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Biomedical subjects

G Janssens

Publications and source records attributed to G Janssens.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

In vitro availability of zinc from infant foods with increasing phytic acid contents.

An in vitro method was used to determine the availability of Zn from infant foods containing increasing amounts of phytate, and to quantify the effect of the phytate:Zn molar ratio on the availability. During the in vitro assay, digestive conditions of infants, younger and older than 4 months of age, were carefully simulated since the solubility of phytate-Zn complexes during digestion is pH dependent. Availability was measured with a continuous flow dialysis in vitro procedure with previous intralumen digestive stage. Zn concentrations were determined with flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Phytic acid content was measured with HPLC. Adding phytate to infant formula lowered Zn availability to 2.84 (sd 0.17) % when the phytate:Zn molar ratio increased to 2.2 as compared with cows' milk-based formula (6.65 (sd 0.55) %). Availability from vegetables (23.83 (sd 2.17) %) significantly decreased at a ratio > 7.9 (15.12 (sd 1.63) %). Zn availability from soyabean-based formula (2.26 (sd 0.36) %) was lower compared with cows' milk-based formula (6.65 (sd 0.55) %). Availability between soyabean- and cows' milk-based formula was similar when a phytate:Zn ratio of 2.2 (2.84 (sd 0.17) %) was obtained in the cows' milk formula. The negative effect of phytic acid on Zn availability was dependent on the type of the food and the phytate content, and should be considered when using soyabean-based formulas during early infancy.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2001

Radiotherapy for PSA recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES: The treatment of patients presenting with an isolated PSA recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP) remains controversial. The present study aims at assessing the results of salvage radiotherapy (RT), to define prognostic factors and to identify subgroups of patients most suitable for RT with curative intent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed of 53 patients, diagnosed with a rising PSA after RP, and treated with RT to the prostate bed, between July 1992 and July 1998. RESULTS: On univariate analysis, significant determinants to obtain and maintain a nondetectable PSA (< 0.02 ng/ml) were Gleason grade (< or = III vs. < or = IV), pre-RT PSA, considered as categorical or continuous variable, and pathological stage, pT (2 vs. 3). Pre-RP PSA (< or = 10 vs. >10), time interval between surgery and moment of rising PSA and pathological section margin status were not significant. On multivariate analysis, only Gleason grade and pre-RT PSA remained significant. For the patient group with a Gleason grade < or = III the PSA-free survival at 3 years was 75% (+/- 11%) compared to 27% (+/- 9%) for the patients with a Gleason grade > or = IV (p = 0.002). Pre-RT PSA significantly influenced PSA-free survival in the first group, but not in the latter. CONCLUSION: From the group of RP patients with rising PSA following a postsurgery PSA-free period, subgroups can be defined with a distinctly different probability of obtaining and maintaining nondetectable PSA levels after salvage RT.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

The influence of dietary salt level on water consumption, farrowing, and reproductive performance of lactating sows.

During two consecutive lactations using a switch-back design, 16 sows received a corn, cassava, barley, and soybean meal diet supplemented with either 8.5 or 1 g/kg of NaCl (.4% Na or .1% Na, respectively). The average daily water consumption during the 4-wk lactation period was greater (P < .01) for the sows fed the high-salt diet than for those fed the low-salt diet (13.9 vs 12.4 L, respectively). Urine production accounted for 27% of the water intake during lactation. This resulted in a difference during the entire lactation period of 42.2 L in water consumption (P = .07) and 11.4 L in urine production (P = .07). The Na and Cl concentrations of the urine for sows fed the high-salt diet were higher than for sows fed the low-salt diet (P < .05), but the K, Mg, P, and Ca concentrations were not influenced. The milk composition, measured at d 1, 13, and 27 of lactation, was relatively independent of the dietary salt level, except for the Cl concentration at d 1 after farrowing, which was higher (P < .05) for sows fed the high-salt diet. The moisture and ash content of the milk increased with the length of the lactation, irrespective of the diet. The increased ash content on d 13 and 27 of lactation was accounted for by the increased concentrations of P and Ca. There was no effect of dietary salt level on weight change of the sow or on the growth performance of the pigs. The interval from weaning to estrus (n = 13, t = 2.48, P = .029) was shorter for sows fed the high-salt diet than for sows fed the low-salt diet (6.2 +/- 1.0 and 12.6 +/- 3.1 d, respectively). More sows were unsuccessfully mated after receiving the low-salt diet during lactation. These results indicate that a low-salt diet for lactating sows results in lower water consumption, lower urine production, and lower Na and Cl concentrations in the urine. Milk composition, weight change of the sow, and growth performance of the pigs were not altered, but reproductive failures afterward may point to a salt deficiency during lactation.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndrome with previously unreported features.

A boy with carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndrome died at five months of age in status epilepticus. Postmortem examination failed to show the classically observed olivopontocerebellar atrophy. Two previously unreported features were present: cataracts from the first week of life and lysosomal storage affecting mainly the anterior horn neurons of the spinal cord.

Brain↗
PubMed1993

Two siblings with midline field defects and Hirschsprung disease: variable expression of Toriello-Carey or new syndrome?

We describe 2 sibs with multiple congenital anomalies. The main manifestations include hypoplasia of the corpus callosum and/or cerebellar hypoplasia, Robin sequence, pharyngeal and laryngeal hypoplasia, abnormal ears, excessive neck skin, cardiac defect, and Hirschsprung disease. The presence in 2 sibs born to healthy, consanguineous parents suggests autosomal recessive inheritance. These anomalies must have arisen during blastogenesis; the syndrome resembles most the condition described in 1988 by Toriello and Carey.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1992

Technetium-99m hexamethylpropylene amine oxime single photon emission tomography in febrile convulsions.

We report our initial experience with technetium-99m hexamethyl propylene amine oxime (99mTC-HMPAO) brain single photon emission tomography (SPET) in the investigation of 19 children presenting with febrile convulsions. Two patients with complex febrile convulsions showed focal SPET lesions contralateral to the neurological deficit. However, in 9 out of 17 patients with simple febrile convulsions, focally disturbed perfusion was shown. In 4 out of 6 patients with electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities on admittance, SPET revealed at least 2 focal lesions. The temporofrontal region was the one most commonly involved. The SPET findings presented here also suggest a temporal relationship with the febrile convulsions, with markedly fewer lesions if examined after 12 days. In our initial experience, perfusion SPET did not show any particular pattern helpful in the differential diagnosis of the child presenting with febrile convulsions. Physiopathologically, our findings may support the hypothesis that brain tissue is regionally more vulnerable to fever, in patients presenting with febrile convulsions.

Brain↗
PubMed1992

Single photon emission computed tomography using perfusion tracers in seizure disorders.

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using perfusion tracers makes it possible to estimate regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and, indirectly, local brain metabolism. It may be possible to detect and follow physiopathological alterations, such as may be seen in seizure disorders. The authors review the principles of and some data on perfusion SPECT in seizure disorders, stress advantages as well as major drawbacks and add their initial experience with Tc-99m hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (HMPAO) SPECT in febrile convulsions.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Cat-scratch disease with reversible encephalopathy.

A case of cat-scratch disease (CSD) complicated by reversible encephalopathy is presented. Neurological complications of CSD are uncommon. Laboratory and radiological examinations were negative. There was complete recovery.

Cat-Scratch Disease↗
PubMed1985

Impact of dilution on the pharmacokinetic behavior of acetaminophen in rabbits after oral administration.

Seven rabbits received two different acetaminophen solutions by gavage in a randomized crossover fashion. In one administration the dose was given in a concentrated small volume of an ethanol-glycerol-water mixture (preparation I). In another administration an identical dose was given in a 10-fold water-diluted volume of the same mixture (preparation II). Three rabbits also received the same dose in a 10-fold original mixture volume (preparation III). The acetaminophen concentrations were measured by HPLC in plasma samples collected for 3.5 h after gavage. The lag times ranged from 2.5 to 23 min for preparation I and from 2.2 to 29 min for preparation II. The mean peak plasma concentrations (12.38 micrograms/mL for preparation I and 9.14 micrograms/mL for preparation II) and the mean time-to-peak concentrations (26.57 min for preparation I and 36.57 min for preparation II) were significantly different. The total area under the plasma concentration curve and the absorption and elimination half-lives did not, however, differ significantly. For the three rabbits receiving the acetaminophen doses in the 10-fold ethanol-glycerol-water mixture volumes (preparation III), the total area under the plasma concentration curve obviously was increased.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1983

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in rainwater.

A study on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in rainwater was carried out over periods of at least one year at two locations in Belgium with different environments. Maximum amounts and concentrations of PAH were reached during the winter period, mainly due to household heating. This influence was also reflected in the relative proportions of the six PAH measured. For comparable periods the amounts of PAH were almost proportional to the quantity of rain. With the available data, and as most of the rainfall is coming from the same wind direction, it was not feasible to localise possible pollution sources based upon the distribution of PAH over the different windsectors, nor was it possible to identify significant differences for both sampling locations due to their different surroundings, indicating that the rain plays an important role in the transport and distribution of pollutants over a wide area. Between about 100 and 170 micrograms m-2 PAH and 2 to 3 g m-2 of total organic carbon content (TOC) per year were deposited by the rain, corresponding to mean concentrations of about 140 ngl-1 of PAH and 2.9 mgl-1 of TOC.

Belgium↗
PubMed1982

Comparative assessment of two different types of therapeutic communities.

The authors tried to assess whether differentiating aspects of the treatment ideology of two therapeutic communities (psychoanalytic-psychotherapeutic and orthopedagogical were realised in the actual psychosocial milieux of the communities. Hypotheses were constructed about the differences in treatment ideology between the two communities, on the results on the Ward Atmosphere Scale Form C, which measure many aspects of the psychosocial milieu. The results show differences in the hypothesised direction, and confirm the accomplishment of differences in treatment milieu between the two therapeutic communities.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Long-term use of cisapride (Prepulsid) in premature neonates.

In order to study the effect of cisapride on gastric stasis and to evaluate the possible risk of cholestasis, 20 premature neonates born in the hospital during one year were orally treated with cisapride 0.15 mg/kg q.i.d., over a mean period of 38 days. The gestational age ranged from 26 to 34 weeks and the mean age at the start of the cisapride treatment was 18 days. All patients were ventilated, 13 had a respiratory distress syndrome (hyaline membrane disease), and 9 had gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR). All patients were given a semielementary formula by means of a continuous nasogastric infusion. The gastric residue was studied during three days: 24 hour baseline and 48 hours under cisapride treatment. The mean residue decreased (p less than 0.0001) from 50.6% during the last 6 baseline hours to 12.1% during the last 6-hours of the cisapride period. The mean feeding volume increased from 24.2 ml to 34.2 ml (p less than 0.001). A group of four patients had reversible cholestasis against the background of an outbreak of Candida, three before and one during cisapride treatment. Therefore, it could not be demonstrated that cisapride plays a role in the development of cholestasis. Because of the risks of GOR and the drawbacks of delayed enteral feeding, it is concluded that the use of cisapride is justified in premature neonates with gastric stasis.

Cholestasis↗