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Biomedical subjects

S Omi

Publications and source records attributed to S Omi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[The spread and time to two-segment regression of spinal anesthesia with 0.25% hyperbaric bupivacaine].

The spread and time to two-segment regression of spinal anesthesia with 0.25% hyperbaric bupivacaine 2.0 ml (5 mg) were studied clinically in 20 patients for elective lower extremity, urological or gynecological surgery. Lumbar puncture was performed at the L 3-4 interspace with the patient in horizontal lateral decubitus positions using a 25-G Quincke needle. After injection of the local anesthetic solution at the rate of 0.2 ml.sec-1, the patient was placed immediately in supine position. Sensory block was assessed by using pinprick and motor block was assessed by using a four-point Bromage scale in every 5 min until 30 min, then every 10 min thereafter until two-segment regression of sensory block had recovered. Results were expressed as mean values +/- SD. Maximum sensory block level was Th 10.6 +/- 2.3, and time to two-segment regression was 51.5 +/- 14.6 min. Complete motor block was observed in three out of twenty patients (15%). These results indicate that spinal anesthesia with 0.25% hyperbaric bupivacaine is useful for a short case, which dose not require motor block or is performed as day-care surgery.

Adult↗

Effect of Lauryl Alcohol on Morphology of Uniform Polystyrene-Poly(methyl methacrylate) Composite Microspheres Prepared by Porous Glass Membrane Emulsification Technique.

Fairly uniform poly(styrene)-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PST-PMMA) composite microspheres were prepared by employing an SPG (Shirasu Porous Glass) membrane emulsification technique. A mixture of PST, PMMA, and cosurfactant [lauryl alcohol (LOH)] dissolved in dichloromethane (DCM) was used as the dispersed phase, and an aqueous phase containing poly(vinyl alcohol) and sodium lauryl sulfate was used as the continuous phase. It is necessary to add LOH to obtain uniform particles with the SPG emulsification technique. The effects of the volume of LOH on the morphology of the final particles were investigated by varying the volume of LOH from 0 to 2 ml (per 1.2 g polymer). A three-component model was developed for different PMMA/PST ratios and LOH/polymer ratios, based on Sundberg's theory; and the calculation on morphology was carried out by using the three-component model. Agreement was obtained between experimental and calculated results. When 2 ml of LOH was added, it was found that LOH can engulf the polymer particles completely; a hemicore (HCP1P2P3) morphology, where PST and PMMA formed a hemisphere core inside a LOH shell, was observed when the PMMA/PST ratio was high, while core-shell-shell (CSP1P2P3) morphology, where PMMA formed a core and PST and LOH formed an inner shell and an outer shell, respectively, was observed when the PMMA/PST ratio was low. When the volume of LOH was below 1 ml (per 1.2 g polymer), however, LOH could not always engulf the inner polymer particles completely; cored hemisphere (CHSP3P2P1), core-shell-shell (CSP2P1P3), and hemicore (HCP1P2P3) morphologies were observed, depending on the PMMA/PST ratio and volume of LOH. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗

Study on Preparation and Morphology of Uniform Artificial Polystyrene-Poly(methyl methacrylate) Composite Microspheres by Employing the SPG (Shirasu Porous Glass) Membrane Emulsification Technique.

Fairly uniform polystyrene-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PST-PMMA) composite microspheres were prepared by employing the SPG (Shirasu Porous Glass) membrane emulsification technique. PST, PMMA, and cosurfactant (lauryl alcohol, LOH) dissolved in dichloromethane (DCM) were used as a dispersed phase, and an aqueous phase containing poly(vinyl alcohol) and sodium lauryl sulfate was the continuous phase. The effects of LOH amount on the critical pressure of emulsification (Pcr), size distribution of droplets, and morphologies of final particles were investigated. It was found that Pcr decreased with increasing LOH amount because of preferential partition of LOH on the surface of the droplets in the initial stage of emulsification. When polymer concentration or PMMA/PST ratio was low, the size distribution of droplets decreased with increasing LOH amount, whereas an inverse trend was observed when both polymer concentration and PMMA/PST ratio were high. When polymer concentration was low, PST-PMMA core-shell particles always were obtained in the absence of LOH, irrespective of the PMMA/PST ratio. In the presence of LOH, however, microdomain, hemisphere, and inverted core-shell morphologies were formed as the PMMA/PST ratio decreased from 5/5 to 1/9 (g/g). When polymer concentration was high, different morphologies such as multiplet and inverted core-core-shell were observed. Theoretical calculations of morphologies were carried out, and agreement was obtained between experimental and calculated results. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗

Nurse practitioners in developing countries: some ethical considerations.

One of the principles of health care ethics is the principle of justice. An important expression of justice is equity. The provision of basic primary health care services to all people is the key to eliminating the gross inequities in health status existing in many countries. For many years nurses in developing countries have 'led the way' in bringing these essential services to poor rural communities, including the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, and the prescribing and dispensing of medications. Nurses are the most appropriate health workers for this role, but most have not been prepared adequately for it. This is unsafe for patients and puts nurses at legal risk. Justice requires that patients should obtain access to safe health care and that nurses should receive appropriate education. Nurse practitioner programmes are being established to prepare nurses for this advanced practice role, but here again ethical considerations apply. Justice will be served only if nurse practitioner programmes are accessible to the nurses who are most likely to work in medically underserved communities where the need is greatest.

Clinical Competence↗

Development and coordination of the Polio Laboratory Network in the Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organization.

A multitiered network of polio laboratories, consisting of specialized reference laboratories, regional reference laboratories, national laboratories and, in the case of China, provincial laboratories, was established in the Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1992. The network currently consists of 43 laboratories within the Region and is coordinated through the WHO Regional Office in Manila. As the levels and extent of supplementary immunization and acute flaccid paralysis surveillance activities have increased, so has the work load of network laboratories. The total number of stool specimens collected and processed in Polio Laboratory Network laboratories in this WHO region in 1995 exceeded 15,000. With the Region now establishing the criteria necessary for certification of polio-free status, it is essential for the Polio Laboratory Network to establish international confidence in its ability to carry out its role in the eradication of polio.

Asia, Southeastern↗

The experience of countries in the Western Pacific Region in conducting national immunization days for poliomyelitis eradication.

Experience with national immunization days (NIDs) in six countries of the Western Pacific Region has shown that political support at all levels, detailed logistics plans, strategies appropriate to the local situation, and simple social mobilization messages have been key factors in the success of NIDs. Conventional strategies that may apply to conducting routine Expanded Programme on Immunization vaccinations do not necessarily apply to NIDs, in which the maximum number of children must be immunized in 1 or 2 days. Setting up temporary immunization posts at sites convenient to the local situation, moving the posts once or twice during the course of a day, and using volunteers to staff them are among many of the adaptations used successfully. Coverage figures published immediately after an NID can be misleading because of uncertainty about the true denominator. The true measure of the success of NIDs is in surveillance for wild poliovirus after the event.

Asia, Southeastern↗

Strengthening routine immunization services in the Western Pacific through the eradication of poliomyelitis.

Infant immunization coverage in the Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organization was reviewed to evaluate the impact of polio eradication activities on routine immunization services. The trend in bacille Calmette-Guérin (one dose; BCG), diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-pertussis (three doses; DTP3), and measles (one dose) vaccination rates was analyzed from the beginning of eradication activities in 1990 to 1994 in the five polio-endemic countries that conducted supplementary oral polio vaccine immunization. In China and the Philippines, coverage for each antigen remained at or above 90% and 85%, respectively, while in Vietnam, coverage for all three antigens rose from 85% to 95%. BCG, DTP3, and measles vaccine coverage more than doubled in the People's Democratic Republic of Lao and increased by >30% in the Kingdom of Cambodia during the same period.

Asia, Southeastern↗

Poliomyelitis eradication in the Western Pacific Region.

Polio eradication activities in the Western Pacific Region (WPR) have reduced the transmission of wild poliovirus to one remaining focus of endemic transmission in the Mekong Delta area of South Vietnam and Cambodia. There has been a high level of government commitment for national immunization days in all WPR countries in which poliomyelitis was previously endemic and for continuous improvement in acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance quality. The total number of reported confirmed poliomyelitis cases in 1995 (as of June 1996) was 432, only 7% of the total of 5825 cases reported in 1990. In 1995, wild poliovirus was isolated from only 19 of 4800 AFP patients from whom specimens were collected and analyzed. There has been one importation of wild poliovirus type 1 into China from a neighboring country. An international Regional Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication in the WPR has been formed and met for the first time in April 1996.

Adolescent↗

[Spinal anesthesia with 2% plain lidocaine for ultrasonically guided vaginal oocyte retrieval].

Spinal anesthesia with 3 ml of 2% plain lidocaine was administered to 10 women for ultrasonically guided vaginal oocyte retrieval. Spread of anesthesia was assessed by skin vasodilatation, change of skin texture, loss of goose flesh reflex, and loss of cold as well as pin-prick sensation, and we studied time to complete motor block, time to two-segment regression, time to full motor and sensory recovery, ambulation time, haemodynamic parameters, and postoperative complications. The highest sensory block assessed by pin-prick was up to Th 8.3 +/- 3.4 10 min following spinal anesthesia. All patients had complete motor block and this was achieved at 9.0 +/- 1.7 min. Times to two-segment regression, full motor and sensory recovery, and ambulation were 84.5 +/- 31.0, 147.5 +/- 24.7, 176.5 +/- 23.2, and 203.3 +/- 50.0 min, respectively. No serious side effects were observed during the operation and postoperatively. We concluded that 3 ml of 2% plain lidocaine provided adequate spinal anesthesia for ultrasonically guided vaginal oocyte retrieval.

Adult↗

[The spread of thoracic epidural anesthesia].

The spread of a test dose in epidural anesthesia provides many important informations. The current study was performed to evaluate the possibility that early and quick detection method of block level by the test dose of 2% lidocaine 2 ml. Forty patients undergoing elective surgery were studied regarding the spread of continuous epidural anesthesia performed in T9-10 interspace. The block levels were assessed by skin vasodilatation, loss of goose flesh reflex, and loss of cold as well as pin-prick sensation. Extent of loss of goose flesh reflex was found for 7.7 +/- 2.2 dermatomes by 2% lidocaine 2 ml and, for 14.1 +/- 4.3 dermatomes by 2% lidocaine 5 ml after the test dose. Incomplete but extensive sympathetic block was obtained by the test dose in this study. For the purpose of early detection of the spread of sympathetic block, loss of goose flesh reflex and skin vasodilatation were the most reliable objective clinical signs. However, this sympathetic block by the test dose was not enough to produce circulatory changes.

Adult↗

Chronic active hepatitis with hepatitis B virus DNA and antibody against e antigen in the serum. Disturbed synthesis and secretion of e antigen from hepatocytes due to a point mutation in the precore region.

Some patients with type B chronic active hepatitis have a high titer of hepatitis B virus DNA despite antibody against e antigen in the serum. Clones of hepatitis B virus were propagated from the sera of seven patients with this disease, and the precore region was sequenced. Essentially all clones (128/131 or 98%) showed a point mutation from guanine to adenine at nucleotide 83, converting codon 28 for tryptophan (TGG) to a stop codon (TAG); the second guanine-to-adenine point mutation at nucleotide 86 was identified in only 29 clones from two patients. In patients followed up since they had hepatitis B e antigen, a shift from guanine to adenine was observed at nucleotide 83 along with the seroconversion to the antibody to e antigen. The precore-region product is required for the synthesis and secretion of e antigen from hepatocytes. A point mutation from guanine to adenine at nucleotide 83 observed in the seven patients, therefore, would be responsible for disturbed secretion of e antigen.

Aged↗

Trans-complementation of the C gene of human and the P gene of woodchuck hepadnaviruses.

A 5 bp insertion was introduced into the BstEII site at nucleotide 2815 in DNA of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and a mutant HBV genome was produced, which coded for envelope and core proteins, but not for DNA polymerase, due to a frameshift. Cultured hepatoma cells (HepG2) were simultaneously transfected with a plasmid harbouring a tandem dimer of the mutant HBV DNA and another plasmid harbouring a tandem dimer of DNA of woodchuck hepatitis virus or duck hepatitis B virus. The replication of mutant HBV DNA, incapable of encoding DNA polymerase, was accomplished by cotransfecting woodchuck hepatitis virus DNA, but not by duck hepatitis B virus DNA. These results indicated a trans-complementation of the C and P genes in mammalian hepadnaviruses beyond a species barrier.

Animals↗

The loss of subtypic determinants in alleles, d/y or w/r, on hepatitis B surface antigen.

Hepatitis B surface antigen possesses the group-specific determinant called a and one or another member from each of two pairs of allelic determinants, d and y as well as w and r, thereby creating the four major subtypes, adw, adr, ayw and ayr. In the sequence of major surface antigen polypeptides made of 226 amino acid residues, lysine or arginine at amino acid position 122 specifies d or y determinant, and lysine or arginine at position 160 specifies w or r determinant, respectively. By means of site-directed mutagenesis and expression of mutant genes in cultured cells, the mechanism for the loss of subtypic determinants on surface antigens was investigated at the molecular level. A rare sample of surface antigen of subtype ad, devoid of w or r determinant, had asparagine at position 160. When it was converted to lysine, the surface antigen of subtype adw was obtained. Two samples of surface antigen were subtyped as ar. They lacked d determinant, despite having lysine at position 122 which usually specified it. They differed from all reported sequences of surface antigen in amino acid 144 or 145. They displayed d determinant when amino acid 144 was converted from glutamic acid to aspartic acid, or when amino acid 145 was changed from alanine to glycine. These results indicate that the key amino acid residue at position 122 or 160 is indispensable for the expression of subtypic determinants and that some distant residues are also crucially involved in conforming them.

Alleles↗