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Biomedical subjects

K Engel

Publications and source records attributed to K Engel.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

[Advantages and hazards of preventing infection following cesarean section--clinical and bacteriologic results of a high-dosage treatment with mezlocillin and oxacillin short-term preventive following clamping of the umbilical cord].

Between August 1980 and August 1981 a prospective randomised study was conducted at the Krankenhaus Nordwest , Dept. of OBGYN , Frankfurt, to investigate the efficacy of a short term prophylaxis using mezlocillin and oxacillin ( Optocillin ) in reducing infections after Caesarean section (6 gs Optocillin after clamping the umbilical cord and after 8 and 16 hours, respectively). Both the study group (sg) and the control group (cg) consisted of 50 patients each. Both groups were statistically homogeneous . Infections were significantly reduced by the prophylaxis: sg 26%/cg 64% - p less than 0,001, febrile morbidity: sg 10%/cg 38% - p less than 0,001, endometritis: sg 6%/cg 20% - p less than 0,08, UTI: sg 18%/cg 36% - p less than 0,05, wound infections: sg 2%/cg 18% - p less than 0,02. Severe infections, however, were seen in neither group. The duration of infections was shorter in the sg. The various postoperative infections were associated with different risk factors (rf) - endometritis: green amniotic fluid, operating time greater than 75 min; cervical dilatation less than 2 cm, UTI: PROM (greater than 6 hs), operating time less than 75 min, internal monitoring, cervical dilatation greater than 2 cm, wound infections: green amniotic fluid, internal monitoring, frequent vaginal examinations (greater than 6), cervical dilatation greater than 2 cm and operating time greater than 75 min. The prophylaxis was especially effective in the presence of the following rfs: green amniotic fluid, internal monitoring, frequent vaginal examinations (6), operating time greater than 75 min and when associated with combined rfs. The reduction of wound infections following the prophylaxis can be ascribed to the elimination of organisms (Staph. spec., enterococci,) at the site of operation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cesarean Section

Corticotropin-induced alkalosis in the weanling rat and its relation to the balance of non-metabolizable base.

Studies of whole body balances of non-metabolizable base (NB) and several electrolytes and of the acid-base status of blood and urine during development of corticotropin-induced alkalosis in the weanling rat were carried out in order to identify the primary source of base and factors instrumental in maintenance of the alkalotic state. The data were compared to baseline and running control values and to the results of whole carcass analysers. Primary accumulation of NB was accounted for by ongoing gastrointestinal NB absorption in the weight-losing animal, distributed to extracellular and non-extracellular compartments of the body. An increase in the rate of renal excretion of non-metabolizable acid (NA), from negative values to zero, corresponded to an increased load of endogenous sulphuric acid and a reduced rate of gastrointestinal NB absorption. Accordingly, the renal response did not per se contribute to the induction of extracellular alkalosis. Maintenance of alkalosis occurred in spite of ample chloride in the renal tubular lumen and a moderate increase in relative extracellular volume. In the absence of evidence of overloading (with base) or malfunction of the kidney, corticotropin-induced alkalosis is classifiable as a 'set-point disturbance' of acid-base metabolism in which fluctuations in the (non-renal) load of NA lead to commensurate changes in renal NA excretion at an elevated extracellular pH. Withdrawal of corticotropin injections was followed by prompt restoration of a normal extracellular acid-base status and a return to reference values for renal NA excretion despite a marked fall in the balance of NB. This observation supports a concept of the extracellular compartment as the immediate reference system of the kidney.

Acid-Base Imbalance

[Sonographic diagnosis of a placental tumour with high-grade intrauterine foetal development deficiency, increasing anhydramnia and subsequent foetal death (author's transl)].

The article reports on prenatal diagnosis of a large tumour of the placenta (chorioangioma) and, for the first time, on sonographic observation of the course of the disease with intrauterine deficient development of the foetus, increasing oligohydramnia and subsequent intrauterine foetal death. The complications associated with large chorioangiomas, which are well known, with an intrauterine and perinatal mortality of up to 30%, underline the need for timely sonographic diagnosis. Chances of sufficiently early intervention have been created via closely meshed checkup controls.

Adult

[Computer tomography for tumours of the oesophagus and stomach (author's transl)].

The diagnostic scope of CT has been demonstrated for malignant tumours of the oesophagus (41 patients) and tumours of the stomach (18 patients). Of importance is the demonstration of circumferential spread of tumours of the oesophagus, the early demonstration of mediastinal lymph node metastases and the demonstration of infradiaphragmatic lymph node involvement from tumours of the middle and lower thirds of the oesophagus. In the presence of tumours of the stomach, it is possible to demonstrate infiltration of neighbouring organs (pancreas, spleen, hilum of liver) and haematogenous or lymphatic spread.

Adenocarcinoma

Balance of net base in the rat: adaptation to and recovery from sustained hypercapnia.

Net base and mineral balances were evaluated in a group of male 350 g Wistar rats exposed to 10% carbon dioxide in air for 10 days with a view to identifying the source of net base subject to retention during renal compensation of sustained respiratory acidosis. In response to hypercapnia, the rate of renal net acid excretion rose but insignificantly. However, a rise in whole body net base concentration from about 215 mmol/kg to about 250 mmol/kg came about by ongoing gastrointestinal absorption in the weight-losing animal, absorbed net base being distributed to extracellular and non-extracellular compartments of the body, presumably including bone. During an 8-day recovery period, a small decrement in whole body net base concentration was observed.

Acid-Base Equilibrium

Balance of net base in the rat. V. Effects of oral ammonium chloride loading.

The physiology of oral ammonium chloride loading was studied in four groups of male weanling rats weighing about 100 g and fed either standard ground Rostock rat food (containing 317 mmol net base/kg) or ground barley (containing only 20 mmol net base/kg). One group of animals on the Rostock diet received oral supplements of ammonium chloride (approximately 32 mmol . kg-1 . day-1) sufficient to provide a net zero rate of oral net base intake. In this group, ongoing fecal net base excretion caused net acid to be absorbed at an average rate of 15 mmol . kg-1 . day-1. The mean rate of renal net acid excretion rose markedly (by 29.4 mmol . kg-1 . day-1); and over an 8-day balance period the animals were able to maintain near-normal balances of net base. During a subsequent 8-day recovery the pattern of mineral turnover returned to normal. Even in the barley-fed rats, gastrointestinal net acid absorption was observed. These animals suffered a 61% reduction in the rate of body growth, but the overall rate of net base retention, per kilogram of mass gain, was close to the reference value. Finally, the combination of barley and ammonium chloride led to weight loss, positive net acid balances (8.5 mmol . kg-1 . day-1), and a maximal rate of renal net acid excretion (50.8 mmol . kg-1 . day-1). Some implications for the metabolism of organic acids are discussed.

Acid-Base Equilibrium

[Parents of children dialysed at home. Psychological assessment (author's transl)].

Ten married couples with children undergoing home dialysis were examined by means of different tests used in family interaction diagnosis (Joint Rorschach, SIMFAM, Giessen Test, Bales Scale, Expert Rating). The couples showed a similar cooperation as found in a group of psychologically "ordinary" couples, but emotional problems between the parents of home dialysis children were at least as frequent as in a group of psychologically, disturbed couples needing family therapy. The role of the psychologist for the stability testing in parents of children destined for regular dialysis and for psychotherapeutic preparation to home dialysis is described.

Adolescent

Balance of net base in the rat. III. Effects of oral sodium bicarbonate and sodium citrate loading.

The balance of net base in groups of male weanling Wistar rats exposed to sustained oral loads of net base were studied. In response to dietary loads of sodium bicarbonate (approx. 50 mmol.kg-1.day-1) an average increment in the mean rate of retention of net base of 21.8 mmol.kg-1.day-1 was observed in the absence of significant changes in the blood 'base excess'. Following withdrawal of sodium bicarbonate, mean rates of gastrointestinal absorption, renal excretion, and retention of net base promptly returned to control values, accumulated net base being retained in the body, presumably as skeletal sodium carbonate. In response to equimolar loads of net base in the form of trisodium citrate, a similar, albeit less pronounced, rise in the rate of retention of net base occurred.

Acid-Base Equilibrium

Balance of net base in the rat. IV. Effects of oral calcium and phosphate loading.

Mineral and net base balances were studied in groups of male weanling Wistar rats given oral loads of calcium chloride, monocalcium phosphate plus monosodium phosphate, and disodium phosphate plus monopotassium phosphate, respectively. A group of adult nongrowing rats loaded with calcium chloride was included for comparison. In response to CaCl2 loading, gastrointestinal net base absorption was inhibited due, largely, to luminal precipitation of tertiary phosphates of calcium and magnesium. In the weanling animal, however, a rise in the rate of renal net acid excretion matched the concomitant decrement in the rate of net base absorption, permitting of continued skeletal net base storage. Similarly, in the adult animals augmented renal net acid excretion offset a positive rate of gastrointestinal net acid absorption with a resultant (normal) zero net base balance. Loading with monocalcium phosphate and disodium phosphate at a constant oral net base intake did not influence the overall net base balance, but disodium phosphate loading caused significant sodium retention.

Acid-Base Equilibrium

Testing cooperation in parents with children destined for home dialysis.

Ten married couples with children in the dialysis department of the University's Children Hospital of Heidelberg are examined by means of different tests (Joint Rorschach, Simfam, Giessen Test, Bales scale, Expert rating) and compared with a group of ten psychologically 'extraordinary' as well as ten psychologically 'ordinary' couples. The problem was to find out whether the emotional family atmosphere is stable enough to provide the child with home dialysis or whether the parents need psychotherapeutic preparation.

Adult

Physiological viewpoints on clinical acid-base diagnostics.

Acid-base physiology is concerned with sources, extent, and control of hydrogen ion donation in the body, at the organ-physiological as well as the molecular level of study. With the introduction of Van Slyke's methods for quantitative carbon dioxide measurements in biological fluids, one important source of hydrogen ion donation became identifiable; and these and derived methods have permitted of fairly precise quantitative descriptions of transport and pulmonary elimination of carbon dioxide. However, the inevitable operational concept of non-carbonic (non-volatile) contributions to the titratable acidity of the body fluids has been a cause of considerable methodological and conceptual difficulties; and whereas it is now possible by means of the micro-equilibration technique to make accurate assessments of the concentration of non-volatile titratable acid (base) in blood, the question of the physiological relevance of the concept of 'base excess' remains open. In particular, the concept of non-carbonic acid does not possess a specific relevance with respect to the acid-base physiology of kidney, bone, and gastro-intestinal tract comparable to the 'substrate-specificity of carbon dioxide with respect to the lung. Our studies indicate that a subdivision of the titratable non-carbonic acid of any biological medium in two subcomponents will provide an improvement of specificity, adequate for a system physiological approach at the organ level. Thus, a distinction should be made between (1) processes of hydrogen ion donation, reversible by endogenous metabolic means (quantitated in terms of the component MA = metabolizable non-carbonic acid) and (2) processes of hydrogen ion donation associated with gastro-intestinal, skeletal, and renal transport, storage, and control of non-metabolizable non-carbonic acid (NA). Some implications of this distinction for acid-base physiology and acid-base diagnostics are discussed.

Acid-Base Equilibrium

Male hamster preference for odors of female hamster vaginal discharges: studies of experiential and hormonal determinants.

Male hamsters approach sources of odors from female hamster vaginal discharges and spend significantly more time around these odor sources than around control locations in the test box. This preference for female hamster vaginal odors appears in sexually inexperienced as well as experienced males, even in individuals isolated from females since the time of weaning. Castration significantly reduces the sex odor preference, and treatment with testosterone propionate partially restores it.

Animals