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Biomedical subjects

S Johns

Publications and source records attributed to S Johns.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Transient post-partum thyroid dysfunction and postnatal depression.

In the course of a population study of thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy and the post-partum period, 65 women, considered to be antibody-positive (microsomal and thyroglobulin), and 82 antibody-negative women were assessed for postnatal depression at 6-8 weeks post partum. The women were also assessed for the development of post-partum thyroid dysfunction. Of the 147 women, 22 met DSM-III criteria for major depression. The presence of autoantibodies showed little association with depressed mood but there was a minor association of postnatal depression with actual thyroid dysfunction in that incidence of the latter condition was higher in depressed women (Raskin scale P less than 0.01; Edinburgh scale P less than 0.05; Montgomery-Asberg scale P less than 0.1). Three of eight mothers with thyroid dysfunction had major depression and were depressed on all three scales.

Adult↗

Corneal tissue levels of topically applied ofloxacin.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the levels of ofloxacin (Ocuflox) in human corneal tissue in patients exposed to various dosing regimens and application methods. SETTING: Corneal Consultants of Indiana, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. METHODS: Forty patients meeting inclusion criteria were recruited from persons scheduled to have penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). Patients were placed into one of two study groups of 20 each based on dosing regimen and application method. The SAS GLM (General Linear Models) procedure was used to test for differences in mean Ocuflox tissue concentration among study groups and for interaction effects of preoperative diagnosis, trephine size, dosing regimen, and corneal integrity. RESULTS: Corneal tissue concentrations of Ocuflox were elevated significantly by varying drug application methods and dosing schedules before PKP. Eyes receiving medication every 15 minutes for 4 hours had significantly higher levels of Ocuflox than those receiving the drug in six doses over 24 hours before surgery. Ocuflox concentrations exceeded the MIC90 (minimum inhibitory concentration) for key ocular pathogens in essentially all cornea specimens studied. CONCLUSION: Ocuflox penetration was improved by administering it in a controlled setting at 15 minute intervals over 4 hours. The drug provided high tissue levels in both the cornea and aqueous humor, which together with its broad range of antibacterial coverage, should make it a good choice for prophylactic treatment.

Administration, Topical↗

Risk factors for corneal graft failure.

BACKGROUND: Penetrating keratoplasty is one of the most common and successful ophthalmic procedures. However, controversy and uncertainty still call to question the significance of certain risk factors for graft failure. METHODS: A consecutive series of 1819 penetrating keratoplasties at a single center was studied to determine donor and recipient risk factors for graft failure. Mean follow up was 2.3 years (range, 1 to 96 months) with 139 (7.7%) eyes lost to follow up. RESULTS: Previous graft failure was the most significant risk factor for secondary failure (P = .0013). The risk of failure significantly decreased with increased postoperative time. Significant patient risk factors for secondary failures in initial grafts included race (P = .01), age (P = .004), iris color (P = .02), use of preoperative glaucoma medications (P = .0008), deep stromal vascularization (P = .002), and host horizontal diameter (P = 0.007). Significant risk factors for failures associated with immunologic allograft reactions in initial grafts included horizontal corneal diameter (P = .002), donor size (P = .05), differences between horizontal corneal diameter, and both donor size (P = .02) and recipient trephination size (P = .01). However, deep stromal vascularization was only marginally significant (P = .09). A history of preoperative glaucoma medication usage was not a significant risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship of the recipient's horizontal corneal diameter to immunologic graft rejection is a new risk factor that surgeons can directly control and thereby help avoid graft failure.

Adult↗