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Biomedical subjects

K Wilkins

Publications and source records attributed to K Wilkins.

51 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Reverse oblique reconstruction for SPECT of the spine.

Anatomic localization of spine lesions, shown by Tc-99m phosphonate SPECT, to facet joint or pedicle is often difficult due to limitations in resolution. Indirect localization, relating lesion position on sagittal reconstruction to the adjacent visible vertebral bodies and also to patient spine radiographs, might be required. Some laterally placed lesions, however, cannot be visualized in the more midline slices showing the vertebral bodies. Oblique tomographic reconstruction overcomes this limitation.

Adolescent↗

Mortality study of Canadian male farm operators: non-Hodgkin's lymphoma mortality and agricultural practices in Saskatchewan.

A cohort study of the mortality experience (1971-1985) of male Saskatchewan farmers has been conducted. This study involved linkage of records of the almost 70,000 male farmers identified on the 1971 Census of Agriculture and the corresponding Census of Population to mortality records. Pesticide exposure indices for individual farm operators for the year 1970 were derived from the 1971 Census of Agriculture records. Although the cohort as a whole had no excess mortality for any specific causes of death, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, significant dose-response relationships were noted between risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and acres sprayed in 1970 with herbicides, as well as with dollars spent on fuel and oil for farm purposes in 1970. Using Poisson regression modeling, we found that relative risks for the highest level of herbicide use (greater than or equal to 250 acres sprayed) and fuel purchased in 1970 (greater than or equal to $900) on farms less than 1,000 acres total area were 2.2 (95% confidence interval = 1.0-4.6) and 2.3 (95% confidence interval = 1.1-4.7), respectively.

Adult↗

Predictive utility of pre-partum temperature changes in the mare.

Rectal temperature was recorded from 22 mares at 0700, 1500 and 2300 h daily for seven days pre-partum and one day post partum. A circadian variation in rectal temperature was present with the lowest temperature recorded at 0700 h. Because of this, the mares were divided into three groups based on time of parturition; those foaling between 0700 and 1500 h (n = 2); between 1500 and 2300 h (n = 13); and between 2300 and 0700 h (n = 7). On the day prior to delivery (Day -1) the circadian pattern was absent because the nocturnal increase did not occur. A significant decrease in temperature was recorded prior to parturition in the group foaling between 1500 and 2300 h. A distinct decrease in temperature occurred in the majority of mares in the other two groups but this was not statistically significant. After parturition, rectal temperature increased to supranormal levels before returning to normal.

Animals↗

Transthoracic approach for Pott's disease.

Spinal tuberculosis with paraplegia, although decreasing in incidence, remains a problem in certain sections of the United States and in most underdeveloped nations. Evacuations of the tuberculous abscess, debridement of necrotic bone, and fusion of the anterior spine are maneuvers performed increasingly by thoracic surgeons. Twenty-two patients with Pott's disease and symptoms of back pain, gibbous deformity, and neurological deficit underwent thoracotomy. Nine were paraplegic prior to operation. Postoperatively, spinal fusion occurred in all cases. All paraplegic patients can walk now, and 17 of the 22 treated operatively have been completely rehabilitated and are in school or working. The average hospital stay was 2.4 months. There was 1 operative death. Medical treatment for Pott's disease consisted of bed rest and chemotherapy and resulted in progressive neurological deficit in 2 patients with an average hospital stay of 2.2 years. We believe operative treatment offers two distinct advantages: excellent reversal of even long-standing paraplegia and markedly shortened hospital stay.

Adolescent↗

Absent posterior tibial artery in an infant with talipes equinovarus.

We report the absence of the posterior tibial artery in a 3-month-old patient with idiopathic clubfoot. Although anomalies of the anterior tibial artery are common, complete absence of the posterior tibial artery associated with talipes equinovarus deformity has not been reported.

Child, Preschool↗

Supracondylar fractures of the humerus associated with ipsilateral forearm fractures in children: a report of forty-seven cases.

Supracondylar fractures of the humerus associated with ipsilateral forearm fractures are uncommon and treatment recommendations are controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine whether pin fixation of both fracture components, humerus and forearm, would improve the outcome. In a two-center trial, 884 children sustaining supracondylar fractures of the humerus were retrospectively reviewed, and 47 (5.3%) showed associated ipsilateral forearm fractures. Of those, 29 underwent Kirschner-wire fixation of the forearm fracture, and 18 of the forearm fractures were treated with casting alone. Three of the 18 forearm fractures with casting alone reangulated. There were no reangulations in the patients who had pin fixation of their fractures. There were no complications due to pin fixation in the humerus or the forearm. In unstable supracondylar humerus and forearm fractures, stabilization with pin fixation to prevent reangulation should be considered.

Adolescent↗

Mortality study of Canadian male farm operators: cancer mortality and agricultural practices in Saskatchewan.

The present investigation involved an analysis of approximately 70,000 male Saskatchewan farm operators, a subset of the 365,000 Canadian farm operators to be investigated in the Canadian Farm Operator Mortality Study. The results of the Saskatchewan analysis indicate that during the interval studied, overall mortality among Saskatchewan farmers was 25% lower than that for all Saskatchewan men, and that, during the same time interval, the risk of death from all types of cancer was also about 25% lower among Saskatchewan farmers than to all Saskatchewan men. Although the present study indicates that overall mortality of death from cancer was 25% lower among Saskatchewan male farmers, there was a relationship between non-Hodgkin's lymphoma mortality and acres sprayed for weeds; a similar risk relationship between expenditures on fuel oil and risk of death from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was also evident. The magnitude of risk for Saskatchewan farmers is probably greater than that reflected in the estimates in this study, due to the likelihood of misclassification of exposure. There is a particular need for further studies in this area to improve the quantification of farming-related exposures, and to study the exposure history of individuals who develop non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Adult↗

A telephone survey to measure risk factor prevalence in communities across Canada.

From 1985 to 1988, 10 Canadian community health units, in conjunction with Health and Welfare Canada, conducted a standardized telephone survey to assess the prevalence of health risk factors among persons aged 15 and over. Seatbelt use, hypertension awareness, physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, cancer screening status and sociodemographic variables were ascertained in each community. Although prevalence rates for most of the major risk factors varied significantly among the survey communities, little clustering of high or low risk levels was observed in any particular locale. Periodic administration of the risk factor survey in communities across Canada would provide a valuable data base for both public health planners and researchers.

Adolescent↗