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Biomedical subjects

M James

Publications and source records attributed to M James.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Facilitation of learning and state dependency with nicotine.

Two studies of nicotine and memory encoding were carried out using a state-dependent design. The first experiment used cigarettes and involved memory for stimuli that could not be encoded phonemically or semantically. The results of this recognition study show that nicotine was facilitating the input of non-phonemicably encodable and non-semanticably encodable information to storage and that nicotine produced state-dependent learning. The second study used nicotine tablets and involved memory for concrete words. The results of the free recall study show that nicotine produced state-dependent learning, that nicotine was facilitating the input of information to storage, but there was no evidence that associative processes had been changed by nicotine. These findings give no support for the suggestion that a cholinergic system in the brain is controlling the encoding of intrinsic cues relating to phonemic and semantic properties of things but not those involving mnemonic encoding by mental imagery, but rather that the cholinergic system is non-specifically involved in encoding.

Association↗
PubMed1986

The WAIS as a lateralizing and localizing diagnostic instrument: a study of 656 patients with unilateral cerebral lesions.

A retrospective study of 656 patients with unilateral cerebral lesions is reported. Their performance on a shortened version of the WAIS was assessed in relation to laterality of lesion and to localization of lesion within a hemisphere. The Verbal IQ measure was impaired in all the left-hemisphere localization subgroups compared with the corresponding right-hemisphere localization subgroups. The converse was not the case, the Performance IQ measure was only significantly impaired in two localization groups, the group with lesions restricted to the right parietal lobe and the larger group consisting of all patients with right parietal involvement. With the exception of a selective impairment on the Block Design and Picture Arrangement in the group consisting of all patients with right parietal involvement, there was no evidence of distinctive patterns of impairment associated with any localization subgroup. A right-and left-hemisphere index based on the major laterality impairments were computed for each patient. These indices were used to assess the relationship between aetiology of lesion and sex and patterns of impairment. Although overall hemisphere differences and laterality index differences were obtained, there was only a minor interaction with aetiology and there was no evidence of differential patterns of impairment associated with sex.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Clinical observations of Mexican-American, Caucasian, and black pregnant teenagers.

Few data are available on the prenatal health problems and postnatal outcomes of Mexican-American pregnant teenagers. Our study population consisted of 199 consecutive Caucasian, Mexican-American, or Black pregnant adolescents, ages 11-19 years, followed prospectively at the University of California San Diego Medical Center Teen Obstetric Clinic from 1978 to 1981. The patients included 79 Caucasians, 76 Mexican-Americans, and 44 Blacks. Mexican-American adolescents were shorter, less likely to be cigarette smokers, and delivered heavier babies than their non-Hispanic peers. More than 50% of the teenagers in all three groups gained more than the recommended upper limit of 12 kg during the pregnancy, but excessive gain was most pronounced in the Mexican-American group. Black pregnant adolescents were more likely to be anemic and had a higher frequency of goiter. It is recommended that data concerning Hispanic mothers and infants be analyzed separately from data of Caucasian and Black adolescents to more accurately define their pregnancy problems.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Visual object recognition in patients with right-hemisphere lesions: axes or features?

An investigation is reported of the ability of normal subjects and patients with right-hemisphere lesions to identify 3-D shadow images of common objects from different viewpoints. Object recognition thresholds were measured in terms of angle of rotation (through the horizontal or vertical axis) required for correct identification. Effects of axial rotation were very variable and no evidence was found of a typical recognition threshold function relating angle of view to object identification. Although the right-hemisphere-lesion group was consistently and significantly worse than the control group, no qualitative differences between the groups were observed. The findings are discussed in relation to Marr's theory that the geometry of a 3-D shape is derived from axial information, and it is argued that the data reported are more consistent with a distinctive-features model of object recognition.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Urography with a low osmolality contrast agent. Comparison of Hexabrix with Conray 325.

A double-blind, parallel group comparison study of Hexabrix and Conray 325 for adult intravenous urography was performed. Sixty patients with a mean age of 54 years were included. Doses of contrast ranged from 0.5-1.1 ml/kg for both groups with a mean of 0.7 ml/kg. Hematology, urinary and biochemical laboratory tests were performed prior to the study in all patients and at 24 hours afterward in nearly half the group. Biochemical laboratory tests were done at 72 to 96 hours in approximately one third of the patients. Hexabrix proved satisfactory for standard urography at a chosen dose of 16 g of iodine (50 ml). There were no statistically significant differences in the diagnostic quality of the urogram in the two groups except for bladder filling. The decreased osmotic diuresis associated with Hexabrix necessitated delayed bladder filming for optimal evaluation. Excellent patient tolerance was achieved with less pain on injection with Hexabrix. There was one death in the Hexabrix group in a patient with multiple medical problems. Although the patient's medical problems appeared well controlled and did not meet specific rejection criteria, they almost certainly played a role in his death. Hexabrix may be useful for adult urography at a lower dose range, eg, 16 g iodine, than is typically used, which also may be cost effective (competitive) given the higher projected cost of the new low osmolar agents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Technique and results of trans-scrotal operations for hydrocele and scrotal cysts.

Surgical procedures for scrotal hydroceles and cysts carry a significant morbidity rate from haematoma formation. Lord's transcrotal procedure involves minimal tissue dissection. The present series of 84 cases confirms Lord's original claims of a very low risk of haematoma with no recurrence. It is concluded that Lord's procedure is effective, simple, safe and economic.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Retrobulbar anesthesia: the role of hyaluronidase.

The present study was conducted in 100 patients receiving retrobulbar block for ophthalmic surgery to compare the efficacy of local anesthetic solutions with and without hyaluronidase. All patients received 3.5 ml of a mixture of 3 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine and 2 ml of 2% lidocaine. Seventy-five international units of hyaluronidase were diluted in 5 ml of the local anesthetic mixture and used for 50 of the blocks. The remainder did not receive hyaluronidase. A consistently better motor blockade was achieved with hyaluronidase (P less than 0.001 at 10, 15, and 20 min). This finding has not been conclusively demonstrated before.

Anesthesia, Local↗
PubMed1985

Chemical modification studies on purified bovine lens aldose reductase.

Chemical modification studies on homogeneous bovine lens aldose reductase using diethylpyrocarbonate, phenylglyoxal, butanedione, N-ethylmaleimide and p-chloromercuribenzoate indicate that histidine and arginine residues located at or near the nucleotide binding site may be important in binding or orientation of the NADPH, and that NADPH oxidation with glucose requires protein thiol.

Aldehyde Reductase↗
PubMed1984

Natural Nashers: a programme of dental health education for adolescents in schools.

This research set out to recognize and overcome the difficulties and doubts in designing, testing and disseminating a dental health education programme for adolescents, as part of their school curriculum. After extensive pilot work, large-scale field trials were mounted of Natural Nashers for 13-14-year-old pupils in school. These trials ran among 6700 pupils in 45 largely urban, mixed sex, state comprehensive schools in England and Scotland. A quasi-experimental control group design was used and evaluation was carried out at the levels of process (teachers' questionnaires, pupils worksheets, field-workers' reports) and outcome (pupils' pre- and post-questionnaires, worksheets, plaque and gingival scores), among a random subsample (n = 1900) divided between study (n = 1300) and control (n = 600). Eighty-three teachers completed a questionnaire and 330 field workers' reports were analysed. Two hundred and fifty pupils were further examined after a minimum of 6 months. Significant improvements in plaque and gingival scores, knowledge and attitudes compared to control pupils were noted. Gains in the areas of knowledge and attitudes were the largest of any recorded in similar trials in Europe. Process data showed that in the experimental schools, improved oral hygiene was correlated with teachers who were enthusiastic and used a cooperative style. Results from the teachers' questionnaire showed that the programme was very well received and educationally suitable.

Adolescent↗