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Biomedical subjects

W Meyer

Publications and source records attributed to W Meyer.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Cystic neoplasms of the pancreas--cystadenomas and cystadenocarcinomas.

INTRODUCTION: Among the rare cystic pancreatic tumors, serous and mucinous cystadenoma and mucinous cystadenocarcinoma are most often diagnosed. CASE: We report on a total of 21 patients with cystic neoplasms who underwent surgery, 11 of whom had mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. Of the 10 remaining patients, serous and mucinous cystadenoma were diagnosed in two groups of five. A common feature of all cystic neoplasms is slow growth, leading to clinical symptoms at an advanced stage, with tumors frequently becoming enormous. RESULTS: In approximately half of the cases, diagnosis was possible by means of ultrasound, computed tomography and, in three instances, by preoperative percutaneous aspiration. Differential diagnosis of pseudocysts proved to be most difficult. CONCLUSION: Given the low operative risk, resection should always be performed in instances where findings cannot be clearly identified. Moreover, compared with ductal pancreatic carcinomas, the prognosis of a cystadenocarcinoma after early resection is extremely favorable, so that postponing resection might reduce the patient's prospects of being cured.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Multivisceral resection of advanced colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In about 10% of patients with carcinoma of the colorectum, the tumour has already invaded contiguous organs or else inflammatory tumorous adhesions involving neighbouring structures are found. In such a situation, the question arises whether one should perform a multivisceral resection, the usefulness of which in terms of surgical risk and late oncological results have been investigated in the present study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 173 patients with colorectal carcinoma who underwent a multivisceral resection during the period between 1984 and 1995 are reported. Excluded from the study were patients with recurrent tumour or distant metastases. RESULTS: In the majority of cases (63%), the primary tumour originated in the sigmoid colon or rectum. In 102 patients, only a single neighbouring organ was additionally involved, while the remaining patients had involvement of two or more contiguous organs. In 140 patients, the resection was curative, while in the remaining patients an R1/2 situation presented. In the curative group, tumour infiltration was confirmed histologically in 55% of the cases, while in the remaining patients a peritumourous adhesion had mimicked tumour invasion. Postoperative surgical complications occurred in only 1.4% of the interventions, a figure identical to the incidence of complications seen with conventional limited operations. The same applied to the postoperative 30-day mortality rate of 3.6%. The 5-year survival rate of the overall group of patients undergoing multivisceral resection was 42%, that of the subgroup undergoing curative surgery was 51%, and that of the subgroup receiving only palliative resection was 0%. Calculation of the stage-related 5-year survival rates for Union Internationale Contra la Cancrum stage-II and stage-III tumours revealed figures of 58% and 43%, respectively. After non-extended resection, the respective survival rates were identical (60% and 41%). CONCLUSION: An identical surgical risk and survival rates for curative resection, equally as good as those seen with conventional, non-extended procedures, justify the liberal use of multivisceral resection in the surgical treatment of colorectal carcinomas directly invading neighbouring organs.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed1999

Disfiguring burn scars and adolescent self-esteem.

Although children with burn scars are reported to have positive self-concepts, social and sexual maturation can be expected to stimulate anxiety, depression and diminished self-esteem in adolescents with disfiguring scars. This study examines complex self-regard of adolescents with burn scars. The following were hypothesized: (1) adolescents with disfiguring burn scars would view themselves as less competent than unburned normative samples; (2) subjects' perceived competence would be incongruent with the importance ascribed to the domains of physical appearance and athletic competence and (3) depression/anxiety would correlate negatively with perceived competence. Subjects were 14 adolescents: 6 male and 8 female, 13-20 years old, at least 2 years post-burn injury (TBSA = 39% +/- 23%). All had scars in at least 2 of the following areas: head/face, neck, chest, hands, genitals. Each subject was administered the Harter Self Perception Profile, a standardized measure of self-competence and value in 8 domains plus a general competence measure. The subjects were also assessed for anxiety/depression by the Child Behavioral Checklist. Overall, adolescents in this sample exhibited a similar or higher degree of self-worth as compared to their peers. However, the athletic competence and physical appearance sub-domains of self-worth for the burn survivors were significantly lower as compared to the normative group. Half of the participants rated the importance of physical appearance to be higher than their level of personal competence in this area, making for distressing emotions. Mood was similar to the normative group and mood correlated significantly with self-worth.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Pulmonary aspergilloma - clinical findings and surgical treatment.

The management of pulmonary aspergilloma is still a topic of discussion. Demonstrating several cases of pulmonary aspergilloma, their clinical course and their follow-up, we try to contribute some arguments for the preference of an early operation. Between 1992 and 1998, 18 patients underwent thoracotomy for treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma. The most common indication for operation were hemoptysis [6] and indeterminate mass [6]. Lobectomy was the most frequent operation [11]. Underlying diseases were bronchiectasis [10], tuberculosis [3], carcinoma [2], blebs [2], and epitheloid granuloma. Two patients had postoperative complications, another three died later in the clinical course because of liver failure, septicemia, and persisting air leakage and sepsis. We recommend early resection of symptomatic, cavitating aspergilloma in the simple form and even with an inflammatory reaction of the surrounding tissue. Especially low-risk patients profit highly from an early operation. High-risk patients should be operated on only in cases of life-threatening complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Australian isolates of Legionella longbeachae are not a clonal population.

Legionella longbeachae is almost as frequent a cause of legionellosis in Australia as Legionella pneumophila, but epidemiological investigation of possible environmental sources and clinical cases has been limited by the lack of a discriminatory subtyping method. The purpose of this study was to examine the genetic variability among Australian isolates of L. longbeachae serogroup 1. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of SfiI fragments revealed three distinct pulsotypes among 57 clinical and 11 environmental isolates and the ATCC control strains of L. longbeachae serogroups 1 and 2. Each pulsotype differed by four bands, corresponding to <65% similarity. A clonal subgroup within each pulsotype was characterized by >88% similarity. The largest major cluster was pulsotype A, which included 43 clinical isolates and 9 environmental isolates and was divided into five subgroups. Pulsotypes B and C comprised smaller numbers of clinical and environmental isolates, which could each be further divided into three subgroups. The ATCC type strain of L. longbeachae serogroup 1 was classified as pulsotype B, subtype B3, while the ATCC type strain of L. longbeachae serogroup 2 was identified as a different pulsotype, LL2. SfiI macrorestriction analysis followed by PFGE showed that the Australian L. longbeachae strains are not a single clonal population as previously reported.

Australia↗
PubMed1999

Species and genotypic diversities and similarities of pathogenic yeasts colonizing women.

We examined the patterns of strain relatedness among pathogenic yeasts from within and among groups of women to determine whether there were significant associations between genotype and host condition or body site. A total of 80 yeast strains were isolated, identified, and genotyped from 49 female volunteers, who were placed in three groups: (i) 19 women with AIDS, (ii) 11 pregnant women without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and (iii) 19 women who were neither pregnant nor infected with HIV. Seven yeast species were recovered, including 59 isolates of Candida albicans, 9 isolates of Candida parapsilosis, 5 isolates of Candida krusei, 3 isolates of Candida glabrata, 2 isolates of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and 1 isolate each of Candida tropicalis and Candida lusitaniae. Seventy unique genotypes were identified by PCR fingerprinting with the M13 core sequence and by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis. Of the nine shared genotypes, isolates from three different hosts were of one genotype and pairs of strains from different body sites of the same host shared each of the other eight genotypes. Genetic similarities among groups of strains were calculated and compared. We found no significant difference in the patterns of relatedness of strains from the three body sites (oral cavity, vagina, and rectum), regardless of host conditions. The yeast microflora of all three host groups had similar species and genotypic diversities. Furthermore, a single host can be colonized with multiple species or multiple genotypes of the same species at the same or different body sites, indicating dynamic processes of yeast colonization on women.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1999

[Remarks on the domestic dog as an object of instruction for the education of the developing child].

Based on an intensive analysis of literature, the study summarizes problems involved in the significance of domesticated dogs as objects of instruction and assistants of the education of children. Several important topics are discussed in view of advances for children in families keeping dogs. Such topics are mainly related to a general socio-emotional level, the support of cognitive development and character formation. Further aspects are the acquisition of a sense of responsibility, and the development of self-confidence, a sense of social membership and security, as well as important attributes of character such as frankness, broad mindedness, and sympathetic understanding. Moreover, knowledge about the life cycle and functions of body organs can be conveyed, and the dog could, at least in part, substitute for brothers and sisters. Basically, positive attitudes towards animals in general, as well as nature and environment are supported. All topics are critically commented and considered to be realistic or not. The supporting role of parents, in particular, is emphasized. Parental commitment should include deep concern with the typical attributes of the dog breed desired, and optimal dog keeping conditions to prevent harm to the children. The final commentary lays special emphasis on negative features of domestication for a pet owner, and cautions against non-biological and illusionary ideas about domesticated animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Thoughts about the domestic dog as the catalyst for relations between humans and a body contact object for humans].

Based on an intensive analysis of literature, the study summarizes for the first time important but seldom realized reasons for dog keeping by humans. Firstly, the significance of the companion animal domesticated dog as catalyst of numerous different social contacts and communicative interactions of the dog keepers is emphasized. Secondly, the problem of total devotion of dog owners to the animal is discussed including its negative aspects, and the psychogram of a "typical dog owner" is described. Thirdly, the role of the domesticated dog as object of body contact (petting object) for humans is characterized, i.e., the positive effects of tactile stimuli for the emotional and physical well-being of dog owners as well as their animals are presented. All themes are finally discussed in the light of the historical dimension of dog domestication, whereby it is obvious that one of the first uses of this mammalian species was that as an object of affectional touch and hugging to serve basic human emotional needs. In this way it becomes also evident how deeply the dog depends on its owner.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Distribution of acetylcholinesterase in the central nervous system of harvestmen (Arachnida: Opilionida).

Enzyme histochemical technique (Gomori and Koelle methods, reaction product development according to Lewis) was applied on 10 microm frozen sections of formalin-fixed material to demonstrate the distribution of acetylcholinesterase in the central nervous system (CNS) of harvestmen (Opilionida: Phalangiidae). Distinctly positive reactions were confined to the neuropil, showing strong staining especially in protocerebral brain centres (optic lobes, cerebral ganglia), the cheliceral ganglia (stomodeal bridge, afferent tracts), and the connective ring systems of the subesophageal nerve mass. The results obtained are discussed with regard to central coordinative functions of the respective brain parts.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1998

Frequency and timing of coital orgasm in women desirous of becoming pregnant.

Generally, no functional role, except pleasure, is assigned to a women's coital orgasm. Recently, however, researchers have suggested that women can regulate the number of sperm accepted or rejected by manipulation coital orgasm timing. Baker and Bellis (1995) demonstrated that women retain more sperm if coital orgasm occurs after, rather than before male ejaculation. The present study investigated (i) factors associated with coital orgasm frequency and (ii) whether women desirous of becoming pregnant report more coital orgasms after than before their partners. Sixty-nine women rated their desire for pregnancy and answered questions about their sexual behaviors, coital orgasm frequency, and coital orgasm timing in relation to their partners. In regression analysis, coital orgasm frequency was predicted by foreplay duration, masturbation frequency, and active sexual participation; desire for pregnancy did not predict coital orgasm frequency. Desire for pregnancy was predicted by age (negatively), active sexual participation (positively), and positively by orgasm after partner ejaculation. Consistent with the Baker and Bellis hypothesis, frequency of orgasm after partner's orgasm remained a significant predictor for desire for pregnancy after controlling for degree of marital happiness, sexual foreplay duration, and coital orgasm frequency.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Embryonal feather growth in the chicken.

Prenatal feather growth development in the chicken was studied in 7 body regions in HH stages 27-45, using direct measurements, specific histological and immunohistochemical methods, and scanning electron microscopy. The results from measurements of absolute length values, and, particularly, growth rate development in each HH stage revealed a distinct phase of most intensive growth in HH stage 40-41, which was preceded by feather follicle insertion and accompanied by the occurrence of alpha-keratins in barbule cells. Specific regional evaluation demonstrated that growth in the feather follicles of abdominal skin generally showed the slowest progression from absolute values and that in the feather filaments of the developing wings the most rapid progression occurred during HH stage 40-41 from growth rate values.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1998

Comparison of neutrophil and monocyte function by microbicidal cell-kill assay in patients with cancer receiving granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, or no cytokine after cytotoxic chemotherapy: a phase II trial.

Functional effects of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) and recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) were prospectively measured by harvesting blood samples from 51 oncology patients (21 who were receiving no cytokines, 14 receiving rhGM-CSF, and 16 who were receiving rhG-CSF) just before cytotoxic chemotherapy (baseline) immediately before the last cytokine dose (pre), 2 hours after the last cytokine dose (post), and 48 hours after the pre period (follow-up). Neutrophils and monocytes were separated and functional effects were measured by comparing cell-kill percentages, as determined by a microbial cell-kill assay against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Optimal cell concentrations (2 x 10(6) monocytes/ml; 4 x 10(6) neutrophils/ml) and effector-to-cell ratios (1:50) were initially determined with blood samples harvested from 23 healthy volunteers. Results in oncology patients indicated that rhGM-CSF improved monocyte-killing activity against S. aureus at follow-up, compared with controls (p = 0.0094) and compared with monocytes from rhG-CSF-treated patients at the post period (p = 0.014). Cell-killing percentage of the rhGM-CSF-treated patients was also enhanced against C. albicans during the post period, compared with controls (p = 0.011) and rhG-CSF-treated patients (p = 0.067). Neutrophil activity was not altered by either cytokine. In conclusion, monocyte-induced microbial killing was enhanced in oncology patients receiving rhGM-CSF after cytotoxic chemotherapy, compared with patients receiving rhG-CSF or no cytokines. No differences in neutrophil activity were observed between patients receiving either cytokine.

Candida albicans↗
PubMed1998

Retrospective analysis of infectious disease in patients who received recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor versus patients not receiving a cytokine who underwent autologous bone marrow transplantation for treatment of lymphoid cancer.

Recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) significantly shortens the number of days required to achieve an absolute neutrophil count of >500/mm3 after autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT); however, the ability of rhGM-CSF to enhance neutrophil and macrophage function in vivo has been incompletely characterized. In this retrospective study, the authors compared the incidence of infection from the day of transplantation to 28 days posttransplantation between two groups of previously studied patients who underwent ABMT at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. A control group that received no cytokine was compared with a study group that received rhGM-CSF while participating in phase I, II, or III trials. During the posttransplantation period when both study groups had severe neutropenia, 40% (38 of 95) of control patients were found to have an infection, whereas only 13% (6 of 46) of rhGM-CSF patients developed an infection (p = 0.001). Most infections occurred before an absolute neutrophil count of > 100/mm3 was achieved. There was a trend toward fewer fungal infections (14% vs. 4%; p = 0.093); gram-negative bacterial infections (6% vs. 0%; p = 0.083); pulmonary infections (12% vs. 2%; p = 0.062); fewer days of amphotericin B (p = 0.0305); and fewer days of intravenous antibiotics (p = 0.0791) in rhGM-CSF-treated patients. These results support in vivo findings that the function-enhancing effect of rhGM-CSF may reduce infection-related complications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Improved survival in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma failing 5-fluorouracil who received irinotecan hydrochloride and have high intratumor C-fos expression.

This study determines the prognostic role of c-fos protein expression in patients with colon cancer who previously failed therapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Patients with advanced colorectal who were refractory to 5-FU therapy received irinotecan (CPT-11) by a 90-minute intravenous infusion at a dose of 125 mg/m2 weekly for four weeks followed by a 2-week rest period were eligible for oncogene assessment. C-fos protein expression was evaluated using archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissue, and an automated immunoperoxidase histochemical technique. Thirty-five patients were found to have > 25% positive c-fos activity. Nine patients had no detectable c-fos expression. Characteristics of patient subgroups were not different, however, the median survival of patients with elevated c-fos expression from the time of treatment with CPT-11 was 436 days, whereas patients with no detectable c-fos expression had a median survival of 365 days (p = 0.045). C-fos exhibits a casual role in the initiation of apoptosis and is implicated in differentiation and proliferation. It has been shown to correlate with poor survival in breast cancer, but improved survival in patients with astrocytic glioma. In this analysis, there is a suggestion that elevated c-fos expression is a good prognostic marker for patients with refractory colorectal carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Long-term psychosocial adaptation of children who survive burns involving 80% or greater total body surface area.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the psychosocial adjustment of survivors of massive pediatric burn injuries, the change in adjustment across time, and the impact on parents. BACKGROUND: Patients/parents were assessed at regular intervals postburn using standardized tests of adjustment. Patients who could not be included in standardized longitudinal assessments were administered questionnaires by mail/telephone. METHODS: The Child Behavior Checklist, the Teacher Report Form, the Youth Self Report Form, and the Parenting Stress Index were utilized to assess adjustment. RESULTS: On all objective measures, the group of survivors and their parents were within normal limits. Adjustment neither improved nor deteriorated over time. CONCLUSION: Children who survive massive burn injuries can achieve positive psychosocial adaptation.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1998

Left-right asymmetry of striatal dopamine D2 receptors.

Brain functions may be lateralized to the right or the left hemisphere. However, the biochemical characteristics accompanying these functions are largely unknown. To test possible lateralization of striatal dopamine D2 receptors, we examined 18 volunteers using 123I-iodobenzamide and single photon emission tomography. The striatum-to-cerebellum D2 binding ratio was 1.93 +/- 0.22 (mean +/- S.D.) on the right side and 1.85 +/- 0.19 on the left side. In 14 subjects, D2 binding was higher in the right compared to the left striatum (P < 0.05). These results are supported by a meta-analysis performed on 15 studies reported in the literature. We conclude that side differences of striatal dopamine D2 receptors exist. We propose that motor activity could be responsible for our findings.

Adult↗