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Biomedical subjects

M Pratt

Publications and source records attributed to M Pratt.

51 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Heterotopic lingual brain in the newborn.

Heterotopic brain is a rare entity. Histologically, this lesion resembles mature brain and often contains specialized tissues similar to choroid plexus or glia. Specialized neural stains are necessary to differentiate this rare anomaly from other tumors or conditions found in the head and neck. The differential diagnosis includes squamous cell carcinoma, granular cell tumor, hemangioma, lymphangioma, thyroglossal duct cyst, dermoid cyst, hamartoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and teratoma. We describe a newborn with heterotopic brain tissue occurring on the dorsum of the tongue. We found only one other description of this developmental aberration in the English literature. Our patient was successfully treated with carbon dioxide laser excision of the mass. There has been no evidence of complication or recurrence after one year of follow-up.

Brain↗
PubMed1989

Strength, flexibility, and maturity in adolescent athletes.

The relationship between lower-extremity strength and flexibility and maturational status as measured by Tanner staging (TS) was assessed in 84 male high school athletes. The sum of one-repetition maximum lifts for knee extension and flexion was determined and flexibility was measured with the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance sit-and-reach test. Chronologic age, body weight, and percent fat were also recorded. Strength and flexibility were compared for each maturational and chronologic age category. Maturational age was better correlated with strength and flexibility than was chronologic age. All correlations were significant. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated significant correlations of TS and age with strength and flexibility. Tanner staging had greater predictive value than age for strength and flexibility. After adjusting for age, the relationship between TS and strength remained significant.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

The generation of Ig-secreting UC 729-6 derived human hybridomas by electrofusion.

UC 729-6, a 6-thioguanine resistant human lymphoblastoid B cell line, was fused with human lymphocytes by electrofusion. Resulting human-human hybridomas were tetraploid, expressed markers derived from both fusion parents, and secreted approximately 1 microgram Ig/10(6) cells/ml/day. Cells to be used for electrofusion were washed in 0.3M mannitol, and fusions were performed with glass slides, 1.0 ml, and 50.0 ml chambers. Fusion sequences consisted of alignment, compression, and the fusion event itself. The optimal cell concentration for electrofusion was 5 X 10(6)/ml. Fusion efficiencies of human lymphocytes were ranked as follows: lymphoma cells greater than lymph node lymphocytes greater than PBL. 80% of the lymphoma hybridomas, 60% of the lymph node hybridomas, and 40% of the PBL hybridomas were Ig secretors. These data demonstrate that the UC 729-6 cell line is a suitable vector for generating human-human hybridomas by electrofusion.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A controlled trial of physician counseling to promote the adoption of physical activity.

BACKGROUND: In accordance with one of the Year 2000 Health Objectives, the current study tests the efficacy of brief physician-based counseling to increase physical activity in sedentary patients in a nonrandomized controlled trial. METHODS: Control and intervention physicians were matched on medical practice variables. Two hundred fifty-five apparently healthy, sedentary, adult patients were recruited from 17 physician offices (mean age = 39 years, 84% female, 28% ethnic minority). Intervention physicians delivered 3 to 5 min of structured physical activity counseling during a well visit or follow-up for a chronic condition. A health educator made a brief booster phone call to patients 2 weeks after receiving physician counseling. Self-reported physical activity and stage of change (i.e., behavioral readiness to adopt or maintain activity) were collected at baseline and at 4- to 6-week follow-up. Objective activity monitoring was conducted on a subsample. RESULTS: Intervention patients reported increased walking more than control patients (+37 min/week vs. +7 min/week). There was a significant intervention effect on the activity monitor. Intervention participants also demonstrated a greater increase in readiness to adopt activity than control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Physician-based counseling for physical activity is efficacious in producing short-term increases in moderate physical activity among previously sedentary patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effectiveness and safety of vaccines against human anthrax: a systematic review.

We report on the results of a systematic review of existing controlled clinical trials undertaken to assess the effectiveness and safety of vaccines against human anthrax in relation to disease incidence and side-effects. Two articles retrieved by electronic and hand search fulfilling some of the inclusion criteria underwent a quality assessment by a group of reviewers. Data synthesized from the two trials showed that estimates of overall effectiveness and safety favour treatment (overall odds ratio 0.16; 95% confidence interval 0.07-0.34). The route of inoculation appears to make little difference to the effectiveness of the vaccines; however, one study shows that the incidence and severity of side-effects are significantly higher with the killed vaccine than with the alum-based placebo (overall odds ratio 0.16; 95% confidence interval 2.38-27.17).

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Physical activity and public health: training courses for researchers and practitioners.

The authors explore development of courses in continuing education intended to provide additional research and practice capacity for addressing the growing burden of chronic disease and disability from physical inactivity. Two annual training courses on physical activity and public health are described. The courses are developed with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity. The University of South Carolina, School of Public Health, Prevention Research Center has been an active collaborator and was responsible for developing and implementing the courses. An eight-day "Course on Research Directions and Strategies," is offered to postdoctoral researchers, and practitioners may take a six-day "Practitioners' Course on Community Interventions." Both courses are designed to increase the number of professionals qualified to implement physical activity community interventions and conduct physical activity and public health research.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevention of coronary heart disease in clinical practice: a commentary on current treatment patterns in six European countries in relation to published recommendations.

Market research surveys can be a source of up-to-date information about current clinical practices. Data from one such survey, Cholesterol Monitor (made available by Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, N.J., USA) was examined to ascertain to what extent management of cholesterol in six European countries conforms with the advice of the joint Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology, European Atherosclerosis Society and European Society of Hypertension for prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD). Rates of cholesterol testing in patients with CHD varied from less than 50% in the UK to more than 80% in France and Italy. Across Europe, the average cholesterol levels in surveyed patients was 6 mmol/l, and the average intervention level was 7.5 mmol/l. In all countries, there was evidence of a substantial treatment gap, even among high-risk patients with established CHD. This gap took the form of non-treatment of a proportion of patients whose risk status merited intervention on the basis of expert recommendations and the results of the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (in which sustained lowering of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduced total and coronary mortality in patients with baseline total cholesterol as low as 5.5 mmol/l). The findings indicate that a concerted programme of physician education is required if the recommendations of the joint Task Force are to be put into effect, and if the present nontreatment/undertreatment of cholesterol in high-risk patients is to be corrected.

Cholesterol↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Local health departments in Washington State use APEX to assess capacity.

THE ASSESSMENT PROTOCOL for EXCELLENCE in PUBLIC HEALTH process was carried out in the state of Washington to assess local health department capacity and to identify their self-perceived strengths and weaknesses. Staff from 24 of the 32 local health departments in Washington completed organizational capacity assessments. Fifty percent or more of the health departments identified the following eight indicators as strengths: legal authority, public policy and implementation, budget development, financial reporting and administration, audit, financial documentation, organization and structure of program management, and policy board procedures. Seven indicators were identified as weaknesses by 50% or more of the respondents: legal counsel, mission and role, data collection and analysis, planning and development, evaluation and assurance of community health assessment, community health assessment and planning, and community health policy. The results of the assessment highlight the traditional organizational and service delivery strengths of the local health departments and point out weaknesses in their ability to assess community health and to develop communitywide health policy.

Community Health Services↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Audit pinpoints i.v. drug administration pitfalls.

This paper describes an approach to auditing the time spent by nurses giving intravenous drugs. The results of the audit, carried out at Wycombe General Hospital, are reported and discussed together with the measures taken to address practical and medico-legal issues. The authors conclude that much nursing time could be saved with closer adherence to guidelines for practice.

Drug Therapy↗