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Biomedical subjects

M Beckerman

Publications and source records attributed to M Beckerman.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Maintenance of inspiratory muscle training in COPD patients: one year follow-up.

In most chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, dyspnoea and functional exercise capacity may improve as a result of inspiratory muscle training (IMT). However, the long-term benefits of IMT have been investigated to a much lesser extent. The present study investigated the short-term and long-term benefits of IMT on inspiratory muscle performance (strength and endurance), exercise capacity and the perception of dyspnoea. Thirty-eight patients with significant COPD had 3 months of basic IMT and were then randomised into a group that received maintenance IMT for the next year, and a group that got training with very low load. Following the basic training there was a statistically significant increase in inspiratory muscle performance, 6-min walk test (6MWT), and a decrease in the dyspnoea. During the second stage of the study, the training group continued to maintain the improvement in all parameters, while there was already deterioration in the inspiratory muscle performance, exercise capacity and dyspnoea in the low intensity group during the 6-12 month period. The present study concludes that, in patients with significant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, inspiratory muscle training results in improvement in performance, exercise capacity and in the sensation of dyspnoea. The benefits of 12-weeks of inspiratory muscle training decline gradually over 1 yr of follow-up if maintenance training is not performed.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Structured long-range connections can provide a scaffold for orientation maps.

In the visual cortex of the cat and ferret, it is established that maturation of orientation selectivity is shaped by experience-dependent plasticity. However, recent experiments indicate that orientation maps are remarkably stable and experience-independent. We present a model to account for these seemingly paradoxical results. In this model, a scaffold consisting of non-isotropic lateral connections is laid down in horizontal circuitry before visual experience. These lateral connections provide an experience-independent framework for the developing orientation maps by inducing a broad orientation tuning bias in the model neurons. Experience-dependent plasticity of the thalamocortical connections sharpens the tuning while the preferred orientation of the neurons remains unchanged. This model is verified by computer simulations in which the scaffolds are generated both artificially and inferred from experimental optical imaging data. The plasticity is modeled by the BCM synaptic plasticity rule, and the input environment consists of natural images. We use this model to provide a possible explanation of the recent observation in which two eyes without common visual experience develop similar orientation maps. Finally, we propose an experiment involving the disruption of lateral connections to distinguish this model from models proposed by others.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Prophylactic inspiratory muscle training in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft.

Pulmonary complications after cardiac surgery are a leading cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality. Respiratory muscle weakness may contribute to the postoperative pulmonary abnormalities. We hypothesized that: (1) there is a decrease in inspiratory muscle strength (PImax at residual volume) and endurance (Pmpeak/PImax) following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG); (2) this weakness is associated with reduced pulmonary function tests (PFTs), impaired gas exchange, and a higher rate of pulmonary complications; and (3) prophylactic inspiratory muscle training (IMT) can prevent those changes. Eighty-four candidates for CABG, with ages ranging from 33 to 82 years, were evaluated prior to operation and randomized into two groups: 42 patients underwent IMT using a threshold trainer for 30 min/day for 2 weeks, 1 month before operation (group A); 42 patients served as a control group and underwent sham training (group B). There was a significant decrease in respiratory muscle function, PFTs, and gas exchange in the control group following CABG, whereas these parameters remained similar to those before entering the study in the training group. The differences between the groups were statistically significant. In addition 11 (26%) patients in the control group but only 2 (5%) in the training group needed postsurgical mechanical ventilation longer than 24 hours, CABGs have a significant deteriorating effect on inspiratory muscle function, PFTs, and arterial blood gases. The decrease in these parameters can be prevented by prophylactic inspiratory muscle training, which may also prevent postsurgical pulmonary complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Inhaled budesonide for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

A significant, large minority of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) respond favorably to corticosteroid treatment; but the benefit may be outweighed by its side effects. Long-term administration of inhaled steroids is a safe means of treatment. We hypothesized that treatment with inhaled budesonide would improve clinical symptoms and pulmonary function in subjects with COPD, and that the response to an inhaled B2-agonist would individualize steroid responders. In 44 patients with stable COPD in a double- blind crossover trial, we compared a 6-week course of inhalations of 800 micrograms/d budesonide with a placebo, separated by a 4-week interval when no medication was taken. In 33 out of 42 responders to the B2-agonist who remained in the study, there was a significant improvement in FEV1 of greater than 20% following budesonide inhalation, as compared to placebo. There was also a significant difference between the 2 periods of treatment as to the mean number of B2-agonist inhalations. We conclude that about 1/4 of patients with stable COPD respond to bronchodilators, and treatment with inhaled steroids improves spirometry data and inhaled B2-agonist consumption in about 3/4.

Administration, Inhalation↗