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R J Foley

Publications and source records attributed to R J Foley.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

An optical supernova associated with the X-ray flash XRF 060218.

Long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are associated with type Ic supernovae that are more luminous than average and that eject material at very high velocities. Less-luminous supernovae were not hitherto known to be associated with GRBs, and therefore GRB-supernovae were thought to be rare events. Whether X-ray flashes--analogues of GRBs, but with lower luminosities and fewer gamma-rays--can also be associated with supernovae, and whether they are intrinsically 'weak' events or typical GRBs viewed off the axis of the burst, is unclear. Here we report the optical discovery and follow-up observations of the type Ic supernova SN 2006aj associated with X-ray flash XRF 060218. Supernova 2006aj is intrinsically less luminous than the GRB-supernovae, but more luminous than many supernovae not accompanied by a GRB. The ejecta velocities derived from our spectra are intermediate between these two groups, which is consistent with the weakness of both the GRB output and the supernova radio flux. Our data, combined with radio and X-ray observations, suggest that XRF 060218 is an intrinsically weak and soft event, rather than a classical GRB observed off-axis. This extends the GRB-supernova connection to X-ray flashes and fainter supernovae, implying a common origin. Events such as XRF 060218 are probably more numerous than GRB-supernovae.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Laparoscopy in the diagnosis and management of Crohn's disease.

We have tried to evaluate the role of laparoscopy and laparoscopic-assisted surgery in the management of Crohn's disease. Over a 4-year period, we had 38 patients, of which 23 patients were suspected to have Crohn's disease and were admitted for diagnostic laparoscopy while 15 patients had already had a biopsy confirmation of Crohn's disease in the past and were admitted for specifically planned procedures. In the first group of 23 patients, 11 were found not to have Crohn's disease. In the remaining 12 patients, three were proven to have Crohn's disease, but no surgical procedure was undertaken. The remaining nine patients underwent laparoscopic-assisted procedures, of which two required conversion to a laparotomy because of intra-abdominal abscesses. All 15 patients in the second group underwent laparoscopic or laparoscopic-assisted procedures. In total, 14 patients were spared a potential diagnostic laparotomy and could go home the next day. The remaining 24 patients underwent procedures requiring longer hospital stays; five had a purely laparoscopic procedure, 17 had a laparoscopic-assisted procedure, and two required a laparotomy. Although there was little difference in the median stay for patients treated laparoscopically or by laparotomy, it is thought that the extent or severity of the disease process influenced the length of the stay rather than the approach used. The complication rate was similar to that found in Crohn's patients undergoing open surgery. It remains to be seen whether those in the laparoscopically treated group have less adhesive complications than those treated by laparotomy. It is our belief that laparoscopy is a valuable aid in the diagnosis of Crohn's disease. It remains to be proven whether or not laparoscopic-assisted surgery will be of significant value in the treatment of this condition.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Day case laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a safe and cost effective procedure.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and cost effectiveness of laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a day case procedure. SETTING: District hospital, England. SUBJECTS: 103 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy by a standard four cannula technique. Propofol anaesthesia, prophylactic antiemetics and pre-emptive analgesia were given in all cases. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morbidity and cost. RESULTS: 103 patients have undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 51 of them as day cases. Patients were selected for day treatment if they were under 60 years old, they wanted to go home the same day, they had no history of jaundice or any anaesthetic contraindication, and if there was an adult at home to look after them. Three of those selected as day cases required overnight admission, one because of severe pain and two who required a drain overnight. The median hospital stay was 12 hours (range 10-28 hours) and the cost of the operation was about pounds 419. CONCLUSION: This is a safe and cost-effective procedure and should be considered in selected patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Acute anaphylactoid reactions in hemodialysis.

Our recent experience with membrane reactions in three hemodialysis patients is reported. We believe that two distinct populations manifest this reaction. First, well-known chronic hemodialysis patients may be exposed to inadequately rinsed new membranes. The etiology may be related to ethylene oxide either as a direct toxin or as a hapten attached to serum proteins. Adequate attention to dialysis membrane priming should eliminate this particular reaction. In the second group, the patients are new to the unit (transients) and frequently arrive with little information on prior care. Two of our patients and at least one other in the literature demonstrate markedly elevated IgE levels. This suggests an IgE-mediated mechanism; whether this is related to the membrane type, ethylene oxide, or a currently undetermined allergen remains uncertain.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1985

Nephrotoxicity from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

We categorize the three types of renal dysfunction associated with the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID): acute renal failure, acute interstitial nephritis, and hyperkalemia. The paper provides clinical examples of each type, discusses pathophysiology, and describes response to therapy, in addition to outlining the usefulness of labeled leukocyte nuclear studies and kidney biopsy. We conclude that these drugs are relatively common causes of renal dysfunction, particularly in selected subpopulations.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1985

Hyperthyroidism in end-stage renal disease.

We report the 2nd patient to have hyperthyroidism while on maintenance hemodialysis. This case is instructive because the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism in uremic patients is difficult due to similar signs and symptoms. This case report describes, for the first time, the unique interaction between hemodialysis and thyrotoxic heart disease. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and severe hypotension interfered with all hemodialyses. Only the correction of the hyperthyroid state and withdrawal of all beta-blocking agents allowed resumption of normal hemodialysis. The delayed gastric emptying and hypercalcemia ultimately resolved with return to the euthyroid state and did not recur during 10 months of follow-up.

Atrial Fibrillation↗
PubMed1985

Serum potassium concentrations in cyclosporine- and azathioprine-treated renal transplant patients.

Hyperkalemia was commonly observed in successful renal transplant patients treated with cyclosporine and prednisone. At 1, 3 and 6 months after transplantation, 13 of 50, 9 of 50, and 5 of 50 patients, respectively, had serum concentrations of potassium greater than 5 mEq/1. This contrasts with the finding of hyperkalemia in only 1 of 13 comparable patients treated with azathioprine and prednisone. Mean serum concentrations of potassium at these dates were significantly higher in cyclosporine-treated patients than azathioprine-treated patients. The 2 patient groups had similar mean serum concentrations of chloride, bicarbonate and creatinine, and mean creatinine clearances at 1 and 3 months. Exposure to diuretic agents and antihypertensive agents was similar in the 2 groups. Serum concentrations of electrolytes and renal function data in hyperkalemic and normokalemic transplant patients receiving cyclosporine were similar. These observations suggest an association between cyclosporine administration and hyperkalemia in renal transplant recipients.

Actuarial Analysis↗