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Biomedical subjects

G H Cross

Publications and source records attributed to G H Cross.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Influence of corn variety and cutting height on nutritive value of silage fed to lactating dairy cows.

Two corn varieties predicted to differ in digestibility were harvested at 2 cutting heights (10.2 or 30.5 cm) to determine effects on the nutrient content of the resulting silage, nutrient intake, nutrient digestibility, and production of lactating cows fed such corn silage originally harvested at two-thirds milk line. Acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentration was higher and in vitro true dry matter (DM) digestibility (IVTDMD) was lower for the variety predicted to have average digestibility. An interaction was observed between variety and cutting height because of decreased ADF and increased IVTDMD for the average digestibility variety cut at 30.5 vs. 10.2 cm; no differences were observed for the higher digestibility variety at each cutting height. When silages were fed to 32 Holstein cows in a 5-wk randomized design trial, DM intake, milk yield, and milk composition were similar. There was an interaction between variety and cutting height for DM intake and total tract apparent digestibility of DM, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber because of lower intake and digestibility for the diets containing either the high cut, average quality variety or low cut, higher quality variety. These results suggest that increasing the cutting height to 30.5 cm does not improve silage quality or improve milk yield of cows. Although the 2 varieties selected for this trial were predicted to differ in digestibility, these differences were not great enough to influence milk yield or composition of lactating cows.

Agriculture↗

Refractometric discrimination of void-space filling and swelling during vapour sorption in polymer films.

Thin polymeric films have been deposited as upper cladding layers on a new integrated optical interferometer fabricated from layers of silicon oxynitride on a silicon wafer. The evanescent field of the probing waveguide mode transduces refractive index changes in the polymer layer into the measured phase changes in the device. Real-time measurement of index change and its sign is obtained. Upon exposure to humid air, we record water sorption by films of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) by a rapid positive index change for void-space filling followed by a slow negative index change for swelling. Sorption of water vapor into a thin film of the viscous liquid polymer polyethylenimine shows only swelling mode behaviour and a simple constitutive model can be applied to give the fractional water occupied volume.

Journal Article↗

The diagnosis of appendicitis.

Presented is a retrospective study of 359 patients admitted through the emergency room with nontraumatic abdominal pain who were evaluated for appendicitis. A review of presenting signs and symptoms and initial laboratory data is discussed and diagnostic criteria are established.

Adolescent↗

Measles and appendicitis.

Two patients who were admitted in the prodromal stage of measles with right lower quadrant pain are described. One patient underwent appendectomy. Histologic examination of the appendix showed the characteristic Warthin-Finkeldey giant cells in the subepithelial layer and allowed the pathologist to predict a measles rash before it appeared. The second patient's pain resolved spontaneously and the measles rash appeared just prior to discharge from the hospital. A discussion of the association between measles and appendicitis is presented. It is concluded that although the association between measles and right lower quadrant abdominal pain is interesting, it must not dissuade the surgeon from performing an appendectomy if the patient's signs and symptoms suggest appendicitis.

Adolescent↗

Anorectal abscess.

A five year retrospective review of anorectal abscesses included 181 admissions in which all but five were explained by the anal glandular hypothesis of causation. Delays in treatment occurred because of misdiagnosis, attempts at nonoperative management and inhospital procrastination. These abscesses are notorious for the recurrence rate after treatment. One-third of the patients in our series had a history of previous abscess and a postoperative recurrence rate of at least 6 per cent. Associated medical problems, such as diabetes mellitus, inflammatory intestinal disease or carcinoma, should be suspected in these patients. The fact that the majority of the patients in our series were afebrile and had minimal leukocytosis is a possible indication that our index of suspicion should be high in any patient with anorectal pain and that we must rely primarily on local findings. Treatment should be prompt incision and drainage under spinal or general anesthesia. Wide unroofing procedures and overzealous attempts at primary fistulotomy are discouraged as is the use of local anesthesia. Associated procedures, such as hemorrhoidectomy, can be safely performed and may prevent certain postoperative complications.

Abscess↗

High intramuscular anorectal abscess.

Six percent of the anorectal abscesses drained last year at the Naval Regional Medical Center, Portsmouth, Va, were of the high intramuscular variety. High intramuscular perianal abscesses may be difficult to diagnose because of the lack of external signs. It is important that a patient with unexplained anal pain be examined, under anesthesia if necessary. When a high intramuscular abscess is found, it is best drained into the anal canal rather than through a perianal skin incision.

Abscess↗

Benign neurilemmoma manifesting as a presacral (retrorectal) mass: report of a case.

We recently had the opportunity to treat a patient who had a large presacral mass. The mass, a 13-cm neurilemmoma, was removed through a combined abdominosacral approach. Mostly benign, these presacral masses cause symptoms by compression of adjacent pelvic structures. Digital rectal examination generally provides the diagnosis. Although most such lesions may be removed by a Kraske procedure, large lesions may be best treated using a combined abdominosacral approach.

Adult↗

Diverticular disease of the colon: surgical management at a military hospital.

A recent review of the surgical management of diverticular disease of the colon included 73 patients. One-stage resections were accomplished in 67%, primarily in patients operated on electively for recurrent diverticulitis or fistula, and in the group of patients with cecal diverticulitis operated on for presumed appendicitis. Single-stage resection with ileorectal anastomosis is also preferred in patients with massive diverticular bleeding. For patients with large abscesses or diffuse peritonitis a two-stage procedure which removes the site of disease in the initial operation is recommended. There were no deaths and a lower incidence of complications in the group of patients who had elective operations for recurrent diverticulitis and fistula.

Adult↗

Ileocecal masses discovered unexpectedly at surgery for appendicitis.

During the past five years we have encountered 15 patients who were found to have an ileocecal mass of undetermined etiology when explored through a right lower quadrant incision for presumed appendicitis. Diverticulitis of the ileocecal region accounted for almost one-half of these lesions. There are many possible etiologies for mass lesions in this location, but beacuse malignancy cannot be excluded at operation, a right hemicolectomy is advised. We found that this procedure could be done with relative safety in unprepared bowel under emergency conditions.

Adolescent↗

Pancreatic ascites.

Two patients with pancreatic ascites secondary to acute pancreatitis are presented. Successful drainage was carried out in one patient with distal pancreatectomy and Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy and in the other by cystoduodenostomy. Most cases of pancreatic ascites are due to a mild peritoneal reaction casued by inactivated pancreatic enzymes liberated after ductal or pseudocyst disruption. A majority of cases are successfully treated by surgical correction of the underlying pathology.

Acute Disease↗