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Biomedical subjects

S Mercer

Publications and source records attributed to S Mercer.

51 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Hypoglycemia associated with pediatric surgical procedures.

Hypoglycemia, a plasma glucose level below 2.2 mmol/l, was noted perioperatively eight times in association with 61 operative procedures performed on 46 infants. It was most common in children with complications of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis. It was related to grossly inadequate caloric intake perioperatively and was associated with increased mortality. Because the glucose requirement of the infant brain is high, cerebral damage must be seriously considered in infants with hypoglycemia postoperatively.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1982

Malathion for treatment of Pediculus humanus var capitis infestation.

One hundred fifteen subjects took part in a double-blind study comparing the efficacy and safety of 0.5% malathion lotion (Prioderm lotion) and the alcoholic vehicle of the lotion as pediculicides in the treatment of head lice. The subjects, with a mean age of 9 years, had long-standing lice infestations and at least 20 viable ova. The subjects were treated with the test preparation, which was allowed to remain on the hair for 12 hours. Ovicidal and pediculicidal efficacy for the malathion lotion was significant; overall clinical evaluation by the investigators showed a significant number of moderate to marked therapeutic responses to malathion lotion. Only one adverse reaction (in the malathion lotion group) was reported, the stinging of pyodermal lesions in reaction to the alcoholic vehicle. Other concomitant scalp diseases were unchanged or improved at the end of the study.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1982

Torsion of the wandering spleen: splenectomy or splenopexy.

Torsion of the wandering spleen is a rare condition usually unsuspected preoperatively. In previously reported cases in the past, attempts at splenopexy have failed and splenectomy has been regarded as the treatment of choice. We are presenting two children with splenic torsion. In one complete infarction of the spleen had occurred and so splenectomy could not be avoided. In the second, the spleen was viable and splenopexy was successfully performed. The clinical presentation, etiology, diagnostic procedures and management are discussed, and a surgical technique for splenopexy is described.

Child↗
PubMed1982

Analysis of vaccinia virus transcriptional complexity in vitro and in vivo: characterization of RNase T1-resistant 5'-terminal oligonucleotides.

Vaccinia virus mRNAs synthesized in vitro and in vivo, polyadenylated leader sequences synthesized in vitro in the absence of added GTP, CTP, or UTP or in the presence of 20 micrograms of actinomycin D per ml, and high-molecular-weight RNA synthesized in vitro under limiting ATP concentrations were labeled specifically in the cap structure using [alpha-32P]GTP and vaccinia-soluble enzyme extracts. The complexity of RNase T1-resistant 5'-terminal oligonucleotides was analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Approximately 190 unique T1-resistant 5'-terminal oligonucleotides were observed from vaccinia virus 8 to 12S RNA synthesized in vitro. A somewhat greater complexity was observed with polyadenylated leader sequences and actinomycin D RNAs where unique T1-resistant oligonucleotides ranged from approximately 210 to 280 5'-terminal fragments. On a composite fingerprint of the above RNAs, more than 300 identifiable unique T1-resistant 5'-terminal oligonucleotides were observed. Significantly, close to 300 T1-resistant fragments were derived from RNA sedimenting faster than 18S on denaturing sucrose gradients. Analysis of vaccinia RNAs synthesized in vivo in the absence of either de novo protein synthesis or DNA replication or in the presence of actinomycin D gave essentially similar profiles of 5'-terminal T1-resistant oligonucleotide fingerprints consisting of approximately 200 fragments. Analysis of the 5'-terminal T1-resistant oligonucleotides of vaccinia RNAs present after DNA replication showed essentially the same pattern of early T1-fragments albeit in reduced amounts but in addition revealed a complex pattern of T1-resistant oligonucleotides unique to this class of vaccinia RNA.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1982

Mechanism of perforation occurring in the intussuscipiens during hydrostatic reduction of intussusception.

Perforation of bowel during attempted hydrostatic reduction of an intussusception almost always occurs through the distal, apparently uninvolved bowel. It is probably never seen except in a group of at-risk children, under 6 months of age. It is not related to unduly high enema pressure, but to involvement of the blood supply in the intussusceptum and obstruction of the blood supply with resulting ischemic changes in the "apparently" uninvolved intussuscipiens. The authors provide support for their suggested mechanism by their findings at operation and in the resected specimens from seven children with an irreducible intussusception and one 5-month-old child whose bowel perforated during attempted hydrostatic reduction. Because children under 6 months of age are susceptible to perforation, hydrostatic reduction of intussuscepted bowel is contraindicated.

Colon↗
PubMed1981

Surgical complications of Kawasaki disease.

Four of 10 cases of Kawasaki disease (KD), mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, seen from 1975 to 1980 had serious surgical complications. These included gallbladder obstruction, massive necrosis of gallbladder, liver, duodenum, jejunum, and necrosis of digits of both hands. Less serious necrosis of adrenals, testes, bladder, and stomach were seen. The operative mortality rate was 25%. The etiology is unknown. The average age was 2 yr. There was no sex preponderance. The essential lesion is an arteritis and periarteritis initially involving small arteries and later the medium and large vessels.

Child↗
PubMed1981

Colon perforation during attempted barium enema reduction of intussusception.

In reviewing the records of almost 1000 infants and children with intussusception in two children's hospitals over the last 25 yr, there have been seven bowel perforations during attempted hydrostatic barium enema reduction of an intussusception. Except for one instance, these have all occurred during the last 6 yr. The infants were all 6 mo old or less and most had a preceeding viral illness. Only 4 of the 7 had pain, all vomited, in only 2 was a mass felt and all but 1 had rectal bleeding. The duration of these signs and symptoms was longer than 36 hr with most ill for 3 or 4 days. All seven infants had abdominal x-rays that showed complete small bowel obstruction. Once the intussusception was suspected, barium enema reduction was attempted without excessive hydrostatic pressure and not for a prolonged time; all the ileocolic intussusceptions were met in the transverse colon with only a minimal reduction produced. It was at this time that a perforation was suddenly noted. All infants required immediate right hemicolectomy for the area (s) of colonic necrosis. Postoperatively, there were two wound infections, a volvulus which left the child with a short gut and another infant suffered severe brain damage. These babies seem to fit a pattern in which they are younger and sicker longer than the average infant with an intussusception, and have a complete small bowel obstruction. These facts may be a warning that such infants are at increased risk for a barium enema bowel perforation.

Barium Sulfate↗
PubMed1981

Kawasaki disease and its complications.

The cause of Kawasaki disease is not known. Diagnosis is made by exclusion and by clinical examination. Serious complications may occur, the most common and chief cause of death being coronary arteritis. No specific therapy other than aspirin is known to be of value, and steroids are probably contraindicated, especially with coronary arteritis. Long-term follow-up in cardiac cases is indicated. Frequency of diagnosis will depend on suspicion of possibility of the disease.

Child↗
PubMed1979

Agenesis or atrophy of the testis and vas deferens.

In this study the author examines the relationship between agenesis or atrophy of the testis and of the vas deferens. From a prospective study of 237 cases of unilateral and bilateral undescended testis, 12 cases of agenesis of a testis were seen; 9 of the 12 cases were associated with agenesis of the vas deferens and in 3 of these unilateral renal agenesis was also present, not necessarily ipsilaterally. Three other cases of testicular agenesis and four cases of extreme testicular atrophy were seen. In all seven, the vas deferens was present in part or in its entirety and roentgenography disclosed a normal upper urinary tract. Agenesis of the vas deferens was seen only in patients with monorchism. No patient was anorchid. It is concluded that an important link exists between agenesis of the vas deferens and agenesis of the testis.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Assessing dressing ability in dementia.

Cognitive impairment can profoundly affect the skills required for activities of daily living (ADL). Most cognitive screening measures assess cognitive status rather than the cognitive functions that underlie ADL tasks. The dressing assessment guide (DAG) assesses the cognitive and functional abilities in dressing of patients with dementia. The DAG evaluates everyday and overlearned tasks and uses cues to provide a context for action. Nurses can easily administer the guide, and the resulting data provide the basis for nursing interventions.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Is a pre-discharge checklist useful?

A pre-discharge checklist of requirements for equipment, services, benefits and follow-up has been developed in a general rehabilitation unit. An analysis of 66 inpatients discharged after rehabilitation following a stroke or amputation within the past 2 years suggests that such a checklist is a useful tool in ensuring that patients are sent home with optimum services and support. It is also a simple way of recording discharge data for audit and quality control purposes. It may be of benefit to a wider range of hospital services.

Amputation, Surgical↗