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Biomedical subjects

A Wilke

Publications and source records attributed to A Wilke.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Effects of nitinol Strecker stent placement on vascular response in normal and stenotic porcine iliac arteries.

PURPOSE: This experimental study was conducted to evaluate neointimal thickness, lumen diameters, and histologic changes in normal and stenotic porcine iliac arteries following placement of self-expanding nitinol Strecker stents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Neointimal trauma causing slight vascular stenosis was induced unilaterally within external iliac arteries of 12 swines by means of endothelial abrasion and high cholesterol diet. Nitinol Strecker stents were placed within the stenotic and the normal contralateral vascular segments. For histopathologic evaluation, the pigs were killed 12 or 24 weeks after stent placement and luminal diamters were evaluated angiographically. RESULTS: Excluding one occlusion, 15% narrowing of the lumen diameter was induced unilaterally (P = .002). Initial luminal gain after stent placement was greater for stenotic than for normal arteries. The amount of neointima thickness was not different between stenotic and normal vessels (P > .05). Comparing vascular diameters before stent placement and at follow-up, luminal loss due to neointima proliferation was 22% within normal arteries (P = .0002), while a luminal gain by 15% was found within the stenotic arteries (P = .008). Maturation of neointima and endothelial coverage were complete after 24 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Even though nitinol Strecker stents induce excessive neointimal proliferation, stenotic arteries seem to profit from great early luminal gain resulting in 15% of vascular expansion at follow-up while slight stenosis is induced within normal iliac arteries.

Alloys↗

Elevation of the pacing threshold: a side effect in a patient with pacemaker undergoing therapy with doxorubicin and vincristine.

A 56-year-old female patient with an IgG plasmocytoma first diagnosed 5 years before underwent 3 cycles of chemotherapy according to the VAD scheme. A VVI pacemaker had been implanted 3 years earlier. After each cycle, the output of the pacemaker had to be increased as the pacing threshold had increased, resulting in a slow pulse. This case demonstrates that patients with a pacemaker that undergo chemotherapy with cardiotoxic agents must be followed carefully.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

[Effects of extracorporeal shock waves (ESW) on human bone marrow cell cultures].

INTRODUCTION: Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is a new method of treating insertion tendopathy and pseudo-arthrosis, the clinical importance of which cannot yet be definitively assessed, and the underlying mechanisms of which are still unclear. AIM: To develop an experimental set-up enabling the standardised application of ESWT to human bone marrow cell culture and the determination of the effect of ESWT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After 14 days incubation, human bone marrow cell cultures were subjected to ESWT using 200/500 pulses at an energy flux densities ED + of 0.03, 0.04, 0.07, 0.11 and 0.25 millijoule/mm2. Samples were obtained for LDH measurement 15 minutes, 4 h and 18 h after ESWT. Transmission light microscopy was carried out before and after ESWT to determine cell numbers and for morphological analysis. RESULTS: Gaps in the cellular tissue first appear at an energy of 0.01 millijoule/mm2. At energies of 0.25 millijoule/mm2, morphologically altered cells, thinned out cellular tissue with a cell-free focal zone are found. At low energy levels, defects have been repaired ca. 1 week after ESWT. No significant increase in LDH was detected at any of the energy levels applied. CONCLUSION: Increasing energy and higher pulse frequency is associated with an increase in the size and number of holes in cellular tissue and in cell separation. Regeneration capability (regrowth, sprouting, normal cell form) decreases as the energy level increases. Changes can be detected even at the lowest energy flux densities, which up until now had been assumed to have no effect on cell morphology or number. The standardised application of ESWT to human bone marrow cell cultures provides reproducible results that can be controlled by a placebo ESWT application.

Bone Marrow Cells↗

[Sources of interference for cardiac pacemakers. Technical improvements of pacemakers--risks in the medical realm].

Such new technologies are associated with potential problems for patients with pacemakers which have not yet been adequately investigated. External sources of interference may inhibit or, in the case of dual chamber devices, trigger, the pacemaker, change its program or cause thermal damage to electrode tips leading to elevation of the stimulation threshold, or may destroy both hardware and software components. To prevent such problems, protective measures such as screening, sensitivity filters, asynchronous stimulation, and the bipolar electrodes have been developed. Detection by the pacemaker of a constant source of interference automatically activates an anti-interference circuit providing a fixed stimulating frequency. In contrast, interference by a pulsed or strongly amplitude-modulated signal can inhibit pacemaker function for a lengthy period and thus cause symptoms and possibly syncope.

Contraindications↗

Biocompatibility analysis of different biomaterials in human bone marrow cell cultures.

A cell culture system for biocompatibility testing of hip implant materials is described. Human bone marrow cells have been chosen because these cells are in direct contact with the biomaterial after implantation in situ. The sensitivity of this method is evaluated for materials which are already being used as implants in humans and animal, e.g., hydroxyapatite (HA) ceramic, pure titanium, and ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). As indicative parameters of biocompatibility primary cell adherence, cell number, cell proliferation, production of extracellular matrix, cell vitality, and cell differentiation are described. After 2 weeks in culture, obvious differences between the biomaterials with respect to the indicative parameters could be observed. Cell numbers were greatest on the HA specimens. In the case of titanium alloys, we observed a decreased number of cells. The production of extracellular matrix was high for the HA ceramics but reduced for titanium specimens. The polymers allowed only a few adherent cells and showed no signs of extracellular matrix production. The results can be correlated astonishingly well to animal experiments and clinical experiences. Therefore, we suggest that this cell culture system seems to be a useful tool for biocompatibility testing of bone implantation materials. It also helps reduce animal experiments. With the help of flow cytophotometry, we analyzed the influence of biomaterials on large numbers of cells with respect to differentiation. There were similar populations of T cells and monocytes on all specimens tested. Extended B-cell and granulocyte populations, however, were observed with titanium and UHMWPE. Most osteocalcin-containing cells adhered to the HA ceramics.

Aged↗

[Angina pectoris in leiomyoma].

A 72-year-old patient presented himself with typical symptoms of coronary heart disease and was scheduled for invasive diagnostic procedures. Cardiac risk factors were smoking and arterial hypertension. The physical examination was inconspicious. In the laborchemistry a hemoglobin of 79 g/l with a mean corpuscular volume of 63 fl and a mean corpuscular hemoglobin of 20 pg was conspicuous. The serum iron was with 42 micrograms/dl in the lower norm. Transferrin, bili-rubin and lactate dehydrogenase were normal. Then in the gastrointestinal investigations he was diagnosed with a leiomyoma of the intestine that led to chronic anaemia and additionally to chest pain characteristic for angina pectoris. After the removal of the tumor and normalization of hemoglobin this patient was free from symptoms of the disease. The coronary angiography revealed a complex stenosis of the right coronary artery with collaterales and not significant stenosis both of the left coronary arteries. In patients with angina pectoris anaemia as the possible and only cause of angina ought to be verified. It is therefore necessary after normalization of hemoglobin and clarification of the cause for the anaemia to apply a test for coronary ischemia.

Aged↗

Interactions between pacemakers and security systems.

Electromagnetic fields arising from a variety of different sources have been shown to interfere with normal pacemaker function. This study evaluated the possible interactions between two modern security systems and different pacemaker types. Fifty-three patients (27 single chamber pacemakers, 25 dual chamber pacemakers) have been tested routinely for their pacemaker function. Thirty-eight patients presented with unipolar sensing and 15 with bipolar sensing. The patients were asked to walk through an installed security system, an antitheft device, and electromagnetic access device with different field strengths while a six-channel ECG monitored the patients. The pacemaker systems were first measured in their basic programmed modes, then the intervention frequency was changed to 100/min and, thereafter, the maximum sensitivity without T wave oversensing was added. In the security system with the highest field strength (2,700 mA/m), a pacemaker malfunction could be observed in 13% of the monitored patients. In one case, a pacemaker (VVIR) switched to ventricular safety pacing (VOO mode). In the security system with the lower field strength (1,600 mA/m) we found a pacemaker malfunction in 4% of the tested patients. In the antitheft device (50 mA/m), in the electromagnetic access device (300 mA/m), and in pacemaker systems with bipolar sensing, none of these dysfunctions were observed. Phantom programming as described previously did not occur in any of the systems. Persons who are often in the vicinity of security systems should be equipped with a bipolar pacemaker system. Our findings indicate that patients with pacemakers should avoid contact with security systems.

Adult↗

Regulation and role of myocardial collagen matrix remodeling in hypertensive heart disease.

In hypertensive heart disease, reactive myocardial fibrosis represents as an excessive accumulation of fibrillar collagen within the normal connective tissue structures of the myocardium. The fact, that the myocardium of both ventricles is involved, irrespective of ventricular loading conditions, suggests that circulating factors, and not the hemodynamic load are primary responsible for this adverse response of the myocardial fibrous tissue. In various experimental in vivo models, it has been shown that myocardial fibrosis is always associated with activation of circulating or local renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systems (RAAS). Cardiac collagen metabolism is regulated by cardiac fibroblasts which express mRNAs for types I and III collagens, the major fibrillar collagens in the heart, and for interstitial collagenase or matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 1 which is the key enzyme for interstitial collagen degradation. In order to elucidate the role of the RAAS effector hormones, angiotensin II (AngII) and aldosterone (ALDO), in the regulation of collagen synthesis or inhibition of MMP 1 production, adult human cardiac fibroblasts were cultured. Collagen synthesis was determined by 3H-proline incorporation, and MMP 1 activity by degradation of 14C-collagen measured under serum-free conditions in confluent fibroblasts after 24 hour-incubation with either AngII or ALDO over a wide range of concentrations (10(-11)-10(-6)M). In addition, the effects of the mineralocorticoid, deoxycorticosterone (DOC), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on cardiac fibroblast function were determined. Compared with untreated control fibroblasts, collagen synthesis, normalized per total protein synthesis, showed a significant and dose-dependent increase after incubation with either mineralocorticoid hormone, ALDO or DOC, or after incubation with AngII. In contrast, collagen synthesis of cardiac fibroblasts was significantly decreased by PGE2 treatment. AngII type 1 or mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, respectively, were able to completely inhibit the AngII- or mineralocorticoid-mediated increase of collagen synthesis. Furthermore, AngII significantly decreased MMP 1 activity while ALDO or DOC had no effect on cardiac fibroblast-mediated collagen degradation. In contrast, PGE2 significantly increased MMP 1 activity. Thus cardiac fibroblast function is modulated by either effector hormone of the RAAS, AngII and ALDO, via specific receptors that lead to progressive myocardial fibrosis in disease states where circulating or local RAAS is activated, i.e., in hypertensive heart disease. In contrast, PGE2, which would be elevated in myocardial tissue after angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition, counteracts the fibrotic effects of the RAAS on myocardial tissue.

Adult↗

Recombinant and nonrecombinant factor XIII and its effect on bone ingrowth and strength of fixation.

Thirty cylindrical, commercially pure, titanium fiber, porous-coated Ti6Al4V implants were inserted press-fit into the proximal humeral portion of 30 sheep humeri to determine the systemic effect of recombinant factor XIII and placenta-derived factor XIII concentrate on bone ingrowth and strength of fixation. For both the recombinant factor XIII and the factor XIII concentrate group, the volume of bone ingrowth and the strength of fixation were higher than for the control specimens. However, the difference was only significant for the factor XIII concentrate group.

Animals↗

Papillary muscle injury after blunt chest trauma.

In many cases blunt chest trauma involves cardiac lesions, such as pericardial effusion, aneurysma dissecans, or valvular rupture. Early diagnosis with routine transthoracic and/or transesophageal echocardiography is essential to prevent a fatal outcome. In the case reported, a previously healthy 68-year-old woman fell 7 meters from the roof of a barn and sustained blunt injury to the chest as well as fractures of the face. Physical examination revealed a systolic murmur at the cardiac apex, and chest x-ray film showed a severe pulmonary edema. Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated a ruptured anterolateral papillary muscle with fourth degree mitral insufficiency. An immediate mitral valve replacement was necessary.

Accidental Falls↗

[Impulse oscillometry and body position].

To assess diurnal profiles of impulse-oscillometry (IOS) changes of IOS-parameters between different body positions have been studied using a special set IOS-Bedside for individual home care. IOS has been applied in lateral lying and in sitting position in 20 healthy female and male probands, aged 10-67, during 24 hours in intervals of 3 hours. In each test during normal breathing for approximately 30 sec about 130 spectral and structural analyses have been performed at an impulse distance of 0.2 sec. The global means of resistance at 5 Hz (R5) in lying position are in men about 0.6 and in women about 0.3 hPa/l/s higher than in sitting position, those of reactance in men and women are only about 0.2 hPa/l/s lower. There is a distinct diurnal periodicity of the differences. The maxima of them may occur at different hours of the day in single probands; but at the average mean the maxima are found at the end of night. The differences of oscillation parameters between lying and sitting position are bigger at end-expiration than at end-inspiration. The resistance-flow-gradients, representing the component of turbulent flow, are enlarged in lying position especially at night.

Adolescent↗

[Diurnal profile of impulse oscillometric impedance in healthy subjects].

Diurnal profiles of impulse oscillometry during 24 hours in 3 hour intervals in sitting and lateral lying position have been studied in 20 healthy female and male probands 10-67 years of age. Approximating the profiles by a sine-cosine-function the amplitude of resistance was found up to 3, that of reactance up to 1 hPa/l/s in single cases, preferably for end-expiratory values and for the resistance-flow- and the resistance-volume-gradients, more pronounced in lying than in sitting position. The daytime reaching maxima of resistance and minima of reactance is different in single individuals. Single persons with obviously high vitality or sensibility showed very high amplitudes reproducible within IOS measuring limits of 0.2 hPa/l/s after 6 months.

Adolescent↗

Effect of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system on the cardiac interstitium in heart failure.

The interaction of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and cardiac growth is of great interest in chronic heart failure. The pressure or volume overloaded heart shows a hypertrophic growth of the myocardium, i.e., an enlargement of cardiac myocytes. In addition, cardiac fibroblast activation is responsible for the accumulation of fibrillar type I and type III collagens within the interstitium and adventitia of intramyocardial coronary arteries. This remodeling of the cardiac interstitium represents a major determinant of pathological hypertrophy in that it accounts for abnormal myocardial stiffness, leading to ventricular diastolic and systolic dysfunction and ultimately the appearance of symptomatic heart failure. The growth of cardiac fibroblasts is not primarily regulated by the hemodynamic load. In vivo and in vitro studies suggest that the effector hormones, angiotensin II and aldosterone, of the RAAS are primarily involved in regulating the structural remodeling of the myocardial collagen matrix. In cultured adult cardiac fibroblasts, angiotensin II and aldosterone has been shown to stimulate collagen synthesis while angiotensin II additionally inhibits matrix metalloproteinase I activity, which is the key enzyme for interstitial collagen degradation in the myocardium. These findings may serve as rationale for a remedial therapy with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition or blockage of the RAAS in congestive heart failure in patients with hypertensive heart disease, post myocardial infarction or with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Animals↗

Influence of D-net (European GSM-Standard) cellular phones on pacemaker function in 50 patients with permanent pacemakers.

The widespread use of cellular phones in the last years has prompted some recent studies to suggest an interference of pacemaker function by cellular phone usage. To determine the risk of pacemaker patients using D-net cellular phones, we tested 50 patients with permanent pacemakers after routine pacemaker check by short phone calls using a cellular phone (Ericsson, D-net, frequency 890-915 MHz, digital information coding, equivalent to the European Groupe Systemes Mobiles standard). A six-channel surface ECG was continuously recorded from each patient to detect any interactions between pacemakers and cellular phones. Phone calls were repeated during the following pacemaker settings: (1) preexisting setting; (2) minimum ventricular rate of 90 beats/min and preexisting sensitivity; and (3) minimum ventricular rate of 90 beats/min and maximum sensitivity without T wave oversensing. Only 2 (4%) of 50 patients repeatedly showed intermittent pacemaker inhibition during calls with the cellular phone. Both pacemakers had unipolar sensing. Therefore, although interactions between cellular phone use and pacemaker function appear to be rare in our study, pacemaker dependent patients in particular should avoid the use of cellular phones.

Aged↗