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Biomedical subjects

J F Muir

Publications and source records attributed to J F Muir.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Comparative study of the effects of zopiclone and placebo on respiratory function in patients with chronic obstructive respiratory insufficiency.

Long-term administration of zopiclone in 6 patients with severe chronic obstructive respiratory insufficiency with stable ventilatory function did not demonstrate any depressant action on respiratory blood gases recorded during the daytime and in ambient air. The sedative action of this agent was manifested by a modest decrease in ventilatory response parameters which, however, was not statistically significant. Polysomnographic recordings did not reveal any worsening of desaturation periods both with respect to incidence and amplitude. There was a non-significant trend towards an increase in the number of obstructive apnoea episodes without any notable ventilatory impact.

Airway Resistance↗

[Nosocomial pulmonary infections caused by Branhamella catarrhalis in intensive care units].

Branhamella catarrhalis, a normal inhabitant of the human nasopharynx, is an opportunistic agent that usually infects patients with underlying diseases. B. catarrhalis has become increasingly recognized as an important respiratory pathogen. From november 1985 to february 1988 we have diagnosed four B. catarrhalis nosocomial pulmonary infections in the adult pulmonary intensive care unit (ICU) and eight in the pediatric ICU. The origin of the contamination has remained unproven because of the lack of a typing system for the strains. All isolates produced beta-lactamase.

Adult↗

[Incidence of nosocomial infections in patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency admitted to a respiratory intensive care unit].

The incidence of nosocomial infections is studied retrospectively, among 174 patients with a chronic respiratory disease, in a ICU during one year (1987). The medium-age is 65 years (range: 19-87 years); the sex-ratio is 125/50 (men/women); 88 (50%) are ventilated; 48 (27%) meet with a nosocomial infection during their stay in the unit. This superinfection involve 61% of the deaths. The lung involved in 67% of the cases, a septicemia from a venous catheter is found in 18% and an infection of the urinary tract in 15%. The nosocomial pneumonias are always the outcome of the ventilation. The Gram-negative bacilli are the most frequent, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa (44%). The initial gravity promote the superinfection (SAPSE with superinfection: 16.63 +/- 5.67/without 11.43 +/- 4.59 p less than 0.001). The superinfection involve a prolongation of the ventilatory time (with 27.52 +/- 31.14 days/without 7.27 +/- 7.05 days p less than 0.001). The gravity and the frequency (28%) of the nosocomial infections set the problem of the antibioprophylaxis.

Adult↗

[Chronic respiratory diseases and their decompensation during pregnancy (asthma excluded)].

There are relatively few observations on the influence of pregnancy in chronic respiratory illness, excluding asthma and interstitial pneumonia. Chronic airflow obstruction only presents at a relatively advanced age, past the menopause. Chronic respiratory failure due to restrictive lung disorders appears well tolerated as long as the vital capacity is greater than one litre. Mucoviscidosis has been the object of more detailed studies since the management of this disorder now raises hopes of survival compatible with pregnancy.

Bronchiectasis↗

[Use of intrapleural doxycycline via lavage-drainage in recurrent effusions of neoplastic origin].

27 patients (17 F, 10 M) with a mean age of 65 +/- 11 years and suffering from recurrent pleural effusions were treated with locally administered Doxycycline by lavage-drainage to achieve pleural symphysis (17 adeno-carcinomas, 3 large cell carcinomas; 3 epidermoid cancers; 3 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; 1 small cell carcinoma). The solution used was a dilution of 50 ml doxycycline in 250 cc of isotonic saline. 22 of the 27 patients could be evaluated long term, 5 were lost to follow up, of whom two had recurred straight away despite local treatment. An immediate response was obtained in 23 out of the 28 patients (85%). Later the absence of recurrence was seen in 90% of the patients evaluated. The incidence of antimitotic therapy did not seem to be the determining factor in the 7 patients who received this in parallel. The duration of drainage was 11 +/- 6 days, the local treatment was well tolerated in the majority of cases. The use of the technique of lavage-drainage of doxycycline could be an alternative in those patients with a malignant pleural effusion whose general condition contra-indicates a symphysis under pleuroscopy.

Aged↗

[Gardner's syndrome and epidermoid cyst of the thymus].

The hitherto undescribed association of Gardner's syndrome (familial adenomatous polyposis coli, abdominal fibromas, osteoma, dental abnormality, cystic fundic gland polyposis) with a thymic epidermoid cyst in a 38 year old woman is reported. Thymic cyst was discovered on a routine chest roentgenogram, and diagnosis, suspected by CT findings, was established by histological examination of surgical material. The authors suggest that this association is not fortuitous.

Adult↗

High-dose methylprednisolone pulse therapy in sarcoidosis.

Intravenous methylprednisolone in "pulse" dose (30 mg/kg, once a week for 6 weeks) with or without oral maintenance corticosteroid therapy was administered to 12 patients with chronic sarcoidosis. Disease activity was evaluated by broncho-alveolar lavage, serum angiotensin converting enzyme assay and 67Ga scanning. Efficacy was assessed by clinical, radiological, and functional data. Pulse methylprednisolone produced immediate improvement in all patients but eight of the 12 patients relapsed 1 year later; one patient without maintenance corticosteroids and three patients with maintenance oral corticosteroids showed persistent improvement. However, there was no significant difference in criteria of disease activity of each patient before pulse therapy and 1 year later (p greater than 0.5). In conclusion, high dose therapy has immediate but transient effects whether or not it is supplemented by conventional corticosteroid therapy at the lower maintenance dosage.

Adult↗

[Value of a daily dose of theophylline in the treatment of nocturnal asthma].

The authors report the results obtained with one single daily dose of 10 mg/kg of a long-acting theophylline preparation administered in the evening to asthmatic patients previously treated with the same dose twice a day. Twenty-seven patients presenting with airway obstruction reversible by beta-stimulants entered the study; their mean FEV1 value was 57% of the expected value, and diffuse sibilances were present; paroxysmal attacks occasionally occurred, particularly at night. No significant difference was found between the two dosage regimens with regard to symptomatic improvement, adjuvant drug consumption, and plasma theophylline levels 12 hours after the evening dose. The classical side-effects of theophylline therapy were not increased by the once-a-day regimen. It is concluded that one dose of theophylline per day is effective in the treatment of nocturnal asthma.

Adult↗