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Biomedical subjects

L Degen

Publications and source records attributed to L Degen.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

The role of octreotide in the treatment of gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumors.

Gastrointestinal-endocrine pancreatic (GEP) tumors are rare, occurring in less than 1% of the population. They are usually divided into functionally active or nonfunctioning tumors. Functionally active tumors produce a variety of substances (mainly peptides or serotonin). The tumors are classified according to the dominant clinical syndrome that they cause. Surgery is the treatment of choice in patients with GEP tumors and it should always be considered, even if total tumor excision cannot be achieved. Reduction in tumor mass (debulking) may improve the patients symptoms. Medical treatment is used in patients with advanced malignant endocrine tumors. The most important compounds to control symptoms in these patients are somatostatin analogues. Natural somatostatin is produced in different molecular forms and has inhibitory effects on a number of functions. The observation of potent inhibitory effects on various hormone-secreting cells led to the use of somatostatin for symptomatic treatment of peptide-secreting tumors. Natural somatostatin is not suitable for long-term clinical application; therefore, synthetic somatostatin analogues were developed with improved pharmacokinetic characteristics. The best characterized analogue, octreotide, has been successfully applied to patients with functioning GEP tumors. Octreotide can dramatically ameliorate the debilitating symptoms of patients suffering from the clinical manifestations of endocrine tumors such as diarrhea and flushing. The success of octreotide therapy is best reflected in terms of its impact on the patient's quality of life as defined by the activity to perform normal daily activities.

Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal↗
PubMed1998

[Ileo-cecal segment as stomach substitute].

In clinical practice a long Roux-en-Y reconstruction is most often used for gastric replacement. Among various postgastrectomy symptoms, alcaline reflux is the most disturbing. A great variety of different pouch reconstructions with or without duodenal bypass only control reflux in part. The ileocoecal interposition has been placed between the oesophagus and the duodenum as a gastric substitute in 14 patients without postoperative mortality. This preliminary series demonstrates an excellent control of alcaline reflux and a good quality of life, according to the Eypasch score. Dysphagia or stasis in the distal oesophagus are absent as is gas bloating. This type of reconstruction, which is simpler than some of the pouch reconstructions, probably deserves more attention and may perhaps be perfected by varying the length of ileum and volume of ascending colon to be interposed.

Cecum↗
PubMed1997

Preoperative approach to rectal carcinoma.

The preoperative evaluation of patients with rectal carcinoma requires a careful medical history with close attention to symptoms. After a thorough physical examination including digital examination of the rectum, a proctoscopy reveals the size and localisation of the tumour. Even if a neoplasm has been documented by this procedure, total colonoscopy should be performed to detect synchronous neoplastic lesions at other sites in the colon which may affect the surgical resection. Endosonography is recommended as an additional diagnostic step because it allows a precise, preoperative staging of the tumour. Abdominal ultrasound or, alternatively, CT scan of the abdomen, is necessary to exclude hepatic metastases.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1997

[Irritable colon].

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder, defined as a variable combination of chronic or recurrent gastrointestinal symptoms not explained by structural or biochemical abnormalities. It is attributable to the intestine with symptoms of abdominal pain, altered bowel habits and bloating. The diagnosis is primarily based on typical symptoms and prudent use of investigations to exclude organic disorders. The initial positive diagnosis is accurate and on a longterm follow-up its revision rarely required. A change in its clinical manifestation may imply the superimposition of another disorder. Treatment primarily rely on the confidence in the diagnosis and a strong physician-patient relationship. High fiber diets and bulking agents may be effective in alleviating symptoms. Though antispasmodic, antidiarrheal and psychotropic drugs are repeatedly used in patients with moderate to severe symptoms their effects remain uncertain. Psychotherapy, hypnosis and biofeedback may relief symptoms and may be considered for motivated patients with moderate to severe symptoms.

Colonic Diseases, Functional↗
PubMed1976

Microbial degradation of oil spills enhanced by a slow-release fertilizer.

The improved cleanup of marine oil spills by stimulating biodegradation through the use of a slow-release fertilizer is reported. A paraffin-supported fertilizer containing MgNH4PO4 as active ingredient was developed and evaluated in laboratory and field experiments using quantitative infrared spectrometry and chromatographic techniques. The biodegradation of Sarir crude oil in the sea was considerably enhanced by paraffin-supported fertilizer. After 21 days 63% had disappeared as compared to 40% in the control area.

Bacteria↗