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Biomedical subjects

M Dickson

Publications and source records attributed to M Dickson.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Elevated levels of endotoxin, oxygen-derived free radicals, and cytokines during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

It has been demonstrated that the initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is associated with an increase in the circulating plasma levels of inflammatory mediators. We have expanded the study of these substances to include measurements of complement activation, prostaglandin production, endotoxin appearance, oxygen-derived free radical generation, and cytokine release before, during, and after ECMO. A reproducible second phase of complement activity and prostaglandin synthesis was associated with the appearance of detectable circulating endotoxin (0.04 U/mL pre-ECMO to 0.07 U/mL at 36 hours, P less than .05). Oxygen-derived free radical activity also increased (2 ng/mL to 3 ng/mL at 36 hours, P less than .05), as did plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor (40 pg/mL to 70 pg/mL at 36 hours, nonsurvivor group: P less than .05). Interleukin-1 was elevated above normal, but there were no significant variations noted during the time period studied. Small amounts of interleukin-6 were also detected in the occasional patient. None of these mediators differed significantly between survivors and nonsurvivors. These data indicate that ECMO is associated with a previously undescribed, endotoxin-related, generalized inflammatory state after 36 hours of support. The pulmonary, renal, and cardiac dysfunctions documented with prolonged bypass can all be related to a classic sepsis syndrome.

Endotoxins↗
PubMed1991

Managing common oral problems: some considerations.

In the absence of early interventions, incipient dental problems can progress to destructive and even fatal outcomes. It is particularly important that primary health personnel correctly diagnose a presenting condition and provide care as early as possible. Some considerations are presented to assist in recognizing and managing common mouth problems.

Developing Countries↗
PubMed1990

A useful technique for closure of pulmonary lacerations.

Methods of closing lung tissue with stapling devices or simple sutures are usually adequate. In some patients lung tissue is so friable that reinforcement of the sutures with tissue flaps is beneficial. Felt bolsters or pledgets can also be used as we describe.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Fusimotor mechanisms determining the afferent output of muscle spindles.

There is both direct and indirect evidence that stretch activation occurs in the dynamic bag1 fibres of the mammalian muscle spindle and that it is responsible for maintaining the high sensitivity of primary sensory endings in stretches great enough to break the resting actomyosin bonds responsible for the short-range stiffness of muscle fibres. However the direct observations of dynamic bag1 fibre behaviour during stretching were made on damaged fibres and during very slow stretches. Preliminary results of experiments employing faster stretches of intact muscle spindles are reported here. An image processing system is being developed to automate and facilitate analysis of sarcomere movements during stretch, release and activation of intrafusal fibres. Unequivocal evidence confirming the development of stretch activation has not yet been found. Boyd (1986a) believed that static bag2 and chain fibres are controlled by separate populations of static gamma motoneurones, while accepting that there is some degree of common innervation. His evidence and the functional implications are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Appropriate dental training.

Primary dental health care has emerged as an important concept, particularly in the poor countries of the world, where dentistry as currently practised has not proved capable of controlling oral disease. Training for primary dental health care provision must be shaped to meet the specific needs of countries and communities. It demands a reorientation of those objectives which are conventional in dental teaching and the development of new attitudes on the part of teachers. Training must aim at self-development in which the ability to achieve simple goals is to the fore. The formulation of plans, the activities which result from them and the evaluation of their effects must be central to the teaching philosophy. Training must aim to develop competency in individual workers. This can best be generated by the use of field exercises. Teachers must not just deliver packages of information but they should develop a climate favourable to self-learning and use resources in a manner which allow students to recognise their own growth and development. Appropriate methods for achieving these goals are reviewed.

Community Dentistry↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The pricing of pharmaceuticals: an international comparison.

Four types of pricing policies and regulations are recognized: product price control, as practiced in France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain; reference pricing, as in Germany and the Netherlands; profit control, as in the United Kingdom; and no control, as in the United States. The system in Canada is a hybrid of product price control and reference pricing; a producer may set any price for a new product as long as it is within guidelines established by a federal government review board. The implications of each system are discussed. Various prescription reimbursement policies are used to control consumer and government expenditures for drugs. Expenditure is a function of many factors, including price, consumption patterns, reimbursement policies, and social, economic, and political values.

Canada↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effect of child care proximity on maternal reports of separation anxiety in employed nurses.

PURPOSE: To determine whether employed nurses with young children, aged 6 months to 4 years, experienced differences in maternal separation anxiety related to proximity of child care. METHOD: A comparative design was used to survey 29 nurses who were mothers of young children and were employed at two work sites: one with on-site child care services and one without child care services of any kind. The Maternal Separation Anxiety Scale and The Child Care Satisfaction Instrument were the data collection tools. Scores were compared by t-test. FINDINGS: There were no significant differences in maternal separation anxiety between the two groups nor in the level of satisfaction with the child care arrangement. CONCLUSIONS: Future research should address questions of who most benefits and in what ways from differing types of child care services. This research should include larger samples, part-time and full-time employed mothers, low income families, single mothers, mothers with infants, mothers of children in need of after school services, and mothers who work evening and night shifts.

Adult↗