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Biomedical subjects

R Otto

Publications and source records attributed to R Otto.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Subclavian aneurysm producing the subclavian steal syndrome.

An atherosclerotic aneurysm of the right subclavian artery causing subclavian steal syndrome is described. Complementary information obtained from digital subtraction angiography and computed tomography helped to establish a correct preoperative diagnosis.

Aneurysm

Energy recycling by lactate efflux in growing and nongrowing cells of Streptococcus cremoris.

Streptococcus cremoris was grown in pH-regulated batch and continuous cultures with lactose as the energy source. During growth the magnitude and composition of the electrochemical proton gradient and the lactate concentration gradient were determined. The upper limit of the number of protons translocated with a lactate molecule during lactate excretion (the proton-lactate stoichiometry) was calculated from the magnitudes of the membrane potential, the transmembrane pH difference, and the lactate concentration gradient. In cells growing in continuous culture, a low lactate concentration gradient (an internal lactate concentration of 35 to 45 mM at an external lactate concentration of 25 mM) existed. The cell yield (Ymax lactose) increased with increasing growth pH. In batch culture at pH 6.34, a considerable lactate gradient (more than 60 mV) was present during the early stages of growth. As growth continued, the electrochemical proton gradient did not change significantly (from -100 to -110 mV), but the lactate gradient decreased gradually. The H+-lactate stoichiometry of the excretion process decreased from 1.5 to about 0.9. In nongrowing cells, the magnitude and composition of the electrochemical proton gradient was dependent on the external pH but not on the external lactate concentration (up to 50 mM). The magnitude of the lactate gradient was independent of the external pH but decreased greatly with increasing external lactate concentrations. At very low lactate concentrations, a lactate gradient of 100 mV existed, which decreased to about 40 mV at 50 mM external lactate. As a consequence, the proton-lactate stoichiometry decreased with increasing external concentrations of protons and lactate at pH 7.0 from 1 mM lactate to 1.1 at 50 mM lactate and at pH 5.5 from 1.4 at l mM lactate to 0.7 at 50 mM lactate. The data presented in this paper suggest that a decrease in external pH and an increase in external lactate concentration both result in lower proton-lactate stoichiometry values and therefore in a decrease of the generation of metabolic energy by the end product efflux process.

Energy Metabolism

Control of oxygen uptake, microcirculation and glucose release by circulating noradrenaline in perfused rat liver.

The effect of noradrenaline on oxygen uptake, on periportal and perivenous oxygen tension at surface acini, on microcirculation and on glucose output were studied in isolated rat livers perfused at constant flow with Krebs-Henseleit-hydrogen carbonate buffer containing 5mM glucose and 2mM lactate. Noradrenaline at 1 microM concentration caused a decrease in oxygen uptake, while at 0.1 microM it led to an increase. Both high and low doses of noradrenaline decreased the tissue surface oxygen tension in periportal and - after a transient rise - in perivenous areas. Noradrenaline at an overall constant flow caused an increase of portal pressure and an alteration of the intrahepatic distribution of the perfusate: at the surface of the liver and in cross sections infused trypan blue led to only a slightly heterogeneous staining after a low dose of noradrenaline but to a clearly heterogeneous staining after a high dose. Both high and low doses of noradrenaline stimulated glucose release. All effects could be inhibited by the alpha-blocking agent phentolamine. In conclusion, control of hepatic oxygen consumption by circulating noradrenaline is a complex result of opposing hemodynamic and metabolic components: the microcirculatory changes inhibit oxygen uptake; they dominate after high catecholamine doses. The metabolic effects include a stimulation of oxygen utilization; they prevail at low catecholamine levels. The noradrenergic control of glucose release is also very complex, involving direct, metabolic and indirect, hemodynamic components.

Animals

Surgery and granulocyte transfusions for life-threatening infections in chronic granulomatous disease.

We report two patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) and life-threatening infections: a 10 10/12-year-old boy had Aspergillus fumigatus spondylitis with destruction of the 11th vertebral body and paravertebral abscess formation, and an 8 5/12-year-old boy had multiple Staphylococcus aureus hepatic abscesses with subphrenic abscess formation. Both patients failed to respond to intense antimicrobial therapy but showed a remarkable recovery following surgical drainage combined with granulocyte transfusions. These results suggest that antimicrobial therapy and surgical drainage followed by granulocyte transfusions may be the ideal mode of treatment for severe infections in patients with CGD.

Amphotericin B

[The Mirizzi syndrome].

Three cases of Mirizzi's syndrome are reported, with special emphasis on differential diagnosis and preoperative evaluation. The syndrome consists of the triad cystic duct stone, inflammatory reaction and benign hepatic duct stenosis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography is mandatory for preoperative evaluation. Cholecystectomy with clearance of the bile duct is the treatment of choice.

Cholecystectomy

[What does computer tomography and abdominal ultrasound studies accomplish in the staging of Hodgkin's disease?].

In a prospective series of 25 patients with early-stage Hodgkin's disease, abdominal assessment by computer tomogram and ultrasound was controlled by staging laparotomy. It was found that the probability of Hodgkin's disease increased with increasing diameter of the abdominal lymph nodes. 42% of the nodes between 16-20 mm in diameter had evidence of disease. Overall accuracy and specificity for the assessment of abdominal lymph nodes by CT and US was around 90%. Sensitivity was much lower than in other series, probably due to the fact that our patient sample was relatively small and consisted of patients in earlier stages with small lymph nodes. Assessment of lymph nodes by US is more, and assessment by CT less, dependent on individual factors. It is concluded that neither CT or US can replace staging laparotomy if precise information about abdominal lymph nodes is needed. Assessment of the spleen by CT and US is usually unreliable and needs histologic confirmation.

Adult

Oral chloramphenicol therapy for multiple liver abscesses in hyperimmunoglobulinemia E syndrome.

In a patient with Hyper-IgE-syndrome multiple liver abscesses developed in spite of prophylactic treatment with trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazol. Ultrasound confirmed the clinical diagnosis and percutaneous needle aspiration under ultrasonographic guidance and culture of the aspirated pus allowed specific antibiotic treatment by oral chloramphenicol alone without surgical drainage. The isolated Staph.aureus strain was resistant to trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazol.

Candidiasis

Age-related differences in nephrotoxicity of cadmium.

Nephrotoxic effects can be quantified by measurement of renal excretion of p-amino-hippurate (PAH). Intraperitoneal administration of cadmium in increasing single doses to adult rats is followed by a biphasic effect on renal PAH excretion. Administration of low doses (250 or 500 micrograms/100 g b.wt. CdCl2) results in a significant increase whereas a single dose of 750 micrograms/100 g b.wt. CdCl2 is followed by a distinct diminution of renal PAH excretion. Repeated administrations of 500 micrograms/100 g b.wt. CdCl2 for 2 or 3 consecutive days result in a marked reduction of PAH excretion which is reversible 5 or 6 d following administration. In juvenile rats cadmium does not produce any statistically significant alteration in renal PAH excretion, likely caused by the immaturity of renal tubular transport processes.

Aging

[A new artificial cushion (elastomer) as the interface for sonography].

For ultrasonographic examinations of 500 patients a new plastic cushion was applied as interface. This block is well flexible and behaves ultrasonographically like water. Long linear-array transducers can be coupled easily to irregular surfaces. The high resolution at the near focus of modern transducers can fully be used for demonstration of superficial structures. Indications are discussed.

Abdominal Neoplasms

["Learning and communication technics" in occupational rehabilitation of the handicapped: experiences wih retrainees in the metal-processing field].

Based on the special problems encountered by older and disabled workers, the authors investigate the potential of "learning and communications skills" training in enhancing the vocational and social reintegration in trade/technical-sector occupations. The experiences outlined refer to retrainees in the field of metal processing. They demonstrate that extra-functional learning goals such as communication skills and the ability to learn systematically, are more easily accomplished when the skills training occurs in association with the functional learning objectives (i.e. occupation-related skills).

Cardiac Rehabilitation