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Biomedical subjects

J Good

Publications and source records attributed to J Good.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Plant diversity and productivity experiments in european grasslands

At eight European field sites, the impact of loss of plant diversity on primary productivity was simulated by synthesizing grassland communities with different numbers of plant species. Results differed in detail at each location, but there was an overall log-linear reduction of average aboveground biomass with loss of species. For a given number of species, communities with fewer functional groups were less productive. These diversity effects occurred along with differences associated with species composition and geographic location. Niche complementarity and positive species interactions appear to play a role in generating diversity-productivity relationships within sites in addition to sampling from the species pool.

Journal Article↗

Ganglions of the foot and ankle. A retrospective analysis of 63 procedures.

A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate treatment of foot and ankle ganglion cysts seen at the Foot and Ankle Institute at the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine (now Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine). From 1990 to 1997, 63 patients (63 ganglion cysts) were treated by conservative or surgical means. Statistical analysis of data collected showed a significant relationship between type of treatment received and recurrence of the cyst. Surgical intervention resulted in significantly less recurrence (11%) than conservative treatment (63%). Regardless of whether treatment was conservative or surgical, there was no significant relationship between location of the cyst and recurrence. The type of conservative treatment was not significantly related to recurrence of the cyst. The surgical recurrence rate reported here is comparable to that reported in other studies of foot and ankle ganglion cysts. The number of foot and ankle ganglion cysts evaluated in this study is the largest in the literature.

Adolescent↗

Human torovirus: a new nosocomial gastrointestinal pathogen.

Studies were undertaken to determine if human torovirus is associated with gastroenteritis and to examine the clinical features of torovirus illness in children. The fecal excretion of torovirus in patients with gastroenteritis was compared with that in matched asymptomatic controls in a case-control study. Toroviruses were identified in 72 (35.0%) of 206 gastroenteritis cases compared with 30 (14.5%) of 206 controls (P<.001). Clinical features of torovirus gastroenteritis in 172 patients positive for torovirus were compared with those of 115 patients infected with rotavirus or astrovirus. Persons infected with torovirus were more frequently immunocompromised (43.0% vs. 15.7%) and nosocomially infected (57.6% vs. 31.3%). They also experienced less vomiting (46.4% vs. 66.7%) but had more bloody diarrhea (11.2% vs. 1.8%). An antibody response to torovirus developed mainly in older, nonimmunocompromised children (P<.01). These studies demonstrate an association between torovirus excretion and gastroenteritis in the pediatric population among immunocompromised hospitalized patients and in previously healthy patients.

Adolescent↗

Tibial tuberosity avulsion associated with patellar tendon avulsion.

We report an adolescent boy with avulsion of the tibial tuberosity associated with avulsion of the patellar tendon. He underwent open reduction and internal fixation of his bone injury and the patellar tendon was successfully reattached. The boy experienced a full recovery.

Adolescent↗

The renal effects of dopamine and dobutamine in stable chronic heart failure.

Although an extensive literature exists on factors controlling sodium excretion in animal experimental models of heart failure, the relevance of these to the human condition remains largely unexplored. Increased renal sympathetic stimulation is considered responsible for heightened urinary sodium retention. Stimulation of dopamine receptors is believed to cause a diuresis. Accordingly, we sought to explore the influence of dobutamine (a beta-1 receptor agonist) and dopamine in high and low doses on a frusemide-induced diuresis in patients with chronic stable heart failure. Preliminary results indicate that low doses of dobutamine and dopamine do not increase a moderate, frusemide-induced diuresis. With higher doses dobutamine, but not dopamine, increased urine volume and sodium excretion. These results suggest that direct stimulation of beta-1 receptors increases urinary sodium excretion, either by a direct effect on the kidney or by altering systemic and renal haemodynamics.

Aged↗

Double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of a mixture of gangliosides ('Cronassial') in post-herpetic neuralgia.

A double-blind, parallel-group clinical trial was carried out in 25 patients with post-herpetic neuralgia to determine the efficacy and tolerability of a mixture of gangliosides ('Cronassial') compared with placebo. Patients were allocated at random to receive treatment with either 'Cronassial' (100 mg in 2 ml buffered solution) or placebo given by 11 subcutaneous injections over a period of 27 days, and their symptoms assessed on entry and after 2, 4 and 8 weeks. The four aspects of pain considered (overall pain, hyperaesthesia, stabbing pain and constant ache) all showed maintained reductions in severity with 'Cronassial' treatment, but not with placebo. In the case of hyperaesthesia, this difference between treatments was statistically significant (both during and after the course of injections), even with the relatively small number of patients in this study. Sleep patterns showed significant sustained improvements with 'Cronassial', but not with placebo treatment. Other psychological assessments (general psychological state, appetite and mood) showed little difference between 'Cronassial' and placebo treatment. Although 'Cronassial' was well tolerated systemically, 1 of the 12 patients was withdrawn because of general malaise, and 5 patients had local pain at the injection sites. Two of these 5 patients were withdrawn from the study. There were no withdrawals in the placebo group. It is suggested that further studies employing greater numbers of patients should be carried out to confirm the efficacy of gangliosides in improving symptoms of patients with post-herpetic neuralgia.

Aged↗

Recruitment services: a viable option.

Medical recruiters are quickly becoming a viable option in the search for qualified imaging technologists. The purpose of this paper is to familiarize the manager with the services offered by a recruiting agency.

Contract Services↗

The monitoring of prothrombin time ratios in general practice--a model for chronic disease care?

A small group of ten patients on long-term treatment with anticoagulant drugs were offered the opportunity to attend an anticoagulation clinic run by their general practitioner over a one year period. All had previously been travelling long distances to attend over-crowded hospital clinics. Attendance at general practice clinic was excellent, control of anticoagulation was good and there were no problems advising on dose alterations. The implications of this study for the management of this and other chronic conditions in General Practice are discussed.

Adult↗