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Biomedical subjects

K Helmke

Publications and source records attributed to K Helmke.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

[Doppler sonographic findings in the central retinal artery and vein].

In a group of healthy subjects of varying ages, the flow velocities in the central retinal artery and vein were measured with a B-mode-guided pulsed duplex scanner. The first measurements were taken in the unaffected eye. The maximal systolic flow velocities ranged from 2.9 to 10 cm/s (mean 5.7 cm/s) in the central vein and from 4 to 20 cm/s (mean 9.5 cm/s) in the central artery. The correct assignment of the measuring points in the papillary region was verified by the close correlation between the flow velocity and artificially elevated intraocular pressure. After evaluating 158 clinical examinations, we try to outline the diagnostic possibilities of the method with respect to single observations in patients with ocular circulatory disturbances.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed1988

Inosiplex enhances the growth of Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen-positive B-cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and infectious mononucleosis.

The in vitro effects of inosiplex (INO) on proliferation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-carrying B-cells were evaluated. As measured by 3H-thymidine uptake, INO significantly augmented the proliferation of long-term cultured Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA)-positive B-cells which were obtained from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and infectious mononucleosis (IM). In co-culture experiments, INO and anti-immunoglobulin M antibodies coupled to sepharose (anti-mu) had additive effects on proliferation of EBNA-positive B-cells. We conclude that its direct effects on B-cell function should be considered when INO is used for the treatment of diseases characterized by B-cell hyperreactivity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

[New signs for the echographic identification of the adrenal glands in children and adolescents].

Although the shape of the adrenal glands was found to vary according to the angle and position of the transducer, the most common appearance was that of a triangle, helmet or cap. This caplike appearance and the similarity in echo intensity make it difficult or even impossible to distinguish the adrenal glands from the upper pole of the kidney in many cases. By closely examining the approximate transition zone between adrenal gland and kidney, additional signs have been found that enable a better delineation of the adrenal glands. These may take the form of slight indentations ("waist form") or small, jutting edges ("step form"), seen in up to 42% of examinations. Further means of identification result from reflective interfaces at the base of the adrenal glands. These might include capsular veins or interposed fat ("vessel sign" and "reflective base"). These signs provide assistance in delineating and measuring the normal adrenal glands and make the detection of minor abnormalities possible.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

[Expression of interleukin 2 receptors in in vivo Epstein-Barr virus transformed B lymphocytes].

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) enhances the proliferation of in vivo Epstein-Barr virus-(EBV)-transformed B-cells from patients with a present or past history of infectious mononucleosis. In contrast, there is less expression of functional IL-2 receptors on EBV-transformed B-cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. These results suggest differences in the involvement of B-cells in EBV-associated diseases.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1987

Sonographic examination of the brain stem area in infants. An echographic and anatomic analysis.

For differentiation of diseases with impaired cerebrospinal fluid circulation and pathological alterations of the midbrain an exact and reproducible sonographic visualization of the brain stem area is of paramount importance. The approach through the anterior fontanelle has proved to be insufficient to accomplish this task. Therefore, we have developed 5 standard sonographic sections enabling detailed study of the brain stem. Typical sonographic views are compared with equivalent anatomical brain sections. To date, 330 infants have been examined using this method, making evaluation of brain stem, aqueduct, fourth ventricle, basilar artery and basal cisterns possible.

Basilar Artery↗
PubMed1987

Islet cell antibodies and viral infections.

The sera of 127 non-diabetic children after mumps-infection were investigated for the presence of islet cell antibodies and islet cell surface antibodies. The study also included 4 children who developed diabetes mellitus shortly after an active mumps vaccination. 21 of the non-diabetic children and four of the vaccinated children exhibited islet cell cytoplasmic antibodies. Islet cell surface antibodies were observed more frequently, namely in 43 out of 68 patients studied after mumps infection and in 32 out of 44 patients studied after different viral diseases. With one exception, none of the mumps-infected children and none of the other viral infected patients developed diabetes mellitus.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1987

[Sonographic imaging of normal adrenal glands in children and adolescents. An analysis of forms and reflex properties].

168 sonographic examinations were performed in 156 children and adolescents for evaluation of the adrenal glands. For the ventrolateral approach, real-time sonography was used resulting in 99% visualisation of the adrenal glands on the right and 91% on the left side. In prone position, static scanning provided acceptable imaging of the right adrenal gland in 85% and the left in 95% of examinations. The "success rate" of transverse scanning was relatively low (67%) as compared to longitudinal sections. The reflective property of the adrenal glands was compared with the reflex intensity pattern of the adjacent parenchyma of the normal kidney. In 71% of examinations no distinction could be made between the adrenal glands and the upper pole of the kidney on the basis of echointensity. In 29% the adrenal gland was echolucent in comparison to the kidney's parenchyma. In no instance was the echointensity of the normal adrenal gland greater. Although the shape of the adrenal glands was found to vary according to the angle and position of the transducer, the most common appearance in children of one year or older was that of a triangle, helmet or cap. This caplike appearance and the similarity in echointensity often make it difficult or even impossible to distinguish the adrenal glands from the upper pole of the kidney. It is therefore advisable to examine the adrenal glands in children from both laterally and dorsally to allow for optimum visualization. In contrast to some reports in adults, increased echointensity of the adrenal gland (adrenal cortex) in children should be considered as an abnormal finding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Islet cell antibodies, circulating immune complexes and antinuclear antibodies in diabetes mellitus.

Serum samples of patients suffering from diabetes mellitus were tested for complement-fixing and non complement-fixing islet cell antibodies, antinuclear antibodies and circulating immune complexes. There was no correlation between circulating immune complexes or antinuclear antibodies and secondary diabetic complications. A close relationship was found between the ICA titer and complement fixation of ICA. The incidence of ICA at the onset of the disease was higher in the patients under the age of 10 (85%) and decreased with increasing age up to 45% in patients with onset above age 20. In five patients being positive and four patients being negative for ICA at onset of disease, changes and fluctuations in antibody titers were observed over 38 months. Since manifestation of diabetes mellitus is believed to be an endpoint of a long lasting autoimmune process, our observations indicate that the autoimmune phenomena are merely indicators of ongoing autoimmune reactions not necessarily reflecting the state of autoaggression or islet cell destruction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Age-related incidence of pineal gland calcification in children: a roentgenological study of 1,044 skull films and a review of the literature.

Anterior-posterior and lateral skull roentgenograms of 1,044 children aged 0-18 yr were examined for pineal gland calcification. Eighty children with pineal calcification were identified. Cranial computed tomograms (CCT) existing for half of the 80 cases provided confirmation. In contrast to existing reports on pineal calcification in the first decade of life, we found a significant percentage of "physiological" calcification even between 0 and 6 yr of age (range 2.9-4.2%). Contrary to current opinion we were not able to detect any signs of pineal gland tumors in these cases. We were able to confirm other reports which note a steep rise of the incidence of pineal calcification during the second decade of life.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Different effect of two immunomodulating agents cyclosporin A and ciamexon on the insulin metabolism of cultured mouse islets.

Ciamexon is a new immunomodulating agent with promising effects in treatment of newly-diagnosed insulin dependent diabetic patients. Ciamexon seems to have fewer adverse toxic properties than Cyclosporin A. Therefore, the effects of both substances on islet cell function were studied. Collagenase-isolated mouse islets were cultured free-floating for 3 or 7 days in medium RPMI 1640 plus 10% fetal calf serum in the presence of Cyclosporin A or Ciamexon (0.1 microgram/ml, 1 microgram/ml). Culture of the islets in the presence of 0.1 microgram/ml Ciamexon neither reduced the number of viable islets nor impaired insulin secretion as was found in Cyclosporin A. These results should be taken into account when treating early Type 1 diabetes or when transplanting islet cells.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1987

[T- and B-lymphocyte hyperreactivity in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis].

In an attempt to characterize immunological reactions in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) mononuclear cells were tested for their ability to secrete interleukin-2 (II-2), and for their response to the T-cell independent B-cell mitogen anti-mu sepharose. Compared with patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), patients with PSS showed a marked enhancement in their response to anti-mu. With regard to II-2 secretion mononuclear cells from PSS patients tended to show increased responses as well. Our data provide evidence for hyperreactivity at both the T- and B-cell level in PSS.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Sonographically determined normal values of the intracranial ventricular system in the first year of life].

In 175 Infants aged 1 day to 1 year the size of the ventricular system was measured. Standardized sections were used in coronal (approach: through the anterior fontanelle) and axial (approach: transcranial) planes. Only mature infants were taken who had no neurological signs or symptoms and who had a normal sonogram. The ventricle-hemispheric ratio (cella media width: hemispheric width) was calculated from measurements on both sides in the axial plane. Normal values are between 0.2 and 0.33. The width of the third ventricle was examined in coronal and axial sections, with mean values of 2.8 mm in the first 3 month and 3.8 mm between the 9th and 12th month of life. The fourth ventricle was examined through the anterior fontanelle and from the area of the posterior fontanelle. The latter approach resulted in the following measurements (mean values): depth 2.9 mm and 3.5 mm for the first three and the 9th to 12th month respectively. The height of the fourth ventricle was measured in the coronal plane. Mean values were 3.5 mm in the first three and 3.8 mm from the 9th to the 12th month of life.

Cerebral Ventricles↗
PubMed1986

[Autoimmunity and viral infections in type-I diabetes mellitus].

Cytoplasmic islet-cell antibodies, insulin antibodies, islet-cell surface antibodies and islet-cell specific cytotoxicity were determined in serum of the following groups: 131 patients with type I diabetes, 19 with type II diabetes, 29 with mumps, 29 with enterovirus infections, 18 with measles and 28 healthy controls. Cytoplasmic islet-cell antibodies were found predominantly in type I diabetics. Islet-cell surface antibodies, on the other hand, were relatively frequently (60-80%) present in sera of both diabetics and patients with various virus infections. Islet-cell specific cytotoxicity in vitro was found not only in sera of diabetics, but also of patients with mumps or enterovirus infections. Sera of five patients with measles, however, had cytotoxic reactions comparable to those of the controls. These results suggest that cytotoxic antibody reactions against islet cells in vitro occur also in sera of non-diabetic patients. Under certain circumstances, infections which induce such immune reactions may be of significance in the pathogenesis of diabetes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Islet cell antibodies and the development of diabetes mellitus in relation to mumps infection and mumps vaccination.

Islet cell antibodies were investigated in 127 non-diabetic children after mumps infection and in four out of seven children who developed diabetes mellitus shortly after active mumps vaccination. Twenty-one of the children who had mumps and all four vaccinated children who were tested had islet cell cytoplasmic antibodies. In contrast, islet cell surface antibodies were detected in 43 out of 68 patients with mumps infection and in 32 out of 44 patients with other viral diseases. All but one mumps-infected child and all the other viral infected patients investigated did not develop diabetes mellitus. The mumps-infected ICA positive children did not show those HLA-frequencies associated with Type 1 diabetes.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1986

[Incidence of pineal calcification in the first 18 years of life].

There are sparse or contradictory data on frequency and pathological significance of pineal calcifications in childhood. This is particularly so for children younger than 6 years of age. We therefore looked for pineal gland calcifications in 1044 consecutive a.p. and lateral skull films. Pineal calcification was diagnosed, if accepted by both authors, and if the calcified spot fitted into at least 2 of 4 localisation methods. 80 patients with pineal calcifications were detected using this method. In 40 of these patients CCT confirmed the calcification. The frequency of pineal calcification was 3% in the first 12 months of life rising gradually to 7.1% in children of 10 years of age. From 10 years onwards, there is a marked increase of frequency of calcifications of the pineal gland up to 33% in the group of children of 18 years of age. In contrast to some statements in literature, pineal calcifications seem to be physiological in a limited percentage even below the age of 6 years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

[Electromyographic and neurologic findings in radiologically demonstrated numerical variations in the lumbosacral transition].

Discussions have been going on since the publications of Bertolotti (1917) and Blumensaat and Clasing (1932) as to whether variations in the lumbosacral region and vertebral anomalies, which may alter the statics of the vertebral column, result in typical neurological disorders. Lange and Hipp (1962) found prolapses of lumbar disks localised in the segment above a unilateral or complete assimilation. As they lacked the possibility of an electromyographical examination, they had difficulties in correlating clinical and radiological findings. Neurological, electromyographical and radiological analysis of 20 patients (2 sacralisations, 6 unilateral assimilations, and 12 cases of lumbalisation) revealed: good correlation between clinical and electromyographical findings. In six cases only clinical and electromyographical findings were on the same side and at the same height as the myelographically identified prolapses. Clinical and electromyographical findings did not show significant differences as to the kind of variation, or to the side of the assimilation In sacralisations the prolapses were localised in the 4th lumbar segment, that is, immediately above the variation. In unilateral assimilated vertebrae, disk prolapses were found in two cases in the 4th segment and in 4 cases in the 5th lumbar segment. In three cases prolapse and assimilation were on the same side, in three cases the localisation was median. Patients with lumbalisations had prolapses in seven cases in the 4th, and in four cases in the 5th lumbar segment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗