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Biomedical subjects

V Lawson

Publications and source records attributed to V Lawson.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Glamour puff.

Australia has a total ban on tobacco advertising and promotion . . .but tobacco marketing goes on.

Advertising↗

The family impact of childhood atopic dermatitis: the Dermatitis Family Impact Questionnaire.

Little information is available about the effect of childhood atopic dermatitis (AD) on family function. The aim of this study was to identify the areas of family life most affected and their perceived importance. Intensive qualitative interviews with 34 families were conducted and 11 basic problem areas were identified. A detailed questionnaire was prepared, part of which addressed the perceived importance of particular issues using the framework of multi-attribute utility theory. The results from using this questionnaire in 41 families were analysed and a shorter 10-question one-page Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI) questionnaire designed (maximum score = 30). In affected families the mean DFI score was 9.6 +/- 7.0 (range 0-27, n = 56) and in unaffected families the mean score was 0.4 +/- 0.9 (range 0-3, n = 26, P < 0.0001). The DFI could potentially be used as an extra measure in clinical studies, or to help guide appropriate management of AD.

Adolescent↗

Depressive symptoms and self-concept in young people with spina bifida.

Examined self-reported depressive symptoms in 72 young people with spina bifida, ages 9 to 18:11, and matched able-bodied comparison subjects, using the Dimensions of Depression Profile for Children and Adolescents (Harter & Nowakowski, 1987). Independent variables included gender, self-perceptions (including physical appearance), and perceived social support. Young people with spina bifida were at greater risk of depressive mood, low self-worth, and suicidal ideation. Girls, independent of disability, were at greater risk of depressive mood, low self-worth, and self-blame. Multiple regression analyses suggest that global self-worth serves as a mediating variable for the effect of physical appearance self-concept on depressed mood (particularly in young people with spina bifida), and that perceived parental social support has a direct effect on depressed mood (particularly in girls).

Adolescent↗

Impact of functional severity on self concept in young people with spina bifida.

This study examines the relationship between medical and functional severity of disability and levels of self esteem and self concept in 79 young people with spina bifida. Greater feelings of global self worth and of self esteem in physical appearance were associated with greater severity of disability. This was only in part an effect of lower IQ among the most disabled young people. Many of the least disabled had marked impairment of self esteem. Analysis of the impact of individual aspects of disability confirmed the association between increased self esteem in physical appearance and global self worth, and diminished functional ability. Academic self ratings, however, were higher in the less disabled. Hydrocephalus and continence appeared to have minimal effect on self esteem. The relationship between severity of disability in spina bifida and self concept is complex and mediated by a range of factors. It is incorrect to assume that the psychological impact is less in the mildly disabled young person.

Adolescent↗

The activity of interneurons during locomotion in the in vitro necturus spinal cord.

1. Less than two segments of the cervical spinal cord of the mudpuppy (Necturus maculatus) is sufficient to generate a locomotor rhythm with application of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA). We have recorded intracellularly from rhythmically active interneurons in these segments and classified them according to their phase of firing within the step cycle and their afferent input. 2. Four classes of interneurons were found: flexor, flexor-->extensor, extensor, and extensor-->flexor. Interneurons that burst during the transition from flexion to extension or vice versa are referred to as "transitional" interneurons and represent the majority (68%) of rhythmically active interneurons studied in the mudpuppy spinal cord. 3. All flexor interneurons received only inhibitory input from cutaneous and dorsal root afferents, whereas the flexor-->extensor interneurons that responded received only excitatory input from dorsal root and cutaneous afferents. All extensor interneurons and all but one extensor-->flexor interneuron received no afferent input from the cutaneous or dorsal root afferents we stimulated. 4. Other interneurons have been classified as "tonic" cells. They fire continuously when the mudpuppy is walking and are silent when the mudpuppy is not walking. These interneurons receive no afferent input from the sources tested and may be responsible for turning locomotion on and off. 5. In conclusion, the presence of many transitional interneurons with specific patterns of afferent input may be required for the phasing of legged locomotion. We believe the in vitro preparation of the mudpuppy spinal cord and forelimb is an excellent model for studying the firing properties of interneurons during legged locomotion.

Afferent Pathways↗

Is intraperitoneal tobramycin ototoxic in CAPD patients?

In 40 CAPD patients treated for peritonitis, the authors did a prospective study of ototoxic effects of intraperitoneal tobramycin. They evaluated cochlear function in pure-tone threshold audiograms over a range of frequencies from 250-10,000 Hz, in the speech-reception threshold test and in the speech-discrimination test. These tests were performed within 48 hours of initiation of tobramycin treatment and within 2 or 3 weeks of the drug's discontinuation. With the aminoglycoside doses used in this study, no statistical difference between the mean baseline and mean follow-up hearing levels was seen in these 40 patients. However, according to the standard criteria of ototoxicity, the hearing in 10 of 40 patients (25%) deteriorated after tobramycin, while it improved in seven patients (17.5%). In the remaining 23 (57.5%), hearing remained stable. With respect to the risk factors for ototoxicity such as advanced age, increased duration of treatment, elevated plasma aminoglycoside levels, concomitant treatment with other ototoxic drugs, pre-existing hearing loss, renal dysfunction and hyperthermia, no statistically significant difference was demonstrated between the patients with deteriorated, stable or improved hearing. The results of this study do not confirm that tobramycin given intraperitoneally to CAPD patients produces auditory toxicity. The hearing deterioration observed in 10 patients may be due to synergistic factors. The improvement observed in 7 patients could not be explained.

Audiometry, Pure-Tone↗

Aberrant carotid artery: recognition on high resolution computed tomography.

In the investigation of a pulsatile retrotympanic mass it is important to recognize the high resolution computed tomography findings of an aberrant internal carotid artery. These include an absent exocranial opening of the carotid canal and a tubular density coursing along the medial wall of the middle ear in continuity with the horizontal carotid canal through a dehiscence of the lateral carotid plate. Our report highlights an unusual variation where two anomalous arteries, an aberrant internal carotid and an inferior tympanic to petrous carotid anastomoses, course through the middle ear.

Adult↗

Steroids in porcine follicular fluid: analysis by HPLC, capillary CG and capillary CG/MS after purification on SEP-PAK C18 and ion exchange chromatography.

Steroids in porcine follicular fluid have been concentrated by reverse phase chromatography in SEP-PAK C18 and purified further on the cation exchanger SP-Sephadex C-25. Fractionation into unconjugated neutral and phenolic steroids, glucuronides and sulfates was carried out on triethylaminohydroxypropyl Sephadex LH-20 (TEAP-LH-20). The unconjugated neutral fraction was analysed by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a C18 radial cartridge 5 mm I.D.; 10 mu, or on a C18 5 mu RESOLVE column, and by capillary gas chromatography (GC) on a 12 M OV-1 cross linked fused silica column. Testosterone, progesterone and androstenedione were the major steroids detected by HPLC monitored at 254 nm, although 17- hydroxy-, 20 alpha-dihydro- and 20 beta-dihydroprogesterone were also present. Pregnenolone, pregnanediol, dehydroepiandrosterone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone and androsterone were detected by capillary CG as their 0-methyloxime trimethylsilyether derivatives. Further confirmation of structure was provided by complete mass spectral data or by selective ion monitoring (SIM).

Animals↗