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Biomedical subjects

J Strauss

Publications and source records attributed to J Strauss.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Growth of uremic infants on forced feeding regimens.

Infants born with congenital renal insufficiency generally grow poorly during the first years of life and incur a height deficit that is rarely regained. Actual energy and protein requirements have not been determined for these children. In 12 infants with creatinine clearances less than 70 ml/min per 1.73 m2, growth and nutrient intakes were monitored during the first 2 years of life. Forced feeding regimens after 3 months of age, including gastrostomy in 3 patients, were necessary to maintain energy intakes near 100% of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). Protein intakes averaged in excess of 140% RDA. Linear growth did not correlate with either energy or protein intakes, suggesting that neither was a limiting factor to growth. Length velocity standard deviation score (LV-SDS) did not correlate with degree of renal insufficiency at any age, but average LV-SDS did relate significantly and inversely to C-terminal parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Growth parameters, including LV-SDS and weight velocity SDS (WV-SDS) were lowest at 6 months of age. Weight and length SDS followed with a maximum decline at 12 months of age. While weight for length SDS remained normal and WV-SDS showed recovery during the 2nd year, LV-SDS remained negative. Length SDS stabilized near--2 SDS. In summary, these data suggest that the major height deficit in infants with renal insufficiency is incurred during the first 6 months of life. Ponderal indices suggested that very early nutritional deficits may have been a primary contributor to subsequent height deficits.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Enteral Nutrition↗
PubMed1993

Human immunodeficiency virus nephropathy.

Varying components of the syndrome of human immunodeficiency virus nephropathy (HIVN) have been described, the most pertinent including proteinuria/nephrotic syndrome, progressive azotemia, normal blood pressure, enlarged and hyperechoic kidneys, rapid progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and no response to treatment regimens. The diagnosis of HIVN requires identification of excessive proteinuria or albuminuria, determined by a total protein excretion on a timed urine collection or a high protein/creatinine ratio in a random specimen. Various pathological lesions have been found in HIVN. The lesion of focal and segmental sclerosis (FS/FSS) is most characteristic in adults and usually is associated with a rapid demise. FS/FSS also has been described in approximately one-half of the pediatric patients reported in the literature (31/64). Despite progression to ESRD, the clinical course in children with HIVN is less fulminant than in adults. Other reported histological findings include primarily mesangial hyperplasia as well as minimal change, focal necrotizing glomerulonephritis or lupus nephritis, and hemolytic uremic syndrome. In addition to glomerular pathology, interstitial findings of dilated tubules filled with a unique proteinaceous material, atrophied tubular epithelium, and interstitial cell infiltration are very common. On electron microscopy, most investigators have found tubuloreticular inclusion bodies in endothelial cells of glomerular capillaries. Treatment of patients who develop ESRD remains highly controversial. Most adult patients treated with hemodialysis have succumbed rapidly; peritoneal dialysis has been better tolerated. Transplantation in patients with HIV infection must be considered to be tentative, with reports of acceleration towards full blown acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in some and uneventful 5-year survival in others.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1993

[Bone metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Apropos of 22 cases].

There have been few studies and case-reports of bone metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma. To determine the characteristics of these metastases, we retrospectively studied 22 patients in whom the diagnosis was established either on the basis of concomitant occurrence of malignant bone lesions and hepatocellular carcinoma in the absence of other detectable malignant disease (n = 15) or on the basis of histological evidence of bone metastasis from an hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 7). There were 21 males and one female. Mean age was 62.5 years. Most patients (88.2%) had chronic alcohol abuse. The bone metastases occurred as the first manifestation of the liver cancer in half the cases (11/22). Time interval between onset of bone symptoms and admission was less than one month in 6 of 11 patients; mean interval was 7.4 weeks. Hepatomegaly was found upon initial physical evaluation in 9 of 11 patients. Pain was the main symptom of bone disease (18/22). Palpable bone masses were found in 6 of 22 patients. Purely osteolytic lesions were seen on roentgenograms in every case; rupture of the cortex and spread to adjacent soft tissues were common findings. The radionuclide bone scan was normal in four of 12 patients. An advanced primary hepatic tumor was found in 84.2% of cases. Histologic examination of bone specimens established the diagnosis of metastasis from a hepatocellular carcinoma in 7 of 9 patients (77.8%). Severe bleeding occurred during one of the nine biopsy procedures. Patients were given symptomatic treatment. Systemic chemotherapy was used in five patients, unsuccessfully. Median survival was three months.

Bone Neoplasms↗
PubMed1992

Cytophotometric analysis of magnocellular azure B-RNA and Feulgen-DNA following chronic GABA infusion into the nucleus basalis of rats.

This investigation was undertaken to examine possible cytopathic effects of GABA infusion on nucleus basalis (NBM) magnocellular neurons. Sixty-three male Long-Evans rats received unilateral, intra-NBM infusions of either GABA100 (100 micrograms/microliters/h), GABA10 (10 micrograms/microliters/h), or ultrafiltered saline (1 microliter/h) for a period of 24 hours. Rats from each of these groups were sacrificed at either 24 hours, 48 hours or 8 days following initiation of infusions. The sham operated hemisphere of each rat served as a control for the infused hemisphere. After stoichiometric azure B-RNA and Feulgen-DNA staining of brain sections, scanning-integrating microdensitometry was used to quantify GABA-induced alterations in these well established indices of neuronal toxicity. These results provide evidence that the neurotoxic effects of 24 hours of 100 micrograms/microliters-h GABA infusion are manifested within 48 hours post-initiation of infusions. Although 24 hours of 10 micrograms/microliters-h GABA infusion suppressed NBM neuronal metabolism, the lower magnitude and duration of this effect signified an impending recovery. GABA infusion resulted in little if any NBM neuronal chromatin template impairment (i.e., reduced Feulgen-DNA reactivity), irrespective of the dosage employed and the delay prior to sacrifice.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1992

Hepatitis C infection in a pediatric dialysis population.

A variable prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV) infection has been reported in adult patients on hemodialysis. We have studied HCV infection and associated risk factors in a pediatric dialysis unit. Sera from all 27 patients undergoing either hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis in our unit were tested for antibody to HCV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and seropositives were confirmed by recombinant immunoblot assay. Records were reviewed for demographic, biochemical, and risk factor data. From the total of 27 patients (12 male, mean age 20.9 years, range 7.3 to 28.1 years), five were anti-HCV(+) (18.5%). All the anti-HCV(+) patients had been on hemodialysis (69 to 194 months, mean 105 months), while of the 22 anti-HCV(-) patients, only 14 had been on hemodialysis (5 to 209 months, mean 41.4 months), P less than .005. All the anti-HCV(+) patients had received blood transfusions (10 to 124 units, mean 61.4 units) as had 12 of the anti-HCV(-) patients (1 to 54 units, mean 14 units), P less than .02. Of the 5 anti-HCV(+) patients, only one had prior hepatitis B infection; of the 22 anti-HCV(-) patients, three had hepatitis B surface antigen, and no others had evidence of hepatitis B infection. The most predictive risk factor for HCV infection was length of time on hemodialysis. Eleven of the 27 patients (40.7%) had abnormal alanine aminotransferase values, of whom four were anti-HCV(+), three were hepatitis B surface antigen(+), and one was seropositive for antibody to human immunodeficiency virus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Sonographic screening of upper urinary tract obstruction and approach to its treatment].

Sonographic examination of the uropoietic tract (UPT) in neonates makes it possible to detect in time inborn disorders, in particular of the excretory pathways and to provide treatment before irreversible changes develop. The authors subject within the framework of screening of inborn developmental defects all neonates to sonographic examination of the UPT. In the submitted paper they evaluate a group of 2,103 children in the course of a one-year period; 89 neonates had changes as compared with normal findings. The largest group is formed (by as many as 57) by marginal dilatation of the hollow space. A dilated hollow system was recorded in 24 neonates and eight had different types of anomalies. By further comprehensive investigation conservative or surgical procedure is indicated to prevent further, possibly irreversible damage of the renal parenchyma.

Constriction, Pathologic↗
PubMed1992

[Preoperative blood alcohol levels in patients hospitalized for prolonged surgical procedures].

Self medication using anxiolytic and relaxing agents prior to surgery is a common phenomen in many patients. In our prospective study of 356 patients undergoing prolonged surgical procedures (greater than 3 h), we evaluated the preoperative ethanol level of the blood using gas-chromatography. In 39 (10.9%) of 307 tumor patients ethanol could be detected in high concentrations, indicating the ingestion of disinfectants. Among our 49 orthognathic cases blood alcohol was found in 4 cases (8.2%). Since the minimum effective dose for ethanol ist 0.1 to 0.2 g/l, the patients' legal capacity when giving informed consent for surgery and anesthesia is to be questioned and the risks of analgosedation in outpatient must be considered.

Alcoholic Intoxication↗
PubMed1992

[Differential indication of tracheotomy in oral and maxillofacial surgery].

In the hospital for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Medical University Hannover 105 tracheostomies were performed between 1980 and 1990. We see a limited indication for a general prophylactic tracheotomy in patients with ablative surgery and microvascular reconstructive procedures. The indication for tracheotomy must be considered in each individual case.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed1991

nirA, the pathway-specific regulatory gene of nitrate assimilation in Aspergillus nidulans, encodes a putative GAL4-type zinc finger protein and contains four introns in highly conserved regions.

The nucleotide sequence of nirA, mediating nitrate induction in Aspergillus nidulans, has been determined. Alignment of the cDNA and the genomic DNA sequence indicates that the gene contains four introns and encodes a protein of 892 amino acids. The deduced NIRA protein displays all characteristics of a transcriptional activator. A putative double-stranded DNA-binding domain in the amino-terminal part comprises six cysteine residues, characteristic for the GAL4 family of zinc finger proteins. An amino-terminal highly acidic region and two proline-rich regions are also present. The nucleotide sequences of two mutations were determined after they were mapped by transformation with overlapping DNA fragments, amplified by the polymerase chain reaction. nirA87, a mutation conferring noninducibility by nitrate and nitrite, has a -1 frameshift at triplet 340, which eliminates 549 C-terminal amino acids from the polypeptide. Under the assumption that the truncated polypeptide is stable, it comprises the zinc finger domain and the acidic region, which seem not sufficient for transcriptional activation. nirAd-106, an allele conferring nitrogen metabolite derepression of nitrate and nitrite reductase activity, includes two transitions, changing a glutamic acid to a lysine and a valine to an alanine, situated between a basic and a proline-rich region of the protein. Northern (RNA) analysis of the wild type and of constitutive (nirAc) and derepressed (nirAd) mutants show that the nirA transcript does not vary between these strains, being in all cases constitutively expressed. On the other hand, transcript levels of structural genes (niaD and niiA) do vary, being highly inducible in the wild type but constitutively expressed in the nirAc mutant. The nirAd mutant appears phenotypically derepressed, because the niaD and niiA transcript levels are overinduced in the presence of nitrate but are still partially repressed in the presence of ammonium.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Clinical management of the pediatric renal-allograft recipient.

Management of the pediatric renal-transplant recipient requires careful pretransplant evaluation including psychosocial assessment and cautious donor/recipient selection. Early transplantation is preferable in infants less than 1 year of age if a suitable live-related donor is available. However, cadaveric-allograft transplantation is best reserved for patients older than 3 years with donors older than 5 years. Pre-emptive transplantation is suitable for approximately one fifth of the population. Medical preparation includes careful HLA-A, -B, and -DR loci matching, interferon treatment for positive hepatitis antigenemia, and acyclovir prophylaxis for a cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibody-negative patient to a seropositive donor. Postoperative management requires close monitoring of the patient's volume status with careful fluid replacement in the form of colloid and crystalloid. Immunosuppression involves multiple drug regimens that include corticosteroids, ciclosporin, azathioprine, antilymphocyte (or -thymocyte) globulin (ALG/ATG), monoclonal antibodies (OKT3), and a ciclosporin alternative: FK-506. Long-term complications dictate management and are divided into medical, surgical, immune, and infectious categories. These are predominated by treatment of acute and chronic rejection, hypertension, and CMV infection.

Blood Transfusion↗
PubMed1991

[Loss of maternal measles antibodies acquired by vaccination against measles].

The objective of the investigation was to assess whether children of mothers who acquired measles antibodies resp. immunity by vaccination are at least for the first six months of their life protected by maternal antibodies. A group of fifty pregnant women mean age 18 years incl. their umbilical blood and blood of their children, mostly 5-6 months after birth, were examined by the haemagglutination inhibition and immunoenzymatic test. The levels of measles antibodies were detected in 11 women immunized against measles in cca 1970 and in 26 revaccinated women mostly after 5 to 11 years. In once vaccinated mothers and their umbilical bloods the mean HI titres were 1:8.5 and 1:14 resp. and the mean EIA titres were 1:3600 and 1:3040 resp. As to the eight newborn children at the age of 5 and 6 months 6 children did not have any protective antibodies. In twice vaccinated women and their umbilical bloods the mean HI titre was 1:10 and 1:16.4 resp. and EIA titres were 1:2937 and 1:3784 resp. Of the 15 newborn infants at the age of 4 to 6 months 11 infants did not have any protective antibodies. In 8 mothers without vaccination records and their umbilical bloods the mean HI titre was 1:7.5 and 1:25.5 and mean EIA titres were 1:8229 and 1:7360 resp. In none of their children at the age of 6 months measles antibodies were found. The finding of the lack of protection in children older than 6 months stimulates further research of the problem.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1991

[Osteolytic forms of rheumatoid polyarthritis. Personal cases and review of the literature].

The authors report eight personal cases of severe and multiple osteolysis in rheumatoid arthritis. 42 other cases were found in the international literature. Osteolytic rheumatoid arthritis concern almost exclusively women, often with small stature. Lesions prevail on upper limbs. All peripheric joints can be involved, except knees, ankles and tarses. The most typical and the most constant aspect is the "opera glass hands". Extra-articular manifestations occur in the same rate as for common rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid factor are present in 2/3 of the cases. Pathogeny of these osteolyses remains unknown and a neurologic mecanism is inprobable.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Urogenital chlamydial infection in men and their sexual contacts].

Cultivation and serological tests for Chlamydia trachomatis were made in a total of 39 male patients (24 married, 11 single, 3 divorced, 1 widower) and their female partners (9 extra-marital, 12 wives) on average 35 years old in both groups. Apart from the clinical diagnosis of non-specific urethritis found in all male patients, 11 patients suffered from other infections (5 from balanitis, 4 from prostatitis, 1 from prepuce infection, 1 from herpetic infection) and subjective disorders. Side by side with clinical diagnosis of cervicitis or in combination with urethritis found in 16 female sexual partners, two of them suffered also from vulvovaginitis, 2 from adnexitis, 1 from candidosis, 1 had dysuric difficulties and 1 female patient was found sterile. 11 women had no subjective problems. The cultivation-tinction technique used in 25 men (14 married, 11 single) and 14 female sexual partners respectively (8 marital and 6 extramarital), positive Chlamydia trachomatics was isolated 21 times (84%) and 9 times (64.3%) respectively. The immunofluorescence technique using monoclonal antibodies applied to 39 men (24 married, 15 single) and 21 female sexual partners respectively, (i. e. 12 marital and 9 extramarital) gave positive results in 29 cases (74.4%) and 16 persons (76.2%) respectively. One patient was homosexual with a positive finding in the urethra and rectum, and, in addition, he was found to have BWR positive with Candida albicans and group B streptococci, however, his serological HIV was negative. The immunoenzymatic test (EIA) showed borderline titres as being positive in men in 28.2% cases and women in 26.3% and high levels (1:128+) in 41.0% in male patients and 21.1 percent in female patients respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Chlamydia Infections↗
PubMed1990

Enhancement of SIV infection with soluble receptor molecules.

The CD4 receptor on human T cells has been shown to play an integral part in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection process. Recombinant soluble human CD4 (rCD4) was tested for its ability to inhibit SIVagm, an HIV-like virus that naturally infects African green monkeys, in order to define T cell surface receptors critical for SIVagm infection. The rCD4 was found to enhance SIVagm infection of a human T cell line by as much as 18-fold, whereas HIV-1 infection was blocked by rCD4. Induction of syncytium formation and de novo protein synthesis were observed within the first 24 hours after SIVagm infection, whereas this process took 4 to 6 days in the absence of rCD4. This enhancing effect could be inhibited by monoclonal antibodies directed to rCD4. The enhancing effect could be abrogated with antibodies from naturally infected African green monkeys with inhibitory titers of from 1:2,000 to 1:10,000; these antibodies did not neutralize SIVagm infection in the absence of rCD4. Viral enhancement of SIVagm infection by rCD4 may result from the modulation of the viral membrane through gp120-CD4 binding, thus facilitating secondary events involved in viral fusion and penetration.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Child survival, height for age and household characteristics in Brazil.

"The impact of household characteristics on child survival and height, conditional on age, is examined using household survey data from Brazil. Parental education is found to have a very strong positive effect on both outcomes and this is robust to the inclusion of household income and also parental heights, which partly proxy for unobserved family background characteristics. We find that income effects are significant and positive for child survival but insignificant for for child height although the latter depends on identification assumptions. Parental height has a large positive impact on child height and on survival rates even after controlling for all other observable characteristics."

Age Factors↗