Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T Armstrong

Publications and source records attributed to T Armstrong.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Severe postoperative laryngeal oedema causing total airway obstruction immediately on extubation.

We report a case of total upper airway obstruction occurring immediately after extubation after elective bi-maxillary osteotomy. The obstruction was caused by severe, progressive supraglottic oedema, which totally obscured the laryngeal inlet. No swelling had been present at initial laryngoscopy and intubation. Immediate re-intubation of the patient's trachea was difficult but life saving. Subsequent investigations revealed extensive soft tissue swelling, maximal at the level of the hyoid and extending downwards into the trachea. The cause of such severe oedema in this case is not certain, but may be related to vigorous submental liposuction carried out at the end of operation. We have found no other reports of total airway obstruction occurring immediately after extubation as a result of this cause. We review the appropriate literature, describe the postoperative management and suggest precautions in similar patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Satisfaction with relief agencies during Hurricanes Erin and Opal.

From a larger study, ratings of satisfaction with disaster relief agencies in the aftermath of Hurricanes Erin and Opal showed high satisfaction from services provided by the American Red Cross/Salvation Army and somewhat lower ratings for the Federal Emergency Management Agency from 167 residents and business owners in the Florida Panhandle.

Consumer Behavior↗
PubMed1997

Anaesthetic management of a child undergoing thoracoscopic removal of a lung cyst.

The anaesthetic management of a child undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic resection of a large lung cyst is described. In particular, we discuss the prolonged postoperative stay, which resulted from persistent pneumothorax, and his need for substantial analgesia up to the twelfth postoperative day-which seemed no shorter than might have been expected following a thoracotomy. While other workers have claimed advantages with thoracoscopic operations, in terms of reduced pain and morbidity, compared to traditional thoracotomy, we feel that one should be aware of the potential for severe postoperative pain in these patients.

Analgesia, Patient-Controlled↗
PubMed1997

Computer keyboard force and upper extremity symptoms.

This case-control study assessed whether office workers who report more severe levels of musculoskeletal symptoms of the upper extremities demonstrate higher levels of keyforce in comparison to controls with less severe symptoms. Office workers reporting working on computer keyboards for four hours per day were classified as cases or controls based upon a median split on a Composite Symptom Severity score (cases = 23, controls = 25). Keyboard force and keying rate were measured during a 15-minute keyboarding task. Measures of task-related discomfort, muscular fatigue, pain, upper extremity symptoms, psychological distress and force were collected at baseline, post-keyboard task, and recovery. Ratings of perceived effort and task credibility were also obtained. Measures of work demands, perceived job stress, and upper extremity strength and flexibility were also collected. The results indicated group equivalence on reported work demands and upper extremity strength. Cases were more likely to receive a medical diagnosis of upper extremity cumulative trauma disorder, awaken from sleep due to symptoms, report higher levels of pain during work, experience greater impact of pain on function, and report higher workload pressure and lower support. Cases generated significantly higher keyboarding forces than controls, although both groups produced forces well above that required to operate the keyboard (4-5 times activation force). Cases reported higher levels of upper extremity symptoms and discomfort than controls, and these measures were highest after the keyboarding task for both groups. No significant correlation between keyforce and key rate was observed in either group. Results suggest that generation of excessive force while working on a computer keyboard may contribute to the severity of upper extremity symptoms. Clinically, the findings suggest that evaluating how an individual worker performs keyboarding tasks, or his or her workstyle, may be helpful in the management of these symptoms and disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Stress factors in the aftermath of Hurricanes Erin and Opal: data from small business owners.

Hurricanes Erin and Opal struck the same coastal region in the Northwest Florida Panhandle in late summer of 1995. The study examined the stressors that most affected small businesses in the region in the aftermath of the storms. Power outages, telephone disruptions, employees' availability, debris removal, and lack of customers were the major problem areas reported by business owners (N = 57 of 500 potential respondents). The results indicate that most of the stress factors were transitory and the findings are discussed in light of Murphy's 1985 conceptual model of disaster research.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1996

Musculoskeletal Disorders: Work-related Risk Factors and Prevention.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders cause chronic pain and functional impairment, impose heavy costs on society, and reduce productivity. In this position paper from the Scientific Committee for Musculoskeletal Disorders of the ICOH, the most important risk factors at work are described. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders have high incidences and prevalences among workers who are exposed to manual handling, repetitive and static work, vibrations, and poor psychological and social conditions. The application of ergonomic principles in the workplace is the best method for prevention. International organizations should develop standards, common classifications, and terminologies. Surveillance systems should be further developed nationally and in workplaces, and more effort should be directed to information dissemination, education, and training.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

[Prevalence of depression in hospitalized patients over 65 years old in a medical service of the Military Hospital of Santiago].

AIM: To study the frequency of depression in elderly patients admitted to the Internal Medicine Service of an Institutional Hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients over 65 years old admitted to the Internal Medicine Service of the Military Hospital at Santiago. Chile were assessed using the CDS-20 depression questionnaire and the FROMAGE score for dementia. RESULTS: One hundred twenty seven patients (71 female), were assessed. According to the FROMAGE score, 30% had moderate and 35% had severe dementia. Ten percent of males and 12% of females were depressive. Moderately demented patients, females, subjects with low educational levels and those living alone had a higher frequency of depression. According to DSM-III the most frequent diagnosis among depressive patients was "adjustment disorder with depressive mood". Attending physicians made the diagnosis in only 11% of patients with depression. CONCLUSIONS: Depression is frequent among hospitalized elders.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

A method of measuring fingertip loading during keyboard use.

A single keycap on a standard alphanumeric computer keyboard was instrumented with a piezoelectric load cell and the fingertip motion was recorded with a high-speed video motion analysis system. Contact force histories between the fingertip and the keycap were recorded while four subjects typed a standard text for five minutes. Each keystroke force history is characterized by three distinct phases: (I) keyswitch compression, (II) finger impact and (III) fingertip pulp compression and release. Each keystroke force history contained two relative maxima, one in phase II and one in phase III. The subject mean peak forces ranged from 1.6 to 5.3 N and the subject mean peak fingertip velocities ranged from 0.3 to 0.7 m/s. Motion analyses and force measurements suggest a ballistic model of finger motion during typing.

Computer Terminals↗
PubMed1994

The hazard of mortality among aging retired- and disabled-worker men: a comparative sociodemographic and health status analysis.

This article reports on the hazard of mortality of aging retired- and disabled-worker men over the decade after they became Social Security beneficiaries. Basic patterns of mortality rates are described using data from the 1982 New Beneficiary Survey linked to administrative records. The article examines the association of increasing age, race, socioeconomic status, private health insurance, and other demographic and health characteristics with the duration of life between the two groups of men, using statistical models. Over the decade, the hazard of death for retired workers significantly increased with aging and with lower socioeconomic status. The hazard of death for the disabled was significantly associated with being black.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1993

[The clock test: a simple method to assess dementia].

AIM: to validate an easy and simple test to measure cognitive function: the clock drawing test. STUDY DESIGN: 138 hospitalized and free living elders (96 female, mean age 77.9 years) were studied. They were requested to draw a clock, using standardized instructions. The drawings were independently analyzed and scored by the authors. The Mini Mental State test was used as reference and the scores of both tests were correlated. RESULTS: there was a correlation of 0.73 between the scores of the clock drawing and Mini Mental State tests. Using a score of 7 points in tye clock drawing and 26 points in the Mini Mental State test as cut of points for the diagnosis of dementia, the former's sensitivity and specificity was 0.82 and 0.71 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: the clock drawing test appears as a simple and effective test for the initial assessment of cognitive functions in patients with suspected dementia.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Calcium, iron, copper, boron, collagen, and density changes in bone with aging in C57BL/6J male mice.

X-rays of old C57BL/6J male mice showed deformed vertebral columns. Bone density was found to increase between 76 and 517 days of age and to decrease after 685 days of age. The boron content of femurs declined by 9% with aging but the decrease was not significant. Calcium increased between 76 and 198 days of age but declined by 36% between 200 and 1000 days of age. Iron increased by 207% by 1000 days of age. Copper declined between 76 and 198 days of age but increased by 61% between 200 and 1000 days of age. Bone collagen as indicated by hydroxyproline and proline content decreased 17.4% by 1000 days of age. The largest single change with aging was, therefore, in the iron content of bone. Several correlations were found to be independent of the age of the animals. Bone density was correlated with bone calcium and collagen. Iron was negatively correlated with calcium and collagen. Calcium and collagen content were unrelated. Bone density and iron were also surprisingly unrelated. A possible explanation for this observation is given. Copper was negatively correlated with bone calcium, bone density, and collagen content. Excess copper was, therefore, the single most important factor associated with decreasing bone size and density.

Aging↗