PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L Whitaker

Publications and source records attributed to L Whitaker.

47 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

The relationship between capillary and venous glucose concentration during pregnancy.

Previous attempts to construct capillary equivalents of venous glucose values for prognostic purposes have failed. We examined the relationship between capillary and venous glucose concentration during pregnancy in 258 women who had samples taken at four different time intervals in relation to two different standardized meals. Capillary glucose concentration was determined with the Chemstrips bG and an Accu-Chek reflectance colorimeter and venous plasma glucose concentration was measured by the hexose kinase technique on an AutoAnalyzer. The capillary: venous relationship was constant over time for a given meal but the magnitude of the difference was affected by time. The capillary: venous relationship differed significantly between the two standard meals. The findings indicate that meal size and sampling time must be controlled for when one is attempting to construct capillary equivalents for venous derived norms. The failure of previous studies to control for these variables may explain their inability to construct useful capillary equivalents for venous glucose values. Our findings also indicate that attainment of venous norms with capillary specimens represent, in reality, tighter control.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1984

Ocular motility in craniofacial reconstruction.

Of 140 children undergoing major craniofacial reconstruction at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and examined preoperatively and postoperatively by the Ophthalmology Division, only 10 had surgically induced alteration in primary position horizontal alignment, 4 greater than 10 prism diopters. Only 2 patients had a new strabismus in primary position created by craniofacial surgery, both cranial nerve palsies. We believe early strabismus surgery is advantageous for attainment of binocularity and ease of tissue manipulation. Of 44 patients with craniofacial dysostosis (Crouzon), 20 had preoperative strabismus, and 12 required extraocular muscle surgery. Five of 12 had anomalies of extraocular muscle number and structure, usually involving the superior rectus muscle.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

The use of microvascular free flaps for soft tissue augmentation of the face in children with hemifacial microsomia.

The extent of facial deformity from hemifacial microsomia varies considerably. Minor degrees of asymmetry may be barely perceptible. Severe defects involve deficiencies and asymmetry of bone and soft tissue. Hence, reconstruction of both soft and hard tissues may be necessary. The authors have utilized a free flap based on the superior gluteal vessels to replace soft tissue deficits in three children with hemifacial microsomia. The flap, composed of fascia lata, adjacent muscle and fat (two patients) and overlying skin (one patient), is harvested through an incision high on the lateral thigh in the "bathing trunk" area. The vessels, measuring 0.5--1.0 mm. were anastomosed to the facial (one patient) and superficial temporal (two patients) vessels. In one child, simultaneous mandibular restructuring was done with bone grafts. The children ranged in age from four to eight years. Follow-up is for five to seven months. Although this microvascular procedure requires a prolonged anesthetic, it permits more accurate and predictable reconstruction. Scars are placed in inconspicuous or concealed areas. Simultaneous bony reconstruction can be done. Details of the procedure and an evaluation of postoperative results are presented.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1979

The types of hearing loss and ear pathology noted in screening craniofacial patients.

Seventy patients who underwent craniofacial reconstruction were screened by otological and audiological examinations. Thirty-seven patients had visible ear pathology, thirty-six had conductive hearing impairments. No sensorineural losses were detected. The high incidence of otological pathology in craniofacial patients emphasizes the importance of multi-disciplinary care. Otological rehabilitation should be integrated into the treatment plan to provide maximum function throughout the period of craniofacial reconstruction. Suggestions are made to facilitate communication in the immediate post operative period.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Urea and dilatation of the cervix.

The minimal elasticity of the uterine cervix has been related to its high collagen content. By interfering with cohesive forces that hold the collagen fiber bundle together, it is possible to diminish the physical strength of collagen. Urea has been used in collagen chemistry to dissociate collagen by interfering with hydrophobic linkages and hydrogen bonds. This results in a change of mechanical properties such as a decrease in tensile strength and an increase in elasticity. Basic studies of rat tail tendon demonstrated the additive effects of pH, concentration of urea, and temperature on the mechanical characteristics of collagen fibers. In vitro testing was performed using an injection of 30 per cent urea at pH 4. Serial measurements with a spring gauge instrument showed a reduction in cervical resistance. A cervical injection technique has been developed and toxicity of urea studied.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Persistence of multiple serovars of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Two simple mathematical models of gonococcal transmission dynamics that allow for heterogeneity within the pathogen were assessed. Models were compared for their ability to mirror the observed persistence of different gonococcal serovars over time and differential distribution within subgroups of the total population. Serotyping data collected between the periods of 1984-1988 and 1988-1990 were analyzed for differences in serovar distribution. The data show persistence of multiple serovars within both homosexual and heterosexual contact groups over time. The models provide a framework for the use of phenotypic markers to assess behavior change in sexually active populations.

Gonorrhea↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sexual behaviour among London GUM clinic attenders: implications for HIV education.

The aim of this study was to describe the sexual behaviour of a sample of genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic attenders, 5 years after the launch of the UK government HIV media campaigns. A gender-specific and anonymous cross-sectional self-completion questionnaire was modified from the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyle and completed by 250 men and 250 women. The majority of the respondents were in their twenties, lived in London and were employed or students. Sixty-eight per cent of the men reported that one or more of their last 3 partners was not a regular partner. For those men whose last sexual encounter was with a new partner, 27% of heterosexuals and 33% of homosexuals reported using a condom. Fifty-one per cent of women reported one or more non-regular partners among their last 3 partners. For those women whose last sexual encounter was with a new partner, 43% of heterosexuals and 75% of bisexuals used a condom. Seventy-eight per cent of men and 75% of women had had a previous sexually transmitted disease (STD). These findings highlight the persistence of practices associated with the risk of contracting or transmitting HIV infection and which needs to be addressed in future educational campaigns. The GUM clinic population is an important population to monitor over time, either by longitudinal or serial cross-sectional studies. The results of this study provide a baseline against which to gauge the effects of future educational interventions.

Adult↗