PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L Gamble

Publications and source records attributed to L Gamble.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The effects of alcohol on immunity and bacterial infection in the lung.

When faced with invading pathogens that can lead to infection, patients must mount an effective and appropriate immune response. Altered immune function in patients who abuse alcohol has long been described in the medical literature. The alcohol-consuming host is particularly prone to infections in the lung, including bacterial pneumonia and tuberculosis. Over the last several decades, there has been increased interest in the immune mechanisms that underlie the increased risk of infection observed in this population. This article will review the basic immunology involved in the host response to an infection and then describe how alcohol disrupts many of these immune mechanisms. It will further provide an overview of lung infections which have been linked to alcohol abuse, and finally, it will address the evolving therapeutic approaches of the immune system that are being advanced to assist in caring for immunosuppressed hosts.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed2000

From profound hypokalemia to life-threatening hyperkalemia: a case of barium sulfide poisoning.

We describe a 25-year-old man who was brought to the emergency department with skeletal muscle weakness, respiratory arrest, and rhabdomyolysis, as well as life-threatening hyperkalemia, after ingesting a depilatory containing barium sulfide (Magic Shave; Carson Products Co, Savannah, Ga). The findings of his physical examination were significant for hyporeflexia with marked weakness. He was in respiratory distress and required intubation and ventilatory support owing to progressive weakness of the respiratory muscles. His serum potassium level was 1.5 mmol/L. He was treated with intravenous and oral potassium. His serum potassium level peaked at 8.3 mmol/L and his serum creatine kinase level at 8286 IU/L. His acute respiratory weakness resolved with correction of the potassium concentration; his rhabdomyolysis responded well to hydration; and his renal function returned to normal. We also discuss the various pathophysiological findings in this case and compare our patient with another who, despite ingesting a similar amount of the same hair remover, did not develop any of the above complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Developing specialty-wide standards of practice: the experience of ophthalmology.

In 1986, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) developed national guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of major eye disease. A core committee of 10 AAO members detailed the framework and goals for the guidelines and wrote a series of broad criteria outlining the ophthalmologist's moral and ethical responsibilities. Several panels of AAO-physician experts were formed to develop guidelines for specific conditions. The panels were formed according to subspecialty and were assigned well-defined issues, such as the diagnosis and management of chronic, adult-onset open-angle glaucoma. Process and structure standards were developed first; outcome standards are scheduled for future development. The first five sets of practice guidelines have been approved by the AAO's Governing Council. These include standards for the comprehensive eye exam, as well as four disease-specific guidelines--open-angle glaucoma, glaucoma suspect, diabetic eye disease, and cataract.

Clinical Protocols↗
PubMed1983

Ophthalmology (eye physician and surgeon) manpower studies for the United States. Part IV: Ophthalmology manpower distribution 1983.

Physician distribution continues to be important in health manpower planning. In 1980 the GMENAC Committee reported uneven geographic distribution of physicians and uneven rates of use of health services in the United States. This study uses zip code sectional areas as the geographical units to describe the geographic distribution of ophthalmologists. Ophthalmologists to population ratio was calculated for each of 532 zip code sectional areas in the US. Results indicate considerable variation in availability of ophthalmologic services. However, this variation is not necessarily indicative of a serious maldistribution problem since there are regional differences in need and supply. This study found that less than 1% of the population did not have convenient access to an ophthalmologist. Resulting data should be helpful to both ophthalmologists considering relocating and residents seeking practice opportunities. Ratios should be used in conjunction with other demographic information available for the sectional areas.

Humans↗