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Biomedical subjects

N Buchanan

Publications and source records attributed to N Buchanan.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Changes in response to metrazole during fever in juvenile rats; a new model for febrile convulsions?

Previous models for febrile convulsions have used environmentally induced hyperthermia as the stimulus to induce convulsions. Changes in response to metrazole during yeast-induced fever in juvenile rats are reported here. Animals were more susceptible to metrazole during the rising phase of fever but showed some resistance to its convulsant effects once the fever was established and following defervescence. It is suggested that this may form the basis of a physiologically more appropriate model for the study of the pathogenesis of febrile convulsions.

Animals↗

Theophylline metabolism in preterm neonates during the first weeks of life.

The effects of prenatal steroids on theophylline metabolism in infants of 27-32 weeks gestation was studied. Although in utero exposure to betamethasone was associated with a more mature theophylline metabolite pattern in the first days of life, initial elimination half-life (t1/2 beta) did not differ significantly between groups. By the second or third week of life the metabolite pattern was similar in all infants. The decline in t1/2 beta seen during theophylline treatment was not directly related to increased metabolite formation. These data suggest that other factors, such as renal clearance, are more important in determining the pharmacokinetics of theophylline in neonates than is hepatic metabolism.

Betamethasone↗

Rationalisation of therapy in severe epilepsy.

Anticonvulsant therapy in 18 institutionalised adult epileptic persons was rationalised. The mean number of drugs administered was reduced from 3.2 to 2.0 per patient with improvement of seizure control in 11 patients and either no alteration or a mild deterioration of seizure control in seven patients. In this latter group however, there was an improvement in cerebellar signs and/or mentation associated with the reduction in drug therapy. It is proposed that even in patients with apparently severe epilepsy, whilst monotherapy may not be achieved, a significant reduction in the number of medications administered may be. Moreover medication can be effectively administered twice daily.

Adult↗

Phenytoin elimination after intoxication during long-term treatment.

Because of the saturable nature of phenytoin metabolism, intoxication due to overdosage with this drug occurs relatively frequently. The present paper reports on a systematic study of phenytoin elimination in six patients with clinical signs of overdosage and with initial serum phenytoin levels well above the normal therapeutic range (40 mumol/L to 80 mumol/L). On the basis of data obtained, it is recommended that, when a patient presents with symptoms of phenytoin intoxiation, an initial serum phenytoin level should be determined. If this exceeds 130 mumol/L, the drug should be withdrawn for a period of 72 to 84 hours, then the administration should be recommenced at a lower dose.

Adolescent↗

Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of metronidazole in the new born infant.

Metronidazole pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution were studied in 11 infants varying in gestational age from 28 to 40 weeks. Elimination half-life was inversely related to gestational age, and ranged from 22.5 to 109 hours. Hepatic hydroxylation of metronidazole was not evident in infants less than 35 weeks' gestation, unless they had been exposed prenatally to betamethasone. A dosage schedule of 15 mg/kg intravenously as an initial single dose is proposed, and will provide adequate therapeutic levels for 48 hours in the preterm infant and for 24 hours in the term infant. Subsequently a dose of 7.5 mg/kg/12 hours is suggested for the first week of life.

Bacterial Infections↗

Surgical division of right and left free wall accessory atrioventricular electrical connections in a child with incessant supraventricular tachycardia.

A child with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome developed incessant supraventricular tachycardia refractory to medical therapy and countershocks. Supraventricular tachycardias incorporating both right and left free wall accessory atrioventricular electrical connections were demonstrated. The more frequent, broad complex tachycardia utilised both the accessory connections and was independent of the atrioventricular node. The less frequent, narrow complex tachycardia utilised the atrioventricular node for anterograde conduction and the left sided accessory connection for retrograde conduction. Surgical division of the accessory connections restored normal sinus rhythm and eliminated supraventricular tachycardia.

Atrioventricular Node↗