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Biomedical subjects

B J Philips

Publications and source records attributed to B J Philips.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Surgical face masks are effective in reducing bacterial contamination caused by dispersal from the upper airway.

We have studied the effectiveness of surgical face masks in reducing bacterial contamination of a surface, produced by dispersal of organisms from the upper airway. Twenty-five volunteers were asked to speak at blood agar plates positioned in close proximity to the mouth, initially whilst not wearing a face mask and then wearing a surgical face mask over the mouth and nose. A fresh face mask almost completely abolished bacterial contamination of agar plates 30 cm from the mouth. After 15 min there was an increase in the level of contamination which was statistically insignificant.

Adult

Cleft palate. Selected case studies.

These case studies provide small, selected samples of the results of assessments of articulation skills and their phonologic applications and give some information related to velopharyngeal function during speech. These illustrations were based chiefly on perceptual assessment of speech because this type of assessment is used routinely by SLPs, and does not require instrumentation. Indicators for referral and communication to a cleft palate team were derived from the perceptual evaluation. Other articles in this issue discuss procedures for evaluation in considerable detail. Early identification of possible velopharyngeal problems and early referral to a cleft palate team can help to resolve speech, language, and hearing disorders related to cleft palate and velopharyngeal dysfunction. People who comprise cleft palate and craniofacial teams are most likely to have the experience, and the special instrumentation necessary, to make a definitive diagnosis. The team's comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation should lead to thorough consideration of the many factors that are important for treatment planning. The information and services provided by the team will assist the audiologist and SLP in the conduct of their services for these clients. In this way, the communication disorders specialist becomes an affiliate of the team. The affiliate not only acts as a referent, but also may provide the necessary longitudinal services. The best interests of the client are promoted by ongoing communication between the team and the affiliates of the team.

Child, Preschool

Stereospecific effects of a kappa-opiate antagonist on the actions of morphine in morphine-tolerant rats.

The effects of kappa-opiate receptor antagonist, MR 2266 and its dextro isomer, MR 2267 on morphine-induced analgesia and changes in colonic temperature were determined in morphine-naive and morphine-tolerant male Sprague-Dawley rats. Intraperitoneal administration of morphine (8 mg/kg) produced analgesia and hyperthermia in morphine-naive rats. MR 2266 (0.3-3.0 mg/kg) antagonized morphine-induced analgesia and hyperthermia in morphine-naive rates but MR 2267 was inactive. Subcutaneous implantation of six morphine pellets during a 7 day period induced tolerance to the analgesic and hyperthermic effects of morphine in the rat. MR 2266 also antagonized morphine analgesia and hyperthermia in morphine-tolerant rats, however, MR 2267 had no effect. A high dose (3 mg/kg) of MR 2266 produced an intense hypothermic response in morphine-tolerant rats. Previously we have shown that kappa-opiate receptor agonists antagonize morphine analgesia in morphine-naive rats but potentiate it in morphine-tolerant rats. The results of the present studies indicate that the antagonist of kappa-opiate receptors, on the other hand, antagonize morphine effects in both morphine-naive and morphine-tolerant rats in a stereospecific manner.

Analgesia

Shaping behavior in voice therapy.

This study demonstrates the process of learning and shaping of behavior which occurs during a program of therapy for individuals with hyperfunctional hoarse voice quality. First a therapy program delineating the techniques and criteria to be used was written. The program was presented during 16 individual half-hour sessions over an eight-week period to three clients known to have vocal nodules. The clients' responses were charted at various points from audiotape recordings of each therapy session using a modification of the Boone-Prescott analysis system, to obtain data to demonstrate the learning processes. It was concluded that: (1) the client's behaviors in this vocal rehabilitation program reflected a learning process; (2) facilitating techniques were used to modify or shape behavior through successive approximations to the terminal goal; (3) self-evaluation is an important factor needed to bring about successful changes in behavior; (4) analysis of client's behaviors in relation to the learning process can aid in evaluating the effectiveness of the facilitating techniques; and (5) from such evaluation intraclient and interclient program changes are derived hopefully resulting in a greater success rate and maximum benefits from time spent in therapy.

Behavior Therapy

A telefluoroscopic study of lingual contacts made by persons with palatal defects.

Telefluoroscopic tapes were viewed to obtain evaluations of lingual contacts during the production of six consonant sounds by 69 subjects who had a history of cleft palate or velopharyngeal inadequacy. Using phonetic textbook descriptions of normal lingual contacts as standards, these observed contacts were judged to be either normal or deviant in placement, and direction of deviation was noted. Clinical records of subjects afforded medical and surgical histories as well as evaluations of the subjects' intelligibility, nasal resonance and nasal emission at the time of the taping. Evaluations of velopharyngeal adequacy made from these tapes were also available. Based on the results of this study it was concluded that some but not all speakers who have a history of palatal problems use deviant lingual contacts to produce consonant sounds. The use of deviant lingual contacts does not appear to be related to the type of palatal problem, but is significantly related to the adequacy of the velopharyngeal mechanism for speech. Those with adequate mechanisms show the least use of deviant lingual contacts, subjects with borderline adequacy show a greater use, and those with inadequate closure show the greatest use of deviant contacts. There is a significant relationship between the use of deviant lingual contacts and the presence of abnormal intelligibility and abnormal nasal resonance. The tendency toward the use of deviant lingual contacts by those with velopharyngeal insufficiency suggests that these are compensations for the inadequate valving. These compensations may increase both the intelligibility and nasal resonance problems caused by the inadequate valving. Subjects who achieved adequacy of velopharyngeal mechanism for speech before the age of mastery of consonant sounds showed significantly less tendency to use deviant contacts than those who never attained adequacy. This was reflected in intelligible speech and less tendency toward abnormal nasal resonance. It is suggested that when velopharyngeal adequacy cannot be achieved through early surgical intervention, speech therapy may be indicated to promote the development of potentially adequate articulatory patterns and to discourage the development of compensatory mechanisms.

Adolescent