Tunneled catheters' outcome optimization among diabetics on dialysis through antibiotic-lock placement.

Efficacy and safety of antibiotic 'locks', in prevention of thrombotic and infectious complication-related morbidity and mortality, among diabetics dialyzed through tunneled-cuffed catheters (TCCs) has not been effectively investigated. This trial was designed to investigate the outcome of TCCs (n = 109), inserted among 96 diabetic end-stage renal disease patients (March 2002-February 2003), by comparing the catheter thrombosis, catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI), catheter survival, and mortality rates, between the cohorts of 49 patients who had TCCs (n = 51) 'locked' with cefotaxime/heparin (group I) and 47 patients with TCCs (n = 58) filled with standard heparin (group II). Thrombosis was defined as the inability to use catheter at a blood flow of 200 ml/min despite intraluminal thrombolysis. Primary end points were catheter thrombosis and CRBSI; elective catheter removal and CRBSI-related death led to sensor of TCCs follow-up. Patients with intraluminal cefotaxime/heparin lock, on cumulative survival analysis, showed a superior thrombosis-free (86.3 vs 63.8%, P = 0.023, log rank), infection-free (72.9 vs 27.1%, P = 0.004, log rank), and thrombosis- and infection-free TCC survival (78.4 vs 37.9%, P = 0.001, log rank) at 365 days, besides having significantly lower incidence of CRBSI (1.56 vs 3.68 episodes/1000 catheter days, P < 0.0001) and CRBSI-related mortality (9.8 vs 23.4%, P = 0.015), compared with the heparin-alone group. Deployment of cefotaxime-heparin 'lock' enhances catheter survival; reduces thrombotic and infectious complications and ensuing mortality, among diabetics on dialysis. However, further studies are needed to define the long-term implications of antibiotic locks in terms of the risk of emergence of antimicrobial resistance.

An explanation for the efficacy of procaine in the treatment of sickle cell anaemia.

A study has been carried out into the effects of procaine on the activities (Na+,K+)- and (Ca2+,Mg2+)-ATPases of the human erythrocyte membrane. In general, procaine inhibited both types of ATPases activities but with characteristic inhibition profiles and varying degrees of efficacy. In addition, the effects of procaine on the transport of K+ and phosphate ions across the membrane of the human erythrocyte were monitored and compared. Procaine was found to stimulate K+ release and to inhibit phosphate uptake. At low concentrations, both processes were found to be concentration dependent. Stimulation of K+ release and inhibition of phosphate uptake reached plateaus at concentrations of 50 and 150 mM, respectively. The antisickling effect of procaine was explained mainly in the light of the changes it induces in the activities of membrane bound ATPases and the permeability properties of the erythrocyte membrane to cations and anions.

An analysis of the mechanism by which cetiedil inhibits sickling.

A study has been carried out into the effects of cetiedil on the activities of Na+, K+ and Ca2+, Mg2+-ATPases of the normal human erythrocyte membrane. In general, cetiedil inhibits both ATPases activities but with characteristic inhibition profiles and varying degrees of efficacy. The activities were inhibited non-competitively at the cetiedil concentration which caused 50% inhibition of each enzyme. In addition, the effects of cetiedil on the transport of K+ and phosphate ions across the membrane were monitored and compared. Cetiedil was found to stimulate K+ release and to inhibit phosphate uptake. At low concentrations, both processes were concentration dependent. Stimulation of K+ efflux reached a plateau at a concentration of 1.2 mM. The antisickling effect of cetiedil is explained mainly in the light of the changes it induces in the activities of membrane-bound ATPases and the permeability properties of the erythrocyte membrane to cations and anions.