PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R de Graaff

Publications and source records attributed to R de Graaff.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Digestion of so-called resistant starch sources in the human small intestine.

BACKGROUND: Resistant starch sources, which are only partially digested in the small intestine, can be used to increase colonic availability of short-chain fatty acids. OBJECTIVE: To study the characteristics of the fermentation of resistant starch, the digestion of resistant starch in the small intestine has to be quantified. We compared the metabolic fates of highly digestible cornstarch (DCS), Hylon VII (type 2 resistant starch), and Novelose 330 (type 3 resistant starch), which are of corn origin and, therefore, naturally enriched in (13)C. DESIGN: After administration of 40 g starch or glucose to 7 healthy volunteers, glucose and exogenous glucose concentrations in serum and (13)CO(2) excretion in breath were analyzed for 6 h. (13)C abundance in carbon dioxide was analyzed by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and (13)C abundance in glucose by gas chromatography-combustion IRMS. RESULTS: By comparing the area under the curve (2 h) of exogenous glucose concentration in serum ((13)C glycemic index) after intake of starch or glucose, (13)C glycemic indexes for DCS, Hylon VII, and Novelose 330 were calculated to be 82 +/- 23%, 44 +/- 16%, and 43 +/- 15%, respectively. Comparison of 6-h cumulative percentage dose recovery in breath showed that 119 +/- 28% of DCS, 55 +/- 23% of Hylon VII, and 50 +/- 26% of Novelose 330 was digested in the small intestine. CONCLUSION: The exogenous glucose response in serum and the (13)CO(2) excretion in breath can be used to estimate small intestinal digestion of resistant starch, which amounts to approximately 50%.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Tingling in the hands].

Four patients whose most prominent complaint was tingling in the hands are presented. In the first patient, a 33-year-old man, the cause appeared to be a traumatic cervical myelomalacia caused by a rear end collision three years before. The second patient, a 34-year-old woman, initially only had tingling in the hands but eventually developed paresis of the right arm and leg. MRI followed by surgery revealed a centrally located ependymoma. The third patient had a cervical disc protrusion to the left at CVI-CVII. This 49-year-old man recovered after rest and physical therapy. The last patient, a 23-year-old woman, had tingling in the ulnar area of the left hand. This appeared to be caused by an avulsion of the medial epicondyle of the humerus, the result of a trauma 10 years before. After extirpation of the epicondyle the complaints disappeared. In patients with paraesthesias it is very important to take the history meticulously and to perform thorough neurological examination. A simple neuroanatomical scheme may be used to interpret the somatosensory findings.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Two patients with osteochondroma of the cervical spine].

In two patients, both women of 32 years old, who had a local tumour in the neck firmly attached to the spine, radiologic imaging and biopsy led to the diagnosis of osteochondroma. Both patients recovered, but one had an episode of atrophy of the M. trapezius and the M. rhomboideus. If a solid mass is palpated in the neck a malignant process and cervical exostosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Exostoses usually are benign symptomless tumours, diagnosed in the second or third decade of life. They may compress spinal nerves and in rare cases cause severe complications by compression of vital structures such as myelum and arteries. An exostosis should be resected only if it is symptomatic or if a malignant process is suspected. In case of doubt surgical intervention is indicated with special attention to surrounding structures such as nerves and blood vessels.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Successful conservative treatment of rheumatoid subaxial subluxation resulting in improvement of myelopathy, reduction of subluxation, and stabilisation of the cervical spine. A report of two cases.

OBJECTIVE: To report the efficacy of conservative treatment with cervical traction and immobilisation with a Halo vest, in two consecutive rheumatoid arthritis patients with progressive cervical myelopathy caused by subaxial subluxation. METHODS: Description of neurological symptoms and signs and findings in plain radiography (PR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine before and after treatment of the subaxial subluxation by traction and immobilisation with a Halo vest during four months. RESULTS: During four months of traction and immobilisation neurological examination showed a considerable improvement of the signs and symptoms of cervical myelopathy. Afterwards PR and MRI of the cervical spine showed reduction of the subaxial subluxation. Eventually firm stabilisation was obtained in both patients without surgery of the cervical spine. CONCLUSION: Cervical traction and immobilisation with a Halo vest can be considered as an independent conservative treatment in rheumatoid arthritis patients with cervical myelopathy caused by subaxial subluxation.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis (VRNF) and pregnancy. A single case study.

A case of Von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis (VRNF) with progression during two pregnancies and obstetrical complications is described to illustrate the effect of pregnancy on VRNF and vice versa. The interaction between VRNF and pregnancy is discussed. The obstetrical complications and progression of VRNF lesions during pregnancy necessitate close follow-up of these patients by neurologist and obstetrician.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Sciatic nerve compression by an aneurysm of the internal iliac artery.

A 73-year-old female with severe sciatica suffered from an aneurysm of the left internal iliac artery. At first minimal caudographic abnormalities suggested intervertebral disc herniation and lumbar root compression but at exploratory surgery the diagnosis had to be rejected. Once the correct diagnosis was established by echography, CT-scanning and angiography surgical treatment of the aneurysm resulted in complete recovery. Because sciatic nerve lesions due to aneurysms in the pelvic region very seldom occur and may be the cause of diagnostic confusion, symptoms and treatment of these aneurysms are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1982

Congenital block vertebrae C2-C3 in patients with cervical myelopathy.

One hundred and forty-five patients presenting with symptoms of cervical myelopathy were treated surgically. Eight of these patients (5.5%) showed congenital block vertebrae C2-C3. The relationship between this congenital anomaly and the occurrence of spondylotic myelo-radiculopathy is discussed.

Adult↗