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Biomedical subjects

C Beck

Publications and source records attributed to C Beck.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[The superior vena cava syndrome as an emergency in radiotherapy].

Between 1983 and 1988 90 patients with bronchial neoplasms needed emergency irradiation to treat superior vena cava syndrome. Pathohistologically verified were 30 cases with squamous cell carcinoma, twelve with adenocarcinoma, five cases with large cell carcinoma, 30 with a small cell carcinoma, and non-differentiated in five others. No histological examination was carried out in eight cases. Im 30 patients distant metastases were evident at the initial diagnosis. The average duration of follow-up was 118 days. The survival course proved to be independent of histopathological grading, previous treatment, and age. Similarly no influence of the fractionation employed could be seen. Very important to the prognosis however, were the stage of disease, the Karnofsky index, and dependent on that, the total reference dose applied. Patients with a Karnofsky index of 50% or lower survived on average only 17 days.

Adenocarcinoma

Ultracytochemical localization of Ca2(+)-ATPase activity in the middle ear mucosa of the guinea pig.

Ca2(+)-ATPase activity was studied ultra-cytochemically in the middle ear mucosa of the guinea pig. On electron microscopic examination, the most intense reaction was found on the microvilli. Reaction products were also observed on the cilia and around and between the secretory granules on the apical side of the cells in their secretory phase. The basolateral membranes contained few reaction products, while very little or no activity was found on the basal membrane.

Animals

Characterization of potassium channels in respiratory cells. I. General properties.

Potassium channels present in the basolateral membrane of respiratory epithelial cells play an important role in the process of chloride secretion. Utilizing the patch clamp technique, we examined human cultured respiratory epithelial cells derived from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and normals individual (N) for the existence of and for the properties of K+ channels. We obtained qualitatively and quantitatively identical results for both preparations (CF and N). K+ channels were spontaneously present in cell attached patches. The channels showed burst appearance with rapid flickering within the bursts. When the pipette was filled with 145 mmol/l KCl, a mean conductance of 131 +/- 25 pS (n = 15) was read from the I/V-curve at a clamp voltage (Vc) of 0 mV. After excision, the conductance read from the I/V-curve at Vc = 0 mV was 212 +/- 11 pS (Pipette: 145 mmol/l KCl, bath: 145 mmol/l NaCl) (n = 61). With NaCl in the pipette and KCl in the bath, a similar conductance was obtained (g = 210 pS; n = 2). When both, pipette and bath contained KCl, the conductance was increased to 302 +/- 19 (n = 7). The channel was highly selective for potassium over sodium: PK + /PNa + greater than 40. The channel open probability was only slightly voltage dependent i.e. the open probability increased slightly with depolarisation. For most of the channels one open time constant (to = 6.3 +/- 1.6 ms; n = 22) and one closed time constant (tc = 1.8 +/- 0.3 ms; n = 21) was obtained.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cell Membrane

[Use of glass ionomer cement in surgery of the incus-stapedial joint. An initial report of experiences].

Chronic inflammations of the middle ear are characterised by perforation of the tympanic membrane as well as hearing loss, due to disintegration in the incudostapedial joint. Usually the perforation is easily restored by means of available modern procedures; on the other hand, failure of the reconstruction of the ossicular chain, especially of the incudostapedial joint, is not uncommon. Hence, the improvement of hearing capacity is transitory, since later, due to scars, graft lateralisation results in a dislocation of the primarily reconstructed ossicular chain. The patient's hearing capacity is then as poor as it has been before surgery. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the ways of satisfactory reconstruction of the incudostapedial joint by means of glass-ionomer cement: 1. Scar tissue connecting the ossicles in slight defects of the incudostapedial joint can be stabilised by glass-ionomer cement leading to a reasonable sound transmission. 2. If the incus has to be removed in case of a more serious defect, the columella can be properly fixed to the stapes by means of glass-ionomer cement without the risk of scar-induced lateralisation. 3. The fixation of the stapes prosthesis' wire loop to the incus can be effectively achieved by glass-ionomer cement.

Audiometry, Pure-Tone

Root resorption in autotransplanted maxillary canine teeth.

The results of the endodontic management of root resorption in 77 transplanted teeth are described. Apical bony radiolucency healed in 75 per cent of cases but the prognosis for root resorption was poorer; in only 34 per cent of cases was the resorption arrested. Various factors which might have influenced the outcome of treatment are discussed.

Adolescent

Surface electrodes in perineal electromyography.

In 40 elderly male patients undergoing multiple urodynamic evaluations, surface electrodes were used for recording electromyographic (EMG) activity of pelvic sphincter muscles; placement site was the external anal sphincter. The measured wave form was displayed as an analog plot. Different types of surface electrodes were evaluated in selected patients. The EMG wave form measurements varied with the type of surface electrode used and placement of the electrode. Surface electrodes for external anal sphincter EMG resulting in optimum signal response require a small metallic recording surface with an adhesive that will secure the electrode to the skin, proper anatomic placement of the electrode, appropriate preparation of the skin surface at the site of application of the electrode, and capabilities for oscilloscope monitoring of the sphincter EMG signal wave form. If properly used, surface electrodes result in a signal amplitude and frequency that approach the quality of concentric needle electrodes.

Aged

Self-management for medication reduction in chronic low back pain.

It has been demonstrated that pain relief is seldom produced by medication or surgical methods where there is evidence of emotional disturbance, as indicated by the MMPI. A program that attempts to engender a high level of patient responsibility in a population of chronic low back pain patients is described. Self-managed reduction of drug dependence is a major component of this program. The data indicate that the program produces a significant reduction in dependence on opiates, derivatives, synthetic opiates, hypnotics, sedatives, tranquilizers, and analgesics. Follow-up data (with attrition controlled) at six months and 12 months postdischarge do not provide any evidence for deterioration (ie, return to pretreatment levels of drug dependence). Thus, it appears that the programmatic impact is stable over at least a 12-month period postdischarge. Implications of these findings for the low back pain population, as well as other chronic pain populations, are discussed.

Adult

Nursing interventions for patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Common nursing concerns and patient needs within the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social dimensions are addressed. Nursing interventions that help the patients maintain the maximum level of independence for as long as possible are suggested.

Activities of Daily Living

Helminths of the Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris, with a discussion and summary of the parasites of sirenians.

We examined 215 Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) at necropsy to determine the helminth fauna. Six species were identified: Heterocheilus tunicatus (Nematoda: Ascaridoidea); Anoplocephala sp. (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea); and 4 species of trematodes, Cochleotrema cochleotrema (Digenea: Opisthotrematidae), Chiorchis fabaceus (Digenea: Paramphistomatidae), Nudacotyle undicola (Digenea: Nudacotylidae), and Moniligerum blairi (Digenea: Opisthotrematidae). Seventy-three percent of the manatees examined were infected with at least 1 species of helminth. The mean number of species of helminths per infected manatee was 1.9 with a range of 1-4. Fifty-nine manatees were helminth-free; 30 of these were calves. No associations were found between the intensity of helminth infections and host sex, age class, season, and geographic location of recovery, or cause of death. Differences in parasite prevalence between age classes were highly significant for Chiorchis, Cochleotrema, and Heterocheilus, due to a low number of infected calves. A higher prevalence of Cochleotrema was found in manatees recovered from eastern Florida, and Heterocheilus was evident in significantly more manatees from western and souther Florida. Comparisons in the parasite fauna are made among Florida manatees and other sirenian populations, and a brief review of sirenian parasites is included.

Animals

[Homozygous infant in a family with hereditary protein C deficiency].

We report on a female infant homozygous for protein C deficiency in a Jordanian family with frequent intermarriage. A protein C antigen of 0.6% was determined. The parents first noticed painful nodular indurations in subcutanous tissue as well as blue-red skin coloration at the age of 6 months. The girl repeatedly suffered from microthrombotic events in parts of the body with large areas of subcutaneous fat. In contrast, the numerous heterozygous carriers with partial protein C deficiency did not show an increased tendency to thrombosis. From the history an autosomal-recessive inheritance may be inferred. Other authors reporting on homozygous cases also postulate the presence of a recessive gene. It is of interest that the infant described here differs from those in other case reports in the age at manifestation of the disease. The homozygous infant showed the first symptoms as late as the age of 6 months, whereas other case reports describe severe symptoms immediately after birth. All symptoms of disease were treated successfully with prothrombin complex concentrate without additional heparin protection. Microthrombotic events subsided quickly, and a large ulcer in the left flank healed almost completely within 6 days.

Adult

The significance of calcium antagonists in rat experimental tympanosclerosis.

The effect of calcium antagonists in experimental tympanosclerosis following infection with Streptococcus pyogenes and vitamin D3 intoxication has been analyzed in a rat animal model. Compared with untreated animals, calcium antagonists exert a positive effect on the degenerative process and on secondary calcification in the subepithelial layer. This effect could be substantiated planimetrically.

Animals

Sex differences in nerve growth factor levels in superior cervical ganglia and pineals.

The current studies were undertaken to determine whether males or neonatally testosterone-treated rats of either gender have elevated endogenous levels of NGF in the SCG and one of its targets, the pineal gland. The ages studied were 5 days postnatal, which is at the peak of normal neuron death in the SCG but before a significant gender difference is present; 15 days, when normal neuron death is largely complete and males have more SCG neurons than females; and 30 days, when target innervation has matured. At 5 days, while neuron death is occurring, but before there is a significant gender difference in neuron number in the SCG, pineal glands and SCGs of males had higher NGF content than those of females. The increased NGF in the ganglia of males at the time that these neurons are undergoing neuron death may play a role in the development of the sex difference in SCG neuron numbers. At 15 days, females had more NGF in their pineal glands and SCGs than did males, even though males have significantly more SCG neurons at this age than do females. This gender difference in the developmental course of NGF content could promote the survival of different populations of neurons in males and females. By 30 days, SCG and pineal NGF content of males was almost twice that of females. This is consistent with the presence of more neurons in the SCGs of males at this age. Both the pineal gland and the SCG showed a loss of approximately 80% content of NGF during the first postnatal month(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aging

[Hyperfractionated irradiation of bronchial cancer. Results of a pilot study].

The results achieved during recent years in experimental radiotherapy of malignant tumors show more and more the benefit provided by the small individual doses applied in fractionated irradiation. The effects and side effects of a hyperfractionated therapy of the bronchial carcinoma were investigated in a not randomized comparative study. The data of 100 patients were available for evaluation; they showed a tendency to local superiority of hyperfractionated irradiation. The value of hyperfractionation shall be examined in detail in a randomized prospective study.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung

[Calcium antagonists and damage to the organ of Corti in acoustic trauma].

The protective effect of Ca2+ antagonists in acoustic trauma was evaluated by morphometric analysis of the guinea pig cochlea. Damage to the outer and inner hair cells was significantly reduced. Ca2+ antagonists may exert a beneficial influence on the cellular membrane of the sensory cell or on the cochlear vasculature if given in advance and in the early post-traumatic phase.

Animals

Calcium antagonists in the treatment of sudden deafness.

In the treatment of patients with sudden deafness, we found no significant difference between an oral calcium antagonist (nifedipine) and intravenous naftidrofuryl given concomitantly with vitamin A, vitamin E, and zinc. This prospective randomized study in 50 patients again shows that recovery to useful hearing levels tends to be spontaneous and independent of the type of medical treatment given. Irrespective of their capability to prevent contractions of cerebral vascular smooth muscle induced by neurotransmitter and vasoconstrictor substances and of their rheological properties, currently available calcium antagonists of the nifedipine type are unable to enhance hearing recovery at the present time.

Adult