Pathologie-biologie
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Pathologie-biologie · Apr 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialBiochemotherapy with standard chemotherapies plus the pineal hormone melatonin in the treatment of advanced solid neoplasms.
It is known since many years that the pineal hormone melatonin (MLT) may play anticancer activity through several mechanisms, including antiproliferative and immunostimulating effects. Moreover, it exerts an important antioxidant action. Therefore, MLT could be useful in the treatment of human neoplasms, either alone or in association with chemotherapy. ⋯ The overall tumor regression rate achieved in patients concomitantly treated with MLT was significantly higher than that found in those treated with chemotherapy alone. Moreover, the 2-year survival rate was significantly higher in patients concomitantly treated with MLT. These results confirm in human the anticancer therapeutic properties of the pineal hormone MLT, which may enhance the efficacy of the standard anticancer chemotherapies.
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Pathologie-biologie · Dec 2006
[Nosocomial respiratory infection due to an imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa O: 12 strain in a Tunis's neonatal intensive care unit].
Investigation of an outbreak caused by an imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain and research of its hospital reservoir. ⋯ Outbreak of respiratory infections due to an imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa O:12. The common source of the epidemic strain was not determined.
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Pathologie-biologie · Oct 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study[Pharmacodynamic interest of ceftazidime continuous infusion vs intermittent bolus administration in patients with severe nosocomial pneumonia].
It is well known today that the main determinant of beta-lactam antibiotics efficacy is the duration of the time that concentrations remain in excess of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of susceptible organism over the course of therapy. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, in term of pharmacodynamic profile, of continuous infusion versus intermittent administration of ceftazidime in intensive care unit patients with severe nosocomial pneumonia. ⋯ These findings show that ceftazidime administered by continuous infusion in critically ill patients under mechanical ventilation with nosocomial pneumonia appears to substantially improve the pharmacodynamic profile of this beta-lactam compared to the intermittent regimen.
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Pathologie-biologie · Oct 2005
[Use of 16S rRNA gene sequencing for identification of "Pseudomonas-like" isolates from sputum of patients with cystic fibrosis].
Since nonfermenting, Gram negative bacilli recovered from patients with cystic fibrosis could be misidentified with phenotypic procedures, we used partial 16S ribosomal RNA gene (16S gene) sequencing to identify these "Pseudomonas-like" isolates. 473 isolates were recovered from 66 patients in 2003. Sequencing was used to identify 29 (from 24 patients) of the 473 isolates, showing unclear results with routine tests. PCR with specific primers was carried out to amplify a 995 bp fragment, which was then sequenced. ⋯ However, 3 of the 5 B. cepacia isolates were then identified as Burkholderia multivorans with a PCR-RFLP procedure. Phenotypic misidentification was observed for 9/29 isolates: 4 A. xylosoxidans, 1 P. aeruginosa, 1 Bordetella petrii, 1 Bordetella bronchiseptica, 1 Ralstonia respiraculi and 1 Ralstonia mannitolilytica. Partial 16S gene sequencing improved the identification of "Pseudomonas-like" isolates from cystic fibrosis patients, but the accuracy to distinguish between genomovars of the B. cepacia complex was inadequate.
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Pathologie-biologie · Mar 2005
Review[Transfusion related acute lung injury (TRALI): an unrecognised pathology].
Transfusion related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a rare but potentially severe complication of blood transfusion, manifested by pulmonary oedema, fever and hypotension. The signs and symptoms are often attributed to other clinical aspects of a patient's condition, and therefore, TRALI may go unrecognised. It has been estimated to be the third cause of transfusion related mortality, so it should be better diagnosed. ⋯ The screening of anti-HLA or anti-granulocytes is recommended as part of prevention for female donors who had been pregnant. Preventative measures should also include leucoreduction and measures to decrease the amount of priming agents in blood components. In this article, we summarise what is known about TRALI, and we focus attention on unanswered questions and controversial issues related to TRALI.