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Biomedical subjects

R Kerr

Publications and source records attributed to R Kerr.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

The diet of steady drinkers with special reference to social variables.

The influence of a number of variables on the diets of 65 steady drinkers from alcohol rehabilitation units on Merseyside, United Kingdom was investigated. All drank principally beer or spirits. Social variables studied included age, sex, living alone or with others, employment status and socio-economic status. Alcohol-related variables included quantity consumed and preferred beverage. Dietary outcome was assessed in terms of the variety of foods and the number of meals eaten per week. Living alone proved by far the most important determinant of reduced diet. Spirit drinkers ate more meals than beer drinkers, but only if living with others. Increased alcohol consumption related modestly to fewer foods and meals being consumed. Drinkers living alone constitute a much larger proportion of those entering rehabilitation programmes in Queensland, Australia than in the United Kingdom. The present findings may help to explain the high incidence in Queensland of thiamin deficiency syndromes including the Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis: diagnostic significance of radiographic abnormalities of the pelvis.

Retrospective evaluation of the osseous pelvis in 93 patients with severe diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) revealed 14 locations of radiographic abnormalities. Two osteoradiologists independently studied these sites for abnormalities in a prospective, blinded fashion in 103 patients over the age of 45 years. Lateral radiographs of the thoracolumbar spine were quantitatively and qualitatively evaluated to determine whether DISH, spondylosis deformans, or a normal spine was present. Statistical analysis was performed for evaluation of interobserver reliability, the relationship between pelvic and spinal abnormalities, and the significance and predictive values of pelvic abnormalities for DISH versus non-DISH and DISH versus spondylosis deformans. Although significantly higher frequencies and greater extents of radiographic abnormalities at 10 of 14 pelvic locations were noted for DISH compared with non-DISH, this number decreased to four of 14 locations when compared with spondylosis deformans. The alterations in three of these four pelvic sites consisted of ossification of ligaments. These changes appear to be good indicators of the presence of spinal DISH and support the concept that DISH is an entity separate from spondylosis deformans.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Diagnostic imaging of upper extremity trauma.

The radiologic evaluation of upper extremity trauma relies primarily on standard as well as optional radiographic projections. Certain injuries are more fully evaluated with fluoroscopy, arthrography, ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging. The imaging approach to upper extremity trauma is presented, with emphasis on subtle or commonly overlooked lesions. The indications for evaluation by fluoroscopy, arthrography, and advanced imaging modalities are discussed.

Arm Injuries↗
PubMed1988

Destructive spondyloarthropathy in hemodialysis patients. Report of four cases and prospective study.

A destructive spondyloarthropathy is reported in four patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis for chronic renal disease. In a separate investigation a controlled, prospective radiographic study of the cervical spine revealed this spondyloarthropathy in 4 (15%) of 26 long-term dialysis patients. A single disc level was involved in three patients, and two disc levels were involved in one patient. This spondyloarthropathy correlated with the duration of dialysis but not with the radiographic evidence of renal osteodystrophy or severity of laboratory abnormalities associated with hyperparathyroidism. Three of these four patients also had discovertebral erosions or destruction involving the lumbar spine. Cervical spine flexion views revealed evidence of ligamentous laxity or instability in three (12%) dialysis patients, all with vertebral resorption and disc space narrowing. It is postulated that this instability may contribute to the development of cervical discovertebral lesions or be a secondary manifestation of disc destruction.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Directional probability information and Down syndrome: a training study.

In previous studies we have found that subjects with Down syndrome did not respond to changes in directional probability within a complex motor task in the manner of other subjects with mental retardation (Blais & Kerr, 1986; Kerr & Blais, 1985). Only after extended practice were significant changes noted in their reaction time (RT) performance; however, movement time (MT) data remained relatively unchanged (Kerr & Blais, 1987). In the present study, subjects were given training relative to the directional probability component of the task (choice of direction). The subjects with Down syndrome did improve their subsequent performance, but primarily in terms of MT. Although they did adopt a pattern of responding to changes in directional probability (RT) similar to that of subjects without mental retardation, the nature of the change reflected the extent of previous exposure to the task.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

The effects of excess body fat on fine motor performance following physical exertion.

This study evaluated the effects of excess body fat on fine motor performance prior to and following moderate and heavy intensities of physical exertion. An attempt was made to demonstrate a reduction in psychomotor performance, postexercise, among obese non-fit subjects who might be seen as occupationally unsuitable for certain military or civilian operational roles. One hundred healthy males (mean age +/- S.D. = 29.1 +/- 6.0 years) volunteered for the study. Motor performance was assessed using the Canadian National Research Council tracometer, a device which integrates choice reaction time and pursuit tracking on a step-input subject-paced pursuit tracking task. These measurements were taken prior to and following moderate and heavy treadmill exercise (at 6 METs and 9 METs, which produced (mean +/- S.D.) heart rates of 130 +/- 15 bpm and 173 +/- 17 bpm, respectively). When the subjects were classified according to % body fat (desirable less than or equal to 14.9%; overfat 15-24.9%; obese greater than or equal to 25%), there were no significant differences in postexercise motor performance among these groups. For all groups, the moderate exercise had no effect on tracometer performance, while heavy exercise led to an immediate deterioration in performance followed by a slight improvement. In this particular experimental protocol, postexercise fine motor performance was not significantly influenced by excess body fat.

Adult↗