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Biomedical subjects

J E Kasik

Publications and source records attributed to J E Kasik.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Compliance with medical practice guidelines: the case of home oxygen.

Standard and straight forward practice guidelines for administration of home oxygen therapy have been long established and widely accepted. Medical records for 418 patients prescribed home oxygen through hospital-based programs at seven Veterans Administration medical centers (VAMCs) were reviewed to determine compliance with practice guidelines at the time of initial and current prescriptions. Rates of appropriate prescription at some VAMCs were very high but were too low at other VAMCs, especially given the criteria's simplicity and clarity. Practice guidelines should be implemented in conjunction with regular review mechanisms or other controls in place to ensure compliance.

Clinical Protocols↗
PubMed1989

Effect of quinolone antimicrobials on theophylline pharmacokinetics.

The purpose of the research was to ascertain the comparative differences of quinolone antibiotics on theophylline pharmacokinetics. Eight healthy male volunteers were randomly assigned to four treatments. Each was administered norfloxacin (NOR) 800 mg/d, ciprofloxacin (C) 1 g/d, nalidixic acid (NAL) 2 g/d and placebo (P) for 7 days. On the seventh day of each treatment, theophylline (5 mg/kg) iv was administered. The elimination half-life (T 1/2), total body clearance (CL) and volume of distribution at steady state (Vss) of theophylline were calculated using model-independent methods. ANOVA for repeated measures was used for data comparisons. The mean (SD) theophylline results were: CL l/kg/h--NOR .038 (.006), C .033 (.006), NAL .045 (.008), P .044 (.007); T 1/2 h--NOR 9.2 (1.8), C 10.6 (1.8), NAL 8.3 (1.8), P 7.5 (1.4). Theophylline Vss differences by treatment were not significant. NOR and C significantly decreased theophylline's clearance and the clearance change can be of clinical significance.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The efficacy of inhaled beclomethasone in chronic obstructive airway disease.

The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of inhaled beclomethasone in the treatment of stable chronic obstructive airway disease (COAD). Eight patients completed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of inhaled beclomethasone and oral prednisone. Each patient received 3 treatment regimens given for 14 days: inhaled beclomethasone, prednisone, and placebo. There were no statistically significant differences in pulmonary function tests, oxygen cost diagram, or 12-minute walking distance test among the regimens. The only improvement in arterial blood gasses was partial pressure of oxygen, which was negligibly increased during prednisone treatment compared with beclomethasone and with placebo (p less than 0.05). Evaluation of 95% confidence intervals indicated that clinically significant mean differences were unlikely with either beclomethasone or prednisone. Larger studies are required to determine if a responsive subgroup exists, and to determine if this form of therapy has a role in treatment of COAD.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1987

Therapy for chronic obstructive lung disease.

CAO is a chronic, degenerative disease of the lung that produces a number of serious physiologic abnormalities in respiratory function. It is progressive and, in general, responds poorly to medical therapy. Cigarette smoking is almost universally the cause of the disease, and stopping smoking clearly slows the progress of the disorder. Therapy is of marginal value at best in a substantial number of patients with this problem, and even in those who respond well, improvement in function is not great. A conservative approach to therapy is advised, but only when its value can be documented. As the illness progresses, chronic oxygen therapy in hypoxic patients may be of value in preventing or treating cor pulmonale.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1979

Bronchial secretion levels of amikacin.

Amikacin was given to 14 noninfected men as three consecutive intramuscular injections (7.5 mg/kg) at 12-h intervals. Serum and bronchial secretion specimens were obtained at various times during flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy after the final dose. Serum and bronchial secretion concentrations obtained between 1.5 and 2.0 h after the final dose ranged from 17 to 40 mug/ml and 2.3 to 8.4 mug/ml with a mean of 23.7 +/- 2.9 and 5.23 +/- 1.5 mug/ml, +/-1 standard error of the mean, respectively. The highest bronchial secretion concentration in each subject correlated with the highest serum concentration (r = 0.83, P < 0.001), and all concurrent serum and bronchial secretion concentrations demonstrated a significant correlation (r = 0.82, P < 0.001). Clearance occurred at the same rate (half-life serum = 2.84 h; half-life of bronchial secretion = 2.60 h, P > 0.5). The mean bronchial secretion concentration of the 15 specimens obtained more than 7 h after the final dose was less than 1.0 mug/ml, with a range from 0.3 to 1.6 mug/ml. It is concluded that amikacin may achieve minimal inhibitory concentrations for many gram-negative bacteria in the bronchial secretions of noninfected patients 1 to 2 h after the final dose. However, levels fall below the reported minimal inhibitory concentrations against negative bacteria 6 to 7 h after the final dose. Furthermore, bronchial secretion levels may never reach the minimal inhibitory concentration against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Aged↗
PubMed1979

The concentration of tobramycin in bronchial secretions.

Fifteen noninfected patients received three consecutive doses of tobramycin (1.7 mg/kg intramuscularly). Serum and bronchial secretions were obtained during bronchoscopy. Microbiologic assay demonstrated that bronchial secretions containing tobramycin produced inappropriately small zone sizes when compared with serum. Also, it was shown that bronchial secretions frequently do achieve therapeutic concentrations of tobramycin at this dosage level and route of administration.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Why tuberculosis is still a health problem in the aged.

Modern chemotherapy has made the treatment of tuberculosis effective and simple. What is required is a high index of suspicion for the disease, particularly in the older members of the population. When tuberculosis is suspected, a skin test should be performed and sputum examined for acid-fast bacilli. If the skin test is positive and the x-ray compatible, therapy with isoniazid and ethambutol should be initiated while evaluation of the patient continues. Therapy need not be complicated, and the patient can be returned to his usual environment promptly if a few simple rules are followed.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1976

Immunosuppressant activity of the ansamycins.

The immunosuppressive effect of four analogues of rifampin and two streptovaracins on cell-mediated immunity has been determined. Tuberculin hypersensitivity in the footpads of immunized mice was inhibited by three of the rifampin analogues and by both streptovaracins. The observed in vivo immunosuppressive activity of the compounds tested was not correlated with their in vitro activity against mycobacterial growth but was associated with their toxicity in mice. These data indicate that some of the analogues of rifampin and the streptovaracins can significantly suppress cell-mediated immunity and suggest that other ansamycins may have significant immunosuppressant activity.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The pneumoconioses.

The pneumoconioses are by and large industrial diseases, although casual contact may be important on occasion, particularly with asbestos. The effect of dust on the lung ranges from only radiographic changes to severe functional impairment. Destruction and fibrosis of lung parenchyma may be the end result in severe disease. Great improvement has been made in recent years in the control of dust in the numerous situations where it may cause disease. We are still faced with evaluating existing standards of particle concentration in air breathed by workers and establishing safe limits and better control of the particles placed into the general environment. Undoubtedly, there are other particulates which potentially can cause lung disease of which we are not aware. Of even more concern is the realization that a latent period of 20 years or so may be necessary for physicians to become aware of the pathologic process. Every physician who sees patients with pulmonary problems must inquire regarding a history of dust exposure and be prepared to interpret that history.

Asbestosis↗