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Biomedical subjects

L M Gilbert

Publications and source records attributed to L M Gilbert.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Effects of middle ear effusion on the vestibular system in children.

Vertigo and dizziness are not common in childhood, but are probably present more often than was formerly thought. These symptoms caused mainly by otitis media and middle ear effusion, two of the most common diseases in children, have been neglected for a long time, both in the literature and in practice, until recently. The purpose of this study was to determine objectively the incidence of balance-related symptoms in children with long-lasting middle ear effusion and to discover whether these symptoms resolve after the insertion of ventilation tubes. One hundred thirty-six children, ages 4 to 9 years, were given electronystagmographic tests and the Bruininks-Oseretsky tests for motor proficiency before and after tube ventilation of the middle ear. The results were compared with those in 74 healthy children with no history of middle ear diseases. Pathologic findings were found in 58% of the children with chronic middle ear effusion, as compared with only 4% of the control group. The symptoms and signs of balance disturbances resolved in 96% of the children after ventilation tube insertion. The results of this study indicate that balance-related symptoms often encountered in young children may result from chronic middle ear effusion and that these symptoms will resolve after evacuation of the effusion and ventilation of the middle ear.

Child↗
PubMed1998

Prophylactic treatment after ventilation tube insertion: comparison of various methods.

Otitis media is recognized as one of the most common diseases of childhood. Insertion of tympanostomy tubes for the treatment of otitis media is the most frequently performed otologic operation, and postoperative otorrhea is its most common complication. Many authors have suggested various reasons for posttympanostomy otorrhea, and many different prophylactic treatments were proposed in recent years to prevent this bothersome and frustrating complication. This retrospective study was designed to investigate and compare the efficacy of various prophylactic treatments and to define the most effective method of reducing the rate of postoperative otorrhea.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1996

Use of assisted reading to increase correct reading rates and decrease error rates of students with learning disabilities.

The effects of assisted reading on 3 elementary students with learning disabilities were evaluated using a multiple baseline design. Data were collected from the students' oral reading from their basal texts. The results indicated an increase in number of words read correctly as well as a decrease in the number of words read incorrectly when assisted reading was used in the classroom.

Behavior Therapy↗
PubMed1994

Vestibular dysfunction in a child with embryonic exposure to accutane.

Children with a history of embryonic exposure to Accutane (isotretinoin) are at great risk for major physical malformations, brain malformations, and decreased intelligence. A case is presented of a 4-year 7-month-old black male with a history of embryonic exposure to Accutane who was born with embryopathy that includes bilateral major ear deformities. The child has a significant bilateral conductive hearing loss, and, in addition, a left sided sensorineural loss. Vestibular function testing revealed evidence of peripheral and central vestibular dysfunction. A course of diphenhydramine hydrochloride and Donnatal (phenobarbital, hyoscyamine sulfate, atropine sulfate, and scopolamine hydrobromide) significantly alleviated the symptoms of vestibular dysfunction. Otologic management of these children should include clinical documentation of the external deformities, evaluation of cochlear function, and early auditory habilitation. Vestibular function should also be evaluated in all children with a history of embryonic exposure to isotretinoin.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1991

Effect of middle ear effusion on the vestibular labyrinth.

Although middle ear effusion was once described as the most common cause of vestibular disturbance in children, the association between glue ear and symptoms of dysequilibrium has never been quantified objectively. In this study the effect of middle ear effusion on the vestibular system of the inner ear was studied in a select group of children suffering from long lasting effusion in the middle ear with no evidence of infection at least one year prior to the study. The results were compared with results obtained from otitis free children, as well as from examinations of children after the insertion of ventilating tubes. The results of this study confirm the assumption that middle ear effusion has an adverse effect on the vestibular system, which can be resolved following the insertion of ventilation tubes. This effect may also contribute to the adverse effect that otitis media has on a child's development.

Child↗
PubMed1989

[Evaluation of VIIIth nerve disorders in learning-disabled children].

Recent research indicates that a subclinical VIIIth nerve defect can be a major contributing factor to, if not a cause of learning disabilities. A battery of tests developed for evaluation of VIIIth nerve function is presented. These tests include assessment of vestibular function and evaluation of auditory figure ground abilities. 70 primary school children diagnosed as learning-disabled by child study teams were tested using this battery. 94% had abnormal findings in the electronystagmographic test and 22% in the auditory figure ground test. This battery of tests can detect subclinical defects in learning-disabled children which can be alleviated by a combination of proper medical treatment and an appropriate educational plan.

Child↗
PubMed1987

Effective intravenous cyclosporin therapy in a patient with severe Crohn's disease on parenteral nutrition.

We report a patient with severe Crohn's disease and the short bowel syndrome on parenteral feeding who was not responding to conventional therapy and underwent treatment with cyclosporin (CyA) given initially intravenously and subsequently orally in each of two courses. Plasma drug concentrations were largely kept within the therapeutic range but wide variability was observed on oral therapy. Improvement both clinically and by objective assessment, was observed on intravenous CyA therapy, but was not sustained when the drug was given orally for several months. None of the side effects observed resisted treatment or was severe enough to warrant discontinuation of therapy. These findings suggest that there may be a place for intravenous CyA therapy in patients with severe Crohn's disease who do not respond to conventional therapy or to oral treatment with CyA.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Evaluation of a high pressure liquid chromatographic technique for metoclopramide analysis.

High-dose metoclopramide has found an established place in the prophylaxis of nausea and vomiting which may be induced by cancer chemotherapy. A simple reliable high pressure liquid chromatographic technique for the measurement of this drug in serum has been developed and evaluated. The methodology will find application in the study of metoclopramide pharmacokinetics and in the monitoring of high-dose metoclopramide therapy in individual patients with neoplastic disease.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1984

Qualitative measurement of drugs.

It has been noted for several years that certain drugs produce abnormal test results in patients who are administered the electronystagmograph (ENG) test. Drug specific waveforms, termed drug evoked potentials (DEP), have been identified by using the ENG for alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, tranquilizers, amphetamines, barbiturates, opiates, hallucinogens, caffeine, aminophylline, dopamine, several gases and approximately 75 combinations of drugs (N = 821). Tests for double blind diagnosis of drug intake as well as tests for repeatability within the same subject were conducted. Subjects included surgical candidates, healthy volunteers, and neonates (N = 248). Drugs tested were ketamine hydrochloride, fentanyl, sodium pentothal, cocaine, dextroamphetamine, sodium seconal, morphine sulfate, phenobarbital, and meperidine. Placebos of dextrose in water and sucrose tablets were also used (N = 25). Analysis of the waveforms produced by surgical candidates and healthy volunteers revealed no false negatives or false positives. Analysis of waveforms produced by neonates whose mothers had been administered meperidine demonstrated a diminishing effect over the course of a 3 day period. Results of repeated studies revealed reliability within subject. One subject who was administered dextroamphetamine did not produce a wave consistent with amphetamine with a dosage of 5 mg. He did, however, produce an amphetamine wave when administered 10 mg of dextroamphetamine. These findings suggest a dose related effect, indicating the need for establishment of minimal levels of detection. Results indicate that with refinement and further research, this method could be used for identification of drugs diagnostically.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

A non-invasive method of qualitative and quantitative measurement of drugs.

Methods for quick qualitative and quantitative evaluation of drug intake are needed, especially during emergency situations such as drug overdose and alcohol intoxication. The electronystagmograph was used in an attempt to develop a non-invasive method for identification of drug intake, and to study the effects of alcohol and other drugs on the vestibular system. Results of the study reveal that alcohol, diazepam, opiates, barbiturates, cocaine, marijuana, and hallucinogenic drugs produce a characteristic printout pattern which can be evaluated qualitatively. This method is a practical, non-invasive, objective procedure that provides rapid assessment of quality of drug intake. Its potential uses are extensive, including such possibilities as evaluation of drug intake in emergency drug overdose situations, monitoring anesthesia during surgery, evaluating drug intake in women about to deliver, (as well as the effects on the newborn), and determining whether or not persons who are being tested on a polygraph are under the influence of drugs.

Alcoholic Intoxication↗
PubMed1979

Zinc retention and losses of zinc in sweat by preadolescent girls.

Preadolescent girls, ages 7 to 9 years, were fed levels of zinc ranging from 5.61 to 14.61 mg/day during an 18-day metabolic study. All other nutrients were provided at or above Recommended Dietary Allowance levels. The sweat loss of zinc was measured using an arm-bag method and whole body zinc loss was calculated from whole body nitrogen and arm loss of nitrogen and zinc. Fecal zinc reflected dietary zinc, but urinary zinc remained relatively stable. The mean daily loss of zinc through sweat was calculated to be 1.43 mg. Zinc retentions were not significantly different (P greater than 0.05) though the retention increased generally with intake of zinc. A comparison of these data with previously reported studies indicated that the absorption of zinc was usually in the range of 20 to 30%. Based on sweat losses reported by others and found in this study and on usual absorption of zinc, it appears that diets should provide a minimum of 7 mg of zinc daily for growing children.

Child↗
PubMed1975

Evaluation of the precision of difference chromatography.

Difference chromatography, a method of chromatography in which elution volumes are compared directly, has been tested for precision under conditions used for estimating the relative dissociation of human oxyhaemoglobin and methaemoglobin and their hybrid. The test was carried out by first establishing a steady flow of haemoglobin through a column of gel particles, and then interrupting the flow temporarily by injecting a known weight of buffer solution, which thus simulated a small difference in elution volume. The dip in absorbance on the elution record was evaluated by digital methods. Statistical analysis of the results showed that the injected weight was estimated from the elution record with a standard error of plus or minus 0.02 g. Since the elution weight was about 50 g, the precision of difference chromatography must approach that of difference ultracentrifugation, and has obvious potential for the accurate comparison of the molecular weights of polypeptides in strongly dispersing media.

Chromatography, Gel↗
PubMed1975

A blaze-dry spreading procedure for the electron microscopy of chromosomes from acid alcohol-fixed human lymphocytes.

A procedure is described for the blaze-drying of human lymphocyte chromosomes on carbonized Parlodion film. Films are prepared by applying Parlodion solution to sheets of freshly cleaved mica. Damage to the film during blaze-drying is prevented by chilling the mica sheets on dry ice before flaming. After spreading, the film and metaphases are floated free from the mica and transferred to a slide of Formav-coated electron microscope grids. The resulting preparations yield complete metaphase spreads and banded chromosomes morphologically similar to those observed with the light microscope.

Azure Stains↗