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Biomedical subjects

K Casey

Publications and source records attributed to K Casey.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Eating soya improves human memory.

RATIONALE: Soya foods are rich in isoflavone phytoestrogens with weak agonist activity at oestrogen receptors. Oestrogen treatment has been found to improve memory in men awaiting gender reassignment and in post-menopausal women. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of supervised high versus low soya diets on attention, memory and frontal lobe function in young healthy adults of both sexes. METHODS: Student volunteers were randomly allocated to receive, under supervision, a high soya (100 mg total isoflavones/day) or a low soya (0.5 mg total isoflavones/day) diet for 10 weeks. They received a battery of cognitive tests at baseline and then after 10 weeks of diet. RESULTS: Those receiving the high soya diet showed significant improvements in short-term (immediate recall of prose and 4-s delayed matching to sample of patterns) and long-term memory (picture recall after 20 min) and in mental flexibility (rule shifting and reversal). These improvements were found in males and females. In a letter fluency test and in a test of planning (Stockings of Cambridge), the high soya diet improved performance only in females. There was no effect of diet on tests of attention or in a category generation task. Those on the high soya diet rated themselves as more restrained and, after the tests of memory and attention, they became less tense than did those on the control diet. CONCLUSIONS: Significant cognitive improvements can arise from a relatively brief dietary intervention, and the improvements from a high soya diet are not restricted to women or to verbal tasks.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Laboratory investigation of supported permeable organic covers for the management of odour emissions from anaerobic piggery waste ponds.

Australian research has linked much of the odour arising from intensive livestock operations to pond treatment systems. A reduction in emissions from treatment ponds would therefore generally reduce odour emissions from intensive livestock operations. Published data indicates that the application of straw and other biological materials to effluent pond surfaces as a continuous cover reduces odour emissions. The effectiveness of these covers has not, however, been researched under controlled conditions. Using locally available materials, the efficacy of supported covers has been investigated using a series of laboratory anaerobic digesters treating typical piggery effluent. Research to date has focused on: identifying effective cover and cover support materials; quantifying odour reduction; identifying the impact use these covers may have on greenhouse gas emissions; devising practical and effective methods for constructing these covers. Results have confirmed that a variety of cover materials are effective in reducing pond odour emissions. Supporting the pond cover appears to extend the cover life expectancy. While greenhouse gas emissions appear to vary according to cover type, the overall significance of these emissions is not yet clear. The impact of permeable pond covers on overall pond performance requires additional research.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1998

Female swordtail fish prefer symmetrical sexual signal

It has been proposed that females use the symmetry of secondary sexual traits to differentiate between potential mates. The vertical bars on male swordtail fish function as a signal that attracts females and deters rival males in one swordtail species. In addition, male courtship behaviour of most Xiphophorus species incorporates serial lateral presentations, which provide females with a clear opportunity to assess males for bilateral symmetry. We tested the hypothesis that X. cortezi females prefer males with a symmetrical bar number by determining whether females switched their preference between two males when we switched which male had a symmetrical number of bars. The ability to manipulate the bars without influencing other male traits allowed us to control for male characters correlated with bar symmetry that females might prefer. The degree of asymmetry in bar number we used was within the degree of asymmetry found for this trait in nature. Females switched their preference between a pair of males when we switched which male was symmetrical for bar number. We discuss the possibility that females prefer a symmetrical bar number as well as an alternative hypothesis. Copyright 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Prospective randomized trial of talc slurry vs bleomycin in pleurodesis for symptomatic malignant pleural effusions.

OBJECTIVE: Symptomatic malignant pleural effusions are common sequelae in patients with certain malignancies. Pleurodesis via bedside thoracostomy is the current treatment option most commonly used. To our knowledge, this is the first prospective randomized trial to examine which agent, bleomycin or talc slurry, is superior in terms of effectiveness, safety, and cost. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between July 1992 and March 1995, 35 patients presenting to our medical center with symptomatic malignant pleural effusions were prospectively randomized to undergo chemical pleurodesis with either bleomycin or talc slurry via bedside thoracostomy. The conditions of patients were assessed and graded before and after treatment concerning pain, dyspnea, and chest radiographs. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients who underwent 33 treatments (14 with bleomycin and 19 with talc) were available for follow-up. Follow-up ranged from 2 weeks to 8 months (mean, 1.7 months). Both groups demonstrated notable improvement in both pain and dyspnea following treatment, but there were no statistically significant differences between groups in the amount of improvement (two-tailed Student's t test). Permanent control of effusions, defined objectively on chest radiograph, was achieved with 11 bleomycin treatments (79%) and 17 talc treatments (90%) (p=0.388). The procedures were well tolerated and no significant adverse effects were observed. Talc is a much less costly agent than bleomycin ($12.36 cost to our medical center per treatment for talc vs $955.83 for bleomycin). CONCLUSION: Given the similar efficacy and significant cost advantage, we conclude that talc is the agent of choice when utilizing pleurodesis for control of symptomatic malignant pleural effusions.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Procedure-specific do-not-resuscitate orders. Effect on communication of treatment limitations.

BACKGROUND: Do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders are often inaccurately communicated between physicians and nurses or residents. Structured, procedure-specific DNR order forms have been suggested to improve communication, but no data exist to support this impression. METHODS: The level of agreement between attending physicians and nurses or residents in their understanding of the DNR orders of critically ill patients was measured before and after instituting a structured DNR order form. Caregivers were asked (1) about the clinical events to which the DNR order applied, (2) whether the DNR order withheld all elements of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and (3) whether other treatments were to be withheld. Results were reported as kappa +/- SE. RESULTS: Nurses (n=41) and residents (n=34) showed only fair to moderate agreement with attending physicians (n=53) for the 76 evaluable patients before initiation of the DNR order form. After initiation of the structured DNR order form, nurses showed higher levels of agreement for the second (0.67 +/- 0.14) and third (0.69 +/- 0.13) components but not the first (0.39 +/- 0.15) component of the DNR order. Residents showed higher levels of agreement for the second (0.90 +/- 0.10) and third components (0.81 +/- 0.13) but not the first (0.57 +/- 0.17) component. Nurses compared with residents had lower levels of agreement with attending physicians for most aspects of the DNR order. CONCLUSION: A structured DNR order form improves agreement in understanding of some but not all components of the DNR order.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Glutathione deficiency as a complication of methylmalonic acidemia: response to high doses of ascorbate.

A 7-year-old boy with deficient activity of methylmalonyl coenzyme A mutase (mut-methylmalonic acidemia) was seen in severe metabolic crisis. After hemodialysis and clearance of toxic metabolites, severe lactic acidosis persisted with multiorgan failure. Glutathione deficiency was noted and high-dose ascorbate therapy (120 mg/kg) commenced. Glutathione deficiency may contribute to the lactic acidosis observed during decompensation in patients with methylmalonic acidemia.

Acidosis, Lactic↗
PubMed1996

Transforaminal arthroscopic decompression of lateral recess stenosis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of arthroscopic decompression of lateral recess stenosis, determine potential associated complications, and present an alternative method to access the lateral recess of the lumbar spine. Forty patients were selected in whom the authors found clinical and computerized tomography evidence of lateral recess stenosis and sequestered foraminal herniations. All 40 were treated with a posterolateral arthroscopic technique, and 38 were available for this follow-up evaluation. A satisfactory result was obtained in 31 patients (82%). No neurovascular complications were encountered; however, other complications included an infection of the disc space in one patient and a causalgic-type pain in the involved extremity in four patients. The associated postoperative morbidity in this group of patients was minimal and resulted in rapid rehabilitation and return of patients to preoperative functioning level.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Perspectives on communication issues among transplant and procurement professionals, transplant recipients, and donor families.

Communication among professionals, donor families, and transplant recipients is a controversial topic. Traditionally, transplant and procurement professionals have made the decision about the type and frequency of information that a donor family and transplant recipient receive regarding one another, and relationships that might develop as a result. Information obtained through questionnaires demonstrated inconsistency in addressing donor family and transplant recipient needs for initial and follow-up information and communication-not only between clinical transplant and procurement donation coordinators, but within organizations involved in the care and support of these people. This wide variance regarding communication among all disciplines demonstrated a need for standardization of practice guidelines. Guidelines are being developed through collaboration of the major organizations involved in the care of donor families and transplant recipients to standardize communication practices throughout the United States.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Pharmacologic therapy for traumatic brain injury: experimental approaches.

An important feature of traumatic brain injury is that much of the ultimate damage appears to occur in a delayed or secondary fashion. Although the exact timing of these secondary sequelae has yet to be elucidated, recent experimental evidence suggests that an extended window of opportunity exists during which various forms of therapy appear to be efficacious. Moreover, new therapies have been developed which can be targeted at distinct pathophysiologic aspects of brain trauma. This article summarizes recent efforts to define secondary mechanisms of brain trauma and review the development of therapeutic strategies for reversing these deleterious events.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Development and evaluation of an inventory for rating client satisfaction with outcome in HIV counseling: the Albion Center scale.

We developed an inventory for rating client satisfaction with outcome in HIV counseling, based on interview responses with clients. The resulting 19-item scale was subject to factor analysis and four factors, accounting for 56% of the variance, emerged. The factors described dimensions of Perception of progress and improved mood; Recognition of a specific need for counseling; Behavior change from counseling; and Counseling climate. Factor-scored scales were significantly associated with time in counseling and for the Specific need for counseling scale, HIV-seropositive respondents had a significantly higher score. Scale reliabilities (Cronbach's alpha) were between 0.85 and 0.50. Concurrent administration with the Counseling Evaluation Inventory indicated that there were significant correlations between the two scales.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Augmented femoral venous return.

We present a technique of femoral cardiopulmonary bypass that allows excellent venous drainage. This is accomplished by augmenting the venous return with a centrifugal pump.

Blood Circulation↗
PubMed1992

Teachers' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about child abuse and its prevention.

In considering the great responsibility placed upon teachers to involve themselves in child abuse prevention, education, and detection, the National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse (NCPCA) conducted a nationwide survey of teachers from 40 school districts in 29 randomly selected counties. The survey explores teachers knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about child abuse and its prevention. Five hundred and sixty-eight teachers responded, revealing that while the majority of teachers confront child abuse among their students, they are provided insufficient education on how to address it. Other findings are reported with respect to teachers' reporting behavior, potential barriers to reporting, child assault prevention programs, and corporal punishment in schools.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

The porcine model for intratemporal facial nerve trauma studies.

Facial nerve anatomy was compared in the rat, rabbit, cat, and pig in an effort to develop a model for facial nerve trauma within the temporal bone. The porcine model was found to have the most suitable anatomy. Landmarks for the nerve were excellent. The pig had a definite facial nerve mastoid segment that was vertical, as in the human, and long enough to allow for performance of sequential procedures on the nerve. It was also large enough for grafting and electrical testing. A detailed description of the advantages of the pig model and the anatomy of the surgical approach to the facial nerve in the porcine model is presented.

Animals↗