Biomedical subjects

M Braun

Publications and source records attributed to M Braun.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

Retinal pigment epithelial cells from Royal College of Surgeons dystrophic rats can take up melanin granules.

BACKGROUND: Many successful pigment epithelium transplantation studies involving pink-eyed Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) dystrophic rats showed highly pigmented transplanted cells forming a double layer with slightly pigmented cells, attached to Bruch's membrane. Since it is not clear whether transplanted pigmented cells can displace retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) host cells from Bruch's membrane, we suggested that RPE cells of RCS dystrophic rats can phagocytize melanin granules, possibly derived from perished transplanted cells. METHODS: In a series of three experiments, RPE cells of nine pink-eyed, 2 1/2-month-old RCS dystrophic rats were isolated by trypsinization and mechanical dissection and cultivated in Dulbecco's modified Eagles' medium. These cells were then fed with melanin granules, isolated from bovine RPE cells, double-trypsinized after phagocytosis and viewed by light and electron microscopy. We also transplanted iris pigment epithelial (IPE) cells of 20-day-old Long-Evans rats into the subretinal space of pink-eyed RCS dystrophic rats of the same age, shown in light-microscopic photography after 42 days. RESULTS: Living RPE cells were heavily pigmented after feeding with isolated melanin granules in all three experiments as viewed by light microscopy. In addition, we identified melanin granules phagocytized by dystrophic RPE cells in electron microscopy. After transplantation of pigmented IPE cells into the subretinal space of pink-eyed RCS dystrophic rats' eyes, a layer of slightly pigmented cells was seen on Bruch's membrane below the transplanted IPE cells, shown in light microscopy. CONCLUSION: We have shown by phagocytosis assay that dystrophic RPE cells can take up melanin granules in vitro. Our results assume that pigmented cells in transplantation studies, found as a monolayer, attached to Bruch's membrane, cannot automatically be identified as transplanted cells. Instead, the possibility of perished transplanted cells serving as melanin donors for RPE host cells must be taken into consideration.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Relocalization of the calcium gradient and a dihydropyridine receptor is involved in upward bending by bulging of Chara protonemata, but not in downward bending by bowing of Chara rhizoids.

The localization of cytoplasmic free calcium and a dihydropyridine (DHP) receptor, a putative calcium channel, was recorded during the opposite graviresponses of tip-growing Chara rhizoids and Chara protonemata by using the calcium indicator Calcium Crimson and a fluorescently labeled dihydropyridine (FL-DHP). In upward (negatively gravitropically) growing protonemata and downward (positively gravitropically) growing rhizoids, a steep Ca2+ gradient and DHP receptors were found to be symmetrically localized in the tip. However, the localization of the Ca2+ gradient and DHP receptors differed considerably during the gravitropic responses upon horizontal positioning of the two cell types. During the graviresponse of rhizoids, a continuous bowing downward by differential flank growth, the Ca2+ gradient and DHP receptors remained symmetrically localized in the tip at the centre of growth. However, after tilting protonemata into a horizontal position, there was a drastic displacement of the Ca2+ gradient and FL-DHP to the upper flank of the apical dome. This displacement occurred after the apical intrusion and sedimentation of the statoliths but clearly before the change in the growth direction became evident. In protonemata, the reorientation of the growth direction started with the appearance of a bulge on that site of the upper flank which was predicted by the asymmetrically displaced Ca2+ gradient. With the upward shift of the cell tip, which is suggested to result from a statolith-induced displacement of the growth centre, the Ca2+ gradient and DHP receptors became symmetrically relocalized in the apical dome. No major asymmetrical rearrangement was observed during the following phase of gravitropic curvature which is characterized by slower rates of bending. Labeling with FL-DHP was completely inhibited by a non-fluorescently labeled dihydropyridine. From these results it is suggested that FL-DHP labels calcium channels in rhizoids and protonemata. In rhizoids, positive gravitropic curvature is caused by differential growth limited to the opposite subapical flanks of the apical dome, a process which does not involve displacement of the growth centre, the calcium gradient or calcium channels. In protonemata, however, it is proposed that a statolith-induced asymmetrical relocalization of calcium channels and the Ca2+ gradient precedes, and might mediate, the rearrangement of the centre of growth, most likely by the displacement of the Spitzenkorper, to the upper flank, which results in the negative gravitropic reorientation of the growth direction.

Calcium↗

PubMed1999

Redistribution of actin, profilin and phosphatidylinositol-4, 5-bisphosphate in growing and maturing root hairs

The continuously changing polar cytoplasmic organization during initiation and tip growth of root hairs is reflected by a dynamic redistribution of cytoskeletal elements. The small G-actin binding protein, profilin, which is known to be a widely expressed, potent regulator of actin dynamics, was specifically localized at the tip of root hairs and co-distributed with a diffusely fluorescing apical cap of actin, but not with subapical actin microfilament (MF) bundles. Profilin and actin caps were present exclusively in the bulge of outgrowing root hairs and at the apex of elongating root hairs; both disappeared when tip growth terminated, indicating a tip-growth mechanism that involves profilin-actin interactions for the delivery and localized exocytosis of secretory vesicles. Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP(2)), a ligand of profilin, was localized almost exclusively in the bulge and, subsequently, formed a weak tip-to-base gradient in the elongating root hairs. When tip growth was eliminated by the MF-disrupting inhibitor cytochalasin D, the apical profilin and the actin fluorescence were lost. Mastoparan, which is known to affect the PIP(2) cycle, probably by stimulating phospholipases, caused the formation of a meshwork of distinct actin MFs replacing the diffuse apical actin cap and, concomittantly, tip growth stopped. This suggests that mastoparan interferes with the PIP(2)-regulated profilin-actin interactions and hence disturbs conditions indispensable for the maintenance of tip growth in root hairs.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

Cellular adhesion molecules on vascular smooth muscle cells.

Several studies during the last years have shown that, in addition to endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells also express the cellular adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in atherosclerosis, restenosis and transplant vasculopathy. In vitro studies have characterized stimulatory and inhibitory factors that regulate the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 on cultured smooth muscle cells. There is evidence for a role of adhesion molecules on smooth muscle cells for leukocyte accumulation and activation of mononuclear cells. Some recent data suggest that the expression of adhesion molecules on smooth muscle cells are cell cycle-dependent and influence smooth muscle cell proliferation and differentiation. Therefore, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 on smooth muscle cells may contribute to the inflammatory reaction in the vascular wall and may actively be involved in the progression and stability of atherosclerotic plaques.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Ultrastructure and cytoskeleton of Chara rhizoids in microgravity.

Gravitropic tip growth of Chara rhizoids is dependent on the presence and functional interaction between statoliths, cytoskeleton and the tip-growth-organizing complex, the Spitzenkorper. Microtubules are essential for the polar cytoplasmic zonation but are excluded from the apex and do not play a crucial role in the primary steps of gravisensing and graviresponse. Actin filaments form a dense meshwork in the subapical zone and converge into a prominent apical actin patch which is associated with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) aggregate representing the structural center of the Spitzenkorper. The position of the statoliths is regulated by gravity and a counteracting force mediated by actomyosin. Reducing the acceleration forces in microgravity experiments causes a basipetal displacement of the statoliths. Rhizoids grow randomly in all directions. However, they express the same cell shape and cytoplasmic zonation as ground controls. The ultrastructure of the Spitzenkorper, including the aggregation of ER, the assembly of vesicles in the apex, the polar distribution of proplastids, mitochondria, dictyosomes and ER cisternae in the subapical zone is maintained. The unaltered cytoskeletal organization, growth rates and gravitropic responsiveness indicate that microgravity has no major effect on gravitropic tip-growing Chara rhizoids. However, the threshold value of gravisensitivity might be different from ground controls due to the altered position of statoliths, a possibly reduced amount of BaSO4 in statoliths and a possible adaptation of the actin cytoskeleton to microgravity conditions.

Actins↗

PubMed1999

Auditory midbrain laminar structure appears adapted to f0 extraction: further evidence and implications of the double critical bandwidth.

The psychoacoustic 'critical bandwidth' (CB), e.g. approximately 2.6 semitones (= 0.22 octave) at 1.5-3 kHz, is known from many spectral integration phenomena. Cat data suggest that it is represented in the inferior colliculus (IC) (Ehret and Merzenich, 1985, Science 227, 1245-1247), where it is consistently related to the fibrodendritic laminae (Schreiner and Langner, 1997, Nature 388, 383-386). The recent discovery of the CB and the double CB (2CB) in the statistics of frequency spacing of spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (Braun, 1997. Hear. Res. 114, 197-203) has initiated further investigations of the novel phenomenon of 2CB. Meta-analysis of psychoacoustic valuation studies of pure-tone intervals again revealed the effects of CB and 2CB. Valuations showed a significant stepwise change with interval size: 2CB indifferent. Scrutiny of cat and human data indicated that for both species, at least in the midspectrum (1-3 kHz in humans), the tonotopic ranges within single IC laminae and the tonotopic distances between neighboring laminae may equal 1 CB (distances to second next laminae being 2CB). This unique architecture would provide the most economical neural convergence of period information from pairs of adjacent harmonic partials 3-6 of complex sound. The resulting summed postsynaptic potentials would thus contain a beat frequency equaling f0 of sound input and being detectable by the known neural behavior of characteristic periodicity response.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed1999

Penetration of a single infusion of ampicillin and sulbactam into prostatic tissue during transurethral prostatectomy.

Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended in endoscopic urological operations to diminish the rate of intraoperative septic complications and relevant urogenital infections. The objective of the study was to determine the tissue concentrations of preoperatively administered ampicillin and sulbactam in the human prostate in patients undergoing transurethral resection (TUR-P) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In 19 patients (mean age 68.7 years) the serum and tissue concentrations of ampicillin and sulbactam were determined. For all patients the dosage was administered as a single infusion over 15 min at a 2:1 ratio, i.e. 2 g ampicillin and 1 g sulbactam. The serum and prostatic tissue samples were taken 15 to 55 min (mean 29.5 min) after infusion. Of transurethral resected prostatic chips 3 g were immediately collected after resection and stored at -70 degrees C. Ampicillin was determined by bioassay and sulbactam was determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Tissue concentrations of ampicillin ranged from 0.42 to 548.33 mg/kg (median 47 mg/kg). Tissue concentrations of sulbactam ranged from 0.15 to 249.74 mg/kg (median 19 mg/kg). Six (32%) of 19 patients showed a tissue concentration of ampicillin <4 mg/kg (MIC90), respectively 5 (26%) patients of sulbactam <8 mg/kg. The mean serum concentrations at tissue sampling time were 118.8+/-48.9 mg/l respectively 32.2+/-12.2 mg/l. There exists a high variability of intraprostatic concentrations of ampicillin and sulbactam after single infusion in patients with BPH. In a relevant part of patients both compounds do not exceed the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of important bacterial pathogens. A single shot infusion of 3 g ampicillin/sulbactam for intraoperative antibiotic prophylaxis is not sufficient in patients undergoing TUR-P. It seems that the prostate cannot be compared to other tissues in view of penetration of ampicillin/sulbactam.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Nitric oxide metabolites in decompensated liver cirrhosis.

High levels of nitric oxide are thought to be the cause of some of the complications associated with decompensated end-stage liver disease. To assess nitric oxide metabolism in cirrhotic patients, we measured the levels of nitric oxide metabolites (nitrosohemoglobin, methemoglobin, nitrate, and nitrite) in normal subjects, in patients with decompensated cirrhosis, in patients with renal failure (model for impaired NO metabolites excretion), and in patients with mononitrates-treated anginal syndrome (model for exogenous nitric oxide). When compared to controls, patients with decompensated cirrhosis exhibited elevated levels of nitrate only. A significant increase of nitrate was also noted in patients receiving exogenous nitrates, whereas patients with impaired excretion had significantly elevated levels of both nitrite and nitrate. In conclusion, nitric oxide metabolism in patients with decompensated cirrhosis is similar to that of patients receiving nitric oxide from an exogenous source. Renal impairment, whether alone or associated with cirrhosis, causes a change in nitric oxide metabolism. These findings may have clinical implications for nitrates treatment in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Evidence for proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2)-mediated mitogenesis in coronary artery smooth muscle cells.

1. This study investigates, whether in addition to the thrombin receptor (PAR-1), the proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) is present in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) and mediates mitogenesis. PAR-2 is activated by low concentrations of trypsin and the synthetic peptide SLIGRL. 2. Stimulation of bovine coronary artery SMC by trypsin (2 nM) caused a 3 fold increase in DNLA-synthesis. A similar effect was observed with 10 nM thrombin. Trypsin-induced mitogenesis was inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor, indicating that the proteolytic activity of the enzyme was required for its mitogenic effect. 3. The specific PAR-2-activating peptide SLIGRL or the PAR1-activating peptide SFFLRN did not elicit mitogenesis. 4. When the SMC were exposed to SLIGRL (40 nM), a homologous desensitization of cytosolic Ca2+ mobilization was found after subsequent stimulation with trypsin (40 nM) but not thrombin (15 nM). 5. Trypsin (2 nM) as well as SLIGRL (100 microm) activated the nuclear factor KB (NFkappaB) with a maximum response 2 h after stimulation of the SMC. This suggests that both agonists acted via a common receptor, PAR-2. Maximum activation of NFkappaB by thrombin (10 nM) was detected after 4-5 h. 6. These data suggest that PAR-2 is present in coronary SMC and mediates a mitogenic response. Activation of NFkappaB via either PAR-1 or PAR-2 does not predict mitogenesis.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

The beta-barrel domain of FhuADelta5-160 is sufficient for TonB-dependent FhuA activities of Escherichia coli.

FhuA in the outer membrane of Escherichia coli serves as a transporter for ferrichrome, the antibiotics albomycin and rifamycin CGP4832, colicin M, and as receptor for phages T1, T5 and phi80. The previously determined crystal structure reveals that residues 160-714 of the mature protein form a beta-barrel that is closed from the periplasmic side by the globular N-proximal fragment, residues 1-159, designated the cork. In this study, deletion of the cork resulted in a stable protein, FhuADelta5-160, that was incorporated in the outer membrane. Cells that synthesized FhuADelta5-160 displayed a higher sensitivity to large antibiotics such as erythromycin, rifamycin, bacitracin and vancomycin, and grew on maltotetraose and maltopentaose in the absence of LamB. Higher concentrations of ferrichrome supported growth of a tonB mutant that synthesized FhuADelta5-160. These results demonstrate non-specific diffusion of compounds across the outer membrane of cells that synthesize FhuADelta5-160. However, growth of a FhuADelta5-160 tonB wild-type strain occurred at low ferrichrome concentrations, and ferrichrome was transported at about 45% of the FhuA wild-type rate despite the lack of ferrichrome binding sites provided by the cork. FhuADelta5-160 conferred sensitivity to the phages and colicin M at levels similar to that of wild-type FhuA, and to albomycin and rifamycin CGP 4832. The activity of FhuADelta5-160 depended on TonB, although the mutant lacks the TonB box (residues 7-11) previously implicated in the interaction of FhuA with TonB. CCCP inhibited tonB-dependent transport of ferrichrome through FhuADelta5-160. FhuADelta5-160 still functions as a specific transporter, and sites in addition to the TonB box are involved in the TonB-mediated response of FhuA to the proton gradient of the cytoplasmic membrane. It is proposed that TonB interacts with the TonB box of FhuA and with the beta-barrel to release ferrichrome from the FhuA binding sites and to open the channel in FhuA. For transport of ferrichrome through the open channel of FhuADelta5-160, interaction of TonB with the beta-barrel is sufficient to release ferrichrome from the residual binding sites at the beta-barrel and to induce the active conformation of the L4 loop at the cell surface for infection by the TonB-dependent phages T1 and phi80.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1999

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori and length of stay in a nursing home.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori infection appears to be contracted mainly in childhood, and it is associated with disadvantaged socioeconomic conditions, overcrowding, and living in institutions. In this study we determined the seroprevalence of H. pylori among elderly patients (age > or = 70 years) admitted to a major medical center in Israel, and studied the relationship between seroprevalence of H. pylori and the duration of stay in a nursing home prior to the admission. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Whole blood from 182 consecutive patients hospitalized at the Rabin Medical Center was tested for the presence of anti-H. pylori IgG using Helisal Rapid Blood Test kit (Cortecs Diagnostics). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to study the relation between H. pylori seropositivity and possible predictive factors such as age, gender and duration of stay in a nursing home. RESULTS: Of the 182 patients included in the study, 80 (44%) were living in nursing homes (NH) and 102 (56%) were living in their own homes (H) prior to admission. Subjects that stayed in nursing homes for more than 15 months were significantly more likely to be seropositive than subjects with a shorter duration of stay (84% and 63% respectively, p = 0.03). Using a multivariate logistic regression analysis on both the NH group and the whole group, seropositivity was found to be significantly associated with duration of stay in a nursing home (p = 0.03 and p = 0.01 respectively). Seropositivity was not associated with age in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Living in a nursing home is associated with increased risk for H. pylori infection in the elderly. There is a strong correlation between the duration of stay in a nursing home and the prevalence of H. pylori infection.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1999

Electron microscopic analysis of gravisensing Chara rhizoids developed under microgravity conditions.

Tip-growing, unicellular Chara rhizoids that react gravitropically on Earth developed in microgravity. In microgravity, they grew out from the nodes of the green thallus in random orientation. Development and morphogenesis followed an endogenous program that is not affected by the gravitational field. The cell shape, the polar cytoplasmic organization, and the polar distribution of cell organelles, except for the statoliths, were not different from controls that had grown on earth (ground controls). The ultrastructure of the organelles and the microtubules were well preserved. Microtubules were excluded from the apical zone in both ground controls as well as microgravity-grown rhizoids. The statoliths (vesicles containing BaSO4 crystals in a matrix) in microgravity-grown rhizoids were spread over a larger area (up to 50 microm basal to the tip) than the statoliths of ground controls (10-30 microm). Some statoliths were even located in the subapical zone close to microtubules, which was not observed in ground controls. The crystals in statoliths from microgravity-grown rhizoids appeared more loosely arranged in the vesicle matrix compared with ground controls. The chemical composition of the crystals was identified as BaSO4 by X-ray microanalysis. There is evidence that the amount of BaSO4 in statoliths of rhizoids developed in microgravity is lower than in ground controls, indicating that the gravisensitivity of microgravity-developed rhizoids might be reduced compared with ground controls. Lack of gravity, however, does not affect the process of tip growth and does not inhibit the development of the structures needed for the gravity-sensing machinery.

Chlorophyta↗

PubMed1999

Mesalamine-induced granulomatous hepatitis.

A 42-yr-old man with ulcerative colitis was admitted for investigation of prolonged fever associated with cholestatic liver tests. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography demonstrated a normal biliary tree, and liver biopsy showed granulomata. A clinical diagnosis of drug-induced granulomatous hepatitis was established as the symptoms disappeared after cessation of mesalamine therapy and recurred on rechallenge. Although the differential diagnosis of fever and hepatitis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease is wide, in this case mesalamine is the most likely cause.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Cloning and characterization of two bistructural S-layer-RTX proteins from Campylobacter rectus.

Campylobacter rectus is an important periodontal pathogen in humans. A surface-layer (S-layer) protein and a cytotoxic activity have been characterized and are thought to be its major virulence factors. The cytotoxic activity was suggested to be due to a pore-forming protein toxin belonging to the RTX (repeats in the structural toxins) family. In the present work, two closely related genes, csxA and csxB (for C. rectus S-layer and RTX protein) were cloned from C. rectus and characterized. The Csx proteins appear to be bifunctional and possess two structurally different domains. The N-terminal part shows similarity with S-layer protein, especially SapA and SapB of C. fetus and Crs of C. rectus. The C-terminal part comprising most of CsxA and CsxB is a domain with 48 and 59 glycine-rich canonical nonapeptide repeats, respectively, arranged in three blocks. Purified recombinant Csx peptides bind Ca2+. These are characteristic traits of RTX toxin proteins. The S-layer and RTX domains of Csx are separated by a proline-rich stretch of 48 amino acids. All C. rectus isolates studied contained copies of either the csxA or csxB gene or both; csx genes were absent from all other Campylobacter and Helicobacter species examined. Serum of a patient with acute gingivitis showed a strong reaction to recombinant Csx protein on immunoblots.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins↗

PubMed1999

Giant retroperitoneal hemangiopericytoma with paraneoplastic gynecomastia. Case report and literature review.

We report on a 38-year-old patient with a giant retroperitoneal hemangiopericytoma associated with bilateral paraneoplastic gynecomastia, which led to an almost uncontrollable hemorrhage on initial surgery due to the extreme hypervascularity of the process. After angiographic evaluation and superselective embolization, a complete surgical excision of a hemangiopericytoma weighing almost 1,000 g could be achieved. To reduce the risk of recurrence adjuvant radiotherapy with 49 Gy followed. Follow-up of 24 months showed no sign of recurrence on CT scans. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of hemangiopericytoma associated with a paraneoplastic syndrome. The literature and the therapeutic concepts are presented and discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Results and 10-year follow-up in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis.

Penile malignancies are infrequent but represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge as patients tend to disregard early asymptomatic lesions of the disease. Due to the lack of studies involving large patient numbers, the therapeutic concepts for different stages of the disease could not be defined by prospective studies. Long-term results are rare. We present the therapeutic concepts and the 10-year results of our experience with 42 cases of penile carcinoma treated at our institution between 1973 and 1986. Therapy included radical circumcision in 10 cases, local excision of the tumor in 4, partial or total glandular resection in 6 patients, partial penectomy in 20, and total penectomy in 2 cases. Inguinal lymphadenectomy was performed initially in 14 cases with positive histology in 7 patients (50%). Complications included meatal stenosis in 8 cases (19%), urethral stricture in 1 case, death due to fulminant pulmonary embolism in 1 case and local infections in 2 cases. Follow-up of patients with initially nonmetastatic disease showed a progression to death in 4 of 35 patients (11.6%) with a mean survival of 30 (range 11.5-56) months, in patients with initial lymph node metastases progression to death occurred in 5 of 7 patients (71.4%) with a mean survival of 9.76 months (range 9 days to 24 months). Stage-related disease-specific 10-year survival rates are 100% for stages 0 and 1, 90.9% for stage 2, and 20% for stage 3, while no patient in stage 4 survived for 5 years. From our data we conclude that the single most important prognostic factor in the treatment of carcinoma of the penis is lymph node involvement. Therefore increased attention has to be paid to the recognition of early stages of this potentially curable disease.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

PubMed1999

Effectiveness of oral L-arginine in first-line treatment of erectile dysfunction in a controlled crossover study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Relaxation of cavernous smooth muscle is a parasympathetic and non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic mediated process which requires nitric oxide (NO). NO is synthesized from L-arginine by NO synthase (NOS). Some studies report good clinical results under oral L-arginine medication in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. We examined the effectiveness and safety of L-arginine in the treatment of mixed-type impotence. METHODS: 32 patients (mean age 51.6 years) with mixed-type impotence diagnosed according to the results of sexual history and urological examination were enrolled in a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover comparison of an oral placebo with 3 x 500 mg L-arginine/day. A validated questionnaire (KEED) was used to define the grade of impotence with a score. The treatment consisted of two 17-day courses (50 tablets). After a 7-day washout period the patients who initially received the placebo for 17 days were switched to L-arginine and vice versa. We assessed the efficacy with the validated questionnaire at the end of each drug period. RESULTS: 30 patients (94%) completed the whole treatment schedule. Five (17%) patients reported a significant improvement in erectile function at the end of the L-arginine phase and 6 (20%) patients after the placebo period. 17 (56%) patients showed little improvement with L-arginine and 13 (43%) with placebo. In 8 patients (27%) of the verum group there was either no change in the ED score or even a slight worsening. No statistical difference in the impotence scores were found. No drug-related adverse effects occurred with L-arginine treatment. CONCLUSION: Oral L-arginine 3 x 500 mg/day is not better than placebo as a first-line treatment for mixed-type impotence.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1999

[Diffusion imaging in asymptomatic focal vasospasm. Apropos of a case].

We report a case of an asymptomatic vasospasm with a focal, reversible apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) decrease after a middle cerebral artery aneurysm rupture. This isolated decrease of ADC has not yet been reported in this pathological situation. It could be interesting to predict the risk of ischemic delayed complications of vasospasm.

Adult↗