Biomedical subjects

R Becker

Publications and source records attributed to R Becker.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Bis basic substituted diaminobenzobisthiazoles as potential antiarthritic agents.

A series of benzobisthiazoles were screened for antiinflammatory activity in the carrageenan paw edema and adjuvant arthritis tests. Compound 26, 2,6-bis(N,N-diethylamino)benzo[1,2-d:5,4-d']bisthiazole, was found to inhibit the swelling of the uninjected paw in the prophylactic adjuvant arthritis model with an ED50 of 2.3 mg/kg orally. As with most compounds of this series, 26 was inactive in acute model of inflammation, such as paw edema; like steroids, it showed activity in the granuloma pouch assay but did not inhibit cyclooxygenase, indicating a mode of action different from the classical nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID's). At doses higher than those producing antiinflammatory activity, 26 had some immunoregulating properties.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

The psychological and physical health of family members caring for an elderly person with dementia.

Most elderly persons with dementia are cared for at home, usually by the spouse or an adult child. The objective of the present study was to determine whether there is an excess of psychological and physical health problems among family caregivers (CGs) of elderly persons with dementia. Data were obtained by interview from close family members of dementia patients (CGs), and from a comparison group made up of close family members of patients undergoing cataract surgery (non-caregivers, NCGs). CGs had significantly higher levels of depression and physical symptoms than NCGs. The association between caregiving and the health variables was stronger among subjects who were the patient's spouse than among those who were the patient's child. Furthermore, greater behavioral disturbance in the demented patient was associated with higher levels of morbidity in the CG. The results suggest that CGs might benefit from careful monitoring of their health status, and from greater access to specialized support services.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

[Cephalic index: a neglected parameter of standard fetal biometry].

From 1.1.1990 to 15.3.1991, in 1074 women between the 13th and 40th weeks of pregnancy, the biparietal diameter (BIP), fronto-occipital diameter (FOD) and kephalic index (KI = BIP/FOD) were measured. The median of the kephalic index varied between 0.81 and 0.84 during different pregnancy weeks, with a range between 0.67 and 1.00. Correction to normokephaly (KI = 0.84) produced differences of up to 10 mm to measured values of BIP. We believe it necessary to determine the kephalic index in each kephalometry and to correct the measured value of BIP at least in those cases where the measured kephalic index differs significantly from normokephaly (KI = 0.84).

Female↗

PubMed1992

The excretion of 17-ketosteroids and 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in night urine of elite rowers during altitude training.

During an altitude training camp (23 days, 1850 m above sea level) we collected night urine from 36 German elite rowers in order to measure the excretion of urea, creatinine, 17-ketosteroids (17-KS), and 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OHCS). 17-KS and 17-OHCS represent the major metabolites from endogenous anabolic and catabolic steroid hormone systems. There was no significant change in the excretion of 17-OHCS during the training camp (mean value: females 0.0025 +/- 0.0011, males 0.0033 +/- 0.0012 mg/kgbw.h). Significant increases in the excretion of 17-KS (mean value: females 0.007 +/- 0.003, males 0.0092 +/- 0.0039 mg/kgbw.h) and in the ratio 17-KS/17-OHCS (mean value: females 3.13 +/- 1.65, males 3.11 +/- 1.71) were found during the first week and towards the end of the training camp. To investigate training effects on the excretion of these hormone metabolites, we used a recently described classification for rowing training (categories I to IV of rowing-specific training according to lactate levels and non-rowing specific categories) and a corresponding rowing data base. More than 80% of training was performed at a lactate level lower than 2 mmol/l. Using multiple regression analysis, the general finding was that in males the ratio of 17-KS/17-OHCS increased with rowing specific and non specific training regimes where a lactate level below 2 mmol/l was observed. Training at higher lactate levels caused a decrease in the ratio that may be interpreted as a shift in the production from endogenous androgenic steroid hormones to cortisol. No significant effects of single training variables were found in female rowers, which indicates major training influences on testosterone metabolism. The influence of further factors such as a relationship between urine urea and 17-KS in males are described and need further explanation.

17-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗

PubMed1992

[Tumors of the adnexa--a comparison of magnetic resonance tomography, endosonography and the histological findings].

43 patients suspected clinically of having tumours of the adnexa were examined by MR and 40 by endosonography in a prospective study. All underwent surgery. Correct lateralisation of the tumour was achieved by MR in 39 out of 43 cases (91%) and by endosonography in 32 out of 40 cases (80%). By means of MR it was possible to recognise the affected organ in 79%, and by vaginal sonography in 70% of women. Prediction of malignancy was possible with MR in 39 out of 43 cases (91%) and by endosonography in 30 out of 40 cases (75%). Infiltration into the omentum and gut and peritoneal metastases was missed by both methods (4 out of 4 cases).

Adnexa Uteri↗

PubMed1992

Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale: a subtest analysis.

The Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS) was administered to 61 Alzheimer patients, 52 elderly controls, and 80 controls between age 7 and 54 years. The Alzheimer group was categorized into different severity levels of dementia based on MMSE scores: very mild (> or = 24), mild (> or = 20), moderate (10-19), and severe (0-9). All 11 ADAS Cognitive subtest scores for the mild, moderate, and severe dementia groups were statistically worse than the elderly control group. This was also the case for the very mild group, except for Naming, Commands, Constructional Praxis, and Ideational Praxis. In terms of magnitude of effect, memory and spontaneous language items were the earliest indicators on the ADAS, while praxis, commands, and naming items were only sensitive later in the course of the disorder. The best single indicators of progression throughout the severity continuum of dementia (i.e., from normal to severe) were the Orientation subtest, the ADAS Cognitive score, and the ADAS Total score. The ADAS Noncognitive subtests generally did not show the progression with increasing dementia that was evident on the ADAS Cognitive subtest. Differences in educational level had no statistically significant effects on any of the ADAS subtest scores, and age differences were few and small in magnitude. The differential rate of decline of the various ADAS subtests appears to reflect both the changing pattern of cognitive impairments as a function of severity of DAT and also to some extent the psychometric limitations of some of the subtests.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

Reliability of an automatic sensing algorithm.

Automatic adaptation of the atrial sensitivity was evaluated in 18 patients with dual chamber pacemakers (Intermedics, Inc., Relay) in the unipolar mode. After atrial sensitivity was stabilized in the upright position, patients underwent a 1.0 W/kg body weight exercise for 5 minutes. A 24-hour Holter ECG was recorded, and the maximum and minimum atrial sensitivity values reached were stored in the memory of the pulse generator. In a second series of 12 patients, Holter ECGs were recorded twice, starting with the same sensitivity but with automatic adaptation alternately switched "on" or "off." Results of the exercise test: mean atrial sensitivity declined from 2.30 +/- 0.77 mV to 2.03 +/- 0.68 mV. There was no change in five patients, a slight increase in two patients, and lowering of the atrial sensitivity was observed in 11 patients, the difference ranging from 0.2 to 1.0 mV. A total of two P waves in two patients were missed by the atrial amplifier. The minimum and maximum sensitivity reached during Holter monitoring averaged 2.31 +/- 0.67 mV versus 1.72 +/- 0.71 mV (difference 0-1.7 mV). Normal pacemaker function was found in six patients, including one patient without any intrinsic atrial activity. Malsensing of less than five P waves occurred in four patients. More than 50 sensing defects resulted from ectopic atrial beats (four patients). We observed atrial oversensing in three cases; one patient showed atrial over- and undersensing. The comparison between fixed and variable sensitivity did not reveal any superiority of automatic adaptation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗

PubMed1992

Extracorporeal elimination of carbamazepine by haemoperfusion.

The clearance of the haemoperfusion cartridge H 200 C Tekin was determined in vitro for blood dissolved carbamazepine to test the efficiency of haemoperfusion treatment. In the first hour of in vitro haemoperfusion test of pig blood (concentration of carbamazepine 1084 mg/l) a clearance of 190 ml/min was obtained, which declined slightly to 150 ml/min after 4 hours. In a second test the elimination of carbamazepine from albumin solution was proven to be more than 1000 mg of carbamazepine after a four hour perfusion period using teflon coated charcoal. These results are in accordance with the clinical course of a 30 years old male patient who presented with severe hypoxaemia due to acute intoxication by 6 g carbamazepine. The carbamazepine blood level was 33.7 mg/l. Charcoal haemoperfusion was started immediately. A dramatic improvement of clinical symptoms was already observed during haemoperfusion. The carbamazepine serum level was 18.6 mg/l after 4 hours of haemoperfusion.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Alzheimer disease assessment scale: useful for both early detection and staging of dementia of the Alzheimer type.

The Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS) was administered to 61 patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) and 52 elderly controls. The DAT group was subdivided into different severity levels of dementia based on scores from the Mini-Mental State Exam: very mild (greater than or equal to 24), mild (20 to 23), moderate (10 to 19), and severe (0 to 9). The mean scores on the ADAS Cognitive subscale for the four levels of dementia (very mild = 23.1 +/- 7.7, mild = 22.9 +/- 8.9, moderate = 38.6 +/- 9.8, severe = 54.8 +/- 7.6) were statistically different from one another (p less than 0.0001, except very mild vs. mild) and were significantly worse than the scores of the elderly control group (5.5 +/- 2.7, p less than 0.0001, ANOVA). Furthermore, the ADAS Cognitive subscale was highly effective in discriminating individual Alzheimer patients from elderly controls. The ADAS Cognitive score correctly classified 100% of the very mild group, 91% of the entire mild group, and 100% of the moderate and severe groups when a cutoff score of 2 SDs above the control group mean was used. Age and education had only minimal effects on the ADAS Cognitive score. The ADAS is a valuable screening test that only takes 30 min to administer and has utility in both early detection and staging of DAT.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Cardiovascular effects of the novel potassium channel opener (3S,4R)-3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-4-(2-oxo- 1-pyrrolidinyl)-6-phenylsulfonylchromane hemihydrate.

Cardiovascular effects of the novel potassium channel opener (3S,4R)-3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-4-(2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl)-6- phenylsulfonylchromane hemihydrate (Hoe 234, CAS 132014-21-2) were investigated in rats, dogs and monkeys. In all species and independent of the route of administration Hoe 234 lowered systemic blood pressure accompanied with increases in heart rate. In rats after intravenous (i.v.) application Hoe 234 was 3 times more potent than cromakalim and its effects were reduced by pretreatment with the potassium channel blocker glibenclamide. Following intraduodenal application again Hoe 234 was more potent but mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) decreased more slowly and maximal effects were obtained later than after cromakalim. Oral administration of either single or repeated doses, however, revealed a somewhat higher potency for cromakalim. In anesthetized dogs Hoe 234 i.v. reduced MAP more potently than cromakalim whereas changes in heart rate were less pronounced. Cardiac output was increased and total peripheral resistance decreased for either agent. These results show that Hoe 234 is a novel potassium channel opener lowering blood pressure in animals due to peripheral vasodilation. It compares favourable with known potassium channel openers except for oral administration.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1991

[Bacteriologic findings before and in transcervical chorionic villi biopsy and their clinical relevance].

Between August 1987 and May 1989, bacteriological examinations of smears from the cervical canal was performed in 358 pregnant women, who underwent transcervical sampling of chorionic villi. The outcome of 349 of these pregnancies is documented. 12 of these patients (3.5%) had an artificial abortion for genetic reasons. In 12 other patients, the pregnancy ended before 28 weeks (one child surviving). Microbiological examinations showed that in 187 women (52%), it was possible to culture one or more microorganisms from the cervical canal. The most frequently detected pathogen was Chlamydia trachomatis (111 women, 31%). In pregnancies, where more than one microorganism could be cultured, the risk of following abortion was 8.9 times higher than in those, where no pathogens could be found. In only two of the 12 women with a subsequent spontaneous abortion (16.6%), no microorganism could be found. The bacterial contamination of the cervical canal during TC-CVS seems to be a risk factor for subsequent abortion. Therefore, a bacteriological examination of cervical flora should be performed before as well as during TC-CVS, and antibiotic therapy should be initiated in case of positive results.

Abortion, Septic↗

PubMed1991

[The demonstration of the patency of the uterine tubes with color-coded duplex sonography in combination with ultrasonic contrast media].

Tubal patency was studied in 17 sterile women by means of colour-coded duplex sonography (CCDS) with local injection of an ultrasonic contrast medium. The results were compared with a conventional hysterosalpingogram. CCDS demonstrated all the soft tissues and their mobility. The ultrasonic contrast medium was SH U 454 (Schering). The colour signals generated by the air bubbles makes it possible to demonstrate tubal patency on both sides. The combination of an ultrasonic contrast medium and CCDS provides a simple, rapid, accurate and safe method for demonstrating tubal patency. Tubal patency can be demonstrated in the presence of anatomical complications and requires only a small amount of contrast medium.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Recovery time of independent function post-stroke.

Stroke patients undergoing physical rehabilitation were monitored daily to determine the length of time needed to recover independent function. Of the 93 patients admitted, there were 45 who could not attain the sitting position independently, 75 who could not walk independently and 75 who could not negotiate the stairs independently. By discharge, 25 of 45 patients (55.6%) were able to attain sitting from supine independently, 35 of 75 patients (46.7%) achieved the ability to walk independently but only 25 of 75 patients (33.3%) learned to negotiate stairs independently. The time from admission to achievement of independent function and the time from onset of stroke to achievement of independent function was modeled in relation to explanatory variables: age, sex, side of lesion, comorbidity, the presence of depression and the extent of impairment in perception, cognition, auditory comprehension and verbal expression. Four variables were found to influence recovery time: age influenced the rate of recovery of walking and stair climbing; perceptual impairment influenced the rate of achieving independent sitting and stair climbing; and depression and comprehension influenced walking.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1991

A family with multiple instances of definite, probable and possible early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

A family with a multigenerational history of proven or suspected early-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) consistent with autosomal-dominant inheritance is described. To date, the pedigree comprises five generations in which there are 13 known affected individuals. The mean age of onset of cognitive deficits in those for whom data are available (n = 11) is 47.6 (s.d. 3.0) years and the mean age of death (n = 10) is 58.8 (s.d. 4.0) years. The variability in the extent and quality of available data illustrates the diagnostic difficulties encountered in ascertaining such an extended pedigree, and the need for caution in interpreting the evidence.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Preoperatively as adnexa tumor diagnosed mucocele of the appendix].

In a 51 year old woman a cystic in the right lower abdomen was diagnosed by ultrasound. The patient underwent laparotomy assuming the tumor to be a right adnexal mass. Intraoperatively, a pathological appendix was found. Histologic evaluation of the appendix showed a mucinous cystadenoma with mucocele.

Appendiceal Neoplasms↗

PubMed1991

A derivation of mean residence time.

MRT was derived as the mean value of the continuously distributed random variable residence time. Provide that elimination kinetics is linear and that elimination takes place exclusively from the central compartment, MRT can be calculated from the ratio AUMC/AUC. In this case, MRT is a drug (and formulation) related constant MRT may also be determined when the elimination kinetics is nonlinear. The meaning of those MRT values, however, remains limited because they depend on the dose applied.

Mathematics↗

PubMed1991

Transient cerebral ischaemic attacks and calcium-magnesium imbalance: clinical and paraclinical findings in 106 patients under 50 years of age.

One hundred and six selected patients (71 women, 35 men) suffering from transient cerebral ischaemic attacks (TIA) when aged less than 50 years received a comprehensive diagnostic assessment. Patients were classified into three subgroups, into which 9% could be assigned in approximately equal proportions. These were group A; TIA patients with tetanic syndrome (median age of first TIA 32 years, mainly female, 3.2 attacks per year and changing vascular area); group B; TIA patients with migraine (median age of first TIA 26 years, no predominance of male or female sex, 2.0 attacks per year and mostly in the same vascular area); group C: TIA patients suffering from premature arteriosclerosis (median age of first TIA 40 years, no predominance of male or female sex. 0.8 attacks per year and mostly in the same vascular area). Magnesium (P less than 0.001) and calcium (P less than 0.05) in plasma were reduced in group A, and magnesium (P less than 0.05) in group B, versus group C. The increased propensity to vasoconstriction appears to be an important pathogenic factor, particularly in group A, but also in group B.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Stimulating effect of tongue on craniofacial growth.

The influence of the tongue on craniofacial growth was studied in 96 Mini-Lewe miniature pigs. The animals were partially glossectomized at different ages and slaughtered at various intervals after operation. The skulls were macerated for biometric analysis. Mandibular growth was significantly reduced lengthwise in animals glossectomized at age 12 weeks. The role played by the tongue in orofacial growth was also indicated by the reduced width of the lower jaw. In pigs partially glossectomized at age 12 weeks, lateral growth of the entire lower jaw was reduced after eight weeks. In animals glossectomized at age six weeks, lateral growth of the lower jaw was reduced in the region of the 1st deciduous molars and the canines after glossectomy. Partial glossectomy had no significant effects on vertical growth of the lower jaw, growth of the upper jaw or overall skull growth. Shortening of the tongue in miniature pigs six weeks old resulted in no measurable jaw changes 23 weeks after surgery.

Animals↗