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Biomedical subjects

R Rohde

Publications and source records attributed to R Rohde.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Antagonisation of platelet activating factor--a new therapeutic concept for improvement of organ quality in lung preservation.

The release of platelet activating factor (PAF) is thought to be one of the most important pathophysiological pathways in the development of ischemic lung injury. We investigated the use of a PAF antagonist (PAF-a) in a canine model in reducing PAF-mediated pulmonary dysfunction following lung preservation and transplantation. Twelve combined heterotopic heart and orthotopic left lung allotransplantations were performed after 6 h of cold ischemia. Following administration of prostacyclin (PGI2), Euro-Collins solution (EC) was used for pulmonary artery flush in all donors, while in six animals the PAF-a, WEB 2170 BS, was administered to the donor (0.15 mg/kg for 30 min), to the storage solution (0.3 mg/kg) and to the recipient during reperfusion for a total of 6 h (0.3 mg/kg per h) EC/PAF-a). In all donors myocardial preservation was achieved using St. Thomas Hospital solution. Postoperatively, cardiorespiratory function was evaluated separately for donor and recipient organs at an FiO2 of 0.4 for a maximum of 12 h. The quality of lung preservation was assessed by means of postoperative oxygenation (pO2), pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI). In the EC/PAF-a group, pO2 of the donor lung was significantly elevated (P < 0.01) and PVRI was significantly lower (P < 0.05) when compared to the EC group, while PAP showed no significant differences between both groups and throughout the entire postoperative course. We concluded that a significant improvement in the current clinical standard for lung preservation could be obtained by the application of WEB 2170 BS in combination with EC flush as demonstrated by improved oxygenation and lower PVRI of the transplantated organs.

Animals↗

University of Wisconsin versus modified Euro-Collins solution for lung preservation.

In a canine model, the quality of lung preservation was assessed using pulmonary artery flush after prostacyclin administration with either modified Euro-Collins solution or University of Wisconsin solution. Twelve combined heterotopic heart and orthotopic left lung allotransplantations were performed after 6 hours of cold ischemia. Myocardial preservation was achieved using St. Thomas Hospital solution. Donor organs were anastomosed parallel to the recipient's heart and right lung, and the superior vena cava inflow was directed into the transplanted heart-left lung block after ligation of the recipient's superior vena cava proximal to the caval anastomosis. Postoperatively, cardiorespiratory function was evaluated separately for donor and recipient organs at an inspired oxygen fraction of 0.4 for a maximum of 12 hours. Significantly improved oxygenation and lower pulmonary vascular resistance index of the donor lung was observed in the University of Wisconsin + prostacyclin group, whereas pulmonary artery pressures showed no significant differences in between both groups. It is concluded that superior results in lung preservation can be achieved with pulmonary artery flush perfusion using University of Wisconsin solution and prostacyclin when compared with Euro-Collins solution and prostacyclin.

Adenosine↗

Clinical evaluation of transtracheal Doppler for continuous cardiac output estimation.

A newly developed transtracheal Doppler (TTD) computer for cardiac output determination was studied in nine patients after open heart surgery (coronary artery bypass grafting, n = 4; mitral valve replacement, n = 5). The measurements were compared with those simultaneously obtained by thermodilation. Doppler signals were adequate in 78% of the patients studied. Limited correlation between both methods (r = 0.248; r2 = 0.0615; mean of difference, 1.714 +/- 1.67 L/min; limits of agreement, -1.6 to 5.0 L/min) was found. The large difference in cardiac output readings between TTD and thermodilation may be due to (a) false angles of the ultrasound beam in relation to the aortic wall and blood flow or (b) misplacement of the ultrasound head and underestimation of the aortic lumen. Patients must be completely sedated and paralyzed to prohibit artifacts. Routine patient care can interfere with continuous measurements. Cardiac output determinations by TTD are limited to the period during which the trachea is intubated with the special TTD tube. We conclude that the TTD system does not offer accurate cardiac output determinations and that the routine use of this device is not practical.

Aged↗

A controlled clinical trial of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition in type I diabetic nephropathy: study design and patient characteristics. The Collaborative Study Group.

A placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial has been initiated to determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) therapy with captopril (25 mg three times daily) slows the progressive loss of renal function in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Entry criteria include; (1) ages 18 to 50 yr; (2) onset of insulin-dependent diabetes before the age of 30 yr, insulin dependent for at least 7 yr; (3) 24-h urine protein excretion > 500 mg, plus: (a) diabetic retinopathy or (b) if no retinopathy, a renal biopsy diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy; (4) serum creatinine (SCr) < 2.5 mg/dL; (5) informed consent. Patients follow strict medical management protocols. Systemic blood pressure is controlled to predefined goals (< 140-90 mm Hg). The primary outcome of the Study is a doubling of the patients' entry SCr to at least 2 mg/dL confirmed by a > 50% decrease in GFR by radioactive iothalamate clearance technique. Baseline characteristics of the cohort at entry into the Study are (mean +/- SD): male/female, 52%/48%; age, 35 +/- 8 yr; duration of diabetes, 21 +/- 7 yr; duration of proteinuria, 2.8 +/- 3.3 yr; duration of retinopathy, 4.5 +/- 4.1 yr; 50% of cohort presented with hypertension, duration, 4 +/- 4.7 yr; blood pressure, 139/86 +/- 19/12; SCr, 1.35 +/- 0.44 mg/dL; GFR 78 +/- 32 mL/min; BUN, 24 +/- 11 mg/dL; proteinuria, 3.1 +/- 3.3 g/day; cholesterol, 236 +/- 50 mg/dL; total glycosylated hemoglobin, 11.1 +/- 2.1%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Serum C3 levels are diagnostically more sensitive and specific for systemic lupus erythematosus activity than are serum C4 levels. The Lupus Nephritis Collaborative Study Group.

To determine whether serum C3 or C4 is more likely to be normal during systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remission and abnormal during SLE relapse we studied twelve SLE patients who presented with severe nephritis. The patients were followed long term (12 to 77 months) through multiple relapses (N = 41) and remissions (N = 13) defined by protocol. A total of 471 serum samples were obtained at defined intervals during these relapses and remissions and were analyzed for C3 and C4 levels by two different methods: nephelometry (N) and radial immunodiffusion (R). During SLE remission (defined by protocol and without reference to serum complement levels), C3 measured by N-assay (C3N) and by R-assay (C3R) tended to be normal (specificity of 93% and 71%, respectively). By contrast, C4 measured by N-assay (C4N) and by R-assay (C4R) showed no such tendency (specificity of 50% for both C4N and C4R). During SLE relapse (defined by protocol and without reference to serum complement levels), C3N and C3R were more likely to be abnormal (sensitivity 95% and 85%, respectively) compared with C4N and C4R (sensitivity 56% and 54%, respectively, P less than 0.001 compared with corresponding values for the C3 assay). Analysis by receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curves demonstrated that the reduced diagnostic sensitivity of C4 versus C3 is not explained by use of an inappropriate lower limits of normal (LLN) for C4.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Collagen-presealed or uncoated aortic bifurcation Dacron prostheses: a 5-year clinical follow-up study.

A total of 70 patients undergoing replacement of the aortic bifurcation between October 1983 and June 1985, were studied 5 years postoperatively for graft patency. In 35 cases a collagen-coated knitted Dacron prosthesis (group I) was implanted, while an identical, but uncoated, Dacron graft was used in a second group of 35 patients (group II). Distribution of vascular risk factors were similar in both patient groups. The underlying disease was aortoiliac occlusive disease in 24 patients of group I and in 33 of group II. Aortoiliac aneurysmal disease was present in 10 patients of group I and in 2 patients of group II. One patient of group I was suffering from Takayasu's disease of the descending type. At follow-up, all grafts were patent in group I, while in group II 8 distal limb occlusions occurred between 6 and 46 months postoperatively. This represents a 5-year limb patency rate of 100% for collagen-presealed grafts versus 88.6% for uncoated prostheses (p less than 0.01). A higher incidence of distal anastomotic aneurysms was found in group I (7/70 limbs) compared to group II (1/70 limbs) (p less than 0.05). It is concluded that long-term patency of knitted Dacron prostheses in aortic bifurcation replacement is not reduced by presealing with collagen. It appears that this type of coating may actually enhance long-term patency after reconstruction of the aortoiliac axis. The higher rate of distal anastomotic aneurysm formation in patients with presealed grafts, however, could not be correlated with a failure of the sealant material or with the underlying disease of the patients involved.

Aorta, Abdominal↗

Schistosomiasis control: an estimation of costs.

Costs are estimated for different types of schistosomiasis control programmes. From the point of view of feasibility and financing, schistosomiasis has been classified into four levels, representing different rates of prevalence, intensity of infection and the rate of reinfection. The different possibilities of approach and their financial aspects are discussed. Costs are estimated for a period of five years. Costs for sanitation and snail control programmes are not included, as they may vary greatly according to local conditions and circumstances and valid generalizations cannot be made.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗

Studies on the mechanisms of action of progesterone antagonists.

Antigestagens of RU-38.486-type were investigated in different pregnancy models reflecting either "endometrial" or "myometrial" effects. All antigestagens were found effective inhibitors of nidation in guinea pigs. This was evidence for a role of embryonic progesterone in the earliest events of nidation. No comparable inhibition could be obtained by ovariectomy. A more complex pharmacology was found around day 43 p.c. when the abortion was brought about by expulsion. RU-38.486 had marginal activity only. Antigestagens with reduced anti-glucocorticoid activity tended to induce abortions more effectively and faster. Some antigestagen-prostaglandin combinations were found of extreme abortifacient activity. Surprisingly it seemed that anti-glucocorticoid properties in addition to (or rather than) antigestagenic activities bring about this synergism with prostaglandin. The employed guinea pig model for pregnancy termination thus characterized two types of antigestagens: ideal ones for monotherapy or combined use with prostaglandin, respectively. Antigestagens induced a highly sensitive myometrium to prostaglandin-stimulation (Sulprostone) and a marked softening and dilatation of the cervix. Antigestagens perfectly prime the genital tract for oxytocic stimuli, they do not overcome the arrested uterine prostaglandin-secretion of the pregnant uterus at the same time.

Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal↗

False epidemiological results from the bulk transport of dried filter papers in urinary schistosomiasis.

In field studies in Schistosoma haematobium endemic areas, dried filters must be transported in bulk to central laboratories, either for primary screening and counting, or for quality control of field workers. We examined filters before and after bulk transport, from three populations, of high, medium and low prevalence rate. A total of 312 filters were examined before and after transport; 28.6% of all eggs on filters were lost during transport. Negative filters became positive during transport, and hence false prevalence rates resulted from after transport studies. Egg loss did not seem to be related to initial egg density. The operational results of these findings could be serious, in terms of distribution of treatment and evaluation of results and costs.

Animals↗

Trials on focal molluscicide application in larger irrigation canals and lakes in Mali.

Schistosomiasis transmission in some irrigation schemes in Mali, appears to be very focal, and mainly occurs in human water contact sites close to villages. On this background, a strategy of focal snail control based on application of molluscicide to such sites only, was to be implemented in these areas. However, transmission often occurs in larger canals and lakes, and in these habitats focal snail control is obviously very difficult. This paper deals with experiments carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of focal application of 70% Bayluscide wettable powder in such habitats. Bayluscide was applied in two different ways depending on snail distribution within the sites. When snails were found in marginal vegetation, 2-3 ppm was applied along the shore (to various distances from the shore) from 10-40 m upstream from the water contact sites to 10 m downstream. In case snails were found in low submerged vegetation, which was very common in these habitats, the chemical was applied at 2-4 g (a.i.)/m2 directly between the plants. The results indicate that a satisfactory snail-kill can be achieved in the target area by this method of Bayluscide application. However, the method requires a thorough surveillance for snails and due supervision of the application. The time spacing of applications should probably be 4-6 weeks, but special situations may necessitate more frequent applications.

Animals↗

Potential false positive egg-counts through the reuse of polyamide filters in the diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis.

Nytrel monofilament polyamide filters have recently been strongly advocated as a cheap reusable method for filtering urine in field studies of Schistosoma haematobium endemic areas. We examined 1230 persons in a highly endemic area, filtering 10 ml urine through Nytrel filters and counting the eggs retained. It was found that staining Nytrel filters speeded up the counting process and made the detection of light infections much easier. After very careful washing and rinsing 12.0% of unstained filters and 4.8% of stained filters retained eggs. In view of the implication of these findings for epidemiological studies and control programmes, it is suggested that field workers consider the use of disposable paper filters.

Animals↗

[Serological integration of all known Arizona-species into the Kauffmann-White-scheme (author's transl)].

This paper reports on the integration of the Arizona group as sub-genus III into the K. W.-Schema. For many years comparative serological analyses of all serotypes belonging to sub-genus III have been carried out and detailed antigenic formulae have been established which now, for the first time, are published in full. These detailed antigenic formulae are not only of the utmost significance for the precise definition of serotypes but are also of immense importance to reference laboratories, in particular for the production of specific diagnostic sera, their correct absorption and specificity control.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

[Salmonella in free living snakes of Northern Germany (author's transl)].

Fourty-nine adders (Vipera berus L.) and thirty-one grass-snakes (Nitrix natrix L.) from northern Germany were investigated by cloacal swabs. The samples were usually taken in the field and preenriched in peptone water and further-on processed in three steps of tetrathionate. After each step of enrichment the material was transfered to salmonella shigella agar and fuchsine lactose agar (acc. to Endo). Salmonella screening was done by inoculation of lactose positive and lactose negative colonies into lysine iron agar (acc. to Edwards and Fife). Salmonella excretion was found in 59% of the adders and in 68% of the grass-snakes. Some specimens excreted several Salmonella species. 22 different species resp. variants were detected, of which 19 species belonged to subgenus III (Arizona). Subgenus I occured infrequently and was represented by S. duesseldorf, S. heidelberg and S. sunnycove. Three new triphasic variants S. III 17:Z10: e, n, x, z15: z56, S. III 38: (k): z35:z56 and S. III 50:z10:z:z56 of species already known and four so far unknown species S. III (6), 14: 1,v:z (Ar. 7a, 7c:23-31), S. III 21:1,v:z57 (Ar. 22:23-40a,40c), S. III 43:1,v:z56 (Ar. 21:23-38) and S. III 28:z10:z57 (Ar. 35:27-40a,40c) were discovered. The present results suggest that adders and grass-snakes in northern Germany represent autonomous reservoirs of salmonellae. There exist only few relations between the Salmonella species in these kinds of snakes and other European snakes.

Animals↗

Salmonella 38:g,z51:-, a new Salmonella of sub-genus IV: a serological study on the complex H-antigen g,z51 which can be divided into three sub-genus specific factors.

A new Salmonella of sub-genus IV with the antigen formula 38:g,z51:- has been isolated from a boa. Comparative studies of the H:g,z51 revealed that this phase only occurs in the sub-genera I, III and IV but not in sub-genus II. Furthermore it became evident that there exist typical serological differences between the g,z51 phases of Salmonella sub-genus I, III and IV which are of significance for the differential diagnosis.

Animals↗

[Four new Salmonella species and three serological variants of subgenus III (Arizona) (author's transl)].

Four new strains of Salmonella and three serological variants described in this paper were isolated from free living snakes (Vipera berus L. and Natrix natrix L.) of Northern Germany. All strains belong to the subgenus III of the genus Salmonella. For the first time a representative of subgenus III in the Salmonella group M with the serological formula S. arizonae 28:Z10:Z57 was isolated. 1) S. (6),14:1,v:z (Ar. 7 a,7c:23-31) 2) S. 17:Z10:e,n,X,Z15:Z56 (Ar. 12:27-28-38) 3) S. 21:1,v:Z57 (Ar. 22:23-40a,40c) 4) S. 28:Z10:Z57 (Ar. 35:27-40a,40c) 5) S. 38:(k):Z35:Z56 (Ar. 16:22-21-38) 6) S. 43:1,v:Z56 (Ar. 21:23-38) 7) S. 50:Z10:Z:Z56 (Ar. 9a,9c:27-31-38)

Animals↗