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Biomedical subjects

B Gerber

Publications and source records attributed to B Gerber.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

[Evaluation of the subrenal capsule assay (SRCA) in breast cancer using immunocompetent (NIC) mice].

UNLABELLED: To assess the value of subrenal capsule assay (SRCA) for predictive chemo-sensitivity testing in breast cancer 24 primary tumours were examined in normal immunocompetent (NIC; AB- and B6D2-F1-) mice. In 6 cancers the effect of 0.25 mg Prednisolone mous X day (applicated with drinking water) was compared to the control group. Independent of the mice-species a significant increase of the grafts size occurred in 14 of 20 evaluable cancers (p less than 0.05). Histologically the increase of tumour size was caused by infiltrated host cells, only in 22 of 107 (20.6%) grafts vitale tumour cells were detectable. After immunosuppression the increase of the grafts size was significant lower, than in the no treated control group (p less than 0.05). In groups treated with Prednisolone only a thin inflammatory host cell infiltration was observed, but vital tumour cells were only seen in 3 of 29 (10.3%) grafts. CONCLUSION: Using normal immunocompetent mice subrenal capsule assay is not suited for predicting responsiveness of breast cancers to cytostatic drugs.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Respiratory and cardiac responses to exercise-simulating peripheral perfusion in endurance trained and untrained rats. I. Reflex responses and changes in perfusion outflow.

Ventilatory and circulatory drives elicited by exercise-simulating perfusion of the circulatory isolated hindleg were examined in 10 trained (TR) and untrained (UTR) rats. TR were submitted to endurance training on a motordriven treadmill (30.min-1 at a grade of 10%, 5 days a week for 30 min). Exercise was simulated by perfusion with modified tyrode solutions: I.) hypoxic, enriched with lactic acid (15 mmol.l-1), II.) normoxic, enriched with lactic acid. III.) hypoxic without lactic acid. Perfusion was performed in anaesthetized animals through cannulae in the femoral artery and vein; the hindled was connected to the rest of the body only by nerve and bone. 10 min of control perfusion (normoxic tyrode solution) was followed by a 20 min test period and another 10 min control perfusion. Apart from heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and several outflow parameters were measured ([K+], [Na+], [lactate], pH, PO2, PCO2). During control period HR was slightly higher in UTR than in TR (375.5 +/- 3.9 (SE) vs. 364.1 +/- 5.5 beats/min-1, p less than 0.6 n.s.), and RR in UTR was significantly higher than those in TR (61.5 +/- 0.4 bpm vs. 55.5 +/- 3.9 breaths.min-1, p less than 0.001). During the test periods both HR and RR in UTR increased significantly while in TR they did not (e.g. in series I mean HR and RR in UTR increased by 8.9 +/- 1.2 beats.min-1 and 1.4 +/- 0.1 breaths.min-1 respectively, whereas in TR the changes were - 2.9 +/- 1.5 beats/min-1 and -0.8 +/- 0.2 breaths.min-1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Respiratory and cardiac responses to exercise-simulating peripheral perfusion in endurance trained and untrained rats. II. Temporal relationships between outflow parameters and cardiac and respiratory responses.

In endurance trained (TR) and untrained (UTR) rats heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) were recorded during perfusion of the circulatorily isolated hind leg of the rat with exercise simulating modified tyrode solutions (TR:n = 10, UTR:n = 10; compare part I). During the 20 min test period and the preceding and succeeding periods of control perfusions with an unmodified tyrode solution, [lactate], pH, [K+], [Na+], PO2 and PCO2 were measured in the outflow of the femoral vein. In 3 experimental series: (1) hypoxic tyrode solution enriched with lactic acid (15 mmol.l-1), (2) normoxic solution with lactic acid, (3) hypoxic solution without lactic acid, were applied. The outflow parameters were cross correlated with both HR and RR. The analysis revealed a significant temporal relationship between [lactate], pH, PO2, PCO2 and [K+] and both HR and RR. In the trained rats no temporal correlation between either of the outflow and reflex parameters could be determined. This result was not due to low [lactate], but was also found during perfusion with lactic acid. In all 3 test conditions [lactate] in untrained individuals was best correlated with both HR and RR. Although the correlation peaks of the respiratory response, but not of the HR response were definitely lower in normoxic lactic and perfusion than in the two other experimental conditions, both inter- and intraindividual correlation analyses revealed a high degree of interdependence between respiratory and cardiac responses.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

[Effect of an antacid on duodenal pH in severe excretory pancreatic insufficiency].

pH was measured continuously in the lower duodenum before and 90 min after a standard meal in 15 controls and 13 patient with severe pancreatic insufficiency (PI); gastric acid secretion was unimpaired in all of them. 7 out of the 13 pat. with PI received additionally 30 ml of an A-Mg-silicate preparation (MegalacR) 45 min after the meal. Mean pH dropped after the meal from 6.9 to 6.2 in the controls and from 7.1 to 4.9 in the pat. with PI. The overall time of pH-values below 5 amounted to 0.5% of the measuring period in the controls, in PI-pat. to 35%. In pat. with PI there were additionally pH-values below 4 during 11% of the postcibal period. Antacid administration increased duodenal pH significantly but only over 15 min; this transient effect had, however, no significant influence on the overall time of the pH-values below 5 and 4. Al-Mg-silicate has obviously no relevant effect on the postcibal duodenal pH in pat. with PI and can therefore not be regarded as a means to prevent inactivation of pancreatic enzymes in the duodenum.

Aluminum Compounds↗
PubMed1988

[The pH dependence of lipase and trypsin activity].

We investigated in-vitro the relation of the lipase and trypsin activity, containing in native duodenale juice, to pH-values, similar to them registered in the duodenum of patients with severe exocrine insufficiency. Therefore week alcaline duodenal juice was acidified by native gastric juice or hydrochloric acid to pH-value 7, 6, 5 und 4. The remaining activity was estimated after 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes. We determined a fast inactivation of lipase at pH 5.0 or below (incubation of 5 minutes only decreased the activity to 35% of origin), and of trypsin at pH 4.0 or below (incubation of 5 minutes at this pH-value decreased the activity to 26% of origin). According to the denaturating effect on the enzymes, there was no difference between gastric juice and hypochloric acid. It is concluded, that the activity of decreased secreted pancreatic enzymes in severe exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and also of the oral substituted enzymes is additionally reduced by acidic duodenal circumstances, so that a gastric acid neutralizing or inhibiting therapy proves as necessary.

Duodenum↗
PubMed1987

Hemo-De as substitute for ethyl acetate in formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique.

In comparative studies, Hemo-De (PMP Medical Industries, Inc., Irving, Tex.) was found to be a suitable replacement for ethyl acetate in the Formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique. With essentially equivalent recovery rates for both procedures, the Formalin-Hemo-De concentration technique is considered to be the preferred technique because Hemo-De is less toxic and less flammable and does not present disposal problems, and its cost is approximately one-fourth that of ethyl acetate.

Acetates↗
PubMed1987

Distinct distribution of periarticular erosions of the bones of the hand in chronic renal failure.

The frequency of radiological changes of the bones of the hand in 142 patients on hemodialysis, 19 on CAPD, and 15 patients with advanced renal insufficiency not requiring dialysis was analyzed. Forty-seven percent of all patients had subperiostal cortical bone resorptions, 31% periarthritis calcarea, 22% periarticular erosions, 3% chondrocalcinosis and 1% aseptic necrosis. Sixty-six percent of the periarticular erosions were observed in the distal and proximal interphalangeal joints of fingers II, III, IV and V, whereas only 33% were found in the remaining joints (120 vs. 62, p less than 0.001). The distal interphalangeal joints showed about 70% more often periarticular erosions than the proximal interphalangeal joints (77 vs. 43, p less than 0.001). Since patients with chronic renal failure exhibit a decreasing incidence of periarticular erosions from the distal interphalangeal joints to the intercarpal joints, while patients with rheumatoid arthritis have their erosions preferentially localized in the proximal interphalangeal, metacarpophalangeal and wrist joints, it can be concluded that renal osteodystrophy causes a distinct distribution of periarticular erosions of the bones of the hand.

Arthritis↗
PubMed1987

[Interdigestive and postprandial duodenal pH in healthy probands, in patients with ulcer and in chronic pancreatitis].

In patients with chronic pancreatitis (48), gastric ulcer (6), duodenal ulcer (6) and controls (12) duodenal pH was measured continuously by a glass electrode before and 90 minutes after a standard meal. The capacity of the stomach to secrete acid was known in all test persons, the degree of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency was determined according to the results of the S-CCK-test: 6 had no, 29 moderate and 13 severe pancreatic insufficiency. There were no significant differences between the mean interdigestive duodenal pH of the groups. After a meal, however, even patients with a normal pancreatic function but with hyperchlorhydria had a significantly lower pH (mean pH 5.5) than those with normo-chlorhydria (mean pH 6.1) and hypochlorhydria (mean pH 6.5). In patients with severe pancreatic insufficiency and normo-/hyperchlorhydria duodenal pH was much lower (mean pH 4.2) in some cases to pH 3.5, thus well below a level known as inactivating pancreatic enzymes. The total duration of the pH being less than 4.5 amounted to 12% of the postprandial measuring time (11 of 90 min). If, however, severe pancreatic insufficiency was combined with a-/hypochlorhydria duodenal pH did not differ from controls. Thus, reduced acid secretion of the stomach exerts beneficial effect on duodenal pH in patients with severe pancreatic insufficiency.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1987

Decrease of the salt appetite of spontaneously hypertensive rats by chronic application of almitrine.

The effect of almitrine on salt appetite, water intake, and renal excretory function was investigated in conscious adult spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) of both sexes. The animals were kept singly in metabolic cages and given free access to food, water and 2.5% NaCl-solution. Oral administration of almitrine (0.4 mg/kg) for five days evoked an effective long-lasting suppression of voluntary salt intake and a temporary decrease of water intake. The pattern of renal electrolyte excretion was determined by the pattern of intake. The present results support the assumption that the activity of the peripheral arterial chemoreceptors plays an essential role in the maintenance of voluntary salt intake in SHR.

Almitrine↗
PubMed1987

Effect of almitrine on renal sodium excretion in chemoreceptor denervated spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The effect of almitrine on urinary sodium excretion was investigated in conscious carotid body-, sino-aortic- and sham-denervated SHR. The animals were kept singly in metabolic cages and had free access to food and tap water. Oral application of almitrine (0.5 mg/kg bwt) during five days induced a twofold natriuresis in sham-operated rats. The first natriuretic response on the fourth day of almitrine treatment was observed in animals of all groups indicating that this effect is not chemoreceptor mediated. The second natriuresis seen on the sixth day of the post-treatment period in both sino-aortic and sham-operated SHR but not in the carotid-body denervated rats does not permit clear conclusions to be drawn. We tend to assume that the natriuretic action of almitrine is not chemoreceptor mediated in conscious SHR.

Almitrine↗
PubMed1987

Comparison of the response of renal sodium excretion to almitrine and hypoxia in conscious normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The effect of hypobaric hypoxia and almitrine on renal sodium excretion and systolic blood pressure was investigated in conscious adult normotensive control rats (NCR) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Moderate hypoxia caused a significant natriuresis within the first two days in both NCR and SHR. The systolic blood pressure was significantly diminished in SHR only. Oral application of almitrine (1.0 mg/kg b.w.) induced natriuresis in SHR and NCR. However, there are considerable differences in the pattern of natriuresis between the animals of both strains and when compared to the effect of hypoxia. The urinary sodium excretion by almitrine was not associated with a decrease in systolic blood pressure neither in SHR nor in NCR. The results indicate that both hypoxia and almitrine induce a strong natriuresis in conscious rats apparently by different mechanisms. However, there is no real evidence at present as to whether the peripheral arterial chemoreceptors are indeed involved in these mechanisms, or not, and if so, to what degree.

Almitrine↗
PubMed1984

Mass media based health behavior change: televised smoking cessation program.

This report describes the 1-year follow-up assessment of a television-based smoking cessation program shown as a part of local news in the Los Angeles area. The post-broadcast experiences of two distinct samples was considered: individuals who wrote in for additional materials (Registrants) and a cross section sample (CS) contacted by a random survey method. Results showed significant between-group differences in demographic characteristics and smoking behavior outcomes. Compared to the CS sample, registrants displayed more quitting attempts during the 1-year follow-up period (70.7% and 49.8%) and more abstinence (6.2% and 2.4%, respectively). When compared to results from a comparison survey, both registrant and CS subjects made significantly more quitting attempts in the three week period following broadcast. In terms of abstinence, only registrant results significantly differed from the comparison survey (6.2% vs. 2.9%). Few correlates of outcome were identified. Overall, analyses suggest that the televised quit smoking program encouraged viewers to initiate more numerous attempts to quit smoking than otherwise would have been expected. In terms of maintaining nonsmoking over time, however, only registrants experienced significantly greater success than might have been observed in the general population. Implications for research and policy recommendations of televised health promotion programs are proposed.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Generational continuity in the use of substances: the impact of parental substance use on adolescent substance use.

Two hundred sixty-two adolescents, ages 13 through 17, and one of the parents of each, interviewed separately, are compared with regard to their use of substances. Youthful subjects in each comparison group are similar in age, sex, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Results show a variety of relationships between parental use of coffee, cigarettes, beer and wine, hard liquor and marijuana/hashish and adolescent use of such substances. Generally, parental use of these substances is moderately to strongly related to use by their children. The strongest relationships are found for coffee, mother's use of cigarettes, and father's use of hard liquor. All of these relationships are not linear. For example, fathers who are moderate drinkers of hard liquor are more likely to have adolescent children who are substance users. Two theories of intergenerational substance use are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Smoking and television: review of extant literature.

Smoking cessation programming is appearing with increasing frequency over the medium of television. This report reviews those television quit smoking programs that have been described in the literature. Programming features (e.g., program timing, content, utilization, and cost-effectiveness) are examined in addition to the assessment of the impact on viewers' smoking behavior. Overall, published reports have described a host of intriguing ways the TV medium can be used to encourage widespread smoking cessation. To date, however, there has been relatively less innovation and thoroughness in terms of assessing program impact. Implications are discussed for the burgeoning realm of health promotion programming via the electronic media.

Australia↗