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Biomedical subjects

G Hermann

Publications and source records attributed to G Hermann.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Assessment of pain: a comparison between patients and doctors.

In a trial based on 52 patients admitted because of acute abdominal pain, we compared the assessment of pain intensity by doctors and patients according to a visual analogue scale. We found significant differences with regard to the median score of the doctors (3.4 cm) compared to the patients (6.1 cm). The correlation was 0.64 while the differences in dispersion were insignificant. Our findings indicate that it is far from unimportant who makes the pain assessment--the patient who experiences it or the doctor who evaluates it--but they also suggest that the differences could be a matter of scaling.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1989

Spinal cord compression in type I Gaucher disease.

Three patients with epidural compression of the spinal cord, a rare but serious complication of type I Gaucher disease, are described. In two cases the compression occurred at the lower thoracic region due to collapse of T-11 and T-12, respectively. In the third case, an epidural mass developed at the dorsal aspect of the cord at T-2, and T-2 and T-3 showed diffuse infiltration without collapse. In two cases the diagnosis was made with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. In these cases MR imaging proved to be a safe, accurate method for demonstrating the nature and extent of disease within the spinal canal.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Defect in lectin-induced interleukin 2 production by peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with invasive urinary bladder carcinoma.

The production of interleukin 2 (IL-2) by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 21 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder (BTCC) and 16 control blood donors was measured with a solid phase enzyme immunoassay based on the dual antibody immunometric sandwich principle. PBMC from patients with invasive BTCC (grade III-IV) showed a defect in the production of IL-2. The concentration of IL-2 in the supernatants of PBMC cultures from these patients was substantially lower (0.4 +/- 0.1 U/ml) than that observed in the supernatants of PBMC cultures from patients with non-invasive BTCC, grade II (1.5 +/- 0.7 U/ml), and from tumour-free controls (1.4 +/- 0.8 U/ml). These results suggest an immune dysfunction based on quantitatively impaired IL-2 production in patients with invasive BTCC and indicate that exogenous IL-2 could be used as an immunological response modifier for the treatment of these patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Cervicogenic headache: results of computer-based measurements of cervical spine mobility in 15 patients.

Head and neck pain are often attributed to impaired mobility of the cervical spine. No established methods exist to examine such an impaired mobility objectively in patients with cervicogenic headache. Therefore, functional roentgenograms of the cervical spine in maximum ventral and dorsal flexion were analyzed in 15 patients with cervicogenic headache and in 18 controls. Qualitative radiologic evaluation showed no significant differences in either group. A computer-based technique to assess the mobility of the cervical spine demonstrated a statistically pronounced hypomobility of the craniocervical joints C0/C2 and an impaired overall mobility of the upper cervical spine (C0-C5) in the cervicogenic headache group. The most evident hypomotility was found in segment C0/C1. Interesting was, furthermore, a probably compensatory hypermotility in segment C6/C7. These findings did not correlate with the results of the qualitative radiologic evaluation.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

An integrated family of amino acid sequence analysis programs.

During the last years abundant sequence data has become available due to the rapid progress in protein and DNA sequencing techniques. The exact three-dimensional structures, however, are available only for a fraction of proteins with known sequences. For many purposes the primary amino acid sequence of a protein can be directly used to predict important structural parameters. However, mathematical presentation of the calculated values often makes interpretation difficult, especially if many proteins must be analysed and compared. Here we introduce a broad-based, user-defined analysis of amino acid sequence information. The program package is based on published algorithms and is designed to access standard protein data bases, calculate hydropathy, surface probability and flexibility values and perform secondary structure predictions. The data output is in an 'easy-to-read' graphic format and several parameters can be superimposed within a single plot in order to simplify data interpretations. Additionally, this package includes a novel algorithm for the prediction of potential antigenic sites. Thus the software package presented here offers a powerful means of analysing an amino acid sequence for the purpose of structure/function studies as well as antigenic site analyses. These algorithms were written to function in context with the UWGCG (University of Wisconsin Genetics Computer Group) program collection, and are now distributed within that package.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1988

Occult malignant breast lesions in 114 patients: relationship to age and the presence of microcalcifications.

This study evaluates the mammographic findings in 352 patients, aged 30-85 years, who underwent spot localization and biopsy for evaluation of nonpalpable breast abnormalities. Malignancy was found at biopsy in 114 cases. The mammographic appearance (specifically, whether grouped microcalcifications, mass, or both were present) was correlated with patient age and histologic findings (specifically, whether the pathologic changes were infiltrating or noninfiltrating in nature). The prevalence of malignant conditions increased directly with age. The presence of grouped microcalcifications as the sole indicator of malignancy was seen in 100% (seven of seven) of the patients in the 30-39-year age group, 64% (18 of 28) in the 40-49-year age group, 37% (11 of 30) in the 50-59-year age group, 30% (seven of 23) in the 60-69-year age group, and 23% (six of 26) in the 70-85-year age group. Of the 49 tumors that were manifested solely as microcalcifications, 34 (69%) were noninfiltrating. The finding of grouped microcalcifications should be aggressively investigated, since it may indicate noninfiltrating carcinoma in an early stage, when the potential for cure is greatest.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Structural failure of a Greenfield filter.

A unique case is discussed in which a Greenfield filter failed structurally after less than 1 year in situ. In the absence of external trauma, two struts of the filter separated from the hub and migrated into the retroperitoneal tissues. A brief discussion of the complications of Greenfield filters concludes with a possible explanation of this particular problem.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Assessment of coronary artery stenoses by digital subtraction angiography: a pathoanatomic validation.

Automated computer assessment of coronary stenoses from digital subtraction angiographic images comparing geometric and videodensitometric algorithms was performed. Digital subtraction angiograms were acquired on a 512 X 512 X 8 bit pixel matrix at 8 frames/second. Fifteen segments from nine human cadaver coronary arteries, with lesions ranging from 0% to 97%, were analyzed. Hand injections of radiopaque dye were made during the pulsatile infusion of saline solution at physiologic pressures and flows. Individual frames best demonstrating a lesion were digitally magnified and the stenosis was measured; the operator identified only the segment of interest. The artery was then injected with a rapidly hardening gel during the same rate of infusion as that used during image acquisition. Histologic sections were cut at 2 mm intervals after fixation and elastic stains applied. Photographs of the section comparable to the site determined from the angiogram were taken, and hand planimetry by a blinded investigator was performed. There was an excellent correlation between histopathology and videodensitometry (r = 0.93; p less than 0.0001). The two geometric algorithms studied also had very good correlations (r = 0.90 and 0.84) with pathology. Two experienced angiographers, despite excellent agreement with each other, had lower correlations with pathology than any of the three computer algorithms studied (r = 0.79 and 0.83, respectively), although this difference did not attain statistical significance. This in vitro model simulating in vivo conditions validates the use of automated videodensitometric and geometric computer algorithms to interpret coronary angiography and assess severity of stenosis.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1987

Nonpalpable breast lesions: accuracy of prebiopsy mammographic diagnosis.

Mammograms of 220 patients who underwent spot localization for removal of nonpalpable breast lesions were reviewed for accuracy of interpretation. Results of subsequent biopsy indicated malignancy in 77 cases. The interpretations of mammograms obtained before biopsy were incorrect in 71 cases (27 false-negative and 44 false-positive studies). Among the false-negative cases, 70% of the abnormalities were determined histologically to be noninfiltrative cancers. An aggressive screening program with preoperative localization and biopsy is needed in questionable cases, since mammographic signs of early or nonpalpable malignancy are often subtle and nonspecific.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Osteosarcoma: relation between extent of marrow infiltration on CT and frequency of lung metastases.

Thirty-seven patients with osteosarcoma were evaluated by CT of both the involved bone and the lungs. The ratio of the extent (E) of the involved marrow segment to the length (L) of involved bone (E/L) was correlated with the presence and subsequent development of pulmonary metastases. The marrow was evaluated by CT for the presence of tumor by measuring mean attenuation coefficients on serial axial scans. Three patient groups were identified: group 1 consisted of seven patients with lung metastases at presentation (mean E/L = 61%), group 2 consisted of 10 patients who developed lung metastases or recurrent tumor either during or after chemotherapy (mean E/L = 39%), and group 3 consisted of 20 patients who completed therapy and remained disease-free (mean E/L = 28%). All patients received chemotherapy in addition to surgical resection except for two patients in group 1. No patient with an E/L ratio greater than 50% remained disease-free for more than 14 months after the initial diagnosis. Fifty percent or greater involvement of the marrow cavity thus carries a particularly poor prognosis, and its absence or presence can be used as a significant prognostic aid in osteosarcoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Abdominal surgery in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis.

The reports on surgical techniques that specifically focus on the management and outcome of patients on chronic hemodialysis (CHD) who undergo major intra-abdominal procedures--particularly of an emergency nature--are few. It is hoped that by analysis of our experience the nature of the problem can be further clarified and guidelines for clinical care can be formulated. Thirty-two cases which encompass a 7-year period (1978 to 1985), were reviewed. Seventeen patients underwent elective surgery and fifteen underwent emergency intervention. There was a wide range of cases that were similar to those most generally seen in an acute-care teaching hospital. The morbidity and mortality rates in elective surgery patients were 12% and 6%, respectively, while in the emergency cases, these rates were 62% and 47%. Patients with diabetes had the highest morbidity and mortality. These results were analyzed, and we conclude that CHD patients at risk with a surgically correctable condition should be considered for elective intervention, even if they are currently free of symptoms. This may be particularly true for CHD patients with diabetes.

Abdomen↗