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Biomedical subjects

J Haddad

Publications and source records attributed to J Haddad.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Comparison of in vivo activity of fluconazole with that of amphotericin B against Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, and Candida krusei.

Fluconazole (UK-49,858) is a new oral bis-triazole antifungal agent with demonstrated activity against Candida albicans. Because of the increasing importance of infections due to other species of Candida, we studied the efficacy of fluconazole in a rat model of established systemic candidiasis, using clinical isolates of C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, and C. Krusei. In normal rats, oral fluconazole at both 20 and 80 mg/kg per day for 7 days reduced both kidney and liver titers of C. tropicalis and C. glabrata compared with those in control animals and was only slightly inferior to amphotericin B. Both fluconazole and amphotericin B were ineffective in reducing kidney titers of C. krusei, but amphotericin B was more effective than fluconazole in reducing liver titers. Fluconazole showed no increased efficacy at the higher dose of 80 mg/kg per day compared with 20 mg/kg per day in any experiment. These results suggest that oral fluconazole may be useful in the treatment of established disseminated candidiasis caused by species other than C. albicans. Further in vivo studies are needed, however, to define minimum effective doses and length of therapy and to test additional Candida isolates.

Amphotericin B↗

Influence of anesthetics on cerebral blood flow velocity in infancy. Effects of halothane versus thiopental-fentanyl.

We studied the effects of 2 anesthetic protocols on blood flow velocity of the middle cerebral artery, measured with a pulsed Doppler sonograph in infants. A first group of 10 infants (mean age 64 days) was anesthetized with halothane and nitrous oxide. A second group of 10 infants (mean age 88 days) was anesthetized with thiopental-fentanyl i.v. and nitrous oxide. Heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and mean velocity (MV) decreased during both types of anesthesia. Decrease of MV was of the same magnitude in the 2 groups but MABP decreased more under halothane. After skin incision MABP and MV increased in both groups but MV followed MABP more closely under halothane than under thiopental. These results suggest cerebral blood flow (CBF) reduction after both inductions but by a different mechanism. In spite of cerebral arteriolar dilation with halothane, CBF decreases by means of severe reduction of MABP: CBF is pressure-passive and autoregulation seems to be impaired. In contrast, thiopental induces cerebral arteriolar constriction but CBF is less dependent of MABP changes.

Anesthetics↗

[Acyclovir and pregnancy: current aspects].

Acyclovir (ACV), an antiviral nucleoside analog, is active against Herpes simplex viruses (HSV1, HSV2) and varicella virus (VZV). These viruses seems to be prejudicial to the pregnant woman and to the fetus. Yet, ACV is not recommended for use in pregnancy. However in certain cases, this drug has been used. We review in this paper, the pharmacokinetics and transplacental passage of ACV, indications, and whether the benefits of the administration of ACV in pregnancy outweigh the theoretical risks. Peak and trough plasma concentrations of ACV in pregnant women seem to be lower as compared to those of non-pregnant adults but effective. This drug crosses the placenta. Levels of ACV in cord blood ranged from 0.5 to 3 mumol/l. In as much as in vitro inhibitory doses 50 (ID 50) for HSV1, HSV2 and VZV ranged from 0.1 to 3 mumol/l, it is quite likely that levels noted above may be effective for in utero inhibition of viral replication. No adverse effects were noted in newborn exposed in utero to ACV. But one must be careful about the direct effects of this drug on nucleic acid metabolism despite encouraging results on animal fetuses. Based on these findings and from our experience, ACV can be administered in pregnancy in two particular situations: in cases of maternal severe viral infections and in order to inhibit in utero VZV replication. Doses required for pregnant women range from 5 to 15 mg/kg/8 hours given intravenously, and 200 mg of oral Acyclovir 5 times daily.

Acyclovir↗

Attachment and maintenance of adult rabbit cardiac myocytes in primary cell culture.

The present observations demonstrate that quiescent calcium-tolerant adult rabbit cardiac myocytes can be isolated by collagenase-hyaluronidase perfusion and maintained in primary culture for at least 2 wk. Culturing large numbers of myocytes requires that the freshly isolated cells be attached to a suitable substratum such as laminin, type IV collagen, or fetal bovine serum. The cultured myocytes retain their rod-like morphology for approximately 7 days before gradually spreading into a flattened conformation by 14 days. During the 1st wk of culture, contaminating interstitial cells rapidly proliferate, making cultures unsuitable for long-term study. Pure myocyte populations can be established and maintained if freshly isolated cells are cultured in the presence of cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C, 10 microM). This antimetabolite does not appear to adversely affect high-energy phosphates, since ATP and creatine phosphate (CrP) content of the myocytes is maintained at levels normally found in biopsy samples of rabbit myocardium. These results illustrate that an energetically stable population of adult cardiac myocytes can be maintained in primary culture in sufficient numbers to make them useful for future investigations of myocyte function.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Spontaneous rupture of a solitary nonparasitic cyst of the liver. Case report.

A case of spontaneous rupture of a solitary nonparasitic liver cyst is described. This rare condition was detected in a 36-year-old woman who underwent cholecystectomy and cyst excision 3 days after appendectomy. The preoperative diagnosis, including the role of HIDA scan (Hydroxyiminodiacetic acid) is discussed.

Adult↗

[The transfer of newborn infants. Experience of a department of neonatology].

The results of 6 years of neonatal transport to the neonatology unit of the Hautepierre hospital (January, 1980 to December, 1985) are reported. During that period 1866 neonates were transferred from maternities of Strasbourg and its region to the neonatology unit, representing 23.77% of total admissions. The 350 premature babies born before or at 32 weeks of pregnancy amount to 55% of babies born at the same gestational age. Mortality in that group (46.52%) was associated mainly with hyaline membrane disease and intraventricular haemorrhage. Neonatal infections and congenital malformations were seen in children born after 32 weeks. To improve the quality of transport and reduce morbidity and mortality, the biological and haemodynamic parameters of the neonates should be stabilized prior to their transfer, and all the necessary precautions (i.e. ventilation, oxygenation, temperature, glycaemia, asepsis) should be observed at every stage of their journey. In high-risk pregnancies, "transfer in utero" to a neonatal intensive care unit undoubtedly is the best solution.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗

A free radical scavenger reduces hematoma-induced flap necrosis in Fischer rats.

Free radicals have been shown to play an important role in hematoma-induced flap necrosis. The present study investigated the effect of deferoxamine, a free radical scavenger and iron chelator, on flap necrosis. A 4 X 2 cm dorsal flap was raised in Fischer inbred rats, and 3 cc of blood from inbred donors was instilled beneath the flap. Saline-treated control animals (Group 1) were compared with two experimental groups. In Group 2, deferoxamine 150 mg/kg was administered 15 minutes before surgery and every 8 hours for 5 days. In Group 3, deferoxamine was given every 8 hours for 3 days before surgery and every 8 hours for 5 days postoperatively. Flap necrosis was assessed on postoperative day 5. Group 2 had significantly less necrosis, 18.6%, than the control group, 64.0% (p less than 0.001). Group 3, with 36.0% necrosis, also showed improvement (p less than 0.05). Group 2 and Group 3 were not significantly different. Deferoxamine, a safe and well-tolerated free radical scavenger, greatly enhanced flap survival, presumably by the neutralization of damaging free radical species and by chelation of iron.

Animals↗

[Plans for the training of health personnel: basic considerations for its formulation].

This article presents the problem of "plans for human resources development"--formulated by some countries, but not always utilized. Although the term "development of human resources" has an ample, comprehensive meaning, the authors limit the discussion to the formative phase, leaving the utilization aspects for a future paper. The reasons for preparing such plans are analyzed within the context of the health strategies to reach the goal of HFA/2000, and the article brings up-to-date the meaning and interpretation, within that context, of some commonly used definitions and planning concepts. The authors establish a frame of reference for these plans, examining the influence of different factors in determining the course a plan may follow in its implementation. Included among these factors are: human resources policies; governmental priorities and planning measures; professional practices and how they influence the development and structure of the work force; teaching capacity, and availability of funds and of other resources. The process of formulating a plan comes next, outlining some premises and detailing the different components. The article concludes pointing out that a plan for the development of human resources is not a solution to existing problems, but should rather be used as a guideline. The authors insist as well on the flexibility of objectives and purpose, and the reason for this characteristic. Perhaps the most important conclusion is the warning that a plan for human resources development is not an isolated, independent instrument, but should be considered as an integral part of more comprehensive development plans within the health services infrastructure, and within the political, social and economic framework of a concrete reality.

Health Occupations↗

[Chickenpox and pregnancy. Perinatal aspects and prevention].

Five neonates born to women who had had varicella late in pregnancy or in the post-partum were admitted to our unit during the last year. In utero transmission of varicella-zoster virus occurred in 2 cases. One of them had no clinical eruption but specific IgM at a titer of 1/200. The mother presented with varicella 15 days before delivery. The other developed severe neonatal congenital varicella (with disseminated eruption, pneumonia and seizures). She was treated by Aciclovir (15 mg/kg/8 h). The mother presented with chickenpox 24 hours after birth. Varicella occurring in a pregnant woman from 4 days before to 2 days after delivery is dangerous because the baby will lack maternal antibodies. It may develop severe neonatal varicella (mortality: 20-30%). A neonate in critical condition was successfully given a prophylactic treatment by Aciclovir IV (15 mg/kg/8 h for 5 days) and varicella-zona immunoglobulins (2 ml on days 1, 2, 3). This approach may be the best treatment for babies at risk for severe neonatal varicella.

Chickenpox↗

[The process of continuing education in health].

Educational measures are closely linked to learning, and like learning, must proceed in a coherent manner and be implemented as ongoing team efforts. The education process is governed by strategies based on the specific circumstances and problems of work in the health field. Meanwhile, health services and programs must meet the social and health needs of a country, which in turn are intimately bound up with the particular characteristics of that country and of the society and its constituent elements. Personnel training is a basic component of any health plan. Continuing education in the health field, as an ongoing educational process, must take place in the work environment, draw on actual employment conditions, and become a dynamic process that guarantees not only the acquisition of scientific knowledge and habits but also the fresh elaboration of concepts to give another dimension to health problems in terms of cause and effect, the universal and the particular, and possibility and reality. The following elements should be noted in the type of educational process proposed: the context, which is the frame of reference for the objectives of the process in question; the identification of learning needs, which require educational measures for all or part of the personnel; the educational profile, which identifies the knowledge, skills and attitudes that the worker must acquire to find the best way to do his job, and be a productive member of society. Finally, the training process brings all those elements together and takes place as part of occupational practice; in other words, an educational component is inherent in any action performed in the health field. An ongoing training process must include monitoring, which requires the identification in advance of indicators; follow-up, which requires the feasibility of correcting deficiencies, deviations and discrepancies observed in the process and, finally, education management, which involves taking the measures needed to ensure attainment of the educational objectives.

Education, Continuing↗

Osteoporosis and hip fracture in a young woman with anorexia nervosa.

A 35-year-old woman with a 17-year history of anorexia nervosa (AN) sustained a pathologic fracture of the hip. Osteoporosis was confirmed by quantitative computed tomography of the lumbar spine and transiliac bone biopsy. Severe bone disease may exist in the anorexia nervosa syndrome and may to some extent be reversible on treatment of the underlying condition. AN could have profound effects on the peak bone mass achieved in the lifetime of the individual. Asymptomatic and symptomatic osteoporosis in young women may be based upon AN. Patients should be informed that osteoporosis can cause pathologic fractures as a sequela of self-imposed chronic malnutrition.

Adult↗