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Biomedical subjects

G Joseph

Publications and source records attributed to G Joseph.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Pefloxacin efficacy in gram-negative bacillary meningitis.

Sixteen patients with acute meningitis caused by Gram-negative bacteria were treated with pefloxacin intravenously. The age range of the patient group was six months to 85 years with a mean age of 40 years; three patients were children. In all but two patients meningitis was a complication of neurosurgical operations and fourteen of the sixteen had received prior therapy which was not successful. The causative organisms were: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5), Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (4), Klebsiella pneumoniae (3), Enterobacter cloacae (2), Citrobacter diversus (1) and Salmonella group C (1). Pefloxacin was administered intravenously 800 mg twice a day to the adult patients (mean dosage of 21( +/- 6.7) mg/kg body weight) for a mean period ( +/- S.D.) of 11( +/- 4) days. The mean cerebrospinal fluid concentration of pefloxacin was 8.8( +/- 5.0) mg/l which was 54% of the mean peak serum concentration (16.3( +/- 8.8]. The mean MIC and MBC of the causative organisms were 1.1( +/- 1.2) mg/l and 1.64( +/- 1.2) mg/l. Thirteen patients (87%) were cured or clinically improved and twelve (80%) were bacteriologically cured. One patient failed, another patient had reinfection and one was not assessable. No side effects were observed. In the present study pefloxacin offered an efficacious and safe treatment of Gram-negative meningitis following failure of other antibiotic therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Methodology of ECG interpretation in the Hannover program.

The Hannover ECG program HES has been designed for measurement and interpretation of resting and (moderate) exercise electrocardiograms. In the signal analysis part the program follows an averaging strategy. For diagnostic classification a hybrid model with decision trees and scoring algorithms, and with multivariate probabilistic tests for derivation of category A statements is applied. The multivariate classification technique allows to adjust sensitivity and specificity for specific application areas without changing the diagnostic criteria.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1989

Pefloxacin treatment of meningitis caused by gram-negative bacteria.

Ten patients with acute meningitis caused by gram-negative bacteria were treated with pefloxacin intravenously for a mean period of 10 days. Eight patients responded clinically to pefloxacin treatment, and the causative organisms were eradicated from the cerebrospinal fluid in 9 of the 10 patients. Pefloxacin may offer a new, efficacious, and safe therapy for gram-negative meningitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1987

Prostacyclin immobilized albuminated surfaces.

The adhered platelets on artificial surfaces play a crucial role in inducing thrombosis. Therefore, it is very much desirable to have surfaces which can effectively retard platelet adhesion and aggregation. Prostaglandins like PGE2, PGE1 and PGD2 possess potent antiplatelet activity, but have very short half life. A chemically stable prostacyclin analog, 10,10-difluoro-13-dehydroprostacyclin (DF2-PGI2) seems to be promising. Polyelectrolyte (PE) synthesized from natural poly cis-1,4 isoprene has also been found to possess outstanding anticoagulant and antiplatelet activity. Modification of polyetherurethane urea (PEUU) by immobilizing DF2-PGI2 and poly-electrolyte in various combinations using glow discharge technique has been attempted. Surfaces thus modified showed negligible platelet adherence. The inhibition of platelet adherence in presence of inducing agents like fibrinogen, thrombin and ADP was also remarkable. The interactions of albumin and fibrinogen with the modified surfaces were studied using 125I labelled proteins.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1987

Pregnancy in Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

A 22-year-old white woman with Henoch-Schönlein purpura was treated with frequent plasmapheresis for increased severity of the disease activity during pregnancy. Hypertension, azotemia, and placental dysfunction were not observed. A healthy infant was delivered by cesarean section, and evidence of vasculitis was not detected in the placenta.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Incisional biopsy and seeding in hamster cheek pouch carcinoma.

Surgical blades were contaminated by doing incisional biopsies on DMBA-induced cheek pouch carcinomas in hamsters. Contaminated blades were then used to: (1) make cytologic smears; (2) make incisions in the mucosal surface of the lower lip; (3) make incisions in the ventral surface of the tongue; (4) make incisions in the untreated left cheek pouch; and (5) make incisions in the pre-shaved back. One group of animals was killed three hr post-surgery. The second group was killed seven wk post-surgery. Tissues were excised and processed for microscopic study. Malignant cells were found in many of the incision sites of animals from the first group. In the animals of the second group, several tumors growing from the transplanted tumor cells were observed in the incision sites of the lower lips and the tongue. None was observed in the incision sites of the left cheek pouch or the back. Cervical lymph node metastases were found in approximately 50% of the animals of the second group.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗
PubMed1984

Effects of butyrate, retinol, and retinoic acid on human Y-79 retinoblastoma cells growing in monolayer cultures.

The effects of butyrate, retinol, and retinoic acid were tested on growth and differentiation of human Y-79 retinoblastoma cells in monolayer cultures. Treatment with 4 mM butyrate resulted in marked growth inhibition of cells, due mostly to increased death rate. The effect was greater in serum-supported cultures in which the proliferation rate was high and the effect was less in the serum-free, defined medium in which the cells were differentiated and the growth rate was slow, suggesting a cell-cycle-specific action of this substance. Moreover, butyrate induced morphologic changes in the viable cells; these changes consisted of an elongated appearance of the cells and of retraction of long processes formed in the serum-free-supported cultures. Retinol at 20 microM also affected the cell viability both in serum-containing and in serum-free culture medium. Retinoic acid at 50 microM induced reversible growth inhibition of cells growing in serum-containing medium and cell death in the defined medium-supported cultures. Combination of 0.5 mM butyrate with 50 microM retinoic acid resulted in an enhanced inhibition of growth in an apparently synergistic fashion. These results demonstrated that butyrate, retinol, and retinoic acid suppressed Y-79 cell growth in vitro and could be useful in future studies of these compounds in retinoblastoma tumors in vivo.

Butyrates↗
PubMed1983

Histones from Chinese hamster ovary cells. Multiple modified forms: a quantitative approach.

A quantitative analysis of histone variants and of their modified forms in exponentially growing Chinese hamster ovary cells is described. A two-step analytical procedure has been developed. Total nuclear proteins were first fractionated on a sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis. After electroelution from the corresponding bands cut out of the gel, each individual histone was analysed on an acetic acid/urea/Triton X-100 slab gel. All the variants and most of the acetylated and phosphorylated molecules were thus resolved. In absence of butyrate, we have detected four, three and two different levels of acetylation respectively for H4, H3, H2A and H2B. Scanning of the stained gel has allowed the determination of the relative amount of each forms. H3 and H4 present a higher turnover of the acetate groups than H2A and H2B. For the four histones, acetate label appeared preferentially in the multi-acetylated forms then gradually in the less acetylated forms. The data suggest that the deacetylation-acetylation process of a given histone molecule involves all the acetate groups of the molecule (three for a triacetylated histone, one for a monoacetylated histone).

Acetylation↗
PubMed1983

Critical performance analysis of rotating resident doctors in Iraq.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the competence of rotating residents in handling clinical problems, falling under the purview of the major clinical disciplines, which they come across during their routine work. Three hundred and one rotating residents (55% of the total) who graduated in June 1981 from the four universities of Iraq, namely, Mustansiryia, Basrah, Mosul and Baghdad, and were currently undergoing their residency posting in the various hospitals of Iraq were selected for the study. Two approaches were used to assess the level of competence: first, on the basis of the resident's responses to fifty simulated patient-management problems and, secondly, their critical performance in patient care adjudged by their respective supervisors. A minimum passing level (MPL) was fixed for patient management problems (PMP). The score for the consultant's observations could range from -70 to +100 to represent the very poor and the very good performance. Only 2% of the residents were found to have reached the minimum pass level of competence taking their overall performance in the various disciplines. No significant variation in performance was observed in relation to the university of graduation. None of the residents could reach the MPL in the case of obstetrics and gynaecology. In the case of medicine and medical emergency the findings were almost similar. The residents put up a much better performance in orthopaedics and paediatrics (45.0% and 27.5% respectively). According to the supervisors' assessment nearly two-thirds of the residents secured at least 50% of the maximum score. The study underscores the need to redefine our educational objectives specifically, with aim of developing competences at a defined level in the learner befitting the needs of the health system through a competency-based curriculum.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1982

A measure of community health needs and actions in a rural area of Iraq. The Abu-al-Khasib experience.

A longitudinal enquiry was carried out among randomly selected households in four villages in Abu-al-Khasib district of Iraq, to study health needs as perceived by the community and actions people take when the need arises. Almost three-quarters of the spells of sickness as perceived by the community were among mothers and children. Most of the morbidity was found to be within the scope of preventive services at the local health centre level. Health centre services were underutilised. Only half of the spells of sickness were reported to the local health centres for medical care; a reason for this phenomenon is the emerging preference for care at the hands of clinical specialists. The action the community takes when a health need arises depends on their perception and this is determined by rapid social and educational development. The need to increase demand for normal care, especially that of mother and child, is stressed; this care may be strengthened through introduction of a domiciliary component.

Community Participation↗
PubMed1980

Future changes in the size and composition of the British labour force: a regional projection exercise.

"The main purpose of this study is to develop a methodology for generating parallel projections of regional population and labour force which not only incorporates expected age/sex/marital-status/regional differences in the economic activity rates but at the same time takes account of demographic factors such as fertility, mortality and interregional migration in the overall projections." A model is developed and adapted to project the British regional population and labor force for 1976 and 1981. These forecasts are then evaluated by comparing them with Office of Population Censuses and Surveys forecasts for the same years (SUMMARY IN FRE, GER)

Developed Countries↗
PubMed1980

Profile of the medical student and his outlook on medical education--the Basrah experience.

The aim of the study was to obtain the students' views on the current system of medical education with focus on training and evaluation in the College of Medicine, University of Basrah, Iraq. The data were gathered by circulation of a questionnaire to students belonging to all the classes (1 to 6 years). An attempt was made to look for trends in student responses and attitudes over the years. National service, i.e., joining the national health care system, appears to be the dominant motive among the first- and second-year students in choosing the profession. Though the practice of general clinical disciplines at the basic doctor's level are preferred, general practice per se does not seem to be popular. An apparent dislike for certain curricular subjects was observed which was more evident among students who had to pass an examination in that subject during the particular year. Lectures and dictation of notes are rated low. A good majority of students consider their active participation in the learning-teaching process as something highly useful. Though examinations are not generally liked, the students showed their preference for periodical tests as compared to a single annual examination. Students generally do not prefer assessment based on problem solving exercises. Little use is made of the library and there is hardly any student-teacher contact outside the classroom. The study has brought out the need for greater emphasis on self-directed learning. The relevance of the students' views in educational planning are highlighted in the discussion.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗