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Biomedical subjects

F Thiele

Publications and source records attributed to F Thiele.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The renin-angiotensin system in transgenic rats.

Transgenic animals are used to study the function, regulation and in vivo expression of genes. The effects of the genes of the renin-angiotensin system on blood pressure regulation and hypertension were invested in transgenic rats. The role of the renin-angiotensin system in the development of the cardiovascular hypertrophy or hypertensive renal damage was analysed, as well as its interaction with other hormonal systems, i.e., adrenal steroids. The development of a transgenic rat strain carrying the mouse REN-2 gene has provided a new model of hypertension with systolic blood pressure values of 200 mmHg. This model is characterised by low active plasma renin, hyperproreninaemia and high expression of renin in the adrenal gland and other external tissues. Transgenic rats with the human components of the renin-angiotensin system expressed the human renin and angiotensinogen proteins which interacted species-specifically in transgenic rats. These transgenic models demonstrate the feasibility of studying the function of candidate hypertension genes in transgenic animals. In the future, further refinements in transgene construction, mutation, and modification can be tested in such transgenic animal models.

Animals↗

Fluid mechanics of the stagnation point flow chamber and its platelet deposition.

The interaction of flow and thrombus generation often is a crucial question for the engineer working in the field of artificial organs. However, this interaction is only incompletely known, and quantitative data under well-defined experimental conditions are especially rare. These can be attained with the stagnation point flow chamber. This flow model applies platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as fluid. Its flow conditions are assessed with the help of computational fluid mechanics. In addition, the concept of the boundary layer is introduced, which permits assessment of the platelet flow along the wall. The results of the experiment indicate that platelets are deposited at a defined shear rate.

Animals↗

Transgenic animals as models for human disease.

Since its first description in 1981 (1), transgenic technology has greatly influenced the focus and direction pace of biomedical research. Introduction of foreign DNA into the genome of animals by microinjection into fertilized oocytes is now used in almost every field of research spanning from oncology, immunology and neurology to cardiovascular medicine. The ability to integrate genes in the germline and their successful expression in the host provides an opportunity to study the role of a certain gene in the initiation and propagation of disease. Transgenic methodology serves as the link between molecular biology, introducing in vitro a defined genetic modification and whole animal physiology, with the resulting in vivo alteration of body function. This potential has been exploited to study the pathophysiological role of human genes. Transgenic animals have been used to study aspects of tumor development, immune regulation, cardiovascular development and atherosclerosis. These studies have provided new insights into the genetic origin of certain diseases and have improved our understanding of pathological processes on the cellular level. As a future goal, these studies may also serve the development of new diagnostic tools or novel therapeutic strategies such as gene therapy.

Animals↗

Appearance of poststenotic jets in MRI: dependence on flow velocity and on imaging parameters.

A flow model was used to study the appearance of poststenotic jets in MRI. Jets in CuSO4-doped water and bovine blood were imaged by spin-echo (SE) and fast-field-echo (FFE) pulse sequences at different degrees of stenosis and various flow rates. On flow-compensated FFE images, the jets were characterized by signal void if the mean flow velocity within the stenosis exceeded a limit, which was independent of the degree of the stenosis and the type of the fluid. On SE images and on FFE images without flow compensation, signal void occurred at significantly lower flow velocity. The extension of the poststenotic signal void on flow-compensated FFE images was increased by either reduction of the pixel diameter or by prolongation of the echo time. However, it was independent of the orientation of the imaging plane relative to the direction of flow. The results have an impact on attempts to use signal void for the assessment of turbulent jets with MRI.

Animals↗

[Measurement of noise levels in MR tomography at 1.5 Tesla].

The noise levels at the isocentrum of an MR apparatus with a field strength of 1.5 Tesla was measured during various sequences. The rapid switching of the gradients exerts effects on the gradient coils, which result in the development of noise as from a loudspeaker. Measurements were carried out using gradients of 3 and 9.3 mT/m with head and body coils and a variety of sequences. The noise level depended largely on the type of sequence and, under extreme conditions, may attain 96 dB. Because of the short exposure times, we do not consider it necessary to use any form of protection. During the examination of patients with damaged hearing, some protection may be advisable.

Humans↗

[Poststenotic flow in MRT: phantom measurements using spin-echo and gradient-echo sequences].

A flow model was used to study the appearance of poststenotic flow on spin-echo (SE) and fast-field-echo (FFE) images. On SE-images, extensive signal void distal to the stenosis was observed even with low flow velocities. FFE-sequences with short echo time and flow-compensated gradients demonstrated poststenotic loss of signal intensity only with high flow velocities. On FFE-images, the poststenotic signal loss increased with the severity of the stenosis, if total flow across the stenosis was maintained. The lower limit of the mean flow velocity within the stenosis, for which signal void was observed, appeared essentially independent of the degree of the stenosis. The results demonstrate the capability of flow-compensated FFE-sequences to assess poststenotic turbulent flow.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗

[Vertical flow of germs in a building shaft: physical and microbiological measurements and development of an analogous mathematical model].

The air flow and the concentration of microorganisms have been measured in the stair shaft of a hospital. A diving bell-type of pressure-recording instrument and samplers for the microorganisms (impaction device) were used. With this experimental data the flow rate of microorganisms between the floors of the hospital was calculated. A physical model based on numerical calculations using simplified transport equations is proposed, which would be able to predict the flow field and the distribution of microorganisms in a staircase. The calculations have been executed up to a Reynolds number of 400 when the Schmidt number is 0.5 and 1.0. This numerical method can help to reduce the experimental work, as well as, to investigate unknown transport mechanisms of organic and inorganic substances including microorganisms.

Air Microbiology↗