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Biomedical subjects

S Witt

Publications and source records attributed to S Witt.

82 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Investigation of insulin sensitivity in early diabetes. II. Insulin resistance in asymptomatic diabetics.

Thirty-eight non-obese and seven obese subjects were classified by a 2-hour glucose infusion test as having a normal carbohydrate tolerance. Sixteen non-obese ad ten obese patients showed a pathological carbohydrate tolerance (asymptomatic diabetes). For the characterization of insulin sensitivity a 1-hour priming dose-constant infusion technique consisting of two 30-minute-periods was applied in all subjects. A decrease of glycemia during this insulin infusion of less than 22.5 per cent has been accepted as a criterion of insulin insensitivity. Sixty-three per cent of non-obese and seventy-eight per cent of obese asymptomatic diabetics exhibited a reduced responsiveness to insulin. There ws an inverse relationship between the per cent decrease of plasma glucose concentration and the insulin secretion pattern revealed by the glucose infusion test. The results suggest that insulin resistance is a characteristic feature of obese and non-obese asymptomatic diabetics.

Blood Glucose↗

Pulsed electromagnetic energy therapy in third molar surgery.

Pulsed electromagnetic energy is being increasingly employed to reduced symptoms and enhance the healing process following tissue injury. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial has been carried out to assess the value of electromagnetic energy in third molar surgery, but no significant benefit has been found.

Acetaminophen↗

Regulation of pancreatic glucagon secretion during a continuous glucose infusion in early and overt diabetics.

The pancreatic glucagon (IRG) secretion pattern was studied during a 2 h glucose infusion test (12 mg/kg/min) in 21 controls as well as in 44 subjects showing different degrees of carbohydrate intolerance. The fasting IRG levels increased significantly from controls (98 +/- 7.6 pg/ml) to chemical (144 +/- 9 pg/ml) and mild maturity-onset-type diabetics (166 +/- 12.2 pg/ml). During artificial hyperglycaemia the glucagon concentrations decreased slightly in all groups, but they remained at a higher level in early and overt diabetics). The molar IRI-IRG ratios have been found to be diminished in patients displaying a disturbed carbohydrate tolerance. There was not any correlation between insulin and glucagon concentrations in the blood. The findings suggest that abnormalities of alpha cell function may be present in early and overt diabetes independent of beta cell responsiveness. The causal relationship of A and B cell function in glucose intolerant subjects has to be cleared in follow-up studies.

Adult↗

Human monocytes lacking the membrane-bound form of the bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) receptor CD14 can mount an LPS-induced oxidative burst response mediated by a soluble form of CD14.

Monocytes and macrophages express a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored lipopolysaccharide (LPS) receptor on the cell surface which enables them to detect minute amounts of LPS released from Gram-negative bacteria. A soluble form of CD14 is also found free in serum, though its physiological function is unknown. the interaction of LPS with CD14 on the monocyte surface leads to an activation of the cells which is manifested in the sudden release of reactive oxygen species, a process referred to as an oxidative burst. In patients suffering from the condition known as paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH), the synthesis of GPI anchors is blocked in haematopoietic cells which are therefore unable to express GPI-linked proteins on their surface. In severe cases, over 90% of monocytes lack membrane-bound CD14, though normal levels of the soluble form of the receptor-sCD14-are found in the serum. Despite this lack of membrane-bound CD14, monocytes from PNH patients can respond to low concentrations of LPS. Here we show that the LPS-induced oxidative burst of these PNH monocytes requires a component present in serum. The serum-dependent activation can be inhibited by monoclonal antibodies to CD14, can be removed from the serum by passage over a matrix to which an anti-CD14 antibody has been bound, and the depleted serum can be reconstituted by the addition of either purified natural or purified recombinant soluble CD14. We conclude that an LPS-dependent oxidative burst in PNH monocytes can be mediated by soluble CD14.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Mumps infection and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).

In order to select a population at risk for the development of diabetes for a prospective study of the relationship of islet cell antibodies (ICA), islet cell surface antibodies ( ICSA ), and glucose tolerance after mumps infection, we carried out a screening program for diabetes. A diabetic survey was conducted among 1581 children (less than 16 yr of age) with mumps infection 14 mo before the survey, using a brief questionnaire combined with urinary glucose analysis. Responses to the screening program were obtained from 68.4% (N = 1080) of the children. Out of a total of 1080 subjects, 1069 (99%) had no diabetes mellitus, diabetic symptoms, or glucosuria. A "positive urine glucose screen" was obtained in 11 subjects (1%) of the study group. These individuals all had a normal oral glucose tolerance test according to the new WHO definition. A group of 86 children was randomly selected from the total group of 1080 children for follow-up glucose tolerance, ICA, and ICSA . Irrespective of the negative urine glucose screen impaired glucose tolerance was diagnosed in 3.5% (N = 3) of the 86 children. The prevalence of ICA and ICSA was 78% and 36%, respectively. The simultaneous prevalence of ICA and ICSA was 33%. The pathogenetic role of mumps infection and ICA/ ICSA and their possible relationship to slow progressive beta cell destruction remain to be elucidated.

Animals↗

Musical backgrounds, listening habits, and aesthetic enjoyment of adult cochlear implant recipients.

This paper describes the listening habits and musical enjoyment of postlingually deafened adults who use cochlear implants. Sixty-five implant recipients (35 females, 30 males) participated in a survey containing questions about musical background, prior involvement in music, and audiologic success with the implant in various listening circumstances. Responses were correlated with measures of cognition and speech recognition. Sixty-seven implant recipients completed daily diaries (7 consecutive days) in which they reported hours spent in specific music activities. Results indicate a wide range of success with music. In general, people enjoy music less postimplantation than prior to hearing loss. Musical enjoyment is influenced by the listening environment (e.g., a quiet room) and features of the music.

Adult↗

The effect of long-term glibenclamide treatment on glucose tolerance, insulin secretion and serum lipids in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance.

The effects of glibenclamide plus diet (n = 27) or diet alone (n = 18) on glucose tolerance, insulin secretion and serum lipids in non-obese subjects with normal or low insulin responses and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) has been followed up for two years. Glucose tolerance and insulin secretion were characterized by means of a glucose infusion test consisting of an initial injection of 0.33 g glucose/kg body weight followed by 12 mg/kg body weight/min for 2 h. Dietary treatment did not improve glucose tolerance in normal and low insulin-responders. Glibenclamide plus diet succeeded in improving glucose tolerance only in low insulin responders whereas glucose tolerance remained unchanged in normal insulin responders. There was a significant decrease in fasting and glucose-stimulated insulin levels after two years of glibenclamide treatment in both the normal and low insulin-responders. The body weight was not altered. Triglyceride and cholesterol levels both decreased. In summary, the present study failed to demonstrate an increase in insulin secretion under chronic administration of glibenclamide in subjects with IGT independent of the type of insulin response. From the practical point of view, glibenclamide is of benefit in the treatment of non-obese subjects with IGT and relative insulin deficiency.

Adult↗