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Biomedical subjects

P Kirk

Publications and source records attributed to P Kirk.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

The effect of spiked boots on logger safety, productivity and workload.

Analysis of 1657 lost-time logging accidents in the New Zealand logging industry (1985-1991) indicates that 17.5% were as a result of slips, trips and falls and a total of 2870 days were lost. Most (56%) of these slipping, tripping and falling accidents occurred in the felling and delimbing phase of the logging operation, where 37% of the workforce are employed. In an attempt to reduce the number of slipping injuries to loggers employed in felling and delimbing, a study of the effectiveness of spike-soled (caulk) boots was undertaken. Four loggers were intensively observed at work, by continuous time-study methods, while wearing their conventional rubber-soled boots and then spike-soled boots. The number of slips, work methods used, physiological workload and productivity were compared for loggers wearing the two footwear types. Results indicated that spike-soled boots were associated with a significant reduction in the frequency of slips and had no adverse effect on work methods, physiological workload or productivity. Spike-soled boots are now being promoted for use by loggers in New Zealand as a simple method to reduce slipping, tripping and falling accidents.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1994

Value of a second freeze-thaw cycle in cryotherapy of common warts.

A study of open, randomized, parallel-group design was performed to investigate the impact of a second freeze-thaw cycle on the cure rate, at 3 months, from cryotherapy of common warts on the hands and feet. Cryotherapy was performed at 3-week intervals, and subjects were randomized to receive either one or two freeze-thaw cycles. In addition, all subjects used keratolytic wart paints throughout the study, and plantar warts were pared prior to freezing. Three hundred subjects were recruited. At 3 months, 124 were cured, 83 were not cured, and 93 had defaulted. Among those who did not default the cure rate was 57% from the single freeze technique, and 62% from the double freeze technique, a difference of 5% (P = 0.53, 95% CI-8.1-18.6). Separate analyses for subjects with warts on the hands and on the feet demonstrated no effect of double freezing on hand warts. In contrast, for plantar warts, the cure rate was 41% from single freezing and 65% for double freezing, a difference of 24% (P = 0.04, 95% CI 2.9-44.4). The use of a double freeze-thaw cycle confers little or no advantage over a single freeze in the treatment of hand warts, but may be considerably more effective for plantar warts.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Earmuff effectiveness against chainsaw noise over a 12-month period.

A study measuring the ability of new Peltor H7P3 Grade 4 helmet-mounted earmuffs to reduce the level of chainsaw noise reaching forestry workers' ears was undertaken over a one-year period. The objective was to establish effective replacement guidelines for earmuffs. The results showed that the earmuffs provided effective hearing protection for the subjects over the one-year test period. There were no statistically significant changes in field attenuation levels during the first 9 months. While the following three-month period (9-12 months) did experience a significant 3 dB(A) decrease, mean inside microphone noise level measured at the 12-month stage was 78.8 +/- 3.0 dB(A). This level is well under the damage risk criterion of Leq (8 hour) not exceeding 85 dB(A). It was noted during the study that a large proportion of the earmuffs would normally have been replaced before the 12-month stage owing to the discomfort associated with cushion deterioration. Results suggest that Peltor H7P3 grade 4 helmet-mounted earmuffs could be safely used as an effective form of chainsaw noise protection in a production forestry environment for a maximum period of 12 months before cushion replacement.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1992

Management of recurrent dislocation of the patella following total knee arthroplasty.

Fifteen knees with patellar dislocation after total knee arthroplasty had realignment of the extensor mechanism using a modification of the Trillat procedure. The onset of dislocation occurred on average 4.7 months from the time of surgery. After total knee arthroplasty the patients had an average range of motion of 109 degrees. All patients had medialization of the tibial tubercle and lateral release. No patient had a recurrent dislocation after a minimum 2-year follow-up period. The average knee score was 82 and the average flexion arc was 112 degrees. All but one of the osteotomies healed uneventfully.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

The usefulness of MRI in evaluating menisci after meniscus repair.

We reviewed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 15 asymptomatic patients at 6 months to 1 year following meniscal repair procedures. All of the patients were found to have persistent MRI signals in the region of the repair. Nine of the 17 meniscal repairs in the 15 patients had persistent grade 3 signals. Arthrograms were performed on six patients (eight meniscal repairs). Seven of these postoperative menisci showed grade 3 signals on MRI. Only one meniscus was shown to have a complete tear by arthrogram. There were no false negative scans. The overall accuracy, defined as the percentage of postoperative menisci correctly diagnosed by MRI, was 38% (3/8). MRI is a useful preoperative diagnostic study following knee injury. This report demonstrates, however, that present MRI modalities are unable to distinguish between scar tissue of healed meniscal repairs and meniscal tears. Therefore, it is not a useful diagnostic tool in evaluating reinjury following successful meniscal repair.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

The effect of methylprednisolone on lymphocyte phenotype and function in patients with multiple sclerosis.

The extent to which symptomatic improvement in patients with multiple sclerosis treated with intravenous methylprednisolone depends on immunological actions of corticosteroids is unknown. In this study the effect of methylprednisolone on circulating T and B cell function has been assessed in vitro and in vivo. Low molar concentrations of methylprednisolone increased pokeweed mitogen-stimulated IgG synthesis by unfractionated lymphocytes in 20 patients with multiple sclerosis and 15 controls. Treatment with methylprednisolone was associated with increased IgG synthesis in a further cohort of 26 affected individuals although dose responsiveness to methylprednisolone was uninfluenced in these patients. Sequential concanavalin A-pokeweed mitogen-induced IgG synthesis by mononuclear cells was also stimulated by methylprednisolone. Phenotypic analysis of paired samples from 12 patients with multiple sclerosis, taken before and after treatment showed no alteration in CD4 or CD8 cells, their suppressor inducer or suppressor subpopulations or activated lymphocytes.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗