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Biomedical subjects

William Johnson

Publications and source records attributed to William Johnson.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Surgical treatment of obesity.

Obesity has emerged as one of the most complex and debilitating diseases affecting the world's population. It is estimated that more than two thirds of Americans are overweight and more than 20% are obese. This disease is associated with many morbid conditions, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, hypoventilation, sleep apnea syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and an increased incidence of certain malignancies. Medical interventions for achieving and maintaining significant weight loss have generally failed, leaving surgery as the only effective treatment for durable weight loss. A number of surgical options are available today and can be grouped into two categories based on the mechanism of how the weight loss is achieved. Restrictive procedures include vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG), adjustable gastric banding (AGB), and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), although the latter does have some altered absorption as well. Largely malabsorptive procedures include biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS). Whereas VBG has largely fallen out of favor due to inadequate long-term weight loss, the other procedures have proven successful in achieving and maintaining adequate weight loss. In addition, each has proven successful in reversing or ameliorating many of the comorbidities associated with obesity. RYGB is the most common procedure performed in the United States and is considered the gold standard. It has the best short- and long-term results for safety, efficacy, and durability, and it has been proven to be superior in results to those for AGB. In experienced hands, this technically challenging procedure can now be performed laparoscopically. This method has the same weight loss and health benefits as the open procedure while achieving all the added benefits of a minimally invasive approach. Long-term data seem to support the malabsorptive procedures as most effective in the superobese. All the procedures require compliance and long-term nutritional follow-up.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

The evaluation and treatment implications of isolated pulmonary nodules in patients with a recent history of breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer patients with pulmonary lesions are often assumed to have metastatic disease and treated palliatively. We evaluated the proportion of these patients who actually have primary lung tumor (PLT) and assessed their outcome. METHODS: We performed a 10-year retrospective review of the cancer registry in a community hospital system. RESULTS: Among 54 breast cancer patients with pulmonary nodules, biopsy was pursued in 30. Although metastatic breast cancer (MBC) was presumed in 24, biopsy showed MBC in 9 patients and PLT in 21. The two groups differed in age, stage, breast tumor size, nodal involvement, and estrogen receptor (ER) positivity. However, no variable excluded the possibility of PLT. Of those with PLT, 11 had early-stage lung disease; 9 underwent curative resection. CONCLUSIONS: Women with breast cancer and 1 or more pulmonary lesions without evidence of other metastatic disease require work-up of pulmonary lesions. Aggressive evaluation can afford treatment of lung cancer and impact survival.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

A prospective analysis of microsatellite instability as a molecular marker in colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Microsatellite instability (MSI) may be a molecular marker of colorectal tumor biology. We sought to evaluate the incidence and significance of MSI in an unselected colorectal cancer population. METHODS: Colorectal cancer cases from a community health system were prospectively evaluated for MSI and patient outcomes monitored. RESULTS: Of 240 eligible, 140 underwent testing; 43 (31%) had high-frequency MSI (MSI-H). Those with MSI-H tumors presented with earlier disease stage (P = .014) and lymphocytic infiltration (P < .001). Stage III MSI-H patients trended toward improved disease-free survival (P = .065). MSI-H patients were more likely to have other primary malignancies. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of MSI-H in the general colorectal cancer population is higher than previously reported. MSI testing of colorectal cancers is useful as part of a molecular profile to stratify patients for prognosis, treatment, and further study. Patients with MSI-H tumors are more likely to have other primary malignancies, suggesting a role for heightened screening.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Sex and congenital malformations: an international perspective.

The study evaluated the sex distribution of major isolated malformations and common trisomies among a large and geographically varied sample. Eighteen registries from 24 countries contributed cases, which were centrally reviewed and classified in three clinical types as isolated, associated, or syndromic. We selected cases of 26 major defects (n = 108,534); trisomy 21, 18, and 13 (n = 30,114); other syndromes (n = 2,898); and multiple congenital anomalies (n = 24,197), for a total of 165,743 cases. We observed a significant deviation of sex distribution (compared to a sex ratio of 1.06 or male proportion of 51.4%) for 24 of the 29 groups (a male excess in 16, a female excess in 8), and in 8 of such groups these estimates varied significantly across registries. A male excess was noted for two left obstructive cardiac defects (hypoplastic left heart and coarctation of the aorta) and a female excess for all the main types of neural tube defects. A male excess was seen for omphalocele but not gastroschisis. For neural tube defects the female excess tended to be stronger in areas with historically high prevalence for these defects. For 15 of the 26 birth defects the sex distribution differed among isolated, associated, and syndromic cases. Some of these epidemiologic commonalities are consistent with known or putative developmental processes. Further, the geographic variation for some defects may reflect local prevalence rates and risk factors. Finally, the findings underscore the need for clinical classification (e.g., into isolated, multiple, syndromes) in studies of birth defects.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed2005

Prognosis and the identification of workers risking disability: research issues and directions for future research.

INTRODUCTION: Screening procedures based on prognostic data are an important prerequisite for prevention of disability due to low-back pain. This paper reviews the research on prognosis to delineate the most pertinent research challenges, and outlines directions for future research to improve the scientific quality and screening accuracy of prognostic efforts. METHODS: Reviews of prognosis research were examined to identify key methodological and research issues. RESULTS: Certain issues such as sampling procedures, research designs, data analyses, prognostic indicators, and follow-up procedures limit the value of prior studies. Absence of a clear conceptual framework hampers interpretation of findings and moving research questions forward. The recurrent nature of back pain and the need to effectively include the impact of employer actions and the job market were also identified as significant issues. CONCLUSIONS: Future research will be enhanced by addressing conceptual and definitional issues, applying tested and sensible measures, and careful follow-up of the study population.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed2005

The planning cycle.

Information technology planning can be described as a continuous cyclical process composed of three phases whose primary purpose is optimum allocation of scarce resources. In the assessment phase, planners assess user needs, environmental factors, business objectives, and IT infrastructure needs to develop IT projects that address needs in each of these areas. A major goal of this phase is to develop a broad IT inventory. The prioritization phase seeks to ensure optimum allocation of scarce resources by prioritizing ITprojects based on: Costs--total life cycle costs. Benefits--both quantitative and non-quantitative, including support for the organization's strategic business objectives. Risks--subjective assessments of technological and non-technological risks. Implementation requirements--time and personnel requirements to implement the system. The scheduling phase incorporates sequencing considerations, personnel availability, and budgetary constraints to produce an IT plan in which project priorities are adjusted to meet organizational realities.

Cost Allocation↗
PubMed2005

Voice over IP: how computing technology is being used in mobile communications.

This article explains how computing technology was used to address the need for mobile communications among nursing staff. In 2004, nursing staff at Fauquier Hospital relocated from one nursing floor in an older building to two floors in a new structure. This resulted in complaints and supervision issues as nursing managers, who had previously been relatively sedentary, now became quite mobile as they attempted to control nursing operations on two separate floors. Complaints arose from several sources. Nursing staff and managers both complained about the increased difficulty in communicating with each other Physicians expressed frustration to hospital administration at playing "telephone tag" with managers. The solution involved Internet Protocol technology that is in widespread use on most computer networks. The article details how this technology was selected over several other communications technologies and used to implement wireless telephony over the hospital's existing computer network. It reviews key standards and technologies and issues surrounding their use. Finally, the article demonstrates how this computing technology improved patient care by facilitating mobile communications.

Diffusion of Innovation↗
PubMed2004

Bilateral reduction mammoplasty in combination with lumpectomy for treatment of breast cancer in patients with macromastia.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral reduction mammoplasty has been described as a surgical option for treatment of breast cancer in women with large, pendulous breasts. Using this technique can provide unique surgical oncologic challenges. METHODS: Retrospective chart review. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were identified. The average weight of tissue removed was 653 g. Tumor size ranged from 0.6 to 5.2 cm. One patient had microscopically positive surgical margins on final pathology. The tumor bed was not marked, and completion mastectomy was required. Two patients had unexpected malignancy in the contralateral breast. One patient required completion mastectomy for positive nonoriented margins. In another patient, tissue from the contralateral side was oriented, and mastectomy was avoided. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral reduction mammoplasty with lumpectomy is an ideal option in women with macromastia. We recommend marking the tumor bed on the flaps and pedicle as well as orienting tissue removed from the contralateral side as maneuvers that will decrease need for completion mastectomy.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗
PubMed2004

Analgesic effects of oral sucrose and pacifier during eye examinations for retinopathy of prematurity.

Oral sucrose reduces pain during heel sticks and venipunctures in preterm infants, but no studies have been done to determine the effectiveness of sucrose during eye examinations for retinopathy of prematurity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of local anesthetic eye drops and a pacifier, plus repeated doses of 24% sucrose, to relieve pain associated with eye examinations for retinopathy of prematurity. In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, 30 preterm infants were randomly assigned to one of two treatments, in which they received either local anesthetic eye drops, a pacifier, plus three doses of sterile water or local anesthetic eye drops, a pacifier, plus three doses of 24% sucrose during the eye examination. Treatment effectiveness was determined using a validated infant pain measure, the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP), which includes measures of facial expressions, heart rate, and oxygen saturation and takes behavioral state and gestational age into consideration. Data were collected before, during, and following an examination of the left eye. Statistically significant differences in mean PIPP scores were found between the sucrose and water groups during the left eye examination. The mean PIPP score was 8.8 for the sucrose group and 11.4 for the water group ( t = 2.87, p = .008 two-tailed). No significant differences were found in PIPP scores immediately following the procedure. Sucrose and a pacifier may be beneficial for minimizing pain during eye examinations in preterm infants and should be considered as a part of evidence-based guidelines for relieving pain during this procedure.

Analgesia↗
PubMed2003

Optimizing care for African-American HIV-positive patients.

The African-American community has been disproportionately affected HIV/AIDS, as noted by higher reported rates of HIV infection, higher proportion of AIDS cases, and more deaths caused by complications of AIDS than whites and other ethnic groups. In addition, epidemiologic trends suggest that African Americans with HIV infection are more often diagnosed later in the course of HIV disease than whites. Numerous reasons account for this disparity, including the lack of perception of risk and knowledge about HIV transmission as well as a delays in HIV testing and diagnosis in the African-American community. Understanding the important considerations in the management of HIV infection in the African-American patient may create awareness among health care professionals and broaden the knowledge of HIV-infected patients within the African-American community.

Black or African American↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Assessing thrombosis risk in patients with idiopathic, diabetic, and postsurgical gastroparesis.

Patients with severe gastrointestinal motility disorders are often found to have intravenous access clots or deep venous thrombosis. It has previously been reported that many patients who have intravenous access thrombosis have concomitant thrombotic risk factors. In this study, the goal was to determine the underlying prevalence of hypercoagulable risk in a series of patients with documented gastroparesis. Investigators studied 62 consecutive patients (52 female; mean age, 42 y) who had symptoms of gastroparesis. All patients were evaluated for placement of a gastric neural stimulation device, or they had had one placed previously. Patients underwent a hematologic interview and standardized coagulation measures of thrombotic risk. Laboratory studies measured acquired elevations of Factor VII, Factor VIII, fibrinogen, lupus anticoagulant panel, antiphospholipid antibody panel, homocysteine (in the setting of kidney disease), and activated protein resistance. Investigators also measured congenital factors: Factor VIII (with C-reactive protein levels), antithrombin III, protein C, protein S (total and free), Factor II mutation, Factor V Leiden, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, and homocysteine. Fifty-five patients (89%) were found to have detectable hypercoagulable risk factors. Twenty-five of the 62 patients (40%) had a documented history of abnormal clotting, including deep venous thrombosis, intravenous access thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. All patients with a previous history of thrombosis had detectable clotting abnormalities. Of 56 patients, 40 (71%) had hypercoagulability and did not have diabetes (P=.036), and 20 (36%) had hypercoagulability and no known history of infection. However, this value was not statistically significant when infection and hypercoagulability were compared (P=.408). A high prevalence of acquired and congenital hypercoagulable defects has been observed in patients with gastroparesis, which may predispose them to arterial and venous clots. This unique finding warrants consideration of coagulation evaluation in patients with severe gastroparesis, especially when these patients are placed in high-risk thrombophilic situations, such as hospitalization, prolonged intravenous access, and surgery.

Adult↗