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Biomedical subjects

A Brenner

Publications and source records attributed to A Brenner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Iodine excretion in regions of Ukraine affected by the Chornobyl Accident: experience of the Ukrainian-American cohort study of thyroid cancer and other thyroid diseases.

Urinary iodine concentrations were measured in 11,926 subjects who are participants in the Ukrainian-American Cohort Study of Thyroid Cancer and Other Thyroid Diseases Following the Chornobyl Accident. Measurements were made in two time periods corresponding to the first and second thyroid screening cycles (1998-2000, 2001-2003). These time periods fall before and after initiation of a government program to increase iodine sufficiency. Median urinary iodine concentrations did increase in the later time period compared to the earlier [47.5 microg/L, 95% confidence interval (CI) 46.5-48.9 microg/L versus 41.7 microg/L, 95% CI 40.4-42.5 microg/L], but levels remained in the mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency range as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), indicating the need for further efforts at iodination. In both time periods, urinary iodine levels were found to vary by place of residence and were lower in rural compared to urban areas. Iodine status needs to be considered when evaluating risk of thyroid cancer and other thyroid diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Macrophagic myofasciitis: a summary of Dr. Gherardi's presentations.

Dr. R.K. Gherardi presented two papers at the symposium, detailing his researches into a proposed new clinical entity which he has entitled Macrophagic Myofasciitis (MMF). In his first paper he described the histopathologic and immunologic characteristics of the condition, and in the second, the clinical and serologic features. Dr. Gherardi believes that MMF, a syndrome of ascending myalgias, fatigue and diffuse musculoskeletal pain, may be related to a chronic immune response to aluminum granulomas persisting at the sites of prior immunization with aluminum adjuvated vaccines.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2000

Lung cancer and environmental tobacco smoke in a non-industrial area of China.

We report results from a population-based case-control study of lung cancer and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) among never-smokers conducted in 2 rural prefectures of China, including 200 female and 33 male lung cancer cases, and 407 female and 114 male controls, matched on age, sex and prefecture of current residence. The odds ratio (OR) for ever-exposed to ETS was 1.19 (95% CI 0.7-2.0), with a significant trend (p<0.05) with increasing exposure. ORs were 1.00, 1.04, 1.13 and 1.51 for non-exposed, <10, 10-19 and >/=20 pack-years of ETS exposure, respectively. Excess risks were limited to ETS exposures in childhood (</=18 years of age). The OR for ever-exposed to ETS in childhood, adjusting for ETS exposure in adulthood, was 1. 52 (95% CI 1.1-2.2), with a significant trend (p<0.01) with increasing pack-years of childhood exposure, 1.00, 1.43, 1.81 and 2. 95, respectively. After adjustment for ETS in childhood, there was no excess risk from adult ETS exposure. The OR for ever-exposed to ETS in adulthood was 0.90 (95% CI 0.-1.4). These results were not affected by adjustment for type of residential dwelling, type or amount of fuel used, perceived indoor smokiness, or measures of socioeconomic status, or omitting next-of-kin respondents.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Lung cancer and indoor air pollution in rural china.

PURPOSE: Indoor air pollution has been linked with lung cancer in China. In contrast to previous studies conducted in urban areas with high levels of industrial pollution, we undertook a lung cancer case-control study in a rural area of China, where residents live in underground dwellings. We evaluated the effects of radon, wood and coal combustion, cooking oil fumes, and environmental tobacco smoke on lung cancer risk.METHODS: We enrolled 886 lung cancer cases (656 males, 230 females) diagnosed between 1994-98, aged 30-75 years and 1765 frequency matched population-based controls from two prefectures in Gansu Province in Northwestern China. We conducted interviews with subjects or next of kin on smoking, housing characteristics, fuel use and cooking practices. Year-long radon detectors were placed in current and former homes of subjects.RESULTS: Subjects primarily used coal (22%), wood (56%) or a combination of both (22%) for heating. Odds Ratios (OR) for lung cancer rose with increasing percent of time that coal was used to heat homes over the past 30 years (ORs = 1.00, 1.17, 1.35, 1.23 compared to wood only, adjusted to smoking, P for trend = 0.025). Among non-smoking females and males, the OR for ever exposed to environmental tobacco smoke was 1.19, 95% CI = 0.7-2.0 with a significant trend for increasing years of exposure. Fumes from cooking with rapeseed oil increased the risk of lung cancer (OR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.0-2.5) among non-smoking women. Among these women, occasional and frequent eye and throat irritation during cooking appeared to be associated with increased risk of lung cancer (ORs = 1.00, 1.42, 2.28, p trend < 0.01), whereas, increasing level of smokiness during cooking did not appear to affect risk.CONCLUSIONS: There is a suggestion that coal used for heating, environmental tobacco smoke, and cooking oil fumes contribute to the risk of lung cancer in this rural area of China.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Real-time measurement of skin radiation during cardiac catheterization.

A novel skin dose monitor was used to measure radiation incident on maximal X-ray exposed skin during 135 diagnostic and 65 interventional coronary procedures. For the diagnostic studies (n = 135), mean skin dose was 180 +/- 64 mGy; for PTCA (n = 35), it was 1021 +/- 674 mGy, single stents (n = 25) 1529 +/- 601 mGy, and multiple stents with rotational atherectomy (n = 5) 2496 +/- 1028 mGy. The dose independently increased with more cine runs, more fluoroscopy, and greater patient weight. Physicians should consider the potential for adverse radiation exposure when planning coronary interventional cases and deciding on the X-ray mode and angles used.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed1997

[Recurrence after curative operation of non-small-cell bronchial carcinoma].

The poor prognosis of bronchial carcinoma is reflected among other things in a high recurrence rate. In general, recurrence is inoperable and only suitable for conservative/palliative management. The rate of curative surgical reintervention may be increased by early identification of recurrence. The value of tumour follow-up and the role of reoperation need to be assessed. 150 patients who underwent curative resection of non-small-cell lung cancer were followed-up for a mean of 4.5 years as part of a comprehensive after-care program. Fifty patients (33%) developed a recurrence at a mean of 13 months after operation. A second curative resection was possible in 9 patients (6%) with a mean survival of 22 months. Six of these patients had re-thoracotomy (completion pneumonectomy in 4 for local recurrence, mediastinal metastasectomy in 2), and in 3 patients a solitary cerebral metastasis was excised. Our results show that with focused, schematic tumour follow-up early recognition of recurrence is possible. Despite this, reoperation is only indicated in a selected group of patients because of multifocal recurrence, or local or functional inoperability. Further intensification of tumour follow-up is limited by personnel, logistical, and financial considerations. As an alternative, individualised, function-oriented tumour after-care could be considered.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Cervical destructive spondylodiscitis: a report on three cases.

Three patients suffering from hematogenous destructive spondylodiscitis were treated with one-session spondylectomy, bone graft-fusion and halo-device stabilization. A stable osseous fusion was achieved after three months with additional antibiotic therapy.

Cervical Vertebrae↗
PubMed1990

Management of unresectable malignant esophageal obstruction.

Malignant esophageal obstruction (MEO), especially with esophago-respiratory fistula (ERF), requires efforts to achieve a meaningful degree of palliation. Laser vaporization (LV) of the esophageal tumor and placement of an endoesophageal prosthesis (EEP) represents a new combination for palliation of MEO. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the neodymium-yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:Yag) laser in reopening the esophageal channel to permit both swallowing and insertion of an EEP. Twenty-three consecutive patients with MEO were evaluated, and ERF was documented by preoperative contrast study in eight patients. All 23 patients underwent laser vaporization, dilation, and surgical placement of EEP. Adequate swallowing was attained in 21 patients; one patient with an ERF experienced recurrent aspiration from failure of the EEP to occlude the fistulous tract. Operative morbidity was 17% (4/23), which included: wound infection, 2; persistence of ERF, 1; esophageal perforation, 1; and food impaction, 1. Thirty-day operative mortality was 9% (2/23). Palliation was excellent in 87% (20/23), with discharge from the hospital by the seventh postoperative day. Mean survival was 3.3 months. We conclude that laser vaporization followed by placement of an EEP represents a major advance in the palliation of MEO.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

The value of different neuro-imaging methods in the diagnosis of a congenital, spinal, epidural meningeal cyst.

Congenital, spinal, epidural cysts are rare causes of transverse or radicular spinal lesions. Usually these cysts are located in the thoracal region, are oblong-shaped, and extend over several segments dorsally to the cord. Frequently, they cause no symptoms for years. They are fairly accessible to diagnostics by modern neuro-imaging methods. We report on a 15 year old girl with paraparesis, which showed a slow progression over two years, short-term remissions, and finally impairment of bladder function. Myelogram, computer-assisted tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance tomography showed a large space-occupying mass from D8 to L1 epidural and dorsal of the myelon. Operation disclosed an epidural cyst from D10 to L2. Histologically, the removed material was classified as a meningeal cyst. Post-operatively the girl's condition improved under intensive physio-therapy. For the diagnosis of this spinal dysrhapic disorder CT scanning after intrathecal application of contrast medium and magnetic resonance imaging were most valuable.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Alpha 2-macroglobulin synthesis in an astrocyte subpopulation.

The proteinase inhibitor alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2-M) is an acute phase protein in the adult rat. During inflammatory events, it is synthesized in the liver and secreted into the bloodstream to remove proteases that are released on injury. Recently, its occurrence in fetal rat brain has been reported. Its cellular origin and biological function in the developing brain, however, remained obscure. In this article, it is shown that astroglial cells cultured from newborn rat brain synthesize and secrete alpha 2-M. Its synthesis markedly increases with time in culture. Immunocytochemical studies reveal that only a subpopulation of astrocytes is alpha 2-M positive, alpha 2-M synthesis in the developing brain by neuroectoderm-derived cells asks for a broader definition of its function in the body. Since interactions of proteases and protease inhibitors appear to play a crucial role in cell migration and neurite outgrowth, alpha 2-M expression in astrocytes is discussed not only in relation to its potential role in the acute phase response to injury in the adult brain but also in regard to its possible involvement in brain development.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

[Slit ventricle--clinical syndrome or radiologic phenomenon?].

Between 1976 and 1982 336 patients with an age range from several days to 65 years, were treated by ventriculo-atrial or peritoneal shunt, because of internal hydrocephalus of different origins. Regular computerized tomographies demonstrated slit-ventricles in 36 patients. Twenty-eight patients were free of complaints. In 8 patients there were symptoms like nausea and vomiting. In 5 patients these complaints were explainable by other diseases. In only 3 patients these signs were caused by increased intracranial pressure because of ventricular-catheter obliteration. In these 3 cases an enlargement of the ventricles at the time of obliteration was seen. In our series slit-ventricles were seen only as a radiological phenomenon. There was no necessity for neurosurgical treatment at all.

Adolescent↗