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Biomedical subjects

M McKay

Publications and source records attributed to M McKay.

69 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Enzymatic correction of interference in the kinetic Jaffé reaction for determining creatinine in plasma.

We evaluated a simple, specific method for measuring plasma creatinine concentration, involving enzymatic degradation of creatinine before analysis by a kinetic Jaffé reaction. The enzymes--prepared in a dry, stable form--are convenient to use and eliminate the need to correct for sample dilution. As little as 50 microL of plasma is required, making the procedure ideal for use with samples from children. Between-day precision studies for determination of plasma creatinine at concentrations of 70 and 470 mumol/L yielded CVs of 7.8 and 4.3%, respectively. Analytical recovery of creatinine added to plasma samples ranged from 94 to 113%. Linear regression analysis demonstrated excellent agreement between results by this method and those by a "high performance" liquid-chromatographic technique.

Amidohydrolases↗
PubMed1984

Isolated tibial hemimelia in sibs: an autosomal-recessive disorder?

Isolated tibial hemimelia is generally considered to occur sporadically. We report on isolated tibial hemimelia in two sibs born to phenotypically normal parents and review a similar case from the literature. These cases suggest autosomal-recessive inheritance. Whether isolated tibial hemimelia represents a discrete syndrome or an expression of a disorder with wider phenotypic variability remains unclear.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1983

T helper-suppressor cell imbalance in pyoderma gangrenosum, with relapsing polychondritis and corneal keratolysis.

We found decreased T helper/inducer and increased T suppressor/cytotoxic cells in a 45-year-old woman with pyoderma gangrenosum. Serum immunoglobulin levels were normal, suggesting that these T suppressor cells did not function primarily to regulate antibody synthesis. The patient had diminished cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity responses, reacting to only one of six antigens tested, but responded in vitro to three of three antigens. Because of their various regulatory functions, excess T suppressor cells, or a lack of T helper cells, could be a common factor underlying many of the humoral and cell-mediated immune derangements, as well as the neutrophil abnormalities, that have been found in pyoderma gangrenosum. Our patient also had relapsing polychondritis and corneal keratolysis, consistent with the systemic nature of the disorder. The T-cell imbalance persisted even as the ulcer improved. Since monoclonal antibodies against T cell subpopulations are readily available, measuring these cell types as part of the immunological workup of patients with pyoderma gangrenosum might yield valuable clues concerning the pathogenesis of this disorder.

Corneal Ulcer↗
PubMed1983

Topical dermatologic therapy.

Topical therapy is a useful and versatile treatment modality which can bring a great deal of satisfaction to the patient with a skin disorder. Understanding the basic principles of skin hydration and emollient therapy can often prevent dermatitis in patients with "sensitive skin" which appears to flare at the slightest provocation. Understanding the underlying principles of topical skin care when prescribing the more potent steroid-containing preparations can make dermatologic therapy effective and rewarding.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1980

Demonstration of a software package for the reconstruction of the dynamically changing structure of the human heart from cone beam x-ray projections.

The Dynamic Spatial Reconstructor (DSR) is a device constructed at the Biodynamics Research Unit of the Mayo Clinic for (among other things) the visualization of the beating heart inside the intact thorax. The device consists of 28 rotating X-ray sources arranged on a circular arc at 6 degrees intervals (total span 162 degrees) and a matching set of 28 imaging systems. The whole thorax of the patient is projected onto the two-dimensional screen of the imaging systems by cone beams of X rays from the sources. All of the X-ray sources are switched on and off within a total period of 10 milliseconds. The Medical Image Processing Group at the State University of New York at Buffalo has developed a software package for the design and evaluation of algorithms to be used by the DSR. In this paper we illustrate the operation of the package and a particular algorithm for the reconstruction of the dynamically changing structure of the heart from data collected by the DSR.

Computers↗
PubMed1977

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, a regulator of metabolism.

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate affects the rate of a large variety of enzyme reactions. In some instances its role as a physiologic effector is well documented. In many cases the effects of fructose bishosphate on particular enzymes have been demonstrated in vitro but the link to physiologic conditions has not yet been established. It is the purpose of this paper to summarize the scattered findings in fructose bisphosphate as an effector of enzyme reactions and to draw some conclusions about the role of the compound in metabolic regulation.

Carbohydrate Metabolism↗
PubMedDate not supplied

From the other side: parents' views of their early contacts with health professionals.

The parents of 84 school-age children with cerebral palsy were interviewed about their early experiences of dealing with health professionals. Seventy per cent of families expressed dissatisfaction with some aspects of their contact with the health services during the initial period of diagnosis and referral. Lack of explanation, either about the child's condition or the reasons for follow-up, was the commonest complaint (58%), followed by having their worries dismissed by doctors and the need to make repeated visits before their child's problem was recognized (51%). Twenty per cent complained about the manner in which they had been told about their child's disability and 5% were critical of the lack of understanding on the part of doctors of the practical difficulties they faced. A high level of dissatisfaction was found among parents of children who had recognized perinatal problems but dissatisfaction was not found to be proportional to the severity of the child's handicap. Ways in which the quality and delivery of services could be improved are discussed.

Cerebral Palsy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Assessment of hospital-related stress in children and adolescents admitted to a psychiatric inpatient unit.

PROBLEM: The assessment of hospital-related stressors experienced by child and adolescent patients on a psychiatric inpatient unit. SUBJECTS: Child and adolescent inpatients (N = 40) admitted to an acute, short-term psychiatric unit. METHODS: A newly developed stressor survey was administered to subjects to identify the most problematic stressors. Correlation analyses were used to assess associations between hospital-related stress and adjustment variables. FINDINGS: Broad domains and specific items of the most problematic hospital-related stressors were revealed. Also, higher levels of hospital-related stress were consistently associated with poorer hospital-based adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: Implications for treatment include identifying hospital-related stressors for individual patients and providing interventions to enhance coping.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Profile of a leader: Caroline Wellwood: pragmatic visionary.

Caroline Wellwood is representative of a group of early Canadian nurses whose missionary ideals led them to innovative careers in other countries. Wellwood's visionary leadership laid the groundwork for the development of a modern system of nursing and nursing education in southwestern China.

Canada↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Identifying sources of stress and job satisfaction in the nursing environment.

As nursing has previously been identified as a stressful occupation (Tyler and Cushway 1992; 1995), sources of job stress and levels of job satisfaction were investigated in a study of occupational stress with 129 Victorian nurses. The study aimed to identify what the nurses perceived as the major causes of stress in the workplace using a standardized questionnaire, Gray-Toft and Anderson's Nursing Stress Scale (NSS), and by way of written reports. Level of job satisfaction was measured using the Nursing Stress Index (Harris Hingley and Cooper 1988). Results showed that the nurses rated their workload as highly stressful in terms of both frequency of its occurrence and its perceived effect upon themselves. As expected, higher levels of reported nursing stress were associated with lower levels of job satisfaction. Analyses of the written descriptions of a recent stressful work episode provided by 66 of the nurses included examples of relevant nursing stressors that were not covered by the NSS. Findings from the qualitative data are also discussed in terms of the implications for nursing practice arising from the impact of workload, and professional interpersonal conflicts.

Adult↗