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Biomedical subjects

D McCoy

Publications and source records attributed to D McCoy.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Dopexamine hydrochloride does not modify hemodynamic response or tissue oxygenation or gut permeability during abdominal aortic surgery.

PURPOSE: To assess the effects of intraoperative infusion of dopexamine (a DA-1 and B2 adrenoreceptor agonist) on hemodynamic function, tissue oxygen delivery and consumption, splanchnic perfusion and gut permeability following aortic cross- clamp and release. METHODS: In a randomised double blind controlled trial 24 patients scheduled for elective infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair were studied in two centres and were assigned to one of two treatment groups. Group I received a dopexamine infusion starting at 0.5 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) increased to 2 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) maintaining a stable heart rate; Group II received a placebo infusion titrated in the same volumes following induction of anesthesia. Measured and derived hemodynamic data, tissue oxygen delivery and extraction and gut permeability were recorded at set time points throughout the procedure. RESULTS: Dopexamine infusion (0.5 -2 microg x kg x min(-1)) was associated with enhanced hemodynamic function (MAP 65 +/- 5.5 vs 92 +/- 5.7 mm Hg, P = <0.05) only during the period of aortic cross clamping. However, during the most part of infrarenal abdominal aortic surgery, dopexamine did not reduce systemic vascular resistance index, mean arterial pressure nor oxygen extraction compared with the control group. The lactulose/ rhamnose permeation ratio was elevated above normal in both groups (0.22 and 0.29 in groups I and II respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Dopexamine infusion (0.5 -2 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)) did not enhance hemodynamic function and tissue oxygenation values during elective infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Aged↗

Evaluating the clinical management of severely malnourished children--a study of two rural district hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Severe malnutrition is an important cause of preventable mortality in most South African hospitals. Work recently done in two rural Eastern Cape hospitals supports the literature which shows that many deaths occur as a result of outdated clinical practices and that improving these practices reduces case fatality rates. Rapid assessment of clinical management in paediatric wards is necessary to highlight areas for improvement. OBJECTIVE: To assess the management of severely malnourished children in two rural district hospitals and to recommend improvements for their care. METHODS: Based on draft World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for inpatient care of children with severe malnutrition, data collection instruments were developed in conjunction with the district nutrition team to assess the quality of care given to malnourished children in two Mount Frere hospitals, Eastern Cape. Data were collected through retrospective review of case records, with detailed studies of selected cases, structured observations of the paediatric wards, and interviews with ward sisters and doctors. RESULTS: The combined case fatality rate for severe malnutrition was 32%. Inadequate feeding, poor management of rehydration and infection, lack of resources, and a lack of knowledge and motivation among staff were identified as areas that need attention. CONCLUSION: The clinical management of severely malnourished children can be rapidly assessed to highlight areas for improvement. Involving staff in the assessment process has led to their active involvement in improving the management of malnourished children in their hospitals.

Child↗

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous thrombin injection for femoral artery pseudoaneurysms.

We reviewed 13 cases of ultrasound-guided thrombin injection of femoral pseudoaneurysms. All cases occurred within a 17-month period from January 1998 through May 1999 and were complications of femoral artery puncture. Immediate total thrombosis occurred in nine of 13 patients. Twenty-four-hour follow-up ultrasound in seven patients revealed no recurrence of pseudoaneurysm. Two of 13 patients required operative repair. One pseudoaneurysm thrombosed with 15 minutes of compression after injection and one case required a second injection. No cases of arterial thrombosis were noted. Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection for femoral artery pseudoaneurysm represents a safe and effective alternative to operative repair.

Aged↗

Exocytosis is not involved in activation of Cl- secretion via CFTR in Calu-3 airway epithelial cells.

Cystic fibrosis is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl- channel, which mediates transepithelial Cl- transport in a variety of epithelia, including airway, intestine, pancreas, and sweat duct. In some but not all epithelial cells, cAMP stimulates Cl- secretion in part by increasing the number of CFTR Cl- channels in the apical plasma membrane. Because the mechanism whereby cAMP stimulates CFTR Cl- secretion is cell-type specific, our goal was to determine whether cAMP elevates CFTR-mediated Cl- secretion across serous airway epithelial cells by stimulating the insertion of CFTR Cl- channels from an intracellular pool into the apical plasma membrane. To this end we studied Calu-3 cells, a human airway cell line with a serous cell phenotype. Serous cells in human airways, such as Calu-3 cells, express high levels of CFTR, secrete antibiotic-rich fluid, and play a critical role in airway function. Moreover, dysregulation of CFTR-mediated Cl- secretion in serous cells is thought to contribute to the pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis lung disease. We report that cAMP activation of CFTR-mediated Cl- secretion across human serous cells involves stimulation of CFTR channels present in the apical plasma membrane and does not involve the recruitment of CFTR from an intracellular pool to the apical plasma membrane.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

Medication administration: does the teaching method really matter?

Do teaching methods affect students' performance of medication administration? This study was conducted to ascertain if there was a difference in baccalaureate nursing students' ability to accurately administer medication when taught using a faculty-assisted (control group) method versus a self-directed (experimental group) method. Student performance in medication administration was measured 1 week post laboratory practice using a 17-item instrument developed by the faculty. Students (N = 98) were randomly assigned to the faculty-assisted group or the self-directed group. The difference between the two groups was in the method of laboratory instruction. Students (n = 50) in the control group received faculty instruction on the skill performance during the laboratory practice. Students (n = 48) in the experimental group viewed a faculty-generated videotape on medication administration prior to laboratory practice. Performance evaluations were completed 1 week after the laboratory practice. Analysis of the data using a two-tailed t test for independent samples showed no significant difference (p < .05) between the two groups.

Analysis of Variance↗

Complete direct mammary harvest for minimally invasive coronary artery bypass.

Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass has primarily involved left internal mammary artery grafting to the left anterior descending coronary artery through a small left anterior thoracotomy incision. Harvesting of the mammary artery has been accomplished completely using a video-assisted thoracoscopic technique or incompletely to the second interspace under direct vision. With a mammary retractor, the mammary artery can be dissected completely under direct vision, thus eliminating any criticism of an incomplete harvest and any increased difficulty or expense associated with the thoracoscopic harvest. In this series, all 17 mammary arteries were successfully harvested completely under direct vision and 16 patients underwent successful minimally invasive coronary bypass.

Adult↗

Antiinflammatory influences of alpha-MSH molecules: central neurogenic and peripheral actions.

alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH1-13) and its COOH-terminal tripeptide alpha-MSH11-13 (Lys Pro Val) inhibit inflammation when administered systemically. Recent evidence indicates that alpha-MSH1-13 can likewise inhibit inflammation in the skin solely via an action within the brain. Because of the potential importance of this discovery to understanding the control of inflammation and because alpha-MSH molecules might be useful for treatment of inflammation, experiments were performed to learn more about the mechanisms of action of these peptides. In tests on inflammation induced in the mouse ear by intradermal injections of recombinant human interleukin-1 beta, alpha-MSH1-1-13 administered intracerebroventricularly effectively reduced inflammation. This effect of centrally administered alpha-MSH1-13 was inhibited by systemic injection of the nonspecific beta-adrenergic receptor blocker propranolol and by administration of a specific beta 2-adrenergic receptor antagonist; the effect was not altered by blockade of cholinergic, alpha-adrenergic, or beta 1-adrenergic receptors. In mice with inflammation induced in a hind paw and with the spinal cord transected, the antiinflammatory effect of centrally administered alpha-MSH1-13 was prevented, indicating that intact descending neuronal pathways are required for the antiinflammatory influence of the central peptide. Systemic injection of alpha-MSH1-13 in animals with spinal cord transection had a smaller and later antiinflammatory effect, which suggests that the molecule also has an action, albeit lesser, in the periphery. However, alpha-MSH11-13 injected intraperitoneally had marked antiinflammatory activity in animals with spinal cord transection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗