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Biomedical subjects

M French

Publications and source records attributed to M French.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Cerebrospinal fluid Histoplasma antibodies in central nervous system histoplasmosis.

We have evaluated the Histoplasma antibody response in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in nine patients with central nervous system histoplasmosis and 98 controls. While the CSF Histoplasma antibody response identified eight of the nine patients, CSF cultures were positive in only two. Of controls with histoplasmosis but without meningitis (13 patients), or without histoplasmosis (85 patients), elevated CSF antibodies were detected by complement fixation in seven, by IgG radioimmunoassay in 17, and by IgM radioimmunoassay in five. Measurement of the CSF Histoplasma antibody response appears useful for identifying meningitis in patients with histoplasmosis, although cross-reactions occur in half of patients with other forms of chronic fungal meningitis. Patients with these other infections can usually be identified by tests for CSF Coccidioides antibodies, or cryptococcal antigens.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMed1984

Opposing actions of methylxanthines and dibutyryl cyclic AMP on 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 production and calcium fluxes in isolated chick renal tubules.

In contrast to dibutyryl cyclic AMP, the methylxanthine phosphodiesterase inhibitors theophylline and caffeine were found to inhibit the conversion of 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 to 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 in isolated renal tubules from vitamin D deficient chicks. This inhibition occurred at concentrations of methylxanthines which were shown to increase renal tubule cyclic AMP levels. No effect of theophylline or caffeine on 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 metabolism in isolated chick renal mitochondria was detected. Because of a demonstrated inhibitory action of calcium (10 and 20 mumol/l) on renal mitochondrial conversion of 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 to 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3, the effect of theophylline and dibutyryl cyclic AMP on cellular calcium-45 efflux and total renal tubule calcium content was estimated. Theophylline 10 mmol/l was found to inhibit renal tubular calcium efflux and to increase total cellular calcium content, while dibutyryl cyclic AMP 1 mmol/l had the reverse effect on both parameters. Divergent actions of the methylxanthines and dibutyryl cyclic AMP on the formation of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 and renal tubule calcium efflux and content support the hypothesis that intracellular calcium is an important regulator of renal vitamin D metabolism. The results indicate that observed actions of methylxanthines cannot always be ascribed to cyclic AMP accumulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Antibodies against haemorrhagic fever viruses in Kenya populations.

Human sera from Lodwar (77 sera), Nzoia (841 sera), Masinga (251 sera), Laisamis (174 sera) and the Malindi/Kilifi area (556 sera) in Kenya were tested by indirect immunofluorescence for antibodies against Marburg, Ebola (Zaire and Sudan strains), Congo haemorrhagic fever, Rift Valley fever and Lassa viruses. Antibodies against Ebola virus, particularly the Zaire strain, were detected in all regions and were, over-all, more abundant than antibodies against the other antigens. Ebola and Marburg antibody prevalence rates were highest in the samples from Lodwar and Laisamis, both semi-desert areas. Antibodies against Rift Valley fever virus were also highest in the Lodwar sample followed by Malindi/Kilifi and Laisamis. Congo haemorrhagic fever virus antibodies were rare and no antibodies against Lassa virus were detected in the 1899 sera tested.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1982

First and second generation cephalosporins.

Data on tissue levels of drugs are important, for they provide us with information on concentrations that can be achieved at the site of an infection. Yet many questions remain unanswered in this area such as whether it is better to achieve high levels in tissue rapidly as with bolus administration of a drug, or whether it is preferable to maintain levels of drug at lower but more prolonged levels, as with constant infusion administration of a drug. The goal in the future will be to correlate pharmacologic principles with the efficiency of various dosing programs and tissue levels in the clinical setting.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1980

Legionnaires' disease in a transplant unit: isolation of the causative agent from shower baths.

Legionnaires' disease was diagnosed in two patients in a transplant unit, both patients having occupied the same postoperative cubicle shortly before onset of their illnesses. Legionella pneumophila was found in water taken from the cubicle shower bath and from other showers in the unit. To eradicate the legionellae, the water supply was treated with chlorine, but this had only a temporary effect.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Results from a new renal transplantation unit.

158 kidneys, 9 from living related donors and 149 from cadavers, have been transplanted in the first 42 months of the establishment of a transplant unit at Oxford. Patients' ages ranged from 11 to 56 (mean 35) years. Azathioprine and prednisolone alone were used for immunosuppression, and a minimum-transfusion policy was in operation throughout. After cadaveric transplantation actuarial patient-survival is 70% and 68%, respectively, at the same intervals. 85% of patients who had a functioning graft are fully rehabilitated. Matching for HLA-DR, pregraft blood-transfusions, and the finding that a transplant could be performed in the presence of a positive B-cell crossmatch have proved to be the most significant of the many factors examined both prospectively and retrospectively. The function of the unit is based on dialysis and transplantation for all patients in end-stage renal failure, with transplantation being considered the first line of treatment for patients under the age of 56. The results of transplantation reported here, which have been achieved with conventional immunosuppressive therapy and minimum-transfusion policy, might be considered a standard against which modifications of the practice of renal transplantation can be compared.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Influence of echocardiography on management of patients with systemic emboli.

To determine the impact of echocardiography in management of patients with systemic embolism, we retrospectively reviewed medical records and echocardiograms of 191 consecutive patients with suspected systemic embolism. One hundred sixteen patients had two dimensional echocardiograms and 75 patients had M-mode echocardiograms only. Patients were divided into three groups: Group 1 had no cardiovascular disease; Group 2 had cardiovascular disease, and Group 3 had hypertension only. Changes in therapy following echocardiogram were defined as initiation or discontinuation of anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents, cardioversion, or surgical intervention. M-mode echocardiogram did not identify any heart as a likely source of systemic embolism. Two dimensional echocardiogram defined 13 hearts as likely sources of emboli. All of these patients had known cardiovascular disease. Four of 13 patients (30.7%) whose hearts were likely sources of emboli had a change in therapy compared with 42 of 126 patients (33.3%) with low probability echocardiograms. We conclude that M-mode echocardiogram has no role in evaluation of patients with systemic emboli. Two dimensional echocardiogram may identify the heart as a source of emboli in patients with cardiovascular disease but does not alter early management.

Adult↗