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Biomedical subjects

W Müller

Publications and source records attributed to W Müller.

At least 1,351 records · Page 75Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[The detection of rheumatic factors by means of a new hemagglutination drop test (Cellognost-RF)].

A comparative evaluation was made in 510 sera to study the specificity and sensitivity of 5 different methods for the determination of rheumatoid factors. Special attention was given to the hemagglutination drop tests which are commercially available (Cellognost-RF and Rheumaton). Both hemagglutination slide tests, which are easy to perform and easy to read, were shown to be practically equivalent, and in comparison to the other methods, also showed a good agreement. This is as well applicable to rheumatoid arthritis as to non-inflammatory processes and internal diseases. In practice, Cellognost-RF and analogous hemagglutination slide tests are certainly good screening tests for the rheumatic factors. In combination with the also simple latex-slidetest, the detection of rheumatoid factors in rheumatoid arthritis is somewhat better, although not much. When both reactions are negative, it is not necessary to do any additional tests for the demonstration of rheumatoid factors. Should one or both, however, be positive, the titre determination using the hemagglutination reaction of Waaler-Rose or latex fixation test should be made if possible. In our investigations it was also in principle possible to do these titre determinations with Cellognost-RF.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Panniculosis].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adiposis Dolorosa↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Somatostatin in active psoriatic arthritis].

In a pilot study on 8 patients with established psoriatic arthritis of all degrees of severity the therapeutic effect of a two-day continuous infusion of Somatostatin was examined. During the first three weeks following the beginning of infusion five patients showed a significant improvement of the clinical picture. In the other three patients no remarkable influence on their psoriatic arthropathic disease was observed. These results encourage further examinations on the efficacy of Somatostatin on psoriatic arthritis.

Arthritis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Experimental plasmin arthritis].

It is known, that plasmin is capable of specifically activating the complement factors C1 q and C3. In addition plasmin can activate procollagenase to collagenase. Since both mechanisms could possibly play a decisive role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, we have carried out animal experiments to investigate the primary role of plasmin in the development of arthritis. Twenty-two rabbits were subjected to intraarticular injection with an equal dose of plasmin on days 1, 4, and 8. An aspirate was taken on day 9 for a white cell count and a histological investigation of the synovial tissue. Already after a single dose of 0.25 CU plasmin an inflammatory reaction was clearly observed. Increasing amounts of plasmin (2.5 and 12.5 CU) caused an increased inflammatory response. On the basis of these results, it is discussed whether the observed arthritic reaction after plasmin injection is caused by complement activation. Possible analogies with rheumatoid arthritis are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[In vivo study of the distribution, affinity for cartilage and metabolism of glycosaminoglycan polysulphate (GAGPS, Arteparon)].

37 patients suffering from osteoarthritis and 10 arthritic patients received intramuscular (i.m.), partly also intraarticular (i.ac.) injections of GAGPS; whereupon pharmacokinetics in serum, synovial fluid, urine, and cartilage were investigated. Cartilage was obtained during endoprosthetic hip surgery. The concentrations were determined by radiochemistry, partly after gel chromatography and electrophoresis respectively. Serum levels in patients with osteoarthritis after i.m. administration of 50 mg were 0.55 microgram/ml 3 hrs later, and 0.11 microgram/ml 24 hrs later. Patients with arthritis showed similar serum levels which were slightly higher after i.ac. injection, and which rose proportionally when the dosage was increased to 125 mg. With the arthritic patients, also the concentrations in the synovium were comparable, in the cases with osteoarthritis concentrations were slightly higher, which in both cases suggests that the synovial membrane is promptly penetrated. However, the concentrations in cartilage following a dosage of 50 mg within 24 hours rose as high as 1.45 micrograms/g which corresponds roughly to three times the serum level 3 hours after application. According to biochemical data, injections of 1 to 2 micrograms/ml should yield chondroprotective effects. Hitherto therapy has relied mainly on i.ac. injections; it may now be expanded by the i.m. route of administration. GAGPS was bound to serum proteins, in the synovia, however, it was found unbound. The main portion of the compound excreted via urine within 12 hrs (30 to 40 percent) was mainly unaltered; later, a partial degradation of the chain length and of the degree of sulfation was observed. Animal experiments on rats showed an increased affinity of GAGPS to inflamed tissues (Freund's adjuvant, carageenan edema).

Arthritis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Complement activation in patients with chronic polyarthritis, measured by the level of complement fraction C3a in plasma].

Using a new C3a-radioimmunoassay, we could show a significantly increased complement activity in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. The C3a-plasma level in rheumatoid patients was 529 ng/ml, whereas in patients with psoriatic arthropathy it was 164 ng/ml, in patients with noninflammatory muscular pain syndromes 170 ng/ml and in healthy blood donors we found a mean level of 221 ng/ml. The reproducibility was high, therefore it seems that the possibility to calculate the risks of complement-activating immunological disorders can be increased by using the C3a-radioimmunoassay. On the other hand the C3a-increase in rheumatoid patients may be an expression of the immunological activity of the disease.

Arthritis↗
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Oral gold therapy with auranofin (SK&F 39162). A multicenter open study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

One hundred and fifty patients with rheumatoid arthritis received 6 mg of auranofin daily for 2-24 months. Thirty patients were withdrawn from the study, and 82 patients were observed for 12 months. Statistical evaluation was available for 74 patients at weeks 24, 38, and 48, respectively. The major side effects observed were diarrhea, rash, and alopecia. Significant improvement was noted in the articular index, ESR, pain, and morning stiffness.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Age-related calcium/magnesium ratio in the ligamenta flava.

The Ca/Mg ratio in fibrous connective tissue may be related to its elastic property. Ligamenta flava were obtained from 76 patients during lumbar disc surgery, and Ca and Mg levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The Ca/Mg ratio was almost constant throughout all age groups. It is concluded that the constancy of the Ca/Mg ratio throughout the lifetime is an integral quality of elastic fibers which may be explained by the biological long half-life of elastin.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Therapy of generalized tendomyopathy (fibromyalgia) caused by blocking 5-HT3 receptors].

In more than 40% of patients with fibromyalgia a marked influence on the pain in the skeletal system with a decrease of the tenderness at "tenderpoints" can be achieved by blocking the 5-HT3-receptors with ondansetron or tropisetron-hydrochloride. Physical complaints and vegetative signs also improve. It is discussed if patients not responding to therapy with ondansetron or tropisetron-hydrochloride have to be discriminated as a subgroup of fibromyalgia. More investigations are needed to confirm the described effects.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunological studies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with methotrexate or cyclophosphamide.

One-hundred-and-two-patients (pts) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were observed for 12 months. Forty-eight pts were treated with a weekly low-dose of methotrexate (MTX), 23 pts with cyclophosphamide (CTX) (eight pts with one single intravenous dose, and 15 pts orally with a single daily dose), and 31 pts with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) only. In all individuals acute phase response, i.e., C-reactive protein (CRP) and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) serum levels, and AGP microheterogeneity using affinoimmunoelectrophoresis with concanavalin A were evaluated. The phenotype of lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood was characterized using immunofluorescence technique. Following treatment the increased level of CRP significantly decreased whereas AGP serum level remained unchanged. Among the patients, microheterogeneity of AGP expressed as reactivity coefficient (RC) was lower before treatment when compared with 17 controls (0.95 +/- 0.23 vs. 1.35 +/- 0.15, p < 0.01). After 12 months of MTX therapy AGP-RC rose significantly (1.19 +/- 0.13, p < 0.01). No changes were observed in AGP-RC levels in CTX and NSAID treated individuals. No significant differences were observed in the percentage of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ cells in all the patient groups, except in CTX intravenously treated patients. In this group of patients a decrease of CD4+ cells was noticed (60.1 +/- 11.5% and 43.8 +/- 12.5% before and after treatment respectively -p < 0.01). The percentage of CD19 positive cells decreased significantly during 12 months of treatment with MTX and CTX. The percentage of activated T cells (CD25+ cells and HLA-DR+ cells) remained unchanged in MTX treated patients and was reduced in both CTX groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[A new measuring device for computer-assisted imaging of the form and flexibility of the spine].

Our aim is to present a new method to examine spinal mobility and spine shape excluding torsional scoliosis. In comparison to measuring devices of the spine used so far, this noninvasive and easy to use method documents altered patterns of intervertebral mobility of the lumbar and thoracic spine. This may lead to a broader application of the triflexometer as a diagnostic tool for orthopedic and rheumatologic diseases that can decrease the frequency of X-ray exposure if used in combination with radiographs. In the present investigation the triflexometer demonstrates a good reproducibility of the triflexometer-based measurements. These findings support the ability of the triflexometer to depict disease courses of spinal disorders as well as the effect of therapy and rehabilitation.

Humans↗
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[Methods for detection of changes in muscle tonus].

Muscular spasm is a frequent symptom which is difficult to record precisely. On the basis of literature on the subject and of own studies, we undertook to describe various methods of examination which could be used to demonstrate such changes. Up to now, palpation is still the most important and most exact method for the experienced examiner. In this way local as well as extended muscular spasms can be made evident. The disadvantage however is the lack of objective proof. The easy-to-use Tissue-Compliance-Meter of Fischer, which measures the consistency of soft tissue, documents the intraindividual difference rather than the interindividual difference. This is due to the individually variable thickness of the subcutaneous fatty tissue. However, on the whole there is a good correlation to the findings of palpation. The pendulous-test and badismography allow especially the conclusion with regard to unilateral changes of tonus in the gluteal and upper leg muscles. This method also very well suits the intraindividual comparison, but less so the interindividual one. The continuous electromyogram is able to show the enhanced activity in spasmotic muscles also during sleep. The evaluation of enhanced muscle activity remains uncertain when using plain electromyogram. Recording of muscle tissue oxygen pressure is of little use to evaluate muscle spasm. Nonetheless, it provides interesting insights into pathogenetic questions. Thermography, measuring the blood circulation at the skin surface, is especially suited for perceiving intraindividual differences in case of muscle spasm. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy allows for noninvasive pH measurements in the muscle and therewith renders certain data concerning the degree of tension of this tissue. It is not yet suited for routine examination. The value of positron emission tomography for registering muscle spasm remains uncertain. Hopefully, this method, which documents the muscle energy metabolism, will enable us to more clearly evaluate muscle spasm than previous methods have done. Light and electron microscopic studies have provided contradictory results concerning histological changes in muscle biopsy in case of muscle spasm.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Doppler ultrasound in necrotizing enterocolitis].

10 patients with clinical signs for necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) underwent doppler sonography of the superior mesenteric artery. Five of them, who proved to suffer from NEC, sonographically showed elevated systolic velocity and diminished resistance index. The other 5 patients with negative laboratory findings and negative abdominal plain film showed normal flow patterns in the superior mesenteric artery. We therefore believe, that color doppler sonography can improve the diagnostic workup of newborns suspicious of NEC.

Blood Flow Velocity↗