Biomedical subjects

C Heesen

Publications and source records attributed to C Heesen.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

Interleukin-12 is detectable in sera of patients with multiple sclerosis - association with chronic progressive disease course?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is widely accepted as a systemic T- cell-mediated autoimmune disease with a T-helper type-1 (TH-1) profile of cytokine production. We addressed the question whether interleukin-12 (IL-12), as a central mediator of TH-1-cell activities, is detectable in sera of MS patients, and if there is any association with disease activity. We analysed 171 sera of patients with MS and meningitis, and healthy controls. IL-12 p40 protein was detectable at low levels in MS patients (median 43 pg/ml) and controls (median 49 pg/ml). Analysing different disease courses and activities, a significant elevation in stable primary progressive MS cases compared with controls (median 66 pg/ml) was found. IL-12 p40 protein was not detectable in cerebrospinal fluid probes of 10 patients. We conclude that the function of IL-12 in MS depends on expression and degradation of the different proteins. These could act proinflammatory as well as limiting the disease process.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Cerebral hyperperfusion injury after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of extracranial arteries.

Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a rare but well-known phenomenon. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is being widely evaluated for treatment of selected stenoses of the extracranial arteries. Its benefits and risks still need to be established. Hyperperfusion injury (HI) after PTA of cerebral arteries has not been reported. We describe two patients with severe HI, one with a small putaminal haemorrhage and the other with diffuse basal subarachnoid haemorrhage. In both cases, a typical clinical hyperperfusion syndrome with headache, confusion, vomiting and seizures occurred. Patient 1 underwent PTA of the left carotid artery, both subclavian arteries and proximal vertebral arteries, patient 2 had carotid angioplasty only. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound displayed markedly elevated blood-flow velocities. HI may occur after PTA of extracranial arteries. The pathogenesis might be similar to reperfusion injury after CEA. Our findings suggest that: (1) HI may occur after PTA; (2) patients should be monitored after PTA for HI; (3) further risk factors for HI need to be identified.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

PubMed1997

Application of telematics for improving multiple schedules.

Nurse scheduling is an important, but also a very complicated management task. Performing this task results in a nursing schedule. These nursing schedules strongly influence the performance of a nursing ward. This paper describes research results on the application of several knowledge acquisition techniques for the development of a decision support system. This system informs the nurse scheduler about the quality of an arranged schedule. This paper next shows how this system can be used to improve multiple schedules in combination with the application of telematics. This improvement is based on the communication between schedulers who have a shortage or a surplus of nurses at certain days of the schedule. By means of internal reallocation of nurses for a short period of time, the total schedule quality of all nursing schedules can be improved.

Decision Support Techniques↗

PubMed1996

[Intravascular lymphomatosis of the nervous system--case report and review of the literature].

We report on a typical case of intravascular lymphomatosis, a rarely diagnosed, generalised intravascular lymphoma usually of the B-cell type. In most cases there is a lack of clear haematological findings but in more than 50% intravascular lymphomatosis presents with symptoms of the central nervous system. Every rapidly progressive neurological deficit, especially the association of a subacute dementia with a spinal syndrome may suggest IVL-NS. However, careful examination may detect minor features for a systemic process in 25-80% i.e. B-symptoms elevation of ESR and LDH. Neurological imaging demonstrates multifocal lesions in the CNS with affinity to the deep white matter consistent with a microvascular or demyelinating disease. Angiographically IVL-NS may mimic cerebral vasculitis. CSF findings are nonspecific. Because diagnosis can only be made histologically, a cerebral biopsy should be undertaken in suspected cases. Usually the course of the disease is fatal. Therapy involving steroids, combination polychemotherapy or radiation met with only minor success.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

Elevated serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis. Association with disease activity.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), a marker of T cell activation, could be a useful marker of disease activity in Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). METHODS: Soluble IL-2R levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. WG disease activity in 102 patients was assessed according to clinical features and levels of classic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (c-ANCA) and C-reactive protein (CRP). RESULTS: Soluble IL-2R levels were higher in patients with generalized and active disease than in those with limited and inactive disease. In 25 patients with complete clinical remission, sIL-2R levels were significantly elevated, although levels of CRP and c-ANCA were normal. Eight of these 25 patients had disease relapses within 6 months. Levels of sIL-2R were significantly higher in patients who had relapses than in those who did not. Patients with clinically active WG but low c-ANCA or CRP levels had elevated levels of sIL-2R. CONCLUSION: Levels of sIL-2R correlate with disease activity in patients with WG, and may indicate imminent relapse.

Adult↗