Biomedical subjects

Robert M Savage

Publications and source records attributed to Robert M Savage.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Project among African-Americans to explore risks for schizophrenia (PAARTNERS): recruitment and assessment methods.

The Project among African-Americans to Explore Risks for Schizophrenia (PAARTNERS) is a multi-site, NIMH-funded study that seeks to identify genetic polymorphisms that confer susceptibility to schizophrenia among African-Americans by linkage mapping and targeted association analyses. Because deficits in certain dimensions of cognitive ability are thought to underlie liability to schizophrenia, the project also examines cognitive abilities in individuals affected by schizophrenia and their extended family members. This article describes PAARTNERS study design, ascertainment methods and preliminary sample characteristics. We aim to recruit a sample of 1260 African-American families, all of whom have at least one proband with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The data collection protocol includes a structured Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies, Family Interview for Genetic Studies, focused neurocognitive assessment, medical records review, and the collection of blood or buccal cells for genetic analyses. We have currently completed study procedures for 106 affected sib-pair, 457 case-parent trio and 23 multiplex families. A total of 289 probands have completed the best estimate final diagnosis process and 1153 probands and family members have been administered the computerized neuropsychological battery. This project lays the foundation for future analysis of cognitive and behavioral endophenotypes. This novel integration of diagnostic, neurocognitive and genetic data will also generate valuable information for future phenotypic and genetic studies of schizophrenia.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Immediate post-LVAD implant support: two approaches.

Increased use of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) as bridges to transplant has revealed the need for short-term right heart support for deairing and right ventricular recovery. The two approaches described are implemented as the patient is weaned from regular cardiopulmonary bypass. Dependent on patient needs, the surgeon may select a high-flow or low-flow approach to what is essentially right heart bypass. Both methods use the existing venous drainage from the right side of the heart. The higher flow returns blood through a 0.25-in tube connected to a modified adult vent (AV) to the pulmonary artery (PA). This provides flows as high as 3.5 L/min. The low-flow method uses the cardioplegia line, which goes unused during LVAD insertion. It is attached to the same modified AV cannula, placed into the PA, with flows between 400 and 600 ml/min. Each method has its advantages, disadvantages, and quirks. The results are functionally successful in allowing support of the right heart and deairing of the ventricular device.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass↗

PubMed2003

A brief neuropsychological testing battery for evaluating patients with schizophrenia.

Current conceptualizations of schizophrenia include neurocognitive impairment, particularly in aspects of attention, memory, and executive functioning. Evaluation of these cognitive abilities typically involves use of comprehensive batteries which may take up to six hours to complete. The current study examined the effectiveness of a briefer battery to detect cognitive impairments usually seen in schizophrenia as established by previous studies using more lengthy and labor intensive protocols. The current study involved 61 outpatients with schizophrenia who were separated into three subgroups: paranoid type (n = 20), undifferentiated type (n = 21), and schizoaffective (n = 20). The majority of the patients were male (61%), African-American (52%), and of low socio-economic status. The mean age was 41.4 years (SD = 8.8), and the mean years of education was 11.7 (SD = 6.8). For the overall sample, results revealed mild to moderate impairments in memory, construction, concept formation, response set maintenance, psychomotor speed, and visual speed of information processing. Post-hoc analyses revealed significant differences between subgroups on Similarities and psychomotor speed, with the undifferentiated group performing more poorly than the paranoid or schizoaffective groups. In conclusion, the current brief battery minimized respondent burden in terms of both time demands and level of task complexity. However, it was also sensitive enough to capture many of the same cognitive weaknesses as those reported when using more labor-intensive neuropsychological test protocols.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Expression of hunchback protein in a subset of ectodermal teloblasts of the oligochaete annelid Tubifex.

The early expression patterns of hunchback protein (T-hb protein) were examined in the oligochaete Tubifex, using an antibody raised to the LZF2 protein in leech. This antibody recognizes a 60-kDa polypeptide in the Tubifex embryo. Before teloblastogenesis, T-hb protein is expressed in every cleavage-stage blastomere. At the completion of teloblastogenesis, the only cells expressing T-hb are a fraction of the micromere-derived epithelial cells. During gastrulation, nuclear T-hb is seen in spreading micromere-derived epithelial cells and also in a subset of ectodermal teloblasts. Comparisons of these results with those from other annelids suggest that hb expression in the early cleavage blastomeres and the micromere-derived epithelium are features highly conserved among annelids. In contrast, hb expression in teloblasts appears to be an innovation evolved in the oligochaetes.

Animals↗