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Biomedical subjects

N J Smith

Publications and source records attributed to N J Smith.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1979

Susceptibility and synergy studies of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis is an important cause of cerebrospinal fluid shunt infections and prosthetic valve endocarditis. Agar dilution minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined for 100 strains of methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis which were isolated from clinical specimens. Vancomycin inhibited all 100 strains at </=3.12 mug/ml, whereas clindamycin inhibited only 46 strains at </=12.5 mug/ml. Methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis strains were resistant to achievable levels of erythromycin, with 90 strains having a minimum inhibitory concentration of >/=3.12 mug/ml. Of the five cephalosporins and one cephamycin tested, cefamandole was the most active in vitro, inhibiting 97 strains at </=25 mug/ml. Antibiotic synergism was examined by a quantitative bacterial time-kill method. Synergism (>/=10(2) kill by the combination over the most effective single antibiotic at 24 h) was demonstrated with vancomycin (1.56 mug/ml) plus cefamandole (6.25 mug/ml) in 14 of 14 strains, vancomycin plus cephalothin (6.25 mug/ml) in 14 of 14 strains, vancomycin plus rifampin (0.008 to 0.012 mug/ml) in 6 of 12 strains, rifampin plus cefamandole in 9 of 12 strains, and rifampin plus cephalothin in 10 of 12 strains. The emergence of populations of bacteria resistant to 0.2 mug of rifampin per ml developed in three of five methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis strains tested. The addition of either vancomycin, cephalothin, or cefamandole to the rifampin prevented the emergence of resistance in these three strains. Clinical trials of synergistic antibiotic combination therapy for serious methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis infections are indicated.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1978

Familial myoclonic epilepsy with ataxia and neuropathy with additional features of Friedreich's ataxia and peroneal muscular atrophy.

A family is described in which a mother and three of her five children showed myoclonic epilepsy. The mother and one son were also ataxic; one other son had additional features of Friedreich's ataxia, and a daughter had peroneal muscular atrophy as well as myoclonic epilepsy and ataxia. Although some of these disorders have been associated in previously reported families, the occurrence of all three disorders in members of one family seems to be unique. It is concluded that this family shows the manifestations of one, probably dominant, gene. The differences in age of onset and manifestations may be explained by the action of one or more subsidiary genes.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Measuring attitudes toward the physically disabled: testing the 'Attitude Towards Disabled Persons' scale (A.T.D.P. Form O) on social work and non-social work students.

The aim of the study was to test the U.S.A. Validated 'Attitude Towards Disabled Persons' Inventory (A.T.D.P. Form O) on a British student population to establish norms. The objectives were to test specific hypotheses related to the sex of the respondent, contact with physically disabled people and whether social work students had different attitude scores than non social work students. In addition, a comparison was made between the British and U.S.A. 'norms'. The student population of four specific British Universities comprised the sampling frame. The sample was a non probability accidental sample of social work and non social work students. Standardised A.T.D.P. Form Os were administered in group situations. Each form was accompanied by a letter explaining the study, together with a short questionnaire eliciting the sex of respondent and type and extent of any contact with disabled people. The findings demonstrated that there are probably differences between U.S.A. and British norms but that there are general similarities between the two countries. In both countries females, scored higher than males, which by interpretation indicates possibly a more favourable attitude. Contact with the disabled is also a contributing factor in higher scores. Social work students also tended to score more highly than non social work students. The implications of these findings are discussed with regard to the possible development of professional attitudes for those who work with the disabled. It is postulated that 'idealisation' may be reflected in attitudes of students who intend to work with the disabled which, after general and professional life experience gives way to less favourable attitudes. Closeness of contact of respondents to disabled people is a factor which needs further exploration in connection with changing attitude scores.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Comparison of the effects of bromocriptine and levodopa in Parkinson's disease.

The effects of bromocriptine and levodopa were compared in a blind trial in 18 patients with Parkinson's disease. Optimal doses of the two drugs were given in identical capsules: there was no significant difference between the therapeutic effects. There were wide individual differences in response to the two drugs. Side effects were more common with bromocriptine because of side effects.

Aged↗
PubMed1977

[Cellular immunity in protein-caloric malnutrition].

In order to have a clearer idea on the relationship between infectious diseases and malnutrition, cellular immunity is studied in 3 to 18 months old malnourished and healthy infants. Nutritional status is evaluated by the food intake the anthropologic measurements and some biological parameters like transferrin. Cellular immunity is investigated by skin tests to tuberculin, monilia, P.H.A. and DNCB. Absolute number of peripheral lymphocytes and percentage of T cells are studied too. The results show that there is a cellular immunity deficiency: frequent non-response to antigens, weak sensitization to DNCB. Some patients have a low percentage of spontaneous rosettes. The transferrin titering is useful to appreciate the nutritional status and the iron therapy opportunity, the prognostic and the immunitary possibilities.

Candida↗
PubMed1975

The absorption of iron as supplements in infant cereal and infant formulas.

The absorption of iron was measured from isotopically tagged salts used in supplementing infant cereals and as the iron supplement in cow's milk and soy-based formulas. Iron as sodium iron pryophosphate and ferric orthophosphate were poorly absorbed from infant cereal (mean, smaller than 1.0%) and thus are not dependable sources of iron to meet the nutritional needs of infants. Reduced iron of very small particle size and ferrous sulfate when added to cereal was absorbed to a greater extent (mean, 4.0% and 2.7% respectively). For technical reasons, these two forms of iron had not been added to commercial cereal products because of discoloration, distribution problems of the iron in the product, and shortened shelf life. Therefore, at the present time, iron supplementation of infant cereals with sodium iron pyrophosphate, ferric orthophosphate, and reduced iron of large particle size does not provide a predictable and available source of iron to meet the needs of infants. Supplemental iron as ferrous sulfate in milk- and soy-based formulas gave a mean absorption of 3.4% and 5.4%. The iron supplements in these formulas can essentially meet the needs for dietary iron of healthy infants.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Combined clinical and laboratory studies with carbenicillin and ticarcillin: use in infections involving anaerobic bacteria.

Eleven patients with serious infections involving anaerobic bacteria were treated with carbenicillin (four patients) or ticarcillin (seven patients). All patients were cured clinically and bacteriologically of their infections. An in vitro study testing 157 recently isolated anaerobic organisms against 11 antibiotics showed chloramphenicol, carbenicillin, and ticarcillin at blood level concentrations to be inhibitory to more anaerobic strains than the other eight antibiotics tested. Ticarcillin and carbenicillin appear to be safe and effective and deserve further consideration for use in the therapy of anaerobic infections.

Abdomen↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Histocompatibility antigens in paraplegic or quadriplegic patients with sacroiliac joint changes.

HLA typing for the A and B loci and radiographic examination of the sacroiliac joints were performed in 54 randomly selected patients with paraplegia or quadriplegia of more than 3 years' duration. The sacroiliac joints were abnormal in 24 patients. No association was found between any of the HLA antigens of the A and B loci and the sacroiliac joint changes. There was, however, an increased incidnece of sacroiliac joint changes in quadriplegic as compared to paraplegic patients.

Female↗