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Biomedical subjects

A Brenner

Publications and source records attributed to A Brenner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Cervical destructive spondylodiscitis: a report on three cases.

Three patients suffering from hematogenous destructive spondylodiscitis were treated with one-session spondylectomy, bone graft-fusion and halo-device stabilization. A stable osseous fusion was achieved after three months with additional antibiotic therapy.

Cervical Vertebrae↗
PubMed1990

Management of unresectable malignant esophageal obstruction.

Malignant esophageal obstruction (MEO), especially with esophago-respiratory fistula (ERF), requires efforts to achieve a meaningful degree of palliation. Laser vaporization (LV) of the esophageal tumor and placement of an endoesophageal prosthesis (EEP) represents a new combination for palliation of MEO. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the neodymium-yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:Yag) laser in reopening the esophageal channel to permit both swallowing and insertion of an EEP. Twenty-three consecutive patients with MEO were evaluated, and ERF was documented by preoperative contrast study in eight patients. All 23 patients underwent laser vaporization, dilation, and surgical placement of EEP. Adequate swallowing was attained in 21 patients; one patient with an ERF experienced recurrent aspiration from failure of the EEP to occlude the fistulous tract. Operative morbidity was 17% (4/23), which included: wound infection, 2; persistence of ERF, 1; esophageal perforation, 1; and food impaction, 1. Thirty-day operative mortality was 9% (2/23). Palliation was excellent in 87% (20/23), with discharge from the hospital by the seventh postoperative day. Mean survival was 3.3 months. We conclude that laser vaporization followed by placement of an EEP represents a major advance in the palliation of MEO.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

The value of different neuro-imaging methods in the diagnosis of a congenital, spinal, epidural meningeal cyst.

Congenital, spinal, epidural cysts are rare causes of transverse or radicular spinal lesions. Usually these cysts are located in the thoracal region, are oblong-shaped, and extend over several segments dorsally to the cord. Frequently, they cause no symptoms for years. They are fairly accessible to diagnostics by modern neuro-imaging methods. We report on a 15 year old girl with paraparesis, which showed a slow progression over two years, short-term remissions, and finally impairment of bladder function. Myelogram, computer-assisted tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance tomography showed a large space-occupying mass from D8 to L1 epidural and dorsal of the myelon. Operation disclosed an epidural cyst from D10 to L2. Histologically, the removed material was classified as a meningeal cyst. Post-operatively the girl's condition improved under intensive physio-therapy. For the diagnosis of this spinal dysrhapic disorder CT scanning after intrathecal application of contrast medium and magnetic resonance imaging were most valuable.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Alpha 2-macroglobulin synthesis in an astrocyte subpopulation.

The proteinase inhibitor alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2-M) is an acute phase protein in the adult rat. During inflammatory events, it is synthesized in the liver and secreted into the bloodstream to remove proteases that are released on injury. Recently, its occurrence in fetal rat brain has been reported. Its cellular origin and biological function in the developing brain, however, remained obscure. In this article, it is shown that astroglial cells cultured from newborn rat brain synthesize and secrete alpha 2-M. Its synthesis markedly increases with time in culture. Immunocytochemical studies reveal that only a subpopulation of astrocytes is alpha 2-M positive, alpha 2-M synthesis in the developing brain by neuroectoderm-derived cells asks for a broader definition of its function in the body. Since interactions of proteases and protease inhibitors appear to play a crucial role in cell migration and neurite outgrowth, alpha 2-M expression in astrocytes is discussed not only in relation to its potential role in the acute phase response to injury in the adult brain but also in regard to its possible involvement in brain development.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

[Slit ventricle--clinical syndrome or radiologic phenomenon?].

Between 1976 and 1982 336 patients with an age range from several days to 65 years, were treated by ventriculo-atrial or peritoneal shunt, because of internal hydrocephalus of different origins. Regular computerized tomographies demonstrated slit-ventricles in 36 patients. Twenty-eight patients were free of complaints. In 8 patients there were symptoms like nausea and vomiting. In 5 patients these complaints were explainable by other diseases. In only 3 patients these signs were caused by increased intracranial pressure because of ventricular-catheter obliteration. In these 3 cases an enlargement of the ventricles at the time of obliteration was seen. In our series slit-ventricles were seen only as a radiological phenomenon. There was no necessity for neurosurgical treatment at all.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

[Diskography--myelography].

One hundred patients were submitted to a prospective, comparative study of metrizamide myelography and discography. In the 32 patients with cervical myelopathy discography yielded no additional information and was thus abandoned. The 68 patients with radiculopathy disease the following results were obtained: In view of the agreement between clinical and myelographic monosegmental findings, discography was considered unnecessary. However, in seven cases with negative myelograms it was possible to show a disc prolapse by discography. When the myelogram was pathological over several segments discography furnished additional information for the differential diagnosis between osteochondrotic or discogenic space-occupying lesions.

Female↗
PubMed1982

Evidence for renin in rat brain: differentiation from other reninlike enzymes.

We observed that unfractionated rat brain extract incubated with substrate at pH 6.0 yielded 12 times the quantity of angiotensin I as incubations at pH 7.4, but the enzyme activity measured at pH 6 was not primarily due to renin. To examine the existence of renin in brain, we used three methods of affinity chromatography (pepstatin-, renin-specific antibody-, and alpha-casein-Sepharose) to fractionate the angiotensin I-generating enzymes in the brain. 1) Brain extract applied to renin-specific column eluted a peak of angiotensin-releasing activity (ARA) that had a pH optimum of 6.0. This ARA was inhibited by antirenin antibody. Another peak of ARA with a pH optimum of 4 appeared in the nonbound fraction. This peak was not affected by antirenin antibody and had acid protease activity. 2) Pepstatin affinity column elution with lithium bromide yielded an early ARA peak (pH optimum 6.5), inhibited by antirenin antibody and a later peak (pH optimum 4.0) not inhibited by antirenin antibody. The latter contained acid protease activity. 3) alpha-Casein-Sepharose column also separated neutral proteases and immunoreactive renin from acid protease capable of generating angiotensin. In summary, rat brain contains a host of angiotensin I-generating enzymes that can be detected and separated as neutral and acid proteases and immunoreactive renin depending on the pH of the assay and conditions of purification. These findings indicate the presence of an enzyme with immunoidentity to renin in rat brain but do not imply local biosynthesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Identification of renin and renin-like enzymes in rat brain by a renin-specific antibody.

1. The major angiotensin I-generating activity of rat brain extracts has a pH optimum different from that of renal renin and is not inhibited by renin specific antibody. 2. Affinity chromatography utilizing renin specific antibody, pepstatin and alpha-casein yielded fractions that resembled renal renin more closely with respect to antibody inhibition and pH optimum as well as an absence of the ability to hydrolyse haemoglobin. 3. We conclude that rat brain contains a host of enzymes with angiotensin I-generating activity including acid and neutral proteases and an enzyme with the immunochemical identity of renal renin. The biosynthetic origins of this renin-like protein remain uncertain.

Angiotensin I↗
PubMed1978

A pyridoxine-dependent behavioral disorder unmasked by isoniazid.

A 3-year-old girl had behavioral deterioration, with hyperkinesis, irritability, and sleeping difficulties after the therapeutic administration of isoniazid. The administration of pharmacologic doses of pyridoxine hydrochloride led to a disappearance of symptoms. After discontinuing isoniazid therapy a similar pattern of behavior was noted that was controlled by pyridoxine. A placebo had no effect, but niacinamide was as effective as pyridoxine. Periodic withdrawal of pyridoxine was associated with return of the hyperkinesis. The level of pyridoxal in the blood was normal during the periods of relapse. Metabolic studies suggested a block in the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism. The patient has been followed for six years and has required pharmacologic doses of pyridoxine to control her behavior.

Child Behavior Disorders↗
PubMed1977

Survey of cat and dog ownership in Champaign County, Illinois, 1976.

Age, sex, breeding, cost, source, and reproductive data on dog and cat populations were obtained for Champaign County, Illinois. Of 623 households from which completed interviews were obtained, 37.4% had 1 or more dogs, and 17.8% had 1 or more cats. The estimated population of dogs was 22,118 and of cats, 16,055, with a proportion to human population of 1 dog/7.4 persons and 1 cat/9.9 persons. The mean age of cats (2.98 yr) was about two-thirds of the mean age of dogs (4.64 yr); the median age of cats (1.8 yr) was about one-half the median age of dogs (3.7 yr). The most often mentioned origin of dogs was private pet owners; cats were most often reported as being offspring of currently owned cats. The proportion of households owning dogs and cats was higher in rural than in urban areas.

Age Factors↗