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Biomedical subjects

Paul McNamara

Publications and source records attributed to Paul McNamara.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Sodium picosulfate in opioid-induced constipation: results of an open-label, prospective, dose-ranging study.

Identification of a safe and effective dose of the laxative sodium picosulfate was investigated in a single-centre, open-label study of 23 patients (age 40-81 years) receiving > or =60 mg/day morphine sulphate and experiencing constipation. A starting dose of 5, 10 or 15 mg sodium picosulfate (1 mg/mL solution) was administered, based on the patient's clinical status at entry and recent requirements for laxatives. Dose titration was permitted (+/-2.5 or 5 mg increments), to a maximum daily dose of 60 mg. Bowel movements, concomitant medication and need for suppositories or enemas were recorded in daily diaries. Sixteen patients withdrew before the end of the planned 14-day treatment period because of deterioration of the underlying condition. Sodium picosulfate was well-tolerated. Serious adverse events were all related to the underlying condition. A satisfactory response (normal stool consistency, not requiring enemas, suppositories or manual evacuation, no significant adverse event) was achieved in 15/20 evaluable patients. The median daily dose to achieve this was 15 mg (range: 5-30 mg) and the median time to first bowel movement after dosing was 11.75 hours (range: 6-22.5 hours). There was no clear relationship between the opioid dose and the optimum dose of sodium picosulfate, confirming that individual dose titration is necessary.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

First step toward a benchtop model of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna.

A technique for simulating large optical path lengths by use of digital delay buffers is presented. This technique is used to generate a synthetic interferometer with one arm having an arbitrary length. The response of the interferometer to phase and frequency modulation is measured and found to be in agreement with predictions. This technique could be used to simulate long-baseline interferometric space missions such as the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Low-grade malignant eccrine spiradenoma with systemic metastases.

Malignant eccrine spiradenoma (MES) is a very rare tumor. Tumors can be low grade or high grade. There are nine cases in the literature with systemic metastases. Of these, only one was low grade; the others had obvious features of high-grade malignancy such as pleomorphism, increased mitoses, and abnormal mitoses. Low grade MESs are more difficult to diagnose and are said to have a better prognosis. We report an additional case of low-grade MES with systemic metastases. It had a monotonous appearance with few mitotic figures and minimal pleomorphism. Vascular invasion was seen in both cases of low-grade MES and may be an important prognostic feature.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2002

Opioid switching from morphine to transdermal fentanyl for toxicity reduction in palliative care.

The study objective was to determine whether switching patients from morphine to transdermal fentanyl resulted in a reduction of morphine-associated side effects, and an improvement in cognitive function and patients' well being while maintaining adequate pain and symptom control. Nineteen patients aged 42-86 with terminal cancer, maintained on morphine for pain and distressed as a result of morphine toxicity, were given the dose of fentanyl corresponding to their current morphine dose. Pain control was then maintained (mostly fentanyl 50-100 microg/h) over the 14-day study period. Throughout the study, patients' global assessment of well being (primary efficacy variable) was statistically significantly improved. Sleepiness and drowsiness were significantly less of a problem. There was a trend towards improvement in attention span/concentration, and in the power and quality of concentration. Cognitive function tests also revealed a significant improvement in working (short term) and speed of memory although not in secondary (long term) memory. Patients did not experience hallucinations or delusions and there was no change in levels of anxiety or depression (Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale). The incidence of dizziness was significantly reduced, and there was a nonsignificant decrease in number of patients who suffered myoclonus and in the severity of this condition over the 14 days. The investigator's overall impression of treatment with transdermal fentanyl was 'fair', which was not in agreement with the positive impression expressed by patients (score 74, range: 0 worst, 100 best). Further work is required to determine if the improvement in patients' well being and cognitive function is achieved in larger study populations.

Administration, Cutaneous↗