ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to assess if differences in etiology and risk factors among 372 cases of bacterial meningitis acquired after surgery (PM) or in community (CBM) have impact on outcome of infected patients. Among 372 cases of bacterial meningitis within last 17 years from 10 major Slovak hospitals, 171 were PM and 201 CBM. Etiology, risk factors such as underlying disease, cancer, diabetes alcoholism, surgery, VLBW, ENT infections, trauma, sepsis were recorded and mortality, survival with sequellae, therapy failure were compared in both groups. Significant differences in etiology and risk factors between both groups were reported. Those after neurosurgery had more frequently Coagulase negative staphylococci (p<0.001), Enterobacteriaceae (p=0.01) and Acinetobacter baumannii (p=0.0008) isolated from CSF and vice versa Streptococcus pneumoniae (p<0.001), Neisseria meningitis (p<0.001) and Haemophillus influenza (p=0.0009) were more commonly isolated from CSF in CBM. Neurosurgery (p<0.001), sepsis (p=0.006), VLBW neonates (p=0.00002) and cancer (p=0.0007) were more common in PM and alcohol abuse (p<0.001) as well as otitis/sinusitis (p<0.001) and Roma ethnic group (p=0.001) in CAM. Initial treatment success was significantly more frequently observed among CAM (p<0.001) but cure after modification was more common in PM (p=0.002). Therefore outcome in both groups was similar (14.6% vs. 12.4%, p=NS).
Subject(s)
Cross Infection/mortality , Meningitis, Bacterial/mortality , Postoperative Complications/mortality , Community-Acquired Infections/complications , Community-Acquired Infections/microbiology , Community-Acquired Infections/mortality , Cross Infection/complications , Cross Infection/microbiology , Humans , Meningitis, Bacterial/etiology , Meningitis, Bacterial/microbiology , Meningitis, Bacterial/therapy , Neurosurgical Procedures/adverse effects , Postoperative Complications/microbiology , Risk Factors , Slovakia/epidemiology , Statistics, Nonparametric , Survival Analysis , Treatment OutcomeSubject(s)
Stomach Neoplasms/surgery , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Methods , Middle Aged , Postoperative Complications , Stomach Neoplasms/mortalityABSTRACT
The relationship of L-DOPA plasma level, parameters of ERG and severity of extrapyramidal symptoms after a single dose of L-DOPA was investigated in 11 patients suffering from parkinsonism of idiopathic or arteriosclerotic origin. After a drug-free night, each patient received his/her usual morning dose of L-DOPA. In the subsequent 3 h, the ERG recordings, blood levels and clinical ratings of extrapyramidal symptoms significantly dropped after a delay of 60 min in relation to the occurrence of the peak plasma L DOPA level. The initial "b" wave amplitudes as well as initial serum potassium values were abnormally high. There was a statistically significant correlation between the decrease of "b" wave amplitude (delta "b") and the potassium "normalization index" (i.e. the ratio between the observed decrease of serum potassium and the pretreatment difference from the middle normal potassium value). A definite interpretation of the data cannot be provided until more knowledge about the origin of "b" wave of ERG is available. It can be concluded tentatively that dopaminergic processes influence electrophysiological reactivity of the retina.
Subject(s)
Electroretinography , Levodopa/therapeutic use , Parkinson Disease/drug therapy , Potassium/blood , Aged , Female , Humans , Kinetics , Levodopa/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Parkinson Disease/blood , Receptors, Dopamine/drug effects , Retina/drug effectsABSTRACT
Four 6,6-disubstituted 1,4-dicyclohexyl-5,7-diketohexahydro-7H-dro-7H-diazepines [1,4] (I a-d) and three 3,3-disubstituted 1,5-dicyclohexyl-2,4-diketoperhydrodiazocines [1,5] (II a-c) were prepared and their structure and pharmacological activity were investigated.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/chemical synthesis , Azepines/chemical synthesis , Azocines/chemical synthesis , Animals , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/chemical synthesis , Azepines/pharmacology , Azocines/pharmacology , Chemical Phenomena , Chemistry , RatsSubject(s)
Heterozygote , Retinitis Pigmentosa/genetics , Female , Humans , Male , Pedigree , Sex FactorsSubject(s)
Electroretinography , Levodopa/pharmacology , Adult , Clinical Trials as Topic , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Male , PlacebosSubject(s)
Azepines/chemical synthesis , Central Nervous System/drug effects , Hypnotics and Sedatives/chemical synthesis , Oxazepines/chemical synthesis , Oxepins/chemical synthesis , Animals , Cerebral Cortex/drug effects , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical , Interneurons/drug effects , Motor Activity/drug effects , Oxazepines/pharmacology , Oxepins/pharmacology , Spinal Cord/drug effectsABSTRACT
In view of the finding that dopamine is the principle neurotransmitter in the retina, an attempt was made to demonstrate dopaminergic receptor blockade by means of electroretinography. In an open experimental setting, the effect of 50 mg thioridazine was compared with that of placebo in 2 groups of 10 normal volunteers. In the placebo group, the post-drug scotopic electroretinogram (ERG) was not significantly different from the pre-drug ERG, while in the thioridazine group, the post-drug scotopic ERG showed prolongation of 'a' wave latency time, prolongation of 'b' wave evolution time, and diminution of 'b' wave amplitude.
Subject(s)
Electroretinography , Receptors, Dopamine/drug effects , Thioridazine/pharmacology , Action Potentials/drug effects , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Placebos , Retina/drug effectsSubject(s)
Electrooculography , Eye Diseases/diagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Eye Diseases/physiopathology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
HL-A phenotype frequencies were studied in 36 patients with Sjögren's syndrome and compared with those of 350 healthy individuals from the same geographical area. Patients suffering from Sjögren's syndrome had a significantly higher frequency of HL-A8 (P corrected less than 0.01). The relative risk of developing Sjögren's syndrome is 3.96 for HL-A8 positive individuals.
Subject(s)
HLA Antigens , Histocompatibility Antigens , Sjogren's Syndrome/immunology , Aged , Female , HLA Antigens/analysis , Histocompatibility Testing , Humans , Lymphocytes/immunology , Male , Middle Aged , PhenotypeSubject(s)
Retinal Diseases/diagnosis , Retinal Vessels , Vascular Diseases/diagnosis , Adult , Aged , Arterial Occlusive Diseases/diagnosis , Electroretinography , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
In a review of organic changes of rheumatic diseases the more important changes of skeletal musculature, gastro-intestinal apparatus, kidneys, blood vessels and eyes are discussed. The paper is based upon investigations, publications and post-graduate activities of the Rheumatism Research Institute of Prague.
Subject(s)
Joint Diseases/complications , Acid Phosphatase/blood , Adult , Alanine Transaminase/blood , Alkaline Phosphatase/blood , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/complications , Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood , Blood Sedimentation , Cold Temperature , Eye Diseases/etiology , Female , Gastrointestinal Diseases/etiology , Humans , Joint Diseases/enzymology , Kidney/pathology , Kidney Diseases/etiology , Kidney Tubules/ultrastructure , Male , Middle Aged , Muscular Diseases/etiology , Myositis/etiology , Neuromuscular Diseases/etiology , Skin Diseases/etiology , Spondylitis, Ankylosing/complications , Vascular Diseases/etiologyABSTRACT
The essence of the process in which the corneal tissue disappears in atrophy of the eye has not yet been studied. The authors of this investigation studied the changes in cornea as they developed after a gross perforating injury to the eye in rabbit. They found that the diameter of the cornea had grown smaller by 2 mm and its radius by 0.5 mm. The tensile strength of the cornea had decreased and hydration increased. Histologically there were but little changes and histochemically a decreased amount of acid mucopolysaccharides was ascertained in the corneal stroma. Incorporation of radioactive sulphate (Na2-35SO4) in vivo disclosed decreased biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans. Clinically, even though the eye ball atrophied, complete atrophy with flattening and complete diminution, as in the human eye, never developed. The question arises whether the six-months period was sufficient for rabbit cornea to develop clinically similar atrophy as in human cornea or whether the clinical features are principally different in the two species. Foci of ossification, as found in atrophic eye balls, which are known to develop after a long time, would be evidence of the second alternative.
