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Biomedical subjects

R Haase

Publications and source records attributed to R Haase.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Basophilic leukocytes in hypothyroidism.

Since in the literature basophilia is frequently related to myxedema, we evaluated basophilic leukocytes in patients with hypothyroidism, applying routine techniques used in clinical laboratories. The study included normal persons, untreated patients with hypothyroidism, and euthyroid subjects with hyperlipidemia. The number of circulating basophils was determined by differential counts of Pappenheim stained blood smears. No difference in relative and total basophil counts was detected in patients with hypothyroidism as compared to healthy controls (1.0% and 58.1 basophils/microliters vs. 0.8% and 50.8 basophils/microliters, respectively). The percentage of basophils in myxedema associated with hypercholesterolemia amounted to 1.0%, their absolute number to 57.6/microliters; in hypothyroid patients presenting normal serum cholesterol levels, the relative and absolute numbers of basophilic leukocytes was not statistically different (0.83% and 61.1 basophils/microliters, respectively). We conclude that in patients with hypothyroidism the number of basophils is not statistically different from the values of basophils in healthy controls. Furthermore, the number of peripheral blood basophils in hypothyroidism is not related to the serum cholesterol level.

Adult↗

Control of prolactin-secreting macroadenomas with parenteral, long-acting bromocriptine in 30 patients treated for up to 3 years.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of intramuscular injections of long-acting bromocriptine in patients with macroadenomas. STUDY DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Thirty patients with PRL-secreting pituitary macroadenomas were treated with repeated 4-weekly intramuscular injections of 50 or 100 mg of a long-acting, repeatable bromocriptine formulation for six to 37 injections, amounting to a total of 473 injections. Twenty patients received parenteral bromocriptine as primary therapy, ten had persisting hyperprolactinemia after previous therapies including pituitary surgery (n = 7), oral bromocriptine (7), and pituitary irradiation (2). MEASUREMENTS: A PRL day profile was obtained and the patients' clinical status and history were documented, at intervals. Detailed clinical, laboratory, and radiological (pituitary nuclear magnetic resonance or computed tomography scan) evaluations were performed at baseline, after 1 injection and every 6th injection thereafter. RESULTS: In all patients PRL was suppressed from a mean +/- SEM pretreatment level of 32,620 +/- 8680 to 4480 +/- 1140 mU/I on the third day after the first injection. In 12 patients PRL levels normalized (< 400 mU/I) with the first to fourth injection, in three additional patients PRL levels normalized after 8-15 months. In 19 patients PRL was suppressed to less than 1000 mU/l. In three patients PRL did not decrease to less than 50% of pretreatment; in two of them on oral bromocriptine prior to this study there had been a comparable low efficacy. Of 28 patients with macroadenomas (median height 22 mm) tumour shrinkage was evident in 15 by nuclear magnetic resonance or computed tomography scan 28 days after the first injection, and in three additional patients after 6 months. There was further regression in seven cases after 12, 18 or 24 injections. Adenoma size (mean +/- SEM) decreased to 66 +/- 7% of the pretreatment value. The 40 adverse events noted in 20 of 30 patients during 24 hours after the first injection were similar to known side-effects of oral bromocriptine, nausea and postural hypotension being the most frequent. With repeated injections, on average 0.6 adverse events were noted per injection (mostly mild asthenia). There were no local adverse reactions at the injection site. CONCLUSION: We conclude that long-acting repeatable bromocriptine in patients with macroprolactinomas offers a safe and efficacious primary treatment that ensures compliance and gives long-term control. Adverse reactions are comparable to oral bromocriptine but subside with repeated injections.

Adolescent↗

The phospholipid analogue hexadecylphosphocholine inhibits phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.

The influence of the phospholipid analogue hexadecylphosphocholine on phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis was investigated in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. It inhibits the incorporation rate of [methyl-3H]choline into phosphatidylcholine at a concentration of 50 microM by about 50%. The radiolabelled precursor accumulates in the phosphocholine pool indicating that hexadecylphosphocholine inhibits the formation of phosphatidylcholine via the CDP-choline pathway at the level of the rate-limiting enzyme. CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyl transferase (EC 2.7.7.15). This was verified by the determination of the activity of the enzyme in vitro. In consequence of its inhibitory effect it could be shown that the treatment of MDGK cells for 24 h with 50 microM hexadecylphosphocholine induces alterations of the phospholipid composition. Whereas in treated cells the relative phosphatidylcholine content was decreased from the control level of 36.0 +/- 0.9% to 29.9 +/- 0.2%; in contrast, the relative content of phosphatidylethanolamine was increased from 19.3 +/- 0.9% to 24.3 +/- 0.9%.

Animals↗

The phospholipid analogue, hexadecylphosphocholine, inhibits protein kinase C in vitro and antagonises phorbol ester-stimulated cell proliferation.

The antineoplastic agent, hexadecylphosphocholine, a phospholipid analogue, inhibited phosphatidylserine-activated protein kinase C in vitro at concentrations higher than 40 mumol/l. The half-inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 62 mumol/l. Another alkylphosphocholine, dodecylphosphocholine, did not have an inhibitory effect on protein kinase C. At the same concentrations, hexadecylphosphocholine antagonised the phorbol ester-stimulated proliferation of Madin-Darby canine kidney cells whereas dodecylphosphocholine had no effect. In addition, phorbol ester-induced morphological changes of these epithelial cells were antagonised by hexadecylphosphocholine. Both effects of hexadecylphosphocholine, the inhibition of protein kinase C and the antagonisation of the altered cell morphology induced by phorbol ester, were comparable to those observed after treatment with sphingosine, a known protein kinase C inhibitor. We conclude that one possible mechanism of the antineoplastic action of hexadecylphosphocholine is mediated by inhibition of protein kinase C.

Animals↗

Carotid body tumor: appearance on color-flow Doppler sonography.

Color doppler sonography permits differentiation of vascular malformations in the neck from solid and cystic tumors. This case report of a 67-yearly-old woman demonstrates the hypervascularized nature of a carotid body tumor displacing the internal carotid artery and fed by branches of the external carotid artery.

Aged↗

Analysis of human apolipoproteins C by isoelectric focusing in immobilized pH gradients.

Apolipoproteins C are involved in many ways in the metabolism of plasma lipoproteins. Apolipoproteins C from the delipidated VLDL of 35 controls and 165 normo- and hyperlipoproteinemic patients were analyzed by isoelectric focusing on an immobilized pH gradient, pH 4.0-5.0, with 7 M urea, which raised the apparent pH range to 4.8-5.7. This method is an improvement over conventional isoelectric focusing with carrier ampholytes with regard to both resolution and reproducibility. Due to the high resolution (0.1 pH units per cm) additional apolipoprotein C-III bands: C-III0 A1, C-III0 A2, C-III1 C and C-III2 C (the designations A, anodic, and C, cathodic, refer to direction of migration on IEF in relation to the main band) are described for the first time. The possible artifactual nature of these protein bands could be excluded. Cleavage with neuraminidase and peptidases, immunological detection and/or two-dimensional electrophoresis were used to obtain more information. The additional bands seem, in part, to be hydrolysis products of carboxypeptidase A (C-III1 C, C-III2 C). The appearance of C-III1 C and C-III2C was dependent upon the serum triglyceride concentration. The percent distribution of C apolipoproteins in very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) from control serum agreed with previously published data. Apolipoproteins C can also be focused in immobilized pH gradients from VLDL and serum without delipidation.

Apolipoproteins C↗

Mitochondrial and cytosolic ATP/ADP ratios in isolated hepatocytes. A comparison of the digitonin method and the non-aqueous fractionation procedure.

The ratio of ATP content/ADP content in the mitochondrial matrix was found to be 2.07 +/- 0.21 and 2.26 +/- 0.22 as determined with six different preparations of isolated hepatocytes subfractionated with the digitonin and non-aqueous-fractionation procedures, respectively. In contrast, the mitochondrial matrix ATP/ADP determined with isolated haemoglobin-free perfused liver by using the non-aqueous-fractionation procedure was about 0.2, whereas the cytosolic values obtained with isolated cells and with the intact organ were similar. It is concluded that the relatively higher ATP/ADP ratio in the mitochondrial matrix of isolated hepatocytes represents a biochemical difference due to properties of the model rather than a methodological artifact.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

[Guillain-Barré syndrome as a rare cause of acute respiratory insufficiency].

BACKGROUND: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory demyelinating disease of peripheral nerves. Antibodies acting against antigens on the myelin or the axons seem to play a causative role. In up to 80 % the onset of GBS follows an antecedent respiratory or gastrointestinal infection. CASE REPORT: An 20 month old boy was referred to our hospital because of meningism and aspiration pneumonia. 10 days earlier the patient had experienced a period of fever. Because of respiratory insufficiency the patient was intubated, sedated and received mechanical ventilation. That's why a major neurological examination was not possible. The patient demonstrated a flaccid tetraplegic paralysis and autonomic dysfunction with elevated blood pressure, tachycardia, elevated ADH level and hyperglycaemia. Decreased motor nerve conduction and an increased CSF protein with normal CSF cell count confirmed diagnosis of GBS. Active CMV infection was diagnosed by PCR as the possible trigger factor. Intravenous immunoglobulins were given and the patient reached a complete remission except a slight disturbance of peroneal nerve. CONCLUSIONS: IVIG and PP therapy are equally effective in GBS. In contrast corticosteroids are not of benefit. Prognosis of childhood GBS is good. Only 4 % of affected children demonstrate persistent muscular weakness. The long interval between admission and diagnosis in the reported case emphasized the importance of neurological examination especially in sedated patients.

Acute Disease↗

[Oncology patients in a pediatric intensive care unit--a 7-year experience].

BACKGROUND: As a result of improved therapeutic and diagnostic modalities the survival rate of children with neoplastic disease has increased dramatically. The consequences of these scientific advances have led to increased malignancy-related critical complications requiring the expertise of intensive care practitioners. PATIENTS: From all children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of the Martin-Luther University Halle those with hematologic-oncologic condition were evaluated. RESULTS: From 4068 PICU admissions 196 (4.8%) oncologic patients were identified. Most of them were admitted for postoperative care, monitoring or intervention. 24 patients were admitted because of severe disease or treatment related complications. 14 out of 24 (58%) patients died on PICU. Mortality was significant higher in a subgroup requiring mechanical ventilation or suffering from sepsis. All patients but two with multi-organ system failure (> or = 2 organs) died. CONCLUSIONS: Children with neoplastic disease can benefit from pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) support. Successful treatment of life-threatening complications requires a close cooperation of pediatric oncology and PICU. Further studies are necessary to improve therapeutic strategies in oncology patients requiring PICU admission.

Adolescent↗