Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Aufricht

Publications and source records attributed to C Aufricht.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis: an immunological disorder?

A 14-year-old boy with tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU syndrome) is described. Nephropathy improved without systemic cortisone treatment, whereas uveitis relapsed and was treated with topical steroids. Blood cell immunological analysis and serum analysis revealed signs of cytotoxic T-cell, macrophage and granulocyte activation, which declined as the clinical symptoms improved. This may be interpreted as an indication of their significance as markers in the pathogenesis of this syndrome or as part of a microbial-triggered immune response.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Erythropoietin, erythropoesis and iron status in children after major surgical stress.

UNLABELLED: The aim of our study was to evaluate bone marrow stimulation and bone marrow response to post-operative anaemia in children after open heart surgery. In 16 children (age 5.7 +/- 0.9 years, weight 20.1 +/- 3.2 kg) serum erythropoietin, haematocrit, reticulocyte count, ferritin, transferrin saturation and C-reactive protein were assessed perioperatively after cardiopulmonary bypass for surgical repair of atrial septal defect. Erythropoietin increased seven fold from 14 +/- 6.2 (7-30) to 80 +/- 49 (20-171) mU/ml (P < 0.05) and the reticulocyte count a 1.7-fold from 11.1 +/- 3.1 (6-19) to 18.4 +/- 5.9 (10-31) / 1000 (P < 0.05). Transferrin saturation was inversely correlated to C-reactive protein. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest adequate bone marrow stimulation but an inadequate bone marrow response during the immediate perioperative period, caused by inhibition of erythropoesis by acute postoperative inflammation in children after open heart surgery.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗
PubMed1995

Quasistatic volume-pressure curve to predict the effects of positive end-expiratory pressure on lung mechanics and gas exchange in neonates ventilated for respiratory distress syndrome.

The shape of the volume-pressure (V/P) curve indicates alveolar collapse if it is convex to the pressure axis and indicates overdistension if it is concave. Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) should either improve or decrease compliance and oxygenation in neonates ventilated for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), depending on predominance of either alveolar collapse or overdistension. To test this hypothesis, we determined quasistatic V/P curves in 13 preterm neonates and characterized their shape by an alveolar distension index (ADI) at PEEP levels of 2, 4, and 6 cm H2O. We calculated the ADI dividing the V/P ratio at a low tidal volume by the V/P ratio at a high tidal volume. This ADI was then related to the effect of PEEP changes on respiratory compliance and alveolar to arterial oxygen tension difference (AaDO2). ADI was assumed to indicate alveolar collapse if less than 1 and overdistension if more than 1. An increased PEEP in neonates with alveolar collapse (ADI less than 1) decreased AaDO2 more (12 vs 10 mm Hg/cm PEEP, not significant) and decreased compliance less (3 vs 17%/cm PEEP; P < 0.05) than in those neonates with alveolar overdistension (ADI more than 1). Conversely, a decreased PEEP in neonates with alveolar overdistension increased compliance more (19 vs 5%; not significant) and increased AaDO2 less (7 vs 26 mm Hg; P < .01) than in those with alveolar collapse. AaDO2 and compliance changes after PEEP alterations were significantly correlated to the ADI before PEEP alterations (P < 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Humans↗
PubMed1995

Agmatine and spermidine reduce collagen accumulation in kidneys of diabetic db/db mice.

In the present study, we tested the hypothesis whether agmatine and spermidine, metabolites of arginine metabolism, share the pharmacological activities of arginine reducing collagen accumulation in the diabetic kidney. Eleven db/db mice were administered agmatine and 12 db/db mice spermidine (50 mg/kg body weight). Ten db/db mice received no treatment as negative controls and 10 db/db mice were treated with aminoguanidine (50 mg/kg body weight) as positive controls. Mean kidney OH-proline content reflecting kidney collagen content and mean CML concentration were significantly higher but acid solubility of collagen significantly lower in the untreated group than in the treated groups. Agmatine, although missing the alpha-amino group and the carboxyl group, and spermidine, although missing the guanidino group, thus still revealed the arginine activity. We hypothesize that the strongly nucleophilic structure of polyamines common to all active compounds is able to block reactive carbonyls.

Agmatine↗
PubMed1994

Anion gap in mechanically ventilated newborn infants within the first week of life.

In 410 consecutively admitted mechanically ventilated neonates (gestational age, 34.8 +/- 4.0 weeks', birthweight, 1930 +/- 890 g) anion gap [(Na + K) - (HCO3 + Cl)] was calculated at admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Within their first week of life, 47 neonates died and 113 neonates were extubated; in the remaining 250 neonates anion gap was also calculated at day 7. Despite a statistically significant lower anion gap in survivors than in nonsurvivors (P < 0.05), an elevated anion gap was clinically no predictor of mortality either at the day of admission (22.7 vs 25.3 mmol/L) or after the first week of life (20.3 vs 23.2 mmol/L). Mechanically ventilated neonates exhibited during their first week of life a much larger anion gap than critically ill adults in recent studies. The individual critically ill newborn might be too frequently subject to metabolic disturbances as detected by anion gap to allow any prognostic information.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1994

Thiaproline reduces glomerular basement membrane thickness and collagen accumulation in the db/db mouse.

Glomerular basement membrane thickening and mesangial expansion are the main pathological features in diabetic nephropathy--glomerulosclerosis with the biochemical correlate of increased collagen accumulation. We studied a new principle to reduce collagen accumulation in the glomerulus: thiaproline, known to inhibit protein synthesis by blocking the elongation, led in our studies to a morphological reduction of the glomerular basement membrane thickening and to a decreased collagen content. As the thiaproline analogue is incorporated into collagen, the mechanism of increased degradation of the modified collagen is being discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Creatine reduces collagen accumulation in the kidneys of diabetic db/db mice.

In the present study, we tested the hypothesis whether creatine, a metabolite of arginine metabolism, shares the pharmacological activities of arginine reducing collagen accumulation in the diabetic kidney. Ten db/db mice were given, for 3 months, a solution containing a daily dosage of creatine of 50 mg/kg body weight. Eleven db/db mice served as controls. At the end of the 3-month study period, the mean N-carboxymethyllysine concentration in the untreated group was significantly higher than in the treated group (0.163 +/- 0.18 versus 0.096 +/- 0.017 nmol/mumol hydroxyproline, p < 0.001). Collagen accumulation was also significantly higher in the untreated than in the treated group (2.21 +/- 0.24 versus 1.68 +/- 0.22 mumol hydroxyproline/100 mg kidney weight, p < 0.001). We conclude that creatine led to a significant reduction in collagen type IV accumulation resembling arginine or aminoguanidine action. We do suggest that the guanidino group common to both compounds is able to block reactive carbonyls.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Respiratory compliance assessed from chest expansion and inflation pressure in ventilated neonates.

We evaluated a bedside method of assessing respiratory compliance from chest expansion, which is judged by eye and classified into three tidal volume categories, and from the inflation pressure read on the respirator's manometer. Compliance assessed by this method was compared with the compliance measured by the injection technique in 45 randomly chosen newborns ventilated for various diseases. The compliance assessed from chest expansion and inflation pressure correlated significantly with the measured compliance (r = 0.86, p < 0.001). Interobserver reliability was acceptable for clinical practice and improved within 6 months of training (weighted kappa = 0.67 versus 0.86). Within ten individuals, changes of compliance assessed by this method were also significantly correlated with those of measured compliance (r = 0.85, p < 0.01). This method, termed "optical compliance," is instantaneously and always available for all patients on ventilators without any additional apparatus and thus might improve the assessment of respiratory function in routine care and emergency situations.

Humans↗
PubMed1993

Subcutaneous recombinant human erythropoietin in children with renal anemia on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Subcutaneous recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) treatment of renal anemia was performed in four boys and eight girls on CAPD, aged 0.8-12.5 (mean 7.4) years. In contrast to previous studies, our therapeutic goal was not set with a hematocrit of 30% but with full correction of anemia. Following a maximum weekly rHuEpo dosage of median 120 (range 100-240) IU/kg body weight, hematocrit increased in 10 children from 24 (14-29)% within 12 (4-17) weeks to 40.1 (33.5-48.4)%. The weekly increase in hematocrit was 1.27 (0.5-3.1)%. The corrected reticulocyte count increased from 1.3 (0.7-1.8)% to 2.3 (1.4-3.9)% within 4 (2-6) weeks. Eight children fulfilled the protocol; six with an uncomplicated course were able to maintain a hematocrit of 37.1 (35.1-42.7)% with only one sc medication per week of approximately two-thirds of their highest weekly rHuEpo dosage. No serious adverse effect of rHuEpo therapy was observed.

Anemia↗
PubMed1992

Salivary IgA concentration is influenced by the saliva collection method.

Measurement of salivary IgA is useful for the non-invasive assessment of secretory immunity, especially in children and infants. In our study, the influence of three commonly used methods ("spitting", "suction", "Salivette") of saliva collection on the yield of salivary IgA concentration was analysed in 54 samples of salivary secretion collected from six healthy children according to a cross over protocol. Nephelometrically determined IgA concentrations were significantly lower in saliva collected by the Salivette device (mean +/- SEM: 23 +/- 7 mg/l) than in saliva collected by the suction (46 +/- 8 mg/l) or spitting method (48 +/- 8 mg/l). Salivary flow assessed by the spitting method was inversely correlated with salivary IgA concentration. We conclude that salivary IgA assessment is influenced by the saliva collection method, and that studies dealing with this topic should accurately describe the methods used for collecting saliva so that data may be properly compared.

Child↗
PubMed1990

Comparison of bedside methods to assess lung mechanics in ventilated neonates: inflation pressure, amount of ventilation and optical compliance versus measured compliance.

Compliance of the respiratory system (CRS) is rarely measured in the critically ill neonate. Instead, inflation pressure (dP), amount of ventilation (dPxfr) and optical CRS are used as indirect parameters to characterize lung mechanics. In 30 randomly chosen newborns ventilated for various causes we investigated which of these bedside methods most accurately represents the compliance of the respiratory system. The correlation coefficient was much higher for the optically determined compliance (r = 0.91) than for the amount of ventilation (r = 0.67) or the inflation pressure alone (r = 0.46) versus the measured static compliance of the respiratory system.

Heart Defects, Congenital↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Iron supplementation in children after cardiopulmonary bypass for surgical repair of congenital heart disease.

A controlled study was carried out to evaluate the effects of postoperative iron therapy on iron status in anemic children after cardiopulmonary bypass. The patients were 8 boys and 9 girls (mean age 6.5 years) who underwent elective closure of atrial septal defect, secundum type. On postoperative day 9, patients were randomly assigned to either iron supplementation with iron sulfate 5 mg/kg until day 56 or to a control group. Hemoglobin, reticulocytes, transferrin saturation, free erythrocyte protoporphyrin, and ferritin were measured, the final outcome measure being postoperative iron status on day 56. The treatment group showed higher transferrin saturations (33.5% versus 18.0%), smaller decreases in ferritin level (+3.0 versus--13.7 ng/ml), and a lower incidence of depleted iron stores (0/8 versus 5/9) than the control group (all data: P < 0.05). Anemic children after cardiopulmonary bypass for surgical repair of congenital heart disease thus benefit from iron supplementation within the first postoperative weeks.

Anemia, Iron-Deficiency↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The anion gap--screening for hyperlactatemia in critically ill children?].

Serum lactate provides important information about tissue perfusion in critically ill patients. Aim of this study is to evaluate anion gap as a screening method to detect hyperlactatemia at a pediatric intensive care unit. In infants and children of different ages and diagnosis we determined blood gases, electrolytes and lactate. Sensitivity of anion gap was increasing with increasing hyperlactatemia. For the total population the test exhibited a sensitivity of 64% and a specificity of 76%, respectively. The power of anion gap as a screening method to detect hyperlactatemia was similarly fair for all age groups. Therefore hyperlactatemia has also to be included in the differential diagnosis of non-anion gap metabolic acidosis.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Anamnesis, clinical aspects and laboratory findings in juvenile "aseptic meningitis" in Lyme borreliosis--a meta-analysis].

Lyme borreliosis is currently suspected to be capable of mimicking nearly all known neurologic symptoms and disease entities. The goal of our study is to define the associated anamnestic, clinical and laboratory findings in aseptic meningitis and Lyme borreliosis in childhood by a meta-analysis of recent literature and of our own data. We defined by means of 63 cases derived of 10 publications and own data a list of mainly rather unspecific parameters like insidious onset, fever, mild meningism, encephalitic symptoms and cranial nerve involvement. Mere neurologic presentation without ECM, arthritis or even an anamnestic insect-bite seems to be most frequent. Retrospective studies, however, can not sufficiently characterize the clinical picture of aseptic meningitis in Lyme borreliosis.

Child↗