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Biomedical subjects

T Cain

Publications and source records attributed to T Cain.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Nurses' perceptions of people who are homeless.

There are few data-based reports about the perceptions of nurses toward marginalized groups and even fewer about the transformation of perceptions. The purpose of this study was to explore nurses' perceptions of people who are homeless and to describe transforming experiences. Rich, detailed experiences of the care provided to people who were homeless were elicited through in-depth interviews with 15 nurses and nursing students. Without exception, each participant in this study indicated that listening, connecting, and understanding were important to them in changing previously held negative beliefs. However, when clients did not express appreciation or behave in expected ways, nurses became frustrated and voiced negative feelings about people who are homeless. Study findings emphasize the importance of listening and connecting with people who are different from ourselves so that our shared humanity is acknowledged and appreciated.

Adult↗

Exogenous myeloperoxidase enhances bacterial phagocytosis and intracellular killing by macrophages.

It is well documented that myeloperoxidase (MyPo) contributes to the bacterial activities of neutrophils and monocytes. Since mature macrophages (M phi) are devoid of this enzyme, its participation in M phi-mediated phagocytes and bacterial killing has not been completely defined. The present study demonstrates the exogenously added MyPo, at physiological levels, enhances both phagocytosis and killing of Escherichia coli. Murine peritoneal M phi were exposed to various concentrations of MyPo for different time intervals. Viable opsonized E. coli was added either prior to or after addition of MyPo. Thioglycolate-induced but not resident M pho exhibited an increase in the number of phagocytizing cells. Both resident and thioglycolate-induced M phi demonstrated increased bactericidal activity. Physiological levels of soluble MyPo also induced a significant increase in chemiluminescence. Since luminol-dependent chemiluminescence measures reactive oxygen intermediate production, studies were done to determine whether superoxide anion or H2O2 was involved in MyPo-induced M pho killing. Both superoxide dismutase and catalase ablated MyPo-induced bactericidal activity. The above data suggest that soluble MyPo, released from neutrophils at a site of infection or inflammation, can enhance both phagocytosis and killing of microorganisms.

Animals↗

Faecal incontinence: manometric and radiological changes following postanal repair.

Ten patients with idiopathic faecal incontinence underwent postanal repair based on clinical assessment of their symptoms. Their manometric and radiological values before surgery were compared with values from 10 normal volunteers and then the changes following surgery were examined and correlated with the clinical results. Anal manometry was performed using a multilumen, low compliance, perfused catheter system. Anorectal angles and perineal descent were established radiologically. Pre-operative manometry demonstrated significant reduction in maximum and squeeze pressure (median 77 mmHg versus 200 mmHg), the volume required to inhibit the rectoanal reflex (median 40 mL versus 70 mL), and the volume retained in the saline continence test (median 400 mL versus 1500 mL). The majority of patients had obtuse anorectal angles (six of 10 at rest), and abnormal perineal descent (eight of 10 on straining). Nine patients have been improved clinically following surgery. Postoperative manometry and radiology have been performed in seven patients and have shown no significant changes. Anal manometry and radiology are objective means of documenting faecal incontinence although their role in selecting patients for surgery is not yet determined. Postanal repair is effective in restoring continence, although the parameters measured have not explained the mechanism of this effect.

Aged↗

Operation for discrete subvalvular aortic stenosis.

Over the past 20 years, 37 patients (31 children and six adults) have undergone operations for discrete subvalvular aortic stenosis. Prior to 1975, resection of the subvalvular membrane alone was the procedure of choice. However, the recurrence rate was high (36%). Since 1975, resection of the membrane plus left ventricular myectomy has been routine. The recurrence rate in this group has been lower (20%) but is still high. Overall, 11 patients (30%) have had significant recurrence (average gradient 63 mm Hg). Eight of these 11 have undergone a second operation with re-resection of a membrane and left ventricular myectomy. One patient died and in three others (42%) significant symptoms and gradients remained. One of these three has undergone a successful aortoventriculoplasty, and two patients are awaiting a similar operation. Lessons learned from this experience include the following: (1) Regardless of the type of initial operation, a significant rate of recurrence can be anticipated. (2) Progressive aortic insufficiency and fibromuscular tunnel stenosis occur commonly unless adequate relief of the obstruction is achieved by the first operation. (3) Because repeat resection with left ventricular myectomy is unlikely to be effective when aortic insufficiency and/or tunnel stenosis are present, aortoventriculoplasty should be employed as the definitive reoperative procedure.

Adolescent↗

Shortening of the first metatarsal as a complication of metatarsal osteotomies.

There have been few reports of shortening of the first ray of the foot because of damage to the physis of the first metatarsal during the performance of metatarsal osteotomy for residual metatarsus adductus. In a retrospective study of twenty-seven feet in twenty patients who underwent this procedure, eight feet in seven patients were noted to have some degree of residual shortening of the first ray. This is an incidence of 30 per cent. The follow-up period after osteotomy ranged from two years to seven years and four months (average, four years). We could find no clear correlation between the occurrence of shortening and the patient's age at osteotomy, sex, or race, or the etiology of the adduction for which the osteotomy had been done. A clear correlation was found, however, with the surgical technique that had been employed. In two of the eight feet with a short first ray, the osteotomy had been done within the physis of the first metatarsal. In the other feet the procedure had employed an osteotomy site close to the physis or extensive periosteal dissection, or both. The results in our patients implicate subperiosteal dissection of the first metatarsal as an important, previously unreported cause of damage to the physis and of the resultant shortening. We recommend radiographic determination of the relationship of the osteotomy site to the physis before dissection is performed.

Child↗

Knee motion following multiple soft-tissue releases in ambulatory patients with cerebral palsy.

Multiple soft-tissue releases (MSTRs) in cerebral palsy have been advocated to improve knee motion during gait. Forty-five extremities underwent MSTRs as recommended by preoperative gait analysis. Pre- and postoperative analyses were evaluated in relation to knee motion and foot progression angle. Maximum knee flexion during swing and the foot progression angle showed no significant change postoperatively. The total knee ROM and minimum knee flexion in stance improved significantly towards normal. The timing of maximum knee flexion and slope of the knee flexion curve at toe off improved with respect to age and number of previous surgeries. MSTRs increased knee ROM and improved the sequential timing and event progression during gait.

Adolescent↗

The effect of the modified endoscopic Lothrop procedure on the mucociliary clearance of the frontal sinus in an animal model.

BACKGROUND: The surgical management of recalcitrant frontal sinus disease has been a dilemma for otolaryngologists for many years. Although the osteoplastic flap with obliteration has been the gold standard of treatment for years, the modified endoscopic Lothrop (MEL) procedure recently has been advocated as an alternative. However, little is known about the effect of this procedure on the mucociliary drainage of the frontal sinuses postoperatively and this animal study addresses this issue. METHODS: Fourteen sheep underwent the MEL procedure. The sheep were randomized regarding the use of postoperative irrigation via minitrephines. Each sheep had a nuclear medicine gamma-scintigraphy frontal sinus clearance study via minitrephines performed on each frontal sinus preoperatively and then 3 months postoperatively. Then, the results of these studies were compared. RESULTS: The scans revealed a trend toward faster clearance times postoperatively. However, this decrease was not statistically significant. Importantly, there was no trend or significant increase in clearance times postoperatively. Also, the use of postoperative irrigation was associated with a nonsignificant trend toward faster clearance times postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The MEL procedure has no adverse effects on the mucociliary clearance of the frontal sinus at 3 months postoperatively. Irrigation of the frontal sinus in the immediate postoperative period showed a trend toward improved postoperative mucociliary function at 3 months.

Animals↗