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Biomedical subjects

M Barr

Publications and source records attributed to M Barr.

152 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Improving blood pressure estimation through internal and environmental feedback.

Different bodily sensations and situational factors covary with changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP). The present experiment explored whether an awareness of SBP-related cues could help individuals to estimate their own SBP levels more accurately. Sixty-four adults (53 women and 11 men) participated in two experimental sessions 3 months apart. Immediately following each of 13 task and intervening baseline periods of each of the two sessions, subjects estimated their SBP and rated the degree to which they were experiencing each of 10 physical symptoms and moods (i.e., internal cues). In addition, independent judges rated the extent to which various situational factors were present during each task and baseline. Within-subject correlations between internal and situational cues with SBP served as the basis for subjects' receiving one of four randomly assigned types of feedback: no feedback, internal cue feedback, situational cue feedback, or biosituational feedback based on both internal and situational cues. In the second experimental session 3 months later, subjects in the biosituational feedback condition were significantly better at estimating SBP than were individuals in any of the other conditions. Implications of biosituational feedback as an alternative to traditional biofeedback are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sonographic screening for trisomy 21: fetal humerus:foot length ratio, a useful new marker.

We have analyzed morphometric measurements from midgestational fetal necropsies and shown that arm and foot lengths are linear relationships versus gestational age (GA). Using foot length as the GA determinant, we found that the ratio of arm:foot length was also a linear relationship and was decreased in trisomy 21 fetuses when compared to age-matched normals. Based on these laboratory findings, we prospectively evaluated the use of the humerus:foot length ratio as a sonographic screening tool for identification of fetuses at risk for trisomy 21. Humerus length, foot length and the humerus:foot length ratio were found to be linear relationships vs. gestational age in both the normal and trisomy 21 populations. However, the regressions for the humerus:foot length ratio were significantly different between normals and Down's fetuses (p < 0.001). We found that a humerus:foot length ratio < or = 0.85 correctly identified 47% of our trisomy 21 fetuses (spec = 0.92, PPV = 0.25, NPV = 0.97). When compared to women > or = 35 years old in our high risk population, a humerus:foot length ratio < or = 0.85 carried an odds ratio of 52.7 (99% CL = 9.72-285.23) for trisomy 21.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The natural history of the intercondylar notch after notchplasty.

Ten patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction by one surgeon using autologous patellar tendon grafts were evaluated. A standardized technique of performing a notchplasty was done to remove at least 5 mm of bone at the anterior outlet of the intercondylar notch. Computed tomography scans were done preoperatively, within 1 week postoperatively, and after 1 year of follow-up. There were no statistically significant differences in the measured dimensions of the intercondylar notch between 1 week and 1 year postoperatively. While previous investigations have evaluated the relationship between intercondylar notch dimensions and risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury, we believe this is the first statistical study that addresses the natural history of the intercondylar notch in humans after bone resection. We believe that the data reported here may enhance our understanding and treatment of patients who have undergone previously failed anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions.

Adolescent↗