Biomedical subjects

M Ruwe

Publications and source records attributed to M Ruwe.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Long-term effects of transient chemically induced colitis on the visceromotor response to mechanical colorectal distension.

Acute gastrointestinal infections with transient mucosal inflammation frequently precede the onset of functional GI disorders with altered visceral sensory function. We hypothesized that an acute inflammation of the mucosa is linked to long-lasting alterations of afferent visceral pathways. Utilizing abdominal wall electromyography, we tested the visceromotor response to tonic rectal distension (60 mm Hg/3 min) in fasted, conscious, male Lewis rats (n = 40) with a barostat device before and 2, 4, 15, and 17 weeks after rectal instillation of saline or trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid plus ethanol. Tissue samples from paired controls were obtained to assess histologic tissue alterations. Inflammatory changes were present up to 2 weeks after acid/ethanol instillation but not after saline instillation. Compared to baseline measurements, the visceromotor response to colorectal distension increased significantly and reached a maximum 17 weeks (P < 0.001) after induction of colitis, while it decreased in control experiments (P < 0.05). In conclusion, these data suggest that an acute inflammation has long-term effects on somatosensory functioning.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Morphometric analyses of endometriotic tissues to determine their grade of activity.

The last revised classification of endometriosis of the American Fertility Society takes the extension of endometriotic lesions and the three macroscopic appearances of this disease into consideration. The aim of this study was to determine whether morphometric analyses are able to describe the grade of activity of endometriotic lesions according to their macroscopic-morphological appearances. Endometriotic samples of 45 patients were analyzed morphometrically using a semiautomatical planimeter. Six different parameters were investigated: the cytoplasmic surface of epithelial cells, the nucleus surface of epithelial cells, the nucleus surface of stromal cells, the gland surface, the gland circumference and the gland diameter. No statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) between the macroscopic appearances of the endometriotic lesions and the six analyzed morphometric parameters were found. The majority of the endometriotic lesions showed median values for the cytoplasmic surface of epithelial cells, the nucleus surface of epithelial cells and the gland surface that did not differ from the median values of all tissues, independently of the macroscopic appearances of these lesions and of the corresponding serum hormonal levels of 17 beta-estradiol and progesterone that were measured at the time of biopsy (p > 0.05). Our morphometric data showed that the red and so-called 'active' endometriotic lesions did not exhibit different morphometric characteristics from the so-called 'inactive' black or white lesions. We found that white and black lesions showed in some cases higher morphometric values than the mean values, so that these macroscopic appearances of endometriotic lesions cannot be considered as 'burned-out' endometriotic tissues. Therefore, black or white endometriotic lesions also have to be considered as therapeutically relevant, as they cannot be defined as 'inactive' endometriosis.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Mycophenolate mofetil reduces tissue damage and inflammation in an experimental model of colitis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Lymphocytes are widely believed to be responsible for persistent intestinal inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a potent immunosuppressant that inhibits lymphocyte proliferation and has been shown to be effective in preventing allograft rejection after organ transplantation. The purpose of this study was to assess the modulating effects of MMF on intestinal inflammation in an experimental model of colitis in rats. METHODS: Colitis was induced by rectal instillation of trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) in ethanol in male Sprague-Dawley rats. One group of rats (n = 10) was treated with MMF i.p. (25 mg/kg b.w.) daily for 1 week starting 24 h after induction of colitis. A second group of rats (n = 10) was treated with MMF at the same dose 2 days, I day and 1 h prior to induction of colitis. Control animals (n = 10) received vehicle only. After being killed, colonic tissue was macroscopically evaluated for necrosis and microscopically for ulcerations. Sections were stained and examined for the presence of granulocytes. RESULTS: Administration of MMF after induction of TNBS colitis reduced macroscopic injury by 62% compared to control animals (P = 0.01). Microscopic ulcerations were reduced by 64% compared to controls (P = 0.009). In addition, posttreatment significantly reduced the number of granulocytes. MMF pretreatment did not significantly prevent macroscopic or microscopic tissue damage, or change the number of granulocytes. CONCLUSION: Systemic administration of MMF significantly ameliorates tissue damage in a model of experimental colitis in rats suggesting that this compound may play an important role as an immunosuppressant in the therapy of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Endotoxin tolerance protects against local hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in the rat.

Liver surgery and liver transplantation as well as circulatory shock are often associated with hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Recent evidence suggests that TNF-alpha plays a central role in I/R injury and, therefore, down-regulation of TNF-alpha seems to be a promising way to protect against the deleterious consequences of I/R. Endotoxin tolerance represents a state of unresponsiveness to endotoxin and is associated with diminished TNF-alpha production. Thus, the effect of endotoxin tolerance on hepatic I/R injury of the liver was investigated in a rat model. I/R injury was induced by temporary ischemia of the left lateral liver lobe for 90 min followed by a 3 h observation period of reperfusion. I/R injury resulted in functional hepatic disorder characterized by a decrease both in bile flow and bile acid concentration and 50% mortality. This was prevented by induction of endotoxin tolerance. Hepatic TNF-alpha mRNA expression after I/R of the liver was determined by RT-PCR. In untreated rats, TNF-alpha mRNA was induced in the liver 60 min after reperfusion and further increased until 3 h after reperfusion. In contrast, in endotoxin-tolerant rats, no increases in TNF-alpha mRNA expression were detected. This suggests that induction of endotoxin tolerance protects against hepatic I/R injury possibly via down-regulation of intra-organ TNF-alpha expression.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

[Paraffinoma--a rare complication following endonasal surgery].

BACKGROUND: Paraffin is a mineral oil which was discovered by Reichenbach in 1830. Injection of paraffin into tissue causes a foreign body reaction that results in the formation of a paraffinoma. METHODS: We are reporting on two cases of paranasal paraffinomas, in a 30-year-old male three months after a septorhinoplasty in which paraffin nasal packing was used and in a 56-year-old female patient two months after sinus surgery. RESULTS: A paraffinoma is probably caused by penetration of paraffin through a mucous membrane defect into the adjacent soft tissue. Paraffinomas are usually treated by excision. Although recurrences are frequent, a complete removal should be attempted because of the potential carcinogenicity of paraffin. CONCLUSION: Paraffinomas must be considered in the differential diagnosis of periorbital or paranasal swellings that occur months after endonasal procedures where paraffin packing was used.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Endometriosis: clinical, histological and morphometric findings before and after Gn-RH agonist therapy].

After bioptical diagnosis of endometriosis, 81 patients were treated with GnRH-agonists buserelin or leuprolide for six months. Biopsies before and after treatment were used to test a semiquantitative score-system, regarding atrophy of glands and stroma cells. Furthermore glandular diameter, circumference and area of nuclei were examined morphometrically using a microscopic semiautomatical measuring system. Morphometrical and histological alterations during therapy were evaluated. Additionally, data suitable for predicting a possible therapeutic success were described. After therapy 40 patients still showed endometriotic implants (partial responder) in contrast to 41 cases without foci (total responder). Therapeutic effect of GnRH-agonists was proved in every respect: clinical complaints decreased markedly during GnRH-agonists therapy. Both buserelin and leuprolide treated groups revealed increase of atrophy and reduction of extension of stroma. Correspondingly morphometrical analysed parameters such as diameter, circumference and area of glands decreased during therapy as well as area of cytoplasm and nuclei. Except the diameter of glands, the leuprolide treated partial responder group (residual foci after GnRH-therapy) revealed a stronger therapeutic effect than the buserelin treated partial responder group. Obviously this effect seems to be produced by the stronger estradiol suppression of leuprolide. Pretherapeutic comparison of measured values pointed out a minor distinct endometriosis in the total responder group. Success or failure of therapy seems to depend more on the pretherapeutic degree of expression of endometriosis. Obviously the kind of applicated GnRH-agonist plays a minor distinct role. Morphometrical data of endometriotic foci appear to be appropriate to predict a possible therapeutic success of GnRH-agonist therapy. But because of many exceptions only a roughly estimated prediction is possible.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Multiple myeloma with bone marrow biopsy features simulating concomitant chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis.

Multiple myelomas occasionally exhibit bone marrow lesions simulating a concomitant chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis. In the present study, trephine biopsy histologies of such "myelofibrotic" myelomas are described and compared to those from a case of true chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis which developed in the course of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. "Myelofibrotic" myeloma are characterized by osteosclerosis, marrow fibrosis and focal megakaryocytic hyperplasia in the presence of plasma cell infiltration of the bone marrow. These myelomas are to be distinguished from the more commonly occurring multiple myeloma with simple marrow fibrosis and/or osteosclerosis. Furthermore, "myelofibrotic" myelomas are not identical to myelomas coexisting with true chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis, a condition which would appear to be extremely rare and should only be diagnosed if focal megakaryocytic hyperplasia with atypia can be unequivocally demonstrated. Avoidance of misinterpretation of "myelofibrotic" myeloma requires a knowledge of these different myeloma variants.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Developing a successful senior care program: a research based approach.

Shifting environmental pressures have moved healthcare organizations to look to new products and services as a means of survival. One new product offering that has developed in many hospitals is the senior care program. Unfortunately, many of the senior care programs developed across the nation have not been successful. The authors have described a senior care program that is research based and physician centered. The benefits of which include physician loyalty to the hospital, a managed referral network and the ability to measure the impact of the senior care program on the bottom line.

Aged↗