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Biomedical subjects

L Lawson

Publications and source records attributed to L Lawson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Becoming a success story: how boys who have molested children talk about treatment.

This grounded theory study was designed to generate a mid-range theory of treatment from the perspective of boys who have molested children and undergone outpatient treatment. Data included information from seven boys' charts, their written responses to open-ended questions, and audio-taped interviews. The interviews generated a series of statements reflecting the boys' experiences in treatment, which were analysed by the constant comparative method. The basic social process of treatment was 'becoming a success story'. The structural elements of becoming a success story included relapse prevention, compliance and decision-making. The boys integrated these structural elements by talking to people they trusted, listening to what people said, and using what people said to help them do what was right. Becoming a success story took place in a context of family and community support. In its current form, this theory of treatment success can be used in practice to monitor progress through treatment.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Children's ibuprofen suspension for the acute treatment of pediatric migraine.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of a single over-the-counter dose (7.5 mg/kg, p.o.) of children's ibuprofen suspension vs. placebo for the acute treatment of pediatric migraine. BACKGROUND: Migraine occurs in 4% of young children. There is a paucity of controlled clinical research in the treatment of childhood migraine and there are currently no approved drugs in the USA for treatment of migraine in children < or = 12 years of age. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and tolerability of a single OTC dose of ibuprofen suspension for the acute treatment of childhood migraine. METHODS: Prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, randomized study of children 6-12 yrs with migraine (I.H.S.-R 1997) treating 1 attack with a 7.5 mg/kg liq. ibuprofen vs matching placebo. Efficacy measures: (1). Headache severity based upon a 4 pt scale (severe, mod., mild, no headache) at 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 and 240 minutes post dose, and (2). nausea, vomiting, and photo/phonophobia at 120 min. The 1 degrees endpoint was cumulative % of responders (severe or mod. headache reduced to mild or none) by 120 minutes. Secondary endpoints were headache recurrence within 4-24 hours and need for rescue medicines within 4 hours. RESULTS: 138 enrolled; 84 treated/completed diary. 45 active agent, 39 placebo. The 2 groups were comparable (active: placebo) - Ages: 9: 9.1, gender boy/girl - 1.25: 1.6, and diagnosis: migraine w/o aura - 86%: 79%. Concomitant use of prophylactic Rx: 24%: 10% (Table 3). Nausea was eliminated in 60% of the ibuprofen treated patients and 39% of the placebo group (p<0.001). Vomiting, photophobia and phonophobia had marginal, but not statistically significant, decreases at 2 hours. A striking gender difference was noted (Table 4): No AE's were reported. CONCLUSION: Children's ibuprofen suspension at an OTC dose of 7.5 mg/kg is an effective and well-tolerated agent for pain relief in the acute treatment of childhood migraine, particularly in boys. There is a striking difference in gender response rates and placebo responder rates between girls and boys. The boys responded at a statistically significant rate, and girls failed to do so because of a very high placebo responder rate. Multi-center trials are recommended.

Acute Disease↗

Pregnancy outcomes after laparoscopic myomectomy with ultrasonic energy and laparoscopic suturing of the endometrial cavity.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pregnancy outcomes in women with laparoscopic removal of myomas that resulted in entry into the endometrial cavity and required laparoscopic repair of the endometrial cavity. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING; Private obstetrics-gynecology practice and departments of obstetrics and gynecology at two university-affiliated hospitals. PATIENTS: Seven women with symptomatic uterine leiomyomata treated by laparoscopic myomectomy, who achieved pregnancy. INTERVENTION: Laparoscopic dissection of myomas with the ultrasonic scalpel and laparoscopic suturing of the uterus with the Endo Stitch device in three layers. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Indications for laparoscopic myomectomies were excessive bleeding and significant growth of uterine myomas. The size of myomas in all patients ranged from 12 to 2 cm. Average operating time was 232.8 minutes and average blood loss was 117.8 ml. The largest number of myomas removed from a single patient was nine. All procedures were performed on an outpatient basis and no complications occurred. All women easily achieved pregnancy and four were delivered at or near term by cesarean section. One delivered vaginally at 28 weeks secondary to uncontrolled premature labor, without uterine dehiscence. Two had elective terminations at 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic suturing of the endometrial cavity in three layers does not prevent future pregnancies, and pregnancies can progress to term and in some cases be delivered vaginally without dehiscence. (J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc 8(1):129-136, 2001)

Adult↗

Measuring sexual arousal.

The impact of sexual offenses and abuse is incalculable, both on the victims themselves and the society responsible for protecting them. Identifying people who sexually offend against adults and children and preventing them from engaging in abusive behavior in the future requires valid and reliable methods that accurately identify the perpetrators' characteristics and measure treatment effectiveness. This article reviews the literature on penile plethysmography (PPG), a mechanism by which erectile response to deviant sexual stimuli can be measured.

Adult↗

Determinants of short- and long-term outcome in patients with respiratory failure caused by AIDS-related Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

OBJECTIVES: To determine (1) predictors of in-hospital mortality and long-term survival in patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) caused by acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) and (2) long-term survival for patients with ARF relative to those without ARF. METHODS: A retrospective medical chart review was conducted of all cases of PCP-related ARF for which the patient was admitted to the intensive care unit of a single tertiary care institution between 1991 and 1996. Data were extracted regarding physiologic scores, relevant laboratory values, and duration of previous maximal therapy with combined anti-PCP agents and corticosteroids at entry to the intensive care unit. Duration of survival was determined by Kaplan-Meier methods from date of first hospital admission and compared for patients with and without ARF. RESULTS: There were 41 admissions to the intensive care unit among 39 patients, with 56.4% in-hospital mortality. Higher physiologic scores (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II [APACHE II], Acute Lung Injury, and modified Multisystem Organ Failure scores) were predictive of in-hospital mortality. Duration of previous maximal therapy also predicted in-hospital mortality (45% for patients with <5 days of previous maximal therapy vs 88% for those with > or =5 days of previous maximal therapy; P = .03). Combining physiologic scores and duration of previous maximal therapy enhanced prediction of in-hospital mortality. There was no difference in long-term survival between patients with PCP with ARF and those without ARF (P = .80), and baseline characteristics did not predict long-term survival. CONCLUSIONS: In-hospital mortality of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related PCP and ARF is predicted by duration of previous maximal therapy and physiologic scores, and their combination enhances predictive accuracy. Long-term survival of patients with ARF caused by PCP is comparable to that of patients with PCP who do not develop ARF, and determinants of in-hospital mortality do not predict long-term survival.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Idiopathic immune-mediated acquired von Willebrand's disease in a patient with angiodysplasia: demonstration of an unusual inhibitor causing a functional defect and rapid clearance of von Willebrand factor.

A case of idiopathic immune-mediated von Willebrand's disease (AvWD) associated angiodysplasia and recurrent lower gastrointestinal bleeding is reported. Coagulation parameters at presentation were activated partial thromboplastin time of 41 sec, bleeding time >15 min, factor VIII procoagulant activity, 5%; von Willebrand factor antigen (WF:Ag) 5%, and vWF:ristocetirn cofactor activity 11% sodium dodecyl sulfate-agarose gel electrophoresis pattern of plasma vWF showed a pattern similar to type II vWD. An in vitro inhibitor against vWF in the immunoglobulin (Ig)G fraction of the patient's plasma was demonstrated vWF parameters showed a short-lived increase after 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) administration. The patient's bleeding episodes were initially managed adequately with cryoprecipitate replacement therapy and DDAVP, to which she became refractory. No significant improvement was achieved following the institution of immunosuppressive therapy in the form of high-dose steroids and cyclophosphamide. She was then treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IvIg) to which she showed an adequate response in terms of her clinical situation and her hemostatic parameters. The patient is on maintenance treatment with repeated courses of IvIg based on vWF parameter monitoring. To our knowledge, this is the third reported association between idiopathic immune-mediated AvWD and angiodysplasia.

Aged↗

Prostate-specific antigen in vaginal fluid as a biologic marker of condom failure.

Forty women participated in three clinic visits during which they were exposed to their partner's semen (10 microL, 100 microL, and 1 mL). At each visit they took vaginal fluid samples before exposure to their partner's semen, immediately after, and at 1, 24, and 48 h after exposure. PSA was measured with an enzyme-linked immunoassay. The mean PSA level for preexposure swabs ranged between 0.43 and 0.88 ng/mL. The mean PSA levels were 193 immediately after exposure to 10 microL, 472 after 100 microL, and 19,098 after 1 mL. The PSA levels declined within 1 h, and returned to background at 48 h. The findings confirm that our procedure is a sensitive and specific method for detecting recent semen exposure, and indicate that PSA levels depend on exposure intensity and time since exposure. Application of this method in condom efficacy studies provides objective evidence of condom failure that enhances the interpretation of self-report.

Adult↗

Adenocarcinoid of ileum and appendix, incidentally discovered during exploratory laparotomy for gastric MALT lymphoma, with subsequent diffuse prostatic metastases: report of a case with light, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic studies.

The diagnosis of adenocarcinoid (mucinous/goblet cell carcinoid) is usually unexpected by both clinicians and pathologists. We report here the case of a 74-year-old man with gastric lymphoma (B-cell MALToma) diagnosed by endoscopy, who was found on exploratory laparotomy also to have extensive intraabdominal involvement by adenocarcinoid, arising from the ileum and/or appendix. The patient died two years after diagnosis with bladder outlet and small bowel obstruction due to diffuse metastases. In addition to mucin positivity, immunohistochemical stains demonstrated the tumor to be positive for chromogranin, synaptophysin, serotonin, gastrin, and glucagon. Of histogenetic interest, some individual neoplastic cells appeared to be positive for both mucin and chromogranin, and this was confirmed by the electron microscopic finding of microvilli, intracytoplasmic mucin droplets, and neurosecretory granules involving the same neoplastic cells. This also appears to be the first reported case of adenocarcinoid associated with lymphoma and demonstration of histochemical/immunohistochemical and ultrastructural evidence of cellular components with dual mucinous adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine features, and the second reported case to have prostatic metastases.

Adenocarcinoma↗

The incidence and spectrum of AIDS-defining illnesses in persons treated with antiretroviral drugs.

The incidence and spectrum of primary AIDS-defining illnesses in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients receiving antiretroviral drugs may have changed since the introduction of newer antiretroviral agents. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients enrolled in the British Columbia Drug Treatment Program who were ever prescribed antiretroviral drugs between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1996. Rates were calculated on a 6-month basis. There were 344 AIDS cases diagnosed among 2,533 participants between 1994 and 1996. The incidence of primary AIDS diseases decreased from 1994 to 1996, with a sharp decline in 1995 and 1996. There was no statistically significant change in the incidence of primary AIDS diagnoses relative to one another, and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and Kaposi's sarcoma remain the most common AIDS index diagnoses. In patients receiving antiretroviral therapy in the modern era, the incidence of AIDS-defining illnesses has decreased substantially, but the spectrum of AIDS-defining illnesses remains unchanged.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Validation of the modified multisystem organ failure score as a predictor of mortality in patients with AIDS-related Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and respiratory failure.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To validate a previously developed multisystem organ failure (MSOF) score with and without the addition of the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level as a predictor of survival to hospital discharge in patients with AIDS-related Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) and acute respiratory failure (ARF). DESIGN: Retrospective chart review between April 1, 1991, and September 30, 1996. SETTING: University-affiliated tertiary care center in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. PATIENTS: All patients with PCP-related ARF admitted to the ICU of St. Paul's Hospital during the study period. INTERVENTIONS: As putative prognostic instruments, data were extracted regarding the APACHE II (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II), acute lung injury (ALI), AIDS, and modified MSOF scores, as well as LDH levels, at entry to the ICU. Patients were stratified based on an LDH level of < or > or = 2,000 U/L and this threshold was assessed in its predictability of outcome when added to each of the above scores. For APACHE II, the score was categorized in six groups and evaluated with and without inclusion of the LDH. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed for LDH and for each score with and without the LDH level to assess accuracy of prediction. The area under each curve was calculated and compared to estimate the statistical significance of observed differences. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: There were 40 admissions to the ICU of 38 patients with 52.5% mortality. The ALI and AIDS scores were not predictive of outcome. The modified MSOF and APACHE II scores were significant predictors of survival and the performance of both was enhanced by the addition of LDH. CONCLUSIONS: Both the APACHE II and the modified MSOF scores were significant predictors of outcome in the patient population studied. These results validate the modified MSOF score as an effective predictor of survival to hospital discharge among patients with AIDS-related PCP who develop ARF and the performance of the score is enhanced by the addition of the LDH level.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Pulmonary metastasis from a benign giant-cell tumor of the hand: report of a case diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology.

We report on the fine-needle aspiration cytologic findings of a metastatic giant-cell tumor of the right long digit to the lungs. The patient had undergone curettage of his giant-cell tumor of the finger twice 2 yr before his last admission. The lesion recurred 9 mo later, and a Ray resection of the right long digit was performed. Recently, a routine follow-up chest X-ray disclosed pulmonary metastasis. The aspirate from the lung yielded a highly cellular double-cell population, composed of mononuclear stromal cells and an osteoclast-like giant-cell population. The rarity of this tumor and its metastatic potential can cause considerable difficulty in diagnosing this entity. Clinical data, radiologic findings, and cytologic features are important to reach the correct diagnosis. Fine-needle aspiration cytology is a reliable, relatively noninvasive, and cost-effective diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of visceral metastasis in giant-cell tumors.

Adult↗

Care of central venous catheters for total parenteral nutrition.

This report summarizes data obtained via a mailed questionnaire from 129 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals regarding current practices in the care of central venous catheters (CVCs) used for total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The size of VA hospitals' acute medical-surgical beds ranged from 14 to 1320 (median 168) beds. Over 6000 patients annually received CVCs for TPN. Hospitals reported using triple-lumen catheters most frequently as their CVC for TPN (80.3%). A povidone-iodine scrub was used to prepare the skin for CVC insertion by 72.6% of reporting hospitals. Sixty percent of hospitals used transparent polyurethane dressings. Care of CVCs varied among hospitals. Catheter-related infection and sepsis rates were within the national average, although < 50% of responding hospitals provided data on these outcomes. The results of this survey point to the need for a national standardized database relative to patients receiving TPN via a CVC.

Bandages↗

Fine-needle aspiration diagnosis of extrapulmonary Pneumocystis carinii lymphadenitis in a human immunodeficiency virus positive patient.

Extrapulmonary Pneumocystitis carinii is an uncommon and probably underdiagnosed complication of pulmonary P. carinii infections. We report the cytologic diagnosis of a case of P. carinii lymphadenitis which presented, without concurrent or historical pneumonitis, in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patient who was taking aerosolized pentamidine. The diagnosis was suggested by abundant granular exudate on the cell block. Only scant, fragmented, irregular-shaped granular exudate was present on the direct smears and the Millipore filter preparation. The diagnosis was confirmed by special stains on the cell block.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Upregulation of the macrophage scavenger receptor in response to different forms of injury in the CNS.

The monoclonal antibody 2F8 was used to localize the macrophage scavenger receptor by immunohistochemistry. In control adult mice, macrophage scavenger receptor expression in the brain was restricted to stromal and epiplexus macrophages of the choroid plexus, meningeal macrophages and to perivascular sites. Microglia did not express the receptor. In the developing mouse brain, macrophage scavenger receptor expression was high on meningeal macrophages and detectable on immature microglia in the supraventricular corpus callosum, cingulum, cavum septum and the periaqueductal area. In the aged mouse brain, the pattern of macrophage scavenger receptor expression was no different from that in the young adult brain. Macrophage scavenger receptor expression on resident microglia and recruited macrophages was detected 24 h after an intrahippocampal injection of either lipopolysaccharide or kainic acid. Macrophage scavenger receptor expression was also detected in microglia 3 days after optic nerve crush both in the nerve segment distal to the crush site and in the superior colliculus. These studies indicate a potential role for the macrophage scavenger receptor in the CNS in the clearance of debris during acute neuronal degeneration.

Animals↗

Oral corticosteroids in patients with mild Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of oral corticosteroids in patients with mild Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). DESIGN: Prospective, double blind, placebo controlled, randomized trial. METHODS: Included were AIDS patients having their first episode of P. carinii pneumonia, who had no other known active pulmonary pathology, who had no contraindications for corticosteroids and who had received no other anti-P. carinii medications for more than 48 h. Subjects received either prednisone, 60 mg/day for 7 days, followed by a progressive tapering over 14 days, or identical placebo. The present analysis pertains to patients with mild P. carinii pneumonia as defined by a baseline resting oxygen saturation greater than 90% and a decrease in oxygen saturation during exercise while breathing room air of not less than 5 percentage points. Early deterioration, the end-point of the trial, was defined as a 10% decrease from baseline oxygen saturation on day 3 or thereafter. RESULTS: At study termination, there were 12 subjects in the placebo group and 11 in the corticosteroid group. Baseline characteristics were not statistically different between the treatment groups. Early deterioration developed in 7 and 1 patients in the placebo and corticosteroid groups respectively (P = 0.027). In addition, by day 3, a number of parameters were less favorable in the placebo group relative to the corticosteroid group including median oxygen saturation (85% vs 97%; P = 0.003), lactic dehydrogenase (1514 vs 763; P = 0.013), median respiratory rate (30 vs 22; P = 0.003), median heart rate (100 vs 81; P = 0.002), and median temperature (39 vs 37; P = 0.024). Even though patients suffering early deterioration in the placebo group were switched to corticosteroids, significant differences between the groups remained at day 30 with regard to exercise tolerance. More than half of patients assigned to the corticosteroid group exercised for a median of 6.5 min on day 30 (P = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Oral corticosteroids prevent early deterioration and increase exercise tolerance in patients with mild AIDS-related P. carinii pneumonia as defined on the basis of pulse oximetry.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

The effect of racial misclassification on estimates of end-stage renal disease among American Indians and Alaska Natives in the Pacific Northwest, 1988 through 1990.

Although several recent studies have documented a high incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) among American Indians (AI) and Alaska Natives (AN), racial misclassification of AI/AN as members of other races on disease registries has not been accounted for. We conducted a study to link the Northwest Renal Network (NRN) ESRD database, which includes persons known to have begun dialysis in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, and the Indian Health Service (IHS) patient registration file, which includes AI/AN enrolled for health care provided or paid for by IHS in the same states, for the period January 1, 1988 to December 31, 1990. Among the 3,356 persons included on the NRN ESRD database, 68 (2.0%) were coded as AI/AN. Of the 68 listed as AI/AN, 54 (79.4%) were identified on the IHS patient registration file. In addition to the 68 cases coded on the NRN as AI/AN, we identified 12 cases that were definitively matched to the IHS patient registration file but not coded AI/AN on the NRN. The age-adjusted annual incidence of ESRD treatment initiation among AI/AN in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington was 267.5 per million according to original racial coding on the NRN, but it increased to 311.6 per million after correction for racial misclassification. Among IHS-registered AI/AN, the annual incidence increased from 394.1 per million to 474.3 per million. Racial misclassification of AI/AN in ESRD registries may result in underestimates of AI/AN ESRD incidence for the United States.

Adolescent↗

Serum albumin concentration-related Health Care Financing Administration quality assurance criterion is method-dependent: revision is necessary.

The objective of this study was to examine quantitative differences between the two commonly used methods for determining serum albumin concentration, bromcresol green (BCG) and bromcresol purple (BCP), in normal subjects and in 235 unselected dialysis patients in view of recently established Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) quality assurance review criteria. The mean of normal results by the BCG method was 4.4 g/dL, and 97.5% of values were 3.8 g/dL or higher. The mean of normal results by the BCP method was 3.9 g/dL, and 97.5% of values were 3.3 g/dL or higher. Serum albumin concentrations in samples from the dialysis patients had respectively lower mean values by both methods. For the BCG method, the mean was 3.8 g/dL, and 82% of values were 3.5 g/dL or higher; for the BCP method, the mean was 3.3 g/dL, and 82% of values were 3.0 g/dL or higher. Likewise, for the reference immunonephelometric procedure, the mean value for the dialysis patients was 3.3 g/dL, and 82% of values were 3.0 g/dL or higher. For the samples from the dialysis patients, in comparison with the immunonephelometric method, the BCG method exhibited both constant (intercept = 9.3 g/L) and proportional error (slope = 0.87). The mean albumin value for the BCG method was 3.8 g/dL, 15% higher. In contrast, the BCP method compared closely with the reference method: slope = 1.00, intercept = 0.8 g/L, mean x = 3.3 g/dL, mean y = 3.3 g/dL. The HCFA quality assurance criteria are valid only for the BCG method.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bromcresol Green↗