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Biomedical subjects

C Lang

Publications and source records attributed to C Lang.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Myocardial effects of experimental neoplastic disease.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the 7288ctc Morris hepatoma on heart size and performance. Hearts from tumor bearing and control animals were perfused in the working configuration one to three weeks post implantation. As tumor growth progressed there was an inverse linear relationship between tumor size and heart weight. When intrinsic heart work (defined as the product of the cardiac output and peak systolic pressure) was assessed in vitro over a range of physiologic preloads, significant differences were found between tumor-bearing and non-tumor-bearing animals. The hearts from the tumor-bearing animals (tumor weight 10-20 grams) developed only 76% of the heart work of control animals at maximal left atrial filling pressure (25 cm H2O). Hearts excised from rats with tumor masses from 30-65 grams developed 43% of the myocardial work as controls at the same (25 cm) preload. At the time of sacrifice resting blood pressures, blood glucose, insulin, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels were similar in both groups. Blood from tumor bearing animals were negative for both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. The data suggests that the decrements in cardiac size and performance are independent of several vectors known to influence heart size and performance and occur in the absence of detectable bacteremia.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Agraphia of Gerstmann syndrome--attempt at characterization].

A review is given of well documented cases of Gerstmann's syndrome covering one century from 1888 to 1991 complemented by two own observations, Convergencies as well as divergencies are pointed out. It is concluded, that although aphasia may be an accompanying condition, aphasic agraphia as described in linguistic terms is not a sufficient explanation of agraphia in Gerstmann's syndrome which implies spatial-graphic particularities like disturbances of symmetry, reduplications of strokes, defective line orientation, choice of a different letter type and occurrence of nonsense characters not contained in the alphabet. Literal paragraphs may appear as well, while semantic errors are virtually lacking. These features are known to occur in apractic or constructive agraphia whose localisation is usually in the left angular/subangular region coincident with a disconnection from homotopic right hemisphere areas by damage of commissural fibres. Lesions of these non-dominant areas may lead to spatial agraphia.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Treatment with propranolol of severe self-injurious behavior in a blind, deaf, retarded adolescent.

Self-injurious behavior represents a significant barrier to behavioral interventions with retarded children. The etiology of this behavior is hypothesized as secondary to a state of overarousal. beta blockers are believed to be uniquely useful medications in having an effect on self-injurious behaviors through their ability to reduce arousal in the face of stimulation and demands. The case presented describes a multiply handicapped adolescent with severe self-injury who responded to 300 mg of propranolol with a gradual but steady reduction in self-injury over 12 months. Concurrent with this was the emergence of increased interactions and benefit from behavioral interventions.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1993

1993 up & comers.

The achievements of the healthcare industry in the 21st century will depend on the quality of its leadership. In recognition of the contributions of the new generation of healthcare executives, MODERN HEALTHCARE salutes its 1993 Up & Comers. They are a group of healthcare professionals, all 40 or younger, who have refused to be restricted by the ways of the past. Instead, they have contributed to efforts to improve the quality of medical care, expand access to the system and reconfigure the delivery system. The group, whose accomplishments are outlined in the following pages, were selected from a field of nearly 50 candidates nominated by MODERN HEALTHCARE's editorial staff and magazine readers.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Different TBP-associated factors are required for mediating the stimulation of transcription in vitro by the acidic transactivator GAL-VP16 and the two nonacidic activation functions of the estrogen receptor.

The estrogen receptor (ER) contains two nonacidic transcriptional activation functions, AF-1 and AF-2 (formerly TAF-1 and TAF-2). In this study we show that AF-1 and AF-2 are able to stimulate transcription in vitro in a HeLa cell system when fused to the DNA binding domain of the yeast activator GAL4. We also demonstrate that a factor(s) required for the function of the ER AFs is chromatographically separable from a factor(s) necessary for the activity of the acidic activation domain of VP16. Moreover, immunoprecipitation experiments using a monoclonal antibody directed against the TATA box binding protein (TBP) indicate, that these different factors are associated with TBP in distinct TFIID complexes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Brain imaging techniques applied to chronically solvent-exposed workers: current results and clinical evaluation.

The application of neuroimaging techniques such as cerebral blood flow (CBF), single photon emission tomography (SPECT), X-ray computed tomography (CAT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on solvent-exposed workers and patients with toxic encephalopathy results in different and somewhat inconclusive pictures. The aim of this paper is to therefore critically review the current knowledge on chronic neurotoxicity of solvent exposures with respect to neuroimaging technique. CAT measurements of 86 house or construction painters, 82 spray painters, and 81 nonpainters showed no abnormal diffuse brain atrophy due to chronic solvent exposure after controlling for confounding variables such as age, alcohol consumption, or former disease. Correlation analyses did not show any consistent, biologically plausible exposure-effect relationship. Neuropsychologic test results did not correlate significantly with CAT parameters, whereas a strong age dependency exists. It is concluded that long-term exposure to solvent concentrations not exceeding permissible occupational limit values does not cause increased brain atrophy.

Brain↗
PubMed1993

Influence of repetitive magnetic stimuli on verbal comprehension.

The influence of repetitive magnetic transcranial stimulation over the temporo-parietal cortex on verbal comprehension was investigated in 44 healthy subjects. In right-handed subjects, trains of 50 Hz magnetic stimuli over the left hemisphere produced more errors than stimulation over the right hemisphere. The result is not very clearcut, however; thus the test cannot be used for diagnostic investigation of language dominance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Recurrent selective bronchial intubation in laparoscopic cholecystectomy].

Selective endobronchial intubation occurred three times in a 38-year-old female patient undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. She weighed 58 kg and was 165 cm tall. Anaesthesia was obtained with propofol, fentanyl and vecuronium. Endotracheal intubation was carried out with a Mallinckrodt tube, size 7.5. It was attached to the cheeks with the 22 cm marking at the teeth. The diagnosis of endobronchial intubation was made when he SpO2 fell abruptly to 79, 87 and 93% respectively. Simultaneously, the peak inspiratory pressure increased and PetCO2 decreased. The third time, both lung fields were auscultated; no breath sounds were found on the left side. The first two incidents were cured by exsufflating the artificial pneumoperitoneum. Pulling out the tube 4 cm definitely solved the problem. These endobronchial intubations were due to the tube being too close to the carina. During insufflation of the pneumoperitoneum, the carina is pushed upwards with the corresponding part of the mediastinum.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

HIV and quality of life: a rehabilitation perspective.

Access to families affected by HIV in their own home puts health visitors in a prime position to encourage health promotion strategies for people with HIV infection, and to recognise and make early referral for rehabilitation needs, writes Cherry Lang. Here she describes how physiotherapy and stress management techniques can help tackle symptoms of HIV infection.

Community Health Nursing↗
PubMed1992

Neurotoxicity of solvent mixtures in spray painters. II. Neurologic, psychiatric, psychological, and neuroradiologic findings.

A multidisciplinary cross-sectional study was performed to examine the chronic neurotoxicity of organic solvents. Participating in the study were 105 persons employed as spray painters and having long-term solvent exposure (10-44 years) and a control group consisting of 58 construction workers, electricians, and plumbers without occupational contact to solvents. Samples were matched for age, preexposure intelligence level, occupation, and socioeconomic status. After controlling for potentially non occupational confounding factors (neuropsychiatric diseases, metabolic disorders, high blood pressure, alcohol intake) 83 spray painters and 42 controls were entered finally into the study. The evaluation included work history, self-rating questionnaire, neurologic investigation, psychiatric analysis using the Present State Examination (PSE), psychological testing, and computerized axial tomography (CAT) of the brain. Physical and neurologic examinations demonstrated no case of overt disorders of the central or peripheral nervous system. An important result of the psychiatric analysis was that the syndromes "special features of depression" and "loss of interest and concentration" occurred significantly more frequently among spray painters than among controls. Further analyses demonstrated an association with chronic exposure over 30 years and repeated acute neurotoxic effects during solvent exposures. Neither psychological nor performance tests demonstrated any statistically significant differences in the performance sets after adjustment according to premorbid intelligence level; this finding supports the presumption of only a low grade of mental dysfunction. Correlation analyses indicated a relationship between subjective health complaints and long-term solvent exposure; however, the effect of age cannot be completely ruled out.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Antibacterial in vitro-activity of meropenem against 200 clinical isolates in comparison to 11 selected antibiotics.

The antimicrobial activity of meropenem, a new parenteral carbapenem, was tested in vitro by an agar dilution method against 200 clinical isolates (gram-negative/positive aerobes and anaerobes). Meropenem was compared with imipenem, ceftazidime, cefotaxime, piperacillin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin; and metronidazole, cefoxitin, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, vancomycin when appropriate. Meropenem and imipenem exhibited an extended spectrum of activity with low minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Only one strain each of Enterococcus faecium and Pseudomonas (Xanthomonas) maltophilia were resistant. Of the carbapenems, imipenem was slightly more active against Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus agalactiae, and staphylococci, but meropenem was obviously more active against enterobacteriaceae and Clostridium perfringens. Both, meropenem and imipenem had similar activities towards Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Streptococcus pyogenes and Bacteroides sp. All other antibiotics tested were less potent than the carbapenems with the exception of ciprofloxacin which generally exhibited similar antibacterial activities, except for anaerob microorganisms.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1992

Rapid development of giant aneurysm at the base of the brain in an 8-year-old boy with perinatal HIV infection.

An 8-year-old boy with perinatal HIV infection developed a large fusiform aneurysm in the circle of Willis two years prior to death which was confirmed by radiological studies. The postmortem examinations revealed a predominantly intimal, proliferative lesion, and partial destruction of the internal elastic lamina in the involved arteries. Within the intima hyperplasia of fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells was observed. No inflammatory alterations, no granulomas and no multinucleated giant cells could be noted in the vascular walls and in the cerebral parenchyma. A small ischemic infarct was present in the left thalamus. Cerebellum, brainstem and medulla showed multiple areas of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Immunohistochemistry with anti-gp41, a monoclonal antibody against HIV envelope did not exhibit any positive results. These findings implicate that the vascular lesion might be attributed to primary infection of the brain by HIV which led to a defect of elastic lamina and consecutive intimal hyperplasia. A second hypothesis could be based on the effect of extremely high dose AZT therapy avoiding inflammatory reaction after HIV infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

[Fecal occult blood--does a hemoglobin-specific tests improve the diagnosis of relevant colonic neoplasms?].

The object of this study was to assess whether an immunological test specific for human hemoglobin improves the detection of bleeding from colorectal tumors as compared to a conventional guaiac test for occult fecal blood. We examined one stool sample from 134 patients prior to a complete colonoscopy by the Colo-Immun-Test (CI) as well as the Colo-Rectal-Test (CR). CI proved to have a higher sensitivity for occult bleeding from all colonic lesions, but this difference was not statistically significant. There was, however, no difference in the sensitivity of the two tests in detecting bleeding from relevant colonic neoplasms. In this study the immunological CI did not improve the detection of occult fecal blood loss due to adenomas and carcinomas of the colon in comparison with CR.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1991

[Ocular manifestations in a patient with Cockayne syndrome and simultaneous reduced DNA repair].

A 14 year old white boy presented with the typical clinical findings of Cockayne syndrome. Photodermatosis was known since the third week of life. He had disproportionate short stature with a short trunk, long limbs and flexion contractures of the large joints. He also was cachectic and prematurely aged. He had a typical facies. The hearing was slightly impaired. The prominent ocular findings were corneal opacifications, salt and pepper like retinal pigment epithelial changes and optic atrophy. On fibroblast culture the DNA repair activity is usually normal in patients with Cockayne syndrome. The DNA repair activity in our patient however was markedly reduced to 25% of normal. On lymphocyte culture a significantly increased 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide sensitivity (cytotoxicity and increased break-rate) was found. These findings indicate that the boy has a specific variant of Cockayne syndrome with simultaneously reduced DNA-repair activity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Psychometric speech studies in Alzheimer's dementia with the Aachen aphasia test].

Dementias of the Alzheimer type seem to be frequently accompanied by language disturbances. These may represent a feature which can be of help in distinguishing them from other types of dementias. We used the Aachen aphasia test in 32 patients suffering from Alzheimer dementia according to research criteria, and a mixed sample of 35 patients suffering from other dementias. From these 2 groups 2 subsamples of 21 patients each were gathered which were comparable with regard to age, disease onset, level of education, verbal intelligence and severity of senility. Nevertheless it was possible to distinguish the groups to a certain degree on grounds of psychometric language criteria alone. Alzheimer patients were more severely handicapped communicatively, less dysarthric, produced more automatisms and discretely more phonemic paraphasias with fluent speech which was sometimes paragrammatic. A relatively better level of repetition compared to the Token test and written language was fairly specific. A computer-assisted classification yielded language disturbances similar to Wernicke's aphasia more often than with non-Alzheimer dementias. We found no Alzheimer patients with a Broca's type of language disorder, while amnestic and global types were bound to the level of overall impairment to a certain degree. The significance of these results with regard to the use of psychometric language test in the dementias, particularly Alzheimer's dementia, and to differential diagnostic considerations are reviewed briefly.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Encephalitis in Legionella bozemanii pneumonia].

A 44-year-old man, a known alcoholic and heavy smoker, was hospitalized with high fever and respiratory failure which a few hours later required intubation and artificial ventilation, although the chest x-ray had been unremarkable. Later serial chest x-ray films showed intrapulmonary infiltrations, while Legionella Bozemanii was demonstrated by direct immunofluorescence. Cranial computed tomography was unremarkable, despite the onset of tetraparesis and a severe midbrain syndrome. Cerebrospinal fluid contained merely mild lymphocytic pleocytosis. However, magnetic resonance imaging revealed symmetrical demyelinization foci in the brainstem as a sign of encephalitis. The neurological deficits regressed almost completely after several weeks of antibiotic treatment and rehabilitation measures over several months.

Adult↗