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Biomedical subjects

D Fuchs

Publications and source records attributed to D Fuchs.

At least 577 records · Page 32Linked to original sources
PubMed1976

[Studies on the epidemiology of malignant tumors, systemic diseases and leukemia in children (author's transl)].

The analysis of statistical data on the incidence of leukemia in children in the German Democratic Republic between 1968 and 1973 gives no evidence for increasing risk of disease. Incidence in the G.D.R. is about the same as reported in literature. It seems that in the etiology and natural history of malignant tumors and hemoblastosis in children, constitutional and genetic as well as environmental factors are involved. They may work single or combined. Probably, malignant tumors or malignant systemic disease arise if the immune system fails to destroy endogenous or transplanted tumor cells.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Urinary neopterin levels in acute viral hepatitis.

Elevated neopterin levels in blood or urine have been shown to be a marker for the activation of cell-mediated immunity in vitro and in vivo. To evaluate whether neopterin levels are elevated in patients with acute viral hepatitis, we measured urinary levels in 13 patients with hepatitis A, 26 with hepatitis B, 12 with non-A, non-B hepatitis, 8 with jaundice and/or cholestasis due to biliary and pancreatic disorders and 3 with alcoholic hepatitis and in 62 apparently healthy HBsAg carriers. Neopterin levels in patients with virus-induced hepatitis were significantly higher than those in patients with other diagnoses. Urinary neopterin levels were above normal in 49 of 51 patients with viral hepatitis and elevations during the course of hepatitis showed a pattern similar to that of the usual liver biochemical tests, suggesting that neopterin levels were related to the clinical activity of the viral disease. In patients with nonviral biliary and hepatic disorders, neopterin levels were usually normal and did not correlate with other liver biochemical tests. These findings suggest that cell-mediated immune mechanisms are activated during viral hepatitis and that neopterin measurement may be of value as an additional surrogate marker for non-A, non-B hepatitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cerebrospinal fluid and serum neopterin levels in patients with Lyme neuroborreliosis.

Elevated (greater than 3.0 nmol/l) cerebrospinal fluid neopterin concentrations were observed in 20 of 21 patients with Lyme neuroborreliosis compared with three of 11 control patients with headache, back pain or psychoneurotic disorders. Neopterin concentrations were correlated to mononuclear cell counts and protein concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Following antibiotic treatment, CSF neopterin levels decreased. Serum neopterin levels were not significantly raised in patients with neuroborreliosis when compared to control subjects. Neopterin levels as well as cell count and protein concentration in the CSF are valuable inflammation markers of disease activity in Lyme neuroborreliosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cerebrospinal fluid neopterin and beta 2-microglobulin levels in neurologically asymptomatic HIV-infected patients before and after initiation of zidovudine treatment.

The effect of zidovudine on beta 2-microglobulin and neopterin in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was studied in ten HIV-seropositive neurologically healthy individuals. CSF concentrations of neopterin decreased by 53% (from 20.3 to 9.5 nmol/l, p < 0.01) and beta 2-microglobulin by 36% (from 2.8 to 1.8 mg/l, p < 0.01) four to eight months after initiation of therapy.

Biopterins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Is schizophrenia linked to alteration in cellular immunity?

To reinvestigate the viral hypothesis of schizophrenia as well as possible immunological dysfunction, neopterin, which is an indicator of the activity in the cellular immune system, was determined in acute and chronic schizophrenics. Both diagnostic groups showed neopterin levels within the normal range. Patients with chronic schizophrenia of the residual type presented a significant dependency between neopterin concentrations and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) total scores. In a long-term observation of 14 acute schizophrenic (paranoid type) inpatients, neopterin levels were found to be lowest at day 0. During the first week of treatment neopterin concentrations increased significantly whereas a concomitant decrease of the psychopathological symptoms could be observed. In comparison to healthy controls patients showed significantly lower neopterin levels at baseline. These findings will be discussed referring to the viral hypothesis of schizophrenia as well as to possible immunological alterations caused by stress or by changes in neurotransmitter synthesis.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Procalcitonin in comparison to C-reactive protein as markers of the course of sepsis in severely immunocompromised children after bone marrow transplantation].

BACKGROUND: PCT has recently drawn attention as a quite specific marker for bacterial, fungal, and parasitic origin of severe sepsis-syndrome. These specific properties could make PCT to an important tool for sepsis monitoring in severely immunocompromised children. The clinical value of PCT in comparison to CrP was investigated in children after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). METHODS: PCT was measured in the serum of 48 children (median age 12.4 years) after BMT in a prospective study. Results were correlated with the clinical findings and compared to the C-reactive protein (CrP). RESULTS: PCT showed a sensitivity for diagnosing a sepsis-syndrome of 56%, a specificity of 87%, a positive predictive value of 69%, and a negative predictive value of 80%. Regarding CrP they were 100%, 41%, 46% and 100% respectively. The relative risk to die due to sepsis-syndrome was 26.4 for PCT levels over 10 ng/ml and 4.0 for CrP levels over 200 mg/l. It could be shown furthermore that there can be a significant liberation of PCT even during hematological aplasia. CONCLUSION: (1) Measuring PCT levels in the sera of children undergoing BMT improves the possibility of diagnosing severe infection and gives an important prognostic tool. (2) Measuring PCT can be recommended if severe sepsis-syndrome is suspected and there is an additional need for differential diagnosis and prognostic evaluation.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Heparin-induced type II thrombocytopenia within the scope of high dose chemotherapy with subsequent stem cell rescue].

We report on a 17-year-old young man with rhabdomyosarcoma in the right parotid area. Relapse therapy was performed with high dose chemotherapy and consecutive autologous stem cell rescue. During this therapy heparin-induced thrombocytopenia was diagnosed. Because of its proven antithrombotic activity Danaparoid-Sodium, a natural low molecular glycosaminoglycan preparation, was used for further antithrombotic prophylaxis. We discharged our patient from the laminar air flow unit six months ago. The alternative antithrombotic therapy was tolerated without any problems. No bleeding events occurred, thrombotic complications and veno-occlusive disease of the liver were avoided.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Therapy-induced formation of ascites and pleural effusion during initial chemotherapy in a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Ascites and pleural effusion during initial chemotherapy].

We report on a 16-year old boy with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who acquired a therapy-induced ascites and pleural effusion during initial chemotherapy. This life-threatening condition could be controlled by intensive care measures including pleural tap and drainage. Chemotherapy could then be continued. The patient has been in continuous complete remission for 18 months.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Daily psychosocial stressors interfere with the dynamics of urine neopterin in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: an integrative single-case study.

OBJECTIVE: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by flare-ups, the causes of which are not known. In accordance with new concepts in stress research, this study investigated whether daily psychosocial stressors interfere with immunological processes in SLE. Because such processes are unique to each individual, single-case design using time-series analysis (Box and Jenkins) was applied. METHODS: A 40-year-old woman with SLE (last flare-up September 1995) was interviewed initially to determine major life events and difficulties (using the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule) in the previous 2 years. She was then observed for 63 days. Urine neopterin, an immunological parameter demonstrated to parallel disease activity in SLE patients, was measured in daily overnight urine. Daily incidents were identified weekly by the Incidents and Hassles Inventory and independently rated. Intervening factors, including infections, medication, and lifestyle, were controlled. RESULTS: Retrospectively, data obtained from the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule indicated that major life events and difficulties had preceded the patient's last flare-up in 1995. Although there were no clinical signs of SLE during this prospective study of 63 days, cross-correlational analyses revealed that "moderately" stressful incidents associated with higher levels of emotional irritation (lag 0: +0.271, p < .05) predicted an increase in urine neopterin the following day (lag 1: +0.441, p < .05). Moreover, a 7-day cyclicity in neopterin levels that corresponded to the weekly examinations and interviews was found. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a causal relationship between psychosocial stressors and urine neopterin concentrations that may be related to SLE disease activity. Furthermore, the workability of an integrative approach using single-case design and time-series analysis in psychoneuroimmunology was demonstrated for the first time.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

"Flat" versus "weighted" reimbursement formulas: a longitudinal analysis of statewide special education funding practices.

Tennessee data were analyzed longitudinally from 1979-80 to 1987-88 in terms of numbers of children placed in a variety of service options. In 1983-84, the Tennessee funding formula was changed from a "flat" rate to a "weighted" formula. The weighted formula was associated with a statistically significant decrease in less restrictive placements and a reliable increase in more restrictive placements. A statewide survey of district special education directors suggested that service needs may have been more likely than monetary incentives to explain the observed changes.

Child↗