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Biomedical subjects

J Sweeney

Publications and source records attributed to J Sweeney.

99 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
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Slow-wave sleep and symptomatology in schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders.

Deficits in slow-wave sleep (SWS), or delta sleep, are frequently seen in schizophrenia, but their relationship with schizophrenic symptomatology remains unclear. We examined the association between visually scored and automated measures of SWS and positive and negative symptoms in a series of unmedicated patients with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders. Total and average automated delta wave counts were significantly inversely associated with negative symptoms overall, and the psychomotor poverty syndrome in particular. Total delta counts were also inversely related to the disorganization syndrome. No relation was seen between reality distortion or the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) positive symptoms and SWS. These findings support the view that SWS deficits may be related to negative symptoms of schizophrenia and may perhaps be mediated by impaired functioning of frontothalamic neural circuits.

Adult↗
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Prediction of response of chronic depression to imipramine.

We had previously reported that imipramine was superior to placebo for the treatment of chronic depression. As a part of that study, we subsequently investigated clinical and demographic variables which might be associated with favorable or poor outcome for treatment with imipramine or placebo. Results are reported herein. Eight-six patients were entered and 53 completed an 8-week protocol. Outcome was assessed based on a 6-week, double-blind treatment phase, which followed a 2-week, single-blind placebo phase. Outcome was not found to significantly relate to demographic variables, severity or course of depression, diagnostic subtype, symptom profile, or DST results. Some modest associations were found between 'neurotic' personality traits and poor outcome. Results are discussed and compared with prior studies of prediction of tricyclic antidepressant response in both acute and chronic depressions.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Persistent mechanical allodynia following injury of the hand. Treatment through mobilization of the nervous system.

Mechanical allodynia (MA) following hand injury is a well-documented clinical problem. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the relationship between hand MA and the upper limb tension test (ULTT). The ULTT mechanically stresses the neural structures from the C5/6/7 neural foramina to the median nerve distally. This study examined 29 subjects with unilateral hand MA before and after a 2-week neural self-mobilization programme. There was a significant difference between the subjects' affected and unaffected sides when tested using the ULTT, both in reproduction of symptoms and in reduced range of motion of the ULTT. Following the self-mobilization program, there was an improvement in the range of the ULTT, and subjects reported a reduction in their symptoms. Complete recovery was not obtained in all cases. The results of this study suggest that the ULTT is a useful tool both in assessment and treatment of subjects with hand MA.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Outreach, consolidation, and networking: Columbia's approach to successful integration of laboratory services in California.

At the forefront of integrated laboratory services, Columbia Bay Area Healthcare Network's Lab Link provides a unique approach to operating hospital-based laboratories in today's heavily penetrated managed-care environment. Columbia recognizes that a combined strategy of laboratory consolidation, outreach, and networking is essential to compete successfully with commercial reference laboratories for local and statewide contracts. Implementing this model enables hospital laboratories to produce high quality, cost-effective test results while increasing volume and reducing duplication. When hospital laboratories consolidate and network with local and regional laboratories, inpatient and outpatients information is cross-fertilized through a web of information systems. Patients information can then be accessed easily and monitored throughout the continuum of care. The goal of this article is to provide hospital laboratories with a streamlined approach to structuring and delivering services while maintaining a competitive edge in the tumultuous healthcare market. The future of laboratory services within the hospital setting lies in the aggressive use of three elements--consolidation, outreach, and networking--to ensure quality service as well as economic viability.

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