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Biomedical subjects

R Weber

Publications and source records attributed to R Weber.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Intestinal Enterocytozoon bieneusi microsporidiosis in an HIV-infected patient: diagnosis by ileo-colonoscopic biopsies and long-term follow up.

A 39-year-old patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome was diagnosed as having intestinal Enterocytozoon bieneusi microsporidiosis after persistent watery diarrhea for 30 months and a 16-kg weight loss. Microsporidian parasites were found by light and electron microscopy in tissue specimens of the duodenum, jejunum, and terminal ileum, and by light microscopic examination of stool specimens. When duodenal tissue sections obtained 16 months previously were reviewed retrospectively, E. bieneusi was also found. Until now, diagnosis of intestinal microsporidiosis has been based on examination of bioptic specimens of the upper small intestine because the sensitivity of new coprodiagnostic techniques has not been determined. Our findings of ileal microsporidiosis show that examination of the terminal ileum and ileal biopsy collection in tandem with colonoscopy is indicated for patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus and suffering from unexplained chronic diarrhea. The long-term course of our patient demonstrates that E. bieneusi, although not necessarily life threatening, can cause protracted debilitating diarrhea and wasting in severely immunodeficient patients.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1992

Nuclear pleomorphism, a strong prognostic factor in axillary node-negative small invasive breast cancer.

We have evaluated established risk factors (tumor size, menopausal status, receptor status, tumor histology, and grading according to Bloom & Richardson including subfactor analysis) as well as local therapeutic procedures in a series of 121 patients with axillary node-negative (ANN) breast cancer stage T1a and T1b. The patients were operated on at a single institution (Department of Surgery, Hanuschkrankenhaus, Vienna) from 1969 to 1989. After a median observation time of 185 months, a total of 16 patients (13%) had a recurrence; of these, 6 had died of the primary disease by the control date (Dec 1, 1990). Grading (distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS) p = 0.01, overall survival (OS) p = 0.006, mitosis rate (DRFS p = 0.006, OS p = 0.02), and particularly nuclear pleomorphism (DRFS p = 0.0002, OS p = 0.00001) proved to have prognostic impact on distant recurrence-free survival and/or overall survival (Mantel-Cox log rank test; level of significance: p = 0.006 after adjustment for multiple testing by Bonferroni correction). Therapeutic procedures had a borderline-significant impact on local recurrence (p = 0.09). No other parameters had statistically significant impact. Thus, our long-term analysis confirms the superior prognostic relevance of histologic grading and nuclear pleomorphism in patients with ANN breast cancer stage T1a and T1b.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

A randomized phase II study of a new tick-borne encephalitis vaccine using three different doses and two immunization regimens.

A new, highly purified inactivated tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) vaccine (FSME-Vaccine Behring, BI 71.061) was recently registered in Germany. A multinational phase II study was performed in seven centres located in areas endemic for TBE. A total of 379 healthy adults were randomly allocated into three dosage groups (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 micrograms antigen per dose, respectively) and into two immunization schedules [vaccination with one dose of 0.5 ml intramuscularly on days 0, 7 and 21 (abbreviated schedule), or on days 0, 28 and 300 (conventional schedule)]. Antibody response to vaccination was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), haemagglutination inhibition test (HIT) and neutralization test (NT). Seroconversion rates in the different groups 28 days after one single dose were 75.3-83.5% in ELISA, 35.8-50.6% in HIT, and 100% in NT. All vaccinees showed seroconversion in all tests on day 42 in the conventional schedule and on day 35 in the abbreviated schedule, with the exception of one subject, who remained seronegative in HIT only. Geometric mean titres (GMT) of about 3000 in ELISA were achieved by two vaccinations in the conventional schedule and showed a booster increase to 5500-8000 GMT after revaccination on day 300. Overall frequency of adverse events (related and unrelated) was 37% (conventional schedule) and 46% (abbreviated schedule) after the first, 9% and 21% after the second, and 5% and 15% after the third vaccination, respectively. Generally, side effects were mild and transient, including mainly headache, fever, malaise and local irritation. Serious, vaccine-related side effects did not occur.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Microscopic venous infiltration as predictor of relapse in renal cell carcinoma.

In a retrospective analysis at a single institution we evaluated the significance of various pathological phenomena on the disease-free survival of patients with radically resected renal cell carcinoma. Parameters considered were tumor extension (pT stage) according to the International Union Against Cancer, tumor invasion into the renal vein or vena cava (V stage), standard histological grading (G stage), nuclear grading (F stage) and microscopic venous infiltration. The pT stage had a significant impact on disease-free survival (p = 0.0004) of patients with radically resected tumors, as did G stage (p = 0.0001) and F stage (p = 0.002). In contrast to some previously reported results tumor extension to the renal vein and vena cava showed no influence on disease-free survival (p = 0.077). On the other hand, microscopic venous infiltration, defined as local tumor infiltration through all vessel structures including the endothelial layer leading to a free tumor extension into the vessel, had a significant impact on disease-free survival (p less than 0.0001). When stratifying either tumor size or nuclear differentiation against microscopic venous infiltration, the latter retained a superior influence on disease-free survival (p = 0.01 and p = 0.0079, respectively). We conclude that microscopic venous infiltration is the most important predictor of relapse in renal cell carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[The rare case--neurilemmoma of the vocal cord].

We present the case of a neurilemmoma of the vocal cord, which is a very rare tumour at this site. The tumour was completely removed by microlaryngoscopy. The 78-year old female is free of recurrence for 1 year. She does not show any sign of neurofibromatosis. Microscopic features and the literature are reviewed.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Evaluation of the effects of total sleep deprivation on cerebral blood flow using single photon emission computerized tomography.

HMPAO-single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) is a useful technique in studying cerebral blood flow (CBF). This method is suitable to evaluate the differences of CBF with reference to total sleep deprivation (TSD) within 24 h because of the short half-life of the radiopharmaceutical compound. In the present study, CBF before and after TSD was analysed in patients suffering from major depression. The morning before and after TSD, Tc-HMPAO-SPECT was performed in 20 patients. Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores and subjective ratings were obtained daily. Eleven patients responded to TSD; 9 were nonresponders. The main finding was a significant left temporal and mainly right parietal increase of CBF, which was observed in the responders only. CBF values and the severity of depression correlated inversely.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Improved stool concentration procedure for detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts in fecal specimens.

Epidemiologic and laboratory data suggest that coprodiagnostic methods may fail to detect Cryptosporidium oocysts in stool specimens of infected patients. To improve the efficacy of stool concentration procedures, we modified different steps of the Formalin-ethyl acetate (FEA) stool concentration technique and evaluated these modifications by examining stool samples seeded with known numbers of Cryptosporidium oocysts. Because these modifications failed to improve oocyst detection, we developed a new stool concentration technique that includes FEA sedimentation followed by layering and flotation over hypertonic sodium chloride solution to separate parasites from stool debris. Compared with the standard FEA procedure, this technique improved Cryptosporidium oocyst detection. The sensitivities of the two concentration techniques were similar for diarrheal (watery) stool specimens (100% of watery stool specimens seeded with 5,000 oocysts per g of stool were identified as positive by the new technique, compared with 90% of stools processed by the standard FEA technique). However, the most significant improvement in diagnosis occurred with formed stool specimens that were not fatty; 70 to 90% of formed stool specimens seeded with 5,000 oocysts were identified as positive by the new technique, compared with 0% of specimens processed by the standard FEA technique. One hundred percent of formed specimens seeded with 10,000 oocysts were correctly diagnosed by using the new technique, while 0 to 60% of specimens processed by the standard FEA technique were found positive. Similarly, only 50 to 90% of stool specimens seeded with 50,000 oocysts were identified as positive by using the standard FEA technique, compared with a 100% positive rate by the new technique. The new stool concentration procedure provides enhanced detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts in all stool samples.

Acetates↗
PubMed1992

Pulmonary and intestinal microsporidiosis in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

The microsporidian protozoan organism Enterocytozoon bieneusi has been found in enterocytes of the small intestine in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus, and it has been recognized as an important cause of chronic diarrhea in this patient group. We report the first case of a 41-yr-old man with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in whom microsporidia were detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, transbronchial lung biopsies, stool specimens, and ileal biopsies. He experienced chronic diarrhea, wasting syndrome, chronic cough, and dyspnea. His chest roentgenogram showed a small left posterobasal infiltrate and a small left pleural effusion. The histologic pattern of microsporidia in his bronchial and ileal tissue and the cellular inflammatory reaction with intraepithelial infiltration by lymphocytes were identical to findings described in duodenal and jejunal Enterocytozoon bieneusi microsporidiosis. An association between the presence of microsporidia in the lung and the pulmonary symptoms has yet to be determined. It is not known whether pulmonary microsporidiosis was acquired by the aerosol route, by aspiration, or by hematogenous dissemination from the intestine.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1992

Prospective evaluation of a prognostic score for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in HIV-infected patients.

Serum lactate dehydrogenase levels, alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient, and percentage of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage correlate most strongly with early mortality in Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in HIV-infected patients. However, the individual outcome can not be predicted by these parameters due to a considerable overlap between survivors and nonsurvivors. We prospectively investigated a PCP severity score, which has been developed earlier based on a retrospective analysis. Seven of 94 consecutively examined HIV-infected patients died within 14 days after diagnosis of PCP. A PCP severity score greater than 7 had a positive predictive value for early fatal outcome of 66.7 percent (6/9) and a negative predictive value of 98.8 percent (84/85). The overall diagnostic accuracy was 95.7 percent (90/94). The positive predictive value for early fatal outcome of a P(A-a)O2 > 35 mm Hg was 24 percent (6/25); the negative predictive value was 98.6 percent (68/69). However, the overall diagnostic accuracy was only 78.7 percent (74/94). The PCP severity score is a valuable tool for clinical decision making, for the early identification of patients with a prognostic unfavorable course, and for the comparison of patient populations in future studies of HIV-associated PCP.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1992

High "need for control" as a psychological risk in women suffering from ischemic stroke: a controlled retrospective exploratory study.

The assumption is tested that women scoring high on dimensions of coping pattern termed "need for control," which underlies several of the components of Type A behavior, are at increased risk of ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Consecutively admitted patients to medical wards, nineteen with ischemic cerebrovascular disease, were compared with nineteen patients with non-arteriovascular disease and nineteen healthy females doing volunteer hospital work. "Need for control" was assessed by a psychometric test based on forty-five dichotomous items defining six unidimensional scales. The Bortner Type A behavior was filled out by the subjects and by their next of kin for an impression of the subject. In ANOVA the dimensions "work commitment, hard driving" (F = 6.87, p less than .002), "perfectionism, need for making plans" (F = 6.26, p less than .003), and "inability to withdraw from work obligations" (F = 3.89, p less than .02) differentiated the three groups in the expected direction. Duncan multiple range test resulted in very similar, significant findings, as did Bortner measures, filled out by a next of kin (F = 4.63, p less than .01). In all analyses, effects of age, current smoking, and coronary artery disease (CAD) were controlled. Our results suggest that high "need for control" defines a psychological risk in women suffering from ischemic stroke. Prospective studies should be undertaken. If they confirm our results, interventions aimed at modifying the "need for control" should be planned.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1992

Long term analysis of factors influencing the outcome in carcinoma of the breast smaller than one centimeter.

We evaluated established risk factors (tumor size, lymph node status, menopausal status, estrogen receptor status, tumor histology and grading according to Bloom and Richardson, including subfactor analysis), as well as the influence of local procedures, in 138 patients with primary carcinoma of the breast smaller than 1 centimeter. The patients were operated upon during 1969 to 1989 at the Department of Surgery, Hanusch Medical Center, Vienna. Twenty-two patients had a recurrence after a median observation time of 15 years. Seven patients died of the primary disease by the control date (31 May 1990). Grading (p = 0.01, 0.0044) as well as nuclear polymorphism (p = 0.003, 0.00001) and mitosis rate (p = 0.02, 0.01) proved to be significant parameters for recurrence free survival and overall survival. Local procedures (modified radical mastectomy, breast conserving operation with or without postoperative radiotherapy) revealed borderline significance with local recurrence free survival (p = 0.08). All other parameters were without any statistical significance (Mantel-Cox log rank test). Our data confirm the superior prognostic relevance of histologic grading and nuclear polymorphism in patients with carcinoma of the breast smaller than 1 centimeter. High grade nuclear polymorphism as a subfactor in the grading classification according to Bloom and Richardson appears to be a highly valid risk factor for this entity.

Austria↗
PubMed1992

Plasma prorenin as an early marker of microvascular disease in patients with diabetes mellitus.

To test the hypothesis that a high plasma prorenin can be used as an early marker of microvascular complications in patients with diabetes mellitus plasma prorenin was measured in 44 patients with urinary albumin excretion between 30 and 300 mg/24 h (microalbuminuria) and 120 patients with urinary albumin excretion below 30 mg/24 h (normoalbuminuria). A high plasma prorenin was associated with diabetic retinopathy, particularly the proliferative type, serum creatinine and the 24 h urinary albumin excretion rate. Plasma prorenin was not correlated with age, duration of diabetes, glycosylated hemoglobin, blood glucose, and blood pressure. The association between elevated plasma prorenin and retinopathy remained significant after adjustment for serum creatinine and albumin excretion. Independent of the presence or absence of microalbuminuria, the mean plasma level of prorenin was not above normal in patients without retinopathy and was 2 to 3 times normal in patients with proliferative retinopathy. Thus retinopathy appears to be an important determinant of abnormally high plasma prorenin. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) was elevated in the patients with diabetes mellitus as compared to control subjects but the plasma levels of ACE in diabetics with normoalbuminuria was not significantly different from the group with microalbuminuria. Plasma prorenin was not associated with ACE. A plasma level of prorenin of 225 mU/L had a sensitivity of 0.84 and a specificity of 0.82 for detecting the presence of microalbuminuria.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Simultaneous occurrence of an acoustic neurinoma and a glomus tympanicum tumor in a patient. An unusual constellation and problematic surgical task].

We present the case of a 65-year-old woman who was found to have a concurrent ipsilateral acoustic neuroma and glomus tympanicum tumor. Both tumors were removed in one operation. The acoustic neuroma was removed via the translabyrinthine approach because of preoperative deafness while the glomus tumor was found only during the operation to remove the neuroma. A preoperative biopsy was not associated with significant bleeding while microscopic examination of the biopsy tissue indicated only chronic infection.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[Therapeutic possibilities, respective implications in silent ischemia].

In principle, all forms of treatment applied in patients with symptomatic coronary heart disease may likewise be used in silent myocardial ischemia. Based on Bayes' theorem, therapeutic measures may only be applied in patients with a positive exercise ECG with a high likelihood of coronary heart disease, and/or with myocardial ischemia revealed by another, ECG-independent method, such as, for example, thallium-scintigraphy. As symptomatic improvement cannot be expected in patients with silent myocardial ischemia, therapeutic efficacy can only be documented by an improvement in prognosis. Results of controlled randomized trials are not available in silent myocardial ischemia; therapeutic recommendations can, therefore, only be based on analogous results obtained in patients with symptomatic forms of the disease. Apart from reduction of the known risk factors of coronary heart disease, aspirin may be given to all patients at risk. Among the antiischemic antianginal drugs, beta-receptor blocking agents without intrinsic-sympathomimetic activity may be expected to improve prognosis. In asymptomatic patients with left-stem stenosis and three-vessel disease with impaired left-ventricular function (also, in two-vessel disease with a stenotic dominant LAD) aorto-coronary bypass surgery may be considered in order to improve prognosis.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1992

[Esophagotracheal fistula of the cervico-thoracic area--problem solution using a combined trans-cervical and transthoracic approach].

Closure of oesophagotracheal fistulae in the cervicothoracic region using a cervical approach often fails. We report a patient with carcinoma of the larynx who underwent pharyngolaryngectomy, postoperative radiotherapy and several operations for reconstruction of the hypopharynx and cervical oesophagus elsewhere. Finally we were asked to close an oesophagotracheal fistula in the cervicothoracic region. We were successful using a pectoralis major muscle flap via a combined transcervical-transthoracal approach. This interdisciplinary procedure seems to be the method of choice in difficult cases of achieving safe closure of fistulae in this region.

Humans↗
PubMed1992

[Complications of endonasal micro-endoscopic ethmoid bone operation].

We examined the frequency and site of major complications after intranasal micro-endoscopic ethmoidectomy. Injury of the orbital periostium was significantly more frequent on the right than on the left side, but there was no side predominance for damage to the dura mater. Surgery on the lamina papyracea and the lateral wall of the sphenoid sinus is more dangerous on the side on which the surgeon stands during the operation. The use of the microscope, the endoscope and preoperative CT scan of the paranasal sinuses helps to avoid major complications.

Carotid Artery Injuries↗