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Biomedical subjects

S J Miller

Publications and source records attributed to S J Miller.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Prenatal nursing assessment of the expectant family.

This article provides a guide for the nurse practitioner conducting a prenatal pediatric visit with expectant parents. With their backgrounds in biological and social sciences, nurse practitioners are uniquely prepared to assess families prenatally and to plan strategies and interventions which will promote their optimal adjustment to parenthood. Major content areas of the prenatal visit include health assessment of the pregnant woman and the family; assessment of the family; assessment of the readiness to parent; and assessment of the provider-parent fit. Special focus is placed on the problems encountered and appropriate interventions indicated in assessing and working with high-risk families.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Pregnancy after 40 years of age.

Using a 1982-4 computerized data base from a perinatal network, 511 pregnancies in women whose age was 40 or more years at delivery were studied. The oldest woman was 52 years of age. This represented 1.2% of the 41,335 women delivering. Their pregnancy outcomes were compared with those in 26,759 whose age at delivery was 20 to 30 years. The older women were more parous and had higher weights. There was also an increased frequency of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and placenta previa in the older women. These changes had a significant impact on the fetus for the older women had an increase in infant macrosomia, male sex, stillbirths, and low Apgar scores. They also had a higher incidence of cesarean section and fewer forcep deliveries. The older women whose weight was less than 67.5 kg at delivery did not show any difference in hypertension, fetal macrosomia, fetal death rates, or low infant Apgar scores. Also older of low parity did not have an increase in placenta previa. The older women of normal weight and low parity showed a higher frequency of diabetes mellitus and cesarean section delivery, but their infant outcomes were not different from the control groups. Thus older women of low parity and normal weight managed by modern obstetric methods can expect a good pregnancy outcome.

Adult↗

Aziridinylbenzoquinone in recurrent, progressive glioma of the central nervous system. A Phase II study by the Illinois Cancer Council.

Aziridinylbenzoquinone (AZQ) was studied in a Phase II protocol for persons with glioma of the central nervous system (CNS) recurrent or progressive after surgery and radiotherapy. Patients received AZQ, 30 mg/m2 intravenously every 3 weeks if previously untreated or 27.5 mg/m2 if previously exposed to cytotoxic drugs. Partial response was defined as a reduction of at least 50% reduction in the product of the two longest perpendicular diameters of the indicator lesion persisting for a minimum of 28 days. Twenty-eight patients are evaluable for response at this time. Objective response (OR) occurred in four (14.3%): two complete and two partial. Stabilization of disease (SD) was seen in 7 (25.0%). Median survival, in weeks, was greater than 46.0 for responders, 41.7 for SD, and 19.3 for those with progressive disease. The survival experiences are significantly different (P = 0.030 [Breslow]). The OR rate was 21.1% in 19 without prior chemotherapy and 0% in 9 previously treated patients. There were two AZQ-related deaths in patients with prior exposure to nitrosoureas (1 CNS hemorrhage; 1 aspiration pneumonia). One patient had an anaphylactic reaction. Three patients whose tumor initially increased in size subsequently had marked tumor shrinkage. AZQ is an active agent that must be used with added caution in patients who have received nitrosoureas. Initial tumor enlargement may precede response. Although response appears to prolong survival, the correlation between stabilization of disease and survival is not well-defined.

Adolescent↗

The influence of a chronic subclinical infection of Trichostrongylus colubriformis on gastrointestinal motility and digesta flow in sheep.

The influence of a chronic subclinical infection of Trichostrongylus colubriformis, 2500 larvae/day for 12 weeks, on gastrointestinal motility and digesta flow was studied in 12 sheep supplied ad libitum with food and water. Motility was recorded by X-radiography and electromyography from chronically implanted electrodes; abomasal volume and outflow were estimated by dilution of CrEDTA; small intestinal transit time was estimated by passage of Phenol Red. The findings were compared with measurements made prior to infection at restricted food intake and reported separately. The first effects of infection were seen after 3-4 weeks. No animal developed diarrhoea, but food intake was progressively reduced. Small intestinal transit time, abomasal volume and half-time of marker dilution increased while abomasal outflow decreased during infection. These changes occurred both in absolute terms and when compared with values predicted from the observed level of food intake. As the animals became resistant to the parasites abomasal volume and digesta flow returned towards control values (weeks 10-12). The migrating myoelectric complex (MMC) was disrupted in only one sheep, and only transiently. In all sheep the frequency of the MMC was increased during infection and there was a progressive inhibition of abomasal, duodenal and jejunal motility. X-radiography showed there was prolonged pooling of digesta in the proximal small intestine which was cleared only at the phase of regular spiking activity. Two sheep given an anthelmintic drench recovered normal motility and clearance of digesta. It is concluded that subclinical infection of sheep with T. colubriformis alters the normal pattern of gastrointestinal motility in the absence of any diarrhoea, and causes inhibition of abomasal and proximal small intestinal motility and digesta flow. The increased frequency of MMCs helps to maintain digesta flow through the proximal small intestine.

Abomasum↗

The relation between food intake and abomasal emptying and small intestinal transit time in sheep.

The relation between the level of food intake and gastrointestinal motility and digesta flow in the abomasum and small intestine was studied in sheep fitted with nichrome-wire electrodes in the gut wall, an abomasal and a duodenal catheter and a terminal ileal cannula. Abomasal volume and outflow were calculated from CrEDTA dilution in six sheep and small intestinal transit time by the passage of Phenol Red in ten sheep. The frequency of the migrating myoelectric complex of the small intestine was not altered by the level of food intake but the duration of the periods of irregular spiking activity, the amplitude of abomasal activity and the frequency of duodenal rushes were decreased as the level of food intake was decreased. There was a linear relation between the level of food intake (FI) and abomasal outflow (mean with SEM: 327 (69) ml/h for each kg FI/d; P less than 0.01), and abomasal volume (mean with SEM: 344 (50) ml/kg FI per d; P less than 0.001), without any significant change in the half-time of marker dilution in the abomasum. Small intestinal transit time decreased with an increase in food intake (mean with SEM: -54.9 (5.6) min/kg FI per d; P less than 0.001). It is concluded that abomasal volume and the rate of digesta flow from the abomasum and along the small intestine are linearly related to the level of food intake.

Abomasum↗

Phosphorylation of microsomal HMG CoA reductase increases susceptibility to proteolytic degradation in vitro.

Conversion of native, 97-100 kDa rat liver microsomal HMG CoA reductase to membrane-bound 62 kDa and soluble 52-56 kDa catalytically active forms was catalyzed in vitro by the calcium-dependent, leupeptin- and calpastatin-sensitive protease calpain-II purified from rat liver cytosol. Cleavage of the native 97-100 kDa reductase was enhanced by pretreatment (inactivation) of microsomes with ATP(Mg2+) and liver reductase kinase (compared to protein phosphatase-pretreated controls). This was reflected in a loss of the 97-100 kDa species and an increase in the soluble 52-56 kDa species (total enzyme activity and specific immunoblot recovery).

Animals↗

Non-operative treatment of the torn anterior cruciate ligament.

The purpose of this study was to assess and describe the status of twenty-four patients with a diagnosed tear of the anterior cruciate ligament who participated in a non-operative program of rehabilitation emphasizing strengthening of the hamstrings. The knees were evaluated by testing stability, strength, and range of motion; by roentgenographic examination; and by the patient's level of participation in sports. The patient's uninjured knee was used for comparison. The results showed a high incidence of anterior instability, but no significant differences in degenerative changes or range of motion. All patients returned to some sports participation, with fourteen (59 per cent) returning to their full preinjury level of participation. Higher levels of sports participation were found in the patients whose hamstrings strength was equal to or more than their quadriceps strength.

Adolescent↗

The children's psychiatric hospital unit in the community: I. Concept and development.

The authors describe a children's mental health unit (CMHU) in a general hospital and cite the need for short- and intermediate-term children's psychiatric facilities within the community. They point out the special need for psychiatric inpatient units for the 3-13 age group and note that in their CMHU the average length of stay and patient turnover ratio compare favorably with adolescent units, which they attribute to the emphasis on diagnosis and treatment rather than long-term rehabilitation.

Adolescent↗