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Biomedical subjects

M Crawford

Publications and source records attributed to M Crawford.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Sublingual morphine may be a suitable alternative for pain control in children in the postoperative period.

The purpose of this pilot study was to compare the effects of sublingual morphine with intravenous morphine in the treatment of postoperative pain following adenotonsillectomy in children. Twenty-nine children scheduled for adenotonsillectomy were randomly assigned to group 1 (n=14) receiving 0.1 mg x kg(-1) sublingual morphine and group 2 (n=15) 0.1 mg x kg(-1) intravenous morphine followed by 1 mg x kg(-1) diclofenac rectally in both groups after induction of anaesthesia. Postoperatively, time to first eye opening, sedation score, pain score, time for further analgesia requests and incidence of nausea and vomiting were recorded. There was no statistical significant difference in any of these parameters between the two groups. The results suggest that sublingual morphine may be a suitable alternative to various other routes of opioid administration in children, but further investigations of the sublingual route of administration of opioids in children are required.

Adenoidectomy↗

Docetaxel-carboplatin as first line chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian cancer.

A prospective, non-randomized, multicentre, open, dose-finding study of a carboplatin-docetaxel (C-D) combination as first-line chemotherapy in FIGO stage Ic-IV epithelial ovarian cancer. C-D was given 3-weekly for 6 planned cycles, with a 3-day prophylactic dexamethasone regimen (8 mg b.i.d.). 139 eligible patients (Pts) (median age 56 years, range 28-85) were given a total of 750 cycles of chemotherapy in 5 cohorts: Co1, 32 pts, 169 cycles (C at AUC 5 + D 60 mg/m(2)); Co2, 22 pts, 122 cycles (5 + 75), Co3, 29 pts, 156 cycles (6 + 75), Co4, 27 pts, 146 cycles (7 + 75), Co5, 30 pts, 157 cycles (6 + 85). 110 patients (79%) completed 6 cycles; 17 (12%) stopped due to toxicity. 104 patients (75%) had CTC grade IV neutropenia, and 5 patients (4%) had this associated with fever. There were 2 probable treatment-related deaths. Only 8 patients (6%) experienced grade II-III neurotoxicity (all sensory; no motor > grade I). The maximum tolerated dose was reached in cohorts 4 and 5, and the dose limiting toxicities were myelosuppression and diarrhoea. The overall response rate for the study was 66% (49/74); CA125 response was 75% (70/93). Median progression-free survival was 16.6 months (95% CI 13.3-19.1). Recommended doses are carboplatin AUC 5 (via(51)Cr EDTA) or AUC 6 (if calculated) plus docetaxel 75 mg/m(2). A randomized trial comparing this regimen with carboplatin-paclitaxel has just completed recruitment.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Teens' images of smoking and smokers.

The authors used qualitative and quantitative data to identify and interpret specific images teens have about smoking and smokers. Qualitative data were collected in 1996 from 793 teenagers participating in 125 focus groups at eight different sites across the United States. Most focus groups were homogeneous with respect to gender, ethnicity, and smoking status. Ages ranged from 12 to 18 years, and about half of the participants were female. The majority of participants (62%) were white and African American, the remainder (38%) were Hispanic, American Indian, and Asian/Pacific Islander. Groups were comprised of smoking and nonsmoking teens. Focus group activities were used to elicit image-related discussions about attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions of smoking. Investigators identified seven consistent and distinctive image themes: Appearance (smoking is dirty and unattractive), Activity (nonsmokers have busy, active lives), Drugs and sex (smokers are substance abusers and are sexually active), Rebellion (smokers belong to rebellious groups), Affect (smokers are depressed, angry, and stressed-out), In control (nonsmokers have self-control and are independent), and Pride (nonsmokers are proud of themselves, their families, and their heritage). A large scale, multi-site qualitative research approach can increase understanding of teen smoking. The identification of distinctive images of smoking can help researchers develop more sophisticated models of the processes of teen smoking than currently exist.

Adolescent↗

An analysis of consultations with the crowd doctors at Glasgow Celtic football club, season 1999-2000.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse all clinical presentations to the crowd doctors at Scotland's largest football stadium over the course of one complete season. METHODS: A standard clinical record form was used to document all consultations with the crowd doctors including treatment and subsequent referrals. The relevance of alcohol consumption was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 127 casualties were seen at 26 matches, a mean of 4.88 per match. Twenty casualties were transferred to hospital, including one successfully defibrillated after a cardiac arrest. Alcohol excess was a major contributing factor in 26 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The workload of the crowd doctors was very variable and diverse. The social problem of excessive alcohol consumption contributed considerably to the workload. The provision of medical facilities at football grounds means that attendance there is now one of the least adverse circumstances in which to have a cardiac arrest. The study confirmed previous impressions that more casualties are seen at high profile matches.

Adolescent↗

Reducing falls risk.

A multidisciplinary working group in a London hospital set up a questionnaire system to reduce patient falls. The framework it put in place is now a way of life at the hospital and could provide the basis for a wider Clinical Governance project.

Accident Prevention↗

Easing the path back to nursing practice.

With staff shortages reaching crisis level, the government is keen to encourage back nurses who have taken a career break. For one nurse, this has worked well.

Education, Nursing↗

A voice for nurses in primary care.

Primary care groups offer a new opportunity for practitioners in the community to broaden their experience--and share it with members of other professions.

Career Mobility↗

Postoperative tonsillectomy pain in pediatric patients: electrocautery (hot) vs cold dissection and snare tonsillectomy--a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of the method of tonsillectomy on postoperative pain in pediatric patients. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial. SETTING: A university pediatric hospital in Aberdeen, Scotland. PATIENTS: A volunteer sample of 54 children, aged 3 to 12 years, with recurrent tonsillitis or symptomatic adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Two patients withdrew consent. INTERVENTIONS: Twenty-six children underwent a nonelectrical (ie, cold) dissection tonsillectomy with cold steel instruments, 5 of whom also had adenoidectomy by curettage. Monopolar diathermy forceps were used for tonsillar bed hemostasis. Twenty-four children had electrocautery (ie, hot) dissection tonsillectomy, 7 of whom underwent adenoidectomy by curettage without a suction coagulator. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative analgesic consumption, time to regain normal diet and activity levels, and complications. RESULTS: Patients who underwent hot dissection tonsillectomy showed no difference in time to first drink or analgesic use within the first 24 postoperative hours compared with children undergoing cold nonelectrical dissection tonsillectomy. The hot dissection tonsillectomy group took 7.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1-14.1) more doses of analgesics than the cold dissection group over the next 12 days (P<.05). The hot dissection tonsillectomy group took 2.5 more days than the cold dissection tonsillectomy group to regain normal diet (P<.05). Thirteen children (54%; 95% CI, 34-74) in the hot dissection tonsillectomy group and 6 (23%; 95% CI, 7-39) in the cold dissection tonsillectomy group sought outpatient care for throat pain, otalgia, poor diet, pyrexia, and/or bleeding (P<.05). Throat pain delayed in onset or of prolonged duration affected 9 children (38%; 95% CI, 19-57) in the hot dissection tonsillectomy group as opposed to 3 children (12%; 95% CI, 0-24) in the cold dissection tonsillectomy group (P<.05). CONCLUSION: Hot dissection tonsillectomy increases morbidity in pediatric patients in the recovery period following hospital discharge.

Adenoidectomy↗

Non-accidental fractures in infants: risk of further abuse.

OBJECTIVES: To look for features of non-accidental fractures in infants aged under I year and assess the risk of subsequent morbidity and mortality. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective analysis of 99 children aged under 1 year who presented to the Mater Children's Hospital, Brisbane, between January 1990 and December 1993, and were found to have a fracture. The 99 infants were divided into non-accidental and accidental groups. Comparison was made between the two groups for age, sex and type of fracture. Deaths, subsequent injuries and child protection notifications until March 1997 were compared between groups. RESULTS: Of the 99 infants with fracture (64 males, 35 female), the skull and femur were the most prevalent sites of fracture. Twenty-six infants had fractures assessed as non-accidental. This group was younger but did not differ significantly in gender or site of fracture. Infants aged under 4 months had a significantly greater risk of their fracture being non-accidental (P = 0.0007). Subsequent substantiated child protection notifications occurred in nine of the non-accidental group and in one of the accidental group (P = 0.000001). There was no significant difference in the rate of subsequent notifications between those infants with abuse who were removed from their carers and those not removed. Subsequent injuries presenting to hospital occurred in 17 of the accidental group and three of the non-accidental group (P = 0.20). There were no deaths. CONCLUSION: Infants aged under 1 year with fractures have a high prevalence of abuse. The risk of abuse as cause for the fracture is greater in those aged under 4 months. Infants with non-accidental fractures have a high risk of further abuse even with intervention.

Accidents↗

Placental delivery of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids: implications for the lipid nutrition of preterm infants.

Arachidonic (AA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids are major components of cell membranes and are of special importance to the brain and blood vessels. In utero, the placenta selectively and substantially extracts AA and DHA from the mother and enriches the fetal circulation. Studies indicate that there is little placental conversion of the parent essential fatty acids to AA and DHA. Similarly, analyses of desaturation and reductase activity have shown the placenta to be less functional than the maternal or fetal livers. There appears to be a correlation with placental size and plasma AA and DHA proportions in cord blood; therefore, placental development may be an important variable in determining nutrient transfer to the fetus and, hence, fetal growth itself. In preterm infants, both parenteral and enteral feeding methods are modeled on term breast milk. Consequently, there is a rapid decline of the plasma proportions of AA and DHA to one quarter or one third of the intrauterine amounts that would have been delivered by the placenta. Simultaneously, the proportion of linoleic acid, the precursor for AA, rises in the plasma phosphoglycerides 3-fold. An inadequate supply of AA and DHA during the period of high demand from rapid vascular and brain growth could lead to fragility, leakage, and membrane breakdown. Such breakdown would predictably be followed by peroxidation of free AA, vasoconstriction, inflammation, and ischemia with its biological sequelae. In the brain, cell death would be an extreme consequence.

Adult↗

Detection of Leptospira spp. in the aqueous humor of horses with naturally acquired recurrent uveitis.

Leptospiral organisms have long been presumed to be associated with the presence of equine recurrent uveitis. This project was undertaken to determine the presence of Leptospira spp. in the aqueous humor of horses with uveitis to determine if there was an association with inflammation. Thirty horses were determined to have recurrent uveitis based on clinical evaluation or history. Sixteen horses were judged clinically and historically to be free of uveitis and were used as controls. Aqueous humor samples were cultured and evaluated by PCR for the presence of Leptospira DNA. Serum was collected and evaluated for the presence of antibodies against five serovars in a leptospirosis panel. Twenty-one of 30 horses with recurrent uveitis and one of 16 uveitis-free horses were positive by PCR for the presence of Leptospira DNA. Six of these 21 horses with uveitis were culture positive for leptospires from the aqueous humor. Serologic results did not correlate well with the presence of Leptospira DNA or organisms in the aqueous humor. Leptospira spp. are present in a high percentage of horses with naturally occurring recurrent uveitis.

Animals↗

Role of plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids in human nutrition.

An international workshop on the role of plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids in human nutrition took place in Milan on February 9, 2000. The meeting was sponsored by the Nutrition Foundation of Italy and was organized by its Scientific Director, Dr. Andrea Poli. It was attended by experts in polyunsaturated fatty acids and human lipid nutrition. This is the first meeting devoted to the health aspects of alpha-linolenic acid, the omega-3 fatty acid contained in plant-derived edible products, as distinct from the more widely studied long-chain omega-3 products typically present in fish and fish-derived products. This report, which is based on updated scientific evidence presented and discussed at the workshop, was prepared by the international expert panel.

Animals↗

Peripherally inserted central catheter program.

The peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is a safe and less costly option to centrally inserted, tunneled, or implanted central vascular access devices. Support for PICC services and reports of results vary among organizations. A comprehensive PICC Program, guided by the Center for Advanced Nursing Practice's Evidence-Based Practice Model, was designed and implemented with successful outcomes. Key program components include administrative, education, clinical practice, and data monitoring to enhance best practice.

Catheterization, Central Venous↗

Respiratory chain complex I deficiency: an underdiagnosed energy generation disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To define the spectrum of clinical and biochemical features in 51 children with isolated complex I deficiency. BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial respiratory chain defects are one of the most commonly diagnosed inborn errors of metabolism. Until recently there have been technical problems with the diagnosis of respiratory chain complex I defects, and there is a lack of information about this underreported cause of respiratory chain dysfunction. METHODS: A retrospective review of clinical features and laboratory findings was undertaken in all diagnosed patients who had samples referred over a 22-year period. RESULTS: Presentations were heterogeneous, ranging from severe multisystem disease with neonatal death to isolated myopathy. Classic indicators of respiratory chain disease were not present in 16 of 42 patients in whom blood lactate levels were normal on at least one occasion, and in 23 of 37 patients in whom muscle morphology was normal or nonspecific. Ragged red fibers were present in only five patients. Tissue specificity was observed in 19 of 41 patients in whom multiple tissues were examined, thus the diagnosis may be missed if the affected tissue is not analyzed. Nine patients had only skin fibroblasts available, the diagnosis being based on enzyme assay and functional tests. Modes of inheritance include autosomal recessive (suggested in five consanguineous families), maternal (mitochondrial DNA point mutations in eight patients), and possibly X-linked (slight male predominance of 30:21). Recurrence risk was estimated as 20 to 25%. CONCLUSION: Heterogeneous clinical features, tissue specificity, and absence of lactic acidosis or abnormal mitochondrial morphology in many patients have resulted in underdiagnosis of respiratory chain complex I deficiency.

Adolescent↗