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Biomedical subjects

D M Watkins

Publications and source records attributed to D M Watkins.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Study of employees with anhydride-induced respiratory disease after removal from exposure.

The purpose of this study was to determine clinical and immunologic status of hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA) employees who have had immunologic respiratory disease and who have been removed from exposure for at least 1 year. In a retrospective study, 16 consecutive employees with HHPA-induced immunologic respiratory disease who had been removed from exposure for more than 1 year were evaluated. Eleven had asthma, allergic rhinitis, or both; five had hemorrhagic rhinitis. Respiratory symptoms were obtained by physician-administered questionnaire. Physical examination, spirometry, and chest film were obtained. Antibody against HHPA conjugated to human serum albumin (HHP-HSA) was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Symptoms, signs, and pulmonary functions were normalized in all employees. There was a decline in antibody titers for both IgE and IgG against HHP-HSA. There were no chest film findings attributable to HHPA. In this group, there appeared to be no evidence of permanent anatomic sequelae after removal from exposure for at least 1 year. Specific antibody was still present, but titers were lower at follow-up than at presentation for a substantial proportion of the sample.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1995

Value of antibody level in diagnosing anhydride-induced immunologic respiratory disease.

The objective of this study was to determine whether immunologic anhydride-induced respiratory disease could be predicted on the basis of the level of specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) or immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody. Eight-one anhydride-exposed employees in one plant were studied. Fourteen had disease and 67 did not. Immunologic studies were performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and expressed as titers. When optimal discriminant analysis was used, IgE < 1:5 and IgG < or = 1:10 were found to be the optimal titers for separating employees with and without immunologic respiratory disease caused by anhydrides. When IgG < or = 1:10 was used, 62 of 81 workers were correctly classified; the sensitivity was 100%, the positive predictive value was 45%, the specificity was 75%, and the negative predictive value was 100%. When IgE < 1:5 was used, 73 of 81 workers were correctly classified; the sensitivity was 86%, the positive predictive value was 67%, the specificity was 91%, and the negative predictive value was 97%. In conclusion, anhydride disease status can be predicted on the basis of specific IgG or IgE antibody level.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1989

Practical considerations for electron therapy planning and preparation.

This Clinic recently commissioned its first electron beams for radiation therapy. Over the past twelve months at this institution, we have developed devices and techniques to obtain precise and reproducible electron therapy treatments. These devices and methods have been used in the treatment of irregularly shaped fields for areas of complex shape, or those adjacent to critical or radiosensitive tissues and areas where it has been cosmetically unsuitable for patients to carry treatment field markings. This paper describes the techniques used in six representative cases with due consideration to physics, dosimetry and practical aspects. Several recommendations result from our experiences here.

Electrons↗
PubMed1983

Repeat ketamine anaesthesia of a child for radiotherapy in the prone position.

Sixteen ketamine anaesthetics over an eight-week period for a course of postoperative radiotherapy following removal of a medulloblastoma in an 18-month-old child are described. On each occasion the child was in the prone position with a tight fitting shell covering the head, trunk and arms. The problems of repeated anaesthetics, isolation of the child in one room from the anaesthetist in another, and psychological upset to the mother and child are discussed. Ketamine was chosen because with this agent the patient usually maintains a clear airway, even in unusual postures. It was used successfully by both the intramuscular and rectal routes, thus avoiding repeated venepuncture and intubation. Post-anaesthetic nausea was a problem, but tolerance to ketamine and psychological emergence phenomena did not occur.

Anesthesia, General↗
PubMed1975

A multi-purpose contour projector for use in radiotherapy treatment planning.

The multi-purpose contour projector is a compact piece of apparatus of simple design made entirely in the physics workshop and mould room. Its introduction to the planning department has standardised and simplified the localisation technique so as to make the system more accurate. The device is now used routinely on all head and neck moulds.

Humans↗