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Biomedical subjects

J Lazarus

Publications and source records attributed to J Lazarus.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Cognitive function, thyroid status and postpartum depression.

Impairment of cognitive function can occur with thyroid disorder and also with depression. Since depression occurs in conjunction with postpartum autoimmune thyroiditis, the question arises as to whether any impairment of cognitive function in postpartum women is related to change in thyroid status or to depressed mood. A total of 242 women (110 thyroid antibody-positive and 132 antibody-negative) were assessed at 8, 12, 20 and 28 weeks postpartum in the outpatients of a district general hospital. Thyroid antibody levels (antimicrosomal and antithyroglobulin) were monitored at monthly intervals, together with plasma T3, T4 and thyroid-stimulating hormone. The main outcome measures were Research Diagnostic Criteria for depression, the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, together with reaction time and digit span. Subjects with postnatal depression showed detectable cognitive impairment independent of thyroid antibody status and actual thyroid dysfunction.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1991

Tendency-distance models of social cohesion in animal groups.

Although it has been assumed that attraction and repulsion between social individuals constitute a basis for group cohesion, there has been no systematic study of the possible ways in which these tendencies might vary with inter-individual distance (IID), or of associated implications for group structure. In this paper, a family of attraction/repulsion--distance functions is described. Computer simulation was used to examine the effects of each function on group cohesion, as reflected by mean values and variability in IID and group shape. Our results showed that: (a) all models led to stability in group structure, but differed significantly in terms of stable IID and group shape characteristics; (b) cohesion was best served by an upwardly convex behaviour--distance function in which maximum attraction equaled maximum repulsion (and the biological plausibility of this function is discussed); (c) group elongation and variability in mean IID were significantly positively correlated; (d) although dyads maintained an equilibrial separation distance, at which attraction balanced repulsion, in larger groups stable nearest neighbour distances were often less than the equilibrium distance; and (e) individuals needed to monitor and respond to only relatively few of their companions in order to avoid group fragmentation.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Congenital anomalies associated with hypothyroidism.

Seven of the 34 infants identified through the Welsh Hypothyroid Screening Programme have additional congenital abnormalities. Two infants have a previously undescribed syndrome, two have chromosomal abnormalities, two have congenital heart disease, and one has a myelomeningocoele. Congenital hypothyroidism often seems to be associated with other congenital abnormalities.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1985

Problems in attempts to humanize medicine.

Most attempts to humanize medicine have at best been temporary, barely touching the margins of medicine and sustained largely by their zealous advocates. Some of the major attempts to humanize medicine are reviewed and the possible reasons for their relative failure are, discussed. It is argued that the fundamental obstacle to the practice of humanistic medicine stems from the dichotomy existing between biological and psychosocial variables. Success in humanizing medicine is therefore dependent on whether these two variables can be united and on the level at which any attempt enters the health care system.

Education, Medical↗
PubMed1983

An objective medical student examination in obstetrics.

The objective structured clinical examination is now being used to examine medical students in obstetrics. Each student circulates around various timed stations where he carries out preset tasks. Groups of up to 20 students can be tested in rotation against previously agreed upon checklists. A wide range of clinical and practical skills can be objectively assessed in this way.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1983

Student attitudes towards the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and conventional methods of assessment.

Medical student attitudes towards: (i) the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) as a method of clinical assessment; (ii) the OSCE conducted by the University of Cape Town Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; and (iii) the OSCE compared with conventional methods of assessment, were quantified. Three groups comprising 32, 25 and 32 4th-year M.B. Ch.B. students participated in the study by completing a questionnaire for the assessment of clinical competence in medical education during a feedback session after completing their end-of-block OSCE in obstetrics. Students displayed a positive attitude towards the OSCE as a method of assessment and the OSCE in which they participated, and preferred the OSCE as a method of clinical assessment. We conclude that the OSCE is an excellent alternative to the traditional end-of-block oral examinations.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1981

The use of Lotte's nail in the treatment of nonunion of the tibia.

Six cases of established nonunion of the tibia were treated successfully with a Lotte's nail. The procedure consisted of an amalgam of well-known techniques previously used in similar cases with varying degrees of success. The authors feel that this method may be a useful addition to the orthopaedists' armamentarium, for it is relatively simple to perform, needs no special equipment, allows early mobilization with weight-bearing, and requires minimal patient cooperation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Cerebro-costo-mandibular syndrome.

The cerebro-costo-mandibular syndrome is characterized by cerebral maldevelopment or malfunction or both, costal deficiencies, and micrognathia. Cleft palate and glossoptosis are frequently present and contribute to the common presenting sign, neonatal respiratory distress. Intrauterine and postnatal growth retardation are common. Familial cases are rare and the mode of transmission is uncertain. The deficiencies in the posterior portion of affected ribs are the sine qua non for diagnosis; roentgenographic confirmation is required. Since the first description of this pattern of prenatal growth defect in 1966, 19 patients who fulfill the criteria for diagnosis have been reported. We present three additional cases, one of which includes roentgenographic-pathologic correlations, and summarize the combinations of features present in previously described cases. Pulmonary complications incident to lack of thoracic cage support result in poor prognosis for survival.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1976

The epidermis in thyroid disease.

Epidermal dimensions, replication and anabolic activity have been studied in thirteen patients with thyrotoxicosis and seven patients with hypothyroidism. Epidermal thickness and rete pattern were significantly reduced in hypothyroidism. The rates of epidermal cell division and anabolic activity in the epidermis were estimated by measuring the rates of incorporation of tritiated precursor compounds and were found to be increased in thyrotoxicosis. The mean autoradiographic labelling indices after the intracutaneous injection of tritiated thymidine were 9-1% in thyrotoxic patients and 4-3% in the hypothyroid group. None of the changes observed could be correlated accurately with the degree of thyroid gland activity, but increased thyroid activity was reflected in the epidermal changes better than decreased thyroid activity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Human psychophysical analysis of receptive field-like properties. I. A new transient-like visual response using a moving windmill (Werblin-type) target.

A human transient-like visual response has been revealed psychophysically with a rotating windmill target, similar to that used by Werblin in his recent studies of the retina of Necturus. The windmill pattern evoked complex perceptual phenomena (important in and of themselves) which were minimized by using a high luminance for the "criterion" flashing test field (relative to its increment threshold), and by moving the four-vaned windmill pattern at a rate of two complete revolutions per second. The transient response, herein defined as the difference in threshold between the stationary and moving windmill conditions, was greatest when the windmill vanes fell completely within the sensitization (inhibition-like) portion of the Westheimer function determined at the same retinal locus. The test has been developed so that it may be readily adapted to available clinical equipment for future diagnostic purposes .

Differential Threshold↗