Biomedical subjects

J Haller

Publications and source records attributed to J Haller.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

PubMed1992

Group size modifies the patterns and muscle carbohydrate effects of aggression in Betta splendens.

Aggressive encounters of previously isolated individuals were investigated in dyads and groups of five. Fights were longer and more intense when they were performed in dyads compared to fights involving five fishes. During aggressive encounters, an elevation in carbohydrate catabolism was noticed in both dyads and groups. Losing a fight resulted in a reduction in glycogen content and an increase in glycogen synthesis. Similar changes in winners did not appear; thus, the metabolic response in losers was different from that noticed in winners, both in dyads and groups. In dyadic contest winners, a marked increase in the free glucose content and glucose consumption was noticed (without changes in losers). In groups, free glucose content of the winners was not modified, while glucose consumption was enhanced both in winners and losers. Thus, the differences existing between winners and losers were greater in dyads compared to those noticed in groups. The energy cost of aggression seems to be different in dyads compared to groups of five. The rate of glucose oxidation was strongly reduced in dyads (there were no differences between winners and losers in this respect), while in groups, this parameter was not modified.

Aggression↗

PubMed1991

Retinal detachments in patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis.

Retinal detachments are a recognized complication of cytomegalovirus retinitis. In a series of 145 patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis, 38 (26%) developed retinal detachments. The cumulative probability of a retinal detachment 1 year after the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus retinitis was 50%. Detachments were associated with increased size of the cytomegalovirus lesion and with lesions extending anteriorly up to the ora serrata. Treatment with an anticytomegalovirus drug appeared to delay the time to detachment. Median survival time after the diagnosis of retinal detachment was 9 months. In our study, vitrectomy with silicone oil as the initial surgical procedure was the most effective approach. Successful anatomic reattachment of the retina was achieved in 70% of patients undergoing this procedure. Despite the success of surgery, the visual outcome was disappointing, with only 20% of eyes achieving a final visual acuity of 5/200 or better.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1991

Biochemical cost of a fight in fed and fasted Betta splendens.

Behavioral and biochemical effects of threat displays and fights were determined in both fed and fasted animals. A week-long fast resulted in subtle behavioral modifications and a significant reduction in muscle glycogen. Threat displays had no effect on carcass composition. In the course of fighting, fed animals degraded large amounts of lipids, glycogen and amino acids, while fasted animals degraded only glycogen. Two alternative hypotheses are proposed to explain the difference between the biochemical effects of a fight in fed and starved animals.

Aggression↗

PubMed1991

Muscle metabolic changes during the first six hours of cohabitation in pairs of male Betta splendens.

Muscle metabolic effects of aggression were investigated during the first 6 hours of dyadic contests in male Betta splendens. In the first 10 minutes the free amino acid content of the carcass was reduced. At the end of the fight (after 30 minutes) a significant reduction in glycogen content and an increase in free glucose were noticed while amino acids were still reduced. The reduction in glycogen was more intense, while the increase in free glucose was smaller in losers. These modifications disappeared after 360 minutes, but at this time a significant reduction of protein content (both in winners and losers) and an increase of amino acids in winners were noticed.

Aggression↗

PubMed1991

Triangular fibrocartilage and intercarpal ligaments of the wrist: MR imaging. Cadaveric study with gross pathologic and histologic correlation.

To provide further understanding of the magnetic resonance (MR) signal intensities in the triangular fibrocartilage (TFC) and interosseous ligaments of the wrist, the authors performed MR imaging with gross pathologic and histologic analysis in 10 cadaveric wrists. Spin-echo T1- and T2-weighted coronal images were obtained, and 3-mm coronal sections of the specimens were then made that correlated precisely with the MR images. Normal portions of the TFC showed asymmetrical bow tie-like low signal intensity, except near the radial and ulnar attachments. Degeneration of the TFC, present in all cases, was more severe on the proximal surface and was characterized by high signal intensity on T1-weighted images and less high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. These findings differed from those in TFC perforation, which showed high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Similar signal intensity characteristics could allow differentiation of degeneration and perforation of the scapholunate and lunotriquetral ligaments. These findings suggest that in vivo MR imaging may accurately delineate degeneration and perforation of the TFC and intercarpal ligaments.

Cadaver↗

PubMed1991

Effects of dietary protein deficiency on hepatic carbohydrate metabolism in geese.

This paper was aimed at following up the course of glucose in the liver of protein underfed geese. Compared to normally fed geese, liver carbohydrate metabolism in protein underfed animals can be characterised by lowering of free glucose content of in vitro glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis and reduction of carbohydrates in total oxidation. Glycogen content of the liver and rate of glucose oxidation were also lowered, but these differences were not statistically significant. Summing up our results and taking into consideration some literature data, an overall reduction of hepatic carbohydrate metabolism in protein underfed birds may be assumed.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Nutritional status: blood vitamins A, E, B6, B12, folic acid and carotene. Euronut SENECA investigators.

This chapter describes the vitamin plasma concentration data collection, preliminary analysis and results of the Euronut SENECA study. Blood plasma was collected from approximately 2500 elderly subjects born in 1913-1918 living in 17 small towns in 11 European countries, and the plasma levels of carotene, retinol, alpha-tocopherol, vitamin B12, folic acid and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate were determined. There were very large within- and between-centre differences in vitamin levels with no definite geographical pattern emerging. The vitamin status for retinol and folic acid was adequate in all centres. The prevalence of biochemical vitamin B6 deficiency was widespread and reached over 50% in some centres. Vitamin B12 biochemical deficiency was limited to ten centres and its prevalence was 1.6%-10%. Vitamin E biochemical deficiency was found in seven centres and varied from 0.5% to 25%.

Aged↗

PubMed1991

Regional lung water measurements with PET: accuracy, reproducibility, and linearity.

We evaluated the accuracy, reproducibility, and linearity of lung water concentration (LWC) measurements using positron emission tomography (PET) in anesthetized supine dogs. First, we evaluated whether errors in attenuation correction, which might occur during the development of pulmonary edema, significantly affect LWC and pulmonary blood flow (PBF) measurements obtained with PET. In 10 animals, PET scans of LWC and PBF were obtained before and after oleic acid induced lung injury. Changes in LWC and PBF after injury were underestimated by 12%-25% if the postinjury LWC scan was reconstructed using attenuation data obtained prior to injury, before lung density had changed, instead of attenuation data obtained after lung injury. Next, in four other dogs, we did not administer oleic acid, but instead instilled progressive amounts of autologous plasma into the left caudal lobe and obtained LWC measurements after each. Changes in LWC were linearly related to the amount of plasma instilled (r = 0.99). The average coefficient of variation for LWC in the control right lobe was 4 +/- 2% and the average percent change between measurements was 1.5% +/- 5.8%. The correlation of regional LWC determined gravimetrically after the last scan, when corrected for differences in regional lung density, with LWC determined by PET, was excellent (r = 0.92). We conclude that when the correct attenuation scan is used for emission scan reconstruction. PET measurements of LWC are accurate, linear, and reproducible.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

[Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis: radiologic and magnetic resonance tomographic characteristics].

46 patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) were investigated by chest radiographs (n = 46), plain film tomograms (n = 16), CT (n = 8) and MRI (n = 13). Radiologic characteristics of early IPA were nodular or patchy infiltrates in the upper lobes of all patients. Enlargement of the infiltrates and/or development of segmental/lobar consolidations were typical for fully developing IPA. Air crescent signs were seen in 40% of patients during or after bone marrow restitution. CT added additional information by visualisation of small pleural based infiltrates, demonstration of air crescents and identification of halo phenomena. MRI revealed the target character of nodular aspergillomas with hypointense centres and rims of higher signal intensity. A gadolinium-DTPA rim enhancement could be observed in almost all nodular lesions. Hyperintense areas in nodular and segmental infiltrates on T1-weighted images were interpreted as aging haemorrhage (methemoglobin) in aspergillus-induced haemorrhagic infarcts or in focal parenchymal bleeding.

Aspergillosis↗

PubMed1990

Detection of thoracolumbar vertebral body destruction with lateral spine radiography. Part I: Investigation in cadavers.

Despite few and inconclusive studies, radiography is generally believed to be insensitive for detection of osteolytic lesions of the spine. A more detailed investigation was undertaken to study the detectability of laboratory-produced osteolytic lesions in cadaveric thoracolumbar vertebral bodies using conventional lateral radiographs. The radiographs were presented to four radiologists in two sessions over a two month period. In the first session, the films were arranged in a composite of five vertebral bodies, T11 to L3 all from the same spine, in which one contained a lesion and the other four were normal. In the second session, each vertebral body film was presented individually. Area (Az) under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to measure the performances of readers. Observer detection was similar in the two formats with Az ranging from 0.67 +/- 0.05 to 0.79 +/- 0.04 for the composite film arrangement and 0.57 +/- 0.08 to 0.85 +/- 0.10 for the films of individual vertebral bodies. Lesions were grouped into three relative size categories: 18% to 25%, 26% to 40%, and 41% to 60% of transverse vertebral body diameter. The mean increase in ROC area between the small and large lesions was 0.29 (P less than 0.04) for the composite films and 0.16 (P less than 0.05) for the individual films. In the composite study, all readers showed significant (P less than 0.05) increases in lesion detection in spines reflecting large increases (P less than 0.01) in bone mineral content.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cadaver↗

PubMed1990

Detection of thoracolumbar vertebral body destruction with lateral spine radiography. Part II: Clinical investigation with computed tomography.

Conventional radiography in the lateral projection was used to evaluate 25 osteolytic lesions involving vertebral bodies of the thoracolumbar spine. Destruction was calculated as percentages of the maximum transverse diameter and volume of the vertebral body as measured by computed tomography (CT) and the effect of size of lesion on detection was evaluated. Areas (Az) under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the significance of differences were determined from the observations of four radiologists. The mean difference between areas under the ROC curve for lesions involving 32% to 60% of the transverse diameter and for larger lesions of 61% to 93% was 0.12 and significant (P less than 0.05). The effect of the presence of localized loss of vertebral body density, sclerotic bone tissue surrounding the lesion and cortical destruction was evaluated in a second session, in films with lesions the observers scored 4 (probably abnormal) or 5 (definitely abnormal). Cortical destruction was reported to be helpful for detection in 35% of lesions, sclerotic bone surrounding the lesions was helpful in 30%, and a qualitative local decrease in bone density was noted in all lesions. In comparison with the results obtained for the same four observers with experimentally produced lesions in our previous cadaveric study, the clinical lesions of comparable size were not as readily detected. The ROC area for the largest group of clinical lesions (61% to 93%, Az = 0.83 +/- 0.07) was not significantly different from that for a group of smaller cadaveric lesions (41% to 60%, Az = 0.83 +/- 0.05). The smaller clinical lesions (32% to 60%, Az = 0.71 +/- 0.08) were similar in detectability to the experimental lesions of relative diameter 26% to 40% (Az = 0.74 +/- 0.15). Caution should be exercised in the interpretation of conventional radiographs in the lateral projection if there is suspicion of vertebral body destruction.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Osteophytosis of the knee: anatomic, radiologic, and pathologic investigation.

Although the radiologic manifestations of degenerative disease of the knee have been investigated, the distribution of marginal and central osteophytes has not been defined. This study included (a) 50 consecutive patients with osteoarthritis of the knee in whom routine and specialized projections were obtained prospectively, (b) 25 patients with calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition disease whose knee radiographs were retrospectively reviewed, and (c) four cadaveric knees that were dissected to assess pertinent anatomy. In this study the importance of the tunnel view in the evaluation of osteoarthritis and CPPD crystal deposition disease is demonstrated, the distribution of and the relationship between marginal and central osteophytes are discussed, and two new radiologic signs are described. As both marginal and central osteophytes may simulate intraarticular bodies, the recognition of these outgrowths is of clinical importance.

Calcium Pyrophosphate↗

PubMed1990

Demonstration of the scapholunate space with radiography.

The importance of radiographic evaluation of the scapholunate space, which should not be wider than 2 mm, has been well established in cases of wrist injury. Unfortunately, the assessment of this space is not accurately determined with routine posteroanterior (PA) radiographs, because the scaphoid and lunate bones often overlap. Moreover, the exact portion of the scapholunate space that should be measured has never been clearly defined. Nine wrists with a scapholunate space no wider than 2 mm and without chondrocalcinosis were studied by means of plain routine views and special projections, transaxial and coronal computed tomographic scans, and dissection to determine the precise orientation and anatomy of this space. A PA radiograph with 10 degrees of tube angulation from the ulna toward the radius best demonstrated the scapholunate space. This space should be measured at the level of the midportion of the flat lateral facet of the scaphoid.

Carpal Bones↗

PubMed1990

Scapholunate advanced collapse: a common wrist abnormality in calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease.

Scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) is a pattern of wrist malalignment that has been attributed to posttraumatic or spontaneous osteoarthritis of the wrist. Its features, however, also have been observed in patients with idiopathic calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition disease. To determine the frequency and characteristics of SLAC in this disease, the authors reviewed wrist radiographs in 168 well-documented cases of this disorder. Forty-four of the cases (26%) revealed wrist abnormalities typical of SLAC. Associated findings included bilateral involvement (63%); calcification in or near the triangular fibrocartilage (70%); scapholunate widening or dissociation (70%); and arthropathies of the trapezioscaphoid (57%), metacarpophalangeal (second through fifth) (52%), first carpometacarpal (40%), and radiolunate (14%) joints. Results strongly suggest that CPPD crystal deposition disease is one of the major causes of SLAC. Furthermore, radiolunate arthropathy was found in 14% of the patients with SLAC and CPPD crystal deposition disease, which is different from other observations.

Aged↗

PubMed1990

Regional pulmonary blood flow during acute pulmonary edema: a PET study.

We used positron emission tomography to evaluate the effects of nitroprusside or prostacyclin (NP/Prost) on regional pulmonary blood flow (rPBF) in 21 dogs after oleic acid- (OA) induced acute pulmonary edema and compared the results with data from 11 dogs given OA only and 5 given meclofenamate after OA. After OA only, a progressive decrease in rPBF occurred in edematous gravity-dependent lung regions, but only in 6 of 11 dogs. In these six dogs, rPBF fell 41 +/- 12% compared with base line or with the other five dogs (3 +/- 19%) (P less than 0.05). In the NP/Prost group, the vasodilators failed to reverse any change in rPBF after OA but did prevent additional derecruitment until the drug infusion was stopped, after which rPBF to the edematous regions decreased further. In contrast, meclofenamate after OA temporally accelerated but did not quantitatively enhance rPBF reduction in edematous lung regions. Thus, in this model, vessels in edematous lung regions remain vasoreactive only until derecruited. We speculate that the mechanism of derecruitment involves an interaction between edema accumulation and vasoconstriction, in which the actual pattern of rPBF after lung injury represents a balance between mechanisms responsible for vascular derecruitment and vasodilation from prostacyclin production.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Sonography of unusual extratesticular lesions.

Sonograms of seven patients with extratesticular lesions are presented because of their relatively rare occurrence or unusual sonographic pattern. The sonographic appearance of a malignant extratesticular liposarcoma is described. Infected sebaceous glands and slow-growing malignant tumors of the spermatic cord are demonstrated as possible problems in differential diagnosis. Extratesticular septated cysts or fluid collections surrounding the spermatic cord are documented as complications in hemophilia and acute pancreatitis. These entities are presented because of their differential diagnostic challenge compared with more common disorders such as infected hydroceles and hernias.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis: diagnostic significance of radiographic abnormalities of the pelvis.

Retrospective evaluation of the osseous pelvis in 93 patients with severe diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) revealed 14 locations of radiographic abnormalities. Two osteoradiologists independently studied these sites for abnormalities in a prospective, blinded fashion in 103 patients over the age of 45 years. Lateral radiographs of the thoracolumbar spine were quantitatively and qualitatively evaluated to determine whether DISH, spondylosis deformans, or a normal spine was present. Statistical analysis was performed for evaluation of interobserver reliability, the relationship between pelvic and spinal abnormalities, and the significance and predictive values of pelvic abnormalities for DISH versus non-DISH and DISH versus spondylosis deformans. Although significantly higher frequencies and greater extents of radiographic abnormalities at 10 of 14 pelvic locations were noted for DISH compared with non-DISH, this number decreased to four of 14 locations when compared with spondylosis deformans. The alterations in three of these four pelvic sites consisted of ossification of ligaments. These changes appear to be good indicators of the presence of spinal DISH and support the concept that DISH is an entity separate from spondylosis deformans.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Intraosseous fat necrosis associated with acute pancreatitis: MR imaging.

Necrosis of fatty bone marrow, caused by lipolytic enzymes, is a rare complication of several pancreatic disorders. A 44-year-old man with polyarthritis, subcutaneous nodules, and osteolysis associated with alcoholic pancreatitis underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the knees. In the marrow of the distal femur and proximal tibia, the images showed multiple foci of abnormal signal intensity compatible with the diagnosis of fat necrosis secondary to acute pancreatitis. Because MR imaging can depict abnormalities in fatty marrow that seem to precede necrosis, this modality may add early diagnostic information.

Acute Disease↗