Outbreak of Shigella flexneri in a nursing home--Alberta.
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Aged↗
Biomedical subjects
K Hume
Publications and source records attributed to K Hume.
Sleep and circadian rhythms of temperature and urinary excretion on a 22.8 hr "day".
Two groups of subjects (total N = 6) were studied in an isolation chamber for a period of 3 weeks whilst living on a 22.8 hr "day". Regular samples of urine were taken when the subjects were awake, deep body temperature was recorded continuously and polygraphic EEG recordings were made of alternate sleeps. The excretion in the urine of potassium, sodium, phosphate, calcium and a metabolite of melatonin were estimated. Measurements of the quantity and quality of sleep were made together with assessments of the temperature profiles associated with sleep. In addition, cosinor analysis of circadian rhythmicity in urinary variables and temperature was performed. The 22.8 hr "days" affected variables and subjects differently. These differences were interpreted as indicating that the endogenous component of half the subjects adjusted to the 22.8 hr "days" but that, for the other three, adjustment did not occur. When the behaviour of different variables was considered then some (including urinary potassium and melatonin, sleep length and REM sleep) appeared to possess a larger endogenous component than others (for example, urinary sodium, phosphate and calcium), with rectal temperature behaving in an intermediate manner. In addition, a comparison between different rhythms in any subject enabled inferences to be drawn regarding any links (or lack of them) that might exist between the rhythms. In this respect also, there was a considerable range in the results and no links between any of the rhythms appeared to exist in the group of subjects as a whole. Two further groups (total N = 8) were treated similarly except that the chamber clock ran at the correct rate. In these subjects, circadian rhythms of urinary excretion and deep body temperature (sleep stages and urinary melatonin were not measured) gave no evidence for deterioration. We conclude, therefore, that the results on the 22.8 hr "day" were directly due to the abnormal "day" length rather than to a prolonged stay in the isolation chamber.
Adolescent↗
Nosocomial infections on nursing units with floors cleaned with a disinfectant compared with detergent.
Nosocomial infections on eight acute care nursing units in a tertiary care hospital was compared between two 3-month periods in which floors were cleaned with either disinfectant or detergent. Personnel performing infection surveillance were unaware of the cleaning product used. Surface cultures from selected floor sites were obtained at 3 and 6 months to assess microbial contamination. The combined nosocomial infection rate for the eight wards did not differ between disinfectant (8.0/100 patient discharges) and detergent (7.1/100). For individual wards, a significant difference in nosocomial infection rate between the two periods was observed in only one ward, favouring the detergent. No differences in floor contamination were observed.
Alberta↗
Lawnmower injuries.
Six cases of lawnmower injury are reported. The management of these injuries is discussed. The incidence of morbidity and mortality are emphasized in an appeal for education in the safe handling of these common domestic appliances.
Accidents, Home↗
The ovulation method of natural family planning.
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Estradiol↗
Fertility awareness in the 1990s--the Billings Ovulation Method of natural family planning, its scientific basis, practical application and effectiveness.
Early methods of natural family planning (calendar rhythm, basal body temperature, and symptothermal) are briefly mentioned and dismissed as unsatisfactory for fertility regulation at our present state of knowledge of female reproductive physiology. Cervical mucus patterns, which reflect ovarian hormone levels, are shown to be accurate markers of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman's menstrual cycle. Interpretation of these patterns forms the basis of the Billings Ovulation Method of natural family planning. Extensive laboratory and clinical studies have shown this method to be on a sound scientific footing, that it is applicable to all phases of a woman's reproductive life, and that women readily understand and are able to teach other women the meaning of these patterns as experienced by changing sensations at the vulva and changing characteristics of any visible mucus. The simple rules which have been formulated for postponing and achieving pregnancy are given. Field trials of this non-invasive method for fertility regulation in both developing and developed countries show that the rules are readily understood by participants. In the most recent trials, it has been shown that the method-related pregnancy rate is less than 1 per 100 woman years, which compares more than favorably with other contraceptive techniques.
Australia↗