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Biomedical subjects

U Gessner

Publications and source records attributed to U Gessner.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

The likelihood quotient line, a tool for the assessment of diagnostic validity of clinical chemical tests.

A detailed study of decision criteria for detection of Edema Proteinuria Hypertension (EPH) gestosis on the basis of uric acid concentration in serum has been recently described by Haeckel et al. (1981) J. Clin. Chem. clin. Biochem. 19, 173-176). These authors compared Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve analysis, the determination of maximum efficiency, and the maximal information content. We recently developed a method of resolving this type of decision problem using the so-called Likelihood Quotient line (LQ line) which is also useful for assessing the validity of quantitative tests with respect to particular clinical decision problems (Keller, H & Gessner, U. (1981) Med. Lab. 34, 3-7; 31-39; Z. Med. Lab. Diagn. 22, 179-188). In this communication we demonstrate our approach using the same example as Haeckel et al., compare the results, and discuss further advantages of the LQ line.

Clinical Laboratory Techniques↗
PubMed1977

[Prognosis of local primary breast carcinoma under current therapy].

A retrospective study is presented on 225 selected patients with local primary carcinoma of the breast treated from 1963 to 1973 at the Surgical Clinic of the Cantonal Hospital, St. Gallen, Switzerland. All patients were under 70 years old. The results are compared of our two therapies, namely radical mastectomy of Halsted and a modified radical mastectomy consisting of mastectomy with dissection of the axilla but without removing the pectoral muscle. Both operations were followed by postoperative irradiation. In view of the short postoperative interval after modified radical mastectomy (from 1969), a five-year diseasefree survival is indicated. There was no statistically significant difference between the two therapies. Depending on age, patients with histologically negative lymph nodes of the axilla had a probability of 45-60% for 5-year diseasefree survival, against only 15-40% for those with positive axillary lymph nodes. The quality of survival is deemed important, and the authors therefore recommend the modified radical mastectomy, which disfigures a woman less than the Halsted operation.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[Complications due to endocardial and epimyocardial electrodes in 171 patients with artificial pacemakers].

On the basis of experience with 171 patients the advantages and disadvantages of a sutureless, corkscrew-like myocardial electrode are compared with those of endocardial electrodes. Electrode complications were significantly less frequent in patients with sutureless myocardial electrodes and never lead to death. However, a benign postpericardiotomy syndrome was frequent (16% of cases). Electrode dislocation was the main complication in patients with endocardial electrodes.

Electrodes, Implanted↗
PubMed1976

[Intrahepatic cholestasis due to N-propyl ajmaline].

In two patients intrahepatic cholestasis and cholestatic liver disease probably due to N-propyl ajmaline were observed. In both cases there was a four-week-interval between the first ingestion of the drug and the onset of jaundice. In one case with rigors there was a temporary rise in temperature and cholestasis. In the other there was a two to three week prodromal period of pruritus and gastro-intestinal symptoms. Both cases were characterised by blood and pronounced tissue eosinophilia in the periportal zones, a marked increase of cholestatic and hepatic cell enzymes, serum bilirubin and cholesterol, a moderate increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate and absence of leucocytosis. Pathological laboratory findings returned to normal spontaneously within 5 weeks in one case and within two weeks under steroid therapy in the other.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Neutrophil marrow release. A system analysis.

Neutrophil marrow egress is governed by several processes. The most important are cell maturation, functional behavior of marrow sinusoids and humoral or neuro-vascular factors. Neutrophil release cannot be observed directly but is reflected in the size, cellular composition and kinetics of the nonproliferating pool of granulocytopoiesis in bone marrow and of blood neutrophil pool. These experimentally determined parameters were used as the basis of a mathematical model study. The model describes two catenated compartments, the nonproliferating pool of granulocytopoiesis in marrow and the total blood granulocyte pool. Cell transit from one pool to the other was assumed to be age-dependent. It was expressed by a positive sloping sigmoidal function that defines the egress potential fo the cells that increases with cell maturation. During maturation granulocytopoietic cells develop intense motility which determines the morphology of the cells on smears. Relationship between cell motility and its morphology was defined by functions determining the age-dependent probabilities of cell fixation as metamyelocytes, band- and segmented forms, respectively. The parameters of this model could be so adjusted that all experimental data were matched within experimental errors. Thus, qualitative and quantitative information on neutrophil marrow egress was obtained for normal and pathological states of granulocytopoiesis.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1975

[Proceedings: Evaluation of the plasma-phenolred test as a simple kidney function test].

The phenolsulphthalein 60/60 plasma test (PSP 60/60) was evaluated in 30 control subjects (mean value 51 micrograms/100 ml +/- 49 micrograms/100 ml) and 60 patients with chronic renal disease with varying degrees of renal insufficiency. PSP 60/60 proved to be superior to determination of serum creatinine and urea nitrogen. PSP 60/60 correlated well with endogenous creatinine clearance and 131I-iodohippurate clearance in over 80% of cases. Of various exogenous and endogenous factors interfering with the test, drugs influencing renal excretory mechanisms are most important. Due to its technical simplicity, PSP 60/60 is a useful screening test for evaluation of renal function, especially as an office procedure.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

[Proceedings: A mobile coronary care unit at the Cantonal Hospital of St. Gallen].

Cardiac death after a myocardial infarction occurs most frequently within the first hour after onset of symptoms and in nearly 2/3 of cases before transfer to a hospital. Mortality therefore should be influenced by shortening of the prehospital phase. At moderate cost a mobile coronary care unit (Kardiomobil) has been introduced at the Cantonal Hospital, St. Gall. Experience and results of the first year of the service are reported. 82 out of 142 patients transported by Kardiomobil proved to have myocardial infarction. Two patients with ventricular fibrillation were defibrillated, with one longterm success. Sixteen cases of potentially life threatening arrhythmias were successfully treated. The mean period from onset of symptoms to alerting a doctor was 1 h 15 min, while the mean period from onset of infarction to entry into the hospital CCU was 3 hrs.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗
PubMed1969

Hemoglobin Hasharon (alpha-2-47 his(CD5)beta-2): a hemoglobin found in low concentration.

Hemoglobin Hasharon (alpha(2) (47 his)(CD5)beta(2)) was found to comprise only 16-19% of hemolysates of carriers. These heterozygotes appeared to have mild, compensated, hemolytic anemia. Hb Hasharon was more heat-labile than hemoglobins A, S, or C. Its specific activity was higher than that of Hb A after administration of (59)Fe to two carriers. When hemoglobin synthesis by bone marrow cells was studied in vitro, about 18% of incorporated leucine appeared in the Hb Hasharon fraction. It is suggested that Hb Hasharon is unstable in vivo, and that mild hemolytic anemia and a relatively small decrease in its concentration in hemolysates result from its denaturation within red cells. Decreased synthesis, which appears to be the major cause of the small amount of abnormal hemoglobin, may protect heterozygotes from clinically significant hemolytic anemia.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Medical engineering in Switzerland.

The clinical engineering or medical engineering departments in the hospitals in Switzerland are in a phase of rapid development. In particular, staffing, as well as official recognition by hospital management, needs improvement in many of the hospitals, as is also found in other countries. An overview is given of the current state of affairs in medical engineering in Switzerland, and of the amount of annual investment in medical equipment in the public hospitals. The activities of the Swiss Association of Hospital Engineers in this field are described. The main goals, responsibilities, and tasks of medical engineering departments are presented. The importance of the integration of the medical engineering operation in the management decision process is stressed.

Biomedical Engineering↗