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Biomedical subjects

K Whitaker

Publications and source records attributed to K Whitaker.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

The prediction of parasuicide repetition in a high-risk group.

OBJECTIVES: This study explores whether the specificity of risk assessment for parasuicide repetition can be improved by measurement of two psychological variables (over-generality of autobiographical memory and future fluency for positive events) in the immediate aftermath of the index parasuicide. DESIGN: In a longitudinal study, parasuicide patients deemed to be at high risk of repetition on the basis of sociodemographic factors (Kreitman & Foster, 1991) were followed-up over a 12-month period. METHOD: As soon as practicable after taking a deliberate drug overdose, patients completed the Autobiographical Memory Test, the Personal Future Test and the Beck Hopelessness Scale. The relative power of each of these measures, together with the number of sociodemographic risk factors, in predicting parasuicide repetition was investigated using a forward step-wise logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The most potent short-term predictor of parasuicide repetition was found to be scores on the Beck Hopelessness Scale, whereas in the longer term the number of previous para-suicides was the major predictor. CONCLUSION: For the heterogeneous parasuicide population as a whole, psychological variables are unlikely to improve upon the Beck Hopelessness Scale, sociodemographic risk factors and clinical interview in the prediction of parasuicide repetition.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Serum concentrations of alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes and osteocalcin in normal pregnancy.

We measured serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes and osteocalcin levels in 40 healthy women at 4-week intervals throughout uncomplicated pregnancies and 6 weeks after delivery in 17 women. Serum bone alkaline phosphatase was significantly higher in the third trimester than in early pregnancy (P less than 0.001), and this elevation was still apparent at the end of the puerperium, suggesting increased bone turnover. Serum osteocalcin was not detected (less than 0.2 micrograms/L) after the first trimester in the majority of women, and it reappeared within 48 h after delivery. The disappearance of osteocalcin after the first trimester and its rapid reappearance after delivery suggest placental clearance of this peptide. We conclude that serum osteocalcin measurements cannot be used as a marker of bone metabolism during pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Human warts permanently removed by static electricity.

The CED was found to be a highly effective, safe, inexpensive, and simple device to use for complete wart removal with no regrowth or scarring. The warts are shed in the same manner as the surface epithelium exfoliates or sloughs off. Plantar warts cause a great deal of pain in walking and surgical procedures are warranted in some cases. Since these warts tend to become very large and to extend deeply into the dermis, when they are removed surgically the patient is incapacitated for a period of time. Opening the area to bacteria may cause additional infection, and the surgery may result in tender scar formation. According to our study group, the CED offers an effective alternate means of therapy for removing warts and alleviating the pain associated with them.

Electric Stimulation Therapy↗
PubMed1980

Sarcocystosis in cattle in Kentucky.

Sarcocystosis was diagnosed in 41 eighteen-month-old heifers and steers. Clinical signs included anorexia, severe weight loss, nervousness, hypersalivation, lameness, and hair loss on the extremities. Hair loss was noticed especially at the end of the tail, where there was complete loss of the switch, giving the animals a "rat-tail" appearance. Consistent gross changes observed at necropsy of four affected animals included generalized lymphadenopathy, erosions and ulcerations in the oral cavity and esophagus, and severe laminitis. Microscopically, young cysts of Sarcocystis sp were disseminated in the heart, skeletal muscle, and brain. Ultrastructural examination indicated that the cysts were young because they contained metrocytes. Affected animals had moderate to severe nonsuppurative myocarditis and myositis, with focal degeneration of myofibers and infiltration by macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells. Indirect hemagglutination of sera from 19 animals revealed a mean antibody titer of 1:24,000 against Sarcocystis bovicanis antigen. Epidemiologic investigation incriminated resident farm dogs that had been housed in a farm hayloft as the source of infection. Hay contaminated with sporocysts in dog feces was thought to have been fed to the heifers and steers.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

School achievement: risk factor in teenage pregnancies?

A review of live births, spontaneous fetal deaths, and induced abortions in residents of Upstate New York ages 12--17 shows that pregnancy rates increased during the period 1971 through 1974. This increase was attributable to pregnancies ending in induced abortion while live births remained relatively stable. White teenagers had a higher frequency of induced abortions than non-white teenagers, but induced abortions increased more rapidly among non-whites over the four-year period. School achievement as reflected by highest grade completed at the end of pregnancy was related to risk of pregnancy as well as to election of induced abortions. The distribution of pregnancies by age and school grade suggests that an increased risk of pregnancy is associated with below average but also, and unexpectedly, with above average grade attainment. Incongruity of age and school achievement may identify groups of teenage schoolgirls with special needs for preventive programs.

Abortion, Illegal↗