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Biomedical subjects

U Becker

Publications and source records attributed to U Becker.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

The effect of oral testosterone on serum TBG levels in alcoholic cirrhotic men.

Seventy-three euthyroid male patients with alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver were randomly allocated to oral testosterone (200 mg t.i.d.) or placebo and followed for up to 36 months. Triiodothyronine (T3), tetraiodothyronine (T4), thyroxine binding globulin (TBG) and T4/TBG ratio were determined before entry and during follow-up. No significant differences were observed before entry or during follow-up between the two treatment groups. T3, T4 and T4/TBG ratio did not change significantly during follow-up, while TBG concentrations decreased (P less than 0.05). Using a multivariate test, it is demonstrated that testosterone treatment significantly reduced TBG concentrations in cirrhotic men with preserved liver function, like normal men, but not in patients with moderate liver dysfunction. The lack of effect of testosterone in patients with more advanced cirrhosis may be due to a decreased function of sex hormone receptors in their liver.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1988

New perspectives in diagnosis of hemostasis disorders.

The classical coagulation analyses are performed either by using manual methods or by means of various instruments with a different degree of automation. The introduction of chromogenic peptide substrates which can be split by thrombin has led to the development of photometric assays for PT and aPTT determination independent from the fibrinogen concentration and from its conversion to fibrin. After that, turbidimetric methods for the determination of fibrinogen, thrombin time and batroxobin time have been set up allowing the use of photometry for the determination of the most important hemostaseological parameters. For such purposes a new analytical system (ChromoTimeSystem, Behringwerke AG, Marburg/FRG) based on a special instrument and reagents for chromogenic and turbidimetric methods for coagulation and fibrinolysis has been developed. The ChromoTimeSystem allows to perform by photometry all important tests for coagulation and fibrinolysis. The analytical characteristics of this new system are presented.

Blood Coagulation Disorders↗
PubMed1988

Present status of standardization in coagulation assays for control of oral anticoagulation.

Recently, recommendations for the production of thromboplastins have been issued by International Committees (ICSH/ICTH) to achieve a standardization of prothrombin time assays. Following such recommendations we have standardized two new PT reagents based on coagulometric and photometric methods which rely on the same sensitive human placental thromboplastin. Both PT reagents have been optimized especially for use in oral anticoagulant therapy. They offer high sensitivity and reproducibility, accurate lot standardization and therefore internationally comparable values by the expression of the ISI value of each reagent batch.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1987

Effect of oral propranolol on splanchnic oxygen uptake and haemodynamics in patients with cirrhosis.

In order to elucidate the effect of beta-adrenergic blockade on liver metabolism and haemodynamics, splanchnic oxygen uptake, hepatic removal of indocyanine green (ICG) and splanchnic and systemic haemodynamics were studied in 13 patients with cirrhosis before and 1.5-2 h after an oral dose of 80 mg propranolol. All patients underwent hepatic vein catheterization and had a primed continuous intravenous infusion of ICG. Azygos vein catheterization was performed in six patients. Splanchnic (hepatic-intestinal) oxygen uptake (median control 68 ml/min vs. beta-blockade 56 ml/min, P less than 0.01), azygos venous oxygen saturation (76 vs. 67%, P less than 0.05), ICG clearance (263 vs. 226 ml/min, P less than 0.01), wedged-to-free hepatic vein pressure (16 vs. 13.5 mm Hg, P less than 0.01), hepatic blood flow (1.18 vs. 0.78 l/min, P less than 0.01), cardiac index (3.42 vs. 2.53 l/min . min 2, P less than 0.01), and heart rate (72 vs. 56 beats per min, P less than 0.01) decreased significantly after oral beta-blockade. The hepatic extraction ratio of ICG increased significantly (0.32 vs. 0.45, P less than 0.01), whereas estimated 'intrinsic' ICG clearance (289 vs. 300 ml/min, n.s.), arterial blood pressure, stroke volume, and systemic vascular resistance remained essentially unchanged. The results indicate that besides the well-known cardiovascular effects of propranolol, beta-adrenergic blockade may also reduce hepatic metabolic functions as evidenced by the significantly decreased splanchnic oxygen uptake. The raised hepatic extraction ratio of ICG may be caused by reduction in hepatic blood flow as well as in intrahepatic shunting.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1987

Antacid treatment of duodenal ulcer.

Sixty-seven consecutive outpatients with endoscopically verified duodenal ulcer were randomised to a double-blind treatment with either 10 ml of an antacid suspension (buffering capacity 85 mmol/10 ml, packed in single dosage pads) 1 and 3 h after each meal and at bedtime or cimetidine 400 mg b.i.d. The double-dummy technique was employed. Endoscopy was performed after 4 weeks treatment and, if the ulcer had not healed, after 8 weeks treatment. When ulcer healing had occurred, the patient entered a 1 year follow-up study. The cumulative healing rates after 4 and 8 weeks treatment were 83 and 97% vs. 69 and 94% in the antacid and cimetidine groups respectively. No significant differences were observed between the treatment groups regarding ulcer healing, symptom relief or compliance. Adverse reactions were few and only 3 (9%) patients in the antacid group had to discontinue the treatment due to diarrhoea. Of the cimetidine treated patients, 61% had symptomatic relapse during the 1 year follow-up compared to 71% of the antacid treated patients. There were no significant differences in recurrence rate or time to relapse. The moderate dose antacid treatment used here is efficient, well tolerated, safe, convenient and is a good alternative treatment of the duodenal ulcer patient.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Elevation of intraocular pressure following Nd-YAG laser capsulotomy. Pathogenesis and preventive therapy].

Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy is a well-established method of opening an opacified posterior lens capsule after extracapsular cataract extraction. The most frequent complication following this procedure is a transient rise in intraocular pressure (IOP) occurring during the first few hours following treatment. In most cases the IOP returns to normal within 24 hours. Occasionally, however, it can increase excessively, causing a vision-threatening complication. The prospective study reported here dealt with the pressure elevation in 60 eyes of 60 patients and the characteristics of aqueous outflow in this critical phase. Tonometric and tonographic findings were compared under the influence of topical indometacin and beta-blocker in combination with pilocarpine 2%. Twenty eyes served as untreated controls. Topical indometacin pretreatment had no positive effect on IOP and aqueous outflow, while beta-blocker and pilocarpine 2% prevented a postoperative elevation of IOP.

Cataract Extraction↗
PubMed1987

[Introduction to the new roentgen ordinance].

Quality assurance (within the larger framework of quality control) is a tool introduced by the new Federal German roentgen ordinance to optimise image quality and dosage in x-ray diagnostics. Over and above this, the new ordinance comprises new regulations governing expert knowledge in radiation protection, as well as changed rules on the use of x-rays and on the licensing or certification of x-ray equipment. In addition, a new dosage concepts has been introduced on the basis of the effective dose on the lines of the recommendations by the IRCP; as a result, the definitions of radiation protection areas and of dosage limit values had to be revised and reworded.

Germany, West↗