Biomedical subjects

A Delehanty

Publications and source records attributed to A Delehanty.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1998

Milk immunoglobulin with specific activity against purified colonization factor antigens can protect against oral challenge with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is the most commonly isolated pathogen responsible for travelers' diarrhea and the cause of up to 650 million cases of pediatric diarrhea per year in the developing world. As a safe alternative to the prophylactic use of antibiotics, a hyperimmune bovine milk antibody product with specific activity against purified colonization factor antigens (CFAs) was developed and evaluated in a human challenge study. Twenty-five healthy adult volunteers were challenged orally with 10(9) cfu of a virulent CFA/I-bearing ETEC. In the randomized double-blind trial, 7 of 10 volunteers receiving a lactose-free placebo developed clinical diarrhea after challenge, compared with only 1 of 15 cases in volunteers receiving active product (Fisher's exact test, P < .0017). It is concluded that antibodies against CFAs alone are sufficient for protection and that prophylaxis with milk-derived immunoglobulin is a feasible alternative to existing drug interventions.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1987

Computer-controlled 22-channel stimulator for limb movement.

The Nucleus multichannel implantable hearing prosthesis (Nucleus Ltd., Sydney, Australia) has been modified by computer programming (MOCO, Inc., Scituate, Mass.) into a 22-channel neural stimulator for use in functional electrical stimulation (FES). Individual or multiple channels can be sequenced and adjusted for their individual pulse amplitude, width and frequency so that activation of single and multiple nerves can be achieved. Anesthetized rabbits' sciatic nerve branches (lateral and medial) were stimulated to produce single, or co-contraction at the ankle and simultaneous bilateral joint movements. The spiral (helix) electrode was also found suitable in these experiments. In planning for the stimulator's use in paraplegic subjects, information was obtained for human lower extremity peripheral nerves. In 9 patients undergoing lower extremity amputation, threshold and maximal levels of stimulation plus nerve diameters were obtained on 21 nerves. The design for the wearable ambulation unit to control the 22-channel stimulator and electrode tresses with helix electrodes has been completed.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Computerized 22-channel stimulator for limb movement.

The Nucleus 22-channel implantable hearing prosthesis (Cochlear Pty. Ltd., Lane Cove, Sydney, Australia) has been modified by computer programming (MOCO, Inc., Scituate, Mass. USA) into a functional electrical stimulator. Individual or multiple channels can be sequenced and adjusted for their amplitude, width and frequency of the pulse so that activation of single and multiple nerves can be achieved. Sciatic nerve branches (lateral and medial) of anesthetized rabbits were stimulated to produce single contractions or co-contraction at the ankle and simultaneous bilateral joint movements. The spiral (Helix) electrode was also found suitable in these experiments. The external equipment is being re-designed for a wearable ambulation unit to be used in paraplegic subjects.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Cerebellar stimulation for spastic cerebral palsy--double-blind quantitative study.

Thirty spastic cerebral palsy (CP) patients were involved in a double-blind quantitative study to determine the effectiveness of chronic cerebellar stimulation, (CCS) and 19 patients completed the testing. Of the 12 patients undergoing the five motor performance tests, 8 (66%) showed improvements with the stimulation. Of the 16 patients tested for active motion in seven bilateral joints, 10 (63%) showed increases with CCS. Profiles of six mood states were tested in 15 patients, and CCS produced an overall 15% improvement.

Cerebellum↗

PubMed1987

Cerebellar stimulation for cerebral palsy--double blind study.

Twenty spastic cerebral palsy (CP) patients undergoing chronic cerebellar stimulation (CCS) for reduction of spasticity and improvement in function have participated in a double-blind study. Seven US centers involving 9 neurosurgeons (1984-6) have replaced the depleted Neurolith 601 fully implantable pulse generator (Pacesetter Systems Incorp.-Neurodyne Corp., Sylmar, CA) with new units in 19 CP patients, 1 patient entered the study following his initial implant. A magnetically controllable switch was placed in line between the Neurolith stimulator and the cerebellar lead, so allowing switching sequences for the study. Physical therapists, living in the vicinity of the patient's home, carried out two quantitative evaluations: 1. Joint angle motion measurements (passive and active). 2. Motor performance testing was done when possible and included: reaction time, hand dynamonetry, grooved peg board placement, hand/foot tapping, and rotary pursuit testing. Testing was done presurgery, at 2 weeks postimplant, then the switch was activated either "on" or "off" to a schedule, with testing and reswitching at 1, 2 and 4 months, then the switch was left turned "on". Of the 20 patients, 16 finished the tests, 2 patients failed to finish and 2 had switch problems and were deleted from the study. Two of the 16 patients were "off" through the entire testing. Of the 14 that had periods of the stimulator being "on", 10 patients (72%) had quantitative improvements of over 20%, (1 pt: 50+% improvements; 4 pts: 30-50%, 5 pts: 20-30%); while 1 patient (7%) had improvements in the 10-20% level, whereas 3 patients (21%) showed no improvement.

Adolescent↗