PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J G Fisher

Publications and source records attributed to J G Fisher.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Complete dentures for a child with hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia: a clinical report.

Young children with anodontia caused by hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia not only have difficulties in eating and speaking but can also sense that their appearance is different than others. Enabling children with HED to look and act more like their peers through the use of well-fitting and functioning dentures with age-appropriate denture teeth will greatly assist in their transitioning into the school years. Although denture fabrication requires multiple patient appointments and good cooperation, it is shown that even young children can cooperate for the denture-making process. The desire to be like others who have teeth can be a motivator for cooperation in even the young child. Children should be given every opportunity to develop to their fullest potential. The dentist can make a significant contribution to the overall development and well being of a child with HED.

Anodontia↗
PubMed1995

Progressive hemifacial atrophy (Parry-Romberg syndrome). Case report.

Progressive hemifacial atrophy (Parry-Romberg syndrome) is a slowly progressing facial atrophy of subcutaneous fat and the wasting of associated skin, cartilage, and bone. This disorder includes an active progressive phase (2 to 10 years) followed by a burning out of the atrophic process with subsequent stability. This article presents a review of the literature and a case report with unique dental involvement as a result of this disease process.

Child↗
PubMed1994

Inactivation of the Porphyromonas gingivalis fimA gene blocks periodontal damage in gnotobiotic rats.

Fimbrial production by Porphyromonas gingivalis was inactivated by insertion-duplication mutagenesis, using the cloned gene for the P. gingivalis major fimbrial subunit protein, fimA. by several criteria, this insertion mutation rendered P. gingivalis unable to produce fimbrilin or an intact fimbrial structure. A nonfimbriated mutant, DPG3, hemagglutinated sheep erythrocytes normally and was unimpaired in the ability to coaggregate with Streptococcus gordonii G9B. The cell surface hydrophobicity of DPG3 was also unaffected by the loss of fimbriae. However, DPG3 was significantly less able to bind to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite than wild-type P. gingivalis 381. This suggested that P. gingivalis fimbriae are important for adherence of the organism to saliva-coated oral surfaces. Further, DPG3 was significantly less able to cause periodontal bone loss in a gnotobiotic rat model of periodontal disease. These observations are consistent with other data suggesting that P. gingivalis fimbriae play an important role in the pathogenesis of human periodontal disease.

Alveolar Bone Loss↗
PubMed1991

Tryptophan supplementation for nocturnal bruxism: report of negative results.

This experiment was designed to study the effect of L-tryptophan on nocturnal bruxism. Portable EMG recorders were used to monitor unilateral masseter muscle activity during sleep in eight patients identified as nocturnal bruxists. Following an initial baseline period, the patients were given, in a randomized double-blind study, either tryptophan (50 mg/kg of body weight) or a placebo for 8 days followed by an additional 8 days of reverse medication. Dietary patterns and food intake were monitored throughout the experimental period. No significant treatment differences in bruxing levels were found, suggesting that L-tryptophan supplementation in the absence of dietary manipulation is ineffective in the treatment of nocturnal bruxism.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Poison centers in America: how well do they perform.

Marked differences in cell volume, service area, and center resources continue to exist between poison centers certified by the American Association of Poison Control Centers as Regional Poison Centers and those not meeting these criteria. However, the present clinical significance, if any, of these factors remains unproven. The only previous study, conducted in 1980, used only 1 test problem and did not attempt to separately analyze each of the differences between Regional Poison Centers and Non-regional Poison Centers. This study solicited the participation of all 208 US poison centers existing. Fifty-four poison centers (REGIONAL CENTERS 16/34 = 47%, NON-REGIONAL CENTERS 38/173 = 22%) agreed to participate. Three problems were presented to each center by simulated callers. Considerable variation was observed in efficiency and in extent of information provided. Overall, Regional Centers provided complete and correct answers for 83% of the presented cases, while Non-regional Centers did so in 57% of the cases. Although Regional Center status, staff experience, center call volume, medical direction all appear to be important, the most predictive factors were staff and center experience.

Humans↗
PubMed1988

American poison control centers: still not all the same?

Although poison control centers meeting the criteria for certification by the American Association of Poison Control Centers as regional centers are widely believed to differ from centers not meeting these criteria, this assumption has not recently been validated. We surveyed all poison control centers listed in the Emergency Medicine 1986 directory of poison control centers or in the 1986 American Association of Poison Control Centers membership directory regarding their operations. Of 208 poison control centers listed, 167 (80.2%) responded; 28 of 35 regional poison control centers (80.0%) responded, as did 139 of 173 nonregional poison control centers (80.3%). The median annual call volume was 3,899 for all centers. For regional poison control centers, the median was 44,429, and for nonregional poison control centers, 1,553 (P less than .001). There also were highly significant differences in population served, call volume per capita, center staffing, medical direction, staff orientation, and follow-up protocols.

Poison Control Centers↗
PubMed1988

Microbiological and immunological studies of adult periodontitis in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

The subgingival microflora and serum antibody response was examined in periodontitis patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and normal glucose tolerance (NGT). The predominant cultivable microflora was determined for subgingival plaque sampled from two deep periodontal pockets in each of eight adult periodontitis patients with NIDDM. Indirect immunofluorescence for Bacteroides intermedius, Bacteroides gingivalis, and Haemophilus actinomycetemcomitans was used to examine these same samples as well as 186 additional subgingival plaque samples from 47 patients with moderate to severe generalized periodontitis including 25 subjects with NIDDM, six subjects with IGT, and 16 subjects with NGT. Serum antibody levels to 13 microorganisms including seven oral bacterial species and one nonoral control species were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in 377 subjects including 84 normal subjects without periodontal disease, 112 normal subjects with periodontitis, 19 periodontally normal subjects with IGT, 65 periodontitis patients with IGT, 15 periodontally normal subjects with NIDDM, and 82 periodontitis patients with NIDDM. Three hundred eighty-two bacterial isolates were recovered from the eight patients. B. intermedius was the most frequently isolated microorganism constituting 16% of the total isolates followed by Wolinella recta and B. gingivalis, which each accounted for 13% of the total. Streptococcus sanguis was the most prevalent microorganism, which was found in 75% of the sites. Subgingival plaque samples examined by immunofluorescence demonstrate a high prevalence of black-pigmented Bacteroides and suggest that the proportion of B. gingivalis but not B. intermedius is higher in NIDDM with periodontitis than in other groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Long-term outcome after neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

Little information is available on long-term outcome after neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Four patients are described who had survived episodes of NMS 2 to 11 years earlier. Some were safely re-treated with neuroleptics, and all safely received general anesthesia. No major sequelae were identified. Recommendations for management of patients after NMS are provided.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Psychometric differentiation of psychogenic and organic erectile disorders.

A study was conducted to assess the discriminant validity of patient responses to a questionnaire in distinguishing between organic and psychogenic erectile dysfunction. A total of 56 urologist-referred veterans slept for 3 nights in a sleep laboratory for nocturnal penile tumescence recording. Based on nocturnal penile tumescence results 48 patients were assigned to an organic group and the remaining 8 were assigned to a psychogenic group. A discriminant function analysis of questionnaire responses yielded a highly significant discriminant function [chi-square (19) equals 63.88, p less than 10(-6)], and all 56 patients were classified correctly into the nocturnal penile tumescence-defined organic and psychogenic groups. It was concluded that verbally reported data contain diagnostically meaningful information and that such information can compare favorably with information collected through standard laboratory-based nocturnal penile tumescence techniques.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Double-blind comparison of buspirone and clorazepate in anxious outpatients.

Buspirone, a new nonbenzodiazepine anxiolytic agent, was compared with clorazepate in a double-blind, multicenter trial conducted with 336 outpatients who had moderate to severe anxiety. The two treatments were equally effective for relief of symptoms, including anxiety with associated depression. Although both agents were generally well tolerated, the profile of side effects was dissimilar. Drowsiness and depression occurred significantly (p less than 0.055) more frequently with clorazepate, whereas nausea and headache occurred significantly (p less than 0.055) more frequently with buspirone. Clorazepate-treated patients were significantly (p less than 0.055) more likely to have had an adverse experience that was considered drug related or that interfered with the therapeutic effect. In this study, buspirone was shown to be an effective antianxiety agent, causing significantly less sedation than clorazepate.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1986

Levels of plasticizer in the frequent plasma donor.

Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), a commonly employed plasticizer reported to be carcinogenic in rats and mice, has been confirmed to leach from all plastic component parts of the equipment employed in plasma donation. Resident aqueous solutions of both sodium chloride and sodium citrate were found to contain only trace levels of DEHP (0.03 ppm), while stored plasma samples contained levels at least one order of magnitude higher (0.4 ppm). Since at least 5% of all plasma donations in the Los Angeles area are deemed to be of the high frequency classification, investigation into repeated red blood cell exposure to DEHP was considered imperative. However, there was no difference in the levels of DEHP found in the plasma of the frequent plasma donor (50-60 times per annum) relative to the first-time donor. It is concluded that there is no increased contamination threat to frequent plasma donation from migrating plasticizer via red blood cell exposure, at least during the collection process. Furthermore, there is no more risk to recipients of plasma products from frequent donors than from occasional donors. It would seem that the ambient level of DEHP to be expected in stored frozen plasma products averages no greater than about 0.5 ppm.

Blood Donors↗
PubMed1985

Combined behavioral and pharmacological treatment of essential hypertension.

Fifty-two pharmacologically treated hypertensive patients were randomized to one of four treatment groups: (1) diastolic blood pressure biofeedback, (2) progressive deep muscle relaxation training, (3) self-directed relaxation training, or (4) medication alone. Data collection occurred during baseline, treatment, and 1-year follow-up phases in a laboratory, a medical clinic, and the patient's own home. Patients from all four groups combined showed mean blood pressure reductions of -10.2/-5.5 mm Hg on clinic recordings and -2.4/-.7 mm Hg on home recordings, which were maintained throughout the follow-up period. There were no significant differences among the four groups in terms of blood pressure reduction. Patients given adjunctive behavioral treatment showed significantly larger reductions in medication usage compared to patients treated with medication alone, but there were no significant differences among the three behaviorally treated groups. Patients who showed medication reductions did not show subsequent blood pressure elevation. The results suggest that combined behavioral and pharmacological therapy may be superior to pharmacological therapy alone in the treatment of essential hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Gingival fibromatosis with hypertrichosis. A case report.

A case of gingival fibromatosis with hypertrichosis is reported in a 3-year-old girl. Partial recurrence was observed 6 months after surgical treatment. Psychological benefits resulting from the cosmetic improvement may outweigh the probability of recurrences in this rare condition.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1983

The effects of smoking and cigarette nicotine content on smokers' preparation and performance of a psychosocially stressful task.

This study examined the effects of tobacco smoking and cigarette nicotine content on four dimensions of emotional behavior (peripheral autonomic, electrocortical, cognitive, and overt motor) during both the preparation for and the performance of a psychosocially stressful task (extemporaneous speaking). Three groups of experienced smokers either did not smoke, smoked a low-nicotine cigarette, or smoked a high-nicotine cigarette while they were preparing to perform the speaking task. All subjects reported prior to the experiment that they did experience smoking as relaxing and that they did experience a stronger desire to smoke under a variety of negative affective states compared to a variety of positive affective states. In spite of these verbal reports, however, neither the smoking ritual nor the nicotine content of the cigarette smoked had a significant effect on any of the four dimensions of the emotional behavior studied during either the preparation for or the performance of the task. These results were discussed in terms of previous psychophysiological studies utilizing different types of stressors and behavioral indices of emotion.

Anxiety↗
PubMed1983

Cognitive and physiologic responses to EMG biofeedback and three types of pseudofeedback during a muscular relaxation task.

Four groups of normal human subjects were tested for their ability to reduce frontal muscle tension levels during presentation of veridical auditory biofeedback or auditory pseudofeedback. A double-blind methodology was used. Three groups of subjects assigned to the pseudofeedback conditions received a feedback signal that was not contingent on EMG activity but that followed one of three different patterns. One group received a truly random signal, the second received a signal that gradually increased in frequency (apparent failure), and the third received a signal that gradually decreased in frequency (apparent success). Dependent measures included both physiologic (frontal and neck EMG) and subjective reactions to the relaxation task. The different patterns of pseudofeedback did produce reliably different subjective responses, suggesting that the manipulations succeeded in producing unequal nonspecific effects that were unrelated to the feedback contingency specifically. However, these differential subjective effects were not strongly reflected in the physiologic responses since the differences in EMG levels among the four groups did not differ significantly at any stage of training. An analysis of the integrity of the double-blind procedure showed that although experimenters were effectively kept blind to group assignment, subjects' responding suggested a response bias as well as the possibility that the double-blind was breached. The utility of the double-blind methodology in biofeedback experiments is discussed and suggestions for future research are offered.

Biofeedback, Psychology↗