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Biomedical subjects

E Becker

Publications and source records attributed to E Becker.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Comparison of two cognitive bedside screening instruments in nursing home residents: a factor analytic study.

The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Blessed Orientation-Memory-Concentration test (BOMC) were each administered to 110 nursing home residents. The correlation between the MMSE and BOMC's total score was -.79. Maximum likelihood factor analysis revealed a two-factor structure, consisting of memory-attention and verbal-comprehension factors that were highly correlated (.69). The results suggest that the somewhat longer MMSE may be preferred for bedside mental status testing, as it clearly measures an additional dimension of cognitive ability, while the BOMC is primarily a unidimensional test. The theoretical and clinical implications of bedside mental status testing of elderly patients are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Surgery for asymptomatic carotid stenosis: a contribution to a controversial discussion].

From 1 January 1982 to 30. June 1986, 436 operations on the internal carotid artery were performed: 164 were asymptomatic (37.6%). Morphologic indication was stenoses greater than 70% only. Supra-aortic multivessel disease played a major role. The operative mortality amounted to 0.6% (total 0.9%) and the perioperative mortality, 1.8%. The cumulative morbidity was 1.6% after the first and 1.8% after the second year, whereas the cumulative survival rate measured 89.8% after one and 80.4% after three years. Therefore surgery for asymptomatic carotid internal stenoses is justified under conditions of the restrictive indication. It also seems to be more favorable as regards early and late results.

Brain Ischemia↗
PubMed1989

Isolation of temperature-sensitive mutants of 16 S rRNA in Escherichia coli.

Temperature-sensitive mutants have been isolated following hydroxylamine mutagenesis of a plasmid containing Escherichia coli rRNA genes carrying selectable markers for spectinomycin resistance (U1192 in 16 S rRNA) and erythromycin resistance (G2058 in 23 S rRNA). These antibiotic resistance alleles, originally identified by Morgan and co-workers, enable us to follow expression of cloned rRNA genes in vivo. Recessive mutations causing the loss of expression of the cloned 16 S rRNA gene were identified by the loss of the ability of cells to survive on media containing spectinomycin. The mutations were localized by in vitro restriction fragment replacement followed by in vivo marker rescue and were identified by DNA sequence analysis. We report here seven single-base alterations in 16 S rRNA (A146, U153, A350, A359, A538, A1292 and U1293), five of which produce temperature-sensitive spectinomycin resistance and two that produce unconditional loss of resistance. In each case, loss of ribosomal function can be accounted for by disruption of base-pairing in the secondary structure of 16 S rRNA. For the temperature-sensitive mutants, there is a lag period of about two generations between a shift to the restrictive temperature and cessation of growth, implying that the structural defects cause impairment of ribosome assembly.

Ampicillin↗
PubMed1989

Inhibition of calpain in intact platelets by the thiol protease inhibitor E-64d.

E-64d, a membrane permeant derivative of E-64c, a thiol protease inhibitor (Tamai et al. (1986) J. Pharmacobio-Dyn. 9, 672-677), was tested for ability to inhibit calpain activity in intact platelets. Calpain activity was measured by proteolysis of actin-binding protein and talin, two known substrates of calpain. Incubation of platelets with E-64c (not permeant) or E-64d before lysis prevented proteolysis after lysis. When the platelets were incubated with E-64c or E-64d and then washed to remove the drugs before lysis, only E-64d inhibited proteolysis. When platelets were incubated with E-64c or E-64d and then activated with A23187 plus calcium, a treatment that activates intraplatelet calpain, only E-64d inhibited proteolysis. These results indicate that E-64d can enter the intact cell and inhibit calpain.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1987

Two mechanisms of CCl4-induced fatty liver: lipid peroxidation or covalent binding studied in cultured rat hepatocytes.

With cultured hepatocytes it was studied whether CCl4-induced inhibition of secretion of VLDL and HDL from liver cells is a consequence of covalent binding of CCl4 metabolites (i.e. CCl3; CCl3OO.) to cell constituents or of membrane damage by lipid peroxidation. Comparing the kinetics of inhibition of lipoprotein secretion with that of CCl4-bioactivation it was found, that covalent binding of (14C)-CCl4 occurred at early time points (5 min) after CCl4 administration and inhibited the lipoprotein secretion. At 100 microM CCl4 it was depressed by 53% within 60 min. Incubations of CCl4-treated cells with increasing concentrations of vitamin E blocked lipid peroxidation, but lipoprotein secretion was still inhibited. Piperonyl butoxid, a radical scavenger, protected against CCl4-induced inhibition of lipoprotein section, lipid peroxidation and covalent binding. These results show that during the early phases of CCl4 poisoning fat accumulation is the consequence of covalent binding of CCl4 metabolites to cell structures.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Radiologic diagnosis of pain in the athlete.

This article provides an overview of the various radiographic procedures available today. The correct indications for the use of each of these is emphasized and illustrated.

Athletic Injuries↗
PubMed1986

Diagnostics of extra-cranial carotid stenoses. Comparison of CW-Doppler sonography and intravenous digital subtraction angiography.

In 98 internal carotid arteries, continuous-wave ultrasound Doppler sonography (USD) and i.v. digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of the internal carotid arteries were performed. The findings were compared with each other prospectively and on the basis of conventional angiography findings. The aim of this investigation was to clarify, whether DSA would show stenoses with lumen restriction of less than 50% more precisely than USD, or whether it would enable clearer localization of any vascular lesions. The results revealed that in cases of haemodynamic effective stenoses and occlusions both procedures correlated well with each other and also with catheter angiography. However, USD and DSA showed increasing discrepancies of findings with decreasing degree of severity of the stenosis. The accuracy for localization of stenoses also decreased markedly for both methods with increasing distance from the carotid bifurcation. In the case of congruent findings of USD and DSA in haemodynamic effective stenoses (degree of stenosis more than 75%) or occlusions conventional angiography did not increase the diagnostic information, and it seems therefore dispensable for vascular surgical decisions. However, in cases with existing clinical symptoms with contradictory or negative USD and DSA findings angiography is still indicated.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

The lateralization of occipital alpha-power under resting conditions in the EEG of healthy volunteers. A state- and a trait-variable.

Using a structural analysis of lateralization of occipital alpha-power in 20 healthy volunteers under resting conditions, a clear vigilance-dependence could be shown for the great majority. In contrast the state of four subjects showed almost no dependence on vigilance. Additional findings according to which these two subgroups also differ in a characteristic manner with regard to various other aspects, especially occipital alpha-quantity and vigilance dynamics, point to a maturational dimension.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

[Measurement of regional cerebral blood flow as a supplement to carotid angiography in assessing cerebrovascular insufficiency].

The examination of 91 patients was undertaken in order to establish the relevance of tomographical measurement of the regional cerebral blood-flow, following inhalation of 133Xenon, as a complementary method to the conventional carotis-angiography. In many cases the findings revealed a more precise or even deviating judgement on the hemodynamic relevance of stenosis and obliteration than was proved only by angiography. Especially in the stages I and IV of cerebrovascular disease of the a. cerebri anterior, a. carotis interna and a. carotis communis the rCBF-measurement seemed to be an important parameter for the decision between conservative and surgical therapy as a prognostic parameter for the individual risk of many patients to suffer a cerebral infarction.

Carotid Arteries↗
PubMed1985

Energy expenditure and cardiac response in above-knee amputees while using prostheses with open and locked knee mechanisms.

The difference in physiological responses to ambulation effort, of above-knee (AK) amputees, using a prosthesis with open or locked knee mechanism was investigated at the Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Department of the Loewenstein Hospital. Of seventeen patients who were examined, fourteen were vascular patients over the age of fifty, and three were young traumatic amputees. Subjects performed an unrestrained walking test, using their prosthesis with an open-knee, and then with a locked knee joint mechanism. Heart rate and walking speed were measured, while oxygen consumption was evaluated only in the young patients. Results show that the use of a locked-knee joint resulted in a lower increase in heart rate in both groups. Comfortable walking velocity, as chosen by the subject himself, was higher with a locked-knee joint in the aged group and with an open-knee joint in the younger amputees. Oxygen consumption as measured for the younger patients was higher with an open-knee joint. In conclusion, a locked knee is recommended for the older amputees as it enables a higher walking velocity and lower effort. The preference of an open-knee in the young amputees is due to their better physical condition which enables a higher walking speed although energy expenditure and heart rate are higher.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Sex and aphasic syndromes.

Sex differences in the incidence of aphasia and its types has been the subject of interest in recent literature. We studied the records of 275 patients with C.V.A. and 62 with C.C.I., serially admitted to the Loewenstein Rehabilitation Hospital between 1965 and 1980. Aphasia Test results were recorded within one month of onset and again 3-5 months later. No significant sex differences were found in the incidence of aphasia or in aphasia syndromes in C.V.A. patients, but males far outnumbered female patients with C.C.I. The average ages of males and females in our aphasia population and among the syndrome types were not significantly different. We found that severity of disabilities, as measured by auditory comprehension, failed to show significant sex differences, although males tended to have more severe types of aphasia with poorer prognosis for recovery. Patterns of improvement to less severe types of aphasia were not statistically significant in males and females.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Energy cost and physiological reactions to effort during activation of paraplegics by functional electrical stimulation.

In this study, the aim was to evaluate the influence on the cardiopulmonary system of muscular contractions of the paralyzed limbs in paraplegia, activated by FES during treatment, and the energy cost of standing and walking while using FES as an orthotic aid. Three traumatic spastic paraplegics were selected for the measurements. At the end of a 6 month training program heart rate and oxygen consumption of the patients were evaluated as follows: at rest; following 30 minutes of FES in the sitting position; following 15 minutes of standing; and during ambulation. Lactic acid level during maximal effort was evaluated as well. The results indicated a low energy cost of FES in the sitting position and during usage of FES as an orthotic device for standing, confirming the beneficial effect of FES for spastic paraplegics. However, effort invested during ambulation by means of FES was found exhaustive and FES is therefore advisable for young subjects mainly.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

[Significance of magnetic resonance tomography in disseminated encephalomyelitis].

23 out of 24 patients with multiple sclerosis showed multiple, distinct lesions on investigation with cerebral nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMR). Arguments for the specific relationship of these lesions to demyelinating foci are: 1. Morphology and pattern of distribution agree to the known pathological observations. 2. Single lesions shown by computerized tomography (CT) were similarly located to lesions shown by NMR. The morphology and distribution of the lesions in the NMR show a common pattern largely independent of the individual neurological deficits. The nuclear magnetic resonance imaging is a method of high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. It offers valuable additional information in particular for early diagnosis and in cases of diagnostic uncertainty.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Nocturnal cardiac arrhythmias in the sleep apnea syndrome].

A day vs. night comparison of type and frequency of cardiac arrhythmias documented by long-term ECG was done in 30 patients with nocturnal respiratory disorders in the form of the sleep apnoea syndrome. The commonest nocturnal arrhythmia was pronounced sinus arrhythmia during the apnoeic phases with variations of cardiac frequency between 40 and 120/min. Supraventricular and ventricular extrasystoles occurred significantly more frequently during the night than during the day. In three patients bradycardiac arrhythmias presenting as sinoauricular and atrioventricular blockades of the 3rd degree with node or ventricular substitute rhythm were seen during the sleep apnoea which could not be demonstrated during the day. Predominantly nightly occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias should lead to differential diagnostic consideration of the sleep apnoea syndrome.

Adult↗