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Biomedical subjects

S J Wilkinson

Publications and source records attributed to S J Wilkinson.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Spinous process strength.

STUDY DESIGN: Mechanical testing of cadaveric lumbar spines and dual energy radiograph absorptiometry scanning were performed. OBJECTIVES: To devise a technique to measure the strength of lumbar spinous processes and to determine the bone mineral density of the vertebrae used. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The spinous process has been identified as the weakest part of the anatomy to which a flexible fixation device can be attached. It was unknown if the spinous processes could withstand the forces applied by the device. METHODS: A hook was fitted to the spinous process of 32 lumbar vertebrae. A custom-built rig was designed to secure a vertebra to a materials testing machine. A loop of cord was passed over a bar mounted on the crosshead of the machine and around the two bollards of the hook. As the crosshead was raised, a tension was applied to the cord. Each vertebra was tested to failure. The bone mineral density of each vertebra was then measured using dual energy radiograph absorptiometry. RESULTS: Failure of the specimens occurred by failure of the spinous process, pedicles, or vertebral body. The logarithm (base 10) of the load (N) at which failure occurred was 2.53 +/- 0.3, which corresponded to a mean failure load of 339 N. The bone mineral density of each vertebral body varied between 0.263 and 0.997 g/cm2. A significant linear correlation was found between bone strength and bone mineral density (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Specimens with a bone mineral density in the range of 0.263-0.997 g/cm2 failed at a mean load of 339 N when the load was applied through the spinous process hook of a flexible fixation device.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1997

Two families with an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern for papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.

BACKGROUND: Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid (PTC) is the most prevalent malignancy of the thyroid gland. Although the majority of lesions are sporadic tumors, an established relationship exists between familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and PTC. Moreover, some authors postulate the existence of familial PTC as a distinct entity. Evidence for this is limited, however, there being few well characterized descriptions of pedigrees with high prevalence of PTC. AIMS: The objective of the present study was to examine an apparent heritable predisposition to PTC occurring in two Tasmanian families in which PTC occurs commonly. METHODS: Pedigree charts were constructed for both families and the medical records of the members reviewed. RESULTS: In Pedigree I, 7 of 25 members had PTC (6 of these had coexisting multinodular goiter (MNG), and 11 others had MNG. In Pedigree II, identical male twins and their daughters had PTC. CONCLUSIONS: In both families there is evidence of autosomal dominant inheritance of PTC. The association of PTC with MNG suggests a possible role for MNG in tumor pathogenesis in hereditary PTC. The majority of the patients were diagnosed with PTC before commencement of prospective screening, indicating clinically relevant disease in the families described.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Evidence that different regional sympathetic outflows vary in their sensitivity to the sympathoinhibitory actions of putative 5-HT1A and alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists in anaesthetized cats.

1. An investigation was carried out to determine whether the centrally acting hypotensive drugs whose mechanisms of action are due either to activation of 5-HT1A receptors (flesinoxan, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) and urapidil--also an alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist) or to activation of alpha 2-adrenoceptors (clonidine and moxonidine) cause differential sympathoinhibition. 2. Cats were anaesthetized with alpha-chloralose and simultaneous recordings were made of whole cardiac, splanchnic and renal nerve activity, blood pressure and heart rate. Cumulative dose-response (i.v.) curves were constructed in separate experiments for the above hypotensive agents on these parameters. 3. Renal nerve activity was found to be more sensitive to the sympathoinhibitory action of flesinoxan and 8-OH-DPAT when compared with cardiac nerve activity, whereas the reverse was observed for clonidine and moxonidine, cardiac being more sensitive than renal nerve activity. Splanchnic nerve activity was similarly affected by all drugs. Furthermore at the highest dose, all drugs tended to cause complete inhibition in all regional sympathetic nerve outflows. 4. Urapidil differed from all the above hypotensive drugs in that it caused a similar degree of sympathoinhibition in all sympathetic outflows at all doses. It is suggested that this may be due to the ability of urapidil to block central alpha 1-adrenoceptors in addition to stimulation of 5-HT1A receptors.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗
PubMed1988

Global ratings of stress in the elderly.

The properties of four global ratings of life stress were investigated using data from 237 elderly subjects interviewed using the Brown & Harris life event and difficulties schedule. The global ratings had high one-year test-retest reliability and inter-rater reliability agreement. A summary measure of Adversity (based on contextual rating of all events and difficulties) may be reliably derived when a single index of life stress is desired. In the elderly sample Adversity was more closely related to chronic difficulties than to life-events.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1986

Comparison of the haemodynamic actions of neuropeptide Y, angiotensin II and noradrenaline in anaesthetised cats.

Blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, renal flow and femoral flow were recorded in open-chested anaesthetised cats. Dose-response curves were constructed for neuropeptide Y, angiotensin II and noradrenaline after pretreatment with atropine sulphate. Neuropeptide Y, on a molar basis, was 7 and 120 times less potent than noradrenaline and angiotensin, respectively, in producing a 50 mm Hg rise in mean arterial blood pressure. The pressor effect of neuropeptide Y was characterised by dose-dependent increases in total peripheral, renal and femoral resistance with little change in cardiac output. Neuropeptide Y had a similar potency to noradrenaline in causing these resistance changes. However, the pressor response to noradrenaline was associated with a dose-dependent increase in cardiac output. The pressor action of neuropeptide Y was not attenuated by adrenoceptor blockade by phenoxybenzamine (5 mg kg-1) and propranolol (1 mg kg-1).

Anesthesia↗
PubMed1986

Rating reliability for life events and difficulties in the elderly.

The inter-rater reliability of Brown's measure of ongoing difficulties ('severity') is shown to be comparable with that of the measure of life events ('long-term threat') when using data from an elderly subject pool. Test-retest reliabilities for both the life event and difficulty measures are shown to be adequate if based on 'consensus' ratings. The question is raised of generalizability of the concepts of 'threat' and 'severity' across the lifespan.

Adaptation, Psychological↗