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Biomedical subjects

R Wender

Publications and source records attributed to R Wender.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Defining responsibility for screening.

Patients commonly receive medical care from multiple providers and confusion as to who is responsible for cancer screening undoubtedly contributes to inadequate recommendations. Effective screening requires successful implementation of a series of steps that begin with the initial discussion of a screening test and proceed through obtaining results and instituting appropriate follow-up. Clear definition of generalist and specialist physician roles are necessary to optimally screen the public. This article explores the differences in how generalists and specialists approach screening, describes models of care that facilitate shared responsibility for screening, and suggests strategies on how to improve communication between physicians to maximize screening performance.

Attitude of Health Personnel

Neurotoxicity in organotypic hippocampal slices mediated by adenosine analogues and nitric oxide.

Adenosine (ADO) and nitric oxide (NO) have been implicated in a variety of neurophysiological actions, including induction of long-term potentiation, regulation of cerebral blood flow, and neurotoxicity/neuroprotection. ADO has been shown to promote NO release from astrocytes by a direct effect on A1 and A2 receptors, thus providing a link between actions of NO and adenosine in the brain. However, while adenosine acts as an endogenous neuroprotectant, NO is believed to be the effector of glutamate neurotoxicity. To resolve this apparent paradox, we have further investigated the effects of adenosine and NO on neuronal viability in cultured organotypic hippocampal slices exposed to sub-lethal (20') in vitro ischemia. Up to a concentration of 500 microM ADO did not cause toxicity while exposures to 100 microM of the stable ADO analogue chloroadenosine (CADO) caused widespread neuronal damage when paired to anoxia/hypoglycemia. CADO effects were significantly prevented by the ADO receptor antagonist theophylline and blockade of NO production by L-NA (100 microM). Moreover, CADO effects were mimicked by the NO donor SIN-1 (100 microM). Application of 100 microM ADO following blockade of adenosine deaminase (with 10 microM EHNA) replicated the effects of CADO. CADO, ADO + EHNA but not ADO alone caused a prolonged and sustained release of nitric oxide as measured by direct amperometric detection. We conclude that at high concentrations and/or following blockade of its enzymatic catabolism, ADO may cause neurotoxicity by triggering NO release from astrocytes. These results demonstrate for the first time that activation of pathways other than those involving neuronal glutamate receptors can trigger NO-mediated neuronal cell death in the hippocampus.

2-Chloroadenosine

Adenosine-induced release of nitric oxide from cortical astrocytes.

Nitric oxide (NO) and adenosine are involved in coincident CNS functions, including long-term potentiation, neuronal protection, neurotoxicity and cerebral blood flow. We tested the hypothesis that glia may act as a cellular link between the two, through adenosine-induced NO release from astrocytes. A direct NO measuring system was used, allowing the kinetics of NO release to be measured. Our results show that adenosine, acting through purinoceptors, causes NO release from cultured cortical astrocytes. Mobilization of calcium from intracellular stores rather than influx is involved in the adenosine-induced activation of NO synthase. These results demonstrate a possible interaction between adenosine and NO in cerebrovascular physiology and neurotoxicity.

Adenosine

An office system for organizing preventive services: a report by the American Cancer Society Advisory Group on Preventive Health Care Reminder Systems.

Despite increasing recognition of the importance of preventive services, such services are not provided in primary care practice as often as recommended. One of the most important reasons is the lack of a systematic, organized approach within practices. The American Cancer Society Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Preventive Health Care Reminder Systems reviewed evidence-based reports and expert opinion to summarize current knowledge about office systems for clinical preventive services. This article describes the process of developing an office system for preventive care, beginning with writing a practice policy, auditing charts for baseline performance, developing and implementing a plan for efficient delivery of preventive care, involving office staff, and monitoring progress. Strategies for dissemination of this approach to a wide range of primary care practices may involve professional medical organizations and managed care companies.

Ambulatory Care Information Systems

Hemodynamic monitoring of patients undergoing abdominal aortic surgery.

Cardiac decompensation is clearly the major complication of aortic reconstructive surgery that leads to morbidity. Major changes in intravascular volume, third spacing, and increased systemic vascular resistance are extremely stressful to the diseased heart. Hemodynamic monitoring is readily available to provide an accurate evaluation of myocardial sensitivity and to allow for appropriate pharmacologic manipulation to preclude cardiac catastrophe. We believe all patients undergoing abdominal aortic reconstructive surgery should receive the benefit of pulmonary artery catheterization and intraarterial monitoring. The only requirement is a staff of surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses capable of correct interpretation of the data and use of drug therapy based on this information. The benefits are an accurate assessment of cardiac function with the ability to modulate the patient's hemodynamic values, preventing volume shifts, hypertensive and hypotensive crises, and abnormal fluctuations in preload and afterload, and ultimately a safer perioperative course.

Aged

Hemodynamic changes during prostatectomy in cardiac patients.

Hemodynamic responses to transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) were studied in 9 patients with severe cardiac disease. This group of patients tolerated spinal anesthesia and TURP in an unpredictable manner. One adverse effect was the high pulmonary capillary wedge pressures (WP of 21 mm Hg or higher) in 4 of the 9 patients during operation. All nine cases were considered. Attention was directed toward significant cases. The high WP was not always indicated by high CVP either before or during operation, and it did not necessarily relate to the amount of fluid utilized or amount of prostate resected. Another adverse effect was the marked changes in systemic resistance in 6 patients. Because of the unpredictable hemodynamic responses, thermodilution flow-directed pulmonary artery catheter was valuable in several cases. It made it possible to select specific therapeutic agents and direct tham at isolated hemodynamic dysfunctions.

Aged

Morphine and promethazine as intravenous premedicants.

Two hundred seventy patients received morphine 5 mg or 10 mg alone or with promethazine 6.25 mg, 12.5 mg, or 25 mg. Promethazine 25 mg alone also was studied. All drugs were given intravenously. Anxiety relief, sedation, patient acceptance, lack of recall, and side effects were the variables examined. Promethazine improved relief of anxiety, sedation, and patient acceptance when added to morphine. Doses of promethazine larger than 12.5 mg intravenously failed to improve these effects. Memory remained unaffected by any of the drugs.

Adolescent