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Biomedical subjects

A Huber

Publications and source records attributed to A Huber.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Measuring the concentration of various plasma and placenta extract proteolytic and vascular factors in pregnant patients with HELLP syndrome, pre-/eclampsia and highly pathologic Doppler flow values].

OBJECTIVE: Impaired trophoblast invasion plays a major role in the development of preeclampsia. Therefore various factors that are involved in invasion were investigated in gestational disease. METHODS: In pregnant women with HELLP-syndrome (n = 18), pre-/eclampsia (n = 21) and highly pathological Doppler flow measurements (hpD) (n = 13), plasma and placental tissue extract concentrations of uPA, uPA-receptor, tPA, PAI-1, MMP-8, MMP-9, TIMP-1, thrombomodulin, and angiogenin were measured using ELISA. RESULTS: In all three collectives, PAI-1 plasma concentrations were significantly higher (p < 0,05) than in normal pregnancies, in patients with HELLP-syndrome, tPA and TIMP-1 plasma levels were also elevated. MMP-9 concentrations in placental tissue extracts were lower in pre-/eclampsia than in normal pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: Impaired placental implantation and remodelling in gestational disease is reflected by changes in plasma and placental tissue extract concentrations of various factors that are involved in these processes.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Composite cerebral metastasis and oligodendroglioma: an exceptional form of mixed neoplasia.

Our report describes the uncommon case of a 61 year old female patient who underwent a left parietooccipital craniotomy and extirpation of a malignant tumor. Histological examination revealed a metastatic carcinoma of mammary origin intimately intermingled with a calcified oligodendroglioma WHO II. The preexisting oligodendroglial part had been detected four years before, but since then had been misinterpreted as a glious scar resulting from a previous brain trauma. Three years before neurosurgical intervention, the patient had undergone a left side mastectomy. The histological finding at that time was a solid breast tumor WHO T1N0. The occurrence of cerebral mixed neoplasias and possible causal factors are discussed.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1994

Etoposide treatment in recurrent medulloblastoma.

Five consecutive patients with recurrent medulloblastoma received etoposide 120 mg/m2 for 5 to 7 days at 2 to 4-week intervals. Three patients with neuroaxis dissemination received additional intrathecal chemotherapy with methotrexate, cytosine arabinoside and prednisone. Toxicity consisted of alopecia and mild neutropenia. Complete response was registered in two patients, partial response in one. Median survival was 19 months with the 3 responders living 6, 30 and 60+ months. Etoposide seems to be an active agent in medulloblastoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Genetic diseases of vision.

Among the genetic diseases of vision, retinitis pigmentosa (alone or in combination with systemic afflictions like Usher syndrome, Kearns-Sayre syndrome) deserves special interest because it can be autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and X-linked. Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy, the first mitochondrial disease to be defined at the molecular level, manifests at mitochondrial DNA position 11778, but 10 other mutations have recently been found, all residing within mitochondrial DNA-encoded respiratory chain polypeptides. The analysis of Leber's optic neuropathy mutations has provided new important insight into the phenotypic expression of mitochondrial DNA mutations. Some rarer hereditary diseases of vision such as Cone dystrophy, dominant optic atrophy, Leber's congenital amaurosis, Stargardt maculopathy, and choroideremia are discussed.

Genes, Dominant↗
PubMed1994

A new electrohydraulic energy converter for a left ventricular assist device.

An energy converting system that can function for years without maintenance is required for the drive of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). To meet the requirements of safety, the energy converter should have a simple design with few moving elements. The design applied herein has only one moving part and thus has greater inherent safety than competing systems. The only moving part is the rotor unit, comprised of the impeller of a centrifugal pump, the rotor of an electric motor, and the rotor of an electric axial actuator. A reversal of flow of the transmitter fluid can be achieved with an axial shift of this rotor unit. This fluid acts on the outer surface of a blood chamber and enables it to draw in blood and to expel it. Valves direct the flow of blood. The energy converter performs a flow of 12 L/min at a motor speed of 6,000 rpm against a pressure head of 115 mm Hg according to an output of the pulsatile blood pump of 5 L/min.

Electric Power Supplies↗
PubMed1994

[Experimental studies on the effect of the Er:glass and Cr:Tm:Ho:YAG laser in thermokeratoplasty].

So far the dose-effect ratio of the Holmium laser (wavelength 2.12 microns) and the erbium laser (1.54 microns) for laser thermokeratoplasty (LTK) are not defined in detail. Our study was designed not only to compare the erbium contact and the holmium non-contact applications but also to throw light on the influence of different geometrical application patterns, pulse energies, pulses per coagulation site and repetition rates under experimental conditions. Enucleated sheep and pig eyes were used 2-6 h post mortem, pressurized to 25 mmHg and moisturized with saline solution. Before and after LTK, pachymetry and keratometry were performed. Some specimens were prepared for light and scanning microscopy. The coagulation threshold for the erbium laser in a contact mode with a 200-microns fibre was 25 J/cm2 (ca. 8 mJ/pulse) and for the holmium laser 8 J/cm2 (ca. 2.5 mJ/pulse). The erbium laser was used in a single shot per spot mode, the holmium laser in repeated pulse per spot mode. With the single shot per spot mode, we were able to induce a promising hyperopic shift of up to -3.47 +/- 0.61 D, while myopic changes could only be induced up to +1.89 +/- 0.74 D. Higher changes of up to +8.27 +/- 1.3 D could be achieved by means of repeated pulses per spot (20 pulses, 45 mJ, 10 Hz). Our experiments showed an obvious increase of dioptric changes when using a higher repetition rate while pulse energy and number were kept constant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Osseous extensor tendon rupture of the finger joint: surgical technique and results].

Mostly mallet finger can be treated conservatively. In cases of fracture of the distal phalanx open reduction and fixation is recommended. We favour the well-established cerclage, yet perform it in a more comfortable way with the use of cannulated drilling. This technique was applied on 13 patients even with lesions several weeks old. The evaluation 5-16 months postoperatively based on radiological, clinical and subjective criteria. We present the technique and the results followed by the discussion of the advantages over conservative and other operative managements.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Why still use myelography in neurosurgery?].

Recently CT scan and NMR imaging have become diagnostic routine methods for spine lesions, while myelography is no longer the method of choice in most cases. From the experience of our clinic, however, there remain some neurosurgical indications, which will be the contents of this publication. We would like to give a review of the present literature. Still remaining indications are: 1. Traumatic nerve root lesions 2. Anomalies of lumbosacral nerve roots 3. Cervical disc herniation: anterior disc excision vs. posterior operation. 4. Stenosis of the spinal canal in more than 2 levels 5. Neurological deficit after trauma of the spine 6. Functional Myelography 7. Spinal arteriovenous malformations 3 Patients are presented in the crucial phase of diagnostic evaluation. Based on their outcome, the indications of myelography are discussed.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1994

[Management of complete acromioclavicular dislocation with resorbable fixation material (PDS cord)].

The complete acromioclavicular dislocation impairs the motility of the shoulder girdle. The surgical transfixation of the AC-joint with a screw, with K-wires or with special plates has a quite high complication rate and requires a second operation. We suggest the dynamic augmentation of the sutured ligaments with a coracoclavicular and an acromioclavicular PDS-cord cerclage. The paper presents the results of a follow-up examination of 10 patients.

Acromioclavicular Joint↗
PubMed1994

[Pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland. Results of surgical treatment].

Twenty years experience of lateral parotidectomy as suspical treatment for pleomorphic adenoma are reviewed. All cases were managed at the ORL Clinic of the University of Zürich. 167 patients were followed for the frequency of possible recurrent tumors. Three patients (3/123) operated primarily developed a recurrences. Recurrences appeared after an average of 10 years, ranging from 1-30 years. The follow-up time varied from 1 to 21 years (average, 8 years). 39% (13 of 33) of the patients, who were re-operated for a recurrent tumor, developed another recurrence. The second recurrence appeared after an average of 10 years, ranging from 1-22 years. A persistent partial paresis of the facial nerve was found in 1% of the patients operated primarily and in 9% of the patients operated more than once. No paralysis was seen. We now choose "en-bloc" resections of pleomorphic adenomas without intra-operative opening of the tumor capsule as the treatment of choice. This treatment was possible in 83% of all cases, using a lateral parotidectomy. If tumor extends into the medial parotid lobe, total parotidectomy is required.

Adenoma, Pleomorphic↗
PubMed1994

Opsin maturation and targeting to rhabdomeral photoreceptor membranes requires the retinal chromophore.

The function of the retinal chromophore in the transcription, translation and targeting of opsin was investigated in fly photoreceptor cells R1-6. Carotenoid deprivation and light-dependent depletion of photoreceptor cells in 11-cis (3-OH) retinal reduced not only the rhodopsin content but also the opsin density of the rhabdomeral membrane by as much as 96%. Electron microscopy revealed that rhabdomeral membranes which lack opsin are morphologically intact, but the cells show a modest proliferation of endoplasmic reticulum and zipper-like differentiations of the plasma membrane adjacent to the microvilli. Opsin mRNA levels, quantified by Northern blot analysis with opsin sense cRNA as an external standard, remain relatively constant (7 x 10(-19) moles opsin mRNA per cell), irrespective of the chromophore-dependent, large changes in the opsin content. Labeling of newly synthesized opsin after injection of eyes with [35S]methionine reveals that opsin mRNA is translated in rhodopsin-depleted cells to the same extent as in rhodopsin-rich cells. Molecular weight changes of metabolically radiolabeled opsin, indicative for the posttranslational processing of the nascent opsin to the mature opsin form, suggest that opsin processing is delayed in chromophore-deprived photoreceptor cells. Time courses of opsin labeling reveal that newly synthesized opsin is degraded faster in chromophore-deprived cells than in cells with a high chromophore supply. These results strongly suggest that the chromophore does not regulate opsin gene transcription, but is required for the processing of opsin and its targeting to the rhabdomeral photoreceptor membranes.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Xenoxins, a family of peptides from dorsal gland secretion of Xenopus laevis related to snake venom cytotoxins and neurotoxins.

Three new, highly similar peptides from the skin secretion of Xenopus laevis have been purified and analyzed by mass spectrometry and Edman degradation. The 66-amino-acid peptides, termed xenoxin-1, -2, and -3, contain 8 cysteines and show similarity to snake venom cytotoxins and short neurotoxins. Assignment of two out of four disulfide bonds suggests a tertiary structure similar to that of cytotoxins and short neurotoxins. A cDNA encoding pre-xenoxin-1 was isolated from a X. laevis skin cDNA library. The nucleotide sequence predicts the synthesis of a precursor with a signal peptide followed by the sequence of the mature peptide. Xenoxin-1 and -2 lack alpha-neurotoxic activity, have apparently no antibacterial activity, are low in general toxicity as tested in mice, and have no effect on blood coagulation as measured in a Factor VIII procoagulant activity test. Potential functions of xenoxins as well as evolutionary aspects are discussed.

Activin Receptors↗
PubMed1993

[The significance of computerized tomography in the conservative treatment of liver injuries].

Increasing experience with early radiological evaluation by ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) of patients with abdominal trauma is leading to more frequent use of conservative treatment in patients with severe liver injuries. In a retrospective study with predominant use of peritoneal lavage only 3 out of 100 patients with liver injuries were treated non-surgically. In a consecutive prospectively evaluated series of 75 patients with early use of US and CT, 30 patients in stable circulatory conditions were treated non-surgically. With increasing experience a higher percentage of patients, even with severe liver injuries, could be treated non-operatively. 17 patients with minor injuries (grade I and II, modified according to Moore) and 13 patients with severe injuries (grade III and IV) could be treated non-surgically. 2 patients with grade IV injury developed an arterial/portal-venous fistula and an arterial aneurysm which necessitated radiological embolizations. All conservatively treated patients have been followed up for a mean period of 18 months without complications. Although a precise anatomical classification of the liver injury degree seems difficult, the predictive value of computed tomography for non-surgical treatment was good. Use of i.v.-contrast is mandatory. We conclude that in experienced hands computed tomography allows precise evaluation of liver injuries for adequate treatment, provided careful follow-up (intensive care unit, CT, angiography) ensues to avoid complications.

Abdominal Injuries↗
PubMed1993

Management of traumatic liver injuries.

Liver injuries in Europe are usually caused by blunt trauma and a high mortality rate is generally reported. The severity of liver injury in 175 patients was graded from I to V and the Injury Severity Score assessed. Seventy-five patients in a prospective study (1987-1990) were treated according to a defined protocol. Non-operative management was used for those who were haemodynamically stable on admission. In unstable patients who proceeded to surgery, liberal use of packing was made and a low threshold for relaparotomy employed. Increasing experience resulted in fewer indications for resection and a 40 per cent rate of non-operative treatment in the prospectively managed group. The overall mortality rate was 12 per cent (15 per cent in the retrospective and 8 per cent in the prospective group). Death in patients with multiple injuries should only rarely result from liver trauma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Somatosensory and auditory brainstem evoked potentials during choroid plexus angioma removal.

Intraoperative combined SEP and BAEP monitoring provides a high level of safety for patients undergoing high risk intracranial surgical procedures. We performed this type of monitoring in a rare case of choroid plexus angioma, embedded into the pulvinar of the right thalamus, which was resected via a transcallosal approach. The SEP pattern deteriorated during parietal brain retraction and thalamic dissection, but never completely disappeared. The BAEP pattern remained unchanged during the entire operation. The patient suffered incomplete hemiparesis postoperatively, but recovered completely within 10 days. After this time the SEP pattern returned to normal. This case points out that pathological change of intraoperative SEP pattern without loss of components suggests an incomplete hemiparesis. There is, however, a good chance of full recovery in the early postoperative period.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Development of supratentorial astrocytomas.

Six cases of supratentorial astrocytomas are presented in this study in order to demonstrate the typical development of this kind of tumors. All patients were controlled regularly by CT scan. Five of them were operated two times, one patient three times. The tumor growth was quite similar in all cases. Time interval between the first intervention and tumor recurrence was larger than between second intervention and tumor recurrence. In all cases the tumors tended to "explosive" growth after the second operation. There are discussed pros and cons of an early reintervention after tumor recurrence.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Microthrombi formation after severe head trauma.

This study was undertaken to look for trauma-related fibrinous microthrombi in traumatized human brains. Fifty brains from patients with variable time intervals between trauma and death were fixed in 10% formaldehyde. Sections from the contusioned area and from the corresponding area of the contralateral hemisphere were embedded in paraffin and 50 non-traumatized brains were used as controls. After sectioning and embedding, 10 microns sections were stained with haemalum and eosin (HE) and phosphotungstic acid-hematoxylin (PTAH). Stained fibrinous microthrombi were counted in each hemisphere and in control sections. More microthrombi could be found in the contusioned areas of the brain than in the contralateral side or in control sections.

Adolescent↗