PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R Railton

Publications and source records attributed to R Railton.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1989

Lymphoscintigraphy in the detection of cervical metastases from oral carcinoma: a pilot study.

This paper reports the findings of a pilot study in which a radioisotope technique was used in the detection of cervical metastases in patients with histologically proven oral squamous cell carcinomata. Sixteen patients were assessed with the technique after diagnosis and then examined after an interval of not less than 6 months for evidence of palpable cervical-lymph nodes. Eight of the patients subsequently underwent radical neck dissection. Comparing the radioisotope technique to the clinical findings and surgery revealed a high incidence of false-positives. However, since 11 of the patients received chemotherapy, it may be that the false-positive results reflect regression of disease caused by chemotherapy. The 11 patients did not show evidence of any other pathology in the neck. This technique, with further refinement, could be a useful diagnostic tool to screen cervical metastases that are below the threshold of manual palpation, since early identification of neck cervical nodes is crucial to the treatment plan and management.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Long-term performance of Tec vaporizers. Basis for a rational maintenance policy.

We reviewed the maintenance records of Tec vaporizers which had been in clinical use for up to 4 years. Tec 4s and Enfluratec 3s were found to be extremely reliable, but Fluotec 3s suffered progressively from mechanical and calibration problems. Their most recurrent fault was sticking valves caused probably by thymol crystallizing on the valve faces. This fault did not occur with Fluotec 4s, which are designed to prevent liquid agent reaching the valve surfaces. We found, in a study of the effects of thymol accumulation, that only occasional draining of a Fluotec vaporizer is required to keep thymol concentration below the level at which its output is reduced. We conclude that, if regular field calibration checks are carried out as a safety measure, the service interval for Tec vaporizers could be extended beyond Ohmeda's present recommendation of one year.

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗
PubMed1987

Myocardial scintigraphy with I-123 heptadecanoic acid as a test for coronary heart disease.

We have evaluated 123I-heptadecanoic acid for myocardial scintigraphy in the diagnosis of coronary heart disease by comparing the results obtained with it in subject groups with high and low probabilities of disease. We conclude that although some patients in the former group can be identified, the test is neither sufficiently sensitive nor specific for routine clinical use.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Comparison of electrical measurements on constant voltage and constant current ECT machines.

Electrical measurements were made during treatment of two groups of patients, one group receiving treatment from a constant current ECT machine and the other from a constant voltage machine. The electrical impedance and energy were calculated and compared for the two groups. More energy was delivered by the constant voltage than by the constant current machine, but the spread of energy delivered was comparable. With a consistent technique for applying the electrodes there is little to choose between these machines, but the constant current machine may be preferred where consistency cannot be achieved.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1986

Exposure of midwives to nitrous oxide in four hospitals.

The exposure of midwives to nitrous oxide in four hospitals was measured with personal samplers. In three of the four hospitals the average exposure was not significantly less than 100 parts per million (ppm). In one hospital the average exposure was 360 ppm; this was reduced by a factor of about 2.5 when a trial scavenging system was used. Differences in working practices and in the layout, size, and ventilation of the labour suites contributed to the observed differences in average exposure. Midwives and other staff working in the labour room are potentially at risk from excessive occupational exposure to nitrous oxide.

Anesthesia, Obstetrical↗
PubMed1986

Variability of left ventricular function at diagnosis and after treatment in insulin-dependent diabetes.

Measurements of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were made using nuclear angiography in 9 newly-diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetic patients at diagnosis and after a period of stable control. Similar measurements were made in a control group of 10 insulin-dependent patients whose control was stable. While mean LVEF did not change significantly in either group, 5 of the newly-diagnosed patients had a significant change in LVEF (both positive and negative). None of the stable diabetic patients had any significant change in LVEF. Analysis of variance of the changes in LVEF in both groups showed a significant difference (p less than 0.002). Abnormal left ventricular function in diabetic patients may be transient, reversible and related to change in diabetic control and need not indicate structural myocardial disease such as cardiomyopathy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Adverse effect of smoking on the hyperaemic response in diabetic patients and control subjects.

In order to determine whether smoking had an adverse effect on the hyperaemic response, as measured by transcutaneous oximetry, matched groups of insulin-dependent diabetic smokers and non-smokers were compared both with each other and with similar matched groups of non-diabetic control subjects. The hyperaemic response was also measured immediately, 1 hour and 24 hours after smoking a cigarette in five control subjects who smoked. The hyperaemic response was significantly lower in the diabetic smokers compared with the diabetic non-smokers (p = 0.008) and in the control smokers compared with the control non-smokers (p = 0.011). No other significant differences were found. In the five subjects studied at intervals after smoking the responses were variable and inconsistent. Smoking modifies the hyperaemic response and this must be taken into account in any investigation using such measurements.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Sunscreens and PUVA.

Sunscreening creams have been tested for their capacity to protect non-lesional skin in patients receiving 8-methoxypsoralen photochemotherapy (PUVA). Cosmetically acceptable preparations such as Contralum Ultra and RoC Total are effective UVA sunscreens which may reduce the risk of carcinogenesis. A simple test of efficacy is described.

Erythema↗
PubMed1975

Interaction of gamma-ray and neutron effects on the proliferative capacity of Chinese hamster cells.

The loss of reproductive capacity of Chinese hamster cells has been studied using 60Co gamma-rays and DT neutrons singly or combined in fixed proportions. Surviving fractions were measured down to 2 times 10-4. Interaction between the effects produced by neutrons and gamma-rays in the mixed irradiations has been demonstrated. The results are compared with those predicted by the cellular inactivation model developed by Katz and co-workers from their delta-ray theory of track structure.

Animals↗