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Biomedical subjects

J Ratner

Publications and source records attributed to J Ratner.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Processing syntactic relations in language and music: an event-related potential study.

In order to test the language-specificity of a known neural correlate of syntactic processing [the P600 event-related brain potential (ERP) component], this study directly compared ERPs elicited by syntactic incongruities in language and music. Using principles of phrase structure for language and principles of harmony and key-relatedness for music, sequences were constructed in which an element was either congruous, moderately incongruous, or highly incongruous with the preceding structural context. A within-subjects design using 15 musically educated adults revealed that linguistic and musical structural incongruities elicited positivities that were statistically indistinguishable in a specified latency range. In contrast, a music-specific ERP component was observed that showed antero-temporal right-hemisphere lateralization. The results argue against the language-specificity of the P600 and suggest that language and music can be studied in parallel to address questions of neural specificity in cognitive processing.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

International pharmaceutical spending controls: France, Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

France, Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom each use different types of policies for controlling prescription drug spending. Until recent years, these policies have relied heavily on regulating prices charged by drug manufacturers, with different systems providing varying degrees of pricing freedom. While these policies appear to have brought some degree of price restraint, they have not prevented continued growth in prescription drug spending. As a result, each country is supplementing its policies with measures aimed at physicians and consumers and targeted at reducing a perceived over-utilization of pharmaceutical products.

Cost Control↗
PubMed1991

The prevalence of gallstone disease in very old institutionalized persons.

We present the results of a study that was undertaken at a large geriatric nursing home to assess the prevalence of gallstone disease in very old institutionalized persons. One hundred seventeen residents underwent ultrasound examination of the gallbladder. Two thirds of 82 women and half of 35 men had gallstone disease. When stratified for age, 80% of women and men over the age of 90 years were positive for the disease. In summary, the prevalence of gallstone disease in our very old nursing home population was found to be unexpectedly high.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Tetrahydroaminoacridine-lecithin combination treatment in patients with intermediate-stage Alzheimer's disease. Results of a Canadian double-blind, crossover, multicenter study.

We studied the efficacy and safety of oral tetrahydroaminoacridine (THA) combined with lecithin in 52 patients with Alzheimer's disease. The maximal tolerated dose of THA (up to 100 mg per day) was determined during an eight-week titration period, after which the tolerated dose of THA or placebo was given during two sequential randomized periods of treatment lasting eight weeks each. Highly purified lecithin (4.7 g per day) was administered during all phases of the study. Efficacy was expressed in terms of scores on the Mini-Mental State (MMS) test, the modified MMS test, the Hierarchic Dementia Scale, the Rapid Disability Rating Scale-II, and the behavioral scale of Reisberg et al. Safety was assessed by careful clinical monitoring as well as serial measurements of liver aminotransferases. Forty-six patients completed the titration period, and 39 completed the double-blind period, during which only the MMS score showed a small but significant increase (P less than 0.05) after four weeks of treatment with THA. Autonomic side effects of THA were common but mild. Reversible elevations of serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase levels to three or more times the upper limit of normal occurred in 17 percent of patients; most of the patients affected were women. A liver biopsy performed in one patient showed resolving focal liver-cell necrosis. These studies fail to demonstrate a significant clinical benefit of THA given orally in a maximal dose of 100 mg per day over a period of eight weeks in combination with lecithin.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1984

Opportunistic infections in homosexual men.

In summary, we have described a homosexual patient who died of Kaposi's sarcoma and overwhelming disseminated opportunistic infections. Review of the literature attests to the severe alterations of immune surveillance inherent in the homosexual population as a whole and the need for vigorous clinical investigation when warranted.

Candidiasis↗
PubMed1976

A performance-based method of student evaluation.

A method of medical education has been developed which emphasizes audit of student performance in terms of behavioural traits (thoroughness, reliability, analytic sense, and efficiency) rather than in terms of memorized knowledge. This method is dependent upon the Problem-Oriented Medical Record. The tools developed for the audit and some preliminary results are presented.

Behavior↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Validating the integrity of one-way check valves for the delivery of contrast solution to multiple patients.

The infusion of contrast solution into multiple patients from a single infusion bag is desired in clinics concerned with the high cost of the solution. Using one-way check valves in the infusion line is a protection method to reduce the risk of blood-borne cross-contamination. The suitability of this method is assessed through testing of the operating characteristics of the valves and infusion system and the high back pressure testing of the valves. The results indicate that the use of back-flow valves can ensure the prevention of flow from the patient to the injector. Results also indicate that the use of sprung valves, those which require a significant forward pressure to open them, are more appropriate for this application.

Blood-Borne Pathogens↗