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Biomedical subjects

C Behrens

Publications and source records attributed to C Behrens.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Cost of illness studies: no aid to decision making: Reply to Shiell et al. (Health Policy, 8 (1987) 317-323).

Efficient resource allocation in health care requires adequate techniques of collective decision making. In a recent article Shiell, Gerard and Donaldson (Health Policy 8 (1987) 317-323) claim that cost of illness studies only confuse, mask and mislead, while cost-benefit analysis provides the relevant framework for decisions in health care. We do not agree with their naive approach to decision making in health care. In comparing the two alternative methods, their respective importance for decision making becomes apparent. None of the two techniques may be considered as the one and only means to ultimately solving the problem of efficient resource allocation in health care. Yet, both techniques can provide relevant information on which policy makers can base their decisions in health care.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1985

Primary cutaneous aspergillosis in six leukemic children.

We report a cluster of primary cutaneous aspergillosis in six children with hematologic malignancy. When first seen, they had hemorrhagic bullae caused by Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Aspergillus niger at the sites of insertion of intravenous cannulas or where arm boards had been taped to the extremities. Rapid diagnosis of cutaneous aspergillosis was made by direct examination of the blister roof with potassium hydroxide before it progressed to a necrotic ulcer. Intravenous amphotericin was instituted promptly in five of six patients, and none died of disseminated aspergillosis. Epidemiologic investigation tracked the source of aspergillus to a storeroom with a false ceiling that had recently been repaired for a water leak.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed1981

[Morphological investigations of the rat thyroid under lead intoxication and experimental hypothyroid (author's transl)].

Male white Wistar-rats are treated alone and in combination with methylthiouracil and lead acetate. The histologic-cytological and the caryometrical results and the weights of the thyroids show an increase thyroid activity following as well methylthiouracil as lead application. The thyroxin-iodine blood level and the cholesterol blood level are altered. The strongest enhancement of the activity is obtained in the combination group methylthiouracil plus lead acetate. More slow activations are present in the groups with singular application methylthiouracil or lead acetate application. The findings are caused by encymatic inhibition of the applicated substances.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Immunochemical studies of adrenocorticotropin using tritium labeled hormone.

A radioimmunoassay using specifically tritiated corticotropin (3H-ACTH) of high specific radioactivity (46 Ci/mmol) and full biological activity has been developed. The assay is sensitive to ACTH in the range 200 pg-10 ng. 50% displacement of 3H-ACTH is produced by less than a twofold excess of unlabeled hormone. Immunochemical studies with various ACTH analogs showed that the antiserum recognized the intact molecule better than any of other fragments.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1977

Preparation and characterization of specifically tritiated adrenocorticotropin.

The catalytic dehalogenation of iodinated derivatives of corticotropin in the presence of tritium was investigated. In 0.1 M acetic acid, complete and rapid removal of iodine was achieved in the presence of freshly prepared palladium or palladium oxide as catalyst, but the specific radioactivity of the product was only 10-20% of the theoretically attainable value. Synthetic human corticotropin containing a 3,5-diiodo tyrosine in position 23 in place of tyrosine was successfully dehalogenated in solvent mixture 0.1 M acetic acid: hexamethylphosphoramide: dimethylformamide (1 : 10 : 90, v/v) in the presence of palladium oxide and calcium carbonate. The product was obtained in 30% yield after purification by carboxymethyl cellulose chromatography. The tritiated hormone had a specific radioactivity of 46 Ci/mmol (80% of the theoretical value) and was as potent as synthetic human corticotropin in stimulating steroidogenesis and lipolysis.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Synthesis of a Hoechst 32258 analogue amino acid building block for direct incorporation of a fluorescent, high-affinity DNA binding motif into peptides.

The synthesis of a new versatile "Hoechst 33258-like" Boc-protected amino acid building block for peptide synthesis is described. It is demonstrated that this new ligand is an effective mimic of Hoechst 33258 in terms of DNA affinity and sequence specificity. Furthermore, this minor groove binder was conjugated to a DNA condensing peptide (KSPKKAKK) by continuous solid-phase peptide synthesis, and the conjugate exhibited increased DNA affinity (ca. 10-fold), but similar sequence preference compared to Hoechst 33258 as analyzed by DNaseI footprinting. Finally, the fluorescence quantum yield of the new chromophore is found to increase 30% upon binding to double stranded DNA.

Affinity Labels↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Preclinical antitumor activity of XK469 (NSC 656889).

XK469 (NSC 656889) is a water-soluble member of the novel quinoxaline family of antitumor agents. In vitro, XK469 demonstrated selective cytotoxicity for several murine solid tumors including colorectal and mammary adenocarcinoma cell lines, when compared to both leukemia and normal epithelial cells. In vivo, XK469 was active against 7/7 murine tumors tested, including pancreatic ductal carcinomas #02 and #03, colon adenocarcinomas #38 and #51/A, mammary adenocarcinoma #16/C and the Adriamycin resistant mammary adenocarcinomas #16/C/ADR and #17/ADR. XK469 was efficacious both intravenously and orally. Regardless of dosing schedule, conventional mice tolerated higher total doses than SCID or nu/nu mice did. Despite these reduced doses, XK469 was active against xenografts of 4/6 human tumor lines including mammary adenocarcinoma MX-1, the small cell lung cancer DMS 273, the prostate model LNCaP and the CNS tumor SF295. The lower doses in the xenograft studies were below curative levels. The dose-limiting toxicity appeared to be myelosuppression with rapid host recovery (5-8 days), and in vitro assays of XK469 toxicity to murine bone marrow neutrophil progenitors CFU-GM (colony forming unit-granulocyte/macrophage) demonstrated concentration-dependent toxicity from 0.5-30 microg/mL. The difference in drug tolerance between BDF1 and SCID mice was detected in vitro as a 3-fold difference in the IC90 for CFU-GM, despite similar IC50 values. Comparative in vitro hematotoxicology studies revealed that human bone marrow CFU-GM tolerated XK469 as well as their SCID counterparts (IC90 values 5.7 vs. 7.4 microg/mL). Based on comparison with previously tested anti-cancer agents, these data suggest that humans will be able to tolerate XK469 doses that are efficacious against human tumor xenografts.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Four-channel tocography in uneventful pregnancies: a prospective study in primigravidas and multigravidas.

OBJECTIVE: The simultaneous recording of external uterine pressure in four locations on the abdominal wall with four-channel-tocography provides new ways to describe the dynamics of uterine activity. METHODS: Fifty-eight healthy primigravidas and 25 healthy multigravidas were studied prospectively with four-channel tocography during the course of pregnancy. Starting at 21 weeks' gestation, the following five intervals were defined: 21-24, 25-28, 29-32, 33-36 and more than 37 completed weeks. Eligibility criteria included informed consent, no history of malformations of the uterus, and no previous preterm deliveries. Patients were excluded for the following reasons: medication for preterm labor, cerclage, placenta previa, delivery before 37 weeks' gestation, less than three measurements completed, and patient's withdrawal of consent. RESULTS: The median contraction frequency per hour was six for primigravidas and five for multigravidas, without significant correlation with gestational age. At all time periods studied, the median rate of global contractions developing simultaneously in at least three uterine segments was less than 15%; however, it was significantly higher in primigravidas than in multigravidas (14% versus 4%, P <.001). Both groups had more activity in the right upper quadrant of the uterus shortly before delivery. CONCLUSION: Four-channel tocography provided insight into uterine activity patterns and might enable obstetricians to select clinically relevant contractions for further treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Significance of the site of uterine contraction for labor progress and duration of pregnancy].

A four-channel topographic technique was developed in order to improve information about spatial uterine motility. 54 women were monitored during delivery. Four pressure transducers were attached in a square around the umbilicus. Most frequently the origin of labour could be determined in the upper right segment of the uterus. The rate of operative deliveries was decreased in case of predominant upper right origin of labour. The majority of contractions with clear propagation patterns originated at the upper right site, continued to the left and then to the lower right part of the uterus. The highest relative intensity was also measured at the upper right site. Predominant upper right origin of labour may be important for undisturbed delivery. The probability of a preterm delivery is increased in case of an upper right origin of labour.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Fetal movements in 4-channel tocography].

INTRODUCTION: The four-channel-tocography was developed to register the spatial and temporal pattern of uterine contractions and to evaluate their clinical relevance. In this study it should be assessed whether the four-channel-tocography can also register fetal movements. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 38 women with a gestational age between 28 and 43 weeks and singleton pregnancy. Four pressure transducers were attached in a square around the umbilicus. Parallel to the continuous registration of four-channel-tocography fetal movements were observed by conventional ultrasound. RESULTS: In a total of 23 hours and 11 minutes 403 fetal movements were registered by ultrasound and 405 by four-channel-tocography. 17% of the ultrasonically observed fetal movements were documented by the four-channel-tocography and 70% of the tocographically registered movements could be verified by ultrasound. CONCLUSION: Fetal movements can be registered by four-channel-tocography with good sensitivity and reliability. Essential for its clinical use is an automatic analysis, which is being developed.

Female↗