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Biomedical subjects

R P Hudson

Publications and source records attributed to R P Hudson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1983

'Reactive gliosis' in the medulla oblongata of victims of the sudden infant death syndrome.

A current hypothesis that the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a sleep apnea syndrome precipitated by defective control of involuntary respiration prompted the present study in which "reactive gliosis" in sections of the medulla oblongata of 45 SIDS victims was quantitated and compared with that in 20 control infants. Six anatomic regions were studied; five are related and one is unrelated to neural control of involuntary respiration. Increased numbers of "reactive" astrocytes were found in the SIDS group when the counts for all regions were combined (P = .04). Counts were also significantly higher in the SIDS victims for each of three regions alone: (1) the hilum of the inferior olivary nucleus (P = .01); (2) a lateral region (P = .02); and (3) the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (P = .03). The region with the greatest statistical difference, the inferior olivary hilum, has no recognized role in the control of involuntary respiration. There were no consistent associations between reactive astrocyte counts and specific clinical, socioeconomic, and pathologic variables. Characterization of the SIDS group whose counts exceeded that of the highest control infant also did not uncover distinguishing features. This study reinforces previous observations that, at least statistically, an abnormality of the brainstem occurs in a group of SIDS victims in contrast to a group of control infants, but also discloses considerable overlap in the numbers of such cells between these two groups.

Astrocytes↗
PubMed1982

Isopropanol and isopropanol deaths-ten years' experience.

A population of persons who were found, at death, to have significant levels of isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol) in their blood is described. The role of isopropanol in causing death is reviewed in 57 fatal cases. The contribution of acetone, the major metabolite of isopropanol, to death is assessed. Results indicate that mixed alcohol poisoning with ethanol and isopropanol suggests decreased production of acetone. Modalities for antemortem and postmortem detection of isopropanol are presented.

1-Propanol↗
PubMed1980

Regional variations in the characteristics of victims of violence.

This paper investigates variations in the characteristics of victims of violence in the four regions of North Carolina: the mountains, piedmont, coastal plains, and tidewater. Distinct patterns of homicide and suicide are found in each of these regions. The montains are characterized by high rates of suicide and low rates of homicide, while the coastal plains are marked by an opposite pattern, high homicide and low suicide. The two remaining regions of North Carolina, the piedmont and tidewater, have similar violence patterns. The piedmont has slightly higher rates of both homicide and suicide than the tidewater; however, both exhibit positive relationships between homicide and suicide rates. Socio-cultural dimensions of each of these regions are outlined. Those variables which differentiate areas having opposite violence patterns are isolated. Also, similarities between other regions manifesting comparable rates of homicide and suicide are cited. Within the socio-cultural context of each region, an examination of the variations in the characteristics of victims of violence is made. These characteristics include:. age, sex, marital status, race, occupation, time of injury, means of death type of premise of injury and, where applicable, type of weapon used.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Lessons from Legionnaires' disease.

In July 1976 a pneumonialike epidemic from a previously unrecognized microorganism erupted among Legionnaires who had attended a meeting in Philadelphia. There were an estimated 182 cases, in which 29 patients died. Among other things the episodes shows that even in a medically sophisticated industrialized nation, a bacterical pathogen can produce a small epidemic and defy identification for almost 6 months. One historical implication of the event is the need to consider the possibility of a return of large-scale epidemic disease rivaling the sweeps of bubonic plague in fourteenth-century Europe. Such epidemics could occur through any of a variety of microorganismic mechanisms recognized as operating at the present time. It is suggested that humans would react to such a disaster much as their progenitors did centuries ago.

Disease Outbreaks↗
PubMed1978

Death, dying, and the zealous phase.

During the past decade an unprecedented public and professional interest has developed around issues involving death and dying. Persons of differing backgrounds and with different objectives are rushing onto this scene in rapidly increasing numbers. Some of these persons have little understanding of the medical complexities of dying and no clinical experience with dying patients. In this essay I attempt to identify a number of ways in which well-intentioned persons engage dying patients or influence public opinion on death and dying, ways that might prove less than salutary for all concerned.

Aged↗
PubMed1977

Acute ethanol poisoning: a two-year study of deaths in North Carolina.

A 24-month study of fatalities in North Carolina with high blood ethanol levels (300 mg/100 ml or over) revealed 502 cases with either acute alcoholism or the effects of this range of blood ethanol concentration having caused or contributed to death. This investigation reassessed the criteria for ethanol poisoning, including its cause and manner of death, and revealed recurrent patterns common to this syndrome. This inquiry also contrasted the frequency of ethanol poisoning in different areas of the country.

Acute Disease↗