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Biomedical subjects

M Kramer

Publications and source records attributed to M Kramer.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

The diagnostic yield of the nerve-muscle skin biopsy in paediatric neurology practice. The Montreal Children's Hospital Neuromuscular Group.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic yield of the nerve-muscle-skin (NMS) biopsy in paediatric neurology practice. STUDY DESIGN: A consecutive series of 98 paediatric NMS biopsies done 1989-1994 retrospectively reviewed in the context of pre-biopsy clinical and laboratory parameters. Bivariate associations based on chi-square test. Unconfounded associations between pre-biopsy variables and positive diagnostic yield (PDY) assessed by multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Fifty seven out of 98 patients central (global delay, seizures, abnormal CNS imaging) process; 41/98 patients peripheral (motor delay, weakness) process, electromyography-nerve conduction studies (EMG-NCS) 87/98 cases; abnormal 43/87. Positive diagnostic yield (PDY) in 42/98 (43%) biopsies. Statistically significant bivariate associations between PDY and pre-biopsy; age, presenting symptom, developmental delay, weakness, reflexes, CPK, lactate, EMG-NCS and process. Unconfounded associations demonstrated with PDY and age, reflexes and process. The presence of a peripheral process or an abnormal EMG-NCS strongly predictive of PDY: 34/41 (83%) peripheral process cases had PDY, 32/40 (80%) abnormal EMG-NCS cases had PDY, and 29/31 (93.5%) peripheral process and abnormal EMG-NCS cases had PDY. Abnormal EMG-NCS with central process improved PDY to 3/9 (33%) from 4/37 (11%) for normal EMG-NCS. CONCLUSION: NMS biopsy is a valuable diagnostic tool, particularly in the context of a suspected peripheral process or a central processes with an abnormal EMG-NCS.

Biopsy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A descriptive analysis of the potential association between migration patterns of bean and white-fronted geese and the occurrence of Newcastle disease outbreaks in domestic birds.

The sightings and migration patterns of 65 bean (Anser fabalis) and 65 white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) are reported. In the past, these geese were serologically screened for the occurrence of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and other avian viral diseases by Hlinak et al. (3). Of the 130 birds originally tagged and serologically screened in 1991, 53 birds were resighted between 1991 and 1996. Most of the sightings were reported from main wintering and resting sites in Germany and The Netherlands. It is noteworthy that 19 of the 53 birds sighted had serologic evidence that they had been exposed to NDV before the time of marking in 1991. Although the origin of these infections in bean geese and white-fronted geese is still unknown, the sightings reported in this study indicate that, once infected, wild geese may be involved in the dissemination and spread of avian viral diseases, specifically Newcastle disease. The migration patterns of the wild geese provided further evidence that the main resting and wintering areas of migratory waterfowl are likely to be important for the inter- and intraspecies transmission of avian diseases, thereby representing risk areas for the poultry industry.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Extra tactile stimulation of the premature infant.

To ascertain whether touch, in the form of extra tactile stimulation, would result in more rapid physical and social development and a greater degree of social development of the premature infant, 48 minutes of extra tactile stimulation, defines as a gentle, nonrhythmic stroking of the greatest possible area of skin surface of the infant's body by the nurse's hand, was given to eight experimental group premature infants daily for a minimum of two weeks while they were confined to an isolette. Six infants formed a control group. Regain of birth weight was used to assess physical development. Scores on the applicable portions of the Gesell Development Schedule and Bayley Scales of Infant Development and plasma cortisol levels were used to measure rate and degree of social development. Data were analyzed in terms of the total group and for pairs of infants matched for gestational age, birth weight, and Apgar score. No significant difference was found between control and experimental groups in rate of physical development as measured by regain of birth weight. Analysis of the relationship between weight gain and gestational age, sex, and Apgar scores indicated that none was a substantial indicator of the rate at which infants gained weight while in the hospital. There was no significant difference in the degree of social development between experimental and control infants, but, as hypothesized, there was significant difference in rate of social development. Plasma cortisol levels as an indication of the infant's adrenocorticol development as evidenced by his ability to respond to stressful situations, and hence indirectly his social development, revealed no significant difference between the two groups.

Body Weight↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Clinical usefulness of blood platelets cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen].

The hemostatic effectiveness of platelet concentrates cryopreserved in a vapor phase of liquid nitrogen were evaluated after transfusion of 14 concentrates to 6 patients. Transfusion of AB0 and Rh-compatible platelet concentrates elevated the number of circulated platelets in donors by about 24 G/L. The mean corrected count increment (C.I.) after 001 and 24 hours post transfusion was 14.694 and 7.735/microliters/m2/10(11) respectively. Decrease of haemorrhagic diathesis, and correction of bleeding time in all cases have been observed.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Shared values: impact on staff nurse job satisfaction and perceived productivity.

A nationwide study on the impact of shared values on staff nurse job satisfaction and perceived productivity was done in 24 hospitals under different auspices, some of which were also Magnet Hospitals. Data were obtained from a 25% random sample of the staff nurse population (N = 2,336), 58% of the head nurse group, 65% of the clinical experts, and 66% of the top management. Staff nurses and clinical experts had more value congruence than did staff nurses and head nurses. A significant inverse correlation was found between value congruence and nurse job satisfaction and quality care. Explanations of the finding center on recent role changes for both staff nurses and head nurses, power differential, and evolving clarity of the staff nurse role. A serendipitious finding was that staff nurses reported fewer factors as important to their job satisfaction and perceived environment conducive to quality patient care than did other members of the nursing department. However, factors important to staff nurses were very important.

Analysis of Variance↗