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Biomedical subjects

R Grundmann

Publications and source records attributed to R Grundmann.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

The authority of complexity.

The assertion about the unique 'complexity' or the peculiarly intricate character of social phenomena has, at least within sociology, a long, venerable and virtually uncontested tradition. At the turn of the last century, classical social theorists, for example, Georg Simmel and Emile Durkheim, made prominent and repeated reference to this attribute of the subject matter of sociology and the degree to which it complicates, even inhibits the develop and application of social scientific knowledge. Our paper explores the origins, the basis and the consequences of this assertion and asks in particular whether the classic complexity assertion still deserves to be invoked in analyses that ask about the production and the utilization of social scientific knowledge in modern society. We present John Maynard Keynes' economic theory and its practical applications as an illustration. We conclude that the practical value of social scientific knowledge is not dependent on a faithful, in the sense of complete, representation of social reality. Instead, social scientific knowledge that wants to optimize its practicality has to attend and attach itself to elements of social situations that can be altered or are actionable.

Economics↗
PubMed1995

Low resolution DNA typing of the HLA-B5 cross-reactive group by nested PCR-SSP.

We have established a DNA typing system for the HLA-B5 serologically cross-reactive group (CREG) by means of a two-step PCR amplification with nested sequence-specific primers (nPCR-SSP). The present study provides a low resolution definition of the HLA-B5 CREG, i.e. identifying polymorphism equivalent to serology. Two different primer combinations allow group-specific amplification of all HLA-B5 CREG alleles and other related HLA class I alleles from genomic DNA. The amplified DNA is subjected to a second amplification step using eleven nested primer pairs. This assay permits the detection of the HLA-B5 CREG specificities B35, B51, B52, B53, and B7801 in all homozygous and heterozygous combinations. Sensitivity and specificity as judged by a blind quality control study investigating a reference panel (n = 50) is 100%. Extension of this approach should allow rapid DNA typing of all serologically defined HLA-B specificities by nPCR-SSP.

Alleles↗
PubMed1990

[Neopterin as a marker of aspecific immunostimulation with Propionibacterium avidum KP-40 in patients with gastrointestinal tumors. A prospective randomized study].

This prospective randomized study demonstrated that a preoperative intravenous infusion of 10 mg of the bacterial preparation Propionibacterium avidum KP-40 to patients with gastrointestinal tumors significantly (P less than 0.001) enhanced the secretion of neopterin, measurable as long-lasting (greater than 16 days) elevated urine excretion. Postoperative re-infusion of P. avidum KP-40 caused (statistically significant (p less than 0.001] re-enhancement of neopterin urine levels.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Preoperative immunostimulation with propionibacterium avidum KP-40 in patients with gastric carcinoma: a prospective randomized study.

Sixty-eight patients admitted for resection of gastric carcinoma entered a prospectively randomized trial. Patients in the therapy group (n = 34) received a preoperative controlled infusion of 10 mg Propionibacterium avidum KP-40. The therapy and control group did not differ with regard to postoperative complications, tumor recurrence rates (therapy group: 41%, control group: 38%), and patient survival rates (survival rate in the therapy group after 25 months: 53%, in the control group after 25 months: 50%).

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1990

[Immunoglobulin therapy of postoperative sepsis].

35 patients with septic postoperative complications entered a prospectively randomized study. The clinical state of these patients was daily determined using the sepsis score described by Elebute and Stoner. Endotoxin and antithrombin III were measured in the plasma using the limulus-amoebocyte-lysat test for endotoxin determination. The septic patients were treated with an immunoglobulin preparation (Pentaglobin) administered by the intravenous route. This preparation is enriched in IgM and IgA. Due to the immunoglobulin therapy the endotoxin titres decreased; simultaneously a reduction of mortality and shortening of time of hospitalization and of mechanical ventilation were observed.

Antithrombin III↗
PubMed1990

Comparative study on lymphocyte subpopulations in cancer patients after immunostimulation with propionibacteria and in renal transplant patients after combined immunosuppression.

In two groups of patients the influence of unspecific immunostimulation (group 1) and combined immunosuppression (group 2) on lymphocyte subpopulations was studied. Patients constituting group 1 suffered from gastric and colorectal carcinoma, respectively, and were preoperatively treated with 10 mg whole cell preparation of immunostimulating Propionibacterium avidum KP-40 (Köln-Propioni, strain 40). Patients of group 2 were submitted to combined immunosuppressive therapy and treated with antilymphocyte globulin, prednisone, and azathioprine subsequent to renal transplantation. Immunostimulation with P. avidum KP-40 resulted in a significant increase (p less than or equal to 0.01) of the natural killer (NK) cell population, whereas total leukocyte and lymphocyte counts as well as helper and suppressor T lymphocyte subsets did not evidently differ from control values. On the contrary after immunosuppression all subsets of lymphocytes as well as NK cells significantly decreased.

Azathioprine↗
PubMed1990

[Quality assurance in clinical studies: a necessity].

Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) are the constituents of a new concept for quality assurance in pharmaceutical research. They are to establish standards for preclinical and experimental research in animals (GLP), for the manufacturing of drugs (GMP), and for trials on medical products in human beings (GCP), respectively. Each of the 3 entities is characterized by the same principles of control; these involve written instruction describing the general operations to be performed, the so called Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), and Quality Assurance Units being responsible for surveying the operations in accordance with the SOP, and ensuring that the generated data will satisfy the requirements for quality. As far as clinical trials are concerned, the SOP is represented by the study protocol and a Monitor provides for the surveying of the trial. GCP is further characterized by ethical principles, which aim primarily at protecting personal integrity and welfare of the trial subjects. The Declaration of Helsinki is the accepted basis for clinical trial ethics. Following the Declaration of Helsinki during the planning, conducting, surveying and evaluating of clinical trials provides for a degree of seriousness being the real hallmark of Good Clinical Practice.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Monitoring of tumor necrosis factor therapy with neopterin.

As neopterin is only secreted by stimulated macrophages, serum neopterin levels are an important marker for cellular immunity. Daily determinations of serum neopterin were performed in five patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma receiving a therapy with tumor necrosis factor (TNF). 24 h after every TNF infusion a significant, but only short-lasting increase of neopterin was observed. This effect was dependent on the applicated TNF dose. These results prove that determinations of serum neopterin levels are a helpful parameter for monitoring an immunomodulating therapy with TNF.

Biopterins↗
PubMed1989

[Quality of life after rectal resection or extirpation. A comparison using different measurement parameters].

Two groups of 41 patients each who had undergone rectal resection or excision were questioned about the quality of their life an average of 4.3 or 3.8 years, respectively, after the operation. Three different measurements were obtained (Karnofsky, Grogono and Spitzer indexes). In addition, the patients provided a subjective estimate of the quality of their life. The quality of life was significantly better after resection than after excision, most clearly so according to the Grogono index, and this was also reflected in the patients' personal assessment. In males rectal excision frequently resulted in inferiority feelings, depression and disorders of sexual activity. Females found it easier to cope: they showed only minor differences in quality of life between resection and excision. Irrigation proved to be the best means of stoma care as far as quality of life was concerned.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Effect of time of operation and clinic organization on postoperative complications].

During a 1-year period 1082 general surgical interventions were prospectively documented and their complication rates evaluated by a score system. Factors responsible for the complication rates and possibly depending on hospital organization should be analysed. The complication rates were influenced by the selection of the weekday, the length of operation time and the extent of discrepancy between planned and required operation time. Furthermore, the complication rates paralleled the extent of utilization of the operation theatre during a workday. The complication rates were not affected by the beginning of operation and the operation month as well as the monthly utilization of the operation theatres. Whether the weather did influence the complication rates could not be decided: higher complication rates were found in the summer as compared to the winter period, but the complication score was independent of the level of the outside temperature and humidity.

Germany, West↗