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Biomedical subjects

J DeMarco

Publications and source records attributed to J DeMarco.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Effect of salmeterol on patients' adherence to their prescribed refills for inhaled corticosteroids.

BACKGROUND: Optimal treatment for persistent asthma requires multiple classes of medication, including antiinflammatory agents and bronchodilators. Inhaled corticosteroids are the most effective antiinflammatory agents available and are recommended by recent guidelines as first-line treatment. Salmeterol, a long-acting inhaled bronchodilator, is recommended as adjunctive therapy to inhaled corticosteroids. Non-adherence to prescribed medication is prevalent and has been implicated in asthma exacerbations. Salmeterol's benefits in terms of asthma control are readily perceived by patients whereas the benefits of inhaled corticosteroid therapy may be less apparent. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the addition of salmeterol to a medication regimen affects patient adherence to prescription refills for inhaled corticosteroids. METHODS: A retrospective medical chart and pharmacy claims record review before and after the addition of salmeterol was used. Medication adherence rates were calculated for 67 patients requiring inhaled corticosteroids for at least 8 months before and after the addition of salmeterol. RESULTS: Adherence with inhaled corticosteroid therapy before (49.7% +/- 29.3%) and after (56.5% +/- 28.6%) the introduction of salmeterol was not significantly different (P = .0785, pre versus post). Adherence with salmeterol was significantly higher (58.7% +/- 28.3%) than inhaled corticosteroids at baseline (P = .0202), but not with concurrent use. Dosing frequency of inhaled corticosteroid administration was not a significant factor in adherence, but increasing age was (r = 0.41788, P = .0048). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of salmeterol does not adversely affect the adherence rates to prescription refills for prescribed inhaled corticosteroid therapy. On average, important antiinflammatory treatment should not be supplanted with salmeterol if prescribed in combination.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Clinical signs and diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta in three dogs.

When a young dog is evaluated for multiple fractures with minimal to no accompanying trauma, the primary differential diagnoses are metabolic disease, physical abuse, and osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Of these, secondary hyperparathyroidism is most common, but if serum concentrations of ionized calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and parathormone are within reference ranges, OI must be considered. Osteogenesis imperfecta is a heritable disease characterized by brittle bones. Results of studies using cultured skin fibroblasts indicate that most cases of OI in human beings are caused by a mutation in a type-I collagen gene. Osteogenesis imperfecta was recently identified in 3 dogs. Radiographic findings included multiple fractures in various stages of healing and generalized osteopenia. Cultured fibroblasts from skin biopsy specimens were used to diagnose OI. Structural abnormalities were found in type-I collagen from each dog. This cell culture assay can be used to evaluate dogs with brittle bones.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Free radicals, oxidative stress, oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL), and the heart: antioxidants and other strategies to limit cardiovascular damage.

The heart is the most susceptible of all the organs to premature aging and free radical oxidative stress. Clinical research has clearly documented the role of free radical damage and the progression of numerous degenerative diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease. This may be the result of acute ischemia-reperfusion injury, endothelial damage of hyperhomocysteinemia, as well as chronic oxidative damage secondary to lipid peroxidation. Fortunately, although highly responsive, and therefore vulnerable to the effects of oxidative stress, the heart is also receptive to the benefits of targeted phytonutrients, antioxidants, and nutritionals. The effects of antioxidant nutrients have been extensively evaluated in epidemiological, population, and clinical studies. Phytonutrients such as the natural flavonoids and carotenoids found in fresh fruits and vegetables or vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene have powerful antioxidant effects. In addition, minerals like selenium and nutrients such as coenzyme Q10 will minimize free radical risk and optimize a favorable outcome from the ubiquitous presence of oxidative stress on the cardiovascular system. The B complex, particularly folic acid, B12, and B6 are also essential in the prevention of hyperhomocysteinemia, another major risk factor for the circulatory system. Measures to minimize accumulation of heavy metals in the body, especially iron and copper, which are capable of initiating adverse free radical reactions, will also help to assuage oxidative stress. Thus, the combination of a healthy diet supplemented with antioxidants and phytonutrients may be useful in the prevention and promotion of optimum cardiovascular health.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed1989

Structural characterization of the alpha-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase-encoding gene of Drosophila melanogaster.

In Drosophila, multiple isoforms of alpha-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (sn-glycerol-3-phosphate: NAD+ 2-oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.8) are produced in a tissue- and stage-specific manner. To understand the underlying molecular basis of these isoforms, we have sequenced a 5.8-kilobase region of the Drosophila genome that contains the entire Gpdh locus. Primer-extension and RNase protection assays show that the gene consists of eight exons and has a single transcription-start point. RNase protection mapping and comparison of the genomic sequence from three different cDNA clones reveal that three protein isoforms of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase are produced by alternative processing of 3' exons. Two of the isoforms differ from the third by the addition of either three or ten amino acids to their C-terminal ends. Transcripts corresponding to two of the isoforms are expressed during both larval and adult stages, while the third isoform is produced only in adults.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A syndrome resembling idiopathic noncirrhotic portal hypertension in 4 young Doberman pinschers.

We describe 4 young male Doberman Pinschers (3 littermates and 1 unrelated dog) with a syndrome resembling idiopathic or noncirrhotic portal hypertension of humans. Each dog was evaluated for a hepatopathy resulting in portal hypertension, development of portosystemic collateral vessels, and hepatic encephalopathy. These dogs differ from previous reports of young dogs with hepatic insufficiency associated with portal hypertension and acquired portal systemic shunting by their lack of intrahepatic arteriovenous fistulae, portal vein atresia, or intrahepatic fibrosis. Clinicopathologic features included erythrocyte microcytosis, normal to mildly increased liver enzyme activities, increased concentrations of serum bile acids, reduced plasma indocyanine green clearance, and normal total bilirubin concentration. Abdominal ultrasonography disclosed a small liver and portosystemic collateral vessels. Radiographic imaging studies confirmed hepatofugal portal circulation and discounted hepatic arteriovenous fistulae. Histopathologic features in liver tissue from each dog were similar and consistent in all sections examined. Common findings included increased cross-sectional views of hepatic arterioles; hepatic lobular atrophy; scanty increase in connective tissue around some large portal triads; and absence of inflammation, disturbed lobular architecture, bile duct proliferation, or intrahepatic cholestasis.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prothrombin, activated partial thromboplastin, and proteins induced by vitamin K absence or antagonists clotting times in 20 hyperthyroid cats before and after methimazole treatment.

The effect of daily doses of 5-15 mg of methimazole on the platelet count, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and proteins induced by vitamin K absence or antagonists (PIVKA) clotting time in 20 hyperthyroid cats was determined. No significant (P > .05) difference was found in median platelet count. PT, APTT, or PIVKA clotting time before treatment compared to median values at 2-6 weeks or > or =7-12 weeks of methimazole treatment. No cat had a prolonged APTT at any time. At 2-6 weeks of methimazole treatment, 1 cat each developed thrombocytopenia or prolonged PIVKA clotting time despite initially normal values. Three cats had abnormal coagulation tests (prolonged PT [n = 1] and PIVKA clotting time [n = 3]) before treatment that fluctuated during treatment. Excluding the 3 cats that had abnormal PIVKA clotting time before treatment, prolonged PIVKA clotting time developed in 6% (1/17; 95% confidence interval, 0-28%) cats treated with methimazole for 2-6 weeks. Seemingly. doses of methimazole commonly used to treat hyperthyroidism in cats do not cause alteration in PT and APTT, and only rarely prolong PIVKA clotting time. Nevertheless, abnormal PIVKA clotting time may explain bleeding tendencies unassociated with thrombocytopenia in methimazole-treated hyperthyroid cats.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prediction of full scale plant performance from pilot columns.

The first attempt to provide a data base for comparing a pilot and full scale system for various organics produced results that require further investigation. Although both of the pilot systems had longer average contact times than their respective full scale systems, a uniform pattern of longer service time for the different substances evaluated did not occur. These results may not be consistent with the data collected using pilot contactors in series to observe the effect of contact time. The series pilot contactor system provided data that show the effect of varying empty bed contact time on the removal of the organic substances studied. Improved effluent quality was generally achieved with increased contact time. A pilot series system similar to the one used is considered essential in collecting and interpreting design data. A method of statistical interpretation of the results was developed that shows promise for use in evaluating pilot column results. Further evaluation is required to assess that all pertinent factors were properly controlled during the investigation. Also, repeat testing will be conducted, attempting to control more closely the contact times between the pilot and full scale systems. The comparative granular activated carbon particle sizes also will be more closely examined. Although pilot to full-scale comparisons have been successfully performed for single parameters, the results for multiple organics have not been previously reported. Such a data base, if properly collected, will provide invaluable background in assessing what types of design safety factors are required when using pilot column data to predict full scale results for a naturally occurring mixture of organic substances.

Adsorption↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Removal of higher molecular weight organic compounds by the granular activated carbon adsorption unit process.

The granular activated carbon adsorption unit process in drinking water treatment typically removes purgeable organic compounds for time periods on the order of a few weeks. Experimental evidence indicates that less volatile compounds of generally higher molecular weight than the purgeable fraction, but still detectable by gas chromatography, are efficiently removed for longer periods. Field data substantiate this. Explanatory mechanisms may include stronger adsorption affinities or biodegradation. Non-gas chromatographable, higher molecular weight materials such as humic acids, as measured by Total Organic Carbon (TOC) or trihalomethane formation potential, revert to lower removal efficiencies. Biodegradation may be responsible for a continued long term removal of a fraction of these materials.

Adsorption↗