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Biomedical subjects

S Miller

Publications and source records attributed to S Miller.

At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

Assessment of recovery of arm control in hemiplegic stroke patients. 2. Comparison of arm function tests and pursuit tracking in relation to clinical recovery.

In a preliminary study, return of arm function in hemiplegic patients has been assessed for periods up to 64 weeks after stroke using two methods of testing. The first method concerns the performance of simple motor tasks involving the arm and hand. The second method is a pursuit tracking task using elbow movements. Patients were divided into two groups depending on whether they scored above 80% (Group I) or below 80% (Group II) on the first method at 16 weeks after stroke. When the two arm assessment methods were compared with clinical assessments for all the patients, general agreement was shown. Among Group I patients there was also significant agreement between the assessments; among Group II patients the agreement was poor. The two arm assessment methods, however, showed mutual agreement. In conclusion, both arm assessments provide a general prediction of the recovery of movement control of patients following stroke.

Aged↗
PubMed1979

Guidelines to birth control counselling of the physically handicapped.

Birth control counselling of well motivated physically handicapped men and women is discussed in a series of suggested steps: (1) preappointment arrangements are made to ensure physical access to the office, and the partner or a helper may be invited to the visit; (2) the patient is encouraged to name the desired birth control method; (3) the patient's fertility is established from the history and the results of physical examination and laboratory tests; (4) methods of birth control are matched to the patient's physical and mental capabilities; (5) potential side effects of the proposed methods are considered in the light of the handicap; (6) a method is finally recommended that may be a trade-off, with ease of use balanced against efficacy, and living with side effects balanced against the risks of pregnancy; and (7) rechecks are necessary to ensure that the patient is using the method with skill and satisfaction.

Adoption↗
PubMed1978

Can the psro's be cost effective? A study of the effect of the Commonwealth Health Agencies monitoring program on the length of stay of Medicaid patients in Massachusetts.

To analyze the effect of the Commonwealth Health Agencies Monitoring Program on the length of stay of a sample of Massachusetts Medicaid patients, we compared their experience with that of non-Medicaid patients. We found a consistently decreasing trend in the length of stay of Medicaid patients during the 2 1/2-year period studied. The average length of stay of Medicaid patients decreased by 11.9 per cent relative to the norm, whereas the non-Medicaid length of stay decreased by only 6.6 per cent. We infer that the Program may be credited within the 5.3 per cent differential decrease. The consistency and reliability of the data suggest that similar results may be extrapolated to the hospitals not sampled. We conclude that Professional Standards Review Organizations, of which this program was a precursor, can be cost effective, given an expanded review mandate and the application of suibable evaluative processes.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1978

Cytochrome c oxidase as the receptor molecule for chemoaccumulation (chemotaxis) of Euglena toward oxygen.

Chemoaccumulation of Euglena gracilis toward oxygen was selectively inhibited, without concomitant effects on cell motility, by cyanide (10(-6) to 10(-4) molar) and carbon monoxide (5 x 10(-5) to 5 x 10(-4) molar). Above these concentrations, motility of the cell was imparied and the chemosensory response was inhibited. Azide did not affect chemoaccumulation even at 5 x 10(-3) molar. It is concluded that cytochrome a3 serves as the chemoreceptor molecule for oxygen-mediated behavioral responses in Euglena.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Epidemic malathion poisoning in Pakistan malaria workers.

In 1976, epidemic organophosphate insecticide poisoning due to malathion occurred among 7500 field workers in the Pakistan malaria control programme. In July, the peak month of the epidemic, it is estimated that there were about 2800 cases. In field studies low red-cell cholinesterase activities were associated with the signs and symptoms of organophosphate insecticide intoxication. Toxicity was seen with 3 different formulations of the insecticide and was greatest with the products containing increased amounts of isomalathion, a toxic malathion degradation product. Poor work practices, which had developed when D.D.T. was the primary insecticide for malaria control, resulted in excessive skin contact with and percutaneous absorption of the pesticide. Airborne malathion concentrations were very low. Implementation of good work practices and proscription of use of the 2 pesticide formulations most contaminated with isomalathion halted the epidemic in September. An extensive training programme and surveillance system for pesticide toxicity preceded 1977 spraying operations.

Cholinesterases↗
PubMed1978

Hepatic drug metabolism and haem biosynthesis in lead-poisoned rats.

1 Pretreatment of rats with intraperitoneal injections of lead was shown to result in a depression of the microsomal mixed function oxidase system, as assessed by a decrease in hepatic microsomal P-450 and b5 content and by a decrease in the activity of the enzymes aniline hydroxylase and aminopyrine demethylase. Lead had a more marked effect on cytochrome P-450 than b5. 2 The activity of the rate-limiting enzyme of haem biosynthesis, delta-aminolaevulinic acid synthase, was inversely correlated with the microsomal cytochrome P-450 content. 3 The activity of the haem biosynthetic enzymes delta-aminolaevulinic acid dehydratase, coproporphyrinogen oxidase and ferrochelatase were decreased by increasing lead pretreatment. 4 The activity of the haem catabolic enzyme, haem oxygenase, was increased by lead pretreatment.

5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase↗