Biomedical subjects

B Torsney

Publications and source records attributed to B Torsney.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

The chief scientist reports... Consultant out-patient services: provision at health centres in Scotland.

Hospital based consultant (out-patient) services are most likely to be found in the community at health centres. By 1991 some 45% of the Scottish population had access to services provided at these health centres. The clinical specialties most commonly provided were psychiatry, obstetrics, paediatrics and gynaecology, and they accounted for some 10% or more of all attendances. Regular consultant visits in these and other specialties were more common at the larger health centres and at those further distant from alternative provision.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗

PubMed1988

Adrenocortical hormone concentrations in children during cardiopulmonary bypass with and without pulsatile flow.

Plasma cortisol and ACTH concentrations were measured in two groups of children (aged 1-16 yr). Ten children underwent routine (non-pulsatile) cardiopulmonary bypass and 10 underwent pulsatile bypass under moderate hypothermia (28-32 degrees C). Comparable increases in cortisol and ACTH concentrations were demonstrated at the onset of bypass and the concentrations of both hormones increased during bypass. In the post-bypass period plasma cortisol concentration increased sharply; there was no further increase in the plasma ACTH concentration. By 24 h the concentrations of both hormones had declined towards baseline values. There were no significant differences between the groups.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Assessment of the outcome of low back surgery.

We aimed to develop a better understanding and method of rating the success or failure of low back surgery by studying 185 patients prospectively. Identical pre-operative and postoperative assessment by an independent observer included pain, disability, physical impairment, psychological distress and illness behaviour. Outcome was assessed by the patient, by the observer and by return to work. There was 96% follow-up at two years. Correlation co-efficients varied considerably between the various measures of outcome, both patient and observer appearing to base their assessment mainly on postoperative status rather than on any change produced by surgery. The observer was influenced most by postoperative pain, disability and physical impairment. Patients were influenced most by residual physical impairment, type of surgery and proportional change in disability. Return to work was moderately influenced by postoperative disability and to a larger extent by social and work-related factors. We developed a simple formula to judge overall success or failure which accurately reproduced the combined assessment of patient and observer. If surgical audit is to be meaningful it must be based on an improved understanding of how the outcome of surgery should be assessed.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1988

An optimal design problem in rhythmometry.

A trigonometric regression model is assumed for a problem involving circadian rhythm exhibited by peak expiratory flow. Experimental designs are sought with a view to estimating a particular nonlinear function of the parameters. Both optimal and nonoptimal, but more practicable, designs are derived and their relative efficiencies are established.

Circadian Rhythm↗

PubMed1977

Urine electrolyte response to 18-hydroxy-11-deoxycorticosterone in normal man.

1. To assess whether the adrenal corticosteroid 18-hydroxy-11-deoxycorticosterone [18-(OH)-DOC] affects urine electrolyte excretion in normal man, seven male volunteers received 120 microgram (353 nmol) intravenously in 1 h. This was compared with glucose (50 g/l; control) and aldosterone (80 microgram, 222 nmol) infusions in the same subjects. 2. A definite though weak antinatriuretic response to 18-(OH)DOC was observed, whereas urine potassium excretion was not altered. Aldosterone increased urine potassium excretion and reduced sodium output. Urine pH was lowered by both corticosteroids, aldosterone in general having a more marked effect. Urine volume was not altered by 18-(OH)DOC. 3. Plasma concentrations of 18-(OH)DOC and aldosterone rose approximately tenfold during their respective infusions. Compared with that of aldosterone, the metabolic clearance rate of 18-(OH)DOC was slower andits plasma half-life was longer. 4. We have been able to demonstrate that 18-(OH)DOC has a definite, albeit weak antinatriuretic action in normal man, but whether or not this corticosteroid is capable of elevating the blood pressure in man remains to be shown.

18-Hydroxydesoxycorticosterone↗