A comparison of salbutamol given by pressure-packed aerosol or nebulization via IPPB in acute asthma.

Salbutamol was given by pressure-packed aerosol or nebulizer via IPPB to patients with acute asthma to compare the effectiveness of these methods of inhalation. The results show that both methods produce significant bronchodilatation even in patients admitted with moderately severe asthma (FEV1 about 38% predicted) but a slightly greater improvement may be achieved by IPPB nebulization. Our findings indicate that supervised inhalation of a pressure-packed aerosol of salbutamol may be useful for the initial treatment of asthmatic attacks but confirm the marginal advantage of IPPB nebulization, which should be reserved for patients unable to inhale from a pressure-packed aerosol or failing to respond to its treatment.     

β-Lactamase Production in Key Gram-Negative Pathogen Isolates from the Arabian Peninsula

SUMMARY

Infections due to Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The extent of antibiotic resistance in GNB in countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), namely, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain, has not been previously reviewed. These countries share a high prevalence of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)- and carbapenemase-producing GNB, most of which are associated with nosocomial infections. Well-known and widespread β-lactamases genes (such as those for CTX-M-15, OXA-48, and NDM-1) have found their way into isolates from the GCC states. However, less common and unique enzymes have also been identified. These include PER-7, GES-11, and PME-1. Several potential risk factors unique to the GCC states may have contributed to the emergence and spread of β-lactamases, including the unnecessary use of antibiotics and the large population of migrant workers, particularly from the Indian subcontinent. It is clear that active surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in the GCC states is urgently needed to address regional interventions that can contain the antimicrobial resistance issue.     

Genetic Contexts of blaNDM-1 in Patients Carrying Multiple NDM-Producing Strains

The carbapenem resistance determinant bla_NDM-1 has been found in various Gram-negative bacteria and upon different plasmid replicon types (Inc). Here, we present four patients within two hospitals in Pakistan harboring between two and four NDM-1-producing Gram-negative bacilli of different species coresident in their stool samples. We characterize the bla_NDM-1 genetic contexts of these 11 NDM-1-producing Gram-negative bacilli in addition to other antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, plasmid replicon profiles, and sequence types (STs) in order to understand the underlying acquisition mechanisms of carbapenem resistance within these bacteria. Two common plasmid types (IncN2 and IncA/C) were identified to carry bla_NDM-1 among the six different bacterial species isolated from the four patients. Two of these strains were novel Citrobacter freundii ST 20 and ST 21. The same IncN2-type bla_NDM-1 genetic context was found in all four patients and within four different species. The IncA/C-type bla_NDM-1 genetic context was found in two different species and in two of the four patients. Combining genetic context characterization with other molecular epidemiology methods, we were able to establish the molecular epidemiological links between genetically unrelated bacterial species by linking their acquisition of an IncN2 or IncA/C plasmid carrying bla_NDM-1 for carbapenem resistance. By combining plasmid characterization and in-depth genetic context assessment, this analysis highlights the importance of plasmids in antimicrobial resistance. It also provides a novel approach for investigating the underlying mechanisms of bla_NDM-1-related spread between bacterial species and genera via plasmids.     

Audit of multiple insulin injection regimens in a large outpatient diabetic population.

One hundred out-patients treated by multiple insulin injection regimens underwent clinical audit by retrospective analysis of their case-notes. Patients had been on multiple insulin injection therapy (MIIT) for 1.0-4.5 years (median, 3.6 years) and had had diabetes for 2 months-33 years (median, 8.7 years) at the time of starting pen therapy. Median daily insulin dose per patient did not differ significantly following stabilisation on MIIT or at latest follow-up. The median glycated haemoglobin did not change during each of the 4 years of follow-up. During the year prior to commencing MIIT the patients showed no significant alteration in body weight. Patients' weights rose significantly during each subsequent year. Median weight gains were 0.9 kg (P less than 0.005) during the first year, 1.4 kg (P less than 0.005) during the second year, 0.9 kg (P less than 0.05) during the third year and 1.4 kg (P less than 0.05) during year 4. No such weight gain was recorded in a control group of 30 patients matched for age and duration of diabetes and treated by twice daily insulin injections. Multiple insulin injection regimens used over prolonged periods in a routine clinic setting do not alter metabolic control. However, continuing weight gain appears to occur despite similar daily insulin doses.     

Metformin increases insulin sensitivity and basal glucose clearance in Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes mellitus

Abstract The effects of metformin on glycaemia, insulin and c-peptide levels, hepatic glucose production and insulin sensitivity (using the euglycaemic, hyperinsulinaemic clamp) were evaluated at fortnightly intervals in 9 Type 2 diabetic patients using a stepwise dosing protocol: Stage 1 - no metformin for four weeks; stage 2 - metformin 500mg mane; stage 3 - metformin 500mg thrice daily; stage 4 – metformin 1000mg thrice daily. Results are expressed as Mean ± SEM. Fasting blood glucose decreased from basal values (9.7 ±1.0 mmol/L) by 13% at stage 2, 34% at stage 3 and 41% at stage 4 (p<0.02 vs basal for all stages; p<0.02 stage 2 vs stage 3). Post-prandial glycaemia was significantly improved only with metformin 3000mg/day (p<0.05). Fasting, meal-stimulated and total insulin and c-peptide levels showed no change. Hepatic glucose output did not change significantly with metformin. Insulin sensitivity, measured as total glucose utilisation during hyperinsulinaemia, increased from stage 1 (10.3 ± 2.1 μmoL/kg/min) by 23% at stage 3 (p < 0.05) and by 29% at stage 4 (p < 0.02). Basal metabolic clearance of glucose increased compared to stage 1 (1.69 ±0.16 mL/kg/min) by 30% at stage 2, 53% at stage 3 and 44% at stage 4 (all p <0.02). This study demonstrates that improved efficiency of glucose utilisation, both basally and under conditions of euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemia, is the basis of metformin's antihyperglycaemic action.     

The volumetric measurement of gastric emptying and gastric secretion by a radioisotope method

Most methods of measurement of gastric emptying rely on the serial estimation of intragastric volume and do not separately account for the volume of fluid which has been added to the meal by gastric secretion, duodenal reflux, or swallowed saliva. The volume emptied is therefore underestimated. A method of measuring gastric emptying using [¹²⁵I]RIHSA and the Volémetron is presented. The volume of fluid added to the meal is taken into consideration in this method, giving a more accurate reflection of gastric emptying. Using this method in the dog, emptying was found to be linear rather than exponential.Supported by South African Medical Research Council grant M14/71/51.