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Biomedical subjects

C Donovan

Publications and source records attributed to C Donovan.

54 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Unit or service standards.

As competition in the health-care market increases, issues such as accountability, patient satisfaction, and evaluation after quality of patient care have become progressively more important. This article describes the evaluation of a quality assurance program from a centralized, retrospective system to a unit-based, concurrent review process. Issues related to problem management, research, and education are identified.

Florida↗
PubMed1983

Dopaminergic nature of feeding-induced behavioral stereotypies in stressed pigeons.

Dopamine dependence of feeding-induced behavioral stereotypies (FIBS) was demonstrated by FIBS facilitation following chronic treatment with a dopamine (DA) agonist, apomorphine, and by FIBS inhibition following the administration of haloperidol, a DA antagonist. However, individuals that emitted FIBS were differentiated from those not emitting FIBS not by assayed telencephalic DA concentrations alone but by a higher stereotyping index (SI), a score positively related to the ratio of telencephalic DA-norepinephrine (NE) concentrations. These latter findings support the hypothesis of Antelman and Caggiula [3] which indicates that a catecholamine interaction in the brain serves to facilitate or inhibit some behavioral actions associated with stress.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Lesion-produced telencephalic catecholamine imbalances and altered operant pecking rates in pigeons.

Pigeons with bilateral neurotoxic or electrolytic lesions within ventral mesencephalon, in nucleus tegmenti pedunculo pontinus (TP) (equivalent to substantia nigra) or area ventralis of Tsai (AVT), were found to have catecholamine (CA) depletion in the telencephalon, including the paleostriatum augmentatum (PA) and lobus parolfactorius (LPO), avian basal ganglia rich in CA. Joint telencephalic concentrations of dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) within individuals were found to vary with sustained fixed interval (FI) pecking rate increases or decreases following surgery. Low (below 75% of controls) DA/normal NE concentrations were found in individuals showing a marked reduction in their key pecking rates; low DA/low NE concentrations were found in individuals showing a marked increase in their pecking rates. The fit of these data with the NE-DA interaction hypothesis of Antelman and Caggiula [2] was acknowledged but the nature of that interaction remains to be clarified.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome: a new cause of intestinal obstruction in the newborn. Report of radiologic findings in five newborn girls.

Five newborn girls presented with small intestinal obstruction and microcolon and a giant bladder (megacystis). Organic causes of obstruction were not found, and the gastrointestinal tract failed to function after appropriate diversion. Two died in the postoperative period, two lived several months on central venous hyperalimentation, and one died at 34 months of age following chronic though intermittent hyperalimentation. Pathologic studies showed an abundance of ganglion cells in both dilated and narrowed areas of intestine; the combined small bowel-colon length was one-third of normal in the absence of an evident obstructive or vascular insult. The five patients represent the most severe manifestation of defective intestinal peristalsis in a larger group of distended newborns in whom organic gastrointestinal obstruction is not found. Treatment with central venous hyperalimentation may sustain life, and some patients eventually recover gastrointestinal function. The hypoperistalsis is largely refractory to pharmacologic treatment; its cause is unknown.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Spectrum of acute dissection of the ascending aorta: a transesophageal echocardiographic study.

Transesophageal echocardiography is an accurate tool for the immediate diagnosis of acute aortic dissection. In addition to establishing the diagnosis of dissection, transesophageal echocardiography provides determination of its extent and detection of complications. The purpose of this study was to delineate the full spectrum of abnormalities present in acute dissection of the ascending aorta as assessed by transesophageal echocardiography. Forty consecutive patients with acute ascending aortic dissection were evaluated. Specific attention was paid to complications of aortic valve insufficiency, pericardial effusion, and left ventricular wall motion abnormalities. The aortic arch and the descending aorta were also evaluated for involvement. Quantitative data included measurement of the aorta at the anulus, sinuses, and tubular portion, as well as the proximal and distal descending aortas. An intimal flap was identified in all patients. This was a simple linear tear in 22 patients (55%) and circumferential in eight (20%). A complex tear was noted in 10 patients (25%). The majority of patients (n = 30; 75%) had extension of the dissection into the descending thoracic aorta. At least one communication between the true and false lumens ("entrance point") was identified in 31 patients (78%). Pericardial effusions were noted in 19 patients (48%), only two of whom had a moderate-size effusion. Moderate or severe aortic insufficiency was seen in 18 patients (45%) and regional wall motion abnormalities in six patients. We conclude that acute dissection of the ascending aorta results in a complex or convoluted flap rather than a simple linear tear in many patients. The complication of clinically significant pericardial effusion was rare. Aortic insufficiency is common and can be attributed to multiple mechanisms.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Specialized care unit: family and staff perceptions of significant elements.

Specialized care units (SCUs) for nursing home residents with dementia are increasingly prevalent. Although reported to promote positive resident outcomes, the specific characteristics of SCUs most likely to yield these outcomes have not yet been identified. This article presents the findings of a qualitative study that investigated the perceptions of family members and staff about SCU characteristics that contribute to positive outcomes for residents with dementia. All family and staff members interviewed agreed that the SCU fostered feelings of personal space, personhood, and an unforced routine. These findings are discussed and provide specific direction for care of nursing home residents with dementia.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Goat-associated Q fever: a new disease in Newfoundland.

In the spring of 1999 in rural Newfoundland, abortions in goats were associated with illness in goat workers. An epidemiologic investigation and a serologic survey were conducted in April 1999 to determine the number of infections, nature of illness, and risk factors for infection. Thirty-seven percent of the outbreak cohort had antibody titers to phase II Coxiella burnetii antigen >1:64, suggesting recent infection. The predominant clinical manifestation of Q fever was an acute febrile illness. Independent risk factors for infection included contact with goat placenta, smoking tobacco, and eating cheese made from pasteurized goat milk. This outbreak raises questions about management of such outbreaks, interprovincial sale and movement of domestic ungulates, and the need for discussion between public health practitioners and the dairy industry on control of this highly infectious organism.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Teenagers in hospital: what do they want?

A questionnaire based survey undertaken in north London secondary schools supported the need for designated hospital facilities for teenagers: 53 per cent of young people who had been admitted to a paediatric ward, and 81 per cent of those admitted to an adult ward, had felt out of place there; 77 per cent of the total (347 adolescents) surveyed, thought a specific teenagers' room would be an improvement in service. In this article, the authors present the research.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

AIDS: focus on youth.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗