Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R A James

Publications and source records attributed to R A James.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1976

Osteosarcoma associated with acromegaly: a case report.

A case of acromegaly who developed an osteosarcoma is recorded, with persistently raised levels of growth hormone. It is possible that there was some aetiological relationship between the increased rate of bone formation and the development of the osteosarcoma.

Acromegaly↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fertility and developmental neurotoxicity effects of inhaled hydrogen sulfide in Sprague-Dawley rats.

In this study, we examined whether perinatal exposure by inhalation to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) had an adverse impact on pregnancy outcomes, offspring prenatal and postnatal development, or offspring behavior. Virgin male and female Sprague-Dawley rats (12 rats/sex/concentration) were exposed (0, 10, 30, or 80 ppm H2S; 6 h/day, 7 days/week) for 2 weeks prior to breeding. Exposures continued during a 2-week mating period (evidence of copulation = gestation day 0 = GD 0) and then from GD 0 through GD 19. Exposure of dams and their pups (eight rats/litter after culling) resumed between postnatal day (PND) 5 and 18. Adult male rats were exposed for 70 consecutive days. Offspring were evaluated using motor activity (PND 13, 17, 21, and 60+/-2), passive avoidance (PND 22+/-1 and 62+/-3), functional observation battery (PND 60+/-2), acoustic startle response (PND 21 and 62+/-3), and neuropathology (PND 23+/-2 and 61+/-2). There were no deaths and no adverse physical signs observed in F0 male or female rats during the study. A statistically significant decrease in feed consumption was observed in F0 male rats from the 80-ppm H2S exposure group during the first week of exposure. There were no statistically significant effects on the reproductive performance of the F0 rats as assessed by the number of females with live pups, litter size, average length of gestation, and the average number of implants per pregnant female. Exposure to H2S did not affect pup growth, development, or performance on any of the behavioral tests. The results of our study suggest that H2S is neither a reproductive toxicant nor a behavioral developmental neurotoxicant in the rat at occupationally relevant exposure concentrations (< or =10 ppm).

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fatal unintentional traumatic asphyxia in childhood.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to examine specific features of unintentional traumatic asphyxial deaths in childhood. METHODS: Coronial files and records at the Forensic Science Centre in Adelaide, South Australia, were examined over a 35-year period from 1966 to 2000 for all cases of traumatic asphyxial death occurring in children under the age of 17 years. RESULTS: Six cases of unintentional fatal traumatic asphyxia were identified. All of the victims were boys with an age range of 2-15 years (mean 6.8 years) and all were found dead at the scene. Fatal traumatic asphyxia resulted from entrapment beneath a chest of drawers, beneath a table tennis table, between a pile of wooden pallets and a metal fence, between a conveyor belt and its frame, and under a motor vehicle (in two cases). CONCLUSIONS: Fatal traumatic asphyxia in childhood is a rare event, with younger children commonly being trapped by furniture or by industrial equipment while playing, and older children being trapped under motor vehicles in similar circumstances to adult traumatic asphyxial deaths. Unsupervised play of young children around heavy and potentially unstable pieces of furniture may be dangerous, particularly if more than one child is present. Unsupervised play of young children in industrial yards should be avoided.

Accidents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Death due to electrocution in childhood and early adolescence.

OBJECTIVES: To delineate the clinicopathological features of fatal childhood electrocutions and to identify specific risk factors. METHODS: Coronial files in Adelaide (Australia) were searched from 1967 to 2001 and Medical Examiners' files in San Diego (USA) were searched from 1988 to 2001, for cases of deaths of children and adolescents younger than 16 years attributed to electrocution. RESULTS: Sixteen cases were identified aged between 10 months and 15 years (mean 8.0 years) with a male : female ratio of 5 : 3. Deaths were due to accidents occurring while playing with or near faulty electrical equipment at home or at school (n = 8), electrical equipment while in the bath (n = 2), damaged outdoor electrical equipment (n = 1), overhead wires (n = 1), and a high voltage electricity substation (n = 1). In addition, one death was due to suicide involving an electrical appliance placed in a bath, and two other deaths occurred in older children who were moving equipment under overhead wires. No homicides were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood deaths due to electrocution are rare and are more likely to occur when children are playing around electrical wires or equipment, and often result from either faulty apparatus, or a lack of understanding of the potential dangers involved. The majority of deaths (11/16; 69%) occur in the home environment. In contrast to adult electrical deaths, high-voltage electrocutions, suicides and workplace deaths are uncommon. Strategies for eliminating childhood electrocution should concentrate on ensuring safe domestic environments with properly maintained electrical devices.

Accidents, Home↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Recent paramethoxyamphetamine deaths.

Paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA) is a methoxylated phenethylamine derivative that has been used illicitly in Australia since late 1994. It is purportedly sold under the guise of "ecstasy", which is the colloquial name for methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Methods for extraction, identification, and quantitation are presented. Toxicology findings in six fatalities involving the drug are discussed. Femoral blood PMA levels ranged from 0.24 to 4.9 mg/L (mean, 2.3 mg/L). Liver PMA levels ranged from 1.4 to 21 mg/kg (mean, 8.9 mg/kg). Other amphetamines were found in five of the six cases. Blood PMA levels in three nonfatal cases are also presented. PMA appeared to be more toxic than MDMA, and blood levels greater than 0.5 mg/L seemed likely to be associated with toxic effects.

Adult↗