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Biomedical subjects

R Meister

Publications and source records attributed to R Meister.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Role of octreotide in the prevention of postoperative complications following pancreatic resection.

Though morbidity and mortality rates following pancreatic resection have improved in recent years, they are still around 35% and 5%, respectively. Typical complications, such as pancreatic fistula, abscess, and subsequent sepsis, are chiefly associated with exocrine pancreatic secretion. In order to clarify whether the perioperative inhibition of exocrine pancreatic secretion prevents complications, we assessed the efficacy of octreotide, a long-acting somatostatin analogue. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial in 246 patients undergoing major elective pancreatic surgery. Patients were stratified into a high-risk stratum (limited to patients with pancreatic and periampullary tumors) or low-risk stratum (patients with chronic pancreatitis). Patients received octreotide (3 x 100 micrograms) or placebo subcutaneously for 7 days perioperatively. Eleven complications were defined: death, leakage of anastomosis, pancreatic fistula, abscess, fluid collection, shock, sepsis, bleeding, pulmonary insufficiency, renal insufficiency, and postoperative pancreatitis. Two hundred patients underwent pancreatic head resection, 31 patients underwent left resection, and 15 patients had other procedures. The overall mortality rate within 90 days was 4.5%, with 3.2% in the octreotide group and 5.8% in the placebo group. The complication rate was 32% in the patients receiving octreotide (40 of 125 patients) and 55% in patients receiving placebo (67 of 121 patients) (p less than 0.005). In the patients in the high-risk stratum, complications were observed in 26 of the 68 (38%) patients treated with octreotide and in 46 of 71 (65%) patients given placebo (p less than 0.01). Whereas in patients in the low-risk stratum, the complication rate was 25% (14 of 57 patients) in those treated with octreotide and 42% (21 of 50 patients) in patients given placebo (p = NS). The perioperative application of octreotide reduces the occurrence of typical postoperative complications after pancreatic resection, particularly in patients with tumors.

Double-Blind Method↗
PubMed1991

Delineation of electric and magnetic field effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic radiation on transcription.

The relative effects of the electric and magnetic field components of extremely low frequency electromagnetic radiation (ELF) on transcription were examined in human leukemia HL-60 cells. Delineation of the individual field contributions was achieved by irradiating cells in separate concentric compartments of a culture dish within a solenoid chamber. This exposure system produced a homogeneous magnetic field with a coincident electric field whose strength varied directly with distance from the center of the culture dish. Irradiation of HL-60 cells with sine wave ELF at 60 Hz and a field strength of 10 Gauss produced a transient increase in the transcriptional rates which reached a maximum of 50-60% enhancement at 30-120 minutes of irradiation and declined to near basal levels by 18 hours. Comparison of transcription responses to ELF of cells in different concentric compartments revealed that the transcriptional effects were primarily the result of the electric field component with little or no contribution from the magnetic field.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1991

Maximal stimulation of pancreatic islet B-cells, and A-cell response to arginine, in dogs with longterm pancreatic acinar atrophy.

The response of the pancreatic islet A- and B-cells after long-standing (eight years) pancreatic duct occlusion by prolamine, and subsequently developed acinar atrophy, was studied in five beagles, and the results compared with those in six sham-operated dogs. Intravenous arginine infusion (A-cell stimulation) and a combined oral glucose and intravenous tolbutamide and glucagon infusion (B-cell stimulation) were carried out in each dog. Complete abolition of acinar function after duct occlusion was documented by the negative paraaminobenzoic acid test. In contrast, in plasma, baseline values of glucose, alpha-amino-nitrogen, insulin, glucagon, glucagon-like immunoreactivity, somatostatin-like immunoreactivity, and pancreatic polypeptide did not differ between the experimental groups. During B-cell stimulation dogs with occluded ducts had significantly reduced insulin, reduced glucagon, and reduced second phase pancreatic polypeptide compared with controls. Integrated insulin and pancreatic polypeptide were also reduced in dogs with occluded ducts. In both groups plasma and integrated values of glucose and somatostatin-like immunoreactivity did not differ. During the A-cell stimulation period dogs with occluded ducts had significantly raised alpha-amino-nitrogen but unchanged glucose and reduced insulin concentrations; in both groups the arginine-induced rise in glucagon was similar, although it was delayed in the experimental group. In the latter, integrated alpha-amino-nitrogen was raised, but integrated glucose and hormones were unchanged. We conclude that a previously intact dog pancreas that has been atrophied by duct occlusion, may be able to maintain euglycaemia for several years. There may be a complex interplay of changes induced by duct occlusion at the level of the pancreatic islets and elsewhere, which compensate for moderate insulinopenia.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Microwave exposure alters the expression of 2-5A-dependent RNase.

The effects of 2.45-GHz continuous-wave microwaves (SAR = 130 mW/g) on the expression of the interferon-regulated enzymes 2'-5'-oligoadenylate (2-5A) synthetase(s) and 2-5A-dependent endoribonuclease (RNase L) were studied in murine L929 cells. Cells growing as monolayers were removed from the substratum and placed in suspension culture for a 4-h sham or microwave exposure. The cells were returned to monolayer growth for 18 h, and then harvested and assayed to determine the amount of RNase L protein (via [32P]2-5A binding) and the specific activities of RNase L and 2-5A synthetase. Binding of radioactive 2-5A to RNase L for sham- and microwave-exposed samples was 14.5 and 36.4% above control, respectively (the microwave-exposed bound 19.0% more probe than the sham-exposed). The increases in 2-5A binding were accompanied by corresponding elevations of RNase L specific activity. In contrast, sham or microwave irradiation produced no alterations in 2-5A synthetase specific activity. No detectable differences were noted in the postexposure cell viability, plating efficiency, or proliferation rate. Also, there were no detectable differences in cell viability or plating efficiency between controls and cultures irradiated for 2 h when the temperature was simultaneously increased to above normal physiological limits (39 to 45 degrees C). The SAR (130 mW/g) and the power density (95 mW/cm2) used for the greater part of this study were nearly 20 times higher than the ANSI limit of 8 mW/g and 5 mW/cm2 for any 1 g of exposed human tissue.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗
PubMed1990

[General environmental pollutants and passive smoking].

Epidemiological studies-especially data from smog episodes-indicate that antropogenous outdoor air pollution exercises a deleterious effect on health and particularly on the respiratory organs. Controlled exposure test in animals and man confirm this. The main pollutants are SO2, suspended dust particles (dust aerosols or solid atmospheric condensation nuclei) as well as NO2 (NOx) and O3. The adverse influence of quite a number of meteorological factors such as low temperature and inversion cannot be denied. During smog conditions in January 1985 in the Federal Republic of Germany there was a highly significant negative correlation between atmospheric temperature and the rate of exacerbations of bronchitis. Indoor air pollution is gaining in importance. Airtight sealing of buildings associated with reduced indoor ventilation results in novel health upsets ("sick building syndrome"). Interiors are characterised by an accumulation of CO2, CO, NO2, dust aerosols and various organic substances such as benzene, benzypyrene, formaldehyde, nitrosamines etc. Cigarette smoke is a frequent cause of indoor air pollution. The possible unhealthy effects of passive smoking (mainly the inhalation of sidestream smoke) have been frequently studied. Infants of smoking parents are more often affected by respiratory diseases than non-exposed children. The same applies to schoolchildren: the incidence of bronchial signs and symptoms increases with increasing smoke consumptions of the parents. However, no definitely established effect on lung function has been seen in children, adults and asthmatics. The important question as to whether passive smoking increases lung cancer risk is still a subject of controversial discussion among experts.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Surgical treatment of radiogenic prostate-urethra-rectum fistula].

Five patients with postirradiation prostatic urethrorectal fistules after treatment of localized carcinoma of the prostate by external beam and interstitial implantation with 125I seeds were treated by two different methods. Previous defunctioning colostomy and suprapubic tube diversion alone failed to close the lesion. Three patients underwent anterior rectal resection and restoration by deep colo-anal anastomosis. Two more patients were treated by anterior "pull-through-resection" with mucosectomy of the distal rectal stump and colo-anal sleeve anastomosis as described by Parks. In addition, omentum was used to fill the pelvis. This operative technique is favoured due to improved results.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Cyclic GMP, cyclic AMP, glucose at birth, and maturation of rat liver mitochondria.

The improvement in mitochondrial functions which normally occurs in newborn rat liver in vivo during the few hours following delivery is inhibited by a glucose injection at birth (Meister, R., Comte, J., Baggetto, L., G., Godinot, C. and Gautheron, D.C. (1983) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 722, 36-42). To test whether this improvement could be correlated to changes in cyclic nucleotides, the levels of cAMP and cGMP have been measured during the 2 h following birth. At birth, a short rise followed by a decrease of cAMP occurs, then a significant increase of cAMP level is observed between 45 min and 2 h. The cAMP level for animals injected at birth with glucose is lower than for control animals at each time studied. The cGMP level is not significantly affected in control animals, while in glucose-treated animals a significant decrease of cGMP is observed in the postnatal 2 h. The present work shows also that the glucose-induced inhibition of mitochondrial maturation is mimicked by injection at birth of either 8-Br-cGMP or nitroprusside. The latter transiently increases intracellular cGMP. In contrast, the glucose-induced inhibition is prevented by the injection at birth of either dbcAMP or alkylxanthines together with glucose (Comte, J., Meister, R., Baggetto, L.G., Godinot, C. and Gautheron, D.C. (1986) Biochem. Pharmacol. 35, 2411-2416). It is concluded that the postnatal improvement of mitochondrial functions is stimulated by cAMP and inhibited by cGMP, and that glucose-induced inhibition of the maturation is at least partly supported by a decrease in cAMP but not correlated to an increase in cGMP.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1988

Embryotoxicity induced by alkylating agents: 5. Dose-response relationships of teratogenic effects of methylnitrosourea in mice.

The teratogenic potency of the directly acting alkylating agent methylnitrosourea (MNU) was analysed in mice. Skeletal abnormalities were evaluated after treatment on either day 11 or 12 of pregnancy. Ectrodactyly was the predominant effect after treatment on day 11. Treatment on day 12 triggered especially double-sided microdactyly (method of analysis: measuring digit lengths). Litter variabilities were analysed using a new biometrical procedure. Using probit analysis, dose-response curves were computed from the experimental data obtained and the effective doses were calculated and compared with maternal toxicity. Low dose extrapolation was performed by use of various mathematical models which yielded very similar ED1/100 and ED1/1000 values.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1988

Gentamicin plasma concentrations in pregnant and non-pregnant rats and fetuses after single and multiple injections.

As part of our studies on the prenatal induction of renal dysfunctions in rats by gentamicin we measured maternal plasma levels of the drug. Additionally, the gentamicin concentrations in the plasma of rat fetuses after single s.c. injections of gentamicin were measured. The following results were obtained: 1) Non-pregnant rats excrete the drug faster than pregnant rats; 2) after a single s.c. injection of 110 mg gentamicin/kg body wt to six pregnant rats on day 21 of gestation the following pharmacokinetic variables were calculated: t1/2(inv): 27.0 +/- 6.1 min, t1/2(elim): 54.7 +/- 3.8 min, Cmax: 166.2 +/- 22.7 mg/l, tmax: 53 +/- 6.7 min, AUC: 431.7 +/- 53.4 mg/l x h; 3) plasma concentrations increase with the duration of pregnancy; 4) fetal plasma concentrations were determined between 45 and 660 min after single injections of 150 mg/kg to the dams. The concentrations showed minimum variation over this time period. Thus, the ratio of maternal to fetal plasma levels decreases drastically during this period; 5) 8 h after s.c. injection of 110 mg/kg to six dams (day 21 of gestation) individual plasma concentrations in the plasma of mother animals and in the plasma of 65 fetuses were determined. All fetal plasma samples showed higher concentrations than the corresponding maternal ones; 6) after multiple injections a significant increase in plasma concentrations can be seen. A considerable individual variance is obvious at all times and with both doses investigated; 7) since maternal plasma concentrations vary considerably in individual animals, especially after multiple injections, fetal exposure must also be variable in different litters. This would also affect the extent of postnatal dysfunction in various litters.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

In vitro study of adrenergic stimulation of 32P incorporation into phospholipids of brown adipose tissue of control and cold-acclimated rats.

1. 32P-labelled inorganic phosphate incorporation into total and mitochondrial phospholipids was studied, in vitro, on brown adipose tissue (BAT) of control and cold-acclimated rats. 2. It was found that norepinephrine acts as in vivo, on BAT phospholipid metabolism via alpha 1 adrenergic receptors specifically increasing phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylinositol turnover with the same magnitude in both groups. 3. Cold-induced alpha 1 adrenergic desensitization is not as important as cold-induced beta adrenergic desensitization. 4. No specific effect of norepinephrine was seen in mitochondrial phospholipid turnover.

Acclimatization↗
PubMed1988

Hyperinsulinemia induced by canine distemper virus infection of mice and its correlation with the appearance of obesity.

1. Weanling Swiss mice surviving an acute infection with canine distemper virus were persistently infected. Among these mice, up to 30% had hyperinsulinemia and this was followed by an obesity syndrome. 2. Analysis of the lipid composition of various organs revealed that compared to control animals, the obese had an accumulation of triglycerides in both liver and adipose tissue. 3. Studies on the lipid metabolism using a number of radioactive lipid precursors showed a specific accumulation of the triglycerides of the obese animals. 4. A decrease of lipogenesis was observed in white adipose tissue of obese mice. Glycogenesis and serum glucose levels were unaffected during obesity. 5. The model of canine distemper virus-induced obesity is compared with other experimental models.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1987

Principles and problems in assessing prenatal toxicity.

The terminology to be used in reproductive (or in prenatal) toxicology has to be in accord with other fields and principles of toxicology; the reasons are briefly discussed. In addition it is essential to assess prenatal toxicity in comparison to adult (maternal) toxicity. Since pharmacokinetics in laboratory animals (e.g. rodents) usually differ considerably from that in man, this fact has to be considered when planning and evaluating studies on prenatal toxicity. Up till now this aspect has seldom been taken into account. A special problem in prenatal toxicity is the inter- and intralitter variability of the toxic manifestation (especially in polytocal animals). This problem has to be recognized by the investigators and means of dealing with it have to be developed. Like all other toxic effects, embryo-/fetotoxic manifestations occur dose dependently. Little information is available in the literature on clean dose-response-curves for teratogenic effects. Some data from our laboratory are presented. Risk assessment of teratogenic effects up till now represents a major problem. While qualitative risk assessment for man on the basis of animal data is possible, quantitative extrapolation from such data to the situation possibly existing in man is still difficult, because basic principles and strategies are largely lacking (e.g. may a "threshold" be assumed or not?). The results of some activities towards this goal are presented from our laboratory.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

[Ileorectostomy versus ileo-anal anastomosis with reservoir in ulcerative colitis and colonic adenomatosis].

In the last ten years, approximately 200 mucosal proctectomies have been performed as an alternative to proctocolectomy, but also as an alternative to ileorectostomy in cases of UC and AC. Operative mortality is minimal but the rate of early postoperative complications is considerable (greater than 10%). After an adaptive phase, however, functional results are generally good. The substantial risks of ileorectostomy in AC (degeneration rate up to 20%) and in UC (inflammation relapse 20-30%, secondary degeneration approximately 5%) have led to the establishment of mucosal proctectomy as the treatment of choice in the larger surgical centres.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗
PubMed1987

[Combined drug-surgical therapy of acute ischemia syndrome].

Acute ischaemia of the lower leg caused by arterial thrombosis often leads to amputation. Thrombolytic therapy of a distal arterial thrombosis yields unsatisfactory results when lower leg thrombosis is superimposed on chronic superficial femoral artery occlusion. 31 cases of acute ischaemia of the lower leg were initially treated with short bursts of catheter lysis followed by surgical reconstruction. Improved results were obtained through the use of combined medical and surgical treatment.

Acute Disease↗