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Biomedical subjects

M Wagner

Publications and source records attributed to M Wagner.

At least 973 records · Page 54Linked to original sources

[The effect of the systemic and intraventricular application of orotic acid on monosynaptic evoked potentials in the dentate gyrus in free-moving rats].

In 20 freely moving Wistar rats the influence of systemically and intraventricularly applied orotic acid derivatives on monosynaptically evoked field potentials registered in the dentate gyrus on the stimulation of the medial entorhinal cortex was investigated. Both, methylglucamine-orotate and tris-orotate led to an increase of the amplitude of the population spike. The slope function of the field EPSP, however, remained unchanged. The effect has been observed to begin 2 h after application and had a duration of 6-10 h. The data obtained in a monosynaptic pathway targeting on a brain structure which is known to play a crucial role in memory formation support earlier findings of a transient effect of orotic acid on cerebral excitation processes. An influence on mechanisms of spike generation or other postsynaptic membrane processes might be assumed.

Animals↗

Prostatic adenocarcinoma PC EW, a new human tumor line transplantable in nude mice.

A serially transplantable human prostatic carcinoma line, PC EW, has been developed through heterotransplantation of tumor tissue from a lymph node metastasis. PC EW is androgen dependent and is similar to the original tumor in terms of histological pattern, amounts of prostatic acid phosphatase secreted, and absence of a hormonally independent subline. This line is thus similar to PC 82, and we herein report the first results of comparative treatment trials conducted on PC EW.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Immunoglobulin light chains in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and related diseases.

The combination of two-dimensional mini gel electrophoresis with the 'western blot' technique proves to be a powerful tool in characterizing lymphoid cells. By testing for kappa and lambda immunoglobulin light chains we were able to differentiate between mono-, oligo-, and polyclonal B-cell diseases. The distribution of the lambda isotypes of 24 cases with chronic lymphocytic B-cell leukemia (B-CLL) tested was not random when compared to the distribution of the lambda light chains in B-lymphocytes of normal persons. This might implicate a genetic link between the lambda loci (chromosome 22) and the development of the lambda-CLL.

Adult↗

[Gunshot injuries in peacetime and their therapy].

Between 1976 and 1982 46 patients with gunshot injuries (43 m., 3 f.) were seen at the University of Heidelberg Department of Surgery. Frequent causes of injury in 42 adults (40 m., 2 f.) and 4 children (3 m., 1 f.) were suicide attempts (19) and carelessness in the handling of shotguns (11). Criminal offence was related to nine injuries; no retrospective classification of the event causing the injury was possible in further seven cases. Affected in descending order of frequency were brain and lung (10 each), soft tissue of thigh (9), intraabdominal organs (5), heart (4), liver and bone (3 each), blood vessels (2) and facial skull, penis, buttock, neck and mediastinum (1 each). Six patients suffered from combined injuries, in three cases a combined abdomino-thoracic injury was seen. Whilst suicidal injuries of the skull are related to poor prognosis, other peacetime gunshot wounds are less problematic when compared to military gunshot wounds due to the lower speed of the projectiles. Therapeutic procedures follow the general rules of open treatment of injuries including prophylaxis against tetanus and botulism as well as systemic antibiotic therapy. In general abdominal and abdomino-thoracic gunshot wounds as well as vascular injuries require immediate surgical procedure. In isolated thoracic injuries a conservative approach may be justified depending on the situation. The same rule applies to fractures caused by gunshots.

Abdominal Injuries↗

[Treatment guidelines and results in severe open tibial fractures].

27 patients with compound fractures of the lower leg were treated according to the following scheme: Exact excision and surgical cleaning of the wound, reduction of the fragments without further exposure of the bone by additional incision, minimal osteosynthesis, stabilization by means of external fixation device and secondary closure of the accidental wound. During the last year we preferred the V-shaped arrangement in contrast to the tent shaped arrangement of the external fixation device as this minimizes the trauma to the extensor muscles of the foot. After external fixation combined with minimal osteosynthesis (n = 10) the patients had to stay in hospital for 6 weeks only. There was no infection at the incision of neither Steinmann-pins nor Schanz-screws and posttraumatic ostitis only in 1 case was seen. On an average only one secondary operation was necessary, a spongious bonegraft only at 3 patients. On an average the patients had the external fixation device for 5 months, bony union of the fracture was observed after 9 months. In case of external fixation without minimal osteosynthesis (n = 17) the patients had to stay in hospital for 16 weeks, 9 of them had infections at the incision of the Steinmann-pins, 9 of them developed posttraumatic ostitis with fistulae. On an average 4 secondary operations were necessary per patient and 9 patients needed a spongious bonegraft to get bony union of the fracture, which was reached on an average of 17 months.

Adolescent↗

[Functional treatment method following patellar dislocations].

Acute, as well as recurrent, dislocations of the patella often are treated conservatively. However, an increasing number of authors are recommending early surgical treatment for primary, traumatic, as well as congenital, dislocations of the patella. The purpose of this report was to determine, which cases should be treated by operation or conservatively by a specific patellar protection program. This program includes four phases or rehabilitation: Phase I: Antiinflammatory measures (ice, compression and elevation, non steroidal medications), specific exercises (isometrics, straight leg raises with no weight, side leg raises with no weight), active range of motion, passive range of motion with no weights, flexibility of back, hip, hamstrings, quadriceps, ankle, groin and general exercises (swimming, general conditioning and opposite extremity program). Phase II: Continue isometric program, progressive-resistive program with ankle weights, continue flexibility program, lateral step-ups if terminal extension painful, eccentric isometrics if straight leg raises painful, continue swimming, may begin low resistance cycling if motion adequate. Phase III: Isotonic progressive-resistive exercise program, exercise to fatigue using weight or similar equipment (quadriceps, hamstrings, circuit exercises). Phase IV: Slow return to sports to develop specific neuromuscular skills at that sport, continued strength and endurance training. Continue weight machines and a full range of motion, running program, continued flexibility before and after athletic play.

Braces↗

Experimental infection with group B streptococci in tissue cages implanted in rabbits.

Using tissue cages subcutaneously implanted in rabbits an experimental group B streptococcal (GBS) infection was induced. The type Ia strain differed from the type III strain in producing a septicemic infection leading to the death of the animals on day 4 of infection. Active immunization with whole cells of the homologous strain resulted in phagocytosis and killing of the bacteria, whereas passive immunization only resulted in inhibition of the spread of the type Ia infection from the cages. Electron microscopy showed that in unprotected animals infection with either strains was followed by a lysis of erythrocytes and polymorphonuclear cells in the cage fluid. Opsonization by type-specific antibodies already present in the cage fluid preceded the phagocytosis of streptococci in the immunized animals. The tissue cage model offers a suitable way for studies of the pathogenesis of GBS infection. The different factors influencing the process of infection can also be easily monitored.

Animals↗

Diabetic myocardial alterations in ultrastructure and function.

Myocardial samples taken from six healthy and six alloxan-diabetic dogs by means of percutaneous needle-biopsy were investigated electronmicroscopically. Specific increase in the number of collagen fibers and that of mitochondria were demonstrated beside the widening of Z bands. In the same experimental animals, a close, inverse correlation was detected (y = 0.0068x + 0.1680; r = 0.8648; F = 29.6705; n = 12) between the values of the left ventricular passive elastic modulus and those of the plasma glucose disappearance rate determined immediately before the haemodynamic investigation. On the basis of the ultrastructural findings, the proliferation of collagen fibers can be made also responsible for functional disorder of the diabetic myocardium.

Animals↗

Compensating for heterogeneities in proton radiation therapy.

Our method for predicting, and compensating for, the effects of surface irregularities and tissue heterogeneities in proton radiation therapy was evaluated by comparing the predicted and measured dose distributions. Two heterogeneity configurations in a D-shaped water-filled phantom were handled in exactly the same way as patients. Target volumes were designated on thin-section CT scans, a single en face portal was defined, compensating boli were designed and made, and the dose distribution behind the phantom measured and compared with that intended. The compensation was accurate to within 1 mm for the phantom with a single air heterogeneity and to within 2.5 mm for the phantom with multiple bone and air heterogeneities. The bolus and phantom were misaligned by 3 mm and the dramatic change in the dose distribution demonstrated the need to address the problems of patient motion and imperfect immobilisation through compensator design. A philosophy of 'expanding' the bolus is described, and dose distributions measured with the 'expanded' boli indicate that target volume treatment can be assured within prespecified repositioning and motion uncertainties. The uncertainty in the alignment of bolus and heterogeneities leads to corresponding uncertainty in the penetration of the protons. Ranges within which they will stop are calculated and shown to encompass adequately the measured distributions in both the aligned and misaligned cases.

Humans↗

Effects of cyclooxygenase inhibitors, prostaglandins F2 alpha and I2, on isolated coeliac and basilar arteries of alloxan-diabetic dogs.

The effects of prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors PGF2 alpha and PGI2 on the tone of isolated basilar and coeliac arteries were studied in healthy and alloxan-diabetic dogs. PGF2 alpha (1 mumol 1-1) produced a significantly higher tone in diabetic basilar arteries (1.15 +/- 0.16 mN) than in normal cerebral vessels (0.7 +/- 0.10 mN). By contrast, the contractile responses of normal and diabetic coeliac arteries to PGF2 alpha did not differ. The cyclooxygenase inhibitors indomethacin (3 mumol 1-1) and suprofen (0.58 mumol 1-1) potentiated the PGF2 alpha-evoked contractions in all of the vessels studied. The percent potentiation was greater (50-60%) in the basilar arteries from alloxan-treated dogs than in normal basilar vessels (22-30%). There was not such a difference between diabetic and normal coeliac arteries. Prostacyclin produced a concentration-related relaxation in the presence of indomethacin or indomethacin + PGF2 alpha. The relaxant potencies of PGI2 were similar in the vessels from metabolically healthy and diabetic dogs. The IC50 values for PGI2 were 11.6 +/- 1.3 and 11.8 +/- 1.8 nmol 1-1 in normal and diabetic basilar arteries, respectively; they were 25.4 +/- 3.2 and 26.2 +/- 3.9 nmol 1-1 in control and alloxan-treated coeliac vessels. These results indicate that normal and diabetic vessels may have differential reactivity to cyclooxygenase inhibitors, this difference being dependent on the vascular region.

Animals↗

Recovery from pentobarbital-induced sleep after administration of perfluorinated blood substitutes.

The sleeping time after administration of pentobarbital at 30 mg/kg body weight (BW) was used in rats as a simple, noninvasive screening test of liver function. In controls, repeated tests showed no shortening of the time and thus no signs of enzyme induction. After the injection of perfluorochemicals in the form of Fluosol-DA at doses of 4.4 and 10 g/kg BW, significant prolongations occurred that, in case of the higher dose, lasted only until the fourth day. The formerly observed liver cell proliferation thus seems to have a compensating effect, since the detoxifying function was restored when the maximum of increased liver mass was reached.

Animals↗

Distribution and effects of a defined six-member murine-derived microflora in gnotobiotic gerbils.

The gnotobiotic gerbil was selected as a model with which to study the effects of colonization with a defined microflora on organ morphology, histology, and selected blood biochemical parameters. Gerbils were maintained germfree for 13 months but failed to reproduce, presumably because of the enlarged cecum. A colony of gnotobiotic gerbils that was associated with a bacterial flora consisting of Lactobacillus brevis, Streptococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacteroides vulgatus, Enterobacter aerogenes, and a Fusobacterium sp. was established. These gnotobiotic gerbils had smaller ceca than germfree gerbils and proved capable of reproduction. Except for the presence of large numbers of Bacteroides organisms in the stomach and greater numbers of S. epidermidis in gnotobiotic gerbils, the number and location of gastrointestinal bacteria were similar in conventional and gnotobiotic gerbils. Bacteroides sp. was the second most predominant microorganism present in gnotobiotic gerbils, whereas clostridia were reported to be the second most predominant microorganism in conventional gerbils. Microscopic examination of direct-impression smears indicated that fusobacteria were present on mucosal surfaces. Intestines of gnotobiotic gerbils weighed twice as much as the intestines of conventional gerbils. Intestinal tissue water weight values from conventional and gnotobiotic gerbils were similar. Histological examination of gerbil intestinal tissue revealed no cellular hypertrophy and no evidence of inflammation in gnotobiotic gerbil intestines. Spleens of gnotobiotic gerbils showed no germinal center stimulation. Statistical differences in total serum glucose, serum protein, and hematocrit levels were found between conventional and gnotobiotic gerbils.

Aerobiosis↗

Sudden unexpected infant death in a French county.

We report a study of sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) in a French county (Seine-Maritime) between 1978 and 1981 (rate of 2.71 per 1000 live births). The results agree with those of previous studies concerning sex ratio, seasonal variation, and peak age of death. No relation between gestational age and age of death was found. A comparison with matched living control infants was performed for 136 of the 207 total deaths for whom computerised medical data were available. Significant differences were found between these two groups in gestational age, birthweight, admission to a paediatric ward at birth, and proportion of single mothers. In analysing birthweight and gestational age separately, the birthweights of SUID cases were significantly lower than those of controls, whatever the gestational age. The converse was not true, however: in classifying infants by birthweight, a significant difference between the gestation period of SUID victims and controls was found only for low birthweight infants (less than 2500 g). It is considered that it may be possible to identify infants at particular risk of SUID within the group of babies admitted to hospital at birth for major problems, and a study is currently underway among infants born in Seine-Maritime in 1982.

Age Factors↗

[Rare indications for an external fixator].

Seldom indications for the use of external fixator are reported and illustrated. As a rule the damage to the pelvis is complex and it is often associated with a polytrauma; unstable pelvis injuries in some cases can be stabilised by external fixator by the method of Slätis. Examples of osteotaxis are given for the treatment of comminuted fractures or defect-pseudarthroses or after osteomyelitic bone damage of femur and humerus. In the treatment of multi-fragment fractures of the base of the radius and of the forearm the external fixation can also be used with good success. The external mini-fixator is a new way for external stabilization in hand surgery and can provide good results in comminuted fractures of the fingers and for finger-replantation.

Adolescent↗

[Peripheral venous tolerance of a hyperosmolar basic solution].

A controlled open clinical trial was carried out to compare the peripheral venous tolerance of patients receiving a hyperosmolar basic nutrition solution (3% amino acids, carbohydrates and electrolytes, 806 mosm/l) with that of patients receiving an isoosmolar electrolyte solution (299 mosm/l). 13 patients received the basic solution, 11 the electrolyte solution. The study was terminated after 4 days. For comparison the infusion time and local venous irritation of each patient were recorded. In both the infusion time and local irritation a slight trend in favour of the electrolyte solution was found, which, however, did not reach statistical significance. We conclude, that under normal clinical circumstances a hyperosmolar basic nutrition solution does not cause a higher rate of peripheral venous irritations compared with an isoosmolar electrolyte solution and should be administered to patients with an expected infusion time of not longer than 4 days.

Amino Acids↗

[Tumors of the glomus caroticum].

From 1952 to 1982 15 patients (6 male, 9 female) with 20 carotid body tumors have been treated in the surgical departments of the universities of Berlin and Heidelberg. A recurrent tumor occurred in 3 patients, in one case appeared a further recurrence. Two patients presented with a tumor of the glomus jugulare as well as the tumors of the carotid body and with a familial accumulation. While still in the 60's the surgical procedure was in doubt due to high complications and lethality rates today, because of the progress in carotid surgery with the insertion of an intraluminal shunt, the operation is recommended without risk. An important part plays a certain preoperative diagnosis through the B-mode sonography for the operative strategy.

Adult↗