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Biomedical subjects

R Hofmann

Publications and source records attributed to R Hofmann.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

[Pharmacotherapy of voice and articulation disorders in aphasia].

The phonation and articulation disorders in a group of aphasics with aphonia/dysarthrophonia could be considerably reduced by the use of medication. The group consisted of 10 apoplectic patients whose resulting aphasia could not be classified because of the vocal impairment. Extrapyramidal motion disorders were proved by laryngoscopy and stroboscopy. A definite improvement of phonation and articulation was observed after L-dopa medication.

Aphasia↗
PubMed1990

[Laser lithotripsy with the neodymium YAG laser].

Laser-induced shock wave lithotripsy (LISL) with a Q-switched neodymium-YAG laser depends on the generation of a laser-induced breakdown in the fluid surrounding the stone. An oscillating plasma bubble is created, directing shock waves towards the stone. These cavitational effects fragment the calculus into small particles. A new bifunctional laser is introduced: this allows both nanosecond pulses for shock wave generation and disintegration of urinary calculi and millisecond pulses for biliary stones and tissue coagulation. It can be supplied with 320-, 400-, and 600-micron fibers. We have treated 189 ureteric stones in 185 patients with laser lithotripsy utilizing flexible ureteroscopes (n = 26) or rigid ureteroscopes (n = 159). It proved possible to fragment 179 stones into small pieces. In eight patients LISL was not successful. A rigid cystoscope that can be dismantled into an upper and lower hemisheath for the introduction of flexible endoscopes into the ureter without prior dilatation of the ureteral orifice was used in 15 patients.

Cystoscopes↗
PubMed1989

First clinical experience with a Q-switched neodymium:YAG laser for urinary calculi.

Animal studies using a high intensity nanosecond pulsed neodymium:YAG laser did not reveal any serious tissue damage. Following these investigations patient treatment was begun in June 1987. Laser energy of a neodymium:YAG laser with an 8 nsec. pulse duration and a repetition rate of up to 50 Hz. was coupled into a flexible 600 resp. 400 micron. quartz fiber. Laser-induced breakdown was created with 35 to 50 mJ. at the fiber tip, resulting in a shock wave that disintegrated the calculus into tiny fragments. A total of 56 patients with 58 calculi (54 ureteral and 4 kidney stones) was treated from June 1987 to March 1988. Of the calculi 48 could be fragmented completely, while 6 others were reduced to a size small enough to be removed with forceps. Four stones composed of calcium oxalate monohydrate could not be disintegrated. The combination of laser stone disintegration with flexible ureterorenoscopy implies the possibility of an atraumatic, 1-step procedure for fragmentation of ureteral and kidney calculi.

Endoscopy↗
PubMed1989

Changes in oligosaccharides of human blood cells measured by tritium- and FITC-labeled lectins after in vitro- and in vivo-irradiation--lectin binding as a 'biological dosemeter'?

The lectin-binding system has been described previously as a biological dosimeter, by revealing induced changes in oligosaccharides of the cell membrane. The measurements were performed by binding [3H]concanavalin A to blood cells. Our results on human blood cells irradiated in vitro with doses in the range 0.5-5 Gy indicate great difficulties in using radioactive labeled Con-A for an accurate quantitative analysis of radiation effects on cell membranes. It appears nearly impossible to differentiate between only a few damaged cells and the remaining undamaged cells. Using fluorescein-labeled Con-A and wheat germ agglutinin, single-cell measurements of fluorescence intensity by flow cytometry revealed enhanced lectin-binding to platelets, lymphocytes and monocytes in the dose range 0.5-5 Gy after in vitro irradiation. But even by this method it was impossible to discriminate irradiations in either partial or whole-body irradiated patients. There were no significant or reproducible changes in the binding capacities of the blood-cell membranes of these patients. Therefore, the suitability of lectin binding as a 'biological indicator' for irradiation could not be confirmed.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Incidence, causes and follow-up of doubtful smear findings (Papanicolaou group III)].

Suspect smears of 622 patients from 1977-1986 were analysed for their causes and followed up until the definite cytologic or histologic result. In relation to the overall material of 97,963 cases the rate of suspect smears (group Pap. III) was between 1.18 and 0.27%, i.e. an average of 0.68%. The most frequent reasons for the classification "suspect" were inflammatory (42.4%), metaplastic or degenerative changes (16.1%) and doubtful pre-cancer (30.6%). 58% of all cases became negative under cytological control and antimicrobial therapy or hormonal substitution; of these 91.4% converted into negative within 6 months. The histological examination carried out on 230 patients revealed pre-cancer (CIN I-III) in 201 cases; cancer was proved in 5 cases. Compared to the whole population that is a rate of 33.1%. 24 cases were to be found negative. 139 Multiparae (67.6%) were to be found in the group of the 206 histological positive cases. 151 women (74%) had taken hormonal contraceptives. The rate of suspect smears should not exceed one per cent.

Cervix Uteri↗
PubMed1989

[Oral hygiene analysis, prosthesis hygiene and prosthesis stomatitis of old aged people--conclusions for gerostomatological care].

The oral health behaviour of old aged people, especially by pensioners in old people's homes or nursing homes is unsatisfactory, and is influenced from different social factors and social conditions. People with insufficient oral and prosthesis hygiene fall more frequent ill with prosthesis stomatitis compared to prosthesis wearers with clean artificial dentures. In addition the dental prosthesis care is not a part of daily personal hygiene in these investigated old people's homes. Patients and nurses are inadequate enlightened of oral hygiene measures.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Incidence of spontaneous and provoked coronary spasms after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

We studied the incidence of spontaneous and ergonovine-induced coronary arterial spasm during repeat coronary angiography in 96 consecutive patients with single-vessel disease who had undergone successful angioplasty. Follow-up angiography was performed after a mean of 6 months (1-8 months). Sixty patients demonstrated no restenosis and in 36 patients restenosis (greater than 50% restenosis) occurred. Spasms of the arteries at the site of dilatation were significantly (P less than 0.001) more frequent in patients with restenosis (18/36; 50%) than in patients without restenosis (4/60; 7%). Before angioplasty, no differences were found in the clinical characteristics between the two groups. Likewise, the morphologic results of angioplasty were identical. Despite long-term treatment with nifedipine (30-60 mg daily) and aspirin (0.5 g daily), 14 of 18 patients with restenosis and coronary spasm suffered from spontaneous angina, as compared to only 3 of 18 patients with restenosis without demonstrable spasm. Three of the 4 patients without restenosis but with detectable spasm were also symptomatic. Thus our findings suggest that spasm of the coronary arteries achieves some importance as a pathophysiological factor for recurrence following coronary angioplasty.

Angina Pectoris↗
PubMed1988

Laser induced shock wave lithotripsy--biologic effects of nanosecond pulses.

Laser energy of a Nd-YAG laser (1064 nm. wave length, 8 nsec pulse duration) was directed against various tissue cultures and the urothelium of the ureter, bladder and kidney parenchyma in pigs. Single pulse energy was 50 to 120 mJ with a repetition rate of 20 Hz. Urothelium and kidney parenchyma were irradiated in seven pigs. Tissue samples were examined histologically and electron microscopically directly, two, four, eight and 12 days after irradiation. No macroscopic lesion could be found. Maximum energy caused a small 'rupture cone' of 40 micron. depth. No thermic effects or necrosis resulted, so that no harm is to be expected with unintentional irradiation during laser stone disintegration.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Use of pulsed Nd:YAG laser in the ureter.

An Nd-YAG laser of 1064-nm wavelength, 8-nanosecond pulse duration, and single-pulse energy of 20 to 80 mJ can create shock waves with a peak pressure of 1000 bar in less than 4 nanoseconds. The safety of this laser has been demonstrated in cultured cells, whole blood, and porcine urothelium. Clinically, ureteral calculi have been removed from 24 of 27 patients.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

[Intravenous thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarct. Clinical and angiography results in 124 patients and the significance of early revascularization].

124 patients with evolving acute myocardial infarction received high-dose intravenous streptokinase (1.5 Mio U within 60 min i.v.). Hospital mortality was 4% and 11% of the patients suffered from a streptokinase-related complication (most frequent bleeding problems). All complications could be treated medically. The angiographic control in 111 patients (90%) after a mean of 11 +/- 8 days after thrombolysis demonstrated a patent antegrade perfused infarct-artery in 85 patients (77%). From the first 55 patients only 16% had a revascularization procedure. An early revascularization in 39 patients (57%) of the last 69 patients reduced the reinfarction rate from 15 to 7%. The hospital mortality was not influenced (3.6 vs 4.3%). High-dose i.v. streptokinase-application is associated with low treatable complication rates and clinically relevant reperfusion rates. An early revascularization (coronary angioplasty, bypass-surgery) reduces the reinfarction rate to about 50% and improves left ventricular function.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

[Morphologic examination of the urothelium after irradiation with laser energy].

The energy of a Nd-YAG laser (1,064 nm wave length, 8 ns pulse duration) was used to irradiate the urothelium of the ureter or bladder and kidney parenchyma in pigs. Single pulse energy was 50-120 mJ with a 20-Hz repetition rate. The horizontal laser beam was reflected 90 degrees down by a 100% mirror and with a specially designed apparatus focussed on the surface of the tissue. Laser light from a quartz glass fiber was also focussed directly onto the tissue. Urothelium and kidney parenchyma were irradiated in 7 pigs. Tissue samples were examined histologically and raster electron microscopically 2, 4, 8 and 12 days after irradiation. No macroscopic lesion could be found. Maximum energy caused a small cone of 40 micron depth. No thermic effects or necrosis resulted, so that no harm is to be expected with unintentional irradiation.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Activity of phagocytic granulocytes in patients with prostatic cancer.

Chemilumenescence (CL) occurs due to the phagocytosis of bacteria and of tumor cells by polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). Levels of CL were measured in patients with prostatic cancer and from normal subjects. Patients with advanced disease (stage C, D) showed no elevated CL levels as compared to healthy individuals or patients with minimal disease (stage A, B). Following external radiation therapy in patients with stage A-C prostatic carcinoma high levels of CL were recorded. Estrogen medication also resulted in increased CL levels, while estramustine did not affect phagocytic activity. Intradermal BCG vaccination caused increased PMN activity. Progressive prostatic cancer in hormone treated patients was associated with increased CL as compared to patients with stable or regressive disease.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1985

Familial paracentric inversion inv(2)(q31q36).

A paracentric inversion of chromosome 2 is described for the first time. The breakpoints were localized in the bands q31 and q36. The paracentric inversion was initially identified in a female with repeated abortions and thereafter detected in eight other family members over three generations. The meiotic consequences and the risk for liveborn unbalanced chromosomal recombinants is discussed.

Abortion, Habitual↗