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Biomedical subjects

A Hartung

Publications and source records attributed to A Hartung.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

No linkage of the interleukin-4 receptor locus on chromosome 16p11.2-12.1 with sarcoidosis in German multiplex families.

We typed 241 members of 62 sarcoidosis families with 136 affected siblings for three single nucleotide polymorphisms of the interleukin-4 receptor alpha-chain gene (IL4R). Allele frequencies in patients were compared to those of healthy unrelated control individuals. The segregation of the three-point IL4R haplotypes completed by two flanking highly polymorphic microsatellite polymorphisms revealed no evidence for linkage of the IL4R gene locus with sarcoidosis.

Chromosome Mapping↗

[Visualization of coronary arteries in CT as assessed by a new 16 slice technology and reduced gantry rotation time: first experiences].

PURPOSE: First evaluation of image quality of a new 16-slice multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) for the assessment of coronary artery disease and lesion detection of the coronary arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: On a newly developed 16-slice CT scanner (SOMATOM Sensation 16, Siemens, Forchheim, Germany) a calcium score as well as a contrast-enhanced CT angiography (CTA) were performed on 4 patients with retrospective ECG-gating and a gantry rotation time of 420 ms to exclude or follow-up coronary heart disease. CTA was performed after injecting 120 ml contrast media intravenously. After medication with a ss-Blocker, the heart rate was between 55 and 67 bpm. RESULTS: The scan time for calcium score was 12 s, for CTA 18 s (scan range 15 and 12 cm, respectively). Volume score was between 0 and 256.4. In the CT angiography the entire coronary tree could be visualized in all patients up to the very distal subsegmental branches. In two patients a complete occlusion of the RCA and the LAD were depicted, respectively. In one of these patients, a large aneurysm of the left anterior ventricular wall was also delineated. CONCLUSION: Considering our first experiences with the new 16-slice technology, an excellent visualization of the entire coronary tree including the very distal and side branches due to substantially increased spatial resolution seems to be achievable. In these patients the acquired image quality raises the hope for improved, non-invasive cardiac diagnostics. In larger studies, the clinical impact of this new technology needs to be further investigated.

Aged↗

Manual stereotactic aspiration of spontaneous deep-seated intracerebral haematomas in non-comatose patients.

Manual stereotactic aspiration was used in 46 consecutive non-comatose patients with haematomas within the basal ganglia and the results were compared with those obtained in a similar group of 39 patients who were treated purely medically in another hospital. The operation was performed in the subacute stage, and in most cases three target-points were chosen on the scan with the largest expansion of the haematoma. The haematoma was manually aspirated with a syringe device in different depths in regard to the target-points, and mean proportion aspirated was 90.2%. The level of consciousness improved markedly and GCS scores after stereotactic surgery were significantly higher than those after medical treatment (p < 0.0001). Peri-ictal mortality was significantly reduced in the surgical group and with improved levels of consciousness, the patients were suitable for further rehabilitative treatment earlier. This resulted in a significantly reduced in-patient stay. Manual stereotactic aspiration of deep-seated intracerebral haematomas in the subacute stage proved to be a simple and safe method with high efficacy.

Adult↗

Colonization with superantigen-producing Staphylococcus aureus is associated with increased severity of atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with colonization of the skin with Staphylococcus aureus known to produce toxins with superantigen (SAg) activity. Besides T-cell activation these toxins induce T-cell skin homing in vitro. This may contribute to the observed induction or enhancement of skin inflammation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether colonization with SAg-producing S. aureus isolates modulates the intensity of AD. If so, it was of interest whether this may be primarily due to the toxins' effects as SAgs or as allergens. METHODS: In AD patients, healthy controls, and atopic controls SAg production by S. aureus isolated from skin or mucous membranes was investigated and correlated to the severity of the disease. Total IgE, SAg-specific IgE, and T-cell activation and recirculation markers were analysed and correlated with SAg production. RESULTS: Fifty-seven percent of S. aureus strains isolated from AD patients produced SAgs. This frequency was higher compared to healthy controls (33%). SAg production by S. aureus was correlated with a significantly higher scoring of AD (SCORAD index, 58 +/- 19 in SAg-producing vs 41 +/- 7 in non-SAg-producing germs; P < 0.05). However, the severity of the disease was not associated with sensitization against the SAgs staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) and staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). Furthermore, SAg production by S. aureus was inversely correlated with total IgE concentration (P < 0.05) and positively correlated with T-cell activation (as measured by HLA-DR and CD69 expression) and the expression of the T-cell skin homing phenotype cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen. CONCLUSION: SAg production by S. aureus is suggested to be associated with an increased severity of atopic dermatitis. Since SAg production was found neither exclusively in AD patients nor in all patients, other pathogenic factors may be additionally effective.

Adult↗

[Three isoflurane preparations from various manufacturers. A comparison of isoflurane concentrations in fresh gas after vaporization with a Drager vaporizer type 19.3].

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to check the precision of the Dräger vaporizer model 19.3 when filled with three different preparations of isoflurane. METHODS: Six Dräger vaporizers model 19.3 calibrated with forene were filled with forene (Abbott), isoflurane (Lilly) and isoflurane (Pharmacia); gas output was measured by infrared absorption (Irina, Dräger) at vaporizer settings of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 5.0 vol%, starting with a fresh gas flow of 2 1/min followed by 4, 6 and 12 1/min. Thus each of the three isoflurane preparations was checked in six different vaporizers and with four different fresh gas flows. RESULTS: Within the concentration range used in clinical practice there was no significant difference in the delivery of the three isoflurane preparations. Each of the six vaporizers produced a controllable and predictable concentration of the three preparations. CONCLUSION: Vaporizers of Dräger type 19.n calibrated with forene deliver the same predictable concentration of the volatile anaesthetic when filled with isoflurane from Lilly or isoflurane from Pharmacia instead of forene and may be used without impairment in patient safety. In addition, no specific calibration with one of the new isoflurane preparations is required.

Calibration↗

Composition of diesel exhaust with particular reference to particle bound organics including formation of artifacts.

For particulate emissions, standards were established by the US EPA in February 1980. Regulations limiting particulates from new light duty diesel vehicles are valid by model year 1982. The corresponding standards on a pure mass basis do not take into account any chemical character of the diesel particulate matter. Our investigation of the material composition shows that diesel particulates consist mainly of soot (up to 80% by weight) and adsorptively bound organics including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The qualitative and quantitative nature of hydrocarbon compounds associated with the particulates is dependent not only on the combustion parameters of the engine but also to an important degree on the sampling conditions when the particulates are collected (dilution ratio, temperature, filter material, sampling time etc.). Various methods for the analyses of PAH and their oxy- and nitro-derivatives are described including sampling, extraction, fractionation and chemical analysis. Quantitative comparison of PAH, nitro-PAH and oxy-PAH from different engines are given. For assessing mutagenicity of particulate matter, short-term biological tests are widely used. These biological tests often need a great amount of particulate matter requiring prolonged filter sampling times. Since it is well known that facile PAH oxidation can take place under the conditions used for sampling and analysis, the question rises if these PAH-derivates found in particle extracts partly or totally are produced during sampling (artifacts). Various results concerning nitro- and oxy-PAH are presented characterizing artifact formation as a minor problem under the conditions of the Federal Test Procedure. But results show that under other sampling conditions, e.g. electrostatic precipitation, higher NO2-concentrations and longer sampling times, artifact formation can become a bigger problem. The more stringent particulate standard of 0.2 g/mi for model years 1986 and 1987 respectively requires particulate trap technology. Preliminary investigations of the efficiency of ceramic filters used reveal that the reduction of the adsorptively bound organics is lower than the decrease of the solid carbonaceous fractions.

Aldehydes↗

[Experiences and results in hypertension screening in women between 20 and 65 years of age in Karl-Marx-City].

From 1975 to 1979 in the district of the City of Karl-Marx-Stadt 91,130 females at the age between 20 and 65 years were summoned to a gynaecologico-cardiological mass examination which was supported by computer. 56,460 females underwent the examination. According to the WHO-criteria two measurements of blood pressure were carried out, when increased blood pressure was present a third one and a fourth one by an examination group. A diagnostic standard programme was used. In the second measurement of blood pressure we established 19.8% of patients with hypertension and 28.6% patients with borderline values. 52.8% of the hypertensions were known. Of 10,685 females with known or established hypertension 10.1% underwent an optimum therapy. On the basis of these results a programme for the fight against hypertension was developed for the county Karl-Marx-Stadt.

Adult↗