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Biomedical subjects

J A Papadakis

Publications and source records attributed to J A Papadakis.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The application of hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) in a flight catering establishment improved the bacteriological quality of meals.

Following an outbreak of salmonellosis affecting 415 passengers on flights in 1991, the associated flight catering establishment located on a Greek island was surveyed for two years. During the first year of the survey, the bacteriological quality of food was not satisfactory. In an attempt to maximize food safety for crew and passengers the HACCP approach was implemented in 1993. Since its application, greatly supported by the management and staff, the bacteriological quality of aircraft meals was considerably improved.

Aircraft↗

Effect of 24-hour blood pressure and heart rate variations on left ventricular hypertrophy and dilatation in essential hypertension.

This study correlates variables derived from blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) monitoring with the degree of left ventricular structural changes in essential hypertension. Forty patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension according to World Health Organization criteria underwent 24-hour ambulatory monitoring. Echocardiographic (posterior wall and interventricular septum thickness, left ventricular mass) or ECG (SV1 + RV5) indices of hypertrophy were significantly (p less than 0.01) correlated (positive correlations) with derivatives of BP monitoring (mean systolic and diastolic BP values) but not with HR derivatives. Echocardiographic indices of dilatation (left ventricular end-diastolic volume and diameter) were significantly (p less than 0.01 to less than 0.001) correlated (negative correlations) with derivatives of HR monitoring (mean HR values, mainly during the night) but not with BP derivatives. It is concluded that in essential hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy depends on mean 24-hour systolic and diastolic BP values, whereas left ventricular dilatation appears to be more prominent in patients with bradycardia mainly during the night.

Adult↗

The assessment of two media for the confirmation of Escherichia coli in water samples in single-tube tests.

Two single-tube media, lactose-tryptone-lauryl sulphate broth (LTLSB) and lauryl-tryptose-mannitol broth were tested in parallel in a series of 1111 tests on water samples from a variety of sources. LTLSB was found to be superior both in gas and indole production from Escherichia coli when incubated at 44 degrees C and is recommended as the most suitable single-tube confirmatory test for this organism.

Bacteriological Techniques↗

Incubation at raised temperature or enrichment media, combined with secondary enrichment in Rappaport's medium, for the isolation of salmonellas from sewage.

Two FMDV strains which had been previously differentiated by complement-fixation were compared by guinea-pig protection test, kinetic neutralization and micro-neutralization tests. It was found that these tests, which have not been previously applied by the methods described, were all capable of FMDV STRAIN DIFFERENTIATION. Similar differences were found by all methods, which suggests that comparisons made by cross-CF, cross-neutr-alization or cross-protection involve measurement of the same antigen/antibody interactions.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Treating dyslipidaemia in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus -- a special reference to statins.

Patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM) have an increased incidence of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) when compared with nondiabetic subjects. In addition, they have a worse prognosis after their first myocardial infarction (MI). According to the recent USA recommendations, the threshold for initiation of dietary intervention in diabetic subjects is an LDL greater than 2.6 mmol/l, with the goal to achieve levels less than 2.6 mmol/l (100 mg/dl). This is also the threshold for initiation and treatment goal for pharmacological intervention in diabetic subjects, unless they are completely free of IHD, peripheral vascular disease or cerebrovascular disease and have no other IHD risk factors. In the latter circumstances, the threshold for treatment is an LDL greater than 3.38 mmol/l (130 mg/dl), with the goal to achieve levels less than 3.38 mmol/l. The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) can improve the lipid profile effectively and safely in NIDDM. Results from post hoc analyses of diabetic subgroups in the large intervention trials suggest that some statins significantly reduce the risk for IHD-related mortality/morbidity. However, because these results are derived from secondary prevention trials, we cannot be sure if these benefits apply to all diabetic subjects or only to those who already have IHD. Nevertheless, it seems logical to assume that this benefit also applies to NIDDM patients who do not have IHD because they share a similar vascular risk as nondiabetic subjects who have IHD. Intervention trials using statins and fibrates, alone or in combination, in NIDDM are under way. In a few years these trials will provide definitive end-point-based evidence in this high-risk group of patients.

Bezafibrate↗

Efficacy of amikacin, ofloxacin, pefloxacin, ciprofloxacin, enoxacin and fleroxacin in experimental left-sided Pseudomonas aeruginosa endocarditis.

The efficacies of amikacin, ofloxacin, pefloxacin, ciprofloxacin, enoxacin and fleroxacin, each as monotherapy, were evaluated in a rabbit model of induced left-sided Pseudomonas aeruginosa endocarditis. Therapy started 48 h after infection and lasted 5 days. All agents were given intramuscularly; amikacin at 7 mg/kg/12 h, and each quinolone at 35 mg/kg/12 h. All animals survived except for 1 of the group that received amikacin, and 2 of the untreated control group. No sterile vegetations were found in the untreated group and the group of fleroxacin, while 3 animals from the amikacin, ofloxacin, and enoxacin groups, and 2 from the ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin groups had sterile vegetations. All agents used significantly reduced the number of CFU per gram of vegetation versus untreated controls. Enoxacin and ciprofloxacin were equipotent and more effective than pefloxacin, ofloxacin and amikacin. Fleroxacin had a weaker activity.

Amikacin↗

[A new procedure of "Salmonella" enrichment (author's transl)].

We have prepared a modification of Rappaport's medium by reducing the content of themalachite green oxalate: medium R10, which is incubated at 43 degrees C instead of 37 degrees. These two modifications allow a satisfactory growth of a wide range of Salmonella and a better inhibition of competing organisms than the original medium of Rappaport incubated at 37 degrees and than Muller-Kauffmann's medium incubated at 43 degrees.

Culture Media↗