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Biomedical subjects

P C Scriba

Publications and source records attributed to P C Scriba.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Error ratio in International Classification of Diseases coding and implementation of the nursing personnel regulation of the Health Organization Law].

Since 1 January, 1993, it has been a legal requirement to enter, for identification of the main diagnosis, the appropriate code from the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) on the documentation forms of the Nursing Personnel Regulation as prescribed under the (German Federal Government's) Health Organization Law. This study was undertaken to analyse the frequency of errors in this coding and the reasons for it. The data of the Nursing Personnel Regulations during the first 6 months of 1993 were compared with the corresponding entries in the diagnostic archives. In 671 of 2308 analysed forms (29%) coding errors were discovered. The rate of errors was especially high in the areas of cardiology (39%), angiology (37%), nephrology (36%) and neurology (35%). However, a high percentage of the wrong codings for cardiological and nephrological diseases were still within the same diagnostic field.--These findings indicate that, to ensure quality, those doctors who do the coding should be fully informed about the potential consequences regarding staffing of such errors. All coding must be done by experienced doctors, be locally checked and, if technically possible, compared with the diagnostic archive entries. Also, the registration of only one main diagnosis is not sensible in the case of patients with multi-organ disease.

Disease↗

[Detection, localization and modulation of hyaluronic acid/CD44 receptor expression in patients with endocrine orbitopathy].

Accumulation of hyaluronic acid within the orbital tissues represents a histological hallmark of Graves' ophthalmopathy. The hyaluronic acid/CD44-receptor plays a key role in the binding and metabolism of hyaluronic acid, and affects numerous cellular functions of potential relevance to the pathogenesis of Graves' ophthalmopathy, including cell proliferation, migration, and adhesive interactions between connective tissue components and immunocompetent cells. Using a highly sensitive immunoperoxidase technique and monoclonal antibodies directed against the standard CD44 molecule, we examined the expression and modulation of hyaluronic acid/CD44 receptors in cryostat sections of orbital biopsy specimens derived from patients with severe Graves' ophthalmopathy and normal individuals. Modulation of CD44 by cytokines and affinity-purified IgGs derived from patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy was studied in extracts of fibroblast monolayers following stimulation in vitro, using SDS-polyacrylamid gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. Strong immunoreactivity for CD44 was present in all specimens derived from patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy and was detected in fibroblasts residing in retroorbital connective tissue, in extracellular matrix components and in mononuclear cell infiltrates. By contrast, in normal orbital specimens, CD44 immunoreactivity was faint and present only in occasional connective tissue cells. Recombinant IL-1 alpha, TNF alpha, IGF-1 and GO-IgGs significantly stimulated CD44 expression in Graves' retroocular fibroblasts (range: 168 to 588%; all p < 0.05). By contrast, EGF, IL-6, control IgGs and 15% fetal calf serum failed to alter CD44 expression. Treatment of monolayers with IFN gamma resulted in weak inhibition of CD44 expression. In conclusion, the hyaluronic acid/CD44 receptor is expressed at elevated levels in Graves' orbital connective tissue in situ.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biopsy↗

The relationship between insulin binding, insulin activation of insulin-receptor tyrosine kinase, and insulin stimulation of glucose uptake in isolated rat adipocytes. Effects of isoprenaline.

We have studied the relationship between insulin activation of insulin-receptor kinase and insulin stimulation of glucose uptake in isolated rat adipocytes. Glucose uptake was half-maximally or maximally stimulated, respectively, when only 4% or 14% of the maximal kinase activity had been reached. To investigate this relationship also under conditions where the insulin effect on activation of receptor kinase was decreased, the adipocytes were exposed to 10 microM-isoprenaline alone or with 5 micrograms of adenosine deaminase/ml. An approx. 30% (isoprenaline) or approx. 50% (isoprenaline + adenosine deaminase) decrease in the insulin effect on receptor kinase activity was found at insulin concentrations between 0.4 and 20 ng/ml, and this could not be explained by decreased insulin binding. The decreased insulin-effect on kinase activity was closely correlated with a loss of insulin-sensitivity of glucose uptake. Moreover, our data indicate that the relation between receptor kinase activity and glucose uptake (expressed as percentage of maximal uptake) remained unchanged. The following conclusions were drawn. (1) If activation of receptor kinase stimulates glucose uptake, only 14% of the maximal kinase activity is sufficient for maximal stimulation. (2) Isoprenaline decreases the coupling efficiency between insulin binding and receptor-kinase activation, this being accompanied by a corresponding decrease in sensitivity of glucose uptake. (3) Our data indicate that the signalling for glucose uptake is closely related to receptor-kinase activity, even when the coupling efficiency between insulin binding and kinase activation is altered. They thus support the hypothesis that receptor-kinase activity reflects the signal which originates from the receptor and which is transduced to the glucose-transport system.

3-O-Methylglucose↗

Clinical evaluation of decision support system for insulin-dose adjustment in IDDM.

OBJECTIVE: We developed a wallet-sized learning memory decision support system that helps patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus adjust their insulin dosages. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: To determine the efficacy of the support system, we designed a randomized clinical trial with patients participating in a program in a diabetes education center. Patients were assigned to two groups of 21 patients each. All patients performed self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and were treated with multiple daily injections of insulin. Each of the patients was examined over a 32-day period. The basic educational program, i.e., practical advice in SMBG, diet, and exercise under homelike conditions, was identical in both groups. The only difference was that the first group used the computer for adjusting the insulin dose, whereas the second group received recommendations from the education team. RESULTS: The baseline HbA1 levels (9.8 +/- 1.6 vs. 9.9 +/- 1.6%) of both groups did not differ significantly. Mean blood glucose over the last 2 wk of the study was higher (P less than 0.01) in the second group (8.4 +/- 1.4 vs. 9.2 +/- 2.0 mM); the frequencies of hypoglycemic episodes were not different (1.7 vs. 2.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic control and safety were comparable in both groups. Thus, patients may benefit from such a system at home where no support by diabetes educators is available.

Adult↗

[Effect of demographic changes on the case rate and days of care for hospitalized internal medicine patients].

Using case categories at the Center for Internal Medicine of the Medical University at Lübeck and predictions of future population trends by the German Federal Statistical Office, likely future numbers of inpatients and days of hospital stay were calculated. Assuming other conditions remaining constant, an annual rise of 0.9% of medical cases is to be expected until the year 2005. An increase above this average is expected for cases of cardiovascular and respiratory disease and of malignant neoplasms, while it will be below average for renal or gastrointestinal diseases. These data are similar to comparable projections made, on the basis of Federal statistics, of hospital cases registered with local health insurance schemes. In addition they indicate an increase of 3% for all non-paediatric admissions up to 2005.

Age Factors↗

Thyroid growth stimulating activity in highly purified IgG-fractions of patients with nonimmune thyroid diseases.

Two different proliferation assays have been used to measure the proliferative potential of IgG-fractions from 57 patients with nontoxic goiter of an iodine-deficient area: primary human thyroid epithelial cells (TEC) and the thouroughly investigated FRTL-5 cell line. IgG-fractions from patients with nontoxic goiter (n = 30), nontoxic recurrent goiter (n = 8), toxic-nodular goiter (n = 15) and carcinoma of the thyroid (n = 4) were highly purified on DEAE-Sepharose and additionally Protein A-Sepharose in some cases. The two proliferation assays gave contradictory results: primary cultures of human thyroid epithelial cells (TEC) could not be stimulated by any of the patient's IgG-fractions nor by bTSH. The FRTL-5 cells, however, were stimulated with 10 microU/ml bTSH by 326% +/- 96% (range: 222% - 497%, p less than 0.001). In one experimental series, 72% of all patients exceeded mean + 2 SD of normal controls, when the stimulation index was referred to the effect of bTSH (NTG: 77%, Rec. G.: 88%, Tox. G.: 53%, Ca. thyroid: 75%). With a different method of calculation - stimulation index referred to the basal value - the number of patients above mean + 2 SD of normal controls decreased to 30% (NTG: 33%, Rec. G.: 12.5%, Tox. G.: 33%, Ca. thyroid: 25%). Statistical analysis, however, of results of different patient groups compared to the normal control group failed to show any significance.

Adolescent↗

Ultrasonography related to clinical and laboratory findings in lymphocytic thyroiditis.

The value of ultrasonography compared with established diagnostic procedures was investigated by reviewing medical records of 92 patients (88 women and 4 men, age 11-81 years, mean age 47) with lymphocytic thyroiditis. Clinical manifestations of the disease and serum antimicrosomal antibodies and TSH were determined in all patients. The thyroid was examined by ultrasound. Both lobes were aspirated by a fine needle under sonographic control and smears examined cytologically. A total of 27 (29.3%) patients had no clinical symptoms. Antimicrosomal antibodies were undetable in 12 (13%) patients, 16 (17.4%) had low titres 1:32-) 1:100, and 64 (69.6%) greater than or equal to 1:320. TSH (reference values 0.3-3.9 mU/1) was les than 0.3 in 4 (4.3%) 0.3-3.9 in 4) (44.6%) , 4-20 in 26 (28.3%), and greater than 20 in 21 (22.8%) patients. Ultrasound revealed a scattered sonolucent echo in 87 (94.6%) patients, and in 45 (48.9%) a normal thyroid volume (women less than 18, men less than 25 ml). Cytology alone was diagnostic in 84 (91.3%) patients, In conclusion, ultrasound can suggest lymphocytic thyroiditis. If antimicrosomal antibodies are undetectable or titres are not significant and/or clinical symptoms are uncertain, fine-needle aspiration can confirm the sonographic finding. Epidemiological studies including ultrasonography are necessary to obtain reliable data on the prevalence of lymphocytic thyroiditis.

Adolescent↗

[The development of drug utilization with special reference to demographic factors].

Possible influences of demographic changes in the Federal Republic of Germany on future expenditures for medication have been investigated using population models from the Federal Statistical Office and data concerning the structure of current drug expenditures of the health insurance system. In addition the former contribution of demographic changes to the development of drug expenditures has been estimated using retrospective analysis. The study demonstrates that a constant supply with medicines would require an increase of expenses of 0.6% per year until 2,000 AD due to demographic changes, assuming other conditions remain constant. Development since 1957, however, shows that demographic influences are of relatively low importance for the development of total drug expenditures. During the last decade the total growth of costs for medicines was 6 times higher than that which would have been expected due to demographic changes alone. Further comparisons with the growth rate of the gross national product (GNP) demonstrate that since 1975 growth of drug expenditures parallels growth of GNP. The price indices for pharmaceutical products and for cost of living developed in a parallel way during the same period of time.

Age Factors↗

Comparative study of hormonal counterregulation during GCIIS-guided hypoglycemia tests using human proinsulin and human insulin (recombinant DNA).

Counterregulatory effect following administration of biosynthetic human proinsulin (BHPI) and human insulin (BHI) were compared during hypoglycemia standardized by means of a glucose controlled insulin infusion system (GCIIS). A total of 0.148 +/- 0.010 U/kg of BHPI had to be given by the GCIIS in order to obtain a minimal blood glucose (BG) of 26 +/- 2 mg/dl (means +/- SEM) at 43 +/- 2 min. In contrast, 0.083 +/- 0.004 U/kg of BHI were sufficient to produce a minimal BG of 21 +/- 1 mg/dl (n.s.) at 35 +/- 1 min. (P less than 0.005). Moreover, BHPI infusion resulted in prolonged hypoglycemia and delayed blood glucose recovery. On a molar basis, the acute BG lowering effect of BHPI was about 13% that of BHI (BHPI 3.94 +/- 0.27 vs. BHI 0.51 +/- 0.03 nmol/kg). Serum proinsulin after BHPI reached its maximum of 19.4 +/- 2 pmol/ml at 20 min. and still exceeded basal values markedly at the end of the test period at 240 min. Serum insulin peaked at 10 min. (162 +/- 47 microU/ml) and had already returned to basal values (7.5 +/- 1 microU/ml) after 45 min. No severe side effects were observed and there was no need for glucose administration, but clinical symptoms of hypoglycemia were more pronounced after BHPI. Compared to BHI, BHPI produced a higher cortisol peak (252 +/- 16 vs. 168 +/- 10 ng/ml), a more pronounced secretion of ACTH and GH as well as a stronger decline of serum potassium (3.20 +/- 0.06 vs. 3.58 +/- 0.08 mmol/l). Counterregulatory prolactin secretion did not differ significantly. Urinary epinephrine secretion following hypoglycemia after BHPI exceeded that after BHI (10.3 +/- 4.8 vs. 3.0 +/- 0.5 ng/120 min.). Serum lactate increase after BHPI was more prolonged (1.68 +/- 0.24 vs. 0.37 +/- 0.14 mmol/l at 120 min.). BHPI-induced inhibition of lipolysis, as determined by free fatty acid patterns, was delayed and less pronounced. Our results indicate that the observed more distinct glucose counterregulation is due to prolonged hypoglycemia rather than to any specific BHPI action on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. We regard this as a consequence of the prolonged circulating and biological half-life. A preferential proinsulin action on the liver may play an additional role. Whether this "depot effect" may be beneficial in the treatment of diabetes mellitus remains to be established.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Modulation of class-II antigen expression in human thyroid epithelial cell cultures.

The modulation of HLA-D expression of thyroid epithelial cells (TEC) was studied in vitro by means of immunofluorescence. Under serum-free culture conditions, TSH and TSH-receptor antibodies induce HLA-D on TECs derived from GD-patients. Serum-free culture conditions provide a higher availability of TSH-receptors by a 'right side right' polarity of the cellular morphology. There was no evidence for IFN-gamma producing cell contaminations on GD-TECs. TSH in contrast to IFN-gamma does not induce HLA-DQ on TECs. HLA-DQ is not displayed by spontaneously class-II antigen expressing GD-TECs. Methimazole as well as perchlorate do not suppress HLA-D expression of TECs.

Cells, Cultured↗