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At least 973 records · Page 54Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Qigong Yangsheng as a complementary therapy in the management of asthma: a single-case appraisal.

OBJECTIVES: Qigong Yangsheng, the health-promoting method of traditional Chinese medicine that combines movement, mental exercise, and breathing technique, is used in China for the therapy of bronchial asthma, and for some time now has been enjoying an ever-widening acceptance in the Western world as well. This pilot study investigates if Qigong Yangsheng could be used as a complementary therapeutic measure to treat asthma patients in a Western industrialized country. DESIGN: Thirty asthma patients, with varying degrees of illness severity, were taught Qigong Yangsheng under medical supervision. They were asked to exercise independently, if possible, on a daily basis and to keep a diary of their symptoms for half a year including peak-flow measurements three times daily, use of medication, frequency and length of exercise as well as five asthma-relevant symptoms (sleeping through the night, coughing, expectoration, dyspnea, and general well-being). The concept of this study was based on a single-case research design series with baseline, one teaching phase, a phase of self-practice and a refresher teaching course. A 4-week follow-up period was carried out in the same season as the original baseline phase 52 weeks later. RESULTS: An improvement was indicated if subjects showed a decrease of at least 10 percent in peak-flow variability between the 1st and the 52nd week. This occurred more frequently in the group of the exercisers (n = 17) than in the group of nonexercisers (n = 13) (p < 0.01 chi-square with Yates correction). When comparing the study year with the year before the study, there was improvement also in reduced hospitalization rate, less sickness leave, reduced antibiotic use and fewer emergency consultations resulting in reduced treatment costs. CONCLUSION: Qigong Yangsheng is recommended for asthma patients with professional supervision. An improvement in airway capability and a decrease in illness severity can be achieved by regular self-conducted Qigong exercises.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Memory-strengthening activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra in exteroceptive and interoceptive behavioral models.

In the traditional system of medicine, the roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza glabra have been employed clinically for centuries for their anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, expectorant, antimicrobial, and anxiolytic activities. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of G. glabra, popularly known as liquorice (Mulathi), on learning and memory. The elevated plus-maze and passive avoidance paradigm were employed to evaluate learning and memory parameters. Three doses (75, 150, and 300 mg/kg p.o.) of aqueous extract of G. glabra were administered for 7 successive days in separate groups of mice. The dose of 150 mg/kg of the aqueous extract of liquorice significantly improved learning and memory of mice. Furthermore, this dose reversed the amnesia induced by diazepam (1 mg/kg i.p.), scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg i.p.), and ethanol (1 g/kg i.p.). Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of liquorice may be contributing favorably to the memory enhancement effect. Since scopolamine-induced amnesia was reversed by liquorice, it is possible that the beneficial effect on learning and memory may be because of facilitation of cholinergic transmission in brain. However, further studies are necessitated to identify the exact mechanism of action. In the present investigation, G. glabra has shown promise as a memory enhancer in both exteroceptive and interoceptive behavioral models of memory.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1989

Oral digestion of a complex-carbohydrate cereal: effects of stress and relaxation on physiological and salivary measures.

A comprehensive study was undertaken with 12 dental hygiene students to ascertain whether the time of chewing or the degree of relaxation is more important in the oral digestion of complex carbohydrates. In addition, we studied whether the effects of stress and relaxation on salivary alpha-amylase activity was corroborated by physiologic measures. The dental hygiene students chewed an oat cereal for either 20 or 60 s while under two different orders of stress and relaxation conditions: 1) stress/20 s, stress/60 s, relax/20 s, relax/60 s; and 2) relax/20 s, relax/60 s, stress/20 s, stress/60 s. Galvanic skin resistance, pulse rate, and blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) were used to physiologically verify the effects of stress and relaxation on amylase activity. Amylase activity was judged by spectrophotometric analysis of maltose produced from a specific dilution of expectorated saliva. Results showed that the physiological measures significantly corroborated the salivary determinations of stress and relaxation and that deep relaxation was significantly more important than thorough chewing in the oral digestion of complex carbohydrates.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Oral fat exposure alters postprandial lipid metabolism in humans.

Accumulating evidence indicates that oronasal sensory stimulation influences nutrient metabolism. This work examined the effects of oral exposure to dietary fat on postprandial plasma triacylglycerol (triglyceride) concentrations. Fifteen (six male, nine female) healthy adults were exposed to each of four treatments presented in random order. After ingestion of a 50-g load of safflower oil in capsules (to preclude oral exposure to the fat), they masticated and expectorated 1) crackers with cream cheese, 2) crackers with nonfat cream cheese, 3) crackers alone, or 4) nothing. Blood samples were collected at baseline and 2, 4, and 6 h after load ingestion. Sensory discrimination tests were conducted with the cream cheese samples after these sessions. Oral exposure to the full-fat cream cheese led to a significantly greater area under the plasma triacylglycerol curve than did the other treatments (P < 0.05). The increment was attributable to both a significantly higher peak concentration and a more enduring elevation (P < 0.05). The oral stimuli were not ingested (so did not add to the load), subjects were not aware of the macronutrient composition of the cream cheese samples (thereby eliminating cognitive effects), and subjects could not distinguish between the cream cheese samples in sensory tests (minimizing a sensory influence). Consequently, these data suggest that there is a chemosensory or tactile mechanism in the oronasal region of humans for detecting some aspect of the chemical composition of dietary fat, or a component derived from or carried in fat, that elicits a change in postprandial lipid metabolism.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Alveolar macrophages as biomarkers of pulmonary irritation in kitchen workers.

OBJECTIVES: Alveolar macrophages (AM) are used as a biomarker of pulmonary irritation due to occupational exposure in the AM test. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a co-variation between the number of AM and exposure to cooking fumes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 62 volunteers. People who worked in a kitchen preparing hot meals were considered as occupationally exposed (35 persons). The exposed group was further divided into highly and slightly exposed persons according to the levels of fat aerosols and aldehydes in the working atmosphere. People who were not preparing hot meals were considered as unexposed (27 persons). The number of AM was counted in smears prepared from expectorate samples from each participant. Samples were taken on three different days. RESULTS: Highly occupationally exposed persons had a higher number of AM in their samples than both slightly occupationally exposed persons and unexposed persons. Highly exposed smokers had a statistically significantly higher number of AM compared with both slightly and unexposed smokers (P < or = 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest an increase in the number of AM due to exposure to cooking fumes and a synergistic effect between occupational exposure and smoking.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Klebsiella pulmonary infections: occurrence at one medical center and review.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is the species of aerobic gram-negative bacteria most commonly recognized as a cause of community-acquired pneumonia. The vast majority of articles concerning the epidemiology, frequency, and clinical and radiographic features of community-acquired pneumonias caused by this organism are over 20 years old. Experience with community-acquired pneumonias due to K. pneumoniae at one medical center over the last 20 years is reported and compared with the previously published literature. The recent experience at Parkland Memorial is quite similar to that in the literature. Salient features include the infrequency of K. pneumoniae as a cause of community-acquired pneumonia, the lack of specificity and sensitivity of most clinical and radiographic findings, and the similarity to and potential confusion with anaerobic pneumonitis and cavitary lung disease if only expectorated sputums are utilized for diagnosis in certain population groups such as alcoholics.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

High predictive value of the acid-fast smear for Mycobacterium tuberculosis despite the high prevalence of Mycobacterium avium complex in respiratory specimens.

The value of the smear for acid-fast bacilli in predicting pulmonary tuberculosis is unclear in a setting where there is a high prevalence of Mycobacterium avium complex in respiratory specimens. To evaluate the impact of a high prevalence of M. avium complex on the predictive value of the acid-fast bacilli smear for tuberculosis, we reviewed findings on smears and results of cultures over a 3-year period at a hospital where M. avium complex is the predominant mycobacterial isolate. In this setting, the predictive value of the acid-fast bacilli smear for Mycobacterium tuberculosis was 92% for expectorated sputum specimens, 71% for induced sputum specimens, and 71% for bronchoalveolar lavage specimens. When multiple specimens collected from the same patient were excluded from the data base, the predictive values were 87%, 70%, and 71%, respectively. Smears of sputum samples were positive at the same rate for patients with tuberculosis who had AIDS and for patients with tuberculosis who did not have AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1995

Pulmonary cryptococcosis: localized and disseminated infections in 27 patients with AIDS.

We reviewed the records of 85 patients infected with both human immunodeficiency virus and Cryptococcus neoformans. Twenty-seven patients (32%) had pulmonary cryptococcosis. C. neoformans was cultured from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or pleural fluid in 25 cases; the remaining two patients had cryptococcal antigen (CA) detected in BAL fluid and C. neoformans cultured from other sites. All but one of the 27 patients had detectable CA in serum. The CD4+ lymphocyte count was low in all cases (median, 24/mm3). Clinical manifestations of pulmonary cryptococcosis included fever (94%), cough (71%), dyspnea (7%), expectoration (4%), chest pain (2%), and hemoptysis (1%). Diffuse interstitial opacities (70.5%), focal interstitial abnormalities, alveolar opacities, adenopathies, cavitary lesions, and pleural effusions were evident. Outcome was poor (mean survival time, 23 weeks) despite treatment. Patients with localized pulmonary cryptococcosis appeared to have a higher CD4+ lymphocyte count, an earlier diagnosis, lower serum CA titers, fewer previous or concomitant infections, and a better prognosis than patients with disseminated cryptococcosis.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pneumonia caused by gram-negative bacilli: an overview.

Colonization of the oropharynx by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and enteric gram-negative bacilli in acutely ill or debilitated patients, alcoholics, diabetics, and persons with chronic bronchitis may lead to pneumonia. Although gram staining of sputum may provide immediate etiologic clues, the diagnosis is proven only by isolation of the pathogen from blood or pleural fluid or by various invasive techniques since expectorated specimens from highly susceptible patients are often contaminated with aerobic gram-negative bacilli colonizing the oropharynx. However, restricting the definition of cases to those involving empyema or bacteremia results in an underestimation of incidence. Combination therapy with a beta-lactam antibiotic plus an aminoglycoside is commonly recommended for gram-negative bacillary pneumonia because (1) the patients involved are usually debilitated and immunocompromised; (2) mortality is high; and (3) the spectrum of antibacterial activity is increased, emergence of resistance may be retarded, and synergistic activity may result. For example, a third-generation cephem antibiotic plus an aminoglycoside can be used for initial treatment of community-acquired gram-negative bacillary pneumonia, and piperacillin or azlocillin plus amikacin can be used for initial treatment of nosocomial infection in which P. aeruginosa or some other antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacillus is more likely to be involved.

Acinetobacter Infections↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of aztreonam and tobramycin in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections caused by gram-negative bacilli.

A comparison of aztreonam and tobramycin was carried out in 49 hospitalized patients with lower respiratory tract infections caused by gram-negative bacilli. Patients were randomly assigned to the treatment drug. Clindamycin was given concomitantly until the pathogen was identified and the presence of a gram-positive microorganism was ruled out. Samples of sputum were obtained for culture from the lung parenchyma by deep expectoration or transtracheal aspiration. A pathogen was defined as an organism that showed heavy growth and predominated in the culture. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most frequently isolated pathogen, followed by Haemophilus influenzae and Proteus mirabilis. A variety of less common pathogens were represented. Thirty-five patients were treated with intravenous aztreonam (1-2 g every 8 hr) and 14 with intravenous tobramycin (3-5 mg/kg per day) until they were afebrile and sputum cultures had been free of the pathogen for 48 hr. The minimum duration of treatment was five days. In the aztreonam group, only two (5%) of the 37 gram-negative pathogens--one P. aeruginosa and one Escherichia coli--persisted. In the tobramycin group, seven (50%) of the 14 pathogens persisted. Clinical response paralleled microbiologic response. Adverse effects in both treatment groups were minor and transient. In this trial aztreonam was effective and safe for treatment of lower respiratory tract infections caused by P. aeruginosa and a variety of other gram-negative bacilli.

Aztreonam↗
PubMed1990

Chest symptoms in chimney sweeps and postmen--a comparative survey.

The purpose of this survey was to study the association between a number of chronic diseases and occupational exposure to soot and smoke. The problem was illustrated by comparing chimney sweeps and postmen with regard to self-reported occurrence of symptoms. Data were obtained by means of a postal questionnaire. Potential confounding was controlled by matching and stratified analysis. Compared to postmen, the chimney sweeps experienced a significantly increased risk of long-term coughing with expectorate (Prevalence Rate Ratio (PRR) = 1.74), dyspnoea from fast walking (PRR = 1.46), dyspnoea from ordinary walking (PRR = 1.79), dyspnoea when dressing (PRR = 2.29) and substernal oppression from exposure to cold or physical strain (PRR = 1.41). It seems likely that the chimney sweep's inhalation of soot particles and locally irritating flue gases may have contributed to the increased occurrence of chest symptoms in this occupational group.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Bacteriology of the lower respiratory tract as determined by fiber-optic bronchoscopy and transtracheal aspiration.

For assessment of the validity of cultures of tracheobronchial secretions and exudates (TBSE) obtained by fiber-optic bronchoscopy, the aerobic and anaerobic flora of expectorated saliva and TBSE obtained by fiber-optic bronchoscopy from nine healthy volunteers and eight patients were compared with those obtained by fiber-optic bronchoscopy as well). Normal volunteers yielded both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in amounts usually less than 104.5 colony-forming units (cfu)/ml in TBSE obtained by fiberoptic bronchoscopy. In patients with chronic bronchitis, 42 isolates of aerobic bacteria (104-105.5 cfu/ml) and only 10 isolates of anaerobes (usually less than 104 cfu/ml) were reovered from 15 samples obtained by trantracheal aspiration. The data lead to the conclusion that low-level contamination (less than or equal to 104 cfu/ml) with oral flora is common in TBSE obtained by fiber-optic bronchoscopy. A single potential pathogen in numbers of greater than or equal to 105 cfu/ml may be of etiologic significance, particularly if recovered from purulent drainage material from a localized portion of the lung. Under circumstances in which quantitative bacteriology cannot be done, TBSE obtained by transtracheal aspiration will most reliably reflect the bacterial flora present in the lung.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Evaluation of clindamycin and other antibiotics in the treatment of anaerobic bacterial infections of the lung.

Fifty patients who had pneumonia, lung abscess, or empyema, and whose specimens had a fetid odor, were presumed to be suffering from anerobic lung infection and were treated with clindamycin either orally (33 patients) or parenterally (17). Forty-six patients showed marked improvement or recovered; two also underwent lung resection, and thoracotomy was performed in 10. There were three outright treatment failures, and superinfection occurred in one patient. A review of the literature suggests that clindamycin and penicillin (in substantial dosage) are equally effective in treatment of anaerobic lung infection. Transtracheal aspiration is not deemed necessary if the patient is expectorating fetid sputum.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

In-vitro activity of meropenem, a new carbapenem, against multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa compared with that of other antipseudomonal antimicrobials.

The novel carbapenem meropenem, which is stable to dehydropeptadase action, was studied in vitro against 173 nosocomial isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa derived from pus, expectorated sputum, bronchial secretions, urine or blood of infected patients. Susceptibilities to meropenem, imipenem, ceftazidime, cefotaxime, piperacillin, gentamicin, amikacin and ciprofloxacin were determined by the agar dilution technique with an inoculum of 10(4) cfu/spot. The proportion of sensitive isolates with MICs below the breakpoint was highest for meropenem (91% less than or equal to 8 mg/l); the proportion of sensitive isolates for the remaining antibacterials was as follows: ciprofloxacin 87% less than or equal to 2 mg/l; imipenem 85% less than or equal to 8 mg/l; ceftazidime 77.5% less than or equal to 16 mg/l; piperacillin 60% less than or equal to 64 mg/l; amikacin 44% less than or equal to 8 mg/l; gentamicin 34% less than or equal to 4 mg/l and cefotaxime 15% less than or equal to 16 mg/l. Strains moderately resistant to imipenem (MIC 16-32 mg/l) were mostly sensitive to meropenem, but highly resistant strains (MIC 128-256 mg/l) were invariably resistant (MIC greater than 128 mg/l) to the new carbapenem.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1993

Diagnostic problems in lower respiratory tract infections.

The main problems of diagnosis in lower respiratory tract infection are the differentiation of infection from colonization or contamination, and the isolation of a reliable and true pathogen. The clinical findings and differentiation of patients into those with pneumonia or infective exacerbations of chronic bronchitis should provide a definitive early diagnosis. Expectorated sputum may be unreliable in pneumonia, because of contamination by oropharyngeal flora. Although blood cultures may be negative, they provide a precise diagnosis and should be obtained in all pneumonias admitted to hospital. Other more invasive procedures are transtracheal needle aspiration, fibrebronchoscopic techniques including protected specimen brush and bronchoalveolar lavage with quantitative culturing and cytological analysis, transthoracic needle aspiration, thoracoscopy--guided biopsy and open lung biopsy. Any invasive procedure in a severely ill patient should be carefully directed weighing the risks as well as the benefits, whilst taking the underlying disease and expected survival into consideration.

Bacteria↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ethanol content of various foods and soft drinks and their potential for interference with a breath-alcohol test.

A variety of breads and soft drinks were tested and found to contain low concentrations of alcohol. The potential for these products to generate false readings on an evidential breath-alcohol instrument was evaluated. Alcohol-free subjects ingested these products and then provided breath samples into a DataMaster. It was found that breath samples provided immediately after consumption of some of these products, or with them still present in the mouth, did produce low levels of apparent breath alcohol, which may or may not be rejected as invalid by the breath-test instrument. If the subject swallowed or expectorated the food or beverage and then observed a 15-min deprivation period during which nothing was introduced into the mouth, the apparent effect was eliminated. These findings emphasize the need for the mandatory pretest alcohol-deprivation period and the benefits of duplicate breath sampling.

Beverages↗
PubMed2001

The effect of swallowing or rinsing alcohol solution on the mouth alcohol effect and slope detection of the intoxilyzer 5000.

Nine female and 21 male alcohol-free subjects introduced 10 mL of diluted gin (20% v/v alcohol) into their mouths under two conditions. The subjects either rinsed the alcohol for 10 s and then expectorated or immediately swallowed. They then provided breath samples into an Intoxilyzer 5000 at 5 and 10 min postadministration for both conditions. The mean Intoxilyzer results plus or minus one standard deviation (n = 30) were 0.091+/-0.051; 0.036+/-0.027; 0.014+/-0.011, and 0.004+/-0.006 g/210 L for 5 min after rinsing, 5 min after swallowing, 10 min after rinsing, and 10 min after swallowing, respectively. The percentages of times that mouth alcohol was correctly detected by the Intoxilyzer 5000 were 90%, 66%, 62% and 30% for these conditions, respectively. Ten minutes after the introduction of alcohol into the mouth, 63% of the Intoxilyzer results were > 0.010 g/210L after rinsing compared with only 7% after swallowing. The mouth alcohol effect is greater for rinsing than for swallowing alcohol.

Alcoholic Intoxication↗
PubMed2005

Avian host and mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) vector competence determine the efficiency of West Nile and St. Louis encephalitis virus transmission.

The ability of the invading NY99 strain of West Nile virus (WNV) to elicit an elevated viremia response in California passerine birds was critical for the effective infection of Culex mosquitoes. Of the bird species tested, Western scrub jays, Aphelocoma coerulescens, produced the highest viremia response, followed by house finches, Carpodacus mexicanus, and house sparrows, Passer domesticus. Most likely, few mourning, Zenaidura macroura, or common ground, Columbina passerine, doves and no California quail, Callipepla californica, or chickens would infect blood-feeding Culex mosquitoes. All Western scrub jays and most house finches succumbed to infection. All avian hosts produced a lower viremia response and survived after infection with an endemic strain of St. Louis encephalitis virus. Culex species varied in their susceptibility to infection with both viruses, with Culex stigmatosoma Dyar generally most susceptible, followed by Culex tarsalis Coquillett, and then Culex p. quinquefasciatus Say. Populations within Culex species varied markedly in their susceptibility, perhaps contributing to the focality of WNV amplification. Transmitting female Cx. tarsalis expectorated from six to 3,777 plaque-forming units (PFU) of WNV during transmission trials, thereby exposing avian hosts to a wide range of infectious doses. Highly susceptible house finches and moderately susceptible mourning doves were infected by subcutaneous inoculation with decreasing concentrations of WNV ranging from 15,800 to <0.3 PFU. All birds became infected and produced comparable peak viremias on days 2-3 postinoculation; however, the rise in viremia titer and onset of the acute phase of infection occurred earliest in birds inoculated with the highest doses. WNV virulence in birds seemed critical in establishing elevated viremias necessary to efficiently infect blood feeding Culex mosquitoes.

Animals↗