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Biomedical subjects

I Dab

Publications and source records attributed to I Dab.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Corticosteroids in primary tuberculosis with bronchial obstruction.

The usefulness of prednisolone in combination with the modern potent antituberculous drugs has been studied in 29 children with primary lung tuberculosis and hilar adenopathy causing bronchial obstruction. These children were divided at random in two groups of 15 and 14 patients. Both groups were treated similarly except that one group received prednisolone. Both groups were very similar before the onset of treatment for most variables. Tuberculous infection healed in both groups but the group on steroids improved earlier and had significantly fewer complications, both on radiography and bronchoscopy. Only two of the patients on steroids still had progressive lesions: a very young baby probably because he developed two severe viral infections consecutively, and another infant of 7 months whose treatment was unreliable, as the parents were not very compliant. Some patients initially not treated with prednisolone improved only after it was given. Prednisolone treatment is not recommended when the reliability of the treatment cannot be guaranteed, as the hazard of harm would exceed the expected benefit.

Adolescent↗

Adolescent and adult cystic fibrosis patients: how to leave home when you are depending on it?

Over a period of 1 year, 11 on 23 CF adolescent or adult patients were referred to the childpsychiatrist (CP) for psychological problems and a notice of total dependency of their parents. The approach of the CP was systematic and family oriented. We noticed that on 11 patients only 6 came to the appointment and only 6 on 10 parents accepted to contact the CP. Of the 6 studied cases 4 showed severe psychopathology (1 sexual abuse, 1 physical and emotional abuse, 2 extreme over-protection), 2 showed psychological problems due to their restricted life conditions. On top of this, all 6 met enormous financial and social problems to gain more independency. The dependency of CF adolescent and adult patients is a family problem and a combination of relational, emotional, but also practical and financial problems and thus not exclusively due to their illness. As the prognosis of cystic fibrosis (CF) improved significantly, every aspect of this disease also became an "adult" problem. Independency is only one aspect and can not be considered on its own. We have to look at all technical, psychological and social adjustment problems those patients and their parents have to cope with.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Acute effects of oxygen, nifedipine, and diltiazem in patients with cystic fibrosis and mild pulmonary hypertension.

The acute effects of oxygen, nifedipine, and diltiazem were studied in eight patients with cystic fibrosis and mild pulmonary hypertension, to assess the possibility of relieving the latter before the occurrence of irreversible vascular changes. Oxygen decreased pulmonary pressure (-23%) and resistance (-21%), while increasing systemic resistance (+23%). Nifedipine increased cardiac index (+30%), at the expense of augmented right ventricular work (+42%), resulting in a decreased calculated pulmonary resistance (-23%); pulmonary artery pressure remained unchanged, however. Nifedipine decreased arterial Po2 (-10%), suggesting ventilation-perfusion mismatch. Four of the eight patients responded to diltiazem. Their pulmonary pressure (-35%) and resistance (-43%) decreased, while systemic vascular tone remained unchanged. Oxygen in three patients, and diltiazem in two, returned pulmonary pressures and resistances to normal values. Early reversal of pulmonary hypertension is possible, and intervention is desirable before the establishment of chronic hypoxia, cor pulmonale, or right ventricular failure. Our data does not support the use of nifedipine in pulmonary hypertension, but shows that oxygen, and in some cases diltiazem, act as effective and selective pulmonary vasodilators.

Adolescent↗

Unusual ventilation-perfusion patterns in primary lung tuberculosis.

We report two cases of primary lung tuberculosis in children with unusual perfusion ventilation scintigraphic patterns. In the first case, a mismatch in the right upper lobe suggests an elective compression of the bronchi by the mediastinal lymph nodes; in the second case, the total absence of ventilation and perfusion of the left lobe at scintigraphy illustrates the discrepancy sometimes encountered between chest x-ray and lung scintigraphy.

Airway Obstruction↗

Evaluation of time interval difference digital subtraction fluoroscopy in patients with cystic fibrosis.

In this study the potential of thoracic subtraction fluoroscopy has been evaluated on the basis of our experience with this functional imaging modality in patients presenting with cystic fibrosis. The method, which consists of subtracting dynamic digital fluoroscopic images of the breathing chest in the time interval difference (TID) mode, applies to the study of the lucency variations during the respiratory cycle and provides dynamic functional information about ventilation and/or perfusion and diaphragmatic kinetics, without any injection and with minimal irradiation. To assess the validity of the TID procedure, our results were compared with standard roentgenography, clinical data, and scintigraphic findings, with emphasis on the latter. The limitations and advantages of TID compared with scintigraphy are discussed. Three groups of discrepancies emerge which do not discredit TID. TID offers rather the advantage of providing anatomic pictures and unique dynamic information, which is emphasized.

Cystic Fibrosis↗

Gastroesophageal reflux: a primary defect in cystic fibrosis?

Ten infants and newborns with recently and successively diagnosed cystic fibrosis (CF) were investigated for possible gastroesophageal reflux (GER) by means of pH monitoring over a period of about 20 h. All these patients showed abnormal GER. These patients had a scattered clinical profile of either respiratory or gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations, a poor weight gain, or a combination of these under classical CF treatment. Eight patients underwent treatment with cisapride, a new, potent GI prokinetic drug. This treatment was successful, as documented by almost normal pH monitorings, performed during cisapride therapy, in seven infants. The previous clinical disturbances were evaluated on clinical follow-up study. These significantly improved during cisapride, suggesting that GER can trigger many complications in CF. Anti-reflux therapy could be an important part of the treatment of young CF patients.

Child, Preschool↗

LAV/HTLV-III infection in children of African origin: experience in Belgium.

From December 1982 to June 1985, we diagnosed LAV/HTLV-III infection in 16 children of African origin living in Belgium or referred to one of the hospitals participating in this study. Diagnosis was proven in seven of them by isolation of virus of the LAV/HTLV-III group. In the nine others, LAV/HTLV-III infection was highly probable because of the presence of antibodies against the virus (seven subjects) or clinical and immunological evidence of immune deficiency associated with a parental history of LAV/HTLV-III infection (two subjects). Five of these children had a severe illness starting in the first months of life (range 20 days--4 months) and died within 4 months (range 19 days--10 months). Eight children presented later in life (mean age 35 months, range 2-66 months) with a milder and more chronic disease characterized by the presence of generalized lymphadenopathy (6/8), hepatomegaly (5/8), splenomegaly (5/8), interstitial pulmonary infiltration (4/8), parotid swelling (3/8), CSF lymphocytosis (3/5), diarrhoea without pathogen isolated (1/8) and fever (1/8). At least one of the parents of each child was of African origin. At the time of birth of their child two mothers and one father had an AIDS-related complex. After a mean period of 34 months (range 3-87 months) five fathers and six mothers had a symptomatic LAV/HTLV-III infection (AIDS or AIDS-related complex).

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Abnormal fatty acid turnover in the phospholipids of the red blood cell membranes of cystic fibrosis patients (in vitro study).

A study was carried out in order to investigate whether the abnormal in vitro turnover of fatty acids in the phospholipids of the red blood cell membranes of cystic fibrosis patients is intrinsic to the membrane, or whether it is induced by extrinsic serum factors. Red blood cells of cystic fibrosis patients and healthy subjects were labeled in vitro with [14C]linoleic acid, bound to albumin. The labeled cells were reincubated in autologous and homologous serum. The radioactivity present in the serum lipids and in the major phospholipid fractions of the red cell membranes was measured. Conclusions of this study are: 1) not all of the cystic fibrosis patients examined individually show an abnormal in vitro turnover of the red cell fatty acids, although they all presented abnormal fatty acid patterns for the red blood cell phospholipids, the platelet phospholipids, and the plasma lipids. 2) The in vitro abnormal fatty acid turnover occurs only in the incubations where red cells of cystic fibrosis patients are involved (in homologous and autologous serum) and not where red cells of healthy subjects are incubated in serum of cystic fibrosis patients. Consequently, the abnormal turnover is intrinsic to the red cells and is not induced by extrinsic serum factors.

Adolescent↗

Abnormal fatty acid pattern of the plasma cholesterol ester fraction in cystic fibrosis patients with and without pancreatic insufficiency.

In our previous work it was found that in cystic fibrosis patients with and without pancreatic insufficiency, the fatty acid pattern of the plasma long chain, non-esterified fatty acid fraction is strikingly abnormal in comparison with the corresponding pattern of healthy subjects. However, other investigators have shown abnormal fatty acid patterns only in patients with pancreatic insufficiency. Therefore, we studied the plasma cholesterol ester fraction in cystic fibrosis patients of both types by gas liquid chromatography. It was found that the absolute total concentration of the plasma cholesterol esters in cystic fibrosis patients with and also without pancreatic insufficiency is significantly lower than in healthy subjects. Furthermore, the fatty acid pattern of this lipid fraction is significantly abnormal in both groups of patients, although to a lesser extent in patients without pancreatic insufficiency.

Adolescent↗

Genetic deficiency of C4 presenting with recurrent infections and a SLE-like disease. Genetic and immunologic studies.

A young girl presenting with recurrent pulmonary infections and atypical lupus erythematosus was totally deficient in C4. In one sister, also deficient in C4, the same symptoms developed. Results of family studies were consistent with an autosomal recessive mode of transmission and with linkage of the genes determining C4 deficiency to those of the major histocompatibility complex. The patient's serum and red cells were Chido- and Rodgers-negative. Humoral and cellular immunity were normal, except for a low lymphocyte response in mixed lymphocyte culture. The cellular function of the patient's polymorphonuclear leukocytes was normal, for both phagocytosis and bactericidal activity using Candida albicans. However, in the presence of C4-deficient serum, opsonin generation and bactericidal indexes were diminished. These defects were completely reversible upon addition of purified C4.

Child, Preschool↗

Ceftazidime as a single agent in the treatment of severe Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.

Ceftazidime was administered intravenously in doses of 1 to 6 g/day to 21 patients with serious Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections (12 pulmonary, 6 septicaemias, 3 urinary tract infections). Mean MIC was 1.0 mg/l. Eighteen (86%) of the 21 patients responded satisfactorily (cured or improved). The selection or emergence of resistant organisms during treatment (mostly Candida, Staphylococcus aureus, and enterococci) was noted in 6 patients. Toxicity was minimal (eosinophilia and reversible mild liver function abnormalities).

Adolescent↗

In vitro study of the incorporation and transport of nonesterified fatty acids into the phospholipids of the red blood cell membranes of cystic fibrosis patients.

The in vitro incorporation and transport of plasma nonesterified fatty acids into phospholipids of red cell membranes have been studied in cystic fibrosis and healthy children. Red blood cells were labeled in vitro by an active "acyltransferase"-dependent incorporation of radioactively labeled nonesterified fatty acids. [3H]-Palmitic and [14C]-linoleic acid, bound to albumin, have been studied simultaneously because it has been shown before that the concentration of palmitic acid increases and the concentration of linoleic acid decreases both in the plasma nonesterified fatty acid fraction and in the various phospholipids of the erythrocyte membranes of cystic fibrosis patients. The labeled cells were reincubated in autologous serum and the radioactivity present in the serum lipids and in the major phospholipid fractions of the erythrocyte membranes was measured. A general conclusion is that the in vitro turnover of labeled palmitic and linoleic acids in the phospholipids of the erythrocyte membranes is higher for cystic fibrosis patients than for healthy children. No difference is detectable between the in vitro behaviour of [14C]-linoleic versus [3H]-palmitic acid in cystic fibrosis patients compared with healthy children.

Biological Transport↗