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Biomedical subjects

P Brenner

Publications and source records attributed to P Brenner.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Differential diagnosis of acute dactylitis psoriatica.

A bulbous or "sausage-shaped" finger may represent a special type of psoriatic arthritis without any rheumatoid factor activity. Dactylitis psoriatica must be suspected in cases of arthralgias progressing along the phalanges of a finger associated with global soft tissue swelling. Acute dactylitis psoriatica is characterized by an intermittent course combined with psoriatic and partly extremely mild or masked skin and nail changes. X-rays findings are spicular protuberances at diaphyses in a "cloudy collar" image. Symptomatic treatment of dactylitis psoriatica consists of non-steroidal antirheumatic drugs or basic gold salt therapy. In the interval additional surgical treatment using arthro-plasties and arthrodeses is indicated in cases of joint destruction. Amputation of the affected finger is not to be considered as a mandatory causal therapy of dactylitis psoriatica.

Aged↗

[Covering of chronic sacral ulcers by myocutaneous gluteus maximus island flaps].

Experience with 18 cases of chronic sacral ulcers treated with gluteus maximus island flaps and a review of perioperative managements are presented. Sacral pressure sores in immobile patients sometimes require radical surgery. Suitable cover can be obtained by myocutaneous island flaps. In seven patients defects up to six cm in diameter were covered by unilateral gluteus maximus myocutaneous island flaps. Eleven defects up to 17 cm in diameter were closed by bilateral gluteus maximus island flaps. The donor sites were closed primarily by direct approximation. There was no flap necrosis. In two patients wound dehiscence occurred and in another two there was delayed wound infection. In one infected case a fistula became established and this was treated by further excision and advancement of the flaps. In all cases suitable healing with adequate padding was obtained. There has been no recurrence of ulceration after two years.

Adult↗

[Monomelic melorheostosis of the hand].

Melorheostosis is a rare sclerosing bone dysplasia affecting children and adults. Concerning the etiology it seems to be a metameric abnormality of the tissue of mesodermal origin, which is initiated early in embryonic life prior to the formation of the extremity buds. The flowing hyperostosis is usually associated with limb deformity, soft tissue contractures, severe pain and stiffness of joints. Bone scanning complements standard radiologic studies and permits evaluation of the extent and activity of the disease. Conservative treatment is disappointing. Thus we recommend the excision of the exostoses at an early state to prevent further deformity as is shown in a clinical case report.

Female↗

[Pseudo-obstruction of the colon].

Pseudoobstruction of the colon is characterized by clinical and radiological findings suggesting a mechanical obstruction of the large intestine without any organic cause. 11 of our patients and 344 cases reported in the literature have been reviewed. 90% of the patients have an associated major system disorder, most of them (40%) are localized in the pelvis. An imbalance in sympathetic-parasympathetic innervation as an aetiological factor is discussed. Diagnosis is generally made on the basis of the plain roentgenogram of the abdomen and a barium enema of the colon. Surgical decompression is indicated when no improvement can be achieved by conservative treatment within 72 hours. Immediate surgical intervention becomes mandatory in case of the cecal diameter being greater than 12 cm or an evident perforation. Cecostomy is of crucial benefit. Extensive necrosis requires a colonic resection.

Adult↗

Metabolic parameters and steroid levels in postmenopausal women receiving lower doses of natural estrogen replacement.

This study was carried out to determine whether some of the lowest doses of natural estrogens currently prescribed for postmenopausal women result in significant changes in plasma lipids, urinary calcium, urinary free cortisol, or level of androgens. Twenty-four postmenopausal women were studied and the estrogens ingested were either conjugated estrogens (0.3 or 0.6 mg), piperazine estrone sulfate (0.6 or 1.2 mg), or micronized estradiol (1 mg). Plasma lipids were unaltered, with the exception of a decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in women receiving conjugated estrogens, 0.625 mg, and micronized estradiol. The fasting calcium: creatinine ratio, which was significantly higher than that of premenopausal women, decreased significantly after treatment with all the prescribed doses. There was no correlation between the initial calcium: creatinine ratio and urinary free cortisol or androgen levels. Urinary free cortisol was in the premenopausal range and did not change with treatment; levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and testosterone were significantly lower than premenopausal levels but did not change with treatment. In conclusion, these natural estrogens have no effect on lipids, urinary free cortisol, and androgen levels, but they appear to reduce the urinary loss of calcium in the fasting state.

Androgens↗

Pregnancies associated with sperm concentrations below 10 million/ml in clinical studies of a potential male contraceptive method, monthly depot medroxyprogesterone acetate and testosterone esters.

A potential male contraceptive approach was evaluated in clinical trials involving monthly injections of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate and either subdermal implants of testosterone propionate or monthly injections of testosterone enanthate. Pregnancies occurred in partners of 9 men with recent sperm counts of 10 million/ml or below. In 5 of the 9 instances, the sperm counts were less than 1 million/ml. It appears that male contraceptive methods involving spermatogenic suppression may require attainment and maintenance of azoospermia. The pregnancy rate cannot be calculated, because the extent of other contraceptive use is uncertain. There were no spontaneous abortions. 6 pregnancies were carried to term, and all progeny were normal, based on physical examination at birth or 3 months after birth.

Contraceptive Agents, Male↗

Progress in limb and digital replantation: Part B.

Progress in micro- or macroreplantation has resulted in higher survival rates of formerly amputated parts. Progress has been made as a result of intensive laboratory training and considerable experience due to the popular application of microsurgical techniques. More amputated digits or limbs may survive because the time of ischemia can be exceeded in using cold storage or perfusion. Homo- or heterodigital vessel transposition, expanded indications for vein graft interposition, as well as heterotopic transplantation allow for extremity preservation even in crush injuries, and in disastrous multiple amputations combined with contusion or avulsion. Nowadays, microvascular digital replantation with vessel anastomosis distal to the distal interphalangeal joint in adults is technically feasible. Finger amputations in children are a prime indication for replantation. Maintenance of extremity length is possible in applying external fixation. Emergency free flaps or compound tissue transfer under the "Urgence differée" condition may provide reliable soft tissue coverage. Secondary reconstruction with regard to bone defects, tendon repair, and eventual nerve grafting have to be aspired, finally leading to an improvement of functional results in daily and leisure activities as well as in early professional readaptation.

Adolescent↗

Pathologic findings at the time of nephrectomy for renal mass.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) have improved the diagnosis of solid renal masses. Nevertheless, some patients still undergo exploration for a presumptive diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and are found to have other pathology. We report a contemporary series of non-RCC renal masses (both incidental and symptomatic) among nephrectomies performed for suspected RCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All nephrectomies performed by the Urology Service at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center from July of 1989 through July of 1996 for a parenchymal renal mass were reviewed, and patients without a final diagnosis of RCC were identified. Cases were excluded if RCC was not suspected preoperatively. Presentation, preoperative radiographic evaluation, type of operation, and pathologic features were assessed. RESULTS: Of the 636 nephrectomies performed, 108 patients (16.9%) had a diagnosis other than RCC. CONCLUSIONS: Of patients undergoing nephrectomy for renal masses, 16.9% have other pathologic diagnoses. Sixty-six percent of these non-RCC masses are discovered incidentally, and the majority are treated with radical nephrectomy. Preoperative radiographic evaluation reflects both clinical presentation, with IVP used to evaluate symptomatic tumors, and diagnostic uncertainty, with multiple modalities used to evaluate cystic lesions. This information has important implications for preoperative counseling and surgical planning.

Adult↗

Combining the hDAF transgene with the GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor tirofiban improves heart performance and reduces myocardial damage following hyperacute rejection in an ex vivo perfusion model.

Xenograft rejection is associated with vascular injury resulting at least in part from platelet activation, and rejected xenografts invariably demonstrate intravascular thrombosis. Assuming that complement activation is a major determinant of humoral immune reactions bringing about platelet-endothelial cell interactions, we tested the effects of the specific platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor tirofiban in combination with the human decay accelerating factor (hDAF) transgene on hyperacute rejection of pig hearts. Four groups were studied in a working heart-perfusion model. Pig hearts transgenic for hDAF and nontransgenic pig hearts were perfused with human blood containing tirofiban or with unmodified human blood. Cardiac output, stroke work index, and creatine phosphokinases were measured for the evaluation of the extent of myocardial damage. Consumption of complement components was determined. Endothelial deposition of fibrin and intravascular thrombosis were evaluated. Tirofiban improved cardiac output and stroke work index of nontransgenic pig hearts and was able to further increase hemodynamic function of hDAF transgenic pig hearts. Low levels of creatine phosphokinases also revealed a cardioprotective effect of tirofiban. However, a further extension of the survival of hDAF transgenic pig hearts could not be achieved, although tirofiban prolonged beating time of nontransgenic pig hearts. Tirofiban was able to reduce the consumption of complement components independently of hDAF. Intravascular evidence of fibrin and thrombosis tended to be particularly reduced by the combination of tirofiban and hDAF. Thus, the application of tirofiban together with hDAF improves the performance of pig hearts by reducing myocardial damage and intravascular thrombosis.

Acute Disease↗

Mean xenograft survival of 14.6 days in a small group of hDAF-transgenic pig hearts transplanted orthotopically into baboons.

INTRODUCTION: In a discordant orthotopic xenotransplantation model (pig-to-baboon) donor pigs expressing human decay accelerating factor (hDAF) as a regulator of complement activity were used to prevent hyperacute xenograft rejection (HXR). We investigated a modified immunosuppressive therapy consisting of ERL080 (Novartis Pharma AG, Base, Switzerland), cyclosporin A (Neoral), steroids, and a cyclophosphamide (CyP) induction protocol with several reduced doses to prevent acute vascular rejection (AVR). METHODS: Donor hearts were harvested from hDAF-transgenic pigs (18.8 +/- 2.6 kg, Imutran Ltd., a Novartis Pharma AG Company). Four adult baboons (25.6 +/- 2.7 kg) with high titers of xenoreactive antibodies (XAb) served as recipients. Serological and hemodynamic parameters were measured. Finally, myocardial tissue was sampled for histological and immunohistochemical examinations. RESULTS: In the first baboon, an acute graft failure occurred after 1 hour due to preservation injury. The second succumbed after 11.1 day due to an acute renal failure. The third died after 13.1 days of an ileus. The fourth baboon had continuously excellent cardiac function (mean echocardiographic ejection fraction, 69.2%), but succumbed on day 20 due to anemia. Corrected mean xenograft survival (excluding the first baboon because of a technical failure) was 14.6 +/- 2.6 days. XAb decreased after day 3 to constantly low levels (<1:64 titer) after CyP induction. White blood cell count decreased from 10.3 +/- 0.8 to 0.9 +/- 0.3 G/L after day 3. Macroscopically and histologically no typical signs of HXR or severe AVR could be detected. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that hDAF transgen blocks HXR in this life-supporting model. AVR was prevented by using a modified quadruple immunosuppressive drug combination (Neoral, ERL080, steroids, and several small single doses of CyP). An optimum "fine-tuning" of immunosuppression is required to achieve the best risk-benefit ratio.

Animals↗