Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to S Maxson.
29 undergraduate majors in elementary education reading instructional beliefs were measured at the beginning and the conclusion of a 15-wk. course on reading methods. Analysis indicated a positive change in the students' beliefs.
Cefpodoxime is an oral third-generation cephalosporin used for the treatment of acute upper-respiratory tract infections caused by susceptible bacteria in children. Although not indicated for the treatment of bacterial meningitis, it is used to treat other infections produced by organisms associated with meningitis and may obscure the result of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures in children who develop meningitis while receiving oral antibiotics if sufficient concentrations are achieved in the CSF. This study evaluated the disposition of cefpodoxime and penetration into CSF in piglets. Fifteen Landacre-Camborough cross piglets (10-20 days old) received cefpodoxime proxetil oral suspension (10 mg/kg). Repeated plasma and CSF samples were collected over 24 hours for quantitation of cefpodoxime by HPLC. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed on both plasma and CSF data. The plasma concentration versus time data for cefpodoxime were best characterized using a one-compartment model with first-order absorption. The mean (+/- SD) pharmacokinetic parameters for Cmax, tmax, and AUC0-infinity were 23.3 +/- 12.9 mg/L, 3.9 +/- 1.4 h, and 237 +/- 129 mg/L.h, respectively. CSF/plasma ratios for AUC0-infinity demonstrated a mean cefpodoxime penetration of approximately 5%. CSF penetration of cefpodoxime was evident following a single oral dose of cefpodoxime proxetil suspension. Despite the small percentage of total cefpodoxime dose distributing into the CSF, the resultant concentrations approached or exceeded the MIC90 for many bacterial pathogens considered susceptible to cefpodoxime. Accordingly, clinicians should use caution in the interpretation of CSF cultures in patients who develop clinical signs and symptoms consistent with meningitis and who have been previously treated with cefpodoxime.
Pediatric fungal pulmonary infections are being seen with increasing frequency. The dimorphic fungi Histoplasma capsulatum. Blastomyces dermatitidis, Coccidioides immitis, and Cryptococcus neoformans frequently cause infections that are asymptomatic. However, patients may suffer pneumonia and disseminated disease. Diagnosis can be made definitively by isolation of the causative organism, but serology or skin testing is often necessary when this is not successful. Severe or life threatening infections are treated with amphotericin B. Recently, new oral azole antifungals are being used more frequently for mild to moderate disease with good success.
On a worldwide level, measles is a common infection, especially in developing countries. In the United States, however, the disease has become very uncommon secondary to the widespread use of immunizations. Because of this, many physicians have not had measles themselves, nor have they treated patients for the infection. This relative rarity may delay diagnosis and the institution of appropriate infection control measures, thus resulting in increased numbers of exposed persons. Until measles is eradicated, measures to ensure appropriate immunization and control outbreaks are essential. A recent small outbreak in Arkansas is reported here along with a review of the disease and the measures to control outbreaks.
A retrospective chart review was performed to evaluate the effect that positive results of cerebrospinal fluid bacterial antigen tests had on the care of patients with presumed bacterial meningitis. Of 901 tests ordered, costing $26,000 per year, 29 showed positive results--and only four of these affected patient care. By using cerebrospinal fluid bacterial antigen testing only when another test does not identify an organism, or in an attempt to determine central nervous system infection late in therapy for presumed sepsis, one can greatly reduce costs with no detrimental effect on patients.
Viral meningitis is a common illness among children and is most often caused by enteroviruses. Diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical findings and analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid. Important conditions to consider in diagnosis are partially treated bacterial meningitis, tuberculous meningitis, fungal meningitis, other infections, and central nervous system tumor. Ruling out treatable causes early is important. Treatment of enteroviral meningitis is supportive, and the prognosis is usually very good, although significant neurologic sequelae have been reported.
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Responses of helically cut segments from six different rabbit arteries to the selective histamine H1 receptor agonist 2-pyridylethylamine (PEA) and, in strips contracted by 10-4 M phenylephrine, to the selective histamine H2 agonist dimaprit have been determined. 10-3 M PEA contracted the renal artery, 96 +/- 2%; mesenteric artery, 92 +/- 2%; coeliac artery, 88 +/- 11% aorta 75 +/- 4%' ear artery 64 +/- 10% and pulmonary artery 48 +/- 5% of the maximal contraction to norepinephrine. 10-3 M dimaprit relaxed the phenylephrine contracted ear artery 48 +/- 8%; renal artery, 43 +/- 8%; coeliac artery 41 +/- 8%; mesenteric artery 36 +/- 5%; aorta 16 +/- 3%; and pulmonary artery 11 +/- 1% of the initial contractile tension. Strips in which histamine H1 receptors are blocked by 7 X 10-6 M mepyramine which are contracted by phenylephrine are partially relaxed by histamine. Cooling these strips markedly enhanced relaxations of the mesenteric and coeliac arteries but not those of the other four vessels. Exposure of the strips to dibenamine potentiated relaxations of all of the arteries except the ear artery and pulmonary artery. Thus there is heterogeneity among the arteries in their responses to histamine H1 and H2 receptor activation.