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Biomedical subjects

J Magill

Publications and source records attributed to J Magill.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Photonuclear physics when a multiterawatt laser pulse interacts with solid targets

When a laser pulse of intensity 10(19) W cm(-2) interacts with solid targets, electrons of energies of some tens of MeV are produced. In a tantalum target, the electrons generate an intense highly directional gamma-ray beam that can be used to carry out photonuclear reactions. The isotopes 11C, 38K, (62,64)Cu, 63Zn, 106Ag, 140Pr, and 180Ta have been produced by (gamma,n) reactions using the VULCAN laser beam. In addition, laser-induced nuclear fission in 238U has been demonstrated, a process which was theoretically predicted at such laser intensities more than ten years ago. The ratio of the 11C and the 62Cu beta(+) activities yields shot-by-shot temperatures of the suprathermal electrons at laser intensities of approximately 10(19) W cm(-2).

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Use of a high-risk alcohol relapse scale in evaluating liver transplant candidates.

BACKGROUND: Methods to improve assessment, selection, and monitoring of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis who pursue liver transplantation are sought continuously. We chose to investigate the use of the High-Risk Alcohol Relapse (HRAR) scale in our transplant population in the hope that it would improve our ability to identify and follow patients at highest risk for alcohol relapse. METHODS: Detailed alcohol histories of 207 patients evaluated for liver transplantation were collected and graded for severity by using the HRAR. The HRAR provides information on the duration of alcohol use (a measure of chronicity), daily quantity of alcohol use, and rehabilitation experiences (treatment responsiveness). Posttransplant alcohol use was monitored through clinical follow-up in the transplant clinic. RESULTS: Although men and women had similar years of heavy drinking pretransplant, women's daily alcohol consumption was significantly less than men's. HRAR scores did not distinguish those listed for transplant from those not listed or those who drank posttransplant from those who did not. Transplant patients were predominantly in the low-risk group (83% had an HRAR score <4). CONCLUSIONS: The HRAR did not have predictive ability in our transplant population. Few of our patients were rated as high risk, and few drank posttransplant. Nevertheless, identifying patients at high risk may improve clinical care and decrease the rate of posttransplant alcohol consumption.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Psychiatric evaluations of small intestine transplantation patients.

We are gaining experience in small intestine transplantation, however, the procedure is still experimental. Morbidity and mortality can be significant with frequent rehospitalizations. The indications for small intestine transplantation are varied though most patients have developed short gut syndrome requiring total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for nutritional support. Patients may present with a chronic illness (such as Crohn's disease), chronic pain, and psychiatric comorbidity that may need to be addressed during the perioperative period. Faced with the complicated postoperative course, transplant recipients develop a range of endogenous and organic psychiatric disorders. Psychiatric treatment may be complicated by these factors in addition to the nutritional, biochemical, and metabolic abnormalities of a transplanted small intestine.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Concerns, affect, and cognitive disruption following completion of radiation treatment for localized breast or prostate cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe concerns, cognitive disruption, and affect following the completion of radiation treatment (RT) for localized breast or prostate cancer. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, descriptive. SETTING: Two RT centers associated with a university hospital. SAMPLE: Patients who completed RT for prostate (n = 9) or breast cancer (n = 11). The mean age of the sample is 64 years. Ninety percent are Caucasian, 80% are married, 50% are of Latter-day Saint faith, and 50% are retired. All had early stage disease, with a mean of 20 months post-RT. METHODS: One-time interview using qualitative methods and the Life Orientation Test, Revised Impact of Events Scale, state scale of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, satisfaction items of the Sarason Social Support Questionnaire, and Side Effect Severity Checklist. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Frequency of intrusive thoughts or avoidant behavior, positive and negative affect, dispositional optimism, satisfaction with social support, severity of side effects, and themes extracted from semistructured interviews. FINDINGS: Most subjects had unexpected intrusive thoughts about cancer; more than one-third avoided reminders of cancer. The level of positive affect was high, as was optimism. The level of negative affect was low. Subjects' satisfaction level with social support was high. Fatigue was the most frequently reported continuing side effect. Relative optimism, acceptance, vigilance, and trust of healthcare providers were major themes. Avoidance, comparison, maintaining normalcy, and information seeking were common coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects perceived themselves to be doing well. Fatigue was the most common long-term side effect. Subjects continued to seek information. Symptom vigilance and interpretation were important, as were having a positive outlook and maintaining normalcy. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses must acknowledge the potential for concerns about symptoms and continuing side effects and what they mean for the patient. Clinicians need to provide accurate information about common post-treatment experiences. Clinicians also must remember that subjects have vivid recollections of both positive and negative interactions with healthcare providers.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1986

The self-esteem of adolescents with cerebral palsy.

This paper examined the self-esteem of 22 adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) (11 girls, 11 boys) who were matched by sex, school, age, and IQ with 22 nondisabled adolescents. Subjects completed the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS), the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale II (FACES II), and a demographic questionnaire. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed that the girls with CP scored significantly lower than the boys with CP, the nondisabled boys, and nondisabled girls on physical self-esteem, and the nondisabled girls and boys with CP on social self-esteem. The scores of the boys with CP were similar to those of the nondisabled groups. This differential effect of disability on males and females is discussed in terms of the interactionist theory and the implications for occupational therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Single subject research designs in occupational therapy literature.

This paper examines two years (1982-1983) of publications appearing in four occupational therapy journals in order to determine the type and proportion of articles which are descriptive, survey, correlational, case studies (including single subject design), quasi-experimental, or practical. In addition, a detailed analysis of articles using single subject methodology in occupational therapy is reported. The appropriateness of several single subject research designs in occupational therapy is discussed.

Occupational Therapy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Outbreak of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection among hospital personnel.

An outbreak of illness due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae occurred among employees of a large hospital. The spectrum of disease ranged from severe upper respiratory infection to multilobed pneumonia. No unusual increase in the incidence of respiratory illness due to this organism was observed in the surrounding community during the period under investigation. It was not possible to identify any single area of the hospital frequented by enough of the involved personnel to explain the spread of the infection among the hospital's employees. This is the first outbreak of M pneumoniae disease to be reported among hospital personnel.

Cross Infection↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Alcohol use following liver transplantation: a comparison of follow-up methods.

Alcoholic cirrhosis is one of the most common indications for liver transplantation. Previous researchers have studied rates of return to drinking following transplantation, however, few have employed prospective measures of alcohol use. The authors prospectively studied the alcohol use of patients transplanted for alcoholic liver disease. The authors improved the accuracy of monitoring alcohol use by using various methods for tracking patient's alcohol consumption, and we report on the time to first alcohol use after transplantation comparing these different methods. The authors found that alcohol use can occur very early after transplantation, even within the first 3 months posttransplant. Thirty-eight percent of the patients consumed any alcohol after transplantation. The clinical interviews by the psychiatrist were the most successful method for identifying posttransplant alcohol use. Posttransplant alcohol use was significantly associated with prior nonalcohol substance use (P < 0.025), family history of alcoholism in a first-degree relative (P < 0.025), and prior alcohol rehabilitation experience (P < 0.05) but not with a prior psychiatric history or less than 6 months of pretransplant sobriety. The authors indicate that prospective monitoring, using a combination of methods, is the most accurate approach to identify alcohol consumption. With this type of accuracy, risk factors can be identified and alcohol use can be compared with alcohol-related morbidity posttransplant.

Adult↗