Biomedical subjects

R Anderson

Publications and source records attributed to R Anderson.

818 records · Page 46Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Chemoprophylaxis with erythromycin stearate or amoxycillin in patients with chronic bronchitis--effects on cellular and humoral immune functions.

Twenty-six patients aged between 27 and 71 years with chronic bronchitis were divided into a control group of 6 and two groups of 10 patients each who received either erythromycin stearate or amoxycillin 1500 mg/d for 2 weeks and 1000 mg/d for 12 weeks thereafter. Immunological function tests were performed before starting chemotherapy and thereafter at 2 weeks and 14 weeks. Clinical evaluations and lung function tests showed no significant changes in any of the groups during the study period. In the control group no changes in cellular and humoral immune functions were noted. In the group receiving amoxycillin decreased responses of lymphocytes to the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin were observed after 14 days. In the erythromycin-treated group, increased polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMNL) motility and mitogen-induced transformation were observed at 14 days but these increases were not statistically significant. In this group the markedly depressed PMNL migration found in 3 individuals before treatment improved considerably. These results indicate that chemotherapy and chemoprophylaxis with either amoxycillin or erythromycin stearate do not compromise the host immunodefences.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Urine cytology as a medical surveillance tool: a study of variability in interpretation of urine cytology slides.

This study examines the value of urine cytology as a medical surveillance technique in the industrial setting through an evaluation of the variability in interpretation of urine cytology slides. Urine samples were collected from 259 individuals for cytological examination. The slides were read by pathologists and screeners at one large Army medical center and separately read again by an independent pathologist at another Army medical center. The two independent readings for each of the 259 cases were compared. The comparison indicated that overall agreement was fairly high in reporting the presence or absence of inflammatory cells, red blood cells, and atypical (including metaplastic) cells. However, considering positive findings of the presence of red blood cells or atypical cells only, significant differences between the two independent readings were noted when the sign test was applied. Implications of these findings are discussed in light of the use of urine cytology as a medical surveillance tool in occupational medicine.

Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A comparison of calculated energy requirements to measured resting energy expenditure in HIV-1-infected subjects.

Twenty HIV-infected outpatients participating in clinical drug trials of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and enrolled in the collaborative National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) nutrition study underwent indirect calorimetry measurements. Energy requirements for these subjects also were calculated using the Harris Benedict Equation (HBE). In all 20 subjects, the calculated energy requirements underestimated actual resting expenditure as determined by indirect calorimetry.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Implementing clinical paths in a managed care environment.

The survival of health care institutions depends upon a delivery system focusing on appropriate use of resources and controlling length of stay while monitoring clinical progress toward identified outcomes. Using a clinical path as a tool for managing resources, research activities, continuous quality improvement, and increased collaborative practice can enhance the professional practice environment and benefit patient care.

Critical Pathways↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical staff development: a two-way solution.

This paper explains how a trust worked with a higher education institution to provide continuing education for clinical staff. The result was a staff development award that carries 60 CATS points at level 2. Evaluation shows that the award has not only helped staff in their practice but has also been cost-effective. In addition there have been benefits in terms of professional development for staff involved in running the programme.

Education, Nursing, Continuing↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Strong and weak measures of efficacy: a comparison of chiropractic with biomedicine in the management of back pain.

A holistic, biocultural model for identifying efficacy in the management of back pain by chiropractic and medical doctors is proposed based on adopting the concepts of vertical reasoning and dual-level control. Using this approach, four different ways in which efficacy can be measured are identified: (a) anatomical-physiological (curing of disease), (b) body/mind (healing of illness), (c) sociocultural (termination of sickness) and (d) political-economic (ending no access to care). These four are conceptualized as relating to levels in a hierarchy of structures of increasing size and complexity ranging from atoms and molecules to societies and nations. In measuring efficacy at each level, it is important to distinguish weak from strong measures. Strong measures conform to a Guttman scale model; each higher measure of efficacy also demonstrates efficacy at all levels lower than itself. Weak measures fail to conform to a Guttman-like scale, and are therefore of questionable value when used to support decisions relating to health care policy.

Ambulatory Care↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Multiple pulmonary chemodectomas in a child: results of four different therapeutic regimens.

PURPOSE: Chemodectomas (or paragangliomas) are rare tumors of neuroendocrine chemoreceptors, such as the carotid body. This report describes a case of multiple pulmonary chemodectomas in an adolescent and discusses the results of four therapeutic regimens. PATIENTS: At 15 years of age, the patient had cough and fatigue. Investigation revealed numerous 1- to 2-cm diameter nodules throughout both lungs. Biopsy revealed multiple pulmonary chemodectomas of uncertain malignant potential. No extrapulmonary primary site could be found. RESULTS: Because of deteriorating pulmonary function, she was treated with courses of etoposide-cisplatin and subsequently somatostatin without effect. She finally responded to a course of doxorubicin and streptozocin. She is currently maintained on interferon-alpha 2B but her measured vital capacity continues to fall slowly, reflecting increased tumor growth. Because there is still no evidence of extrapulmonary spread, she is considered to be a candidate for lung transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: A doxorubicin-streptozocin combination produced a temporary remission of this patient's multiple pulmonary chemodectomas.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Mesna inactivates platinum agents in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Platinum agents are frequently combined with ifosfamide. Mesna, originally coadministered to protect from ifosfamide side effects, might also react with the platinum agents in these combinations. METHODS: Malignant glioma cells were incubated with cisplatin, carboplatin and mesna. Cell numbers were measured by counting and by MTT-tests. RESULTS: In cell free solution mesna turned MTT to its blue farmazan product. Mesna's effect on cells were cell-line specific: It penetrated U87 cells without effect on growth, reduced cell numbers in C6 and T98G cells and did not alter U251 cells. The concentration of cisplatin killing 50% of the cells were 7 x 10(-7) in C6, 9.7 x 10(-6) in T98G, 1.2 x 10(-5) in U251 and 2.4 x 10(-4) in U87 cells. For the same effect, carboplatin required 3-10 times higher concentrations. Mesna protected all cell lines from the cytotoxicity of the platinum agents. CONCLUSION: Clinical studies should specify in detail, infusion schedules of mesna and platinum agents.

Antineoplastic Agents↗