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Biomedical subjects

T Hughes

Publications and source records attributed to T Hughes.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

A new technique for female sterilization.

The normal mobility and inherent length of the fallopian tube make possible its exteriorization from the abdominal cavity to perform tubal sterilization. The authors offer a new laparoscopic technique using exteriorization of the tube, performance of either tubal ligation (modified Pomeroy technique) or unipolar cauterization, and intra-abdominal in-sleeve cauterization in case of failure to exteriorize the tube. This approach averts laparotomy, preserves the advantages of tubal ligation, and precludes bowel injury that may result from using electric cauterization. To ensure safety an uninsulated trocar sleeve and grasping forceps were designed and used through the second puncture site. With this technique, 364 patients have had voluntary interval sterilization at the UCLA-Olive View Medical Center between 1977 and 1980, including tubal ligation (181 patients), cauterization (161), and intra-abdominal in-sleeve cauterization (22). No bowel burn was occurred and no laparotomies have been necessary. Complications were minor and compared favorably with other laparoscopic sterilization techniques.

Amenorrhea↗
PubMed1980

Multi-image camera for spot radiography at fluoroscopic examinations.

The image quality of photofluorographic spot films (70, 100 or 105mm) has bee gradually improving as high resolution image intensification has evolved. With newly available 1023-line fluoroscopic monitors providing 2.8 line pairs/mm resolution, it is now possible to photograph diagnostic images directly off the monitor. Such images provide detail similar to that currently available on 100mm spot films. A multi-image camera has been modified to record spot films from the video disc image resulting in marked reduction in patient radiation and film cost. Initial findings incorporating pulsed fluoroscopy using a video disc are discussed.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗
PubMed1978

Cannabis, hypochlorhydria, and cholera.

In 90 volunteers participating in a vaccine-development programme consumption of beer more than 3 days a week was linked with high stomach acid output, and smoking of cannabis greater than 2 days a week was linked with low acid output. In 92 volunteers challenged with Vibrio cholerae or enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, heavy use of cannabis was associated with more voluminous diarrhoea. Cannabis use may be an important factor predisposing to severe diarrhoea.

Achlorhydria↗
PubMed1968

Kinins: possible mediators of neonatal circulatory changes in man.

Bradykinin is a potent constrictor of the human umbilical artery and vein and the ductus arteriosus of the lamb in vitro at oxygen tensions above 40 mm Hg (comparable to those in the newborn infant). Bradykinin is also capable of producing remarkable dilatation of the pulmonary vasculature of the lamb. Theoretically, kinins are capable of effecting some of the rapid circulatory changes required of the neonate. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of kinins as mediators of such changes. The concentration of bradykinin in the cord blood of 56 newborn infants at the time of birth was significantly higher than the blood level in adult subjects (12.8 +/- 4.3 ng/ml compared with 2.0 ng/ml or less). Cord arterial blood contained inactive kinin precursor (kininogen) and inactive kinin-releasing enzyme (kallikrein). Plasma kallikrein was activated, with subsequent kinin formation and kininogen depletion, by exposure to neonatal granulocytes or by a decrease in the temperature of cord blood from 37 to 27 degrees C. A comparable decrease in the temperature of umbilical arterial blood occurs at the time of birth. Activation of kallikrein by neonatal granulocytes was dependent on cell concentration and required oxygen tensions comparable to those in the neonate but above the range in the fetus. Granulocytes of the neonate, unlike those of adult subjects, lacked kininase activity.Thus, bradykinin can constrict and dilate vessels as required for the transition of fetal to neonatal circulation. Bradykinin can be produced in plasma of the newborn by decreases in temperature, such as occur in the umbilical blood at birth, and by exposure to granulocytes which are present in the circulation in increased numbers shortly after birth. We propose that bradykinin is produced at birth and may be a mediator of neonatal circulatory changes.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of Down syndrome on the dimensions of dental crowns and tissues.

Abnormal growth in Down syndrome (DS) is reflected by variable reduction in size and simplification in form of many physical traits. This study aimed to compare the thickness of enamel and dentine in deciduous and permanent mandibular incisor teeth between DS and non-DS individuals and to clarify how these tissues contribute to altered tooth size in DS. Sample groups comprised 61 mandibular incisors (29 permanent and 32 deciduous) from DS individuals and 55 mandibular incisors (29 permanent and 26 deciduous) from non-DS individuals. Maximum mesiodistal and labiolingual crown dimensions were measured initially, then the crowns were sectioned midsagittally and photographed using a stereomicroscope. Linear measurements of enamel and dentine thickness were obtained on the labial and lingual surfaces of the crowns, together with enamel and dentine-pulp areas and lengths of the dentino-enamel junction. Reduced permanent crown size in DS was associated with a reduction in both enamel and dentine thickness. After adjustments were made for tooth size, DS permanent incisors had significantly thinner enamel than non-DS permanent teeth. The DS permanent teeth also exhibited significant differences in shape and greater variability in dimensions than the non-DS permanent teeth. Crown dimensions of deciduous incisors were similar in size or larger in DS compared with non-DS deciduous teeth. Enamel and dentine thicknesses of the deciduous teeth were similar in DS and non-DS individuals. The findings indicate that growth retardation in DS reduces both enamel and dentine deposition in the permanent incisors but not in the earlier-forming deciduous predecessors. The results are also consistent with the concept of amplified developmental instability for dental traits in DS.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Disorders of cardiac conduction accompany the dive reflex in man.

The faces of 19 healthy subjects were immersed in water at the temperatures varying between 10 degrees and 30 degrees C and at different degrees of lung inflation. Several abnormalities of cardiac conduction were noted. They occurred with the greatest frequency in the coldest water and when there was relatively little air in the lungs at the moment of immersion. There was fragmentary evidence, confirmatory of earlier studies, that heart-rate slowing was accentuated by fear and that very little slowing occurred when the subject was distracted or preoccupied. Various conduction abnormalities were recorded. The most striking finding was the wide difference from person to person in the occurrence of conduction disturbances under more or less comparable circumstances. Moreover, the patterns of conduction alterations, differing from person to person, were nevertheless relatively consistent from dive to dive for the same individual. To ascertain whether or not such idiosyncratic responses may have prognostic significance calls for a long-term, prospective study.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The role of serum high density lipoproteins in adrenal steroidogenesis.

The rat adrenal cortex possesses at least two mechanisms for uptake of extracellular lipoprotein cholesterol; one is receptor mediated endocytosis and the second is a non-endocytotic pathway. The latter was revealed by the ability of lipoproteins such as HDL which do not possess apo B or apo E to enhance steroid hormone output. Rat adrenocortical cell uptake of HDL cholesterol is saturable and differs for unesterified cholesterol and cholesterol esters. In addition rat adrenocortical cells possess ACTH regulated HDL binding sites although the relationship of HDL receptor activity to cholesterol uptake remains uncertain. Further elucidation of the "HDL pathway" in the rat adrenal cortex may have biologic significance beyond understanding adrenal function since many non-steroidogenic tissues also possess HDL receptors and in man circulating levels of HDL-cholesterol are a strong inverse risk factor for accelerated atherosclerosis.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of manually operated self-inflating resuscitation bags.

Eight resuscitators were tested, of which five have recently been improved by the manufacturers (Air Shields Ambu, Danish-made Ambu, Pulmonator, Laerdal Resusci II, and Air Viva). One had an addition made to improve its oxygen (O2)-delivering capacity (Hope bag fitted with Blount collar) and two were new, the Air Bird, with and without high O2-concentration delivering system. The first five resuscitators were all in some way an improvement over their earlier counterparts. However, some still malfunction, some do not deliver adequate O2 concentrations for hospital use, and there is still a great variability in their performance. In some, freezing at low temperatures or clogging of valves with mucus are special hazards.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A survey of private pediatric dental practices in North Carolina.

PURPOSE: In response to concerns about current and future demands for specialized pediatric dental care in North Carolina, a survey of private pediatric dental practices was conducted. METHODS: Data were collected on the demographics and other practice variables. Information was also collected on the ages, caries activity, Medicaid status, estimated treatment needs, fluoridation status, and location of residence (urban/rural) of all new patients seen in each practice during three designated, consecutive days in November 1996. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 76%. The data indicated that most pediatric dentists in North Carolina are quite busy. A total of 519 new patients were seen during the three-day survey period. The mean age was 4.7 years and 22% had advanced caries. Forty seven percent were caries free. Most of the disease was found in the primary dentitions of young children. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that the specialized pediatric dental care system in North Carolina is operating close to its capacity and is overtaxed in many areas of the state.

Adolescent↗