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Biomedical subjects

P Jaeger

Publications and source records attributed to P Jaeger.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

[Particularly severe calcium metabolic disorder in nephropathy from analgesic abuse].

Calcium (Ca) metabolism was compared in 2 groups of patients with chronic interstitial nephritis: in 21 patients (AAN-group) nephropathy was due to exposure for 5 to 50 years (mean 21.1) to phenacetin containing analgesics, whereas in 21 other patients (controls) it was due to exposure for 1 to 80 years (mean 21.4) (NS) to other causes. Patients were followed for 2.5 +/- 0.6 and 1.6 +/- 0.6 years respectively (mean +/- SEM) (NS). Blood Ca, P, protein, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D), together with arterial acid-base status and urinary excretion rate of Ca, P and creatinine were measured serially. For each patient the results were averaged for 2 degrees of renal failure, i.e. for creatinine levels below and above 400 mumol/l (logarithmic mean). Results were included only when P was maintained between 0.7 and 1.9 mmol/l. The range of creatinine levels studied was 95 to 1600 mumol/l. No differences were found between the 2 groups with respect to creatinine clearance, blood, P, protein, arterial pH and urinary excretion rates of Ca and P. There was a trend for blood HCO3 to be lower in the AAN group. Mean plasma Ca was significantly lower, and PTH was significantly higher, in the AAN than in the control group at both degrees of renal failure; mean plasma alkaline phosphatase activity was also significantly higher in the AAN group, but at severe degrees of renal failure only. Significant correlations were observed between individual values of both Ca and PTH (r = -0.747) and PTH and alkaline phosphatase (r = 0.603). The degree of hypocalcemia and of hyperparathyroidism was not related to the plasma level of 25-OH-D. It is concluded that at comparable degrees and duration of renal failure patients with AAN, when compared with patients with interstitial nephritis of other origins, have lower blood Ca and consequently higher PTH levels and alkaline phosphatase activities, suggesting more severe osteodystrophy.

Adult↗

[Incidence of hyperoxaluria in idiopathic calcium nephrolithiasis].

Urinary excretion rate of oxalate was measured in 79 patients with idiopathic calcium (Ca) nephrolithiasis and the results were compared with those obtained in 28 healthy volunteers. The group of stone formers consisted of 20 patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria (IHC) of the absorptive type, 23 patients with IHC of the renal type, 11 patients with hypercalciuria secondary to dietary factors, 1 patient with hyperuricosuria (as an isolated finding) and 24 patients without hypercalciuria nor hyperuricosuria. Classification was based upon the urinary excretion rate of uric acid, as well as that of calcium measured under 3 different dietary conditions (i.e. free diet, free diet supplemented with 3 g Ca/day for 3 days, and diet free of dairy products for 5 days). On a free diet, normal values of oxaluria ranged from 125 to 435 mumol/24 h; an elevated value was observed in 11 (14%) patients, 5 of whom belonged to the subgroup without hypercalciuria nor hyperuricosuria. On a low Ca diet, mild hyperoxaluria occurred in 3 controls and in 19 patients, the tendency to develop hyperoxaluria being particularly marked in the subgroup with absorptive-IHC. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between oxaluria on a low Ca diet and the estimated degree of intestinal absorption of Ca. This study confirms the finding that on a free diet, the incidence of mild hyperoxaluria amongst idiopathic stone formers is rather low. It shows, however, that a significant percentage of patients classically referred to as "without metabolic disorder" have in fact slight hyperoxaluria, an observation with a potential therapeutic impact. Finally, it shows that on a low Ca diet, patients with absorptive-IHC are particularly prone to develop hyperoxaluria: the latter observation renders questionable the relevance of a low Ca diet for patients with absorptive IHC, unless their intake of oxalate is simultaneously reduced.

Adolescent↗

Coulometric acid-base titration in nanoliter samples with glass and antimony electrodes.

A modification of the coulometric acid-base titration method is described for the measurement of titratable acid and ammonium in nanoliter samples. The main components consist of a pH-seeking device and a miniaturized antimony electrode system capable of delivering OH- ions at a known rate. The modifications include use of a cup-shaped pH-sensitive glass-membrane electrode for monitoring pH changes during titration and a new electronic titration circuit consisting of a high-impedance differential electrometer, a constant-current source, and an electronic integrating circuit. Details regarding the construction of the components of the titration system and practical aspects of its use are also provided.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

[Combined treatment of Paget's disease of bone with calcitonin and the diphosphonate EHDP].

To avoid the inhibitory effect of EHDP on bone mineralization, a variety of diphosphonates (Cl2MDP, APD) and a combination of EHDP with calcitonin have been used in the treatment of Paget's disease. In the present study, 13 patients received combined treatment with synthetic human calcitonin (HCT 0.5 mg s.c./day, 5--7 days per week) and EHDP (7.5 mg/kg, day, p.o.) for a mean duration of 6.1 months until disappearance of the symptoms. Results were compared with those obtained in a group of 10 patients treated with HCT alone. The clinical and biochemical effects were similar in both groups, although patients on the combined treatment were treated for a shorter period of time (6.1 vs 11.5 months, p less than 0.01). The desired clinical benefit was obtained within the first few months (4.9 +/- 0.9) in the group on the combined treatment, and within 8.7 +/- 2.4 months (p = 0.05) in the HCT group. Although the incidence of biochemical and scintigraphic relapse was higher than reported in the literature, no clinical recurrence has been observed up to 15 months after interruption of the combined treatment. This positive result casts doubt on the relevance of prolonged treatment of Paget's disease with HCT alone or in combination with EHDP, especially in elderly patients.

Adult↗

Secondary hyperparathyroidism in idiopathic renal hypercalciuria: fact or theory?

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (HP) has been reported to be characteristic of idiopathic hypercalciuria (IHC) of the renal type. Out of the 155 patients with urinary stone disease and a normal plasma calcium level, only 1 had a distinctively increased plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH) level; however, he was found to be hypercalcemic in a second control study. In 33 patients with renal IHC, none had an elevated PTH level measured under normal, low, and high calcium intake. The mean basal PTH level of these patients was identical to that of 86 normal controls; it was significantly lower than that of the patients with primary or secondary HP who had normal PTH levels. During EDTA infusion, seven of eight patients with primary HP and a normal basal PTH level showed PTH responses greater than those observed in six patients with renal IHC, all of the latter responses being in the normal range. Chlorthalidone, given to seven patients with renal IHC during 4 weeks (100 mg/day), did not decrease the PTH levels. Measurement of nephrogenous cAMP performed in only a few patients revealed a slightly increased value in one of them who had an exceptionally severe hypercalciuria. Beside this latter result, no evidence for secondary HP could be found. Although secondary HP is tempting pathophysiological explanation for many characteristics of renal IHC, it seems to be quite rare.

Adult↗

Immersion and venous occlusion plethysmography in patients with idiopathic orthostatic hypotension.

In 3 patients suffering from idiopathic orthostatic hypotension (Shy-Drager's syndrome) venous distensibility was measured by occlusion plethysmography in supine and upright position. In this latter position, venoconstriction was absent, contrasting with the marked venoconstriction observed in normal volunteers studied under identical conditions. Venous occlusion plethysmography therefore seems to be useful to detect the autonomic defect leading to venous pooling. These patients were also immersed in water to the mid-abdomen while standing. This maneuver fully abolished orthostatic hypotension. Immersion is useful in motivating these patients to accept treatment by counterpressure garments, and makes early active physiotherapy possible.

Aged↗

[Long-term minoxidil therapy: renin, aldosterone, noradrenaline and the need for beta blockers].

Minoxidil-induced sequential changes in plasma renin activity, urinary aldosterone and norepinephrine excretion were assessed in 11 patients with severe hypertension receiving propranolol or oxprenolol, chlorthalidone and spironolactone. Blood pressure with this treatment alone averaged 175 +/- 7/114+/-4 mm Hg (mean +/- SEM). Addition of minoxidil in a dose of 5 to 35 mg/day (mean 16 mg/day) reduced blood pressure within one week to 125+/-5/87+/-3 mm Hg. Plasma renin, urinary aldosterone and norepinephrine increased two- to threefold initially, but returned to baseline within two weeks and remained unchanged during a mean follow-up of 6.8 months. In 6 patients beta-blocking drugs were then progressively reduced and withdrawn without adverse effects, though blood pressure and heart rate increased slightly in 5 patients who required readministration of minimal doses of beta-blockers. Neither renin nor urinary aldosterone or norepinephrine excretion changed significantly after discontinuation of beta-blockade. Thus, the stimulating effect of minoxidil on renin, aldosterone and norepinephrine secretion lasts less than 3 weeks. With long-term minoxidil treatment the need for beta-blockade is markedly reduced, and these drugs may even become unnecessary in some patients.

Adult↗

Need for beta-blockade in hypertension reduced with long-term minoxidil.

Sequential changes in plasma renin activity and urinary aldosterone and noradrenaline were assessed in eight patients with severe hypertension after minoxidil had been added to their treatment. Doses of 2.5--27.5 (mean 12.5) mg/day reduced the mean blood pressure from 166/113 +/-6/2 mm Hg to 124/88+/-4/2 mm Hg in one week. Plasma renin activity and urinary aldosterone and noradrenaline increased twofold to threefold initially but returned to baseline values within two to three weeks and remained unchanged during a mean follow-up of 5.1 months. Beta-blocking drugs were then withdrawn slowly in six patients without adverse effects, though blood pressure and heart rate increased in three patients, who required minimal doses of beta-blockers. Plasma renin activity and urinary aldosterone and noradrenaline did not change significantly after beta-blockade had been stopped. We conclude that the need for beta-blockade is greatly reduced with long-term minoxidil treatment and that it may be unnecessary in some patients.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

An adverse effect of insulin on the oxygen-release capacity of red blood cells in nonacidotic diabetics.

Oxyhemoglobin dissociation curves (ODC) were performed on blood from newly diagnosed, nonketotic diabetics prior to and following initial insulin treatment and from ambulatory juvenile diabetics before and after their usual morning insulin. In 10 newly discovered diabetics the average P50 at in vivo pH was normal prior to insulin (26.2 mm Hg), decreased to 24.5 mm Hg (p less than 0.005) on the day following the initial insulin administration, and was within normal limits (26.9 mm Hg) when the diabetes was finally well controlled and red cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) had risen to elevated levels. Oxygen affinity of hemoglobin was closely correlated with the content of red cell 2,3-DPG (r = 0.61, p less than 0.001) but was unrelated to the level of hemoglobin Alc. In 40 juvenile patients the average P50 was also normal prior to insulin administration but was significantly lower 3-4 hr after they had received their usual insulin dose (p less than 0.001). The study indicates that insulin administration to diabetics with high blood glucose levels may lead to transient decreases in red cell 2,3-DPG and in oxygen-releasing capacity of the red blood cells.

Adolescent↗