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Biomedical subjects

J Keating

Publications and source records attributed to J Keating.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The effect of training on physical therapists' ability to apply specified forces of palpation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether postgraduate physical therapy students studying manipulation could learn to accurately produce specific forces during palpation of an intervertebral joint. SUBJECTS: The 12 subjects (7 female, 5 male), aged 26 to 36 years (X = 29.5, SD = 2.9), had each completed a 4-year degree course in physical therapy and had worked between 3 and 10 years in clinical practice. All subjects were enrolled in a 12-month postgraduate manipulative therapy diploma course. METHODS: Subjects in the experimental group (n = 6) trained to apply specific forces of 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 kiloponds using bathroom scales. They practiced for 10 minutes per day for 30 days. Their ability to produce these forces on command was measured using a force platform as they applied posteroanterior passive accessory intervertebral joint movements to the lumbar spine of the healthy subjects. This testing was done prior to training (pretest), immediately after training (posttest), and 1 month following cessation of training (retention test). The control group subjects (n = 6) had no training with scales but were also students of the postgraduate manipulative physical therapy course. RESULTS: In comparison with the control group, the experimentally trained group showed reduced error in force production both immediately after training and 1 month later. This improvement was significant for the retention test. For the retention test, the experimental group subjects were also tested on the trained task (ie, their ability to apply specific forces to the scales). They developed higher levels of accuracy than did the control group. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: Experimental training, therefore, was an effective addition to normal training, suggesting that therapists can learn to quantify applied forces, with significant implications for communication and evaluation of joint behavior.

Adult↗

Central serotonin receptors and delayed gastric emptying in non-ulcer dyspepsia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether central serotonin receptors are involved in the pathophysiology of non-ulcer dyspepsia. DESIGN: Between subjects study of solid phase gastric emptying and prolactin response to buspirone challenge. SUBJECTS: 12 patients fulfilling criteria for non-ulcer dyspepsia and 12 age and sex matched controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Solid phase gastric emptying measured by scintigraphic assessment of the movement of a standard meal labelled with technetium-99m and indium-111; responsiveness of central serotonin 1A receptors measured by the prolactin release following challenge with oral buspirone 60 mg. RESULTS: Solid phase gastric emptying was significantly delayed in the patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia (t 1/2 = 90.6 (SD 14.5) minutes in patients and 54.6 (10.7) minutes in controls; 95% confidence interval 24.7 to 46.7 minutes, p < 0.001). Prolactin release was significantly greater in patients compared with controls (1272.7 (1039.9) mU/l v 292.9 (136.1) mU/l; 352.1 to 1607.5 mU/l, p < 0.01). Gastric emptying and prolactin release were significantly correlated (r = 0.59, p = 0.04) in the patients but not in the controls (r = 0.23). CONCLUSION: Central serotonin 1A receptors may have a role in the pathophysiology of non-ulcer dyspepsia of the dysmotility subtype.

Adult↗

Antiinflammatory drugs and emergency surgery for peptic ulcers in the Waikato.

OBJECTIVE: to examine the use of antiinflammatory drugs in patients undergoing emergency surgery for bleeding and perforated peptic ulcers in the Waikato. METHODS: a retrospective case control study of all patients who had emergency surgery for bleeding and perforated peptic ulcers at the Waikato Hospital from March 1987 to March 1991. RESULTS: seventy-seven patients underwent emergency surgery for complicated peptic ulcers over the study period. Forty-six (60%) of these patients were taking antiinflammatory agents at the time of admission to hospital. In an age and sex matched group of patients undergoing nonulcer emergency surgery over the same period 18 of 77 patients (23%) were using antiinflammatory drugs (p less than 0.001). There was no difference in the postoperative morbidity or mortality between the antiinflammatory drug takers and the nondrug takers following emergency ulcer surgery. CONCLUSIONS: the findings confirm the high level of use of antiinflammatory drugs by patients who require emergency surgery for life threatening complications of peptic ulcers. Patients taking aspirin, nonaspirin nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NNSAIDs) and oral steroids form a major part of the workload in the emergency surgical treatment of bleeding and perforated peptic ulcers.

Age Factors↗

Laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of acute small bowel obstruction.

The surgical correction of acute small bowel obstruction is conventionally performed through a vertical laparotomy incision. The increasing use of the laparoscope for elective general surgery has led to an increase in its use for the diagnosis and treatment of acute abdominal conditions. The authors report five cases of acute small bowel obstruction treated with the aid of the laparoscope. All five patients were able to leave the hospital in the early postoperative period and remain symptom free. Laparoscopy is a useful technique in the management of selected cases of small bowel obstruction.

Acute Disease↗

Prospective audit of an extramucosal technique for intestinal anastomosis.

A computerized prospective audit was conducted of 500 intestinal anastomoses constructed in 470 operations on 461 consecutive patients between 1 January 1986 and 16 November 1990. All anastomoses were constructed by an open extramucosal method, emphasizing the avoidance of sutures through mucosa and avoiding the use of intestinal clamps. There were 214 men and 247 women, with a median age of 66 years. Clinical anastomotic leakage was detected from 11 (2.2 per cent) of 500 anastomoses. There were 18 (3.8 per cent) deaths resulting from the 470 operations, but only two (0.4 per cent) were associated with anastomotic leakage, which was not the direct cause of death in either. Peritonitis occurred as a consequence of leakage in two (8 per cent) of 26 resections for Crohn's disease, but the patients survived after reoperation. The single-layer extramucosal technique is probably the safest method available for intestinal suture.

Aged↗

Dissolution of cholesterol gall stones using methyltertbutyl ether: a safe effective treatment.

Methyltertbutyl ether (MTBE) administered by percutaneous transhepatic catheter rapidly dissolves radiolucent cholesterol gall bladder stones. However, complete dissolution and clearance of non-cholesterol debris is essential to prevent recurrence. In this study we analysed 25 consecutive patients with reference to efficacy and recurrence based on the presence or absence of non-cholesterol stone fragments after dissolution. Placement of the catheter was successful in 24 patients, one patient requiring cholecystectomy for bile peritonitis. MTBE was infused and aspirated continuously, four to six cycles per minute, resulting in rapid stone dissolution (median six hours; range 4-23 hours for solitary stones and median seven hours, range 4-30 hours for multiple stones). In 18 patients who had complete dissolution, four (22%) had recurrent stones within six to 18 months. Five patients had residual debris which failed to clear completely despite bile acid treatment. One patient with an incomplete rim of calcium in a large stone did not respond to MTBE treatment. A further patient required cholecystectomy for symptomatic recurrence. There were no serious side effects observed. MTBE treatment is a rapid, safe, and effective treatment for patients who refuse surgery or who for medical reasons cannot undergo cholecystectomy. The results of this study confirm that complete dissolution of all fragments is essential and may prevent recurrence.

Adult↗

Surgery offers the best palliation for carcinoma of the pancreas.

This debate discusses the palliative management of pancreatic cancer. The arguments in favour of surgical palliation are that this approach allows all symptoms to be treated or prevented, the diagnosis can be confirmed histologically and a final assessment of resectability can be made. The arguments against the use of surgery are that survival is short and that effective alternative therapies are available: endoscopic intubation, percutaneous coeliac plexus block and pancreatic enzyme supplements. The most appropriate policy, however, is to tailor the management plan to suit the individual patient.

Aged↗

Sexual fantasies of heterosexual and homosexual men.

Heterosexual men and homosexual men rated how arousing different sexual fantasies were and how often they had used these fantasies over the previous year. Within each group, sensual and genital same-orientation fantasies were more arousing than either public-sex or dominance-submissive fantasies, which in turn were more arousing than aggressive-sex fantasies. For both heterosexual and homosexual men the extent to which a fantasy was arousing correlated with the person's experience of the activity depicted in the fantasy. The frequency of use of a fantasy correlated positively with its arousal level but not always substantially so. The results are discussed in the context of the mediating role of fantasy in human sexual arousal.

Adult↗

The effects of swabbing the skin on apparent blood ethanol concentration.

The swabbing of the arm with ethanol before venepuncture significantly raised the apparent blood ethanol concentration, when compared to the unswabbed arm. In contrast, when isopropanol was substituted for ethanol in these studies, no change in the blood ethanol concentration was determined.

1-Propanol↗

Glutathione S-transferase levels in autoimmune chronic active hepatitis: a more sensitive index of hepatocellular damage than aspartate transaminase.

Glutathione S-transferase (GST; EC 2.5.1.18), a sensitive marker of hepatocellular damage, was measured in patients on therapy for histologically proven, autoimmune chronic active hepatitis at various stages of the disease. GST levels were elevated in 65% of serum samples despite immuno-suppressive treatment compared with aspartate transaminase (AST) which was increased in only 23% of samples. In 55% of samples with normal AST concentrations, GST was elevated. No samples demonstrated abnormal transaminase with normal GST levels. It is concluded that continuing hepatocellular damage occurs in patients with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis on immuno-suppressive treatment.

Adolescent↗

Kidney pathology in liver allograft recipients after long-term treatment with cyclosporin A.

Organ transplant recipients given immunosuppressive treatment with cyclosporin A are at risk of injury due to nephrotoxicity. Eight liver allografted patients whose renal function became impaired during therapy with cyclosporin A for up to 4.5 years were investigated by renal biopsy. Ischemic changes in glomeruli were found to be greater than in controls, and there was focal tubular atrophy, but an excess of lesions in small arteries could not be demonstrated. In one patient there were glomerular changes suggestive of thrombotic microangiopathy. Interstitial fibrosis and cellular infiltration were slight. The pathogenesis of the ischemia remains to be elucidated, but reasons are advanced for favoring the view that the mechanism of cyclosporin A nephrotoxicity is primarily vasomotor, causing a reduction of renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate without permanent organic arterial narrowing; nephrons become damaged irreversibly nevertheless.

Adult↗

Margin of safety in positioning modern double-lumen endotracheal tubes.

The authors have defined the margin of safety in positioning a double-lumen tube as the length of tracheobronchial tree over which it may be moved or positioned without obstructing a conducting airway. The purpose of this study was to measure the margin of safety in positioning three modern double-lumen tubes (Mallinkrodt [Broncho-Cath], Rusch [Endobronchial tubes], and Sheridan [Broncho-Trach]). The margin of safety in positioning a: 1) left-sided double-lumen tube (all manufacturers) is the length of the left mainstem bronchus minus the length from the proximal margin of the left cuff to left lumen tip; 2) Mallinkrodt right-sided double-lumen tube is the length of the right mainstem bronchus minus the length of the right cuff; and 3) Rusch right-sided double-lumen tube is the length of the right upper lobe ventilation slot minus the diameter of the right upper lobe. The length of the right and left mainstem bronchi were measured by in vivo fiberoptic bronchoscopy (n = 69), in fresh cadavers (n = 42), and in lung casts (n = 55), and the diameter of the right upper lobe bronchus was measured in lung casts (n = 55). The average +/- SD male left and right mainstem bronchial lengths were 49 +/- 8 and 19 +/- 6 mm, respectively, the average +/- SD female left and right mainstem bronchial lengths were 44 +/- 7 and 15 +/- 5 mm, respectively, the average right upper lobe bronchial diameter was 11 mm, the proximal left cuff to left lumen tip distance was 30 mm, the length of the Mallinkrodt right cuff was 10 mm, and the length of the Rusch right upper lobe ventilation slot was 15 mm. The average margin of safety in positioning left-sided double-lumen tubes ranged 16-19 mm for the different manufacturers. The average margin of safety in positioning Mallinkrodt right-sided double-lumen tubes was 8 mm, and the margin of safety in positioning Rusch right-sided double-lumen tubes ranged 1-4 mm, depending on French size. The authors concluded that left-sided double-lumen tubes are much preferable to right-sided double-lumen tubes because they have a much greater positioning margin of safety, and that proper confirmation of proper position of either a left- or right-sided double-lumen tube should be aided by fiberoptic bronchoscopy, because the absolute distances that constitute the margin of safety are extremely small.

Bronchi↗

An improvement in cognitive function following polypharmacy reduction in a group of epileptic patients.

18 epileptic patients on polypharmacy were assessed, using a battery of psychometric tests including the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Benton Visual Retention Test and Alertness and Concentration tests. The same patients were reassessed one year later following a trial to reduce their polypharmacy. The results for 12 patients whose treatment was reduced to monotherapy were statistically analysed, using the Wilcoxon Matched Pairs Test. Significant changes were found on a number of test scores which included Full Scale WAIS I.Q., W.A.I.S. Performance I.Q., Digit Symbol, Block Design and Object Assembly, Benton Visual Retention Test Error Score and Concentration Test Score. The other tests showed no improvement over baseline. The results point to the improvement in some areas of cognitive function which follows a reduction in polypharmacy to monotherapy.

Adult↗

Unnecessary polypharmacy in patients with frequent seizures.

35 patients with a mean seizure frequency of 15 attacks per months were studied. 19 were taking a 2-drug combination, 13 a 3-drug combination and 3 patients a 4-drug combination. Treatment was reduced to monotherapy in 21 patients and to a 2-drug combination in 8 patients. There was an increase in seizure frequency in 6 patients taking a 2-drug combination when an attempt was made to reduce the treatment to monotherapy. Reduction in polypharmacy resulted in an improvement in seizure control in 54% of patients. Carbamazepine replaced polypharmacy as monotherapy in 19 patients and phenytoin and sodium valproate in 2 other patients. Improvement in seizure control was associated with optimal blood levels in 17 patients taking carbamazepine and in the 2 patients taking sodium valproate and phenytoin. Serum levels in all patients taking 2-drug combination were within the optimal range.

Adolescent↗

Management of the primary dentition in vitamin D-resistant rickets.

Vitamin D-resistant rickets (familial hypophosphatemia) is a systemic disease secondary to defective renal-tubular reabsorption of phosphate. The major oral manifestations are spontaneous abscesses in a caries-free dentition. Pulpotomies or extractions were frequently described in the dental literature as the therapies of choice. This article presents a new prophylactic approach utilizing zinc oxide--eugenol pulpectomies and full crown coverage in an attempt to retain the primary dentition and prevent abscess formation.

Abscess↗