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Biomedical subjects

S R Johnson

Publications and source records attributed to S R Johnson.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Artifact associated with the use of strong iodine solution (Lugol's) in cone biopsies.

The preoperative application of strong iodine solution (USP), commonly referred to as Lugol's solution, induces a histologic artifact in epithelial cells of cone biopsy material, most pronounced in dysplastic cells. Cellular shrinkage, cytoplasmic eosinophilia and vacuolization, development of visible intercellular space, and nuclear pyknosis with loss of chromatin detail are the major findings. Since the use of strong iodine solution (USP) is a common practice for delineating the ectocervical extent of disease prior to cone biopsy, the pathologist should recognize the artifact since its presence can make histologic interpretation difficult. Because the artifact may lead to interpretation error, alternatives to strong iodine solution (USP) should be considered.

Biopsy↗

Computer-based monitoring of clinical care in a public psychiatric hospital unit.

A computer-based clinical monitoring system on a 40-bed university hospital psychiatric unit provides documentation to justify clinicians' diagnosis and choice of treatment and facilitates evaluation of patients' progress at scheduled intervals. The microcomputer system was developed to meet state guidelines for monitoring patients receiving neuroleptic drug treatment. A weekly status report generated for each patient alerts the treating physician to cases in which data do not justify clinical decisions, identifies potential problems, and suggests considering for discharge patients whose symptoms have sufficiently abated. The system is also useful in supervision and research.

Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted↗

External fixation of Colles' fractures. An anatomical study.

In a prospective, controlled study 58 patients aged under 60 years with Colles' fractures were treated either by a forearm plaster or by the application of an external fixator. In 94% of those treated by a fixator it was possible to insert the distal pins of the frame into the fracture fragment, the fixation obtained being sufficient to forgo additional splintage. The external fixator proved more effective at holding the manipulated position, and the radiological loss of position during fracture union was minimal compared with that seen in patients treated in plaster.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of gynecologic health care problems between lesbians and bisexual women. A survey of 2,345 women.

A survey of reproductive system problems was conducted in a large group of lesbians (n = 1,921) and bisexual women (n = 424) in a nonclinical setting. Demographically the groups were similar: the majority of respondents were white, urban and well educated. A history of heterosexual coitus was common in both groups (bisexuals, 95%; lesbians, 77%). Bisexuals were more likely than lesbians to report an abnormal Papanicolaou smear, cystitis, genital herpes, gonorrhea and vaginal infections. When sexual orientation was controlled for, most, but not all, of these differences were associated with a difference in reported frequency of (prior) coitus. Despite the lower risk of certain problems, however, the lesbians who reported no previous coitus did report the occurrence of vaginitis, abnormal Papanicolaou smears and genital herpes. There were no differences in past oral contraceptive use, endometriosis, menstrual dysfunction or breast disease. The lesbian group reported a greater percentage of hysterectomies. These data suggest that, overall, the sexual behaviors of lesbians are associated with a lower risk of most sexually transmitted diseases.

Adult↗

Parenting desires among bisexual women and lesbians.

Parenting desires were ascertained among a large group of lesbians (n = 1,921) and bisexual women (n = 424) recruited in a nonclinical setting. More than 50% of each sexual-orientation group had considered having a child since recognizing their current sexual identity. Lesbians were more likely than bisexuals to favor adoption and donor insemination as options, whereas bisexuals were more likely to consider intercourse with either a cooperative or unsuspecting man. Overall, however, 47 women (2%) reported success in obtaining a child through one of these options.

Adoption↗

Maternal obesity and pregnancy.

We examined the risk of maternal obesity in 588 pregnant women weighing at least 113.6 kilograms (250 pounds) during pregnancy. Compared with a control group matched for age and parity, we found a significantly increased risk in the obese patient for gestational diabetes, hypertension, therapeutic induction, prolonged second stage of labor, oxytocin stimulation of labor, shoulder dystocia, infants weighing more than 4,000 grams and delivery after 42 weeks gestation. Certain operative complications were also more common in obese women undergoing cesarean section including estimated blood loss of more than 1,000 milliliters, operating time of more than two hours and wound infection postoperatively. These differences remained significant after controlling for appropriate confounding variables. We conclude that maternal obesity should be considered a high risk factor.

Adolescent↗

Collection of food intake data: an evaluation of methods.

Using USDA's recently completed methodological survey designed to evaluate longitudinal measures of food intake, the authors assessed nine methods for measuring dietary status. Methods evaluated included various combinations of prospective and retrospective recording of daily intake; personal, telephone, and mail- and telephone-assisted reporting; semistructured and open-ended recording documents; and number and spacing of days for recording intakes. Results from tabular and regression analyses indicated that the most effective and least costly methods for assessing mean intakes for groups of individuals were those using telephone and/or personal contact and collecting 24-hour recalls for several selected nonconsecutive days during the survey period. More specifically, it was concluded that the method including an initial personal interview for 24-hour recall followed by three telephone interviews for 24-hour recalls over a 1-year period and the method including four telephone interviews for 24-hour recalls for a 1-year period provided food energy intake data comparable with the data collected with other methods and with less effort or cost. Additional analyses were recommended to determine the numbers of days required to obtain estimates of usual intake for individuals and for diet components other than food energy.

Adult↗

High-level tetracycline resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is result of acquisition of streptococcal tetM determinant.

Recently, strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae have been isolated which are highly resistant to tetracycline (MICs of 16 to 64 micrograms/ml). This resistance was due to the acquisition of the resistance determinant tetM, a transposon-borne determinant initially found in the genus Streptococcus and more recently in Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Gardnerella vaginalis. In N. gonorrhoeae, the tetM determinant was located on a 25.2-megadalton plasmid. This plasmid arose from the insertion of tetM into the 24.5-megadalton gonococcal conjugative plasmid. The tetM determinant could be transferred to suitable recipient strains of N. gonorrhoeae by both genetic transformation and conjugation.

Conjugation, Genetic↗

Obstetric decision-making: responses to patients who request cesarean delivery.

The right of patients to be actively involved in treatment decisions is now widely accepted. A survey of 112 obstetricians was conducted to determine their responses to several cases in which a laboring woman asks for a cesarean section, even though the obstetrician has recommended a continued trial of labor/vaginal delivery. In 12 of the 19 cases there was substantial variation among respondents in the decision to agree with the patient. There was also no agreement, in many of these cases, on the presence or absence of a medical indication for abdominal delivery. The ethical aspects of this problem are explored.

Cesarean Section↗

Qualitative and quantitative changes of the vaginal microbial flora during the menstrual cycle.

Knowledge of the normal vaginal microbial flora is essential in understanding the etiology of female genital tract infections. This study was done to investigate both qualitative and quantitative differences that occur during the menstrual cycle. We studied 34 reproductive age women longitudinally. Quantitative cultures were obtained during menses and following the cessation of menses. A greater variety of organisms were found during menstruation. The effect was not selective with respect to aerobes or anaerobes. The total number of bacteria between the two culture periods did not change significantly.

Adult↗

Clindamycin levels in reproductive tissues.

Clindamycin is widely used in a variety of obstetric and gynecologic infections. Despite in vitro and clinical evidence of activity against anaerobes, genital organ tissue levels resulting from intravenous administration of the drug have not previously been reported. Following a single intravenous infusion of 600 mg of clindamycin phosphate, tissue levels were determined in operative specimens obtained from ten women. Specimens of cervix, uterus, fallopian tube, and ovary were obtained, and mean Clindamycin levels for each site were: cervix, 2.63 micrograms/ml; endometrium, 5.58 micrograms/ml; myometrium, 2.39 micrograms/ml; fallopian tube, 2.96 micrograms/ml; and ovary, 3.74 micrograms/ml. The mean serum level was 6.26 micrograms/ml at the time of uterine artery interruption. The clindamycin concentrations at all sites exceeded the usual therapeutic minimal inhibitory concentration, substantiating the usefulness of clindamycin in obstetric and gynecologic anaerobic infections.

Adult↗

Health care attitudes and experiences during gynecologic care among lesbians and bisexuals.

Bisexuals (N = 424) and lesbians (N = 1,921) were surveyed regarding their sources of gynecologic care, utilization patterns, openness with physicians, and assessment of quality of care. About 40 per cent of each group believed that physician knowledge about their sexual preference would hinder the quality of medical care and about as many believed that it would have no effect. About one-third in each group had not disclosed their sexual behavior although they desired to do so. Physicians rarely requested this information. A lesbian physician was overwhelmingly preferred for gynecologic care (96 per cent), particularly for problems with sexual functioning. Previous satisfaction with gynecologic care was most often described as "adequate," but almost as often as "variable" and "poor." Data suggest that quality, utilization, and medical outcomes of gynecologic care to this group would be improved if physicians would communicate greater awareness of sexual orientation in a nonprejudicial manner and ensure confidentiality.

Adult↗

Gynecologic care for the lesbian.

Lesbians constitute a significant minority in the practice of many gynecologists. No special skills are needed for physicians to care for lesbian patients--he or she need only use the skills needed for the expert care of any patient: knowledge, acceptance, and empathy.

Alcoholism↗

Common beta-lactamase-specifying plasmid in Haemophilus ducreyi and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Eighty-nine strains of Haemophilus ducreyi from a chancroid epidemic in Orange County, California, were examined for plasmid content. Seventy-eight (88%) of these isolates were found to contain a plasmid of 3.2 megadaltons which conferred beta-lactamase production. Restriction endonuclease digests indicated that this was the same plasmid that was found in some strains of beta-lactamase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

DNA, Bacterial↗