Biomedical subjects

K Mann

Publications and source records attributed to K Mann.

516 records · Page 29Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

The benefit from whole body acupuncture in major depression.

BACKGROUND: In a single-blind placebo-controlled study design we investigated the efficacy of acupuncture additionally applied to drug treatment in major depression. METHODS: We randomly included 70 inpatients with a major depressive episode in three different treatment groups: verum acupuncture, placebo acupuncture and a control group. All three groups were pharmacologically treated with the antidepressant mianserin. The verum group received acupuncture at specific points considered effective in the treatment of depression. The placebo group was treated with acupuncture at non-specific locations and the control group received pharmacological treatment plus clinical management. Acupuncture was applied three times a week over a period of 4 weeks. Psychopathology was rated by judges blind to verum/placebo conditions twice a week over 8 weeks. RESULTS: Patients who experienced acupuncture improved slightly more than patients treated with mianserin alone. CONCLUSIONS: Additionally applied acupuncture improved the course of depression more than pharmacological treatment with mianserin alone. However, we could not detect any differences between placebo and verum acupuncture.

Acupuncture Therapy↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Inhibition of mitochondrial NADH oxidase, succinoxidase, and ATPase by naturally occurring flavonoids.

A structure-activity investigation of the inhibition of beef heart mitochondrial NADH oxidase and succinoxidase and rat liver mitochondrial ATPase by flavonoids was conducted. NADH oxidase was the most sensitive to inhibition by flavonoids: 13 of the 18 flavonoids tested inhibited NADH oxidase, whereas only 4 and 5 flavonoids inhibited succinoxidase and ATPase, respectively. The flavonoids possessing a catechol or pyrogallol moiety, and a 2,3-double bond and a 3-hydroxyl group were the most inhibitory towards the respiratory chain enzymes. The catechol or pyrogallol moiety did not exert preferential activity towards the oligomycin-sensitive ATPase because morin, which contains a meta-dihydroxy configuration, was the most potent ATPase inhibitor.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Comorbidity of diabetes mellitus and eating disorders. A comparison of psychological features of eating disordered and non-eating disordered patients with diabetes mellitus].

As part of a multicentre study on the comorbidity of diabetes mellitus and eating disorders, the following paper compares the psychological features of diabetic patients with and without an eating disorder. In a sample of 663 diabetic patients (type 1: n = 341 type 2: n = 322), eating disorder related variables, self-esteem, body acceptance and emotional distress, especially depression in diabetic patients with and without an eating disorder, were compared. A possible relationship to diabetic control was investigated. Type 2 diabetics revealed more pronounced psychopathology in comparison to type 1 diabetics. According to our assumption, diabetic patients with an eating disorder and diabetic patients who deliberately reduced insulin in order to loose weight (insulin purging) revealed a much more severe psychopathology compared to diabetics without an eating disorder. The type of diabetes was of no importance. With the exception of the variable body and figure satisfaction in the sample of type 1 diabetes and the variable self-acceptance in the sample of type 2 diabetes, no relationship to diabetic control could be found.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Drug addiction prevention in the workplace--feasibility study in a company from the chemical industry].

INTRODUCTION: In recent years drug prevention at the place of work has became increasingly important for programmes focussing on health promotion at the place of work. Drug prevention programmes aim at reducing cost and protecting the employees from physical harm. There are virtually no reliable figures from surveys in companies. To date intervention programme in companies have hardly been verified. In this feasibility study we intended to examine the practicability of an evaluation of an intervention programme in a large chemical company by means of questionnaires and we present preliminary intervention effects. METHODS: In the context of a pilot study we conducted and evaluated a drug prevention programme at the place of work. Focus was on illegal designer drugs. The programme was conducted as a one-day workshop for trainers in superior management positions. We used a feedback form and a detailed questionnaire on drug prevention in the working place. 41 trainers who participated in the seminar were compared with a control group of 12 trainers who did not participate. RESULTS: The intervention programme was well accepted by the participants. Follow-up data demonstrated, that participants in the seminar had far better knowledge of the employment agreement on addiction and drugs and of the possible ways to get help and they were far more active in realising the employment agreement. CONCLUSION: To achieve a long-term improvement of drug abuse in companies it is not enough to include and implement a passage on drug abuse and addiction in the employment agreement. Well-instructed trainers talk far often with colleagues displaying abnormal or addictive behaviour, resulting in more rapid therapeutic interventions.

Chemical Industry↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Rapid recovery from cognitive deficits in abstinent alcoholics: a controlled test-retest study.

The pattern of cognitive deficits and their time-dependent recovery were investigated in a cohort of 49 male alcohol-dependent patients using a repeated measurement design with 49 healthy male controls matched for age, education, and marital status. We combined parts of the Halstead Reitan Battery and the Wechsler Memory Scale with tests that are widely used in German-speaking countries. Patients were tested in the first week (T1) and 5 weeks later (T2) at the end of the in-patient treatment programme. Matched controls were tested also at T1 and T2, which enabled us to take learning effects into account. At T1, the patients showed distinct cognitive deficits on 5 of 12 neuropsychological parameters (perceptual-motor speed, verbal short-term memory, verbal knowledge, non-verbal reasoning, spatial imagination). At T2, significant improvements had occurred in four of the five dysfunctional domains with a significant difference remaining in verbal short-term memory. Duration of dependency and length of abstinence prior to testing had no essential effects on neuropsychological functions. Our results provide evidence for the well-established fact that chronic alcoholism has detrimental effects on cognitive performance, but that performance improves with neuropsychological recovery which occurs rapidly within weeks when abstinence is maintained. Cognitive deficits seem to be similar across different studies and cultures.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Influence of age, alcohol consumption and abstinence on the sensitivity of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin, gamma-glutamyltransferase and mean corpuscular volume.

Duration of abstinence before blood test, alcohol consumption and age was examined in 177 male alcohol-dependent patients as factors influencing serum carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT), serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). The strongest influence on all markers was the factor 'duration of abstinence before blood test'. In patients who had been abstinent for >4 days before the blood test, the markers had low sensitivities (GGT, 33%; CDT, 14%; MCV, 42%), whereas in patients with < or = 4 days of abstinence the markers had reasonably good sensitivities (GGT, 72%; CDT, 56%; MCV, 48%). GGT was more sensitive than CDT (P < 0.05) and MCV (P < 0.001). The combined use of CDT and GGT had sensitivity of over 90%. Mean alcohol consumption in the 30 days prior to the blood test had a significant effect on CDT and GGT, but not on MCV. Age did not have a clear effect on CDT and GGT. For MCV, a significant and linear increase with age was shown. We conclude that GGT is the most sensitive of these three markers. Using GGT and CDT combined, sensitivity can be enhanced to over 90%. The period of abstinence before the blood test has a strong influence on CDT and GGT. If a longer period of abstinence is suspected, MCV should also be measured, in order to detect evidence of earlier heavy drinking.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Aggressiveness, onset of dependence, and treatment outcome in socially well-adapted alcoholics.

Current typologies of alcoholism derive from the whole spectrum of afflicted persons. One type is characterized by variables such as early onset of dependence, violence, and aggressiveness. In previous research, this has been shown to be correlated with poorer prognosis. We tested this association in a fairly homogeneous subgroup of 258 socially rather well-adjusted male inpatients. Aggressiveness was assessed psychometrically. As a group, patients did not differ from general population norms. However, age was negatively correlated with aggressiveness. Even after taking patients' age and duration of dependence into account, aggressiveness was associated with an early onset of dependence and further aspects of drinking history, thus confirming results from previous typology research. Overall treatment outcome after 6 and 12 months was quite good, but was not influenced by aggression.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Prescribing exercise for cardiac patients: knowledge, practices, and needs of family physicians and specialists.

PURPOSE: To determine the following about prescribing exercise for cardiac patients: physicians' present and needed knowledge; their present practices; barriers that hinder them; and perceived need for and content of a protocol for prescribing exercise. METHODS: (1) Questionnaire mailed to 371 family physicians (FPs), 31 internists, and 25 cardiologists; and (2) four focus groups consisting of 25 FPs, 1 internist, and 3 cardiologists. RESULTS: Questionnaire response rate was 45% (n = 192). Because responses were similar and the group was small, internists and cardiologists were combined as "specialists." Generally, questionnaire data agreed with focus group data, with the latter providing more detail. Family physicians perceived they know little about prescribing a specific exercise program while specialists perceived they know little about motivating patients to begin an exercise program. The method most frequently used by both physician groups to increase exercise is providing general advice. The main barriers to prescribing exercise were inadequate knowledge (FPs only), patient education materials, and community resources. Both groups rated highly the need for a protocol for prescribing exercise and indicated it should: (1) include identification of patient's stage of change; (2) include indications and contraindications for exercise; (3) provide guidelines for developing a specific exercise prescription; (4) contain patient education materials, and (5) be simple and short. CONCLUSIONS: Family physicians perceive they know little about prescribing a specific exercise program for cardiac patients while specialists perceive they know little about motivating patients. Physicians rate highly the need for a protocol to help them prescribe exercise for cardiac patients.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Follow-up intervention: its effect on compliance behavior to a diabetes regimen.

This study tested the hypothesis that follow-up intervention (by telephone calls and home visit) affects compliance in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Sixty NIDDM patients were randomly assigned to two groups--a control group, which received the standard protocol (3-day educational program and a review session 1 month after the program); and an intervention group, which received the standard protocol as well as a series of four telephone calls and one home visit by a registered nurse over a 3-month period. Compliance to prescribed regimens was determined by analyzing three sets of data: changes in pre- to poststudy glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values; changes in pre- to poststudy weight; and frequency with which self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) was practiced. Results showed that SMBG practice was significantly better for the intervention group. No significant differences were seen in poststudy HbA1c values and weight changes between the two groups. Follow-up intervention by telephone calls and home visit can enhance patient compliance to certain aspects of the prescribed diabetes management plan.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Optimal therapy for isolated collateral ligament lesions at the knee joint].

Based upon a retrospective (1968-1978) and a prospective (1979-1987) clinical study (n = 581) the treatment with immediate protected active motion as a methode of choice is recommended. Our 3-fix-point-splint is a ideal device for simple and complexe valgus- and varus-instabilities at the quantitative stage of a monad and duad A. The treatment can be performed non-operatively. The range of motion is limited to 0/20/80 for 6 weeks. Conditio sine qua non is a precise diagnose without any lost of time. Contraindications of this treatment are discussed.

Arthroplasty↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Changes in the self-concept of alcohol dependent women and men during inpatient psychotherapy].

At the beginning and at the end of a six week treatment programme, the self-concepts of 82 male and 31 female alcoholic inpatients were assessed. The Giessen test (a 40 item questionnaire comprising six scales oriented towards psychosocial aspects of personality) was applied. Compared to normative data from the general population, patients described themselves as being more depressed, less controlled, less socially responsive and more reserved. During inpatient treatment, patients approached the levels of the general population. With regard to control and depressiveness, however, there were still significant differences at the end of inpatients treatment. Changes on scales relating to interpersonal contact (social responsiveness, openess) are discussed as specific effects of group psychotherapy. Social potency showed a significant interaction effect, with women responding better to treatment than men.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Is serum tumor marker half-life a guide to prognosis in metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumors?

BACKGROUND: The value of serum tumor marker kinetics of AFP and HCG assessed by marker half-life (MHL) analysis for diagnosis and in the follow-up of patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT) is still debated controversally. The aim of this retrospective study was therefore to investigate the influence of serum MHL during the first two cycles of chemotherapy on the long-term outcome in metastatic NSGCT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 147 patients with at least 2 abnormal marker values > 7 days after start of chemotherapy were investigated for HL analysis (HL cut off 3.5 days for HCG and 7 days for AFP). HCG and AFP determinations were performed by a double monoclonal IRMA (HCG) and conventional RIA (AFP) developed by our laboratory. RESULTS: According to these cut offs 35/108 patients (32.4%) had a prolonged HCG HL and 41/114 patients (36%) a prolonged AFP HL. Patients with either MHL prolonged had a significantly inferior overall survival (OS; 10 year OS 37% vs. 75%, p = 0.0005) and progression-free survival (PFS; 10 year PFS 29% vs. 69%, p < 0.0001) than those with a prolonged HCG MHL (OS; 10 year OS 36% vs. 65%, p = 0.003; 10 year PFS 28% vs. 56%; p = 0.001) and even more than those with a prolonged AFP MHL (10 year OS 39% vs. 70%, p = 0.02; 10 year PFS 32% vs. 56%, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The remarkable prognostic information assessed by MHL analysis in this retrospective study merits further confirmation by a prospective study for its appropriateness in selecting patients for high dose chemotherapy.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗