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Biomedical subjects

R Best

Publications and source records attributed to R Best.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Insulin and glucose levels during CPR in the canine model.

Cardiopulmonary arrest and resuscitation produces tremendous physiological stress with resultant biochemical derangements. We undertook this study to determine insulin and glucose levels during cardiopulmonary arrest in the canine model. Baseline insulin and glucose levels were obtained from an ascending aortic arch catheter in six mongrel dogs. Ventricular fibrillation was induced by an electrical stimulus and ventilation was terminated. After five minutes of fibrillation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated using external, mechanical CPR and a continuous epinephrine infusion at 5 micrograms/kg/min. Serum insulin and glucose levels were repeated 15 minutes after beginning CPR. Mean blood glucose 15 minutes after initiation of resuscitation (379 +/- 114 mg/dL) was significantly increased from prearrest levels (124 +/- 29 mg/dL, P less than .01). Mean serum insulin 15 minutes after initiation of resuscitation (11.3 +/- 3.3 microU/mL) was significantly decreased compared to prearrest levels (16.2 +/- 6.0 microU/mL, P less than .05). During ischemia, the myocardium becomes dependent primarily on glucose as a source of energy. Inappropriately low insulin levels during CPR may adversely affect an already compromised myocardial glucose metabolism. Further investigation is needed to determine the utility of insulin infusion during CPR.

Animals↗

Immediate emergency department external cardiac pacing for prehospital bradyasystolic arrest.

Approximately 25% of patients in prehospital cardiac arrest present in bradyasystolic rhythms, and their long-term prognosis is very poor. Our study was undertaken to determine the utility of immediate emergency department (ED) external cardiac pacing in this situation. Twenty patients presenting with bradyasystolic prehospital cardiac arrest were entered in the study. All received the usual advanced cardiac life support therapy, but also were externally paced immediately using an automated external defibrillator and pacemaker (AEDP). Only two of 20 patients showed evidence of electrical capture, and none developed pulses with pacing. Four of the 20 patients developed a sinus rhythm and blood pressure during resuscitation. Three survived to leave the ED, but none survived to leave the hospital. An increase in the rate of bradycardia and pulseless idioventricular rhythms that was independent of electrical capture or pharmacologic therapy was noted occasionally. Although survival was not enhanced using the AEDP, the device was reliable, easy to use, and free of complications. External cardiac pacing warrants further investigation in the prehospital setting.

Adult↗

Ionized calcium during CPR in the canine model.

The purpose of our study was to determine ionized calcium levels during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Following placement of ascending aortic catheters in 15 adult mongrel dogs, ventricular fibrillation was induced electrically. After five minutes without therapy, mechanical external CPR was instituted. Animals received either standard CPR (S-CPR, n = 8) or simultaneous compression and ventilation CPR (SCV-CPR, n = 7) for 30 minutes. Ionized calcium levels were obtained prior to fibrillation and every five minutes during CPR. Mean ionized calcium levels during CPR (1.27 +/- 0.06 mmol/L) did not differ significantly from prearrest levels (1.27 +/- 0.07 mmol/L) at any point during CPR. This was true when the dogs were analyzed together (P = 0.1293) and when the animals receiving S-CPR (P = 0.4465) and SCV-CPR (P = 0.5470) were analyzed by groups. Defibrillation was attempted in all animals and resulted in electromechanical dissociation in three. None of these dogs was hypocalcemic either prior to arrest or during CPR, and none developed an effective rhythm with the administration of calcium. Furthermore, three of the four animals receiving calcium developed markedly elevated ionized calcium levels. Hypocalcemia apparently does not occur during CPR. The beneficial effect of calcium in reported cases cannot be explained routinely by correction of hypocalcemia. Further studies are needed to define the role of calcium administration, if any, in CPR.

Animals↗

Effect of particle size of dried mycobacteria on adjuvant induced arthritis in the rat.

Freund's complete adjuvant prepared by grinding dried, heat killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis with liquid paraffin was investigated for particle size-weight distribution. Variations in the grinding times and preparative procedure had a marked effect on the arthritogenic action of the adjuvant in the rat. A satisfactory response in the injected foot was found only when the particle size was less than 19 microns and a secondary response in the non-injected foot required particles less than 10 microns in diameter.

Animals↗

The anti-ulcerogenic activity of the unripe plantain banana (Musa species).

Various preparations of dried unripe plantain banana were found to be anti-ulcerogenic against aspirin-induced ulceration in the rat and were effective both as a prophylactic treatment and in healing ulcers already induced by aspirin. Ripe fruit bananas were inactive. The active factor(s) were water soluble and were concentrated by extraction to approximately three hundred times that in the dried banana powder. The anti-ulcerogenic action of banana preparations appears to be due to their ability to stimulate the growth of gastric mucosa. Aluminium hydroxide, cimetidine, prostaglandin E2, N6, O2-dibutyryl adenosine 3',5' cyclic monophosphate but not 5-hydroxytryptamine were also anti-ulcerogenic when used prophylactically in rats but were ineffective in healing ulcers already formed by aspirin. These substances did not stimulate the growth of gastric mucosa.

Aluminum Hydroxide↗

Anti-inflammatory factors in sponge-induced exudate in the rat.

Sterile polyester sponge-induced exudates in the rat have been investigated for high molecular weight substances with anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenan-induced oedema in the rat. The only substances found with this activity were dialysable molecules. Crude but sterile protein fractions isolated from exudate stabilized guinea-pig macrophages at low concentrations. The proteins present in exudates appeared to be identical to normal rat plasma proteins. It is concluded that anti-inflammatory activity associated with high molecular substances in exudate may have been due to bacterial contamination.

Acid Phosphatase↗

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History, Modern 1601-↗

Fires in two boarding facilities kill 34 residents.

On October 4, 1980, a fire at the Little Friends, Inc. Community Living Facility in Naperville, Illinois, killed three residents. Four months later, 31 residents died in a fire at the Beachview Rest Home in Keansburg, New Jersey. These are just two of the boarding home fires in which 138 residents died over the past three years. Across the United States, 300,000 similar facilities house two million residents.

Aged↗

Howard University Hospital fire, Washington, D.C.--successful construction and reactions prevent fatalities.

If the arsonist who set fire to the fourth floor of this hospital intended to destroy the whole hospital, his plans were foiled by the hospital's lifesafety systems and the quick action of the hospital staff. Corridor smoke detectors activated the building fire alarm system, notified the hospital fire brigade and staff, notified the fire department, and closed the corridor smokestop doors. Members of the staff immediately closed the doors to all patient rooms in the area of the fire that were exposed to smoke and heat, and then began evacuating patients from the area. There were no fatalities in this fire. Although this fire is four years old, we think it is worth studying for its contrasts with Mississauga.

District of Columbia↗

Anti-inflammatory action following liver damage in the rat.

A high molecular weight protein fraction, obtained by column chromatography of saline extracts of the livers of rats that had previously been treated with dimethylnitrosamine, was found to have anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenin induced inflammation in the rat. Evidence was presented that the anti-inflammatory activity may be due to a protein fragment produced by proteolysis of a larger molecule.

Animals↗