University at Buffalo

About: University at Buffalo is a education organization based out in Buffalo, New York, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 33773 authors who have published 63840 publications receiving 2278954 citations. The organization is also known as: UB & State University of New York at Buffalo.

Development of a multiple sclerosis functional composite as a clinical trial outcome measure

Abstract: The primary clinical outcome measure for evaluating multiple sclerosis in clinical trials has been Kurtzke's expanded disability status scale (EDSS). New therapies appear to favourably impact the course of multiple sclerosis and render continued use of placebo control groups more difficult. Consequently, future trials are likely to compare active treatment groups which will most probably require increased sample sizes in order to detect therapeutic efficacy. Because more responsive outcome measures will be needed for active arm comparison studies, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Advisory Committee on Cinical Trials of New Agents in Multiple Sclerosis appointed a Task Force that was charged with developing improved clinical outcome measures. This Task Force acquired contemporary clinical trial and historical multiple sclerosis data for meta-analyses of primary and secondary outcome assessments to provide a basis for recommending a new outcome measure. A composite measure encompassing the major clinical dimensions of arm, leg and cognitive function was identified and termed the multiple sclerosis functional composite (MSFC). The MSFC consists of three objective quantitative tests of neurological function which are easy to administer. Change in this MSFC over the first year of observation predicted subsequent change in the EDSS, suggesting that the MSFC is more sensitive to change than the EDSS. This paper provides details concerning the development and testing of the MSFC.

Retinal damage by light in rats

Abstract: The retina of laboratory rats is affected irreversibly by intense light applied for less than 1 hour or for up to 2 days depending upon experimental conditions. Exposure of unanesthetized and unrestrained animals was in chambers surrounded by a green filter and circular fluorescent lamps of a nominal brightness of 2,040 footlamberts. Eyes of anesthetized animals were exposed diffusely to either the light from a 100 to. zirconium arc passing through filters or monochromatic light of various icavelengths. Irreversible reduction in ERG amplitudes and degeneration of visual cells and pigment epithelium indicated the severity of the light damage. The effect was very dependent upon the body (eye) temperature during exposure. Hyperthermia greatly accelerated and intensified the damaging action of light and for this reason most experiments reported in this paper were performed at a high body temperature. At a body temperature around 104° F. severe damage teas produced with exposures to 5 to 10 iiw per square centimeter retina for 1 hour. The minimal damaging dose at a high temperature was estimated to be about 1 ixw per square centimeter. The action spectrum~of the daviaging effect approximated that of visual excitation as measured by the ERG. Hooded (pigmented) animals were no more affected than albinos of different strains. Recovery in the dark from a just subliminally damaging dose of light at a high body temperature required about 24 hours and was preceded by a period of time during ichich the retina was "sensitized" to an additional dose. During or following exposure to light at a high body temperature visual cell and pigmentepithelial_damage developedTabout simultaneouslu and was first indicated bit pyknosis Trncl cell swelling followed rapidly by the dissolution of nuclei and cytoplasm. The crucial reaction in producing the damage is considered a "dark-reaction" initiated by light of an -inte7isiiTj_ which bleaches measurably rhodopsin. Hypotheses on the reaction sequence which 'leads to damage are briefly discussed.

Protection motivation and deterrence: a framework for security policy compliance in organisations

Abstract: Enterprises establish computer security policies to ensure the security of information resources; however, if employees and end-users of organisational information systems (IS) are not keen or are ...

Methodological Guidelines for Impedance Cardiography

Abstract: Impedance cardiography was introduced over 20 years ago as a noninvasive and unobtrusive technique for measuring systolic time intervals and cardiac output. Although our understanding of the physiological events reflected in the impedance cardiogram has become more refined, the technique's theoretical basis remains somewhat controversial and acceptance of its validity has relied heavily upon empirical validation. Largely as a consequence of this status, there have been inadequate grounds on which to develop sound methodological standardization. Currently, the methodological approaches that have been most frequently adopted may be viewed as representing the standard. The various aspects of impedance methodology are discussed, and alternative approaches described, with the objective of providing an informed basis for choosing among these methodological alternatives. It is recommended that studies utilizing impedance cardiography should be reported with clear and detailed methodological description. This should help clarify the extent to which methodological differences may underlie any discrepant research observations, as well as facilitate the emergence of improved methodological standards.

A comparison of warfarin and aspirin for the prevention of recurrent ischemic stroke.

Abstract: Background Despite the use of antiplatelet agents, usually aspirin, in patients who have had an ischemic stroke, there is still a substantial rate of recurrence. Therefore, we investigated whether warfarin, which is effective and superior to aspirin in the prevention of cardiogenic embolism, would also prove superior in the prevention of recurrent ischemic stroke in patients with a prior noncardioembolic ischemic stroke. Methods In a multicenter, double-blind, randomized trial, we compared the effect of warfarin (at a dose adjusted to produce an international normalized ratio of 1.4 to 2.8) and that of aspirin (325 mg per day) on the combined primary end point of recurrent ischemic stroke or death from any cause within two years. Results The two randomized study groups were similar with respect to base-line risk factors. In the intention-to-treat analysis, no significant differences were found between the treatment groups in any of the outcomes measured. The primary end point of death or recurrent ischemi...