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Biomedical subjects

R Behrens

Publications and source records attributed to R Behrens.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Expression of a common idiotype PR4 in the sera of patients with leprosy.

The sera of 187 patients from across the leprosy spectrum were screened for the expression of the PR4 idiotype, which was first identified on a human hybridoma-derived monoclonal antibody from a patient with leprosy and found to react with the Mycobacterium leprae phenolic glycolipid and a variety of polynucleotides. Sixty per cent (51 out of 85) of patients with lepromatous leprosy (LL), 66% (33 out of 49) with borderline lepromatous (BL) disease, 47% (14 out of 30) with borderline tuberculoid (BT) leprosy, and 56% (13 out of 23) of tuberculoid (TT) patients were found to have significantly elevated titres of the PR4 idiotype in their sera compared with endemic controls, irrespective of the presence or absence of endemic malaria. Sera from 52 patients with tuberculosis were also screened as a control for mycobacterial infection. The PR4 idiotype was significantly elevated in 37% (19 out of 52) of these patients. No correlation between idiotype and serum immunoglobulins IgG and IgM was found, indicating that the concentrations of idiotype levels in sera were not merely a reflection of changes in serum immunoglobulin levels. It is hypothesized that the expression of the PR4 idiotype is due to certain germline genes preferentially expressed rather than being the result of polyclonal B cell activation.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[GnRH-agonists in the therapy of endometriosis].

Repeated application of GnRH agonists causes a reversible suppression of ovarian function. Suppression on estrogen release is the fundamental idea of this hormonal therapy of endometriosis. We treated twelve patients with histologically proved endometriosis with leuprolide acetate depot in a dose of 3.75 mg s.c. every 4 weeks over a period of 6 months. In the first week of therapy the estrogen level decreased to a post-menopausal niveau along with amenorrhoea during the entire period of therapy. Complaints previous to therapy such as dysmenorrhoea, pelvic pain and dyspareunia were relieved or completely disappeared after therapy. The clinical finding on palpation also diminished or disappeared. In addition to this finding pelvis copy showed a shift from severe endometriosis stage III and stage IV to stage I and stage II of the AFS classification 1985. Regular menstruation appeared in 5 to 9 weeks after the last application to all patients. Out of six cases of infertility, four patients became pregnant. Except for one case, typical menopausal symptoms appeared, such as flush, increased perspiration and sleeping disorders. During and after therapy we could not prove any changes in the lipid metabolism under estrogen therapy. Mineralization of the bone decreased under therapy by about 3%. Simultaneously, serum osteocalcin increased. Demineralization occurred with one exception within the normal range for the corresponding age. With identical efficiency but less side effects, we see therapy with GnRH agonists as an alternative to current hormonal therapy of endometriosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Crohn's disease in cystic fibrosis.

We report on three patients suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF) who developed gastrointestinal symptoms of Crohn's disease (CD). Two patients developed enteroenteric or enterocutaneous fistulas. The diagnosis of CD is based on typical endoscopic, radiologic, and histological features of epithelioid granulomas in two children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Colonoscopy: indications, procedure, results].

Colonoscopy in childhood is indicated as a valuable procedure mainly in rectal bleeding and suspected inflammatory bowel disease. Because of high efficiency and low complication rates this procedure should be used more often.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

[Fatal consequences of fructose infusion in undiagnosed fructose intolerance].

A 13-year-old girl with previously undiagnosed fructose intolerance was operated on for acute appendicitis. Postoperatively she received several infusions containing fructose or sorbitol. Haematemesis occurred on the fourth postoperative day, as well as tarry stools and jaundice. Blood sugar was 2 mg/100 ml, Quick test 3%, liver enzymes were markedly elevated, serum bilirubin was over 9 mg/100 ml, and there was a metabolic acidosis. Despite intensive treatment, including haemodialysis and plasmapheresis, she died on the 11th postoperative day.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Studies of a common idiotype PR4 in autoimmune rheumatic disease.

A new common idiotype, designated PR4, is described. This idiotype was originally identified on a human hybridoma-derived monoclonal antibody from a patient with leprosy, which binds the major Mycobacterium leprae-derived antigen, phenolic glycolipid-1, poly(ADP)-ribose, DNA, and poly(dT). The PR4 idiotype was found in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (70%), rheumatoid arthritis (40%), and Sjögren's syndrome (15%). It was not, however, found in the spouses of the SLE patients or (unlike other lupus idiotypes) in their healthy first-degree relatives. Although no correlation between PR4 idiotype levels and disease activity in SLE was found, a subset of rheumatoid arthritis patients with high levels of the idiotype was identified.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗
PubMed1987

Evaluation of mannitol, lactulose and 51Cr-labelled ethylenediaminetetra-acetate as markers of intestinal permeability in man.

1. Factors affecting the intestinal uptake and urinary excretion of mannitol, lactulose and 51Cr-labelled ethylenediaminetetra-acetate (51Cr-EDTA), have been investigated in normal subjects and three patients with ileostomy. 2. The distribution volume of markers within the body, the rate of disappearance from plasma and renal clearance were assessed after an intravenous injection of a mixture of mannitol (2 g), [14C]mannitol (10 microCi), lactulose (0.1 g) and 51Cr-EDTA (5 microCi). 3. The urinary recovery of all the intravenously administered markers was close to 100%. Distribution volumes and patterns of excretion were virtually identical. Oxidation of intravenously administered mannitol accounted for only about 1% of the dose. 4. The passage of an orally administered mixture of markers was traced through the intestine and into urine. Transit time through the gastrointestinal tract was measured by the breath hydrogen method and by radionuclide scanning. 5. The passage of markers from mouth to the large bowel was essentially complete by 3.5 h. In some subjects the marker appeared in the large bowel as early as 30-40 min but in others it took three times as long. 6. After an oral dose the urinary excretion of mannitol fell progressively from 2 to 6 h, whereas the excretion of lactulose and 51Cr-EDTA increased slightly. As a consequence the lactulose/mannitol and 51Cr-EDTA/mannitol ratios in urine collected between 0 and 2 h were more than twofold higher than in urine collected between 4 and 6 h (P less than 0.001). After 6 h, the urinary excretion

Chromium Radioisotopes↗
PubMed1987

Effect of total starvation and very low calorie diets on intestinal permeability in man.

1. The effect of total starvation for 4-5 days on the intestinal uptake and urinary excretion of markers from an orally administered mixture of mannitol (5g), [14C]mannitol (0.5 microCi), lactulose (10 g) and 51Cr-labelled ethylenediaminetetra-acetate (51Cr-EDTA) (30 microCi), was assessed in five lean (group 1) and four obese (group 2) subjects. The effect of a very low calorie diet for 1 week and of a subsequent 5 day period of total starvation on intestinal permeability was assessed in a similar way in another group of obese subjects (group 3). Transit time from mouth to caecum of the fastest component of the oral mixture was assessed by the appearance of hydrogen in breath (all subjects), and the configuration of the transit spectrum through various segments of the gastrointestinal tract, was assessed by a radionuclide scan method (group 2 subjects only). The effect of starvation on plasma/renal clearance of these markers in subjects of group 2 was assessed with the use of a bolus intravenous injection of a mixture of mannitol (2 g). [14C]mannitol (10 microCi), lactulose (0.1 g) and 51Cr-EDTA (5 microCi). 2. The uptake and urinary excretion of orally administered mannitol was decreased by total starvation. The mean decrease was 47% in the lean subjects (P less than 0.025), 33% in group 2 obese subjects (P less than 0.05) and 41% in group 3 obese subjects P greater than 0.05). In contrast, starvation produced no significant change in either the excretion of 51Cr-EDTA or lactulose.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Creatinine↗
PubMed1986

Investigation of auranofin-induced diarrhoea.

Gastrointestinal function was assessed in six patients with rheumatoid arthritis who had developed diarrhoea on treatment with Auranofin. With the administration of Auranofin whole gut transit time decreased markedly (to 50% or less of control values) in five of six patients. The speed of passage of intestinal contents through the colon was certainly increased but attempts to assess transit through the upper gastrointestinal tract failed because the breath hydrogen method gave inconclusive results. There was no evidence of colitis and in all cases biopsy of the rectal mucosa appeared normal by light microscopy. In the five patients with rapid intestinal transit faecal weight increased more than two-fold (range +44 to +335%) although in only three cases were the changes sufficient to cause an increased frequency of bowel action. Overall the concentration of sodium in faecal water increased three-fold (mean values rose from 10.6 to 38.3 mmol/l). There were no significant changes in the concentrations of either potassium or chloride but bicarbonate was reduced. Faecal pH fell from a mean value of 7.5 (range 6.8-7.9) to a mean value of 6.4 (range 6.0-7.4). In the three patients who developed overt diarrhoea and in two others taking Auranofin the intestinal uptake of 51Cr-EDTA was increased on average three-fold and there was a similar change in the ratio of the absorption of lactulose/mannitol. The mean clearance of alpha-1-antitrypsin from the circulation into the gastrointestinal tract was doubled. These data indicate an increase in intestinal permeability. In contrast the absorption of vitamin B12 was unaffected and there was no significant change in the excretion of faecal fat although one patient developed mild steatorrhoea. Thus in a selected group of subjects with rheumatoid arthritis the administration of Auranofin caused diarrhoea in association with a reversible defect in intestinal permeability but without significant change in the absorption of nutrients.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[An unusual case of invagination].

Intussusception is an usual pediatric problem in the first two years of life. Nevertheless, it may occur in older children as well, but then often with an uncharacteristic history and atypical x-ray findings. Even symptoms lasting over weeks or months do not exclude intussusception. Ultrasonography is a useful diagnostic approach. In difficult cases endoscopy is indicated.

Child↗
PubMed1983

[Campylobacter infection in children].

Enteritis by Campylobacter jejuni/coli is by far the most frequent clinical entity of campylobacter-infection. It may be compared to salmonella-enteritis as for its epidemiologic importance. The course of the disease may be dramatic, but can be successfully treated as soon as the pathogen is known. In prematures and newborn babies infections with Campylobacter fetus ssp. fetus are life-threatening and early diagnosis is of life-saving importance. Five observations of campylobacter-enteritis in children aged 2, 8, and 10 years are reported. They were characterized by high fever frequent loose, watery stools with blood, leucocytosis or leucopenia and elevated BSR. All children became asymptomatic with symptomatic treatment, without specific antibacterial therapy. The importance of campylobacter-infections, their diagnosis and course of disease in children are discussed.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗