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At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

The use of infliximab in academic rheumatology practice: an audit of early clinical experience.

OBJECTIVE: To audit a first clinical experience of treating rheumatic disease patients with infliximab in the setting of an academic tertiary care rheumatology practice. METHODS: The infusion history of patients referred to the McGill University Health Centre during the first 18 month period of a special access program for treatment with infliximab, a tumor necrosis factor-a antibody, was audited for disease characteristics, dosing schedule for infliximab, concomitant treatments, response rate, and side effect profile. RESULTS: Forty-one patients received a total of 300 infusions of infliximab over a period of 9 +/- 5 months (mean +/- standard deviation). Rheumatic disease indications were rheumatoid arthritis in 30, spondyloarthropathy in 6, psoriatic arthritis in 2, juvenile onset polyarthritis in 2, and scleroderma in one. Disease duration was 17 +/- 11 years. Concomitant treatment with steroids and methotrexate was present in 68% and 54%, respectively. Infliximab treatment was continued beyond 5 infusions or 22 weeks in 63%. Of the 26 patients continuing treatment, adjustment to dosing and/or interval schedule of infusions was made in 58%. The clinical response rate was moderately to greatly improved in 96%. Severe side effects considered directly related to the treatment were observed in 6 (15%) patients; less severe side effects, which did not preclude continuation of treatment but frequently required medical intervention, were noted in 93%. CONCLUSION: Infliximab is a valuable treatment for patients with resistant rheumatic diseases in the short term. Both the serious, and the frequent, more benign complication rate observed in this group of patients should alert physicians to be vigilant in the routine care of patients treated with infliximab.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed2004

Genotypic determinants of the virological response to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-experienced patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the genotypic determinants of the virological response to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in a multicentre cohort of antiretroviral (ARV)-experienced patients receiving TDF as a part of a salvage therapy. METHODS: HIV-1 genotype was assessed at baseline in a subgroup of 161 patients of the French expanded access program receiving a stable TDF-including regimen for 3 months or more. Reverse transcriptase mutations associated with the viral load decrease at month 3 with a P-value <0.15 were retained for the construction of a mutation score. The score was then validated using a multivariate analysis and bootstrap resampling method. RESULTS: The strongest association with decrease in viral load was observed with a set of seven mutations (TDF mutation score) that consisted of M41L, E44D, D67N, T69D/N/S, L74V, L210W and T215Y/F RT mutations. The RT K65R mutation and the insertions at codon 69 were not included in the analysis due to low prevalences. A TDF mutation score of < or = 2 predicted the absence of resistance to TDF and > or = 6 mutations predicted resistance to TDF with corresponding reductions in viral load of -1.3 +/- 1.1, and +0.1 +/- 0.7 log10 copies/ml, respectively. In patients with a TDF mutation score of 3-5, the decrease in viral load was -0.8 +/- 1.0 log10 copies/ml and was considered possibly resistant. In the multivariate analysis, a TDF mutation score > or = 6, previous use of amprenavir, indinavir and lopinavir, and co-prescription of didanosine were associated with a worse virological response. The bootstrap analysis showed the robustness of the TDF mutation score. CONCLUSION: In ARV-experienced patients receiving TDF-containing regimens, a score derived from seven reverse transcriptase mutations was shown to be independently predictive of the virological response.

Adenine↗
PubMed2003

[Disaffiliated cocaine users: measures of prevention].

Disaffiliated cocaine users have a precarious contact with the health care system thus complicating prevention of HIV and hepatitis. The lack of confidence of cocaine users towards the health care system as well as society's way of taking charge of them, hinders both the development of a relationship based on change and for users to take action towards risk reduction. The lack of coordination between health care resources constitutes yet another obstacle. After reviewing the literature on social disaffiliation and the risks of viral infections in cocaine users, the authors make a critical analysis of preventive means concerning viral infections. Thus, the model based on harm reduction, low-access programs, information interventions, sensitization as well as motivational approaches, empowerment and health promotion are discussed.

English Abstract↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Antiretroviral treatment for HIV infection. Where we are and where we are going?].

Antiretroviral treatment for HIV infection has evolved importantly during the last few years. Eradication of HIV is currently not a realistic target of antiretroviral therapy; however, long term virologic control is possible with current antiviral combinations in the majority of patients. This has resulted in a dramatic reduction in complications and mortality associated with AIDS, even though significant challenges remain. Some of them are the limited access to antiretroviral drugs that exist in most of the affected countries because of the elevated costs of the drugs, the high level of adherence needed for efficacy and the short term and long term toxicity. It is important that antiretroviral access programs financed with public funds consider the following points in their design: specialized prescription that optimizes the use of these resources, integration of prevention to care, evaluation of costs in a global perspective, and integration of research with medical care.

Anti-Retroviral Agents↗
PubMed2004

Selecting SNPs for association studies based on population frequencies: a novel interactive tool and its application to polygenic diseases.

Common complex polygenic diseases as autoimmune diseases have not been completely understood on a molecular level. While many genes are known to be involved in the pathways responsible for the phenotype, explicit causes for the susceptibility of the disease remain to be elucidated. The susceptibility to disease is thought to be the result of genetic epistatic interactions between common polymorphic genes. This polymorphism is mostly caused by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Human subpopulations are known to differ in the susceptibility to the diseases and generally in the distribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms. The here presented approach retrieves SNPs with the most divergent frequencies for selected human subpopulations to help defining properties for the experimental verification of SNPs within defined regions. A web-accessible program implementing this approach was evaluated for multiple sclerosis (MS), a common human polygenic disease. A link to a summary of data from "The SNP Consortium" (TSC) with sex-dependencies of SNPs is available. Associations of SNPs to genes, genetic markers and chromosomal loci are retrieved from the Ensembl project. This tool is recommended to be used in conjunction with microarray analyses or marker association studies that link genes or chromosomal loci to particular diseases.

Gene Frequency↗
PubMed2005

Evaluation of atazanavir Ctrough, atazanavir genotypic inhibitory quotient, and baseline HIV genotype as predictors of a 24-week virological response in highly drug-experienced, HIV-infected patients treated with unboosted atazanavir.

The objective of this study was to evaluate virological and pharmacological determinants of a 24-week virological response to unboosted atazanavir (ATV) in highly drug-experienced HIV-infected patients. Among patients enrolled in the ATV Expanded Access Program, those with HIV-RNA >1000 copies/mL, a genotype performed within three months from the baseline (BL), and who completed 24 weeks of treatment, were included. They received at least three antiretrovirals, including ATV 400 mg once daily without boosting. ATV plasma levels were evaluated after four weeks of treatment by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). ATV genotypic inhibitory quotient (GIQ) was calculated as the ratio between ATV Ctrough and the number of the BL ATV-related protease resistance mutations (among the following: 10I/V/F, 20R/M/I, 24I, 331/F/V, 36I/L/V, 46I/L, 48V, 54V/L, 63P, 71V/T/I, 73C/S/T/A, 82A/F/S/T, 84V, and 90M). Thirty-five subjects were included. At baseline, median (interquartile range) CD4+ T-lymphocytes, HIV-RNA, and ATV resistance mutations were 232.5 (106-303)/microL, 4.7 (4.2-5.1) log10 copies/mL, 2 (1-6), respectively. Thirteen (37.1%) subjects were off-therapy and 11 (31.4%) showed no PI mutation at baseline. Median steady-state ATV Ctrough was 230 ng/mL (87-520), for an ATV GIQ of 86.5 (25.5-165.5). Median HIV-RNA changes from baseline at weeks 4, 12 and 24 were -1.76 (from -0.44 to -2.12), -1.41 (from -0.41 to -2.81) and -1.44 (from -0.42 to -2.71) log10, respectively. The HIV-RNA changes were correlated to the number of ATV resistance mutations at each time point (P < 0.05), whereas no correlation was found between ATV Ctrough or ATV GIQ and HIV-RNA changes. In conclusion, the number of ATV resistance mutations is the only correlate to virological response through 24 weeks of treatment with unboosted atazanavir 400 mg once daily.

Anti-HIV Agents↗
PubMed2005

Industry support for dental education.

The relationships between industry and dental education are multiple and mutually beneficial. Perhaps most prominent are collaboration on research and development of products and technologies and the knowledge and public credibility that accompany them. Industry is also looked to for product and equipment support in schools and increasingly for help with outreach and access programs schools provide for underserved populations. Not as widely recognized, but still quite important, are the programs for support of student research and sharing of management expertise through exchange of board members. A quarter century ago, the relationship between schools and industry was at arm's length. There was a mistrust in schools that feared exposing their students to commercial contact. Today the relationship has evolved into a mutual search for joint benefits with an eye on the future of the profession and its relationship with patients. This is illustrated in the American Dental Education Association Corporate Council.

Advisory Committees↗
PubMed1990

[Guidelines for electronic-data-processing-controlled serial diagnosis of donor blood samples].

UNLABELLED: Increasing performance figures and the necessity to save expenses oblige transfusion services to automatize their donors' laboratory examination. Sufficient hard- and software for sample distribution and processing is now available. Following aspects should be regarded when switching to automatic serial screening: SAFETY: The identity of blood-donor, donation and laboratory result will be achieved by machine readable labeling and on-line communication between working-stations and central administration. Flexibility: Easy automatic selective laboratory screening will be possible using special barcodes including sample identification and working orders. A modular hardware concept with easily accessible programming control allows it to implement new devices or methods. Ergonomy: Automatic sample processing including selective screening and simultaneous operating robotic sample processors increase working quality, sample output and time benefits. Economy: Improved working conditions will result in saving reagents and compensating staff limitations.

Blood Banks↗
PubMed1991

Incidence and causes of maternal mortality in five Kampala hospitals, 1980-1986.

This report presents results of a descriptive study to estimate the mortality rate, identify the type and the causes of maternal deaths. The study was conducted in 1987 in Kampala hospitals for a period covering seven years from 1st January 1980 to 31st December, 1986. The non abortion maternal mortality rate (NAMMR) was 2.65 per 1000 deliveries while the abortion related maternal mortality rate (ARMMR) was 3.58 per 1000 abortions. There was a statistically significant increase in NAMMR while the increase in ARMMR was almost significant over the seven year period. Of all maternal deaths, 80 per cent were non abortion while 20 per cent were abortion related. The commonest immediate causes of death, in order of importance, were sepsis, haemorrhage, ruptured uterus, anaesthesia and anaemia. The commonest patient management factors which contributed to death, in order of importance, were lack of blood for transfusion, lack of drugs and intravenous fluids, theatre problems and doctor related factors. We feel that a lot happens to the pregnant mother before she finally reaches a health unit for delivery and that there is a great need to improve on the community's gynaecological and obstetrical services as well as ambulance and emergency services. We also feel that maternal mortality in developing countries could be reduced if the health workers were imaginative in respect to each patient, tried not to operate as though they were working in a developed country, and created relevant solutions for the local problems.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1991

Protecting reproductive health and choice.

Women and men have special needs in rehabilitation. Women's needs, however, have received far less attention in the scientific community and medical literature. This section, edited by Sandra Cole, PhD,(*) highlights some of the unique concerns of women who live with physical disabilities.

Decision Making↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Maternal health care utilization in Jordan: a study of patterns and determinants.

This article analyzes the patterns and determinants of maternal health care utilization in Jordan, using data from the Jordan Fertility and Family Health Survey of 1983. The study focuses on the 2,949 women who had a child in the five years preceding the survey. Through multivariate analyses of differentials in the utilization of prenatal care and health care at delivery, the study assesses the effect of sociodemographic factors, including residence, education, parity, and standard of living. The coverage of maternal health care in Jordan is discussed in relation to the overall organization of health services, the various providers of care, and the role of cultural factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Changing sex ratio of mortality in the Semai Senoi, 1969-1987.

An excess of male over female deaths is characteristic of modern national populations, whereas in some high-mortality societies female mortality exceeds that of males. Among the Semai Senoi, a Malaysian Orang Asli ("aboriginal") population, women experienced higher mortality than males in the decades before 1969. This differential occurred in all age classes older than 15 years so that the sex ratio progressively increased with age. A recent (1987) restudy of the Semai population found that sex-specific differential mortality is much reduced. A comparison of the 1969 and 1987 life tables shows a sharp shift in the sex ratios of mortality for the post-15-year-old age classes (the geometric means of age classes 15-44 were 0.768 in 1969 and 0.997 in 1987) so that male and female expectations of further life at age 15 are now nearly identical. In contrast to the best-known cases of high female mortality (mostly in South Asia), Semai sex differential mortality does not include the childhood ages. The Semai have traditionally been relatively sexually egalitarian, and sex bias in care has not occurred. Analysis of sex-specific causes of death for the pre-1969 population suggests that maternal mortality is the major cause of the excess female deaths. The reduced number of maternal deaths seems largely due to better health care, particularly the availability of hospital services. Interestingly, the reduction in female mortality has occurred simultaneously with increased fertility, and overall mortality has continued at relatively high levels (eO less than 36). Thus, rather than forming a component of a unitary demographic transition, declining sex differences in mortality can be accounted for by a specific factor, better maternal care.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Possible reasons for non-completion of immunization in an urban settlement of Papua New Guinea.

A study to identify possible reasons for non-completion of immunization among children was carried out in an urban settlement of Port Moresby. It was found that the children's mothers lacked basic understanding about immunization and the potential seriousness of immunizable diseases. There was also poor social interaction between health workers and the mothers. It is recommended that emphasis be placed also on the social aspects of immunization if widespread coverage is to be achieved.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Is permanent contraception acceptable in sub-Saharan Africa?

Some authors contend that the low use of family planning in sub-Saharan Africa is due to a low demand for fertility regulation among African men and women. The present authors' experience in Africa has been that it is not the demand for family planning services, but the way services are delivered that accounts for low numbers of acceptors in Africa. The specific case of Kenya is mentioned, where improvements in the quality of sterilization services and increases in the number of institutions that can provide minilaparotomy under local anesthesia have led to an increase in the acceptance of sterilization. The authors maintain that the demand for all family planning methods does exist, and it is up to the donor agencies and family planning service providers to try to meet that demand by providing services that are efficient to providers while oriented to the clients' needs. In the case of voluntary surgical contraception, that means providing minilaparotomy under local anesthesia.

Africa↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Prenatal care in Latin America].

Available data on the coverage of prenatal care in Latin America were reviewed. In recent years, only Bolivia had a coverage of prenatal care of less than 50 per cent. More than 90 per cent of pregnant women received prenatal care in Chile, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. Prenatal care increased between the 1970 and 1980 in the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Peru. The coverage of prenatal care decreased in Bolivia and Colombia. The mean number of visits increased in Cuba and Puerto Rico. The increase of prenatal care in Guatemala and Honduras is due to increased care by traditional birth attendants, compared to the role of health care institutions. We compared the more recent data on tetanus immunization of pregnant women to the more recent data on prenatal care. The rates of tetanus immunization are always lower than the rates of prenatal care attendance, except in Costa Rica. The rates of tetanus immunization was less than half as compared to the rates of prenatal care in Bolivia, Guatemala, and Peru. To improve the content of prenatal care should be an objective complementary to the increase of the number of attending women.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Information systems for the management of local health systems].

Owing to the diffusion of computers--personal as well as highly sophisticated models--and of modern data bank systems and more accessible programming methods that no longer require hiring professional programmers to develop a variety of applications, administrators are increasingly using this new technology as a basis for making more realistic decisions. Good information systems are of great importance in the management of local health systems; however, in order for them to be truly useful, data collection must be homogeneous so that the data may be subsequently consolidated and compared. In this connection the authors present a model consisting of four stages: strategic planning; analysis of needs; allocation of resources; and selection of alternatives for consideration by project teams and suppliers of equipment and programs.

Delivery of Health Care↗
PubMed1990

The use of evaluation to improve the Expanded Programme on Immunization in Mozambique.

Reported are the results of an evaluation of process indicators and outputs for the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in Mozambique which were used to modify immunization strategies from 1985 to 1987. In 1986 according to cluster sample surveys, 84% of children in Maputo, the capital, were fully vaccinated. In other cities in the country, vaccination coverage increased from an average of 36% in 1985 to 55% in 1987. The major determinants of low vaccination coverage were provision of vaccination services at health centres on less than 3 days per week; missed opportunities; and vaccinating too early or with too short an interval between doses. The results of sentinel site surveillance in Maputo indicated that EPI had a marked impact on neonatal tetanus and to a lesser extent on poliomyelitis and measles. Evaluation led to changes in EPI policy in Mozambique (e.g., adoption of a uniform national vaccination schedule and discontinuation of the use of expired vaccine) and strategies (elaboration of different strategies for urban areas, rural areas, and displaced people). Also, performance was improved by involving programme managers and implementors in evaluation, and by providing timely and widespread feedback of results to policy-makers, peripheral health workers, and the community.

Child↗