Allergic bronchopulmonary cladosporiosis in a child.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Bronchial Diseases↗
Biomedical subjects
A Ferrer
Publications and source records attributed to A Ferrer.
Visual function in pseudophakic eyes with poly(methyl methacrylate), silicone, and acrylic intraocular lenses.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the quality of visual function after cataract surgery and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation with three lens materials. SETTING: Klinik Dardenne, Bonn Bad Godesberg, Germany. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized study, 55 patients having uncomplicated phacoemulsification received IOLs made of three materials: 16 received acrylic IOLs, 20 received silicone IOLs, and 19 received poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) IOLs. Pseudophakic patients with accompanying eye diseases were excluded. Visual acuity, glare sensitivity, contrast sensitivity, and mesopic acuity were evaluated 6 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: Postoperatively, best corrected visual acuity was excellent in all three lens groups. Acuity under bright light conditions and contrast sensitivity were low in all groups; mesopic acuity was extremely low in 73% of patients. Glare and contrast sensitivity were significantly better with PMMA and acrylic IOLs. CONCLUSION: The visual quality achieved in pseudophakic eyes with three different lens materials was lower than expected. The results of individual visual function tests were better for PMMA and acrylic IOLs than for silicone IOLs.
Acrylates↗
[Cryopreservation of isolates of Toxoplasma gondii in cell culture].
For a better preservation and identification of Toxoplasma gondii isolates, we propose a new method of freezing of toxoplasma growth in THP-1 cell culture. A cystogenic strain isolated from foetal blood has been grown in these cells and frozen in liquid nitrogen. After thawing, toxoplasma recover the same growth rate and morphology in vitro and the same capacity to form brain cysts into mice compared to the initial strains. The freezing of the cell suspension provides a simple and appropriate method for preservation of Toxoplasma gondii within "bank" isolates.
Animals↗
Ventilation-perfusion response after fenoterol in hypoxemic patients with stable COPD.
BACKGROUND: The effects of vasoactive drugs, including bronchodilators, on vascular and pulmonary dynamics are interrelated, complex and difficult to measure, but important because of potential deleterious effects on gas exchange. METHODS: To assess the effects of fenoterol at both high and low dose on pulmonary gas exchange in 24 hypoxemic patients with stable COPD: fenoterol, 5 mg; fenoterol, 1 mg and ipratropium bromide, 0.5 mg; ipratropium bromide, 0.5 mg; or matched placebo were nebulized in a double-blind, placebo-controlled fashion. Spirometry, ventilation, systemic hemodynamics, and respiratory and inert gases were measured before and 15, 60, and 120 min after each treatment. RESULTS: Compared with placebo, heart rate (p < 0.002) and cardiac output (p = 0.05) increased after high-dose fenoterol therapy to return to baseline values by 120 min. Following fenoterol at high dose, mean maximum PaO2 change from baseline decreased by 6.3 +/- 1.1 mm Hg (SD) and both alveolararterial oxygen pressure difference (P[A-a]O2), by 8.3 +/- 4.0 mm Hg, and ventilation-perfusion (VA/Q) mismatching increased, as evidenced by increments of the dispersion of pulmonary blood flow, without reaching significance; likewise, low-dose fenoterol therapy increased VA/Q inequalities while both PaO2 and P(A-a)O2 remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: In this population of COPD patients, high-dose fenoterol therapy [corrected] significantly increased heart rate and cardiac output resulting in minor adverse consequences on arterial oxygenation and VA/Q relationships.
Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
[Botulinum A toxins in the treatment of spasticity in cerebral palsy during childhood].
We evaluated the safety and efficacy of Botulinum- A toxin (BTX) in patients with equinus deformity associated with cerebral palsy (CP). We prescribed BTX to six patients (all of whom had previously participated in a multicenter, randomized, double blind study of the same drug); treatment continued for at least 15 months. Four children showed striking improvement, being converted from toe-toe to consistent or occasional heel-toe gait. No side effects were observed. BTX appears to be safe and effective in patients with CP.
Adolescent↗
Bacterial expression of the catalytic domain of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (isoform HMGR1) from Arabidopsis thaliana, and its inactivation by phosphorylation at Ser577 by Brassica oleracea 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase kinase.
The catalytic domain of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase isoform 1 (HMGR1cd) from Arabidopsis thaliana has been expressed in Escherichia coli in a catalytically active form and purified. The high efficiency of the bacterial expression system together with the simplicity of the purification procedure used in this study resulted in the attainment of large quantities of pure enzyme (about 5 mg/l culture) with a final specific activity of up to 17 U/mg. This specific activity is higher than that reported to date for any 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR) purified from a plant source. HMGR1cd activity was completely blocked by the HMGR inhibitor mevinolin (IC50 = 12.5 nM). No significant differences were observed between the Km values of HMGR1cd for NADPH (71 +/- 7 microM) and (S)-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (8.3 +/- 1.5 microM) and those of pure HMGR preparations obtained from different plant sources. The purified HMGR1cd was reversibly inactivated by phosphorylation at a single site by Brassica oleracea HMGR kinase A, which is functionally related to the mammalian AMP-activated protein kinase. The site of phosphorylation is Ser577 in the complete sequence of A. thaliana HMGR1. The results in this paper represent the first evidence that a higher plant HMGR is regulated by direct phosphorylation, at least in a cell-free system. Our results also reinforce the view that the AMP-activated protein kinase/SNF1 family is an ancient and highly conserved protein kinase system.
AMP-Activated Protein Kinases↗
Recent epidemics of poisoning by pesticides.
The mechanisms of production of collective poisoning by pesticides have been contamination of foods consumed by man, cutaneous contact and occupational exposure. It is possible to distinguish 4 groups of alimentary epidemics: (1) contamination during transport or storage; (2) ingestion of seed dressed for sowing: (3) use of pesticides in food preparation because of their organoleptic similarity to alimentary products; (4) presence of pesticides in water or food owing to unsafe use of pesticides. Occupational exposure affects clusters of workers in pesticide manufacture, pesticide application and crop management. Some episodes of every kind of the mentioned groups have been published recently.
Food Contamination↗
Childhood allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Antibodies, Fungal↗
Lower respiratory tract infections following cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
All episodes of lower respiratory tract infection that developed among 96 patients surviving for > 24 hours after cardiac arrest were prospectively studied over an 18-month period. Pneumonia developed in 23 (24.0%) of patients after a mean of 7 days (SD, +/- 6.2 days). The development of four superinfections raised the cumulative incidence to 28.1%. Purulent tracheobronchitis was diagnosed in three instances. The causative agent of pneumonia was identified in 18 episodes, three of which were polymicrobial. Gram-positive cocci represented 57.1% of isolates, and Staphylococcus aureus--the most frequently isolated microorganism in this population--accounted for two-thirds of all gram-positive cocci. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated in six episodes, five of which were associated with previous antibiotic use. Nine (39.1%) of the 23 patients in the group with pneumonia died, but only one of these deaths was considered to be directly related to pneumonia. In conclusion, pneumonia is a common complication of patients surviving cardiac arrest, but, with adequate treatment, its influence on outcome is marginal. Gram-positive cocci are the predominant pathogens, although infection with P. aeruginosa should be considered among patients receiving antibiotics.
Bronchitis↗
Screening quality of respiratory samples and Legionella pneumoniae.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Bacteriological Techniques↗
Pattern of tracheal colonization during mechanical ventilation.
The relationship between gastric (GC) and tracheal (TC) colonization and the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) remains controversial. TC, GC, and pharyngeal (PC) colonization were studied serially in 80 patients with mechanical ventilation (MV) to ascertain the routes and onset of TC. Simultaneous sample from pharynx, stomach, and trachea were obtained throughout the MV period. Quantitative cultures were performed. Seventy-two patients (90%) had TC at some time during MV. Only 19 patients presented TC after PC or GC by the same microorganisms. Indigenous gram-negative and gram-positive microorganisms colonized mainly the trachea from the start of or during MV without previous PC or GC (p < 0.05). Pseudomonas were the microorganisms causing TC principally during MV without previous PC or GC (p < 0.005). Enterobacteria produced TC without a preferential route. Of the 12 patients who developed VAP, the microorganisms responsible had already colonized the trachea in 10 patients. Only 10 of the 21 microorganisms isolated in VAP had previously colonized the pharynx or stomach. In summary, although some microorganisms have preferential routes for producing TC, the microorganisms isolated frequently change during MV. TC precedes VAP in most patients, but only a minority develop a VAP; therefore, together with TC other factors must be involved in VAP development.
Adult↗
Effects of single and chronic treatment with tranylcypromine on extracellular serotonin in rat brain.
We have examined the effects of tranylcypromine, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor used as antidepressant, on the tissue and extracellular concentration of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in frontal cortex and dorsal raphe nucleus using microdialysis in conscious rats. Single treatment with tranylcypromine sulphate (0.5, 3 and 15 mg/kg, i.p.) dose dependently elevated dialysate 5-HT in both areas but more markedly in the DRN. Extracellular and tissue 5-HT concentrations were affected by the drug in a different manner. The former increased sharply when tissue 5-HT reached a plateau. This may have reflected saturation of intracellular stores and overflow of the amine. In contrast, tissue and extracellular 5-HIAA concentrations--that indicate metabolic effects of tranylcypromine--were affected similarly. A 2-week treatment with 0.5 mg/kg.day of tranylcypromine sulphate increased basal extracellular 5-HT in frontal cortex and dorsal raphe nucleus (ca. 220%) whereas a further injection of 0.5 mg/kg was without effect in both areas. Thus, chronic, but not acute, treatment with low doses of tranylcypromine increases extracellular 5-HT concentration, suggesting that clinical effects of this monoamine oxidase inhibitor are related to its capacity to enhance serotonergic transmission.
Analysis of Variance↗
[Acute cholestatic hepatitis caused by droxicam].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Acute Disease↗
Molecular characterization of a fourth isoform of the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A from Arabidopsis thaliana.
We have recently reported the existence of multiple isoforms of the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) in Arabidopsis thaliana and the molecular cloning of cDNAs encoding three of these proteins (PP2A-1, PP2A-2, PP2A-3). The reported cDNA encoding PP2A-3 was truncated at the 5' terminus, lacking a short fragment of the N-terminal coding sequence. We have now isolated a near full-length cDNA encoding the entire PP2A-3 protein (313 residues). The clone includes 188 nucleotides of 5'-untranslated region, where a 44 bp long poly(GA) track is found. We also describe the cloning of a cDNA encoding a fourth isoform of PP2A (PP2A-4). The polypeptide contains 313 residues being 98% identical to PP2A-3 and only 80% identical to both PP2A-1 and PP2A-2. The mRNA for PP2A-4 is 1.4 kb in length and, although predominantly expressed in roots, it is also found in other organs. It is concluded that in A. thaliana the isoforms of PP2A can be grouped in two extremely conserved subfamilies.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
The evolution of tuberculosis infection among schoolchildren in Barcelona and the HIV epidemic.
SETTING: First grade students in primary schools in the city of Barcelona, Spain. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of tuberculin reaction and sources of infection; to analyse trends in comparison with previous data. DESIGN: Tuberculin screening of first grade schoolchildren (1985 birth cohort) was undertaken in 1991-92 using 2 TU of PPD RT23. RESULTS: The prevalence of reactors among the 12,007 children tested from the 1985 cohort was 0.87%, varying among districts between 0.13% and 3.03%. Follow-up of positive tests was completed for 75 children, which led to the identification of 6 cases of previously unknown clinical tuberculosis among these children, while for 14 infected children index cases were found, one of whom was a confirmed HIV-infected IVDU. CONCLUSION: The comparison of results with data from previous studies suggests that tuberculosis infection among schoolchildren in Barcelona may not be declining as in previous years, especially in areas such as the inner city, where poverty combines with HIV infection and with increasing migration from countries with a higher tuberculosis prevalence.
Child↗
Bacterial pneumonia in HIV-infected patients: a prospective study of 68 episodes.
We collected clinical and microbiological observations, as well as follow-up on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with bacterial pneumonia, and compared pneumococcal pneumonia in patients with and without HIV infection. Fifty five HIV-infected patients, who had had 68 episodes of bacterial pneumonia, were studied prospectively. Twenty one HIV-infected patients with pneumococcal pneumonia were compared to 69 non-HIV-infected patients with pneumococcal pneumonia. Aetiological diagnosis was established in 48 cases (71%). The most common causative agents were S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae. Sixty percent of episodes took place in asymptomatic carriers of HIV infection and 37% in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. Overall mortality was 10%. Fifty five percent of patients with follow-up had recurrent episodes. Bacteraemic pneumococcal pneumonia was more frequent in HIV- than in non-HIV-infected patients, and the mortality of pneumococcal pneumonia was also higher in HIV- (19%) than in non-HIV-infected (4.3%) patients. We conclude that bacterial pneumonia is a frequent problem in HIV-infected patients and that recurrent episodes are common. The clinical presentation of pneumococcal pneumonia is generally indistinguishable from that occurring in normal hosts, but bacteraemia is more common and the mortality is higher in HIV-infected patients.
AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
[Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia: the usefulness of the transbronchial biopsy as a diagnostic technic].
Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is a recently described entity characterized by cough, fever and dyspnea. To date, only a few cases have been published in the literature. Currently, the diagnosis is established by open lung biopsy. We hereby present a case of BOOP diagnosed through transbronchial biopsy (TBB); we discuss the potential benefits of the thoracic radiography and computerized tomography scan (CT scan). Finally, we underline that in our patient, the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) restored to normal before the resolution of the radiological images.
Biopsy↗