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Biomedical subjects

S H Wood

Publications and source records attributed to S H Wood.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

A prospective, randomized, double-blind trial of the use of fibrin sealant for face lifts.

Fibrin sealant imitates the final phase of the blood coagulation process. Fibrinogen is converted into fibrin on a tissue surface by the action of thrombin, which is then cross-linked by factor XIIIa, creating a mechanically stable fibrin network. This fibrin network is thought to reduce the amount of postoperative bleeding by sealing capillary vessels and allowing raw operative surfaces to adhere. The authors conducted a prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial on the use of fibrin sealant in 20 consecutive patients undergoing bilateral face lifts by the same surgeon. Each patient was randomized for the use of fibrin sealant on either the right or the left side with the contralateral side acting as the control. Total drainage was recorded on each side for 24 hours before drains were removed. The age range of the patients in the trial (all of whom were women) was 44 to 70 years (mean, 55). The side treated with fibrin glue had a median drainage of 10 ml and the control side 30 ml. The Wilcoxon signed rank test shows a significant difference in drainage between sides (p = 0.002). The reduction in postoperative drainage could also reduce pain and bruising, increasing patient satisfaction with this procedure. The need for drains may also be obviated.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Vertebrate exon trapping methods: implications for transcript mapping with mosquito DNA.

Exon trapping methods have played an important role in the development of transcript maps. In one in vivo vertebrate method, exons in a genomic DNA clone are transcribed, and they are recovered without any a priori information on the nature of the expressed transcript. The only requirement is that the genomic DNA clone contains exons separated by intervening introns that are removed by splicing during mRNA transcription and that the splice donor and acceptor site sequences follow those used by vertebrates. It is not known whether invertebrate splice donor and acceptor sites from genes that contain short introns will be processed correctly using an in vivo vertebrate exon trapping method. In this report, an analysis of mosquito splice sites using software designed to identify exons in genomic DNA sequence suggested that the vertebrate exon trapping method could recognize mosquito introns and exons. When a mosquito genomic DNA clone containing the D7 gene was tested experimentally, this method failed to recognize and process small introns (< 63 bp) faithfully. In spite of this failure, exons and exon fragments were recovered. The implications of these findings and their application to map-based positional cloning in mosquito genomics is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

A local anaesthetic technique for endoscopic carpal tunnel release.

A local anaesthetic technique for endoscopic carpal tunnel release is described. This accurately and rapidly blocks median and ulnar nerves in the distal forearm. It avoids the infiltration of local anaesthetic solution at the operation site, a technique which may render the endoscopic view unsatisfactory.

Anesthesia, Local↗
PubMed1998

Poly(ethylene glycol) limits of detection using internal matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization Fourier transform mass spectrometry.

Detection limits of poly(ethylene glycol) were examined in the mass range 2000-6000 Da. Using an aerospray sample deposition technique, highly uniform sample surfaces were produced. This method allows signal averaging of spectra from up to 400 shots on the same sample spot. It is found that, as the material available for desorption is decreased, the overall average sample consumption per shot is decreased. Experimentally determined detection limits of 40 and 280 fmol (based on the average molecular masses of 2000 and 6000) were found for PEG 2000 and PEG 6000, respectively. The sample spectra show oligomer distributions in agreement with their higher concentration counterparts. However, at the lowest signal-to-noise levels, oligomers at the extremes of the distribution are no longer detected, making the polymer distribution appear to be narrower in mass range.

Microscopy, Electron, Scanning↗
PubMed1998

Major burns in Cape Town: a modified burns score for patient triage.

Major burns equal to, or greater than, 30 per cent total body surface area (TBSA) constitute 23 per cent of the admissions to the adult burns unit in Cape Town. A retrospective review over a 28-month period identified 87 cases of major burns. This paper summarizes the epidemiology and mortality amongst this patient group over this period. Demand for treatment can exceed bed availability in the unit. The difficult issue, this raises, of patient triage in relation to the relatively limited resources is addressed and a simple modified burns score proposed for this unit. The effect this score would have in optimizing the use of our resources is demonstrated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

A comparison of the patient and surgeon opinion on the long-term aesthetic outcome of reduction mammaplasty.

The aim of this study was to assess the difference in opinion between patients and surgeons regarding the aesthetic outcome of reduction mammaplasty. A total of 34 women, who were more than 1 year post surgery, attended an outpatient clinic to assess their opinion of the aesthetic outcome of their breast reduction. A questionnaire was used to standardise their responses. Photographic slides were taken to record the frontal, left oblique and recumbent view of their torso. These slides were assessed by four consultant plastic surgeons who completed the same questionnaire, and were blinded as to the surgeon and patient. The majority of patients rated the aesthetic outcomes of their surgery significantly higher than the consultants. Scarring was the most frequent cause of dissatisfaction for both surgeons and patients. The consultants considered the scarring following Lejour reduction to be significantly better than that following the inferior mound reduction. The nipple was considered to be too high on the breast by 12% of women but they did not request correction of this. However, consultants thought this was a problem in 27% of cases. The aesthetic outcome of reduction mammaplasty was acceptable to the patients although surgical assessment indicates that there is scope for improvement. The main area of aesthetic dissatisfaction remains the postoperative scarring.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Outcome audit in plastic surgery: the Cambridge Classification.

Plastic Surgery Outcome Audit has until now been limited to studies of individual conditions. The Department of Plastic Surgery at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, has developed an objective outcome classification applicable to all plastic surgery procedures. The four end-result categories--aesthetic appearance; physical function; tumour clearance; and surgical complications--are each graded in clear stages from 1 (excellent result) to 4 (result requiring re-operation) in a system which is easy to apply to every patient. The development and potential use of this classification are discussed. The Cambridge Classification is used in conjunction with diagnostic codes, which can be simple like the Logbook codes used by British Trainees or more complex, such as Read codes.

England↗
PubMed1994

A prospective investigation of the healing of grafted pretibial wounds with early and late mobilisation.

The aims of this study were to determine whether early mobilisation delays wound healing after meshed split skin graft repair of pretibial wounds and to identify other factors delaying the healing of these wounds. A prospective randomised controlled trial was conducted to compare the time to complete healing of patients mobilised early (the first postoperative day) against those who mobilised late (the tenth postoperative day). There was no difference in time to complete healing. Patients with a history of oral steroid therapy had a mean delay in wound healing of approximately 8 days (p < 0.02). The severity of tissue damage, as indicated by undermining of the skin margins, damage to the fascia and exposure of the periosteum, correlated with delayed wound healing (p < 0.05).

Aged↗
PubMed1994

The 1990s: a decade for change in women's health care policy.

As the 1990s usher in the era of reform, nurses and advocates for women's health must work together to elevate and integrate the concept of caring throughout the new health care system. Nurses must develop strategies to empower and educate women and communities to take charge of their health. To accomplish this, nurses must recognize the impact of health care policy on their profession and practice and activate their political power to make needed changes.

Empathy↗
PubMed1994

Persistence of premenstrual syndrome during low-dose administration of the progesterone antagonist RU 486.

OBJECTIVE: To test whether progesterone or progesterone receptors are important mediators of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and whether progesterone antagonist RU 486 would alleviate symptoms. METHODS: Following extensive screening including physical and psychological assessment, seven women with severe PMS participated in a 6-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. The treatment included 3 months of low-dose RU 486 (5 mg alternate days for four doses, beginning 3 days after the urinary LH surge) or placebo, administered in a similar fashion. Symptoms were evaluated using the Calendar of Premenstrual Experiences, Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Profile of Mood States. RESULTS: Symptoms of PMS were similar during RU 486 and placebo treatments. CONCLUSION: Luteal-phase administration of low-dose RU 486 does not significantly reduce the physical or behavioral manifestations of PMS.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Effect of human corticotropin-releasing hormone on gonadotropin secretion in cycling and postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is linked to stress-associated reproductive dysfunction in the human by determining if the administration of human corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH) results in an inhibition of gonadotropin secretion. DESIGN: Twenty-four-hour prospective study with frequent (every 10 minutes) blood sampling. SETTING: University Clinical Research Center. INTERVENTIONS: Sequential 8-hour infusions of normal saline, hCRH (1 to 5 micrograms/kg per hour), and hCRH plus naloxone (2 mg/h). SUBJECTS: Four normal cycling women and four postmenopausal women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL), and adrenal and ovarian steroids. RESULTS: In response to hCRH, a prompt and sustained rise in cortisol (F) was noted in both normal cycling women and postmenopausal women. No inhibition of LH or FSH was noted during either the hCRH or hCRH plus naloxone infusion in either group of women. Unexpectedly, elevations in the mean LH peak amplitude and the transverse mean LH concentration were noted in the postmenopausal women during the infusion of hCRH as compared with saline. The infusion of hCRH had no apparent effect on concentrations of PRL, FSH, and gonadal and adrenal steroids (except for F). CONCLUSIONS: Under these conditions, intravenously administered hCRH has no inhibitory effect on gonadotropin secretion in either premenopausal or postmenopausal women. The mechanism by which stress exerts its deleterious effect on reproductive function in the human remains unknown.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Treatment of premenstrual syndrome with fluoxetine: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.

OBJECTIVE: Although its etiology is unknown, it has been hypothesized that premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is linked to a deficiency of central serotoninergic activity. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of fluoxetine, a specific serotonin uptake inhibitor, on PMS symptoms. METHODS: Following extensive screening, including several psychological inventories, eight women with severe persistent PMS participated in a 6-month double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study which included three months each of daily fluoxetine 20 mg or placebo, administered in a randomized order. Symptoms were evaluated using the Calendar of Premenstrual Experiences and other psychometric measures. RESULTS: Compared with placebo, treatment with fluoxetine was associated with an improvement in PMS symptoms as judged by highly significant decreases in behavioral (P less than .005), physical (P less than .05), and total (P less than .005) Calendar of Premenstrual Experiences scores; Beck Depression Inventory scores (P less than .005); Profile of Mood States subscales scores including depression (P less than .005), tension (P less than .005), and anger (P less than .01); and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores. The use of fluoxetine was associated with a greater mean reduction in behavioral (75%) than in physical scores (40%), with a mean decrease in total Calendar of Premenstrual Experiences scores of 62%, which rendered these scores similar to follicular phase values. Thus, the luteal phase symptomatology of PMS was effectively abolished. At this dose, no significant side effects or complications were noted during treatment. CONCLUSION: Fluoxetine appears to be a highly effective, well-tolerated treatment for the psychological and physical symptoms accompanying severe PMS.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Nucleoids, a subnuclear system capable of chain elongation.

Nucleoids, prepared by salt extraction of non-DNase-digested nuclei, have properties similar, but not identical, to those of nuclear matrices which are prepared by salt extraction of DNase-digested nuclei. Nuclear matrices retained less pulse-labelled DNA, slightly less bound DNA polymerase alpha and DNA primase, but had greater in vitro DNA synthesis and in vitro priming. Nucleoids contained larger (110 S) DNA chains than nuclear matrices (30 S). Each type of residual nuclear structure could synthesize 4.5 S Okazaki fragments. When extracted with increasing concentrations of salt, DNase-digested nucleo lost the ability for further elongation of the 4.5 S DNA intermediate after 0.1-0.2 M NaCl, whereas undigested nuclei retained this ability up to 0.9 M NaCl. Chain elongation to 28 S DNA chains could be restored to nucleoids, but not to nuclear matrices, by the addition of nuclear extracts.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1987

Topical application of a melanotropic peptide induces systemic follicular melanogenesis.

We determined the relative effectiveness of alpha-MSH and a highly potent melanotropin analogue, [Nle4, D-Phe] - alpha-MSH, in stimulating a shift from pheomelanogenesis to eumelanogenesis within hair bulbs of mice. The analogue proved to be at least a hundred times more effective than the native hormone when injected subcutaneously. The two melanotropins were then incorporated into an ointment base and topically applied to a shaved area of the skin on the back of a yellow strain of mice (C57BL/6JAY). Within 24-48 hours eumelanin production was visible within hair bulb melanocytes in both treated and untreated areas of animals. The presence of melanized organelles (eumelanosomes) within melanocytes was confirmed by electron microscopy. These results document the delivery of a peptide hormone through the skin and into the systemic circulation. This is the first demonstration of the delivery of a peptide hormone by percutaneous absorption and may provide a model for a similar route of delivery of other peptide hormones. The hormone analogue has also been delivered across human skin in vitro. Delivery of a melanotropin by a transdermal route may prove to be clinically useful in the treatment of some integumental hypopigmentary disorders in humans.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1987

Stimulation of follicular melanogenesis in the mouse by topical and injected melanotropins.

The effects of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) and related analogs on follicular melanogenesis in the mouse (C57BL/6JA gamma) were studied. [Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH and the related fragment analogues Ac-[Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH4-11-NH2 and Ac-[Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH4-10-NH2, stimulated the conversion of pheomelanogenesis to eumelanogenesis when subcutaneously injected at concentrations 100-fold lower than the native hormone, alpha-MSH. In addition, the melanotropin analogs stimulated follicular eumelanogenesis when applied topically to the skin of mice. The melanotropins were transdermally delivered to the systemic circulation as evidenced by the fact that eumelanogenesis was stimulated in hair follicles in areas distant from the site of topical application. These results demonstrate that peptide hormone analogs can be transported across the skin. The unique actions of the melanotropin analogs may relate to the fact that these peptides are nonbiodegradable and thus exert prolonged actions on melanocytes. These compounds may prove important for studies on normal integumental melanogenesis and for the treatment of hypopigmentary disorders in humans.

Administration, Topical↗