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Biomedical subjects

A Beck

Publications and source records attributed to A Beck.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources
PubMed1967

Phosphorylation with inorganic phosphates at moderate temperatures.

Uridine phosphates may be obtained by heating uridine with inorganic phosphates for 9 months at temperatures as low as 65 degrees C. Under similar conditions, uridine-5'-phosphate, in addition to forming uridine diphosphates, undergoes some dephosphorylation to give uridine.

Hot Temperature↗
PubMed1966

Case of stillbirth due to infection with Listeria monocytogenes.

A case of listeriosis in a stillborn baby is described. The causative organism was isolated from lung, placenta, and meconium. The only manifestation of infection of the baby's mother was a slight pyrexia three days before delivery which subsided quickly after treatment with ampicillin. Examination of the mother 11 days after delivery failed to produce evidence of listerial infection.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Stability and CTL-activity of P40/ELA melanoma vaccine candidate.

The decapeptide ELA (ELAGIGILTV), a Melan-A/MART-1 antigen immunodominant peptide analogue, is an interesting melanoma vaccine candidate alone or in combination with other tumour antigens. P40, the recombinant outer membrane protein A of Klebsiella pneumoniae (kpOmpA), was recently shown to target dendritic cells and to induce peptide-specific CTLs. Here we investigated the adjuvant role of P40 mixed or chemically conjugated to ELA. This compound is an N-terminal glutamic acid-containing peptide. However, it has been reported that the amino group and the gamma-carboxylic group of glutamic acids easily condense to form pyroglutamic derivatives. Usually, to overcome this stability problem, peptides of pharmaceutical interest were developed with a pyroglutamic acid instead of N-terminal glutamic acid, without loss of pharmacological properties. Unfortunately, the pyroglutamic acid derivative (PyrELA) as well as the N-terminal acetyl capped derivative (AcELA) failed to elicit CTL activity when mixed with P40 adjuvant protein. Despite the apparent minor modifications introduced by PyrELA and AcELA, these two derivatives have probably lower affinity than ELA for the class I Major Histocompatibility Complex. Furthermore, this stability problem is worse in the case of clinical grade ELA, produced as an acetate salt, like most of the pharmaceutical grade peptides. We report here that the hydrochloride shows a higher stability than the acetate and may be suitable for use in man.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The influence of repeated administration of prazosin on its hypotensive effect and on renin release in conscious dogs. A comparison with urapidil.

The effects of prazosin (0.1, 0.5 and 2.5 mg/kg, orally) on blood pressure, heart rate and PRA were investigated after acute and chronic administration in conscious, normotensive dogs. The acute administration of prazosin caused a reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure and an increase in heart rate and PRA. After chronic administration, twice daily for four days, tolerance developed, which was not due to persistent counterregulation. On comparison with urapidil, another alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist, the hypotensive and counterregulatory response to acute administration were similar with both substances; the development of tolerance to prazosin after chronic administration contrasted with the results with urapidil.

Antihypertensive Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Altered blood pressure response to propyldazine after repeated oral administration in conscious normotensive dogs: role of the renin-angiotensin system.

The magnitude and the persistence of blood pressure reduction by propyldazine (PDZ) was investigated following treatment over a period of 4 days. The experiments were performed on 6 normotensive dogs trained to submit to puncture of the femoral artery and to stand quietly in a special frame over the experimental period of 7 to 8 hours. The first dose effect of orally administered PDZ (0.06, 0.29 and 1.42 mg/kg) on heart rate, arterial blood pressure and plasma renin activity (PRA) was compared with the effect of the substance after treatment at the same respective dosage twice daily over 4 days. The compound caused a dose-dependent decrease in blood pressure accompanied by dose-dependent increases in heart rate and PRA. With 0.06 mg/kg and 0.29 mg/kg PDZ a sustained effect on arterial blood pressure was observed, whereas with 1.42 mg/kg PDZ tolerance occurred after treatment over the 4-day period. A comparison with the effects observed previously with 1.42 and 7.1 mg/kg dihydralazine (DHZ) under identical conditions showed similar results with respect to dose-dependence of blood pressure and counterregulation (1). It is considered that with a low-dose regimen there would be no decrease in activity of PDZ, the long-term hypotensive efficacy of the drug thereby being guaranteed.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Application of international standards to disasters: summary and action plan.

INTRODUCTION: The need for the application of international standards has been evolving over the last decade. Consistency is needed not just in how we respond, but in when we respond. The discussions in this theme reflected on the progress of standard setting both at the local level and internationally. METHODS: Details of the methods used are provided in the introductory paper. The chairs moderated all presentations and produced a summary that was presented to an assembly of all of the delegates. The chairs then presided over a workshop that resulted in the generation of a set of action plans that then were reported to the collective group of all delegates. RESULTS: Main points developed during the presentations and discussion included: (1) requirement of standards of care for ALL disasters and core parameters, (2) process and procedure is best when there is interagency collaboration and coordination, (3) problems in disasters are management-related, not skill-related, and (4) standards of care must encompass evolving emergencies (e.g., emerging diseases, landmines). DISCUSSION: The action plans for Theme 5 included: (1) develop positions of standards for management, health and public health, education and training, research, psychosocial aspects, and disaster plans; (2) advocate for actions and task forces to deal with evolving and emerging disasters, terrorism, landmines, and emerging infections; (3) proactively work to advocate and facilitate the multidisciplinary and multiorganizational requirements for disaster management; and (4) develop a resource list of interdisciplinary institutions and activities organized by country and topic including the design and maintenance of a website. CONCLUSIONS: There is a clear need for international standards for the management of disasters. Positions and advocacy for these positions are required to define and implement such standards.

Disaster Planning↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Acute hepatotoxicity with intermediate-dose methotrexate in children with leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma].

In the period of 1.1.1988 to 1.5.1992 49 children, 28 boys and 21 girls, were treated with 219 MTX infusions. The acute hepatotoxicity was investigated from day--1 to day 5 of treatment duration. 30 patients suffered of a ALL, 6 of a relapse of a ALL, 3 of a ANLL and 10 of a NHL. We studied the MTX dosage and the infusion time. At all patients the determination of the activity of the liver enzymes ASAT, ALAT and GGTP in the serum took place according to the treatment protocol. The increase of enzymes activity correlated with the intensity and kind of hepatocellular damage. Partly the extreme increase of lesion parameters is not the expression of an irreversible cytonecrosis. Beside the ALAT also the GGPT is a sensitive predictor of hepatocellular lesion. The high enzyme activity before the MTX application is a indicator of a preexistent cell damage of the liver. The hepatotoxicity measured in the serum was highly correlated with the AUC.

Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of acylcarnitine-transferase blocking agent sodium 2[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-pentyl]-oxirane-2-carboxylate (POCA) on cardiodynamics and myocardial metabolism in dogs.

An investigation is presented of the effects of the acylcarnitine-transferase blocking agent sodium 2[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-pentyl]-oxirane-2-carboxylate (POCA; 20 mg/kg i.v.) on cardiodynamics and myocardial metabolism in normoxic, anesthetized dogs. POCA induced an initial increase in pulmonary vascular resistance; pulmonary vascular pressure was increased up to 4 h. All other hemodynamic parameters were unchanged. POCA induced a continuous rise in arterial free fatty acid (FFA) level and a marked initial increase in arterial lactate level. Arterial glucose level decreased. Myocardial FFA uptake was almost completely inhibited by POCA; myocardial lactate uptake increased markedly and myocardial glucose uptake remained unchanged. These changes were accompanied by an increase in respiratory quotient from 0.72 to 1.0 and a decrease in myocardial oxygen consumption by 15-20%. In conscious dogs, POCA (20 mg/kg i.v.) induced similar changes in arterial substrate levels. The increase in arterial FFA level was accompanied by an increase in arterial glucagon. Ketone body levels decreased initially but increased simultaneously with glucagon levels. These findings confirm the efficacy of POCA in inhibiting FFA oxidation and, consequently, in decreasing myocardial oxygen consumption. However, possible deleterious effects of the increase in arterial FFA levels on the ischemic myocardium require further experimental evaluation.

Acyltransferases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hemodynamic effects of nicorandil, isosorbide dinitrate, and dihydralazine in healthy volunteers.

In this randomized, double-blind, crossover, single-dose study with 12 healthy subjects, we determined the hemodynamic changes and their time kinetics after administration of the mononitrate nicorandil (60 mg s.l.) and compared these effects with changes after administration of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN; 20 mg s.l.), dihydralazine (10 mg i.v.), and placebo. Mechanocardiography, electrical impedance cardiography, and M-mode echocardiography measured drug effects. Dihydralazine increased heart rate, systolic pressure, and ventricular ejection time, and it decreased peripheral resistance, diastolic pressure, preejection period, end-systolic diameter and wall stress; these changes indicate an intense, pure afterload reduction. ISDN decreased systolic pressure, peripheral resistance, end-diastolic and systolic diameters and wall stress, shortened the ejection time, and prolonged the preejection period. The responses suggest ISDN causes a notable preload reduction accompanied by some afterload reduction. Nicorandil's effects were similar to those of ISDN in that the reductions in preload were equal, although the afterload reduction was more intense. Nicorandil's effects reached significance within 10 min, reached a maximum by 60 min, and had not vanished at 4 h. A drug with this profile and time kinetics should be tested further in situations requiring pre- and afterload reductions.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Female pseudohermaphroditism associated with a novel homozygous G-to-A (V370-to-M) substitution in the P-450 aromatase gene.

The conversion of C19 androgens to their corresponding C18 estrogens is catalyzed by an enzyme complex known as aromatase. P-450 aromatase is expressed in a tissue-specific manner and placental deficiency abolishes its function in protecting the female fetus from masculinization and the mother from prepartum virilization due to an excess of androgens. Here we report a novel homozygous aromatase mutation (Val370-to-Met) found in a girl with pseudohermaphroditism (Prader V). Sequence analysis showed the parents to be heterozygous for this amino acid substitution. Since P-450arom deficiency is a rare autosomally recessive transmitted disease, consanguinity in this kindred seemed to be obvious. With the characterization of four intragenic polymorphisms and subsequent haplotype analysis this assumption turned out to be most likely.

Aromatase↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Bundling services saves everybody time.

From a practical viewpoint, the close relationships among utilization review, quality assurance/improvement, infection control, discharge planning, social services, and medical records makes it impossible to separate them. Case management combines these traditionally isolated hospital functions into one department in order to perform many related functions simultaneously. It provides a much more effective and efficient method than can be accomplished by the traditional institutional approach.

Centralized Hospital Services↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reducing emergency visits in older adults with chronic illness. A randomized, controlled trial of group visits.

CONTEXT: Emergency department utilization by chronically ill older adults may be an important sentinel event signifying a breakdown in care coordination. A primary care group visit (i.e., several patients meeting together with the provider at the same time) may reduce fragmentation of care and subsequent emergency department utilization. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether primary care group visits reduce emergency department utilization in chronically ill older adults. DESIGN: Randomized trial conducted over a 2-year period. SETTING: Group-model HMO in Denver, Colorado. PATIENTS: 295 older adults (> or = 60 years of age) with frequent utilization of outpatient services and one or more chronic illnesses. INTERVENTION: Monthly group visits (generally 8 to 12 patients) with a primary care physician, nurse, and pharmacist held in 19 physician practices. Visits emphasized self-management of chronic illness, peer support, and regular contact with the primary care team. MEASURES: Emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and primary care visits. RESULTS: On average, patients in the intervention group attended 10.6 group visits during the 2-year study period. These patients averaged fewer emergency department visits (0.65 vs. 1.08 visits; P = 0.005) and were less likely to have any emergency department visits (34.9% vs. 52.4%; P = 0.003) than controls. These differences remained statistically significant after controlling for demographic factors, comorbid conditions, functional status, and prior utilization. Adjusted mean difference in visits was -0.42 visits (95% CI, -0.13 to -0.72), and adjusted RR for any emergency department visit was 0.64 (CI, 0.44 to 0.86). CONCLUSION: Monthly group visits reduce emergency department utilization for chronically ill older adults.

Aged↗