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Biomedical subjects

L C Jones

Publications and source records attributed to L C Jones.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Hyaluronic acid and its effect on postoperative adhesions in the rabbit flexor tendon. A preliminary look.

The effect of hyaluronic acid in preventing adhesion formation in a surgically prepared rabbit flexor tendon model has been evaluated. Nineteen rabbits had partial tenotomy of the middle digit flexor profundus tendon, eight being treated with hyaluronic acid and eleven with saline. The quality of tendon repair and the quantity of adhesion tissue were graded. Though both the treated and control groups showed significant adhesions, the hyaluronic acid treated tendons showed less adhesion tissue and better sliding properties as compared to the controls. No significant difference was noted in the quality of tendon repair and no adverse effects of hyaluronic acid were seen. It is proposed that additional investigation into the development of a better model of postoperative tendon adhesions and an improved characterization of this model are needed. This preliminary study suggests that hyaluronic acid is effective in reducing the quantity of adhesions after tendon surgery but warrants further evaluation.

Animals↗

In-patient nurse practitioners.

An increasing number of nurse practitioners are employed in in-patient settings, including emergency rooms, medical, surgical, OB-GYN and critical care units, and nursing homes. This trend poses special problems and opportunities for the in-patient practitioner in educational preparation, credentialing, employment negotiations, prospective reimbursement, hospital privileges and relationships with nurses and physicians. The differences for in-patient practitioners in these areas as opposed to those in ambulatory practice are discussed, and suggestions are made for anticipating and dealing for them.

Credentialing↗

Contact studies of the canine femoropatellar joint.

During development of a closed impact-trauma model, using the canine femoropatellar articulation, animal weight or other readily measured physical characters were correlated with surface area, location, and shape of femoropatellar contact at various femorotibial angulations. The information allows making reasonable predictions regarding femoropatellar contact just before delivery of calibrated closed impact-trauma to the patella. Femoropatellar contact area location, shape, and size were determined in the left pelvic limbs of 10 dogs, ranging in weight from 20.0 to 40.9 kg (mean 27.2 kg). Determinations were made at 90, 110, and 130 degrees femorotibial angulations, using a new casting technique and at 70, 90, 110, 130, and 150 degrees, using a previously described dye technique. Location and shape of the contact areas were relatively constant for a given femorotibial angulation. Bipartite areas of contact were seen on 3 specimens. Using data from the dye technique, a definitive correlation was established between antemortem animal weight and contact area size. Patellar dimensions also correlated well with contact surface area. An inverse relationship between contact area per unit body weight and total body weight was observed. Contact area size did not vary significantly with increasing compressive force resulting from changes in femorotibial angulation. These determinations allow making reasonable predictions of both location and size of articular contact area immediately preceding delivery of closed impact to the joint.

Animals↗

Bone blood flow in the femora of anesthetized and conscious dogs in a chronic preparation, using the radioactive tracer microsphere method.

The radioactive tracer microsphere method is applicable to the study of the hemodynamics of bone. As observed previously by others, areas of predominantly cancellous bone produce higher blood flow measurements than do areas of predominantly cortical bone. Bone containing fatty marrow has lower blood flow rates than does bone containing hematopoietic marrow. Blood flow to the femoral neck was the greatest measured (26.74 +/- 1.95 ml/min/100 gm), while the diaphyseal region was the area with the lowest flow (4.67 +/- 0.46 ml/min/100 gm). There was no significant difference between consecutive measurements using up to five differently labeled radioactive microspheres. This enabled observations of the effects of an experimental procedure on bone blood flow in the same animal. Additionally, there was no statistically significant differences between regional blood flows measured 40 days apart in the same animal. Bone blood flow measurements were slightly lower in anesthetized than in conscious dogs. The RTM method is the one most suitable for the estimation of bone blood flow under either acute or chronic conditions.

Anesthesia↗

Nurse practitioners: leadership behaviors and organizational climate.

The purpose of this article is to examine the relationships of individual nurse practitioners' perceptions of the leadership climate in their organizations and self-reported formal and informal leadership behaviors. The nine climate dimensions (Structure, Responsibility, Reward, Perceived Support of Risk Taking, Warmth, Support, Standard Setting, Conflict, and Identity) identified by Litwin and Stringer in 1968 were used to predict five leadership dimensions (Meeting Organizational Needs, Managing Resources, Leadership Competence, Task Accomplishment, and Communications). Demographic variables of age, educational level, and percent of time spent performing administrative functions were forced as a first step in each multiple regression analysis and used to explain a significant amount of variance in all but one analysis. All leadership dimensions were predicted by at least one organizational climate dimension: (1) Meeting Organizational Needs by Risk and Reward; (2) Managing Resources by Risk and Structure; (3) Leadership Competence by Risk and Standards; (4) Task Accomplishment by Structure, Risk, and Standards; and (5) Communication by Rewards.

Adult↗

Parents' resources and home management of the care of chronically ill infants.

PURPOSE: To identify resources of parents or primary caretakers who managed chronically ill infants at home and to determine psychometric properties of Home Care Resources Inventory (HCRI). DESIGN: Cross-sectional, descriptive SETTING: Outpatient clinics. PARTICIPANTS: Parents or primary caretakers (N = 100) of chronically ill infants who were discharged from hospital at least one week; 93% of sample were mothers; infants' ages ranged from 1-22 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: HCRI, the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory, and a demographic questionnaire. RESULTS: Parents reported strong resources in the area of support and inconsistent resources in areas of coping, time, and respite. The HCRI has acceptable psychometric properties. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying resources, especially personal time and respite, is essential for successful home management of chronically ill infants. The HCRI can be used to pinpoint areas that are strong or weak in the two resource areas measured.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Evidence of inappropriate application of autologous cartilage transplantation therapy in an uncontrolled environment.

Autologous chondrocyte transplantation is a new procedure developed for the treatment of focal articular cartilage defects of the knee. The exact indications and limitations of this procedure have not yet been completely defined through prospective, randomized studies. The purpose of this study was to examine the indications and contraindications for surgery in consecutive cases initially rejected for reimbursement of surgical expenses by insurance companies, but now on appeal, to assess whether patients referred by the physicians met the procedure criteria. Twenty-four consecutive candidates were referred for adjudication when the recommending orthopaedic surgeon appealed a rejection by a medical reviewer. The factors examined included the number and size of the cartilage lesions, the presence of tricompartmental arthritis, transplantation proposed for patellar lesions, patient age, and sagittal plane deformity. In 23 of 24 cases (96%) the indications for the procedure were not met or specific contraindications were present. In 15 of 24 cases (63%) there were multiple contraindications. The results of this study underscore the importance of controlled, application-limited experience before the release of new procedures for widespread clinical applications. The uncontrolled use of this procedure may negatively skew the overall results for this technique, prejudicing a procedure that may be successful for the correct indications.

Adolescent↗

Differentiation of self and attachment among adult daughters.

The relation among the variables differentiation of self, attachment to mother, and two indicators of mental health were studied in 83 nonclinical adult daughters from a Southern community. An a priori causal model was proposed and tested. Bowen's (1976) theory of differentiation of self and Bowlby's (1969) attachment theory provided the conceptual framework. An operational Daughter Model was tested using the statistical program LISREL. Compared to mothers, daughters scored significantly lower on differentiation of self. Daughter's attachment to mother and daughter's level of self-differentiation were not causally related, supporting the view that differentiation of self and attachment are separate variables in personality development. The daughters' levels of differentiation of self were positively related to positive energy, thus supporting Bowen's theory. These findings affirm the value of attachment behaviors and differentiation of self in adulthood, challenge therapists' bias against attachment behaviors of women, and provide a focus for mental health promotion among women.

Adult↗

Research application: teaching staff nurses to use library search strategies.

Journal reading is a major mechanism for disseminating research but much goes unread by practicing nurses. A survey revealed the 10 most frequently read journals are primarily of a clinical/technical nature. To encourage reading of research, we organized a series of library sessions to familiarize nurses with the library and modern search strategies. Over half of the 77 nurse participants indicated they had not visited the library in six months and were less than confident in their library skills. Hands-on experiences, including computerized literature search, gave nurses an opportunity to learn techniques for locating research articles.

Education, Nursing, Continuing↗

Parental division of infant care: contextual influences and infant characteristics.

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of maternal employment to division of parental infant caregiving and whether infant characteristics predicted maternal and paternal caregiving during the first year. Subjects were 351 families with healthy infants from normal pregnancies. Measures included a newborn and 1-month Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment, Child Care Activities Scale at 1, 6, and 12 months, Bates Infant Characteristics Questionnaire at 6 and 12 months, and selected demographics. Mothers provided the majority of infant care though fathers' proportion increased with employment of mothers. Controlling for demographics, infant characteristics were infrequent predictors of maternal caregiving and predicted a small amount of paternal caregiving variance.

Adult↗

New fathers' blood pressure and heart rate: relationships to interaction with their newborn infants.

Cardiovascular changes in 148 first-time fathers while holding and interacting with their newborn infants are described and relationships of fathers' verbal and nonverbal behavior with these cardiovascular changes are discussed. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) and heart rate (HR) were monitored before, during, and after interaction with the infants in a controlled hospital setting using a noninvasive oscillometric monitor. Subjects were videotaped during the interaction period. Analyses of cardiovascular responses controlled for preinteraction values revealed that all measures were significantly higher during interaction than during the postinteraction period. The frequency of fathers' verbal behaviors was negatively related to SBP and positively related to HR during interaction. Frequency of infant crying was positively related to fathers' DBP both during interaction and in the postinteraction period. Fathers appeared highly sensitive to the stimuli of interacting with their newborns and responded in a complex manner to infant signals. The findings may indicate an autonomic balance that is situationally specific.

Adolescent↗