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PubMedDate not supplied

[Toxoplasmosis and dermatomyositis: a causal or casual relationship?].

A case of a 10 year old girl with typical clinical, cutaneous and muscular picture of dermatomyositis and positive serological investigation for toxoplasmosis with neurological complications (hemiparesis and headache) is reported. In literature several case reports have suggested an association between acquired toxoplasmosis and polymyositis-dermatomyositis. A review of previous examples of this association is presented and the possible relationships between the disease are discussed. Although a certain causal relationship is not always established, we suggest that patients with active polymyositis or dermatomyositis should be studied serologically for toxoplasmosis, especially if steroid or immunosuppressive therapy is contemplated. We underline the importance, in these cases, of appropriate antiprotozoal therapy, that, in our experience and in most data reported in other cases, produces clinical benefit.

Child↗

PubMed1989

[Chronic lymphatic leukemia and portal hypertension: a causal association?].

The authors report two cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and portal hypertension without an apparent cause. In the first patient, the histopathological study disclosed severe lymphocytic infiltration of the liver with moderate fibrosis of portal spaces. In the second patient, regenerative nodular hyperplasia of the liver was shown to be associated with lymphocytic infiltration. On the basis of these two observations, the authors discuss the mechanisms of portal hypertension in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. It is concluded that there probably is a causal relationship between both disorders, although its pathogenesis may be diverse.

Aged↗

PubMed1989

An evaluation of proposed causal mechanisms for "ejection associated" neck injuries.

A major concern to the U.S. Navy has been the incidence of neck injuries sustained in aircraft ejections. Some of these injuries result in lost work days, some require specialized medical treatment and, occasionally, a neck injury is fatal. The net effect of such injuries is to increase the difficulty and cost of achieving specific levels of fleet operational readiness. At the same time, the occurrence of such injuries reduces aircrew confidence in the efficiency and safety of their escape systems. This study was the continuation of a study reported by one of the authors in 1983 (2), and this paper presents the current results in attempting to narrow the field of possible contributing factors and to possibly identify the more significant causal factors and mechanisms.

Aircraft↗

PubMed1985

Epstein-Barr virus and Burkitt's lymphoma worldwide: the causal relationship revisited.

Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) in tropical Africa represents by far the most common tumour in children between 0 and 14 years of age, 97% of the tumours being associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). In North Africa, the tumour is about ten times less frequent than in equatorial Africa, but, according to reports from Algeria, 85% of the cases appear to be associated with EBV. In Western countries, BL represents about 3% of childhood tumours, 10 to 15% of them EBV-associated. Thus, from the northern industrialized countries to the equatorial developing countries, increasing incidences of lymphomas of the BL type are paralleled by an increasing proportion of EBV-associated cases. The Ugandan BL prospective study showed that high antibody titres to viral capsid antigen (VCA) preceded BL development by many years, with a quantifiable relationship between the level of VCA antibodies and tumour risk. If an early and/or massive EBV primary infection seems to represent the critical event for BL development in equatorial Africa, the favourable conditions for EBV-associated tumours in North Africa and in Europe remain to be investigated. Malaria appears to favour BL development through an EBV-specific T-cell immune deficiency. Chromosomal translocations and oncogene activation, considered as the final step in lymphoma development, do not appear to be related to EBV. Intervention against the virus may represent the ultimate proof of a causal relationship between EBV and the majority of BL cases around the world.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

[Acute oral protein administration in the diagnosis of kidney function and causal pathogenetic correlations].

In a literature review it was reported on the performance-orientated diagnostic determination of the glomerular filtration rate by acute oral protein load in man. Recommendations to the standardization of the test realisation are presented. The results of the glomerular filtration reserve--being derived from acute intraindividual changes of the creatinine short-term clearance after an oral protein load--are described in dependence on the renal starting situation. The causal-pathogenetic relations are represented in consideration of the natriuretic hormone and of the pathophysiological model character of the GFR-provocation test to hormonal starting processes, respectively.

Creatinine↗

PubMed1985

Intra-abdominal pressure and trunk muscle activity during lifting. IV. The causal factors of the intra-abdominal pressure rise.

The intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) has been regarded as important for stabilization and relief of the lumbar spine when exposed to heavy loads, such as when lifting. Previous trials, however, have failed to increase the IAP by abdominal muscle training. Twenty healthy subjects, 20 low-back patients and 10 weight-lifters, were tested with various breathing techniques in order to elucidate the causal factors of the IAP rise during lifting and the effects respiration. Those with high IAP and low IAP as well as those with great variations in IAP underwent an extended program. The intra-abdominal and intrathoracic pressures and the EMG of the oblique abdominal, the erector spinae and--in some cases--the puborectalis muscles, were recorded. The transdiaphragmatic pressure was calculated both during lifting and during the Mueller manoeuvre. The IAP rise during lifting seems to be correlated to a good coordination between the muscles surrounding the abdominal cavity. Of these, the diaphragm seems to be the most important for the IAP level. Closure of the glottis seems to help the diaphragm to maintain the IAP rise, otherwise the respiration type seems to be less important for the IAP during lifting.

Abdomen↗

PubMed1988

Oral contraceptives and cervical cancer risk in Costa Rica. Detection bias or causal association?

To examine the relationship between cervical cancer and oral contraceptive (OC) use, we analyzed data from a population-based, case-control study in Costa Rica. Women aged 25 to 58 years in whom cervical cancer was diagnosed and reported to the National Tumor Registry were examined as two separate case groups: invasive cervical cancer and carcinoma in situ (CIS). Controls were women aged 25 to 58 years identified through a national survey. Women who had used OCs had no increased risk of invasive cervical cancer compared with women who had never used OCs (relative risk, 0.8; 95% confidence interval, 0.5 to 1.3). Women who had used OCs had an increased risk of CIS compared with those who had never used OCs (relative risk, 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 2.2). However, further analyses indicated that this increased risk was confined to those who had recently used OCs. Also, the risk of CIS was not elevated in subgroups in which a history of cervical smears was not strongly linked to OC use. The elevated risk of CIS among OC users may therefore reflect a bias caused by enhanced detection of disease rather than a causal association.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

[The Principle of causality in psychotherapy and psychotherapeutic methods--an attempt at a systematic analysis based on a technologically oriented psychotherapy concept].

The attempt is made to describe in general psychotherapeutic work and efficacy on the basis of the understanding of psychotherapy as a process of action in the framework of a principle of causality of psychotherapy. Issuing from this usual psychotherapeutic methods and conceptions, which at present are applied in the GDR, are briefly characterized and a systematology of these methods is demonstrated. The description of principles of effect shall facilitate the understanding for psychotherapeutic effects in patients undergoing internal treatment and the broader inclusion of psychotherapy into the therapy of the specialist in internal medicine.

Arousal↗

PubMed1986

The chemotherapy of rodent malaria XLI. Causal prophylaxis. Part V. Effect of mefloquine on exoerythrocytic schizogony in Plasmodium yoelii yoelii.

Previous studies using mefloquine in rodents have suggested that this compound has no effect on pre-erythrocytic schizogony. In the present study, direct observations on 46-hour-old pre-erythrocytic schizonts of P. yoelii in the liver of rats have shown that mefloquine does induce recognizable changes in the peripheral, enzyme-containing vesicles but that these are insufficient to hinder the maturation of the parasites, thus confirming that this compound has no causal prophylactic value.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The concept of disease and causality relations].

The author recalls the doctrinal and jurisprudential evolution of the concept of disease, with particular reference to the time of onset of the pathological state during the period in which workers are under health surveillance. It is strongly recommended to provide insurance coverage in situations where the worker is transferred for purely preventive purposes and it is equally important to make a strictly accurate assessment of the relationship of causality between exposure to the pathogenic noxious agent and the onset of disease, particularly for penal law purposes.

Disability Evaluation↗

PubMed1987

Sarcoidosis and amyloidosis. Is the association causal or co-incidental?

During 1950-83, 52,371 autopsies were done at the Los Angeles County Hospital; 503 cases showing amyloidosis, seven of these also had sarcoidosis, and three also had rheumatoid arthritis. These associations could be coincidental or it is just possible that there is a causal aetiological relationship. It is hoped that other workers will review their material, and, in particular, to assess whether there is an increased incidence of amyloidosis in sarcoidosis.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Updating of a method for causality assessment of adverse drug reactions.

The paper represents an update of a method of standardized assessment of causality that was published in 1980. Because of experience that was gained in the meantime, weighting of certain types of information was modified and several weighting tables were introduced to better reflect the influence of type of adverse reaction in the process of evaluation. Comparison of results with the described approach with opinion of medical evaluators is given and discussed.

Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions↗

PubMed1986

Effect of microsomal enzyme inducers and inhibitors on the toxicity of tunicamycin and corynetoxin, the causal agent of annual ryegrass toxicity.

Of the microsomal enzyme inducers and inhibitors tested in rats, the only one to modify the toxicity of tunicamycin or the closely-related corynetoxin, the causal agent of annual ryegrass toxicity, was phenobarbitone. It increased the LD50 of tunicamycin from 0.31 mg/kg to 0.77 mg/kg. Similar results were obtained with the related corynetoxin. Tunicamycin was also shown to be an inhibitor of cytochromes P-450. Rats sacrificed 48 h after receiving an LD50 dose of tunicamycin had cytochromes P-450 levels 30% that of controls. Rats pretreated with trans-stilbene oxide, which like phenobarbitone is an inducer of glutathione transferase, showed no decreased susceptibility to tunicamycin. These results suggest that neither hepatic cytochromes P-450 enzymes nor glutathione transferase is involved in detoxication of tunicamycin or corynetoxin in rats. The beneficial effect of phenobarbitone may be the result of a special kind of phenobarbitone-inducible enzyme which may not be P-450 dependent.

Animals↗

PubMed1972

Isolation and properties of the causal agent of a new variola-like disease (monkeypox) in man.

The causal agent of a case of disease in man occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with a similar clinical picture to smallpox was isolated and studied. The agent was identified as monkeypox virus. A comparative study of the isolated strain (Congo-8) and of viruses isolated from similar cases of illness in Liberia (Liberia-1 and Liberia-2 strains) and Sierra Leone (V-70 1 266 strain) showed that they were identical. A number of local species of monkeys and apes were examined serologically in the Congo region to determine the probability of human infection with monkeypox virus. It was confirmed that the animals had had contact with an agent of the poxvirus group. In 2 of the 7 sera examined, antibodies of the variola-vaccinia group of poxviruses were discovered (virus-neutralizing antibodies, precipitins, and antihaemagglutinins). In a chimpanzee, antihaemagglutinins were found in a titre of 1: 1 280, and in the same animal a variola-like virus was isolated from the kidneys. In the course of the investigation, it was shown conclusively that monkeypox virus and the strains under investigation could be distinguished from o dinary variola and vaccinia viruses on the basis of their behaviour in pig embryo kidney continuous cell line culture.

Animals↗

PubMed1973

Comparative study of biological characteristics of the causal agents of zoonotic and anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in the USSR.

A comparative study was made of the virulence of Leishmania tropica major and L. tropica minor, the causal agents of the zoonotic and anthroponotic forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis, from the USSR and their antigenic characteristics were compared with those of other Leishmania species (L. donovani, L. adleri, and promastigotes from Turkmenian reptiles). The virulence of strains of L. t. major was slightly higher than that of strains of L. t. minor. However, the difference in virulence gradually levelled out in successive multiple passages of the strains in hamsters. A comparative serological study of L. t. major and L. t. minor revealed clear antigenic differences between them. The differences between L. t. major, L. t. minor and L. donovani were shown to be equal in degree.

Animals↗

PubMed1977

[Clinical investigations relating to a causal connection between abruptio placentae and subsequent birth of an underweight child (author's transl)].

The question was studied as to whether there is a causal connection between abruptio and birth of an underweight child in the subsequent pregnancy. While the phenomena involved are still largely unexplained, though clearly manifold, which can lead to the birth of "low birth weight children", it is shown that abruptio cannot be regarded as a prime risk factor. A comparison with the international literature shows that the specific features of the patient group investigated must always be taken into account when answering this question.

Abortion, Induced↗

PubMed1984

Trichilemmal keratinisation: a causal factor in loosening the murine telogen club hair from the trichilemmal sac.

A quantitative histochemical study was carried out on the distribution of protein thiol and disulphide groups in the telogen follicle of mice. The histochemical demonstration of reactive groups was achieved by a method first described by Sippel (1973). The histological observations support former views on trichilemmal keratinisation that trichilemmal cells are the main site of thiol groups and that the hair club itself appears to be the most prominent site of disulphide cross linkages. The histophotometric data reveal an increase in thiol-disulphide conversion which coincides with the development of a succeeding hair generation in the trichilemmal sac of the telogen follicle. On the basis of this observation, it is suggested that trichilemmal keratinisation is a causal factor in loosening the old club hair from its trichilemmal sac, a process which is probably similar to the sloughing of cornified epidermal cells.

Aging↗

PubMed1983

Growth hormone and periarticular new bone formation--a causal relationship? A preliminary communication.

In an attempt to examine the relationship between growth hormone (GH) and periarticular new bone formation (PNBF), we studied eight patients with brain lesions of different origins who were in a prolonged comatose state for 164 to 1320 days. Five of them developed PNBF. The latter reacted to both the specific L-Dopa test and to the non-specific TRH test with an increase in GH serum concentration. Those patients who did not develop PNBF, failed to react significantly to either tests. The difference in GH values between the two groups is statistically significant at the 95% level of confidence. We hypothesize that there may be a causal relationship between high concentrations of GH in serum and PNBF.

Adolescent↗