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Biomedical subjects

C Geissler

Publications and source records attributed to C Geissler.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Spontaneous dissection of the external iliac artery due to fibromuscular dysplasia].

Spontaneous dissection of the external iliac artery due to fibromuscular dysplasia. A case of spontaneous dissection of the external iliac artery due to fibromuscular dysplasia is presented. In a 45-year-old man with a history of sudden onset of intermittent claudication a dissection of the right external iliac artery was found by duplex ultrasound. The patient, who was first treated with conservative therapy, subsequently required operative treatment because of further progression of the dissection. Considering the age of the patient a retrograde thrombendarterectomy manoeuver over guide wire was performed. Angiographic control at the end of operation demonstrated a good reconstructive result without any changes in the right common iliac artery and the aorta. Histopathological examination of the removed material showed fibromuscular dysplasia of the media. In the postoperative course the patient was clinically asymptomatic with ankle/brachial pressure indices of 1.0 on both legs. But shortly after discharge the intermittent claudication in the right leg recurred. Angiography and duplex ultrasound revealed focal stenosis of the right common iliac artery as well as retrograde dissection of the right common iliac artery extending into the distal aorta. Conservative therapy was recommended to the patient by the local hospital and no further progression of clinical and duplex findings within the last six months was found.

Aortic Dissection↗

The steady-state levels of oxidative DNA damage and of lipid peroxidation (F2-isoprostanes) are not correlated in healthy human subjects.

Oxidative damage to DNA in human tissues can be determined by measuring multiple products of oxidative damage to the purine and pyrimidine bases using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Oxidative damage to lipids (lipid peroxidation) can be quantitated by the mass spectrometry-based determination of F2-isoprostanes, specific end-products of the peroxidation of arachidonic acid residues in lipids. For both DNA base damage products and 8-epi prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha), there is a wide variation in levels between different healthy human subjects. We measured multiple products of oxidative damage to DNA bases in white cells, and 8-epi PGF2alpha in plasma, from blood samples obtained from healthy human subjects in the UK and in Portugal. No correlation of 8-epi PGF2alpha levels with levels of any modified DNA base (including 8-hydroxyguanine) was observed. We conclude that no single parameter can be measured as an index of "oxidative stress" or "oxidative damage" in vivo.

Adult↗

China: the soyabean-pork dilemma.

In 1996 the population of China reached 1.23 billion, 22% of the world population, and is expected to increase to 1.5 billion by 2020. As China has only 7% of the world's arable land such population increases are likely to have an important impact on food supply in China and the world. Projections of the potential impact are discussed. The restructuring of Chinese agriculture at the end of the 1970s has led to dramatic increases in agricultural production and food consumption, in particular of animal products, fruit and vegetables. Along with these rapid changes there is evidence of a nutrition transition in which diseases associated with affluence are becoming more prevalent than deficiency diseases. This transition has led to concern about the evolving dietary pattern. The replacement of legumes, including soyabean, by meat and other animal products as rich sources of protein and other nutrients has been controversially argued on grounds of nutritional health, ecological impact, economic effects and world food supply. These arguments are reviewed and the pressures internal and external to China concerning the production and consumption of animal v. legume products are presented. It is concluded that nutritional policies to promote the consumption of soyabean are unlikely to be effective in the context of an increasingly free and global market.

Agriculture↗

[Aneurysms of the subclavian artery in thoracic outlet syndrome].

The true subclavian artery aneurysm is a rare but dangerous complication of TOS. During a 20 years time period we observed 18 patients with subclavian artery aneurysms. 12 of these patients showed cervical ribs. Half of the patients (n = 9) presented with a critical ischemia of an upper extremity, nine patients were operated on electively. The acute ischemia makes the desobliteration of the outflow tract necessary first. The next step ist the transaxillary exarticulation of the first rib and the resection of the aneurysm. The reconstruction of the subclavian artery is performed by using autologous vein material or PTFE prostheses. In two cases both with an acute embolic critical ischemia major amputations were unavoidable. 13 patients could be reexamined in 1996: 11 bypasses proved to be functioning, 2 were definitely occluded.

Adult↗

[The effect of very low and moderate fiber levels on metabolism in the cecum of growing rabbits].

Investigations with 15N'-labelled urea were carried out to find out the influence of the amount of fibre on the reflux of 15N' into the caecum to take part in the caecal metabolism. Two pelleted diets, containing 9.7% (group 1 with 23% oat hulls) and 2.2% (Group 2 without oat hulls) crude fibre, with urea with 60 atom% 15N-excess (15N) used as marker were given to three White New Zealand rabbits each group. Group 1 and 2 consumed 109 and 72 g fresh matter per rabbit and day, respectively. Daily 15N'-intake per rabbit was 307 mg in group 1 and 279 mg in group 2. Most of 15N' was eliminated directly via the urine. The daily faecal excretion in group 1 and 2 was 5.3 and 2.3 mg 15N', respectively. Only about 20 to 30% of 15N' and volatile fatty acids in the caecum and higher amounts of 15N' in muscles were found. The animals of this group consumed nearly the total amount of faeces by caecotrophy. Therefore 24 g of group 2 was still satisfying compared to 33 g live weight gain/rabbit and day of group 1. It is concluded that the animals of group 2 could compensate the low fibre level within a period of about 20 days by a more efficient utilization, the consumption of crude protein and starch being 18 and 12% lower than in group 1, respectively. Feed intake and health status were not evidently affected. The results are in contradiction to the common knowledge.

Amino Acids↗

Chicken extract stimulates haemoglobin restoration in iron deficient rats.

Chicken essence is widely used as a traditional remedy for several ailments including anaemia. To test this claim for objective evidence, a series of experiments was carried out in anaemic rats by supplementing iron deficient diets with either liquid or lyophilised essence, which contains mainly protein and peptides (83 mg/ml) and free amino acids (3.1 mg/ml), very little iron (1 microgram/ml), and no fat. Haemoglobin returned to normal significantly more rapidly in rats supplemented with ad libitum liquid BEC over a period of up to 27 days compared with controls fed only water in addition to the ad libitum iron deficient diet. Haemoglobin was also significantly increased after 1 week in animals fed ad libitum diets supplemented with lyophilised chicken essence than with controls fed the unsupplemented diet. The effect was greater with supplementation at the level of 0.2% than at 1% lyophilised essence. The results indicate that the effects were mediated by increased appetite and by enhanced availability of food iron. These studies provide objective evidence for the traditional belief that chicken essence remedies anaemia.

Anemia, Iron-Deficiency↗

Relationship between feeding pattern and body mass index in 220 free-living people in four age groups.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between feeding pattern and body mass index in free-living humans. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: Feeding pattern was assessed from 220 7-day weighed dietary records. 187 records were obtained from three separate existing studies, and reanalysed. These studies contained data on three age groups in the British population; Elderly group (n = 88), Middle-aged group (n = 40), Working age group (n = 59). A separate study of 13-14 year olds living in Croydon was conducted from which 33 usable diet records were collected to produce a fourth, Adolescent group. RESULTS: 'Nibbling' and greater energy intakes at breakfast were associated with a lower body mass index (BMI) in the Adolescent group. In the Middle-aged group, greater energy intakes at breakfast and lower energy intakes during the evening were associated with a lower BMI. However, when diet records which produced unreasonably low energy intakes were removed from the analysis, these relationships disappeared except for energy intakes at breakfast and BMI in the Adolescent group. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the relationship between feeding pattern and BMI observed in the Adolescent and Middle-aged groups was caused by underestimation of 'habitual' energy intake from snacks and the omission of breakfast by females and those who were overweight. The lack of relationship in the Working age group was attributed to the fact that more individuals in this group appeared to report valid diet records. Reported energy intake was directly related to BMI in the Working age group, but was not related to BMI in the other three age groups. It is concluded that feeding pattern is not a major factor in determining BMI in humans. Also, since snacks have a relatively high sugar and low fat composition compared with meals, it is suggested that biased under-reporting of snacks by the obese could produce spurious results from free-living studies which show that obesity is related to the proportion of energy from fat in the diet.

Adolescent↗

Sources of energy from meals versus snacks in 220 people in four age groups.

OBJECTIVES: To assess meals versus snacks in terms of their contribution to total daily energy intake (TDI), macronutrient composition, and food commodity profile. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: Meals and snacks were assessed from 220 7-day weighed dietary records. 187 records were obtained from three separate existing studies, and reanalysed. These studies contained data on three different age groups in the British population; elderly group (n = 88), middle-aged group (n = 40), young adult group (n = 59). A separate study of 13-14-year-olds living in Croydon was conducted from which 33 usable diet records were collected (adolescent group). RESULTS: Boys in the adolescent group consumed more of their TDI as snacks (29.0%) compared with men in the young adult (18.9%) and elderly groups (16.6%), but not the middle-aged group (25.8%). Females consumed about the same percentage of their TDI as snacks; adolescent group 23.6%, young adult group 19.4%, middle-aged group 21.4%, elderly group 17.9%. Meals were higher in protein and fat, and lower in total sugars, compared with snacks. Chocolate confectionery, crisps and fizzy drinks and squashes were popular snack foods in the adolescent group. Unlike snacks, the food commodity profiles of meals were similar in all age groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that foods and drinks consumed as snacks by the British public, including the elderly, have a relatively high total sugar composition. These results add to the concern relating snack foods with dental caries.

Adolescent↗

[The use of a hydrolysis residue from lysine production in a straw concentrate mixture for fattening lambs].

The validity of residues from hydrolysis of soya bean meal for production of lysine was tested in a growth experiment with 2 groups of 25 cross breeding lambs as well as in a N-balance trial with 5 lambs. The animals in the growth experiment started with an average body weight of 25 kg. An industrially produced concentrate for lamb fattening was given to the animals of the control group. To the second group a straw-concentrate mixture was given, containing 30% straw, 52% barley, 5% soya bean meal, 5% dried beet pulp and 5% of hydrolysis residue. The mixture included 10.71 MJ ME resp. 5.51 MJ net-energy fat (cattle) and 166 g digestible crude protein per kg dry matter. The lambs of group 2 showed an 8% lower intake of DM, connected with a 26% intake of energy and 32% lower intake of DCP in comparison to the control group. The average daily body weight gain was 374 g for the control group and 241 g for group 2 respectively, the difference being statistically significant. The feed/gain ratio was in group 2 = 14% higher for energy and 6% higher for DCP than in the control group. The N-balance trial resulted in a N-retention of 25 percent of the N-intake. The results approved the possible use of 5% of the hydrolysis residue product for 2% crude protein in straw-concentrate mixtures for ruminants.

Animal Feed↗

Transcranial Doppler monitoring during induction of anesthesia: effects of propofol, thiopental, and hyperventilation in patients with large malignant brain tumors.

Disturbed autoregulation and CO2 reactivity have been reported in patients with brain tumors. Therefore, we decided to monitor the cerebrovascular effects of anesthetic drugs and hyperventilation. Transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) can measure noninvasively alterations of flow velocities (v) and cross-sectional vessel area (VA) in large brain arteries. Twenty-eight patients with large malignant brain tumors in the territory of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) randomly received propofol or thiopental for induction and maintenance of anesthesia. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and TCD parameters (vMCA and VA of the tumor or nontumor side) were determined at six data points (DP). The first measurements (MAP, HR, and TCD of the nontumor side) were performed before (DP I) and 60 s after (DP II) induction of anesthesia with either 2 mg/kg propofol or 4 mg/kg thiopental. After intubation and normoventilation (50% O2 in air), 0.05-0.1 mg/kg midazolam and an alfentanil infusion (100 micrograms/kg x h) were initiated. Then MAP, HR, vMCA, and VA of the tumor side were analyzed before (DP III) and 60 s after (DP IV) either propofol (1 mg/kg) or thiopental (2 mg/kg) were given. Finally, the effects of hyperventilation on HR, MAP, vMCA, and VA (tumor side) were determined (DP V and VI). Mean +/- SD, thiopental or propofol reactivity (non-tumor and tumor side) and CO2 reactivity (tumor side) were calculated; statistical comparison between DP I and II, III and IV, and V and VI was performed by paired t tests (p < 0.05). Unpaired t tests were used to evaluate differences between groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Femoropopliteal and femorotibial greater saphenous vein "in situ" reconstructions in non selected patients. Life table analysis.

594 non selected "in situ" reconstructions were analyzed retrospectively using the life table method. Especially after immediate occlusion the cumulative patency rate is unsatisfactory (33.1% vs 62.3% after 6 years). Patency rates are influenced by the anastomotic site and mainly by run off conditions. The number of patent tibial arteries seems to be the most important determinant. These results prove to be statistically significant.

Aged↗

Impact of large-dose vitamin A supplementation on childhood diarrhoea, respiratory disease and growth.

One hundred and seventy-two 0.5-3.0-year-old children in a mountainous area of northern Hebei Province of China were randomly assigned to a vitamin A supplementation group (n = 98) or a control group (n = 74) for a 1 year double-blind study. Capsules containing 200,000 IU vitamin A and 40 IU vitamin E were given to the children in the experimental group 3 and 9 months after baseline examination. During the 12 month study period, there was a significant reduction in the incidence of diarrhoea (P < 0.01) and respiratory disease (P < 0.01) in the children of the experimental group compared to the control. Risk of diarrhoea and respiratory disease were respectively 2.5 and 3.4 times higher in the control children. Serum retinol and IgA levels of the treatment group were significantly higher than that of control group (P < 0.01) 7 weeks after first supplementation. There was no significant difference in saliva IgA level between groups. No significant differences in growth were observed. It was concluded that supplementation with large doses of vitamin A decreased the incidence and severity of diarrhoea and respiratory disease in these children, possibly through enhanced activity of the immune system, but had no effect on growth over 1 year.

Anthropometry↗

[Relationship between wool yield and cyst(e)ine level in blood plasma].

Publications from Williams were the stimulation to study the relations between wool yield and cyst(e)ine concentration in blood plasma. Methodical experiments were carried out and the two methods used each provided clear results. At the same time the reversible binding of a part of the free cystine in the plasma with the plasma proteins and its effect on the analysis results might be considered. After an interpretation of the two methods their use is described taking into consideration the factors influencing the results of the analysis. It is concluded that the two methods are usable for the planned purpose.

Animals↗

Antioxidant status and cancer mortality in China.

Sex-specific mortality rates for selected cancer sites (including oesophagus, stomach, liver, lung, colorectum, breast and cervix) and a variety of biochemical indicators of antioxidant status, enzyme activity and oxidative stress (including plasma levels of beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, selenium, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, iron, copper, zinc, total cholesterol and lipid peroxide) were examined in an ecological study of 65 mostly rural counties in the People's Republic of China. The wide range of both mortality rates and biochemical values and the measurement of a comprehensive set of biochemical indicators permitted both simple correlational and multivariate analyses of the joint and relative effects of each factor on site-specific cancer mortality. Plasma levels of dietary antioxidants were consistently negatively correlated with cancer mortality rates. Ascorbic acid was most strongly negatively associated with most cancers and selenium with oesophageal and stomach cancers. beta-carotene was found to have a protective effect independent of retinol, particularly for stomach cancer.

Adult↗

[The effect of halothane, alfentanil and propofol on blood flow velocity, blood vessel cross section and blood volume flow in the middle cerebral artery].

Transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) has gained in relevance for noninvasive monitoring of the cerebral circulation during the perioperative period. As long as the diameters of the investigated vessels remain unknown, however, flow velocities alone are not really informative. Exact vessel diameter determination in humans under the influence of different anesthetic drugs has not yet been performed due to ethical and methodological restrictions. A new modification of TCD allows analysis of the reflected "Doppler power", which is proportional to the cross-sectional area of the insonated vessel. METHODS. Three groups of 15-16 patients each (ASA I) were investigated after informed consent. Anesthesia was induced with droperidol, alfentanil, thiopental, and vecuronium bromide. After intubation patients were normoventilated with N2O:O2 = 3:2 and additional doses of alfentanil were injected until the transcranial ultrasound probe was fixed to the temporal bone and focused on the middle cerebral artery. Baseline values of heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), expiratory minute volume (EMV), end-expiratory CO2 (FeCO2), and TCD were measured. Then 1.5 vol% halothane, 25-50 micrograms/kg alfentanil, or propofol (1.5 mg/kg iv., 10 mg/kg.min) was administered. Further measurements (HR, MAP, EMV, FeCO2 and TCD) were performed at 3, 6, 10, and 20 min after the start in the halothane and propofol groups and after 3 and 6 min in the alfentanil group. The following transcranial parameters were derived from the TCD device: mean maximal flow velocity (vmmax), pulsatility index, time-averaged mean velocity (vmmen), "vessel area (VA)", and "volume flow (VF)". The mean +/- standard deviation of each parameter was calculated. Statistical evaluation was performed by paired t-tests (level of significance P less than 0.05). RESULTS. HR showed a tendency to increase after halothane and to decline after alfentanil. Alfentanil induced a short-term decline in MAP. End-expiratory minute volume and FeCO2 showed only minor alterations in all three groups. The vmmax was nearly doubled by halothane. Alfentanil induced a transitory decline in vmmax while Propofol decreased it markedly. The pulsatility index showed a decrease after halothane; alfentanil caused a short-term increase. Propofol induced a strong increase after 3 min; in the following period a return to baseline values was observed. The vmmean was increased by halothane and reduced by 32% propofol. VA was found to be unaltered by alfentanil and propofol but was more than doubled by halothane. Accordingly, the relative value for VF increased by 148% under halothane. VF appeared to decline after propofol. DISCUSSION. The described method allows only the determination of relative values: it is not possible to quantify exactly how much the VA changed. Halothane caused significant increases of VA measured in the middle cerebral artery, whereas alfentanil and propofol did not influence this parameter. This is in accordance with previous experiments in dogs in which halothane decreased the resistance of large basal cerebral arteries (LAR). LAR remained unaltered after alfentanil administration. The site of action of some anesthetic agents on cerebral vessels does not seem to be restricted to cerebral arterioles: at least for halothane, a vasodilating effect on large cerebral arteries could be demonstrated. This should be kept in mind when transcranial Doppler is applied during the perioperative period.

Alfentanil↗

[The nitrate content in milk].

Analytical possibilities for nitrate determination in milk on the base of photometric methods are discussed. An automated method, similar to Nijhuis u. a. (1979), is proposed using flow stream analyser ADM 300. Natrium nitrate (5 g and 10 g/kg live weight resp.) was given to two dairy cows after morning feeding on the 1st and on the 3rd day of experiment. The increase of nitrate content in the milk was very quick, maximal concentrations after 2 h were found as 5.6 mg/l (animal 1) and 3.2 mg nitrate-N/l (animal 2). But nitrate also disappeared relatively quickly, after 24 h there only values were observed corresponding to normal range of 1 mg/l.

Animals↗