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Biomedical subjects

M Wouters

Publications and source records attributed to M Wouters.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Formation of molecules near a Feshbach resonance in a 1D optical lattice.

We study the molecular behavior of two atoms interacting near a Feshbach resonance in the presence of a 1D periodic potential. The critical value of the scattering length needed to produce a molecule and the binding energy at resonance are calculated as a function of the intensity of the periodic potential. Because of the non-separability of the center of mass and relative motion, the binding energy depends on the quasimomentum of the molecule. This has dramatic consequences on the molecular tunneling properties, which become strongly dependent on the scattering length.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

A comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of meloxicam and diclofenac in the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of meloxicam compared with diclofenac in patients with osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. SUBJECTS: 229 patients with radiologically confirmed osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. TREATMENT AND METHODS: Once-daily meloxicam 7.5 mg tablet or diclofenac 100 mg slow release tablet. Efficacy and tolerability parameters were assessed at baseline and after 3, 7 and 14 days of treatment. RESULTS: The two drugs had equal short-term efficacy, with pain on motion of lumbar spine significantly (p<0.05) decreased at Day 3. Secondary efficacy variables were also significantly improved at Days 3, 7 and 14. There were no statistically significant differences between the two drugs, although the global tolerability of meloxicam was significantly better than for diclofenac, as assessed by the investigators (p = 0.0072) and the patients (p = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Meloxicam and diclofenac were equivalent in relieving the acute pain associated with osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. However, meloxicam was much better tolerated.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

External irradiation versus external irradiation plus endobronchial brachytherapy in inoperable non-small cell lung cancer: a prospective randomized study.

PURPOSE: No randomized studies are available on the additional value of endobronchial brachytherapy (EBB) to external irradiation (XRT) regarding palliation of respiratory symptoms (RS). A prospective randomized study was initiated to test the hypothesis that the addition of EBB to XRT provides higher levels of palliation of dyspnea and other RS and improvement of quality of life (QoL) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with endobronchial tumour. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with previously untreated NSCLC, stages I-IIIb, WHO-performance status of 0-3 and with biopsy proven endobronchial tumour in the proximal airways were eligible. EBB consisted of two fractions of 7.5 Gy at 1 cm on day 1 and 8. XRT started at day 2. The XRT dose was 30 Gy (2 weeks) or 60 Gy (6 weeks). The EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-LC13 were assessed before treatment and 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment. Re-expansion of collapsed lung was tested by the inspiratory vital capacity (IVC) and CT scan of the chest. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients were randomized between arm 1 (XRT alone) (n=48) or arm 2 (XRT+EBB) (n=47). The arms were well balanced regarding pre-treatment characteristics and QoL scores. The compliance for QoL-assessment was >90% at all times. No significant difference between the trial arms was observed with respect to response of dyspnea. However, a beneficial effect of EBB was noted concerning the mean scores of dyspnea over time (P=0.02), which lasted for 3 months. This benefit was only observed among patients with an obstructing tumour of the main bronchus. A higher rate of re-expansion of collapsed lung was observed in arm 2 (57%) compared to arm 1 (35%) (P=0.01). The inspiratory vital capacity (IVC) assessed 2 weeks after radiotherapy improved with 493 cm(3) in arm 2 and decreased 50 cm(3) in arm 1 (P=0.03). No difference was noted regarding the incidence of massive haemoptysis (13 vs. 15%). CONCLUSION: The addition of EBB to XRT in NSCLC is safe and provides higher rates of re-expansion of collapsed lung resulting in a transient lower levels of dyspnea. This beneficial effect was only observed among patients with obstructing tumours in the main bronchus.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

The prognostic impact of quality of life assessed with the EORTC QLQ-C30 in inoperable non-small cell lung carcinoma treated with radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the prognostic significance of pretreatment quality of life (QoL) scores and symptom scores in a group of patients treated with high dose radiotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 198 patients treated with external irradiation (>/=60 Gy) were included. In all these patients, baseline QoL was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30. The prognostic significance of a number of non-QoL and QoL parameters with regard to survival was estimated in both univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: In a multivariate model including the non-QoL parameters, performance status, weight loss and N-classification were independent prognostic factors for survival. After entering the QoL parameters in the model, global QoL was the strongest prognostic factor, while performance status lost its significance. Subsequently, a significant interaction term was found between N-classification and global QoL, indicating that global QoL was an independent prognostic factor but that the effect varied as a function of N-status. In N+ patients, the median survival in the group with low scores for global QoL was 4.5 months, which was significantly worse (P<0.0001) compared with the high score group in which the median survival was 12.9 months. CONCLUSION: Global QoL is a strong prognostic factor for survival in patients with NSCLC who have pathological lymph nodes at presentation and who are treated with radical or curative radiotherapy.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2000

Cell proliferation and apoptosis in stage III inoperable non-small cell lung carcinoma treated by radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the prognostic value of the expression of p53 and bcl-2, the apoptotic index and the expression of topoisomerase II alpha in patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with high dose radiotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A number of 161 patients with inoperable NSCLC treated with high dose radiotherapy (60 Gy) were included. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to assess the expression of nuclear p53-protein, topoisomerase II alpha and cytoplasmatic expression of bcl-2, while spontaneous apoptosis was assessed using in situ labeling. The minimal follow up period was 2 years. RESULTS: Local control did not only depend on the presence of p53 expression, but also on the proportion of p53 positive cells. The most important prognostic factor was the apoptotic index. A high apoptotic index was associated with worse local control, more distant metastases and a significantly worse overall survival. No association was noted between the expression of bcl-2 and topoisomerase II alpha with any of the endpoints. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that p53 expression and the apoptotic index are prognostic factors with regard to local control in patients with inoperable NSCLC treated with radiotherapy and by combining these 2 factors, a clinically relevant estimation of the local control probability can be made. The apoptotic index turned out to be the only factor significantly related to survival.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Prophylactic use of alfacalcidol in corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis.

One hundred and forty-five patients suffering from diseases requiring long-term treatment with high doses of corticosteroids (30 mg/day or greater of prednisolone) were recruited to the study. Patients had to be steroid naive on entry to the study (not more than 15 days of treatment with a corticosteroid within the previous 24 months). Patients were randomized to receive either 1 microgram/day alfacalcidol or placebo capsules for 12 months. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine was assessed by dual-photon absorptiometry on entry and after 3, 6 and 12 months' treatment. Safety was monitored by the recording of all adverse events reported by patients and the regular screening of blood samples for hematology and serum biochemistry. Of the 145 patients, 74 were randomized to alfacalcidol and 71 to placebo. The treatment groups were well matched at baseline with no significant differences in demographic, clinical or biochemical parameters. The mean equivalent dose of prednisolone at baseline was 46.6 mg/day and 46.3 mg/day for the alfacalcidol and placebo group respectively. From the 145 patients randomized to treatment, 71 (38 who received alfacalcidol and 33 who received placebo) provided BMD data both at baseline and at 3, 6 and 12 months. The percentage change in BMD after 6 months' treatment was -2.11% in the alfacalcidol group and -4.00% in the placebo group (p = 0.39). After 12 months the percentage change in BMD was +0.39% (CI: -4.28 to 4.81) in the alfacalcidol group and -5.67% (CI: -8.13 to -3.21) in the placebo group, this difference (6.06%, CI: 0.88 to 11.24) being statistically significant (p = 0.02). An intention to treat analysis also showed a significant difference between the two treatment groups in alfacalcidol's favor (3.81%, p = 0.01; CI: 0.92 to 6.70). There was no significant difference between the two treatment groups in the corticosteroid dose at any time point during the study. Serum calcium was measured throughout and there were no significant differences between the two treatment groups at any visit. This study suggests that alfacalcidol can prevent corticosteroid-induced bone loss from the lumbar spine. Long-term use of alfacalcidol was not associated with any significant adverse effects in this diverse group of patients.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1999

Relation between differences in electromyographic adaptations during static contractions and the muscle function.

This study determines whether changes in the EMG values of two important muscles of the shoulder and neck region, the anterior deltoid and the upper trapezius, are due to changes in torque production or due to fatigue processes during sustained activity. Contractions at 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% MVC were performed during a flexion of the arm in the sagittal plane at 90 degrees, to examine the relation between torque and EMG. A sustained contraction at 20% MVC was performed to endurance point in the same position. RMS, a new parameter called activity, (ACT), and MPF of the deltoid anterior and the upper trapezius were analysed. The amplitude values correlated highly with increasing torque production, both for the deltoid muscle (range r = 0.95-0.96), and the trapezius muscle (range r = 0.83-0.87), whereas no significant difference was found for MPF. For the endurance task, the decrease in MPF was far more pronounced for the deltoid than for the trapezius, whereas the opposite occurred with RMS (P < or = 0.01). Furthermore, there was no significant difference over time for the ACT values of the deltoid, whereas there were significant increases in ACT for the trapezius (P < or = 0.01). The RMS/ACT ratio correlated highly (r = 0.81) with the MPF. Regression coefficients of these parameters differed significantly for the trapezius muscle but not for the deltoid muscle. Therefore, the RMS/ACT ratio may be extremely important in analysing the fatigue effects during sustained efforts, independent of torque variations, which can influence indicators of fatigue.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Evaluation of quantitative ultrasound and dual X-Ray absorptiometry measurements in women with and without fractures.

Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is considered a gold standard for bone measurements in the assessment of osteoporosis. Other techniques such as quantitative ultrasound (QUS) are promising to detect patients with osteoporosis-related fractures and to predict fracture risk. In this cross-sectional retrospective study, we analyzed the behavior of QUS and DXA measurements alone and in combination with regard to the presence of fractures in 320 women, 147 with nontraumatic fractures. Speed of sound (SOS), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), and a third parameter derived from SOS and BUA called stiffness were measured at the calcaneus using an Achilles device (Lunar, Madison, WI). Lumbar (BMDL) and hip (BMDH( bone mineral density were measured by DXA (Hologic QDR 1000, Waltham, MA). Mean SOS, BUA, stiffness, and BMDL and BMDH were significantly lower in women with fractures compared with women without fractures. Logistic regression adjusted for age identified stiffness as the parameter most strongly associated with the presence of fracture: its sensitivity was 54% and specificity 70%. Hip BMD was second, with a sensitivity of 54% and a specificity of 69%. Combining QUS and DXA measurements did not improve the specificity nor the sensitivity. There was no difference in the odds ratios with regard to the technique that was chosen for bone assessment. In conclusion, these results suggest that low QUS measurements are associated with the presence of fractures in a way similar to DXA. In our study, the combination of QUS and DXA did not improve the discrimination of women with fractures.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1995

Increased renal parenchymal echogenicity in ifosfamide-induced renal Fanconi syndrome.

Three children who presented with a Fanconi syndrome induced by the chemotherapeutic drug ifosfamide were found to have renal abnormalities on sonogram examinations. Renal echographic changes consisted in hyperechogenicity of the parenchyma with good corticomedullar differentiation. After discontinuation of the chemotherapy, the serum and urine metabolic abnormalities due to proximal tubulopathy were completely or greatly improved. Imaging studies at that time showed a complete resolution of the renal hyperechogenicity. We suggest that in patients exposed to ifosfamide, renal sonogram may be of value to monitor the tubular toxicity of this drug. In these patients, urine and serum monitoring as well as prospective echographic follow-up kidney abnormalities may lead to earlier detection of ifosfamide-induced Fanconi syndrome as well as earlier detection of disease reversibility.

Child↗
PubMed1995

Quantitative ultrasound bone measurements: normal values and comparison with bone mineral density by dual X-ray absorptiometry.

Normative data for qualitative ultrasound (QUS) measurements: speed of sound (SOS), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), and stiffness were established in 118 healthy women aged 20-86 years and in 42 healthy men aged 22-76 years. The relations between age, weight, height, and QUS were studied. QUS measurements were negatively correlated with age in both sexes. In women, age was accepted as first factor (R2 = 0.39 for SOS, 0.35 for BUA, and 0.45 for stiffness, P < 0.001); weight was accepted as second factor for BUA (R2 = 0.44, P < 0.001). In men, age was the only significant parameter (R2 = 0.41 for SOS, 0.39 for BUA, 0.43 for stiffness, P < 0.001). QUS measurements of the right and left feet were highly correlated unless unilateral foot pathology such as algodystrophy was present. Significant correlations were found between QUS of the calcaneus and dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the lumbar spine (R = 0.67, P < 0.01 for SOS; R = 0.57, P < 0.02 for BUA; R = 0.65, P < 0.01 for stiffness).

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1994

Factors influencing the risk of abnormal pregnancy outcome in epileptic women: a multi-centre prospective study.

We studied pregnancy outcome in preconceptionally recruited epileptic and control women in a multi-centre prospective non-intervention study at two university hospitals and three general hospitals. We evaluated 225 singleton pregnancies: 119 pregnancies of epileptic women who received either antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) (n = 99) or not (n = 20), and 106 pregnancies of controls. The main outcome measures were abnormal pregnancy outcome: major and minor congenital malformations, ectopic pregnancies, abortions; neonatal headcircumference; birth weight and birth length. Epileptic women had a two-fold risk of having an abnormal pregnancy outcome or an infant with minor malformations compared to healthy controls (odds ratio, with 95% confidence interval, respectively 2.1 (1.1, 4.0) and 2.0 (1.0, 4.0)). A significant correlation between the prevalence of abnormal pregnancy outcome and duration of epilepsy and AED treatment was found (risk increased by 9% (6%, 16%) per annum). No significant effect in terms of the type, the number or the serum level of the AEDs could be established. The head circumference of infants of epileptic mothers was significantly smaller (0.7 (1.2, 0.28 cm) compared to controls. An effect on the outcome of pregnancy of maternal folate supplementation or of folate blood concentrations during the periconceptional period and first trimester of pregnancy could not be determined. The severity of maternal epilepsy and/or AED treatment influences pregnancy outcome.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1992

The effect of nasal hCT on bone turnover in Paget's disease of bone--implications for the treatment of other metabolic bone diseases.

Thirty pagetic patients were treated for 6 months with a daily nasal application of 2 mg of synthetic human calcitonin (hCT). Serum alkaline phosphatases (SAP) and urinary hydroxyproline/creatinine ratio (OH/Cr), reflecting bone turnover, were significantly reduced from the first month of treatment (mean +/- SEM: SAP, -13.9 +/- 2.2%; OH/Cr, -22.2 +/- 5.8%; both P less than 0.01) and until the end of the 6-month course (mean +/- SEM: SAP, -29.7 +/- 4.6%; OH/Cr, -22.5 +/- 5.9%; both P less than 0.01). Nasal hCT was perfectly tolerated both locally and systemically. These results allow us to consider nasal hCT for long-term trials in metabolic bone diseases characterized by a relative increase of bone resorption.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1989

Yersinia enterocolitica in donor blood: a case report and review.

Routine sterility control of a unit of leukocyte-depleted erythrocyte concentrate yielded growth of Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O:3. Plasma of the donor showed a high titer of agglutinins against the homologous organism. Although the donor was apparently well at the time of donation, he had a history of protracted terminal ileitis treated by surgery. The recipient of the contaminated blood was taking broad-spectrum antibiotics and did not experience any adverse effect. Fourteen other cases of transfusion-associated yersiniosis have been reported.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Absence of behavioral differences between male and female rats in different radial-maze procedures.

Male and female Wistar rats were exposed to different radial-maze procedures to determine whether or not behavioral differences would be observed. They were allowed free access to all arms of the maze in the first experimental condition, while they were confined between choices to the central platform for 1 and 15 sec during the second and third experimental conditions. In addition, separate, experimentally naive groups of males and females were exposed to the 15 sec confinement procedure. Female and male Wistar rats required an equal number of choices and equal amounts of time to successfully complete visits to eight different arms in all experimental conditions, whether they were experienced or not. Performance improved as training progressed. The results of the present experiments suggest that the previously observed behavioral differences between the sexes in different complex maze procedures, may not be a function of differences in visuospatial abilities, but of activity differences, which interact with the behavioral requirements of different experimental procedures.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1981

Immunological delineation in normal and malignant cells of a membrane protein involved in glucose transport. II. Function of the antigen.

A review of the literature suggested that the antigen detected by the M/27 antibody described in the preceding paper might be involved in the transport of glucose across the cell membrane. This idea was tested by measuring the amount of M/27 antibody bound to cells under a range of conditions known to influence the rate of glucose uptake. Glucose starvation and the administration of insulin under appropriate conditions are known to increase the Vmax for glucose uptake in certain cells, and high cell density in vitro is known to decrease the Vmax. Glucose starvation was found to increase the amount of M/27 antigen present on the surface of 2 malignant cell lines, but produced no detectable change in 5 different non-malignant cell types. Insulin increased the amount of M/27 antigen on the surface of both malignant and non-malignant cells. At high cell density, the amount of M/27 antigen present on the cell surface decreased. The changes in the Vmax for glucose uptake produced by these manipulations have been shown not to require the synthesis of protein. This was also found to be true for the changes in M/27 antigen concentration. By disrupting cells in detergent, it could be shown that there was an intracellular pool of M/27 antigen. The total amount of M/27 antigen in the cell was found to be about 4 times as large as the amount of the antigen on the cell surface. This figure agrees with the value given in the literature for the size of the intracellular pool of the glucose transport system. The amount of M/27 antigen on the cell surface was found to vary during the cell cycle. A dramatic increase occurred early in S phase.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Immunological delineation in normal and malignant cells of a membrane protein involved in glucose transport. I. Preparation and properties of the antibody.

Partially purified preparations of the 200000 Mr membrane glycoprotein described by Bramwell & Harris were used as antigens to generate monoclonal antibodies. Whether the protein was prepared from human or mouse tumours, the mice immunized with it yielded monoclonal antibodies of broadly similar specificities. All the antibodies obtained were of the immunoglobulin M class, despite a prolonged immunization schedule, and recognized an antigen that was present on the surface of mouse, rat and human cells. One such antibody, M/27, was studied in detail. With the exception of 2 rat kidney cell lines, the antigen detected by M/27 was found on the surface of all cells grown in culture, whether malignant or not. However, in the mouse, the species in which the antibody was generated, M/27 discriminated sharply between malignant tumours and normal tissues excised directly from the animal. In normal adult or embryonic mouse tissues, whether they were composed of multiplying cells or not, the antigen detected by M/27 was present on the cell surface only at the lower limit of detection, if at all. Malignant mouse tumours grown in the animal produced large amounts of the antigen. Explantation of embryonic mouse fibroblasts induced the expression of the antigen, which was not detected on these same cells in their normal habitat in the growing embryo. Conversely, non-malignant cells that express the antigen in vitro cease to do so when they are re-introduced into the animal. The antigenic determinant appeared to be polypeptide in nature rather than polysaccharide.

Animals↗