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Biomedical subjects

L Kenney

Publications and source records attributed to L Kenney.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Comparison of linear accelerations from three measurement systems during "reach & grasp".

Given the increased use of accelerometers in movement analysis, validation of such inertial sensors against conventional 3D camera systems and performance comparisons of different sensors have become important topics in biomechanics. This paper evaluates and compares linear acceleration trajectories obtained from two different 3D accelerometers and derived from Vicon position data for an upper limb "reach & grasp" task. Overall, good correspondence between the three measurement systems was obtained. Sources of error are discussed.

Acceleration↗
PubMed2006

Type IV carbonic anhydrase is present in the gills of spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias).

Physiological and biochemical studies have provided indirect evidence for a membrane-associated carbonic anhydrase (CA) isoform, similar to mammalian type IV CA, in the gills of dogfish (Squalus acanthias). This CA isoform is linked to the plasma membrane of gill epithelial cells by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor and oriented toward the plasma, such that it can catalyze the dehydration of plasma HCO(3)(-) ions. The present study directly tested the hypothesis that CA IV is present in dogfish gills in a location amenable to catalyzing plasma HCO(3)(-) dehydration. Homology cloning techniques were used to assemble a 1,127 base pair cDNA that coded for a deduced protein of 306 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that this protein was a type IV CA. For purposes of comparison, a second cDNA (1,107 base pairs) was cloned from dogfish blood; it encoded a deduced protein of 260 amino acids that was identified as a cytosolic CA through phylogenetic analysis. Using real-time PCR and in situ hybridization, mRNA expression for the dogfish type IV CA was detected in gill tissue and specifically localized to pillar cells and branchial epithelial cells that flanked the pillar cells. Immunohistochemistry using a polyclonal antibody raised against rainbow trout type IV CA revealed a similar pattern of CA IV immunoreactivity and demonstrated a limited degree of colocalization with Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase immunoreactivity. The presence and localization of a type IV CA isoform in the gills of dogfish is consistent with the hypothesis that branchial membrane-bound CA with an extracellular orientation contributes to CO(2) excretion in dogfish by catalyzing the dehydration of plasma HCO(3)(-) ions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2004

A cam-displacement transducer device for measuring small two-degree of freedom inter-component motion in a prosthesis.

An electromechanical system is described that comprises a cam and two linear displacement transducers for measuring two-degree of freedom. This is aimed at quantifying the extent and pattern of both transverse rotation and longitudinal translation that takes place during amputee gait at what is sometimes termed a "torque-shock absorbing adapter" located between the prosthetic socket and foot. Both types of motion are measured independently by mounting the cam around the adapter and the two transducers orthogonal to one another with their spring loaded plungers moving separately against the cam's perimeter and distal, flat face. The cam geometry should be an arc of a spiral and not a circle for the angular displacement measurement to be linear in response to rotation. Over a range of +/-18 degrees for transverse rotation the maximum deviation of the ideal cam geometry away from an arc of a circle is less than +/-0.5% of the transducers' 10 mm stroke. The transducer's linearity is +/-2% and it could therefore be assumed that this would be the dominant source of error. The theoretical predictions are supported by the calibration results, in which the pattern of errors that are found in the transducers' calibration can also be seen in the calibration of the cam.

Artificial Limbs↗
PubMed2002

Application of a dual channel peroneal nerve stimulator in a patient with a "central" drop foot.

Dropped foot is a common mobility problem amongst patients after a cerebro vascular accident. The condition arises from paresis of the muscles that control the foot movement during the swing phase of gait. If the abnormal movement is not compensated for, it results in a significant decrease in the mobility and hence quality of life. Compensation for the drop foot can be achieved through the application of functional electrical stimulation. To date, in the clinical environment, the stimulation has been applied through electrodes placed on the skin over the common peroneal nerve, and using a single channel implant device. It is well known that with these techniques it is difficult to establish a balanced response of the foot. An implantable dual channel system for stimulation of the deep and superficial peroneal nerve has now been developed for patients with a drop foot following a stroke. By stimulation of the two branches of the common peroneal nerve separately it is possible to achieve a precisely balanced dorsal flexion and eversion of the foot. Stimulation occurs via small bipolar electrodes which are placed subepineural. After successful tests on animals we have now started the two channel peroneal nerve stimulator implantation in patients. The preliminary results of the first implants are presented.

Cerebrovascular Disorders↗
PubMed2002

[Primary T-cell pulmonary lymphoma. A case report and review of the literature].

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas rarely involve the pulmonary parenchyma. Most cases described to date involve B-cells. We report the first case of T-cell pulmonary lymphoma in the Spanish literature. The course of disease was rapid and response to treatment was poor. Such cases demonstrate the importance of open biopsy and the study of cell markers for diagnosis. T-cells lymphomas should be included in the differential diagnosis of febrile patients with pulmonary nodules.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Transfusion-related acute lung injury after the infusion of IVIG.

BACKGROUND: Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a well-characterized, serious complication of blood component therapy in hospitalized patients. The signs and symptoms are often attributed to other clinical aspects of a patient's condition, and therefore TRALI may go unrecognized. IVIG is a pooled plasma derivative commonly used in the outpatient setting. Respiratory complications of IVIG infusion have typically been attributed to volume overload or allergic and vasomotor reactions. TRALI has never been documented to occur after IVIG infusion. CASE REPORT: A 23-year-old man with multifocal motor neuropathy developed noncardiogenic pulmonary edema 6 hours after receiving 90 g of IVIG by a rapid-infusion protocol. He fully recovered in 5 days with nasal oxygen and bed rest. Granulocyte-associated IgG was detected in his blood 14 and 27 weeks after the event. The lots of IVIG that he received were found to contain a low-titer, panreactive, granulocyte antibody, mostly IgG. CONCLUSION: This is the first documented case of TRALI after IVIG infusion. An autoimmune syndrome, including autoantibody-coated granulocytes, may have been a priming stimulus for granulocyte interaction with pulmonary capillary endothelium. Rapid infusion of a large quantity of granulocyte antibody may have precipitated TRALI. A pooled plasma product or derivative may result in TRALI.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Redox-sensitive protein phosphatase activity regulates the phosphorylation state of p38 protein kinase in primary astrocyte culture.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated as second messengers that activate protein kinase cascades, although the means by which ROS regulate signal transduction remains unclear. In the present study, we show that interleukin 1beta (IL1beta), H2O2, and sorbitol-induced hyperosmolarity mediate a 5- to 10-fold increase in phosphorylation (activation) of the p38 protein kinase in rat primary glial cells as measured by analyses of Western blots using an antibody directed against the dually phosphorylated (active) p38. Additionally, IL1beta was found to elicit H2O2 synthesis in these cells. Concurrent with p38 phosphorylation, all three stimulation paradigms caused an inhibition of protein phosphatase activity. Phenyl-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN), a nitrone-based free radical trap and N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), a thiol reducing agent, were examined for their effects on the phosphorylation of p38 as well as phosphatase activity. Pretreatment of cells with either PBN or NAC at 1.0 mM suppressed IL1beta H2O2, and sorbitol-mediated activation of p38 and significantly increased phosphatase activity. These data suggest that ROS, particularly H2O2, are used as second messenger substances that activate p38 in part via the transient inactivation of regulatory protein phosphatases.

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMed1999

Issues in balancing teenage clients' confidentiality and reporting statutory rape among Kansas Title X clinic staff.

Through Federal welfare reform, Congress directed states to aggressively enforce statutory rape laws. Family planning professionals deal with many adolescent clients, and their support for such enforcement or willingness to report is unclear. The authors of this study examined current attitudes and practices of family planning program managers (FPPMs) about statutory rape law enforcement, including current reporting practices. In 1997, all 77 local Kansas Title X FPPMs were surveyed. Structured telephone interviews were conducted with 10 FPPMs to add detail to quantitative responses. Sixty-eight FPPMs responded to the written survey (88%). Of these, 79% supported aggressive enforcement, and 43% thought enforcement would reduce adolescent pregnancy rates. With increased enforcement, 38% believed teenagers would be discouraged from seeking reproductive health care, compared to 41% who believed they would not. Among key informants, all of whom were FPPMs, willingness to report cases was mixed, with those who would report wanting the flexibility to judge on a case-by-case basis. For those not reporting cases, confidentiality concerns overrode beliefs in any positive outcome of enforcement. Kansas Title X FPPMs strongly supported aggressive enforcement, but had mixed beliefs about negative consequences. Among those interviewed, there were also mixed beliefs and practices about reporting. Reporting from FPPMs will be sporadic and arbitrary unless protocols are developed and laws are clarified.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

A Rorschach investigation of sexual homicide.

A sample of incarcerated sexual homicide perpetrators (n = 18) were compared to a sample of non-sexually offending but violent male psychopaths (n = 23) on select Rorschach variables using the Comprehensive System (Exner, 1991). Results suggest that sexual homicide perpetrators are similar to psychopaths in their attachment abnormality, characterological anger, pathological narcissism, moderate and pervasive formal thought disorder, and borderline reality testing. They are distinguished, however, by a more frequent affectional hunger, a tendency to engage in more dysphoric rumination, and abnormal elevations of nonvolitional ideation (obsessional thoughts) due to unmet instinctual need states. They also show a greater interest in others as whole, real, and meaningful objects. Five psychodynamic factors, supported by the empirical findings, are proposed to partially explain the intrapsychic mechanisms involved in an act of sexual homicide.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hospital bed mattresses: an overview of technical aspects.

Mattresses designed for clinical applications are deceptively simple pieces of equipment. Their primary function is to comfortably support the patient in an appropriate position. However, there are many other technical factors that affect the quality of the support surfaces. In this paper we discuss the basic functions that mattresses should fulfil, explain some of the underlying mechanics and discuss CE marking and other standards.

Beds↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Issues in statutory rape law enforcement: the views of district attorneys in Kansas.

CONTEXT: The 1996 federal welfare reform law calls for the reduction of adolescent pregnancy rates through aggressive enforcement of statutory rape laws at the local and state level. Yet there are few quantitative data on district attorneys' attitudes toward enforcement and related issues. METHODS: Anonymous surveys were mailed to all 105 Kansas district attorneys in 1997; 92 surveys were returned. In-depth telephone interviews were conducted with seven of the attorneys. RESULTS: Most of the respondents (74%) favored aggressive enforcement, but just 37% believed the public would support aggressive enforcement. Only 24% believed enforcement would reduce adolescent pregnancy. Fifty-seven percent supported the current legal age of consent in Kansas (16 years). Fifty-three percent thought the law should not specify age differences between the partners. Most (77%) believed the law should protect sexually active minors, and that paternity acknowledgments should be admissible evidence in prosecutions (78%). Only 17% believed that enforcement would discourage adolescents from seeking health care. CONCLUSIONS: The potential impact of statutory rape prosecution on reproductive and psychological health should be considered in each case. Educating law enforcement officials about adolescent health care issues and encouraging them to consult with professionals in health and psychological fields may help to minimize the potentially negative effects of enforcement on adolescents' reproductive health.

Adolescent↗