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Biomedical subjects

L Abraham

Publications and source records attributed to L Abraham.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Neuromuscular control mechanisms and strategy in arm movements of attempted supranormal speed.

Rapid, goal-directed elbow flexion movements were examined under interacting conditions of inertial loading and resistance to movement initiation. The resistance ceased when movement began, resulting in quick release movements. Inertial load slowed the movement and lengthened the agonist and antagonist electromyographic (EMG) burst durations. The quick release resulted in larger accelerations but only minimal changes in peak velocity. Most aspects of the triphasic EMG pattern were little affected by the quick release, but the build up of agonist EMG and the corresponding rate of static force development differed markedly between load and quick release conditions. These and other data suggest that the specific pattern of agonist muscle activation is set according to neuromuscular constraints of the antagonist muscle and the expectation of movement dynamics.

Acceleration↗
PubMed1999

Bacterial and viral etiology of serious infections in very young Filipino infants.

OBJECTIVE: Pneumonia, meningitis and other serious infections are leading causes of death in developing countries. As part of a multicenter study we aimed to determine the etiology of pneumonia, meningitis and other serious infections in a cohort of Filipino infants ages 90 days or younger. METHOD: During a 2-year period, 2053 infants age 90 days or younger presenting to 1 of 3 Manila community hospitals were screened; 873 had signs or symptoms suggestive of an infectious illness, and 608 were judged to have clinical features suggestive of severe infection and had laboratory workup including blood for culture and white blood cell count, nasopharyngeal aspirate for virology, cerebrospinal fluid culture when indicated and chest radiograph. Chest radiographs were read independently by 3 radiologists without knowledge of clinical findings. RESULTS: Of the 873 enrolled infants, 81 died (91%). After exclusion of presumed contaminants, positive bacterial culture from blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid was obtained in 35 infants (5.8%; 95% confidence interval 4%, 8%), 9 of whom died. The organisms responsible for meningitis were Acinetobacter spp. (4), Streptococcus pneumoniae (2), Escherichia coli (2), Enterobacter spp. (1), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1), Haemophilus influenzae (1) and Staphylococcus aureus (1); those responsible for the other clinical diagnoses were Salmonella spp. (6), Enterobacter spp. (3), Streptococcus pyogenes (3), other Gram-negative organisms (8), S. pneumoniae (1) and Staphylococcus aureus (2). In 685 infants examined for viral causes of their illness, 223 viruses were isolated from 219 infants (32%; 95% confidence interval 28%, 36%). Enteroviruses were the most common potential pathogens identified (22% of infants studied), followed by respiratory syncytial virus (17%), rhinovirus (10%) and adenovirus (4%). Concomitant virus identification occurred in 10 of those with positive bacterial culture (29%; 95% confidence interval, 15%, 46%), with enterovirus being found in 7 of these cases. CONCLUSION: Many young Filipino infants with life-threatening illness were evaluated in this study. Thirty-five had infections attributable to bacteria, with Salmonella spp. being the most common, followed by Gram-negative organisms. Pneumococcus was an unusual cause.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1999

[Diagnosis and treatment of spinal epidural abscess].

Spinal epidural I abscess is an uncommon disease. The medical literature emphasizes the importance of its timely recognition and treatment. Three patients admitted in our hospital are presented. None of them was diagnosed on ambulatory bases. All of them were admitted because of spinal ache and two of them also had fever. Magnetic resonance imaging yielded the correct diagnosis in all cases and was very effective in delineating the extent of the lesion. We used antimicrobial therapy directed against the bacteria identified by cultures as well as surgical drainage in all cases. The three patients had a good outcome and no neurologic sequela. Early recognition, proper microbiologic diagnosis and surgical drainage are the main criteria for the current management of spinal epidural abscess.

Abscess↗
PubMed1996

Tough times ahead.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Delivery of Health Care↗
PubMed1990

Changes in food selection by workers of the pharaoh's ant, Monomorium pharaonis.

The results from simple choice test experiments with laboratory and field colonies of pharaoh's ants have revealed two behavioural traits that influence the way in which foraging worker ants respond to foods. Initially, worker ants from laboratory colonies showed a distinct preference for certain foods (e.g. honey and peanut butter). However, when given only these 'preferred' foods continuously for several weeks, workers showed a marked preference for other foods when offered a choice. This 'satiation' response occurred even though the initial diet was originally highly attractive to foraging workers. In addition, workers show a marked tendency to alternate between carbohydrate foods and protein foods. Thus, workers from colonies fed predominantly on proteins, subsequently showed a marked preference for carbohydrates, and vice versa. The 'satiation' and 'alternation' responses to foods ensure that colonies receive a diet that is both varied and balanced. In addition, these aspects of feeding behaviour have important consequences for the use of food-based baits in control measures against Monomorium pharaonis (L.).

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1988

Determinants of morbidity and mortality due to acute respiratory infections: implications for intervention.

Acute respiratory infections (ARI) were monitored every two weeks in an urban community in Metro Manila, Philippines, to determine the incidence and risk factors for ARI morbidity. Hospitalized children with acute lower-respiratory-tract infection (ALRI) were studied to determine case-fatality rates (CFR) and predictors for mortality. Incidence rates were highest in infants, 3.2-4.0 per person, followed by children one to four years of age, with corresponding rates of 3.0-3.4 per person. The risk factors for ARI morbidity were low socioeconomic status and age less than one year. A CFR of 5% in children with ALRI was observed. Malnutrition and a positive culture of blood were significant risk factors for mortality. These identified risk factors underscore the value of primary health care interventions, such as the standard ARI case management, immunization, health education, promotion of breast-feeding, and vitamin A supplementation, as strategies for reducing ARI mortality in developing countries.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1987

Prolonged apnoea with severe arterial hypoxaemia resulting from complex partial seizures.

Multi-channel tape-recordings of the EEG, breathing movements, arterial pulsed oxygen saturation and ECG were performed on a four-year-old child with a history of cyanotic episodes. These had started at nine months of age, resulted in cardiopulmonary resuscitation on unnumerable occasions, and were refractory to anti-epileptic medication. During each episode seizure activity appeared first, followed within a few seconds by sinus tachycardia, prolonged absence of inspiratory efforts and severe arterial hypoxaemia. As the seizure activity ended, breathing movements restarted and there was a gradual improvement in oxygenation.

Apnea↗
PubMed1975

Technique for vestibular neurotomy in the rat.

A technique for vestibular neurotomy in the rat has been developed. Removal of the tympanic membrane and ossicles through the external auditory meatus permits access to the auditory bulla. After the pterygopalatine artery has been cauterized, and the electrode may be introduced through the oval widow. The vestibular branch of the VIII nerve can then be cauterized with the electrode without direct visualization.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The involvement of microbes in the etiology of respiratory diseases in infants 0 to 12 months old].

A study was worked out on the etiopathogenic relations and a more exact evaluation of the incidence of some agents: viruses, chlamydiae, mycoplasmas and rickettsiae, in the respiratory diseases of 0- to 12-month-old children. Serological analysis and immunofluorescence examination of pharyngeal cells were done. Results showed that parainfluenzae and respiratory syncytial viruses, chlamydiae, rickettsiae and mycoplasmas had an important part in the outbreak and maintaining of severe respiratory diseases in the 0- to 12-month-old children population.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗