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Biomedical subjects

R Renner

Publications and source records attributed to R Renner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Efficacy and safety of high-dose cabergoline in Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of high-dose (up to 20 mg/day) cabergoline in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with motor fluctuations and/or dyskinesias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-four PD patients had cabergoline up-titrated and their levodopa (L-dopa) reduced over a maximum of 20 weeks, followed by at least 6 weeks steady cabergoline dosing. Primary endpoint was change in mean hyperkinesia intensity at the final visit (week 26). RESULTS: Mean (+/- SD) cabergoline was increased from 6.43 +/- 2.66 to 12.78 +/- 5.67 mg/day and mean L-dopa reduced from 606.6 +/- 263.9 to 370.6 +/- 192.5 mg/day. A significant reduction (P < 0.001) in mean hyperkinesia intensity occurred from baseline (day 0) to week 26. Improvements in 'on with dyskinesias', mean dystonia intensity (P < 0.05), time spent in 'severe off' condition, severity of 'off' periods as well as clinical/patient global impression, and health-related quality of life were observed. Twenty-four drug-related adverse events were recorded of which four were regarded as serious. CONCLUSION: High-dose cabergoline was well tolerated and provided significant improvements in the Parkinson symptomatology and a reduced requirement for L-dopa.

Adolescent↗

Lower and upper bounds on the secret-key rate for quantum key distribution protocols using one-way classical communication.

We investigate a general class of quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols using one-way classical communication. We show that full security can be proven by considering only collective attacks. We derive computable lower and upper bounds on the secret-key rate of those QKD protocols involving only entropies of two-qubit density operators. As an illustration of our results, we determine new bounds for the Bennett-Brassard 1984, the 6-state, and the Bennett 1992 protocols. We show that in all these cases the first classical processing that the legitimate partners should apply consists in adding noise.

Journal Article↗

Effectiveness of a disease management programme for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and albuminuria in primary care - the PROSIT project (Proteinuria Screening and Intervention).

Aims. To evaluate the structured PROSIT(R) disease management programme for high-risk diabetic patients in primary care with respect to the cardio-vascular risk profile and mortality. Subjects and Methods. Retrospectively 55 albuminuric Type 2 diabetic patients included into the PROSIT(R) programme from 1994 to 1999 (intervention group: age 66.6 +/- 10.5 years, known duration of diabetes 8.9 +/- 6.5 years) were compared with 58 albuminuric patients not participating in the PROSIT(R) programme (control group: age 68.5 +/- 10.4 years, known duration of diabetes 8.5 +/- 6.7 years). Within PROSIT(R) a structured multifactorial intervention programme was applied. The main characteristics of this intervention were strict follow-ups of the patient's risk profile every three months and the use of quality management methods (definition of target values, structured documentation, central data feedback with diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations based on European guidelines). The cardio-vascular risk profile, therapeutic intervention, and secondary diabetic complications were compared between both groups in 1994 and 1999. Results. In the period from 1994 to 1999 the intervention group showed a significant improvement in the vascular risk profile, while the control group did not. In 1999 the mean arterial blood pressure was significantly lower compared to the control group (115 +/- 13 mm Hg vs. 125 +/- 16 mm Hg, p < 0.05). The HbA1c improved only in the intervention group and in 1999 it was significantly lower than in the control group (7.0 +/- 1.3 % vs. 8.4 +/- 1.8 %, p < 0.01). Moreover, the occurrence of clinical endpoints in the intervention group could be reduced: Both the mortalitly rate (14.5 % vs. 34.5 %, p < 0.05) and the rate of new myocardial infarctions (6 % vs. 20 %, p < 0.05) of the intervention group were significantly lower. Conclusions. Participation of albuminuric Type 2 diabetic patients and their physicians in a structured intervention programme showed positive effects on the cardio-vascular risk profile and endpoints compared with a group of non-participating patients and physicians.

Aged↗

[First experience with a non-covered CHOO enteral stent in the stomach,duodenum, and jejunum].

AIM: To evaluate the technical performance of the non-covered CHOO enteral stent in the stomach, duodenum and jejunum. METHODS: In 8 patients (two men, 6 women) with malignant tumors of the stomach (n = 4), duodenum (n = 3) and jejunum (n = 1) stent implantation was performed under fluoroscopic control. In two patients endoscopy was needed additionally. The patients were followed for 1 to 168 days. RESULTS: Stent implantation was technically successful in 7 of 8 patients. In 6 patients symptoms improved. In two patients a second stent implantation was necessary 35 and 161 days after primary implantation, respectively. There was no stent migration or tumor ingrowth. CONCLUSION: The implantation of the non-covered CHOO enteral stent into the upper gastrointestinal tract is safe and effective.

Adult↗

Treatment of a malignant stenosis of the corpus of the stomach with a self-expanding stent.

In a 50-year-old man, a self-expandable stent was implanted under fluoroscopic guidance to treat symptoms of an inoperable carcinoma of the corpus of the stomach. Foreshortening of the stent necessitated implantation of a proximal extension stent 5 weeks later. Secondary symptoms of advanced stage of the disease negatively influenced clinical success of the procedure, although free passage through the stents was achieved. We conclude that stent implantation for palliation of a carcinoma of the corpus of the stomach seems to be a viable method. The operator has to be aware of the special limitations and problems associated with the procedure.

Esophageal Stenosis↗

[Increased clinical and economic advantages using PROSIT (proteinuria screening and intervention) in type 2 diabetic patients].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Even though there are simple and cost-effective means for the early diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy, only a small proportion of diabetics in Germany is regularly tests for microalbuminuria. On the basis of evidence-based knowledge and of international guidelines the PROSIT project (proteinuria screening and intervention) aims to make good this deficiency in the German Federal Republic by introducing nephropathy screening and a structured intervention to improve blood sugar and blood pressure regulation, optimizing lipid metabolism and nutritional intake. It was the aim of this study to assess with a computer-aided diabetes model the clinical value and cost-effectiveness of such an intervention. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From data collected for 589 diabetics who participated in the PROSIT project, the short-time effects after one year on HbA1c, systolic blood pressure and lipid levels were obtained and cost-effectiveness compared with that of standard care. Life expectancy, life-time costs to be met by health insurance and event frequency of the diabetic nephropathy stages were calculated with a Markov model for type 2 diabetics. RESULTS: PROSIT improved individual life expectancy by 0.23 years with reduction of life-time costs by DM 9,772 (ca. $4,900). The cumulative incidence of microalbuminuria was lowered by 30.5%, that of terminal renal failure by 55.9%. Even after discounting the results (i.e. the inclusion of time preference for cost and benefit) and stepwise changes of all variables by +/- 10%, PROSIT remained the more cost-effective variant. CONCLUSION: From a health economy viewpoint PROSIT is superior to standard management. Early recognition of albuminuria and the introduction of a multifactorial treatment strategy make it possible to delay progression to terminal renal failure. In addition to its clinical benefits, prevention of dialysis and transplantation would reduce the annual savings of the health care system by several billion DM.

Albuminuria↗