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Biomedical subjects

B Franklin

Publications and source records attributed to B Franklin.

44 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1975

The effect of combining low- and high-frequency passbands on consonant recognition in the hearing impaired.

A comparison was made of the effect on consonant-recognition scores when a low-frequency passband and a high-frequency passband were presented to either the same ear or opposite ears of hearing-impaired subjects. The Fairbanks Rhyme Test was filtered into two bands-240-480 Hz (low band) and 1020-2040 Hz (high band). The high band was presented at 10 dB re threshold at 1500 Hz to the better ear of six subjects with moderate to severe sensorineural hearing losses. The low band was presented to the same (ear receiving high band) or the opposite ear at levels of 10, 30, or 50 dB SL re threshold at 360 Hz in that ear. When the low band and high band were added to the same ear, there was little change in the consonant-recognition score, but, when presented to opposite ears, there was a significant increase in the score, at each of the three sensation levels.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Simple manual procedure for determination of serum triglycerides.

We describe a modified method for determining serum triglycerides (triacylglycerols), which is based on the heptane extraction procedure of Gottfried and Rosenberg [Clin. Chem. 19, 1077 (1973)] with the stable saponification, oxidation, and color development reagents of Neri and Frings [Clin. Chem. 19, 1201 (1973)]. This modified method eliminates one heating step, reduces saponification time to 5 min, absorbances are read at room temperature, and the calibration curve is linear to 3.0 g/liter. A sample comparison between the proposed method and the automated Block and Jarrett [Am. J. Med. Technol. 35, 1 (1969)] procedure showed no significant difference (r equals 0.98). The coefficient of variation (47 duplicate samples) for the modified method was 6.3%. Further validation was obtained from analysis of quality-control samples; the proposed method gave equivalent values.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1974

Human infection with vibrio fetus.

Vibrio fetus, a slowly growing, microaerophilic, Gram-negative rod which causes infectious abortion in cattle, occasionally induces disease in man. Since persons receiving immunosuppressive agents are among those most susceptible to this infection, recognition of the disease may become increasingly important as transplantation operations increase. Vibrio infections may produce a spectrum of acute and chronic illnesses or may be asymptomatic. Vibriosis may develop at any age but it seems most devastating in the very young or in older debilitated patients. The organism is sensitive to many common antibiotics but has a propensity to produce chronic relapsing illness if treatment is not continued long enough. The method of transmission of the agent is uncertain. Fewer than 100 cases of human vibriosis have been reported, perhaps because of fastidious growth requirements and the initial ease of antibiotic suppression; however, the true incidence of human infection is likely much higher.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cumulative incidence of colorectal and extracolonic cancers in MLH1 and MSH2 mutation carriers of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer.

The extracolonic tumor spectrum of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) includes cancer of the endometrium, ovaries, stomach, biliary tract, and urinary tract. This study was designed to determine the penetrance of colorectal and extracolonic tumors in HNPCC mutation carriers. Forty-nine patients (22 females and 27 males) were identified with an MSH2 germline mutation, and 56 patients (28 females and 28 males) were identified with an MLH1 I mutation. Cumulative incidence by age 60 (lifetime risk) and mean age of cancer diagnosis were compared. The lifetime risk of extracolonic cancers in MSH2 and MLH1 carriers was 48% and 11%, respectively (P = 0.016). Extracolonic cancer risk in MSH2 females and males was 69% and 34%, respectively (P = 0.042). Mean age of extracolonic cancer diagnosis was significantly older for MSH2 males than females (55.4 vs. 39.0, P = 0.013). No difference was observed in colorectal cancer risk between MLH1 and MSH2 carriers (84% vs. 71%). Colorectal cancer risk was 96% in MSH2 males compared to 39% in MSH2 females (P = 0.034). No differences in colorectal and extracolonic cancer risks between MLH1 females and males were identified. The risk of extracolonic cancer by age 60 was greater in MSH2 mutation carriers than in MLH1 carriers. Gender differences in colorectal and extracolonic cancer risk were observed for MSH2 carriers only. These phenotypic features of HNPCC genotypes may have clinical significance in the design of genotype-specific screening, surveillance, and follow-up for affected individuals.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Changes in the quality of life: a major goal of cardiac rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life (QOL) is a major goal in the context of preventive and therapeutic cardiology. In this article, quality of life concepts are reviewed, factors limiting QOL in cardiac disease are identified, methods of measurement are explored, and clinically significant changes are defined. The changes effected by cardiac rehabilitation are considered, together with their physiological and psychological correlates. A final section suggests avenues for future research. METHODS: Relevant articles were identified by computer literature searches and review of extensive personal files. FINDINGS: In the past, there has been an excessive focus on extending the length rather than the quality of the cardiac patient's life. The overall QOL is a broad concept, influenced by personal perceptions, coping mechanisms, and environmental constraints. The ideal test instrument would be reliable, valid, and responsive to clinical change. Potential options include a Gestalt-type instrument, a disease-specific instrument, a function-specific instrument, or a detailed generic questionnaire. There have been relatively few comparisons between these potential approaches. Currently, the Standard Gamble (Gestalt-type), and Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire (disease-specific type), and the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey (generic-type) are among the most popular approaches. Problems arise in distinguishing a clinically important from a statistically significant change; commonly a score change of 1 standard error of the mean is regarded as clinically important. Correlations of scores with clinical, physiological, and psychological change are sometimes weak, in part because of floor and ceiling effects. Nevertheless, potential gains in QOL provide a stronger argument for preventive and therapeutic programs than do increases in longevity. CONCLUSIONS: The current literature supports the value of QOL measurements in the management of patients with cardiac disease. However, further research is needed to determine the optimum test instrument, and the best method of interpreting resultant scores.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A comparison of the effect on consonant discrimination of combining low- and high-frequency passbands in normal, congenital, and adventitious hearing-impaired subjects.

To investigate consonant information in low frequencies, a low-frequency band which contains negligible consonant information in isolation was added to a high-frequency band. There was a significant increase from the high-frequency band-alone score for normal-hearing subjects when the bands were presented at favorable low-frequency/high-frequency bands sensation levels either to the same ear or opposite ears. For congenitally and adventitiously hearing-impaired subjects, there was a significant increase only when the bands were presented to opposite ears. A clinical application of these results is split-band amplification whereby low frequencies were added to one aid and removed from the other aid. Removal of low frequencies from one aid reduces internal noise, attenuates unwanted background noise, reduces cochlear masking, and thus optimally amplifies that part of the speech spectrum which conveys most of the consonant information. The low-frequency response aid adds additional information, including pitch, rhythm, and intonation.

Adolescent↗