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Biomedical subjects

C Bremer

Publications and source records attributed to C Bremer.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[General physicians at the beginning of health services transformation].

The authors assessed in 68 general practitioners by means of questionnaires selected data on the position in medical practice, satisfaction with it, on the extent, forms and opportunities of further training. All respondents systematically extended their education and training, 97% were keen to master and use new procedures. 37% were satisfied with their practice. They worked on average 50 hours per week and examined on average 236 patients per week in their surgery. On average they referred 11% of their patients to a specialist. Health authorities should participate more in the solution of some problems of general practitioners.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Structure and function of macroencapsulated human and rodent pancreatic islets transplanted into nude mice.

Macroencapsulation of human pancreatic islets inside biomembranes is a promising approach to maintain islet allografts in the diabetic recipient without immunosuppression. In order to test this possibility islets isolated from human pancreata were kept in culture before macroencapsulation in a tissue chamber device. The device consisted of two titanium rings, which supported two flat membranes. These membranes have previously been shown to protect pancreatic islets and fetal lung tissue from allograft rejection and also to promote neovascularization at the membrane surface. In a first series of experiments macroencapsulated human islets were implanted into the epididymal fat pad of athymic, nude mice concomitant to an injection from the same batch of islets under the kidney capsule. Light microscopy of encapsulated and subcapsularly grafted human islets showed that the survival inside the membranes was as good as under the kidney capsule. There was an extensive formation of new blood vessels at the membrane outer surface. In a second series of experiments insulin was extracted from encapsulated human islets implanted either into the epididymal fat pad or subcutaneously. The encapsulated human islets contained as much insulin as the non-encapsulated ones. In these experiments mouse and rat islets were also used. Rodent islets, however, survived less well than the human islets as evidenced by the markedly reduced insulin content values. In a third series of experiments human islets were loaded into the chambers and transplanted into nude mice without the concomitant implantation of non-encapsulated islets under the kidney capsule of the recipienets. Measurements of human C-peptide in serum samples obtained 4 to 8 weeks post-implantation showed considerable concentrations (0.70-185 ng/ml) in all animals. We conclude that isolated human islets survive when implanted into nude mice and continue to release insulin for several weeks. There are, however, species differences suggesting that rodent islets are much more susceptible to the environmental stress inside the membranes than human islets.

Adult↗

Deletion and mutational analyses of bluetongue virus NS2 protein indicate that the amino but not the carboxy terminus of the protein is critical for RNA-protein interactions.

Genome segment 8 (S8) of bluetongue virus serotype 10 (BTV-10) encodes the nonstructural protein NS2. This protein, which has single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) binding capacity, is found in BTV-infected cells in the form of virus inclusion bodies (VIBs). To identify the domain(s) important for RNA binding and oligomerization of the protein, a number of deletions were made in regions of the gene that code for either the amino or carboxy terminus of the protein. The modified genes were cloned into and expressed from baculovirus vectors based on Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus. Truncated NS2 proteins were individually analyzed for the ability to bind ssRNA and to form VIBs. The results indicated that the carboxy terminus of the protein is involved neither in RNA binding nor in the formation of VIBs. The amino terminus of NS2 was shown to be essential for ssRNA binding but not for NS2 protein oligomerization. Point mutations that involved the substitution of various charged residues at the amino terminus of NS2 were generated and tested for the ability to bind ssRNA. The results showed that the arginines at amino acid residues 6 and 7 and the lysine at residue 4, but not the glutamic acid at residue 2, are involved in ssRNA binding.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Role of Kupffer cells in the pathogenesis of hepatic reperfusion injury.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of Kupffer cell activation in the pathogenesis of reperfusion injury. In a blood-free liver perfusion model, pericentral hypoxia and reperfusion injury occurred. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) release, oxygen uptake, and trypan blue staining were assessed. Within the first 10 min of reflow, LDH and MDA release reached maximal values of 44 U.g-1.h-1 and 115 nmol.g-1.h-1, respectively. Trypan blue cell staining was confined to pericentral regions of the liver lobule. When Kupffer cells were inactivated with GdCl3, release of enzymes and MDA was reduced significantly by > 50%, and hepatic cell death was almost completely absent. Since increases in MDA suggested involvement of free radicals, livers were perfused with phenyl N-t-butylnitrone (5 mM), a spin-trapping agent. Analysis of liver tissue by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed a typical six-line spectrum, providing direct evidence that carbon-centered radicals were generated on reflow. GdCl3 treatment decreased radical adduct formation by approximately 50%. Collectively, these results strongly support the hypothesis that activation of Kupffer cells plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hepatic reperfusion injury.

Animals↗

Early treatment of respiratory distress syndrome with bovine surfactant in very preterm infants: a multicenter controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of bovine surfactant (SF-RI 1, Alveofact) administered during the first hour following birth to very premature infants [gestational age (GA), 25-30 weeks] in a multicenter, controlled trial. HYPOTHESIS: Survival without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD; definition: ventilator dependency or FiO2 greater than 0.3 during spontaneous respiration) at day 28 is increased in surfactant-treated infants (sequential analysis). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-four infants [GA 28.0 +/- 1.5 SD weeks, birth weight (BW), 1,048 +/- 299 g] received 50 mg/kg BW surfactant, whereas 35 infants (GA, 27.6 +/- 1.5 weeks, BW 969 +/- 269 g) served as controls. Retreatment with surfactant (up to three identical doses) 12-24 hours after the previous dose was permitted if FiO2 was greater than 0.5. RESULTS: Survival without BPD was significantly higher in surfactant treated infants (26/34) compared to controls (14/35; P = 0.003), but in the incidence of pulmonary air leaks, patent ductus arteriosus, intracranial hemorrhage, and nosocomial infections they were not different. CONCLUSION: Bovine surfactant treatment improves survival without BPD in very premature infants at risk for neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Bacteria↗

Trauma in pregnancy.

The pregnant woman is exposed to the same risks as the non-pregnant woman for sustaining a traumatic injury, but because of the multiple physiologic changes that occur during pregnancy, the assessment and treatment of such patients must be adapted accordingly. This article discusses these normal physiologic changes, their effect on response to trauma, and the comprehensive care of the patient using the nursing process.

Amniocentesis↗