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Biomedical subjects

Robert Martin

Publications and source records attributed to Robert Martin.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Toric Implantable Collamer Lens for moderate to high myopic astigmatism.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of the Toric Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) to treat moderate to high myopic astigmatism. DESIGN: Prospective nonrandomized clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred ten eyes of 124 patients with between 2.38 and 19.5 diopters (D) of myopia (spherical equivalent [SE]) and 1 to 4 D of astigmatism participating in the United States Food and Drug Administration clinical trial of the Toric ICL. INTERVENTION: Implantation of the Toric ICL. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), refraction, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), adverse events, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: At 12 months postoperatively, the proportion of eyes with 20/20 or better UCVA (83.1%) was identical to the proportion of eyes with preoperative 20/20 or better BSCVA (83.1%); 76.5% had postoperative UCVA better than or equal to preoperative BSCVA. The mean manifest refractive cylinder dropped from 1.93 D (+/-0.84) at baseline to 0.51 D (+/-0.48) postoperatively, a 73.6% decrease in astigmatism. Although only 21.0% of eyes had 1-D refractive cylinder preoperatively (none less), 91.4% of cases had < or =1 D of cylinder postoperatively. Furthermore, 65.6% had < or =0.5 D and 40.9% had < or =0.25 D of refractive cylinder postoperatively. Mean manifest refraction SE (MRSE) improved from -9.36 D (+/-2.66) preoperatively to 0.05 D (+/-0.46) postoperatively. A total of 76.9% of eyes were predicted accurately to within +/-0.5 D, 97.3% to within +/-1.0 D, and 100% to within +/-2.0 D of predicted MRSE. Postoperatively, 37.6% of eyes had a BSCVA of 20/12.5 or better, compared with a preoperative level of 4.8%. Furthermore, BSCVA of 20/20 or better occurred in 96.8% postoperatively, compared with 83.1% preoperatively. Mean improvement in BSCVA was 0.88 lines; there were 3 cases (1.6%) that lost > or =2 lines of BSCVA after 12 months postoperatively, whereas 18.9% of cases improved by > or =2 lines. A total of 76.4% of cases gained > or =1 lines of BSCVA, whereas only 7.5% of cases lost the equivalent amount. Three ICL removals were performed without significant loss of BSCVA, and 1 clinically significant lens opacity was observed. CONCLUSION: The results support the efficacy and predictability of Toric ICL implantation to treat moderate to high myopic astigmatism. Important safety concerns were not identified.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Implementation of a quality systems approach for laboratory practice in resource-constrained countries.

Under the direction of the US Global AIDS Coordinator's Office, Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC Global AIDS programme helps resource-constrained countries to address the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. Activities include laboratory capacity and laboratory infrastructure development in 25 resource-constrained countries. Medical practitioners and public health programme leaders in industrialized countries rely on the use of quality laboratory data for evidence-based medical decision-making to determine policy for the implementation of disease control measures, to monitor disease to determine the impact of control programmes, and to support surveillance activities. In these countries, laboratory data to support decision-making processes have a level of quality attributable to laws, regulations and guidelines developed over many years. However, resource-constrained countries have not had similar experiences. Few countries have developed laws, regulations or guidelines, nor is there a data-use culture (e.g. evidence-based medicine) for those in the decision-making environment in resource-constrained countries. The strengthening of laboratory capability and capacity in resource-constrained countries is an important goal to improve accurate and reliable data for the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of disease.A process for the implementation of a quality systems approach for a laboratory is presented: (i) acknowledgement of the need to improve the laboratory programme in the country at the Ministry of Health and at all decision-making levels within the provinces/states of the country; (ii) assessment of capabilities, capacities, infrastructure, and training needs; (iii) implementation of a national meeting of laboratorians; (iv) designation of a national Quality Assurance Office and leadership within that office; (v) the development and provision of technical training.

Developing Countries↗
PubMed2004

A comparison of pulmonary vein ostial anatomy by computerized tomography, echocardiography, and venography in patients with atrial fibrillation having radiofrequency catheter ablation.

Accurate assessment of pulmonary vein anatomy is important to procedures that isolate these structures in patients with atrial fibrillation. Various modalities of pulmonary vein (PV) imaging are employed in clinical practice; however, the consistency of findings among the different modalities is unknown. The purpose of this study is to compare PV ostial anatomy by 4 common imaging techniques. Twenty-four patients undergoing catheter-based PV isolation procedures for atrial fibrillation had their PV ostial anatomy determined by cardiac computerized tomography (CT) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) before ablation and by intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) and venography during the ablation procedure. The number and maximal dimension of the PV ostia were determined by each imaging modality. In the 24 patients, 98 PV ostia were visualized by CT, 93 by ICE, 81 by TEE, and 71 by venography. The average ostial diameters were similar between CT (1.45 +/- 0.29 cm) and ICE (1.51 +/- 0.22 cm, p = 0.066). Compared with CT or ICE, the ostial diameters were larger with venography (1.67 +/- 0.32 cm) and smaller with TEE (1.16 +/- 0.28 cm, all p <0.001). PV ostial diameters as determined by ICE were significantly correlated with CT measurements (r = 0.57, p <0.001) and venography (r = 0.52, p <0.001). Venography measures of PV diameter were correlated with measures by CT (r = 0.33, p = 0.03). TEE measures were not correlated with any other modality (all p >/=0.43). CT identifies the greatest number of PV ostia followed by ICE. Venography overestimates and TEE underestimates ostial diameters compared with CT or ICE. The PV ostial dimensions obtained by ICE, CT, and venography are all significantly correlated.

Atrial Fibrillation↗
PubMed2004

Hepatoid carcinoma of the pancreas.

Extrahepatic hepatocellular carcinoma differentiation has been demonstrated in primary malignancies of the stomach. To date, only five cases of hepatocellular differentiation of the pancreas have been reported in the literature. An example of hepatoid carcinoma of the pancreas is reported in this study. A single case of hepatoid carcinoma of the pancreas is presented with long-term follow-up and review of the literature. This rare malignancy of the pancreas represents a hepatocytic transdifferentiation of pancreatic cells to form a combination of both primary ductal adenocarcinoma and hepatocellular differentiation.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗
PubMed2004

Evaluation of rapid HIV test kits on whole blood and development of rapid testing algorithm for voluntary testing and counseling centers in Ethiopia.

Five simple and rapid HIV antibody detection assays viz. Determine, Capillus, Oraquick, Unigold and Hemastrip were evaluated to examine their performance and to develop an alternative rapid test based testing algorithm for voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) in Ethiopia. All the kits were tested on whole blood, plasma and serum. The evaluation had three phases: Primary lab review, piloting at point of service and implementation. This report includes the results of the first two phases. A total of 2,693 specimens (both whole blood and plasma) were included in the evaluation. Results were compared to double Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA) system. Discordant EIA results were resolved using Western Blot. The assays had very good sensitivities and specificities, 99-100%, at the two different phases of the evaluation. A 98-100% result agreement was obtained from those tested at VCT centers and National Referral Laboratory for AIDS (NRLA), in the quality control phase of the evaluation. A testing strategy yielding 100% [95% CI; 98.9-100.0] sensitivity was achieved by the sequential use of the three rapid test kits. Direct cost comparison showed serial testing algorithm reduces the cost of testing by over 30% compared to parallel testing in the current situation. Determine, Capillus/Oraquick (presence/absence of frefrigeration) and Unigold were recommended as screening, confirmation and tiebreaker tests, respectively.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed2003

Simultaneous liver and colorectal resections are safe for synchronous colorectal liver metastasis.

BACKGROUND: The optimal surgical strategy for the treatment of synchronous resectable colorectal liver metastasis has not been defined. The aims of this study were to review our experience with synchronous colorectal metastasis and to define the safety of simultaneous versus staged resection of the colon and liver. STUDY DESIGN: From September 1984 through November 2001, 240 patients were treated surgically for primary adenocarcinoma of the large bowel and synchronous hepatic metastasis. Clinicopathologic, operative, and perioperative data were reviewed to evaluate selection criteria, operative methods, and perioperative outcomes. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-four patients underwent simultaneous resection of a colorectal primary and hepatic metastasis in a single operation (Group I), and 106 patients underwent staged operations (Group II). Simultaneous resections tend to be performed for right colon primaries (p < 0.001), smaller (p < 0.01) and fewer (p < 0.001) liver metastases, and less extensive liver resection (p < 0.001). Complications were less common in the simultaneous resection group, with 65 patients (49%) sustaining 142 complications, compared with 71 patients (67%) sustaining 197 complications for both hospitalizations in the staged resection group (p < 0.003). Patients having simultaneous resection required fewer days in the hospital (median 10 days versus 18 days, p = 0.001). Perioperative mortality was similar (simultaneous, n = 3; staged, n = 3). CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous colon and liver resection is safe and efficient in the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastasis. By avoiding a second laparotomy, the overall complication rate is reduced, with no change in operative mortality. Given its reduced morbidity, shorter treatment time, and similar cancer outcomes, simultaneous resection should be considered a safe option in patients with resectable synchronous colorectal metastasis.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2002

Dimensions of the cervical neural foramina in resting and retracted positions using magnetic resonance imaging.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective within-subject experimental design using a sample of convenience. OBJECTIVES: To describe cervical foraminal dimensions in vivo of nonimpaired, asymptomatic individuals in a neutral cervical spine position using magnetic resonance images, and then to document dimensional changes of the foramina when placing the neck in a retracted position. BACKGROUND: Physical therapists frequently use movement interventions to treat spine dysfunctio The influence of positional changes of the head and neck on the dimensions of the cervical neuiural foramina is not well documented. METHODS AND MEASURES: Twenty asymptomatic subjects (10 men and 10 women), 22 to 25 yearrs of age (mean SD = 23.7 0.8), underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine in both neutral and retracted positions. Bilateral measurements were documented in both positions and compared for height, width, and area of each subject's intervertebral foramen from C2-C3to C7-T1. RESULTS: No significant differences (P > 0.004) were found between the 2 neck positions. Withthe single exception of foraminal area at C3-C4, the mean values of height, width, and area in the retracted position were equal to or larger than those of the cervical neutral position. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic maneuvers using retraction of the cervical spine do not promote positional stenosis of the intervertebral foramen in the healthy neck.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sickle cell disease -- when opioids and physicians fail.

An interview with a 32-year-old male with sickle cell anemia and multiple sequential admissions for vaso-occlusive crises, receiving high dose narcotic analgesics, is presented. The subsequent clinical discussion outlines psychiatric, psychosocial and treatment issues. Management of acute vaso-occlusive crisis is summarized along with a discussion of the value of comprehensive care for sickle cell disease patients. This article will be useful to physicians and consultation-liaison psychiatrists treating patients with sickle cell disease as well as policy makers developing service delivery models for this population.

Adult↗