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Biomedical subjects

S Arnold

Publications and source records attributed to S Arnold.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptide are associated with the DRB1 shared epitope and predict joint erosion in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP antibodies) for their predictive value for severe joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to examine their relationship to shared epitope (SE)-positive DRB1 alleles. METHODS: Concentrations of anti-CCP antibodies were determined in sera from 126 patients with recent onset RA who had been followed prospectively for 6 yr. Progression of joint destruction was evaluated according to Larsen by scoring radiographs from the hand and feet taken at baseline and after 1, 2, 4 and 6 yr of observation. In addition to clinical parameters, the presence of SE-positive DRB1 alleles and of rheumatoid factor IgM and IgA was determined. RESULTS: Anti-CCP antibodies were found more frequently and in higher concentrations in both DRB1*01-positive and in DRB1*04-positive SE-positive patients compared with SE-negative patients. Severe joint destruction as defined by a Larsen score in the upper third of the study population was predicted by positivity for anti-CCP antibodies, by the presence of SE-positive DRB1*04 alleles and by the presence of erosive disease at initial presentation. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that SE-positive DRB1*04 alleles and anti-CCP antibodies exerted a significant influence on the progression of joint destruction. CONCLUSION: The association of anti-CCP antibodies with DRB1*01 and with SE-positive DRB1*04 alleles implies a functional role for the SE sequence motif. The determination of SE-positive DRB1*04 alleles and of anti-CCP antibody positivity facilitates the prediction of disease course and prognosis at the time of initial presentation.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Polysomnographic as a therapeutic aid in of psychogenic-functioning paraplegia].

The case of a patient with complete sensory and motor paraplegia for more than 1 year is presented. Leg movements were documented during sleep by video and electromyographic recording because a psychogenic cause of the symptoms was suspected. We showed the video to the patient, which illustrated that leg movements were possible. This resulted in fast and complete resolution of the neurologic symptoms. The patient has now been free of them for more than 3 years. This example suggests that the achievement of consciousness of normal motor function is a therapeutic approach for long-standing improvement of psychogenic paralysis.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Application of intraoperative 3D ultrasound during navigated tumor resection.

Intraoperative 3D ultrasound (3D-iUS) may enhance the quality of neuronavigation by adding information about brain shift and tumor remnants. The aim of our study was to prove the concept of 3D ultrasound on the basis of technical and human effects. A 3D-ultrasound navigation system consisting of a standard personal computer containing a video grabber card in combination with an optical tracking system (NDI Polaris) and a standard ultrasound device (Siemens Omnia) with a 7.5 MHz probe was used. 3D-iUS datasets were acquired after craniotomy, at different subsequent times of the procedure and overlaid with preoperative MRI. All patients underwent early postoperative 3D MRI including contrast agent within 24 hours after surgery. Acquisition of 3D iUS and the fusion with preoperative MRI was successful in 22/23 patients. The expenditure of time was at least 5 minutes for one intraoperative 3D US dataset. The technique was used three to seven times during surgery. The quality of the ultrasound images was superior in cases of metastasis, meningeoma and angioma over those in malignant glioma. Brain shifting ranged from 2-25 mm depending on localization and kind of tumor. A resection control was possible in 78%. All six neurosurgeons demonstrated a learning curve. The introduction of 3D ultrasound has increased the value of neuronavigation substantially, making it possible to update several times during surgery and minimize the problem of brain shift. Configuration of both the 3D iUS based on a standard ultrasound system and the MR navigation system is time- and especially cost-effective. Faster navigational datasets and more intuitive image-guided surgery enable novel and user-friendly display techniques.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Effect of anticholinergics (atropine, glycopyrrolate) and prokinetics (metoclopramide, cisapride) on gastric motility in beagles and labrador retrievers.

The effect of atropine, glycopyrrolate, metoclopramide and cisapride on the antral motility was investigated in eight dogs (four Beagles and four Labradors) using passive telemetry. Both anticholinergics induced a pronounced and lasting reduction of the intensity and frequency of the contractions. A definite dose-related inhibition of the antral motility was seen in Beagles, similar for both active substances. Low doses of atropine (0.02 mg/kg BW i.m.) and glycopyrrolate (0.005 mg/kg BW i.m.) completely inhibited the gastric motility for at least 30 min, whereas higher doses (0.04 or 0.01 mg/kg BW) caused a cessation of activity for more than 3 h. In Labradors, the effects of both active substances were not so dose related and the effect of glycopyrrolate lasted at least 6 h, whereas the effect of atropine gradually decreased after 3 h. A distinct breed difference regarding the effect of the two prokinetics on the antral motility was also observed. In Beagles, the prokinetics, at a low dose (metoclopramide 0.3 mg/kg BW, cisapride 0.2 mg/kg BW), resulted in a significant increase in the amplitude integral. Higher doses (metoclopramide 0.6 mg/kg BW, cisapride 0.5 mg/kg BW) also increased the integrals of the pressure profiles, but significantly less than with the lower doses. In Labradors, both medications, mainly at higher doses, resulted in an increase of the contraction amplitudes. The low dose had no (cisapride) or only a transient effect (metoclopramide). The frequency of the antral contractions was not at all influenced by cisapride, and only in Beagles metoclopramide resulted in a dose-related increase. It is not clear if the different results in Labradors and Beagles are because of breed or body weight.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Long-term measurement of gastric motility using passive telemetry and effect of guar and cellulose as food additives in dogs.

The suitability of passive telemetry for long-term measurements of gastric motility in two groups of dogs with different body weights, four Beagles and four Labrador Retrievers, was investigated. An intra-abdominal measuring device, with a pressure sensor and electrodes within the gastric wall, allowed the continuous recording of the intensity and frequency of contractions simultaneously with an electromyogram (EMG). In fasting dogs a typical inter-digestive motility cycle was reproducible. Within 15 min of feeding the integral of the pressure curve increased significantly, reaching its maximum 30-45 min post-prandially. The peak frequency also significantly increased immediately after feeding, reaching the maximum of 22 contractions per 5 min. The post-prandial motility patterns of the groups were significantly different. The pressure amplitudes of the Labradors were significantly higher and the peak frequencies significantly lower than the Beagles. The addition of guar to the food (2.5% or 5%) leads to a significant reduction of the intensity of the antral contractions, whereas the frequency was hardly affected. In comparison, the effect of cellulose, as a food additive (2.5% or 5%), was rather modest. The intensity of the post-prandial contractions, influenced by cellulose, was significantly increased in Beagles, but was decreased in Labradors. Passive telemetry has been proven to be a suitable method for the long-term investigation of the physiological gastric motility and the effect of food additives. The measuring device was still functional after removal 8 weeks later.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Promoter hypermethylation frequency and BRAF mutations distinguish hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer from sporadic MSI-H colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancers resulting from defective DNA mismatch repair can occur in both hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) and in the sporadic setting. They are characterised by a high level of microsatellite instability (MSI-H) and superficially resemble each other in that they are frequently located in the proximal colon and share features such as circumscribed tumour margins and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes. However, significant differences can be demonstrated at the molecular level including widespread promoter hypermethylation and BRAF -activating mutations which occur significantly less often in HNPCC. AIMS: In this study, we sought to determine whether the presence of widespread promoter hypermethylation and BRAF mutations would exclude HNPCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the methylation status of four methylated in tumour markers (MINTs 1,2,12 and 31), and the promoter regions of 5 genes hMLH1, HPP1, MGMT, p16INK4A and p14ARF, in 21 sporadic MSI-H colorectal cancers and compared these with 18 cancers from HNPCC patients. The methylation status of CpG islands were determined by either methylation specific PCR (MSP) or combined bisulfite restricton analysis (COBRA). In addition we considered the BRAF mutation status of 18 HNPCC tumours and 19 sporadic MSI-H cancers which had been previously determined by RFLP analysis and confirmatory sequencing. RESULTS: Methylation of the promoter regions in target genes occurred less frequently within the HNPCC tumours (27% of analyses), compared with the sporadic MSI-H tumours (59% of analyses) (P < 0.001). Methylation of MINTs 1, 2, 12 and 31 occurred in 4% of analyses for HNPCC tumours contrasted with 73% for sporadic MSI-H tumours (P < 0.001). BRAF mutations were detected in 74% of sporadic tumours but none of the HNPCC cancers tested. CONCLUSIONS: The total number of genes and MINTs methylated in HNPCC was lower than in MSI-H colorectal tumours. No HNPCC tumour showed evidence of widespread promoter hypermethylation or BRAF mutation suggesting this feature could be used as a discriminator between familial and sporadic cases.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

BRAF mutation is associated with DNA methylation in serrated polyps and cancers of the colorectum.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Mutations in BRAF have been linked with colorectal cancers (CRC) showing high level microsatellite instability (MSI-H). However, the distribution of BRAF mutations in MSI-H cancers remains to be clarified with respect to precursor lesions and the CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP). METHODS: Forty three hyperplastic polyps (HP), nine mixed polyps (MP), five serrated adenomas (SA), 28 conventional adenomas (AD), 18 hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancers (HNPCC), and 127 sporadic CRC (46 MSI-H and 81 non-MSI-H) were collected from patients undergoing colectomy for either CRC or hyperplastic polyposis. Twenty five of 57 serrated lesions were derived from four patients with hyperplastic polyposis. HP were further subdivided according to recently documented morphological criteria into 27 classical HP and 16 variant lesions described as "sessile serrated adenoma" (SSA). All tumours were screened for BRAF activating mutations. RESULTS: The BRAF mutation was more frequent in SSA (75%) and MP (89%) than in classical HP (19%), SA (20%), and AD (0%) (p<0.0001), and also in sporadic MSI-H cancers (76%) compared with HNPCC (0%) and sporadic non-MSI-H cancers (9%) (p<0.0001). The BRAF mutation was identified more often in CIMP-high serrated polyps (72%) and CIMP-high CRC (77%) than in CIMP-low (30%) and CIMP-negative (13%) polyps (p = 0.002) as well as CIMP-low (18%) and CIMP-negative (0%) CRC (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The BRAF mutation was frequently seen in SSA and in sporadic MSI-H CRC, both of which were associated with DNA methylation. Sporadic MSI-H cancers may originate in SSA and not adenomas, and BRAF mutation and DNA methylation are early events in this "serrated" pathway.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2004

Contralateral cerebral blood flow velocity changes after intracarotid amobarbital injection.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The intracarotid amobarbital procedure (IAP) leads to a prompt decrease in ipsilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) mean blood flow velocity (MFV). Little is known about contralateral MFV changes. METHODS: The authors investigated bilateral MCA MFV using transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) in 8 patients with epilepsy undergoing IAP. Measurements were excluded from analysis if angiography revealed any signs of interhemispheric cross-flow. RESULTS: With in 64 seconds after amobarbital injection, ipsilateral MFV decreased to a mean of 44.4% +/- 7.5% of baseline value (P < .01). In the absence of interhemispheric cross-flow and within 68 seconds, contralateral MFV decreased to 83.1% +/- 7.9% (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The observed decrease of contralateral MFV was not caused by amobarbital cross-perfusion. A possible underlying mechanism may be interhemispheric deafferentation.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

The effect of GnRH analogs on urinary incontinence after ablation of the ovaries in dogs.

After removal of the ovaries approximately 20% of dogs develop urinary incontinence. Removal of the gonads results in estrogen deficiency and chronic elevation in the production and secretion of FSH and LH. The gonadotrophins may directly or indirectly, adversely affect the sphincter function of the urethra. Estrogen replacement therapy and treatment with sympathomimetics, such as ephedrine or phenylpropanolamine (PPA), are effective only in some of the affected dogs, and many of these subsequently become nonresponsive. Since the role of the elevated gonadotrophins has not been elucidated, we used depot preparations of GnRH analogues to down-regulate gonadotrophins once or twice in 13 ovariectomized (ovx), incontinent dogs, which were either refractory to alpha-adrenergics (n=11) or in which alpha-adrenergics were contraindicated (n=2). Dogs were treated with leuprolide, deslorelin, buserelin or triptorelin. In 7 dogs treatments with GnRH analogues alone (n=11) resulted in continence for 50-738 days (mean 247). In all dogs except one, where GnRH treatments did not resolve the incontinence completely, additional treatment with phenylpropanolamine was successful. With additional treatment of phenylpropanolamine complete continence was restored for 21-367 days (mean 159). All treatments caused long-term reduction of circulating FSH and LH concentrations to very low or undetectable levels. No adverse effects of treatments were observed.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Shift of whispering-gallery modes in microspheres by protein adsorption.

Biosensors based on the shift of whispering-gallery modes in microspheres accompanying protein adsorption are described by use of a perturbation theory. For random spatial adsorption, theory predicts that the shift should be inversely proportional to microsphere radius R and proportional to protein surface density and excess polarizability. Measurements are found to be consistent with the theory, and the correspondence enables the average surface area occupied by a single protein to be estimated. These results are consistent with crystallographic data for bovine serum albumin. The theoretical shift for adsorption of a single protein is found to be extremely sensitive to the target region, with adsorption in the most sensitive region varying as 1/R(5/2). Specific parameters for single protein or virus particle detection are predicted.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2003

[Evaluation of 5 years of postoperative pain management in orthopaedic surgery, in a private hospital, following quality standard management].

OBJECTIVE: To report the 5 years' experience of a postoperative pain service according to quality standards management. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The goals of pain treatment were determined from the description of the initial inquiries performed in 1994. Decrease in the postoperative pain for all the patients operated at the first and the third postoperative day, systematic evaluation of the pain, implementation of common therapeutic protocols, information and satisfaction of the patients, improvement in side effects' management, and a bearable managing cost. The deadline of these objectives was 1999. Patients were followed-up by a questionnaire at the third postoperative day, by verbal scale scoring every 4 h, by reporting techniques and analgesic drugs, and side effects. An audit of the nurses, was performed through a questionnaire in 1999. RESULTS: Four thousand sixty-eight patients were included in the audit over 5 years (1995-1999). Twelve objectives out of 15 were reached. Painful patients were less numerous, said themselves less painful, were more quickly relieved, and were satisfied by their management. The incidence of side effects was much lower than the figures of the literature. CONCLUSION: Pain control on mobilization, maintenance of a high quality continuous formation, and development of pain control process in the other surgical departments are the new goals in progress.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Increased glial metabolites predict increased working memory network activation in HIV brain injury.

Deficits in attention and working memory are common in human immuno deficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected patients, but the pathophysiology of these deficits is poorly understood. Modern neuroimaging techniques, such as proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H MRS) and functional MRI (fMRI), can assess some of the processes underlying HIV brain injury. To evaluate the model that attentional deficits in early HIV brain disease are related to brain inflammation, (1)H MRS and fMRI were performed in 14 HIV-positive subjects [acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) dementia complex stage 1 or less]. Increasing attentional load on three working memory tasks was assessed with fMRI, and the concentrations of brain metabolites were measured with (1)H MRS in the frontal gray and white matter, and basal ganglia. Metabolite concentrations were correlated with fMRI blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signals, using a random-effects linear regression model in SPM99. Several positive correlations were observed between the BOLD signal strength in the working memory network (posterior parietal cortex and lateral prefrontal cortex) and the concentrations of frontal white matter and basal ganglia metabolites that are predominant in glial cells (choline-containing compounds, myo-inositol, and total creatine). In contrast, BOLD signals in the working memory network were not correlated with the concentration of N-acetyl compounds, which are markers of neuronal viability, or with metabolite concentrations in the frontal gray matter. These findings are consistent with previous results that mild HIV brain injury is associated with increased glial activation without major involvement of neuronal abnormalities. We propose that the inflammatory glial abnormalities reduce the efficiency of neural processing, and necessitate compensatory increases in attention in patients, and associated BOLD signals, to perform a given task. The same mechanism may also contribute to cognitive dysfunction in other brain diseases that involve inflammation.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗
PubMed2003

[Treatment of fibroepithelial hyperplasia (FEH) of the mammary gland in the cat with the progesterone antagonist Aglépristone (Alizine)].

Three cases of fibroepithelial hyperplasia (FEH) of the mammary gland in the cat are reported. A one year old female cat had a distinct enlargement of the middle mammary glands, one on each side, 5 days after the first estrus. One week later the cat was treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Promone). The affected glands, along with the remaining glands, increased further in size. A five year old female cat was treated with Proligeston (Covinan) for the suppression of estrus. Two weeks later fibroepithelial hyperplasia occurred in two glands, one with a well demarcated ulceration. A seven months old male cat was treated with delmadinon acetate (Tarden) because of urine spraying. Two months later he had enlargement of all mammary glands. All three cats were treated with the progesterone antagonist Aglépristone (Alizine). Within 5 to 11 weeks the mammary glands had regressed to normal.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Lesions of the spleen in chronic pancreatitis by thrombophlebetic splenomegaly and cyst penetration].

UNLABELLED: Chronic pancreatitis leads to changes of nearby organs with possible acute and chronic complications including lesions of the spleen. Among 341 patients operated upon between January 1981 and June 2002 in the surgical department Gera, we found 7 spontaneous spleen ruptures or such after minimal trauma and 4 pseudocysts, which expanded to the splenic hilus. In all cases splenectomy was carried out with resection of the tail of the pancreas with or without drainage of the pancreas. 2 patients with a history of splenectomy after minimal trauma underwent duodenum-preserving resection of the pancreatic head to Frey, and distal pancreatectomy, resp. CONCLUSIONS: Lesions of the spleen belong to the rare complications of chronic pancreatitis. With known case history and mostly delayed course, the operative concept must be concentrated not only on the splenic lesion but also on the therapy of the chronic pancreatitis.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Injury and fitness outcomes during implementation of physical readiness training.

This study examined injury and physical fitness outcomes in Basic Combat Training (BCT) during implementation of Physical Readiness Training (PRT). PRT is the U.S. Army's emerging physical fitness training program. An experimental group (EG, n = 1284), which implemented the PRT program, was compared to a control group (CG, n = 1296), which used a traditional BCT physical training program during the 9-week BCT cycle. Injury cases were obtained from recruit medical records and physical fitness was measured using the U.S. Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT, consisting of push-ups, sit-ups and a two-mile run). Injury rates were examined using Cox regression after controlled for initial group differences in demographics, fitness and other variables. Compared to the EG, the adjusted relative risk of a time-loss overuse injury in the CG was 1.5 (95 % confidence interval [CI] = 1.0 - 2.1, p < 0.01) for men and 1.4 (95 %CI = 1.1 - 1.8, p < 0.01) for women. There were no differences between groups for traumatic injuries. On the first administration of the final APFT, the EG had a greater proportion of recruits passing the test than the CG (men: 85 % vs. 81 %, p = 0.04; women: 80 % vs. 70 %, p < 0.01). After all APFT retakes, the EG had significantly fewer APFT failures than the CG among the women (1.6 % vs. 4.6 %, p < 0.01) but not the men (1.6 % vs. 2.8 %, p = 0.18); the gender-combined EG had a higher pass rate (1.6 % vs. 3.7 %, p < 0.01). Overall, the PRT program reduced overuse injuries and allowed a higher success rate on the APFT.

Adult↗