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Biomedical subjects

M Janssens

Publications and source records attributed to M Janssens.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Identification of Corynebacterium amycolatum and other nonlipophilic fermentative corynebacteria of human origin.

Four identification tests, proposed in addition to conventional methods, were evaluated with 320 fermentative nonlipophilic Corynebacterium strains: growth at 20 degrees C, glucose fermentation at 42 degrees C, alkalinization of sodium formate, and acid production from ethylene glycol. These tests were highly discriminant. Corynebacterium amycolatum displayed a unique profile, allowing it to be distinguished from similar species, such as C. xerosis, C. striatum, and C. minutissimum.

Corynebacterium↗
PubMed1997

Sporadic case of listeriosis associated with the consumption of a Listeria monocytogenes-contaminated 'Camembert' cheese.

Listeria monocytogenes is an intracellular gram-positive organism responsible for severe infections in both humans and animals. Whereas the food-borne transmission of listeriosis was demonstrated in several outbreaks, most cases of listeriosis occur sporadically and are rarely linked with consumption of contaminated foods. In this paper a case of septicaemia with L. monocytogenes in a 73-year-old immunocompromised man is described. Evidence for the association of this case of listeriosis with the consumption of a contaminated 'Camembert' cheese is provided by serotyping, esterase typing, DNA macrorestriction patterns analysis and level of virulence of the isolated strains for mice.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Modulation of CD3-gamma gene expression after HIV type 1 infection of the WE17/10 T cell line is progressive and occurs in concert with decreased production of viral p24 antigen.

HIV-1 infection of WE17/10, an IL-2-dependent CD4+ human T cell line, abrogates T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 expression due to a transcription level defect in the CD3-gamma chain gene. Kinetic examination of surface receptor density reveals that these complexes are progressively reduced early after HIV-1 infection as the cells transition from TCR/CD3hi-->TCR/CD3lo-->TCR/CD3-. The passage from TCR/CD3hi reversible TCR/CD3lo is characterized by a steady decrease in receptor density from 100 to 50% of control values with similar kinetic for all of the viral variants tested. This first phase in TCR/CD3 downmodulation was found to occur in concert with a decrease in viral p24 antigen production. The switch from TCR/CD3- is distinguished by the conversion of individual cells to the receptor negative phenotype. Although broad kinetic differences in this second phase were observed between viral variants, its onset was consistently accompanied by a further reduction in virus production. In some of the HIV-1-infected WE17/10 cell lines, surface receptor expression was spontaneously upregulated during the second phase of infection, reversing the progression from TCR/CD3(-)-->TCR/CD3lo-->TCR/CD3hi. Thus, in HIV-1-infected WE17/10 cells, changes in CD3-gamma gene transcription are accompanied by altered viral p24 antigen production and the resulting modulation of surface receptor expression can be summarized by the formula: TCR/CD3hi reversible TCR/CD3lo reversible TCR/CD3-.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1996

Treatment of excessive mediastinal bleeding after cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND: Excessive mediastinal bleeding after cardiopulmonary bypass is one of the most frequently reported complications of cardiac operations. Appropriate treatment requires a rapid and effective diagnostic work-up, based on the knowledge of the pathophysiology induced by cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: Possible causes, diagnostic methods available, and therapeutic approaches are reviewed in the light of the literature published on excessive bleeding after cardiac operations. RESULTS: When bleeding is massive (> 250 to 300 mL/h for the first 2 hours, > 150 mL/h thereafter), immediate surgical reexploration is mandatory. When bleeding is less important (50 to 150 mL/h), the decision to reoperate should be based on the presence of hemodynamic compromise or a suspected surgical cause. Otherwise, coagulation testing should allow the correction of hemostatic defects as appropriate with protamine, platelet concentrates, fresh frozen plasma, desmopressin, or antifibrinolytics. Hypothermia and hypotension should be corrected and a trial of positive end-expiratory pressure may be considered if diffuse mediastinal oozing (especially from the bed of the mammary artery) is suspected. CONCLUSIONS: A protocol is suggested to guide treatment, taking into account the rapidity of blood loss and the suspected underlying cause.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗
PubMed1996

Reduction in requirements for allogeneic blood products: pharmacologic methods.

BACKGROUND: Numerous articles describe the reduction of perioperative bleeding by the therapeutic or prophylactic administration of drugs such as prostacyclin, desmopressin, and natural or synthetic antifibrinolytics. METHODS: A review of the literature was carried out to help the reader define the indications of these drugs during cardiopulmonary bypass operations, highlight the questions that remain concerning their indications and modes of action, and suggest future studies to answer these remaining questions. RESULTS: Prostacyclin reduces platelet trauma induced by extracorporeal circulation but does not effectively reduce postoperative bleeding and transfusion requirements. Desmopressin acts as a "glue," improving platelet adhesion, and may be effective when postoperative bleeding is excessive, but its routine use in cardiac operations cannot be recommended. Natural and synthetic antifibrinolytics inhibit plasmin and plasmin-induced platelet dysfunction. These agents have been shown to decrease bleeding and the need for allogeneic transfusions after open heart operations. However, with antifibrinolytic drugs, the risk of thromboembolic phenomena cannot be neglected. With aprotinin, this risk appears to be minimal when the drug is used at concentrations high enough to inhibit plasma kallikrein also. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic antifibrinolytics are efficacious, but their routine use remains controversial, both for economic reasons and for fear of thromboembolic complications.

Antifibrinolytic Agents↗
PubMed1995

Tension pneumoperitoneum as an early complication after adenotonsillectomy.

Pneumoperitoneum as a result of pneumomediastinum has been described already. Amongst the causes pneumoperitoneum due to a complication of adenotonsillectomy, has not previously been described. We describe a five-year-old girl with tension pneumoperitoneum with respiratory and circulatory insufficiency half an hour after adenotonsillectomy. Removal of the intra-abdominal air with a 14 gauge needle restored normal respiration and circulation.

Adenoidectomy↗
PubMed1995

Oral antihistamine/decongestant treatment compared with intranasal corticosteroids in seasonal allergic rhinitis.

This international, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group trial was undertaken to compare the efficacy and tolerability of once-daily astemizole-D (10 mg astemizole plus 240 mg pseudoephedrine) with beclomethasone nasal spray (0.05 mg/ml) two puffs/nostril administered twice daily in a total of 204 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Treatment duration was 4 weeks. Although investigator assessments of symptom severity were generally comparable in the two treatment groups throughout the trial, statistically significant differences in favour of astemizole-D for sneezing and ocular symptoms were apparent at the end of the 4-week treatment period (P < 0.05). Patient diary data support these findings, with significant differences in favour of the antihistamine/decongestant combination reported for ocular symptoms after 2 weeks of treatment (P < 0.05) and non-significant trends for sneezing after 2 weeks and ocular symptoms over the entire treatment period (P = 0.07). Use of rescue medication for ocular symptoms was also significantly lower in the astemizole-D treatment group (P < 0.05). A wide range of adverse experiences were reported, however, there were no statistically significant differences in the type or incidence of those between the two treatment groups. In conclusion, astemizole-D appears to be at least as effective and well tolerated as intranasal beclomethasone in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis, providing at least comparable relief from all nasal symptoms including congestion and significantly greater relief from ocular symptoms than the topical steroid.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1995

Intranasal pirodavir (R77,975) treatment of rhinovirus colds.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessed the therapeutic efficacy of intranasal pirodavir in naturally occurring rhinovirus colds. Adults with symptoms of < or = 2 days' duration were randomly assigned to intranasal sprays of pirodavir (2 mg per treatment) or placebo six times daily for 5 days. In people with laboratory-documented rhinovirus colds (53 in the pirodavir group, 55 in the placebo group), no significant differences in the resolution of respiratory symptoms were apparent between the groups. The median duration of illness was 7 days in each group. Similarly, scores for individual symptoms found no differences in favor of pirodavir during or after treatment. In contrast, reduced frequencies of rhinovirus shedding were observed in the pirodavir group on day 3 (70 versus 23%; P < 0.001) and day 5 (38 versus 12%; P = 0.002) but not after the cessation of treatment, on day 7 (19 versus 21%). No pirodavir-resistant viruses were recovered from treated individuals. The pirodavir group had higher rates of nasal dryness, blood in mucus, or unpleasant taste on several study days. In summary, intranasal sprays of pirodavir were associated with significant antiviral effects but no clinical benefit in treating naturally occurring rhinovirus colds.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1995

Evaluation of a new identification system, Crystal Enteric/Non-Fermenter, for gram-negative bacilli.

A total of 505 fermentative and 201 nonfermentative gram-negative bacilli, identified by conventional methods, were tested by the Crystal Enteric/Non-Fermenter ID kit and by the API 20E or API 20NE identification system. The overall correct results for fermenters were 92.9% by the Crystal kit and 89.1% by the API 20E system. The false identifications (genus and species incorrect) accounted for 3.1 and 7.1% for the Crystal and API systems, respectively. For nonfermenters, figures for correct identifications by the two systems were comparable (Crystal, 75.9%; API 20NE, 75.3%) while the API 20NE system gave twice as many incorrect results (13.8%) as Crystal (6.3%); however, Crystal failed to precisely identify several species included in a "miscellaneous" group. The Crystal Enteric/Non-Fermenter system is an easy-to-use kit which compares favorably with other commercial systems.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗
PubMed1994

Levocabastine eye drops in the treatment of vernal conjunctivitis.

The efficacy and tolerability of levocabastine eye drops in vernal conjunctivitis (VC) were evaluated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 46 patients over a period of 4 weeks. After 1 week of treatment, therapeutic efficacy was considered to be excellent or good for 70% of the levocabastine-treated patients compared with only 33% of patients in the placebo group (p < 0.009). Levocabastine patients experienced significantly greater relief of their individually severest symptom than placebo-treated patients both after 1 week and at the end of the trial (p < 0.04). The reduction in symptom severity was significantly greater in the levocabastine group than in the control group for photophobia (p < 0.003) after 1 week, and for photophobia (p < 0.008), irritation (p = 0.05) and itchy eyes (p = 0.05) at the end of the trial. The percentage of days on which patients were completely symptom-free was significantly higher in the levocabastine group than in the placebo group (28% versus 4%; p < 0.02). Eight placebo-treated patients withdrew from the trial due to treatment inefficacy compared with only four levocabastine-treated patients (p = 0.013). Two of the three levocabastine, and all five placebo patients who elected to continue on open-label levocabastine had an excellent or good overall response after 1 to 3 weeks of treatment. All reported adverse reactions were mild and their incidence was equal in the two treatment groups. Levocabastine eye drops are effective and well tolerated in the treatment of VC.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Short-comings of irgasan ticarcillin chlorate broth for the enrichment of Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 2, serotype 9 from meat.

Recovery of Yersinia enterocolitica serotype 0:9 from artificially contaminated minced pork with the enrichment medium irgasan ticarcillin chlorate broth (ITC) was poor. This was due to the lower growth rate of this serotype in comparison with serotype 0:3. Tests on the behaviour of serotype 0:3 and 0:9 towards some selective agents in ITC broth showed that the minimal inhibitory concentration of chlorate was much lower for serotype 0:9 than for serotype 0:3. Omitting chlorate in the ITC enrichment stimulated the growth of pure cultures. Reduction of MgCl2 and malachite green to 80% of the original concentration further increased the growth, so that after 48 h of incubation similar counts (10(7)-10(8) cfu/ml) as for serotype 0:3 were obtained.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

High-dose aprotinin reduces blood loss in patients undergoing total hip replacement surgery.

BACKGROUND: Aprotinin, a proteinase inhibitor, has been reported to reduce blood loss significantly during cardiac surgery. The mechanisms of this effect remain unclear. We studied the effect of aprotinin on blood loss and transfusion requirement during total hip replacement. Potential mechanisms of action and side effects also were investigated. METHODS: Forty patients scheduled for primary total hip replacement were randomized to receive, in double-blind fashion, either aprotinin given as a bolus of 2 x 10(6) kallikrein inactivator units (KIU) followed by an infusion of 5 x 10(5) KIU/h until the end of surgery or an equivalent volume of normal saline. Anesthesia and surgical techniques were standardized and systematic deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis was used. Peri- and postoperative blood loss and transfusion were measured. Fibrinolysis, coagulation pathways, and platelet function were assessed. Renal and hepatic function as well as the incidence of deep venous thrombosis also were assessed. RESULTS: Aprotinin reduced total blood loss from 1,943 +/- 700 ml to 1,446 +/- 514 ml (P < 0.05). This reduction of blood loss occurred during surgery (P < 0.05) and postoperatively (P < 0.001). Total amounts of blood transfused were 3.4 +/- 1.3 units/patient in the control group and 1.8 +/- 1.2 units/patient in the aprotinin group (P < 0.001). The activated partial thromboplastin time was significantly prolonged by aprotinin immediately after surgery, at 50.6 +/- 12.4 versus 32.3 +/- 4.6 s in control patients (P < 0.001), but results of the other coagulation tests were not different between the two groups. No side effects were observed in the aprotinin group. The incidence of deep venous thrombosis in the two groups was not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: The use of high-dose aprotinin during total hip replacement results in a reduction in both blood loss and the amount of blood transfused. Aprotinin's mode of action, however, remains to be elucidated.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Tolerability of levocabastine eye drops.

Levocabastine is a very potent histamine H1 antagonist, available for ocular use as eye drops containing 0.5 mg/ml of levocabastine with benzalkonium chloride as a preservative. Local tolerability of the eye drops was evaluated by objective measurements including slit lamp, tonometry, fluorescein and rose Bengal staining, ophthalmoscopy, visual acuity and visual field determinations, as well as subjectively by questioning for adverse experiences. Seven ocular tolerability studies were performed in a total of 71 volunteers and 103 patients with allergic conjunctivitis. Levocabasine was given from twice to four times daily for 1-8 weeks. Two studies were open, three were placebo controlled and in two, levocabastine was compared with terfenadine. No changes of either clinical or statistical significance were observed in the ocular or peri-ocular tissues. Subjectively, local irritation, pain and tearing were virtually absent. Detailed ophthalmological tolerance studies therefore showed levocabastine eye drops to be very well tolerated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Importance of weight loss and sodium restriction in the treatment of mild and moderate essential hypertension.

The effectiveness of non pharmacological treatment of chronic arterial hypertension has been evaluated in 116 treated or not primary hypertensive out-patients. Those receiving diuretics were however excluded. This population was requested to follow for 3 months a modification of their usual diet characterized by salt restriction combined with energy intake restriction when the patients were above their ideal body weight. Only 62 patients (53%) completed the study. However, this approach was effective by decreasing blood pressure and total cholesterol. The weight loss appears the most effective way to decrease blood pressure in untreated patients, but needs 3 months to be significant. In drug-treated patients, the sodium restriction significantly influences the blood pressure level, already after 1 month. However, salt sensitivity has been noted, especially in the most severe forms of the hypertensive disease. The combination of both modifications (weight loss and sodium restriction) does not appear to be more effective than each separate dietary measure.

Adult↗