PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Van Maele

Publications and source records attributed to G Van Maele.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Comparison of palmar tilt, radial inclination and ulnar variance in left and right wrists.

Standard radiographs of both wrists of 50 healthy volunteers were taken. The mean differences between the right and left wrists were 1. 5 degrees for radial inclination, 0.5 mm for ulnar variance and 2.5 degrees for palmar tilt. The variability of the left-right differences were compared with the variability of the whole group and were significantly less for radial inclination, ulnar variance and palmar tilt. We conclude that both wrists of one individual can be considered as symmetrical for the tested parameters and that the contralateral wrist provides a better reference than population data.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Reliability of laser Doppler flowmetry in a 2-probe assessment of pulpal blood flow.

OBJECTIVE: The reliability of using 2 probes with laser Doppler signals when adjacent teeth are being measured simultaneously to determine pulpal blood flow is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether 2 probes are more reliable than 1 in a single-tool assessment. STUDY DESIGN: Tooth pulp vitality was studied in 19 adults through use of laser Doppler flowmetry tests. In each subject, testing was carried out on 2 successive occasions with 2 probes positioned on the maxillary central incisors. RESULTS: Significant mean differences of 31% for blood flux and 96% for concentration were found between the 2 probes, although they shared equal coefficients of variation. The reproducibility for each probe was found to be consistent, and the probes were highly correlated with each other. Flux and concentration, however, were not systematically correlated. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous measurements with 2 probes were clearly more reliable. The necessity for a calibration control was evident.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Epidural analgesia for low risk labour determines the rate of instrumental deliveries but not that of caesarean sections.

We analysed retrospectively the link between the incidence of epidural analgesia and the frequency distribution of instrumental delivery, caesarean section, labour induction and parity in a selected group of women with a low risk labour profile in all (85) obstetric units in Flanders (Northern Belgium). A group of 104 932 women with presumed low risk labour profile was subjected to analysis. The main outcome measures were the incidence of obstetric intervention in each obstetric unit in relation to the extent of their use of epidural analgesia. There was a wide variation in the rate of epidural analgesia (3-75%), labour induction 'for convenience' (4-48%) and instrumental delivery (4-50%) among the Flemish obstetric units. The incidence of instrumental delivery in a given unit was greatly influenced by the rate of epidural analgesia and labour induction for convenience (P < 0.001). However, the incidence of caesarean section in a given unit was not determined by either the rates of epidural, labour induction, attempted instrumental delivery or the size of the unit.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Crossed cerebellar diaschisis after middle cerebral artery infarction.

It is unclear whether crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD) is merely an epiphenomenon, as its clinical significance remains uncertain. We retrospectively analysed the positron emission tomographic (PET) findings in 28 patients with a chronic, stable middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarct and in 22 controls, using the steady state technique and 15O. Also, the Orgogozo scores on admission and at the time of the PET examination were compared in the patients with MCA infarction. Based on the asymmetry index and the 95% confidence limits for regional cerebellar blood flow (rCBF) and oxygen consumption (rCMRO2) in the control group, the stroke patients were subdivided in a group with (n = 8) and a group without (n = 20) CCD. The CCD group had lower values of rCMRO2 in the infarct and border areas compared to those of the non-CCD patients. The infarct location within the MCA territory was similar but the size was somewhat larger in the CCC group. The degree of neurological improvement was better in the non-CCD group. Although persistence of CCD has no real clinical significance it appears to be correlated to more severe and widespread ischaemia in the affected MCA territory and to the lack of significant clinical improvement.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Influence of feeding, blood sampling method and type of anaesthesia on renal function parameters in the normal laboratory rat.

With sophisticated experiments it is necessary to handle laboratory animals many times. To determine the effect of minor handling a series of experiments was performed to measure the impact of fasting, anaesthesia, blood collection method and serum creatinine analysis on renal function. Simple clinical methods to measure renal function parameters such as diuresis, urinary osmolality, urinary creatinine excretion and serum creatinine were used. During fasting a significant increase (P < 0.01) in diuresis and a significant decrease (P < 0.01) in urinary osmolality were noted. Fasting and anaesthesia have the additional effect of significantly decreasing (P < 0.05) urinary creatinine excretion. Blood sampling method also has a significant impact on serum creatinine: venous sampling causes false-positive differences compared with simultaneous arterial sampling.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed1995

Contrast media injection in the rat after multiple renal insults. No evidence of additional nephrotoxicity.

Experiments were performed to determine whether water-soluble contrast media (CM) show nephrotoxic properties when injected into rats after multiple renal insults. The latter consisted of combinations of prostaglandin synthesis inhibition (with indomethacin) and/or salt depletion and/or uninephrectomy. Renal function was evaluated by standard clinical methods to measure parameters such as urinary output, urinary osmolality, urinary creatinine excretion and serum creatinine. CM injected after prostaglandin synthesis inhibition alone did not influence urinary creatinine excretion or serum creatinine. After a combination of renal insults a significant increase in median serum creatinine values from 61.88 mumol/l [interquartile range (IR) 17.68] [0.70 mg% (IR 0.20)] to 97.24 mumol/l (IR 79.56) [1.10 mg% (IR 0.90)] was observed but CM or sham injections did not prevent a normalization of serum creatinine. The pattern of recovery of serum creatinine was not influenced by previous kidney mass reduction. It is concluded that the nephrotoxic properties of CM cannot be detected with standard clinical methods in rats after multiple renal insults.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1995

Ipsilateral thalamic diaschisis after middle cerebral artery infarction.

The significance of ipsilateral thalamic diaschisis (ITD) among patients with chronic, stable middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarcts was investigated. Twenty eight subjects with chronic MCA infarction and twenty two normal controls were studied with positron emission tomography (PET), using the steady state technique with 15O. Stroke patients were subdivided into a group with ITD (n = 12) and a group without ITD (n = 16). Patients with ITD had greater decreases of regional blood flow (rCBF) and oxygen consumption (rCMRO2) in the infarcted MCA territory, compared to MCA infarction without ITD. The neurological deficits at the time of PET scanning were similar between both groups. Extent of infarction by CT brain scan appeared more predominant in peri-insular regions of patients with ITD, while in non diaschisis patients infarcts were more widely distributed throughout the MCA territories. Occurrence of ITD and of crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD) did not correlate. Occurrence of ITD seems to be linked to diffuse reductions of blood flow and oxygen metabolism in cortical territories of the MCA. Mechanisms of ITD were different from those of CCD.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Positron emission tomographic study of late-onset cryptogenic symptomatic seizures.

Ten patients with epilepsy of unknown origin, starting after the age of 50 years, and without clear evidence of cognitive decline were studied with positron emission tomography, using the steady state technique with 15O. Cerebral blood flow and oxygen metabolism were significantly decreased in all cortical areas. No focal areas of hypometabolism were detected. Treatment with phenytoin did not influence the results. It is suggested that late-onset seizures could be the premonitory signs of a progressive encephalopathy of unknown origin.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Evaluation of renal function before and after intravenous injection of non-cholangiographic water soluble contrast media in rats.

In the present study, normal laboratory rats (n = 22), were injected intravenously with water soluble contrast media (CM) or saline. Renal function was monitored before and followed after challenge. Seven animals were injected with saline, the others with 3 different types of contrast media. The absolute urinary creatinine output decreased significantly in the saline group, from 0.0247 mumol/min 100 g BW (IR: 0.0052) to 0.0167 mumol/min 100 g BW (IR: 0.0019) (p < 0.01), while in the CM groups only a significant decrease was seen after ioxaglate injection, from 0.0250 mumol/min 100 g BW (IR: 0.0014) to 0.0174 mumol/min 100 g BW (IR: 0.0027) (p < 0.01). ANOVA between the groups showed no difference. The median values for serum creatinine after injection of the test products did not differ from the control values. It seems therefore that the challenge of a normal laboratory rat with CM is not a suitable model for the detection of subtile nephrotoxic properties of CM.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

A positron emission tomography study of patients with acute carbon monoxide poisoning treated by hyperbaric oxygen.

Seven patients with an acute and severe carbon monoxide intoxication were treated with hyperbaric oxygen and underwent a positron emission tomographic examination 2-5 days after the acute event. Although the final clinical outcome was good in all patients, ischaemic changes were observed. Three patients with temporary sequelae after hyperbaric oxygen treatment showed the most severe changes, mainly in striatum and thalamus. Although positron emission tomographic examination cannot predict the final outcome, it can show the regions at risk for development of late complications following carbon monoxide poisoning.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Phagocyte metabolic activity during hemodialysis with different dialyzers not affecting the number of circulating phagocytes.

Overall leukocyte counts decrease during certain forms of hemodialysis, but little information is available on the intradialytic evolution of phagocytic metabolic function, especially during dialysis with dialyzers not affecting the number of circulating phagocytes. This study evaluated the phagocytic capacity of granulocytes and monocytes to generate CO2 out of glucose under basic unchallenged conditions and after stimulation with latex or zymosan, before and after 15, 60 and 240 minutes of dialysis with reused cuprophan, AN69S, polysulphone, polymethylmethacrylate and hemophan hemodialyzers. Phagocytic metabolic function was assessed in whole blood on the basis of 14CO2-production from labelled glucose during the phagocytic process. There were no changes in basic unchallenged CO2-production with any of the dialyzers. Reactivity to latex and zymosan, expressed per number of phagocytes, showed no decrease, irrespective of the membrane type. For polymethylmethacrylate and reused cuprophan, a slight but significant increase in metabolic reactivity was observed in response to latex and zymosan. The test employed may give a screening picture of the phagocytic reaction to contact with dialyzers and membranes and thus of their degree of biocompatibility towards the phagocyte system.

Biocompatible Materials↗
PubMed1991

Follicular fluid steroid levels in relation to oocyte maturity and in vitro fertilization.

Steroid levels in follicular fluid (FF) obtained from stimulated ovaries in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) were measured by capillary gas chromatography. The correlation between these levels and the maturity of the oocyte, judged from the morphology of the oocyte corona cumulus complex (OCCC) and the fertilizability of the oocytes was analysed. Oocyte maturity was associated with higher FF levels of progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, 16 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone. Follicular fluids containing oocytes that became fertilized had significantly higher levels of 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone and progesterone and lower levels of androstenedione. Of all the steroids determined, 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone provides the most significant group differences. Enhanced 20 alpha-dihydrogenation in the presence of decreased 16 alpha- and 17-hydroxylation appears to be an important characteristic of the ultimate ripening stages and early luteinization, at least in stimulated cycles.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed1990

Evaluation of renal function before and after intravenous injection of non-cholangiographic water soluble contrast media in rats: preliminary results.

In this preliminary study, water soluble contrast media (CM) were administrated to normal laboratory rats (n = 11) and renal function was monitored before and followed after this challenge. A significant decrease (p less than or equal to 0.001) of the absolute urinary creatinine output, was noted during 3 days after the injection of the CM: the median (M) control value was 0.0313 mumol/min. 100 g body weight (BW) (interquartile range (IR): 0.0014) while the M values the first, the second and the third day were 0.0209 mumol/min. 100 g BW (IR: 0.0141), 0.0198 mumol/min. 100 g BW (IR: 0.0044) and 0.0265 mumol/min. 100 g BW (IR: 0.0054) respectively. The serum creatinine 24 hours after injection was 59,8 mumol/l (IR: 7.92) which is significantly higher (p less than or equal to 0.002) compared to the M serum creatinine of 51.9 mumol/l (IR: 15.0) evaluated in a group of normal unchallenged laboratory rats. These changes are in contrast with the low frequency of renal failure episodes encountered in clinical circumstances. Further experiments with inclusion of a control group receiving a sham injection seem necessary.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Solid-phase chemiluminescence immunoassay for progesterone in unextracted serum.

We describe a simple, solid-phase chemiluminescence immunoassay for progesterone in 10 microL of unextracted serum ("direct" assay). Danazol at pH 8.0 is included (100 ng per tube) to displace progesterone from binding proteins in serum. A progesterone-11 alpha-hemisuccinyl-aminobutylethyl isoluminol conjugate serves as the chemiluminescent ligand marker and homologous antiprogesterone IgG covalently coupled to "Immunobeads" is the immunoadsorbant. After the binding reaction, bound and free ligand are separated by centrifugation and the chemiluminescence yield of the bound label is determined. The sensitivity, specificity, precision, and accuracy of the method are similar to those of a conventional radioimmunoassay for progesterone in which a radioligand of tritiated progesterone and serum extraction are used. Progesterone values obtained by this procedure agreed well (r = 0.987) with those obtained by radioimmunoassay. We conclude that the chemiluminescence immunoassay for progesterone in unextracted serum is analytically valid and offers a convenient alternative to radioimmunoassay.

Binding, Competitive↗
PubMed1983

A double-blind trial of single-dose ciramadol for the treatment of post-episiotomy pain.

A randomized double-blind trial was carried out in 54 women to evaluate the effectiveness of ciramadol in a single (60 or 30 mg) oral dose regimen, compared with 60 mg codeine and placebo, in the treatment of post-episiotomy pain. Ciramadol gave a significantly better analgesic effect, at both 2 and 6 hours, and produced negligible side-effects. Codeine did less well than placebo in this study.

Amines↗