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Biomedical subjects

A Rahn

Publications and source records attributed to A Rahn.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

[Pain in patients with breast-conserving cancer treatment and radiotherapy].

In patients with breast-conserving surgery of carcinoma and radiotherapy pain rarely is an issue between patient and physician because the operation is considered to be well tolerable and radiotherapy to have few side- effects. There are very few data about frequency and management of pain in these patients. Therefore we evaluated a group of 180 patients after breast-conserving surgery during radiotherapy using a new Likert-scaled questionnaire. Data on the following items were collected: number of patients experiencing pain, pain attribution, frequency and intensity of pain, subjective evaluation and restriction in daily routine. Furthermore, we evaluated the side effects of radiation in an RTOG scale. 85% of patients had pain during radiation which by most was attributed to cancer treatment (surgery and radiation). More than 50% reported light to moderate pain during the entire six-week treatment. Thus pain is a more common symptom in breast cancer patients during radiation therapy than normally assumed and therefore should receive more attention by gynecologists and radiotherapists.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Role of radiotherapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma].

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy is the treatment of choice in multiple myeloma; but there are no curative options. Therefore, the treatment rationale is characterized by reduction of symptoms and inhibition of complications. Regarding reduction of pain, treatment of (impending) fractures, and spinal cord compression radiation is an important part of palliative treatment. In our retrospective study we report the effect of radiotherapy on reduction of pain, recalcification and the reduction of neurological symptoms and evaluate factors which have an impact on therapeutic outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1, Jan 1988 to 31, Dec 1998, 42 patients (19 women, 23 men; range of ages 46 to 85 years, median age 64.9 years) with 71 target volumes were irradiated (median dose 36 Gy, 2 to 3 Gy 5 times/week) because of symptomatic disease (67/71: osseous pain, 45/71: fractures/impending fractures, 13/71: spinal cord compression) (Tables 1 and 2). The median time from diagnosis to the first course of radiotherapy was 11.9 months (0.3 to 90 months). At the time of first irradiation, 5 and 37 patients were in tumor Stage II and III (Salmon/Durie), respectively. The median value of the Karnofsky performance was 70% (40 to 90%). RESULTS: During follow-up (at least 6 months) in 85% of target volumes complete and partial pain relief (measured by patients' perception and the use of analgetic medication) was achieved; recurrences were seen in 8.8%. In 26/56 (46.4%) lesions evaluable a recalcification was seen whereas 17.9% showed progressive disease (comparison of radiographs before and after radiation). In 22.3% of all lesions initially with impending fracture (4/18) radiotherapy failed because of fracture after treatment (Tables 3 and 4). Simultaneous chemotherapy and a Karnofsky performance > or = 70 had a significant impact on a positive response to treatment, respectively. Spinal cord compression symptoms were reduced in 7/13 (53.8%) of patients (scaled due to the classification by Findlay 1987). The median survival from diagnosis for the entire group was 34.9 months (7.5 to 119.3 months), after irradiation 13.1 months (0.2 to 105.3 months) (Figure 1). CONCLUSION: When adequately indicated radiotherapy has shown to be an effective palliative treatment. Taking under consideration that the results are retrospective we suppose that in multiple myeloma the local response to radiation is supported by a favorable performance status and simultaneous chemotherapy. Irradiation treatment does not change prognosis regarding overall survival.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[The intensification of the radiotherapeutic effect on HeLa cells by gemcitabine].

BACKGROUND: Gemcitabine (2'.2'-difluorodeoxycytidine; dFdC) is a new nucleoside analog with promising activity in different solid tumors in vivo and in vitro. As published up to now, combined with irradiation dFdC demonstrates a radiosensitizing effect on pancreas and colon carcinoma cell lines. We investigated the influence of dFdC on the radiosensitization of human squamous carcinoma cells of the cervix (HeLa-cells, ATCC CCL-2). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Under standardized conditions monolayer cultures of HeLa-cells were incubated in medium with dFdC for different times (4 to 24 hours) and exposed to different concentrations (0.003, 0.01 and 0.03 mumol/l). Irradiation (2 to 6 Gy, electron beam) followed immediately or 12 hours after dFdC-exposure. Cell survival was determined by colony forming assay. Using the linear-quadratic model cell survival curves were fit after correction for drug-induced cytotoxicity and the mean inactivation dose (MID) was calculated. Radiation enhancement was defined as the ratio MIDRT(= Control)/MIDRT + dFdC > 1. RESULTS: Exposed to gemcitabine for 4 and 8 hours and followed by immediate irradiation the radiation enhancement ratio (Table 1) is 1.07 to 1.14 and 1.04 to 1.22, respectively, if dFdC concentration is > or = 0.01 to 0.03 mumol/l. Further increase of the irradiation effect is demonstrated in cells exposed to > or = 0.003 to 0.03 mumol/l dFdC for 16 and 24 hours (radiation enhancement ratio 1.08 to 2.0 and 1.08 to 2.48, respectively) (Figure 3). If irradiation is applied 12 hours after 24-hour-exposure (0.01 and 0.03 mumol/l) the enhancement ratio was 1.18 and 1.7, respectively (Figure 4). CONCLUSIONS: In cell cultures the assays combining irradiation with dFdC demonstrate that dFdC is a potent radiation sensitizer of HeLa-cells. The effect of irradiation on cells pre-treated with non- and hardly cytotoxic concentrations of dFdC is increased in dependence of dose and time of exposure.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1999

Conserved organization in the cps gene clusters for expression of Escherichia coli group 1 K antigens: relationship to the colanic acid biosynthesis locus and the cps genes from Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Group 1 capsules of Escherichia coli are similar to the capsules produced by strains of Klebsiella spp. in terms of structure, genetics, and patterns of expression. The striking similarities between the capsules of these organisms prompted a more detailed investigation of the cps loci encoding group 1 capsule synthesis. Six strains of K. pneumoniae and 12 strains of E. coli were examined. PCR analysis showed that the clusters in these strains are conserved in their chromosomal locations. A highly conserved block of four genes, orfX-wza-wzb-wzc, was identified in all of the strains. The wza and wzc genes are required for translocation and surface assembly of E. coli K30 antigen. The conservation of these genes points to a common pathway for capsule translocation. A characteristic JUMPstart sequence was identified upstream of each cluster which may function in conjunction with RfaH to inhibit transcriptional termination at a stem-loop structure found immediately downstream of the "translocation-surface assembly" region of the cluster. Interestingly, the sequence upstream of the cps clusters in five E. coli strains and one Klebsiella strain indicated the presence of IS elements. We propose that the IS elements were responsible for the transfer of the cps locus between organisms and that they may continue to mediate recombination between strains.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed1995

Effects of cicletanine on kidney function. 2. Role of renal prostaglandins and kinins, and of muscarinic receptors.

We report the effect of the prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors indomethacin and meclofenamate, of the ACE-inhibitor captopril and of the muscarinic receptor antagonist methyl-scopolamine on the renal action of cicletanine (20-30 mg/kg i.v.) in anesthetized rats. Methylscopolamine, at doses ranging from 60 to 600 micrograms/kg i.v., did not at all affect cicletanine's action on the kidney's excretory function. Captopril (20 mg/kg i.v.) induced by its own a small rise of urine flow, and of urinary sodium and chloride excretion. The drug enhanced the effect of cicletanine on urine flow and sodium excretion by an additive effect. In the presence of captopril, and also of indomethacin (5 mg/kg i.v.) and meclofenamate (5 mg/kg i.v.), but not with control conditions, cicletanine significantly enhanced glomerular filtration rate and p-animohippurate clearance. Despite the fact that renal hemodynamics improved, the prostaglandin inhibitors nearly completely abolished cicletanine's effect on urinary fluid and electrolyte excretion. The results suggest that muscarinic receptors are not involved in the diuretic response to cicletanine. Cicletanine's diuretic and saluretic action may be related to a stimulation of renal prostaglandin synthesis. An enhanced prostaglandin production, and an activated reninangiotensin system, may also mask a direct vasodilating effect of cicletanine on the renal vasculature in the rat.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Pathogenesis of alcohol-induced hyperlipidemia: case report of hypertriglyceridemia over 10,000 mg%].

A 53-year old woman developed excessive hypertriglyceridemia (greater than 10,000 mg/dl) with features of toxic liver damage after prolonged ethanol ingestion. Lipoprotein-lipase-activity was not decreased, apolipoprotein-C-II analysis, as shown by gel-electrophoresis, revealed a regular pattern. Treatment with parenteral nutrition and abstinence of ethanol resulted in a complete normalization of plasma triglycerides after transient remnant-hyperlipidemia. Decrease of triglycerides was accompanied by declining liver enzyme activities. As suggested by unimpaired activity of lipolysis, the extent of hypertriglyceridemia may be explained by a reversible receptor mediated defect of hepatic catabolism, aggravated by hepatic overproduction of triglyceride-rich-particles. Although receptor dysfunction is not yet understood, the transient appearance of remnant particles may be a helpful criteria in diagnosis of ethanol induced hypertriglyceridemia.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1975

[Diabetic coma as a task for intensive therapy].

On the basis of 763 cases with diabetic coma from 1960 to 1973 is referred to the advantages of the foundation of a coma ward as department of intensive observation. It is reported on some successful changes of therapy in recent years. The introduction of methods of intensive therapy has led to a significant decrease of lethality. A sufficient administration of potassium (not less than 200 mval/die) and the prevention of a cerebral oedema are actual demands for the improvement of the prognosis of diabetic coma.

Berlin↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Advantage in management of diabetic coma by intensive care.

A brief review of some therapy results in 763 episodes of diabetic coma from 1960 to 1973 reveals a significant decrease in lethality after institution of an intensive care unit. Present aspects of management are: intensification of shock therapy, potassium substitution and treatment of cerebral edema. The possibly dangerous role of hypotonic solutions is discussed. The lowering of the as yet high lethality of diabetic coma is an urgent necessity.

Berlin↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Radiation enhancement of gemcitabine in two human squamous cell carcinoma cell lines.

BACKGROUND: Gemcitabine (dFdC) is a new nucleoside analogue with promising activity in different solid tumors. We investigated whether dFdC enhances the effect of irradiation in human squamous carcinoma cells of the oropharynx (#4197) and of the uterine cervix (HeLa) with special regard to the time-dose-relationship concerning dFdC and the dependence upon the timing of irradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Under standardized conditions monolayers of cells were exposed to various dFdC concentrations (0.003-10 mumol/l) for different times (4-24 h). Irradiation (0-6 Gy) followed immediately or 12 h after dFdC exposure (0.003-0.03 mumol/l; 4-24 h). RESULTS: The cytotoxic effect of dFdC depends on its concentration and the exposure duration. Exposed to non and/or slightly cytotoxic concentrations (> or = 0.003-0.03 mumol/l) for 4, 8, 16 and 24 h and followed by immediate irradiation the radiation enhancement ratio (RER) is 1.03-1.67 in #4197 cells and 1.04-2.47 in HeLa cells, respectively. Irradiated 12 h after 24 h exposure (dFdC 0.01-0.03 mumol/l) the RER is reduced to 1.10-1.17 (#4197) and 1.18-1.72 (HeLa). CONCLUSIONS: Depending on the drug concentration, exposure duration, and timing of irradiation, dFdC enhances the irradiation effect on human squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (#4197, HeLa).

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗