PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Bartz

Publications and source records attributed to C Bartz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: the severe form is associated with common variants of the hepatobiliary phospholipid transporter ABCB4 gene.

BACKGROUND: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is characterised by troublesome maternal pruritus, raised serum bile acid levels and increased fetal risk. Mutations of the ABCB4 gene encoding the hepatobiliary phospholipid transporter have been identified in a small proportion of patients with cholestasis of pregnancy. In a recent prospective study on 693 patients with cholestasis of pregnancy, a cut-off level for serum bile acid (> or =40 micromol/l) was determined for increased risk of fetal complications. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether common combinations of polymorphic alleles (haplotypes) of the genes encoding the hepatobiliary ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters for phospholipids (ABCB4) and bile acids (ABCB11) were associated with this severe form of cholestasis of pregnancy. METHODS: For genetic analysis, 52 women with bile acid levels > or =40 micromol/l (called cases) and 52 unaffected women (called controls) matched for age, parity and geographical residence were studied. Gene variants tagging common ABCB4 and ABCB11 haplotypes were genotyped and haplotype distributions were compared between cases and controls by permutation testing. RESULTS: In contrast with ABCB11 haplotypes, ABCB4 haplotypes differed between the two groups (p = 0.019), showing that the severe form of cholestasis of pregnancy is associated with the ABCB4 gene variants. Specifically, haplotype ABCB4_5 occurred more often in cases, whereas haplotypes ABCB4_3 and ABCB4_7 were more common in controls. These associations were reflected by different frequencies of at-risk alleles of the two tagging polymorphisms (c.711A: odds ratio (OR) 2.27, p = 0.04; deletion intron 5: OR 14.68, p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Variants of ABCB4 represent genetic risk factors for the severe form of ICP in Sweden.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B↗
PubMed2006

Movement analysis in the early detection of newborns at risk for developing spasticity due to infantile cerebral palsy.

In order to limit the consequences of infantile cerebral palsy (ICP), physiotherapy should start as early as possible. This requires that infants at risk are detected at the earliest age possible. Today, diagnosis is based on visual observation by physicians and as such is influenced by subjective impressions. Objective methods, quantifying the pathological deviation from normal spontaneous motor activity would be preferable as they, for example, allow an inter- and intra-individual comparison of movement. In this paper we have developed a methodology that allows the 3-dimensional acquisition of unconstrained movement in newborn babies, using a motion analysis system. From the recorded movement data we have extracted 53 quantitative parameters that describe the differences between healthy and affected participants. Considered individually, each of these parameters does not permit a conclusive statement to be made as to whether or not the patient is at risk. Cluster analysis based on Euclidian distances therefore has been used to find an optimal combination of eight parameters. The optimal combination has been subsequently applied to organize the participants' movement into preferably homogeneous classes labelled "healthy" or "at risk". Classification was performed utilising quadratic discriminant analysis. The methodology presented allows a reliable discrimination between healthy and affected participants. Overall detection rate reached 73%. This value is expected to rise with increasing patient and norm collective database size.

Cerebral Palsy↗
PubMed2005

Contractile reactivity of human myometrium in isolated non-pregnant uteri.

BACKGROUND: Perfusion of the isolated uterus has been shown to be a feasible experimental system for studies of the human endometrium and myometrium. Utilizing our established experimental perfusion model we perfused 20 uteri for 27 h and investigated the contractile reactivity of the myometrium in response to 17beta-estradiol (E2) and oxytocin (OT). METHODS: Uteri of group A (n = 4) were stimulated with OT; group B (n = 4) was treated continuously with E2; group C (n = 4) received both E2 and OT for 27 h; group D (n = 4) was perfused for 27 h with E2 with the addition of OT for the last 3 h of the experiment; group E (n = 4) as control group remained without any treatment. The pressure and duration of uterine contractions were recorded during the entire perfusion period using intramural and endoluminal pressure catheters. RESULTS: Compared to the other treatment groups and controls, the most effective myometrial activity was achieved in group D during the OT stimulation period. No relevant myometrial activity was detected in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous E2 treatment, with the addition of OT for the last 3 h of the 27 h perfusion period, led to the most pronounced uterotonic effects in the presented experimental condition.

Estradiol↗
PubMed2004

[Treatment of severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome].

Severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome are still one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The current definitions of the diseases should be considered before treatment. The timely allocation to a perinatal center and an intensive monitoring of mother and child after admission are mandatory for successful management of these patients. The aim of therapy is immediate stabilization of the mother's condition by means of anticonvulsive prophylaxis with intravenous magnesium sulphate, well-controlled reduction of blood pressure by the administration of urapidil or nifedipine, controlled volume expansion and an adequate treatment of coagulation disorders by giving fresh frozen plasma (not heparin). Immediate delivery is the method of choice in cases of severe preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome > or = 34 weeks' gestations; we prefer cesarean section in patients with an unripe cervix and the full-blown picture of HELLP syndrome. In patients < 34 weeks' gestation expectant management is generally possible under intensive monitoring of the mother and the fetus. Maternal and fetal indications for immediate termination of pregnancy should be considered carefully. The systemic application of corticosteroids is a promising approach to prolong pregnancy. During the past decade the increasing awareness of obstetricians and other disciplines have led to a significant reduction of maternal mortality (< 1 %) and perinatal mortality (9.4-16.2 %) in cases of HELLP syndrome, in particular in the West European countries.

Female↗
PubMed2004

[Primary diagnosis of hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma during pregnancy and after birth -- a rare occurrence].

About seven to ten percent of all brain tumours are neoplasias of the pituitary gland. Pituitary gland tumours can cause different clinical symptoms often making it difficult to come to the correct diagnosis. They can lead to severe complications such as hypopituitarism with secondary hypogonadism, hypothyroidism, and adrenocortical insufficiency, compression of the optic tract or obstructive hydrocephalus. We report on two patients with hormone-secreting pituitary tumours that were unknown prior to pregnancy. The first woman suffered from a growth hormone-producing pituitary adenoma, causing persistent headaches after birth. The second woman showed a significant loss of vision and visual field defects in the 32nd week of gestation, caused by a prolactin-producing pituitary tumour.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Characterization of a molecular clone of HIV type 2 infectious for Macaca nemestrina.

A lambda phage clone containing a full-length HIV-2 provirus, designated HIV-2KR, was obtained from the genomic DNA of Molt4 clone 8 (Molt4/8) lymphoblastic cells infected with the HIV-2PEI2 strain. HIV-2KR is genetically distinct from known HIV-2 isolates, possessing both a unique deletion in the LTR promoter region, and a long rev reading frame. It is replication competent in vitro after transfection into Molt4/8 cells, replicates in a variety of established human T lymphoblastic (Molt-3, Molt4/8, SupT1, H9, C8166) and myelomonocytic (U937) cell lines, and displays prominent cytopathic effects on infection of Molt4/8 cells, reflecting usage of both CCR5 and CXCR4 coreceptors. In addition, HIV-2KR was found to be infectious for human and Macaca nemestrina peripheral blood lymphocytes, and primary human monocyte-macrophage cultures. Intravenous inoculation of cell-free virus into M. nemestrina resulted in infection characterized by transient, low-level viremia and modest temporary decline in CD4 lymphocyte numbers, making HIV-2KR the first HIV-2 molecular clone reported to be infectious for this primate species.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

p53 tumour suppressor gene expression in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour cells.

Neuroendocrine pancreatic tumours grow slower and metastasise later than ductal and acinar carcinomas. The expression of the p53 tumour suppressor gene in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour cells is unknown. Pancreatic neuroendocrine cell lines (n = 5) and human tumour tissues (n = 19) were studied for changed p53 coding sequence, transcription, and translation. Proliferative activity of tumour cells was determined analysing Ki-67 expression. No mutation in the p53 nucleotide sequence of neuroendocrine tumour cell was found. However, an overexpression of p53 could be detected in neuroendocrine pancreatic tumour cell lines at a protein level. As no p53 mutations were seen, it is suggested that post-translational events can also lead to an overexpression of p53.

Autoradiography↗
PubMed1994

Preexposure prophylaxis with 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine against simian immunodeficiency virus infection in macaques.

A reverse transcriptase inhibitor, 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine (PMEA), was evaluated for efficacy against acute simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection in juvenile macaques (Macaca fascicularis). Macaques were pretreated subcutaneously with PMEA for 48 h before SIV inoculation. Drug treatment continued for an additional 28 days. Efficacy of PMEA was determined by detection of SIV in blood, SIV DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and SIV antibodies. Protection from acute SIV infection occurred in 83% of macaques treated with 20 mg/kg/day versus 50% of macaques treated with 10 mg/kg/day. Several PMEA-treated macaques developed mild dermatitis that disappeared when the 4-week therapy ended. The results of these experiments indicate that preexposure prophylaxis with PMEA can prevent acute SIV infection in macaques. Since PMEA demonstrates profound inhibition of retrovirus infection, it may have utility as a chemoprophylactic agent for humans exposed to SIV or human immunodeficiency virus.

Adenine↗
PubMed1993

Patient care and nursing practice when staff requirements exceed staff availability.

This study examined the Workload Management System for Nurses at a tertiary-care Army hospital to determine the incongruence between recommended nursing care hours and actual nursing care hours provided. The purpose of the study was to describe patient care and nursing practice when calculated staff requirements exceed actual staff availabilty. The findings of the study indicated that basic nursing care tasks were accomplished; however, professional development activities were sacrificed. The data reveal that nurses do not have the time to grow professionally through research or education, and they are reduced to assembly-line mentality as they go from task to task without being able to care for a patient as a person.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Staff perceptions of their work environment before and six months after an organizational change.

The Insel and Moos' Work Environment Scale (WES) was used to assess the impact that an organizational change would have on the nursing staff perceptions of the work environment. A comparison of before and after the supervisory change indicated that middle management supervisors have little influence on the work environment, since there was essentially no change in any of the WES scales. The working environment showed little cohesion among staff members, the focus on autonomy and self-sufficiency was average, but there was strong pressure to keep up with the never-ending work load, the staff perceived the setting as poorly organized and inefficient, they were unclear as to expectations about rules and procedures, and there was a high degree of control over the workers. An organizational change may not be the answer to the problems if the problems have more to do with the corporate philosophy. It may be time to look at mechanisms that create working environments in which employees actually feel their work is an important contribution to the organization.

Humans↗
PubMed1990

[Indications for surgical treatment of pleural carcinosis].

In patients with pleural carcinosis the indication for operative treatment results from their signs and symptoms and from the diminution in quality of life. The functional operative risk should be minimal. Additional to the tumour manifestation limiting indication for operation must be excluded. The operation is indicated for patients with expanding effusions after ineffective pleurodesis, for patients with chambered effusions, for reduction in tumour size and to improve chemotherapeutic results, for alleviation of pain in expanding tumour masses, as well as by suspected pleural mesothelioma and by solitary tumour findings. The parietal pleura is resected to prevent fluid production. The visceral fine-decortication allows for reexpansion of the lung.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1988

An exploratory study of the coronary artery bypass graft surgery experience.

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of patients who have had coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS). Semistructured interviews using descriptive and contrast questions were done with a convenience sample of five married Anglo men. The sampling frame spanned time from 4 days to 3 years after surgery. Three informants were interviewed twice. The transcribed interviews were subjected to content analysis. With the experience of coronary artery surgery, the informants moved from health and independence to illness and dependence. Considering the transition to dependence, informants described aspects of personal control and interpersonal confidence. Considering perceptions during dependence, informants described surviving the surgery, coming to awareness, sensing physical injury, and sensing the surroundings. Understanding patients' views on the experience of CABGS can make nursing care planning and delivery more focused and deliberate. The study provides a preliminary basis for continued research toward a conceptual model of CABGS patients' experiences.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1986

Burnout among intensive care nurses.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between intensive-care nurse burnout and demographic variables. The Maslach Burnout Inventory measured six components of burnout; emotional exhaustion frequency and intensity, depersonalization frequency and intensity, and personal accomplishment frequency and intensity. The sample (N = 89) was drawn from an army medical center. The variables, nursing, age, sex, military status, level of education, and length of time in nursing correlated with more than one aspect of burnout (p less than .05). Older age, less than a baccalaureate degree, female, and civilian status described the intensive care nurse who was less prone to burnout. Further study of the relationship between nurses and burnout is required.

Adult↗