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H Ratner

Publications and source records attributed to H Ratner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Origin of AIDS.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Focused microbiologic surveillance by specific hospital unit as a sensitive means of defining antimicrobial resistance problems.

An annual summary of susceptibility patterns for the predominant clinical isolates from hospitalized patients can be of considerable assistance in selecting antimicrobial agents for sepsis of unclear etiology, as well as for guiding empiric therapy for other serious infections. Yearly summaries of the susceptibility patterns of the predominant clinical isolates from all patients hospitalized at Vanderbilt University Hospital (VUH) from July 1987 through June 1991 revealed only minor differences over time in susceptibility patterns. However, the clinical impression of physicians treating patients in various intensive care units (ICUs) was that there were serious resistance problems in some units. To better define the prevalence of clinical isolates and their susceptibility patterns for patients within ICUs at VUH, we utilized a "focused microbiologic surveillance" technique that addressed each unit separately. Both the predominant clinical isolates and their susceptibility patterns were determined and compared with those from the hospital as a whole. Because susceptibility patterns of clinical isolates by site of infection within these units were considered important, we also reviewed the summaries of susceptibility patterns for blood, sputum, and urine isolates from patients in ICUs and compared these with the summaries from each ICU and from the hospital. No major resistance problems were identified on a hospital-wide basis. In contrast, focused microbiologic surveillance by specific hospital ICU revealed important differences in the prevalence of pathogens among units and at different times. In 1987, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the single most common Gram-negative organism isolated in the neonatal unit, while Acinetobacter spp. were rarely isolated. By 1991, this trend was completely reversed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1990

A hypnotherapeutic approach to the improvement of compliance in adolescent diabetics.

Adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) have a rate of noncompliance in our clinic of approximately 20% despite all of the usual measures aimed at securing compliance. Seven IDDM patients ranging in age from 11 to 19 years were managed in our clinic with all of our usual modalities, but all remained in long-term poor control during the 6 months immediately prior to the study. To ensure that each patient would serve as his/her own control, no changes were made in his/her management other than the addition of hypnosis. Six of the seven patients were followed for more than 6 months. No changes were made in insulin, diet, or exercise as prescribed. Posttreatment, the average HgbA1C dropped from 13.2% to 9.7%, and the average fasting blood sugar from 426 mg/dl to 149 mg/dl, values which are consistent with good compliance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Vibrio vulnificus.

V vulnificus is a halophilic or salt-requiring vibrio that has been isolated repeatedly from seawater and shellfish in coastal waters. This vibrio, first described by Hollis et al in 1976, can be differentiated from other similar vibrios by its ability to ferment lactose and by its lower tolerance for sodium chloride. V vulnificus, unlike most other vibrios, has seldom been incriminated as a cause of gastroenteritis but is a particularly virulent organism that causes severe wound infections in mostly healthy persons, or causes primary septicemia in persons with an underlying chronic disease, particularly chronic liver disease. Wound infections may range from relatively mild to severe and rapidly progressive cellulitis and myositis. Approximately 50% of patients with wound infections have some type of chronic underlying disease and the mortality rate is in the range of 15%. Wound infections are almost always associated with contact with seawater or the handling or cleaning of shellfish. Patients with primary septicemia have fever, chills, and prostration, and rapidly become hypotensive. Over 70% have distinctive bullous skin lesions that can strongly suggest the diagnosis in a patient with the appropriate history. The mortality rate is over 50%. There is a striking association between eating raw oysters and primary septicemia, with patients usually reporting having eaten raw oysters (or other shellfish) 24 to 48 hours before onset of symptoms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Food Microbiology↗
PubMed1984

Flavobacterium meningosepticum.

lavobacterium meningosepticum is an opportunistic pathogen of low virulence found in the hospital environment in water-containing equipment. Of primary importance is its role in outbreaks of neonatal meningitis which tends to be severe with a high mortality rate and serious sequelae. Changing all equipment concerned with humidifying or administering gases every 24 hours can help prevent these outbreaks in neonatal nurseries. Treatment is difficult because of the resistance of F. meningosepticum to most antimicrobial agents used to treat meningitis. Sensitivity tests, using a MIC method, are mandatory for infections caused by F. meningosepticum and, pending these results, vancomycin, given intravenously and, if necessary, intrathecally, appears to be the drug of choice for initial therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Blood pressure studies in black children.

Blood pressure measurements were obtained under office conditions by auscultatory method, using appropriate cuff sizes, in 1,668 healthy black children (827 boys and 841 girls) ranging in age from 4 to 17 years. We found no significant difference between the mean systolic blood pressure of black children in our study and that of whites as reported in the literature. However, mean diastolic blood pressure was lower in black children. Some black children (3.6%) were found to have blood pressure more than 2 standard deviations above the mean for their age and should be closely observed for developing hypertensive cardiovascular changes.

Adolescent↗