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Biomedical subjects

H Müller

Publications and source records attributed to H Müller.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Immediate and long-term outcomes in children with prenatal diagnosis of selected isolated congenital heart defects.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the immediate postinterventional and long-term outcomes of children with a prenatal and those with a postnatal diagnosis of isolated congenital heart defects. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 257 children admitted over a 10-year period to our pediatric cardiology unit with one of four different cardiac lesions: transposition of the great arteries, atrioventricular canal defect, tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia; 208 were diagnosed postnatally and 49 prenatally. Management was identical in the two patient groups. RESULTS: The median age at admission was 22 days in the postnatal group and 10 days in the prenatal group. In the prenatal group there was a higher median preoperative O2 saturation level (P=0.07), fewer cases of preoperative cardiac failure (P=0.03), fewer cases of preoperative closure of the duct (P=0.04), a shorter median duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation (P=0.03), less need for resurgery (P=0.02) and a shorter median duration of stay in the intensive care unit (P=0.05). Postoperative survival was 96% in the prenatal group and 90% in the postnatal group. Assessment of long-term survival revealed a longer catheter intervention-free interval in the prenatal group (P=0.03). At the 1-year follow-up, residual impaired cardiac function was less frequent in the prenatal than in the postnatal group (P=0.04). Overall survival at maximum follow-up was 92% in the prenatal and 84% in the postnatal group. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal diagnosis of isolated congenital heart defects allows admission for surgery in a more stable condition and is associated with lower short-term and long-term morbidity and mortality.

Child↗
PubMed2007

[Acute mastoiditis today].

Acute mastoiditis is an acute inflammation of the mastoid process with bone erosion. It is a complication of acute otitis media, which is rare but with increasing incidence. Distinct characteristics are an erythema and oedematous swelling of the skin of the mastoid process. A fluctuant swelling points to a subperiosteal abscess. Laboratory examination and imaging only support the diagnostics. Therapy involves obligatory systemic antibiotic treatment. At the beginning of the inflammation a paracentesis can be sufficient. A mastoidectomy must be carried out if clear signs of an osseous necrolysis, such as a subperiosteal abscess, are present. The most frequent causative agents are gram positive cocci. Intraoperative smears are best suitable for microbiological diagnostics. Complications of acute mastoiditis are encroachments of the inflammation on neighbouring structures of the mastoid. In such cases a tomography is indicated and therapy is usually surgical.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2006

Targeting the EGF/VEGF-R system by tyrosine-kinase inhibitors--a novel antiproliferative/antiangiogenic strategy in thyroid cancer.

AIM: In thyroid cancer (TC), endothelial growth factor (EGF) has been associated with dedifferentiation, tumor cell proliferation, and angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been documented to be the main stimulator of angiogenesis in the thyroid gland. Patients with undifferentiated thyroid cancer are in desperate need of new therapeutic strategies because common protocols of therapy usually fail. The aim of this study, therefore, was to evaluate two tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKI, ZD 1839 gefitinib and ZD 6474 vandetanib), directed against the EGF/VEGF receptor for possible antitumor therapy in thyroid cancer. METHODS: EGF/VEGF-R was documented in anaplastic (Hth74, C643), follicular (FTC133), and papillary (TPC1) thyroid cancer cell lines by Western blot analysis. The antiproliferative effect of two TKI (0.1-10 microM) on thyroid cancer cell lines in vitro was quantified by MTT assay, the antiangiogenic effect by assessing secretion of VEGF by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (R&D Systems). ZD 1839 is mainly directed against EGF-R and ZD 6474 against VEGF-R (AstraZeneca, UK), single applications and combinations of compounds were evaluated. RESULTS: EGF-R and VEGF-R as well as the phosphorylated receptor were documented in all of the cell lines. Administration of ZD1839 led to an up to 90% reduction of cell number in Hth74, 80% in C643, 50% in FTC133, and 90% in TPC1 (p < 0.05). ZD1839 induced a decrease of VEGF secretion between 30% in C643 and 90% in Hth74. Administration of ZD6474 led to an up to 95% reduction of cell number in Hth74, 85% in C643, 90% in FTC133, and 90% in TPC1 (p < 0.05). The ZD6474 induced decrease of VEGF secretion ranged between 20% (FTC133) and 60% (TPC1). Combinations of IC50 concentrations of TKI showed synergistic effects, resulting in additional inhibition of proliferation between 50 and 90% compared to single drug administration. CONCLUSION: The EGF/EGF-R system resembles a powerful VEGF-stimulating pathway in all histiotypes of TC and can be inhibited by TKI. TKI directed against EGF-R as well as VEGF-R inhibit tumor cell proliferation and VEGF secretion in vitro. Combinations of TKI are more effective than strategies using single agents. It is suggested that targeting EGF-R/VEGF-R-mediated pathways may have therapeutic potential in some undifferentiated thyroid cancers.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed2006

Differential regulation of nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in a mouse model of learned helplessness.

Stress-induced helplessness in rodents constitutes a well-defined model to investigate neurobiological mechanisms of depression. Neurotrophins like nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have both been shown to be involved in neurobiological changes of physiological and pathological reactions to stress. In this study we investigated NGF and BDNF protein levels in the frontal cortex and hippocampus in mice treated with an established model of inducible helplessness via electric footshocks compared to untreated controls at various times (0 h up to 14 days after treatment). NGF levels were transiently decreased by one forth in the frontal cortex of shocked mice at 6 h after the stress treatment, whereas BDNF levels remained unchanged in the brain areas investigated throughout the time course. In addition, frontal cortex BDNF levels showed a significantly higher concentration in the right compared to the left hemisphere (up to 3-fold). This effect was detectable independently of treatment, namely in shocked and control mice at any time point measured. In conclusion, a transient decrease of frontal NGF constitutes the most striking correlate of neurobiological changes in this animal model of stress-induced change of behaviour. Interhemispherical differences of BDNF content in the frontal cortex are a new finding that might reflect intracerebral side dominance. Thus, subsequent studies of frontal cortex BDNF expression should carefully consider an interhemispherical variance to avoid misinterpretation.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

[Improvement in stroke care in a non-urban community hospital--quality of procedures before and after participating in a telemedical stroke network].

BACKGROUND: Although treatment in a stroke unit has been proven to be effective, most stroke patients in rural areas have no access to it. The community hospital of Ebersberg (Bavaria/Germany) joined the Telemedic Project for Integrative Stroke Care (TEMPiS) in order to optimize the quality of stroke care. This analysis focuses on changes in stroke management using generally accepted indicators for quality of acute stroke treatment. METHODS: The core elements consisted of the setting up of a stroke ward in the community hospital, continual stroke education and a 24-hour telemedical consultation service offered by stroke centers. Treatment of stroke patients was documented during two 12-months periods before the project was started start (i.e. retrospectively) and during the course of the project (prospectively). In addition, data on fatal outcome and institutionalization of patients who had lived at home before the qualifying event were collected 12 months after stroke onset. RESULTS: There were 299 admissions for stroke or transient ischemic attacks between 1 Nov 2001 and 31 Oct 2002, and 305 between 7 July 2003 and 6 June 2004. Length of in-hospital stay decreased from 12.1 to 9.2 days. More patients (10.3 vs. 1.3%) were transferred to other acute hospitals during the later period. Indicators for stroke care quality improved: numbers of cerebral imaging rose from 56.5% to 96.4%, of duplex sonography of cervical arteries from 43.5 to 72.8 %, of speech therapy from 0% to 50.8% and of occupational therapy from 0 to 33.4%. One year after admission, 18.9% and 17.2%, respectively, of the patients had died, while 10.2% and 6.1% were living in institutions. CONCLUSION: Participation in the TEMPiS network substantially improved stroke care quality according to national and international guidelines. These improvements may lead to a better prognosis after a stroke.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed2006

Angle-dependent magnetoresistance in the weakly incoherent interlayer transport regime in a layered organic conductor.

We present comparative studies of the orientation effect of a strong magnetic field on the interlayer resistance of alpha-(BEDT-TTF)2KHg(SCN)4 samples characterized by different crystal quality. We find striking differences in their behavior, which is attributed to the breakdown of the coherent charge transport across the layers in the lower quality sample. In the latter case, the nonoscillating magnetoresistance background is essentially a function of only the out-of-plane field component, in contradiction to the existing Fermi-liquid theories.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

In-beam PET at high-energy photon beams: a feasibility study.

For radiation therapy with carbon ion beams, either for the stable isotope (12)C or for the radioactive one (11)C, it has been demonstrated that the beta(+)-activity distribution created or deposited, respectively, within the irradiated volume can be visualized by means of positron emission tomography (PET). The PET images provide valuable information for quality assurance and precision improvement of ion therapy. Dedicated PET scanners have been integrated into treatment sites at the Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator at Chiba (HIMAC), Japan, and the Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung (GSI), Germany, to make PET imaging feasible during therapeutic irradiation (in-beam PET). A similar technique may be worthwhile for radiotherapy with high-energy bremsstrahlung. In addition to monitoring the dose delivery process which in-beam PET has been primarily developed for, it may be expected that radiation response of tissue can be detected by means of in-beam PET. We investigate the applicability of PET for treatment control in the case of using bremsstrahlung spectra produced by 15-50 MeV electrons. Target volume activation due to (gamma, n) reactions at energies above 20 MeV yields moderate beta(+)-activity levels, which can be employed for imaging. The radiation from positrons produced by pair production is not presently usable because the detectors are overloaded due to the low duty factor of medical electron linear accelerators. However, the degradation of images caused by positron motion between creation and annihilation seems to be tolerable.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2006

[Referred pain from amputation stump trigger points into the phantom limb].

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to examine whether/how myofascial stump trigger points (TPs) after lower leg amputations are able to produce stump pain (SP), phantom pain (PP), and sensations (PS) in the phantom limb. METHODS: Palpation of the 5 most striking stump TPs of 30 leg amputees (12 transfemoral, 18 transtibial) was documented in a standardized manner. Patients were asked to localize SP, PP, and PS. RESULTS: Of 150 TPs, 14 produced involuntary stump movements and 10 stump fasciculations. Dorsal PP after ventral TP palpation occurred as well as PP in the toes from TPs near the hip. Of 30 patients, 20 reported PS and 8 PP; 60 of 150 TPs produced PS and 17 PP. Phantom phenomena were localized in 62.8% in the toes (1st toe 19.8%, toes 2-5 about 10% each), 17.9% midfoot, and the rest were more proximal. TPs were localized more in the lateral/dorsal stump than medial/ventral. About 70% of the TPs were found between 3 and 7 cm from the stump end, those with toe projections more distal than those with tibial projections. CONCLUSIONS: Myofascial TPs in amputation stumps are common and able to produce sensations and pain in the phantom limb. Most reported experiences were localized in the toes, as phantom pain usually is. There seems to be a "stump representation" and it seems possible that "referred TP pain" and "phantom pain" may develop from similar origin.

Humans↗
PubMed2006

[West Nile virus--causative agent of a zoonosis with increasing significance?].

The epidemic West Nile Virus (WNV) infections observed in the last years, particularly those in the USA in 1999 and the following years, have led to an increasing interest in this zoonotic infection. Here, the most prominent aspects of WNV biology and epidemiology are presented. Clinical signs observed in men and horses are described, as well as the current state of diagnostics and immunoprophylaxis. Preliminary results of investigations on the prevalence of WNV in Germany show that migrating birds have been in contact with WNV; there is however no indication for the presence of this virus. While WNV is endemic in many parts of the "Old World", thus inducing "natural immunity" in (migrating) birds and vertebrates, a susceptible bird population with no existing immunity against this virus was exposed in the "New World".

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Neoplasm of hepatic stellate cells (spongiotic pericytoma): a new tumor entity in human liver.

The purpose of this investigation was to classify a previously unknown tumor entity in human liver observed in a 35-year-old woman. It was characterized by an unusual accumulation of fusiform CD34-positive cells and was initially misconceived as a tumor of the liver sinusoids. The tissue was examined by light and electron microscopy and by immunocytochemical techniques with a broad spectrum of antibodies. The polycyclic tumor contained multiple nodular cell aggregates. The tumor cells possessed extensive cytoplasmic processes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, a prominent Golgi complex, and, in isolated cases, fat droplets. They expressed vimentin, CD34, CD105, CD99, CD56, and sm-actin. The matrix surrounding these cells was reactive for collagen types I, III and V, and fibronectin. The unusual aspect of this tumor is that it contained collections of cells that appeared to be hepatic stellate cells (Ito cells). It also contained hepatic cells arranged in plates, lobules, and capillarized sinuses. These findings suggest that the tumorous proliferation of hepatic stellate cells is functionally linked to the hepatocytes. It is unclear whether there is a link between the tumor and the patient's use of oral contraceptives. Referring to animal studies, different hepatocarcinogens may cause neoplastic Ito cell proliferation. The patient has remained recurrence-free during the 12 months since operation.

12E7 Antigen↗
PubMed2005

Requirements of future models for inhabited areas.

Models for inhabited areas are used in a variety of applications for accidental or continuous releases of radioactivity to atmosphere. Pathways of interest are external exposure from radioactive material in the cloud or deposited on indoor and outdoor surfaces and people, inhalation from the plume and from material resuspended from the ground. In developing a model for inhabited areas it is necessary to consider what the end users may need and ensure that the model is appropriate for the application; different levels of detail may be appropriate for different applications. This paper considers the main processes governing exposure in inhabited areas, commenting on the extent to which we understand them and how well current models reflect this understanding. It also identifies where the authors believe future modelling is needed and the key areas where the current inhabited area models could be improved.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed2005

Monitoring industrial wastewater by online GC-MS with direct aqueous injection.

An online GC-MS-system for automated monitoring of crude wastewater at a complex chemical production site is presented. The modular system is, in principal, based on commercial equipment, but utilizes a special, two-stage injector, which consists of a splitless vaporization chamber on top of a PTV injector filled with Tenax. This set-up enables direct injection of wastewater. Almost 140 volatile and semi-volatile compounds are calibrated down to 1 mg L(-1), which is sufficient for analysis of the influent of the wastewater-treatment plant. Two instruments analyze alternately, every 20 min, and the instrument cycle time is 40 min. The quantitative results are transferred to a database which is connected to a process-control system. Depending on the nature and concentration of a compound, an alarm can be generated and the wastewater stream can be diverted into an "off spec tank" if necessary. The GC-MS-system operates quasi-continuously with a system availability >98%. Data quality is automatically controlled in each run and by daily analysis of a quality-control sample. The development of a novel stacked PTV-PTV injector design to expand the range of analytes to selected basic compounds is described.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry↗
PubMed2005

Phylogenetic analysis of the hexon loop 1 region of an adenovirus from psittacine birds supports the existence of a new psittacine adenovirus (PsAdV).

Adenovirus infections in psittacine birds have been well known. Most of these infections were caused by fowl adenoviruses (FAdV). In this study, liver samples showing typical histological signs of an adenovirus infection were collected from Poicephalus spp. with acute disease. A PCR amplifying the variable loop 1 region of the hexon gene was developed using primers located in two conserved pedestal regions. A PCR product of approximately 590 bp in size was amplified and sequenced. The sequence obtained grouped outside of the FAdV reference strains of the 12 serotypes as well as egg drop syndrome virus and turkey adenovirus 3 indicating that a new avian adenovirus was detected. In comparison to the FAdV reference strains, the percentage of identical nucleotides ranged between 60.3 and 67.0 and that of identical amino acids (aa) between 51.3 and 61.0. Furthermore, 37 unique aa exchanges were observed; out of these, 27 are located in the 4 hypervariable regions of loop 1, which encode the serotype-specific epitopes. The g/c content, the isoelectric point and the charge of the amplified fragment, however, are in the range as those of group I avian adenoviruses. It was proposed, therefore, to designate this new adenovirus as psittacine adenovirus (PsAdV).

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2005

[Mesonephric carcinoma of the urethra. A case report].

Mesonephric carcinoma is a tumor entity that rarely develops in the neck of the uterus and vaginal wall and is extremely unusual in the urinary bladder or paraurethral tissue. The tumors arise in the remnants of the wolffian or mesonephric duct. The malignant potential is considered to be lower than in tumors of the urethra with different histologic findings. Anterior pelvic exenteration is recommended in the literature as the treatment of choice. In the case described here, the tumor presented as a space-occupying lesion in a urethral diverticulum exhibiting striking clinical features of macrohematuria and urinary retention with subvesical obstruction of the urethra. In accordance with reports in the literature, cystectomy was performed and a Kock pouch constructed for urinary diversion. Tumors occurring in a diverticulum-and in this case manifesting as the rare tumor form of mesonephric carcinoma-should always be included in the differential diagnosis of macrohematuria in women.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

[Inappropriate use of a titanium penile ring. An interdisciplinary challenge for urologists, jewelers, and locksmiths].

Constricting devices placed on the penis to improve sexual performance present a challenge to urologists. Various metallic and nonmetallic objects have been described -- plumbing cuffs, bull rings, wedding rings, plastic or rubber rings -- which usually could be removed by the combination of medical and operative treatment (decompression of the penis and glandular puncture) and craftsmen's techniques. We describe the case of a titanium thumb ring of 2 mm thickness which only could be removed by using an electric cutting tool.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Manual correlation.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Computer-Aided Design↗
PubMed2004

[Long-term treatment of phantom- and stump pain with Botulinum toxin type A over 12 months. A first clinical observation].

Recently we were able to describe the successful treatment of phantom pain and stump pain with botulinum toxin A in a first pilot study. This case report over a 1-year period now demonstrates that long-term treatment for this indication is possible. We injected 4 x 25 IU of botulinum toxin A (Botox) into trigger points of the stump muscles of a lower limb amputee who suffered from severe phantom and stump pain. With four injections performed every 3 months, the patient became almost completely pain-free, and his intrathecal morphine therapy could be reduced to 40% of the initial dose. Intrathecal clonidine was eliminated completely, as were the oral analgesics. A surgical treatment suggested for the stump pain was no longer necessary, and we suppose that botulinum toxin can also improve the tolerance of artificial limbs in cases of stump pain.

Amputation, Surgical↗