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Biomedical subjects

John M Embil

Publications and source records attributed to John M Embil.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Pituitary apoplexy masquerading as meningoencephalitis.

BACKGROUND: Pituitary apoplexy, a rare but life-threatening disorder, is characterized by the abrupt destruction of pituitary tissue secondary to infarction or hemorrhage of the gland itself. Its clinical features include severe headache, stiff neck, fever, visual disturbances, and symptoms of hypoadrenalism. OBJECTIVES: To assess how pituitary apoplexy may mimic the clinical findings of an infectious meningoencephalitis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We describe 3 individuals whose clinical profile and paraclinical studies were consistent with a diagnosis of presumed infectious meningoencephalitis. With minimal improvement on antimicrobial therapy, however, an extensive clinical and radiographic reevaluation yielded pituitary apoplexy as the etiology of their acute neurologic event. CONCLUSIONS: Pituitary apoplexy is often misdiagnosed as meningitis or subarachnoid hemorrhage due to the presence of leukocytes and erythrocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid. These cases serve to highlight the importance of maintaining a broad differential diagnosis when evaluating patients presenting with an acute headache.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2002

Epidemiology and clinical spectrum of blastomycosis diagnosed at Manitoba hospitals.

Blastomyces dermatitidis is a dimorphic fungus endemic to Canada and the United States. Few reports regarding blastomycosis in Canada have been published. We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 143 patients with confirmed cases of blastomycosis diagnosed in hospitals in Manitoba, Canada, from 1988 through 1999. The annual incidence rate of blastomycosis in Manitoba was 0.62 cases per 100,000 population, compared with 7.11 cases per 100,000 population in the Kenora, Ontario district. The average age of patients was 38.0 years, and males accounted for 65.0% of cases. An increased incidence of blastomycosis was observed in the Aboriginal subpopulation. Organ systems involved were as follows: respiratory system (93.0% of cases), skin (21.0%), bone (13.3%), genitourinary tract (1.4%), and the central nervous system (1.4%); 6.3% of patients died, and death was associated with a short clinical course. This study provides a summary of the current status of blastomycosis in this area of endemicity in Canada.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Scissors: a potential source of nosocomial infection.

This point-prevalence survey of healthcare workers' scissors demonstrates that of 232 scissors sampled, 182 (78.4%) were colonized with bacteria. The scissors of nurses and those for communal use were most frequently contaminated. Cleaning of scissors occurred infrequently, but wiping scissors with an alcohol swab effectively disinfected them. The suspicion that scissors may harbor and potentially transmit microorganisms, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria, has been confirmed.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed2002

Becaplermin: recombinant platelet derived growth factor, a new treatment for healing diabetic foot ulcers.

Chronic or non-healing lower extremity ulcerations in diabetics are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, and account for a large proportion of the financial burden related to the care of diabetics. Lower extremity ulcerations develop primarily as a consequence of neuropathy and the goal in addressing any wound is to re-establish tissue integrity as soon as possible. The healing of wounds is a complex procedure involving multiple growth factors, some of which have multiple effects on different cell types, in particular, platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) is a prominent agent, active in all stages of the healing process. Becaplermin (0.01% Regranex gel) is a homodimeric protein produced by recombinant DNA technology through the insertion of the gene for the B chain PDGF into the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The biological activity of becaplermin is similar to that of indigenous PDGF-BB, specifically, the promotion of chemotactic recruitment and the proliferation of cells involved in wound repair. Becaplermin has undergone extensive animal and human studies, demonstrating that it is highly effective as an adjunctive measure for the healing of ulcerations in the feet of diabetics when used in conjunction with standard wound healing practices. Specifically these practices include the provision of a moist environment free of debris and necrotic tissue, control of infection and optimal weight displacement from the affected area. Becaplermin is safe and easy to use, being applied once-daily and at present, becaplermin is the only growth factor licensed for use in wound healing.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

The ketolides: a critical review.

Ketolides are a new class of macrolides designed particularly to combat respiratory tract pathogens that have acquired resistance to macrolides. The ketolides are semi-synthetic derivatives of the 14-membered macrolide erythromycin A, and retain the erythromycin macrolactone ring structure as well as the D-desosamine sugar attached at position 5. The defining characteristic of the ketolides is the removal of the neutral sugar, L-cladinose from the 3 position of the ring and the subsequent oxidation of the 3-hydroxyl to a 3-keto functional group. The ketolides presently under development additionally contain an 11, 12 cyclic carbamate linkage in place of the two hydroxyl groups of erythromycin A and an arylalkyl or an arylallyl chain, imparting in vitro activity equal to or better than the newer macrolides. Telithromycin is the first member of this new class to be approved for clinical use, while ABT-773 is presently in phase III of development. Ketolides have a mechanism of action very similar to erythromycin A from which they have been derived. They potently inhibit protein synthesis by interacting close to the peptidyl transferase site of the bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit. Ketolides bind to ribosomes with higher affinity than macrolides. The ketolides exhibit good activity against Gram-positive aerobes and some Gram-negative aerobes, and have excellent activity against drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, including macrolide-resistant (mefA and ermB strains of S. pneumoniae). Ketolides such as telithromycin display excellent pharmacokinetics allowing once daily dose administration and extensive tissue distribution relative to serum. Evidence suggests the ketolides are primarily metabolised in the liver and that elimination is by a combination of biliary, hepatic and urinary excretion. Pharmacodynamically, ketolides display an element of concentration dependent killing unlike macrolides which are considered time dependent killers. Clinical trial data are only available for telithromycin and have focused on respiratory infections including community-acquired pneumonia, acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, sinusitis and streptococcal pharyngitis. Bacteriological and clinical cure rates have been similar to comparators. Limited data suggest very good eradication of macrolide-resistant and penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae. As a class, the macrolides are well tolerated and can be used safely. Limited clinical trial data suggest that ketolides have similar safety profiles to the newer macrolides. Telithromycin interacts with the cytochrome P450 enzyme system (specifically CYP 3A4) in a reversible fashion and limited clinically significant drug interactions occur. In summary, clinical trials support the clinical efficacy of the ketolides in upper and lower respiratory tract infections caused by typical and atypical pathogens including strains resistant to penicillins and macrolides. Considerations such as local epidemiology, patterns of resistance and ketolide adverse effects, drug interactions and cost relative to existing agents will define the role of these agents. The addition of the ketolides in the era of antibacterial resistance provides clinicians with more options in the treatment of respiratory infections.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Health-related quality of life in diabetic patients with foot ulcers: literature review.

Foot ulcers are a common, serious, and costly complication of diabetes, preceding 84% of lower extremity amputations in diabetic patients and increasing the risk of death by 2.4-fold over diabetic patients without ulcers. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is worse among individuals with diabetes than individuals without diabetes, and complications of diabetes, including foot ulcers, have a major negative effect on HRQOL. Diabetic foot ulcers are associated with reduced mobility and deficits related to activities of daily living that adversely affect HRQOL. Qualitative studies have confirmed clinical observations that diabetic foot ulcers have a huge negative psychological and social effect, including reduction in social activities, increased family tensions for patients and their caregivers (spouses or partners), limited employment, and financial hardship. Quantitative studies confirm the findings of qualitative studies that diabetic foot ulcers exert a negative effect on physical functioning, psychological status, and social situation. Recent advances include the development and validation of disease-specific HRQOL surveys for diabetic patients with foot ulcers. Disease-specific surveys may improve the evaluation of HRQOL as a function of ulcer healing, the effect of different treatment methods on HRQOL, and the relationship between treatment-specific HRQOL, patient compliance, and treatment efficacy.

Activities of Daily Living↗