Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Metcalf

Publications and source records attributed to S Metcalf.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Human exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls in a residential community.

Blood serum concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in members of a residential community who lived near a chemical plant that formerly manufactured PCBs. Elevated blood serum PCB concentrations were detected in some of the older adults who were long-term residents of the community. Congener-specific analyses indicated that PCB congeners 153, 138/158, 180, 118, and 187 contributed 60-67% of the total PCBs detected in blood from adults and children. Blood PCB concentrations correlated strongly with age and length of residency in the neighborhood. However, blood PCB concentrations did not correlate with PCB concentrations in soil or house dust samples from the homes. Past exposures to PCBs may be a significant contributor to the elevated PCB concentrations detected in some adult members of the community.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Population of the HLA ligand database.

We have established an HLA ligand database to provide scientists and clinicians with access to Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I and II motif and ligand data. The HLA Ligand Database is available on the world wide web at http://hlaligand.ouhsc.edu and contains ligands that have been published in peer-reviewed journals. HLA peptide datasets prove useful in several areas: ligands are important as targets for various immune responses while algorithms built upon ligand datasets allow identification of new peptides without time-consuming experimental procedures. A review of the HLA class I ligands in the database identifies strengths and deficiencies in the database and, therefore, the utility of the dataset for identifying new peptides. For instance, 212 HLA-A phenotypes exist of which 23 have a motif determined and 43 have peptides characterized. In terms of number of ligands, HLA-A*0201 has 258 characterized ligands, A*1101 has 25 peptides, while the remaining two-thirds of the HLA-A phenotypes have less than 10 associated peptide sequences. Characterization of ligands and motifs remains roughly the same at the HLA-B locus while the peptides of the HLA-C locus tend to be less characterized. These data show that 74% of HLA class I molecules do not have ligands represented in the database and thus algorithms based on the dataset could not predict ligands for a majority of the US population. Building upon this dataset and knowledge of HLA allelic frequencies, it is possible to plan a systematic expansion of the HLA class I ligand database to better identify ligands useful throughout the population.

Databases, Protein↗
PubMed1998

Guidelines for the management of anaphylaxis in the emergency department.

An algorithm for the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis is presented. The need for early hands-on involvement of senior personnel is stressed. Continuous assessment, monitoring of response to treatment, and a low threshold for hospital admission for observation and further treatment if necessary are required.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1998

Antibodies to toluene diisocyanate in an environmentally exposed population.

Residents living near a polyurethane foam manufacturing facility expressed concern to health officials over chemical emissions from the plant. Environmental monitoring of ambient air near the plant indicated the presence of toluene diisocyanate (TDI), which was used in foam production. Health officials collected blood samples from 113 residents and analyzed the blood sera for antibodies to TDI and related diisocyanates. Ten of the 113 residents (9%) had elevated levels of IgG or IgE antibodies specific for one or more diisocyanates. Exposure histories were taken from antibody-positive individuals to identify possible occupational exposure to TDI or the use of diisocyanate-containing consumer products. Exposure to TDI in ambient air may be responsible for the positive antibody responses detected in some residents of the community.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Cost effective computerized decision support: tracking caregiver acceptance at the point of care.

We implemented a computerized decision support tool to standardize the administration of supplemental oxygen (O2) therapy in the acute care (non-ICU) hospital setting. Caregiver acceptance of the computerizeds oxygen therapy protocol (COTP) instructions was measured to determine the clinical performance of the computerized decision support tool. 49.6% of instructions generated were followed by the clinical caregiver, and 16.8% of instructions generated were explicitly acknowledged by the user through the COTP computer interface. Despite this low caregiver response rate, significant favorable changes in the administration of oxygen were observed. This paper is focused on the issues of general importance the caregiver response rate raises for the implementation and clinical use of computerized decision support tools, including: (1) limitations of the user interface and (2) inherent difficulty in changing long-standing practice patterns.

Attitude to Computers↗
PubMed1992

Exchange transfusion and multidose activated charcoal following vancomycin overdose.

The inadvertent administration of a concentrated vancomycin solution to a 47 day-old premature male twin resulted in extremely high vancomycin levels and altered renal function. A 1.5 volume exchange transfusion did not change the measured vancomycin level. Multiple doses of oral activated charcoal, 1 g/kg, were administered beginning 5 h after the exchange transfusion. A calculated half-life of vancomycin before the exchange transfusion was 35 h. The half-life after the exchange transfusion and during charcoal administration was calculated to be 12 h. The only apparent adverse effect of this vancomycin overdose was reversible nephrotoxicity. The infant's hearing, tested by brainstem auditory responses, was normal. The higher volume of distribution of vancomycin in infants may preclude removing significant amounts of this drug by exchange transfusion. Gastrointestinal dialysis with activated charcoal warrants consideration in cases of vancomycin overdose in neonates.

Charcoal↗
PubMed1990

The fit male adolescent.

Adolescence is a normal developmental phase that can be experienced with confidence and optimism if it is anticipated as a time of challenge and of growth. The characteristics of adolescent thinking and affect are considered and the challenges that the fit adolescent must overcome are reviewed. Factors that protect against things going wrong are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Patient coding: a valuable management tool.

The time spent dealing with unknown patient factors can have a dramatic effect on the radiographer's productivity. This article identifies a mechanism for enhancing the department's level of information about those permanent patient factors that can affect the outcome of radiologic examinations.

Emergency Medical Tags↗
PubMed1977

A case of male childhood transsexualism and its management.

The syndrome of male childhood transsexualism is described and the case history of a six year old boy is reported. Treatment strategies are explained in detail and the results of ongoing therapy over an 18 month period are presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Effect of povidone-iodine on herpesvirus type 2, in vitro.

Povidone-iodine solution (Betadine) at concentrations of 0.167% (v/v) reduced the end-point titers of Strain E.M. herpesvirus, type 2, by more than 99.99%. Even at concentrations of 0.0167% (v/v), povidone-iodine solution reduced the titers by 92%. The iodine solution, per se, had no effect on cultured human fibroblasts in concentrations of 1.67% (v/v).

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Dioxin exposure in a residential community.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) conducted biological testing to assess dioxin exposure in residents of a community who lived in an area with heavy chemical industry. Dioxin concentrations were measured in blood serum samples from 28 adult residents of the community. Fourteen of those tested had blood dioxin concentrations that exceeded the 95th percentile prediction level of an age-matched comparison population. Specific congener analyses indicated that the elevated dioxin concentrations were primarily due to high concentrations of 2,3,7,8 tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), 1,2,3,7,8 pentachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (PeCDD), and hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (HxCDs). Principal components analysis (PCA) indicated that the profiles of dioxin congeners were different in people with elevated blood dioxin concentrations compared to those with background concentrations. Elevated blood dioxin concentrations were detected only in older members of the population, which suggests that dioxin exposures were higher in the past. The sources of the dioxin exposure have not been identified.

Adult↗