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Biomedical subjects

R W Pain

Publications and source records attributed to R W Pain.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

Body fluid compartments.

The terms mole, molality, molarity, osmole, osmolality, osmolarity, osmolar gap and anion gap are defined and their clinical usefulness indicated. The following body fluid compartments are described: total body water (TBW), extracellular fluid (ECF), intracellular fluid (ICF), transcellular fluid TCF), plasma volume, red cell volume and interstitial fluid volume. Isotope-dilution techniques are briefly discussed and representative normal values for the various compartments according to sex and age are indicated. The physiological mechanisms that maintain the distinctive ionic compositions of the various fluid spaces are briefly outlined. New concepts of the function of the gel matrix and of the lymph drainage of the interstitium are presented. Opposing models to the sodium-potassium membrane pump are briefly described.

Body Fluid Compartments↗
PubMed1976

Pictorial reporting of multiple thyroid function results.

Clinicians experience difficulty in correctly interpreting the results of in vitro thyroid function tests in the presence of abnormalities of thyrobinding proteins or when results are borderline. This difficulty has been largely resolved in our laboratory by three innovations. First, the borderline areas for each of three routine tests of thyroid function (total thyroxine, thyrobinding index, and free thyroxine index) were accurately determined. Second, the results from this routine profile of three tests were displayed pictorially so as to produce patterns characteristic of various diagnostic situations, including euthyroidism in the presence of abnormalities of thyrobinding proteins. Third, interpretive comments and, in the case of borderline patterns, suggested further testing procedures were added to the report. Clinicians find the reporting system helpful and respond when additional tests are suggested. The system, operated manually at first, was later computerized.

Autoanalysis↗
PubMed1976

Simple modifications of three routine in vitro tests of thyroid function.

Semi-automation of equipment and simple modifications of technique reduced the work load without loss of diagnostic accuracy for three commonly used in vitro tests of thyroid function (total thyroxine, thyrobinding index, and free thyroxine index). Major innovations were the use of serum standards for all tests and having each duplicate for tests performed by a different technician. Attention is drawn to the false-positive and false-negative errors that occur when the 95% euthyroid limits is the sole reference range used.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed1975

Current "corrected" calcium concept challenged.

There is wide individual variation in the number of millimoles of calcium bound per gram of albumin in the serum. Individual regression coefficients for serum calcium concentration on serum albumin concentration have been determined in 62 people (25 of our own patients and 37 reported by others). The 95 percentile range was 0-007-0-053 mmol/g, with a median value of 0-025 mmol/g. Accordingly, it is not valid to "correct" a person's measured serum total calcium concentration for variations in serum albumin concentration using an average regression coefficient. Rather, the individual's own regression coefficient must be used. A tourniquet test seems to be the simplest technique for determining this value. Even then, precise interpretation of an individual's corrected serum calcium concentration is possible only when an appropriate reference range for corrected serum calcium concentration has been established. Such an appropriate reference range must be determined from an adequate number of normal people using the individual's own correction factor in each case.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Limitations of the Nash Logoscope or diagnostic slide rule.

The diagnostic efficacy of a commercially available diagnostic slide-rule (the Logoscope) was evaluated on 50 cases detailed in the leterature. In only 13 cases (26%) was the Logoscope of any practical assistance in diagnosis and even then it did not always indicate the entire final clinical diagnosis. Some major deficiencies of the Logoscope system are outlined.

Adolescent↗