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Biomedical subjects

L G Smith

Publications and source records attributed to L G Smith.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Brain cancer: issues and dilemmas.

A cohort study covering the eight year period, 1970-1977, identified eight deaths attributed to brain cancer among employees at a refinery/chemical plant. Five of the cases were primary brain cancers and three were either metastatic from another site or the site was undetermined. A ninth case of brain tumor unspecified was identified. Five primary brain cancers would have been expected, based on national statistics. Some issues and dilemmas related to such a cohort study were discussed.

Adult↗

Prothrombin Gainesville. A dysprothrombinemia in a pair of identical twins.

A pair of identical twins was evaluated for menometrorrhagia and mild post-operative bleeding. Each had a slightly prolonged partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time. Full hemostatic evaluation was normal, except that plasma prothrombin activity was 23% and 25% of normal with a Russell's viper venom assay. Each twin had 70% of normal plasma prothrombin antigen. Prothrombin kinetic data were obtained before and during hysterectomy. In these twins, infused prothrombin (Konyne) was found to have a volume of distribution of approximately one and one-half times the plasma volume and a half-life of 34 hours. The previously reported dysprothrombins are briefly reviewed. Prothrombin Gainesville is the twelfth such disorder reported.

Adult↗

Elevated plasma zinc concentrations in renal dialysis patients.

It has been suggested that hemodialysis patients might benefit from zinc supplements. However, little attention is given to the trace element content of renal dialysis fluids or to contamination of such fluids with trace metals. Pre- and postdialysis plasma copper and zinc concentrations of patients at two hospital dialysis units were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The plasma zinc concentration increased substantially in 34 of 37 patients as a result of dialysis. Measurement of dialysate zinc concentrations after primary source of zinc. Because of the possibility of zinc toxicity, zinc nutritional status should be carefully evaluated before recommending zinc supplementation for dialysis patients. Uremic patients dialyzed with certain disposable Cuprophan-membrane coils receive substantial quantities of zinc during dialysis; other Cuprophan-membrane coils tested released negligible quantities of zinc.

Adult↗

A possible new approach to the management of brain abscesses.

A report is given of effective non-surgical treatment with antibiotics in a patient with a large brain abscess.Non-surgical treatment of brain abscesses may be possible if massive doses of specific bactericidal antibiotics are used and the patients are followed up with frequent brain scans and computerized tomography.

Adult↗

Pulmonary carcinogenesis in rats given implants of cigarette smoke condensate in beeswax pellets.

Lungs of inbred OM/NCR and outbred Sprague-Dawley rats were given implants, through a thoracotomy, of pellets of cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) suspended in a beeswax-tricaprylin vehicle. The pellets slowly released material into the surrounding parenchyma, which resulted in a dose-related increased incidence of lung cancer, predominantly invasive and metastasizing epidermoid carcinoma. A 42% prevalence of pulmonary carcinoma was present in the highest dosage group, which received 67 mg CSC, exposing approximately 1.65 cm2 bronchiolar epithelium. Squamous metaplasia associated with the implanted site preceded the appearance of the carcinomas and was more severe, with the larger pellets having more concentrated CSC. No difference was observed in incidence of pulmonary carcinomas with the use of CSC containing high or low concentrations of nicotine. The potential value of this bioassay system were discussed.

Animals↗

Vegetative bacterial endocarditis on the prolapsing mitral valve. Echocardiographic evaluation.

Vegetative endocarditis on the prolapsing mitral valve can be diagnosed with an echocardiogram and the response to therapy can be followed with this technique. A dense mass of fuzzy echoes was noted on the prolapsing posterior leaflet of an echocardiogram from a patient with endocarditis. Three months after the initiation of antibiotic therapy, the mass of echoes had disappeared and was replaced by a dense linear echo, suggesting fibrosis of the part of the mitral valve that had been infected previously. Persistence of the echocardiographic evidence of endocarditis, despite negative blood cultures, may indicate persistence of the risk of peripheral embolization.

Echocardiography↗

Serratia marcescens and the urologist.

Serratia marcescens, long considered a non-pathogen, is now found to be responsible for outbreaks of nosocomial infections. An outbreak of Serratia infection at 2 institutions is reported, in which 253 cultures of Serratia were grown and 115 patients were involved. The 3 most important conditions that preceded isolation of Serratia were the use of indwelling urethral catheters, antibiotic therapy and operation. All infections were acquired in the hospital. An epidemiological survey showed that the organism is present in the environment, even in the absence of active infection.

Aged↗

Candida endocarditis in two patients.

On the basis of the data currently available, no dogmatic statements can be made about optimal therapy for Candida endocarditis. In those with valve protheses, early surgery should be carefully assessed even though the differences in outcome (17% vs 53% survival) are not yet statistically significant.

Adolescent↗

Effects of training on biochemical values in standardbred horses.

Effects of training at a regular, fixed, standard exercise load on venous lactic acid, mixed venous and arterial blood gases and pH, and serum muscle enzymes were determined on previously unconditioned, healthy, adult, Standardbred horses. Arterial and mixed venous blood gases, pH, and serum muscle enzymes did not change in a consistent manner during training. Venous lactic acid concentrations did increase significantly with training and may be of value for the biochemical evaluation of fitness in horses.

Animals↗