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Biomedical subjects

R I Freedman

Publications and source records attributed to R I Freedman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Ethical challenges in the conduct of research involving persons with mental retardation.

Researchers face challenges in balancing the demands of sound research methods and ethical standards in studies involving persons with mental retardation. While the autonomy of individuals must be respected, researchers also have an ethical responsibility to protect vulnerable individuals from social, psychological, or physical risks of research participation. Some individuals may face significant barriers in the research decision-making process due to cognitive limitations, lack of information and support, and limited experience and opportunities for exercising choice. The historical context of biomedical and behavioral research involving persons with mental retardation and current ethical issues related to informed consent and surrogate decision-making are examined. Implications for researchers and professionals are discussed, including ways to support individuals with mental retardation and their families in research decision-making.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The power to choose: supports for families caring for individuals with developmental disabilities.

In an exploratory study of family support services in Massachusetts, three focus groups were convened to obtain the perspectives of parents caring for individuals with developmental disabilities and living at home. This article summarizes key themes that emerged from the group discussions: effects of family supports on family life, flexibility of supports, barriers, unmet needs, and recommendations for change. Social workers and health care professionals can enhance the well-being of people with developmental disabilities and their families by addressing the needs of the entire family, facilitating family choice and control of supports, and helping families navigate the complex service system.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Patterns of respite use by aging mothers of adults with mental retardation.

Use of respite services by 275 aging families of adults with mental retardation was examined over a 4.5-year period. Although more than twice as many families used respite in 1993 compared to 1988, over half never used respite during this period. Most families using respite received in-home services, in moderate amounts, and with high levels of satisfaction. In an analysis of predictors of respite use, the only significant predictor in 1988 was poorer functional abilities of the adult with mental retardation. By 1993, respite use was predicted by three characteristics: poorer functional abilities, better health in the adult with mental retardation, and greater maternal caregiving burden. These findings reflect variability in aging families' needs for support and changing respite policies.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Aging parents' residential plans for adult children with mental retardation.

Future residential plans and placement preferences of 340 mothers of adult children with mental retardation living at home were examined and findings from a 3-year follow-up discussed. Four subgroups of families were compared based upon residential plans and preferences for continued home residence for the next 2 years. Significant group differences were found for background characteristics, maternal psychological well-being, and support systems. Less than 50% had made residential plans, and the majority believed their child would still be at home in 2 years. At 3-year follow-up, 22% of the families with short-term residential plans had achieved a placement compared to 14% among families without a plan who wanted a placement.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Some aspects of the regulation of ciliary activity in mammalian somatic cells.

Ciliated cortices isolated from rabbit trachea or oviduct can be reactivated with MgATP (2.4 mM, approx). We analyzed the effects of varying concentrations (0.1-100 mM) of Ca2+ and Mn2+ on the number of cortices which reactivated, as a percentage of the controls. Although reactivation can be inhibited at approximately 10(-2) M cation, we believe that this inhibition might be the result of decreasing MgATP due to competition by Ca2+ and Mn2+ for ATP cation binding sites, rather than cation interactions with the axoneme proper. In addition, whole isolated ciliated cells were obtained from trachea or oviduct by a simple, one step pronase digestion. These cells were incubated with the calcium ionophore A23187 in the presence of 2 mM Ca2+. Inhibition of ciliary activity in 50% of the cells did not occur until about 60 min of incubation. It is believed that what we have observed is cell toxicity rather than a direct effect on the cilia.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1976

Blood flow and venous distensibility in the upper and lower extremities of newborn infants.

The electrocapacitance plethysmograph was utilized to measure peripheral blood flow and venous distensibility in 17 newborn infants and 20 adults. Measurements were made in the upper and lower extremities in each subject under identical environmental conditions. Blood flow in the forearm and calf were found to be significantly higher in infants than adults. In infants there were no significant differences in the blood flow between the upper and lower extremities. In contrast, in the adults, the blood flow was significantly higher in the upper than in the lower extremities. Similarly, venous distensibility was observed to be higher in infants than in adults. While no significant differences were observed in the venous distensibility between the upper and lower extremities in infants, the venous distensibility was found to be higher in the forearm than in the leg in adults.

Adult↗