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Biomedical subjects

G Frank

Publications and source records attributed to G Frank.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

New directions in Rorschach research: I. The process-reactive differentiation.

Research has demonstrated that psychiatric diagnoses bear no relationship to certain important psychological variables, e.g., broad personality characteristics or even such clinically important issues as aetiology or prognosis (Frank, 1975). From that research, one dimension emerged which did yield information regarding aetiology and prognosis, viz., the process-reactive differentiation. As it seems important to examine this differentiation from a personological point of view, this review focused on the Rorschach performance of process and reactive schizophrenics. Essentially, the Rorschach studies suggest that process schizophrenics manifest more serious psychopathology cognitively than do reactives. Suggestions for further research were made.

Cognition↗

Thermal stability and protein structure.

Amino acid sequences have been compared for thermophilic and mesophilic molecules of ferredoxin, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and lactate dehydrogenase. It is shown that Gly, Ser, Ser, Lys, and Asp in mesophiles are generally substituted by Ala, Ala, Thr, Arg, and Glu, respectively, in thermophiles. These exchanges suggest that thermal stability can be achieved by the addition of many small changes throughout the molecule without significant change in the backbone conformation. Their overall effect is primarily to increase internal and decrease external hydrophobicity as well as to favor helix stabilizing residues in helices. These substitutions minimize interruption of function or internal residue packing arrangements. Although the analysis has been confined to the above-mentioned molecules, the observed stabilizing principles may be more generally applicable.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The effects of the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor BAY g 5421 (Acarbose) on meal-stimulated elevations of circulating glucose, insulin, and triglyceride levels in man.

In blind studies the effects of a new alpha-glucosidase inhibitor (BAY g 5421) were tested in normal weight and overweight male volunteers after oral application of 75, 150, or 300 mg of BAY g 5421 or placebo per os before three standardized main meals of one day. Before and three hours after each meal blood glucose, serum insulin, and serum triglyceride levels were determined. In addition, safety studies were performed. BAY g 5421 induced a statistically significant, in part dose-dependent inhibition of the postprandial increase of blood glucose- and serum insulin levels. The reduction of the postprandial increase of serum triglyceride levels was variable. Routine blood chemistry and hematology tests have revealed no adverse side effects; but the application of the drug was frequently associated with intestinal effects, such as flatulence and diarrhea, which were substrate (carbohydrate) and, in part, dose-dependent.

Administration, Oral↗

The effects of the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor BAY g 5421 (Acarbose) on postprandial blood glucose, serum insulin, and triglyceride levels: dose-time-response relationships in man.

In a double-blind quadruple cross-over study the effect of a new alpha-glucosidase inhibitor (BAY g 5421) on postprandial blood glucose, serum insulin, and serum triglyceride increases was tested in 24 male healthy volunteers. They received before a standardized breakfast 50, 100, or 200 mg of BAY g 5421 or a placebo per os. The dose-time-response relationships were calculated and the drug tolerance was assessed. There was a statistically significant inhibition of the postprandial increases of the blood glucose, serum insulin, and triglyceride values. Further analysis showed no dose-dependent effect of the drug on the blood glucose values, whereas the serum insulin and triglyceride values were affected in a dose-dependent fashion. The maximal inhibitory effect on the serum insulin levels occurred 69 min after breakfast and on the serum triglyceride levels 104 min after breakfast. One hundred and 200 mg of BAY g 5421 were equally inhibitory-effective on the serum insulin levels, whereas the highest dose used was markedly more effective on serum triglyceride values than lower doses. Based on these results, a dosage of 100--200 mg of BAY g 5421/meal is recommended for clinical trials in metabolic diseases.

Administration, Oral↗

On the validity of hypotheses derived from the Rorschach: V. The relationship between form level and ego strength.

Although Rorschach interpreted from level as a perceptual and conceptual aspect of intelligence, Beck and the more current meaning assigned to form level relates these functions to ego strength. F+%, therefore, has come to be regarded as a measure of ego strength. The research examining the validity of this assumption was reviewed and Beck's hypothesis was seen to be supported. The research supports the clinical use of F+% as a measure of ego strength, but further research might help clarify what actual psychological processes are involved in the creation of responses of good form.

Attention↗

[Incidence of ventricular arrhythmias after aneurysmectomy (author's transl)].

Incidence and type of premature ventricular contractions (PVC) were studied by ambulatory monitoring in 66 patients at the average 20 months after left ventricular aneurysmectomy. In 25 of these patients long-term-Ecg-monitoring was obtained before and after surgical intervention. After aneurysmectomy only 30% of all patients showed no PVCs; 35% had few PVCs and 35% demonstrated frequent PVCs. In 16 patients (24%) PVCs of Lown Classes III and IV were found. Only 7 out of 25 patients of the group analyzed before and after aneurysmectomy improved by one or more Lown Classes, 10 patients remained in the same Class, 8 patients worsened. In 11 patients ventricular arrhythmias refractory to medical treatment were the indication for aneurysmectomy. There were three in-hospital deaths. Of the remaining 8 patients only two became free from ventricular ectopic activity, 5 continued to have frequent multifocal PVCs, two of them required repeatedly DC-cardioversions. In two patients sudden cardiac death occurred two and three years after aneurysmectomy. It is concluded that only a small percentage of patients with left ventricular aneurysm gets free from ventricular ectopic activities after aneurysmectomy. Results of aneurysmectomy for intractable ventricular arrhythmias are disappointing and unpredictable. The application of new surgical techniques to localize and excise irritable foci seems advisable for the future.

Adult↗

Ampicillin therapy for pharyngeal gonorrhea.

Single-dose oral ampicillin trihydrate is ineffective for the treatment of pharyngeal gonorrhea. An evaluation was made of the efficacy of extended oral ampicillin therapy. The regimen consisted of a single oral 3.5-g dose of ampicillin trihydrate and 1.0 g of probenecid on the first day, followed by 500 mg of ampicillin tridhydrate four times a day for each of the succeeding two days, for a total ampicillin trihydrate dose of 7.5 g. One or two follow-up cultures taken within 35 days of completion of therapy were obtained in 77 of the 101 patients treated. Positive test-of-cure cultures were reported in three persons, two of whom may have been reinfected. The failure rate was calculated to range between 1.3% (1/77) to 3.9% (3/77). This compares favorably with current recommended modes of therapy.

Administration, Oral↗

[Results after resection of left ventricular aneurysm (author's transl)].

This resport concerns 105 left ventricular aneurysmectomies, 44 of which were combined with additional operations. Mortality in hospital was 7.6%, the survival rate after 4 years 84%. Postoperative examinations were carried out in 74 patients after an average interval of 21 months. There was a subjective improvement in 2/3 of the cases, only 1/3 returned to work. Angina pectoris was improved in 2/3, principally in the group with additional revascularization. The functional tolerance test showed that only 57% improved their physiological capacity for work. The effect of aneurysmectomy on preoperative cardiac arrhythmias was unreliable and on the whole disappointing.

Adult↗

Pacemakers in young patients: 1977.

Recent experience with implanted cardiac pacemakers in nine young patients is reported. Advance in technology include improved pacemaker generator design and placement, and improved lead design and placement. No patients died; our only complication, failure to capture, required repositioning of the lead. All pacemaker replacements were elective. This series helps to define the more favorable current prognosis for the young patient needing pacemaker therapy.

Heart Block↗

The complete amino acid sequence of both subunits of C-phycocyanin from the cyanobacterium Mastigocladus laminosus.

The amino acid sequences of both subunits of the C-phycocyanin from the thermophilic cyanobacterium Mastigocladus laminosus have been determined. The alpha-chain consists of 162 amino acid residues and has a molecular weight of 18000, whereas the beta-chain consists of 172 residues and has a molecular weight of 19400. For the first three quarters of their length the polypeptide chains are 31% homologous, whereas there is no significant homology in the final quarter up to the C-terminus. This could mean that the introduction of an additional chromophore binding site in the last quarter of the beta-chain during evolution was achieved via a large number of point mutations or by exchange of the whole C-terminal part in an ancestral gene.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

On the validity of hypotheses derived from the Rorschach: III. The relationship between shading and anxiety.

Research was reviewed in an attempt to assess the validity of the hypothesis that shading on the Rorschach is related to anxiety. This research turned out to be replete with inconsistent and contradictory findings. The reasons for this are discussed. However, as a consequence of the kind of research that has been conducted in this area, we are unable to draw any conclusions except that we need more research. The methodological and epistemological issues in this research are discussed with the hope of providing some direction for that new research by correcting for the errors in the research done to date.

Anxiety↗

On validity of hypotheses derived from the Rorschach: IV. The unique affective pull of the cards.

Content analysis of the Rorschach had led to the notion that each card possessed some unique affective pull. Research testing the validity of that hypothesis was reviewed. Of all the cards only three seemed to have a unique affective connotation, viz., Cards III and X elicit pleasant affective responses, Card IV unpleasant ones. The research methodology was critically assessed and recommendations for future research were offered.

Affect↗