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Biomedical subjects

J Matta

Publications and source records attributed to J Matta.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Predictors of clinical and radiological outcome in patients with fractures of the acetabulum and concomitant posterior dislocation of the hip.

We aimed to identify variables associated with clinical and radiological outcome following fractures of the acetabulum associated with posterior dislocation of the hip. Using a prospective database of 1076 such fractures, we identified 109 patients with this combined injury managed operatively within three weeks and followed up for two or more years. The patients had a mean age of 42 years (15 to 79), 78 (72%) were male, and 84 (77%) had been involved in motor vehicle accidents. Using multivariate analysis the quality of reduction of the fracture was identified as the only significant predictor of radiological grade, clinical function and the development of post-traumatic arthritis (p < 0.001). All patients lacking anatomical reduction developed arthritis whereas only 25.5% (24 patients) with an anatomical reduction did so (p = 0.05). The quality of the reduction of the fracture is the most important variable in forecasting the outcome for patients with this injury. The interval to reduction of the dislocation of the hip may be less important than previously described.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2001

The perception of dyspnea in patients with mild asthma.

BACKGROUND: Airway function, as assessed by standard spirometry, and the intensity of dyspnea reported by asthmatic patients correlate poorly. OBJECTIVE: This study tests the following two hypotheses: (1) that measures of the tendency of a patient to somatize will reduce the variation in the report of dyspnea not explained by airway function; and (2) that plethysmography is a better tool with which to estimate the degree of dyspnea associated with asthma. DESIGN: A prospective laboratory study carried out over one study session. PARTICIPANTS: Forty asthmatic subjects who had withheld bronchodilator (BD) therapy overnight. INTERVENTIONS: We performed spirometry, plethysmography, and an assessment of dyspnea (ie, modified Borg scale) on all subjects before and after they received BD therapy. Standard questionnaires pertaining to psychological state and trait were administered as well. RESULTS: The change in specific airway conductance with BD therapy correlated with a decline in the Borg score (r = 0.47; p = 0.007). By contrast, neither spirographic measures nor measures of static lung volumes correlated. Correlation with the Borg scale score was not improved by adding indexes of either somatization or psychological state or trait. CONCLUSION: The relief of dyspnea reported by patients with mild asthma after BD therapy is related to dilatation of the central airways.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Heavy metals, lipid peroxidation, and ciguatera toxicity in the liver of the Caribbean barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda).

Human consumption of over 400 species of tropical fish containing polyether toxins (e.g. ciguatoxins, maitotoxins) causes ciguatera fish poisoning. The Caribbean barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) is one of the most potent ciguatoxic fish. The objective of this study was to determine whether toxicity of 14 barracuda livers was correlated with lipid peroxidation. A significant correlation (p = 0.015, Pearson's correlation) between lipid peroxidation and toxicity of barracuda liver was found. Because iron and copper are well-known catalysts of hydroxyl radical production and lipid peroxidation in biological systems, the correlation between the concentrations of these metals in barracuda liver and lipid peroxidation and toxicity was also investigated. Cadmium was significantly correlated (p = 0.014) with the toxicity of barracuda livers. This study provides the first data concerning the concentration of iron, copper, and cadmium in the liver of the Caribbean barracuda. Of the three metals studied in barracuda liver, iron was the most abundant, followed by copper and cadmium. Lipid peroxidation was highly variable and detected in five (36%) of the liver samples. Lipid peroxidation was not statistically significantly correlated (p > 0.05) with concentrations of iron, copper, and cadmium in barracuda liver. Collectively, these findings provide additional evidence that lipid peroxidation can be a mechanistic component of ciguatera toxicity in the Caribbean barracuda.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Familial aggregation of adolescent personality disorders.

OBJECTIVE: A family study of DSM-III-R personality disorders was conducted in the families of 66 clinically referred adolescents to examine the validity of personality disorder diagnoses in adolescents. METHOD: Semistructured interviews of Axis I and II disorders, including the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R Personality Disorders, were used to directly interview 66 clinically referred adolescents and their adult first-degree family members, combining family study and family history data. RESULTS: The relatives of adolescents with avoidant personality disorder had an increased prevalence of avoidant and cluster A (schizoid, schizotypal, and paranoid) personality disorders. The relatives of adolescents with borderline personality disorder demonstrated increased rates of borderline and avoidant personality disorders, even after adjusting for comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support the validity of Axis II diagnoses, particularly avoidant and borderline disorders, in adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Personality disorder, tendency to impulsive violence, and suicidal behavior in adolescents.

Inpatient suicide attempters (n = 37) were compared with never-suicidal psychiatric controls (n = 29) with respect to prevalence and severity of personality disorder, history of aggression and assaultive behavior, and other measures of impulsive violence. Attempters, compared with controls, were more likely to show evidence of personality disorder or trait, particularly those of the borderline type. Attempters showed greater number of borderline symptoms than did controls, even after removing the item relating to suicidality. There were no differences between the groups with respect to lifetime history of aggression, history of assaultive behavior, or self-report measures of a tendency to impulsive aggression. Those attempters with personality disorder were much more likely to have made a previous attempt. The apparently high prevalence of personality disorder among adolescent inpatient suicide attempters indicates that the social impairment associated with personality disorder be viewed as an important aspect of treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

The value of basal and/or stimulated serum gonadotropin levels in prediction of stimulation response and in vitro fertilization outcome.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether basal or stimulated (or both) serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) on day 3 of the cycle before administration of exogenous gonadotropins can predict stimulation response and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome. Eighty consecutive new patients underwent a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test on the morning of cycle day 3. All patients underwent the same stimulation protocol consisting of a combination of FSH and human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG). Paired discriminant analysis of FSH0 (at 0 minutes from GnRH injection) and LH0 revealed seven distinct groups of patients with statistically significant differences among the means: groups 1, 2, and 3 (26.25%) with higher means FSH0:LH0; group 4 (40%) with mean FSH0:LH0 (both levels less than 10 mIU/ml) of 1:1, and groups 5, 6, and 7 (33.75%) with higher mean LH0:FSH0. Canonical discriminant analysis of both basal and stimulated serum FSH and LH levels confirmed the seven groups and did not add to the information from analysis of FSH0 and LH0 only. Serum estradiol (E2) response during stimulation, as well as the number of preovulatory oocytes aspirated and transferred, was highest in the groups with a higher mean LH0:FSH0, intermediate in the group with mean FSH0:LH0 of 1:1, and lowest in the group with a higher mean FSH0:LH0. No pregnancy occurred in the higher FSH:LH groups. It is concluded that basal serum gonadotropin levels can distinguish different populations of IVF patients who tend to behave differently in terms of E2 response, oocytes obtained and transferred, and pregnancy rates and outcome.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1985

Internal compression arthrodesis of the ankle.

Eight patients with disabling tibiotalar arthritis (one patient with a supramalleolar nonunion) were treated by arthrodesis. The procedure in all of these patients consisted of internal compression obtained by bone plates and the application of a bilateral tension device. A bilateral surgical approach was used. No bone grafting was required. This study compares two groups immobilized for ten and three weeks, respectively. In both groups, the procedure invariably produced union with excellent cosmesis, few complications, and good function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Late spinal deformity in quadriplegic children and adolescents.

Sixty-four quadriplegic children and adolescents were evaluated to determine the benefits of bracing and spinal fusion on the progression and extent of their spinal curves. All those injured before 14 years of age developed a spinal deformity. Bracing in a body jacket assists in maintaining sitting balance and posture and also helps to minimize complications of quadriplegia such as pressure sores. Bracing within 6 months of injury, when the spine is still straight, lessens the incidence, extent, and progression of deformity. Spinal fusion and instrumentation are often necessary for progressive curves to maintain sitting balance and preserve existing function.

Adolescent↗