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Biomedical subjects

R H Levine

Publications and source records attributed to R H Levine.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

The isolated perfused human skin flap: design, perfusion technique, metabolism, and vascular reactivity.

The design, isolated perfusion technique, and reactivity of a novel human skin-flap model are described. A transverse paraumbilical skin flap based on perforator vessels from the deep epigastric system was designed utilizing the tissue usually discarded following abdominal dermolipectomy. Within 3 hours of devascularization, a gassed (95% O2, 5% CO2), 37 degrees C Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing albumin (65 gm/liter) was pumped into the cannulated arterial pedicle of the skin flap and subsequently collected from the venous pedicle. Vascular resistance was continuously monitored and remained stable throughout the 4-hour perfusion. Lactate release was maintained throughout perfusion and was markedly increased by addition of insulin to the perfusate. Addition of norepinephrine to the perfusate resulted in a significant (p less than 0.05) dose-response increase in vascular resistance, and acetylcholine significantly (p less than 0.05) attenuated resistance in flaps preconstricted with norepinephrine. The results of these studies indicate that the isolated perfused human skin flap remained metabolically active with functionally intact vascular endothelium and smooth muscle throughout the 4-hour perfusion. The availability of this technique will, for the first time, permit laboratory study of human skin-flap pathophysiology and pharmacology.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

A large outbreak of antibiotic-resistant shigellosis at a mass gathering.

In July 1987, a large outbreak of shigellosis occurred among attendees at a mass gathering in a national forest, the annual Rainbow Family Gathering. Sanitation in the campsite was poor, allowing widespread transmission of disease, probably by food, water, and person-to-person spread. The attack rate may have been greater than 50% among the estimated 12,700 attendees. The outbreak was caused by Shigella sonnei, resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole; the organism was of colicin type 9 and contained a 90-kilobase plasmid not found in non-outbreak-related strains. The dispersal of the group resulted in nationwide dissemination of the organism, and outbreaks in three states were linked to transmission from attendees at the Gathering. This outbreak demonstrates the potential for rapid dissemination of disease in such a setting and the necessity for careful planning of mass gatherings.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1987

Source of prenatal care and infant birth weight: the case of a North Carolina county.

The impact of a comprehensive prenatal care program on the birth weights of infants born to low-income women is assessed. Women receiving care through the prenatal program of a large county public health department were compared to pregnant Medicaid-eligible women in the same county, who received prenatal care primarily from private-practice physicians. The percentage of low birth weight was 8.3 for the health department women compared with 19.3 for the Medicaid women. After differences between the two groups in race, marital status, participation in the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), quantity of prenatal care, and other risk factors were statistically controlled, the chance of a Medicaid woman having a low-weight birth was still more than twice as great (p = 0.007). A case-management approach and greater use of services ancillary to basic obstetric medical care appear to contribute to the better birth weight outcomes in the health department.

Birth Weight↗