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Biomedical subjects

P Hartmann

Publications and source records attributed to P Hartmann.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Detection of microsporidia (Enterocytozoon bieneusi) in intestinal biopsy specimens from human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients by PCR.

Intestinal microsporidiosis has been implicated as a major cause of chronic diarrhea in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. So far diagnosis depends on direct visualization of the parasites by light and transmission electron microscopy. We evaluated the diagnostic value of microsporidian DNA amplification by PCR on duodenal biopsy specimens obtained from patients with and without intestinal microsporidiosis caused by Enterocytozoon bieneusi. Thirteen HIV-infected patients (all CDC stage C3) were studied. Eight patients had intestinal microsporidiosis caused by E. bieneusi (n = 6), Septata intestinalis (n = 1), and Encephalitozoon cuniculi (n = 1); microsporidioses were diagnosed by light microscopy of stool samples and confirmed by light and electron microscopy of intestinal biopsy specimens. Five patients had no microsporidia in their stool samples or in their intestinal biopsy specimens, as examined by light and electron microscopy. Additionally, DNA prepared from Toxoplasma gondii derived from mouse ascites was used as a further control. A 353-bp DNA fragment of the small-subunit rRNA gene could be amplified from all six biopsy specimens infected with E. bieneusi, and the nature of the PCR products was confirmed by Southern blot hybridization. No amplification of DNA fragments was seen by using DNA extracted from biopsy specimens with S. intestinalis or E. cuniculi infection or without microsporidian infection and with template DNA extracted from T. gondii. The results suggest that PCR testing of intestinal biopsy specimens may be a useful approach to diagnosing microsporidiosis in HIV-infected patients.

Animals↗

[Structured public health quality circle on the topic of diabetes management in general practice].

The efficacy of quality circles has not yet been evaluated in controlled studies in Germany. The Central Research Institute for Ambulatory Health Care in Germany conducted a prospective controlled trial in order to evaluate the effects of structured quality circles on the process of quality ambulatory care for diabetic patients. Following a training for moderators (two for each quality circle) two quality circles undertook five sessions. In a representative random sample (25 diabetic patients per practice), the quality of diabetes care was evaluated before and after participation in the quality circles and was compared to the results of a control group without peer review. The participation in a quality circle resulted in a significant and relevant improvement of the quality concerning the detection of diabetes related complications.

Diabetes Mellitus↗

[Normal weight of the brain in adults in relation to age, sex, body height and weight].

Based on more than 8000 autopsies of male and female patients without brain diseases the normal brain weight of adult males and females in relation to sex, age, body-weight, and body-height as well as Body Mass Index were calculated. The average brain weight of the adult male was 1336 gr; for the adult female 1198 gr. With increasing age, brain weight decreases by 2.7 gr in males, and by 2.2 gr in females per year. Per centimeter body height brain weight increases independent of sex by an average of about 3.7 gr. Body Mass Index is of minor importance and only relevant in males. Based on these data the independent variables, age and height, were for the first time combined in a nomogram for the calculation of brain weight. The mathematical functions were integrated in a computer program which facilitates the calculation of normal brain weights in individual cases.

Adult↗

Attitudes toward condom use and AIDS among patients from an urban family practice center.

As part of an effort to better educate patients about using condoms, a survey was done to assess the sexual practices, attitudes toward acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and condom use by patients who visit an urban family practice center. A self-administered questionnaire was given to 126 patients of whom the majority were black and single. Seventeen percent indicated they had sex with more than one person in the 3 months before the survey. Within the last 5 years, 10% had sex with an intravenous drug abuser, and 6% with someone of the same sex. Fifty percent believed that condoms decrease sexual pleasure for men and 31% thought condoms made sex inconvenient. Twenty-seven percent of those surveyed believed that a man's penis may be too large for a condom and 18% believed that uncircumcised men could not use condoms. Forty-five percent believed they should be screened for human immune deficiency virus exposure. The results highlight attitudes and beliefs that may function as barriers to condom use and should be addressed when encouraging condom use with this population.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[Epidemiological surveys of formaldehyde and nitrogen dioxide levels in indoor air].

The influence of HCHO and NO2 on clinical, haematological, immunological, sensory and lung function parameters were tested in 129 children out of 3 classes. As part of a biological monitoring programme formic acid content in urine was determined. Concentration of the pollutants in indoor air was measured by means of passive samples.

Air Pollutants↗

The position effect in mice on day 19.

This investigation on the position effect in mice on day 19 was based on a total of 610 fetuses from 51 litters of NMRI mice. The relative position of each fetus was determined by setting the distance from the center of each placenta to the cervix in relation to the total length of the uterine horn. After cessation of shrinkage due to fixation, the umbilical-cord and remaining membranes were removed and the fetuses were weighed to the nearest 0.1 mg. The variance for the weighing procedures was estimated at 4 mg. The fetuses were uniformly distributed on a segment beginning about 7% beyond the cervical end and proceeding to about 10% short of the ovarian end. A mixed model analysis of variance was applied to estimate the position effect: the deviation of the individual weights from the mean for each uterine horn were modeled as a second degree polynomial of the relative position. A position effect was found; the fetuses on the cervical end were lighter, those in the middle were roughly the same, and those of the ovarian end were heavier than the average.

Analysis of Variance↗