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Biomedical subjects

R W Smith

Publications and source records attributed to R W Smith.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

Fracture-dislocation of the dorsal-lumbar spine. Acute operative stabilization by Harrington instrumentation.

Twenty-four patients (of whom 17 were paraplegic) with acute fracture dislocations of the dorsal-lumbar spine underwent stabilization with Harrington instrumentation and were followed for an average of 16 months. Immediate postoperative ambulation was achieved in 16 patients. There was little difference between compression and distraction with respect to reduction and maintenance of correction. Compression rods resulted in solid union in 15 of 16 patients, while distraction rods were successful in 6 of 8 instances. In contrast to reported series in which operative intervention has been avoided, at least a 50% reduction in total hospitalization stay and costs has been achieved. Functional results were comparable to or exceeded the results of other series, and complication rates were similar with the exception of postoperative pain in 2 patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Iron-acrylic compound for steriotaxic aneurysm thrombosis.

A new iron-acrylic compound has been developed for stereotaxic thrombosis of intracranial aneurysms. The compound polymerizes rapidly, does not fragment, and is nontoxic. It has been used in a series of experimental animals and in initial clinical cases with good results. The use of this material simplifies and increases the safety of stereotaxic aneurysm treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Stereotaxic thrombosis of inaccessible intracranial aneurysms.

Some intracranial aneurysms that might be considered inoperable by open craniotomy are readily treatable by stereotaxic thrombosis. This is possible because the stereotaxic technique requires only that some point on the fundus of the aneurysm can be punctured with a needle. Illustrative cases are given describing the successful treatment of aneurysms arising at the origin of the ophthalmic artery, within the cavernous sinus, within the sella turcica, and from the vertebrobasilar and the posterior inferior cerebellar arteries ventral to the brain stem. The aneurysms within the sella or cavernous sinus can be approached through the sphenoid sinus, and the aneurysms ventral to the brain stem can be approached through the clivus without opening the dura.

Cavernous Sinus↗
PubMed1976

Effect of lactation on lipolysis in rat adipose tissue.

The concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and glycerol in rat parametrial adipose tissue increased at peak lactation. Adipose tissue from lactating rats showed higher rates of release of nonesterified fatty acids and glycerol when incubated in vitro than did tissue from nonlactating rats, but there was a substantial increase in the esterification of fatty acids during involution. These results support earlier evidence that fat reserves were mobilized during lactation.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1976

Effect of pregnancy and lactation on triglycerides of very-low-density lipoproteins of rat plasma.

Triglyceride in the blood of rats increased during pregnancy, decreased to control during lactation, and increased again on weaning. The triglyceride content of the very-low-density lipoproteins (d less than 1.006 g/ml) changed in parallel with that of the plasma, and its magnitude indicated that it was chiefly responsible for the transport of triglycerides in the blood. These changes were accompanied by changes in the electrophoretic pattern of the lipoproteins of rat plasma, but no such changes were observed in lipoproteins of ovine and caprine serum.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Infections complicating the use of external ventriculostomy.

The use of external ventriculostomy at our institution has been retrospectively analyzed to determine the incidence of cerebrospinal fluid sepsis. Placement of 65 ventriculostomies over a 2-year period resulted in three cases of complicating meningitis and ventriculitis (4.5%). Duration of ventriculostomy placement did not seem related to the rate of infection but the method of placement, the prophylactic antibiotics used, and the monitoring and collecting system employed may be important.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1976

Temporary inhibition of antibody-dependent, cell-mediated cytotoxicity by pretreatment of human attacking cells with ammonium chloride.

Treatment of lymphoid cell preparations with ammonium chloride buffers to remove contaminating erythroid cells markedly reduced the ability of these cells to function as attacking cells in antibody dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity tests (ADCC). The lymphoid cells, however, retained their ability to adhere to antibody-coated target cells. Recovery of function 20 hr after exposure to ammonium chloride suggests a metabolic rather than receptor effect of these salts on the ADCC function of lymphocytes.

Ammonium Chloride↗
PubMed1976

Duration of analgesia and hyperactivity in mice after single injections (S.C. and I.V.) of heroin.

ED50 values for analgesia (tail-clip method) at 30 min after heroin HCl administered i.v. or s.c. in groups of Swiss-Webster mice were not significantly different. Nor was the duration of the analgesia following various doses of heroin significantly different after i.v. or s.c. injections, although there was a tendency for the latter route to have a longer effect. Hyperactivity (mean levels in groups of 5 mice, measured by an Activity Meter), though variable, was increased after s.c. injections of heroin in a dose-related manner up to doses of 10 mg/kg. Larger doses progesssively prolonged the peak levels of hyperactivity. Because the degree and duration of both analgesia and hyperactivity were parallel over a wide range of doses of heroin HCl in these mice, a close relationship between the two underlying mechanisms seems very likely.

Analgesia↗
PubMed1975

The effects of pregnancy and lactation on the activities in rat liver of some enzymes associated with glucose metabolism.

1. The ratio of the combined activities of hexokinase (EC 2.7.1.1) and glucokinase (EC 2.7.1.2) to the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.9) changed in favour of the glycolytic enzymes during pregnancy and at peak lactation. 2. There were no important changes in the ratio of the activity of phosphofructokinase (EC 2.7.1.11) to that of fructose diphosphatase (EC 3.1.3.11). 3. The ratio of the activity of pyruvate kinase (EC 2.7.1.40) to the combined activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (EE 4.1.1.32) and pyruvate carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.1) changed in favour of the glycolytic enzyme during pregnancy and at peak lactation, but changed in favour of the gluconeogenic enzymes immediately after parturition. 4. These changes are considered in relation to the changes in food intake and hormonal status that occur during pregnancy and lactation.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1975

Composition of liver lipids of the rat during pregnancy and lactation.

Triglyceride concentrations in rat liver rose during late pregnancy, declined at peak lactation, and then rose again during involution. The percentage of oleate in the triglycerides rose at peak lactation, but that of linoleate fell. Although phospholipid concentrations were unchanged, the percentage of palmitate in this fraction rose, and those of stearate and arachidonate fell during pregnancy and lactation. These changes may be related to the changes in lipogenesis and fat mobilization that occur during pregnancy and lactation.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

American Indian sign: a gestural communication system for the speechless.

American Indian sign, used as a gestural communication system for the speechless, served the daily life needs of patients with a variety of deficits, many with unfavorable prognosis for oral speech rehabilitation. The project included total glassectomees, laryngectomees, dysphonics, dysarthrics and apraxics. Many of the last named were hemiplegics. The sign was effectively interpreted by hospital personnel, patients and visitors, none of whom had received any instruction in interpreting the sign. This system may be a desirable new tool from an old culture for the professional repertoire of the speech clinician. An illustrated manual and instructional videotapes are in preparation.

Apraxias↗