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T Farrell

Publications and source records attributed to T Farrell.

79 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of receiver operator characteristics--optimum time of day for the assessment of heart rate variability after acute myocardial infarction.

The study reports a mathematical method for deciding which clinical data are of importance for treatment decisions in a given clinical setting. The method comprises the following steps: (A) the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) functions of the compared sets of data are computed; (B) the design and aim of the clinical study is expressed as an integral measure on the space of sensitivity values (this reflects the preference of low or high sensitivity values dependent on the clinical targets); (C) the sets of data being compared are characterised by the non-linear integrals of their ROC functions. The approach has been used to compare mean heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) data calculated in 5113 different portions of 24-h ECG recordings and assessed in 365 patients surviving acute myocardial infarction, in order to evaluate the utility of Holter recording of varying lengths and starting times for the prediction of sudden cardiac death and/or serious arrhythmic events. The results of the study show that this approach is capable of evaluating and comparing the sets of medical data used for identification of patients who are at increased risk. The experimental part of the study showed that the optimum recording interval for the assessment of HR and HRV data in patients who survived acute myocardial infarction depends on the aim of the identification of increased risk patients. The optimum interval of recording is different for an identification which requires a low number of false negative cases and permits a higher number of false positive cases, than for the situation where a low number of false positive cases are required and a higher number of false negative cases are permissible.

Circadian Rhythm↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Keratomalacia.

Xerophthalmia and keratomalacia are public health problems of great magnitude which are usually associated with multiple vitamin and protein deficiencies. The authors report the case of a 27-year-old commune member who subjected herself to a bizarre protein and vitamin deficient diet for many months. This ultimately produced nyctalopia, xerophthalmia and keratomalacia with bilateral corneal perforation. Despite therapy, she remained comatose and expired shortly after admission. Ocular pathological changes included bilateral corneal melting with prolapse of intraocular contents, conjunctival epidermidalization, goblet cell atrophy and thinning of the outer nuclear layer of the retina. It is noted that ocular findings in pure avitaminosis A produced experimentalyy include epithelial atrophy followed by keratinization.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Temporal characteristics of speech produced by inexperienced signers during simultaneous communication.

This study investigated temporal characteristics of speech produced during simultaneous communication (SC) by inexperienced signers. Recordings of stimulus words embedded in sentences produced with speech-only versus SC were made by 12 students during the first and last weeks of an introductory sign language course. Results indicated significant temporal differences between speech-only and SC conditions during both the first week and the last week of the class. Inexperienced signers appeared to sign between words in SC during the first week of the class, thereby extending interword intervals. At the last week of the class, they appeared to shift toward simultaneously signing while producing the words, thereby elongating segmental temporal characteristics, such as vowel duration. The specific temporal differences between SC and speech-only conditions were consistent with previous findings regarding the effect of SC on temporal characteristics of speech with experienced signers.

Communication↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Percutaneous ureteral clipping: long-term results and complications.

PURPOSE: The authors present their experience with ureteral clipping in patients with urinary fistulas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed records from eight patients in whom 14 ureters were ligated with use of a percutaneously applied stainless steel clip as treatment for urinary fistulas. All patients were female and had undergone pelvic radiation for treatment of cervical carcinoma (n = 7) or endometrial carcinoma (n = 1). Permanent urinary diversion was via percutaneous nephrostomy, which required routine change, at which time recurrence of symptoms and ureteral leakage were determined. Duration of follow-up (patient survival) ranged from 2 weeks to 17 months (mean, 7.1 months). RESULTS: All patients had significant improvement in their symptoms, with seven patients achieving complete perineal dryness. Two patients had recurrence of perineal symptoms due to nephrostomy tube blockage, which was successfully managed by means of interventional techniques. CONCLUSIONS: The authors believe that ureteral clipping is a safe and effective technique in the management of ureteral fistulas due to pelvic neoplasm and its treatment, despite the short life expectancy of these patients.

Female↗