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Biomedical subjects

C A Cook

Publications and source records attributed to C A Cook.

47 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Mucocutaneous pigmented spots and oral myxomas: the oral manifestations of the complex of myxomas, spotty pigmentation, and endocrine overactivity.

The complex of myxomas, spotty pigmentation, and endocrine overactivity is a recently recognized syndrome, transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait. The most serious component of the disorder is cardiac myxoma, which has caused the death of one fourth of the affected patients and serious disability in an equal number. It is, therefore, important to recognize patients at risk from the syndrome and, in particular, to test them for cardiac myxoma. Fortunately, in many patients the myxoma complex has a clearly visible marker: mucocutaneous pigmentation. Among 58 patients with the syndrome, spotty facial pigmentation was present in 36 (62%), and 29 (50%) of these also had pigmented spots on their lips. This type and distribution of pigmentation should be a clue to the possible presence of the complex of myxomas, spotty pigmentation, and endocrine overactivity, and patients thus affected should be referred for further investigation. Oral cavity myxoma(s) occurred in four patients with the syndrome.

Adult↗

Predictive value of minor anomalies. I. Association with major malformations.

We examined 4305 white newborn infants for 114 minor physical features and major malformations to evaluate the hypothesis that the presence of three or more minor anomalies is highly predictive of a major malformation. We confirmed that the infant with three or more minor anomalies is at increased risk for a major malformation. However, this risk (19.6%) was much lower than the risk of 90% popularized by Smith and based on the study of Marden et al. (J Pediatr 1964;64:357). Analysis of the findings in the two studies showed that the lower predictive value was probably related to differences in study design. Nevertheless, some minor anomalies remain essential to the early recognition of several serious malformation syndromes.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Prediction of sustained antihypertensive efficacy of chronic captopril therapy: relationships to immediate blood pressure response and control plasma renin activity.

The blood pressure (BP) lowering effect of the orally active angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril (SQ14225), was studied in 59 hypertensive patients maintained on a constant sodium intake. Within 2 hours of the first dose of captopril BP fell from 171/107 to a maximum low of 142/92 mm Hg (p less than 0.001), and after 4 to 8 days to treatment BP averaged 145/94 mm Hg (p less than 0.001). The magnitude of BP drop induced by captopril was significantly correlated to baseline plasma renin activity (PRA) both during the acute phase (r = -0.38, p less than 0.01) and after the 4 to 8-day interval (r = -0.33, p less than 0.01). Because of considerable scatter in individual data, renin profiling was not precisely predictive of the immediate or delayed BP response of separate patients. However, the BP levels achieved following the initial dose of captopril were closely correlated to BP measured after 4 to 8 days of therapy, and appeared to have greater predictive value than control PRA of the long-term efficacy of chronic captopril therapy despite marked BP changes occurring in some patients during the intermediate period. Because of these intermediate BP changes, addition of a diuretic to enhance antihypertensive effectiveness of angiotensin blockade should be restrained for several days after initiation of captopril therapy.

Adult↗

An aid to computerization of Heyman's afterloading system.

The authors describe a new type of dummy implant for use in the Heyman afterloading system. Inactive dummies with the same dimensions as the radioactive sources are loaded into the capsules before obtaining the orthogonal radiographs. The actual sources are not inserted until computer verification of satisfactory dose distribution has been obtained.

Computers↗

Risk factors for AMA discharge from VA inpatient alcoholism treatment programs.

This study was designed to identify those risk factors associated with discharge from inpatient alcoholism treatment against medical advice (AMA) and the underlying reasons for these discharges. Data on the characteristics of patients and their index hospitalization were obtained from the systematic review of medical records for 186 alcoholics who were discharged AMA and 201 alcoholics who completed treatment. Comorbid medical diagnosis reduced the risk of AMA discharge by one quarter, whereas court referral to treatment reduced the risk by one half. A college education, vocational or other training, being employed, and having a history of previous AMA discharges significantly increased the risk. The most common reasons for AMA discharge, as perceived by treatment providers, were psychosocial problems, difficulties in the treatment program, and lack of interest in treatment. The clinical implications of these findings for the inpatient treatment of alcoholics are discussed.

Adult↗

Postpartum teaching priorities: the viewpoints of nurses and mothers.

OBJECTIVE: To compare mothers' and nurses' perceptions of postpartum learning needs and effective teaching modalities. DESIGN: Cross-sectional research design. Mothers were given a questionnaire during their postpartum stay to rate how important it was for them to learn about 44 maternal-infant topics before discharge. Nurses rated similar items on the basis of their perception of what is most important for mothers to learn during their postpartum stay. SETTING: Postpartum units in six hospitals that are part of a large midwestern health care system. PARTICIPANTS: English-speaking women who delivered either vaginally or by cesarean section without complications and the nurses on their postpartum units. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Identification of preferred topics and methods for postpartum teaching. RESULTS: Mothers and nurses agreed that topics related to immediate physical health needs were most important. Unmarried mothers considered topics related to personal care and mobility as particularly important. First-time mothers rated more topics as important than did experienced mothers. Individual teaching was rated most effective by both groups. Classroom teaching and the use of audiovisual media were considered less effective. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports postpartum education that focuses on the physical needs of mothers and infants, as well as individual teaching models. The special learning needs of new mothers, including those who are not married, must be considered.

Adult↗