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Biomedical subjects

J Haas

Publications and source records attributed to J Haas.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Symptoms of upper gastrointestinal dysfunction in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: case-control study.

A case-control study was undertaken to see if symptoms of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) (oropharyngeal, esophageal, and gastric) dysfunction occurred more frequently in males afflicted with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) than healthy controls. Subjects included 55 children with confirmed DMD and 55 age-matched controls without neuromuscular disease. All subjects and/or their parents responded to a standard set of questions concerning the frequency of symptoms of UGI dysfunction. Responses of the DMD and control groups were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. A significantly higher percentage of DMD patients experienced nasal quality to the voice, dysphagia, choking while eating, the need to clear the throat during or after eating, heartburn, and vomiting during or after meals, than did controls. Only one symptom--heartburn--was found significantly more frequently in the 33 nonambulatory than the 22 ambulatory DMD subjects. These findings document that feeding difficulty and symptoms consistent with oropharyngeal, esophageal, and gastric dysfunction are more frequent in the DMD population than healthy, age-matched controls.

Adolescent↗

Pelvic and paraaortic lymphocysts after radical surgery because of cervical and ovarian cancer.

To determine the incidence and clinical import of lymphocysts after radical gynecologic surgery including lymphadenectomy, we reviewed the records of 173 patients with cervical cancer and 135 patients with ovarian cancer who were followed up by computed tomography. Lymphocysts were found in 35 (20%) and 43 (32%) of the patients, respectively. Patients with cervical cancer and positive lymph nodes had a significantly higher rate of lymphocyst formation than did those with negative nodes (29% versus 14%, respectively, p less than 0.02). Age, type of lymphadenectomy, volume of fluid furthered by postoperative drains, disease stage, and tumor histology were not related to lymphocyst development. We saw no complications strictly attributable to lymphocysts. The clinical import and treatment possibilities are discussed.

Adenocarcinoma↗

An increase in the ratio of thromboxane A2 to prostacyclin in association with increased blood pressure in patients on cyclosporine A.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of two years of treatment with cyclosporine A on blood pressure and the rates of secretion into the circulation of the vasoconstrictor thromboxane A2 and the vasodilator prostacyclin. Seven patient suffering from multiple sclerosis took part. Their blood pressures and urinary concentrations of 2,3-dinor-thromboxane A2 (a major urinary metabolite of thromboxane A2) and of 2,3-dinor-6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (the major urinary metabolite of prostacyclin) were determined at the end of two years of treatment with cyclosporine A, and once again three months after cessation of this treatment. No other drugs were given during or after cyclosporine A. Mean arterial blood pressure was 113 +/- 5 mmHg (mean +/- SEM) during the cyclosporine A treatment, but fell to 94 +/- 4 mmHg after the three-month's wash-out period. Urinary excretion of the thromboxane metabolite decreased slightly from 674 +/- 150 pg.mg-1 creatinine during cyclosporine A therapy to 503 +/- 90 pg.mg-1-creatinine after the end of therapy. At the same time the prostacyclin metabolite increased significantly from 82 +/- 17 pg.mg-1 creatinine to 113 +/- 23 pg.mg-1 creatinine (P less than 0.05). The ratio of 2,3-dinor-thromboxane B2 to 2,3-dinor-6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (taken as a measure of vasoconstrictor prostanoid activity) fell significantly from 8.4 +/- 0.8 4.7 +/- 0.6 (P less than 0.005). The shift in prostanoid production observed during cyclosporine A treatment could be one causal factor for the hypertensive and thromboembolic events associated with the use of this drug.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

The importance of parametrial lymph nodes in the treatment of cervical cancer.

This study aimed to determine the presence, distribution, and metastatic involvement of lymph nodes in the parametria of patients undergoing radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer. Parametrial nodes were present in the giant sections of 280 (78%) of 359 surgical specimens, and metastatically involved nodes were found in 63 (22.5%) of these 280. Both positive and negative nodes were distributed through the entire parametrium. The frequency of positive nodes was linearly associated with both the clinical stage and with the tumor volume. The recurrence rate was higher when the parametrial nodes were positive than when they were negative. Survival dropped when the parametrial nodes were positive, regardless of the clinical stage.

Female↗

Magnetic resonance imaging in cervical cancer: a basis for objective classification.

Conventional clinical staging of cervical cancer is subjective because it is based on palpatory findings and inadequate because it cannot assess the single most important prognostic factor--tumor size. To determine the exactitude of in vivo MRI measurements of tumor volume, 22 patients with invasive cervical cancer were studied before surgery. The volumes obtained by MRI correlated well (r = 0.983) with those obtained by histomorphometric analysis of the surgical specimens, but only weakly with clinical stage. MRI may provide a basis for precise classification of cervical cancer and for objective comparison of surgery and radiotherapy.

Female↗

Phase I/II study of Fluosol-DA and 100% oxygen as an adjuvant to radiation in the treatment of advanced squamous cell tumors of the head and neck.

Fluosol-DA 20% (Fluosol) is an emulsion of perfluorodecalin and perfluorotripropylamine, which has the ability to carry oxygen and has been shown to enhance the ability of radiation to control tumors in animal studies. Since November 1984, patients with unresectable squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck have been enrolled in a study to evaluate the safety and potential efficacy of this adjuvant therapy. Forty-six patients were entered of which 37 completed radiation and are evaluable. Patients were infused weekly with Fluosol and then breathed 100% oxygen for a minimum of 30 minutes prior to and during radiation. Eleven patients received 5 infusions of 8 mL/Kg, four patients 6 infusions of 8 mL/Kg, five patients 5 infusions of 9 mL/Kg, seven patients 7 infusions of 7 mL/Kg and eight patients 8 infusions of 7 mL/Kg. Nine patients had Stage III disease, 20 patients Stage IV disease and 8 patients had failed previous therapy with chemotherapy and/or surgery. The radiation doses delivered ranged from 6600 cGy to 7500 cGy. The overall complete response rate for this group was 76%. All 9 Stage III patients were complete responders, 13 of 20 Stage IV responded and 6 of 8 with previous therapy were complete responders. The survival rate at 1 year was 67% for absolute and 78% as determinant. Of those patients achieving a complete response, 75% continued free of disease 1 year after therapy. Out of 254 total test doses, 11 patients experienced a reaction to the test dose of Fluosol. Of 235 total infusions 6 patients experienced a reaction during the Fluosol infusion with 7 patients experiencing post infusion reactions. These were readily controlled with diphenhydramine or acetominophen. Elevated liver enzymes were observed in some patients with a mean time to normalization of 102 days for alkaline phosphatase, 39 days for SGOT, and 46 days for SGPT.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

[Factors modifying remission in cytostatic chemotherapy of squamous cell carcinoma recurrence in the area of the head and neck].

From 1981 to 1986 eighty-five patients underwent palliative chemotherapeutic treatment at the E.N.T. Department of the University Hospital in Graz. In seventy-three recurrent tumours comparable RR were achieved with ADM/CDDP as well as with MTX/5-FU. In 39 patients a second treatment after failure or relapse of previous therapy was applied, containing predominantly CDDP/BLM resulting in a RR of 18%. The tumour stage proved to be the single most important factor concerning response to treatment in first as well as second line chemotherapy. Stage IV tumours showed a significantly lower RR compared to neoplasms without large neck masses (stages II, III), the RR being 59% versus 19% (p = 0.01). Furthermore, performance status, preceding therapeutical modalities, and location of the tumours were shown to be of secondary prognostic importance. In the latter group, age and the time interval between recurrences appeared to be of no significance. To evaluate the most effective regimen, highly differentiated analysis of all available data is imperative.

Aged↗

[Initial experiences with amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis in pregnancy following in-vitro fertilization].

We report on first experiences with amniocentesis in 63 pregnancies after IVF treatment over a period of 3 years. It is shown, that there is no increased risk through amniocentesis; it does not require special precautions. Above average number of aberrations could be found in amniotic cultures in cases where it could be identified additionally in one parent. It remains to be seen, whether the small number and sterility causes were coincidental or manifest themselves in future, especially, if the sterility concerned can be classified as idiopathic. The occurrence of trisomy 21 in accordance with the frequency is to be expected in the group of persons over 35 years of age and no increased risk through IVF treatment can be found.

Adolescent↗

Endobronchial infection in cystic fibrosis.

In symptomatic patients with cystic fibrosis, the recovery of bacteria in an inflammatory exudate from the lower respiratory tract is strong evidence of endobronchitis. It is not known when this chronic infection begins, the etiologic agents during infancy or the mechanism of evolution from Haemophilus influenzae and Staphylococcus aureus to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antibiotic administration to "suppress" the infection in relatively well patients is an unproven benefit. During an exacerbation of bronchitis, administration of appropriate antibiotics decreases sputum bacterial density and is accompanied by decreased amounts of indicators of inflammation in sputum: pulmonary function improves, particularly that reflecting medium to small airway status. In the future aggressive diagnostic procedures will be followed by therapeutic and prophylactic antibiotic administration conducted in a manner to minimize emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Adjunctive therapy, to minimize those aspects of the host response which inflict lung damage, will become standard.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

[Children of insulin-dependent diabetic patients. A determination of status].

We report on 143 newborns of mothers with insulin dependent diabetes during pregnancy. The mean birth weight was 3.091 (+/- 619) g at a mean gestational age of 38.4 (+/- 2) weeks. Neonatal morbidity was associated with the disease class, insulin levels in the amniotic fluid, urine and cord blood; and especially persistent fetal hyperinsulinism as indicated by repeatedly high amniotic fluid insulin levels during pregnancy. One infant died (neonatal mortality 0.69%) of a severe cardiac malformation combined with a caudal regression syndrome. This was the only major malformation in the group.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Cyclosporine versus azathioprine in the long-term treatment of multiple sclerosis--results of the German multicenter study.

In a double-blind controlled trial of 194 patients with clinically definite active multiple sclerosis, 98 were randomized to treatment with cyclosporine (CyA, 5 mg/kg/day), and 96 to treatment with azathioprine (Aza, 2.5 mg/kg/day). Eighty-five patients in the CyA group and 82 in the Aza group completed a treatment period of 24 to 32 months in accordance with the study protocol. No significant differences could be detected between the two treatment groups at the end of the trial. Assessment was done by serial quantitative neurological examinations and Kurtzke's Expanded Disability Status Scale. Frequency of relapse and patient self-evaluation also failed to show significant differences. Overall deterioration observed in both groups during the trial was only minor. The incidence of side effects in the CyA group was more than two times that in the Aza group. We conclude that CyA as a single agent cannot be the drug of final choice in long-term immunosuppressive treatment of relapsing-remitting and relapsing-progressive multiple sclerosis.

Adolescent↗

[Determination of biogenic amines by RP-HPLC for monitoring the microbial spoilage of poultry].

A simple high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis is described for the determination of biogenic amines in broiler carcasses. The clean-up procedure consists of an extraction with 0.6 M-perchloric acid, formation of dansyl derivatives, separation by a RP-18 column and UV detection at 254 nm. Within 7 min eight amines could be separated. The quantitative determination of spermidine and spermine requires an additional ion-exchange clean-up with Amberlite CG 50 after the extraction. This procedure gives recoveries of 82%-96% with detection limits of 0.2-0.5 microgram/g of broiler skin. Putrescine and cadaverine are good indicators for the onset of spoilage of poultry carcasses, since both amines could be detected at total colony counts of 10(5) cfu/cm2 and their concentration increases rapidly with advancing decomposition.

Animals↗

Tumormetric measurements and morphometry in cervical cancer.

In this article special emphasis has been placed on the problem of reproducibility of the description of tumour spread. Tumour size is an important factor for the prognosis of patients with cervical carcinoma. This article has described several methods for determining tumour extent. I have also presented a simple method applicable to routine measurements, and based on stereological principles, and have compared it to more sophisticated tumour-size models. The main intention of this work was to define objective and comparable parameters for the classification of tumour spread.

Female↗