Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to A Anderson.
Ketanserin, a 5HT2-receptor blocking drug was given to 17 patients with essential hypertension. Satisfactory control was achieved in 13 patients. Control was not as satisfactory when given once daily. There was no rebound effect when the drug was ceased. Side-effects were few. Ketanserin was a satisfactory drug to reduce blood pressure in patients with moderate hypertension.
Nicardipine hydrochloride and propranolol were compared for antihypertensive efficacy and safety in a 14-week randomized, double-blind, crossover study. After taking placebo for 4 weeks, patients received either nicardipine (30 mg three times a day) or propranolol (40 mg three times a day) for 4 weeks, then placebo for 2 weeks and, finally, were crossed over to the alternative active medication for 4 weeks. Both drugs substantially reduced blood pressure. Statistically significant treatment effects favouring nicardipine were observed for supine and standing diastolic and systolic blood pressures. As expected, heart rate decreased significantly with propranolol, but not with nicardipine. Of the 33 patients evaluated for safety, 18 reported adverse experiences (two while taking placebo) that were assessed as probably related to the drugs under study. Symptoms related to vasodilation were reported more frequently during nicardipine treatment and respiratory complaints were more frequent in patients given propranolol.
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The TECRA Unique Salmonella test uses the principle of immunoenrichment to allow rapid detection of Salmonellae in food. A collaborative study was conducted to compare the TECRA Salmonella Unique test with the reference culture method given in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Bacteriological Analytical Manual. Three food types (milk powder, pepper, and soy flour) were analyzed in Australia and 2 food types (milk chocolate and dried egg) were analyzed in the United States. Forty-one collaborators participated in the study. For each of the 5 foods at each of the 3 levels, a comparison showed no significant differences (p > or = 0.05) in the proportion of positive test samples for Unique and that for the reference method using the Chi-square test for independence with continuity correction.
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An employee of a private disposal company suffered a finger needlestick injury while collecting waste at curbside from a building containing medical offices. Subsequent inspection of the contents of the garbage bags revealed the presence of used syringes and unsheathed needles. The Ministry of the Environment has developed a regulation and guidelines for the handling and disposal of biomedical waste including needles and other sharps. These specify that approved carriers and receivers are required for disposal; properly decontaminated waste is considered non-hazardous solid waste and can go to landfills. However, responsibility for curbside pickup of waste lies with municipalities; some municipalities have enacted by-laws which prohibit collection of this waste at the curbside. This incident illustrates that improper disposal of biomedical waste (including that from private practitioners' offices) may occur despite efforts to control its handling, and that needlestick injuries can occur outside of health care facilities among personnel who are not health care workers. Efforts are needed to increase the level of awareness among health professionals regarding their responsibility to ensure proper biomedical waste disposal from private offices. In addition, efforts should be made to bridge the gap between all levels of government regarding the disposal of biomedical waste.