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J Berger

Publications and source records attributed to J Berger.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Azimuthal anisotropy and correlations in the hard scattering regime at RHIC.

Azimuthal anisotropy (v(2)) and two-particle angular correlations of high p(T) charged hadrons have been measured in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV for transverse momenta up to 6 GeV/c, where hard processes are expected to contribute significantly. The two-particle angular correlations exhibit elliptic flow and a structure suggestive of fragmentation of high p(T) partons. The monotonic rise of v(2)(p(T)) for p(T)<2 GeV/c is consistent with collective hydrodynamical flow calculations. At p(T)>3 GeV/c, a saturation of v(2) is observed which persists up to p(T)=6 GeV/c.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Hemodynamic and oxygenation profiles in the early period after hyperbaric oxygen therapy: an observational study of intensive-care patients.

BACKGROUND: We studied whether hemodynamic and oxygenation profiles are altered in critically ill patients after exposure to hyperbaric oxygen (HBO). METHODS: Ten intensive-care patients (two females, eight males) undergoing HBO treatment after major abdominal surgery, after burn injury and after CO poisoning were included. All subjects were put on mechanical ventilation and received continuous sedation, and had HBO treatment at 2.2 absolute atmospheres for 50 min. DESIGN: Observational prospective study, and repeated measure design. RESULTS: Hemodynamic and oxygen transport patterns were determined before (C0), 1 h (C1) and 2 h (C2) after HBO therapy with continuous cardiac output dual oximetry pulmonary arterial catheter, a central venous and radial arterial line. Data were analyzed with non-parametric repeated measure analysis. Key results are expressed as a percentage of baseline (C0 values correspond to 100%) at C1 and C2 (median values, lower and upper limit of confidence interval): cardiac index [C1: 105% (98-135), C2: 99% (91-117), P = 0.19], systemic (P = 0.62) and pulmonary vascular (P = 0.76) resistance indices were unchanged, but pulmonary venous admixture (Qs/Qt) increased [C1: 173% (112-298), C2: 140% (92-241), P = 0.00002)] and arterial oxygen tension decreased [C1: 76% (67-94), C2: 82% (72-112), P = 0.010]. CONCLUSION: The hemodynamic profile remained unaffected. The increase in Qs/Qt and the decrease in PaO2 may be attributed to the inhalation of HBO, and both are reversible.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

ATG as part of the conditioning regimen reduces transplant-related mortality (TRM) and improves overall survival after unrelated stem cell transplantation in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML).

Matched unrelated donor transplants have an increased risk of severe graft-versus-host disease and transplant-related mortality (TRM). ATG has been introduced to decrease GvHD and to facilitate engraftment. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 333 patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia, who were treated with Fresenius ATG (n=145, average=90 mg/kg bw, range 40-90 mg/kg bw) or standard immunosuppression without ATG (n=188). Both groups were comparable regarding distribution of age, sex, HLA-matched vs mismatched donors. ATG Fresenius led to a faster leukocyte engraftment, decreased the incidence of acute GvHD and TRM (P=0.01 and P=0.03) and led to a significant better overall survival (70 vs 57%, P=0.03). We concluded that a prospective randomized study is needed to evaluate the definite role of ATG in hemopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

Change in body water distribution index in infants who become stunted between 4 and 18 months of age.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate body composition changes using bioelectrical impedance analysis and skinfold thickness measurements in infants from tropical areas who become stunted between 4-18 months of age. DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS: Follow-up study. Extracellular water to total body water ratio index (length(2)/resistance at low to high frequency), peripheral fat (tricipital and subscapular skinfold thickness), and length-for-age index were studied at 4 and 18 months of age. SETTINGS: Low-income areas in four tropical regions (Congo, Senegal, Bolivia and New Caledonia). SUBJECTS: Infants were included in the analysis provided they were neither stunted nor wasted at 4 months. Two groups of infants were compared, those that were stunted at 18 months (n=61) or not (n=170). RESULTS: The extracellular water to total body water ratio index and the sum of skinfold thickness measurements were similar in the two groups at 4 months, and only the extracellular water to total body water ratio index was significantly different at 18 months. When no stunting appeared between 4 and 18 months, the change in the extracellular water to total body water ratio index was not linked with variations in length-for-age, and presented the expected pattern of variation in body water compartments. When stunting occurred, variation in length-for-age was related to significant changes in the extracellular water to total body water ratio index, the biggest increase in the proportion of extracellular water being found in the most stunted infants. Variations in the sum of the two skinfold thickness measurements presented the expected pattern for the 4-18 months growth and did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Multifrequency resistances suggested that stunting was associated with a lack of the expansion of the intracellular compartment that is expected during normal growth of cell mass, together with preserved fat mass. SPONSORSHIPS: Supported by grant 92L0623 from the French Ministry of Research, and by Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD).

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2003

[Oropharyngeal vocal tract space during singing--comparison of tactile-kinesthetic and auditory perception with objective endoscopic findings].

BACKGROUND: In this study we compared the perceived diameter of the vocal tract's oropharyngeal part with the diameter that was determined endoscopically. METHODS: 28 singers (13 male, 15 female) were examined with transnasal fiberscopic pharyngoscopy while singing the vowels /a/, /i/ and /u/ in 4 different timbres (normal, opened, covered, dumpled) and 3 different pitches (chest/modal register, subjective comfortable pitch for singing, head/falsetto register). The tactile-kinesthetic and auditive rating of the singers, the auditive rating of a singing teacher and the visual-endoscopic analysis of three laryngologists were compared. RESULTS: The tactile-kinesthetic and auditory self-perception of the singers was quite different from the auditive perception of a singing teacher and visual endoscopic findings of the laryngologists. The singers had the impression that the different singing timbres (normal, opened, covered, dumpled) influence oropharyngeal vocal tract space during singing. They judged the vowel itself and the pitch as having very little influence. Based on his auditory perception, the singing teacher also rated that the timbre plays an important role for the oropharyngeal vocal tract space but he found vowels to be the parameter with the greatest impact. Via visual endoscopic examination we found that, among the three parameters (vowel, timbre, pitch), the different vowels are most influential on the oropharyngeal vocal tract space. Analysis of video sequences revealed that pitch and timbre are less important. CONCLUSION: Subjective tactile-kinesthetic and auditory perception of the singers differs from auditory perception of the singing teacher as well as from endoscopic findings. The endoscopically determined oropharyngeal vocal tract space during singing the vowels /i/ or /u/ tends to be larger compared to the oropharyngeal vocal tract space while singing the vowel /a/.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Laser pediatric crowns performed without anesthesia: a contemporary technique.

Extensive caries resulting in the need for a stainless steel crown in primary teeth may now be prepared with the use of the WaterlaseTM YSGG Laser, (Biolase) hard and soft-tissue laser. The use of the laser eliminates the need for local anesthesia, thereby providing optimal patient comfort and compliance.

Anesthesia, Dental↗
PubMed2003

[Gastroduodenoscopy for screening of patients scheduled for oral anticoagulant therapy: incidence and age dependence for potentially bleeding pathologies].

UNLABELLED: This retrospective study was designed to shed light on the incidence and age-dependence of potentially bleeding pathologies in the upper gastrointestinal tract of asymptomatic patients scheduled for oral anticoagulant therapy. Gastroduodenoscopy was routinely performed during screening studies. The incidence of abnormalities was compared with gastroscopy findings of patients with epigastric symptoms. Only pathologies likely to bleed were considered. These included gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, esophageal varices, esophagitis, erosions, malformations and hemorrhages. RESULTS: 18.23% of the patients (n = 746) undergoing gastroscopy prior to scheduled oral anticoagulant therapy were found to present with abnormalities versus 18.44% of those with epigastric symptoms (n = 1,627). In the group scheduled for oral anticoagulant therapy, the rate of pathologies did not significantly increase with increasing age. CONCLUSIONS: The unexpectedly high incidence of potentially bleeding pathologies in asymptomatic patients scheduled for anti-coagulant therapy should prompt screening gastroduodenoscopies irrespective of the patients' age prior to instituting treatment.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2002

Coherent rho(0) production in ultraperipheral heavy-ion collisions.

The STAR Collaboration reports the first observation of exclusive rho(0) photoproduction, AuAu-->AuAurho(0), and rho(0) production accompanied by mutual nuclear Coulomb excitation, AuAu-->Au*Au*rho(0), in ultraperipheral heavy-ion collisions. The rho(0) have low transverse momenta, consistent with coherent coupling to both nuclei. The cross sections at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV agree with theoretical predictions treating rho(0) production and Coulomb excitation as independent processes.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Centrality dependence of high-p(T) hadron suppression in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV.

Inclusive transverse momentum distributions of charged hadrons within 0.2<p(T)<6.0 GeV/c have been measured over a broad range of centrality for Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV. Hadron yields are suppressed at high p(T) in central collisions relative to peripheral collisions and to a nucleon-nucleon reference scaled for collision geometry. Peripheral collisions are not suppressed relative to the nucleon-nucleon reference. The suppression varies continuously at intermediate centralities. The results indicate significant nuclear medium effects on high-p(T) hadron production in heavy-ion collisions at high energy.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Azimuthal anisotropy of K(0)(S) and Lambda+Lambda production at midrapidity from Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV.

We report STAR results on the azimuthal anisotropy parameter v(2) for strange particles K(0)(S), Lambda, and Lambda at midrapidity in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The value of v(2) as a function of transverse momentum, p(t), of the produced particle and collision centrality is presented for both particles up to p(t) approximately 3.0 GeV/c. A strong p(t) dependence in v(2) is observed up to 2.0 GeV/c. The v(2) measurement is compared with hydrodynamic model calculations. The physics implications of the p(t) integrated v(2) magnitude as a function of particle mass are also discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Midrapidity Lambda and Lambda(macro) production in Au+Au collisions at the square root of [s(NN)]=130 GeV.

We report the first measurement of strange (Lambda) and antistrange (Lambda macro) baryon production from square root of [s(NN)]=130 GeV Au+Au collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). Rapidity density and transverse mass distributions at midrapidity are presented as a function of centrality. The yield of Lambda and Lambda; hyperons is found to be approximately proportional to the number of negative hadrons. The production of Lambda; hyperons relative to negative hadrons increases very rapidly with transverse momentum. The magnitude of the increase cannot be described by existing hadronic string fragmentation models alone.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

[Percutaneous revascularization of multivessel coronary disease using stents - a multicenter, prospective study].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Symptomatic patients with multivessel coronary disease (MVD) benefit from both coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The >>German Angioplasty Bypass Investigation<< (GABI-I) trial randomized patients to one of these treatment strategies between 1986 and 1991. In order to evaluate the impact of current technology, in particular coronary stents, the GABI-II trial was initiated, which in 1996 and 1997 prospectively enrolled patients according to the initial GABI-I criteria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Into the study 136 consecutive patients (108 men, 28 women; 63 +/- 12 years) were included. Patients from GABI-I served as controls. RESULTS: A mean of 2.1 +/- 0.5 vessels were treated per patient (vs. 1.9 +/- 0.5 vessels in the PTCA arm of GABI-I) and 63 % of the lesions were covered with stents. With respect to the primary endpoint less patients remained with a CCS class III or IV in GABI-II after 12 months (1,5 % vs. 8 % in the PTCA arm of GABI-I, p<0,01). No patient required emergency or urgent bypass operation in GABI-II (vs. 9 % in GABI-I, p < 0.01). After 12 months, 8 % of the patients were sent for bypass surgery (CABG) vs. 21 % in GABI-I (p < 0.001), and 20 % (vs. 23 % in GABI-I) of the patients underwent Re-PTCA. The percentage of patients without reinterventions was 72 % vs. 56 % in GABI-I (p < 0.01), but remained lower compared to patients randomized to CABG in GABI-I (94 %, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: PTCA in patients with MVD is still associated with a higher reintervention rate as compared with CABG. However, in contrast to angioplasty a decade ago, PTCA in conjunction with stents significantly lowered the need for subsequent revascularization, which was mainly driven by the reduced necessity for bypass surgery.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

DNA methylation of nuclear receptor genes--possible role in malignancy.

The members of the nuclear receptor superfamily are known to mediate a wide array of basic biological processes, such as regulation of cell growth and differentiation, and induction of apoptosis. In several human malignancies, this central control function of nuclear receptors is disturbed, which seems to play an important role in tumor development and progression. Many nuclear receptor genes have been reported to be downregulated in malignancies; however, only a few mutations, gene arrangements, deletions or similar genetic changes have been shown to occur in these tumors. During the last decade, increasing attention has been directed towards epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation such as DNA methylation. Many nuclear receptor genes can be silenced through aberrant methylation in tumors; epigenetic silencing, therefore, represents an additional mechanism that modifies expression of key genes during carcinogenesis. This review will give insights into the role of DNA methylation in the silencing of nuclear receptor genes and its involvement in human malignancies.

Aging↗
PubMed2002

Determination of molecules regulating gene delivery using adenoviral vectors in ovarian carcinomas.

Gene therapeutic approaches currently favor adenoviral vectors over alternatively available vector systems. Ovarian cancer represents an attractive model for an intraperitoneal adenovirus-based gene therapy, which is now under intensive clinical investigation. Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer depends on adequate virus uptake and thus on the presence of sufficient amounts of high-affinity coxsackie-adenovirus receptor (CAR) and alphavbeta3- and alphavbeta5 integrins on target cells. This fact has been ignored in most ongoing clinical trials. This investigation, therefore, determined expression of CAR by immunohistochemistry in 37 ovarian carcinomas and compared it with that of alphavbeta3 and alphavbeta5 integrins. In all samples, except one undifferentiated carcinoma, CAR was immunohistochemically demonstrable. Grade 1 tumors exhibited stronger CAR immunostaining as compared with higher-grade cancers (P < 0.03). Integrins alphavbeta3 and alphavbeta5 were detectable in 62% and 65% of carcinomas, respectively, and staining for both classes correlated positively (P < 0.005). Cancers classified as undifferentiated completely lacked alphavbeta3 expression. Furthermore, in undifferentiated and grade 3 carcinomas the three molecules studied exhibited marked distributional heterogeneity with regard to focal positivity and negativity within the same tumor. Either the absence of CAR, alphavbeta3 and alphavbeta5 or the pronounced heterogeneity in their expression might seriously compromise the efficiency of adenovirus-based gene therapy in ovarian cancer.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2002

[Job strain as a risk factor for occupational accidents among hospital nursing staff].

In a cross-sectional questionnaire study the influence of psychological job strain and nine other factors on the occurrence of accidents at work were examined. Data were collected by a national survey of nursing personnel in Germany. The sample of this study consists of 874 nurses working in acute care hospitals. Job strain was operationalised according to Karasek's demand-control model and measured by a self-developed questionnaire. 32 % had experienced at least one accident during the 12 months preceding the survey (mostly accidental cuts or needle punctures). No association with accident risk was found for age, sex, professional status (supervising function) and hours of overtime work. The six factors significantly associated with accident risk in univariate analyses were entered into a logistic regression model: high job strain, working in a functional unit (e. g. laboratory), full-time work, less than 3 years of occupation in the present department, having children of less than 3 years of age and being a single parent. In the multivariate analyses high job strain turned out to be the most important risk factor for occupational accidents (odds ratio: 2.4, 95 % C.I.: 1.7-3.3). Significantly elevated risks were found for full-time work, less than 3 years of occupation in the present department and being a single parent (odds ratios between 1.5 and 1.8). Having at least one child of less than 3 years of age was a protective factor (odds ratio 0.5, 95-% C.I.: 0.4-0.8).

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2002

Pretreatment serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor in non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are two proteins involved in angiogenesis. In the present study we investigated the association of pretreatment MMP-9 and VEGF serum levels with clinicopathological parameters and outcome in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: From February 1998 to October 1999, pretreatment serum levels of MMP-9 and VEGF were analysed in 118 patients with enzyme-linked immunoassays. At diagnosis 50 patients (42%) were staged as early disease (I/II), 27 patients (23%) as locally advanced (IIIA/IIIB), and 41 patients (35%) had metastatic disease (IV). In 72 of the 118 patients tumours were resected and 46 patients received combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine and vinorelbine. RESULTS: The median survival of all 118 patients was 602 days. The 72 patients who had undergone surgery had a median survival of 972 days and the 46 patients who were treated with chemotherapy had a median survival of 298 days (P <0.001). Resected patients with stage I/II disease and an MMP-9 serum level <or=1293 ng/ml or a VEGF serum level <or=630 pg/ml had a significantly longer survival (median survival longer than 1218 days) than patients with higher serum levels (median survival 421 days) (P = 0.001 for MMP-9; P = 0.04 for VEGF). No significant difference in survival was observed in patients with resected stage III disease. Besides tumour stage, Karnofsky performance status and gender, the pretreatment serum level of MMP-9 was identified as an independent prognostic factor in a multivariate Cox regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Future studies may support our hypothesis that the pretreatment serum level of MMP-9 is a new powerful prognostic marker and can help to stratify NSCLC patients with stage I/II disease into low- and high-risk groups.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Comparison of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and "conventional diagnostic procedures" for the detection of distant metastases in breast cancer patients.

The presence of distant metastases is the main prognostic factor in patients with breast cancer and has a significant influence in the choice of therapy. Therefore, chest X-ray, bone scintigraphy and ultrasound of the abdomen are performed to detect distant metastases at diagnosis and follow-up. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) has been shown to provide sensitive detection of primary tumour and metastases for many tumour entities, but little information is available about the diagnostic value for breast cancer patients. This study retrospectively compared FDG PET for detection of metastatic disease with chest X-ray, bone scintigraphy and ultrasound of the abdomen, referred to as "conventional diagnostic procedures" (CDPs), in 50 breast cancer patients. Imaging procedures were analysed in a blinded fashion with the results classified as "no evidence of metastases", "equivocal" and "evidence of metastases". Clinical follow-up and the results of other imaging modalities including computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were used to determine if metastases were present. FDG PET identified metastatic disease with a sensitivity and specificity of 86% and 90% as compared to 36% and 95% for CDPs, respectively. Regarding "equivocal" and "evidence of metastases" as positive, the sensitivity of CDPs increased to 57% with a corresponding specificity of 81%, whereas sensitivity and specificity of FDG PET remained unchanged. Regarding different localities of metastases the sensitivity of FDG PET was superior in the detection of pulmonary metastases and especially of lymph node metastases of the mediastinum in comparison to chest X-ray, whereas the sensitivity of FDG PET in the detection of bone and liver metastases was of the same magnitude as compared with bone scintigraphy and ultrasound of the abdomen.

Adult↗