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Biomedical subjects

R C Niemtzow

Publications and source records attributed to R C Niemtzow.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Acupuncture for pilocarpine-resistant xerostomia following radiotherapy for head and neck malignancies.

OBJECTIVE: Xerostomia is a frequent and potentially debilitating toxicity of radiotherapy (XRT) for cancers of the head and neck. This report describes the use of acupuncture as palliation for such patients. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Eighteen patients with xerostomia refractory to pilocarpine therapy after XRT for head and neck malignancy were offered acupuncture as palliation. All patients are without evidence of cancer recurrence at the primary site. Acupuncture was provided to three auricular points and one digital point bilaterally, with electrostimulation used variably. The Xerostomia Inventory (XI) was administered retrospectively to provide an objective measure of efficacy. RESULTS: Acupuncture contributed to relief from xerostomia to varying degrees. Palliative effect as measured by the XI varied from nil to robust (pre- minus post- therapy values of over 20 points). Nine patients had benefit of over 10 points on the XI. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture reduces xerostomia in some patients who are otherwise refractory to best current management.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1993

Loud noise and pregnancy.

Whether loud noise is harmful to the developing fetus and warrants removal of the pregnant woman from exposure remains ambiguous. The role of noise attenuation in utero in determining risk is discussed in this review. Reports in the medical literature have been frequently found to have confounders for human fetal development. Animal noise data are presented and their cautious extrapolation to humans is recommended. In summary, pregnant women should not unnecessarily be removed from the work force, and the Aeromedical Council may wish to establish policy for pregnant workers exposed to hazardous noise.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

The amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS).

The rescue, treatment, and evacuation of thousands of patients from a natural disaster or armed conflict that is coordinated by the National Disaster Medical System must be performed in accordance to health care standards recognized in this country. Without an effective communication system, morbidity and mortality will needlessly rise. A medical communication protocol that addresses this problem is proposed.

Communication↗
PubMed1987

Use of transmembrane potentials in the identification of tumour cells.

The electrical properties of the cancer cell are useful parameters associated with neoplastic pathophysiological events. Although transmembrane potentials may not serve as inherent tumour markers in many instances, electrophysiological properties are, indeed, very useful in the investigation of malignant cellular proliferation, the influence of malignant disease on normal cell physiology and chemical carcinogenic events and possibly as an in vivo measurement in the cancer patient.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1979

Correlation between macrophage intracellular electrical potentials and malignant melanoma growth in a murine model.

Peritoneal macrophages were collected from mice at varying periods after transplantation of an allogeneic malignant melanoma in the hind limb. The intracellular electrical potentials of these macrophages were measured and a correlation was found to exist between tumor growth measured by size and pathological examination, and the development of large negative intracellular potentials. We propose that this change in intracellular potential is correlated with changes in the immune system and may be triggered by membrane permeability changes possibly in response to calcium ions.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Lymphokine-induced changes in macrophage transmembrane electrical potentials.

Intracellular electrical potentials have been measured in nonactivated and immunologically-activated macrophages obtained from the peritoneal cavities of mice. Normal macrophage potentials were established and found to become significantly more electronegative after in vitro exposure for 10 minutes to a lymphokine-containing supernatant which induced macrophage activation. This approach may reflect very early concomitants of such activation and is also useful in the study of other immunologic systems.

Animals↗