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Biomedical subjects

R Herbert

Publications and source records attributed to R Herbert.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

Ultrasonic investigation of the brain in neonates.

A brief history of echoencephalography is given. Recent advances in ultrasonic technology have resulted in renewed interest in the subject. The neonatal brain can now be reliably visualised with systems which are widely available. Ultrasound examination is a relatively simple, safe procedure which does not cause distress to the patient. This makes it particularly suited to investigation of neonates. The examination technique used in our department is described. Other techniques and studies comparing ultrasound with other modalities are briefly reviewed.

Cerebral Hemorrhage↗
PubMed1977

The release of plasticizer from polyvinyl chloride haemodialysis tubing.

The extent of migration of plasticizer from haemodialysis lines into saline and plasma has been examined and a number of different types of tubing have been compared. A model system designed to simulate in vivo haemodialysis was evolved. The method uses a continuous cyclohexane extraction in order to mimic uptake of plasticizer by body tissues. Although not an ideal system, the results obtained are indicative of the extent to which the plasticizers are leached.

Adipates↗
PubMed1975

Beta-thalassaemia of clinical significance in adult Jamaican Negroes.

Over a 9-year period, three adult Negro patients with beta-thalassaemia of clinical significance were recognized out of approximately 185 000 new adult patients attending the University Hospital. These patients, aged 15-58 years, have clinical and haematological characteristics within the spectrum of beta-thalassaemia intermedia; which in this paper refers to phenotypes resulting from defects in beta-chain synthesis clinically intermediate between classical Cooley's anaemia and beta-thalassaemia trait, genetic classification being dependent on family study. Family studies established the presence of two beta-thalassaemia genes conclusively in one case (proposita, family A); presumptively in another (propositus, family C); while in the remaining subject (proposita, family B), who has two similarly affected siblings, homozygosity is suspected, but not proven by family study. In simultaneous 59Fe and 51 Cr studies, estimates of effective erythropoiesis are in reasonable agreement with measurements of red cell destruction.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Quality of life and coping strategies of clients with COPD.

A descriptive correlational design was used to study quality of life and coping in 39 clients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Quality of life was measured by using the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) and Cantril's Ladder; coping strategies were measured with Jalowiec's Coping Scale Revised (JCS). SIP and Cantril's Ladder scores revealed that the subjects experienced a high quality of life. Total coping scores were low, however, implying that patients used the JCS coping strategies only minimally and did not find them particularly helpful. A moderately strong relationship was found between the objective and subjective measures of quality of life. Coping strategies and quality of life were found not to be significantly related. Findings suggest that the caregivers of those with severe COPD should consider the client's perception of quality of life and use of coping strategies. Further research is needed to determine the factors that affect quality of life for these persons.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Test-retest reliability of a procedure for measuring extensibility of the extrinsic finger flexor muscles.

This study assessed the test-retest reliability of a procedure designed to provide torque-controlled measurements of the extensibility of extrinsic finger flexor muscles. The extensibility of the extrinsic finger flexor muscles of both hands of nine patients who had spinal cord injuries was measured on two consecutive days. On each day a total of three measurements were obtained for each hand. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and percent close agreement scores were used to assess agreement between the mean measurements obtained on day 1 and those obtained on day 2. An ICC of 0.85 was obtained. Measurements obtained on day 1 were within 5 degrees of the measurements obtained on day 2 83% of the time. The procedure is therefore sufficiently reliable for many clinical and research applications.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Occupational coronary heart disease among bridge and tunnel officers.

Traffic-control officers employed in New York City tunnels prior to 1981 have been at increased risk of mortality from coronary heart disease. In this study, the authors assessed current coronary heart disease prevalence and evaluated associations between coronary heart disease and occupational factors among New York City bridge and tunnel officers. A clinical cardiovascular disease surveillance and cross-sectional occupational epidemiologic study was conducted. The authors used comprehensive evaluations to identify current and prior incidences of coronary heart disease. Occupational risk factors evaluated included job strain, current and historic exposure to carbon monoxide, and occupational physical inactivity. Current carbon monoxide exposure was assessed via workshift changes in carboxyhemoglobin. Coronary heart disease occurred in 29 (5.5%) of the 526 bridge and tunnel officers examined. Risk of coronary heart disease was associated positively with total years each bridge and tunnel officer work had worked in that capacity (odds ratio = 1.64 for each decade of employment, adjusted for nonoccupational coronary heart disease risk factors). Carboxyhemoglobin levels were low in the subjects, and job strain and physical inactivity were very prevalent. Occupational factors contributed to the risk of coronary heart disease in New York City bridge and tunnel officers. The authors were unable to identify the specific factors that led to the increase in risk described.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) residues on skin in relation to air levels among roofers.

To assess the utility of skin wipes as an index of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), simultaneous skin wipe and breathing zone air samples were obtained for 10 roofers. Samples were obtained during removal of an old coal-tar pitch roof and application of a new asphalt roof. Skin wipes were obtained immediately before and after the workshift. Anthracene was present in air but not skin samples. In air samples, the relative concentrations of seven PAHs were fluoranthene greater than pyrene greater than benzanthracene greater than benzo[a]pyrene greater than benzo[b]fluoranthene greater than benzo[ghi]perylene greater than benzo[k]fluoranthene. A similar pattern, or rank concentration, was observed in matching skin wipe samples. The amount (ng) of PAH (either total or individual compounds) found in skin wipes taken after the workday was significantly correlated with that in air samples (micrograms/m3, time-weighted average) for 8 of the 9 cases with air and skin samples taken the same day (r = 0.99 for total PAH). Skin wipe PAH residues were not significantly correlated with air samples taken 4 d earlier. These findings suggest that skin wipes can provide a useful measure of exposure to PAH.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Peripheral neurologic abnormalities among roofing workers: sentinel case and clinical screening.

Peripheral neuropathy developed in a 52-y-old roofer who was exposed to multiple solvents in one-ply roofing systems. Forty roofers who were exposed to various roofing systems were assessed by symptoms, occupational history, standardized physical examination, and measurement of vibrotactile thresholds of the upper and lower extremities. After exclusion of roofers who were predisposed to peripheral neuropathy, we detected abnormal vibrotactile thresholds in 42% (p < .001) of roofers' dominant toes and in 36% (p < .001) of roofers' nondominant toes; fewer roofers had abnormal sensory physical examinations or reported neuritic symptoms. Roofing workers may be at increased risk of peripheral neuropathy, perhaps resulting from exposure to solvents--particularly n-hexane, associated with one-ply roofing systems.

Construction Materials↗
PubMedDate not supplied

PEDro: a database of randomised controlled trials in physiotherapy.

PEDro is a database of clinical trials designed to assist the practice of evidence-based physiotherapy. When complete, it will contain bibliographic details, abstracts and quality assessment scores of all published randomised controlled trials in physiotherapy. Trials on the database will be rated on the basis of their methodological quality, so that users of the database can be guided to those trials which provide the most methodologically sound sources of evidence. The database has been made freely available on the world wide web, where it can be searched with a powerful and user-friendly search engine.

Australia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The great MIS debate: McKenna vs. Herb ert.

How much should computer systems cost? That vexing question has sparked a debate between two veterans of the health care industry-John McKenna of Winnipeg's St. Boniface General Hospital and Ron Herbert, president of Heron Technology Corp. in Markham, Ont. The following exchange of letters was prompted by remarks made by McKenna in the June 1989 issue of Health Care. McKenna said that St. Boniface spent $11 million out of a $140 million operating budget, to implement an MIS network. McKenna's on-going costs are $2.5 million annually or two per cent of the total hospital budget. First, Ron Hebert lays down the challenge...

Canada↗