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Biomedical subjects

T Becker

Publications and source records attributed to T Becker.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Brofaromine (CGP 11 305 A) in treatment of depression: biological estimation of plasma concentrations.

In an open clinical trial, 13 depressives were treated with the reversible and selective type-A monoamine oxidase (MAO)-inhibitor brofaromine (CGP 11 305 A), the inhibitory potency of deproteinated plasma on a crude MAO preparation from human placenta was measured as a parameter for plasma brofaromine and possibly active metabolites of brofaromine. Patients significantly (p less than 0.01) improved under brofaromine. There were, however, no significant differences in plasma MAO-inhibitory potency between responders (improvement greater than 50%; n = 5) and nonresponders and no correlations with the change from baseline of the total Hamilton Depression Score (HAMD) or with changes of sleep (change from baseline of the HAMD sleep items). MAO-inhibitory potency significantly (p less than 0.05) increased parallel to the increase of the dosage from 50 mg b.i.d. to t.i.d., confirming the validity of this technique. The biological assay applied is a simple and reliable alternative when estimating the plasma concentrations of brofaromine and, possibly, other reversible MAO inhibitors.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Lumbosacral nerve root avulsion. Diagnosis using computed tomography, magnetic resonance tomography and myelography].

Root lesions in the lumbo-sacral region are rare, compared with injuries of the roots of the brachial plexus. They occur almost exclusively in association with serious injuries of the pelvis. The present case, without pelvic injury, is a rarity. The appearances on myelography and CT are well known, but the findings on MRI are also described and the value of this non-invasive procedure is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Single cell transplantation reveals interspecific cell communication in Drosophila chimeras.

Cell-cell communication is not only a common strategy for cell fate specification in vertebrates, but plays important roles in invertebrate development as well. We report here on experiments testing the compatibility of mechanisms specifying cell fate among six different Drosophila species. Following interspecific transplantation, the development of single ectodermal cells was traced in order to test their abilities to proliferate and differentiate in a heterologous environment. Despite considerable differences in cell size and length of cell cycle among some of the species, the transplants gave rise to fully differentiated clones that were integrated into the host tissue. Clones comprised cells of epidermal and/or neural histotypes, indicating that mechanisms mediating the epidermal/neural dichotomy in the ectoderm are conserved between the species. Cells of the neural lineages differentiated into neurones, glia, or both. Moreover, heterologous neurones sent out axons that followed major pathways along nerves and within the neuropile, demonstrating their ability to recognize positional cues in the heterologous CNS of the host.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Comparative structural analyses of the spongy bone of lumbar and cervical vertebral bodies. Radiological-morphometric and statistical studies].

To investigate the question as to a possible insufficiency of the osteoblasts with increasing age, autopsy material obtained from 105 deceased of both sexes at an age of 16 to 91 in whom clinically manifest bone diseases had been excluded, was studied. The structure of the spongy bone of the 3rd to 5th lumbar vertebral bodies (LVB) and of the 5th to 7th cervical vertebral bodies (CVB) was examined quantitatively-morphometrically, and the results were submitted to a statistical evaluation. In the three LVB, Vv, Sv and S/V behave in a similar manner. Here, Vv and Sv decrease after the age of 50 by more than 1/3, while S/V remains constant throughout live. In all the structural parameters, the three lower CVB have higher values than do the LVB. The age-dependent changes, in contrast, are only very slight. This differing behaviour of the spongy bone in the two regions of the spinal column is an expression of the characteristic loading forces in the respective regions: LVB loading is predominantly static, CVB loading mainly dynamic. Thus, from this functional point of view, physiological osteoporosis due to aging, so-called, is merely an expression of an aging bone adapting - in the same way as the bone of a young adult - to the current loading forces acting upon it.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Elimination of secretions in CF patients under amiloride inhalation].

Inhaled amiloride reduces active absorption of sodium of respiratory epithelium in CF patients and so, transiently, diminishes loss of water. 10 CF patients, 8 to 28 years of age, were examined on two days. First day, they inhaled in a randomised order isotonic saline and a solution of amiloride hydrochloride (0.3 mg/ml) one after another, each inhalation taking twenty minutes. Second day, inhalations were performed in an inverse order. To intensify the effect of inhalation, the inhalation procedure was combined with "autogenic drainage", a special kind of physiotherapy. Main criterion for evaluation was the amount of expectorated sputum. Mean increase of sputum during amiloride inhalation in comparison to saline was +50.4%. Patients and physiotherapist observed a liquefaction of secretion and a decrease of coughing by amiloride and a support of physiotherapy. These results suggest a beneficial clinical effect of regular amiloride inhalation in CF patients.

Absorption↗
PubMed1989

The New Mexico experiment: educational innovation and institutional change.

Over the past ten years the University of New Mexico School of Medicine has conducted an educational experiment featuring learner-centered, problem-based, community-oriented learning. The experiment was introduced into an established institution by means of an innovative educational track running parallel to the more conventional curriculum. Students in the innovative track, compared with those in the conventional tract, tended to score lower on the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Part I examination (basic sciences) and higher on NBME Part II (clinical sciences), received higher clinical grades on clinical clerkships, and experienced less distress. They were more likely than conventional-track students to retain their initial interest in or switch their preference to careers in family medicine. The parallel-track strategy for introducing curriculum reform succeeded in fostering institutional acceptance of continuing educational innovation. Generic steps in overcoming institutional barriers to change are identified.

Curriculum↗
PubMed1989

Moclobemide and maprotiline in the treatment of inpatients with major depressive disorder.

A double-blind study with the substituted benzamide moclobemide, a novel reversible, short acting MAOI with predominant inhibition of MAO-A, and maprotiline, the most selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor available at present has been conducted in n = 40 severely depressed inpatients suffering from predominantly endogenous depressions. No significant differences between the two drugs were found using global HRSD, HAMA and self rating scales. Regarding the clinical profile moclobemide seemed to be more effective in retarded depressives, maprotiline was superior in alleviating depressive agitation and sleep disturbances. The latter symptoms were responsible for three cases of treatment withdrawal in the moclobemide group. No case of hypertensive crisis could be registered, though patients were not subject to food restrictions. Maximal concentrations of moclobemide in CSF were reached two hours after oral application, compared to tricyclic antidepressants a high CSF/plasma ratio could be detected.

Anthracenes↗
PubMed1989

[Treatment of depression using MAO-A inhibitors: an open study of a direct switch from moclobemide to tri-/tetracyclic antidepressants].

In an open study 13 depressed inpatients received moclobemide, a selective and reversible MAO-A-inhibitor (300 mg/d) for one week and subsequently were switched to a three-week course of a tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressant (TCA) without medication-free interval. There were no drop-out, two patients needed additional ECT. Depressive symptomatology declined during treatment which was well tolerated. Mild adverse CNS effects and gastrointestinal symptoms prevailed under moclobemide. Subsequent TCA prompted autonomic symptoms. Overall adverse drug effects decreased over the treatment period. Cardiovascular monitoring revealed no clinically relevant side effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Feline plague in New Mexico: risk factors and transmission to humans.

The epidemiologic features of 60 cases of feline plague from 1977-1985 in New Mexico are reviewed. The most frequent clinical presentation was lethargy, anorexia, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes or abscesses. A history of hunting rodents was reported in 75 per cent of all cases. Five human plague cases were associated with five feline cases. Recommendations are presented for prevention of plague infection and transmission to humans, including restraining cats from roaming and hunting by neutering and keeping them indoors, treating them for fleas, and seeking medical care for febrile illnesses, especially when accompanied by enlarged lymph nodes.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

[Schizophrenic psychosis in a patient with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome].

A 36 year-old female patient with schizophrenia and Tourette syndrome is described. Clinical course, present neurological and psychopathological state, results of psychological testing, computed tomography and MR tomography of the skull, EEG and evoked potentials are reported. Results of neurochemical analysis of CSF and plasma are presented. Possible relationships between Tourette syndrome and schizophrenia are discussed with particular reference to neurochemical findings.

Adult↗