PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Nelle

Publications and source records attributed to M Nelle.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Ultrasonographical investigations of onchocerciasis in Liberia.

The efficiency of ultrasonography (US) for the diagnosis and clinical characterization of onchocerciasis was evaluated. US was performed on 120 probands in Liberia. Ninety-two patients had generalized onchocerciasis, 21 patients suffered from the chronic hyperreactive form of onchocerciasis (sowda), and 7 probands served as controls. Patients were examined by US with linear (7.5 MHz and 5 MHz) and sector (3.5 MHz) scanners. US results were evaluated by examination of extirpated nodules. The US structure of nodules revealed a typical pattern consisting of a homogeneous echogenicity with small echodense particles and a lateral acoustic shadow, and differentiation from lymph nodes, lipoma, or fibroma was achieved. Within the onchocercomata, calcifications or fluid were identified. Regarding the estimation of the worm burden, it is important to note that in 24 patients, additional nodules not previously palpated were found by US. Also, the number of worm centers in palpable conglomerate nodules were determined more exactly by US than by palpation. In 4 of 16 sowda patients, impalpable nodules were found by US. In 13 patients with positive microfilaria counts, no nodules could be detected. The highly characteristic ultrasonographical pattern of onchocercomata may serve as a basis for further US investigations in onchocerciasis.

Adolescent↗

Carotenoid supply in breast-fed and formula-fed neonates.

UNLABELLED: Carotenoids have various biological functions including their role as antioxidants. For humans fruits and vegetables are the only source of carotenoids. In the first months breast milk and/or formula preparations are the only nutrition for infants. To study the influence of nutrition on the plasma carotenoid profile in newborns, breast milk, different formula preparations, and the plasma of breast-fed (BF) and formula-fed (FF) newborns were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The method used allowed beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lycopene, and beta-cryptoxanthine to be detected and all four were found in breast milk. In colostrum carotenoids were up to five times higher than in mature breast milk (P<0.05). In contrast, not all carotenoids could be found in formula preparations. Beta-carotene was detected in four out of eight, and beta-cryptoxanthine in three out of eight formula preparations. Lycopene and alpha-carotene were not detectable in any of the formula preparations. Four formula preparations did not contain any carotenoids. FF infants had different plasma carotenoid profiles compared to BF infants. beta-carotene was significantly lower in FF infants [14 (0-32) microg/l, median and interquartile ranges] than in infants after birth [24 (19-310) microg/l, P<0.05], and BF infants [32 (22-63) microg/l, P<0.05]. While newborns after birth had measurable plasma concentrations of lycopene (16 [14-18] microg/l) and of alpha-carotene [5 (0-8) microg/l), these carotenoids were no longer detectable in FF infants after day 14. CONCLUSION: FF and BF infants show significant biochemical differences in plasma carotenoid concentrations.

Antioxidants↗

[Incidence of typical nephrocalcinosis ultrasound findings in premature infants during enteral calcium and phosphate administration].

Supplementation of calcium and phosphate is recommended in nutrition of low birth weight infants to ensure a physiological development of postnatal bone mineralisation. To investigate whether high dose calcium supplementation increases the risk of renal calcification in preterm infants, serial ultrasound examinations were performed in 30 preterm infants (gestational age 29.5 (26-35) weeks; birth weight 1382 (610-2010) g) before, during and after oral calcium and phosphate supplementation. Total calcium input was on average 3.1 mmol/kg/d, total phosphate input on average 2.1 mmol/kg/d). All children showed normal kidney ultrasound before entering the study. During mineral supplementation three children developed hyperechoic renal medullary pyramids, the typical ultrasound pattern of nephrocalcinosis. Supplementation was stopped immediately and pathologic ultrasound patterns disappeared in all 3 children.

Calcium, Dietary↗