Germline epimutations of APC are not associated with inherited colorectal polyposis.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to C Suter.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Colorectal cancers with microsatellite instability (MSI) typically show increased numbers of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) in comparison to microsatellite stable (MSS) cancers. The aim of this study was to determine the phenotype of this unique lymphocyte population in MSI and MSS colorectal cancers. Twenty-four individuals with sporadic colorectal cancer (17 MSI, 7 MSS) were included in this study. Intraepithelial and stromal lymphocytes were detected using immunohistochemistry with anti-CD8 and anti-CD103 antibodies, and two observers independently quantified the numbers of lymphocytes. CD103+ (alpha E beta 7+) IELs detected within tumour tissue co-expressed CD8+ while the stromal lymphocytes were phenotypically heterogeneous, with respect to CD8+ and CD103+ expression. MSI colorectal cancers harboured increased numbers of CD8+ CD103+ IELs, as well as CD8+ CD103- and CD8+ CD103+ stromal lymphocytes, when compared with MSS colorectal cancers. CD103+ IELs were found at 27-fold greater numbers in the tumour epithelium than in normal epithelium from the same patient (P = 0.001, Wilcoxon matched pairs test). From our findings, we have proposed a mechanism for the homing of these alpha E beta 7+ lymphocytes to tumour tissue in MSI and MSS colorectal cancers.
Chronic heart failure (CHF) impairs quality of life (QoL) much stronger than other chronic diseases. The objective of this evaluation was to assess the effect of a new integrated comprehensive outpatients rehabilitation program on somatic parameters and quality of life in 51 patients with stable CHF. After rehabilitation, left ventricular ejection fraction, NYHA class, and parameters of sub-maximum and maximum exercise capacity improved significantly between 11 and 20%, and 6-minute walking distance by 58% on average (p < 0.0001). Non-disease specific QoL (Short Form-36 questionnaire) improved in only 2 of 8 subscales (physical functioning [effect size 0.38, p < 0.001], and role functioning [effect size 0.17, p < 0.05]), and a mental component score [effect size 0.47, p < 0.0001]. Disease-specific QoL (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire) improved in terms of sum score [effect size 0.24, p < 0.0001], and physical component score [effect size 0.35, p < 0.0001]. Improvement in exercise capacity correlated significantly with improvements in parameters of disease-specific QoL.
The effects of intravenous administration of variable-dose flumazenil (0, 0.001, 0.005, 0.01, and 0.1 mg/kg) after ketamine (3 mg/kg) and midazolam (0.0 and 0.5 mg/kg) were studied in 18 healthy unmedicated cats from time of administration until full recovery. End-points were chosen to determine whether flumazenil shortened the recovery period and/or modified behaviors previously identified and attributed to midazolam. Overall, flumazenil administration had little effect on recovery or behaviors. One minute after flumazenil administration, all cats were recumbent but a greater proportion of cats which received the highest dose assumed sternal recumbency with head up than any other group. Although not significant, those cats that received the highest flumazenil dose also had shorter mean times for each of the initial recovery stages (lateral recumbency with head up, sternal recumbency with head up and walking with ataxia) than any of the other treatment groups that received midazolam. For complete recovery, flumazenil did decrease the proportion of the cats that was sedated, but did not shorten the time to walking without ataxia. Based on this study, the administration of flumazenil in veterinary practice, at the doses studied, to shorten and/or improve the recovery from ketamine and midazolam in healthy cats cannot be recommended.
The efficacy of fenbendazole for preventing an experimental infection of Encephalitozoon cuniculi and for eliminating the spores from the central nervous system of naturally infected rabbits was investigated. Fenbendazole (20 mg/kg bodyweight daily) was administered from seven days before until two or 21 days after rabbits had been infected orally with 10(6) spores of E. cuniculi. Both regimens were effective in preventing the establishment of the parasites, as demonstrated by negative parasitic-specific serology and by the failure to isolate the parasite from brain tissue. In naturally infected, seropositive rabbits, parasites were successfully isolated from seven of nine untreated animals, but not from the brain tissue of eight animals treated with fenbendazole-medicated pellets for four weeks.
Platelet function is influenced by the platelet thiol-disulfide balance. Platelet activation resulted in 440% increase in surface protein thiol groups. Two proteins that presented free thiol(s) on the activated platelet surface were protein-disulfide isomerase (PDI) and glycoprotein 1balpha (GP1balpha). PDI contains two active site dithiols/disulfides. The active sites of 26% of the PDI on resting platelets was in the dithiol form, compared with 81% in the dithiol form on activated platelets. Similarly, GP1balpha presented one or more free thiols on the activated platelet surface but not on resting platelets. Anti-PDI antibodies increased the dissociation constant for binding of vWF to platelets by approximately 50% and PDI and GP1balpha were sufficiently close on the platelet surface to allow fluorescence resonance energy transfer between chromophores attached to PDI and GP1balpha. Incubation of resting platelets with anti-PDI antibodies followed by activation with thrombin enhanced labeling and binding of monoclonal antibodies to the N-terminal region of GP1balpha on the activated platelet surface. These observations indicated that platelet activation triggered reduction of the active site disulfides of PDI and a conformational change in GP1balpha that resulted in exposure of a free thiol(s).
BACKGROUND: Spilled gallstones after laparoscopic cholecystectomy may cause abscess formation, but the exact extent of this problem remains unclear. METHOD: The data (collected by the Swiss Association of Laparoscopic and Thoracoscopic Surgery) on 10,174 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy at 82 surgical institutions in Switzerland between January 1992 and April 1995 were retrospectively analyzed with special interest in spilled gallstones and their complications. RESULTS: In 581 cases (5.7%) spillage of gallstones occurred; 34 of these cases were primarily converted to an open procedure for stone retrieval. Of the remaining 547 cases only eight patients (0.08%) developed postoperatively abscess formation requiring reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Spillage of gallstones after laparoscopic cholecystectomy is fairly common and occurs in about 6% of patients. However, abscess formation with subsequent surgical therapy remains a minor problem. Removal of spilled gallstones is therefore not recommended for all patients, but an attempt at removal should be performed whenever possible.
The effects of intravenous administration of variable-dose midazolam (0, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 mg/kg) and ketamine (3 mg/kg) were studied in twenty-four healthy unmedicated cats from time of administration until full recovery. End-points were chosen to determine the optimal dose to allow a short period of restraint without noxious stimuli, a short period of restraint with noxious stimuli and endotracheal intubation. Recovery characteristics, as well as undesirable behaviours observed during recovery, were also recorded. The dose of midazolam to achieve lateral recumbency with head down was found to be 0.016 mg/kg in 50% of the population (ED50) and 0.054 mg/kg in 95% (ED95) of the population. A midazolam dose of 0.286 mg/kg was required to prevent conscious perception of a stimulus to the ulnar nerve in 50% of the population and 0.652 mg/kg in 95% of the population. The ED50 and ED95 of midazolam required to prevent swallowing in response to a laryngoscope placed on the back of the tongue were found to be 0.265 mg/kg and 0.583 mg/kg, respectively. The ED50 doses of 0.265 mg/kg for intubation and 0.286 mg/kg for restraint with noxious stimulation were close to the tested dose of 0.3 mg/kg. At that dose, the lack of responses lasted 3.67 +/- 2.27 min for laryngoscope and 2.50 +/- 2.20 min for ulnar nerve stimulation, with recovery to walking with ataxia taking 41.50 +/- 15.18 min and complete recovery taking 3.6 +/- 1.3 h. The predominant behavioural pattern during recovery was found to be normal, but some cats also exhibited abnormal behavioural patterns. Nine of the twelve cats exhibited an abnormal arousal state, with 4 being restless and 5 being sedated. Seven of the twelve cats exhibited an abnormal behaviour when approached, with three of the cats being more difficult to approach and four of the cats being easier to approach. Eight of the twelve cats exhibited an abnormal behavioural pattern when restrained, with the cats equally divided between more difficult and easier to restrain. Five of the twelve cats vocalized more during the recovery. The ED50 of 0.042 mg/kg to induce chemical restraint without a noxious stimulus is close to the tested dose of 0.05 mg/kg. At that dose, cats remained lateral with head down for 5.49 +/- 4.02 min, took 25.96 +/- 5.77 min to walk with ataxia and 1.7 +/- 0.4 h for complete recovery. The predominant behavioural patterns during recovery were normal, with several cats exhibiting some abnormal patterns. Two cats were sedated, one cat was more difficult to approach, one cat was easier to restrain and three cats were more vocal.
The paper examines the influence of social networks on social support and social stress and analyses the impact of social support and stress on health. 171 (t1, 1992) and 135 (t2, 1993) persons aged 75 and older in need of a little help but still living on their own were personally interviewed in three districts of the city of Zurich. The results demonstrate that social networks are important for mobilizing social support and that these mobilizing processes are characterized by sex differences: The family (i.e. the partner) is much more important for men than for women who rely both on family and non-family social networks. There are only weak relationships between social networks and social stress. Social support affects health positively by indirect mechanisms. From t1 to t2 social networks, social support and health remain rather constant while social stress changes substantially.
The health-related and social needs of aged people and their fulfillment are studied. Only a very weak relation is found between the financial situation and the claims for possible financial resources. On the other side education is found to have a key position for the drawing of supplementing pensions. The problems resulting for the assignment of financial support to aged people are discussed.
Radiographs and charts of 114 consecutive patients who underwent 140 lower-extremity bone-segment lengthening procedures using the Ilizarov external fixator were reviewed. Patient age, bone segment (femur, tibia), corticotomy level (metaphyseal, diaphyseal, double level), and distraction gap (DG) were recorded. Distraction-consolidation time (DCT) was defined as the interval in months from the date of the corticotomy until the DG was healed according to radiographic and manual testing criteria. Distraction-consolidation time had a direct linear relationship with the magnitude of the DG. Distraction--consolidation time versus DG was significantly less for femoral than tibial lengthening. Patients 20 years and older healed slower than patients younger than the age of 20 years. Patients 20 to 29 years old healed faster than patients older than 30 years and slower than patients younger than 20 years. Diaphyseal lengthening healed more slowly than metaphyseal lengthening. Double-level lengthening reduced the DCT when the DG was greater than 4 cm. Distraction--consolidation index--DCT divided by DG--was not a constant. Distraction--consolidation index decreased with increasing DG. To facilitate prediction of bone-healing time, graphs were developed demonstrating the average treatment time +/- 2 SD expected for a specific amount of lengthening, considering the bone segment, the level of osteotomy, and the age of the patient.
Acute renal failure in a 4-day-old foal secondary to oxytetracycline toxicosis was treated by hemodialysis. Oxytetracycline had been administrered as treatment for forelimb flexor tendon contracture. Conservtive treatment with fluids, furosemide, and dopamine partially alleviated serum electrolyte concentration imbalances, but was ineffective in promoting diuresis or decreasing azotemia. Three hemodialysis treatments over 4 days were administered, after which the clinical appearance of the foal improved, and biochemical and electrolyte values returned to within reference ranges. The nephrotoxic potential of oxytetracycline should be considered prior to its administration. Hemodialysis may be a treatment option in management of acute renal failure in foals that are nonresponsive to conservative medical treatment.
When comparing firearm fatalities for children under 16 years of age before and after handgun legislation enactment in Maryland, firearm fatalities increased overall. A decrease in accidental deaths in the home perhaps reflects a response to public education and awareness. More aggressive handgun legislation is imperative to reverse this public health trend.
Carbocisplatin is used as an inductive chemotherapeutic agent prior to irradiation in the treatment of head and neck cancers. Controversy exists whether carbocisplatin sensitizes normal epithelial tissues, including skin, to radiation. The combined effect of radiation and carbocisplatin on the survival of skin flaps was studied in an experimental model using dorsal flaps in Sprague-Dawley rats. Skin flaps were created 6 weeks after exposure to irradiation and carbocisplatin. Flap survival was assessed 7, 14, and 21 days after the flaps were initially created. Exposure of the flaps to irradiation alone, carbocisplatin alone, combined irradiation and carbocisplatin, or combined irradiation and fractionated carbocisplatin did not result in any significant decrease in flap survival when compared with untreated animals.
The possibility that angiotensin II (AII) functions as an excitatory transmitter on sympathetic preganglionic neurones was tested in anaesthetized rats. Drugs were administered intrathecally whilst recording blood pressure, heart rate and sympathetic activity in splanchnic or renal nerves. Intrathecal AII (20 microliters, 10(-5) M) caused a significant increase in blood pressure of 13% +/- 3 and in sympathetic activity of 15% +/- 5. Intrathecal AII (20 microliters, 10(-3) M) caused larger increases in blood pressure of 22% +/- 3 and in sympathetic activity of 25% +/- 3. The magnitude of the response was dependent on the location of the catheter tip within the subarachnoid space T9-T11 being best for the above changes. Preceding intrathecal AII with the AII antagonist Saralasin (20 microliters, 10(-3) M) also given intrathecally prevented the changes. An increase in sympathetic nerve activity brought about reflexly by a drop in blood pressure of 45-47 mm Hg was almost halved by intrathecal Saralasin. Peak plasma counts (less than 5% of total) of [3H]AII in the blood after intrathecal injection occurred 2 min after the peak changes in sympathetic activity and blood pressure. Counts of [3H]AII in the spinal cord showed that 81% of recovered label was within one segment on either side of the catheter tip. It is concluded that AII has an excitatory action on sympathetic neurones in the spinal cord.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
A new technique for isolating the cell bodies of insect central neurons and for maintaining them in vitro for several hours is described. The input resistance of the isolated soma was higher than that of its in situ counterpart but it usually had a lower resting potential. Unlike the in situ soma, most isolated cell bodies generated all-or-none action potentials. The somal membrane carries extrajunctional acetylcholine receptors as a diffusely-distributed population. d-Tubocurarine and atropine blocked the response to acetylcholine, but it was enhanced by eserine.
We studied 57 patients with poorly controlled or atypical seizures to identify hysterical attacks with a provocative test consisting of initiation and termination of an attack with suggestion and saline injection during electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring. Using this method, we diagnosed 48 patients as having hysterical attacks. Three additional patients had spontaneous hysterical attacks during routine recordings. Of the 51 patients with hysterical attacks, 78% were female. Two-thirds of the patients were between the ages of 20 and 35 years. Thirty-two patients had taken anticonvulsants before the study. Each patient's hysterical attack, aura, and postictum was stereotyped, and the 6 patients subject to both hysterical and organic seizures described the two types of attacks as different stereotyped behaviors. Tongue laceration, urinary incontinence, and postictal confusion were common. Twelve patients had evidence of past or present neurological disease. Abnormal EEGs were recorded in 37% but only 12% had spike or spike and wave discharges. The provocative EEG test employing saline and suggestion is a useful tool in the diagnosis of hysterical "seizures."