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Biomedical subjects

F H Nieman

Publications and source records attributed to F H Nieman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Body composition in children with galactosaemia.

Body composition in classical galactosaemia has not been studied. Patients with classical galactosaemia, an inherited disorder of galactose metabolism caused by deficiency of galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT, EC 2.7.7.10), might be at risk for an abnormal body composition because of intrinsic factors related to galactosaemia and/or diet-related factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the body composition of children with classical galactosaemia. The studied population was a previously reported group of classical galactosaemia patients (13 male and 27 female, ages 3-17 years) with decreased height, weight, weight-for-height and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) Z-scores. Body composition data were obtained by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). In order to correct for height, fat mass (FM) and lean tissue mass (LTM) were divided by squared height. Mid-parental target height Z-scores were assessed and compared to actual height Z-scores. Linear and multiple regression analysis were done to investigate the relationship between body composition and IGF-I, dietary intake and growth data. We found decreased height Z-scores when compared to mid-parental target height Z-scores. Mean scores for FM and LTM (both adjusted for height) were decreased. LTM (adjusted for height) and height Z-score were correlated with IGF-I Z-score. FM (adjusted for height) was correlated with soy intake. No correlation was found between soy intake and IGF-I Z-score. In this limited group of patients, height is decreased and body composition is abnormal. The decreased levels of IGF-I and/or soy nutrition might play a role in these findings.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Bone metabolism in galactosemia.

Classical galactosemia is an autosomal recessively inherited disorder of galactose metabolism. Treatment consists of life-long dietary restriction of galactose. Despite treatment, long-term complications occur such as a decreased bone mineral density (BMD). A decreased BMD might be the result of either dietary deficiencies secondary to the galactose-restricted diet or unknown intrinsic factors. In this study, 40 children with classical galactosemia (13 males and 27 females, aged 3-17 years) on dietary treatment were included to gain insight in the bone metabolism of galactosemics. We found weight and height Z scores significantly decreased in galactosemics. Mean areal BMD Z scores of lumbar spine and of femoral neck as measured by Dual energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) were -0.6 (P < 0.001) and -0.3 (P = 0.066), respectively. Mean volumetric BMD of the femoral neck was significant lower in galactosemics (P < 0.001). The recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin D, and protein were met in all patients. Mean serum levels of calcium, phosphate, magnesium, zinc, 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D (1,25OHD), parathormone (PTH), 17-beta estradiol, bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), and under-carboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) were normal. Serum levels of IGF-1 Z score, carboxylated osteocalcin (cOC), N-terminal telopeptide (NTX), and C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) were significantly lower in galactosemics than in control subjects. The different bone markers were strongly correlated. The low levels of IGF-1 Z score, formation marker cOC, and resorption markers NTX and CTX suggest a decreased bone metabolism in galactosemics.

Adolescent↗

[Ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy is as effective as hospitalization and from a social perspective less expensive: a randomized study].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects and costs of an ambulatory treatment versus an overnight stay for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. DESIGN: Prospective, randomised. METHOD: In the St Antonius hospital, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands, 86 patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis without comorbidity underwent either ambulatory (AM: 42 patients: 8 men and 36 women; mean age: 48.9 years (SD: 11.9)) or overnight stay (OS: 44 patients: 10 men and 32 women; mean age: 44.9 years (SD: 11.8)) laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the period 1 November 1997-30 September 1999. The following were registered: operative time, complications, hospital stay and readmissions, as well as reported pain, nausea, activity resumption, quality of life and patient satisfaction. The cost analysis was performed from a societal and hospital perspective. RESULTS: In the OS group one laparoscopic procedure was converted to open cholecystectomy, two relaparotomies were performed due to intra-abdominal haemorrhage and 1 patient had a catheter inserted due to urine retention. Two patients were readmitted, one for postoperative pancreatitis and the other for a retained bile duct stone. In the AM group one laparoscopic procedure was converted to open cholecystectomy, in 1 patient a wound abscess was treated with drainage in the outpatient clinic, in 1 patient there was peroperative stone loss without further complications and in 1 patient a catheter was placed to drain peroperative bile and blood loss. In the AM group 11 (26%) patients were kept overnight due to nausea and/or pain (n = 7) or one of the aforementioned complications (n = 4). Two patients were readmitted within 24 hours of being discharged due to abdominal pain. The average hospital stay was 3.1 (OS) versus 1.7 (AM) days. The quality of life, pain, nausea and activity resumption were comparable for both groups. Due to the difference in hospital stay, costs for the ambulatory procedure were lower. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was successfully performed as an ambulatory surgery procedure in 69% of the patients. The quality of life, patient satisfaction and resumption of activities in both groups were comparable. The ambulatory treatment was less expensive.

Adult↗

Single-center experience with tacrolimus versus cyclosporine-Neoral in renal transplant recipients.

Tacrolimus has proven to be superior to cyclosporine-Sandimmune with regard to the prevention of acute rejections, but data comparing tacrolimus with Neoral are scarce. A total of 128 consecutive renal transplant recipients was studied. The patients were treated with Neoral-based (n = 74) or tacrolimus-based (n = 54) immunosuppressive regimens. Survival analyses (Cox regression analysis) were performed on an intention-to-treat basis. Renal function and cardiovascular risk profile were analyzed by means of a repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) up to 12 months after transplantation. Immunological features were less favorable in the tacrolimus group. Two-year patient and graft survival were comparable. Acute-rejection-free survival was 82 % in the tacrolimus group versus 40 % in the Neoral group (P < 0.0001). The severity of the rejections (1997 Banff classification) was comparable (P = 0.43). Immunological graft loss (3.7 % vs. 12.2 %, P = 0.02) and conversion because of rejection (0 % vs. 28.4 %, P < 0.001) were less in the tacrolimus group. A higher proportion (68.5 % vs. 14.9 %, P < 0.001) was successfully put on monotherapy. Creatinine clearance, proteinuria, and fractional uric acid clearance were similar. In the tacrolimus group mean blood pressure was comparable, but patients needed less anti-hypertensive drugs (P < 0.001) and, even with fewer patients on lipid-lowering drugs, total cholesterol was lower (5.2 vs. 6.0 mmol/l, P = 0.003). Treatment for post-transplant diabetes mellitus was 18.5 % versus 10.8 % (P = 0.22). In both groups, antidiabetic medication could be withdrawn for most patients. This study indicates that tacrolimus is superior to cyclosporine-Neoral in preventing acute rejection with comparable patient and graft survival rates. Because of a lower need for treatment of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, the cardiovascular risk profile is more favorable. A considerable proportion of patients can be successfully weaned off co-medication and treated with tacrolimus monotherapy.

Adolescent↗

Electrocortical brain activity, cerebral haemodynamics and oxygenation during progressive hypotension in newborn piglets.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationships between systemic and cerebral haemodynamics and oxygenation, and electroencephalogram (EEG) amplitude and frequency analysis studied by the cerebral function analyzing monitor (CFAM) during progressive hypovolemic hypotension. METHODS: Six piglets of 1 week of age, weighing 1.9-3.4 kg were mechanically ventilated under 1-1.5% halothane anaesthesia. After 1 h stabilization, blood was withdrawn in aliquots of 10 ml/kg over 15 min up to a total of 40-60 ml/kg. Arterial oxygenation was maintained at normal levels. Thereafter, the total blood volume previously withdrawn, was reinfused. Changes in near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) parameters [cerebral oxidized cytochrome aa3 (Cytaa3), cerebral blood volume (CBV) or total haemoglobin (tHb: oxy- + deoxyhaemoglobin)], carotid blood flow (Q(car)), maximal EEG amplitude and EEG frequency percentages were analyzed continuously. RESULTS: The EEG amplitude remained stable until the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), Q(car) and tHb dropped below 30 mmHg (41% of baseline), 20 ml/min (33% of baseline) and 82% of baseline, respectively. Delta (delta) wave frequency percentage of the CFAM increased significantly at MAP below 30 mm Hg. EEG amplitude remained depressed after blood reinfusion and haemodynamic recovery. Cytaa3 changes were not statistically significant, reflecting sufficient neuronal oxygenation. CONCLUSION: Our results show that electrocortical function is affected only by profound systemic hypotension. This occurred at a higher level of cerebral oxygen delivery than the level associated with neuronal hypoxia and secondary cell damage.

Animals↗

Cosmetic results of cryosurgery versus surgical excision for primary uncomplicated basal cell carcinomas of the head and neck.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of multiple facial basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) is increasing. OBJECTIVE: Comparison of cosmetic results after cryosurgery and excision for primary BCCs. METHODS: Cosmetic results after cryosurgery and excision (prospective randomized study) of primary BCCs in the head/neck area were assessed by five independent professional observers and by the patients. RESULTS: Ninety-six BCCs were treated either with surgical excision (n = 48) or cryosurgery (n = 48). Clinical professionals evaluated the cosmetic results after surgery as significantly better. The beautician had no preference for either therapy. The patient had a significant preference for excision. Localization and size of the tumor did not modify this general preference for excision. The male dermatologist, however, had a tendency to evaluate results in the cheek, periauricular, and neck area as inferior to those in the rest of the face, regardless of which therapy was given. CONCLUSION: In general, cosmetic results after excision are better than after cryosurgery.

Adolescent↗

Production of the acute-phase protein lipopolysaccharide-binding protein by respiratory type II epithelial cells: implications for local defense to bacterial endotoxins.

This study demonstrates for the first time that respiratory epithelial cells are able to produce the acute phase protein lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding protein (LBP), which is known to play a central role in the defense to bacterial endotoxins (or LPS). Indications for local presence of LBP in human lung was obtained via reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction that showed LBP messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. Therefore, LBP production by the human lung epithelial cell line A549, a human adenocarcinoma with features of type II pneumocytes, was studied. These cells produced LBP in response to interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor- alpha, a response that was strongly enhanced by dexamethasone. In addition, LBP mRNA was detected in A549 cells, in increasing amounts as a result of stimulation. The pattern of cytokine-induced LBP production in A549 cells was similar to the pattern in the human liver epithelial cell line HuH-7. Moreover, the molecular weight of A549-derived LBP was approximately 60 kD, which is similar to HuH-7-derived LBP. Biologic activity of LBP produced by A549 cells was evaluated on the basis of its ability to interact with LPS. Further indications that type II alveolar epithelial cells are able to produce LBP were obtained from the observations that the murine lung type II epithelial cell line C10 produced murine LBP, and that isolated human primary type II pneumocytes expressed LBP mRNA, which was enhanced after stimulation of cells. The local production of this endotoxin binding protein by lung epithelial cells might contribute to a highly specific response at the site of exposure to bacteria and bacterial endotoxins.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Body composition in renal transplant patients: bioimpedance analysis compared to isotope dilution, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and anthropometry.

Whether multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MF-BIA), a relatively new method for measuring body composition, is also applicable for accurate body composition measurements in renal transplant (RTx) patients is not known. Therefore, the use of MF-BIA is validated in 77 RTx patients with a stable renal function at least 2 yr posttransplantation. MF-BIA is compared to isotope dilution techniques for measurement of body water compartments, and to dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and anthropometry for measurement of fat and fat free mass. Finally, DEXA and anthropometry are compared to each other. Method agreement is assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and plotted by Bland and Altman analysis. MF-BIA significantly underestimates total body water (TBW, 0.7+/-2.1 L) and overestimates the extracellular water (ECW, 3.3+/-1.8 L) compared to isotope dilution; the ICC between both techniques is 0.943 for TBW and 0.846 for ECW. The percentage body fat (BF) measured by MF-BIA is significantly higher than both BF measured by DEXA (3.4+/-4.7%) or by anthropometry (5.5+/-5.2%). The ICC between MF-BIA and DEXA is 0.887 and between MF-BIA and anthropometry 0.856. BF measured by DEXA is significantly higher than BF measured by anthropometry (2.1+/-4.4%); their ICC is 0.913. In conclusion, MF-BIA seems to be suitable for measurement of TBW in RTx patients; however, method agreement between isotope dilution and MF-BIA for the measurement of ECW is not satisfactory. In the assessment of fat and fat free mass, the reliability of MF-BIA appears to be questionable. Method agreement between DEXA and anthropometry seems to be slightly better.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Effect of intravenous saline, albumin, or hydroxyethylstarch on blood volume during combined ultrafiltration and hemodialysis.

It is generally advocated to use saline or albumin infusions during symptomatic hypotension during dialysis. However, because of their side effects and/or costs, they are of limited use. Hydroxyethylstarch (HES), a synthetic colloid with a long-standing volume effect, is used in the management of hypovolemia. In this study, the efficacy of three fluids (isotonic saline [0.9%], albumin [20%], and HES [10%]) was assessed during three treatment sessions with combined ultrafiltration and hemodialysis, which differed in the type of fluid given intravenously. Changes in relative blood volume (BV), systolic BP (SBP), and vascular reactivity (venous tone [VT]) were compared. An intravenous infusion of 100 ml of fluid was given when the decrease in BV versus baseline was more than 10% as measured by a continuous optical reflection method. The ultrafiltration was continued. BV decreased significantly versus baseline independent of the intravenous fluid administration in all three treatment sessions. However, when we compared BV values at the end of the dialysis session with those at the time of infusion, BV continued to decrease significantly with saline (change in BV -4.56 +/- 2.75%; P < 0.05) and albumin (change in BV -2.13 +/- 2.51%; P < 0.05), but not with HES (change in BV -0.15 +/- 2.17%; NS). Between albumin and HES there were no significant differences in changes in BV (NS), whereas between HES and saline (P < 0.05) and between albumin and saline (P < 0.05) the differences in BV changes were significant. SBP remained unchanged within each session. Although SBP tended to decrease more with saline compared to albumin and HES, the difference was not significant. The higher decrease in BV and SBP with saline was counterbalanced by a significantly higher increase in VT, while VT remained unchanged in the other two sessions. It is concluded that HES is a promising fluid in preserving blood volume, comparable to albumin, but superior to saline.

Adult↗

Patient satisfaction with clinical trial participation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess satisfaction of patients who participate in clinical trials requiring informed consent and to analyse factors determining patient satisfaction. SETTING: The survey took place in 26 clinical trials at the University Hospital Maastricht (azM), The Netherlands. DESIGN AND STUDY PARTICIPANTS: A personal interview and telephone questionnaire were used consecutively (n= 135; 135 out of 172=78.5% response rate) to measure patient's expectancies before starting the trial during the informed consent procedure and to evaluate aspects of trial participation. An additional control group of 34 patients was interviewed only by telephone (100% response). MEASURES: Satisfaction was assessed in two distinct ways: first, by measuring the patient's subjective evaluation of several aspects of trial participation; secondly, by comparing prior expectations and subsequent evaluations. Patient satisfaction was subdivided with respect to medical-technical, interpersonal and organizational aspects of trial participation. Changes in patient's health and illness perceptions were regarded as confounding factors in the relationship between satisfaction and its possible causes. RESULTS: Although patient satisfaction was quite high, dissatisfaction with aspects of trial participation became apparent when both prior expectations and subsequent evaluations were compared with each other. CONCLUSION: Prior expectations and general attitudes towards medical care and research before entering the trial have an impact on satisfaction with aspects of trial participation (10-20% explained variance). No linear relationship was found between perceived improvements in health and illness conditions and patient satisfaction with trial participation.

Adult↗

Cigarette smoking and quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. South Limburg IBD Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: Smoking has been reported as influencing disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of our study was to elucidate the relationship between smoking and aspects of disease-specific quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: In 1105 prevalent patients with inflammatory bowel disease, diagnosed according to the criteria of Lennard-Jones and Truelove and Witts, disease-specific quality of life was investigated using the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ). RESULTS: In Crohn's disease, smoking females reported a lower quality of life than non-smoking females (all four dimensions of the IBDQ). Using an explanatory model of relationships between the four dimensions for the analysis, it became evident that smoking is associated with more bowel symptoms in young Crohn's disease females, with more emotional dysfunction in all Crohn's disease females, and with more systemic symptoms in all three diagnostic groups with marked bowel symptoms. Moderately smoking male ulcerative colitis patients reported fewer bowel complaints compared with non-smoking male ulcerative colitis patients. CONCLUSION: There is a relationship between smoking and disease-specific quality of life in both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The hypothesis is presented that a part of the observed differences in the studied quality of life dimensions with respect to age, sex and disease group are related to concomitant oral contraceptive use.

Adolescent↗

Vascular reactivity during haemodialysis and isolated ultrafiltration: thermal influences.

BACKGROUND: The present study was performed to assess the role of the extracorporeal blood temperature in the disparate cardiovascular response between isolated ultrafiltration and combined ultrafiltration-haemodialysis. METHODS: In twelve stable dialysis patients (21-77 years), blood pressure and heart rate (Finapres) as well as forearm vascular resistance and venous tone (strain-gauge plethysmography) were measured during 1-h isolated ultrafiltration and 1-h combined ultrafiltration-haemodialysis (bicarbonate, sodium 141 mmol/l) at a fixed ultrafiltration rate of 0.91 l/h. The sequence of both treatment modalities was randomly defined within each patient. Serving as his or her own control, each patient was studied at two different dialysate temperatures: 37.5 and 35.0 degrees C. RESULTS: At a dialysate temperature of 35.0 degrees C extracorporeal blood cooling during combined ultrafiltration-haemodialysis was comparable to isolated ultrafiltration. The cardiovascular response in isolated ultrafiltration was characterized by a significant increase in both forearm vascular resistance and venous tone, while heart rate even decreased. As a result, blood pressure remained unchanged or even increased. In contrast, during combined ultrafiltration-haemodialysis at a dialysate temperature of 37.5 degrees C the increase in forearm vascular resistance was only small and insignificant, while venous tone decreased significantly. Heart rate tended to increase. Combined ultrafiltration-haemodialysis at a dialysate temperature of 35.0 degrees C was also associated with a small increase in forearm vascular resistance. However, venous tone remained stable while heart rate decreased. At both dialysate temperatures, blood pressure was well maintained. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that differences in cardiovascular reactivity between isolated ultrafiltration and combined ultrafiltration-haemodialysis are only partially explained by differences in the extracorporeal blood temperature. In addition, especially venous reactivity is improved by lowering the dialysate temperature.

Adult↗

Risk factors for cytomegalovirus infection and disease in renal transplant recipients: HLA-DR7 and triple therapy.

In a prospective study, an analysis of risk factors for the development of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease was performed on 77 renal allograft recipients. Twenty-five out of the 77 recipients (32%) had a CMV infection. Twenty-two of the recipients received triple immunosuppressive therapy (cyclosporin A, prednisolone, and azathioprine) while the remaining 55 received standard therapy (cyclosporin A and prednisolone). In 23 recipients (30%) acute rejection was diagnosed and the first positive parameter of infection occurred 22 days after rejection therapy. Infection occurred in 10 out of 18 HLA-DR7-positive recipients (56%) and in 15 out of 59 HLA-DR7-negative recipients (25%; P < 0.02). In multiple regression analysis, HLA-DR7 was found to be a significant predictor of CMV infection (P < 0.005). CMV disease was diagnosed in only 9 out of 25 recipients with an acute infection. Six recipients (67%) with CMV disease received triple therapy for maintenance immunosuppression; this was significantly correlated to CMV disease (P < 0.05) as compared to three recipients (33%) with CMV disease maintained with standard therapy. Our data suggest that HLA-DR7-positive recipients are more susceptible to CMV infection and that CMV disease is associated with triple immunosuppressive therapy.

Acute Disease↗

Registration of adverse patient occurrences in a university hospital: relations between adverse patient occurrences and characteristics of hospitalized patients.

This paper reports the results of a survey on adverse patient occurrences (APOs) in patient care in a university hospital in The Netherlands. Screening for APOs is important as an instrument of quality assurance. Results from 1 year of screening have been related to specific patient characteristics. Age, length of stay and diagnosis group are strongly related to the identified APOs. The chances of APOs are very high if the patient belongs to certain diagnosis groups (operation procedure salivary gland, malignant disorder ear, nose, throat) and at the same time has a long length of stay in the hospital. The chances of being afflicted with more than one APO are strongly related to age and length of stay. With regard to the types of APO, this study shows a relation between patient characteristics and some APOs, but the statistical significance or the nature of these relations varies with type.

Age Factors↗

Relation between basement membrane degradation and serum levels of laminin P1 in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

In 47 patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder, we investigated the relationship between tissue laminin distribution and serum laminin levels. The results were compared with those obtained from 6 patients with pathologically proven normal bladder mucosa as well as those obtained previously from 50 controls and 16 patients with benign bladder disorders. Interruption of the basement membrane (BM) laminin staining pattern was correlated with high serum laminin levels (r = 0.34; p < 0.01). The majority of patients with discontinuous BM laminin staining (82%) showed elevated serum laminin levels above the upper limit of normal range. In addition, the mean value of serum laminin P1 was significantly higher in patients with discontinuous BM than that in patients with intact BM (t = 3.18; p < 0.005). These data suggest that the high serum laminin levels in TCC patients are largely caused by the process of BM breakdown and loss.

Basement Membrane↗