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Biomedical subjects

A Beck

Publications and source records attributed to A Beck.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Changes in transitory evoked otoacoustic emissions in chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5FU].

The aim of this study was to detect changes of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) during chemotherapy with cisplatin and fluorouracil (5FU). A review of the literature reveals that the incidence of cisplatin ototoxicity varies from 9% to 50%; this variation is due to differences in doses, duration of administration, to the criteria for ototoxicity and on audiological methods. Three cycles of chemotherapy (1000 mg/m2 5FU from day 1 to 5 and 100 mg/m2 cisplatin on day 1) were given to 12 patients; the OAE were measured before chemotherapy and after each administration. In 86% of the ears measured we found changes in the TEOAE; the mean values for the amplitude of the TEOAE decreased about 13% after the end of the chemotherapy. Pure tone thresholds were reduced in almost 50% of the measured ears. The decrease of amplitude of TEOAE is an early sign of an ototoxic secondary effect, probably due to damage to the outer hair cells. TEOAE is a sensitive method for detecting ototoxicity in cisplatin-treated patients and more reliable than pure-tone audiometry or evoked acoustic potentials.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1992

A new Streptococcus group A M-29 variant isolated during a suspected common-source epidemic.

In the summer of 1988, a large epidemic of acute pharyngitis occurred in an Israeli military base. The clinical features were those of acute pharyngitis. The epidemic curve was characteristic of a common-source outbreak, possibly food-borne. Throat swabs from a sample of cases were positive for group A streptococci. Nine isolates from the epidemic were further evaluated at the local reference laboratory and serotyping showed that all were of the same strain with a distinct M protein that is a hitherto undescribed variant of M-29. We discuss the significance of unusual strains of beta-hemolytic Streptococcus appearing in food-borne outbreaks.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1991

[Magnetic resonance tomography in the diagnosis of peripheral joints].

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides an excellent soft tissue contrast with high spatial resolution. Using spin echo and fast gradient echo sequences all relevant joint structures such as the hyaline cartilage, the meniscus, the ligaments, the tendons, the capsulae, and their adjacent muscles and their pathology are visualized. Diagnosis of osteonecrosis, meniscal and cruciate ligament lesions, as well as tumors, represents the major current indication for MRI. Due to its high cost MRI should be employed for the diagnosis of joint disease only to clarify equivocal findings of conventional radiographic, nuclear and tomographic methods. Prior clinical examination and laboratory tests are mandatory. As a component of a stepwise diagnostic approach, MRI often provides reliable differential diagnostic information.

Bone Diseases↗
PubMed1991

MRI of knee arthritis in rheumatoid arthritis and spondylarthropathies.

The knees of fifty-two patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 22 patients with seronegative spondylarthopathies (SA) as well as of 20 healthy volunteers were examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Osseous erosions (RA 52%-SA 18%; P less than 0.005), Baker cysts (RA 56%-SA 12%; P less than 0.005), pannus formation (RA 67%-SA 36%; P less than 0.05), and cartilage thinning with narrowing of the joint space (RA 46%-SA 18%; P less than 0.05) proved to be more frequent MRI findings in patients with RA. Additionally, in patients with RA erosions were more extensive. Follow-up MRI examinations of 19 patients revealed an improvement in MRI changes in SA within an average interval of 6 months. No substantial changes were noted in 7 of 13 RA patients. Quantitative and qualitative MRI findings of knee arthritis differ in patients with RA and SA and this was statistically significant. However, as there is considerable overlap of the MRI and radiographic changes in both groups the discriminating diagnostic value in the individual case was limited.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Significance of surgically corrected heart valve diseases on fertility].

We report on 111 patients, who were operated for heart valve failure. The influence of the operation on fertility was examined. Only 24 women became pregnant. From 34 pregnancies, 4 resulted in early abortion; in 12 cases abortion was performed (8 times for medical reasons), therefore 18 children were born. The remaining 87 operated patients (78.4%) never became pregnant, although only 29 patients were advised against pregnancy. 27 patients decided on various contraceptive methods by themselves.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed1991

[The diagnostic potential of amniocentesis in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy].

Prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal and biochemical defects is accepted as a routine in high-risk patients. To eliminate the disadvantages of traditional amniocentesis (late diagnosis) and of chorion villus sampling (placentar mosaics, higher fetal loss rate) we evaluated the facts on amniocentesis during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. 42 samples were analysed. 21 amniotic fluid samples were from pregnancies before the 13th week of gestation, 21 further punctures were performed between the 13th to 15th week and served as comparative figures. Of 21 samples, diagnosis was possible in 16 cases. Four cultures did not show any growth of cells; in one case, amniotic fluid could not be aspirated. In the comparison group chromosomal diagnosis could be done in every case. An average of 12.3 ml of amniotic fluid were taken. Chromosomal disorders found, included a translocation in chromosome 13/14 as well as a trisomy of chromosome 18. Biochemical defects such as Gaucher's disease and Niemann-Pick disease were excluded. 30 pregnancies without pathological symptoms were seen (mean birth weight 3200 g, mean duration of pregnancy 39 weeks). One case of abortion following amniocentesis was found in the 16th week of gestation. One case of premature delivery occurred in the 34th week and the pregnancy of a 40-year old women was complicated by EPH gestosis while 9 pregnancies were terminated by interruption following the patients' wish. Because chromosomal diagnosis could not be performed in five of 21 cases, amniocentesis during the 13th week of gestation cannot be recommended as a routine method. Early amniocentesis, however, is an alternative to the traditional amniocentesis at the 16th week of gestation.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1991

[Conization in pregnancy and its significance for the further course of pregnancy].

The influence of cold knife conisation on further progression of pregnancy was analysed in 28 patients, who underwent the operation during pregnancy. 13 women were operated on within the first 16 weeks of gestation (group I) and were compared to 15 patients, where conisation was done in the 17th week or later (group II). In the first group, deliveries were found in the 39th week of pregnancy compared to 34 weeks in the second group (p.05). A statistical significant difference concerning the further duration of pregnancy after conisation was found: 25 weeks in group I vs. 11 weeks in group II (p. 0012). There was no difference, however, in radicality whether conisation was done in early or late pregnancy. Our final conclusion is, that a preterm delivery occurs significantly more often in women who underwent conisation after 16th week of gestation.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1991

Epitopes of the HIV-1-negative factor (nef) reactive with murine monoclonal antibodies and human HIV-1-positive sera.

Murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) raised against a recombinant nef protein fragment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) strain BH10 were characterized by an epitope mapping system using overlapping decapeptides. Four different immunogenic regions were identified. Ten human HIV-1-positive sera were tested in the same epitope mapping system, seven of these were reactive with four immunogenic regions. Two of the nef-specific epitopes recognized by human sera overlapped with the epitopes defined by the murine monoclonal antibodies. The reactivity of the monoclonal antibodies with the recombinant nef protein and with infected and uninfected cells were investigated in a variety of test systems. The results are discussed with respect to homologous regions of nef and cellular proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Individual differences in children's response to pain: role of temperament and parental characteristics.

Sixty-five families were enlisted in a study exploring factors associated with distress behavior in 5-year-old children receiving diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis immunizations. At a home visit 1 month before the immunization, the following measures were obtained: (1) the Behavioral Style Questionnaire, a measure of temperament: (2) parental self-reports of medically related attributes (eg. "good patient"); (3) parental attitudes toward pain in children and responsiveness to their child's pain; and (4) parental prediction of distress at upcoming immunization. The child's distress behavior during the immunization was evaluated using a modification of the Procedure Rating Scale-Revised and, after the procedure, the child's assessment of his or her pain was elicited using the Oucher. Children's mean Procedure Rating Scale-Revised score was 2.57 of a possible 11. Thirty-one (48%) had low (less than or equal to 1) and 7 (11%) had high distress scores (greater than or equal to 2 SD above the mean). Factors positively correlated with distressed behavior included more "difficult child" cluster characteristics, the individual temperamental dimension of adaptability, but few parental attitudes and attributes. Parent's predictions of distress were the strongest correlates. These findings document the variation that children demonstrate in response to pain and offer some insight into associated innate and environmental factors. These results imply that treatment strategies derived from parental knowledge and tailored to individual characteristics of the child may be most effective in alleviating pain-related distress in medical settings.

Attitude↗
PubMed1990

A CA125 score as a prognostic index in patients with ovarian cancer.

Due to its high specificity (90%) and sensitivity (86%) measurement of CA125 has become well-established in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. We have formulated a CA125 prognostic score and examined its validity as an additional prognosis index. This score is composed of two CA125 values (one determined preoperatively and one 1 month after operation). CA125 serum levels of 0-64 IU/ml received 1 point, levels of 65-299 IU/ml were given 2 points, and those greater than 300 IU/ml were given 3 points. These points are added to produce the CA125 prognostic score. Statistical comparison demonstrated that patients with scores of 2 or 3 had a significantly (P = 0.0005) better prognosis than patients with scores of 4, 5 or 6. The classical prognostics features such as the FIGO stage, residual tumor mass and ascites were found to correlate with the CA125 prognostic score.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Hyperandrogenemia as a cause of primary infertility.

A total of 205 female infertility patients were investigated for hormonal causes of infertility after other factors such as tubal dysfunction or andrologic disorders had been ruled out. Increased androgen serum levels were found in 72/205 (35.1%) of females. In 28/205 (13.7%), elevated prolactin serum levels were noted. 119/205 (58%) of patients suffered from primary infertility versus 86/205 (42%) with secondary infertility. The incidence of hyperandrogenemia was higher in the primary infertility group (p less than 0.0015). No differences relative to hyperprolactinemia were noted between the two groups. Computerized tomography and sonographic methods did not reveal tumors in any of the subjects where serum concentrations of testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were greater than 2 ng/ml and 7 micrograms/ml, respectively. Present data combine to suggest that the determination of androgen serum levels is of major importance when investigating infertile patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

The clinical, radiological and histopathological features of cerebral primitive neuroectodermal tumours.

The clinical, radiological and pathological features of eight cases of supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumour are reviewed. These are tumours of children and young adults presenting with symptoms and signs of raised intracranial pressure. Radiologically they are characterized by a large enhancing mass lesion exciting little or modest surrounding oedema, with a propensity to develop in the frontal lobes. One tumour exhibited the pathological features of a primitive neuroectodermal tumour (PNET) with ependymal differentiation (ependymoblastoma). The rest showed no light microscopy patterns to indicate differentiation. Immunohistochemistry was helpful as it excluded other causes of a 'small blue cell' tumour but did not help in assessing differentiation. Ultrastructural examination of this group of apparently undifferentiated tumours showed focal markers of neuronal differentiation. Although features of neuronal differentiation can be found ultrastructurally in these tumours this is only evident after prolonged searching, often of several blocks, making assessment very prone to sampling errors. The term PNET thus remains appropriate and serves to group such tumours together to facilitate rational clinical management.

Adult↗