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Biomedical subjects

E Huber

Publications and source records attributed to E Huber.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

[Quantification of gender specific thermal sensory and pain threshold before and after laser needle stimulation].

Quantitative thermal sensory and pain threshold testing (QST) was performed in 29 adult healthy volunteers (mean age 24.2 +/- 2.7 years; range: 18-29 years; 20 females, 9 males) using the Thermal Sensory Analyser TSA-II (Medoc Advanced Medical Systems, Ramat Yishai, Israel, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) before and after laser needle acupuncture and placebo stimulation, respectively. Significant (p < or = 0,001; t-test) gender-specific differences were seen on cold pain threshold analysis. No significant changes in parameters of thermal sensory and pain thresholds were found before and after laser needle or placebo stimulation at acupuncture points for acute pain. However, a trend towards change in the median value of cold pain sensation after laser needle stimulation (p = 0.479; paired t-test; n.s.) was seen within the group of healthy females. The influence of stimulation of acupuncture points for chronic pain on the various parameters needs to be clarified in future studies.

Acupuncture↗
PubMed2002

[Are inpatient rehabilitation or ambulatory physical therapy of patients with musculoskeletal problems effective and are patients referred to proper treatment?].

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of an inpatient rehabilitation program and outpatient physiotherapy, respectively. Moreover, we wanted to know whether the referral to these two treatment paths was appropriate with regard to the patient's initial health status. According to the referring physician's indication patients with health problems in the cervical, lumbar spine, arm or leg were treated by an inpatient rehabilitation program or by outpatient physiotherapy. These two consecutively recruited patient cohorts were then compared. Those patients treated by the inpatient rehabilitation program differed from the outpatient group with regard to the initial health status and to age. Patients with musculoskeletal problems, who underwent an inpatient rehabilitation program, showed a significantly worse health and functional status than the outpatient group. Therefore, it can be concluded that the indication towards inpatient rehabilitation or outpatient physiotherapy was correctly given by the referring physicians. Patients treated by outpatient physiotherapy did also show a reduced health and functional status in comparison to the average population. Both types of treatment led to statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement of both the health and functional status in all patient groups.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Changed skin blood perfusion in the fingertip following acupuncture needle introduction as evaluated by laser Doppler perfusion imaging.

Rapidly repeated imaging of the left middle fingertip skin blood perfusion was performed in 51 healthy volunteers (mean age +/- SD: 25.3 +/- 7.6 years) prior to, immediately after and in the early reperfusion phase following introduction of an acupuncture needle at the Neiguan point (Pe. 6) and at a placebo point respectively, using a Laser Doppler Perfusion Imager (LDPI). The average skin perfusion of the fingertip was calculated for each image and used as an indicator of the microvascular response to the acupuncture needle introduction. The results of this randomised, placebo-controlled, cross-over study showed significant differences (p < or = 0.001) in the immediate skin blood perfusion response when needling is performed in an acupuncture point (Neiguan) and a placebo point, with a more pronounced reduction in skin blood perfusion when needling the acupuncture point. In the early reperfusion phase, however, a substantial increase in skin perfusion was observed that amounted to about 18% of the level prior to needle introduction, irrespective of the site of needle application. In a single individual it was demonstrated that the vasodilatation following needling in the acupuncture point persisted for a more extended time period. These results suggest that the LDPI technology may be useful in visualising and quantifying the peripheral vascular effects of acupuncture on the microcirculation.

Acupuncture↗
PubMed2002

[Changes in cerebral near infrared spectroscopy parameters during manual acupuncture needle stimulation].

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRO 300, Hamamatsu Photonics, Japan) was used to monitor human cerebral function in the central region during manual acupuncture needle stimulation of the large intestine 4 (LI.4) point in 16 adult volunteers (9 females, 7 males; mean age 23.9 +/- 6.0 (SD) years, range 19-45 years). We found a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in oxyhaemoglobin after needle insertion and stimulation (duration 20 sec.), accompanied by an increase (p = 0.003) in deoxyhaemoglobin. A repeat stimulation showed similar effects. Cytochrome oxidase aa3 remained unchanged during stimulation. The results demonstrate that near-infrared spectroscopy may be a noninvasive method of measuring regional changes in cerebral haemodynamics resulting from peripheral acupuncture stimulation.

Acupuncture Points↗
PubMed2001

[A case of canine angiostrongylosis].

A six-month old bitch presenting a sub-lingual mucocele and hematoma associated with coagulation disorders died four days after the surgical treatment of the mucocele. The necropsy revealed a canine angiostrongylosis, a disease rarely seen in Switzerland. This article summarizes the biology of Angiostrongylus vasorum and describes the lesions and symptoms caused by this cardio-pulmonary helminthosis, as well as its diagnosis and treatment. The connections between angiostrongylosis and coagulation disorders are also discussed.

Angiostrongylus↗
PubMed2000

Maximal isometric muscle strength: normative values and gender-specific relation to age.

To date, there have been very few studies on the age dependence of maximal isometric muscle strength (MIMS) in healthy subjects aged 20-80 years, based upon measurements of a large number of functional muscle groups (FMGs). Using a hand-held pull gauge it is possible to measure MIMS of nearly every FMG. The objectives of this study were to obtain normative values for MIMS, to evaluate differences in MIMS in relation to gender and body side and to compare the age dependence of muscle strength between women and men. In a convenience sample of 290 healthy women (aged 20-82 years) and 253 men (aged 21-79 years), MIMS of 51 FMGs was measured. For each FMG the age dependence of MIMS was depicted, side and gender specific, as percentile curves and was analysed using linear quantile regression analysis. MIMS was found to be significantly higher in men than in women and higher on the right than on the left side. A biphasic model with linear equations for strength medians was derived for each gender. The age at transition from phase 1 to phase 2 was 55 years (SD 8) for women and 49 years (SD 13) for men. During phase 1, MIMS did not decrease significantly. During phase 2, MIMS decreased in all FMGs in both genders with a steeper slope in women (-0.92) than in men (-0.63). The age dependence of MIMS differed significantly between women and men. The present study gives gender-specific equations which enable one to calculate normative values for MIMS, as measured with a pull gauge, based upon age. These normative values will allow an objective assessment of patients with diminished muscle strength as, for example, in myositis, rheumatoid arthritis and nerve root compression syndromes or in the elderly.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Lung transplantation today.

Lung transplantation has become an accepted surgical modality, and it is indicated in patients with a long-term benign pulmonary disease in stage when all the other therapeutic possibilities failed. Nowadays it presents a real possibility to significantly improve the quality of life. Success, (mainly in the last decade), establishing international professional centers, national coordinations, shifts transplantation towards the standard treatment procedures. The objective of the paper is to offer an overview of the international activities, trends and results in the area of lung transplantation. Authors present a review of the current situation based on their own experiences gained from the bilateral cooperation with Vienna Transplant Group. (Tab. 4, Fig. 4, Ref. 19.)

Humans↗
PubMed1999

Haemophilic; arthropathy: assessment of quality of life after total knee arthroplasty.

The goal of this study was to examine how the known effects of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) on clinical outcome parameters translate into improved quality of life, as measured with validated condition-specific and generic questionnaires (Knee Society Score, WOMAC, SF-12, transition questions), addressing physical, mental and social health. Eleven patients (13 knees) undergoing TKA from 1986 to 1994, with the diagnosis of severe haemophilic arthropathy of the knee, were followed-up over a 4-year period on average. TKA was found to reduce the burden of disease to levels similar to patients with osteoarthritis undergoing hip arthroplasty. Clinical and functional improvement after TKA translated into a substantial and significant increase in quality of life and patient satisfaction, found in objective as well as in patient-perceived measures. However, the physical functional ability did not reach the same level as in the corresponding population not affected by haemophilia, due to residual symptoms and impairment of other joints.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1999

Single-injection paravertebral block compared to general anaesthesia in breast surgery.

BACKGROUND: Breast surgery is frequently associated with post-operative nausea, vomiting, pain and painful restricted movement. Paravertebral block may be an alternative to general anaesthesia for this type of surgery. We studied the single-injection paravertebral block at the level of T4 and report a comparison of single-injection paravertebral block to general anaesthesia for breast surgery. METHODS: After written informed consent was obtained, 86 patients were enrolled in this prospective study. Forty-four women were randomly allocated to receive a single-injection paravertebral block at the level of T4, while 42 women received general anaesthesia. The surgical procedures varied from lumpectomy (wide local excision of a tumour) to modified radical mastectomy with axillary dissection. The block was performed according to the guidelines described by Eason and Wyatt using 0.3 ml x kg(-1) (maximum dose 150 mg) of bupivacaine 0.5%. The skin and the underlying tissues were infiltrated with local anaesthetic solution two fingers (about 3 cm) from the anatomical midline and level with the cephalad end of the vertebral spine. RESULTS: Time for performance of blocks lasted from 4 to 9 min. Recovery from anaesthesia or sedation was shortened, while postoperative pain scores (VAS), the incidence of vomiting and the requirement for analgesics were lower in the paravertebral group. Less painful restricted movement was observed in the paravertebral block group. Paravertebral block was inadequate in 6.8% of patients. Epidural spread with paraparaesis and Horner triad was assumed in one patient. CONCLUSION: Single-injection paravertebral block at the level of T4 represents a suitable alternative to general anaesthesia in women undergoing breast surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Development of a novel, N-terminal-proBNP (NT-proBNP) assay with a low detection limit.

A novel, highly sensitive and specific N-Terminal-proBNP (NT-proBNP) assay based on a sandwich format has been developed. The assay time is below 2 hours and no extraction process is needed. The calibration curve covers a NT-proBNP concentration range from 0 pmol/L up to 600 pmol/L. The analytical detection limit of the assay was estimated to be 2.7 pmol/L (3 SD). The intra-assay coefficient of variation is 5.7% (at 50 pmol/L) and 6.1% (at 250 pmol/L), while the inter-assay CVs are 15.8% (15 pmol/L) and 8.2% (250 pmol/L). There is no significant interference by bilirubin (up to 900 mumol/L), haemoglobin (up to 10 g/L), rheumatoid factors (up to 975 IU/mL), triglycerides (up to 20.5 mmol/L), biotin (up to 50 micrograms/L), digoxin (up to 100 micrograms/L) and digitoxin (up to 200 micrograms/L). The analyte NT-proBNP is fully stable in whole blood over 3 days and in EDTA-plasma over 24 hours. This good stability of NT-proBNP compared to other less stable natriuretic peptides is a significant advantage and a main prerequisite for a routine diagnostic marker. Preliminary results of using this new assay in clinical studies for diagnosing and monitoring left ventricular dysfunction demonstrate that there is a significant gain in diagnostic validity.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1998

Prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-2 contributes to the endothelin/sarafotoxin-induced prostaglandin E2 synthesis in mouse osteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1): evidence for a protein tyrosine kinase-signaling pathway and involvement of protein kinase C.

Endothelin (ET) peptides are potent growth factors binding to G protein-coupled receptors. Sarafotoxins (S6) isolated from Atractaspis engaddensis are highly homologous to endothelins. In this study, we have investigated the effects of endothelin/sarafotoxin peptides on the prostaglandin synthesizing system in an osteoblast-like cell line, MC3T3-E1. ET-1, ET-2, beta-ET, and S6b rapidly stimulated prostaglandin E2 production within 5 min, whereas ET-3, S6a, and S6c did not. ET-1, ET-2, beta-ET, S6b, and S6a induced prostaglandin synthesis after 3 h of incubation. Antagonizing these effects with BQ-123, PD 142893, BQ-788, and S6c suggests signaling through an ET(A) receptor subtype in osteoblasts. Long-term prostaglandin synthesis was blocked by NS-398, and reduced to short-term levels by cycloheximide and actinomycin D, indicating induction of PGHS-2. There was only minor enhancement of cAMP accumulation by the agonists, which had no effect on prostaglandin synthesis. Induction of PGHS-2 was furthermore demonstrated by Northern blot analysis of PGHS-2 messenger RNA. Depletion of protein kinase C with TPA largely blunted the response. Genistein, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinases, also blocked long-term prostaglandin E2 formation. We conclude that in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells, ET-1, ET-2, beta-ET, S6b, and S6a peptides induce PGHS-2 through a protein tyrosine kinase-dependent and protein kinase C-dependent pathway, signaling through ET(A) receptor occupancy.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1997

Determination of homovanillic acid and vanillylmandelic acid in neuroblastoma screening by stable isotope dilution GC-MS.

A method for the quantitative determination of homovanillic acid (HVA) and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), two metabolites of catecholamines, is presented. The assay is based on gas chromatography/electron impact mass spectrometry. The preparation of 13C-labeled VMA from [13C6]vanillin is described. Together with purchased deuterated HVA the 13C-labeled VMA is used as an internal standard in stable isotope dilution GC/MS. The method involves elution from soaked filter-papers, determination of creatinine content, extraction of HVA and VMA from eluted and urinary samples and derivatization to the di-and tri(trimethylsilyl) derivatives, respectively. The detection limits were found to be 4.0 pg for HVA and 0.8 pg for VMA. The method was applied to the routine determination of urinary HVA and VMA in a range from 5 to 100 ng HVA and VMA per microgram creatinine. The lower limits of pathological concentrations are set at 35 ng micrograms-1 creatinine for HVA and to 20 ng micrograms-1 creatinine for VMA, which are in close correlation with the values from other methods, but with the main advantage of reducing the amount of questionable or elevated results from 6.7% (high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) alone) to 0.9% (HPLC and GC/MS).

Calibration↗
PubMed1997

Bacterial toxins block endothelial wound repair. Evidence that Rho GTPases control cytoskeletal rearrangements in migrating endothelial cells.

We investigated the effect of bacterial toxins that modify and inactivate Rho GTP-binding proteins on the migratory response of endothelial cells to wounding. C3-transferase from Clostridium botulinum, EDIN from Staphylococcus aureus, and toxin A from Clostridium difficile blocked migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in an in vitro wound repair assay. Migrating HUVECs expressed actin microspikes (maximum at 10 minutes after wounding), ruffles (maximum at 12 hours), and fibers (maximum at 24 hours), and within these actin structures, vinculin-containing focal complexes/adhesions were formed. C3-Transferase ADP ribosylated RhoA, RhoB, and RhoC in HUVECs and abolished the formation of actin stress fibers/focal adhesions but had no effect on expression of microspikes, ruffles, or the associated vinculin-containing focal complexes. Similar results were obtained with EDIN and toxin A. These results indicate that endothelial cells migrating into a wounded area express distinct combinations of actin/vinculin structures in a spatially and temporally coordinated manner. The GTPase Rho selectively controls the formation of actin fibers/focal adhesions that occurs 2 to 24 hours after wounding. A mechanism is proposed by which Rho-specific bacterial toxins could influence vascular repair, angiogenesis, or atherosclerosis.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗
PubMed1997

Phenotypic heterogeneity of osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells: changes of bradykinin-induced prostaglandin E2 production during osteoblast maturation.

We have examined clonal murine calvarial MC3T3-E1 cells obtained from different sources to compare their osteoblastic features (alkaline phosphatase [ALP], cyclic adenosine monophosphate [cAMP] response to parathyroid hormone, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and PGE1, bradykinin-induced production of PGE2). It was found that the sublines investigated showed large variation of the above-mentioned parameters, which may be attributed to distinct differentiated stages of osteoblast development. Increase of ALP activity was paralleled by an increase in cAMP accumulation in response to the above-mentioned agents. The most striking difference was observed with bradykinin-induced production of PGE2. Early stage cells (low ALP) produced high levels of PGE2, whereas cells with high ALP activity showed no bradykinin stimulation at all. This was consistent with the results of specific binding of 3H-bradykinin to its receptor and also correlated well with the bradykinin-induced signal transduction sequence (inositol triphosphate liberation and elevation of intracellular calcium levels). This was confirmed by Northern blot analysis of bradykinin receptor mRNA expression. These results indicate that the widely used osteoblast-like cell line MC3T3-E1 is synonymous for multiple sublines, representing different stages of osteoblast development. These sublines were most likely emerging from the early stage cell line due to the applied culture conditions. Moreover, distinct biochemical features are displayed in correlation to the differentiation stage, thus providing a useful model to study the molecular mechanism of osteoblast maturation.

3T3 Cells↗