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Biomedical subjects

S Mooney

Publications and source records attributed to S Mooney.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Sensitivity of carbon sequestration costs to soil carbon rates.

Modifying current agricultural management practices as a means of sequestering carbon has been shown to be a relatively low cost way to offset greenhouse gas emissions. In this paper we examine the sensitivity of the estimates of the amount of soil carbon sequestered and the implied costs of sequestering a tonne of carbon to changes in the rates of soil carbon sequestered for alternative production practices. An application is made to the dryland grain production systems of the US Northern Plains where the marginal costs of soil C range from $20 to $100 per MT. We show that the resulting changes in the marginal costs quantities of C sequestered are not a monotonic transformation of the changes in the soil carbon rates. These results underscore the importance of using a linked economic and biophysical simulation model to assess the economic potential for sequestering carbon in agricultural soils.

Agriculture↗

Examination performance and graphological analysis of students' handwriting.

Research has yielded mixed support for graphological claims. The present study was designed to see whether specific components of students' handwriting were related to personality traits associated with achievement in written examinations. If aspects were identified that could be used to predict future academic performance, the findings would not only be of interest to graphologists but would be invaluable to both student and tutor in a teaching environment. In a blind trial, 100 handwriting samples from first-year scripts were analysed for the presence or absence of 12 graphological characteristics deemed to be relevant for academic performance, and each of these aspects was tested for association with the grade points awarded. Statistically significant differences were found for two of the 12 characteristics: "carefulness" and "constancy." Also, measurements of individual letters indicated that consistent slant was significantly associated with high grade points, whereas upright or mixed writing was not. These attributes appeared to be generally related to readability and aesthetic quality. Although such aspects might influence the grading of scripts by teachers, typed versions received similar grades to those awarded for the handwritten versions.

Adult↗

Heparin versus citrate regional anticoagulation during autotransfusion in a porcine intra-abdominal hemorrhage model.

Our objective was to determine the effects of anticoagulants and blood loss on hemodynamic, hematologic, and coagulation parameters following autotransfusion in an animal model of intraabdominal hemorrhage. We performed a prospective, randomized observational animal study at an animal research laboratory at a university medical center. Eight Landrace, domestic pigs, weighing 17-23 kg, each underwent jugular venous and iliac arterial catheterization and laparotomy with retroperitoneal dissection for aortic exposure to simulate an operative environment. Following baseline laboratory and hemodynamic determinations, intra-abdominal hemorrhage was accomplished via aortotomy in three sequential 10 mL/kg blood volumes. After allowing pooling in the exposed retroperitoneum to ensure tissue contact, the shed blood was suctioned, processed, and washed in an autotransfusion device utilizing either heparin (n = 4) or acid-citrate-dextrose (n = 4) as a system anticoagulant. Prior to autologous transfusion, each pig received a 20 mL/kg intravenous bolus of 0.9 per cent saline to treat shock. The processed blood was then infused, and laboratory and hemodynamic measurements were repeated following each cycle of hemorrhage and autotransfusion. Sequential fixed volume hemorrhage resulted in significant reductions in mean arterial pressure. Despite crystalloid infusion and transfusion of processed shed blood, postresuscitation mean arterial pressure did not return to baseline values, with no difference noted between anticoagulant groups. Infusion of increasing volumes of autologous blood resulted in significant reductions in hematocrit, platelet count, fibrinogen, antithrombin III, ionized calcium, and total protein. The decrease in concentration of each variable was independent of the choice of anticoagulant with the exception of antithrombin III, with higher levels noted in animals receiving blood anticoagulated with acid-citrate-dextrose. Prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time were unaffected by volume of autologous transfusion or choice of anticoagulant. We conclude that changes in hemodynamic, hematologic, and coagulation parameters associated with hemorrhage and autotransfusion appear related more to the volume of blood loss and the cumulative pheresis of plasma than to the choice of anticoagulant.

Animals↗

Effects of intraluminal and extracorporeal inferior vena caval bypass on canine hemodynamics.

OBJECTIVE: To compare inferior vena cava-right atrial extracorporeal bypass with intraluminal atriocaval shunting during hepatic vascular isolation. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled animal study. SETTING: University research laboratory. SUBJECTS: Adult mongrel dogs (n = 5) weighing 20 to 27 kg. INTERVENTIONS: Anesthetized dogs underwent laparotomy and sternotomy for vascular isolation. For atriocaval shunting, 20- and 24-Fr intraluminal shunts were inserted into the inferior vena cava via right atriotomy. For extracorporeal bypass, each animal underwent inferior vena cava, portal vein, and right atrial cannulation for venovenous bypass, utilizing a centrifugal pump. Hemodynamic data were recorded at baseline and at intervals after caval occlusion, Pringle maneuver, and caval occlusion with Pringle maneuver. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Isolated Pringle maneuver and caval occlusion with Pringle maneuver produced significant reductions in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and cardiac output, irrespective of pulmonary artery occlusion pressure. Extracorporeal bypass, including both caval and portal venous return, produced significant increases in MAP and cardiac output during caval occlusion with Pringle maneuver, while atriocaval shunting and extracorporeal bypass without portal venous return did not improve MAP or cardiac output. CONCLUSION: Venovenous extracorporeal bypass with portal return, acting as a right ventricular assist device, is superior to intraluminal atriocaval shunting in maintaining hemodynamic stability during hepatic vascular isolation.

Animals↗

Infant apnea detection after herniorrhaphy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To elucidate risk factors for apnea in preterm infants discharged from the hospital and in full-term healthy infants. To determine the efficacy of real-time cardiopulmonary monitoring versus computerized storage and retrieval for infants at risk. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Operating rooms and pediatric patient care units of university medical center. PATIENTS: 27 preterm infants and 20 full-term infants no more than 60 weeks' post-conceptional age, who were admitted for elective herniorrhaphy. INTERVENTIONS: Infants were monitored before and after herniorrhaphy with general anesthesia using an infant apnea impedance monitor, pulse oximetry, and nursing observation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Demographic information and medical history were correlated with postoperative apnea. The sensitivity and specificity of nursing observation and oximetry were compared with computerized apnea monitors. Five patients (11%, four preterm, one full-term) were apneic postoperatively as recorded by computerized pneumocardiography. Previous apnea history, gestational age at birth, and postconceptional age at operation positively correlated with postoperative apnea. Nursing observation failed to detect 4 of 5 patients with documented apnea (sensitivity 20%, positive predictive value 50%). Pulse oximetry failed to detect 3 of 5 patients with apnea (sensitivity 40%, positive predictive value 66%). CONCLUSIONS: Although it is easier to predict postoperative respiratory dysfunction in previously sick or very young infants, absolute predictability for all neonates remains elusive. Clinical monitors with both storage and retrieval capabilities and real-time monitoring increase our ability to detect significant events in children at risk for apnea after herniorrhaphy.

Apnea↗

The magic of EDI.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Computer Communication Networks↗

Preparation of blood components.

The processing of blood into various components and the knowledge of component usage enables veterinarians to support and beneficially treat more animals. Blood products include packed red blood cells; fresh frozen, fresh, and modified plasma; cryoprecipitate; platelets; and concentrates. Some methods of preparation of blood products and storage are presented.

Animals↗

Cancer of the maxillary sinus treated with surgery and/or radiation therapy.

This is an analysis of 37 previously untreated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary sinus treated with curative intent at the University of Florida from January 1966 through January 1984. All patients were followed for at least two years and 86 per cent (32/27) were followed for a minimum of five years. Patients were treated for cure with radiation therapy alone (25), surgery alone (1), or surgery and preoperative (6) or postoperative (5) radiation therapy. This study presents the results of treatment and the incidence of treatment-related complications in this group of patients.

Adult↗

Viewing distance affects stereoscopic tilt created with spatial frequency disparity.

A controversy exists as to whether stereoscopic tilt created with interocular differences in spatial frequency is based on perception of spatial frequency disparity or positional disparity. To determine which hypothesis is correct, we investigated the influence of viewing distance on perceived tilt. Tilt was induced by having observers view, at three viewing distances, dichoptic spatial frequency grating patterns differing in frequency by 25%. By appropriate physical scaling of the size of the patterns, their spatial frequency and angular width remained unchanged as distance varied. Under such conditions, the spatial frequency disparity hypothesis predicts no effect of distance, whereas the positional disparity hypothesis predicts a significant effect of distance (due to stereoscopic depth constancy) on the magnitude of tilt. The results showed that perceived tilt does covary with distance, a result consistent with only the positional disparity hypothesis.

Adolescent↗

The detection of conventional class I and class II I-E homologue major histocompatibility complex molecules on feline cells.

The presence on feline cells of class I and class II I-E type major histocompatibility complex (MHC) homologues was demonstrated using cross-reacting monoclonal antibodies (mAb). The feline class I antigen homologues were detected with both immunofluorescent and biochemical techniques, using the anti-human class I mAb W6/32. The class I antigens were detected on in vitro cultured feline fibroblasts and lymphoid cells, but not on fresh lymphoid cells, apparently as a result of the association of bovine beta-2 microglobulin with feline class I heavy chains which generated the determinant(s) recognized by mAb W6/32. Class II I-E-like molecules could be detected with immunofluorescent techniques using the species cross-reactive anti-mouse I-E antibody 40D only when peripheral blood mononuclear cells were activated, for example, with the mitogens staphylococcus enterotoxin A or lipopolysaccharide. The predominant expression of I-A-like molecules by resting class II-positive feline cells could explain some of the functional difference we have seen in comparison with those of most other mammalian species.

Animals↗

Feline melanoma: a comparative study of ocular, oral, and dermal neoplasms.

Melanomas diagnosed in 29 cats over an 11 year period included 19 ocular (16 intraocular, three palpebral), five oral, and five dermal melanomas. Intraocular melanomas involved the ciliary body and iris in 12; the whole eye was involved in four. The average age of cats with intraocular melanomas was 11 years; the female : male ratio was 9 : 7. Histologically, eight intraocular tumors were mixed, six were epithelioid, and two were spindle cell. Ten of 16 cats (62.5%) with intraocular melanomas were killed because of the tumor at a mean of 156 days; four are living with no evidence of disease (average, 255 days). The mean time of death in cats with palpebral melanoma was 409 days. Metastasis occurred in 63% of cats with intraocular melanoma and all cats with palpebral melanoma. Four cats with oral melanoma were killed at a mean of 61 days; all had metastasis. Of five cats with cutaneous melanoma, one was killed with metastasis at 90 days; three cats were alive without evidence of recurrence or metastasis greater than 365 days after surgery. Results of this study indicate that in the cat, ocular melanomas are more common than oral and dermal melanomas, and ocular and oral melanomas are more malignant than dermal melanomas, with higher rates of mortality and metastasis.

Animals↗

Feline mammary tumors.

The characteristics of feline mammary cancer--that is, the rapid growth of primary mammary tumors, the high rate of tumor recurrence, and the poor survival statistics--demonstrate the need for (1) early diagnosis of the primary tumor; (2) immediate, aggressive surgical therapy; and (3) frequent follow-up examinations to detect early clinical signs of recurrent disease. A number of factors that influence prognosis have been described. As more information becomes available concerning the behavior of feline mammary tumors and the results of various forms of treatment, more effective protocols can be developed. Continued etiologic research may play a vital role in determining the direction of therapy.

Animals↗

Primary pulmonary neoplasia in the dog and cat.

This article covers the pertinent clinical, physical, and radiographic findings in dogs and cats with primary pulmonary neoplasia. Diagnostic and treatment recommendations are made. Although primary pulmonary neoplasia is rare in both the dog and cat, it appears to be diagnosed with increasing frequency. Early detection and surgical treatment of carefully selected cases can prolong a good quality of life.

Animals↗

Levamisole as adjuvant to chemotherapy for canine lymphosarcoma.

Ninety-eight dogs with previously untreated lymphosarcoma were selected for study. All dogs were clinically staged and stratified on the basis of stage. All dogs were treated with combination chemotherapy (vincristine, L-asparaginase, cyclophosphamide, and methotrexate) and randomized to either a levamisole or placebo group. There was no significant difference in either remission time or survival time between the levamisole and placebo groups. Clinical stage, age, and body weight had no influence on remission or survival time. The most significant prognostic factor was sex: Female dogs had significantly enhanced remission time (p = 0.004) and survival time (p = less than 0.001).

Animals↗

Evaluation of effects of levamisole and surgery on canine mammary cancer.

Three hundred and forty-five dogs with mammary tumors were initially evaluated for study. One hundred and forty-four dogs with untreated malignant mammary tumors (136 adenocarcinomas, 5 malignant mixed, 3 sarcomas) were selected for study. All dogs were clinically staged and stratified on the basis of tumor volume and body weight. Dogs were randomized to either a radical mastectomy or simple mastectomy group, and then further randomized to a levamisole or placebo group. There was no significant difference in either survival time or cancer-free survival time between the surgery groups or between the levamisole and placebo groups. The most significant prognostic factor was tumor volume; dogs with tumors less than 41 cc had significantly enhanced survival time (p = 0.0007) and cancer-free survival time (p = 0.0005).

Animals↗