Biomedical subjects

R Murtaugh

Publications and source records attributed to R Murtaugh.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Client donation program for acquiring dogs and cats to teach veterinary gross anatomy.

A donor program for procuring dogs and cats to meet the needs of anatomical instruction was initiated six years ago at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. The program was initiated in order to comply with state regulations that preclude the use of shelter animals and to satisfy ethical objections of students and faculty. The donor program has successfully met the animal needs for teaching gross anatomy and, in addition, provides opportunities to integrate clinical perspectives and ethics beginning from the first year of veterinary education.

Anatomy↗

PubMed1997

A 66-year-old woman with a rapidly progressing dementia and basal ganglia involvement.

A 66-year-old woman presented with a rapidly progressive dementia initially characterized by an auditory agnosia. She experienced a rapid progression of her aphasia and developed ataxia and myoclonus. An initial neurological evaluation suggested a left parieto-temporal lesion, however, neuroimaging did not reveal any. An MRI of her brain demonstrated highly focal T2 hyperintensities in her basal ganglia. The patient was diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease (CJD) on the basis of the presence of two proteins in the CSF that are highly sensitive and specific for CJD. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. The differential diagnosis and utility of MRI in patients with CJD is discussed.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

Protective effects of a novel 32-amino acid C-terminal fragment of CAP18 in endotoxemic pigs.

BACKGROUND: Cationic antimicrobial protein of 18 kd (CAP18) is a neutrophil-derived peptide that binds lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with high affinity. We hypothesized that CAP18(106-137), a novel synthetic 32-amino acid C-terminal fragment of CAP18, would neutralize the physiologic derangements induced by LPS in anesthetized swine. METHODS: Pigs were randomly allocated into three groups. Those in the LPS group (n = 6) were infused with LPS (3 micrograms/kg/hr for 4 hours). Pigs in the LPS/CAP18 group (n = 6) were challenged with LPS (3 micrograms/kg/hr for 4 hours) and also treated with CAP18(106-137) (4 mg/kg/hr for 4 hours). Pigs in the RL group (n = 4) received neither LPS nor CAP18(106-137). RESULTS: Treatment with CAP18(106-137) blocked LPS-induced increases in plasma levels of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and tumor necrosis factor-alpha and prevented LPS-induced changes in cardiac output, arterial PO2, phagocyte activation, and peripheral leukocyte count. Changes in circulating concentrations of thromboxane B2, mean pulmonary artery pressure, and dynamic pulmonary compliance were attenuated in the LPS/CAP18 group. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with CAP18(106-137) neutralizes many of the deleterious effects of LPS in pigs.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

PubMed1993

Cardiopulmonary responses to exercise in children with activity sensing rate responsive ventricular pacemakers.

The physiological benefits of activity sensing rate responsive ventricular pacing (VVIR) over fixed rate pacing (VVI) were investigated in 14 children during incremental cycle exercise. Based on their heart rhythm response during exercise, children were divided into two groups. Group I patients (13 +/- 4 years) remained in a paced-only rhythm when exercised. Group II patients (16 +/- 7 years) were paced at rest but converted to sinus rhythm with exercise. In Group I patients, the significant physiological benefits of VVIR over VVI pacing were evidenced by a 51% increase in peak heart rate (HRmax) and a 16% increase in exercise duration and maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max). Additionally, a 27% reduction in peak oxygen pulse (O2Pmax) was found, reflecting a similar decrease in stroke volume. The cardiorespiratory responses of Group I and II patients were compared in terms of percent of predicted normal values. Although Group I patients in the VVIR mode attained a better exercise performance than in the VVI mode and a normal O2Pmax (108% pred), their HRmax (62% pred) and VO2max (70% pred) fell far below normal values. In comparison, Group II patients, who went into sinus rhythm, achieved normal values for HRmax (84% pred), VO2max (90% pred), and O2Pmax (97% pred). The higher pacing rates attained by Group I patients in the VVIR mode may have allowed them to reach not only a higher cardiac output but also a more normal stroke volume at peak exercise than in the VVI mode.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMed1986

Clinical experience with an activity sensing pacemaker.

During clinical evaluation of the Medtronic Activitrax pacemaker in a worldwide multicenter study, implant and follow-up data were provided by 61 investigators on 222 patients. Pacing indications included two- and three-degree AV block in 149 and atrial arrhythmias in 174 patients; 16 patients received atrial pacing. Average and longest documented follow-up periods were 7.5 and 16 months respectively. Paired treadmill tests, one in Activity mode and one in VVI/AAI mode, were performed by 120 patients. At peak exercise, average heart rate was 95 bpm in VVI/AAI mode and 118 bpm in Activity mode (p less than 0.0001). Average exercise time was 9.4 minutes in VVI/AAI mode and 10.8 minutes in Activity mode (p less than 0.0001). In 54 patients who exclusively had paced rhythm during both treadmill tests, average heart rates and exercise times were 70 ppm and 8.1 minutes in VVI/AAI mode and 111 ppm and 10.3 minutes in Activity mode respectively (p less than 0.0001). 24-hour Holter recordings typically demonstrated pacing at or near basic rate during periods of rest and appropriate increase in pacing rate during daily activities. Patients had significantly fewer problems with physical effort in daily life during a week of Activity mode pacing than during a week of VVI/AAI mode pacing (p less than 0.05) as assessed from the symptom scores recorded by 62 patients in special diaries.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗