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Biomedical subjects

R Nathan

Publications and source records attributed to R Nathan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Myxoedematous madness and grievous bodily harm.

Psychosis is a rare but recognized complication of hypothyroidism (otherwise known as 'myxoedematous madness'). This is the report of a man charged with attempted murder who was found to be suffering from myxoedematous madness. The case illustrates several problems in the law relating to mental disorder and criminal responsibility. He was interviewed in the absence of an appropriate adult and this led to the inadmissibility of the police interviews. However, to have laid the basis for a defence of insanity the ideal evidence would have been what he told the investigating police officers about his state of mind at the material time, under caution and possibly with the assistance of an appropriate adult. As it was, although he was clearly mentally ill at the material time, the insanity defence was not open to him as he did not satisfy the MacNaughton Rules and his mental state did not fulfill the criteria for automatism. By the time he stood trial he was fully recovered from his psychosis and this faced the judge with a difficulty in sentencing him. The case is used to discuss proposed changes to the law concerning insanity.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Bowel habits of healthy Australian children aged 0-2 years.

OBJECTIVE: To define the bowel habits of healthy Australian children aged up to 2 years. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and forty children were recruited in six age categories with a minimum of 20 children per category. Data on bowel habit was recorded by parents daily for 1 week. RESULTS: Stool frequency decreased with age. Ninety-five per cent of infants 0-14 days passed more than two stools per day compared with 21% at age 13-24 months. Breastfed infants passed more frequent and looser stools than children fed infant formula and solids and also showed a wider variation in frequency. CONCLUSIONS: Mean stool frequency decreased with age as did the variation. This is a combined effect of age and feed type. These data can be used as a guide to the bowel habit of healthy Australian children.

Australia↗
PubMed1996

Challenges to clinical deployment of upper limb neuroprostheses.

The technology for functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS) as a means of providing upper limb function to people with tetraplegia has been under development by three clinical research groups for almost two decades. This paper presents the current status of the clinical trials of three FNS systems: a noninvasive system built into a cosmetic forearm splint, a 30-channel percutaneous system, and an 8-channel implantable system. The complexity of FNS systems and the unique characteristics of the individuals to whom they are applied combine to create many clinical and technical challenges that must be addressed before the devices can be deployed. The emerging challenges to widespread clinical introduction of FNS systems for hand and arm function are identified and analyzed. In addition to the demands of designed and conducting the clinical trials to satisfy regulatory requirements, the lack of knowledge, skepticism, and the complacency on the part of potential FNS recipients, as well as of rehabilitation professionals, must be overcome through education and careful consideration of economic and societal factors in the design of clinical systems.

Arm↗
PubMed1995

Effect of allergy specialist care on the quality of life in patients with asthma.

BACKGROUND: Traditional assessment of asthma severity has been based on symptoms reported by patients, findings on physical examination, and pulmonary function measures. Newer measurements evaluate the quality of life of asthma patients. We attempted to assess the effect of allergy specialty care on the quality of life of asthmatic patients. METHODS: A validated asthma quality of life questionnaire was administered prospectively to patients with asthma on their first visit to our clinic; a second questionnaire was given a few months later. All patients had been under the care of a primary physician prior to coming to our office. RESULTS: The paired questionnaires were analyzed and showed improvement in the asthma quality of life. The total scores improved from 28.1 to 21.6 (P = 1.5 X 10(-5), the breathlessness score from 8.7 to 5.9 (P = 7.3 X 10(-8), the mood scores from 6.4 to 4.6 (P = 1.1 X 10(-5). The social concerns from 4.5 to 3.9 (P = .08) and the concern for health from 8.4 to 7.1 (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: This is further evidence that allergy specialty care improves asthma quality of life over primary care treatment.

Adolescent↗