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Biomedical subjects

D L Gray

Publications and source records attributed to D L Gray.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Prenatal diagnosis of neural tube defects: origin of midtrimester vertebral ossification centers as determined by sonographic water-bath studies.

A normal vertebral column was removed from a 17-week stillborn fetus and suspended in a water bath. The specimen was sequentially dissected, with spinous processes, transverse processes, and remaining neural arch removed. After dissection, each specimen was imaged by ultrasound in axial, sagittal, and coronal planes. The resultant images clearly demonstrated the origin of the three ossification centers as one at each lamina-pedicle junction and one in the vertebral body. Corollary X-ray studies confirmed the ultrasound findings and, in a case of open spina bifida, demonstrated the superiority of sonography for making this diagnosis.

Female↗

Cord blood acid-base status in neonates delivered by Silastic vacuum cup extraction: comparison with forceps and spontaneous deliveries.

Umbilical cord blood gases were measured as objective parameters of neonatal outcome in patients delivered by Silastic vacuum extractor and were compared with those values from patients delivered spontaneously, by forceps, or by sequential use of vacuum and forceps. The results demonstrated no clinically significant differences among the groups in cord blood pH, pCO2, pO2, base excess, or bicarbonate values. These observations provide reassurance that the Silastic vacuum extractor is a safe alternative for vaginal delivery of the appropriately selected term fetus.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Management of diabetes mellitus in children younger than 5 years of age.

Optimal treatment for children younger than 5 years of age with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is not well defined. Nineteen young children with this disease were treated with a program in which frequent home blood-glucose monitoring was used as the basis for an educational program emphasizing parental adjustment of insulin in response to current glucose levels and anticipated diet and exercise. Eleven children were treated from diagnosis (group I) and another eight (group D) were referred after less intensive treatment. The mean duration of observation of group I children was 13.6 months (range, six to 24 months). For group D, the mean time between diagnosis and referral was 14.9 months (range, seven to 24 months) and 14.6 months (range, six to 24 months) after referral. Before referral, there were 11 hospitalizations in group D. During the intensified program there were two hospitalizations in group D and one in group I. There were 3.3 episodes of severe hypoglycemia per child per 18 months in group D before referral, 1.7 episodes after referral, and 0.4 episodes in group I. Ten of 14 severe hypoglycemic episodes during intensified treatment occurred when there was no or infrequent home blood-glucose monitoring. Only four episodes seemed to have been unpredictable and unpreventable. Mean glycosylated hemoglobin levels were higher in group D patients when compared with both the duration of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and the time of initiation of intensified treatment. Mean daily insulin doses increased progressively in group I patients following diagnosis, and were comparable with those in group D patients at 15 and 18 months' duration of illness. Thus, frequency of hospitalization and severe hypoglycemia can be decreased in young children. Frequent home blood-glucose monitoring is required and extensive educational and psychosocial support is necessary for families to implement this intensive approach. The long-term effects on psychoneurological development need evaluation.

Age Factors↗

Warburg syndrome.

Warburg syndrome is a congenital oculocerebral disorder. It is caused by a genetic defect that simultaneously affects ocular and cerebral embryogenesis. The characteristic ophthalmic findings reflect the cerebral malformation (agyria or lissencephaly). Two cases, siblings, have been described. The characteristic bilateral ocular findings (leukocoria with microphthalmia) have been discussed and contrasted with simulating entities. Since Warburg syndrome is a lethal disorder, it is important to distinguish these affected infants from those with hydrocephalus with a known better prognosis. Lastly, the early recognition of this autosomal recessive disorder should prompt genetic parental counseling.

Brain↗

Abdominal circumference vs. estimated weight to predict large for gestational age birth weight in diabetic pregnancy.

Early third trimester fetal abdominal circumference and sonographic fetal weight estimates were compared to predict large for gestational age birth weight in diabetic pregnancy. Both parameters have similar sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. However, the optimal percentile cutoff values differ. Choice of birth weight standard significantly influences test characteristics. Negative prediction of large birth weight is more accurate than positive prediction. At third trimester sonography with maternal diabetes, the abdominal circumference percentile is potentially useful and should be routinely reported.

Abdomen↗

The effects of a binary mixture of benzo(a)pyrene and 7H-dibenzo(c,g)carbazole on lung tumors and K-ras oncogene mutations in strain A/J mice.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and N-heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NHA) are environmental pollutants formed during the incomplete combustion of organic materials. Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and 7H-dibenzo(c,g)carbazole (DBC) are well-characterized representatives of the PAH and NHA classes of compunds, respectively. Both are demonstrated carcinogens that frequently co-occur in environmental mixtures. This preliminary study was conducted to investigate the effects of a binary mixture of BaP and DBC on lung carcinogenicity in the strain A/J mouse as manifested by tumor development and mutations in the K-ras gene. Male A/J mice were administered the following single intraperitoneal dose (mg/kg) combinations of BaP and DBC dissolved in a 0.2-mL volume of tricaprylin--10 DBC:10 BaP; 2 DBC:10 BaP; 2 DBC:100 BaP; and 10 DBC: 100 BaP, and each of the compounds alone at the same doses. Mice were sacrificed 8 months after carcinogen treatment and lung tumor multiplicity and K-ras mutations determined (high-dose combination). The combination of DBC and BaP produced fewer tumors than the sum of all tumors produced by each compound acting alone. The frequency of tumors with K-ras mutations was also less in a sample of the 10 DBC:100 BaP treatment group than in the same-dose, single compound-treated animals. The dominant mutations produced by BaP and DBC were expressed in tumors from animals treated with the mixture.

Animals↗

The training and use of an artificial neural network to monitor use of medication in treatment of complex patients.

An artificial-neural-network-based drug interaction warning system was developed for use with a computerized real-time entry medical records system. The goal of the study was to provide physicians and nurses with timely warnings of potential drug interactions as therapies were prescribed. In a dialysis unit, physicians and clinical pharmacists defined rules of proper drug therapy, then trained a neural network with those rules. When the network was used to review the therapies of this patient population, a number of inconsistencies were discovered, and medication orders were changed on several patients. Real-time implementation of this monitoring system could provide messages to assure that drug therapy is consistent and proper, according to rules created by the providers of healthcare, thus preventing occasional mistakes in drug therapy.

Drug Interactions↗

Diabetes care in schools: benefits and pitfalls of Public Law 94-142.

The implementation of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (Pub L No. 94-142) has brought significant changes in educational services for health-impaired children. Health-related services are one of many important services available to children under Pub L No. 94-142. For some children with IDDM, specific diabetes-related care is essential for continued progress in school. However, barriers exist that impede access to related health support services, including lack of agreement about the applicability for Pub L No. 94-142 to children with IDDM, lack of consensus as to who should provide services, and concern about liability of school personnel. This paper describes those barriers and suggests approaches to overcome them. One such approach is an Indiana State legislative amendment that provides schools with immunity from civil liability for diabetes-related care.

Diabetes Mellitus↗

Determination of Mirex in human blood serum containing polychlorinated biphenyls by using packed column gas chromatography.

An analytical method has been developed that uses electron capture/gas-liquid chromatography to determine Mirex in serum containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (Aroclor 1260). With this method, 0.2 ppb Mirex can be determined in 4 mL serum that also contains 10 ppb PCBs. The method provides approximately 70% recovery of Mirex at 1.0 and 3.5 ppb. The coefficients of variation are 4.5 and 4.6% at 1.0 and 3.5 ppb, respectively. In a cooperative study with the Ohio Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control used this method to determine the extent of exposure of Salem, OH, residents to Mirex. Confirmation of Mirex was obtained by using high resolution gas chromatography and high resolution mass spectrometry.

Chromatography, Gas↗