HCA's information systems: current products and future strategy. Hospital Corporation of America.
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Hospital Information Systems↗
Biomedical subjects
T Armstrong
Publications and source records attributed to T Armstrong.
Strategy for efficient detection of respiratory viruses in pediatric clinical specimens.
Direct immunofluorescence (IF) with a polyclonal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-specific antibody preparation was used for antigen detection during the 1982-1983 RSV season (155 specimens) and gave an overall sensitivity of 94% with 87% specificity compared with viral culture. Indirect IF was used in the 1983-1984 season (265 specimens) and exhibited sensitivity of 96% with specificity of 79%. During these two seasons, 42 of 224 (18.8%) specimens that were IF-negative for RSV grew viruses other than RSV. In the winter of 1984-1985, we screened 297 specimens for RSV by IF and 80 (27%) were positive. Forty-four (20%) of the IF-negative specimens were culture-positive for RSV(2) or other viruses(44). We conclude that, in the interest of cost reduction and expeditious detection of respiratory viruses, once a properly equipped laboratory has become thoroughly familiar with IF techniques, pediatric respiratory specimens can be screened for RSV by IF and only the IF-negative specimens need be inoculated into cell cultures for isolation of virus during the winter respiratory season.
Acute Disease↗
Enhanced isolation of respiratory syncytial virus in cell culture.
During two winter seasons, we found that the combination of WI-38 or MRC-5 human lung fibroblasts plus primary rhesus monkey kidney (RhMK) and HEp-2 cell cultures yielded maximal isolation of respiratory syncytial virus. Cytopathic effects (CPE) developed earliest in RhMK cells and slowest in the human fibroblast lines. In RhMK cells, 50% of ultimately positive cultures showed CPE in 5 days, and 90% of positive cultures showed CPE within 7 days during both respiratory syncytial virus seasons.
Animals↗
Evaluation of two immunofluorescence assays with monoclonal antibodies for typing of herpes simplex virus.
An indirect immunofluorescence assay and a direct immunofluorescence assay were evaluated for typing clinical isolates of herpes simplex virus (HSV). The indirect immunofluorescence assay (Electro-Nucleonics, Inc.) correctly identified 16 HSV type 2 (HSV-2) isolates, but failed to identify 4 of 14 HSV-1 isolates because of background fluorescence and instability of reagents. Forty-nine HSV-1 isolates were correctly typed by direct immunofluorescence assay (Kallestad Laboratories, Inc.), but 1 of 39 HSV-2 isolates did not react with the HSV-2 type-specific antibody conjugate.
Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
Characterization of a Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus Isolated from Diseased Gonometa podocarpi (Lepidoptera:Lasiocampidae).
Gonometa podocarpi is an important pest of several species of pine in East Africa, and large numbers of trees in plantations in Kenya were partially or completely defoliated by the larval stage of this insect. After the infestation in the Mt. Elgon region, large numbers of dead and moribund larvae were found on the ground. Examination of extracts of these larvae demonstrated the presence of an occluded virus. Electron microscopy of purified sectioned polyhedra demonstrated the presence of virus particles containing from 1 to 12 nucleocapsids. Purification of virus particles from polyhedra was accomplished by using alkali solubilization and sucrose gradient centrifugation. Virus particles contained 15 proteins as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Detergent solubilization of the virus particles released polyhedra containing one major structural protein. Electron microscopy of purified virus particles and nucleocapsids demonstrated them to be similar in structure to previously recorded nuclear polyhedrosis viruses. The viral deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted and spread for electron microscopy and was determined to have a size of approximately 80 x 10 daltons.
Journal Article↗
Some observations on the status of dairy in practice in Wisconsin.
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Animals↗
Workplace use of an adjustable keyboard: adjustment preferences and effect on wrist posture.
This study presents an evaluation of an adjustable keyboard based on subjective preference and wrist joint motion during typing. Thirty-five computer users used the adjustable split design keyboard for 7-14 days during their usual work and were instructed to adjust the keyboard to the opening angle they preferred. At the end of this period, three-dimensional motion analysis was performed to compare the distribution of wrist joint angles while subjects typed on a conventional keyboard and the adjustable keyboard adjusted to the subject's preferred angle. The mean preferred opening angle was 14 degrees +/- 10. The mean ulnar deviation of the subjects who selected the opening angles between 21 and 28 degrees (n = 12) decreased from 18 degrees +/- 5 on the flat to 14 degrees +/- 5 on the adjustable (p < 0.05), while those who selected 0 to 10 degrees (n = 6) and 11 to 20 degrees (n = 17) split angles showed no significant differences in ulnar deviation. Mean wrist extension on the adjustable keyboard was 17 degrees +/- 5 and was significantly less than the 24 degrees +/- 5 observed on the conventional keyboard and most likely due to the presence of palm support. On average, subjects reported that the adjustable keyboard was more comfortable (0.5 +/- 0.5) (worse = -1, same = 0, better, = 1) in comparison with the conventional keyboard.
Adult↗
Medical screening of office workers for upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders.
An apparent "outbreak" of cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) was noted in a subset of white-collar workers employed in medical illustration and medical graphic arts. Among graphic artists (n = 7), there were three cases of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), based on patient reports of personal physician diagnoses; no such reports occurred among other workers in the department (n = 39, p = .0023, Fisher's exact test). Jobs were studied to identify possible risk factors for CTDs, and workers underwent a standardized medical screening protocol. Specific work elements were found to be performed more frequently by graphic artists and appeared to be related to increased reporting of distal upper extremity symptoms and electrodiagnostic changes at the wrist. Nevertheless, using a strict case definition of CTS that required electrophysiologic evidence of median mononeuropathy at the wrist and appropriate symptoms or signs, only two persons--one graphic artist and one comparison subject--had evidence of mild CTS. The approach employed in this study of an outbreak of CTDs is an example of a multidisciplinary investigation of CTDs in an office setting.
Adult↗
Temodar offers promise for treating astrocytomas.
Temodar is an exciting new drug that shows promise in the treatment of brain tumors as well as in other types of cancers. Research currently is being conducted with Temodar to determine its efficacy in treating various solid tumors, glioblastoma multiform, and even metastatic melanoma. Temodar provides adult patients with anaplastic astrocytoma with another option of therapy that is convenient, produces minimal side effects, and, above all, instills hope.
Algorithms↗
Neurologic, pulmonary, and cutaneous toxicities of high-dose chemotherapy.
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To discuss dose-intensive chemotherapy and the associated toxicities to the nervous, pulmonary, and cutaneous systems. DATA SOURCES: Published articles, book chapters, and personal experience. DATA SYNTHESIS: Because of the discovery of the protective effect of colony stimulating factors, a renewed emphasis has been placed on dose-intensive chemotherapy in an attempt to affect both survival and cure rates with chemotherapy. As a result, increased toxicities have been seen in other organ systems. CONCLUSIONS: Toxicities to the nervous, pulmonary, and cutaneous systems are increasing. Meticulous medical and nursing care are critical to ensure patient survival and to minimize these effects. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Goals of care include a through knowledge of potential toxicities, recognition of signs and symptoms of toxicity, and appropriate nursing interventions once such deficits occur to decrease the toxic effects of chemotherapy and improve patient function.
Antineoplastic Agents↗