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Biomedical subjects

J Still

Publications and source records attributed to J Still.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

An unusual mechanism of burn injury due to flaming drinks.

Bars and cocktail lounges serve various forms of flaming drinks, usually made with very high-proof alcohol. The drinks are lit and then served. If additional alcohol from the bottle is added to a still-burning drink, flames may spread up the stream of alcohol into the bottle and cause a flash of flame out the bottle's neck. Injuries can require grafting. Three cases are reported. A 32-year-old white female sustained burns covering 10 per cent of her body surface, including the face. Surgery with split-thickness grafts were required. Pressure garments were prescribed for 6 months. A 34-year-old black female was burned by a "volcano" drink. Burns covered 20 per cent of her body surface, including the face. Split-thickness grafts were required on multiple occasions. Infected wounds healed slowly. Reconstructive surgery has so far required eight procedures. A 39-year-old white male sustained severe burns to 10 per cent of his body, including the face. Grafting was carried out. Pressure garments were required. Permanent visible facial scarring is present in all three cases. This type of accident is readily preventable.

Accident Prevention↗
PubMed1996

Respiratory and circulatory parameters of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) anaesthetised with etorphine and azaperone.

Respiratory rate, heart rate, blood-gas tensions (PO2 and PCO2) and pH of arterial (a) and peripheral venous (v) blood, concentration of haemoglobin in arterial blood (Hb), saturation of arterial haemoglobin with oxygen and the end-expiratory concentration of oxygen were measured in 22 juvenile African elephants (Loxodonta africana) anaesthetised with etorphine and azaperone during a period of 35-65 minutes after they had assumed lateral recumbency. Based on these parameters the alveolar-arterial and arterial-peripheral venous differences of PO2 [P(A-a)O2 and P(a-v)O2 respectively] and oxygen content of arterial blood (CaO2) were calculated. Elephants with body mass of < or = 600 kg showed statistically significant changes in the following parameters, compared with elephants with a body mass of more than 600 kg (x +/- SD): PaO2 (64 +/- 11 versus 82 +/- 8 mmHg), P(a-v)O2 (9 +/- 5 versus 22 +/- 9 mmHg), P(A-a)O2(37 +/- 16 versus 15 +/- 8 mmHg) and Hb (148 +/- 20 versus 130 +/- 10 g/l) (p < 0.05). These findings suggested a tendency towards impaired oxygen exchange in the lungs, reduced peripheral extraction of oxygen and elevated oxygen-carrying capacity of arterial blood in smaller elephants. These changes were theoretically attributed to the respiratory-depressant and sympathomimetic effects of higher dosages of etorphine used in the smaller elephants to maintain a clinically acceptable anaesthetic plane. Individual elephants spent 35-150 minutes under anaesthesia and all recovered uneventfully after reversal of etorphine with diprenorphine.

Anesthesia, General↗
PubMed1996

Cardiovascular and respiratory effects of detomidine in isoflurane-anaesthetised horses.

Anaesthesia was induced in horses (n = 6) with a mixture of thiopentone and guaiphenesin and maintained by mechanical ventilation with a mixture of oxygen, air and isoflurane. Inspiratory and end-expiratory concentrations of oxygen, carbon dioxide and isoflurane were measured. Electrocardiography was used to evaluate heart rate and rhythm. Mean systemic arterial pressure (SAPm), pulmonary artery pressure (PAPm), right atrial pressure (RAPm) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) were measured directly. Cardiac output was determined using the thermodilution method. Microcirculation in the upper triceps brachii muscle was estimated using laser Doppler flowmetry. Blood gas values, pH and haemoglobin concentration (Hb) were determined in arterial and mixed venous blood. Baseline values were taken after stabilisation of anaesthesia and were statistically compared to values obtained after an intravenous bolus of detomidine (10 micrograms/kg) had been injected at Time 0. Samples were then collected at 2, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 min. End-expiratory concentration of isoflurane was maintained at 1.8% during the experimental period described above. Thereafter, the isoflurane concentration was reduced to 1.3% and samples were collected at 60, 70 and 80 min. Detomidine caused a significant reduction of heart rate (HR), cardiac index (CI), oxygen transport (O2TR) and a significant elevation of the SAPm, systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and coefficient of utilisation of oxygen (O2CU) at 2 min. A significant reduction in HR, CI, SAPm, Hb, content of oxygen in arterial blood (CaO2) and O2TR and a significant elevation of O2CU were observed 10-50 min after the injection of detomidine. Reduction of the isoflurane end-expiratory concentration to 1.3% was followed by a progressive improvement of the SAPm, CI and muscle perfusion towards the baseline values. Further reduction of Hb and CaO2 as compared to the baseline values was observed during the period. The data suggest that detomidine potentiates some of the cardiovascular effects of isoflurane in horses.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed1990

Treatment of induced enterotoxigenic colibacillosis (scours) in calves by the lactoperoxidase system and lactoferrin.

The clinical efficacy of a preparation based on the lactoperoxidase system (LP-s) and lactoferrin (LF) was tested in calves experimentally infected with E coli K99+, Ent+. Mortality, occurrence and duration of diarrhoea were significantly lower (P less than 0.05) and general clinical status significantly better (P less than 0.05) in infected calves treated with LP-s and LF preparation than in infected but non-treated calves. Results suggest that LP-s and lactoferrin are effective in the treatment of enteric colibacillosis in calves.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

A clinical study of auriculotherapy in canine thoracolumbar disc disease.

Auriculotherapy (ear-point acupuncture) was used in dogs (n = 30) suffering from thoracolumbar disc disease, Types I-IV, with a duration of 1 to (47 means = 8) d. During auriculotherapy treatment, no analgaesics or antiinflammatory medications were used. Pressure-sensitive and electrically detectable points on the concave aspect of the external auricle were stimulated by insertion of stainless steel acupuncture needles for 20 min. One to 6 needles were used on each occasion in a maximum of 3 treatments. Fifty per cent of dogs recovered completely and 23% improved. Dogs with backpain only (Type I) and dogs with paresis (Type II) responded best with mean recovery times of 1.7 and 3.2 d respectively. The analgaesic effects were especially impressive. Auriculotherapy failed in 3 (50%) paralysed dogs (Types III and IV) in which post-mortem examinations confirmed focal myelitis and myelomalacia. Four of 12 dogs (33%) recorded relapsed in 1.4 to 26 weeks after successful treatment.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1985

[Comparison of the diagnostic possibilities of palpation of the abdominal cavity and ear acupuncture in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in dogs].

The diagnostic possibilities of the use of palpation and auriculodiagnosis were compared in 89 and 78 dogs with clinical signs of gastritis acuta, gastroenteritis acuta, and gastroenteritis acuta haemorrhagica. A significant difference in the success of diagnosis in favour of auriculodiagnosis was confirmed by the statistical evaluation of the results. The best results were obtained when gastritis acuta was diagnosed: auriculodiagnosis was successful in 100% of the cases, in contrast to palpation which was successful in 33.3% of the cases. The objectivity of detection painfulness and the decrease of relative skin resistance were secured by the use of an atraumatic electrode. The results which are of primary importance in veterinary medicine agree with similar findings in human clinical acupuncture.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1985

[Use of acupuncture in the resuscitation of animals].

In the present work fundamental experience is summed up regarding the acupuncture resuscitation of animals. The results are based on examination of 243 cases of 17 different species of domestic and exotic animals and birds. The apnoea condition, or only deep narcosis, has been induced with the use of different kinds of narcotics, above all Thiopental. A review of four most effective acupuncture points and the proper way of resuscitation are given. The acupuncture resuscitation has shown up to 100% results in clinically healthy dogs, whereas in animals affected with different diseases the success of intervention showed to be smaller (77.47%). In zoo animals in narcosis induced by medicines, the resuscitation effectiveness achieved 92.6%. The resuscitation effect is based not only on strictly determined points but also on diffusive irritation of respective point and its surroundings by acupressure. Discussion deals with the factors on which the acupuncture resuscitation and its success are dependent.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1985

[The effect of acupuncture on hematologic and biochemical values in dogs with endoparasitic infections].

Selected hematological and biochemical indicators in blood were studied in seven dogs for 57 days. Six dogs were exposed to long-term, pre-experimental, natural invasion of the endoparasite Trichuris vulpis, one dog to Toxascaris leonina. In both cases the invasion of parasites was only weak, without any clinical symptoms. Acupuncture was performed on the first to fourth experimental days by steel acupuncture needles used in human medicine by introducing them into Gv-14, ST-36 and SP-6 points for twenty minutes. The results were evaluated statistically and compared with the samples taken from individual animals prior to acupuncture application. The changes in blood serum protein fractions in six dogs suffering from trichuriasis were compared with the control group of animals invaded in a similar way and with physiological standard. The results confirmed a statistically highly significant difference in the values of blood sedimentation (increase at four samplings from the 9th to 38th experimental days). At two samplings performed on the 35th and 57th experimental days a statistically highly significant difference was observed in the dogs suffering from trichuriasis as compared with the control group: in the relative values of globulin beta-fraction (increase), globulin gamma-fraction (decrease) and albumin (decrease) of the blood serum. In these dogs the A/G quotient decreased statistically highly significantly. There were no substantial changes in the level of total protein during the experiment, however, there was a trend of eosinophilia. These findings suggest the activation of the immunity system, but the invasion of Trichuris vulpis was not markedly influenced. The above-mentioned changes in blood values were not observed in the dog invaded with Toxascaris leonina, the parasite invasion remained at the pre-experimental level. No marked changes of the long-term duration were observed in the values of the other hematological and biochemical tests in any of the experimental animals. The control group consisting of four dogs without endoparasitic invasion, clinically in good condition, was also subjected to acupuncture at Gv-14, ST-36, SP-6 points. In the course of this study, the originally lower values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, erythrocyte number, leucocyte number and number of the segmented neutrophilic granulocytes increased and reached the physiological standard. Towards the end of this experiment all values of hematological and biochemical blood examinations were similar like those of the experimental group.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1978

Mode of action of the lipid-lowering agents, clofibrate and BM 15075, on cholesterol biosynthesis in rat liver.

When rats were fed a diet containing 0.3% clofibrate or a derivative of this drug, BM 15075, serum cholesterol was lowered within 3-7 days by 26-38%. Both drugs diminished the activity of hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA reductase, the regulatory enzyme of hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis, in rat liver microsomes by about 60% under the same conditions. The decrease in the activity of the enzyme obviously is due to changes in the amount of enzyme protein. Under in vitro conditions microsomal hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA reductase was inhibited competitively by (1.35 mM) clofibric acid (sodium salt) and by BM 15075 (1 mM) with respect to its substrate. These results give evidence that these drugs can affect both, the rate of synthesis and the substrate affinity of hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA reductase.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Activation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase in vitro.

Hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, the regulatory enzyme of cholesterol biosynthesis, was activated by in-vitro incubation of mouse liver microsomes with an artificial system consisting of Na2SO3, MgCl2 and EDTA. The extent and the time course of the activation were very similar to those observed with a 105 000 x g liver supernatant. Throughout its diurnal rhythm hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase was activated about threefold, while after cholesterol feeding the extent of activation was diminished but was not abolished. The activation could be inhibited by 0.1M fluoride, indicating that a phosphatase might be involved in the activation process.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1975

Sterol biosynthesis in yeast. 3-Hydorxy-3-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A reductase as a regulatory enzyme.

Anaerobically and aerobically grown yeast contains 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, which is located in the mitochondrial fraction of the cell. Anaerobically grown yeast has a low specific activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase and a low sterol content. Aeration of this yeast in buffer, without growth, results in an increase in the specific activity of the enzyme, which is paralleled by an increase in the sterol content. This induction has an oscillatory profile with yeast grown anaerobically for 24 h and a linear pattern with cells grown anaerobically for 72 h. With the latter type of yeast, glucose is necessary for an induction, whereas with the other yeast an induction occurs with and without glucose. By an anaerobic incubation in buffer of the yeast grown anaerobically for 24 h, the oscillatory profile can be transformed into a linear one. The extent of induction of the reductase is strictly dependent on the concentration of glucose present. Sterols increase in whole cells, but they do not increase in the mitochondrial fraction. The induction of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase is strongly inhibited by cycloheximide, but is not affected by chloramphenicol. The induction of the enzyme is closely connected with the glucose metabolism of the cell; fructose, mannose, and ethanol can also induce the reductase.

Aerobiosis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Electrocution due to contact of industrial equipment with power lines.

Electrocution due to contact of construction equipment with power lines is not uncommon as a source of industrial injury. We report seven such cases. Two patients sustained cardiac arrest and were successfully resuscitated at the scene. Four patients lost consciousness and in two cases, amnesia for the event was encountered. No long-term cardiac or neurologic effects were noted. Surgery including amputation was sometimes required. In all cases, the patient was on the ground touching the machinery or touching cables connected to the machinery at the time of injury. The importance of exercising due care in industrial safety measures is stressed. Prompt CPR was life saving in two cases.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ranitidine interference with the monoclonal EMIT d.a.u. amphetamine/methamphetamine immunoassay.

The interference of ranitidine with the monoclonal EMIT d.a.u. amphetamine/methamphetamine immunoassay (ME) was investigated. Urine specimens collected from 23 patients receiving 150-300 mg of ranitidine daily were found to contain 7-271 mg/L of the drug when analyzed by Remedi automated high pressure liquid chromatography. Only patient specimens and urine samples with ranitidine added at concentrations greater than 91 mg/L gave false positive ME results. Of the 63 patient urine samples analyzed by ME, 12 gave false positive results. All false positive results occurred in the first or second void after ingestion. No false positive results occurred with the polyclonal EMIT d.a.u. amphetamine or TDx amphetamine/methamphetamine II assays.

Amphetamine↗