Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0392326 (discomfort)
 22,423 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The DCCT study confirmed the importance of optimizing insulin therapy to reduce the microvascular risks of diabetes mellitus. Optimization requires improving the methods already in use. Recent results must be used to improve patient motivation. Control of blood glucose levels must include improving the frequency and/or the quality of follow-up (pluridisciplinary consultations). Follow-up must be improved, taking advantage of the recent developments such as rapid glycosylated haemoglobin assay and computerized glucose meters. Of course, improvement in blood glucose must aim at normal levels, accepting the increased risk of hypoglycaemia. The insulin-tool itself must be improved on the basis of recent developments including ultra-rapid analogues and external and implantable insulin pumps. Finally, a major challenge is to develop these improvements without increasing too greatly the patient's short-term costs and without causing further discomfort.
 ...
PMID:[Current methods for optimal insulin therapy]. 774 19

Processing of joint redundancy is one of the most important problems in motor control. For instance, gaze orientation can be obtained with an infinite number of eye and head combinations. It has been proposed that a solution to this problem might be the minimization of eye and head position-signal errors. For arm movements, where the excess of degrees of freedom is even higher, cost function was proposed as a criterion for movement selection, reflecting some comfort variable evoked from the peripheral inputs, e.g. optimal muscular energy cost or glucose consumption. However, no biological implication of comfort on motor control has yet been demonstrated. We have further investigated this approach by hypothesizing that arm posture choice also relies on a minimization of position-signal errors arising from individual joints. The prediction is that accuracy of fingertip localization by pointing made by the contralateral hand would be enhanced for comfortable postures of the target arm and degraded for uncomfortable postures using extreme joint positions. Results show an increase in pointing variability when extreme joint postures are used (wrist flexion, shoulder elevation, or both). This increase in pointing variability is proportional to the increase in subjective discomfort rating. Individual joint effects can be added arithmetically into a whole arm value for both discomfort rating and pointing variable and constant error. These results suggest that the choice of comfortable postures for the arm corresponds to an optimization of arm position-signal reliability. This new constraint might be a useful tool for further investigation on posture or trajectory formation.
 ...
PMID:Is there an optimal arm posture? Deterioration of finger localization precision and comfort sensation in extreme arm-joint postures. 792 86

The effects of subdermal implantation of levonorgestrel (LNG) on reproduction were studied in domestic cats (Felis domestica). Levonorgestrel was administered via a slow-release subdermal silastic implant to 10 queens. The implants contained 16 mg of LNG and were designed to release 60 micrograms of the drug daily. Each treated queen received one implant. Five queens (control, group 1) received subdermal silastic implants containing no drug. Changes in body weight, mammary gland structure (determined by palpation), serum blood glucose concentrations, and reproductive factors (occurrence of estrous cycles, serum progesterone concentrations, and pregnancy) were monitored for 1 year. Four treated queens (treatment/recovery, group 2) were used to investigate reproductive function following 12 months of LNG treatment. To assess effects of treatment on macroscopic and microscopic anatomic features of reproductive and nonreproductive tissues, the remaining six cats (treatment/histology, group 3) were studied. Hemiovariohysterectomy was performed in two queens each at 0, 2, and 6 months of the study. Later, the remainder of the reproductive tract was harvested at necropsy (two after 2 months of treatment, two after 6 months, two after 12 months) to assess change in individual queens. Nonreproductive tissues were also examined at necropsy to determine effects of LNG in these six queens. All queens retained the implants during the period of study without detectable discomfort. Estrus was suppressed and no pregnancies were recorded in the four LNG-treated cats that were housed with a male. Treatment with LNG had no effect on body weight, physical mammary gland structure, or serum blood glucose concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
 ...
PMID:The contraceptive effects of levonorgestrel in the domestic cat. 793 74

Some retrospective nonrandomised or cross-sectional studies have shown that higher blood glucose levels are associated with more pronounced microvascular complications in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). The prospective randomised studies had, until recently, been less definitive. Intensified treatment, and thus lower blood glucose levels, has led to an initial worsening of retinopathy, but this tendency towards more advanced retinopathy has been transient. Albuminuria and manifest neuropathy have been retarded to some extent. Today, 2 long term randomised studies, the Stockholm study and the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), have proven that a lowering of mean blood glucose levels, measured as a lower glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) value, retards or halts retinopathy, nephropathy and peripheral neuropathy. Intensified treatment, whether performed with multiple injections or insulin pumps, leads to some weight gain and a 3-fold increase in the frequency of severe hypoglycaemic episodes. Hypoglycaemia did not cause long term reduced cognitive function in either study, but was unpleasant to the patients. A great majority of patients in the Stockholm study stated that their well-being had increased while participating in the study. The Stockholm programme required 35 minutes extra per patient per month, and a physician and a nurse could tutor 400 patients. This would bring a significant reduction of serious complications and a gain in terms of patient discomfort and cost. A programme of intensified treatment for IDDM is generally indicated and is possible to carry out.
 ...
PMID:A risk-benefit assessment of conventional versus intensive insulin therapy. 804 22

The capillary filtrate collector (CFC) contains 30,000 molecular weight cut-off, hollow fiber ultrafiltration membranes that are placed below the skin. A transcutaneous tube leads to an evacuated glass tube that provides a vacuum to pull ultrafiltrate at 40-60 microliters/hr from blood, through the fibers, and past a sampling port to the glass tube. Long-term (1-6 months) animal and clinical studies have shown that the ultrafiltrate concentration of chemicals such as glucose and a variety of drugs is exactly the same as that of the blood plasma water when the ultrafiltrate is created. In this study, the device was placed in six home monitored diabetics and four in-center hemodialysis diabetic patients. Over the following month, blood glucose concentrations were compared to CFC glucose concentrations. In spite of difficulties in diluting and assaying small samples of filtrate, there was a good correlation between blood and CFC glucose levels. A flow-through enzymatic glucose sensor has been tested and shown to accurately measure glucose in CFC filtrate. When placed in the transcutaneous tubing near the skin, this should allow a small external device to continuously monitor glucose levels in brittle or out of control diabetes with high accuracy and little risk, discomfort, or cost.
 ...
PMID:A subcutaneous capillary filtrate collector for measurement of blood chemistries. 826 28

The alpha-glucosidase inhibitor voglibose (AO-128) was designed to prevent rapid postprandial blood glucose rises in non-insulin-dependent diabetics. We analyzed its effect on the entero-insular axis in 72 healthy volunteers in a double-blind study design before, after the 1st dose, and on the 7th day of a 7-day treatment protocol (3 daily loads). Six parallel groups of 12 volunteers received voglibose (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, or 5.0 mg) or placebo (two groups). Blood was drawn at regular intervals up to 180 min after a standardized breakfast to analyze the levels of glucose, insulin, C peptide, gastric inhibitory polypeptide, and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). As expected, after ingestion of voglibose, slight to moderate gastro-intestinal discomfort but no severe side-effects were reported. In a dose-dependent manner, voglibose significantly reduced postprandial increases of blood glucose, insulin, and C peptide. At the lower loads (0.5 and 1 mg voglibose three times daily), these effects were more pronounced after 7 days. The postprandial increase of gastric inhibitory polypeptide was already reduced after the first load of 2 and 5 mg voglibose. In comparison to the placebo group, this inhibition became also significant for the lower loads after 7 days. Interestingly, GLP-1, originating from the lower intestines, was increasingly released under voglibose treatment. The first administration of 1 mg voglibose enhanced GLP-1 secretion > 80% above controls. Treatment with 1 mg voglibose three times daily over 7 days revealed a maximal mobilizing effect on endogenous GLP-1 (> 90% above controls) which was not further increased by 2- or 5-mg loads. We conclude that voglibose treatment effectively inhibits intestinal disaccharidases and thereby mobilizes the endogenous pool of insulinotropic GLP-1.
 ...
PMID:Voglibose (AO-128) is an efficient alpha-glucosidase inhibitor and mobilizes the endogenous GLP-1 reserve. 853 20

Seventy-two healthy dogs required sedation and analgesia for a variety of procedures causing discomfort or pain. They were treated either with the alpha 2-agonist medetomidine at 40 micrograms/kg (15 intravenously and 17 intramuscularly), or 80 micrograms/kg (15 intravenously and 15 intramuscularly) or with xylazine plus l-methadone (1.0 mg)(10 intravenously). The levels of sedation, analgesia and safety were compared clinically and by measurements of the effects on the electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood gases, body temperature, haematology and clinical chemistry. Sedation was achieved reliably with both medetomidine and xylazine plus l-methadone but its onset, depth and duration were influenced by the dose and route of administration. In the medetomidine-treated dogs, intravenous administration resulted in more rapid sedation and the effects of the higher dose were deeper and longer lasting. The small dogs receiving 40 micrograms/kg may have been underdosed. The initial analgesic effects in response to a pin prick to the body surface were sufficient and similar for both drugs, except for the intramuscular dose of 40 micrograms/kg medetomidine. Analgesia for the clinical procedures was less reliable with medetomidine and was not always adequate even at the high dose, but xylazine plus l-methadone assured analgesia in almost every case. Medetomidine resulted in marked bradycardia, lasting as long as the sedation and the ECG revealed a sinus arrhythmia with sinoatrial and atrioventricular blocks grade I and II as a sign of interference with transduction. The bradycardia with xylazine plus l-methadone was less pronounced. A decrease in respiratory rate accompanying sedation had no influence on blood gases and blood acidity in the dogs treated with medetomidine but caused a respiratory acidosis with xylazine plus l-methadone. Body temperature decreased with all treatments for the duration of the period of sedation. Blood glucose concentration increased to a similar extent in all treatment groups, but all other haematological and clinicochemical variables remained unchanged. Treatment with the specific alpha 2 antagonist, atipamezole, reversed the sedation and cardiovascular and pulmonary effects due to medetomidine within minutes.
 ...
PMID:Clinical comparison of medetomidine with xylazine/l-methadone in dogs. 865 Sep 15

Our objective was to investigate the clinical effect of a less toxic and less acidic peritoneal dialysis (PD) fluid produced in a two-compartment bag (PD-Bio). The study had an open cross-over design in 4 stable patients, where the patient served as his/her own control. After a period of three months using conventional PD fluid the patients were switched to three months on the new PD fluid. Routine blood chemistry and transport characteristics were measured. Cell samples from overnight spent dialysis fluid were analyzed for viability, differential count, release of superoxide radicals, and cancer antigen 125 (CA 125). Subjective patient symptoms and handling properties were investigated by a patient questionnaire. Cancer antigen 125 increased significantly, and patients with discomfort or infusion pain during the control period improved during the PD-Bio period. Patient acceptance with respect to handling of the two-compartment bag was excellent and did not differ from the use of standard bags. No changes were seen in the cell samples from spent dialysate, blood chemistry, or transport characteristics between the two treatment periods. PH in the effluent dialysate was, however, significantly higher for PD-Bio at all times during the two-hour dwell. Our results suggest that a PD fluid produced to minimize the level of toxic glucose degradation products and to obtain a more physiological pH has an impact on CA 125 levels, reduces pain and discomfort in connection with infusion of fluid, and does not influence the transport characteristics.
 ...
PMID:Less infusion pain and elevated level of cancer antigen 125 by the use of a new and more biocompatible PD fluid. 886 92

The purpose of this experiment was to measure, by using 13C labeling, the oxidation rate of exogenous lactate (25 g, as Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ salts) and glucose (75 g) ingested simultaneously (in 1,000 ml of water) during prolonged exercise (120 min, 65 +/- 3% maximum oxygen uptake in 6 male subjects). The percentage of exogenous glucose and lactate oxidized were similar (48 +/-3 vs. 45 +/- 5%, respectively). However, because of the small amount of oral lactate that could be tolerated without gastrointestinal discomfort, the amount of exogenous lactate oxidized was much smaller than that of exogenous glucose (11.1 +/- 0.5 vs. 36.3 +/- 1.3 g, respectively) and contributed to only 2.6 +/- 0.4% of the energy yield (vs. 8.4 +/- 1.9% for exogenous glucose). The cumulative amount of exogenous glucose and lactate oxidized was similar to that observed when 100 g of [13C]glucose were ingested (47.3 +/- 1.8 vs. 50.9 +/- 1.2 g, respectively). When [13C]glucose was ingested, changes in the plasma glucose 13C/12C ratio indicated that between 39 and 61% of plasma glucose derived from exogenous glucose. On the other hand, the plasma glucose 13C/12C ratio remained unchanged when [13C]lactate was ingested, suggesting no prior conversion into glucose before oxidation.
 ...
PMID:Respective oxidation of 13C-labeled lactate and glucose ingested simultaneously during exercise. 904 22

We present the case of a 44-year-old man with abnormal myocardial fatty acid metabolism who exhibited no myocardial uptake of 123I-beta-methyl- iodophenyl pentadecanoic acid (123I-BMIPP). This patient presented to our hospital with an ECG abnormality detected during a medical check-up. He felt no chest discomfort, but a 12-lead ECG at rest showed flat T-waves in leads I, V5, and V6 with no marked ischemic changes during exercise. A left ventriculogram and coronary angiograms were normal. Thallium-201 single photon emission computed tomography imaging revealed a normal myocardial uptake, but 123I-BMIPP imaging showed no such uptake. However, 18F-labelled fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography imaging after an overnight fast showed a marked increase in myocardial uptake. It appears that myocardial uptake of 123I-BMIPP was totally lacking and that energy production by the myocardium during fasting depended on the metabolism of glucose rather than of fatty acids.
 ...
PMID:Absence of myocardial 123I-BMIPP uptake in the presence of a normal coronary angiogram and normokinetics on a left ventriculogram. 927 80


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next >>