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Biomedical subjects

C Foster

Publications and source records attributed to C Foster.

84 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

Skeletal muscle enzyme activity, fiber composition and VO2 max in relation to distance running performance.

Muscle biopsy samples were obtained from the gastrocnemius of 26 well-trained runners of widely varying ability. Portions of the sample were analyzed for succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity and for muscle fiber composition. VO2 max was determined during uphill treadmill running. Mean values for muscle SDH activity (14.6 U/g), fiber composition (55% slow twitch) and VO2 max (60.9 ml/kg x min(-1)) were lower than reported previously for groups of elite and sub-elite runners. The physiological data were consistent with the performance ability of the sample [5 : 12,11 : 20 and 36 : 40 (min :s) for 1, 2 and 6 miles, respectively]. Within the sample, performance was most strongly related to VO2 max (r=-0.84,-0.87 and -0.88 for 1, 2, and 6 miles). There was little relationship between muscle SDH activity and either performance (r=-0.11, -0.14, -0.20 for 1,2, and 6 miles) or VO2 max (r=0.23). The relationship between muscle fiber composition and performance was only modestly strong (r=-0.52,-0.54, -0.55 for 1,2, and 6 miles). The results indicate that the primary determinant of cross-sectional differences in running performance is VO2 max. Skeletal muscle metabolism apparently contributes little to these cross-sectional differences and may be of much greater importance to variations in performance within an individual.

Humans↗
PubMed1978

Sequence of return of neurological function and criteria for safe ambulation following subarachnoid block (spinal anaesthetic).

Twenty-three adult men were studied during and after subarachnoid block anaesthesia for elective surgery. Measurements were obtained of mean arterial pressure and pulse, both supine and after standing for five minutes, core body (tympanic) and peripheral skin (toe) temperatures and blood flow in the leg. Time of measurements included one hour after the injection of tetracaine and after regression of the block. Results obtained indicate that the sequence of return of neurological activity following tetracaine subarachnoid block is sympathetic nervous system activity, pinprick sensation, somatic motor function followed by proprioception in the feet. This progression provides the basis for recommended criteria which indicate when it is safe for patients who have been subarachnoid block anaesthesia to become ambulatory. These criteria include: (1) return of pinprick sensation in the peri-anal area (sacral 4--5); (2) plantar flexion of the foot (while supine) at pre-anaesthetic levels of strength; and (3) return of proprioception in the big toe, always provided that the patient is not hypovolaemic or sedated.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Prevention of post-anaesthesia shivering.

This study involves ventilation of the lungs with warmed humidifed anaesthetic gases during prolonged elective abdominal operations. Tympanic, oesophageal and toe temperatures were compared bewteen twenty warmed and twenty un-warmed patients at various times during operation and recovery. Fifty per cent (10/20) unwarmed patients shivered in the recovery room, while none of the warmed patients shivered. Our data indicate that pulmonary ventilation with warm humidified anaesthetic gases provides heat transfer by the lungs, preventing hypothermia during operation and post -anaesthesia shivering is prevented by maintaining the patient normothermic in both the operating room and the recovery room.

Anesthesia, General↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Emergency management of carotid artery rupture.

Rupture of the carotid artery has been one of the most feared postoperative complications in head and neck cancer patients. Traditional management of carotid artery rupture has been disappointing, and morbidity and mortality have been high. Experience with carotid artery rupture at the authors' institution over the past 20 years has been reviewed. The current method of management seems to result in a decreased number of neurologic sequelae and episodes of rebleeding. Of the last 23 carotid ruptures encountered, four occurred while the patient was at home. Two patients had neurologic complications, and there were two deaths. Only one episode of rebleeding occurred. All patients except one were discharged from the hospital. These patients were managed according to an established protocol, and the results of the authors' experience are reported and analyzed. Preoperative preparation prior to ligation is explained, and prognostic indicators and risk factors are reviewed.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Why do research ethics committees disagree with each other?

Research ethics committees have to ensure that research projects are asking sensible questions and are designed so that the questions will be answered, that the research subjects who are involved will not come to unnecessary harm, and that the autonomy of the research subjects will be respected. Where research proposals cannot fulfill all these criteria, research ethics committees have to perform a delicate balancing act amongst competing moral claims. These arise when, for example, the research is non-therapeutic or the research subjects are incompetent to give consent. Given that the balance of conclusions is so sensitive, it is hardly surprising that different committees sometimes disagree with each other.

Congresses as Topic↗