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Biomedical subjects

L S Nelson

Publications and source records attributed to L S Nelson.

51 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Risk of hypoventilation in premature infants in car seats.

We examined 30 newborn infants for respiratory compromise before, during, and after placement in a recommended car seat restraining device. Twelve infants were premature with a history of apnea, eight were premature without known apnea, and 10 were born at term. Both premature groups had significant decreases in oxygen saturation while in the car seat (P less than 0.01) and more frequent desaturation episodes less than 80% (P less than 0.001). Premature infants with a history of apnea had more bradycardia events (P less than 0.05). No normal term infant had any of these problems. In addition, oxygen saturation trended downward from baseline for all premature infants during the recovery interval (P = 0.07). We conclude that currently available car seats may place premature infants at risk for significant hypoxia and ventilatory compromise.

Apnea↗

Indexing civil commitment in psychiatric emergency rooms.

A reliable prototype index, Three Ratings of Involuntary Admissibility (TRIAD), was developed to reflect the way psychiatric emergency room clinicians apply legal criteria for involuntary commitment. The interrater reliability coefficients--Pearson's r--of the TRIAD system for rating patients are 0.94, danger-to-self score; 0.89, danger-to-other score; 0.77, grave-disability score; and 0.89, total-admissibility score. TRIAD scores accounted for 82 percent of 89 disposition decisions in two metropolitan county hospital psychiatric emergency rooms. Study results indicate that (1) psychiatric emergency room clinicians shared constructs of danger to self, danger to others, and grave disability; (2) these constructs are reliably applied in actual cases; (3) TRIAD is a valid reflection of these constructs; and (4) case disposition is predictable from the severity of the patient's status with regard to these criteria.

Abstracting and Indexing↗

Solubility of calcium and zinc in model solutions based on bovine and human milks.

The solubility of calcium, magnesium, and zinc in model solutions based on the low molecular weight components of bovine and human milks was examined over a pH range similar to that found in the human digestive system. Zinc was removed from solution in all models as calcium phosphates precipitated. The pH at which precipitable calcium phosphates formed was altered by the concentration of inorganic phosphate. All calcium and zinc in a model based on human milk remain in solution up to pH 6.5 while in a model based on bovine milk they were in solution up to pH 5. The use of simple model solutions may provide information useful for understanding the different bioavailabilities of minerals from skimmed bovine and human milks.

Animals↗

The MMPI and problem drinking: statistical controls and multifactor criteria.

Relationships between sociodemographic variables and the MMPI, on the one hand, and several dimensions of problem drinking, on the other, were examined from a multiple regression strategy that enhanced control and clarified sizes of effects. To investigate a sample of 385 persons convicted on drunk driving, a plan was implemented calling for entry of five sociodemographic variables first in equations, to assess and control for their effects, before entering 14 MMPI validity and clinical scales, and entering finally product terms representing sex-by-MMPI interactions. These factors were used to predict six problem drinking criteria, all continuous, based on factors and total scores from the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST). Results indicate substantial variance attributable to personality factors in comparison with sociodemographic ones, and a pattern of prediction confirming generalizations reported in the literature, but also qualifying them by indicating confounding and interactions.

Adult↗

Intraluminal chemistry of zinc in milks.

The solubility of both free and low molecular weight ligand complexed calcium, magnesium, and zinc in skimmed human and bovine milks over intestinal luminal pH ranges (approximately 3-7) was measured using ultrafiltration techniques. Some of the experimental difficulties associated with the separation of labile metal ion ligand components from milks by ultrafiltration techniques are discussed. Experimental methods designed to minimize interferences in mineral ultrafiltrations from milks are outlined. Mineral solubilities in skimmed human and bovine milks are compared to data obtained in a previous study using milk models. The solubility of zinc in both skimmed bovine and bovine model milks is less than in human and human model milks at the higher pHs, characteristic of the luminal region where zinc absorption is thought to occur. The decrease in zinc solubility is caused by the coprecipitation of zinc with calcium phosphate, particularly in bovine milk samples. If solubility at the higher pHs is a requisite for zinc absorption then the enhanced bioavailability of zinc from human milk may be related to the detrimental element-compound interaction discussed in this study.

Animals↗

The use of analgesics in patients with acute abdominal pain.

Analgesics in patients with acute abdominal pain are often withheld for fear that they may change physical examination findings and thus may be unsafe. We conducted a randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled trial to investigate changes in physical examination following the administration of placebo, 5 mg, or 10 mg of morphine to 49 patients with acute abdominal pain. One patient was withdrawn secondary to inadequate documentation. Of the 48 patients who completed the trial, a statistically significant change in physical examination was noted in both groups receiving analgesics, but not in the placebo group. No adverse events or delays in diagnosis were attributed to the administration of analgesics. We conclude that physical examination does change after the administration of analgesics in patients with acute abdominal pain and that a larger study is needed to evaluate analgesic safety in this subpopulation of emergency department patients.

Abdominal Pain↗