Effect of neutrophil elastase inhibitor (sivelestat sodium) in the treatment of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Sivelestat is neutrophil elastase inhibitor, which is widely used in Japan for the treatment of acute lung injury. However, the clinical efficacy of the medication has not been convincingly demonstrated.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on sivelestat for the treatment of acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Risk factors of ventricular fibrillation during rapid amphotericin B infusion.

Amphotericin B causes reversible concentration-dependent loss of intracellular potassium in vitro and hyperkalemic ventricular arrhythmias in dogs. Hyperkalemic ventricular arrhythmias associated with amphotericin B infusion have not been well documented in humans. Ventricular fibrillation with progressive hyperkalemia (up to 8 to 8.

Clinical value of paired sputum and transtracheal aspirates in the initial management of pneumonia.

One hundred young adults with acute pneumonia were prospectively studied to determine the impact of the transtracheal aspiration (TTA) Gram stain on immediate management. Sputum and TTA interpretations by staff and housestaff were compared. After a management plan was elected based on sputum Gram stain interpretation, the TTA was evaluated and the final plan chosen.

Clinical trial of cefonicid for treatment of skin infections.

Twenty patients with skin and soft-tissue infections were treated with parenteral cefonicid. Cultures obtained in cellulitis cases from an aspirate of a leading edge of inflammation were positive in 42% of these patients. Pathogens isolated were Staphylococcus aureus (six strains), Proteus mirabilis (one strain), and Streptococcus agalactiae.

Injection site abscesses caused by Mycobacterium chelonei.

Subcutaneous abscesses occurred at hip and deltoid injection sites in 13 student nurse assistants following practice injections. Mycobacterium chelonei was isolated from three cases and was the presumptive pathogen in other temporally clustered cases with similar clinical findings. A 1,000 cc bottle of 0.

Further investigation of the association between gastroesophageal reflux and bronchoconstriction.

A double-blind modification of the intraesophageal acid perfusion challenge (Bernstein procedure) was performed in asthmatic subjects with and without gastroesophageal reflux, nonasthmatic subjects with reflux, and normal subjects. Conventional spirometric functions and total respiratory resistance (Rrs) were measured prior to and after the infusion. There were no changes in pulmonary functions except in the asthmatic subjects who had had a positive acid challenge.

Epidemic measles and rubella in air force recruits: impact of immunization.

The safety of attenuated viral vaccines against measles and rubella and their efficacy in controlling a massive outbreak of these two diseases in air force recruits at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, were studied. Recorded cases of measles declined from a high of 1,345 in 1976 to a low of 227 in 1979. Similarly, rubella cases declined from a peak before the immunization program of 1,361 in 1977 to a low of 67 in 1979.

Measles pneumonia in young adults. An analysis of 106 cases.

Measles occurred in 3,220 Air Force recruits between January 1976 and July 1979 and was complicated by pneumonia in 106 cases (3.3 percent). Although no deaths occurred, the illness was characterized as clinically severe with high fever and prolonged hospitalization (mean, 14.

Schistosomiasis in Saudi Arabian recruits. A morbidity study based on quantitative egg excretion.

We surveyed stool and urine specimens from 245 Saudi Arabian trainees for parasites. Schistosoma mansoni eggs were found in the stool in 66 (26.9%) and S.

Epidemic rubella in military recruits.

Between Dec 1 and Feb 18, 1976, 320 cases of rubella occurred among recruits and dependent children at two Air Force bases in Illinois and Texas. Only 28 cases (9%) were identified in patients aged 17 and under. Routine serosurveilance before the outbreak revealed protective immunity in 89.

Microscopic and bacteriological comparison of paired sputa and transtracheal aspirates.

Ninety-six sputum specimens from patiens with pneumonia were microscopically screened for leukocytes and buccal squamous epithelial (BSE) cells. Cultures of these specimens were compared with cultures of paired transtracheal aspirates (TTA). Agreement between sputa with less than 25 BSE cells per 100X field and TTA was good (79%).