Biomedical subjects

D MacIsaac

Publications and source records attributed to D MacIsaac.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Innervation zone shift with changes in joint angle in the brachial biceps.

Empirical evidence is presented suggesting that the innervation zone of the brachial biceps shifts relative to recording electrodes with changes in joint angle. Myoelectric signal data were acquired from five subjects using a 16-channel linear electrode array, and analyzed to determine a reversal in signal propagation direction indicating innervation zone location. An analysis of the effect of joint angle changes on innervation zone location yielded statistically significant results (ANOVA, alpha = 0.05, p < 0.001) suggesting that the innervation zone moves between 5 and 30 mm in a direction distal to the shoulder as the arm is extended, statistically independent of force level (ANOVA, alpha = 0.05, p > 0.2).

Adult↗

PubMed2001

The short-time Fourier transform and muscle fatigue assessment in dynamic contractions.

The mean frequency of the power spectrum of an electromyographic signal is an accepted index for monitoring fatigue in static contractions. There is however, indication that it may be a useful index even in dynamic contractions in which muscle length and/or force may vary. The objective of this investigation was to explore this possibility. An examination of the effects of amplitude modulation on modeled electromyographic signals revealed that changes in variance created in this way do not sufficiently affect characteristic frequency data to obscure a trend with fatigue. This validated the contention that not all non-stationarities in signals necessarily manifest in power spectral parameters. While an investigation of the nature and effects of non-stationarities in real electromyographic signals produced from dynamic contractions indicated that a more complex model is warranted, the results also indicated that averaging associated with estimating spectral parameters with the short-time Fourier transform can control the effects of the more complex non-stationarities. Finally, a fatigue test involving dynamic contractions at a force level under 30% of peak voluntary dynamic range, validated that it was possible to track fatigue in dynamic contractions using a traditional short-time Fourier transform methodology.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Non-stationary myoelectric signals and muscle fatigue.

A mathematical derivation for the mean frequency of a myoelectric signal (MES) is provided based on an amplitude modulation model for non-stationary MES. With this derivation, it is shown that mean frequency estimates of stationary and non-stationary myoelectric signals theoretically are not significantly different in a physiologically practical context. While this prediction is confirmed via a computer simulation, it is refuted with empirical evidence. Regardless, it is shown in a final study that mean frequency is capable of tracking a downward shift in the power spectrum with fatigue even in non-stationary myoelectric signals.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Interleukin 6 differentially potentiates the antitumor effects of taxol and vinblastine in U266 human myeloma cells.

Newer therapeutic strategies for the treatment of multiple myeloma have focused on antagonizing the growth-promoting functions of interleukin 6 (IL-6). In this study, we examined the antitumor effects of two mechanistically different microtubule poisons, Taxol and vinblastine, in U266 human myeloma cells and determined whether IL-6 altered these effects. Taxol and vinblastine led to a dose-dependent inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation and altered the DNA distribution pattern of U266 cells. Both drugs led to an increase in the proportion of cells in the sub-G1 fraction (<2N DNA). However, at the IC50 concentration, vinblastine, but not Taxol, increased the percentage of cells in the G2-M phase of the cell cycle. In the presence of IL-6, the DNA distribution pattern induced by Taxol or vinblastine was altered. Whereas IL-6 augmented the sub-G1 fraction and G2-M phase for Taxol-treated cells, only the G2-M phase was increased for vinblastine-treated cells. Furthermore, IL-6 enhanced the cytotoxicity of both drugs, which became evident only during recovery in cytokine-free and drug-free medium. However, the cytotoxicity of Taxol was augmented to a significantly greater extent than that of vinblastine (P < 0.001). Immunostaining with antibodies to alpha-tubulin and mitogen-activated protein kinase revealed colocalization of these two proteins within microtubule asters. In the presence of IL-6, the number of cells containing microtubule asters increased for Taxol treatment, but not for vinblastine treatment. These data indicate that IL-6 leads to differential modulation of the cytotoxicity of Taxol and vinblastine in U266 cells. Whereas recruitment of cells in the S phase of the cell cycle represents a major mechanism by which IL-6 potentiates the cytotoxicity of vinblastine, augmentation of the cytotoxicity of Taxol involves additional mechanisms. Furthermore, our data suggest that the microtubule-associated form of mitogen-activated protein kinase may play a role in IL-6-mediated enhancement of the cytotoxicity of Taxol. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

PubMed1993

Managing the implementation of a pharmacy information system.

The stages by which a pharmacy information system should be implemented are described. Implementation can be divided into three stages. The first stage is preimplementation, during which the hardware vendor installs and configures the operating system, the software is installed, the site is prepared, files are built, policies and procedures are modified or written, staff members are trained, functions or programs are tested, and supplies are purchased. The second stage is implementation, in which the new system becomes operational and is expanded. There are four basic implementation strategies: abrupt switchover, parallel conversion, conversion of one location at a time, and conversion of functions or modules in stages. The final stage is postimplementation, which consists of testing of the system, acceptance or rejection of the system, and the institution of quality control procedures. The acceptance criteria should be developed before the system is purchased. It is important to involve the pharmacy staff and other hospital departments in the planning for an information system. Careful management before, during, and after the implementation of a new pharmacy information system is essential to a smooth and timely conversion.

Clinical Pharmacy Information Systems↗