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Biomedical subjects

S Schaefer

Publications and source records attributed to S Schaefer.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Non-organic failure to thrive: a developmental perspective.

Like other segments of the child's development, eating behavior follows a sequential pattern. To understand the infant's or child's feeding problems which can lead to failure to thrive or dwarfism we propose that a child's progression be studied through three stages of development: homeostasis, attachment and separation-individuation. Specific feeding problems can arise at each of these stages of development and consequently impede the child's weight gain. During the period of homeostasis the infant learns to regulate himself, to suck, to swallow and to time the onset and termination of feedings by giving signals of hunger and fullness. If he is unable to master these, he cannot be fed effectively. Failure to master these basic feeding skills interferes with the next developmental task of attachment and also impedes development of motor skills, language and affective engagement. During the period of attachment, the infant establishes distinct interactional patterns with his caretakers. Lack of engagement between mother and infant leads to lack of pleasure and lack of appetite or even to severe dysfunctional feeding patterns like vomiting and rumination. Feeding problems in the third developmental stage of separation and individuation can arise because of maladaption in the attachment phase or because of new difficulties which center around issues of autonomy vs. dependency. At this stage, the infant learns means-end differentiation and begins to understand that his actions elicit certain consequences. If the infant's struggle between autonomy and dependency gets caught in the feeding situation, the infant's emotional needs can dictate his eating behavior. The infant refuses to eat either to have his emotional hunger for mother's attention met or to assert his autonomy and to express his anger toward her. In order for the infant to learn to differentiate between his physiological feelings of hunger and his emotional need states, the caregiver needs to give contingent responses by offering food when the infant is hungry and comfort when the infant is distressed. Feeding problems which can create, co-exist with, or result from a growth problem must be considered within a developmental context. As the infant progresses through the developmental stages of homeostasis, attachment, and separation, he masters phase-appropriate feeding skills which help him to progress from reflex sucking to autonomous feeding. Early identification of maladaptive feeding behavior will assist the pediatrician in making timely interventions.

Child↗

A prospective randomized trial of methotrexate versus cisplatin in the treatment of recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

A prospective randomized study was conducted to determine the relative effectiveness, toxicity and tolerance of methotrexate (MTX) versus cisplatin (DDP) in patients with recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Forty-four patients were randomized to receive either MTX, 40 mg escalated to 60 mg/m2 IV push weekly, or DDP, 50 mg/m2 6 hour infusion days 1 and 8 every 4 weeks. All patients had objectively measurable disease and a performance status greater than 60% (Karnofsky scale). All had been treated with surgery and/or radiotherapy. No patients had prior chemotherapy. Prior treatment, performance status, and site of primary disease were comparable in both groups. Complete and partial objective responses were achieved in 23.5% of the MTX group and 28.6% of the DDP group (P = 0.51). Median duration of response was 84 days in the MTX group and 92 days in the DDP group. Median survival of patients was 6.1 months with MTX and 6.3 months with DDP. Mucositis was noted in 38% of patients in the MTX group (P = 0.001) compared to none in the DDP group. Vomiting occurred in 87% of patients in the DDP group (P less than .0001) compared to 10% of patients in the MTX group. This study demonstrates that in the treatment of recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, MTX and DDP are equally effective, although MTX appears to be better tolerated.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Computerized axial tomography with air contrast of the cerebellopontine angle and internal auditory canal.

The introduction of computerized axial tomography (C.T.) in 1973 completely changed the diagnostic evaluation of acoustic neuromas. Seventy to eighty percent of all acoustic neuromas can be diagnosed with intravenous enhanced C.T. scan. Acoustic tumors with a diameter of less than 1.5 cm, however, are not consistently seen on C.T. scan. Twenty-six consecutive patients were evaluated by C.T. scan with air contrast posterior fossa myelography (C.T. air cisternography). Nineteen studies were normal, with complete air filling of the internal auditory canal. Surgically verified acoustic neuromas were demonstrated in four patients. Two studies were inconclusive and there was one false positive. Other than headaches, there is no morbidity associated with this technique. C.T. air cisternography should be considered as the definitive study for evaluating patients for acoustic neuromas who have normal intravenous contrast enhanced C.T. scans. This study reports the first intracanalicular tumor diagnosed with this technique.

Adult↗

Mediators of inflammation in leukocyte lysosomes. II. Mechanism of action of lysosomal cationic protein upon vascular permeability in the rat.

The vascular permeability-increasing action of rabbit PMNL lysosomes has been studied in skin and cremaster muscle of the rat. Both an extract of frozen-thawed granules and a cathepsin-free cationic protein fraction of the granules (which had previously been demonstrated to cause leukocyte adhesion and emigration in vivo) induce increased vascular permeability in skin and muscle which resembles that produced by histamine or histamine-liberators with respect to the timing of the response and the predominant type of microvessel affected. Extracts of frozen-thawed lysosomes and the inflammatory lysosomal cationic protein both cause disruption of rat mesenteric mast cells in vitro, whereas a granule-free cytoplasmic fraction of PMN leukocytes and a non-inflammatory cationic protein fraction of the granules do not do so under identical test conditions. The mastocytolytic action of lysosomal materials in vitro is not inhibited in the presence of 10 kallikrein-inhibiting units of trasylol per ml. The mast cell rupturing fraction of PMNL granules (cationic protein) possesses no detectable peroxidase activity or acid-mucopolysaccharase activity. When compared with compound 48/80 on the basis of estimated molecular weight, the lysosomal cationic protein appears to be at least as active as the latter compound with respect to in vitro mastocytolytic potency. Chronic pretreatment of rats with an agent known to reduce tissue mast cell numbers causes marked suppression of the vascular permeability change normally induced in skin and muscle by lysosomal extracts and cationic protein. Similar results are obtained if lysosomal materials are tested in rats pretreated with an antihistaminic. These observations are discussed with respect to the mode of action of PMNL lysosomes in the early and late phases of local tissue-injury reactions.

Animals↗

Risk stratification prior to vascular surgery: does the location of a dipyridamole thallium scintigram defect provide prognostic information?

BACKGROUND: While the value of myocardial scintigraphy using dipyridamole thallium is accepted for risk assessment prior to vascular surgery, it is unknown whether the location of the thallium abnormalities provides prognostic information. METHODS: Records from 435 consecutive patients scheduled for vascular surgery were reviewed and patients with dipyridamole thallium abnormalities involving the anterior distribution (ANTERIOR n = 62), or inferior or inferolateral distribution (INFERIOR n = 105) were assessed for cardiac complications of surgery (death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina or ischemic congestive heart failure). RESULTS: Patients with a normal dipyridamole thallium scintigraphy had few surgical cardiac complications: 2/86 (2%). Patients with an ANTERIOR dipyridamole thallium defect had a 12% incidence of surgical cardiac complications (7/57) without any cardiac deaths, while patients with an INFERIOR dipyridamole thallium defect had a similar incidence of surgical cardiac complications, 18% (18/100; p = 0.65 vs. ANTERIOR) including 4 cardiac deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Significant inferior or inferolateral dipyridamole thallium scintigraphy abnormalities are not associated with a lower risk of cardiac complications following vascular surgery than anterior abnormalities. Rather, any clearly abnormal dipyridamole thallium study is a marker for increased risk of perioperative events and may warrant further evaluation and treatment.

Aged↗

Ct air-contrast scanning of the internal auditory canal.

Two hundred and four patients with audiometric and vestibular findings suggestive of a retrocochlear lesion were studied prospectively by computed tomographic scan with air contrast of the internal auditory canal. With this technique tumor limits are clearly defined. In the absence of disease the internal auditory canal has been completely air-filled in over 97% of cases. Soft tissue masses occluding the internal auditory canal were demonstrated in 11 patients. Four studies were inconclusive and there was one false positive. Headaches have been the only side effect and there have been no complications. In reporting their results the authors examined the indications, accuracy and limitations of this technique. This study demonstrates that computed tomographic scan with air contrast of the internal auditory canal should be considered as the radiologic procedure of choice for the evaluation of small acoustic tumors.

Cerebellar Neoplasms↗

Magnetic resonance imaging findings and correlations in spasmodic dysphonia patients.

A sample of 19 spasmodic dysphonia (SD) patients was selected from a larger population of such patients to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), auditory brain stem response (ABR) testing, speech analysis, and extensive physical examination. Six patients had abnormal spin-echo MRI findings, ranging from infarcts within the basal ganglia to demyelinating lesions within the supralateral angles of the lateral ventricles. A weakly positive correlation was noted between the abnormal MRI findings and an abnormal ABR. The lack of a significant correlation between the MRI findings and other predictors of brain stem and midbrain disease, and the current spatial resolution limitations of MRI, suggest that we are visualizing the associated lesions rather than the actual foci of SD. The range of MRI findings is consistent with the concept that SD is a voice disorder in a heterogeneous patient population.

Adult↗

Carotid artery resection and replacement in patients with head and neck malignant tumors.

Tumor involvement of the carotid artery with head and neck cancers may be present either simultaneously with the primary lesion or more often appears at a later date following resection of the primary tumor. Management of the secondary tumor consists of its resection together with the involved carotid artery with or without carotid artery reconstruction. The Authors are convinced that the best chance for cure of patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell cancers involving the carotid artery is radical extirpation with ablative surgery in the form of en block resection of the primary lesion, the secondary tumor, and the involved carotid artery followed by immediate revascularization. This bold approach was carried out in two male patients, 48 and 61 years of age, followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy in one and radiation therapy alone in the other, with excellent results. Dermal grafts were placed over the entire length of the arterialized veins to protect them from radiation injury. Based on this limited experience and excellent results, we recommend this one-stage surgical ablative procedure in well selected patients. However, cooperation between the ENT and vascular surgeons, strict adherence to the principles and techniques of vascular surgery, and coverage of the arterialized vein with a dermal graft is absolutely essential.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗