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Biomedical subjects

J Khoury

Publications and source records attributed to J Khoury.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Effects of chronic instrumentation on fetal growth.

Chronically-instrumented fetal sheep are a commonly used animal model for the study of fetal growth and metabolism. In the current study, we wanted to test the hypothesis that instrumentation alone would alter fetal growth patterns. Thirty-two animals in three groups were used: (i) non-instrumented animals (n = 10); (ii) instrumented with catheters in the maternal and fetal femoral artery and vein and electromagnetic flow probes on the main uterine arteries (n = 10): (iii) animals instrumented as group 2, but with the addition of a doppler flow probe on the common umbilical artery and a common umbilical vein catheter (n = 12). Animals in group 2 and 3 were monitored until 137 to 140 days of gestation, at which time they were sacrificed for fetal morphometric measurements. Instrumentation significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased fetal body weight, length, and thymus weights. Liver-to-body ratios increased (P less than 0.05) in both surgically-instrumented groups. The addition of the umbilical artery doppler flow probe and an umbilical venous catheter did not lead to any further alterations in fetal growth. The current study demonstrates that surgical instrumentation alone can lead to significant alterations in fetal growth.

Animals↗

Spontaneous abortions in repeat diabetic pregnancies: a relationship with glycemic control.

In previous studies, we reported a high rate of spontaneous abortions in insulin-dependent diabetic pregnancies. Abortions were associated with poor first-trimester glycemic control. We hypothesized that improvement of glycemic control from one pregnancy to the other would improve fetal outcome and that deterioration of glycemic control would increase the likelihood of abortion. We studied prospectively 43 insulin-dependent diabetic women (White class B-RF) with two consecutive pregnancies, recruited before 9 weeks' gestation. Preprandial and 90-minute postprandial blood glucose concentrations were measured at each weekly visit. Glycohemoglobin A1 was measured at 9 weeks' gestation. Twenty women had two successful pregnancies and 15 had an abortion followed by a successful pregnancy (abortion-no abortion); the sample sizes for other sequences (no abortion-abortion, N = 5; and abortion-abortion, N = 3) were too small to allow for analysis. Glycohemoglobin A1 concentrations were stable in the sequence no abortion-no abortion (9.7 +/- 0.5 versus 9.8 +/- 0.4%, mean +/- SEM; not significant), whereas in the sequence abortion-no abortion, there was a significant decrease in glycohemoglobin A1 values from the nonsuccessful to the successful pregnancy (10.7 +/- 0.6 versus 9.3 +/- 0.4%; P = .01). Similarly, in the sequence abortion-no abortion, there was a significant decrease in mean postprandial blood glucose from first to second pregnancy (166 +/- 13 versus 135 +/- 11 mg/dL; P = .04), whereas in the sequence no abortion-no abortion, mean postprandial blood glucose did not change significantly (160 +/- 14 versus 144 +/- 11 mg/dL; not significant).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Jaundice in neonates with sickle cell disease. A case-control study.

This matched, case-control study was conducted on 68 neonates with sickle cell disease (SCD) to test the hypothesis that SCD contributes to neonatal jaundice. Previous uncontrolled studies have suggested that SCD leads to a high rate of neonatal jaundice. After matching, two neonates without SCD born in the same year were selected for each patient with SCD by use of random numbers. Matching factors were gestational age, sex, birth weight, and race. Serum bilirubin concentrations and the presence or absence of clinical jaundice were recorded. Information on factors potentially influencing the rate of neonatal jaundice was obtained for the first three days of life: maternal drug, alcohol, and tobacco usage, intrauterine infection, Apgar scores, highest infant hematocrit, culture-proved sepsis, blood group incompatibilities, hemorrhages, and presence of red blood cell sickling. We found no increase in the rate of clinical jaundice and no increase in the bilirubin concentration in either the entire group of patients with SCD, or in the subgroups with either homozygous or S-hemoglobin C disease, compared with their respective controls. We conclude that SCD probably is not a significant factor predisposing to neonatal jaundice.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗

Perinatal asphyxia in infants of insulin-dependent diabetic mothers.

Infants of diabetic mothers are thought to be at risk for perinatal asphyxia. We hypothesized that the following are significant risk factors for perinatal asphyxia: poor third-trimester glycemic control, diabetic vascular disease (nephropathy, retinopathy) appearing in pregnancy, pregnancy-associated hypertension, smoking, prematurity, fetal macrosomia, and maternal hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia within 6 hours preceding delivery. We prospectively studied 162 infants born to 149 diabetic mothers (White classes B through R-T). Perinatal asphyxia was defined clinically as fetal distress during labor (late decelerations, persistent fetal bradycardia, or both), 1-minute Apgar score less than or equal to 6, or intrauterine fetal death. Forty-four infants (26.7%) had perinatal asphyxia. The presence of perinatal asphyxia did not correlate with third-trimester glycemic control, pregnancy-associated hypertension, smoking, fetal macrosomia, or maternal hypoglycemia before delivery, but it did correlate significantly with nephropathy appearing in pregnancy, maternal hyperglycemia before delivery, and prematurity. We speculate that (1) the appearance of diabetic vasculopathy (nephropathy) during pregnancy is accompanied by placental vascular disease and subsequently by fetal compromise and (2) in pregnancy complicated by diabetes, maternal and subsequently fetal hyperglycemia before delivery leads to fetal hypoxemia.

Adult↗

Major malformations in infants of IDDM women. Vasculopathy and early first-trimester poor glycemic control.

From animal and in vitro studies, it has been suggested that high environmental glucose, ketone, or insulin concentrations and low glucose or insulin concentrations may be etiologic factors for congenital malformations (CMs) in infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs). Transplacental passage of antibody-bound insulin has been demonstrated in humans. Controversy exists regarding the pathophysiology of CMs in human insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) pregnancies. We hypothesized that CMs in IDMs are associated with maternal vasculopathy, poor first-trimester glycemic control (i.e., hyper- and/or hypoglycemia), advanced White class, and high insulin requirements. We studied 165 first pregnancies of women with IDDM from 1978 to 1986. The goals of glucose control were a fasting blood glucose of less than 100 mg/dl and a 90-min postprandial blood glucose of less than 140 mg/dl. Insulin requirements, body weight, and pre- and postprandial blood glucose were recorded at weekly clinic visits. Maternal blood HbA1 was measured on entry and every 4 wk to confirm that adequate glycemic control was achieved. Women who enrolled in the project were interviewed during gestation by a geneticist/dysmorphologist who obtained genetic and environmental histories using a standard questionnaire. All live-born infants and stillbirths were examined. Each live-born infant was assessed systematically by two independent examiners, a neonatologist and a geneticist/dysmorphologist; examination with standardized checklists was performed in the newborn nursery as soon after birth as was practical. In first pregnancies in the study, there were 13 IDMs with major CMs (7.9%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blood Glucose↗

Treatment of chronic radiation enteritis and colitis with salicylazosulfapyridine and systemic corticosteroids. A pilot study.

Four patients with severe chronic radiation enteritis and/or colitis were treated with anti-inflammatory drugs that are used conventionally in the treatment of idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease. Salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP) was used in the treatment of all four patients, while one patient received oral prednisone together with SASP. All four patients were treated and observed for over one year, with follow-up observations now extending to over three years. The four patients showed striking clinical improvement, accompanied by improvement in the radiographic appearance of affected bowel, complete or almost complete in three and incomplete in the fourth patient. The results of this pilot investigation are encouraging and call for wider clinical trials of the same and related drugs in larger groups of patients with chronic radiation enterocolitis, a serious condition that has until now not been successfully treated with drugs.

Aged↗

Public perception of stroke warning signs and knowledge of potential risk factors.

CONTEXT: Decreasing the time from stroke onset to hospital arrival and improving control of stroke risk factors depend on public knowledge of stroke warning signs and risk factors. OBJECTIVE: To assess current public knowledge of stroke warning signs and risk factors. DESIGN: A population-based telephone interview survey using random digit dialing conducted in 1995. SETTING: The Greater Cincinnati, Ohio, metropolitan area, the population of which is similar to that of the United States overall in age, sex, percentage of blacks, and economic status. PARTICIPANTS: Respondents with age, race, and sex that matched the population of patients with acute stroke. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Knowledge of risk factors for stroke and warning signs of stroke as defined by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. RESULTS: Telephone calls were made to 17634 households, which yielded 2642 demographically eligible individuals. Interviews were completed by 1880 respondents (response rate, 71.2%). A total of 1066 respondents (57%) correctly listed at least 1 of the 5 established stroke warning signs, and of all respondents, 1274 (68%) correctly listed at least 1 of the established stroke risk factors. Of the respondents, 469 (57%) of 818 respondents with a history of hypertension listed hypertension, 142 (35%) of 402 respondents who were current smokers listed smoking, and 32 (13%) of 255 respondents with diabetes listed diabetes as a risk factor for stroke. Compared with those younger than 75 years, respondents 75 years or older were less likely to correctly list at least 1 stroke warning sign (60% vs 47%, respectively; P<.001) and were less likely to list at least 1 stroke risk factor (72% vs 56%, respectively; P<.001). CONCLUSION: Considerable education is needed to increase the public's awareness of the warning signs and risk factors for stroke. Respondents with self-reported risk factors for stroke are largely unaware of their increased risk. The population at greatest risk for stroke, the very elderly, are the least knowledgeable about stroke warning signs and risk factors.

Adult↗

A prospective analysis of serum vitamin K in severely burned pediatric patients.

Patients with burn injuries exhibit multiple risk factors for the development of vitamin K deficiency, including malabsorption, limited enteral intake, antibiotic therapy, and multiple surgical procedures. A prospective evaluation of 48 children was conducted to evaluate serum vitamin K values during the first 4 postburn weeks. Serum levels were analyzed in relation to clinical course. Days of antibiotic (p < 0.02) and albumin therapy (p < 0.003), percentage body surface area excised (p < 0.006), and the administration of blood products (p < 0.05) were significantly correlated with serum vitamin K levels, and days of diarrhea approached statistical significance (p < 0.06). No relationship was found between serum values and prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, or serum albumin. Ninety-one percent of the children demonstrated serum values below expected norms. These data suggest a relationship between coagulopathy and an intact functioning gastrointestinal tract. However, the relative importance of dietary versus endogenous vitamin K produced by intestinal bacteria remains to be elucidated.

Adolescent↗

Trends and patterns of playground injuries in United States children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence, trends, and severity of injuries attributable to playground falls relative to other common unintentional mechanisms that resulted in an emergency department (ED) visit in the United States. DESIGN AND SETTING: Data from the emergency subset of the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey collected from 1992 to 1997 for children <20 years. METHODS: Injury rates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated and injury severity scores were computed. RESULTS: There were 920551 (95% CI: 540803 to 1300299) ED visits over the 6-year study period by children and adolescents that were attributable to falls from playground equipment. The annual incidence of visits for playground injuries did not significantly decrease over the course of the study (187000 to 98000, P =.053). Injury visits for playground falls were twice as prevalent as pedestrian mechanisms, but they were less prevalent than visits for motor vehicle-- and bicycle-related injuries. A larger proportion of playground falls resulted in "moderate-to-severe" injury than did bicycle or motor vehicle injuries. Children aged 5 to 9 years had the highest number of playground falls (P =.0014). Playground falls were most likely to occur at school compared to home, public, and other locations (P =.0016). CONCLUSIONS: Playground injury emergency visits have not significantly declined and remain a common unintentional mechanism of injury. Injury visits for playground falls were proportionally more severe than injury visits attributable to other common unintentional mechanisms. Interventions targeting schools and 5- to 9-year-old children may have the greatest impact in reducing emergency visits for playground injuries.

Accidental Falls↗

[Endoscopic ethmoidectomy. How to prevent complications?].

The use of the microscope and more recently of the endoscope, improve the conditions of endonasal surgery. These techniques must not give the impression of complete security. The complications of the ethmoidectomy exist. A good knowledge of the anatomy of the sinus cavities and a gradual apprenticeship are the best means to prevent these complications. We present the different types of complications and their preventions.

Endoscopy↗

Cooling effects and comfort of four cooling blanket temperatures in humans with fever.

Adult patients with fever (N = 89) were randomized into four blanket temperature groups: 7.2, 12.8, 18.3, and 23.9 degrees C. With their extremities protected, subjects were given acetaminophen and placed between two cooling blankets. There were no differences in the mean time (in minutes) to cool to a body temperature of 38.9 degrees C among groups. Although there were no differences in mean time for shivering, a trend of less shivering was apparent with warmer blanket temperatures. Few patients shivered (n = 17). There were no differences in the mean time (in minutes) for afterfall among the groups. The mean amount of afterfall for the 7.2 degrees C group (1.04 degrees C, SD = 0.50) was significantly greater than the 23.9 degrees C group (0.68 degrees C, SD = 0.47). Comfort scores significantly improved with warmer blanket temperatures. Thus, warmer blanket temperatures provided similar rates of cooling as the colder temperatures, yet were perceived to be more comfortable by the patient.

Acetaminophen↗

The prognostic value of nutritional and inflammatory indices in patients with burns.

The Prognostic Inflammatory and Nutritional Index (PINI = [alpha 1-acid glycoprotein x C-reactive protein] divided by [albumin x prealbumin]) has been proposed as a means of predicting morbidity or mortality in hospitalized patients. This study compared the efficacy of the PINI versus its individual determinants as potential prognostic indicators of infection or death in patients with burns. Laboratory data from postburn days 7 to 10 were evaluated in a series of 60 patients who had a mean total body surface area (TBSA) burn of 44.7% (range 10% to 81%) and a mean age of 18.9 years (range, 0.5 to 71 years). Survivors had a mean TBSA burn of 42.9%, whereas patients who subsequently died had a mean TBSA burn of 51.8% (not significant). Percent third-degree burn and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein were likewise not related to the mortality rate. We found the PINI to be associated with death (p less than 0.0003), as were the variables C-reactive protein (p less than 0.0002), prealbumin (p less than 0.0001), and albumin (p less than 0.03). Thirty-six patients had infectious complications that were statistically related to percent burn (p less than 0.02), percent third-degree burn (p less than 0.003), alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (p less than 0.05), prealbumin (p less than 0.0009), and the PINI (p less than 0.002).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

[Gastro-duodenal perforating ulcers. Therapeutic trend in African patients (a study of 80 cases recorded in Abidjan) (author's transl)].

80 perforating ulcers recorded during 7 years (1970-1976) in Abidjan hospitals are reviewed. The therapeutic tactic is discussed according to the traditional and socio-economic living patterns of african patients: the authors propose a complete surgical treatment carried out either directly or after some delay but without discharging the patient who, in most cases, would no more report to the hospital. Suture may be an emergency treatment in patients with poor condition but it must be completed later during the same confinement.

Adolescent↗

[Abdomen perforating wounds. Study of 61 cases (author's transl)].

A recent increase in the frequency of abdomen perforating wounds has been observed in Ivory Coast, related wih social condition changes. The authors study 61 cases, recorded in 10 years. Most of the cases (62,3 p. 100) are caused by side-arms and 14,8 p. 100 by fire-arms. If 59 p. 100 of the cases resort to criminal assault, 5 p. 100 were caused by suicide attempt; the other cases were consequence of various accidents. The surgical procedures are described. Death rate, with 4 cases, was only of 6,5 p. 100.

Abdominal Injuries↗