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Biomedical subjects

Carmen Strickland

Publications and source records attributed to Carmen Strickland.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

How should patients with Barrett's esophagus be monitored?

Some patients who have been diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus will develop dysplasia and, in some cases, esophageal carcinoma (strength of recommendation [SOR]: A, based on consistent cohort studies). Endoscopic surveillance is recommended for all patients with Barrett's esophagus as it is superior to other methods for detecting esophageal cancer (SOR: B, based on systematic review). The degree of dysplasia noted on biopsy specimens correlates with the risk of esophageal carcinoma development and should guide the frequency of subsequent evaluations (SOR: B, based on consistent cohort studies). The optimal frequency of endoscopy has yet to be determined in any randomized trial. Recommendations from the 2002 American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Practice Guideline provide guidance as to the frequency of endoscopy surveillance but were not based on an explicit systematic review of the literature (SOR: C, based on expert opinion).

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2005

Electroacupuncture reduces rectal distension-induced blood pressure changes in conscious dogs.

It has been shown that acupuncture relieves symptoms of abdominal pain and bloating in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, the mechanism of beneficial effects of acupuncture still remains unproven. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanisms of the antinociceptive effects of acupuncture in conscious dogs. We evaluated the increase in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) caused by rectal distension as an index of visceral pain. Electroacupuncture (EA; 10 Hz) at ST-36 (lower leg), but not at BL-21 (back), significantly reduced the increase in MAP in response to rectal distension (30 and 40 cm3). The antinociceptive effect of EA at ST-36 was abolished by pretreatment with naloxone (a central and peripheral opioid receptor antagonist) but not by naloxone methiodide (a peripheral opioid receptor antagonist). These results suggest that EA at ST-36 may reduce visceral pain via central opioid pathway. Acupuncture may be useful to treat visceral hypersensitivity in IBS patients.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Effects of acupuncture on vasopressin-induced emesis in conscious dogs.

Although acupuncture has a significant clinical benefit, the mechanism of acupuncture remains unclear. Vasopressin, a posterior pituitary hormone, is involved in nausea and vomiting in humans and dogs. To investigate the antiemetic effects of acupuncture on vasopressin-induced emesis, gastroduodenal motor activity and the frequency of retching and vomiting were simultaneously recorded in conscious dogs. In seven dogs, four force transducers were implanted on the serosal surfaces of the gastric body, antrum, pylorus, and duodenum. Gastroduodenal motility was continuously monitored throughout the experiment. Vasopressin was intravenously infused at a dose of 0.1 U x kg(-1) x min(-1) for 20 min. Electroacupuncture (EA, 1-30 Hz) at pericardium-6 (PC6), bladder-21 (BL21), or stomach-36 (ST36) was performed before, during, and after the vasopressin infusion. To investigate whether the opioid pathway is involved in EA-induced antiemetic effects, naloxone (a central and peripheral opioid receptor antagonist) or naloxone methiodide (a peripheral opioid receptor antagonist) was administered before, during, and after EA and vasopressin infusion. Intravenous infusion of vasopressin induced retching and vomiting in all dogs tested. Retrograde peristaltic contractions occurred before the onset of retching and vomiting. EA (10 Hz) at PC6 significantly reduced the number of episodes of retching and vomiting. EA at PC6 also suppressed retrograde peristaltic contractions. In contrast, EA at BL21 or ST36 had no antiemetic effects. The antiemetic effect of EA was abolished by pretreatment with naloxone but not naloxone methiodide. It is suggested that the antiemetic effect of acupuncture is mediated via the central opioid pathway.

Acupuncture Points↗
PubMed2002

Benefits of tamoxifen for breast cancer prevention do not always outweigh overall risks.

In women at high risk of breast cancer, tamoxifen is effective in reducing the incidence of the disease. The intervention, however, is associated with significant risk. During the 5-year period of this study, although the number of breast cancers was reduced, the number of serious adverse effects and deaths were higher in the treated group. Women at a lower risk of breast cancer than those studied would be even less likely to benefit from tamoxifen while risking the same serious adverse outcomes. For the small proportion of women with a high risk of breast cancer and a low risk of adverse events, discussion of this intervention may be warranted.

Comment↗