University of Texas System

About: University of Texas System is a education organization based out in Austin, Texas, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Cancer & Population. The organization has 13901 authors who have published 10925 publications receiving 319328 citations. The organization is also known as: UT System.

ECG derived respiratory rhythms for improved diagnosis of sleep apnea

Abstract: Respiratory rhythms of a subject are derived from measured ECG signals utilizing leads placed for significant influence of chest movement on the ECG signals. The QRS pulses within ECG signals measured in two substantially orthogonal planes are located by applying a sequence of filters. The knot and period of the QRS pulses are then determined, with adjustments made during a learning phase of data sampling. The QRS pulse areas in both planes is then calculated. These pulse areas are employed to determine the angle of orientation of the depolarization wave's mean electrical axis (MEA) at the QRS pulse locations. Cubic spline interpolation of the data points for the MEA angle provides a smooth breathing curve, which may be scored for sleep disordered breathing events. The ECG-derived respiratory (EDR) signal may be employed in lieu of airflow measurements where such measurements are not available, or may be employed in conjunction with airflow measurements and/or measured cardiac activity data to discriminate between arrhythmias associated with disordered breathing versus those associated with cardiac malfunction, reducing misdiagnosis. The additional processing of ECG data required for derivation of respiratory rhythms may be easily automated and implemented at nominal incremental cost per unit.

An AIDS risk reduction program for Dutch drug users: an intervention mapping approach to planning

Abstract: This article presents the development of a theory- and evidence-based AIDS prevention program targeting Dutch drug users and aimed at promoting condom use. The emphasis is on the development of the program using a five-step intervention development protocol called intervention mapping (IM). Preceding Step 1 of the IM process, an assessment of the HIV problem among drug users was conducted. The product of IM Step 1 was a series of program objectives specifying what drug users should learn in order to use condoms consistently. In Step 2, theoretical methods for influencing the most important determinants were chosen and translated into practical strategies that fit the program objectives. The main strategy chosen was behavioral journalism. In Step 3, leaflets with role-model stories based on authentic interviews with drug users were developed and pilot tested. Finally, the need for cooperation with program users is discussed in IM Steps 4 and 5.

Pulmonary toxicity of mitomycin.

Abstract: Six patients with breast cancer developed pulmonary toxicity following mitomycin therapy The presenting symptoms were shortness of breath and a dry cough The radiological pictures varied from a normal chest x-ray to extensive bilateral pneumonitis The histological findings consisted of diffuse alveolar damage progressing to interstitial pulmonary fibrosis Corticosteroid therapy resulted in complete resolution of pneumonia in one patient Respiratory symptoms improved in 3 patients following discontinuation of the drug Two patients with extensive bilateral pneumonitis, who were not treated with steroids, died of respiratory failure Mitomycin-induced lung toxicity appears to be reversible with the discontinuation of drug and the administration of corticosteroids Lung biopsy is necessary in order to rule out other diagnoses

Enzymatic Dissociation and Short-Term Culture of Isolated Rat Anterior Pituitary Cells for Studies on the Control of Hormone Secretion

Abstract: A convenient procedure has been developed for preparing a suspension of isolated rat anterior pituitary cells which retains responsiveness to secretagogues. Rat anterior pituitaries were dispersed with collagenase and hyaluronidase followed by mechanical dispersion by means of a Pasteur pipette. Immediately after dispersion, the cells showed only slight responses to secretagogues, whereas after short-term culture (20–22 h) in the presence of sera, the cells recovered their ability to respond to synthetic LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) and synthetic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). During a 3-h incubation, cells prepared from pituitaries of male rats released LH and FSH, or TSH and prolactin (PRL) in amounts directly related to the dose of synthetic LHRH or TRH, respectively. The minimum effective concentrations of hypophysiotropic hormones lay between 1O−10 and 10−9M, although it was observed that cells originating from female rats usually gave quicker and larger responses to LHRH. No significant net inc...