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Biomedical subjects

F Fernandez

Publications and source records attributed to F Fernandez.

250 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Have you lost the butler to the DRG's?

Although these concepts have been around for quite some time, we are doubtful that they have been explored and used in supply and distribution departments. It may be that this will determine your ability to meet budgetary targets. We feel that flexibility in staffing, allowing to provide only as much manpower as is required depending on actual work load, will be one of the more important management techniques to be used by supply managers in the new environment.

Diagnosis-Related Groups↗
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A new method for encapsulation of living cells: preliminary results with PC12 cell line.

A new method is described for encapsulation of living cells. PC12 rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cells, which have been shown to synthesize, store and release dopamine were employed. The particles are made first and the cells then incorporated in a gentle mechanical procedure. The morphology (by light and electron microscopic observation), stability, rheology, texture and permeability of these microcapsules provided by Kappa Biotech were investigated. Membrane permeability studies demonstrated exclusion of 69,000 Da human serum albumin, but equilibrium of D-glucose and inulin was within 24h, indicating a molecular weight cut-off in the 5000-70,000 Da range. The viability and the function of the encapsulated cells were evaluated by measuring the spontaneous release of dopamine by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The results show that dopamine-secreting cells can be sequestered in a semi-permeable capsule and still display good viability and proliferation for at least 1 month.

Animals↗
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Coagulation, fibrinolytic and kallikrein systems in neonates with uncomplicated sepsis and septic shock.

This study evaluates the contact system, coagulation inhibitors and fibrinolysis in 23 full-term newborns with sepsis (8 with septic shock). The results were compared with a group of 20 healthy newborns. Blood samples were obtained at the time of clinical diagnosis and 3 days after the antibiotic therapy was started. The results showed that: severe infection was associated with activation of the contact system, depletion of anticoagulant proteins and elevation of C4b-binding protein levels. There was a shift in protein S to the complexed inactive form, and the thrombin-antithrombin complexes increased. These changes occurred in parallel to both activation and inhibition of fibrinolysis. These changes were more pronounced in the septic shock patients than in nonshock neonates. After therapy, this procoagulant state decreased among survivor patients while in those who died, the abnormalities in coagulation did not improve. Our study suggests that neonatal sepsis induces a hypercoagulable state that persists in nonsurvivor neonates despite a correct treatment.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
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Responding to DRGs through employee education.

The catch phrase under DRGs is "doing more with less." If you have fewer employees, their productivity has probably already increased. This can have a negative effect on the department. The most effective way to respond to this situation is through strong educational programs, resulting in employees who are more knowledgeable about their jobs. If you invest a half hour each week for inservice education, your employees will be better prepared to meet the new challenges that lie ahead. We must accept these times as a challenge, and the sooner we do, the better prepared we will be.

Diagnosis-Related Groups↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Beta-2-microglobulin as an index of renal function after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery in children.

In order to evaluate the clinical usefulness of serum and urinary beta-2-microglobulin (beta 2-m) determination as a marker of renal damage following cardiopulmonary bypass surgery (CPB), 37 children, with an age range of 6 months to 13 years undergoing CPB under hypothermia and cardioplegia for congenital malformations, were studied. Renal function was monitored at baseline and on the first and third day after CPB by traditional tests such as creatinine (Cr), endogenous creatinine clearance (Ccr), and fractional sodium excretion (FeNa), as well as by serum and urinary beta 2-m measured by radioimmunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed for the group as a whole and after stratification for the presence of acute renal failure (ARF) defined by an increase in Cr greater than 0.5 mg/dl and/or FeNa greater than 2% and of renal hypoperfusion which was considered in case of hypotension resistant to volume repletion and/or dopamine infusion and of oliguria (less than 1.0 ml/kg/h). The incidence of ARF was 18.9%, mortality 21.7% and among those who developed ARF, 71.4%. Although Cr and FeNa increased significantly on the first postoperative day, values returned to baseline thereafter, probably because of the high mortality rate observed among those who developed ARF and were therefore lost to follow-up. In contrast, Ccr was significantly decreased during the whole study. Even though serum beta 2-m displayed a similar profile to Cr and FeNa returning to baseline by the third day, urinary and fractional excretion of beta 2-m were significantly increased at any time of the study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute Kidney Injury↗