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Biomedical subjects

M L Saunders

Publications and source records attributed to M L Saunders.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1980

The use of the laser in neurological surgery.

Lasers generate unidirectional beams of monochromatic, and temporally and spatially coherent electromagnetic radiation that are capable of vaporizing and coagulating biological tissue. Specific physical characteristics of laser energies of different wavelengths impart to each form of surgical laser specific potentials for clinical use in neurological surgery. The major advantages of surgical lasers appear to be improved precision, reduction of surgically related mechanical trauma, reduction of blood loss, and decreased operative time. Improvement of operative mortality and morbidity and increased longevity that might result from its use would make the laser cost effective.

Argon↗
PubMed1979

The effects of graded experimental trauma on cerebral blood flow and responsiveness to CO2.

The effects of graded mechanical cerebral trauma on cerebrovascular reactivity to CO2 was studied in 26 cats. A fluid-wave percussion model was employed which delivered an epidural trauma of fixed duration and variable amplitude. The animals were maintained at arterial normoxia, with constant monitoring of intracranial and systemic arterial pressures, electroencephalograms, and end-tidal CO2. Following trauma, cerebral blood flow was measured using the H2 ion clearance technique at PaCO2 levels ranging sequentially from 20 to 60 mm Hg. Cerebrovascular reactivity for control animals (uninjured) was 2.7%. In the group with mild trauma (0.76 to 1.90 atm) reactivity was impaired (1.7%), and it was abolished in the severely injured group (2.90 to 4.60 atm). Mild injuries did not alter resting blood flows, while severe trauma resulted in a significant decrease in cerebrovascular resistance. Intracranial and systemic arterial pressures were altered proportionately to the level of cerebral injury. The authors propose that trauma to the brain-stem vasoregulatory centers accounts for these findings.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A program to help asthmatic students reach their potential.

Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood, affecting 15 percent of Americans under the age of 15. It ranks first among the chronic disease in causing school absenteeism, and it has been linked to lowered academic performance. An educational program for elementary school teachers has been developed to assist the asthmatic student in reaching his or her potential. The program addresses needs expressed by members of the Montgomery, Ala., chapter of Parents of Asthmatic Kids (PAK). These parents voiced concern regarding the inadequate preparation of teachers for dealing with the needs of the asthmatic student. Results of a survey of teachers in local elementary schools confirmed their need for asthma education. The program, consisting of an audiovisual presentation, an informative brochure, and an instructional packet to use with first to sixth graders, is designed to be presented in faculty meetings throughout the school system. To evaluate the effectiveness of the module, a simple test is administered before and after the program. The program has been accepted by the American Lung Association of Alabama and is under consideration by the American Lung Association at the national level.

Alabama↗