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Biomedical subjects

M Fanning

Publications and source records attributed to M Fanning.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

Visceral larva migrans (toxocariasis) in Toronto.

A 7-year-old child was admitted to Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children in 1976 with symptoms and laboratory findings compatible with visceral larva migrans, a disease usually caused by Toxocara canis. This prompted a search for other cases seen at the hospital during the period 1952 through 1978. Only 18 cases were discovered that met at least three of six criteria and thus were considered possible or probably cases of the disease. Three possible cases of ocular toxocariasis during the same period were also uncovered. Fever was the commonest presenting symptom. Eosinophilia, leukocytosis and hyperglobulinemia were the most frequent laboratory findings. In view of the small number of cases found in 27 years at this large pediatric hospital with a broad referral base, it is concluded that visceral larva migrans poses little risk to the health of children in the Toronto area.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Non-invasive thermal assessment of tissue phantoms using an active near field microwave imaging technique.

An active microwave imaging system for non-invasive temperature sensing has been developed and evaluated. The system is designed to assess biological tissues undergoing thermal therapy. This paper presents results that demonstrate the imaging capabilities of the microwave method using simulated and experimental phantom materials. Results from both numerical studies and laboratory experiments have been analysed and are presented. The imaging system uses a 16 channel fixed monopole array transceiver unit operating over a bandwidth of 300-900 MHz. The annular array diameter is 14.75 cm and is immersed in a 0.9% saline solution. Standard heterodyning principles are used for signal detection leading to a dynamic range of the system of better than 115dB. Image formation is accomplished with a 2-D finite element based, near-field iterative technique. This allows the simultaneous reconstruction of both the real and imaginary components of the dielectric property distribution in tissue equivalent phantoms. Data acquisition currently captures 144 complex field measurements per image. Image reconstruction requires approximately 2 min per iteration with a typical convergence in less than 10 steps. Experiments performed to evaluate the temperature dependence of biological phantoms (saline with variable salt concentrations) are described. The numerical accuracy and precision of the reconstruction algorithm based upon these phantom studies are presented. Simple laboratory models of localized hyperthermia have been used to evaluate the experimental accuracy and precision of the imaging system. A numerical precision of 0.02 degrees C and an accuracy of 0.37 degrees C have been observed with the current algorithm. In laboratory experiments, images have been reconstructed at different target temperatures and target saline concentrations. The effect of placing high contrast biological phantoms (i.e. bone/fat simulants) along with the heated objects have also been studied. Localized heating of the biological phantom is achieved by pumping a saline solution of pre-selected concentration through enclosed ends of hollow dielectric cylinders having approximately 5cm inner diameter and 4 mm wall thickness. The temperature of the heated zone is preset and maintained to +/-0.2 degrees C by an external heater and circulator. The results currently show that a maximum temperature precision of 0.98 degrees C and maximum relative accuracy of 0.56 degrees C has been achieved in the laboratory using the current generation of the prototype system.

Algorithms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Returning to practice.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Career Mobility↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The knowledge, attitudes and concerns of hospital staff about AIDS.

Staff from 3 Toronto hospitals were surveyed for knowledge, attitudes and concerns about AIDS. 70% of the 1,366 respondents had direct clinical experience with persons with AIDS. Data were analyzed according to hospital setting and professional group: physicians, nurses, technologists and supervisory staff. No setting difference was observed and although statistically significant differences (at the .001 level) were observed between professional groups, these differences are small and have little practical importance. In general, subjects answered 68% of the knowledge questions correctly. All attitudes and concerns were inversely associated to knowledge (Pearson r range was -.31 to -.20). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that knowledge and concern about contagion are important mediating variables (multiple r = .40) for other attitudes and concerns.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Rheumatologic manifestations of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

The aim of this study was to assess the type and frequency of rheumatologic manifestations among patients followed at an HIV clinic in a general hospital, and to evaluate the usefulness of a questionnaire in identifying the presence of these manifestations. Fifty-two consecutive patients with HIV infection completed a questionnaire regarding the presence of rheumatologic symptoms. All patients were interviewed and examined for the prevalence and spectrum of musculoskeletal manifestations. The questionnaire was found to be sensitive in identifying patients with rheumatologic manifestations which were detected on clinical examination. The latter were found in 34 patients (65.3%). Twenty-one patients (40.3%) had arthralgias, 8 (15.2%) had spondyloarthropathies (including Reiter's syndrome, psoriatic arthritis and undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy). Two patients (3.8%) had oligoarthritis and one case each had myositis, Sjögren's syndrome and Behçet's syndrome. Muscle pain was common, occurring in 35% of the patients, and it was related to the use of zidovudine therapy. In contrast to previous reports, most of the patients with arthritis had mild disease, responding promptly to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This difference may be explained by the use of zidovudine therapy, stage of HIV infection, and lifestyle. A questionnaire may be helpful in identifying the prevalence of rheumatologic manifestations in HIV-infected subjects.

Adult↗