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Biomedical subjects

M C Morris

Publications and source records attributed to M C Morris.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Traumatic occlusion of two radiocephalic fistulas: case reports and their management.

The number of ambulatory dialysis patients is increasing each year with a concomitant rise in extremity access fistulas and grafts. The anatomic location of these fistulas makes them particularly susceptible to traumatic occurrences. Management of traumatic occlusion of these fistulas becomes a critical issue in allowing continuing dialysis in these patients. Management of two such patients is presented.

Adolescent↗

The lateral approach to the above-knee femoropopliteal bypass.

Functional salvage of the limb was successful in a patient using a lateral approach to the above-knee femoropopliteal bypass. An expanded polytetrafluoroethylene prosthesis was placed in a lateral subcutaneous tunnel. This new technique offers a direct and practical alternative to the classic approaches to the proximal part of the popliteal artery and may be useful when previous scarring, infection or unusual circumstances precludes their use.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Urolithiasis on absorbable and non-absorbable suture materials in the rabbit bladder.

Absorbable and non-absorbable suture materials were evaluated for calculi formation and tissue reactivity in the rabbit bladder. Five-O chromic, polydioxinone and polypropylene sutures were used to close cystostomies made in New Zealand white rabbits. Bladders were evaluated at 15, 30, 60 and 90 days. Calculi formed on all sutures tested and the persistence of calculi appeared to be dependent on the longevity of the suture material used. This data suggests that the use of non-absorbable suture material in urologic surgery may contribute to calculus formation.

Animals↗

Relationship of free-recall memory to hypertension in the elderly. The Iowa 65+ Rural Health Study.

The relationship between hypertension and performance on a test of free recall memory was explored in a geographically-defined population of free-living subjects 65 years and older. Those with diastolic but not isolated systolic hypertension had a significantly lower performance on the memory test, after controlling for general health status, antihypertensive medication use and other factors which might confound or modify this association. These findings from a population study confirm the results of prior investigations in smaller numbers of highly selected subjects and suggest that further study may lead to improved prevention of cognitive decline in the elderly.

Aged↗

The management of severe ureteric anomalies in infancy.

Sixteen infants with severe ureteric anomalies were admitted to the Paediatric Unit over the years 1980-81. The two principal aims of treatment were firstly, initial resuscitation and the treatment of severe sepsis, thereby mostly avoiding early operative urinary diversion, and secondly to proceed to corrective surgery when the infant was sufficiently recovered. Initial management included resuscitation, intravenous antibiotics, parenteral nutrition, and where necessary bladder drainage by urethral catheter. Peritoneal dialysis was not required. The diagnosis was established by urography and ultrasound. Surgical urinary diversion was performed on only two of the cases, and results from early corrective surgery have been satisfactory.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Prevalence and functional correlates of low back pain in the elderly: the Iowa 65+ Rural Health Study.

As part of an interview survey of a defined population of 3,097 rural persons 65 years and older (the Iowa 65 + Rural Health Study), the prevalence and functional correlates of specifically defined low back pain were studied. Low back pain was reported by 23.6 per cent of the women and 18.4 per cent of the men in the year prior to the survey, with prevalence rates declining with age. Forty per cent of those with low back pain noted its presence at the time of the interview. Over half had used analgesics. Use of medical and chiropractic services for this symptom was nearly 75 per cent; 25 per cent had at least one hospitalization directly related to low back pain and over 5 per cent had low back surgery. Limitation of walking, sitting, bending over, and performing household chores was reported by 15 to 40 per cent, and 21 per cent attributed sleep disturbance to the low back pain. Nearly 75 per cent of subjects with low back pain reported first onset of the problem prior to age 65, which has important implications for pathogenesis and prevention. The functional and clinical burdens of low back pain in this population of rural elderly were substantial and require further evaluation of risk factors and impact on health status.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Oxalosis in infancy.

We describe 3 infants with nephrocalcinosis and terminal renal failure. In all 3 there was widespread oxalate deposition: biochemical evidence of primary hyperoxaluria was sought but the presence of severe renal failure and the lack of established normal values for urinary and plasma oxalate and glycollate in infants made this diagnosis difficult to establish.

Calcium Metabolism Disorders↗

Evaluation of a height/plasma creatinine formula in the measurement of glomerular filtration rate.

The clinical usefulness of the quantity height (cm)/plasma creatinine (Ht/Pcr) as a predictor of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was investigated in 163 children with varying levels of renal function. Plasma creatinine levels (mumol/l) were measured by an automated reaction rate method. The results indicate that in rather more than half the children studied, an estimate of GFR adequate for ordinary clinical purposes will be obtained from Ht/Pcr, or from the derived formula GFR (ml/min per 1.73 m2) = 40 Ht/Pcr. The accuracy of the prediction is greatest in children with reduced function (GFR less than 80 ml/min per 1.73 m2) and in this group of patients a change of GFR of 19 ml/min per 1.73 m2 or more is reliably detected by this method. We conclude that Ht/Pcr is a clinically useful aid to the estimation of renal function, reducing the need for formal GFR measurements by at least half.

Adolescent↗

Endarterial urokinase in childhood hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Urokinase was given by unilateral infusion for 48-168 hours into the renal arteries of 8 children (0.2 to 13.0 years) with acute renal failure and impaired renal perfusion due to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Two children subsequently received a bilateral infusion. Immediate changes in renal perfusion were assessed by serial dynamic renal scanning in all patients and by repeat renal arteriography in 5. No improvement clearly attributable to urokinase was observed. In 4 surviving children assessment of divided renal function by static renal scanning 1 to 5 years after presentation showed no evidence of benefit from urokinase. Examination of the kidneys of 2 of the 3 children who died, and one who underwent bilateral nephrectomy prior to renal transplantation, showed no evidence of benefit from urokinase. Examination of the kidneys of 2 of the 3 children who died, and one who underwent bilateral nephrectomy prior to renal transplantation, showed no preservation of renal mass attributable to urokinase; in one of these children the infused kidney was considerably smaller than the untreated kidney. It is concluded that local infusion of urokinase had no beneficial effect on the course of HUS in these children.

Adolescent↗

Further perspectives on the charge transfer transitions of blue copper proteins and the ligand moieties in stellacyanin.

The charge transfer spectra of plastocyanin and azurin are analyzed in detail, taking into account the structural information that is available. The number and relative energies of the low-lying charge transfer bands attributable to cysteine and methionine sulfur are considered with reference to the energy levels associated with the donor centers and to experimental work on relevant complexes. Two cysteine --> Cu(II) charge transfer transitions are assigned to bands that occur near 620 nm and near 770 nm. Energy considerations suggest that the methionine --> Cu(II) transition occurs in the vicinity of 550 nm for both plastocyanin and azurin. The existence of a disulfide linkage in stellacyanin is established by thiol titrations, and the possibility exists that the fourth ligand in stellacyanin may involve disulfide sulfur. If so, the cystine --> Cu(II) transition is also expected to appear around 550 nm.

Journal Article↗

Systemic lupus erythematosus with nephritis.

Thirty-six patients with the onset of symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus before age 20 years (23 aged less than 15 years at onset) were studied during a 15-year period. All had clinical evidence of nephritis. They were followed for a mean of 5 years (range 6 months to 13 years) or until death. Survival was calculated to be 77% at 10 years for those aged less than 15, and 74% for those aged less than 20, from the onset of clinical nephritis. At referral, renal function was already impaired in two-thirds of patients. Renal biopsies showed mild focal or proliferative changes in 19% of patients, membranous lesions in 11%, and diffuse proliferative lesions in 70%. Three (8%) patients died during follow-up, all from sepsis, and 3 (8%) others required chronic haemodialysis for terminal renal failure. The prognosis even of severe lupus nephritis in childhood and adolescence has improved in recent years. Side effects of treatment remain an important cause of death and morbidity.

Adolescent↗

The effects of anabolic steroids on growth, body composition, and metabolism in boys with chronic renal failure on regular hemodialysis.

Eight boys aged 9.5 to 17 years, on regular hemodialysis for chronic renal failure, were treated for 0.4 to 1.3 years with the anabolic steroid oxandrolone. The effects on linear growth, skeletal maturation, cell mass, and the fasting levels and response to intravenous glucose of BG, IRI, NEFA, BCAA, and IRG were measured. Following treatment there was a significant increase in mean growth velocity, growth velocity standard deviation score related to bone age, and cell mass. Overall skeletal maturation was not accelerated, and only a small advance in pubertal status was seen. There was a decrease in fasting levels of BG and NEFA; fasting BCAA and IRG were increased. The response to intravenous glucose was altered; there was a decrease in peak BG response, an increase in peak IRI response, and a more marked fall in plasma NEFA and BCAA levels. Fasting IRG levels correlated with fasting BG levels, and fell significantly following intravenous glucose both before and after treatment. Hepatotoxicity, which was reversible, was seen in a ninth boy who did not complete the study. The only other side effect, salt and water retention, was controlled by a reduction in oxandrolone dosage. These preliminary results suggest that anabolic steroids may be useful to stimulate anabolism and growth in uremic children, and that their effect is mediated by an increase in insulin secretion and/or an improvement in tissue sensitivity to insulin. Further studies with careful monitoring are required to substantiate the effect on final height and the risks involved.

Adolescent↗

Adenovirus type 21 bronchopneumonia in infants and young children.

An epidemic of bronchopneumonia in infants and young children, with adenovirus type 21 infection, was observed in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1977. Eighteen children, four to 44 months of age, with clinical and radiologic evidence of bronchopneumonia are described. Several of the children were seriously ill but there were no deaths. When reviewed six to 12 months after diagnosis, six children had clinical signs and 13 had radiologic signs of residual pulmonary disease. There were no detectable pulmonary sequelae in two children. Three children were lost to follow-up and could not be evaluated. Adenovirus type 21 bronchopneumonia is a serious illness and an important cause of chronic bronchopneumopathy in infants and young children.

Adenoviridae Infections↗

On-the-scene emergency care by the primary physician.

One year's experience with on-the-scene emergency responses by a rural family physician equipped for advanced life-support is analyzed. Three (6.7%) out of 45 consecutive emergency responses were lifesaving, specifically because the physician was there. No definite reduction in morbidity was documented. Accurate assessment of emergencies when reported and at the scene of spontaneous events was enhanced by the physician's familiarity with the patient and/or the reporter. Economic considerations, useful equipment, and special problems encountered in on-the-scene emergency care are discussed. The primary physician is a reasonable candidate to provide on-the-scene emergency care, especially in communities where advanced life-support is otherwise inadequate. His properly equipped vehicle deserves emergency vehicle status. Simultaneous summoning of the physician along with other emergency personnel by a central dispatching agency would be ideal in these communities.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗

Perinatal infections by group B beta-haemolytic streptococci.

Since 1970 there has been an increase in isolations of Group B beta-haemolytic streptococci from infants and mothers at the National Women's Hospital and the organism has become the major cause of fatal perinatal infection. Forty-three of 60 stillborn and liveborn infants with postmortem isolations of Group B streptococci had pneumonia and of these a minority also had meningitis and/or septicaemia. Amnionitis was found in 15 of 20 placentae examined from these patients and an ascending infection from the maternal genital tract, often through intact membranes, was considered likely in the majority. However, a review of the prenatal histories of 33 infants showed that only a minority had premonitory features such as prolonged rupture of membranes, prolonged labour or maternal fever. Thirteen of 26 liveborn infants had a birth weight less than 2500 g. The majority presented within one hour of birth with respiratory distress or apnoea and died within 48 hours of birth. Early diagnosis of Group B infection is possible if bacteriological and radiological evidence is sought in infants of low birth weight, with low Apgar scores and with early onset of respiratory distress syndrome or apnoea in addition to those having the more usual indications of intrauterine infection. Group B streptococci were carried vaginally in 9 per cent of women attending an antenatal clinic and this high carrier rate is considered to preclude prophylactic treatment.

Female↗