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Biomedical subjects

R Nichols

Publications and source records attributed to R Nichols.

105 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

Significance of extrathyroidal uptake of Tc-99m and I-123 in the thyroid scan: concise communication.

Areas of extrathyroidal uptake were noted on thyroid scans obtained with Tc-99m and I-123 in five subjects. Four of them had palpable lymph nodes corresponding to the extrathyroidal uptake. All the palpable nodes that showed radionuclide uptake contained metastatic thyroid carcinoma, with predominantly well-differentiated follicular cells. Extrathyroidal areas of uptake on a routine thyroid scan with pertechnetate and/or radioiodine most probably indicate thyroid carcinoma with regional metastases.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1978

Impediments to the course and effectiveness of discharge planning.

This paper examines the proposition that "timing" (of referral) is a crucial element in determining the effectiveness of the discharge planning process. A brief review of the relevant literature is followed by the description of a study undertaken to assess the impact that various impediments had upon discharge planning practice in two matched ward populations of a large, acute care university hospital. Along with timing, three other impediments were identified and their influence assessed; (a) noncompletion of transfer forms required; (b) unavailability of an appropriate (i.e., needed level of care) bed in an approved facility; and(c) unanticipated change in the patient's medical condition. Some implications of the findings are examined and discussed, and directions for future study are identified. Appended are facsimiles of the instruments employed.

Hospital Departments↗
PubMed1976

Carbohydrate metabolism in Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Sing: changes in soluble carbohydrates during growth of mycelium and sporophore.

Changes in the ethanol-soluble carbohydrate content of Agaricus bisporus mycelium and sporophores grown on semi-defined media and commercial compost were studied. The accumulation of mannitol in the sporophore during its growth was not accompanied by an increase in mycelial mannitol. The other major soluble carbohydrate of the sporophore, trehalose, decreased throughout the growth of the sporophore; a parallel decrease was observed in the mycelium. The main accumulation of mannitol was in the pileus and stipe of the sporophore and was accompanied by a decrease in the soluble protein content of these tissues. Before fruiting, glucose and sucrose were present in the mycelial samples in similar quantities to mannitol, but their levels decreased during fruiting. Small quantities of glucose were present in the sporophore. The results are discussed in relation to the possible functions of the soluble carbohydrates.

Basidiomycota↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Death and dying in four Asian American cultures: a descriptive study.

Among ethnic minorities, the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) American group is the fastest growing, and, as a whole, is quite longevous. Although there is a significant literature on the history and religious traditions of API cultures, little has been published on death rituals and beliefs of the American descendants of these groups. The purpose of this study was to begin to explore cultural variations in response to the process of dying and grieving among four Asian American populations--Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Filipino. To this end, key informants and focus group interviews were conducted with members of these ethnic groups, and significant differences among, and within, groups were found. The small size and Hawaiian base of the sample preclude generalization of findings to the United States as a whole. However, this study provides health care workers with information that can increase their awareness of and sensitivity to Asian American approaches to death and dying.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reduction in mortality in pediatric patients with inhalation injury with aerosolized heparin/N-acetylcystine [correction of acetylcystine] therapy.

Smoke-inhalation injury causes a destruction of the ciliated epithelium that lines the tracheobronchial tree. Casts produced from these cells, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and mucus, can cause upper-airway obstruction, contributing to pulmonary failure. We have reported that a combination of aerosolized heparin and a mucolytic agent, N-acetylcystine [corrected], can ameliorate cast formation and reduce pulmonary failure secondary to smoke inhalation. In this study, 90 consecutive pediatric patients between 1985 and 1995 who had bronchoscopically diagnosed inhalation injury requiring ventilatory support were studied. Forty-three children admitted between 1985 and 1989 acted as controls. Forty-seven children admitted between 1990 and 1994 received 5000 units of heparin and 3 ml of a 20% solution of N-acetylcystine [corrected] aerosolized every 4 hours the first 7 days after the injury. All patients were extubated when they were able to maintain spontaneously a PaO2/FIO2 ratio of more than 400. The number of patients requiring reintubation for successive pulmonary failure was recorded, as was mortality. The results indicate a significant decrease in reintubation rates, in incidence of atelectasis, and in mortality for patients treated with the regimen of heparin and N-acetylcystine [corrected] when compared with controls. Heparin/N-acetylcystine [corrected] nebulization in children with massive burn injury and smoke-inhalation injury results in a significant decrease in incidence of reintubation for progressive pulmonary failure and a reduction in mortality.

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serum fructosamine concentration as an index of glycemia in cats with diabetes mellitus and stress hyperglycemia.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate fructosamine concentrations in clinically healthy cats, sick cats with stress hyperglycemia, and untreated diabetic cats to determine the usefulness of this test in diagnosing diabetes mellitus in cats, and in differentiating the disease from stress-induced hyperglycemia. In addition, we evaluated if the degree of glycemic control in cats treated for diabetes influenced their serum fructosamine concentrations. In the 14 sick cats with stress hyperglycemia, the median serum fructosamine concentration (269 mumol/L) was not significantly different from the median value in the 26 clinically normal cats (252 mumol/L). Two of the 14 cats with stress hyperglycemia (14.3%) had serum fructosamine concentrations above the upper limit of the reference range (175 to 400 mumol/L); on the basis of these results, the test specificity was calculated as 0.86. In 30 cats with untreated diabetes mellitus, the median serum fructosamine concentration was 624 mumol/L, markedly higher than the value in either the normal cats or the cats with stress hyperglycemia. All but 2 of the 30 untreated diabetic cats (6.7%) had serum fructosamine concentration above the upper limit of the reference range; on the basis of these results, the sensitivity of serum fructosamine concentration as a diagnostic test for diabetes mellitus was 0.93. When 30 diabetic cats receiving treatment were divided into 3 groups according to their response to treatment (i.e., poor, fair, and good), the 16 cats that had a good response to treatment had significantly lower serum concentrations of both glucose and fructosamine compared with cats that had either a fair or poor response to treatment. A significant correlation (rs = .70, n = 100, P < .001) was found between serum concentrations of glucose and fructosamine. Results of this study indicate that quantification of serum fructosamine concentration is a meaningful test for the diagnosis of diabetes, for differentiating diabetes from stress hyperglycemia; and for monitoring the metabolic control in treated diabetic cats.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Quantifying risk of death and disability associated with raised blood pressure.

Raised blood pressure is one of the most important underlying risk factors for morbidity and mortality in the world today, ranking alongside tobacco in estimates of the worldwide attributable burden of mortality. It is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease and the major risk factor for stroke. Taken together, the cardiovascular diseases are estimated to account for some 28% of all deaths in the world. Already many more of such deaths are occurring in the developing than the developed world, and this burden of disease is set to worsen as a result of demographic changes in the poorer countries, together with adoption of Western lifestyle. The development of unfavourable blood pressure patterns in populations is a key factor underlying this worldwide epidemic. Both primary prevention (for example through improved diet) and secondary prevention (through drug treatment and non-pharmacologic approaches) are needed.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hiring winners.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Group Practice↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pyometra and its complications.

The management of animals with cystic hyperplasia-pyometra complex can be a challenge. Careful interpretation of the history and physical examination, radiographic, and clinicopathologic findings will lead to an accurate diagnosis. Appropriate and rapid stabilization of the animal before surgical removal of the uterus will greatly decrease morbidity and mortality. Precise surgical technique when performing ovariohysterectomy will decrease postoperative complications.

Animals↗