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Biomedical subjects

G Bremer

Publications and source records attributed to G Bremer.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Inhibition of the development of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) by extracts of marine algae from Brittany, France.

The inhibitory effects of aqueous, ethanolic and dichloromethane fractions from 16 marine algae from the Atlantic shores of North-East Brittany, France, have been investigated against microorganisms frequently associated with immersed surfaces. The extracts were tested in vitro against isolates of marine fungi, bacteria and yeasts potentially involved at different stages in the formation of biofilms in the sea. The high levels of inhibitory activity of nine extracts against marine fungi and Gram-positive bacteria and their apparent absence of toxicity against larvae of oysters and sea urchins suggests a potential for novel active ingredients.

Animals↗

Lung function disturbances versus respiratory muscle fatigue in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

In 23 consecutive patients (mean age, 38.6 years) with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and in 17 healthy subjects (mean age, 37.5 years) fatigue of respiratory (diaphragm, musculi intercostales externi) and leg muscles (musculus gastrocnemius) was determined comparatively by electromyography. Additionally, routine lung function parameters, including maximum inspiratory (PImax) and expiratory (PEmax) mouth pressures, were measured. The SLE patients showed lower values of vital capacity (VC), total lung capacity (TLC), thoracic gas volume (TGV), FEV1, PImax and PEmax than the healthy controls, while FEV1/VC, residual volume and specific airway conductance were not significantly different in either group. Lung compliance, corrected for TGV, was normal in the SLE group. Breathing through stenoses with increasing resistances resulted in fatigue of the diaphragm in 73% of the SLE group and in 41% of the control group. The corresponding values of the external intercostal muscles were 74% (SLE group) and 29% (control group). Electromyographic signs of respiratory and leg muscle fatigue occurred at lower loads in the SLE group than in the healthy subjects. The pattern of lung function data in patients with SLE was characteristic neither of lung restriction nor of airway obstruction. Respiratory muscle weakness can explain the decrease in TLC, VC, TGV, FEV1, PImax and PEmax.

Adult↗

[Anorectal motility in systemic scleroderma].

We prospectively compared esophageal and rectal motility data from 7 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (4 females, 3 males) to esophageal recordings in 22 and anorectal recordings in 9 healthy controls. All patients with sclerosis exhibited motility disturbances in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES): LES resting pressure, LES relaxation amplitude and duration, and the number of incomplete LES relaxations were significantly different compared to the controls. All patients had alterations of anorectal motility: resting pressure, maximal squeeze pressure, and sphincter relaxation amplitude following balloon distension of the rectum were significantly decreased as compared to the control subjects. We conclude that esophageal and anorectal manometry are comparable in their sensitivity to differentiate between patients with systemic sclerosis and normal subjects.

Anal Canal↗

[Significant association of HLA-B8 with systemic lupus erythematosus and with specific serological markers].

Analysis of the HLA antigens of the A, B and C locus of 87 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) revealed a significant elevation for HLA-B8 of 64% as compared to 22% in a healthy control group (n = 1850) (P less than 0.000001). Owing to the known linkage disequilibrium of this genetic marker with the HLA-A1 antigen, the HLA phenotype A1, B8 was found in 55% of the SLE patients (P less than 0.000001). Moreover, a significant association of the HLA-B8 in 82% (P less than 0.025) of Ro antibody-positive SLE patients (n = 22) and in 84% (P less than 0.025) of Ha antibody-positive patients (n = 19) was striking. A more frequent occurrence of this HLA antigen could also be detected in patients with a persistent nDNA antibody elevation and in patients with manifestation of the disease before the 40th year of life as compared to patients who manifested it later. An association of the HLA-B8 antigen with a raised disease activity of SLE can be inferred.

Adult↗

[Alcohol-induced osteopenia].

There is clear evidence of a propensity to fractures and the development of osteomalacia, osteoporosis, and mixed forms in chronic alcoholics. Osteomalacia is associated with impaired vitamin D status, probably due to enzyme induction in liver and kidney and development of a secondary intestinal hyperparathyroidism. The development of osteoporosis is multifactorial, but seems to arise mainly through reduction in bone formation and reduced dietary protein and calcium intake. Low testosterone levels may also contribute to osteoporosis.

Alcoholism↗

[Abnormal findings of cardiac function in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (author's transl)].

To find out the rate of cardiac involvement among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 34 patients with SLE were examined by ECG, x-ray of the chest, body plethysmography, one- and two-dimensional echocardiography In addition, in 23 patients with SLE a microcatheterization of the right heart side was undertaken with measuring of the mean pulmonary artery pressure and cardiac index during exercise. Echocardiography revealed moderate abnormal findings in 62% of the patients. In particular, there was a thickening of the interventricular septum (31%), an enlargement of the right ventricle (23%), a diminution of the left ventricular fractional shortening (16%), an augmentation of the left atrium (10%) and of the left ventricle (6%). A small pericardial effusion was observed in 6% and a thickening of the left ventricular posterior wall in 3%. At micro-catheterization in 19 out of 23 patients with SLE, there was an increase of the mean pulmonary artery pressure up to abnormal values. In 5 patients, mean pulmonary pressure rose over 40 mm Hg. Most of the patients also showed an increase of the arterial pressure up to pathological values. Furthermore, most of the patients finished exercise because of muscular insufficiency or dyspnoea. Only 4 of 23 patients with SLE reached 90% of the age-corresponding maximal heart rate. The results indicate that with about 80% of all patients with SLE the cardiac capacity is reduced. In about 20% of the patients with SLE, this diminution of cardiac capacity is severe, and the necessity of medical treatment has to be discussed.

Adolescent↗

Platelet adhesiveness: methodology for testing in humans.

Platelets play an important role in the pathogenesis of early thrombus formation and might even be involved in initiating the process of artherosclerosis. Various platelet adhesiveness test methods are discussed. Results of an in vitro test in about 600 patients with various diseases are given. The effect from anti-platelet drugs like dipyridamole and acetyl salicylic acid in preventing increase of platelet adhesiveness due to a biologic stressor are compared with those obtained with isoxsuprine. Platelets play an important role in the pathogenesis of early thrombus formation. Platelets might also be involved in initiating the process of atherosclerosis. Therefore, it is understandable that various test methods to measure platelet behavior has been developed.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗

Platelet kinetics in Crohn's disease.

The pathogenesis of thrombocytosis in Crohn's disease was analized in ten non-treated patients using the 51Cr labelling method. The data obtained were compared to those taken from a control group. Besides platelet survival time, platelet turnover, surface radioactivity, platelet adhesiveness and morphological aspects of bone marrow were investigated. Platelet survival time in patients with Crohn's disease proved to be significantly shortened (p less than 0.001), whereas platelet turnover appeared augmented. No additional radioactivity is encountered from the organs scanned. The relative platelet adhesiveness is diminished while thrombocytopoesis in bone marrow is augmented.

Blood Cell Count↗

[Fracture incidence in 803 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis under drug treatment].

In a survey of cases of confirmed postmenopausal osteoporosis, 803 women were asked to complete a questionnaire on radiologically confirmed fractures sustained prior to and during drug therapy. Under monotherapy (fluoride or calcium, n = 92) the number of peripheral and central fractures was 54% and 49% lower, respectively. The corresponding figures with two substances (fluoride and calcium, n = 226) were 58% and 60%, with three substances (fluoride, calcium and estrogens or Vitamin D, n = 223) 83% and 72%, and with four substances (n = 254) 85% and 75%.

Aged↗