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Biomedical subjects

M T Russell

Publications and source records attributed to M T Russell.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Gemcitabine-associated posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: MR imaging and MR spectroscopy findings.

A 55 year old female receiving gemcitabine for stage IV non-small cell carcinoma of the lung developed the clinical-radiologic syndrome of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). She had clinical manifestations of headaches, increasing somnolence and tonic-clonic seizures. The fluid-attentuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) MR imaging sequence conspicuously showed bihemispheric, symmetrical cortical and subcortical white matter hyperintensities that preponderantly involved the parietal and occipital lobes. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequence reflected the preponderant existence of vasogenic edema in the involved areas. MR spectroscopy showed no significant N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) depletion or lactate elevation prospectively, indicating the absence of significant neuronal loss and reversibility of the brain parenchymal changes. The clinical and radiologic manifestations essentially resolved completely with discontinuation of the drug.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗

Dramatic increase in incidence of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in Western Australia.

OBJECTIVES: To document and suggest possible reasons for a dramatic increase in the incidence of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in Western Australia in 1992. PATIENTS: Children aged 0-14 years with IDDM diagnosed in Western Australia from 1985 to 1992 inclusive. DESIGN: A population-based register in Western Australia, using name-identified data from two separate ascertainment sources, provided numerator data. Denominator data were estimated from census figures collected in 1986 and 1991 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The completeness of case ascertainment was estimated by the capture-recapture method. RESULTS: Case ascertainment for 1985-1992 was estimated as 99.6% complete. Between 1985 and 1991 the incidence of IDDM in the 0-14 year age group varied between 11.8 and 15.5 per 100,000 person-years without a significant increase. In 1992, however, based on the previous seven years, 52 cases would have been expected but 84 cases were observed, an incidence of 22.2 per 100,000 person-years. The increase in incidence occurred across all age groups and in both sexes. Place of residence at diagnosis, the prevalence of islet cell antibody positivity at diagnosis and the proportion of new cases with a first degree relative with IDDM were no different in 1992 than in preceding years. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of a significant increase in the incidence of IDDM in Australia. It appears to be a period, rather than a cohort, effect and provides further evidence for environmental antigens as disease triggers.

Adolescent↗

Clinical perspectives on seabather's eruption, also known as 'sea lice'.

Seabather's eruption is usually a benign clinical syndrome that resolves spontaneously, although severe symptoms and long-term sequelae have been identified. Recent research has implicated the larvae of a jellyfish, Linuche unguiculata, as the cause of this syndrome; confirmation by serological and experimental studies is pending. Clinical signs and symptoms are consistent with this etiology. Outbreaks occur when jellyfish larvae are transported to shore by ocean currents. Treatment is symptomatic and involves use of antihistamines and steroids.

Animals↗

Expired ipecac syrup efficacy.

A controlled prospective study to evaluate the efficacy of expired ipecac syrup was conducted at two regional poison control centers in New England. During a 6-month period, 200 study patients treated with expired ipecac syrup and 200 control patients treated with unexpired ipecac syrup were evaluated. There were no statistical differences between the control and study groups in patient characteristics (age and sex) and product characteristics (general class, emetic potential, pretreatment, previously opened bottles, and manufacturer). In both control and study groups, emesis occurred in 100% of cases with 90% of patients vomiting with the first dose. The mean time to emesis was 24.7 minutes and 24.8 minutes in the study and control groups, respectively. Expired preparations ranged from 1 month to greater than 4 years postexpiration, with the duration of expiration not altering the mean time to emesis. Mean time to emesis between the two groups was also not affected by manufacturer, pretreatment with milk, or whether the ipecac syrup bottle was previously opened. We conclude that expired ipecac syrup (up to 4 years postexpiration date) is an effective emetic.

Child, Preschool↗