Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M B Stephens.
Streptokinase is an important component in the treatment strategy for acute myocardial infarction. However, physicians need to be aware that some patients may experience allergic reactions to this drug. Prompt recognition and appropriate management of symptoms usually result in recovery from the allergic event without further complication.
BACKGROUND: The physical activity levels of US children are declining. Opportunities for physical activity within city schools are constrained by time and space limits. This study determined whether a supplemental program of physical activity would significantly alter the fitness levels of low-income, minority, urban elementary schoolchildren. METHODS: Ninety-nine students from two Cleveland Public Schools served as subjects. One school received a 15-week intervention program where teams of two medical students met with urban elementary schoolchildren three times a week for physical activity sessions. The other school served as a control and received no supplemental activity other than a regularly scheduled physical education class held once a week. We obtained field measurements of skinfold thickness, heart rate response to submaximal exercise, and sit and reach flexibility. RESULTS: The supplemental activity group showed significant improvements in flexibility, body composition, and heart rate response to submaximal exercise. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation indicates that a program of fitness activities conducted within the classroom can significantly improve levels of fitness in urban elementary schoolchildren.
Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the upper extremity is a relatively uncommon but important cause of morbidity, especially in young active persons. The causes of upper extremity DVT may be categorized as catheter-related, spontaneous (effort-related) and miscellaneous (e.g., trauma, intravenous drug use). Diagnosis is based on clinical history and confirmed by either duplex ultrasonography or contrast venography. Significant controversy surrounds the optimal management of upper extremity DVT. Treatment options include conservative therapy, anticoagulation, catheter-directed thrombolysis and surgical intervention to remove intravascular clot or revise the anatomy of the costoclavicular space. Early aggressive treatment of active young patients may decrease long-term morbidity.
Intrathecal narcotics are a relatively recent addition to the list of analgesic options that are available for the management of labor pain. Pain during the first stage of labor is related to repetitive uterine contractions and resultant cervical dilatation, while pain during the second stage is due to stretching of the perineum. Traditionally, continuous epidural analgesia has been used as the reference standard for providing comfort during labor. Intrathecal narcotics represent a safe and effective alternative that provides significant, rapid relief of labor pain during the first stage of labor. The drugs most often used for intrathecal administration include sufentanil, fentanyl, meperidine and morphine. Use of intrathecal narcotics does not significantly affect the natural progression of labor, and no adverse fetal outcomes have been reported.
Clostridial myonecrosis (gas gangrene) is an uncommon sequela of traumatic injury. Infection with Clostridium perfringens in devitalized tissue is the most common cause. Wide surgical debridement and appropriate antibiotic therapy remain the standard of care. However, the addition of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to standard management has been shown to have a synergistic effect in reducing morbidity and mortality in both canine and murine models. Although no prospective human data are available, retrospective data indicate that concomitant hyperbaric oxygen therapy has resulted in a twofold reduction in mortality. Where feasible, hyperbaric oxygen therapy should routinely be incorporated into the treatment plan for gas gangrene. Primary care physicians are in a unique position not only to make an early diagnosis but also to have a central role in coordinating multidisciplinary care often needed for this potentially fatal infection.