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K Neumann

Publications and source records attributed to K Neumann.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

[Test set for the evaluation of hearing and speech development after cochlear implantation in children].

BACKGROUND: Since autumn 1998 the multicenter interdisciplinary study group "Test Materials for CI Children" has been compiling a uniform examination tool for evaluation of speech and hearing development after cochlear implantation in childhood. METHODS USED: After studying the relevant literature, suitable materials were checked for practical applicability, modified and provided with criteria for execution and break-off. For data acquisition, observation forms for preparation of a PC-version were developed. RESULTS: The evaluation set contains forms for master data with supplements relating to postoperative processes. The hearing tests check supra-threshold hearing with loudness scaling for children, speech comprehension in silence (Mainz and Göttingen Test for Speech Comprehension in Childhood) and phonemic differentiation (Oldenburg Rhyme Test for Children), the central auditory processes of detection, discrimination, identification and recognition (modification of the "Frankfurt Functional Hearing Test for Children") and audiovisual speech perception (Open Paragraph Tracking, Kiel Speech Track Program). The materials for speech and language development comprise phonetics-phonology, lexicon and semantics (LOGO Pronunciation Test), syntax and morphology (analysis of spontaneous speech), language comprehension (Reynell Scales), communication and pragmatics (observation forms). The MAIS and MUSS modified questionnaires are integrated. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation set serves quality assurance and permits factor analysis as well as controls for regularity through the multicenter comparison of long-term developmental trends after cochlear implantation.

Child↗
PubMed2002

Comparative studies of body mass, body measurements and organ weights of wild-derived and laboratory golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus).

All laboratory golden hamsters originate from a sibling pairing back in 1930. To investigate possible differences between domesticated and wild conspecifics, descendants of both strains were maintained under standardized laboratory conditions individually and in unisexual groups. Body mass and food consumption were monitored from birth to 22 weeks of age. The animals were subsequently sacrificed, and body measurements and body composition were analysed. In addition, the absolute and relative masses of different organs were measured. Laboratory hamsters gained more body mass through higher food consumption. However, they did not get fatter, since relative fat values were the same for both strains. Body measurements revealed only minor differences (in body and ear lengths). As deducible from the body mass, the organs (spleen, kidneys, adrenal glands, testes, epididymis and ovaries) were seen to be heavier in laboratory hamsters. Furthermore, with the exception of the kidneys, the same went for the relative values. There were distinct sexual specific differences in both strains only for body fat ( male symbol male symbol upward arrow ) and adrenal glands ( male symbol male symbol upward arrow ). In females, group housing induced an elevated level of aggression. In general, these housing conditions led to social stress symptoms, such as heavier adrenal glands. Additionally, spleen, kidneys, ovaries, body length and mass, body water and body fat were increased in group-housed hamsters. In conclusion, no major differences between laboratory and wild-derived hamsters were observed.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Depersonalization, self-esteem and body image in male-to-female transsexuals compared to male and female controls.

Whether postoperative male-to-female transsexuals differ in regard to measures of self- and body image from a nontranssexual control group was investigated. A group of 30 postoperative male-to-female transsexuals and control groups of 30 males and 30 females completed self-report measures (depersonalization, self-esteem, gender identity traits, body image). Results showed that transsexuals and males scored higher on self-esteem and dynamic body image than the females did. No differences between the groups were found in terms of depersonalization and satisfaction. Transsexuals and females described themselves as more feminine than males. Regarding sex-role orientation, more androgynous subjects were found among transsexuals than in the control groups. General satisfaction is associated with feminine and masculine traits in transsexuals. Results are discussed in context of the function of these personality features for the identity development of male-to-female transsexuals.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Isolation of expressed sequence tags of skeletal muscle of neonatal healthy and splay leg piglets and mapping by somatic cell hybrid analysis.

We have isolated 14 differentially displayed and 10 further expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from Musculus biceps femoris of newborn healthy and splay leg piglets. By comparison with EMBL/GenBank data we could identify nine porcine homologues to human genes (TATA box binding protein associated factor B TAF1B; B-cell CLL/lymphoma 7B BCL7B; pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, isoenzyme 4 PDK4; ribosomal protein S10 RPS10; SPARC-like 1 SPARCL1; epithelial protein lost in neoplasm beta EPLIN; N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 NDRG2; pleiomorphic adenoma gene like 2 PLAGL and, BCL-2 associated transcription factor short form BTFS). Eight fragments correspond to uncharacterized ESTs and 7 ESTs had no significant match with database sequences. These data provide the first expression profiles in skeletal muscle of neonatal piglets and are a basis for candidate gene investigations for congenital splay leg in piglets. Eleven ESTs were physically mapped to porcine chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10 and contribute to the comparative map of humans and pigs.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Results of a double-blind, randomized study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Antibiophilus in patients with radiation-induced diarrhoea.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Gastrointestinal toxicity is frequently observed during radiotherapy for malignancies in the abdomen and pelvis. This study was performed to determine the efficacy and tolerability of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (Antibiophilus) in comparison to placebo in a double-blind trial design. Its aim was to determine any clinically relevant difference between Antibiophilus and placebo in terms of efficacy in patients suffering from mild to moderate diarrhoea induced by radiation therapy. METHODS: The study was performed in two radiotherapy units in Hungary; the results are based on the data for 206 recruited patients. RESULTS: Based on statistical analysis, Antibiophilus patients showed superiority with respect to the number of bowel movements (P < 0.10) and faeces consistency ratings by the investigators (P < 0.05) at the study end. Statistical analysis of the patients' self-ratings with regard to diarrhoea grade and faeces consistency showed a statistically highly significant treatment-by-time interaction (P < 0.001) which was supported by the evidence of tendencies or P values below the nominal 5% level in the second half of this study. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, there was a highly favourable benefit/risk ratio in favour of Antibiophilus.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗
PubMed2000

Myelodysplastic syndrome at a large tertiary care community hospital: analysis according to the international prognostic scoring system.

The outcome of patients diagnosed myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) between 1990 and 1997 from William Beaumont Hospital (WBH) was analyzed according to the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) risk categorization. A retrospective study of 195 MDS patients wa s performed. Seventy-nine patients with MDS, in whom a karyotype was obtained and with an adequate follow-up were included in the final analysis. Cases of proliferative CMML (WBC > 12x10(9)/l) were excluded from the study. The overall median survival was 3.1 years, and median survival stratified by IPSS was 3.4, 4.1 and 0.5 years for the INT-1, INT-2 and high risk group and not yet reached for the low risk group. The overall survival by IPSS subcategorization were 6.88, 5.29, 5.30 and 2.12 years for the low, INT-1, INT-2, and high risk groups respectively. Cytogenetics were significant in predicting the overall survival. The IPSS score stratified patients into risk categories for development of AML. The risk of development into AML was 8, 8, 33 and 54% for the low, INT-1, INT-2 and high risk groups, respectively. We conclude that IPSS score can be useful in predicting survival and AML evolution in some MDS patients.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

Real-time interactive virtual endoscopy of the tracheo-bronchial system: influence of CT imaging protocols and observer ability.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of different spiral CT examination protocols suitable for clinical use on image quality and to assess the observer dependence in interactive real-time virtual bronchoscopy. METHODS AND PATIENTS: Real-time perspective volume rendering of the airways in twenty normal patients based on four different spiral CT examination protocols was evaluated by four observers in regard to the order of depictable bronchi. RESULTS: Best results were obtained using an examination protocol with a small beam collimation and a maximum pitch. Depending on the observer's ability to control the fly path and the orientation of the bronchi with respect to the slice plane up to sixth order bronchi could be depicted. Inter-observer variability was up to two branching orders. CONCLUSION: The performance of virtual bronchoscopy strongly depends on the applied CT examination protocol and the observers experience with perspective volume rendering. Both of which have to be taken into account when virtual bronchoscopy is compared with fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Spiral computed tomography before and after cricothyroid approximation.

Cricothyroid approximation raises the vocal pitch by simulating the contraction of the cricothyroid muscle with sutures. The aim of this study was to determine the role of spiral computed tomography (CT) in patients scheduled for cricothyroid approximation. Twenty-nine transsexual patients were examined with spiral CT before and after laryngoplastic surgery. Computed tomography findings were correlated with phoniatric findings in all patients. The average reduction of the cricothyroid distance was 6 mm (range 2-10 mm). The vocal pitch elevation was more remarkable in the patient group with greater reduction of the cricothyroid distance. Computed tomography accurately determines the cricothyroid distance before and after surgery and is an ideal method for follow-up purposes, especially when there is a postoperative reversion towards a lower pitch. In addition, CT provides important data as to the most appropriate extent and site of intracordal intervention to be done for a desired pitch elevation.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Value of spiral CT in patients with cricothyroid approximation.

Cricothyroid approximation raises the vocal pitch by simulating contraction of the cricothyroid muscle with sutures. The aim of this study was to determine the role of spiral CT in patients scheduled for cricothyroid approximation. 29 transsexual patients were examined with spiral CT prior to and after laryngoplastic surgery. CT findings were correlated with phonographic findings in all patients. The average reduction of the cricothyroid distance was 6 mm (range 2-10 mm). Vocal pitch elevation was greatest in patients with the largest reduction of the cricothyroid distance. CT accurately determines the cricothyroid distance prior to and after surgery and is an ideal method for follow-up, especially in post-operative reversion towards a lower pitch. In addition, CT provides important data in determining the most appropriate extent and site of intracordal intervention to achieve a desired pitch elevation.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Studies toward the biomimetic synthesis of tropolone natural products via a hetero Diels-Alder reaction.

Analogues of the tropolone natural products pycnidione and epolone B were synthesized via a hetero Diels-Alder reaction of benzotropolone 10 with humulene. The quinone methide benzotropolone 13 was generated in situ by thermalisation of benzotropolone 10. Benzotropolone 10 was derived from phthalic acid via carbonyl ylide 8a followed by an intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition and subsequent acid-catalyzed ring opening.

Fungi↗
PubMed1999

[Unusual intra-extracranial extension of meningioma of the lateral skull base].

Extracranial meningiomas are rare tumors of the lateral skull base. A 37-year-old woman presented with tinnitus und progressive hearing loss of her right ear. A painful mass lesion was also palpable in her mandibular angle. CT and MRI scans revealed an intracranial mass with extension to the lateral skull base. These findings suggested the occurrence of a paraganglioma or meningioma. In a two-stage surgical procedure tumor was extirpated without functional impairment to the patient. Histology of the excised lesion demonstrated an endotheliomatous meningioma. Since an extracranial meningioma can present as a mass lesion of the lateral skull base, CT and MRI scans are essential in preoperative surgical planning.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Glomus tumor of the nose].

Between May 1995 and March 1996 we were able to diagnose and remove glomus tumors of the left nasal cavity from three female patients. Ages of the patients were 9, 36 and 74 years. All patients suffered from a frequent epistaxis and all were extremely sensitive to the slightest nasal touch. One patient reported breathing difficulties due to nasal congestion. Examination revealed a tumor that filled the entire nasal cavity. The method of choice in treatment of these tumors is surgical removal. Hemangiopericytoma, non-chromaffin paraganglioma, hidradenoma, cavernous hemangioma and nevus cell nevi have to be excluded by histology and immunohistochemical techniques. From a clinical perspective the bleeding septal polyp (granuloma telangiectaticum sive pyogenicum sive pediculatum) has to be considered because it often comes from Kieselbachi's plexus, has a mushroom-like appearance and bleeds slightly.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Risks of upper eyelid gold implantation in peripheral facial paralysis].

Peripheral facial paresis is often accompanied by incomplete closure of the eyelids and may lead to varying degrees of keratopathy. Conservative therapeutic measures are often not sufficient. To achieve better lid closure tarsorraphy has been the primary method of treatment but has certain functional and cosmetic drawbacks for the patient. Alternatively gold weight implants have been used to close the upper lid by the force of gravity and if needed can be combined with further reconstructive facial surgery. From May 1994 to January 1997 29 patients with peripheral facial paralysis were treated with gold weight upper lid implants. Postoperative closure of the lids was sufficient in all cases, and there was a statistically significant decrease in lagophthalmos and improvement in keratopathy. Complications observed included ptosis (n = 5), cosmetically unacceptable bulging of the gold implant (n = 5), extrusion of the implant (n = 1) and the development of a low-grade corneal astigmatism (n = 7). In all cases of astigmatism correction was achieved by the fitting of cylinder glasses. In all, functional results achieved showed that the gold implant was superior to the cosmetically bothersome tarsorraphy.

Adult↗