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Biomedical subjects

R Thornton

Publications and source records attributed to R Thornton.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2026

A profile of abandoned fetal and neonatal remains admitted to the Diepkloof forensic pathology service medico-legal mortuary during the COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 periods.

The abandonment of neonates is a global concern, with a higher prevalence of cases present in South Africa. This study aimed to review cases admitted to the Diepkloof Forensic Pathology Service during the COVID-19 (2020-2021) and post-COVID-19 (2023) periods. A total of 158 cases were analysed to determine prevalence, demographic characteristics, circumstances and causes of death, with a comparative analysis between the COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 periods. Most cases were classified as natural. However, many were undetermined due to decomposition. Non-viable fetuses (< 26 wk gestation) comprised 47% of the cases. Among the viable births (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;72), 23 (32%) were classified as stillbirths, while 11 (15%) were live births. A minority of cases were deemed unnatural, with deaths attributed to trauma (8 cases) or abandonment (2 cases). No statistically significant difference was found between the COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 periods. Decedents were most often found in open spaces, roads or streets, or dumping sites, most commonly wrapped in plastic materials. These findings highlight the severity of fetal and neonatal abandonment. They underscore a pressing need for targeted preventative measures, community outreach, and enhanced support systems in maternal healthcare to address this growing concern.

Humans↗
PubMed1987

Changing patterns of hypertension, diabetes, obesity and diet among Melanesians and Micronesians in the Solomon Islands.

A cross-sectional survey of diabetes, hypertension, obesity and dietary patterns has been conducted in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. Three groups--traditional and more urbanized Melanesians and semitraditional Micronesians--were compared. Abnormal glucose tolerance was rare (less than 1% over all) in Melanesians regardless of acculturation, but was present in 9.7% of adult Micronesians in whom it was associated with age; obesity; female sex; and a diet that was high in energy and refined carbohydrates. Hypertension, which was associated with advancing age and obesity, was recorded in 6.0% and 8.3% of traditional and partly urbanized Melanesians, respectively, and in 4.8% of Micronesians. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures correlated significantly with age for all except traditional Melanesian women among whom the association was limited to the systolic blood pressure only. Significant correlation coefficients were recorded between diastolic blood pressure and body mass index for both sexes and all groups, and between systolic blood pressure and body mass index for all women but only for Micronesian men. Dramatic differences in life-style and dietary patterns are described for rural and more urbanized Melanesians among whom the mean daily urinary sodium outputs were 67 and 119 mmol/L, respectively.

Acculturation↗
PubMed1985

The effect of the UK aircrew chemical defence assembly on thermal strain.

The thermal strain imposed on helicopter aircrew by chemical protective (NBC) clothing in summer in Germany has been assessed in a laboratory simulation. The environmental conditions used were dry bulb temperature 35 degrees C, wet bulb temperature 19 degrees C and a wind speed of 2.0 m X s-1. The NBC equipment imposed a significant thermal strain on the crewman when compared with standard summer flying clothing, but not on the pilot whose tasks involve lower energy expenditures. Deep body temperature exceeded 37.6 degrees C and a significant degree of dehydration (1% of body weight) also occurred, despite the availability of a drinking facility in the respirator. It is recommended that the only practical way of preventing thermal strain in helicopter crewmen under NBC conditions is by providing personal conditioning.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Parenteral acyclovir therapy for herpesvirus infections in man.

Acyclovir is a new antiviral agent which is highly active against herpesviruses in vitro and in laboratory animals. Twenty-three cancer patients with cutaneous and/or systemic herpes zoster or herpes simplex infections were treated with parenteral acyclovir. All had received previous specific treatment for their malignant disease and ten had undergone bone-marrow transplantation. The drug seemed to arrest the progress of the infections and was most effective when given early. Although two patients showed transient increases in blood-urea, possibly the result of acyclovir, the drug was remarkably non-toxic in the doses used.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Effects of exercise stress on parotid gland secretion.

Parotid secretion of alpha-amylase and potassium (K+) was determined in young adults following intense exercise. Exercise stress led to a significant elevation in alpha-amylase and K+ secretion, indicating an activation of adrenergic receptors supplying the parotid gland. Evidence of circadian variation or adaptation over days was not found.

Adult↗