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Biomedical subjects

M van der Straeten

Publications and source records attributed to M van der Straeten.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1987

Effect of inhaled substance P and neurokinin A on the airways of normal and asthmatic subjects.

The neuropeptides substance P and neurokinin A are present in sensory airway nerves. Their effect on airway calibre was compared in six healthy non-smoking subjects and six asthmatic subjects. On separate days increasing concentrations (from 10(-9) to 10(-6) mol/ml) of each neuropeptide were administered by nebuliser and the airway response measured as change in specific airway conductance (sGaw). Substance P and neurokinin A caused no change in sGaw in the healthy subjects. Inhalation of substance P up to the highest concentration of 10(-6) mol/ml caused no change in sGaw in the asthmatic subjects. Neurokinin A, however, caused bronchoconstriction with a mean fall in sGaw of 48% (SEM 12%) after 5 x 10(-7) mol/ml. The onset of bronchoconstriction was rapid, but sGaw had returned to baseline values within one hour in all but one patient.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1986

A comparison of the clinical and bronchodilating effects of plain and slow-release tablets of terbutaline at steady state.

The clinical efficacy, the bronchodilating effect and the side effects of two oral forms of terbutaline were compared in a double-blind, cross-over study involving ten patients with chronic reversible airways obstruction. The administration of plain-tablets, containing 2.5 mg terbutaline sulphate, three times daily at 6 h intervals was compared to the administration of slow-release (SR) tablets, containing 5 mg terbutaline sulphate, every 12 h. Each course of treatment lasted for 7 days. Treatment with SR-tablets resulted in significantly higher lung function values in the morning (PEFR at home and FEV1 at the lung function laboratory on day 7). There were no significant differences between the two forms with regard to symptom score, extra use of rimiterol aerosol, heart rate or blood pressure. The plasma terbutaline concentration in the morning of the seventh treatment day was significantly higher during SR-tablet treatment. The plasma terbutaline concentration curve showed a smaller peak/trough ratio for the SR-tablets.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1986

The effect of tachykinins on the conducting airways of the rat.

We studied the bronchial effects of intravenously administered tachykinins in inbred rats. Substance P and related tachykinins caused a dose-dependent bronchoconstriction. The bronchial reactivity to substance P differed significantly between different inbred rat strains. Substance K, eledoisin and kassinin were more potent than substance P in causing bronchoconstriction. This suggests a predominance in the bronchi of SP-E receptors. The bronchial effects of substance P and eledoisin were largely inhibited by atropine and slightly enhanced by hexamethonium. In addition to a direct effect on airway smooth muscle, tachykinins interfere with the cholinergic airway innervation of the rat at the ganglionic and postganglionic level.

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed1986

The bronchial effects of adenosine in the rat.

The in vivo intravenous administration of adenosine caused bronchoconstriction in the rat. There were significant differences between inbred rat strains with regard to bronchial reactivity to adenosine. Inosine caused bronchoconstriction in the rat but was a less potent bronchoconstrictor than adenosine and there was no correlation between the bronchial reactivity to inosine and the reactivity to adenosine. Theophylline, DSCG and nedocromil were potent inhibitors of the adenosine-induced bronchoconstriction. Bilateral vagotomy and the ganglion blocker hexamethonium had no effect on the adenosine-induced bronchoconstriction. High doses of atropine had a small inhibitory effect. The bronchial adenosine receptor has the characteristics of the A2 type.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1984

Computed tomography in cystic mediastinal lesions.

The results of CT scan are discussed with special reference to the value of density measurements in several cases of mediastinal cyst lesions. Although in some cysts with watery content, the CT attenuation values can be indicative, in most other lesions with heterogeneous structure and viscid fluid content, attenuation values in CT scan cannot be considered conclusive for diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Mediastinal angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia with systemic manifestations.

This case report concerns a 19-year-old girl with a mediastinal angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia (Castleman tumour), with histological aspects of both hyalin vascular and plasma cell type. Systemic manifestations were also noticed. A lymphocytic infiltration of the bone marrow and a change in the lactic dehydrogenase iso-enzyme pattern with an increase of LDH3 were noted. After surgical removal of the mediastinal tumour complete recovery and normalisation of biological abnormalities occurred.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Puncture of thoracic lesions under sonographic guidance.

Thirty-six punctures of thoracic lesions have been performed with a compound B-scanner or a real-time linear-array scanner for guidance. Twenty-three fluid collections were punctured and aspiration biopsies were performed on 13 echogenic lesions. All the punctures were successful at the first attempt. No complications occurred. The results confirm the usefulness of sonography for guiding punctures of thoracic fluid effusions and solid masses. Usually a static B-scanner is sufficient, but when masses are small or surrounded by vital structures puncture may be controlled by a real-time scanner.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

The combined effect of theophylline and terbutaline in patients with chronic obstructive airway diseases.

Using a double-blind, cross-over design the acute bronchodilating effect of 375 mg microcrystalline theophylline, 5 mg terbutaline, a combination of both drugs and placebo was studied in 11 patients suffering from moderate to severe chronic obstructive lung disease with partially reversible airway obstruction. Plasma concentrations both theophylline and terbutaline were measured. The bronchodilation produced by oral intake of 5 mg terbutaline and 375 mg theophylline was comparable. The maximal median value of terbutaline in plasma was 4.6 ng/ml 2 h after intake of medication, followed by a decline with a double peak in some patients. The maximal median increase of FEV1 was 37% 3 h after intake of medication. The maximal median plasma level of theophylline reached 12.5 ng/ml 30 min after intake of the medication. The median maximal increase of FEV1 was 24%. One hour after intake of medication and throughout the whole test period up to 7 h, the combination of 5 mg terbutaline and 375 mg theophylline produced a significantly greater bronchodilation than each drug alone. It is concluded that 375 mg microcrystalline theophylline produced a significantly greater bronchodilation than each drug alone. It is concluded that 375 mg microcrystalline theophylline and 5 mg terbutaline produces almost equal bronchodilating activity: a combination of both drugs, however, results in further bronchodilation.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1982

Pulmonary disease due to Mycobacterium xenopi. Report of two cases.

Two patients with pulmonary disease due to M. xenopi are presented. Predisposing factors were alcoholism in one patient and previous tuberculosis with emphysema in the other. Whereas the disease was successfully treated in the first, M. xenopi was implicated as a contributory factor to death in the second. Histological examination in the latter case allowed no distinction from ordinary tuberculosis. A review of the literature suggests that infection with M. xenopi should be treated with a combination of rifampicin, isoniazid and one second-line drug, adjustments being made as results of sensitivity testing become available.

Aged↗
PubMed1980

IgE antibodies to bacteria in patients with bronchial asthma.

Bacterial respiratory infections, especially with Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae, are frequently associated with an increase of airways obstruction in patients with bronchial asthma. The possible involvement of immediate hypersensitivity in this phenomenon was studied. IgE antibodies to Haemophilus influenzae (HI) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (SPn) were investigated in the serum of 190 adult patients with bronchial asthma. The IgE antibodies were measured using a solid phase radioimmunoassay method. Living bacteria were used as solid phase. A correction of the non-specific binding of IgE was necessary. IgE antibodies to one or both bacteria were present in 55 of the 190 patients (29%). Eighteen patients were sensitive to HI, 33 to SPn and four to both bacteria. Significantly more IgE antibodies to bacteria were found in patients with demonstrable IgE antibodies to various inhalant allergens. However, the IgE antibodies to one or both bacteria were also present in 22% of patients with no other demonstrable IgE mediated hypersensitivity. The total serum IgE level in patients with IgE antibodies to bacteria was not significantly higher than in patients without hypersensitivity to these bacteria. From these data we concluded that immediate hypersensitivity to bacteria may play a role in the infectious exacerbations of bronchial asthma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

The influence of antigen dose on IgE production in different rat strains.

Strain differences in total serum IgE levels and IgE antibody responses to various amounts of antigen were studied in rats. Five inbred strains (BN, Wistar R/A, DA, LEW, PVG), (Wistar R/A x BN)F1 and (LEW x BN) F1 hybrids were immunized twice at an interval of 28 days by intraperitoneal injection of 10 ng, 100 ng, 1 microgram, 10 microgram, 100 microgram or 1 mg ovalbumin and 1 mg A1(OH)3 in a volume of 0.5 ml. Total serum IgE and IgE antibody levels were followed. Both parameters were measured with a solid phase radioimmunoassay. A significant difference was observed in total IgE levels between the different strains. The IgE antibody response depended both on the strain and on the amount of antigen used for immunization. There was an optimal antigen dose for IgE antibody formation, differing from strain to strain. F1 hybrids had total IgE levels and IgE responses intermediary between those of the two parent strains. A good correlation existed between the total serum IgE level before immunization and the magnitude of the optimum IgE antibody responses in the different strains. These results suggest that there may be a genetic influence on both parameters, the total IgE level and the specific IgE antibody response. The IgE antibody response is also dependent on the dose of antigen.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

The effect of age on IgE production in rats.

Inbred BN-rats were immunized at different ages with a standardized amount of ovalbumin and a1(OH)3. The specific IgE antibody response and total serum IgE levels were significantly influenced by age. The IgE antibody response increased to a maximum in 2-month-old rats and decreased progressively at a more advanced age. Total serum IgE levels increased progressively from the age of 1 month to the age of 5 months and decreased again at the age of one year.

Aging↗