Biomedical subjects

D Winn

Publications and source records attributed to D Winn.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1990

Gastrointestinal manifestations of mixed connective tissue disease.

We examined the gastrointestinal tract abnormalities in 61 patients with mixed connective tissue disease. The first 34 were part of a prospective longitudinal study that included manometric and radiographic evaluation of the esophagus. Heartburn (48%) and dysphagia (38%) were by far the most common gastrointestinal symptoms. Seventeen percent of patients undergoing manometry had distal esophageal aperistalsis, and 43% low-amplitude peristalsis (less than 30 mmHg). Studies in 10 patients before and after treatment suggested that esophageal dysfunction in mixed connective tissue disease may be responsive to corticosteroids. Upper esophageal sphincter hypotension was also common. One patient had marked upper esophageal sphincter hypotension and recurrent aspiration, which resolved with corticosteroid therapy. Findings on radiographic studies of the stomach and small bowel in 54 patients and barium enemas in 16 patients were reviewed. Our series included one case each of malabsorption, colonic and small bowel perforations due to vasculitis, chronic active hepatitis, and acute pancreatitis. In conclusion, any area of the gastrointestinal tract may be affected by mixed connective tissue disease, although the esophagus is the most common location. The gastrointestinal aspects of mixed connective tissue disease overlap with those of progressive systemic sclerosis, polymyositis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Injuries among 4- to 9-year-old restrained motor vehicle occupants by seat location and crash impact site.

Four-to-9-year-old children are a special group with respect to motor vehicle occupant restraints. Having outgrown child safety seats, they are often placed in adult seat belts. This study was undertaken to examine patterns of injury among restrained 4- to 9-year-old by seat location and crash impact site. The data were obtained from an ongoing hospital-based monitoring system. Seventy percent of the sample sustained a head or face injury. Upper-torso and extremity injuries were infrequent. Lower torso injuries occurred primarily in frontal impacts in both the back and front seats. Frontal impacts resulted in a greater proportion of serious injuries than rear impacts. The most serious injuries, however, occurred to children seated on the side of impact in lateral collisions. Questions must be raised regarding the appropriateness of the present restraint system for young children. Recommendations, given current seat belt systems, are provided. However, technological improvements in vehicle design and belt systems are needed to improve protection, particularly in lateral impacts.

Accidents, Traffic↗

PubMed1988

Translational regulation in growing clonal human astrocytoma cells in culture.

The in vivo and in vitro protein synthesis by polysomes prepared from Cox astrocytoma cells grown in the presence of 100 mM ethanol were examined during transition from exponential to stationary growth phase. A sharp decline of translational activities of Cox poly (A) + messenger RNAs (mRNAs) occurred during this transition. This decline was accentuated when cells were grown in the presence of ethanol. The observed decline in mRNA translational activity was investigated in vitro in a micrococcal nuclease treated, mRNA depleted postmitochondrial supernatant (PMS) fraction containing [35S]methionine. The formation of the 35S-labeled 40S ternary complex in the absence of mRNA and of the 35S-labeled 80S initiation complex in the presence of Cox or brain poly (A) + mRNAs were reduced substantially when the source of PMS was from stationary phase or ethanol exposed cells. The sedimentation of peaks containing 40S ternary and 80S initiation complexes following sucrose density gradient analysis showed marked reductions in [35S]methionine labeling during the transition to stationary phase and also following ethanol exposure. The reduced formation of initiation complexes suggests possible functional modifications of eukaryotic initiation factor-2 (eIF-2) present in the PMS fraction and of mRNAs under these conditions. Data suggest that cells initiate adaptive or protective mechanisms by reducing the rate of the initiation reaction following environmental alterations produced by ethanol.

Astrocytoma↗

PubMed1985

Noncrash motor vehicle accidents. Injuries to children in the vehicle interior.

Injuries caused by hitting against the vehicle interior during a noncrash motor vehicle accident are noteworthy. Data on children 0 to 15 years of age involved in motor vehicle accidents were obtained from an ongoing multihospital monitoring system. Approximately 12% of the passengers were injured in a noncrash accident. One half of the noncrash injuries were caused by a child hitting against the vehicle interior during a sudden stop, turn, or swerve or after losing balance in a moving vehicle. Most of these accidents involved a child between 1 and 4 years of age who was traveling in the front passenger seat unrestrained. While most of the injuries were minor, some children sustained serious injuries. An analysis of the cases indicated that most of these injuries could have been avoided if the child had been restrained. Medical costs as well as use of medical resources could have been saved by preventing these noncrash injuries.

Accidents, Traffic↗

PubMed1978