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Biomedical subjects

T Becker

Publications and source records attributed to T Becker.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Platelet survival determined with 51Cr versus 111In.

Optimal labelling conditions of human platelets with 111In-oxine were determined in vitro. Based on this optimized technique, platelet mean life span (MLS) and platelet sequestration site were comparatively evaluated in 79 patients with two labels, 51Cr (n = 26) and 111In (n = 53). Patients were subgrouped according to clinical criteria as autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP) (group 1; n = 49), hypersplenism (2; n = 12), impaired thrombopoiesis (3; n = 3), unclassified thrombocytopenia (4; n = 6), and nonthrombocytopenic patients (5; n = 9). In patients with AITP and hypersplenism the mean values for the MLS determined either with 51Cr or with 111In were lowered but the difference was not statistically significant, neither for group 1 (18.6 h vs 17.3 h; P greater than 0.2) nor for group 2 (94.7 vs 122.3 h; P greater than 0.2). The correlation between MLS and platelet counts in patients with AITP was significant for both labels (P less than 0.001). The 15 min recovery tended to be higher with 111In in all groups, but the difference was significant (P less than 0.05) only for group 1. The sequestration sites were similar with both labels. We conclude that, contrary to previous reports, platelet survival studies yield similar results with both the 51Cr and 111In methods. Due to its distinct advantages 111In is the label of choice for investigation of platelet kinetics.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1985

Long-term ambulatory treatment of metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma by continuous intravenous infusion of 5-fluorouracil.

To delineate the efficacy of continuous intravenous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) infusion therapy for advanced colorectal adenocarcinoma, a study of 36 patients with measurable metastatic disease was conducted. Patients received a daily intravenous infusion of 300 mg/m2 5-FU over a 24-h period utilizing portable infusion devices and central venous catheters. In a population characterized by substantial pretreatment exposure to radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and other indicators of poor prognosis, 13/36 (36%) patients achieved an objective response. An additional 10/36 (28%) patients manifested stable disease (no change) and experienced survival comparable to that of patients with objective response. Toxicity was minimal; patients were able to continue 5-FU infusions 95% of the total time on protocol. There were no adverse hematologic effects or catheter complications. Because previously untreated patients benefited more frequently (positive response, 50%), continuous intravenous infusion should be evaluated further as a primary modality option when 5-fluorouracil antitumor chemotherapy is contemplated.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1985

High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin for post-transfusion purpura.

Five patients with post-transfusion purpura (four due to Zw(a), one presumably due to HLA antibodies) were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IgG) at doses of 0.4 g per kg body weight. IgG therapy was immediately effective as indicated by cessation of bleeding and rise of platelet counts in four out of five cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Psychiatric reform in Italy--how does it work in Piedmont?

Psychiatric reform in Piedmont following new mental health legislation in Italy (1978) is described. The process of reform is characterised by a drastic reduction in psychiatric hospital populations and the setting-up of a new system of community-based services. The number of hospital admissions remains stable, but the character of inpatient care has changed. The reform involves problems of care for chronic patients.

Community Mental Health Services↗
PubMed1985

[Italian psychiatry reform in the Piedmont region: Law no. 180 and its consequences].

Psychiatric reform in the northern Italian region of Piedmont following Law No. 180 is described. From 1977 to 1981 the overall psychiatric hospital inmate population is reduced from 5.544 to 2.396, the majority of patients discharged is now living in outpatient therapeutic communities, private psychiatric hostels and nursing homes. 76 community mental health centres with an average catchment area of 59.000 inhabitants and a medium of 250 patients as well as 21 psychiatric wards in general hospitals with a total of 253 beds are set up to substitute psychiatric hospitals. Inpatient admission and discharge numbers are stable in the years preceding and following law no. 180, private psychiatric hospitals decrease their proportion of total admission numbers from 49% (1975) to 40% (1980). Percentage of compulsory inpatient treatments falls from 30% (1975) to 6% (1980), duration of hospital treatment is drastically reduced. There is an integration of psychiatric services in the general health care system, utopic reform objectives have not been reached.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMed1984

Fatal outcome of acute thrombocytopenic purpura associated with a viral infection in an 11-year-old child.

A case of fatal intracranial hemorrhage is reported in an eleven year old girl with acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura following a viral infection. The patient was randomized to the IgG-arm of the ITP therapy study. Immunoglobulin administration was not followed by a raise of the thrombocyte count. Neither the IgG therapy nor intensive therapeutic measurements were able to prevent the fatal course of cerebral hemorrhage in this case. Pathological and immunological findings indicate that our patient suffered from a fulminant ITP which must be considered as a part of a still active viral disease.

Blood Transfusion↗
PubMed1984

On the pathogenesis of spondylosis deformans and arthrosis uncovertebralis: comparative form-analytical radiological and statistical studies on lumbar and cervical vertebral bodies.

To investigate the etiopathogenesis of the common clinical symptoms of the lower lumbar spine (LS) and cervical spine (CS) (lower back pain and local cervical spine syndrome), the dimensions of the third to fifth lumbar vertebral bodies (LVB) and the fifth to seventh cervical vertebral bodies (CVB) were studied quantitatively and morphometrically in frontal and sagittal planes, as a function of sex and age, in 105 human cadavers of both sexes aged between 16 and 91 years. The evaluation was done in X-ray pictures of 100-micron-thick polished bone sections with the aid of the Macro Facility of the Leitz Texture Analysis System. In each case, the maximum and minimum heights and widths and depths and the computed differences in heights, widths, and depths were determined. The results were evaluated statistically and compared within and between the two regions of the spine, using regression-correlation analyses. The heights, widths, and depths of the VB are all greater in men than in women; their behavior during ageing is, however, identical for both sexes. The heights of all the VB examined remain constant throughout life after termination of growth. The maximum widths and the width differences reveal an increase in both LVB and CVB in old age. All depth parameters reveal constancy in the case of the LVB but an increase in the case of the CVB in old age. The correlation coefficients of the maximum width of the VB within the spinal regions are very high in the LVB, but lower in the CVB. Between the two regions, in contrast, they are very low. This behavior suggests a superordinate action principle within each of the spinal regions which is based on characteristic anatomical construction and functional stressing. The static stressing of the LVB leads, laterally to disc protrusions. As a result of this, traction forces acting on the weak lateral elements of the anterior longitudinal ligament, stimulate the accretion of spondylotic osteophytes at the point of insertion of the ligament on the vertebral body. Anteriorly, in contrast, the particular strong anterior longitudinal ligament prevents such a remodelling process. Posteriorly, the longitudinal ligament is attached to the intervertebral discs, and can thus not stimulate the vertebral body to produce osteophytes. The dynamic stressing of the CVB leads laterally to friction between the VB in the region of the uncovertebral joints and to the formation of arthrotic osteophytes. Anteriorly, owing to the weak configuration of the anterior longitudinal ligament in this aspect, disc protrusion occur and, subsequently, spondylotic osteophytes accrete.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Relationship testing after the loss of a parent.

In this study of adults presenting with symptoms of pathological grief after the death of a parent, there was a frequent pattern of strain on a current love relationship. The attempt to master negative views of the self, precipitated by loss of the parent, through reenactment with the significant other was prominent. Psychotherapy offered an opportunity to rework the feared representation of the self.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Erythema migrans disease. A contribution to its clinical features and relation to Lyme disease].

A largely prospective study averaging 33 months was undertaken in 30 patients with and one without (chronic) erythema migrans. In one case erythema migrans disappeared spontaneously, in the 29 others it persisted up to six months, but quickly responded to antibiotic treatment. Measured from the tick bite in 9 patients or from onset of the erythema migrans, arthritis and arthralgia appeared in ten patients on average 6.5 months (0.7-36), and persisted for eight months (0.2-42). In seven of these patients sensory disturbances appeared three weeks (1-10) later and (or) signs of meningitis which lasted for four months (0.5-16), while in three patients cardiac symptoms appeared a few weeks later, persisting for 4.5 months (0.3-12). In one patient tracheolaryngitis developed two months later, persisting for three months. These manifestations occurred in seven patients despite antibiotic treatment. Extradermal manifestations in two patients were successfully treated with high parenteral penicillin doses, in one instance followed by tetracyclin. "Erythema migrans disease", differing from Lyme disease described in the U.S.A. in only a few aspects, apparently cannot be successfully treated with low oral doses of penicillin, but can in certain circumstances be favourably influenced by high parenteral doses of penicillin G.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Downstream processing of proteins.

This review focuses on the recovery of proteins from fermented starting materials, covering developments that have appeared in the literature since 1979. The major subjects discussed include cell disruption and extraction, solid/liquid separations, chromatography, separations in solution, and finishing operations. While advances have occurred in every area, the greatest diversity of innovation has taken place in the fields of chromatography and tangential-flow filtration.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1981

[Leucocyte number, differential count and sedimentation rate in 9 "classic" childhood infections. (author's transl)].

A retrospective analysis of absolute numbers in 802 white blood counts and 396 sedimentation rates of 407 children, admitted between 1973-78, with 9 "classic" infections was done and evaluated for diagnostic usefulness. As diagnostic meaningful it was found: Lymphocytosis in pertussis; lymphocytopenia and slight increased sedimentation rate in measles; nothing particular in mumps; slight increased sedimentation rate in chicken pox; increase in mononuclear cells, particularly atypical lymphocytes and sedimentation rate in infectious mononucleosis; leucocytopenia caused by neutrocytopenia and lymphocytopenia in exanthema subitum (roseola infantum); increased sedimentation rate in scarlet fever; lymphocytopenia and a high sedimentation rate in mycoplasma-pneumonia; leucocytopenia with lymphocytopenia in rubella.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

[Complications in gastroenterological procedures and their surgical treatment].

It is reported on 29 complications after invasive diagnostic measures with a lethality of 43% conditioned by delay. Above all extreme age groups are concerned. Endoscopies, punctures, but also the preparing measures such as purification enemas must be done by experienced persons. Already the suspicion of a complication justifies the operative revision. Expectative behaviour is the main case for the high lethality.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Gastric carcinoma with retroperitoneal symptoms (a contribution to differential diagnosis)].

Report on a 28-year-old patient, whose metastasizing carcinoma of the stomach could be ascertained only autoptically after a 1-year course of the disease. The intraoperative findings had supposed a primary disease of the retroperitoneal space. On the basis of this observation the differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal coparticipation of primary pathological processes of the abdominal cavity is discussed.

Adult↗