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Biomedical subjects

P Fleischmann

Publications and source records attributed to P Fleischmann.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

[Permanent hypoparathyroidism due to thyroid cancer surgical procedures in patients exposed to radiation in the Chernobyl, Ukraine, nuclear reactor accident].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Postoperative hypoparathyroidism is a rare, but complex endocrine disorder. The purpose of this case series study was to evaluate the symptoms, signs and sequelae of the disease in a major homogeneous patient group after the Chernobyl accident in the Ukraine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study is based on a random sample of 25 patients with symptomatic permanent hypoparathyroidism after surgical procedures on the thyroid for carcinoma following the Chernobyl accident in May 1986. They underwent physical examination and their parathyroid hormone and calcium levels in serum were determined. The signs, symptoms and sequelae of their disease were systematically assessed by a validated specific questionnaire. The extent of individual distress by the symptoms and signs were analysed by using a Likert scale (points between 1 = no and 5 = maximal distress). RESULTS: In 14 patients (56%) (age at time of operation: 18.24 +/- 4.26 years) paresthesias occurred at least every third day. Very frequent general symptoms were joint pains and hair loss (in 17 patients / 68%). 19 patients (76%) had enamel defects, 17 (68%) increasingly dry skin since the operation. Psychical symptoms like excitability (20 patients / 80%) and depressed mood since the operation (16 patients / 64%) were strikingly frequent. The patients were affected more by dry skin (2,76 on the Likert scale) than by paraesthesias (2,56) or joint pains (2,68) and most of all by depressive mood (2.96) and excitability (3.38). 4 patients (16%) had kidney stones, while osteoporosis and osteosclerosis occurred in 7 (28%) respectively 3 persons (12%). 6 patients (24%) had cataracts and 3 (12%) had basal ganglia calcification. Interestingly, 1/3 of all patients had only non-characteristic symptoms of the disease consistent with a latent form of hypoparathyroidism. CONCLUSIONS: Our data partly show a severe form of hypoparathyroidism of very young persons in the Chernobyl region, a finding which strongly supports the need of exact diagnosis and interdisciplinary treatment options of this postoperative disorder.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

[The farmost unknown disease of postoperative permanent hypoparathyroidism--feasibility and validation of an innovative questionnaire instrument].

Aim of our study has been the systematic evaluation concerning the still farmost unknown disease of postoperative, permanent hypoparathyroidism. For this we designed a specific questionnaire as measuring instrument--it was evaluated by experts and validated by 3 control groups--to examine then a patient group (n = 20) with symptomatic postoperative, permanent hypoparathyroidism. The application of the questionnaire was very feasible, the reliability of measuring scales according to Cronbach's alpha > or = 0.70. The validity of content and construct validity fully existed (Pearson's correlation coefficient r > or = - 0.27; p < 0,05). The farmost frequent clinical complaints were peripheral cold sensations (65 %), pains in joints (55 %), sensation of heaviness and weakness in extremities (55 %) and paresthesias (45 %). Most frequent clinical symptoms were brittle nails (40 %) and diarrhoea (35 %). Sum and distress level scores for classification of illness severity were determined. In conclusion our questionnaire is a valid instrument and from a clinical point of view easy to apply, reasonable and very feasible in practical use. It represents a novel, optimum instrument to determine disease condition and illness severity of hypoparathyroid patients and makes it possible to gain further information of this up to now less systematically analysed disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Carotenoids in the spermatophores of bushcrickets (Orthoptera: Ephippigerinae).

During mating male bushcrickets transfer large spermatophores, which have been demonstrated to play an important role in female nutrition and egg production. Until now only relatively unspecific substances such as water and proteins were known to be present within these spermatophores. We found that in the bushcricket Ephippiger zelleri the spermatophores contain substantial amounts of carotenoids (mainly lutein and zeaxanthin) that are also found in the eggs of this species. Carotenoids are well known for their positive effects on survival and reproduction in animals. This is the first example, to our knowledge, where such specific vitamin-like substances were found to be transferred from male to female during mating.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

The chemical composition of the spermatophore in some species of phaneropterid bushcrickets (Orthoptera: Tettigonioidea).

Male bushcrickets transfer large spermatophores of up to 40% of male body mass to the females during mating. These large nuptial gifts are later consumed by the female and have been shown to affect the size and number of eggs laid after mating in some species. The composition of the spermatophores in five species of phytophagous phaneropterid bushcrickets (genera Ancistrura, Barbitistes, Metaplastes, Poecilimon) was examined in respect to water content, elemental composition, protein concentration, and the content of lipids, carbohydrates, urea and uric acid. In addition, the amino acid composition of the spermatophore was compared with that of the egg proteins. In all species, water content was found to be about 85% of wet mass. Eleven to 16% of the dry mass consisted of nitrogen, corresponding to a protein content of about 70 to more than 90% of the dry mass. Urea and uric acid were only present in traces. The proteins contained a high amount of glycine (about 26mol %), together with asparagine/aspartic acid, 12% and glutamic acid, 11%, which differed distinctly from the amino acid composition of the egg proteins. The results are discussed with respect to the advantages the male may receive by producing these large nuptial gifts.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1995

Biochemical and spectroscopic characterization of the putative photoreceptor for phototaxis in amoebae of the cellular slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum.

Using sucrose gradient centrifugation, anion exchange chromatography on a SMART system, isoelectric focusing (IEF) and sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS PAGE), a 45.5 kDa membrane protein was isolated from amoebae of the cellular slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum. The absorption spectrum of the isolated protein corresponds well with the action spectrum for the photoaccumulation of the amoebae of Dictyostelium discoideum showing a major peak between 405 and 412 nm and some minor peaks between 500 and 600 nm. The remarkable similarity of the two spectra leads to the hypothesis that the isolated protein-pigment complex may serve as a photoreceptor for amoebal phototaxis.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Localization of acoustic emission sources in tensile and ct specimens using a broadband acquisition technique.

The acoustic emission sources in a conventional cylindrical tensile test sample of short transversely-cut carbon manganese steel are localized. There is not always a good correlation between the localization of the first signals and the zone which eventually fractures. During the Lüder's plateau, the ae signals are emitted in the deformation band and, in the hardening range, there is no significant ae in the gauge length of the sample. In ct samples precracked by fatigue, the signals are due to the growth of the plastic zone around the crack tip, and the plastic zone size, measured by source localization, agrees with those provided by models derived from fracture mechanics.

Acoustics↗
PubMed1978

Unusual evidence of myocardial involvement during a hypersensitivity reaction to oral penicillin.

A hypersensitivity reaction to orally administered phenoxymethyl penicillin is reported. The manifestations of the reaction included fever, arthralgia, urticaria and an irregular pulse. Serial ECG showed second-degree atrioventricular block with junctional escape beats, an atypical Wenckebach pattern and, finally, first-degree atrioventricular block with gradually decreasing PR intervals. A normal tracing was recorded on the sixth day despite the persistence of the rash and joint pains.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Electrocardiographic manifestations of dual pathways of retrograde impulse conduction in the human heart.

Three cases are presented in which the electrocardiogram provided evidence for the functioning of two separate pathways of retrograde impulse conduction. In the first case, distinct points of entry of the impulses into the atria are inferred. In the second case, the origin of the retrograde impulses was created by the stimuli of an artificial pacemaker. In the third case, the operation of two pathways of retrograde conduction was evidenced by the demonstrated differences of the refractory periods and the conduction velocities. Each of the three cases reflects a particular aspect of the phenomenon.

Aged↗