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Biomedical subjects

W Ruch

Publications and source records attributed to W Ruch.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Humor and smiling: cortical regions selective for cognitive, affective, and volitional components.

BACKGROUND: The interrelationships among humor, smiling, and grinning have fascinated philosophers for millennia and neurologists for over a century. A functional dissociation between emotional facial expressions and those under voluntary control was suggested decades ago. Recent functional imaging studies, however, have been somewhat at odds with older studies with respect to the role of the right frontal cortex in the perception of humor. METHODS: Blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) activity was measured in 13 subjects during the presentation of "funny" vs "nonfunny" versions of essentially the same cartoons and compared with BOLD activity associated with "merely grinning" at similar nonfunny cartoons via fMRI. RESULTS: Humor perception was correlated with BOLD activity in the left temporo-occipitoparietal junction and left prefrontal cortex and humor-associated smiling (recorded with an MR-compatible video camera) with bilateral activity in the basal temporal lobes. Unexpectedly, both conditions were also accompanied by a decrease in BOLD activity in the right orbitofrontal cortex. Voluntary "grinning" in the absence of humorous stimuli was accompanied by bilateral activity in the facial motor regions. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm the clinically derived hypothesis of separate cortical regions responsible for the production of emotionally driven vs voluntary facial expressions. The right orbitofrontal decrease reconciles inconsistencies between clinical and functional imaging findings and may reflect a disinhibition of facial emotional expression.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

National character does not reflect mean personality trait levels in 49 cultures.

Most people hold beliefs about personality characteristics typical of members of their own and others' cultures. These perceptions of national character may be generalizations from personal experience, stereotypes with a "kernel of truth," or inaccurate stereotypes. We obtained national character ratings of 3989 people from 49 cultures and compared them with the average personality scores of culture members assessed by observer ratings and self-reports. National character ratings were reliable but did not converge with assessed traits. Perceptions of national character thus appear to be unfounded stereotypes that may serve the function of maintaining a national identity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Once daily ceftriaxone plus amikacin vs. three times daily ceftazidime plus amikacin for treatment of febrile neutropenic children with cancer. Writing Committee for the International Collaboration on Antimicrobial Treatment of Febrile Neutropenia in Children.

BACKGROUND: The combination of ceftazidime plus aminoglycoside is widely used for the treatment of febrile neutropenic patients but requires multiple daily administration. Because the frequency of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is low in many centers, there is a rationale to test other antibiotic regimens that provide appropriate antibacterial coverage with the advantage of reduced dosing frequency, such as once daily ceftriaxone plus amikacin. METHODS: Febrile neutropenic children with leukemia, lymphoma or solid tumors after chemotherapy were included in an open, prospective, randomized, multinational study comparing once daily ceftriaxone plus amikacin vs. 8-hourly ceftazidime and amikacin. The response to antimicrobial therapy was defined as complete response, improvement or failure. Assessment of adverse events was supplemented by specific definitions of nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, hepatotoxicity and hypokalemia. Costs were estimated from published values of acquisition costs, delivery costs and hospitalization costs. RESULTS: Efficacy was evaluable in 364 of 468 episodes in 265 children. Response rates in ceftriaxone and amikacin vs. ceftazidime and amikacin-treated episodes were 119 of 181 (66%) vs. 121 of 183 (66%), 7 of 181 (4%) vs. 9 of 183 (5%) and 55 of 181 (30%) vs. 53 of 181 (29%) for complete response, improvement and failure, respectively. Safety profiles were similar with both treatment regimens. The acquisition and administration costs were lower for the ceftriaxone and amikacin regimen. CONCLUSIONS: A once daily regimen of ceftriaxone and amikacin is as safe and clinically effective as that of three times daily ceftazidime and amikacin for the treatment of febrile neutropenic children with cancer and is more cost-effective. The once daily regimen of ceftriaxone and amikacin is suitable for outpatient treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Different effects of cyclosporin A on bone remodeling in young and adult rats.

Reported effects of cyclosporin A (Sandimmun, CsA) on bone have been both contradictory and controversial. Thus, stimulation of new bone formation as well as increased mineral and matrix resorption have been observed. To investigate the response of basal mineral and matrix turnover to CsA treatment at different stages of skeletal development, comparative experiments were conducted in young growing female rats and in adults. Fifty-six young animals (study A) and 40 adults (study B) received orally either the carrier substance or 5, 15, and 30 mg/kg CsA for 30 days. The following parameters were measured: (a) total skeletal mineral content by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) on days 1 and 30; (b) tibial trabecular volume at day 30; (c) serum osteocalcin at 5-day intervals; (d) urinary deoxypyridinoline (Dpd) excretion (days 1, 15, and 30); and (e) plasma levels of CsA. Results can be summarized as follows: in young rats (study A), total skeletal mineral was not modified by the 5- and 15-mg/kg doses of CsA, whereas 30 mg/kg induced a significant decrease (-15%, p < 0.01). This parameter was not significantly modified in adult animals (study B) subjected to the same doses. The administration of 5 mg/kg CsA did not alter tibial trabecular volume in young rats, but 15 and 30 mg/kg significantly lowered this parameter (-16.3%, p < 0.02, and -42%, p < 0.001, respectively). In adult rats, tibial trabecular volume remained unchanged with the exception of the group receiving 30 mg/kg which exhibited significantly lower values (-28%, p < 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1995

Treatment of streptococcal endocarditis with a single daily dose of ceftriaxone and netilmicin for 14 days: a prospective multicenter study.

A 2-week course of ceftriaxone (2 g) plus netilmicin (4 mg/kg), administered as one short daily iv infusion, was evaluated for the treatment of streptococcal endocarditis in an open multicenter study. Of the 52 patients, 31 were infected with viridans streptococci, 18 with Streptococcus bovis, two with Gemella morbillorum, and one with group C Streptococcus; 48 patients were assessable. Infection was cured in 42 cases, 35 treated medically and seven treated both medically and surgically. Five patients died without evidence of active infection, and one relapsed. The bacteriologic failure was due to a strain of G. morbillorum against which no synergy of ceftriaxone and netilmicin was evident in vitro. The serum creatinine level increased during treatment in four cases, all involving patients > 65 years old who had renal risk factors; in two of these cases, values did not return to baseline during follow-up. Of 40 patients assessed for auditory function, only one developed decreased perception of borderline significance. Other adverse reactions were mild. This regimen was efficacious, safe, and cost-effective for the treatment of streptococcal endocarditis. However, it must be used with caution for patients with preexisting renal impairment or concomitant exposure to other potentially nephrotoxic agents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Ceftriaxone--bilirubin-albumin interactions in the neonate: an in vivo study.

The in vivo bilirubin-albumin binding interaction of ceftriaxone (CRO) was investigated in 14 non-jaundiced newborns, aged 33-42 weeks of gestation, during the first few days of life after they had reached stable clinical condition. CRO (50 mg/kg) was infused intravenously over 30 min. The competitive binding effect of CRO on the bilirubin-albumin complex was estimated by determining the reserve albumin concentration (RAC) at baseline, at the end of CRO infusion, and at 15 and 60 min thereafter. Immediately after the end of drug administration, RAC decreased from 91.9 (+/- 25.1) mumol/l to 38.6 (+/- 10.1) mumol/l (P = 0.0001). At the same time the plasma bilirubin toxicity index (PBTI) increased from 0.64 (+/- 0.40) before drug infusion to 0.96 (+/- 0.44) thereafter (P = 0.0001). The highest displacement factor (DF) was calculated to be 2.8 (+/- 0.6) at the end of drug infusion. Average total serum bilirubin concentrations decreased from a baseline value of 59.6 (+/- 27.0) mumol/l to 55.2 (+/- 27.1) mumol/l (P = 0.026). Sixty minutes after the end of CRO infusion, RAC was 58.3 (+/- 21.7) mumol/l, PBTI regained baseline, but DF was still 1.9 (+/- 0.2). No adverse events were recorded. Our results demonstrate significant competitive interaction of CRO with bilirubin-albumin binding in vivo. Thus, ceftriaxone should not be given to the neonate at risk of developing bilirubin encephalopathy.

Bilirubin↗
PubMed1990

Age differences in the enjoyment of incongruity-resolution and nonsense humor during adulthood.

This study tested a model of the development of incongruity-resolution and nonsense humor during adulthood. Subjects were 4,292 14- to 66-year-old Germans. Twenty jokes and cartoons representing structure-based humor categories of incongruity resolution and nonsense were rated for funniness and aversiveness. Humor structure preferences were also assessed with a direct comparison task. The results generally confirmed the hypotheses. Incongruity-resolution humor increased in funniness and nonsense humor decreased in funniness among progressively older subjects after the late teens. Aversiveness of both forms of humor generally decreased over the ages sampled. Age differences in humor appreciation were strongly correlated with age differences in conservatism. An especially strong parallel was found between age differences in appreciation of incongruity-resolution humor and age differences in conservatism.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

[Diabetes or hyperglycemia?].

An 11-year-old boy developed influenza with glucosuria. An oral glucose test performed during the infection revealed values within the diabetic range. Type 1 diabetes was wrongly diagnosed and insulin therapy initiated. A 19-year-old overweight adolescent developed pneumonia with hyperglycemia but without polydipsia or polyuria. Further investigation revealed incipient type 1 diabetes. As insulin therapy was not initiated the diabetes rapidly decompensated. It is recommended that further investigations be conducted in patients with hyperglycemia following infections.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Prevalence of coeliac disease in diabetic children and adolescents. A multicentre study.

Screening for coeliac disease (CD) with serum antigliadin antibodies (AGA) was performed in 1032 diabetic children and adolescents. In 8 children CD had been diagnosed before study entry. Of the remaining 1024 children, 33 had an elevated AGA titre in the first serum sample. On follow-up an elevated AGA titre was confirmed in only 17 of 31 patients. Nine of the repeatedly positive patients underwent jejunal biopsy, and CD was diagnosed in two asymptomatic patients; both were positive for IgG- and IgA-AGA. Among 10 AGA-positive patients in whom biopsies could not be performed, only 1 showed IgA-AGA and thus carried a high risk for CD. From our results we estimate a prevalence of CD in Swiss and German diabetic children between 1.1% and 1.3%. False-positive AGA titres occurred significantly more often in patients with diabetes duration of less than 1 year. AGA testing reached a specificity of 99% if performed at least 1 year after the onset of diabetes. Children suffering from both diabetes and CD showed a diabetes manifestation at a significantly younger age than non-coeliac patients, whereas CD tended to be diagnosed at a remarkably late age.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

[Psychosocial dwarfism in three siblings].

Three siblings with deprivation dwarfism are described. Special investigations did not reveal any pathological findings apart from retarded bone age in two children and metaphyseal growth lines. The three siblings demonstrated immediate catch-up growth after removal from the deprivating environment. Problems of etiology, diagnosis and treatment are discussed.

Child↗
PubMed1987

[HbA1c determination in capillary blood].

A practical procedure is described for the determination of HbA1c in capillary blood collected in micro-hematocrit-capillaries. These blood samples can be mailed to the analytical laboratory prior to consultation with the physician. The results of such determinations in 23 juvenile diabetic patients obtained during a two-year observation period are presented.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Inhibition of the phagocytosis-induced respiratory burst by the fungal metabolite wortmannin and some analogues.

The sterol-like fungal metabolite wortmannin and a number of natural and chemically-derived analogues were found to block the induction of the respiratory burst during phagocytosis. 17-Hydroxy wortmannin, the most active compound tested, showed a 50% inhibition of the burst in neutrophils and mononuclear phagocytes at concentrations ranging between 0.8 and 17 nM, while wortmannin itself was about half as potent. Chemical derivation showed that a furane structure between ring A and B with adjacent carbonyl functions is essential for activity. At concentrations that entirely prevented superoxide or hydrogen peroxide production, the wortmannins were not cytotoxic and did not inhibit phagocytosis. At even higher concentrations (10 microM), 17-hydroxy wortmannin had no effect on the NADPH oxidase, once activated. This suggests that the wortmannins interfere with the signal transduction sequence initiated by the particulate stimulus and leading to the activation of the respiratory burst oxidase.

Androstadienes↗
PubMed1986

Steroidogenic activity of highly potent melanotropic peptides in the adrenal cortex of the rat.

Highly purified ACTH and MSH peptides were studied in isolated rat glomerulosa and inner zone cells and their activity compared with that in an Anolis melanophore assay. While both ACTH1-39 and ACTH1-24 were almost equally potent steroidogenic peptides in the two cell types (ED50 between 1 and 4 X 10(-12) M), alpha-MSH displayed only weak steroidogenic activity. Although it was a full agonist, it was about 10(4)-fold less potent in both capsular and inner zone cells. beta-MSH (porcine) was even 10-fold less active in capsular cells than alpha-MSH, and in inner zone cells it was a partial agonist. Highly potent melanotropic peptides, such as (Nle4, D-Phe7)-alpha-MSH or cyclic (Cys4, Cys10)-alpha-MSH were either inactive or exhibited only a very slight partial steroidogenic activity in both cell types. Comparison of the activity profile of additional compounds, such as des-acetyl alpha-MSH, (Tyr(I)2)-alpha-MSH, (Trp(For)9)-alpha-MSH or (Nva12)-alpha-MSH, in the adrenocortical and pigment cell assays led to the conclusion that alpha-MSH does not exert its steroidogenic effect through a typical melanocyte-type of MSH receptor, but rather through a low affinity-type of ACTH receptor.

Adrenal Cortex↗