Biomedical subjects

D M Alves

Publications and source records attributed to D M Alves.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Postcesarean epidural morphine: a dose-response study.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study was to describe the dose-response relationship of epidural morphine for postcesarean analgesia for quality of analgesia and relation to the side effects of pruritus, nausea, and vomiting. Sixty term parturients undergoing nonurgent cesarean delivery were enrolled and randomized to receive a single dose of epidural morphine after delivery (0,1.25, 2.5, 3.75, or 5 mg). A patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device provided free access to additional analgesics. PCA morphine use and the incidence and severity of side effects were recorded for 24 h. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance, Student's t-tests, and chi(2) analysis. Nonlinear regression was used to describe a dose-response curve. PCA use differed significantly among groups (P < 0.001); PCA use was significantly greater in Group 0 mg than Groups 2.5, 3.75, and 5 mg (P < 0.05). PCA use was also significantly greater in Group 1.25 mg than Groups 3.75 and 5 mg (P < 0.05). Pruritus scores were significantly higher in all groups given epidural morphine than the control group (0 mg) (P < 0.05), but did not differ among the treatment groups (1.25-5 mg), although pruritus scores were significantly higher in treatment groups than in the control (P < 0. 05). No relation was found between epidural morphine dose and incidence or severity of nausea and vomiting. We concluded that, for optimal analgesia, augmentation of epidural morphine with systemic analgesics or other epidural medications may be necessary. IMPLICATIONS: Quality of analgesia increases as the dose of epidural morphine increases to at least 3.75 mg; increasing the dose further to 5 mg did not improve analgesia. Side effects were not dose related. For optimal analgesia, augmentation of epidural morphine with systemic analgesics or other epidural medications may be necessary.

Analgesia, Epidural↗

PubMed1999

Fuel ethanol after 25 years.

After 25 years, Brazil and North America are still the only two regions that produce large quantities of fuel ethanol, from sugar cane and maize, respectively. The efficiency of ethanol production has steadily increased and valuable co-products are produced, but only tax credits make fuel ethanol commercially viable because oil prices are at an all-time low. The original motivation for fuel-ethanol production was to become more independent of oil imports; now, the emphasis is on its use as an oxygenated gasoline additive. There will only be sufficient, low-cost ethanol if lignocellulose feedstock is also used.

Carbohydrate Metabolism↗

PubMed1992

Patterns of stillbirth and dystocia in Ontario cow-calf herds.

The association between a number of individual animal and herd level factors and calving problems in beef cows and heifers were examined. Data were from the 1987 calving season for a subset of 123 herds which maintained individual-animal records, from a sample of 180 randomly selected Ontario cow-calf herds. The median herd dystocia rate was 5.8% and 24.4% of herds had no dystocias. The median herd stillbirth rate was 2.8%, and 33.3% of herds had no stillbirths. Dystocias and stillbirths were much more common in heifers than in cows. Separate statistical models of dystocia and stillbirth for cows and heifers were created. Dystocia in cows was associated with calf sex, previous calving assistance and large breed type and birth weight. Variations in 1987 cow herd dystocia rates were associated with calving season, location and density, and the herd dystocia rate in 1986. Dystocia in heifers was associated with large breed type and calf birth weight. Herd-level management practices associated with increased heifer dystocia rates included breeding heifers to calve earlier than cows and rearing heifers together with the cow herd. Stillbirths for both cows and heifers were associated with calving assistance, particularly hard assistance. Herd-level management and other factors were unassociated with stillbirths.

Animals↗