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Biomedical subjects

B Simons

Publications and source records attributed to B Simons.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Caspofungin treatment in severely ill, immunocompromised patients: a case-documentation study of 118 patients.

BACKGROUND: Caspofungin has shown efficacy in empirical antifungal therapy in neutropenic patients, refractory invasive Aspergillus infections and invasive candidiasis. Here we report the currently largest series of patients treated with caspofungin outside clinical trials. METHODS: Centres in Germany that were known to treat patients with invasive fungal infections were asked to fill out detailed questionnaires for all patients treated with caspofungin. No effort was made to influence the decision to use caspofungin. RESULTS: A total of 118 patients were evaluable (median age 48 years, interquartile range 38-58), out of which 41 (35%) suffered from acute leukaemia, 31 (26%) had allogeneic stem cell transplants, 16 (14%) lymphoma or myeloma, 8 (7%) autologous stem cell transplants and 22 (19%) other causes for immunosuppression. One hundred and six patients were evaluable for efficacy out of which 68 (64%) patients achieved a complete or partial remission. A total of 81 out of 115 (70%) patients were alive 30 days after the end of caspofungin therapy. Response rates were similar in proven (20/32, 63%) and probable (27/46, 59%) infections, in neutropenic patients (41/55, 75%) and in patients who were (44/70, 63%) or were not (24/36, 67%) refractory to antifungal pre-treatment. The response rate in mechanically ventilated patients was 29% (7/24). Caspofungin was well tolerated, even in 14 patients, who were concomitantly treated with ciclosporin A, no drug-related elevations of bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase or creatinine were found. CONCLUSIONS: This open case study of severely ill patients with invasive fungal infections demonstrates both excellent efficacy and very low toxicity of caspofungin.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Dental surgery attendance amongst patients with moderately advanced dementia attending a day unit: a survey of carers' views.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the views of carers of patients with dementia, on the patient's dental health needs. DESIGN: Prospective survey using semi-structured interview. SETTING: Dementia day care unit for patients living in their own homes. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Twenty-eight carers of dementia sufferers were interviewed between March and September 2000, as part of regular clinical reviews of patient's needs. Carers' views on the dental care needs of patients were ascertained. Cognitive and behavioural assessments of patients were also made using the Clifton Assessment Procedure for the Elderly (CAPE). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Dental unmet need ie the carer deciding that the patient needed a dental examination, but anticipating that this would be problematic, the carer would not take them. RESULTS: Twenty one per cent met criteria for dental unmet need. CONCLUSIONS: Carers of people with dementia may be reluctant to take those they care for to the dentist. We need to explore ways to ensure appropriate dental surgery attendance.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Give a hand to PCA.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Analgesia, Patient-Controlled↗
PubMed1990

Analysis of calcific deposits in calcifying tendinitis.

The precise composition of calcific deposits in calcifying tendinitis is still unknown. However, analysis of such deposits can help to elucidate the disease's pathogenesis. Twenty-five calcific deposits from various phases of the disease were analyzed by several methods. The macroscopic appearance of the specimens during the acute phase of calcifying tendinitis resembled a milky emulsion; in contrast, it resembled a granular conglomerate during the chronic phase. X-ray diffraction showed a poorly crystallized hydroxyapatite lattice (resembling that in bone) in both phases. Infrared spectroscopy revealed variable H2O, CO3, and PO4 contents in all samples, but no significant differences in these proportions were seen in the two phases of the disease. Organic molecules were seen in addition in all samples. Scanning electron microscopy showed similar morphologies of the crystalline conglomerates of both phases, with somewhat round, nongeometric structures. The macroscopic difference was not reflected in the mineralogic structure. Neither a chemical compositional change nor a change in the crystal lattice was observed. The disintegration of the conglomerates probably depends on a change in the bonding capacity of the organic molecules, which in turn initiates phagocytosis in the resorptive phase.

Calcinosis↗
PubMed1988

Algae-derived (phycogene) hydroxylapatite. A comparative histological study [corrected and issued with original paging in Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 1988 Oct;17(5)].

3 granular hydroxylapatite (HA) biomaterials, solid, coralline and phycogene HA (obtained from calcifying algae), differing widely in their relative amounts of specific surfaces and their origin, were examined with regard to their effects on bone healing in rats. Trephine drill holes were produced in the rat femur and filled with the HA granules. Each biomaterial produced a characteristic pattern of bone healing. Bioceramics with a small surface area showed random bone-implant contacts. Biomaterials offering large surface areas showed a dense bone-implant interface. Evidence is presented to suggest that a large specific surface favours osteoneogenesis and cell spreading on and into an implant.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

The influence of age on optokinetic nystagmus.

The influence of age on optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) was studied in 63 healthy subjects, who were divided into three groups according to their age, group I (20-39 years), II (40-59 years) and III (60-82 years). It was found that on average maximal OKN velocity decreases considerably with age, from 114 degrees/s in group I to 93 degrees/s in group II and 73 degrees/s in group III. Two mechanisms participate in the generation of OKN, the so-called 'fast' component and 'velocity storage' component. The 'fast' component leads to immediate changes in slow phase nystagmus velocity and is related to smooth pursuit eye movements. The 'velocity storage' component causes more gradual velocity changes and expresses itself during optokinetic afternystagmus (OKAN). To study the relative contribution of these two components, maximal smooth pursuit and OKAN velocity were determined in addition to the maximal OKN velocity for the same individuals. It was found that both smooth pursuit and OKAN performance decrease with age. Consequently the maximal OKN velocity, which depends on both factors, is even more affected than smooth pursuit eye movements.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Hospital admissions during the first five years of life: a report from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Child Development Study.

Admissions to hospital experienced by 991 Dunedin children in the first five years of life are described. Changes in behaviour reported by the mothers as following these admissions were related to the age of the child, circumstances of admission, and extent of contact with parents. Twenty-seven percent of the children had been in hospital and 7% more than once. The majority of admissions were short, particularly for the older children, and parent contact was usual. The majority of admissions were not followed by reported changes in behaviour. Children between 13 and 36 months had the highest incidence of reported behaviour deterioration (25%). Children between 36 and 60 months had the highest incidence of improved behaviour (22%). These results are discussed in relationship to other research on the effects of admission to hospital on young children.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A gene encoding the plant-like alternative oxidase is present in Phytomonas but absent in Leishmania spp.

The constituents of the respiratory chain are believed to differ among the trypanosomatids; bloodstream stages of African trypanosomes and Phytomonas promastigotes oxidize ubiquinol by a ubiquinol:oxygen oxidoreductase, also known as alternative oxidase, whereas Leishmania spp. oxidize ubiquinol via a classic cytochrome-containing respiratory chain. The molecular basis for this elementary difference in ubiquinol oxidation by the mitochondrial electron-transport chain in distinct trypanosomatids was investigated. The presence of a gene encoding the plant-like alternative oxidase could be demonstrated in Phytomonas and Trypanosoma brucei, trypanosomatids that are known to contain alternative oxidase activity. Our results further demonstrated that Leishmania spp. lack a gene encoding the plant-like alternative oxidase, and therefore, all stages of Leishmania spp. will lack the alternative oxidase protein. The observed fundamental differences between the respiratory chains of distinct members of the trypanosomatid family are thus caused by the presence or absence of a gene encoding the plant-like alternative oxidase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗