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Biomedical subjects

T Watson

Publications and source records attributed to T Watson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Rabies prophylaxis in Western Australia: the impact of Australian bat lyssavirus.

Post-exposure rabies prophylaxis is provided by the Health Department of Western Australia to persons exposed to potentially rabid animals overseas. In addition, since the discovery of Australian bat lyssavirus in 1996, rabies prophylaxis has been provided to persons exposed or likely to be exposed to Australian bats. This article reviews the provision of rabies prophylaxis in Western Australia from July 1991 to December 1997. During this period, 101 persons received rabies post-exposure prophylaxis in Western Australia. Exposure occurred outside Australia in 91% of cases. Dogs were the most frequent source of exposure (62.4%) and Thailand was the most frequent country of exposure (34.7%). However in 1997, Australian bat exposures accounted for 37.5% of all post-exposure prophylaxis. No pre-exposure prophylaxis was given until 1997, when eight persons received rabies vaccine to protect them against possible infection with Australian bat lyssavirus. Until the epidemiology of Australian bat lyssavirus is more clearly defined, the Lyssavirus Expert Group has recommended rabies prophylaxis be given for all Australian bat exposures. In the context of Australian bat lyssavirus as an emerging infectious disease it is important to have baseline data on rabies prophylaxis to allow for future assessment of its impact.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The relationship between duration of physical therapy services in the acute care setting and change in functional status in patients with lower-extremity orthopedic problems.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study examined the relationship between the duration of physical therapy and functional status at discharge. SUBJECTS: The subjects were 173 inpatients, with a mean age of 67.9 years (SD = 20.5, range = 18-101), referred to physical therapy with lower-extremity orthopedic problems. METHODS: For this retrospective cohort study, medical and physical therapy quality assurance records were used. Functional status, at initiation of and discharge from physical therapy, was measured using the Acute Care Index of Function (ACIF). The ACIF scores, which ranged from 0 to 100, were obtained from quality assurance records. The duration of physical therapy was the number of minutes of physical therapy billed to each patient, as determined from billing records. RESULTS: Subjects received an average of 238.5 minutes of physical therapy (SD = 153.6, range = 15-1,110). Function improved an average of 15.4 points (SD = 17.0, range = -27.4 to 64.9), and the duration of physical therapy was an important predictor of functional status at discharge after controlling for age, length of hospitalization, number of diagnoses, and initial functional status. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: This study provides evidence that the amount of physical therapy that patients with some types of orthopedic problems receive is directly related to the functional improvement that occurs during hospitalization in an acute care setting.

Exercise Therapy↗
PubMed1997

Cavernous angioma presenting as pregnancy-related seizures.

PURPOSE: To determine the reason that one-quarter to one-third of epileptic women experienced an increased number of seizures during pregnancy. The cause of this increase is not always clearly understood and the principle emphasis of the literature is on the pregnancy-associated changes of anticonvulsant pharmacokinetics. METHODS: Two patients presented with recurrent seizures occurring only during pregnancy. Both had MRI findings typical of cavernous angiomas of the temporal lobe. RESULTS: In addition to changes in anticonvulsant pharmacokinetics, potential mechanisms underlying the exacerbation of seizures from a vascular malformation during pregnancy include effects of estrogen on temporal structures critically involved in epileptogenesis and changes within the malformation itself secondary to direct actions of estrogen and the hemodynamic changes of pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: The possibility of an occult lesion such as cavernous angioma should be considered for seizures occurring during pregnancy. Even in the presence of a normal CT scan, an MRI investigation should be pursued, despite the ill-defined fears of MRI in pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Pulsed Ho:YAG laser meniscectomy: effect of pulsewidth on tissue penetration rate and lateral thermal damage.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Studies need to define the optimal parameters under which the holmium laser should operate for arthroscopic meniscectomy. This study was designed to analyze the effect of various Holmium wavelength pulsewidths on human meniscal tissue penetration rates and lateral thermal injury. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a pulsed Holmium: YAG laser at a wavelength of 2.1 microns, the effect of various pulse-widths on tissue penetration rates as well as the degree of accompanying thermal damage in human meniscal tissue was evaluated in a specially designed jig. Holding the energy constant at 500 mJ per pulse, the pulsewidth was varied between 100 and 600 microseconds. RESULTS: Fiber penetration of meniscal tissue was found to be fastest at a pulsewidth of 250 microseconds. As the pulsewidth was increased or decreased around this number, the observed penetration time decreased, although no statistical difference was found. The size of the hole created was inversely related to the penetration time. Microscopic examination revealed zones of lateral thermal effect extending 800 microns from the ablation site. CONCLUSION: No relationship between the pulsewidth and the lateral thermal effect could be found.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Introduction of continuous regional techniques for postoperative paediatrics patients: one years' experience from two hospitals.

AIM: To review the use, safety and efficacy of continuous regional techniques in children and neonates. METHODS: The records of all children who received postoperative continuous regional analgesic techniques during the year 1992 at the Starship Children's Hospital and Waikato Base Hospital were reviewed. In both post operative care units orders, procedures and protocols were standardised. RESULTS: A total of 80 children received these techniques. Patients were cared for in high dependency nursing areas. The two techniques used were epidural and interpleural analgesia. Epidural: The majority (68) had epidural catheters and of these 13 infants were in their first month of life. Major problems occurred in six (9%) of children receiving epidurals--two blocks failed completely, two suffered subarachnoid puncture, one had respiratory depression and one developed a foot-drop. The blockade failure and subarachnoid punctures occurred early in the establishment of paediatric epidural analgesic services. Minor problems included the necessity for morphine supplementation in three (4%) children, leaks about the catheter in seven (10%), nausea and vomiting in six (9%), two (3%) developed pruritus and one block was ceased because of concerns expressed about masking symptoms of compartmental compression. Interpleural: twelve patients were treated with this technique. One neonate suffered a convulsion. CONCLUSION: Major continuous regional techniques in paediatric patients are effective, but because of potential complications, there is a requirement that these blocks be performed, monitored and cared for by staff experienced and trained with these procedures.

Anesthesia, Conduction↗
PubMed1994

Effect of feeding quandong (Santalum acuminatum) oil to rats on tissue lipids, hepatic cytochrome P-450 and tissue histology.

Quandong kernels are a traditional Aboriginal food item; they are rich in oil and contain large amounts of an unusual fatty acid, trans-11-octadecen-9-ynoic acid (santalbic acid), but it is not known whether this acid is absorbed and/or metabolized. The oil was fed at 12.6% of total energy content in semi-synthetic diets to groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats for 10 and 20 days. Santalbic acid was found in the lipids of plasma, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, kidney, heart and liver but not in brain. Hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 activity in animals fed for 20 days was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in controls. Histopathological examination did not reveal any lesions in the tissues of any animal fed quandong oil. The fact that santalbic acid was readily absorbed, widely distributed in tissues and was associated with an elevated level of hepatic cytochrome P-450 indicates that further studies are required to investigate whether or not there is a hazard associated with the human practice of consuming quandong kernels.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1994

Vaginal cuff closure with abdominal hysterectomy. A new approach.

A 2.5-year study was conducted to compare side-to-side closure of the vaginal cuff with the traditional front-to-back closure. Candidates for abdominal hysterectomy were selected from among those in the author's private practice, and 100 patients were chosen to participate in the study. All surgery was performed by the author. Comparisons were made of blood loss, enterocele formation and postoperative results, consisting of vaginal depth, vaginal support, and discomfort from and stress on the vaginal cuff scar as they related to the patients' complaints of dyspareunia with deep penetration.

Cicatrix↗
PubMed1994

The origin of the long head of the biceps from the scapula and glenoid labrum. An anatomical study of 100 shoulders.

We dissected 105 cadaveric shoulders to study the origin of the tendon of the long head of biceps, and examined histologically the interrelationship between the tendon, the supraglenoid tubercle and the superior labrum of the glenoid. In all specimens approximately 50% of the biceps tendon arose directly from the superior glenoid labrum with the remainder attached to the supraglenoid tubercle. The main labral origin was from the posterior labrum in more than half of the specimens, and in a quarter this was the only labral attachment. On the basis of the biceps attachment to the anterior or posterior labrum, we distinguished four types of origin. These normal anatomical variations are significant for arthroscopic diagnosis and may help to explain the various patterns of injury seen in partial or complete detachment of the tendon, the labrum or both.

Cadaver↗
PubMed1994

Recombinant human erythropoietin and health-related quality of life of AIDS patients with anemia.

To evaluate the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin on anemia and health-related quality of life in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), we initiated an observational study with an open-label multicenter treatment protocol that involved multiple academic and community physicians in the United States. Our subjects comprised 251 anemic (i.e., hematocrit < 30%) patients with a clinical diagnosis of AIDS using 1987 CDC criteria, age > or = 12 years, and serum erythropoietin level < or = 500 IU/L. The initial dosage of recombinant human erythropoietin was 4,000 units subcutaneously for 6 days each week. Based on the patient's response to therapy, the dosage was increased sequentially to 8,000 units subcutaneously for 6 days per week. Our measurements included changes in mean hematocrit and health-related quality of life. The interview included measures of energy/fatigue; physical, social, role and cognitive function; depression; health perceptions; and life satisfaction. Adverse experiences were also documented to assess safety. Changes in mean hematocrit level from a baseline of 27.9% to 33.6% at week 12 (p < .0001) and 34.5% at week 24 (p < .0001) were observed in patients treated with recombinant human erythropoietin. Adverse experiences, not clearly associated with AIDS, were reported by 10% of patients. Increases in energy (p < .05) were observed after 12 and 24 weeks of drug therapy, and increases in health perceptions were seen after 24 weeks (p < .05). No statistically significant increases or decreases were observed on measures of physical functioning, cognitive functioning, depression, social functioning, or home management activities over the 24-week follow-up. Anemia correctors (defined as hematocrit > or = 38%) showed greater improvement in energy, health perceptions, home management, and role function than noncorrectors. Study dropouts and those who died had significantly worse scores for health-related quality of life at baseline compared to study completers. Thus, the AIDS patients with anemia and serum erythropoietin levels < or = 500 IU/L treated with recombinant human erythropoietin showed increased mean hematocrit and improved health perceptions and energy levels. The drug therapy was associated with increased feelings of energy, but it was not associated with other changes in health status and well-being in the AIDS patients completing the study. These observations need to be confirmed in randomized clinical trials.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1993

Effectiveness of glass-ionomer surface protection treatments: a scanning optical microscope study.

Due to their complex setting reaction, glass-ionomer cements require careful control of hydration during the initial 48-hour maturation period. This in vitro study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of three surface protection treatments (copal varnish, unfilled bonding resin and a dentine bonding agent) in preventing water penetration into 40 restorations placed in recently extracted third molars. The sealing ability was analysed using confocal light microscopy to visualise dye penetration into the samples. The results indicate that the dentine bonding agent, in vitro, provides a comprehensive barrier to water movement.

Acrylates↗