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Biomedical subjects

D Huber

Publications and source records attributed to D Huber.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Day-only admission for varicose vein surgery.

Day-only admissions for surgery are strongly encouraged, in an effort to keep costs down. Varicose vein surgery has been considered too major for day-only management despite the fact that there have been studies from overseas showing that it can be done with a morbidity comparable to inpatient surgery. The morbidity of day-only surgery for varicose veins (both long and short saphenous procedures) was assessed and compared with the results of inpatient surgery. Patients were also asked whether they were satisfied with the surgery being done this way. There were 165 consecutive patients available for study, 64 day-only and 101 inpatient. All patients attending Shellharbour Hospital. Shellharbour, had surgery done as day-only (as it was a morning list and allowed adequate time for recovery). Patients attending Bulli Hospital, Bulli, had surgery done as an inpatient (afternoon list). All surgery was performed by one surgeon. There was no difference (Chi-squared) in the age distribution (mean 48 years for day-only, 51 years for inpatient) or sex proportion in either group (Chi-squared test of proportions with continuity correction). Assessment of the results was done by review of the surgeon's notes, as well as telephone interviews for day-only subjects. The complication rate in both groups was similar. Wound problems represented the main complication with an incidence of 10.5% in each group. There was one deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in each group (diagnosed by duplex scan). Response to the telephone interview suggested that most patients were happy to have the surgery done as a day-only procedure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

GI nursing: the community health aspect.

Much of the research and literature regarding gastrointestinal nursing addresses concerns of clients in the hospital or outpatient setting. This article focuses on a larger clientele, the well elderly aggregate in the community. Implementation of the nursing process with participants of a local senior center indicated the need for a gastrointestinal education program. A GI health program with a long-range goal of reducing the number of deaths caused by colon cancer was developed and presented. The goal of the program was to educate individuals about colon cancer and the importance of early detection. In this article, the authors describe the application of the nursing process with a well elderly population and the results of that experience for the client and for the GI nurse in the community.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Obturator foramen bypass in the management of infected prosthetic vascular grafts.

The obturator foramen bypass graft remains an excellent option for revascularizing the lower extremity when dealing with an infected prosthetic vascular graft in the groin. In this series, six obturator foramen bypass grafts were performed in five patients for infectious groin complications following vascular surgery. Conservative measures such as local antibiotic irrigation and abscess drainage designed to preserve the graft in situ had failed to eradicate the infection in all instances and was complicated by suture-line haemorrhage in three instances. An aggressive approach should be adopted, aimed at excision of the infected graft. The obturator foramen bypass graft remains a durable graft for limb salvage. Five out of six obturator foramen bypass grafts were patent after 11-26 months follow up.

Abscess↗
PubMed1993

Serologic survey for selected viral and rickettsial agents of brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Croatia.

Sera from 22 (13 wild and nine captive) European brown bears (Ursus arctos) from Croatia were tested to 18 viral and rickettsial agents. Serologic evidence of exposure was found to the following agents (number positive/number examined): Bhanja virus (3/15), Tahyna virus (3/15), West Nile virus (4/15), Naples sandfly fever virus (1/15), human adenovirus (1/22), influenza A (1/22) and B (1/22) virus, cytomegalovirus (1/22), parainfluenza virus 1 (2/22), Chlamydia psittaci (1/22), Coxiella burnetii (2/22), and canine parvovirus 2 (CPV-2) (7/22). Evidence of exposure to arboviruses was found exclusively among free-living bears. Evidence of exposure to agents usually transmitted directly was predominant among captive bears. Canine parvovirus 2 antibodies were the most frequently found antibodies and the only antibody common to both groups of bears. This may be the first report of antibodies to CPV-2 in bears.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Serologic survey for leptospirae in European brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Croatia.

From 1981 to 1991, sera of 42 European brown bears (Ursus arctos) from three areas in Croatia were tested for antibodies against 12 Leptospira interrogans serovars: grippotyphosa, sejroe, australis, pomona, canicola, icterohaemorrhagiae, tarassovi, saxkoebing, ballum, bataviae, poi, and hardjo. Diagnostic levels of antibody were found in 17 (40%) of 42 sera. Evidence of exposure to at least one of the serovars was found in seven of 14 free-ranging bears from the Lika region, four of 12 free-ranging bears from the Gorski Kotar region, zero of six orphaned cubs from the Gorski Kotar region, and six of 10 captive bears from the Zagreb Zoo. Based on the antibody titers, we implicated the following serovars: australis in five bears, sejroe in two bears, canicola in one bear, and icterohaemorrhagiae in one bear. There was a strong correlation between serovars implicated by this survey and serovars previously isolated from small mammals in Croatia.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1992

Protease inhibitors interfere with the transforming growth factor-beta-dependent but not the transforming growth factor-beta-independent pathway of tumor cell-mediated immunosuppression.

Tumor cells have been reported to exert inhibitory effects on the activation of T lymphocytes in vitro. We show that the IL-2-stimulated proliferation of a Th cell line is suppressed when the T cells are cocultured with human glioblastoma and melanoma cell lines. The use of two Th cell clones that differ in their responsiveness to growth-inhibition by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and the analysis of tumor cell-derived supernatants as well as of TGF-beta 1/TGF-beta 2 gene expression allowed to distinguish two pathways of tumor-induced immunosuppression. Glioblastoma cells exert their immunosuppressive effects by producing biologically active TGF-beta 2, whereas the immunosuppressive state induced by melanoma cells is TGF-beta-independent and requires direct contact between tumor cell and T cell. The TGF-beta-dependent immunosuppression is down-regulated by various protease inhibitors and up-regulated by estradiol via modulation of the production of biologically active TGF-beta 2 by glioblastoma cells leaving total activatable TGF-beta 2 unaffected. No such modulation is functional for the TGF-beta-independent pathway of immunosuppression. We conclude that the production of active TGF-beta by tumor cells is regulated at a posttranslational level by the coordinated action of several proteolytic enzymes.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Activation of human platelet-derived latent transforming growth factor-beta 1 by human glioblastoma cells. Comparison with proteolytic and glycosidic enzymes.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), a regulator of cell growth and differentiation, is secreted by most cultured cells in latent form (L-TGF-beta). Activation of L-TGF-beta can be achieved by various physico-chemical treatments, including acidification, alkalinization, heating and chaotropic agents. Proposed physiological activators include proteinases and glycosidases, which, however, only lead to limited activation (15-20% of the total TGF-beta activity after acidic activation). In the present study L-TGF-beta 1 partially purified from human platelets was not activated by treatment with neuraminidase or the proteinases plasmin, endoproteinase Arg-C, elastase and chymotrypsin. The mechanism of activation of L-TGF-beta was further assessed by using the human glioblastoma cell line 308, which releases biologically active TGF-beta 2. Factor(s) secreted by 308 glioblastoma cells were found to be able to activate partially purified L-TGF-beta 1 from human platelets. Our finding may prove to constitute a physiologically relevant mechanism for the activation of latent forms of TGF-beta in vivo.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1991

Does division of the left renal vein during aortic surgery adversely affect renal function?

Between July 1980 and July 1988, 478 consecutive patients underwent aortic aneurysm operations at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Renal function was assessed by measurement of serum creatinine levels. The left renal vein was divided in 28 (8%) of the 355 patients undergoing elective aneurysm resection. The mean immediate postoperative creatinine values were significantly higher after left renal vein division, 193 +/- 174 mumol/L, compared to 133 +/- 93 mumol/l for those whose left renal vein remained intact (p less than 0.05 by Mann-Whitney U test). After one month, serum creatinine levels had decreased but were still significantly higher in those patients in whom the left renal vein had been divided, 170 +/- 166 mumol/l, compared to those in whom it was left intact 109 +/- 49 mumol/l (p less than 0.05 by Mann-Whitney U test). The suprarenal aorta was cross-clamped in seven (25%) of the 28 patients in whom the left renal vein was divided, compared to 21 (6%) of the 327 with the left renal vein intact. A rise in creatinine level was observed after suprarenal aortic cross-clamping. The left renal vein was divided in 17 (14%) of the 123 patients having emergency surgery for ruptured aortic aneurysm, 61 (49%) of whom survived more than 30 days. The mean immediate postoperative creatinine values were significantly higher after left renal vein division, 426 +/- 277 mumol/l, compared to those in whom the vein was left intact, 178 +/- 136 mumol/l (p less than 0.05 by Mann-Whitney U test). After one month, serum creatinine levels were still significantly higher in those patients in whom the left renal vein had been divided. Although division of the left renal vein is a useful way to improve exposure of the juxtarenal aorta, the maneuver is associated with an adverse effect on renal function.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Human glioblastoma cell derived transforming growth factor-beta 2: evidence for secretion of both high and low molecular weight biologically active forms.

Transforming growth factors beta (TGF-beta) form a family of multifunctional polypeptides which in the active dimeric forms have a molecular weight of 25 kDa. Human glioblastoma cells secrete immunosuppressive TGF-beta consisting mostly of TGF-beta 2 rather than TGF-beta 1. The results shown here demonstrate that in addition to the mature 25 kDa form of TGF-beta 2, glioblastoma cells release a biologically active high molecular weight form of TGF-beta 2 which suppresses the interleukin-2-dependent growth of a T helper cell line. The high and low molecular weight forms of TGF-beta 2, separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under non-reducing conditions, can be eluted from the gel retaining their immunosuppressive activity. Similar results were obtained when analyzing supernatants of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with a cDNA for TGF-beta 2. Both the high molecular weight form (90-120 kDa) and the 25 kDa form can be immunoprecipitated with a monoclonal antibody against mature native TGF-beta 2 and are detectable in tumor cyst fluid from glioblastoma patients. Taken together, the data provide evidence that in addition to the well-characterized 25 kDa form of TGF-beta 2 glioblastoma cells also secrete a high molecular weight form (90-120 kDa) with the biological characteristics of TGF-beta 2.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

The no-scalpel vasectomy.

A refined method of delivering the vas deferens for vasectomy has been developed and used in China since 1974. This method eliminates the scalpel, results in fewer hematomas and infections, and leaves a smaller wound than conventional techniques. An extracutaneous fixation ring clamp encircles and firmly secures the vas without penetrating the skin. A sharp curved hemostat punctures and dilates the scrotal skin and vas sheath. The vas is delivered, cleaned and occluded by the surgeon's preferred technique. The contralateral vas is delivered through the same opening. The puncture wound contracts to about 2 mm., is not visible to the man and requires no sutures for closure. The reported incidence of hematoma in 179,741 men followed in China was 0.09%. No hematomas or infections were identified in the first 273 procedures performed by a surgeon in the United States. The operating time in China and for the last 50 United States procedures has ranged from 5 to 11 minutes. The disadvantage of the technique is the hand-on training and number of cases necessary to gain proficiency. However, the advantages for surgeons and patients should enhance the popularity of vasectomy.

Anesthesia, Local↗
PubMed1991

Synthesis and ocular antihypertensive activity of new imidazolidine derivatives containing a beta-blocking side chain.

The syntheses of new phenylimidazolidine derivatives (3-6)1 containing a propanolamine oxime or an oxypropanolamine moiety attached either to the aromatic or to the imidazolidine ring are described. These compounds were evaluated for potential ocular antihypertensive activity in alpha-chymotrypsin-induced ocular hypertension in rabbits. These compounds represent a unique series of effective ocular antihypertensive agents that despite possessing structural characteristics of beta-blockers and of imidazolidine derivatives, exhibit weak alpha- and beta-adrenergic agonist and antagonist activities. These findings may be of significant therapeutic importance in the medical management of glaucoma.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Effects of Furegrelate (Upjohn 63557A) on patency and platelet deposition after canine carotid endarterectomy.

Platelet deposition upon endarterectomy sites is a likely cause for early postoperative thrombosis, embolism and restenosis. Platelets aggregate by the thromboxane-prostacycline mechanism. Thromboxane synthetase inhibitors which have been safely administered to humans should reduce platelet deposition after surgical therapy and therefore reduce peri-operative mortality and the prevalence of stroke. A randomized prospective controlled trial was designed to determine vessel patency and platelet deposition associated with the use of 3 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg of Furegrelate (Upjohn U63557A) daily in dogs, who were to have carotid endarterectomy. The 46 treated and 46 control dogs had total carotid patency of 96% and 76% respectively (P less than 0.01). Fourteen dogs treated with 30 mg/kg Furegrelate had no occlusions, compared with a 19% prevalence in 13 controls (P less than 0.02). Furegrelate 10 mg/kg significantly lowered platelet aggregation. Platelet deposition was not significantly changed, however. The reason for this disparity was a probable persistence of vessel wall factors which promoted platelet deposition. This approach might therefore lower rates of peri-operative thrombosis but it would be very unlikely to alter the incidence of restenosis or embolism. Further research could be directed towards modifying the stimuli for platelet deposition upon the endarterectomy site.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Assessment of compliance-related attitudes in psychiatry. A comparison of two questionnaires based on the Health Belief Model.

In a study of 118 psychiatric patients two questionnaires of similar content that are supposed to predict compliance with pharmacotherapy in psychiatry were examined, "COSS" and "KK-Skala". These questionnaires assess the patient's attitudes towards his illness, pharmacotherapy, and the physician. Patient compliance was judged by the treating physicians. The results of discriminant analyses indicated that about two thirds of the patients were correctly classified into "compliant" and "moderately or not compliant" (as judged by the physicians) by means of COSS and KK-Skala, respectively. It is a matter for further research whether these results reflect in fact moderate associations between patient attitudes and compliant behavior or are due to limitations of the questionnaires and of the study design.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Amino-terminal sequences of a novel heparin-binding protein from human, bovine, rat, and chick brain: high interspecies homology.

Recently, the partial structural characterization of a novel bovine brain protein was reported (1). Because of its mitogenic activity for vascular endothelial cells and its ability to strongly bind heparin it was termed heparin-binding brain mitogen (HBBM). Although HBBM shares these properties with members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family of growth factors, its amino-terminal sequence is not homologous to that of the FGFs. Now, we report the isolation and partial structural characterization of HBBMs from human, rat and chick brain. Proteins were isolated by tissue extraction at pH 4.5, ammonium sulfate precipitation, cation exchange chromatography, heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography and reverse-phase HPLC. The amino-terminal sequences of the HBBMs from human, bovine and rat brain are identical, whereas that of chick HBBM reveals a single amino acid substitution. The high sequence homology among the HBBMs from different species suggests an important biological role of the protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Aortic aneurysm surgery in the presence of a horseshoe kidney.

A review of three cases of aortic aneurysm in association with a horseshoe kidney is presented. Both the transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches to the aneurysm are detailed and the relative advantages and disadvantages outlined. The conventional approach of transection of the renal isthmus is not recommended because of the possibility of damage to the collecting system of the horseshoe kidney. The place of specialized investigations is outlined.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[A simple apparatus for controllable drinking without leaks for laboratory rats].

A simple device for watering laboratory rats is described. It has been made by using commercially available glass tubing (DURAN 50) with outside diameters of 8 mm, 6 mm, and 3 mm, respectively. The tubes were fused at their tips. The drinking tube is fitted to a rubber stopper at the top of a 250 ml soft polyethylene bottle. By this way water-soluble drugs can be administered to rats with high precision.

Animal Husbandry↗