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Biomedical subjects

W Wittmann

Publications and source records attributed to W Wittmann.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

[Severe hypoglycemia in diabetics with impaired renal function].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Reduction of renal function in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes is associated with a clearly increased risk of hypoglycemia. Main causes are an altered pharmacokinetics of insulin and oral antidiabetics and/or impaired renal glucose production. A knowledge of renal function is, therefore, essential for preventing hypoglycemia caused by antidiabetic treatment. But serum creatinine, most commonly used in general practice, is an imprecise indication of renal function. This investigation assessed the significance of a false estimation of renal function as a partial cause of severe hypoglycemia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 35 diabetics (21 females, 14 males; average age 61 years) who had been hospitalized because of an episode of severe hypoglycemia accompanied by loss of consciousness. Renal function was measured by serum creatinine and by creatinine clearance as calculated by the formula of Cockcroft and Gault. Also taken into account were HBA1c the antidiabetic treatment before and after discharge, and any additional medication. RESULTS: Impaired renal function was established by the serum creatinine level in 9 patients and by calculated creatine clearance in 24. Compared with patients with normal renal function, those with renal failure were older (74.3 vs. 32.8 years), had more rarely undergone intensive insulin treatment (5 of 24 vs. 9 of 11) and had more commonly received ACE inhibitors (10/24 vs. 1/11). The insulin dosage at discharge had been reduced in 16 off 22 insulin-dependent patients in renal failure, and long-acting sulfonylurea preparation were discontinued or changed to gliquidone in the others. CONCLUSION: This investigation indicates that false estimation of renal function from the level of serum creatinine is an important partial cause of hypoglycemia requiring treatment, especially in elderly persons with reduced muscle mass in whom renal function should be determined by calculating or measuring creatinine clearance.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Evidence for impaired glucose effectiveness in cirrhotic patients after liver transplantation.

To evaluate the impact of acute and chronic liver disease and single immunosuppression (cyclosporine A [CSA] or FK506) on insulin sensitivity and glucose effectiveness in liver-grafted patients, we performed a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGTT) in nondiabetic patients after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) with acute liver failure ([ALF] group, n = 9, with CSA therapy), in patients after OLT with chronic liver disease (CSA group, n = 8; FK506 group, n = 8), and in 9 healthy control subjects. Insulin sensitivity and glucose effectiveness were determined by analyzing glucose and insulin data from the FSIGTT with Bergman's minimal model technique for glucose. The intravenous glucose tolerance index ([KG] ie, the slope of the regression of the logarithm of blood glucose concentration) was not different between the ALF group (2.17 +/- 0.16 min(-1)) and controls (2.29 +/- 0.13 min(-1)), but was lower (P < .05) in both groups with chronic liver disease (CSA group, 1.46 +/- 0.1; FK506 group, 1.61 +/- 0.11 min(-1)) compared with the ALF group (P < .05). A positive relation for the KG and glucose effectiveness was found in all liver-grafted patients and controls. Insulin sensitivity was not different between all liver-grafted patients and controls. The body mass index (BMI) was the overall determinant of insulin sensitivity in all groups. Single immunosuppressive therapy does not impair insulin sensitivity in liver-grafted patients. The lower glucose effectiveness in liver-grafted patients with chronic liver disease but not in patients after ALF points to a defect in the regulation of glucose-mediated glucose uptake in peripheral tissue.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The legacy of Friedrich Loeffler--the Institute on the Isle of Riems.

When starting the experiments on foot and mouth disease on the Isle of Riems in October 1910, Friedrich Loeffler could continue investigations that had been interrupted in 1907 by ministerial order. Loeffler's appointment to Berlin in 1913 and his sudden death in 1915 lead to the temporary cessation of work on the Riems. With high personal creativity and many years of seminal influence, Otto Waldmann carried Loeffler's ideas further, in the selection of themes and research strategy, making the Riems a world famous place of research. Some essential elements have determined life and research on the island for decades: the development of measures against epidemics, the conception of their application, the extension of research to new diseases of economic significance, the close contacts with the veterinary practice at all times, the presentation of results to experts and the stimulating discussions in the laboratory. I will try to briefly draw a bow covering the decades of different social conditions to the present and to suggest that Loeffler's ideas, which have been improved with the years, can affect many a current decision, even though differentiated individually.

Academies and Institutes↗
PubMed1990

Application of microbiological cancer test to cattle infected with bovine leucosis virus.

A microbiological cancer test, previously verified in men and dogs using a clostridium strain (Clostridium butyricum CNRZ 528), was applied to cattle infected with bovine leucosis virus (BLV). An extended period of time was allowed to pass after infection with BLV, which had been checked up through specific serological and virological examinations. The cattle belonged to different age groups and stages of infection (with and without haematological alterations [preleukosis], with incipient tumour development [swelling of externally visible and palpable lymph nodes]). Controls included BLV-infected cows as well as test animals to which isotonic saline had been applied or healthy BLV-free cattle in which the clostridium strain had been used. The serological investigation was carried out in a blind test. 3 of 6 BLV-infected spore-treated heads of cattle responded positively to the cancer test, while the other 3 were negative. The 3 cows with positive cancer test were haematologically and serologically leucosis-positive animals with clinically detectable enlargement of lymph nodes. The 3 negative ones of this group, also serologically and haematologically leucosis-positive, were younger animals without signs of tumorous process. 3 spore-treated BLV-free cows and 2 BLV-infected animals, treated with isotonic saline, were cancer test-negative, as well. Finally, 4 BLV-infected and 2 BLV-free cattle, all of them without spore injection, were completely cancer test-negative. 1 cow of the BLV-infected group did not produce spore antibodies after spore treatment, while 1 cow of the BLV-free untreated control group developed spore antibodies.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Cost-benefit analysis of the control and cure of enzootic bovine leukosis, described in the example of a selected territory].

Severe economic damage had been inflicted upon numerous industrialised dairy farms by enzootic bovine leucosis in a selected region with predominance of stepwise production. Initial contamination at the beginning of control action and sanitation had been as high as 98 percent. The annual damage, in monetary terms, had been 3,205,041. - Marks, according to calculations. Now, after eleven years of control and sanitation, eradication of enzootic bovine leucosis has come into sight. Even during these eleven years, control action yielded a benefit of 19,005,451. - Marks, that is 1,727,768.20 Marks per annum or 69. - Marks per cow and annum. It will be possible in forthcoming years to bring the cost factor down and, consequently, to further increase the benefit.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Not Available].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

History, Ancient↗
PubMed1989

Bovine leucosis virus challenge infection of calves following application of BL-3 cells.

8 calves were vaccinated 3 times with 1.5.10(7) BL-3 cells. 2 and 6 weeks, respectively, after the 3rd vaccination each 4 calves were subjected to a challenge infection with 2.5.10(5) blood lymphocytes of a BLV-infected cow. For control a challenge infection was performed on 3 non-vaccinated calves. The vaccination caused in all calves the appearance of complement-dependent cytotoxic antibodies against BL-3 cells but not of antibodies against BLV-gp51. After the challenge infection there occurred in the sera of all vaccinated calves and of all non-vaccinated control animals antibodies against gp51, and BLV could be demonstrated in the cultivated blood lymphocytes of all animals. Consequently, the application of BL-3 cells had no protective effect against the BLV infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Retroviruses. Problems in electron microscopic diagnosis].

A department of electron microscopy with specialisation in virus diagnosis evaluates the results concerning retrovirus findings. In the course of research work already classified retroviruses were observed, numerous unexpected retrovirus diagnoses being of special interest. This concerned exclusively to ultra-thin sections of permanent and immune cells. Expounded in this paper are principles by which examiners should abide in any case. Reference is also made to the importance of individual findings.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Immunization of young cattle with gp51 of the bovine leukosis virus and the subsequent experimental infection].

Calves were immunised by means of a native Al(OH)3-absorbed gp51-preparation which had been obtained from a foetal lamb kidney cell line, following bovine leucosis virus (BLV) infection. 9 animals were immunised 3 times, using 300 micrograms gp51. 7 animals underwent test infection, using 2.5 x 10(3) or 2.5 x 10(4) BLV-infected lymphocytes. Serological and virological reactions of all animals, including 3 calves which had received only test infections, were followed up through 40 weeks by means of immunodiffusion test, enzyme-immuno-assay, gp51 antibody radio-immuno-assay, reverse transcriptase test, syncytial test, competitive p24 radio-immuno-assay, and by transmission of whole blood in animal experiments. The results obtained from virological testing showed that 1 animal had been protected by preceding immunisation. 4 in 7 immunised and test-infected animals exhibited transient BLV values, between the 7th and 16th weeks from infection. Typical leucosis infection had been induced to 2 animals. The above findings are discussed and are compared to similar results recorded by other working groups.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Antibody production against BLV-p24 in calves following application of cell extracts from tumorous lymph nodes of cattle with enzootic bovine leukosis.

In the cell extract from tumorous lymph nodes of bovine leukosis virus (BLV)-infected cattle (tumour cell extract) and from lymph nodes of BLV-free cattle (control cell extract) neither the gp51 nor the p24 antigens were detectable. The tumour cell extract contained receptors for the BLV antigens gp51 and p24. The immunogenicity of the cell extracts was tested in calves. All calves treated with the tumour cell extract developed antibodies against p24 but not against gp51. Administration of the control cell extract, in contrast, induced no antibodies against p24.

Animals↗