PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B K Young

Publications and source records attributed to B K Young.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Is plasma serine a marker for psychosis?

There is some disagreement in the literature concerning the use of plasma serine concentrations as a biological marker for psychoses including schizophrenia. The groups studying this phenomenon have used different methodologies, including gas chromatography and classical amino acid analysis. In the present study, using high pressure liquid chromatography to analyze plasma amino acids from schizophrenics and controls, we found no difference in plasma serine concentrations. None of the plasma amino acid concentrations that were measured differed significantly between schizophrenics and controls but the basic amino acids tended toward higher concentrations in schizophrenics.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Use of esterase inhibitors and zone electrophoresis to define bacterial esterases in amniotic fluid.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to define further the role of bacterial esterases in amniotic fluid obtained from women with chorioamnionitis. STUDY DESIGN: Amniotic fluid samples from 39 patients with chorioamnionitis were submitted for bacterial cultures and in vitro assay. Esterase inhibitors diisopropyl fluorophosphate and iodoacetic acid were added and the degree of inhibition calculated. These results were compared with the amniotic fluid culture results. Chi square analysis was performed to compare the results of the esterase assay and the inhibition assay between the uninfected and infected amniotic fluid samples. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients had positive bacterial cultures, with 21 being infected with gram-negative organisms. All samples showed significant inhibition (range 55% to 82%) with diisopropyl fluorophosphate. There was partial inhibition with iodoacetic acid (range 10% to 30%) in the gram-negative samples but no inhibition in the gram-positive and uninfected samples. Six infected and two uninfected samples were analyzed by using zone electrophoresis with human plasma as a control. Minimal esterase motility was noted in the amniotic fluid samples as compared with that in plasma. CONCLUSION: The esterases in amniotic fluid appeared to be of bacterial, not human, origin. Furthermore, different groups of bacteria appeared to produce different esterases in infected amniotic fluid.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1992

Surgical management of drooling. Case report.

Drooling occurs when excessive quantities of saliva dribble from the opened mouth. This distressing condition affects many mentally handicapped patients who are unable to effectively clear their normal salivary flow by swallowing. Any method employed for the control of drooling must still allow a sufficient volume of flow for mastication, deglutition and oral hygiene. Surgery is generally indicated for marked or severe cases of drooling and Wilkie's operation involving redirection of the parotid flow into the oropharynx is the most commonly performed surgical procedure. This operation may be combined with bilateral removal of the submandibular salivary glands if the problem is severe.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Variable decelerations in reactive nonstress tests with decreased amniotic fluid index predict fetal compromise.

A total of 3158 patients at greater than or equal to 34 weeks' gestation undergoing nonstress tests and amniotic fluid index determinations were divided into six groups according to the amniotic fluid index and the nature of the decelerations. Fetuses with antepartum decelerations had statistically significantly increased incidences of intrapartum decelerations and operative deliveries because of intrapartum "distress," regardless of the amniotic fluid index. They also had significantly increased rates of neonatal acidosis and low Apgar scores when there were "severe" decelerations and an amniotic fluid index less than 5 in the antepartum period. Thus spontaneous decelerations in reactive nonstress tests with an amniotic fluid index less than 5 may predict fetal compromise.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Acid-base differences in preterm and term twin pregnancy.

A prospective study was undertaken which examined 179 sets of twins, 68 premature (less than 36 weeks of gestation) and 111 term. The purpose of this study was to assess differences in the acid-base status between twins related to gestational age, birth order and the time interval between twin births. Although the twin blood-gas data is within the range considered normal, statistically significant differences favoring the first-born were noted for both preterm and term twins. These differences do not depend on gestational age, route of delivery or presentation, and become evident when the interval between twin births exceeds one minute. We postulate that after delivery of the first twin, the reduced uterine size causes a decrease in the intervillous blood flow and consequently a reduction in the respiratory exchange between the second fetus, still in utero, and its placenta.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1991

Discordant twins: acid-base status.

A prospective study was undertaken to determine the effect of twin birthweight discordancy on Apgar scores and umbilical blood acid-base parameters. Using the paired t-test, small but statistically significant differences were seen in these parameters favoring the heavier twin over its lighter sibling. These differences were also affected by birth order, with the first-born being favored.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1991

A large dermoid cyst of the neck. Case report.

An elderly patient presented with a large asymptomatic submental swelling which had been present for about fifteen years. The clinical diagnosis was a dermoid cyst and the lesion was removed in toto. Histological examination confirmed the clinical diagnosis. Unless such lesions are very large and cause displacement of the tongue, there is usually no associated dyspnoea, dysphagia or dysphonia.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Pancreatic enzyme activity in pregnancy.

Serum amylase activity and the amylase:creatinine clearance ratio (Cam:Ccr%) are two of the most commonly used indicators for the diagnosis of pancreatitis. However, published data on the effect of pregnancy on these indicators are conflicting. Furthermore, there are no published data on the effect of pregnancy on serum lipase activity, which is considered one of the most sensitive and specific indicators of pancreatitis. A study was undertaken to determine the effect of pregnancy and gestational age on serum amylase, serum lipase and Cam:Ccr% levels and to establish a baseline of normal values for use in the diagnosis of pancreatitis in pregnant women. Serum amylase, serum lipase and Cam:Ccr% levels were determined on a sample population consisting of 175 pregnant women with gestational ages ranging from 5 to 40 weeks and on a control group of 44 reproductive-age, nonpregnant women. The study results indicated that there is no significant difference in serum amylase, serum lipase and Cam:Ccr% levels between pregnant and nonpregnant women. Cam:Ccr% showed a small but statistically significant increase in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Amylases↗
PubMed1991

Pregnancy in patients with cerebrospinal fluid shunts: report of a series and review of the literature.

Hydrocephalic women with cerebrospinal fluid shunts are now surviving to reproductive age. Twenty-one pregnancies in 18 patients with shunts, including 11 from the present series and 10 from previous series, were analyzed for neurological, obstetrical, and perinatal outcome. Fourteen women had preexisting shunts, and 4 had the onset of symptomatic hydrocephalus and the placement of shunts during pregnancy. Neurological complications occurred in 13 of 17 (76%) pregnancies in patients with preexisting shunts, including symptoms of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in 10 of 17 (59%) pregnancies, exacerbation of seizure disorder in 2 of 17 (12%) pregnancies, and severe headaches without increased ICD in 1 patient. In 7 of 11 (66%) of the symptomatic patients, symptoms spontaneously resolved postpartum. Four of 17 (23%) of these pregnancies were associated with shunt obstruction requiring antepartum or postpartum surgery. Four patients had a primary shunt placement, and one had a shunt revision during pregnancy without complications. There were no unusual obstetrical or perinatal complications in the series. The clinical management of pregnant patients with hydrocephalus should include preconception counseling and magnetic resonance imaging, as well as the use of serial antenatal magnetic resonance images, ICP monitoring, or the judicious use of radioisotope studies of shunt patency if signs of increased ICP appear. A cesarean section is recommended for the delivery of the neurologically unstable patient. For asymptomatic mothers, a vaginal delivery with a shortened second stage and prophylactic antibiotics are advised.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Performance of cesarean section using absorbable staples.

Although stapling techniques have gained wide acceptance in general surgery, they are still not commonly used in obstetrics. U.S. Surgical Corporation has introduced a stapling device suitable for use in cesarean sections. The copolymer staples (a blend of polylactic and polyglycolic acids) maintain their tensile strength until healing occurs and absorb without producing granulation tissue. The benefits include minimal trauma to tissue and reduced operating time, blood loss and postoperative morbidity. From July 1988 to February 1989, all patients undergoing low transverse cervical cesarean sections were randomized to either group 1 with the uterine incision performed in a routine manner or group 2 with the uterine incision cut and stapled using the Stapler. The preoperative management, intraoperative technique and postoperative surveillance were similar for both groups. The uterine incision was assessed by pelvic sonography during the postpartum period. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test and chi-square analysis. Both groups were comparable for age, race, parity, gestational age and primary diagnosis. The length of the operative procedure was significantly shorter (p less than 0.05) in the stapled group. These patients also had a statistically significantly decreased incidence of uterine incisions and lacerations. All other parameters were not significantly different in the two groups. The stapled uterine incisions were visible by ultrasonography in more patients in the stapled group throughout the postpartum period than in the sutured group. Thus, stapling of the uterine incision was an acceptable alternative to traditional suturing techniques and it was possible to visualize clearly these incisions during the postpartum period.

Absorption↗
PubMed1991

Relationship between antepartum cocaine abuse, abnormal umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry, and placental abruption.

We performed serial umbilical artery Doppler flow velocimetry studies on 314 women and grouped them according to history of antepartum cocaine abuse, placental abruption with antepartum cocaine abuse, preterm labor with antepartum cocaine abuse, preterm labor without antepartum cocaine abuse, and controls without preterm labor or antepartum cocaine abuse. Analyses excluded twin gestation, diabetes, and hypertension. The overall incidence of deliveries at or before 36 weeks was 28% (31 of 112). Thirteen (12%) of the infants were small for gestational age (SGA) and 33 (29%) were low birth weight (LBW). Almost all subjects with a history of cocaine abuse had normal systolic-diastolic ratios (S/Ds). All patients with abruption had abnormal S/Ds, as did 14 of 64 subjects who had preterm labor and a history of cocaine abuse. No abnormal S/Ds were found in the women with preterm labor or in controls. Among cocaine-abusing women, there was a significant correlation between placental abruption and abnormal S/Ds (P less than .05) and between abnormal S/Ds and the incidence of preterm birth and SGA and LBW infants.

Abruptio Placentae↗
PubMed1990

In vitro inhibition of esterase activity in amniotic fluid: comparison with bacterial cultures.

Assessment of leukocyte esterase activity in amniotic fluid for the rapid and reliable diagnosis of chorioamnionitis has been demonstrated previously. We compared in vitro inhibition of esterase activity in amniotic fluid with bacterial cultures to identify the origins of the specific esterases released by the infecting organisms. One hundred forty-one samples were tested (90 uninfected, 51 infected). Each sample was evaluated for Gram stain, cultures, and an in vitro esterase assay followed by ebelactone inhibition. Forty-two patients had positive amniotic fluid cultures. Ebelactone produced varying degrees of inhibition of esterase activity (range, 20% to 60%) in the uninfected samples and in those infected with gram-negative organisms. There was no inhibition in the samples infected with gram-positive organisms. Thus different groups of bacteria may elicit the production of different and specific esterases in infected amniotic fluid, as shown by the differences in in vitro inhibition.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1990

The Shirodkar operation: a reappraisal.

Sixty-six cerclages were performed by one surgeon in 46 patients with documented cervical incompetence. The mean operative blood loss was 25 ml, and the mean operating time was 18 minutes with no postoperative morbidity. Fifty-five of the pregnancies were carried for at least 37 weeks, eight were delivered before 37 weeks, and three are continuing. Six of the eight preterm deliveries were a result of factors unrelated to cervical incompetence. The two remaining preterm births were probably also unrelated because one occurred 8 days after emergent cerclage placement and the other occurred 12 weeks after the procedure, both as a result of premature rupture of membranes. There were no cesarean deliveries related to the Shirodkar suture. The efficacy of the procedure was demonstrated by a corrected perinatal survival rate of 100% and term delivery of 88%. (Since this article was written all three of the undelivered patients were delivered of infants after 37 weeks' gestation for a term delivery rate of 88% with 100% neonatal survival.

Cervix Uteri↗
PubMed1979

Fetal blood and tissue pH with moderate bradycardia.

Eleven patients with moderate fetal bradycardia in labor were studied by fetal scalp blood pH, continuous tissue pH, and umbilical arterty pH at delivery. The neonatal outcomes and biochemical data demonstrated that moderate fetal brdycardia does not indicate fetal distress.

Female↗
PubMed1979

The relationship of heart rate patterns and tissue pH in the human fetus.

The relationship between different FHR patterns and fetal tissue pH in 68 high-risk gravidas in labor was analyzed. A tissue pH electrode was placed in the fetal scalp and tissue pH recorded on a fetal monitor every 15 seconds along with uterine contractions and continuous fetal heart rate. The tissue pH changes correlated with the FHR patterns in a manner consistent with current concepts of fetal stress. Trend monitoring of fetal tissue pH in labor may prove useful in the management of high-risk patients in labor.

Apgar Score↗
PubMed1979

Premature menopause: a reversible entity?

Secondary hypergonadotropic, hypoestrogenic amenorrhea, or premature menopause, is usually considered an irreversible process. Four patients with this entity were observed to have evidence of ovulation. Three of these patients became pregnant while they were treated with estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) for their hypoestrogenic symptoms. Estrogen replacement may be effective in reversal of this process.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Diagnosis of congenital mitral and aortic stenosis from the fetal electrocardiogram.

A case of congenital mitral and aortic stenosis diagnosed from the fetal electrocardiogram (FECG) during labor is presented. Cardiologic work-up and autopsy findings in the neonate confirmed the diagnosis. This is the first case in which prenatal diagnosis of a specific anatomical lesion of the heart was made from the FECG and confirmed clinically as well as at autopsy.

Adult↗