a formulation of AIN-76A diet modified to be low in iron (2 p.p.m.), or the same diet supplemented with an adequate (120 p.p.m.) or excess (1200 p.p.m.) amount of iron provided as FeSO4.7H2O. Rats were maintained on their respective diets throughout the experiment which was terminated 32 weeks post carcinogen administration. Rats were injected i.p. with either 25 mg MNU/kg body wt or the saline-solvent in which MNU was dissolved at 50 days of age. In the first 14 weeks, dietary iron deficiency resulted in a low hematocrit and a decrease in weight gain. The appearance of mammary tumors was markedly suppressed in this group compared to those given an adequate or excess level of iron. It has been reported in the literature that reduction in weight gain due to food restriction at a period immediately after carcinogen administration severely inhibits the subsequent development of tumors. Thus the low tumor incidence in the iron-deficient rats during this time frame could be attributed to the combined effects of low hematocrit and depressed weight gain. For the period between week 14 and week 32, the hematocrit in the iron-deficient animals was maintained at a normal level, and the body wt of these rats was comparable to that of the controls given an adequate level of iron. The rate of tumor appearance in the iron-deficient group during the second half of the experiment was similar to that of the iron-adequate group in the first half of the experiment. In other words, it appeared that once hematocrit and body wt gain were restored to normal in the iron-deficient animals, tumor incidence was only minimally affected by low dietary iron. In the second half of the experiment, the tumor incidence in the adequate iron group seemed to have plateaued, whereas it continued to rise in the excess iron group. Thus excess iron appears to be more prominent than iron deficiency in modification of mammary carcinogenesis, especially when the confounding effects of low hematocrit and reduced weight gain are taken into consideration in the latter case.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Implications of a mental health intervention for elderly mentally ill residents of residential care facilities.

Unresolved issues of responsibility between mental health and aging systems low priority within the mental health system for serving older RCF residents, and little expectation for the facility to be a treatment environment, all contribute to gaps in service delivery to mentally ill boarding home residents. This article reports the results of a two-year mental health intervention in RCFs. Findings show little intervention impact, but revealed that residents treated were generally socially marginal with weak ego skills, rather than significantly mentally ill. A more intensive program that restructures the facility's milieu to offer planned normal life demands and that models structured programs like milieu treatment, in situ treatment for the younger mentally ill, and programs for developmentally disabled persons is suggested.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1989

Topoisomerase activity in irradiated mammalian cells.

The role of topoisomerase enzymes in the response of HeLa S3 cells to ionizing radiation was investigated. Exposure of cells to 100 Gy of X-radiation had no detectable effect either on the total cellular topoisomerase activity as measured by the relaxation of supercoiled plasmid DNA by cell sonicates or on the total cellular topoisomerase II activity as measured by plasmid DNA catenation. Total topoisomerase II activity remained constant for up to 90 min after cell irradiation. The effect of 2 drugs (caffeine and novobiocin) which inhibit topoisomerase II activity on the HeLa cell response to radiation was determined. Both drugs were found to inhibit topoisomerase II in vitro and to inhibit the recovery of nucleoid sedimentation in irradiated cells in vivo to the same extent. Topoisomerase II was inhibited by 50% by exposure to 10 mM caffeine and 0.79 mM novobiocin. At low concentrations neither drug affected the induction frequency, nor the rejoining rate, of DNA double-strand breaks. Caffeine (5 mM) inhibited the short-term recovery of cells from radiation while novobiocin (0.79 mM) had no detectable effect on the capacity of cells to recover from radiation exposure. The results indicate that topoisomerase II is not required for DNA double-strand break rejoining though it could be required for the recovery of DNA coiling in the irradiated cell. If topoisomerase II is involved at all in cell recovery from irradiation, this role does not apparently involve an ATP-dependent enzyme activity.

Amsacrine↗
PubMed1989

Steroids in rhinoplasty.

A prospective double-blind randomized pilot study was performed to test the benefits of steroids versus placebo in controlling edema and ecchymosis in rhinoplasty within the immediate postoperative period. Thirty consecutive patients who underwent rhinoplasty with osteotomies were entered into the study. Sixteen patients received 10 mg of intravenous dexamethasone before the procedure and 14 patients received placebo. All rhinoplasties were performed by residents under the supervision of staff otolaryngologists. A 4-point scale was used to assess the extent of periorbital edema and ecchymosis at 24 hours postoperatively. A one-time bolus of 10 mg of dexamethasone was beneficial in decreasing edema and ecchymosis in rhinoplasty. This benefit was demonstrated statistically (p less than .005). No complications were attributed to the administration of dexamethasone.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Pneumoconiosis in carbon electrode workers.

Pneumoconiosis was diagnosed in five workers involved in the manufacture of carbon electrodes. Possible etiologies are discussed. It is generally believed that pneumoconiosis ceased to be a problem in this industry after World War II; however, the reported cases all resulted from exposures after 1940. These findings question the efficacy of recent and current engineering controls and suggest the need for further study of this industry.

Carbon↗
PubMed1985

Canine Rocky Mountain spotted fever: a kennel epizootic.

Within a period of 5 consecutive days after the initial observation of illness was made, 7 of 12 Siberian Husky dogs developed clinical signs of Rickettsia rickettsii infection. One dog died and was necropsied. Clinical signs of infection consisted of lethargy, anorexia, ocular and nasal discharges, and neurologic disorder (incoordination and rolling). Scleral blood vessel injection, fever, lymphadenomegaly, splenomegaly, and increased bronchovesicular lung sounds were prominent findings. Clinical laboratory test results identified decreased platelet numbers, variable neutrophil counts, increased serum alkaline phosphatase activity, hyponatremia, hypokalemia, and bilirubinuria. Diagnosis of Rocky Mountain spotted fever was confirmed by serologic evaluation of acute and convalescent sera, using the micro-immunofluorescence technique, and R rickettsii antigen was determined by demonstration of intracellular rickettsial organisms in vascular endothelial cells of brain and lung (stained with carbol-basic fuchsin and aqueous malachite green) and by demonstration of spotted fever-group rickettsiae in tissues by direct fluorescent antibody technique. Near-simultaneous naturally occurring tick-borne infection of 7 dogs with R rickettsii documents an unreported occurrence.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Intestinal absorption of vitamin A in experimental uremia.

Intestinal absorption of vitamin A was determined in a group of rats rendered uremic by subtotal nephrectomy. The results were compared with those obtained in a group of sham-operated control animals. Absorption studies were performed by in-vivo perfusion of an isolated loop of the proximal jejunum with intact blood and lymphatic supply. The rate of intestinal absorption of vitamin A, in the uremic groups was nearly identical to that found in the control group. It thus appears that intestinal absorption of vitamin A is not affected by experimental uremia in the rat.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

The effect of spinal cord stimulation upon peripheral blood flow in patients with chronic neurological disease.

The impact of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) upon patients with chronic neurological disease appears to be primarily upon autonomic functions. There is clinical evidence of increased blood flow in the lower limbs. In the present study, cutaneous blood flow was measured by means of xenon clearance in the legs and feet of patients receiving SCS for chronic neurological disease. In 8 patients pre-SCS cutaneous blood flow was compared with that during SCS. In 7 out of the 8 patients there was an increase in total cutaneous blood flow during stimulation. The mean pre-SCS value was 2.43 +/- 1.57 ml per 100 g of tissue and this rose to 3.23 +/- 1.81 ml per 100 g of tissue per minute during stimulation. The possible mechanisms for the increased cutaneous blood flow are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Prenatal stimulation and postnatal testosterone affects infanticide in female rats.

Prenatal handling, prenatal stress, and early postnatal exogeneous testosterone were examined in female rats for their effects on rat pup-killing and pup retrieval. During each of the last 5 days of pregnancy. Long-Evans rats received either 3 minutes of handling, 45 minutes of restraint and intense illumination or remained untouched. Half of the offspring of each group received testosterone from Day 1 after birth to Day 30. In adulthood, animals that received handling prenatally and testosterone postnatally killed pups more rapidly than any other group and a larger proportion did so than in the control groups. Animals not manipulated at any time retrieved pups more rapidly and a larger proportion did so than the combined other groups. The study suggests that prenatal handling interacts with testosterone presented immediately postnatally to increase infanticide in female rats. A variety of perinatal manipulations seem to suppress pup retrieval.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

UHT milk: production, quality, and economics.

The review attempts to deal with the state of the art of UHT milk processing, economics, packaging, and quality maintenance. Various methods of processing are covered in detail. A sample system was considered for material and energy balances. A major factor in UHT milk technology is the economics of the process adopted. This is considered for the major processes currently in operation. Packaging and handling of UHT milk is of vital importance for the maintenance of the quality and flavor of the milk. A review of the different packaging systems describes the advantages and disadvantages of each one. The review is divided into the following sections: (1) major direct and indirect processes, (2) energy requirements and economics, (3) material and energy balances for fluid milk processing, storage, and distribution systems, (4) aseptic packaging, and (5) quality effects.

Animals↗