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Biomedical subjects

M Faber

Publications and source records attributed to M Faber.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Macroscopic evaluation of bronchial mucosa and histological diagnosis in relation to localization of neoplastic changes in the bronchial tree].

In 140 lung cancer patients fiberoptic bronchoscopy with biopsy and BAL procedure were performed in diagnostic process. Obtained results of macroscopic changes were analyzed in relation to histological diagnosis and localization in the bronchial tree (central and peripheral). Squamous cell lung cancer was the most often diagnosed in central localized tumors and adenocarcinoma in peripheral ones. Macroscopic changes were more evident and more characteristic for cancer process in central localized tumors. In peripheral changes non-characteristic, inflammatory-like symptoms were determined.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1994

Free cholesterol concentrations in the high-density lipoprotein subfraction-3 as a risk indicator in patients with angiographically documented coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: The pathophysiology of plasma lipoprotein metabolism has long been linked to coronary artery disease (CAD). The present study evaluated the association between plasma lipoprotein lipid and apolipoprotein (apo) components and CAD in a group of 80 consecutive Caucasian patients undergoing coronary angiography. METHODS: Coronary cineangiography was carried out using the Judkins technique and the lesions quantified by calculating a coronary artery lesion score (CALS). Very low- and low-density lipoproteins (VLDL and LDL) were separated by ultracentrifugation, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and HDL subfraction-3 (HDL3) isolated by a differential precipitation procedure. Apo A-I, A-II, and B were assayed by endpoint laser nephelometry using specific antibodies. Total cholesterol, free cholesterol, and fatty acid concentrations were measured by gas-liquid chromatography, and lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity by the decrease in the concentration of free cholesterol. RESULTS: On the basis of the presence of CAD, the 80 patients were divided into two groups: 52 (65%) with CAD (mean CALS = 7.8) and 28 (35%) without CAD (zero CALS). The lipoprotein fraction that most clearly differentiated the groups was HDL cholesterol concentration, with a mean +/- SEM value of 36.5 +/- 1.5 mg/dl for those with CAD and 45.1 +/- 2.1 mg/dl for those without (P < 0.01). The mean HDL3 cholesterol concentration was 29.9 +/- 1.2 mg/dl for patients with CAD and 37.4 +/- 1.8 mg/dl for those without (P < 0.001). These differences in HDL cholesterol and HDL3 cholesterol were mainly caused by differences in the free cholesterol component, with a mean HDL free cholesterol level of 10.8 +/- 1.1 and 16.1 +/- 1.4 mg/dl (P < 0.01), and a mean HDL3 free cholesterol level of 7.6 +/- 0.6 and 11.9 +/- 0.8 mg/dl (P < 0.001) in patients with and without CAD, respectively. Plasma LCAT activity was decreased in patients with CAD (P < 0.05), as were the apo A-I and A-II concentrations in both the HDL (P < 0.001) and HDL3 (P < 0.001) fractions. No significant association was found between CAD and HDL2 cholesterol or plasma total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or VLDL cholesterol concentrations. A stepwise discriminant analysis revealed that HDL3 free cholesterol was the only variable selected. Using HDL3 free cholesterol as a screening variable for CAD (cutoff 10.55 mg/dl), the sensitivity for CAD was 87% and the specificity for non-CAD 67%. The positive and negative predictive values of HDL3 free cholesterol were 82 and 75%, respectively. CONCLUSION: We have shown that the concentrations of HDL cholesterol and HDL3 most clearly differentiated between patients with and without CAD.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Nutritional status of primary school children with endemic goitre in Caprivi, Namibia.

The nutritional status of primary school children living in an endemic goitre area in eastern Caprivi, Namibia, was assessed by means of clinical, biochemical, anthropometrical and dietetic observations. An approximately 20 pc sample, consisting of 380 primary school children, aged six to 18 years and representing eight schools in the Cuando River area of eastern Caprivi, was included in the study. Their goitre prevalence of 34.5 pc has been reported earlier. A significantly lower mean thyroxine level in goitrous compared to non-goitrous children indicated that dietary iodine deficiency was the primary cause of the endemic goitre. The present paper focuses on the nutritional status of these primary school children. Anthropometrically, these children were severely undernourished, as indicated by a high prevalence of low (below the third NCHS percentile) weight and height for age values, ranging from 38.0 pc to 55.9 pc. Dietary analysis revealed a low energy intake as well as dietary deficiencies in folic acid (only girls), ascorbic acid, vitamin A, nicotinic acid, iron, riboflavin and calcium. A high percentage (43.9 pc of boys and 33.7 pc of girls) of the children were biochemically anaemic whilst less than one pc of the children showed clinical signs of anaemia. Nutritional intervention programmes in this area should not only treat and prevent the endemic goitre but also attend to the energy and micro-nutrient deficiencies in these children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Toxic epidermal necrolysis].

A case of severe toxic epidermal necrolysis is described, stressing the importance of multiorgan system involvement of the disease. A possible pathogenetic mechanism involving tumor necrosis factor is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Folic acid and vitamin B12 status of vervet monkeys used for nutritional research.

Plasma and red blood cell (RBC) folic acid levels, as well as plasma vitamin B12 levels were determined in Vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops). All the vervets were apparently healthy and without symptoms or lesions typical of folic acid and/or vitamin B12 deficiencies. Competitive protein binding radioassays were used to determine folate and vitamin B12 values in animals fed 4 different diets. The B12 levels for all the groups ranged between 866 and 5867 pg/ml and showed an inverse relationship with the FA measurements. The lowest mean RBC folic acid content in a group fed an atherogenic diet for 3 years was 12.8 ng/ml. For the other 3 diets, mean RBC folic acid levels were 90.7, 132.3 and 152.8 ng/ml, respectively. A megadose of 25.6 mg of folic acid per day for 99 days was given to 3 adult males. No obvious toxic effects were observed in these animals although mean RBC folic acid levels increased to 1013 ng/ml.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed1993

Changing pattern of phage group II Staphylococcus aureus infections: from community to hospital.

Changes in Staphylococcus aureus strains of phage group II were evaluated over a 30-year period. Strains of this group were previously known to be mainly community-acquired, to be rather sensitive to antibiotics and to occur in infections with better clinical outcome. During the period 1961 to 1990 a total of 551, 563 S. aureus strains was characterized according to antibiotic resistance, phage type and site of isolation. Clinical information was obtained on 16,781 bacteraemia cases. Strains of group II occurred until 1983 with a rather constant frequency around 16% of the S. aureus population. Since then, a constant increase in frequency has taken place and since 1990 they are the most frequently isolated phage pattern (22%). Bacteraemia caused by these strains occurs today with the same frequency in hospital and community as strains of other phage patterns. Moreover, these strains have changed from being highly susceptible, to being more resistant to penicillins and tetracycline than the rest of the population. Resistance to methicillin remained low in group II strains throughout the period (about 0.2%). Mortality rate and the proportion of patients with underlying diseases have been the same in recent years regarding group II strains as with other strains. This study indicates that the previous distinction between community-acquired and hospital-acquired S. aureus infections is no longer valid.

Community-Acquired Infections↗
PubMed1993

Hyponatremia and adrenocortical function in patients with severe bacterial infections.

Hyponatremia occurs frequently in patients with severe infections though its cause has not been established. Recent studies have reported that in some patients with septicemia, adrenocortical insufficiency is present. To ascertain whether occurrence of hyponatremia and adrenocortical insufficiency might be related, we studied 40 patients with septicemia (11 in septic shock). A short corticotropin test was used for assessing the adrenocortical function. Though both adrenocortical failure (in 5 patients) and hyponatremia (serum sodium concentration < 125 mmol/l in 3 patients) occurred, there was no apparent relationship between the entities.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1992

[Demonstration of bacteriuria in elderly hospitalized patients. Comparison between leukocyte and nitrite strips and culture].

The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of test strips for urinary nitrite and leucocytes for detection of bacteriuria in elderly patients. The material consisted of 213 urine samples from 85 women and 26 men (median age 79 years, range 60-93 years) within the first two days in hospital. The results of the test strip reactions were read in the department and in the laboratory. The strip test results and symptoms of UTI were compared with culture results. 27% of the samples showed significant bacteriuria on culture (> or = 10(5) colonies/ml urine). 21% of the 102 patients who had submitted two urine samples within the first two days had significant bacteriuria in both samples. Less than half of these patients had symptoms of UTI. The false negative rate of test strips (defined as the number of proven laboratory UTIs not demonstrated by the test strips, expressed as a percentage of the total number of proven UTIs) was 29% in the department and in the laboratory it was 13%. 15% of the test strips at the laboratory failed to detect significant E. coli infections which were predominant. In conclusion, we found that it is advisable to perform urine culture if symptoms of urinary tract infections are present.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Endemic goitre among undernourished schoolchildren in eastern Caprivi, Namibia.

A cross-sectional study on a 20% random sample of 380 children, aged 6-18 years, from 8 primary schools in the Cuando River area of eastern Caprivi, Namibia, was done to determine the prevalence of goitre and to investigate related hormonal and nutritional factors. Of the children 34.5% had goitre. Reduced plasma free thyroxine concentrations in the more severely goitrous children, compared with matched non-goitrous children (P = 0.0007), implicated dietary iodine deficiency as the causative factor. Their diet was inadequate in energy and most nutrients according to World Health Organisation criteria. Retarded growth, indicated by their low body weight and height in relation to age, were observed in a large proportion (45.6-73%) of the children. These findings suggest that dietary iodine deficiency was the most likely cause for the endemic goitre in these children, who were predisposed to nutritional disorders by long-term undernourishment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Hepatitis A and a grill bar].

A small outbreak of hepatitis A infection in October 1988 involving 11 patients is described, together with the history of the suspected index case. Six to eight weeks before the onset of disease, all patients had consumed one or several meals containing elements of uncooked food in a local grill bar in the Copenhagen county area. The virus had probably been imported from Egypt. Public sanitation authorities were alerted immediately after the first suspicion was raised.

Denmark↗
PubMed1992

Atherogenic effects in a non-human primate of Fusarium moniliforme cultures added to a carbohydrate diet.

Adding less than 0.5% w/w of culture material of strain MRC 826 of the fungus Fusarium moniliforme to a carbohydrate diet low in fat resulted in an atherogenic plasma lipid profile in a non-human primate. Simultaneously increased plasma fibrinogen and activity of blood coagulation factor VII could enhance atherogenesis. This unique potential for promotion of atherosclerosis was probably secondary to chronic hepatotoxicity as indicated by liver fibrosis and elevated cholesterol, albumin and the enzymes AST, ALT, LD, GGT and ALP in serum. The cholesterol and enzymes responded in proportion to the calculated doses of fumonisin mycotoxins in the F. moniliforme MRC 826 cultures. Fumonisins are water soluble and heat stable. Thrombotic, hepatotoxic, carcinogenic and cerebral effects of MRC 826 culture material and fumonisins are well known in non-primates. The estimated fumonisin concentrations tested fall within a range due to natural contamination of human foods. The results suggest that all maize grain products should be analysed for fumonisins.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Changes in plasma lipoprotein levels during a hiking expedition in South America.

Eleven males participated in a hiking expedition over a period of 6 weeks during which they walked an average of 15 km per day, resting days included. The participants completed a seven-day estimated dietary record before and during the expedition. Their habitual dietary intake before the expedition was typical of a Western diet. During the expedition most animal products, with the exception of canned fish, were excluded from the diet. The dietary intake of fat and carbohydrate changed from 36.9% and 40.6% to 14.0% and 76.4% respectively. Cholesterol intake dropped from 557 mg to 92 mg. Mean plasma total cholesterol (TC) decreased from 190.9 mg/100 ml to 142.0 mg/100 ml. These changes were mainly due to changes in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Although high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) did not change, the ratio of HDL-C to TC increased significantly. It can be concluded that drastic dietary changes, together with increased physical activity and weight loss resulted in major plasma lipoprotein changes. The expected fall in HDL-C due to a high carbohydrate diet was counteracted by the increased physical activity and weight loss.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Single center success with a high risk peritoneal dialysis population.

A large end stage renal failure population treated by chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) was examined for rates of infection, CAPD modality failure and patient survival (N = 347). Nearly half were considered high risk for survival for reasons of age (39% older than 60 years), diabetes mellitus (33%), hemodialysis access failure (10%), poor cardiopulmonary reserve (16%) or technical challenges (30% had morbid obesity, history of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair or multiple abdominal surgeries). Hence, CAPD was often initiated by default rather than choice in the 347 patients studied (mean age: 51 +/- 17 years). Infections greatly outnumbered technical failures as grounds for cessation of CAPD. Over 5521 patient-months, 51% of patients developed infection with peritonitis predominating (80%) when compared to exit site infections (20%). The frequency of infections was 1.9 mean episodes per patient; however, 55% of these patients had only one episode of peritonitis. A rate of 0.75 infections per patient per year was seen with an average interval of 16 months between infections. Technique and patient survival rates at 4 years were 50% and 61% respectively. High risk status does not preclude successful CAPD and should not preclude its implementation.

Adolescent↗