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Biomedical subjects

B Hammer

Publications and source records attributed to B Hammer.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Correction of post-traumatic orbital deformities: operative techniques and review of 26 patients.

The skeletal reconstruction of post-traumatic orbital deformities includes the zygomatic complex, the nasoethmoid area and the internal orbit. Repositioning of the malpositioned zygoma is the key element and the first step. Due to remodelling processes, most of the landmarks for proper positioning are lost, leaving the lateral orbital wall as the only reliable landmark in secondary revisions. The details of the skeletal reconstruction are discussed. Between January 1988 and December 1992, 31 patients with major post-traumatic orbital deformities have been operated on, of which 26 could be followed for a minimum of 6 months. A total of 61 operative procedures using craniofacial techniques have been performed. Complications occurred in 5 (15%) of the 26 patients, the most severe being visual loss caused by a displaced bone graft. The most frequent deformity was enophthalmos. Most patients presented with more than one deformity. The aesthetic results were rated as 'good' in 12, 'satisfactory' in 8 and 'unsatisfactory' in 6 patients. Of the patients suffering from double vision, 55% were improved after orbital reconstruction. Craniofacial techniques allow radical correction of post-traumatic skeletal deformities. The functional and aesthetic results, however, are limited by the soft tissues.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Individual model fabrication in maxillofacial radiology.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery has long needed a methodology for accurate definition of the third dimension. The introduction of computer-aided tomography in the 1970s provided surgeons with multiple 2-D maps which they themselves had to conceptualize into a third dimension. The later advent of computerized summation of these data made it possible to display a perspective view of the third dimension on a TV monitor. CT, and more recently MRI, with the further analytical refinement afforded by software processing (interactive data presentation, contour detection and summation, hypothetical 3-D construction and interactive visualization) now provide the basic information that is needed for the fabrication of an individual model. Such models can be milled from a variety of materials. More recently, laser-hardened acrylic resins have been shown to be a useful alternative. Both systems are described and their advantages and disadvantages in the planning and performance of oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures are discussed.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1994

[Enalapril (Reniten)-associated toxic hepatitis].

A 52-year-old female was hospitalized with malaise, pruritus, jaundice, abdominal discomfort and vomiting. For 20 weeks she had been taking enalapril (Reniten) for hypertension. Serum aminotransferases and bilirubin were highly elevated with prolonged thromboplastin time. There was no evidence for extrahepatic cholestasis in ultrasonography. Serological investigations for a viral etiology of the liver failure were negative and the patient had no risk factors for viral hepatitis or exposure to hepatotoxic substances. Liver puncture revealed hepatitis of the fulminant viral hepatitis type, a picture that can be seen in a drug-induced hepatitis. The complete recovery of liver function after cessation of enalapril administration suggests acute toxic hepatitis due to enalapril. A metabolically mediated idiosyncratic reaction is the most plausible. Potential mechanisms of enalapril-induced hepatotoxicity are discussed and the current literature is surveyed.

Bilirubin↗
PubMed1994

[Current developments in the diagnosis and therapy of Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis].

The etiology and pathogenesis of idiopathic chronic-inflammatory bowel diseases, i.e. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are still unknown. This has no effect on diagnosis, yet does affect treatment of these diseases, which has thus remained symptomatic. Clinical features, laboratory findings, endoscopy in conjunction with histologic examination and radiologic studies are all of proven value in the diagnosis of these disorders. Microbiologic and, if indicated, serologic studies are employed to search for colitis caused by microorganisms. Other bowel disorders to be considered in differential diagnosis include ischemic, radiation and drug-induced forms of colitis, as well as diverticulitis. More recently introduced techniques for the detection of secondary intra-abdominal processes are CT-scan and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Ultrasound examination of the abdomen can be used to search for thickening of the bowel wall. Use of the rather complicated hydrocolon sonography is rarely necessary. Endo-sonography is an established method for exploration of the rectum and is particularly useful for the detection of abscesses. The role of this technique in the diagnosis of colon processes remains to be determined. Studies using radiolabeled leukocytes are of theoretical interest but not usually required in the routine work-up of such patients. The same is true of chemical analyses of the feces and testing for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies. Standard systemic treatment is based on the administration of salicylic acid derivatives and corticosteroids. Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine can be used in patients refractory to standard treatment. Metronidazole has been proven quite effective in patients with Crohn's disease of the colon, particularly in the perianal region.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blood Chemical Analysis↗
PubMed1994

Effect of a recombinant endotoxin-neutralizing protein on endotoxin shock in rabbits.

OBJECTIVES: Limulus anti-lipopolysaccharide factor, an 11.8-kilodalton peptide isolated from amebocytes of Limulus polyphemus inhibits the biologic activities of endotoxin in vitro, including gelation of Limulus amebocyte lysate. A recombinant version of Limulus anti-lipopolysaccharide factor, termed endotoxin neutralizing protein, has now been expressed in yeast. Endotoxin-neutralizing protein was evaluated for its potential prophylactic and therapeutic effects in rabbits challenged with Escherichia coli endotoxin. DESIGN: Controlled animal trial. SETTING: Animal research laboratory. SUBJECTS: A total of 112 New Zealand white rabbits were studied. INTERVENTIONS: Rabbits were challenged with an LD80 dose of E. coli endotoxin (100 micrograms/kg); control animals (n = 52) were treated with saline solution at the time of endotoxin challenge; experimental animals received endotoxin-neutralizing protein 2.5 mg/kg prechallenge (n = 20), 5.0 mg/kg prechallenge (n = 20), or 5.0 mg/kg 30 mins postchallenge (n = 20).

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Cisapride versus metoclopramide in the treatment of functional dyspepsia. A double-blind comparative trial.

The efficacy and tolerability of cisapride (5 mg three times daily) and metoclopramide (10 mg three times daily) were evaluated in a randomized double-blind trial in patients with functional dyspepsia. Sixty patients, equally distributed in the two groups, entered the trial. After 4 weeks of treatment there was a significant improvement of symptom severity versus base line (p < 0.001) in both groups. The percentage of responders (with no or only mild symptoms) was 87% in the cisapride group and 77% in the metoclopramide group (no statistically significant intergroup difference). At the follow-up visit 2 weeks after completion of the trial this response rate was significantly higher in the cisapride group (73%) than in the metoclopramide group (47%) (p < 0.05). Four of the patients receiving cisapride and 2 of the patients receiving metoclopramide reported adverse events. On assessment of extrapyrimidal symptoms, relevant clinical values were found in one patient receiving metoclopramide. Increased prolactin concentrations were observed in seven patients of the metoclopramide group versus only 1 of the cisapride group (p < 0.05). The present data indicate that during the 2 weeks after completion of treatment in patients with functional dyspepsia, cisapride may result in a better, more sustained overall response when compared with metoclopramide.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Efficacy of a recombinant endotoxin neutralizing protein in rabbits with Escherichia coli sepsis.

Gram-negative bacterial sepsis is associated with endotoxemia and a high mortality rate. In previous studies, we demonstrated the therapeutic benefit of an anti-lipopolysaccharide factor isolated from amebocytes of Limulus polyphemus, and of a recombinant version of this protein, termed endotoxin neutralizing protein (ENP), in rabbits challenged with purified lipopolysaccharides. To assess the benefit of ENP in treating a live bacterial infection, we established a rabbit model of Escherichia coli (E. coli) peritonitis and bacteremia with high mortality despite gentamicin treatment. Twenty-four pairs of New Zealand white rabbits were challenged intraperitoneally (IP) with E. coli O18ac K1 in 5% porcine mucin (mean bacteria per dose = 2.5 x 10(8)). The animals were treated with intravenous (i.v.) gentamicin (2.5 mg/kg), and with either ENP (5 mg/kg) or saline i.v. at 1 hr after E. coli challenge. All rabbits were bacteremic 1 hr after challenge (geometric mean 4.1 +/- 1.2 x 10(4) cfu/mL). Peak geometric mean serum endotoxin (2.62 v 10.54 EU/mL, P = .013) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) (2540 v 6438 TNF units/mL, P = .046) concentrations were lower in ENP-treated animals as compared to control animals. Seven of 24 animals treated with ENP survived 24 hr compared with 4 of 24 controls (Kaplan-Meier analysis, P = .19). However, in the subgroup of 13 paired animals in whom bacteremia was eliminated by gentamicin treatment, 5 of 13 ENP-treated animals survived 24 hr, compared with 1 of 13 controls (Kaplan-Meier analysis, P = .032).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1993

NMDA receptors increase OH radicals in vivo by using nitric oxide synthase and protein kinase C.

Prolonged activation of brain N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors increases intraneuronal (Ca2+) and nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, and may be responsible for neuronal death in acute brain insults and chronic neurodegenerative diseases. NO can be converted in vitro to toxic hydroxyl (OH) radical. Using microdialysis of striatum in awake animals, we found that local NMDA receptor activation increased outflow of OH radicals four-fold. NMDA-stimulated OH production was blocked by inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and protein kinase C (PKC). NMDA receptor-mediated neuronal death may derive from NOS- and PKC-dependent synthesis of OH radicals.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1993

[Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis: case report and clinical review].

Although seen rarely in Switzerland, schistosomiasis is a parasitosis affecting 200 to 250 million people round the world, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, Central and South America. Depending on the parasitic species, the ureters and the bladder (S. haematobium) or the intestine and the liver (S. mansoni, S. japonicum, S. mekongi) are primarily involved. Other organs may be affected (lung, kidneys and central nervous system). Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis represents a special form of chronic infection by S. mansoni, S. japonicum or S. mekongi predominantly occurring in adolescents heavily and repeatedly infected during childhood, together with an additional genetic predisposition for the disease. Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis on a worldwide scale is one of the most prevalent causes of portal hypertension in man. We describe a 33-year-old Portuguese female with mansonian hepatosplenic schistosomiasis 12 years after leaving Africa, who had hepatosplenomegaly, portal hypertension, esophageal varices and hypersplenism. Splenomegaly and slight anemia had been known for years without prompting further work-up. Two months before diagnosis she had been delivered of a normal child after pregnancy without portal-hypertensive complications, namely esophageal hemorrhage. Because of placenta accreta, however, erythrocyte transfusion had been performed after delivery and was possibly responsible for hepatitis C found later on. Pathophysiology, clinical findings and therapy of the disease are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Reconstructive surgery in the area of the orbit].

Craniofacial techniques have dramatically improved the possibilities for reconstructive procedures in the orbital region. Indications occur in acute or delayed fracture repair as well as in tumor surgery and in the correction of congenital malformations.

Humans↗
PubMed1993

Colony immunoblot assay of botulinal toxin.

Botulinal neurotoxin in and around colonies of Clostridium botulinum types A, B, and E and of toxigenic Clostridium butyricum was detected by an enzyme-linked immunoassay procedure whereby the toxin was transferred from the agar medium to a nitrocellulose support and the immobilized toxin was probed with type-specific antibodies. The method identified the toxin types of the colonies grown from a mixed inoculum of C. botulinum serotypes. The specificity of the antitoxins for type A and B toxins was improved by adsorption of the antitoxins with the antigens of heterologous type cultures.

Antibody Specificity↗
PubMed1992

[Headache, fever and upper abdominal colic].

A nine year old boy who had received Ceftriaxone for one week because of suspected bacterial meningoencephalitis developed colicky abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant two days after termination of Ceftriaxone treatment. Stones in the gallbladder were identified as cause of the abdominal symptoms. Ceftriaxone has been reported to result in so-called pseudo-lithiasis of the gallbladder in approximatively 45% of treated patients, 19% of which developed clinical symptoms. Generally, the gallstones dissolve spontaneously when Ceftriaxone treatment was of short duration.

Ceftriaxone↗
PubMed1992

A look at ear canal changes with jaw motion.

Two procedures were used with one subject to examine changes in the ear canal with jaw motion. Silicone ear impressions were examined to measure the effect of jaw position. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to define the three-dimensional structure of the canal and visualize key underlying tissue. Results showed that inexpensive impressions can detail changes in the cartilaginous region of the canal. Approximately a 25% change in this subject's ear canal with different jaw positions was observed in the anterior/posterior plane with essentially no change in the superior/inferior plane. This is likely related to asymmetric stress from action of the mandibular condyle on neighboring cartilaginous tissue. Solutions to jaw motion-induced feedback problems are suggested.

Ear Canal↗