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Biomedical subjects

J Faber

Publications and source records attributed to J Faber.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

EEG spectrum as information carrier.

Spontaneous and provoked changes of vigilance and consciousness are determined by TCS (thalamocortical system) activity. This is relatively easy to monitor using EEG, which is a complex curve but open to analysis, e.g., by means of FFT (fast Fourier transformation). Twenty six persons (six normal controls, twelve epileptics, eight dements) had EEG recorded during rest, reaction to sound, and perception to simple tones or chords from Smetana's symphonic poem Vysehrad. The length of reaction time was found dependent on FFT changes: the longer the time, the higher are the delta and the lower the alpha activities in the EEG spectrum. However, with alpha increasing during relaxation, the reaction time grew longer regardless of whether delta had increased due to hyperventilation, sleep or subclinical epileptic discharges. During the perception of tones, FFT showed changes in the alpha and delta bands different from those during the perception of chords, and different again during relaxation, and that in both normal controls and epileptics. The demented persons revealed no discernible FFT differences in the perception of either tones or chords, the only differences were found in the resting sections of the spectrum. One and the same stimulus produced a stereotype FFT response, i.e., different stimuli elicited different FFT response in healthy and epileptic persons. The dements responded to identical stimuli differently, and had stereotype FFT response elicited by the same stimuli. The results suggest that FFT can represent the information content of the EEG curve and, indirectly, also that of micro-EEG as it reverberates between the thalamus and the cortex in the form of neuronal activity impulsations. This interneuronal impulsation coding is disordered in dements with atrophy of the cortex; it is marked, on the one hand, by increased variability in the perception of identical stimuli, and, on the other hand, by impaired differentiation, and, consequently, by increasingly stereotype responses to different stimuli.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[EEG findings in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus].

We have examined electroencephalography (EEG) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in 38 patients with verified diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In the clinical neurological finding there were epileptic attacks in 9 patients, 10 patients suffered from stroke, 15 patients from lupus headache, 4 patients from psychosis, in 15 patients cranial neuropathy was present, in one person extrapyramidal syndrome. EEG findings were in 12 patients normal (32%), in 26 patients abnormal (66%). In 3 cases there were focal abnormalities (8%), in 19 cases episodic ones (48%), four times abnormalities were diffuse (10%). Diffuse abnormalities correlated in EEG findings with case history of GM attacks.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Heterozygous glycine substitution in the COL11A2 gene in the original patient with the Weissenbacher-Zweymüller syndrome demonstrates its identity with heterozygous OSMED (nonocular Stickler syndrome).

The original patient with the Weissenbacher-Zweymüller syndrome was analyzed for mutations in two candidate genes expressed in cartilage (COL2A1 and COL11A2). No mutations were found in the COL2A1 gene but the COL11A2 gene contained a single-base mutation that converted a codon for an obligate glycine to a codon for glutamate at position alpha 2-955 (G955E). The results here and those published previously indicate that the Weissenbacher-Zweymüller syndrome (heterozygous OSMED), nonocular Stickler syndrome, and homozygous OSMED are all caused by mutations in the COL11A2 gene.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1998

Normalization of serum thyrotrophin by means of radioiodine treatment in subclinical hyperthyroidism: effect on bone loss in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism (reduced serum TSH and normal free T4 and T3 concentrations) have slightly increased bone turnover and might have reduced bone mass, especially among postmenopausal women (due to concomitantly reduced oestrogen production), as also seen during suppressive L-T4 treatment. OBJECTIVE: We have evaluated whether normalization of serum TSH using radioiodine treatment (RAI) in postmenopausal women with a nodular goitre and subclinical hyperthyroidism, protects against bone loss? DESIGN: Prospective, non-randomized study, outpatients 2 years follow-up. PATIENTS: Postmenopausal women with a nodular goitre, biochemically subclinical hyperthyroidism (TSH < 0.2 mU/I, and signs of a growing goitre or compression symptoms. Sixteen were treated with RAI (median dose 555 MBq) (+RAI), whereas 12 were followed without treatment (-RAI). MEASUREMENTS: Serum TSH (third generation technology), free T4 and T3 indices, and bone mass (BMD) as measured by Dual Photon Absorptiometry (4 in each group) (only spine) or Dual X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) (both spine and hip), were measured yearly for up to 2 years. RESULTS: The two groups did not differ regarding age, thyroid hormone parameters, and absolute levels of BMD at spine and hip. RAI resulted in normalization of TSH in all 16 women, and FT4I as well as FT3I decreased to 78% after one year (P < 0.01). These parameters did not change in the untreated group, thus serum TSH remained reduced. BMD at the spine tended to increase (n.s.) after RAI to (median) 101.9% after one year, and 101.5% after 2 years. In contrast the -RAI group experienced a continued fall in BMD to 97.3% after one year, and 95.5% after 2 years, both reduced as compared to the +RAI group (P < 0.02). BMD of the hip also increased after RAI, to 102.3% after one year, and 101.7% after 2 years. In contrast BMD in the -RAI group decreased to 94.8% after one year, and 98.0% after 2 years, both lower than in the +RAI group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical hyperthyroidism due to a nodular goitre in postmenopausal women resulted in a continued loss of bone mass of about 2% per year. Radioiodine treatment resulting in normalization of serum TSH prevented this continued bone loss for at least 2 years. Our study supports earlier intervention in such patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Thyroid hormone treatment aiming at reduced, but not suppressed, serum thyroid-stimulating hormone levels in nontoxic goitre: effects on bone metabolism amongst premenopausal women.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effects of six months' treatment with either T4 or T3, aiming at reduced but not totally suppressed serum TSH levels, as measured by a third generation TSH assay, on biochemical bone turnover parameters as well as bone mass in patients with nontoxic goitre. DESIGN: Prospective randomized study with a matched control group, not blinded. SETTING: Two University Hospital Clinics in Copenhagen. SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTION: Twenty-four consecutive premenopausal women with moderate sized nontoxic goitre. Fourteen patients randomized to T4 or T3 treatment for six months with monthly titration of the dose, aiming at TSH values between 0.005 and 0.2 mUL(-1). Ten controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), serum procollagen I C-terminal propeptide (PICP), serum alkaline phosphatase, serum osteocalcin, u-pyridinoline, u-deoxypyridinoline, u-hydroxyproline. Bone mass (BMD) at the lumbar spine and at both femoral necks. RESULTS: Serum TSH was generally kept within the desired interval. There was no difference in any marker of bone metabolism between the effects of T4 and T3. Consequently, these groups were combined in order to evaluate the effect of thyroid hormones on the bone and mineral metabolism. Thyroid hormone treatment resulted in increased levels of serum ionized calcium (Ca) (P=0.02), serum alkaline phosphatase (P=0.007), serum-PICP (P=0.003), serum osteocalcin (P=0.02) and urinary excretion of deoxypridinoline (P=0.03) compared to untreated controls. Bone mass did not change. CONCLUSION: Six months treatment with either T4 or T3 of premenopausal women with nontoxic goitre, aiming at reduced but not totally suppressed TSH values, resulted in biochemical signs of increased bone turnover, whereas bone mass remained unaltered. No differences were found between the effects of T4 or T3 treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Histologic evaluation of endoscopic versus suction biopsies of small intestinal mucosae in children with and without celiac disease.

BACKGROUND: Concern over the adequacy of histologic diagnosis of endoscopic duodenal biopsies in children prompted this comparative study on the histologic quality of endoscopic versus capsule biopsies. We found this problem addressed in only six previous reports. METHODS: Blind examinations of the histologic sections of 48 duodenal biopsies obtained by gastrointestinal endoscopy in children aged 2-18 years were compared to 52 biopsies obtained by the small bowel suction method (from children aged 1-16 years). RESULTS: Although 87.5% of endoscopic biopsies and 94.2% of capsule biopsies were adequate for histologic diagnosis, fragmentation or squashing was seen in 83.3% of endoscopic biopsies and only in 25% of capsule biopsies. CONCLUSIONS: Biopsies obtained by suction are of better quality than those obtained by endoscopy. If endoscopy is preferred for technical reasons, the following conditions should be observed: the patients should be aged over 2 years, and a minimum of four biopsies should be obtained with forceps of a diameter greater than 2 mm. Adequate histologic criteria for diagnosis should include at least one full-thickness mucosal specimen more than 3 mm in length, vertically oriented, and not fragmented. In children under age 2, duodenal or jejunal capsule biopsies are preferred, since the specimens are usually larger and less fragmented. Endoscopy is technically more difficult in the very young patient.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Are intraepithelial lymphocytes in celiac mucosa responsible for inducing programmed cell death (apoptosis) in enterocytes? Histochemical demonstration of perforins in cytoplasmic granules of intraepithelial lymphocytes.

BACKGROUND: Programmed cell death refers to the genetically determined processes by which cells die in response to physiologic extracellular and intracellular signals, morphologically described as apoptosis. In physiologic and pathologic circumstances this process may involve effector and target cells. METHODS: To identify serine esterase granules in intraepithelial lymphocytes, fresh-frozen human small intestine mucosal sections from normal and celiac-affected mucosa were incubated with substrate-specific N-alpha-benzyloxy-carbonyl-L-lysine thiobenzyl (BLT) and a chromogen (4 Benzoylamino-2,5-diethoxybenzene-dazonium chloride hemi [zinc chloride] salt as capture agent and were examined by light microscopy. RESULTS: Normal mucosa showed an occasional intraepithelial lymphocyte with BLT-positive intracytoplasmic granules. Some large mononuclear cells of the lamina propria were similarly stained. Many more intraepithelial lymphocytes were BLT-positive among the surface enterocytes of untreated celiac mucosa. Lamina propria mononuclear cells close to the basal layer of crypt cells also appeared to be increased. CONCLUSIONS: The histochemical identification of BLT-positive esters within intraepithelial lymphocytes suggests their involvement in enterocyte death under physiologic conditions. The increased BLT-positive intraepithelial lymphocytes found in the celiac mucosa may be related to the known increase in cytotoxic intraepithelial lymphocytes in untreated celiac disease.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed1998

The relationship of serum-eosinophil cationic protein and eosinophil count to disease activity in children with bronchial asthma.

BACKGROUND: The serum-eosinophil cationic protein level (S-ECP) has been promoted as a biomarker of asthma that reflects the degree of bronchial eosinophilic inflammation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: To investigate whether S-ECP is indeed a clinically useful objective parameter, especially in mild or moderate chronic childhood asthma, we studied 100 outpatient children with chronic asthma symptoms (63 boys and 37 girls, aged three to 15 years, median of age eight) and 25 controls (12 boys and 13 girls aged three to 15 years, median of age eight). Symptom scores, lung function parameters and atopy were compared with S-ECP determined by commercially available tests and eosinophils measured by an autoanalyser. RESULTS: Asthma symptom scores in the patient group ranged between one and 13 (median of 8), S-ECP between 2.1 and 75.6 microg/l (median of 13.3 microg/ l), and eosinophils between 30/microl and 2002/microl (median of 314). Symptom scores and S-ECP were correlated significantly (P < 0.001) as were symptom scores and eosinophils (P = 0.001). S-ECPs were significantly higher in children with chronic asthma symptoms compared with non-asthmatic, non-atopic children (P = 0.005 for non-atopic chronic asthmatics and P < 0.001 for atopic asthmatics); similar results were found comparing eosinophils in these groups. There was no difference in S-ECP between atopic and non-atopic asthmatic children, but the 25 polysensitised asthmatic children especially with sensitisations to mite, pollen and pet allergens were found to have significantly higher S-ECP compared to 15 monosensitised children (P = 0.002). Similar results were found when correlating eosinophil numbers with atopy. Polysensitised (mite, pollen, pet) asthmatics had significantly higher eosinophil counts compared with monosensitised (pollen) asthmatics (P = 0.01); there was, however, a better discrimination between atopic and non-atopic asthmatics (P = 0.001). Non-asthmatic, non-atopic controls had significantly lower eosinophil counts compared with asthmatics (P < 0.001 for both non-atopic and atopic asthmatics). No correlation between S-ECP or eosinophils and any of the lung function parameters measured (FEV1, FEV1/FVC, MEF50, airway resistance and ITGV) was found. SUMMARY: Our data thus indicate that 1) S-ECP is higher than normal in children with asthma symptoms and correlates with asthma symptom score. 2) S-ECP is better correlated to symptom score than to lung function parameters especially in children with mild and moderate asthma symptoms. 3) Raised S-ECP appears to reflect the extent of allergen sensitivity and may also reflect current allergen exposure. 4) Similar correlations were seen when measuring eosinophil number by an autoanalyser instead of S-ECP. CONCLUSIONS: Although S-ECP and eosinophils are not diagnostic of asthma they are useful inflammation markers especially in the context of clinical studies. However, both methods are not yet suitable for use in daily practice because they require extensive procedures and special equipment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Serum free 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) in non-thyroidal somatic illness, as measured by ultrafiltration and immunoextraction.

UNLABELLED: Serum free 3,5,3'-triidothyronine (T3) levels are regularly reported reduced in patients with non-thyroidal, somatic illnesses (NTI). However most free T3 assays have serious methodologically shortcoming. From a theoretical point of view, ultrafiltration may be the most reliable technique at present, and we have previously reported unaltered serum free T3 levels in NTI. A newly commercialized assay suitable for routine use (Amerlite MAB free T3) has demonstrated promising results in NTI sera, and we thus compared these two methods in a large group of NTI patients not treated with glucocorticoids or dopamine (n = 120), as well as in 66 healthy controls and 8 patients on prolonged dopamine infusion. In both assays free T3 levels were unaltered in NTI (NTI versus controls (mean), Amerlite MAB free T3: 5.47 versus 5.32 pmol/l; ultrafiltration free T3; 6.99 versus 7.60 pmol/l). Free T3 levels outside normal range were found in 14% using the Amerlite MAB free T3 assay and 2% using the ultrafiltration assay. The two methods correlated in all subjects (n = 194) (r = 0.32 (P < 0.001) as well as in NTI patients (r = 0.34 (P < 0.001). No correlations to serum T4 levels were found, and patients with serum T4 levels below or above 70 nmol/l, had similar free T3 concentrations in both assays. Patients on dopamine infusion had reduced serum free T3 levels (both assays), but the values were still within the normal range. CONCLUSION: Serum free T3 levels were unaltered in NTI patients using both assays, and the Amerlite MAB free T3 assays seems useable during diagnostic work-up for possible thyroid disease in hospitalized patients with other somatic illnesses, despite the fact that this assay has some shortcomings, which are an integral part of all immunoextraction assays.

Humans↗
PubMed1996

[New infant formula based on soy milk and corn flour].

In recent years the use of infant feeding formulas based on soy bean has been increasing. We report a trial of a new, soy bean-based formula to which starch was added. A control group was given a cow milk-based formula widely used in this country ("Materna" with cornflour, Ma'abaroth Products Ltd.). Healthy infants, between 3-6 months of age and of normal length and weight were enrolled at random at Infant Welfare Centers in Jerusalem. 25 received the soy formula, and 21 the cow milk-based formula. During the 2-month trial the infants did not receive any other foods. They were examined by the senior author every 2 weeks and weight, length and head circumference were measured at their Infant Welfare Clinic visits. The mothers filled questionnaires concerning the amount of formula ingested, the nature and number of stools, and complaints, such as crying. Both groups gained weight at the normal rate during the trial. In each group, the mothers were satisfied with the product and wanted to continue with it after the trial. We conclude that a soy-based formula containing starch is comparable to a cow milk formula containing star.

Body Height↗
PubMed1996

Symptoms of the stomatognathic system in temporomandibular and cervical spine disorders.

This study was performed to assess the prevalence of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in patients with cervical spine disorders (CSD) and to compare patients with CSD and subgroups of patients with TMD with regard to the results of orthopaedic tests of the stomatognathic system. A group of 103 consecutive patients with signs and symptoms of CSD and a group of 111 consecutive patients with TMD were examined. All subgroups of TMD patients showed a significantly smaller range of motion than the CSD patients. Patients with TMD had limited mouth opening (< 40 mm) on active and passive mouth opening more often than CSD patients. TMD patients with myogenous problems reported oral habits more often than CSD patients, although no objective differences between CSD and TMD patients were found. Subgroups of TMD patients reported joint sounds, and pain on palpation and joint play tests of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) more frequently than CSD patients. Joint sounds on active movements, pain on palpation of the TMJ, and pain on joint play tests correctly classified 82% of the patients with TMD and 72% of the patients with CSD. In spite of the biomechanical and anatomical relationship between the neck and the stomatognathic system, the results of the study show that CSD patients have signs and symptoms of TMD comparable with those of the adult Dutch population. It was concluded that the function of the masticatory system should be evaluated in patients with neck complaints in order to rule out a possible involvement of the masticatory system.

Adult↗