Biomedical subjects

S K Ernest

Publications and source records attributed to S K Ernest.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Delayed compensation for missing keystone species by colonization.

Because individual species can play key roles, the loss of species through extinction or their gain through colonization can cause major changes in ecosystems. For almost 20 years after kangaroo rats were experimentally removed from a Chihuahuan desert ecosystem in the United States, other rodent species were unable to compensate and use the available resources. This changed abruptly in 1995, when an alien species of pocket mouse colonized the ecosystem, used most of the available resources, and compensated almost completely for the missing kangaroo rats. These results demonstrate the importance of individual species and of colonization and extinction events in the structure and dynamics of ecosystems.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Packed red cell volume pattern in Nigerian preterm babies.

Weekly packed red cell volume (PCV) was estimated in 57 Nigerian preterm babies whose gestational ages were less than 34 weeks. Babies were excluded if they required exchange blood transfusion or had major congenital malformations. The mean (SD) PCV at birth was 54.6% (8.3). The nadir of the PCV drop was at the 10th-11th week of life. The PCV at the nadir was 29.3% (SD 2.9). The rate of drop in the PCV was most rapid in the 1st 2 weeks (velocity -4.6% per week), but by the 7th week this had decreased to -1.2% per week. The findings indicate a slower rate of postnatal fall in PCV among Nigerian preterms. We recommend that PCV and systemic signs of anaemia be monitored for the 1st 12 weeks of life.

Aging↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Correlates of emergency response interval and mortality from severe anaemia in childhood.

A retrospective study to determine the influence of blood transfusion emergency response interval on Mortality from childhood severe anaemia was carried out. Admission records of all children with severe anaemia over a 5-year period was reviewed. Those who either died before transfusion or got discharged against medical advice were excluded. A total of 5790 patients were admitted during the 5 year period. Ten percent (10%) had severe anaemia. Malaria, the leading cause of anaemia in this series, was found in 80% of the patients. Twenty patients (3.3%) died before transfusion while 50 discharged from the hospital against medical advice. There was male preponderance. Ages 2-5 years were the peak age group for severe anaemia. No patient had haematocrit less than 5% but 20 (4.2%) had heaematocrit above 20%. The hospital stay for majority (74.8%) of the patients was 72 hours or less. Mortality (Case fatality) increases with increase in transfusion emergency response interval within 24 hours. Based on the transfusion emergency response interval versus mortality curve, a mortality risk assessment scores were derived for use in clinical practice to determine the risk of dying from the disease. We recommend that national or hospital policy on blood transfusion be enunciated to ensure that all patient with severe anaemia get transfused within 2 hours of diagnosis.

Adolescent↗