Early and late brain distribution of iodine-labelled N,N,N'-trimethyl-N'-(2-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-iodobenzyl)-1,3-propanediamine (HIPDM) and iodine labelled N-isopropyl-p-iodoamphetamine (IMP) were ...compared in rat and one human patient with a recent stroke in the right middle cerebral artery area. In rat, an important 'redistribution' of cerebral activity was observed in various areas of the brain, mainly white matter, whereas no such observation was made with HIPDM. In the patient, the right area was hypoactive during the early SPECT with IMP and HIPDM, and redistribution was observed in the late SPECT only with IMP. We suggest that while HIPDM appears to reflect regional cerebral perfusion, IMP distribution is dependent upon metabolic brain activity.
This dissertation critically examines the complex social and cultural phenomenon of spiritual tourism, by interrogating the structures of knowledge, power, image and representation through the lens ...of ayahuasca tourism. Ayahuasca has been used by shamans for centuries in health and healing services, obtained largely through the means of hallucinogenic visions. Ayahuasca tourism involves Western tourists who travel to South America to participate in tours which include the drinking of ayahuasca. Drawing on post-colonial and critical cultural theories, this analysis extends the theorizing of spiritual tourism by examining the ethical issues involved in commodifying spirituality and by exploring the cultural consequences of consumerism. Using a mixed-method approach, this work addresses the central ethical dilemma presented by ayahuasca tourism: to what extent is Amazonian culture and spirituality appropriated and commodified and in what ways does this help or harm the communities in question? In order to assess both how these tours are marketed and sold, as well as to explore the potential impact of these tours on local Peruvian shamans, tour brokers, and community members, I conducted my research in two phases. First, I conducted a critical discourse and visual analysis of six ayahuasca tourism websites to assess both the discourses and representation of actors present on the sites. Second, I conducted ethnographic fieldwork in Iquitos, Peru, interviewing various actors, visiting tour lodges and observing ayahuasca ceremonies. Key findings from the discourse analysis suggest that the discourse of ayahuasca tourism has severed the ceremonial use of ayahuasca from its indigenous roots, making ayahuasca ahistorical and more easily appropriated. Additional findings from my fieldwork in Peru indicate that the commodification of ayahuasca as a both a plant and ceremony has resulted in a complex industry, one which presents both benefits and burdens to the local communities.
Nifedipine inhibits the slow-channel calcium current, which plays a major role in vascular smooth-muscle contraction. However, the effect of nifedipine on regional myocardial blood flow (RMBF) in ...patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is unknown. In 18 patients with chest pain syndromes, RMBF was determined with xenon-133 before and after nifedipine. In patients with CAD. 25 regions were analyzed distal to significant coronary obstruction(greater than 70% reduction in luminal diameter) and eight regions were analyzed in patients with normal coronary arteries. In patients with CAD, RMBF increased in 21 of 25 regions (average 17.4 /+- 5.7%,p less than 0.01), but decreased in all eight regions in patients with normal coronary arteries, by an average of 14.4 /+- 2.3% (p less than 0.01). The difference between groups was significant (p less than 0.01). In our patients with CAD, improved RMBF appears to be related to a decrease in coronary vascular tone and suggests a physiologic basis for the beneficial effect of nifedipine in ischemic heart disease.
High resolution single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was used to evaluate regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in 14 acutely depressed elderly patients and 29 normal subjects. SPECT ...images of the two groups were randomized and blindly read. Foci of decreased radionuclide uptake were assessed by number and location. The total number of rCBF defects per whole brain study was significantly greater in the depressed patients than in the normal subjects. A significantly greater number of rCBF defects was found most strikingly in the lateral frontal and less prominently in the lateral and medial temporal brain regions of the depressed patients.
The selective uptake of radiopharmaceuticals by acutely infarcted myocardium has emerged as an independent, noninvasive technique to aid in the detection, localization, and quantification of ...myocardial necrosis.
The present study was performed to develop a new perfusion system for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting and to examine whether even a simple coronary perfusion system can maintain adequate ...blood flow delivery during anastomosis.
The experiment was performed in two stages. In procedure 1, 3 pigs with left anterior descending artery occlusion were used to evaluate optimal perfusion flow rate and coronary artery internal pressure, and to evaluate the safety area of perfusion. In procedure 2, 6 pigs were used to validate the new portable coronary perfusion system.
The optimal blood flow in the portable coronary active perfusion system was less than approximately 40 mL/min. The small, easy to use pump system (ie, the portable coronary active perfusion system) may prevent hemodynamic deterioration and ventricular arrhythmia during coronary occlusion, resulting in better maintenance of left ventricular function.
Even a simple pump system can achieve effective perfusion for safe anastomosis. Further studies are required to allow the clinical use of this system.
Waterborne Transmission of Campylobacter Perkins-Jones, Kathy; Holman, Robert L.; Frost, Floyd
The Western journal of medicine,
10/1982, Letnik:
137, Številka:
4
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Campylobacter organisms are a common cause of diarrheal illness, found in approximately 5 percent of stool specimens cultured for bacterial pathogens by the Washington State Public Health Laboratory. ...Campylobacter sp have been isolated from seawater and waterborne transmission has been reported in three outbreaks. As a result of bacterial surveys of water supplies in Washington state, we have isolated Campylobacter organisms from three sources of raw surface water (lakes). In each case neither total nor fecal coliforms were significantly elevated in the samples and no source of contamination was identified. Although Campylobacter infections usually cause symptoms distinctly different from those associated with giardiasis, the symptoms can be nearly indistinguishable. Since both infections may result from consumption of untreated surface water, both are possible causes of diarrheal illness among persons with a recent history of untreated water consumption. Exhibiting a shorter incubation period than giardiasis, Campylobacter infection should be considered in patients with diarrhea when untreated water has been consumed within seven days of the beginning of symptoms.
The authors sought to lower costs by coordinating the purchase of equipment, supplies, and services in the radiology departments of a vertically integrated health system formed by the merger of two ...of the largest academic medical centers in New England.
The radiology departments at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham & Women's Hospital formed a cost-reduction task force to explore opportunities to jointly decrease costs. Data from the operating budgets of both institutions were collected and analyzed to find specific items within the budgets that could yield substantial cost savings.
The project's first phase yielded over $810,000 in reduced costs from a system-wide annual budget of only $7 million for film and contrast material. Ongoing additional projects suggest that longer term contracts that contain steeper discounts with a decreased number of vendors will result in further decreases in the cost of materials and supplies.
Coordination of purchasing by the radiology members of an integrated delivery system can yield substantial savings.
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