Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Lang

Publications and source records attributed to E Lang.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Diversity of bacterial capabilities in utilizing alkylated benzenes and other aromatic compounds.

Seventeen aerobic bacterial strains known to degrade one or more aromatic compounds were tested for their ability to utilize benzene, seven different methylated benzenes or other aromatic compounds as their sole source of carbon. The results are discussed with respect to the possibility of finding strains which degrade one or more of these compounds by the applied method of screening, and to their taxonomic status.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1996

[Vacuum assisted wound closure after dermatofasciotomy of the lower extremity].

Between 1 January 1992 and 15 March 1994 25 patients with compartment syndromes of the lower limb were treated by the vacuum-sealing technique (VS). Ten out of 25 patients had multiple injuries. Eight compartment syndromes were located in the thigh, 14 in the lower leg and 3 in the foot. The average time of VS was 12.7 (4-31) days with 2.1 (1-8) changes per patient. The wounds were either closed by secondary suturing (n = 20) or by skin grafts after partial closure of the wounds by suturing (n = 5). One patient developed a superficial wound necrosis, which healed spontaneously without invasive surgical treatment. In 52 intraoperative swabs of the wound surface there was bacterial growth in five bacteriologic specimens, but there were no clinical signs of infection.

Compartment Syndromes↗
PubMed1996

Intrahepatic arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic neuroendocrine tumors in the era of liver transplantation.

Surgical resection has been the standard approach for primary and metastatic liver tumors. Long-term survival, however, is limited because of recurrence or hepatic decompensation. Failure of chemotherapeutic regimens or liver transplantation (OLT) to prevent recurrence has resulted in the need for multimodality therapies. We report our experience with preoperative hepatic arterial chemoembolization (CET) followed by OLT in highly select patients. Over a 33-month period, 23 of 41 patients (56%) referred with primary (n = 16) or metastatic neuroendocrine (n = 7) liver tumors met eligibility requirements. Despite mild, self-limited chemical hepatitis, CET was well tolerated in all but three elderly patients who succumbed to liver failure. Four of five patients ultimately received OLT. Three are alive and free of disease at a mean followup of 17 months, one died of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma, and one (NET) remains well at 33 months with elevated glucagon levels but no measurable disease. All NET patients are alive with resolution of hormonal symptoms. Four of five noncirrhotic patients died of disease, and one has progressive tumor growth. Although OLT following CET achieves superior survival, its application is limited to a minority of patients with such tumors. Careful pretreatment staging and patient selection combined with caution in the use of CET in elderly cirrhotic patients is critical to the success of such therapies.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Stereotactic lumbar microdiscectomy.

Stereotaxis eliminates the risk of trial and error in fluoroscopic guidance. This technique appears ideal in the hands of those who do not have extensive experience with guidance of the instruments under fluoroscopic control. The procedure is atraumatic and almost free of complications, but acceptance of the stereotactic technique will be greater if a special CT suite is designed not only for stereotactic microdiscetomies but also for other percutaneous diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Diskectomy↗
PubMed1996

Computer-based diagnosis support for the interpretation of Hess charts.

Computer-based storage of patient data is the basis for their comprehensive use in science and patient care. Developing a data base for storage and interpretation of strabologic data must be prepared by an analysis of data items, terminologies, and diagnostic methods. We analyzed patient data collections and constructed a minimal strabologic data structure focused on methods for the examination of eye-muscle function. Geometric methods for the analysis of Hess charts help to prepare diagnostic parameters for assignment of Hess-result figures (classified according to their shapes) to certain diagnoses of muscle paresis. In this way the system can help in preparing and verifying diagnoses and structuring data according to various scientific or patient-management needs. Moreover, the system can support diagnostic training as it can present Hess charts, related diagnoses, and geometric parameters in a concise manner and hence enable learners to understand the diagnostic procedure.

Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted↗
PubMed1996

[Radiation burden in invasive cardiac diagnosis: extent, factors of influence and references for minimizing radiation dosage].

Despite great effort concerning quality control in diagnostic radiology, there exist only a few studies giving reliable details about x-ray exposure during heart-catheterization. The mean radiation dose-area product of 100 patients (male 65%, middle-aged 60.7 +/- 10.4 years) investigated was irrespective the technique according to Sones or Judkins 45.2 +/- 14.7 Sv x cm2. In comparison to an optimated x-ray chest the local x-ray entrance-expositions in case of changing (90 mSv) and constant (300 mSv) projections were 300- and 1000-fold respectively. Concerning the dose-area product and the effective dose the multiplicative factor reached 160 and 100 respectively. Radiation entrance-exposure during cinematography was 15-fold as during x-ray-examination sequences. The cinematographic radiation dose was influenced significantly by location of the contrasted coronary artery (p < 0.001) and plane of projection (p < 0.001): intensive in entrance surface dose were projections x-raying spinal column and sternum (RCA in PA- and LCA in LAO-projection). Independent variables were body mass index (BMI, p < 0.001) and sex (p < 0.005), but not age. X-ray-dose of heart catheterization was lower in women than in men, this fact being only significant in the elderly (> 60 years), indicating an effect of postmenopausal osteoporosis. An effective minimization of x-ray exposition in heart catheterization can be realized by avoiding needless cine-sequences (25-35%), rotating out bone structures of the x-ray beam ( < or = 22%) and reduction of overweight (BMI 35 > 23 kg/m2: 25-35%).

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Carbon disulphide. IV. Cardiovascular function in workers in the viscose industry.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine whether an increase can be detected in the prevalence of coronary heart disease or a higher prevalence of unusual cardiological findings in workers with occupational exposure to carbon disulphide (CS2) at the level of the threshold limit value of 10 ppm currently valid in occupational medicine. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study we investigated 247 men occupationally exposed to CS2 and a comparable control group (n = 222). The current exposure to CS2 was measured using personal air monitoring and biological monitoring of all test persons. A cumulative exposure index (median of CS2 exposure in the past multiplied by the duration of employment) was calculated. In addition to collecting comprehensive anamnestic data on all persons, we carried out a physical examination, an ultrasound examination of the large arteries, a resting and exercise ECG and an echocardiographic examination. RESULTS: No increase could be found in the prevalence of coronary heart disease or of arteriosclerotic findings in the exposed subjects. There was no difference in the distribution of the performance of the two groups in the ergometric tests. The echocardiogram showed a median increase in the diameter of the left atrium and left ventricle of 1-2 mm in the exposed subjects. These differences could also be confirmed statistically after multiple linear regression analysis. The left ventricular, telesystolic diameter was positively associated (P < 0.05) with internal exposure (CS2 metabolite in urine), and fractional shortening revealed a plausible negative trend (P = 0.0755). Current external exposure (CS2 in air) and cumulative exposure did not influence any of the parameters investigated. CONCLUSION: The findings may indicate a negatively inotropic effect of CS2 so far unknown in man. However, no clinical relevance for this effect was apparent.

Carbon Disulfide↗
PubMed1995

Is wine the drink of moderation?

OBJECTIVE: To examine, in the light of a current national inquiry into taxation for wine, claims that wine drinkers rarely misuse alcohol and that cask wine is more likely to be misused than bottled wine. METHODS: 1272 persons aged 16 years and over and resident in metropolitan Perth were interviewed in their homes regarding their use of alcohol. RESULTS: The alcohol consumption of 524 (373 women, 151 men) who had drunk at least one glass of wine on one or more of their last four drinking days was examined in relation to National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines. While only 2.9% of women and 2.6% of men had an average daily intake of wine above low risk levels, 6.9% of women and 13.2% of men had exceeded these levels when considering all alcoholic beverages. When wine intake was examined for the day of highest consumption of the last four drinking days recalled by each respondent, 41.1% of women and 17.0% [corrected] of men had exceeded low risk levels. There was no significant difference in the amounts of cask and bottled wine consumed in 180 wine drinkers for whom the distinction between cask and bottled varieties could be made and who drank wine on their last drinking occasion. CONCLUSIONS: Past estimates of the contribution of wine consumption to excessive alcohol intake are underestimates. Raising the tax on wine should be considered as a public health measure and taxes should be levied in direct relation to alcohol content to encourage the consumption of lower alcohol varieties.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Function of thick and thin nerve fibers in carpal tunnel syndrome before and after surgical treatment.

Present studies evaluated the functions of thick and thin nerve fibers in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) to determine whether data of thin nerve fibers can add further information to the diagnosis of CTS. Measurements were performed in 22 patients and 16 age-matched control subjects. Motor and sensory nerve conduction, vibratory testing, thresholds of warmth and cold sensations, suprathreshold magnitude of pain and flare response, as well as sympathetic reflexes induced by noxious mechanostimulation were examined before and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after decompression of the median nerve. Nerve dysfunction in CTS was mainly indicated by the electrophysiological parameters of thick myelinated nerve fibers. Impairment of thin nerve functions in CTS and postoperative recovery was demonstrated by quantitative somatosensory thermotesting. In contrast, assessment of flare response and sympathetic reflexes using infrared thermography and photoplethysmography did not add further information for the diagnosis of CTS.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Carbon disulphide. III. Risk factors for coronary heart diseases in workers in the viscose industry.

To evaluate risk factors for coronary heart disease and factors which can influence the course of acute myocardial infarction in workers exposed to CS2 we performed a cross-sectional study of 247 workers in the viscose industry. The control group of 222 men from the same plant was comparable for age, social status and physical work. The CS2 exposure determined by personal air sampling ranged from < 0.2 ppm to 65.7 ppm (median: 4.0 ppm) and the duration of exposure ranged from 4 to 220 (median: 66) months. Using a multiple linear regression model we found neither higher blood pressure at rest or after exercise, nor hyperlipoproteinaemia in a higher degree, nor lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or lower apolipoprotein A-I levels, nor higher blood glucose values, nor indicators of direct cardiotoxic effects or signs of disturbances in blood coagulation in the exposed group in comparison to controls. Regarding the influence of chronic exposure on the investigated parameters, we found an inverse correlation of the cumulative exposure (mean CS2 exposure in the department multiplied by the duration of work in this department) with the HDL concentration. The HDL levels correlated with the duration but not with the intensity of exposure. In the same way the apolipoprotein A-I levels showed a negative association with the duration of exposure in the exposed group as well as in the control group. The HDL concentrations showed the same trend for the controls. It therefore seems that this finding is more likely due to confounding factors than to the CS2 exposure. As all subjects (exposed and controls) have done shift work, in some cases for a long time, this kind of work could be responsible for the negative relationship between the duration of employment as a shift worker and the apolipoprotein A-I and HDL levels. At the current air-borne levels no significant differences were found between the exposed persons and the controls in the distribution frequency for blood pressure values, lipoproteins, blood glucose, blood coagulation and indicators of direct cardiotoxic effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Parameters of thick and thin nerve-fiber functions as predictors of pain in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Pain intensity in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) was correlated with neuro- and psychophysiological parameters related to the function of different nerve fiber classes within the median nerve in 23 patients. Control data were obtained from 16 normal subjects. Mean intensity of all pain attacks which occurred 14 days before surgical treatment was assessed on visual analogue scales (average CTS pain). Functions of thick myelinated nerve fibers were determined by motor and sensory nerve conduction studies. Functions of thin myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers were evaluated by measuring thresholds of warmth, cold and heat pain on the index and little finger. Pain intensity and neurogenic vasodilatation following noxious mechano-stimulation on the interdigital web between index and middle finger provided additional information on the functioning of nociceptive nerve fibers. Sympathetic reflexes induced by these painful stimuli were assessed by means of infrared thermography and photoplethysmography. Mean intensity of pain attacks (40 +/- 19% VAS) correlated significantly with latency (r = 0.58, P < 0.01) and amplitude (r = -0.50, P < 0.01) of the compound action potential from abductor pollicis brevis muscle following distal median nerve stimulation. Thresholds of warmth, cold and heat pain on index finger were significantly increased during CTS when compared to the control subjects. The magnitude of neurogenic vasodilatation and sympathetic vasoconstrictor reflexes were not significantly different. Average CTS pain correlated inversely to the threshold of heat pain on index (r = -0.46, P < 0.05), but also on the little finger (r = -0.41, P < 0.05), which is not innervated by the median nerve.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Prediction of movement using bispectral electroencephalographic analysis during propofol/alfentanil or isoflurane/alfentanil anesthesia.

Conventional electroencephalographic (EEG) analysis techniques do not use the phase information from the Fourier analysis. This study used a new technique of EEG analysis, bispectral analysis, which measures interfrequency phase relationships in the EEG. Using a reference database, and a process of multivariate discriminant analysis, we developed a univariate bispectral variable, the bispectral index (BIS). This study was designed to test the efficacy of BIS in predicting movement to incision during either an isoflurane/alfentanil anesthetic or a propofol/alfentanil anesthetic technique. Fifty consenting patients were randomized to two groups; one received isoflurane/alfentanil and the other, propofol/alfentanil for anesthesia. EEG was recorded using a microcomputer system and the data were analyzed off-line. Hemodynamic variables were also recorded. After skin incision, each patient was observed carefully for 2 min to detect purposeful movement. A significant difference was found between the BIS values for movers versus nonmovers within each of the two treatment groups (P < or = 0.002). However, isoflurane/alfentanil nonmovers could not be distinguished from propofol/alfentanil movers (P < or = 0.180), suggesting a treatment group effect independent of response classification. Preincision hemodynamic variables did not predict patient movement in response to skin incision. These findings suggest the possibility that different anesthetics have different effects on BIS, and thus BIS may not be independent of the anesthetic. Interfrequency phase coupling, a nonlinear feature of the EEG which is measured with bispectral analysis, may contain clinically useful information for the assessment of anesthetic adequacy. In this study, BIS was a better predictor of patient response than other currently available variables including hemodynamic status.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Stimulation of sudomotor axon reflex mechanism by carbachol in healthy subjects and patients suffering from diabetic polyneuropathy.

Sudomotor axon reflex (SAR) mechanism was stimulated by percutaneous iontophoresis of carbachol in healthy subjects and patients suffering from diabetic polyneuropathy (PNP) of differing severity (stage I-III). SAR response was assessed by hygrometry and compared with histamine induced neurogenic vasodilation (laser-Doppler flowmetry) and itching sensation (visual analogue scale), which may provide information on neuro-secretion and afferent function of nociceptive unmyelinated nerve fibers. Carbachol induced long lasting SAR response with maximal sweating rates 20-30 minutes after stimulus onset. In diabetic patients the carbachol induced SAR response and the histamine induced itching sensation were significantly reduced in stage III of PNP. In contrast, histamine induced vasodilatation was significantly impaired in all stages of PNP. It is concluded that prolonged SAR response following iontophoresis of carbachol can simplify evaluation of sudomotor function when compared to established tests using intradermal application of acetylcholine. Furthermore, to demonstrate impairment of unmyelinated nerve fibers in PNP, histamine induced vasodilatation was found to be more sensitive than SAR response.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[The diagonal ear lobe crease for evaluating coronary risk].

UNLABELLED: Though the predictive value of a diagonal earlobe crease (ELC) concerning coronary heart disease (CHD) is assessed controversially and seems to be influenced by age and ethnic origin, the ELC is mainly regarded as a reliable and valid sign of CHD. 670 patients, the greatest collective so far undergoing coronary angiography, were investigated prospectively with respect to the correlation between ELC and a hemodynamically relevant CHD (coronary diameter stenosis > 70%). In presence of ELC, CHD was observed in 55.0%, in its absence in 55.9% (One-vessel-disease (1-VD) 25.8% vs 26.7%, 2-VD 14.5% vs 14.4%, > 2-VD 14.8% vs 14.8%; n.s.). ELC itself was dependent on age (p < 0.000009), overweight (body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m2, p < 0.034) and hyperuricemia (> 7.0 mg%; p < 0.05), but not influenced by sex and other coronary risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, hypercholesterinemia and hyperlipoidemia, physical in-activity and family history of CHD. Actual just as former smoking and male sex are associated positively to CHD, whereas diabetes, hypercholesterinemia and hyperlipoidemia seem to predict a two-or multivessel disease: this emphasizes the validity of our data. CONCLUSION: The ear-lobe crease is associated with age and overweight, but does not predict a hemodynamically relevant coronary heart disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Specification of a computer-based information system for ophthalmology using modeling and simulation techniques.

A model of an information system for ophthalmologic practices has been constructed using an object-oriented development environment. This model allows us to dynamically visualize the proceedings in a medical environment by graphical means. The model includes an object-oriented basis data model for ophthalmologic applications and tools for the medical staff e.g., a patient record browser. Special (sub)systems can be integrated into the basis model. Some aspects of the development process will be discussed.

Computer Graphics↗
PubMed1994

EX-1, a surface antigen of mouse neuronal progenitor cells and mature neurons.

Using membrane fragments of PCC7-Mz1 embryonal carcinoma cells, an established in vitro model of neural differentiation (Lang et al., J. Cell Biol., 109 (1989) 2481-2493), we have raised monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against developmental stage-specific cell surface antigens. As shown by double-immunofluorescence labeling studies, employing differentiating PCC7-Mz1 cells, primary cultures of mouse cerebellum cells and cryosections of mouse brain and other tissues, rat mAb anti-mouse EX-1 recognizes a membrane protein which is exclusively expressed by cells of the neuronal cell lineage. EX-1-expressing neuronal precursor cells were identified by double labeling with antibodies directed against stem cell markers or BrdU, EX-1-expressing postmitotic neurons by labeling with antibodies directed against phenotypic markers. In the developing mouse brain, the EX-1 antigen is expressed in the neuroepithelium already at prenatal day 8, i.e. clearly before the onset of mature neuron-specific marker expression. Increasing co-expression with the latter is observed from embryonic day E10 throughout neuronal maturation, but not with markers of other cell types tested. From these studies, the EX-1 antigen is the earliest marker for the mouse brain neuronal cell lineage so far discovered.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Monoclonal antibody PHF-1 recognizes tau protein phosphorylated at serine residues 396 and 404.

The microtubule-associated protein tau is hyperphosphorylated in the paired helical filaments (PHFs) of Alzheimer's disease. Immunological and direct chemical studies have identified Ser396 and Ser404 as two of the phosphorylated sites. Previously, we have demonstrated, using synthetic tau peptides containing phosphorylated Ser396, that this site is recognized by the monoclonal antibody PHF-1. The present study extends this observation by showing that PHF-1 recognizes tau peptides containing either individually phosphorylated Ser396 or Ser404, but that there is a > 10-fold increase in the sensitivity of detection of tau peptides by PHF-1 when both serines are phosphorylated. The recognition of singly or doubly phosphorylated Ser396 and Ser404 in tau by PHF-1 can also be demonstrated in Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with full-length wild-type tau constructs or mutant constructs with Ala substituted for Ser396 or Ser404. We conclude that the PHF-1 epitope contains both phosphorylated Ser396 and Ser404.

Alzheimer Disease↗