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Biomedical subjects

M Viljoen

Publications and source records attributed to M Viljoen.

50 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Alcohol-potentiated reactive hypoglycaemia depends on the nature of the carbohydrate ingested at the same time.

Alcohol may provoke reactive hypoglycaemia when drunk with a sucrose mixer (gin and tonic) but not in the form of a starch-based beverage. In the present study alcohol-potentiated reactive hypoglycaemia was shown to depend on the nature of the carbohydrate ingested together with the alcohol. When 14 men (9 normal weight and 5 obese) aged between 20 and 50 years consumed a 50 g glucose load together with 50 g ethanol over an hour, their early plasma insulin response was significantly higher and their later fall in plasma glucose significantly lower than after drinking the same amount of a starch solution (maize meal) and alcohol. In four subjects (3 of them non-obese) plasma glucose concentrations dropped below 2.8 mmol/l after drinking the glucose-alcohol solution. Obesity seemed to be associated with features of peripheral insulin resistance. We conclude that the common social custom of drinking alcohol together with a simple sugar mixer should probably be modified.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Gastric acid secretion and serum gastrin levels in patients with chronic renal failure on regular hemodialysis.

Previous studies of gastric secretory function and serum gastrin levels in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) have yielded conflicting results. In a study of 30 patients on regular hemodialysis, serum gastrin levels were higher than normal (p less than 0.05), and the gastric secretory response to pentagastrin was normal for the group as a whole. There were, however, 8 patients who were hypochlorhydric (4 achlorhydric) and 7 who were hyperchlorhydric. The patients with gastric hyposecretion were older, predominantly male and this group was associated with the highest gastrin levels as well as the highest incidence of gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Chronic gastritis is thus more common in CRF than generally believed and may be responsible for much of the morbidity from gastrointestinal complications during hemodialysis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Danger of haemodialysis using acetate dialysate in combination with a large surface area dialyser.

Large surface area, high mass transfer dialysers have recently come into widespread use, and it has been shown that they promote the loss of large amounts of bicarbonate when acetate is used in the dialysate. The present study was designed to confirm these metabolic consequences and quantitatively to compare two commonly used dialysers in this respect. Simultaneous measurement of arterial and venous blood gases has shown that there is a significant reduction in bicarbonate, carbon dioxide tension, and pH of blood returning to the patient from the dialyser. These changes were greatest with the 2,5-m2 hollow-fibre dialyser, and least with the 1,4-m2 coil dialyser. In the chronic dialysis patient in a steady state, these effects may be inconsequential but, in an acutely ill patient, the combination of a dialysate containing acetate and a high-efficiency dialyser may be extremely hazardous. A return to the use of bicarbonate as the source of base would avoid such hazards and would promote the more physiological correction of the metabolic acidosis of renal failure.

Acetates↗
PubMed1979

Site of renal action of xipamide.

Xipamide, hydrochlorothiazide, and furosemide were given to normal volunteers on a double-blind basis. During maximal water diuresis, there was a reduction in free water clearance and an increase in osmolar clearance after administration of xipamide and hydrochlorothiazide, but not in the case of furosemide. During maximal hydropenia, both xipamide and hydrochlorothiazide increased free water reabosorption in a linear relationship to osmolar clearance, while furosemide increased osmolar clearance with little change in free water reabsorption. It was concluded, therefore, that, as with hydrochlorothiazide, the site of action of xipamide was on the distal convoluted tubule, and that of furosemide on the loop of Henle.

Diuresis↗
PubMed1978

Xipamide in the management of renal, hepatic and cardiac oedema.

Xipamide (4-chloro-5-sulphamyl-salicylic acid 2', 6'-dimethylanilide) is a diuretic and antihypertensive agent. A clinical trial of the drug was performed in 11 patients, 8 with nephrotic syndrome, 1 with oedema and ascites due to hepatic cirrhosis, and 2 with congestive cardiac failure due to idiopathic cardiomyopathy. The drug proved to be potent, safe and efficacious. Side-effects were similar to those encountered with other thiazide-derived diuretics, but were not of a severe nature. Wider clinical usage of xipamide would appear to be warranted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Isoniazid pharmacokinetics in patients in chronic renal failure.

INH pharmcokinetics was studied in 2 groups of patients in chronic renal failure. In the group on conservative treatment, INH half life was prolonged, but was not related to the degree on renal impairement. In the hemodialysis group 73% of the INH given was removed by dialysis within 5 hours. If INH is to be used in the presence of renal failure, individual half life estimations should be performed in order to determine dosage frequency. In patients on hemodialysis, therapy should be given post dialysis. Alternatively, drugs not dependent on renal failure, e.g. rifampicin, may be preferable.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The combating of tuberculosis: health perceptions, intentions and vaccination of children.

This study was part of a comprehensive research project undertaken at the request of the SANTA Health Education Committee to evaluate the tuberculosis guidance programme. The aim of the research was to examine factors influencing black people's health perceptions and intentions concerning the combating of tuberculosis as well as vaccination of their children. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model. The research was conducted in selected areas of the OFS, the Transvaal and Natal (N = 1,198). It was found that factors indicating a greater degree of development of the individual (e.g. literacy) were positively associated with positive health perceptions such as that medical treatment can cure TB completely. Some positive associations were also found between perceptions/modifying factors and intentions/vaccination. Indications were also found of an inability on the part of health personnel to influence the public positively.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Anemia in surgical intensive care patients.

BACKGROUND: The cause of the anemia of patients in surgical intensive care units (SICU) is not completely clear but is likely to be multifactorial. This study investigated a possible role for immune activation in the anemia of SICU patients. METHODS: Neopterin plasma levels, as a measure of T-cell-macrophage-axis activation, RBC-counts, Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, HDW, red cell morphology and iron status were determined in a group of 47 SICU patients. RESULTS: The study confirms the presence of a moderate anemia (Hb = 10.38 +/- 13 g/dL) in SICU patients. Abnormal red blood cell morphology was observed in 82% of all patients over at least part of their ICU-stay. Markedly enhanced T-cell-macrophage-axis activity was evidenced by a significant increase in the plasma neopterin levels of the patient group (44 +/- 79.6 nmol/L) compared to that of the control group (3.38 +/- 4.9 nmol/L). Iron metabolism was found to be disturbed. CONCLUSIONS: The red cell distribution width, the morphological results, the enhanced macrophage activation state, as well as the results of the iron status, point towards a contribution of an immune-associated functional iron deficiency to the anemia of SICU patients.

Anemia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Lactoferrin: a general review.

Lactoferrin is a 703-amino acid glycoprotein originally isolated from milk. Plasma lactoferrin is predominantly neutrophil derived but indications are that it may also be produced by other cells. Lactoferrin in body fluids is found in the iron-free form, the monoferric form and in the diferric form. Three isoforms of lactoferrin have been isolated, ie two with RNase activity (lactoferrin-beta and lactoferrin-gamma) and one without RNase activity (lactoferrin-alpha). Receptors for lactoferrin can be found on intestinal tissue, monocytes/macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, and on certain bacteria. A wide spectrum of functions are ascribed to lactoferrin. These range from a role in the control of iron availability to immune modulation. More research is necessary however to obtain clarity with regard to the exact mechanism of action of lactoferrin.

Lactoferrin↗