Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Brown

Publications and source records attributed to S Brown.

846 records · Page 47Linked to original sources

Whole-brain N-acetylaspartate spectroscopy and diffusion tensor imaging in patients with newly diagnosed gliomas: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Glial cancer cells can be found well beyond the MR imaging T2 signal-intensity hyperintensity. To quantify the extent of the diffuse microstructural tissue damage possibly due to the presence of these satellite tumor cells, we investigated the relationships between global metabolic and microstructural abnormalities in the normal-appearing brain regions of patients with newly diagnosed glioma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten patients (6 men, 4 women) with radiologically suspected untreated supratentorial glial tumors and 9 healthy controls (5 men, 4 women) were studied with T1- and T2-weighted MR imaging, diffusion-weighted echo-planar MR imaging, and whole-brain N-acetylaspartate (WBNAA) proton MR spectroscopy. The relationship between the WBNAA concentration, the mean diffusivity (MD), and fractional anisotropy (FA) values in a large contralateral normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) brain region was investigated with the Spearman rank correlation test. RESULTS: WBNAA values were significantly lower (P < .001) in patients (9.7 +/- 1.7 mmol/L) than controls (13.1 +/- 1.1 mmol/L). MD values were higher (P = .0001) in patients (0.95 +/- 0.07 mm(2)s(-1)) than in controls (0.61 +/- 0.04 mm(2)s(-1)). FA values did not differ between patients (0.42 +/- 0.08) and controls (0.43 +/- 0.041). A strong inverse correlation between WBNAA and MD (r = -0.88, P = .0008) was found in the patients but not in controls (r = 0.012, P = .975). CONCLUSION: The correlation between the WBNAA and MD in the contralateral NAWM suggests that the microstructural damage possibly related to the presence of infiltrative tumor cells contributes to WBNAA decline in these patients.

Adult↗

Use of an in vitro haemolysis test to predict tissue irritancy in an intramuscular formulation.

As part of a drug development program, an in vitro haemolysis test has been used to predict the in vivo muscle tissue irritancy of intramuscular (i.m.) formulations of a new drug entity. Solutions of lactic acid, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) 12PF and two commercial injections were also included in the study. The results indicated that the test was able to differentiate formulations in terms of haemolytic potential and the correlation between the haemolysis test results and in vivo intramuscular irritancy studies indicated that the test may be used to screen formulations for potential tissue irritancy prior to in vivo evaluation.

Animal Testing Alternatives↗

Non-medical selection criteria for artificial insemination and adoption.

A survey of Canadian providers of AID was conducted, along with a parallel survey of adoption workers. The questionnaire focused upon non-medical criteria for patient acceptance (for AID and adoption), including acceptance/rejection of single, lesbian, and common-law women, those economically or mentally unable to support children, and those who themselves have or whose partners have criminal records. Further questions concerned decision-making in patient selection, referral of unacceptable patients elsewhere, and the influence if any of legal advice. Most characteristics reflect great disagreement and lack of consensus within the profession. Attitudes towards characteristics may be influenced by the size and form (university vs private) of the practice, as well as by experience with patients with those characteristics. Systematic differences between AID and adoption providers are detailed and explored, as are implications of the study for the development of bioethical thinking and policy making.

Adoption↗

Perceived value-orientations toward premarital virginity of female virgins and nonvirgins.

Various studies have suggested an increase in the incidence of premarital intercourse among women with a corresponding decline in premarital virginity. The present study was conducted in an attempt to determine perceived value-orientations toward premarital virginity of female virgins and nonvirgins. It examined the possibility of different orientations for different virgin or nonvirgin classifications and motivations. Results suggested significant differences between female virgins and nonvirgins among ten value-orientation criteria.

Adolescent↗

Discharge referrals.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Emergency Service, Hospital↗

Female virgin and nonvirgin psychological orientations toward premarital virginity.

Literature on premarital heterosexual intercourse suggest increases in its incidence, frequency and acceptance among college-aged youth. Simultaneously, the studies suggest a decline in female premarital virginity. The present study was conducted to determine perceived psychological orientations toward premarital virginity of female virgins and nonvirgins. It examined the possibility of different orientations for different virgin or nonvirgin classifications and motivations. Results suggested significant differences between female virgins and nonvirgins among ten psychological orientation criteria.

Adolescent↗

A non-pharmacologic approach to the treatment of exercise-induced bronchospasm.

We investigated the effects of breathing air warmed and fully saturated to body temperature (AWS) before, during, and after exercise in asthmatic subjects. Airway responses to submaximal exercise on a cycloergometer were measured on four separate days in 14 asthmatic volunteers. On day 1 the subjects exercised breathing ambient air (AA). On the subsequent three days exercise was performed with the subjects breathing AWS, (1) for five minutes preceding, (2) during, and (3) for five minutes following exercise. We showed complete protection against EIB by AWS during exercise, but no protection by AWS before or after exercise. On two subsequent days we examined the effects of partially warming and humidifying the subjects' inspired air by having them wear a mask during exercise. We found that with such protection bronchospasm was significantly but not completely blunted. We conclude that the physiologic changes initiated during exercise can be prevented by breathing AWS during exercise, but are not by AWS inhaled before or after exercise. Furthermore, these studies demonstrate the possibility of using masks as a non-pharmacologic means of controlling EIB.

Adult↗

Occult lead poisoning.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal↗

Depyrogenation of pharmaceutical solutions using submicron and ultrafilters.

The effect of varying the pH and ionic strength on endotoxin removal (depyrogenation) from Water for Injections (WFI) was investigated. Studies using submicron filters showed that endotoxin aggregation and filter retention increased with increasing molarity and decreasing pH. Using a Sartorius 0.01 micron filter, greater than 98% endotoxin retention could be achieved with 10 endotoxin units (EU)/ml bulk solution, and greater than 97% endotoxin retention with the 500 EU/ml bulk solution. Depyrogenation of active and placebo solutions of the radiopaque, Iohexol (350 mgI/ml), using ultrafilters of varying nominal molecular weight limit (NMWL 10,000-300,000) and a Pall Posidyne 0.2 micron filter was also investigated. Results with the ultrafilters showed that it was possible to increase the molecular weight cut-off of an ultrafilter from 10,000 to 100,000, without affecting the efficiency of endotoxin removal, thereby increasing flow rate and reducing filtration time. The Posidyne filter was able to depyrogenate Iohexol active and placebo product. The use of submicron filtration in place of ultrafiltration would provide significant cost benefits in terms of filtration time and equipment costs, and they have been shown to be capable of efficient depyrogenation of these pharmaceutical products.

Endotoxins↗

Guidelines and protocols: a chance to take the lead.

Protocols and guidelines have been heralded by many as a panacea for the problems associated with the rising costs of health care and variations in clinical practice. These variations occur despite very similar medical conditions and often indicate poor use of research-based evidence to inform patient care. This has resulted in a national push towards greater use of protocols and guidelines as means of informing and indeed improving clinical practice. In order that protocols and guidelines achieve their full potential, it is essential that nurses, who deliver the majority of direct patient care, grasp the opportunity to influence their development. They need to be used as a framework to guide existing practices and as a focus to shape future work on clinical effectiveness. This paper examines definitions of guidelines and protocols and considers their use for the development of nursing practice, improvement of patient care and introduction of greater clarity in the use of health-care resources.

Guidelines as Topic↗