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Biomedical subjects

U Gerlach

Publications and source records attributed to U Gerlach.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Roentgen studies of the skull in head injuries--a multicenter study].

The multi-center study presented reveals that 76% of the conventionally performed X-ray investigations of the skull can be avoided without any relevance concerning the non-diagnosis of severe injuries. Only in 3.2% of all patients investigated a skull X-ray had instantaneous therapeutically consequences. Thus routinely performed skull X-rays are no longer acceptable in the light of cost reduction and radiation load. The clinical-neurological investigations however are inevitable to perform the state of the art treatment of patients with head injuries today, leading to computerized tomography if necessary. A check-list of clinical findings is presented to get the indications for conventional X-rays of the skull and to manage an effective use of such investigations in appropriate clinical situations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Joint occurrence of collagen mRNA containing cells and macrophages in human atherosclerotic vessels.

Cells with enhanced levels of collagen type I and III mRNA were identified and localized in frozen tissue sections from samples of human atherosclerotic renal and common iliac arteries by in situ hybridization using complementary 35S-labeled RNA probes. Serial sections were immunohistochemically stained for smooth muscle cells, monocytes, and differentiated macrophages. In the fibromuscular intima and in the fibrous plaques, cells with enhanced transcriptional activity were located mainly in the vicinity of differentiated macrophages. In three patients, lack of enhanced transcriptional activity in a proliferated intima was connected with complete absence of macrophages, thus indicating a quiescent stage of atherosclerosis. Immunohistochemical staining of serial sections for smooth muscle cells (SMC) revealed the presence of this cell type throughout the proliferated intima in atherosclerotic arteries including those areas in which enhanced collagen mRNAs were detected. The present results support the idea that macrophages play an important role in the activation of collagen synthesis in SMC of atherosclerotic vessel walls.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Alpha-amylase isoenzymes in serum and saliva of patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa].

In the serum and saliva of 45 patients with eating disorders and in 30 normal controls, alpha-amylase activity and isoamylase levels were measured. Of the 45 patients evaluated, 12 had restrictive anorexia nervosa, 13 were bulimic anorectics and 20 had bulimia nervosa. In all these groups, the mean alpha-amylase values in serum and saliva were higher than that of the control group. The proportion of pancreatic (P)- and salivary (S)-alpha-amylase isoenzymes in serum were within the normal range for the patient group with restrictive anorexia nervosa, whereas the bulimic anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa patients showed significantly greater increases in S- than P-isoamylase activity. The correlation of the salivary alpha-Amylase isoenzym pattern in serum and saliva pointed to the salivary glands as origin of the elevated salivary isoamylase levels in serum. Hyperamylasemia was found in 10 (25%) of the 45 patients with eating disorders. Three of these patients showed besides an increased S-alpha-amylase activity also pathologically elevated P-alpha-amylase and lipase activity in serum; however there were no abdominal symptoms, laboratory data or ultrasonic signs of pancreatitis. In all patients with eating disorders, the mean concentration and secretion of alpha-amylase in saliva were increased. Swelling of the salivary glands was present in 14 patients. In these cases the percentage of salivary-isoamylase activity in total serum alpha-amylase activity was increased significantly, whereas the alpha-amylase secretion in the resting saliva was decreased.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Ultrasonic findings in aggressive abdominal fibromatosis].

A case of aggressive abdominal fibromatosis is reported. Ultrasonography revealed multiple inhomogenous, hypoechoic tumours within the mesenterium and the anterior abdominal wall. Some of these lesions had a hyperechogenic margin.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed1990

Immunoadsorbent plasma perfusion in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Extracorporeal treatment of acute systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) by plasmapheresis has been reported for more than 10 years. Risks of plasmapheresis include unselective procedure, an immunoadsorbent plasma perfusion by IM-P column. Eight of 10 patients evaluated improved through 3 treatments of a 2-liter perfusion. Analysis of proteins removed during plasma perfusion showed a semiselectivity of the IM-P column for circulating immune complexes and anti-dsDNA antibodies. After perfusion of 2 liters of plasma, these substances were reduced by about 35-40%, whereas whole protein was lowered by less than 10% and immunoglobulins by about 18%. Our results in severe SLE indicate that immunoadsorption having the advantage of lowering side effects by dispensing wih foreign protein substitution.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Significance of a sonographic secretin test in the diagnosis of pancreatic disease. Results of a prospective study.

In a prospective study the pancreatic duct diameter was measured sonographically before and after secretin stimulation in 20 healthy controls and 59 patients with upper abdominal pain, weight loss, and/or diarrhea. Whereas healthy controls and patients without pancreatic disease after secretin stimulation showed a distinct pancreatic duct dilatation of more than 90% of basal duct diameter, no distinct secretin-induced duct enlargement was observed in most patients with chronic pancreatitis. Patients with circumscript pancreatic duct stenosis even had a marked and longer-lasting duct dilatation after stimulation. In patients with anomalies of the pancreatic duct system, no uniform response was found after secretin injection. In this study the sonographic secretin test showed a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 95% for diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis. The results confirm that this diagnostic method can be recommended as a reliable screening test for pancreatic disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Evaluation of serum laminin P1, procollagen-III peptides, and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase for monitoring the activity of liver fibrosis.

Chronic liver diseases are characterized by an increase in connective tissue components in liver tissue. The determination of Col 1-3 peptide of type III procollagen (P-III-P) in serum of patients seems to be a useful parameter of hepatic fibroplasia. Specific radioimmunoassays are available for Col 1-3 (P-III-P) and the Col 1 and Col 1-3 (P-III-P-Fab) peptides of type III procollagen and for laminin P1 fragment. These proteins and the activity of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (beta-NAG) were measured in 94 patients with chronic liver diseases, and in 74 healthy controls. In addition, direct immunofluorescence studies were done for laminin P1 in normal and fibrotic liver tissues. In normal human liver, laminin was found in the basement membrane of bile ducts and in blood vessel walls. In fibrotic liver tissue, laminin additionally occurred in periportal areas and in sinusoids co-distributed with other connective tissue components. In serum concentrations of P-III-P, P-III-P-Fab and laminin were higher in patients than in healthy subjects. Laminin concentration was increased in early stages of chronic liver disease, possibly as a marker of regeneration; the highest concentrations were in active cirrhosis and chronic active hepatitis. The determination of P-III-P and P-III-P-Fab provided information on synthesis and degradation of type III collagen: In inactive cirrhosis, Col 1 peptide was increased in relation to Col 1-3 peptide.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylglucosaminidase↗
PubMed1987

[Plasma perfusion in life-threatening exogenous poisoning].

Since 1984 30 patients with severe exogenous intoxications have been treated by plasma perfusion. This method has advantages compared to other instrumental detoxification techniques, especially hemoperfusion; i.e. no loss of blood cells, no necessity for systemic anticoagulation and no blockage of the adsorber by thrombus. The plasma, which was obtained by plasma separation, perfused the respective adsorber (activated charcoal, resin). After "purification" the plasma was returned to the patient. The mean perfused plasma volume amounted to 3800 ml per patient and per treatment cycle. 27 of the 30 patients were treated successfully. The observed toxokinetic data confirmed the effectiveness of plasma perfusion in the elimination of toxic substances.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Sonographic imaging of the pancreatic duct. New diagnostic possibilities using secretin stimulation.

The pancreatic duct or at least parts of this structure can be demonstrated today by sonography in 75-85% of all persons examined. In 84 persons we have now measured the caliber of the sonographically visualized pancreatic duct in the region of the proximal body of the pancreas with special attention to dependence on age. The diameter of Wirsung's duct ranged from 1 to 3 mm (mean 1.9 mm) and increased significantly from the fifth decade of life onwards. After intravenous injection of the hormone secretin, healthy persons usually show a distinct duct enlargement, which also depends on age. Nine persons aged 19 through 35 (median 28) years showed a dilatation of the main pancreatic duct by about 110% following secretion injection. Nine further probands, 50-74 (median 58) years old, had a dilatation of about 70%. Eighteen patients with confirmed chronic pancreatitis and a pancreatic duct diameter not exceeding 4 mm generally showed no duct enlargement after secretin stimulation. We believe that periductal fibrosis, which is common in chronic pancreatitis, is the most important reason for these results. The use of the sonographic secretin test in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis should be considered.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Serum concentration of N-terminal procollagen peptide of collagen type III in schistosomal liver fibrosis.

The major cause of mortality in human schistosomiasis is the chronic granulomatous reaction of the liver tissue to Schistosoma mansoni eggs. Liver biopsy still provides the best evaluation of the degree of liver damage. However, liver biopsy does not provide an image of the dynamic process of fibrogenesis. Variations of concentrations of procollagen type III peptide in sera have been proposed to be significant markers of liver fibrosis. Thus, liver function tests in relation to histopathological diagnosis and procollagen type III peptide concentrations were studied in patients with schistosomiasis and revealed a high correlation between the serum procollagen type III peptide and the degree of fibrosis in liver tissue.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

A possible role of catecholamines in atherogenesis and subsequent complications of atherosclerosis.

Cultured smooth muscle cells (SMC) from rat aorta and endothelial cells (EC) from pig aorta were used to study the effect of the catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine on cell proliferation. Both stimulated growth of SMC and EC when added to the culture medium. Besides epinephrine and norepinephrine, dopamine and some of their metabolites also stimulated proliferation of cultured endothelial cells. Smooth muscle cells originating from rats being exposed to atherosclerotic risk factors, like diabetes, hypertension and balloon-injury, exhibited an increased susceptibility to these catecholamines compared to SMC from control animals. In comparison to normotensive control animals a 10-fold elevated plasma concentration of epinephrine was found in hypertensive rats. In man plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine concentration was determined in a healthy control group and in patients suffering from diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine levels were similar in patients suffering from diabetes mellitus compared to the control group. But in patients with coronary artery disease significantly higher plasma concentrations for epinephrine (p less than 0.001) and norepinephrine (p less than 0.01) were observed. These data support the hypothesis that catecholamines may play a role in the development and subsequent complications of atherosclerosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

[Primary sonographic diagnosis of pancreatic duct calculi: the non-uniform aspect].

Four cases of sonographically visualised intraductal pancreatic calculi are reported. In three of these cases the calculi had been caused by chronic pancreatitis, and in one case by carcinoma of the head of the pancreas. The calculi did not present a uniform sonographic pattern, especially as regards echogenicity. A dorsal echo extinction was observed in three cases only. The non-uniform sonographic aspect of intraductal pancreatic calculi can probably be ascribed to differences in the lime content.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Concentration of fibronectin and granulocyte elastase in plasma of patients with systemic connective-tissue diseases.

The concentration of granulocyte elastase-alpha-1-protease inhibitor (E-AT) complex in plasma is enhanced in inflammatory processes, e.g. in septicaemia and rheumatoid arthritis, being an expression of granulocyte activation during inflammatory response. In the present study we measured E-AT and fibronectin in the plasma of 46 patients with various connective-tissue diseases in relation to the course of the disease. In about 50% of the cases, E-AT was found to be elevated to 2-3 times the normal concentrations, in relation to increasing serum content of C-reactive protein. In follow-ups over 2 years, an elevation of E-AT and a decreasing fibronectin in plasma was found in patients with activated disease. Without relation to other parameters used in connective-tissue diseases, fibronectin was found to be diminished below the normal range in 7 patients with systemic lupus erythematodes and 1 patient with overlapping syndrome. Our results indicate that the concentration of E-AT and fibronectin in plasma may be helpful parameters for judging the activity of connective-tissue diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Concentrations of 7S collagen and laminin P1 in sera of patients with diabetes mellitus.

Specific radioimmunoassays were used to quantify two basement membrane components, 7S collagen and laminin P1, in sera of 70 patients suffering from diabetes mellitus types I and II with and without clinical signs of chronic diabetic complications. Serum levels of both antigens were increased in diabetics compared to controls (p less than 0.001). Concentrations of 7S collagen were significantly different in diabetics with signs of microvascular damage compared to those without small vessel disease (p less than 0.05). The difference between laminin P1 concentrations in the two groups of diabetics was not significant (p less than 0.2). The augmented levels of circulating 7S collagen and laminin P1 may reflect alterations of basement membrane metabolism. Thus, the measurement of concentrations of these basement membrane components in serum may be a useful tool for monitoring the development of chronic diabetic complications.

Adolescent↗