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Biomedical subjects

D O'Donnell

Publications and source records attributed to D O'Donnell.

124 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Evidence that probing the vaginal cervix is analgesic in rats, using an operant paradigm.

Probing against the vaginal cervix (CP) suppresses responses to noxious stimulation in rats. The first experiment rules out the possibility that this effect is due to CP-induced immobilization. All rats first learned to press a panel, thus terminating noxious skin shock. Then they either received CP (experimentals) or did not (controls) when they pressed the panel during skin shock that was inescapable. The controls soon showed extinction of the panel-press response, whereas the experimentals continued pressing the panel and obtaining CP, for significantly more trials. The rats thus performed an operant response for CP at a time before CP could have blocked their movement. The second experiment argues against the possiblity that CP exerts its effect by "distracting" the rats from the skin shock. The rats received inescapable skin shock which continued for 7 sec after each panel-press response. During this shock one group received CP, and another received perineal probing ("distraction" control). The panel-press latency was significantly shorter in the CP group than in the perineal group. Latency in a control group, in which shock was terminated as soon as the rats pressed the panel, did not differ significantly from the CP group. Latency in another control group, in which the shock persisted for 7 sec after the rats pressed the panel with no probing being applied, was not significantly different from that of the perineal-probing group but was significantly longer than latency in the CP group. Thus the present studies suggest that CP is indeed analgesic and that this effect of CP is mediated by neither movement inhibition nor distraction.

Analgesia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Disorders of cognition, attention and learning.

The inability to successfully navigate the educational system can cause serious problems for children, their parents, the Indian society, and the world at large. When children are required to engage in academic exercises which require attention, specific cognitive abilities and processes, and demonstrations of learning, a subset of these children are unable to perform due to some type of intellectual, emotional, behavioural, physical, or environmental deficit. Any combination of these factors can result in school failure. Although, resources for remedial or special education services in Southeast Asia and India are particularly meager, efforts must be directed towards the retention and achievement of those children who do enroll in primary and secondary schools. Learning disability represents a major form of impairment in society, and much more needs to be done to bring about a general awareness of its consequences. An urgent priority is the education of physicians and teachers about disorders of cognition, learning, and attention.

Achievement↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Individual differences in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity in later life and hippocampal aging.

Variation in magnitude of cognitive decline in later life is a central feature of human aging. The more severe forms of dementias, such as Alzheimer's disease, clearly define one end of the spectrum. However, among those showing no obvious signs of clinical dementia there are considerable individual differences. Thus, although evidence for learning, memory, and language loss appears in some individuals as early as 50-55 years of age, many people continue to function alertly well into their 90s. These individuals exemplify what Rowe and Kahn (1987) have termed "successful" aging. The wide variability in CNS aging, often a nuisance factor in studies, are becoming a major focus for brain aging research (e.g., Gage et al., 1984;Gallager and Pelleymounter, 1988; Aitken and Meaney, 1990; Issa et al., 1990). Our studies over the past few years have added support to the idea that individual differences in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activity can account for part of the variation seen in neurological function among the elderly. In this article we discuss the evidence for the idea that adrenal glucocorticoids can compromise hippocampal function and, thus, produce cognitive impairments, as well as the potential mechanisms for these effects.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Use of the SADP for measurement of attitudes of Chinese dental students and dental surgery assistants toward disabled persons.

The purpose of this study was to determine the attitudes of Chinese dental students and dental surgery assistants toward disabled persons using the Scale to Determine Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons, the SADP. A group of 99 Hong Kong University psychology students, 50 male and 49 female, was used as the control and to determine the internal consistency and reliability of the Chinese version of the scale. A group of 4th year (n = 25) and a group of 3rd year (n = 46) dental students and a group of in-house dental surgery assistants (n = 86) at the Prince Philip Dental Hospital, Hong Kong, were asked to complete a Chinese translation of the SADP. Results showed that there was no significant difference between attitude scores of 3rd and 4th year dental students (p = 0.06). There was a significant difference in attitude scores between dental students and the dental surgery assistants (p < 0.001), with those of dental students being lower. In the control group, there was no significant difference between female control and dental surgery assistant scores (p = 0.289). There was a significant difference between dental students and male control scores (p < 10(-6)). Not only did the dental students score lower than the dental surgery assistants, but they also scored significantly lower than a group of non-dental students of the same University.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Concomitant occurrence of hypodontia and supernumerary teeth in a patient with Down syndrome.

Concomitant hypodontia and supernumeraries in a patient suffering from Down syndrome are presented. Concomitant hypodontia and supernumerary teeth are relatively rare, and this is the first case reported in a patient with Down syndrome. A conservative approach to management will be pursued, with the accent on oral hygiene reinforcement and prevention.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Dental findings in an adult with Lowe's syndrome.

This paper describes the dental findings and care of a Chinese adult affected with oculo-cerebro-renal syndrome--Lowe's syndrome--a rare, X-linked recessive disorder, whose clinical manifestations include cataracts, mental retardation, and renal tubular dysfunction. Approximately 150 cases have been reported in the last 45 years. Little has been reported in the dental literature. This patient is described with particular reference to the dental findings, which include gross periodontal disease with severe bone loss, impaction of teeth in the permanent dentition, taurodontism, and underdevelopment of the maxilla and mandible. Dental treatment was aimed at arresting the periodontal disease and preserving the remaining dentition.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

There's a worm in my eye.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of an unusual worm infestation of the eye. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 28-year-old veterinary surgeon complained of the intermittent appearance of a worm in her eyes. Her previous camping travels in west and central Africa suggested the diagnosis of Loa loa, which was confirmed on surgical removal of the worm from beneath the conjunctiva. Laboratory investigations showed peripheral blood eosinophilia, negative thick blood film examinations for microfilariae and positive results of filarial serology. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: The worm was removed intact after incision of the overlying conjunctiva. Diethylcarbamazine was prescribed and the patient remained asymptomatic in the subsequent 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: The sighting of a worm in the eye is rare in Australia and usually occurs in immigrants or returned travellers. Loa loa is the most common offending species and is identifiable and treatable.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The Anesthesia Simulator Consultant: simulation plus expert system.

The Anesthesia Simulator Consultant was designed to provide anesthesiologists the opportunity to practice the management of anesthesia-critical incidents. The program simulates the operating room environment in a graphic display on the screen of a personal computer. Physiologic models predict the patient responses and an automated record-keeping system produces a detailed summary of the case. An expert system provides interpretations of patient information, differential diagnosis, and treatment for abnormal patient conditions. The coupling of the simulator, recorder, and expert system creates a unique self-study and evaluation environment.

Anesthesiology↗