Arthur Stanley Wohlmann, the first government balneologist in New Zealand.
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Balneology↗
Biomedical subjects
R H Johnson
Publications and source records attributed to R H Johnson.
Theoretical and experimental comparison of three types of electromagnetic hyperthermia applicator.
There is evidence that heating of malignant tissue in the treatment of cancer may be beneficial and so the performance of different applicator designs needs to be established. A theoretical model of the dielectric loaded waveguide applicator is compared with models of two other applicators which depend on energy radiated from conductors carrying high frequency current. The latter are exemplified by the compact resonant patch applicator and the lightweight inductive current sheet applicator. It is shown that heating profiles and field penetration of each applicator are similar for equal radiating areas, and these results have been substantiated experimentally. Impedance match as a function of frequency and load is also compared for the three types of applicator.
Electromagnetic Phenomena↗
Is orthostatic hypotension in the elderly due to autonomic failure?
In order to investigate whether orthostatic hypotension in elderly people is due to autonomic nervous system dysfunction or blood vessel abnormalities, we have measured platelet and lymphocyte adrenoceptor numbers and agonist binding in addition to venous plasma catecholamine concentrations. Eight elderly subjects with orthostatic hypotension and six control elderly subjects were studied. None of the subjects had other symptoms of autonomic failure. There was no significant difference between the heart rate or plasma catecholamine responses to standing of the two groups. The orthostatic hypotension subjects had a significant rise of their plasma vasopressin levels whereas the control group had no significant change. The number of alpha 2-adrenoceptor sites in platelets was lower in the orthostatic hypotensive group compared to the controls and the binding affinity was greater than in the controls. There were no significant differences in beta-adrenoceptor binding sites or affinities in isolated lymphocytes between the two groups. The similar changes in heart rate and catecholamines together with the vasopressin changes suggest that, in these elderly patients with an abnormal drop of blood pressure on standing, there is no dysfunction of autonomic pathways concerned with cardiovascular function. The lower numbers of alpha 2-adrenoceptor sites on isolated platelets in subjects with orthostatic hypotension could indicate reduced alpha 2-adrenoceptor numbers on their blood vessels which could contribute to their inability to maintain blood pressure while standing.
Aged↗
Do thermoregulatory reflexes pass through the hypothalamus? Studies of chronic hypothermia due to hypothalamic lesion.
A 38-year-old man presented with chronic hypothermia. He also had evidence of hypothalamo-pituitary dysfunction and CT scans showed a discrete hypothalamic lesion. Thermoregulatory impairment was found although there was normal circulatory control of blood pressure. Reflex vasodilatation could be initiated when hypothermia was present and also in response to raised body temperature. Shivering was initiated reflexly but did not otherwise occur. These observations imply that thermoregulatory reflexes are independent of central thermoregulatory mechanisms and do not pass through the hypothalamus.
Adult↗
Assessment of the efficacy of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, Naprosyn, in the treatment of gingivitis.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to determine the effects of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug Naprosyn (naproxen) on gingival inflammation. The enrollment of 114 patients provided 102 patients valid for efficacy evaluation, each having a mean gingival index (GI) score of 1.5 or greater at test-teeth sites. Patients were given oral Naprosyn 500 mg b.i.d. or placebo for 30 days. At 28 d, full-mouth prophylaxis was performed. Gingival index, modified sulcular bleeding index (SBI), and plaque index (PII) scores were taken at baseline, at 28 d, and at 30 d. When the 28-d index measurements were compared to baseline, the drug had no significant effect on plaque index scores or gingival inflammation. Statistically, Naprosyn enhanced the resolution of gingival inflammation following removal of microbial plaque. Thus, although this drug does not suppress the inflammation-inducing properties of plaque, Naprosyn may enhance recovery following plaque removal.
Adult↗
Lengthening clinical crowns.
Finding a solution to the short clinical crown is based on an appreciation of the biological width of attachment plus the dimensional requirements of sound restorative procedures. The collective talents of restorative dentist, orthodontist, and periodontist often are needed to cope with the problem.
Dental Restoration, Permanent↗
Increased peritoneal fluid lactic acid values and progressive bowel strangulation in dogs.
In the present study, we determined values for peritoneal fluid and blood ammonia, amylase, and lactic acid content in 11 dogs after experimental bowel strangulation. In the nine survivors of this group, we demonstrated a near linear increase in peritoneal fluid lactic acid over a 24-hour period, during which the plasma lactic acid remained relatively constant. A significant increase in peritoneal fluid ammonia was also demonstrated, but this did not occur until more than 16 hours after strangulation. In a second group of two dogs in which simple obstruction was produced, no significant increase in peritoneal fluid lactic acid or ammonia occurred. We did not find significant changes in peritoneal fluid amylase in this study. These data suggest that the determination of peritoneal fluid lactic acid content, especially when compared with concomitant plasma lactic acid, may be useful in the accurate preoperative diagnosis of bowel strangulation.
Ammonia↗
Is clonidine useful in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal?
The comparative efficacy of clonidine and chlormethiazole has been examined in the management of acute alcohol withdrawal. A double blind randomized study was conducted in consecutive patients admitted to a hospital detoxification unit. Patients were assessed regularly by a standard alcohol withdrawal rating-scale. Thirty-two patients received either clonidine or chlormethiazole in reducing dosages over 96 hr. All the patients receiving chlormethiazole had uneventful withdrawals. However, eight patients treated with clonidine were withdrawn from the trial due to hallucinations (two), seizures (two), symptomatic orthostatic hypotension (three) or drowsiness (one), indicating that clonidine is less effective than chlormethiazole in the prevention of the major manifestations of alcohol withdrawal.
Adult↗
Traumatic hemisomato-tmesis: a case report and review of the literature.
A case of traumatic hemisomato-tmesis is presented. The line of complete transection passed obliquely from the suprapubic skin to the lumbosacral junction. There were associated visceral injuries. We describe our experience of such a case and review the surgical options in the light of the current literature.
Adult↗
The effect of a new electric toothbrush on supragingival plaque and gingivitis.
This study tested the effectiveness of a rechargeable electric toothbrush, Interplak, in removing supragingival plaque and resolving gingivitis. Forty adults with gingivitis were randomly assigned to either a "manual" or "electric" group. Detailed oral hygiene instructions were given and a blind examiner assessed plaque scores before and after brushing, toothbrush abrasion, and gingival inflammation at baseline, 1, 2, and 4 weeks. Subjects using the electric brush had significantly lower (P less than 0.05) mean plaque and gingival inflammation scores. The electric group's plaque scores fell from 77% at baseline to 28% (before brushing) and 14% (after brushing) at 4 weeks; the manual group's dropped from 75% to 50% and 30% (before and after brushing, respectively). The mean G.I. for the electric group fell from 1.65 at baseline to 1.28 at 4 weeks, while the manual group's scores decreased from 1.65 to 1.43. The results suggest that the electric brush removed supragingival plaque and resolved gingivitis better than the manual brush over a 28-day period. However, a telephone survey conducted 6 months later indicated that most subjects were not using the device twice a day as they had during the study.
Adolescent↗
Radiation litigation in retrospect.
Most of the radiation litigation filed against the United States pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act has been defended by asserting federal sovereign immunity or by proving that the plaintiff's injury is unrelated to his radiation exposure. This paper reports that the second defense is best advanced by comprehensive pretrial investigation of the plaintiff's claim, which frequently results in voluntary dismissal of the legal action.
Humans↗
Epidemiological studies of bovine spumavirus.
Bovine spumavirus (BSV) infection is shown to be endemic in some herds in north Queensland. The virus was readily isolated from leucocytes of the majority of mature cattle which were BSV antibody positive (BSV reactors) in the agar gel precipitin test (AGPT). Calves born to dams which were BSV reactors showed no BSV antibody or circulatory leucocyte-associated BSV (CLAB) at birth, but became BSV reactors following ingestion of colostrum, and maintained such evidence of passive immunity until 3-5 months of age. Experimental infection of dams with BSV at 5-7 months of gestation did not cause foetal infection. In groups of young animals at pasture, segregated by age and sex, no evidence of BSV infection occurred, following loss of passive immunity, until 18-24 months of age. At this time, occasional members of some groups (both male and female) became BSV reactors and showed CLAB. At approximately 24 months old, following mixing in groups with older cows, and single-sire mating, 34% of heifers became BSV reactors within 10 weeks. A herd survey indicated 85% of 2-3-year-old cows to be BSV reactors; thereafter, the percentage of reactors declined gradually with increasing age. Using BSV grown in cell culture, transmission of infection by throat spray was the most successful route, 7 of 7 (100%) of susceptible cattle becoming BSV reactors within 8 weeks of spraying. Using the intravenous route, only 2 of 5 (40%) susceptible cattle became BSV reactors, and swabbing of cell culture virus into the prepuce or vagina did not result in infection of 4 BSV-susceptible animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Animals↗
Detection of immunological tolerance to bovine spumavirus (BSV) with evidence for salivary excretion and spread of BSV from the tolerant animal.
A group of 17 Friesian-Holstein steers held in individual pens was examined for evidence of infection with bovine spumavirus (BSV). Serum was examined for specific antibody by 2 serological procedures, and circulatory leucocytes and throat swabs were examined for the presence of circulatory leucocyte-associated BSV (CLAB) and saliva-associated BSV (SAB). Initial tests showed that 7 of the 17 steers had specific antibody to BSV by both serological procedures, and a further steer developed such antibody during the first 3 months of holding the animals in single contiguous pens. All 8 of these specific antibody-positive steers were CLAB positive and SAB negative. Nine steers showed no specific antibody to BSV by either of the 2 serological procedures; 8 of these 9 steers showed no evidence of CLAB or SAB. The exception was one steer which was CLAB- and SAB-positive at each of 30 samplings taken over a period of 9 months observation, whilst remaining specific-antibody free. This steer was classed as immunologically tolerant of BSV, and epidemiological data suggested that lateral spread of infection had originated from this animal through the agency of saliva.
Animals↗
Why does vasodilatation occur during syncope?
1. Syncopal or near syncopal episodes have been observed in five subjects who stood or were tilted and in whom blood samples were being taken. 2. In all subjects bradycardia and hypotension developed before the onset of symptoms. Increases in plasma adrenaline concentrations occurred in all subjects, beginning before the faint. Changes in plasma noradrenaline concentrations were variable: in three subjects there was a marked fall and in the other two subjects an increase. Plasma vasopressin increased in all subjects. 3. Increase in plasma adrenaline may be contributing to the vasodilatation and arterial hypotension which occur during syncope.
Adult↗
Catecholamine concentrations during exposure of resting man to the heat of a standard sweat test.
1. Normal subjects were heated for 45 min with a heat cradle under the conditions used to investigate sweating clinically. 2. Skin temperatures on the chest and in the external auditory meatus rose but concentrations of noradrenaline and adrenaline decreased during heating. 3. There was no change in adrenoceptor affinity or number as a result of the heat exposure. 4. There was little change in blood pressure and heart rate and no dysrhythmias were observed with an electrocardiogram. 5. It is concluded that heating with a heat cradle is generally not stressful and that there is a reduction in sympathetic nervous activity involving noradrenergic or adrenergic transmission during the procedure.
Adult↗
Mortality in alcoholics with autonomic neuropathy.
Seventy-nine male chronic alcoholics who had been tested for autonomic neuropathy using four tests of vagus nerve function were followed for up to 7 years (mean 5.5 years). Thirty-two subjects had no vagal neuropathy, 25 had one abnormal test and 22 had two or more abnormal vagal function tests and two of these also had orthostatic hypotension. There were no differences between the reported alcohol consumptions and evidence of central or peripheral nerve or liver damage between the three groups. Twelve patients died during the follow-up period. At 7 years the percentage survival for the subjects with no evidence of vagal neuropathy was 91%, with one abnormal test it was 66% and with two or more abnormal tests it was 79%. The expected percentage survival for each of the group was 94%, 91% and 88% respectively. The results suggest that evidence of vagal neuropathy in chronic alcoholics is associated with a significantly higher mortality than in the general population and that deaths due to cardiovascular disease are a major cause.
Adult↗
Retirement annuity provides tax shelter option.
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Aged↗
Community-acquired pneumonia: etiology, diagnosis, and treatment.
Pneumonia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. A variety of conditions that damage the airways and weaken host defense mechanisms increase the susceptibility of the individual to bacterial colonization of the pulmonary tree. Because the clinician frequently cannot determine the etiologic agent, pneumonia is often treated empirically. Cefonicid, a long-acting cephalosporin, is a useful and cost-effective antibiotic that is active against many of the common pathogens that cause community-acquired pneumonia, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. It is also active against less common community-acquired pathogens, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and some anaerobic mouth flora. Erythromycin is useful when Mycoplasma or Legionella species are suspected. Cefonicid's demonstrated safety and efficacy, its low cost, and its long half-life, permitting once-daily dosing, make this antibiotic an ideal parenteral choice for empiric therapy of community-acquired pneumonia.
Humans↗