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Biomedical subjects

G Moss

Publications and source records attributed to G Moss.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in women attending a sexually transmitted diseases clinic in Kenya.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among women attending a sexually transmitted diseases clinic in Nairobi, kenya, to determine the prevalence of and associated risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 infection. HIV-1 antibody was detected in 13.8% of 600 women. This virus was found most frequently in prostitutes (odds ratio [OR], 7.2), in women reporting a history of genital ulcers (OR, 2.3), and in those with a current diagnosis of genital ulcers (OR, 5.1). Lifetime duration of oral contraceptive use was significantly greater in HIV-1-positive women. Multivariate analysis revealed an association between genital ulcers and HIV-1 infection (OR, 3.8). The strongest association for HIV-1 infection, however, occurred with genital ulcers in combination with the use of oral contraceptives (OR, 25.7).

Adult

Nasogastric tube "suction-buster holes" release mucosal occlusion despite high suction.

Aspiration devices can persistently malfunction if moderate (not just high) suction causes mucosal occlusion of every opening. The standard pattern of uniformly large orifices was modified by supplementing half the nasal tubes with smaller (one tenth of the area) openings. Ten pairs of postoperative patients sipped water while suction applied to their nasal tubes varied from 40 to 300 mm Hg. Unmodified tubes consistently functioned only when applied vacuum was below 60 mm Hg. At 60 mm Hg, 20% (2/10) of tubes malfunctioned, with swallows failing to return on three consecutive attempts even at this gentle level. The failure rate rose with increasing applied suction. All 10 devices evidenced persistent occlusion when the vacuum exceeded 90 mm Hg. Each adverse result was confirmed by continued malfunction when suction was increased by another 10 mm Hg. The brisk flow through large esophageal openings dramatically differs from restricted inflow. Supplementing the standard set of uniform, large-bore aspiration orifices with additional small openings results in unimpeded function over the full range of available hospital vacuum. The additional small openings permitted the turbulent evacuation characteristic of large-bore patency. No device with accessory "suction-buster" orifices malfunctioned at even the highest available suction (300 mm Hg).

Cholecystectomy

Physiologic effects of acute anemia: implications for a reduced transfusion trigger.

The risks of transfusion-associated infectious disease have led to a reassessment of transfusion practice, which in turn has resulted in a trend toward the reduction of homologous transfusion. This reduction is primarily due to the initiation of hemotherapy at more severe levels of anemia. The optimum threshold for the initiation of transfusion therapy, or the transfusion trigger (TT), is unknown. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of withholding transfusion or lowering the TT to a hematocrit (Hct) of 15 percent in unanesthetized animals. Nineteen adult baboons underwent a laparotomy to simulate surgical stress. Upon their recovery from anesthesia, hemodynamic measurements were obtained, and the animals underwent an exchange transfusion (ET) with 6-percent hetastarch to a final Hct of 15 percent. After ET, hemodynamic measurements were repeated, and the animals were followed for 2 months. There was no morbidity after ET or during the 2-month observation period. After ET, there was a significant increase in both the cardiac output (3.3 vs. 2.5 L/min, p less than 0.001) and the oxygen extraction ratio (59.9 vs. 38.2%, p less than 0.0001). Oxygen delivery fell after ET (18.9 vs. 11.1 cc/kg/min, p less than 0.001), but there was no significant change in oxygen consumption after ET. The unanesthetized animals adapted well to severe anemia and experienced no adverse effects on their long-term survival in this setting, which suggests that the reduction of the TT to a Hct of 15 percent in normal animals is safe. Adoption of this TT could result in a significant reduction in the requirements for homologous transfusion with its attendant risks.

Acute Disease

Accelerated erythropoiesis: the hidden benefit of autologous donation.

The risks associated with the administration of blood products have increased efforts to avoid homologous transfusions. Preoperative autologous donation has received renewed interest as a method of decreasing homologous transfusion requirements. Autologous donations may also stimulate postoperative erythropoiesis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of an aggressive autologous donation program on postoperative erythropoiesis. Ten adult male baboons were divided into two groups. The autologous group (n = 5) donated an average of 2 units of blood per week for 5 weeks before operation. The control group (n = 5) had no preoperative treatment. All animals then underwent a laparotomy and exchange transfusion with hetastarch to a final hematocrit of 15 percent. The time required to recover to hematocrits of 20 percent (3.3 vs. 5.7 days, p less than 0.01), 25 percent (7.0 vs. 8.8 days, p less than 0.05), and 30 percent (11.1 vs. 17.7 days, p less than 0.01) was shorter in the autologous group. The autologous group had more intense reticulocytosis during the first 4 postoperative days (p less than 0.03). The data show that participation in an aggressive autologous donation program improves the erythropoietic response to anemia in the postoperative setting. This represents a hidden benefit of preoperative autologous donations and suggests that more aggressive donation schedules may be clinically beneficial. Recognition of that acceleration of erythropoiesis by autologous donation could further reduce the need for transfusion of homologous blood.

Animals

Growth of fresh-frozen pulmonary allograft conduit in growing lambs.

To investigate the fate of cryopreserved pulmonary conduit allografts, an experimental model was used in lambs. The lambs underwent resection of the pulmonary trunk and valve to the level of the bifurcation of the pulmonary arteries and then were replaced by cryopreserved (CryoLife, Incorporated, Laboratories) pulmonary conduit allografts obtained from lambs of similar size. Lambs were operated on at 4 weeks of age and followed up with cardiac catheterization and cineangiography every 3 months for a period of 18 months. Lambs were electively sacrificed in the following order: two at 1 month, two at 3 months, one at 6 months, two at 12 months, and five at 18 months. To assess the structure of the conduit tissue, sections for light microscopy were obtained from the proximal, midportion, and distal ends of the conduit. While the lambs grew from a weight of 11.7 kg at the time of implant to more than 70 kg at 18 months, the diameter of the pulmonary conduit distended from 16 mm at the time of implant to 17.7, 19.1, 24.9, 34.3, and 33.7 mm at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months, respectively. The length of the conduit also extended from an original inner length of 25 mm and an original outer length of 32 mm to the following dimensions: inner lengths of 27.9, 32.7, 38.8, 43.6, and 45.3 mm, respectively, at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

An analysis of the transfusion medicine content of the test of the National Board of Medical Examiners.

A two-year (1984-1985) review of 3,764 questions appearing on Part I and Part II of the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) indicated 140 (4%) were transfusion medicine (TM)-related. Fewer questions on TM appeared on Part II than Part I (45 vs. 95, P less than 0.001). Unexpectedly, the lowest proportion of questions (excluding psychiatry) in the Part II examination was in the surgery section. Part I NBME appears to adequately reflect and assess the TM content of the medical school curricula, but the number and distribution of questions in Part II of the NBME does not reflect recent changes in the clinical transfusion medicine curricula of many United States medical schools.

Blood Transfusion

Postoperative enteral hyperalimentation for cryptosporidial acute cholecystitis associated with AIDS and enteritis.

A homosexual youth presented with undiagnosed acute cryptosporidial cholecystitis, a fever of 102.8 degrees F and a WBC of 3500/mm3. This was preceded by several months of watery diarrhea and 20% weight loss. Following cholecystectomy, G-I function was maintained by efficient esophageal aspiration of swallowed air, with simultaneous immediate duodenal feeding of elemental diet. He absorbed 160 g amino acids and 4200 kcal, and was safely self-sufficient when discharged 26 hours postoperatively. Reappearance of the persistent cryptosporidial enteritis was followed by diagnoses of the offending organism and the associated AIDS. He failed to respond to specific spiramycin therapy, and 8 months after cholecystectomy he succumbed to pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. For this malnourished and particularly vulnerable patient, preservation of postoperative G-I function and its exploitation for enteral support may have been essential to enhance "immune competence" and lead to a remarkably smooth and rapid recovery.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Discharge within 24 hours of elective cholecystectomy. The first 100 patients.

Discharge with 24 hours of elective cholecystectomy has proved to be an attainable goal for the vast majority of patients, without increasing risk. The clinical courses of the first 100 subjects (of 109 consecutive patients) to reach this goal were examined critically. Preservation of gastrointestinal function and immediate full enteral nutrition were major steps toward reduction of hospital dependency. Pain and the need for narcotics were reduced by careful patient instruction and wound infiltration with a long-acting local anesthetic. Preoperative hospitalization was eliminated by outpatient testing and admission for 29 subjects, who were admitted the day of surgery. This group's entire stay was only one day. Patients and family found the total regimen acceptable by independent review. Significant cost savings were realized as a fringe benefit.

Adolescent

Reducing postoperative pain, narcotics, and length of hospitalization.

Bupivacaine wound infiltration together with efficient esophagogastric decompression and immediate elemental feeding in 43 consecutive, well-instructed patients who had undergone cholecystectomy reduced their postoperative analgesia requirements to an average of 17 (+/- 46, SD) mg of meperidine during the initial 24 hours. No analgesics were requested by 35/43 patients (81%) and 40/43 were discharged within 24 hours of surgery. All 86 conventionally treated control patients required narcotics, averaging 4.4 (+/- 0.3, SD) doses and amounting to 290 (+/- 25, SD) mg of meperidine or its equivalent during their first postoperative day and were discharged in 6.5 (+/- 0.7, SD) days. None were discharged in less than 3 days. Home interview by a visiting nurse was carried out for a block of 19 treated patients and their families. Six patients were interviewed prospectively within 33 to 64 hours of surgery, with a repeat visit 1 to 2 months later. Retrospectively studied patients were only seen 1 to 4 months after surgery. These interviews confirmed the patients' and their families' satisfaction with their bodily functions, their limited discomfort, and their independence from the hospital. Wound infiltration with a long-acting local anesthetic, efficient removal of swallowed air, and immediate, full enteral nutrition contribute to reduced postoperative pain and narcotic use in well-instructed patients, thus leading to safe and satisfactory early discharge.

Adolescent

Manometrically guided colon insufflation during double-contrast barium enemas.

The double-contrast enema's potential for high accuracy depends in part on consistently good inflation of the colon. However, optimal inflation is often not obtained because of deflation during filming, underinflation because of fear of perforating the colon, or patient discomfort. To help meet the dual requirements of ensuring consistently good bowel inflation while avoiding over-inflation, we have designed a modified insufflator which incorporates a manometer and allows accurate readings of intraluminal large-bowel pressures during or following insufflation. In more than 3000 examinations using this method we have experienced no complications.

Barium Sulfate