Biomedical subjects

J Gaertner

Publications and source records attributed to J Gaertner.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

[Oral controlled-release oxycodone for the treatment of chronic pain. Data from 4196 patients].

Oral controlled-release oxycodone has been available for the treatment of chronic pain in Germany since 1998. Controlled trials have shown good clinical efficacy and tolerability. This survey reports results from six open prospective multicenter trials. In these trials 4196 patients suffering from cancer pain and non-cancer-related pain with inadequate pain relief were treated with oral controlled-release oxycodone for 3-4 weeks. Only a few participating physicians were pain specialists. A total of 356 patients suffering from pain of the musculoskeletal system and receiving oxycodone therapy were monitored for 6 months. Exclusion from the studies was due mainly to inadequate analgesia, side effects, and noncompliance. The efficacy of oxycodone was rated to be better than moderate by most of the patients, quality of life parameters increased significantly, and patient satisfaction was high. The treatment with oral controlled-release oxycodone was a safe and effective option even when used by nonspecialized physicians.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2005

Macroscopic and radiological grading of osteoarthritis correlates inadequately with cartilage height and histologically demonstrable damage to cartilage structure.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to investigate different methods for determining osteoarthritis-related (OA) cartilaginous changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human tibial heads were investigated radiologically, macroscopically and microscopically. The height of the hyaline cartilage was measured with the aid of a computerised digital image analysis system. RESULTS: The comparison of the different evaluation systems revealed, in part, appreciable variations in severity and produced correlations of r=-0.312-0.673. In none of the methods was a linear correlation between the histomorphometrically measured decrease in cartilage height and the increasing grade of OA evident. DISCUSSION: The microscopic scores are superior, since they provide the most precise description of cartilaginous structure. The variation in cartilage height with increasing OA is not a linear process; measurement of the cartilage height alone is not a valid parameter for determining the grade of OA.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Interactive computer aided shift scheduling.

This paper starts with a discussion of computer aided shift scheduling. After a brief review of earlier approaches, two conceptualizations of this field are introduced: First, shift scheduling as a field that ranges from extremely stable rosters at one pole to rather market-like approaches on the other pole. Unfortunately, already small alterations of a scheduling problem (e.g., the number of groups, the number of shifts) may call for rather different approaches and tools. Second, their environment shapes scheduling problems and scheduling has to be done within idiosyncratic organizational settings. This calls for the amalgamation of scheduling with other tasks (e.g., accounting) and for reflections whether better solutions might become possible by changes in the problem definition (e.g., other service levels, organizational changes). Therefore shift scheduling should be understood as a highly connected problem. Building upon these two conceptualizations, a few examples of software that ease scheduling in some areas of this field are given and future research questions are outlined.

Accounting↗

PubMed2001

Balancing flexibility for the employer and the employee: a case study of the development of annualized hours employment contracts.

As with many forms of flexible working, Annualized Hours (AH) systems offer potential benefits to both the employer and the employee. However, the flexibility requirements of employers and employees often conflict. Therefore, when a large food manufacturing organization decided to redesign its AH system, it employed an independent consultancy to act as neutral third party. The consultancy provided technical expertise and assistance in developing an AH system that optimised productivity and was acceptable to the workforce. Data are presented, obtained from focus groups conducted throughout the organization, describing some of the potential difficulties of implementing an AH system. Drawing upon these data, a number of new AH systems were proposed and modelled using specialist software tools. The design process is described, together with the advantages and difficulties associated with use of the software tools. It is concluded that the key elements in the process of designing AH systems are centred around issues of trust and communication; the involvement of a broad range of interested parties, through a process of carefully managed group facilitation; and the need for adequate technical support in the development and evaluation of AH systems.

Computer Simulation↗

PubMed1991

Import of human bifunctional enzyme into peroxisomes of human hepatoma cells in vitro.

A polypeptide containing the carboxyl-terminal fragment of human peroxisomal enoyl-CoA hydratase:3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase bifunctional enzyme was synthesized in vitro from its cDNA clone. This expression polypeptide was transported into purified rat liver peroxisomes. When the expression polypeptide was incubated with postnuclear supernatant fractions of human hepatoma cells and analyzed by Nycodenz gradient SDS-PAGE and fluorography, it was imported specifically into peroxisomes as indicated by its resistance to proteinase K degradation. A deletion of the last nine amino acid residues at the carboxyl-terminus of this polypeptide prevents its peroxisomal import. A tripeptide sequence, SKL, located at the carboxyl-terminus of human bifunctional enzyme appears to be the targeting signal for the peroxisomal importation of bifunctional enzyme in human cells.

3-Hydroxyacyl CoA Dehydrogenases↗

PubMed1991

Target weight procedure: preventing water intoxication.

1. Prevention of water intoxication depends on early intervention for polydipsic patients who seem to be retaining fluid. The Target Weight Procedure is designed to detect early signs of fluid retention by means of weight gain and low sodium levels. 2. The use of this protocol, in addition to successfully decreasing the number of acute water intoxication episodes, has also led to increased awareness of the meaning of patient behavior, an increased sense of control of patients with water intoxication over their behavior, and an increased feeling of competence among the staff. 3. The success of the protocol seems to be based on its purpose of identifying patients at risk and those with an impending episode, as well as secondary advantages, for example, giving the patients the option to alter their behavior to be removed from the protocol.

Drinking↗