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P Kramarz

Publications and source records attributed to P Kramarz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Metal kinetics and respiration rates in F1 generation of carabid beetles (Pterostichus oblongopunctatus F.) originating from metal-contaminated and reference areas.

We investigated resistance to metals in carabid beetles inhabiting metal-polluted and reference areas. Chronic multigeneration exposure to toxic metal concentrations may potentially result in adaptation through decreased metal uptake rate and/or increased excretion rate. The cost of resistance to pollution could be associated with increased metabolic rate. To test these predictions, laboratory cultured F(1)-generation beetles originating from metal-polluted and reference sites were exposed to food contaminated with zinc and/or cadmium for 10 weeks. After that, uncontaminated food was offered to the animals for another 3 weeks. During the experiment, internal concentrations of Cd and Zn were measured as were respiration rates of the animals. The results obtained show no significant differences in metal accumulation and excretion patterns or respiration rates between the populations. This may suggest that adaptation has not occurred in the beetles chronically exposed to toxic metal concentrations. The possible explanations for the lack of differences between the populations are discussed.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2001

Measles-mumps-rubella and other measles-containing vaccines do not increase the risk for inflammatory bowel disease: a case-control study from the Vaccine Safety Datalink project.

CONTEXT: A link between measles virus-containing vaccines and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been suggested by recent studies. OBJECTIVE: To address whether receipt or timing of measles-containing vaccine (MCV) increases risk for IBD. DESIGN: A case-control study. SETTING: Four large health maintenance organizations (HMOs) that are part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Vaccine Safety Datalink project. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A total of 155 persons with codes from International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision specific for IBD, born between 1958 and 1989 and enrolled from birth to the onset of disease, were identified. Up to 5 controls were matched by sex, HMO, and birth year. INTERVENTION: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Risk for IBD, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. RESULTS: Past vaccination was not associated with an increased risk for Crohn's disease (odds ratio [OR] for measles-mumps-rubella vaccine [MMR], 0.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.08-2.0), ulcerative colitis (OR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.18-3.56), or IBD (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.21-1.68). Risk for IBD was not increased among children vaccinated who were younger than 12 months (OR for MMR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.15-2.45) or aged 12 to 18 months (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.28-2.59) relative to unvaccinated children. Children vaccinated with MMR who were older than 18 months were at significantly decreased risk for IBD (OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.04-0.68). Neither past vaccination nor age at vaccination with other MCV was associated with increased risk for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or IBD. Risk for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or IBD was not elevated in the time immediately following vaccination with either vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccination with MMR or other MCV, or the timing of vaccination early in life, did not increase the risk for IBD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Time to death response in carabid beetles exposed to multiple stressors along a gradient of heavy metal pollution.

We investigated the responses of invertebrates inhabiting polluted environments to multiple stressors. Carabid beetles (Pterostichus oblongopunctatus F.) were subjected to food deprivation and insecticide treatment (dimethoate) to resolve trends associated with a gradient of heavy metal pollution. Metal concentrations along the gradient of five sites ranged from approximately 150 to 10,500 mg/kg Zn, 136 to 2600 mg/kg Pb, and 0.84 to 81.9 mg/kg Cd. There was no difference in body mass along the pollution gradient. However, the beetles originating from the most contaminated sites were significantly less tolerant to food deprivation than beetles from the reference site. Median survival time was 120 h for the two most polluted sites, compared with 168 h at the reference site. Beetles from the two most polluted sites were also significantly more susceptible to dimethoate at 0.1 microgram active ingredient/beetle. Median survival times were 12 and 123 h for beetles from the two most polluted sites and 359 h for the reference site. Carabid beetles exposed to chronic pollution, therefore, exhibit elevated susceptibility to additional stressors.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2001

Challenges and controversies in immunization safety.

No vaccine is perfectly safe or effective. As diseases such as diphtheria and polio fade, vaccine safety concerns, especially alleged links between vaccinations and several chronic illnesses, have become increasingly prominent in the media and to the public. This article reviews the current scientific evidence on several recent vaccine safety controversies. It also provides information on how various safety research is conducted, some of the concurrent challenges, and finally, some guidance on communicating with patients on vaccine risks.

Autistic Disorder↗
PubMed2001

Does influenza vaccination prevent asthma exacerbations in children?

OBJECTIVE: Influenza can exacerbate asthma, particularly in children. The effectiveness of influenza vaccine in preventing influenza-related asthma exacerbations, however, is not known. We evaluated influenza vaccine effectiveness in protecting children against influenza-related asthma exacerbations. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study with medical and vaccination records in 4 large health maintenance organizations in the United States during the 1993-1994, 1994-1995, and 1995-1996 influenza seasons. We studied children with asthma who were 1 through 6 years of age and who were identified by search of computerized databases of medical encounters and pharmacy dispensings. Main outcome measures were exacerbations of asthma evaluated in the emergency department or hospital. RESULTS: Unadjusted rates of asthma exacerbations were higher after influenza vaccination than before vaccination. After adjustment was done for asthma severity by means of a self-control method, however, the incidence rate ratios of asthma exacerbations after vaccination were 0.78 (95% CI: 0.55 to 1.10), 0.59 (0.43 to 0.81), and 0.65 (0.52 to 0.80) compared with the period before vaccination during the 3 influenza seasons. CONCLUSIONS: After controlling for asthma severity, we found that influenza vaccination protects against acute asthma exacerbations in children.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Population-based study of rotavirus vaccination and intussusception.

BACKGROUND: During the first year that the rhesus rotavirus tetravalent vaccine (RRV-TV) was licensed, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System received several reports of intussusception after vaccination. To evaluate the risk of intussusception, we conducted a retrospective cohort study in ten managed care organizations. METHODS: Cases of intussusception were identified by searching electronic databases for diagnoses of intussusception (ICD-9 Code 560.0) in infants 1 to 11 months of age and confirmed by medical chart review. Vaccination and enrollment data were obtained from administrative databases. Incidence rate ratios (RR) of intussusception were computed by dividing incidence rates in prespecified risk intervals after vaccination by the background rate of intussusception and adjusted for age by Poisson regression. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to evaluate risk by vaccine dose. RESULTS: Of 463,277 children 56,253 had been vaccinated with a total of 91 371 doses of RRV-TV. The incidence rate of intussusception was 25/100,000 person years among unexposed infants and 340/100,000 person years 3 to 7 days postvaccination. In the interval 3 to 7 days after vaccination, the age-adjusted RR was 16.0 (95% confidence interval, 5.5 to 46.7) for all doses combined and 30.4 (95% confidence interval, 8.8 to 104.9) after the first dose. RRs for the 8- to 14- and 15- to 21-day risk intervals were >1.0, but the confidence intervals substantially overlapped 1.0. The attributable risk was one case of intussusception per 11 073 children vaccinated. CONCLUSIONS: RRV-TV is associated with an increased risk of intussusception. The risk is greatest 3 to 7 days after the first vaccination dose.

Humans↗
PubMed2000

Influenza vaccination in children with asthma in health maintenance organizations. Vaccine Safety Datalink Team.

We assessed vaccination coverage and predictors of influenza vaccination in asthmatic children in four large Health Maintenance Organizations. We studied 68,839 children with asthma at four Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) in the 1995-1996 influenza season and 34,032 children at two HMOs in the 1996-1997 influenza season. In both seasons only 9-10% were vaccinated against influenza. Children who were hospitalized, had an emergency department visit for asthma or a prescription for a beta-agonist prior to the influenza season, were more likely to be vaccinated. Overall, 61% of the unvaccinated asthmatic children had made an outpatient clinic visit during months when influenza vaccination would have been appropriate. Vaccination coverage could be increased by taking advantage of all opportunities to vaccinate children with asthma whenever they make clinic visits in the fall and early winter.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Influenza and the rates of hospitalization for respiratory disease among infants and young children.

BACKGROUND: Young children may be at increased risk for serious complications from influenzavirus infection. However, in population-based studies it has been difficult to separate the effects of influenzavirus from those of respiratory syncytial virus. Respiratory syncytial virus often circulates with influenzaviruses and is the most frequent cause of hospitalization for lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children. We studied the rates of hospitalization for acute respiratory-disease among infants and children during periods when the circulation of influenzaviruses predominated over the circulation of respiratory syncytial virus. METHODS: For each season from October to May during the period from 1992 to 1997, we used local viral surveillance data to define periods in Washington State and northern California when the circulation of influenzaviruses predominated over that of respiratory syncytial virus. We calculated the rates of hospitalization for acute respiratory disease, excess rates attributable to influenzavirus, and incidence-rate ratios for all infants and children younger than 18 years of age who were enrolled in either the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program of Northern California or the Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound. RESULTS: The rates of hospitalization for acute respiratory disease among children who did not have conditions that put them at high risk for complications of influenza (e.g., asthma, cardiovascular diseases, or premature birth) and who were younger than two years of age were 231 per 100,000 person-months at Northern California Kaiser sites (from 1993 to 1997) and 193 per 100,000 person-months at Group Health Cooperative sites (from 1992 to 1997). These rates were approximately 12 times as high as the rates among children without high-risk conditions who were 5 to 17 years of age (19 per 100,000 person-months at Northern California Kaiser sites and 16 per 100,000 person-months at Group Health Cooperative sites) and approached the rates among children with chronic health conditions who were 5 to 17 years of age (386 per 100,000 person-months and 216 per 100,000 person-months, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Infants and young children without chronic or serious medical conditions are at increased risk for hospitalization during influenza seasons. Routine influenza vaccination should be considered in these children.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

Does influenza vaccination exacerbate asthma? Analysis of a large cohort of children with asthma. Vaccine Safety Datalink Team.

CONTEXT: Although influenza vaccination is recommended for children with asthma, only a minority are vaccinated. One reason for low influenza vaccine coverage among children with asthma may be concern that influenza vaccination may induce an exacerbation of asthma. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety of influenza vaccination in children with asthma, we studied the incidence of hospitalizations and emergency department visits for asthma following influenza vaccination. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study-analysis of population-based computerized medical and vaccination records. SETTING: : Four large health maintenance organizations on the West Coast of the United States. SUBJECTS: Children with asthma 1 through 6 years of age, identified by search of computerized databases of medical encounters and pharmacy prescriptions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Exacerbations of asthma. RESULTS: In unadjusted analyses vaccination was associated with high rates of asthma exacerbations. However, after adjusting for asthma severity using a self-control method, the incidence rate ratios of asthma exacerbations after vaccination were 0.58 (95% confidence interval, 0.36-0.95), 0.74 (95% confidence interval, 0.47-1.17), and 0.98 (95% confidence interval, 0.76-1.27) during the 3 influenza seasons. CONCLUSIONS: After controlling for asthma severity, we found that influenza vaccination does not result in acute asthma exacerbations in children. Concern about possible exacerbation of asthma is not a valid reason to not vaccinate children with asthma against influenza.

Asthma↗
PubMed1997

Heat shock proteins (HSP70) as biomarkers in ecotoxicological studies.

Hsp70, so-called stress proteins, were studied in the centipede Lithobius mutabilis when exposed in laboratory tests to different concentrations of the insecticide dimethoate (DMT; 0, 0.012, 0.111 mg kg-1 dwt), the detergent linear alkilobenzene sulfonate (LAS; 0, 16, 80, 400, 2000, 10,000 mg kg-1 dwt), and copper (Cu; 0, 56, 167, 500, 1000, 1500 mg kg-1 dwt) and in the field in captured animals from polluted (2 and 4 km from a zinc-and-lead smelter) and unpolluted (35 and 40 km from the smelter) areas. Hsp70 in centipedes were also tested for seasonal differences (March and September) in field-captured animals and for a temperature effect under laboratory conditions (5, 15, and 25 degrees C). Moreover, hsp70 were examined in housefly (Musca domestica) pupae after rearing larvae on food medium contaminated with DMT or LAS. Hsp70 were found in all animals tested, including controls, and their levels were not clearly related to the laboratory treatment with chemicals or temperature or to the degree of contamination in polluted areas. In centipedes from unpolluted areas, a significant seasonal difference in hsp70 content was found. The problems with using hsp70 as a universal biomarker in ecotoxicological studies are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Use of recombinant hirudin as antithrombotic treatment in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is a rare but severe complication of heparin therapy that can result in severe venous or arterial thromboembolic events and whose treatment remains partially unanswered. Recombinant hirudin is potentially effective as an antithrombotic treatment in the management of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, given its potent antithrombin effects without known interaction with platelets. We report the results obtained with intravenous recombinant hirudin (HBW 023) administered on a compassionate basis to patients suffering from heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Six patients suffering from heparin-induced thrombocytopenia were submitted to intravenous recombinant hirudin (HBW 023) administered at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg/hr after an initial bolus injection of 0.07 mg/kg in the case of a venous thromboembolic event, and at a dose of 0.15 mg/kg/hr with the same initial bolus injection in the case of an arterial thromboembolic event. Whenever possible, oral anticoagulation with acenocoumarol was introduced at the same time as recombinant hirudin, which was interrupted as soon as the international normalized ratio reached 3. Clinical events, particularly thromboembolism and bleeding, were noted; activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and platelet count were assessed throughout the administration of recombinant hirudin. Heparins responsible for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia were porcine sodium or calcium heparinate in four cases, nadroparin in one case, and enoxaparin in one case. Thrombocytopenia was discovered on routine systematic platelet count in two patients and after the occurrence of arterial and venous thromboembolism in two patients, respectively. After discontinuation of heparin and the onset of recombinant hirudin, clinical evolution was uneventful in all patients, with no recurrence of thromboembolism, limb amputation, or hemorrhagic complication. The aPTT ratio varied from 1.8 to 3.5 (median 2.4) throughout administration of recombinant hirudin. Platelet count rose from nadir (median value 60 x 10(9), 15 to 90) to above 100 x 10(9)/L in every patient within 3-6 days (median 5), after discontinuation of heparin. Intravenous administration of recombinant hirudin ensured safe anticoagulation in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and made it possible to wait for oral anticoagulation to become efficient and platelet count to return to normal values without occurrence or recurrence of thromboembolism.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

[Subcutaneous recombinant hirudin in the treatment of deep venous thrombosis. A pharmacokinetic study].

Recombinant hirudin (HBW 023) has a pure and specific antithrombotic activity. It could be more effective than heparin in the treatment of deep venous thrombosis. Its half life is about three hours when administered intravenously which requires continuous infusion whereas subcutaneous administration can ensure stable plasma concentrations and antithrombotic activity over a period of approximatively 12 hours. The aim of the study was to check the safety and clinical and radiographic efficacy of recombinant hirudin administered subcutaneously to patients with recent deep venous thrombosis and to analyse the pharmacokinetics of the product and its effects on tests of coagulation. Ten patients were treated with 0.75 mg/kg of subcutaneous recombinant hirudin twice a day for 5 days. Anticoagulation was performed with standard heparin and acenocoumarol. Bilateral phlebography, pulmonary angiography or ventilation and perfusion scintigraphy were carried out before and on the 5th day of recombinant hirudin treatment. The activated cephalin time and standard anticoagulant tests and the plasma kinetics of recombinant hirudin were assayed between the 1st and 12th hour on the first and fifth days of treatment. The clinical course was simple in all but one patient who had a recurrence of pulmonary embolism on the 4th day justifying thrombolytic treatment. No haemorrhagic complications or secondary biological effects were observed. On the 5th day, control phlebography was unchanged or improved in all patients. The peak plasma concentration of recombinant hirudin was observed between the 3rd and the 4th hour following subcutaneous injection. The activated cephalin time was increased in parallel with increased concentrations of recombinant hirudin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

["Prognostic markers" in serum of active and passive intravenous drug users infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)].

The analyse of neopterin (NPT), beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-M) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in active and passive intravenous drug users was made to show the influence of intravenous drug taking on the level of so called "prognostic markers" in the serum of HIV infected persons. The intravenous drug users remained in the same, symptom-free stage of infection. The level of NPT in active drug users was higher than in passive drug users (statistically essential difference). In both analysed groups the level of NPT considerably exceeded the norm range (10 nmol/l). The differences in beta 2-M concentrations between analysed groups were not statistically essential, although higher values were observed in active drug users. The concentration of IgA in analysed persons were within the norm range. Current life conditions of the HIV-infected persons should be taken into consideration when estimating prognostic values of analysed indices.

Adult↗