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Biomedical subjects

R Hanna

Publications and source records attributed to R Hanna.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Technetium-99m autologous phagocyte scanning: a new imaging technique for inflammatory bowel disease.

A method to determine the extent of active inflammatory bowel disease using selective labelling of autologous neutrophils and monocytes by phagocytosis of a technetium-99m (99mTc) stannous oxide colloid is described. Unlike leucocyte scanning techniques using Indium-III (IIIIn), the 99mTc colloid scan uses a cheap, readily available isotope, which specifically labels phagocytes. Scan results in 20 patients with inflammatory bowel disease were compared with barium examinations and colonoscopic appearances. There was close agreement in 15 of 20 patients as to the extent of mucosal disease. In four cases the scan showed more extensive disease than was suggested by barium examination. The scan showed terminal ileal Crohn's disease in three patients in whom the barium studies of the ileum had been reported as normal. In four patients with inactive disease and normal barium examinations no activity was seen on the scans. The 99mTc phagocyte scan is a sensitive, reliable means of determining the extent of active inflammatory bowel disease and can be used to quantify disease activity.

Adolescent↗

Synaptic vesicle diameters and synaptic cleft widths at the mouse diaphragm in neonates and adults.

Miniature endplate potential (MEPP) amplitude distributions from adult mouse diaphragm junctions show two classes of MEPPs. The larger MEPPs form a bell-shaped distribution (bell-MEPPs) with a variance of 20-30%. The smaller MEPPs form a right-hand skew-distribution composing 1-10% of the MEPPs with a mode 1/10th (s-MEPP class) that of the bell-MEPPs. Junctions of 1-day-old neonates generate mainly s-MEPPs. The MEPP distribution gradually changes to mainly bell-MEPPs during the first 3 weeks of postnatal junctions to those of adults and reinnervated adults. We found no differences between neonates and adults in either synaptic vesicle diameter (56 nm o.d.) or in synaptic cleft widths. Synaptic vesicle diameters were the same for 'touching vesicles'. Junctions of 1-day-old neonates showed no or shallow postsynaptic folds. Postsynaptic folds were essentially developed by the third day although one-quarter of the MEPPs were of the skew-class. Assuming that vesicles are simple containers, we would expect a class of 30-nm o.d. vesicles which would generate the s-MEPP class. Since we found a smooth distribution of synaptic vesicles and no vesicles of 30 nm diameter we conclude that within the constraints of the vesicle hypothesis of transmitter release that s- and bell-MEPPs are from vesicles sized the same and that vesicle volume does not determine the amount of acetylcholine released.

Acetylcholine↗

CT of hepatic schistosomiasis mansoni.

Schistosomal periportal fibrosis produced a typical pattern on computed tomography in five patients. Low-density periportal tissue, present throughout the liver, enhanced strongly after the administration of contrast medium. While rounded in cross section, the thickened periportal tissue produced linear and branching patterns when imaged in longitudinal section. In all cases, the sonographic features were typical of schistosomal periportal fibrosis. A lack of awareness of the distinctive features of periportal fibrosis may result in a mistaken diagnosis of hepatic metastases.

Adult↗

Radiochemistry and biostability of autologous leucocytes labelled with 99mTc-stannous colloid in whole blood.

Autologous leucocytes were labelled in whole blood by phagocytic uptake of 99mTc-stannous colloid. This colloid has a mean particle size of 1.5 micron and labels leucocytes with 81% efficiency. Individual cell uptakes were: granulocytes 42%, monocytes 39%. Isotonic sodium citrate added after the labelling procedure did solubilise excess colloid but was not necessary for adequate removal of excess colloid. Labelled leucocytes were shown in vitro to be viable and maintain normal bactericidal and chemotactic capacity. Biodistribution, clearance rates and dosimetry are presented. These results indicate that autologous leucocytes can be efficiently labelled with 99mTc-stannous colloid with good residual cell function.

Animals↗

The effectiveness of child psychiatric inpatient care.

After 900 admissions there is evidence that the programme for the inpatient hospitalization of psychiatrically ill children for a pre-determined period, can provide effective treatment. The time limited aspect appears to maximize the utilization of staff and family time. Parents' reports, rating scale information and assessments of outcome seem to agree that most children benefit. While hospitalizing the most difficult cases, the 29 day stay, 2% referral rate to foster homes and 7% re-admission rate of this unit, compares favourably with other child psychiatric units.

Adolescent↗

Prediction of haemorrhagic diathesis in thrombocytopenia by mean platelet volume.

The Coulter counter, model S Plus, Provides a platelet count and a mean platelet volume in all routine specimens of blood for cell count. The value of mean platelet volume in the prediction of the haemostatic potential of thrombocytopenic patients was investigated in 175 patients with haematological disorders who underwent 1473 blood counts over five months. Eighty-four haemorrhagic episodes were detected, most in thrombocytopenic patients. The mean platelet volume of patients with haemorrhagic tendency was significantly lower (5.52 +/- SD 0.7 fl) than that of patients without these tendencies (7.87 +/- SD 1.75 fl) (p less than 0.001). In cases of severe thrombocytopenia (less than 20 x 10(9)/1 platelets) haemorrhagic episodes were frequent; however, the frequency of bleeding was considerably lower in cases in which the mean platelet volume was higher than a suggested cut-off point of 6.4 fl. Discriminant analysis selected mean platelet volume as more important than platelet count for prediction of haemorrhagic state in severe thrombocytopenia. In view of the useful discrimination that mean platelet volume provides between thrombocytopenic patients who bleed and those who do not bleed, it may serve as a guide to predict the danger of haemorrhage and the need for prophylactic platelet transfusion.

Adolescent↗

Facilitating transfer and maintenance of fluency in stuttering therapy.

The present state of stuttering therapy programs enables the clinician to render many stuttering virtually stutter-free in the clinic. A major clinical problem, however, is the transfer of fluency to nonclinical situations and its maintenance over time. Concepts and techniques extrapolated from the literature on behavior change are applied to assessment, treatment objectives, treatment techniques, and to a number of procedures designed to facilitate transfer and maintenance during therapy. When fluency has been established, self-control techniques based on speech practice, self-monitoring, and the deliberate use of self-administered and social contingencies are stressed. Guidelines for termination of therapy and follow-up are given. For many of these techniques, specific examples are offered from clinical work with stutterers. Other techniques are presented because of their potential relevance and their demonstrated effectiveness with a variety of clinical problems.

Behavior Therapy↗

Stuttering, speech rate, and the metronome effect.

Methodological inadequacies cast doubt on previous investigations of the hypothesis that metronome-paced speech reduces stuttering by slowing the rate of speech. In the present study, 6 stutterers' fluent speech rates were calculated by excluding the time occupied by stutters and pauses. The fluency-enhancing effect of metronome pacing was independent of speech rate.

Adult↗

A biofeedback treatment for stuttering.

Auditory feedback of laryngeal muscle tension was found to reduce stuttering dramatically in an exploratory study of a single patient. Amplitude of EMG signals was similarly reduced. Apparently, the therapeutic effect of biofeedback cannot be attributed to masking, distraction, or suggestion.

Adult↗

[Visceral larva migrans: a mixed form of presentation in an adult. The clinical and laboratory aspects].

We relate a case of an 18-year-old man, resident of Xapuri (state of Acre, Brazil), with a history of repeated episodes of meningoencephalitis (three in one year), each one was examined by a local doctor. In our service (Emílio Ribas Institute of Infectology) we observed a patient with polyjoint aches, radiological and bronchoscopic pulmonary alterations (without clinical features), meningeal and brain stem manifestations--with normal brain computed tomography and cerebrospinal fluid. Blood eosinophils and serological Toxocara canis test (ELISA) were greatly increased. With the hypothesis of Toxocariasis (visceral larva migrans) we administered thiabendazole that brought complete clinical and laboratory remission. Inspite of a new episode of headache with meningeal manifestation approximately one month later (treated with dexamethasone resulting in a full remission after three days) we have not found other manifestations in approximately three and a half years of ambulatory care.

Adolescent↗

Intraosseous lipoma of the calcaneus.

Intraosseous lipomas of the calcaneus are an extremely rare entity and appear radiographically very similar to many other lesions affecting the foot. A case report followed by a brief discussion of the etiology, clinical, pathologic, and radiologic findings is presented. The authors emphasize the importance of magnetic resonance studies as a definitive noninvasive diagnostic modality.

Calcaneus↗