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Biomedical subjects

S Albrecht

Publications and source records attributed to S Albrecht.

157 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

[Leukocyte migration inhibition and leukocyte adherence inhibition (LMI- and LAI-assay) in cancer patients by using preparations from human fetuses].

The sensitization of lymphocytes from patients with different tumors was tested against a 3 M KCl-extract of fetal tissue (3.--6. month) by the leukocyte adherence inhibition assay (LAI) and by the leukocyte migration inhibition assay (LMI). Sensitization was compared with the reactivity of controls without any detectable tumor. In the LAI assay the leukocytes of 13/15 patients and 2/12 controls showed an inhibition of the adherence. In the LMI-assay 11/17 tumor-bearing patients and 6/18 controls reacted positive in the presence of the antigen preparation. The two methods demonstrated that patients bearing tumors of different histology are sensitized to fetal antigens.

Animals↗

Chemiluminometric determination of tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA), cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in comparison with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in follow-up of breast cancer.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA), cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were measured in 314 sera of breast cancer patients and in 58 sera of women without breast cancer. VEGF was determined using a sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique (ELISA) and the tumour markers TPA, CA 15-3 and CEA with an immunoluminometric assay (ILMA). The breast cancer patients were staged according to the TNM classification stages 0-IV (by UICC) in patient groups with a compatible prognosis. Median and range of each stage were investigated. The cut-off values (95th and 97.5th percentile of control group) of VEGF, TPA, CA15-3 and CEA were determined; sensitivities for each parameter and for all combinations of two parameters were investigated for these cut-offs and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated. The differences between the control group and stages 0-3 were shown to be non-significant for CA 15-3 and CEA but significant for VEGF and TPA. Significant differences were found in stage 4 for VEGF and all three markers. The increase in sensitivity of VEGF from stage 0 to stage 3 and the decrease from stage 3 to stage 4 can be interpreted based on the role of VEGF in the angiogenesis. The quantification of VEGF could give additional information for selecting patients for systemic adjuvant therapy.

Adult↗

Determination of serum oxalate using peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence of free oxalic acid.

We describe a new sensitive and specific method for determination of oxalate in human serum. By using the chemiluminescence decay of monoperoxyoxalic acid very low concentrations of oxalate (200 nmol/L) can be determined. The mean serum oxalate level in apparently healthy controls was 14.5 +/- 8.5 mumol/L. Supplementation of ascorbic acid leads to an increase in serum oxalate level. While serum oxalate concentrations of calcium oxalate stone formers (x = 16.4 +/- 9.8 mumol/L) are not significantly different from the control group, an extreme increase of serum oxalate is evident in haemodialysis patients. The serum oxalate concentration decreased during dialysis treatment from 141.4 +/- 32.1 mumol/L to 36.4 +/- 12.7 mumol/L.

Ascorbic Acid↗

Measurement of free radicals and NO by chemiluminescence to identify the reperfusion injury in renal transplantation.

Oxygen free radicals are generated during the reperfusion of ischaemic organs. Several experimental studies have demonstrated that the damage produced by reperfusion can be prevented by a scavenger of free radicals. Furthermore, a significantly improved 5 year graft survival rate after cadaveric renal transplantation has been reported in patients treated with scavengers of free radicals (Land et al., 1993). Therefore, a question remains to be answered: whether a routine monitoring of the radical-mediated reperfusion injury with renal transplantation is useful, and whether there is a necessity for a generalized protective treatment in transplant patients. In a prospective trial, we evaluated a group of eight patients during and after renal cadaveric transplantation (three men, five women), using the chemiluminometric measurement of serum free radicals and NO. The serum quantities of free radicals and NO were significantly increased after reperfusion of the transplant kidney (p < 0.02). The mean time of noticeably increased levels of serum free radicals was 4.8 +/- 1.2 h after reperfusion. The results thus showed an increased liberation of free radicals in the peripheral blood of transplant recipients as possible evidence of free radicals-mediated reperfusion injury in renal transplantation. The generation of free radicals measured by chemiluminescence allow a controlled therapy to decrease the generation of free radicals with antioxidants during the early transplantation period e.g. in older recipients.

Adult↗

[Cryotherapy as analgesic technique in direct, postoperative treatment following elective joint replacement].

The application of crushed ice or hydrogenated silicate, a micro-crystalline substitute has been used as a method to treat posttraumatic and postoperative irritations of the locomotor system for a long time. Closed systems using pumps can be viewed as further development as they enable continuous, water-free cooling of operating areas. The analgetic effect of postoperative cold therapy was evaluated in a prospective clinical trial, including 312 patients after total knee or hip arthroplasty. Conventional cold packs, consisting of microcrystalline silicate were compared to a continuous applicable closed system. Continuous cryotherapy resulted in a depression of skin temperature to 12 degrees C, whereas intermittent cooling only caused a mean temperature decrease of 1 degree C. Clinically continuous cold application leads to a more than 50% decrease of analgetic demands in both, systemic and regional application (p < 0.001). This observation was found in a significant correlation with patient's pain sensation as well as primary range of motion. Intermittent cryotherapy was found to be ineffective in postoperative pain relieve in hip- and adequate in knee arthroplasty patients. We could not report an influence on postoperative blood loss, as discussed in previous reports.

Aged↗

[Repositioning injuries of nerve root L5 after surgical treatment of high degree spondylolistheses and spondyloptosis--in vitro studies].

Temporary or persistent paralysis of the fifth lumbar nerve root have been frequently reported as complications following reposition of high degree spondylolisthesis. According to an outcome analysis of sixty-four patients, we found an increased incidence of motor damages after reduction of Meyerding degree four anterolisthesis or spondyloptosis. There were no signs of intradural root compression or nerve injury tracable. In order to detect extraforaminal strictures, the anatomic course of the lumbosacral plexus and its relation to neighbouring structures, especially pelvivertebral connective tissue junctions were recorded in cadavric measurements. Beside an number of variations in origin and course of the iliolumbar ligament complex, we observed a junction between os sacrum and the anterior part of the fifth lumbar vertebrae in 14/30 specimen, constantly running anterior to the fifth lumbar nerve root. In addition the nerve was fixed to the sacral periostium a few centimeters distal this crossing in about 20% of all cases. Pathophysiological effects were measured in reposition trials, using a continuous pressure monitoring system. A reposition of more than 20 mm resulted in a perineural pressure > 30 mmHg. This caused a nerve fiber deformation at the edge of the compressed nerve segment. Increased pressure leads to a nodular displacement of perineural fat as well as intraneural fascicles.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

The safe use of anaesthetics and muscle relaxants in older surgical patients.

Age greater than or equal to 75 years is not a special risk for adverse outcomes after general anaesthesia on its own but an indicator of risk. Biological or physiological age expressed by preoperative health status is much more important than chronological age. The type of anaesthesia seems to play no, or only a minor role. It is, however, most important to reduce the dosage considerably. As a rule of thumb, the dosage should be reduced by 10 to 15% for every decade over the age of 40. In addition, patients must be monitored extensively intra- and postoperatively, ideally in an intensive care setting. The controversy concerning regional versus general anaesthesia should be studied further. Regional anaesthesia techniques like high spinal or epidural anaesthesia that are haemodynamically effective do not reduce morbidity and mortality postoperatively but have the risk of profound hypertension. Peripheral blockades and spinal or epidural anaesthesia without additional sedation may, however, be associated with a reduced incidence of complications. The reduced reserves of geriatric patients demand for experienced anaesthetists and surgeons as well as intense intra- and postoperative monitoring. To secure a short recovery period, we recommend administration of short-acting drugs like propofol, midazolam, alfentanil, vecuronium, atracurium or isoflurane in appropriately reduced dosages.

Aged↗

Monoclonal antibodies to surfactant protein D: evaluation of immunoreactivity in normal rat lung and in a radiation-induced fibrosis model.

This report describes the development of a new panel of monoclonal antibodies established after immunization of mice with purified surfactant protein D of the rat. To enhance the detection of SP-D in formalin- or Schaffer-fixed samples, immunohistochemistry was performed by using microwave pretreatment of paraffin sections. Using these new antibodies that bind to type II epithelial cells, Clara cells, and alveolar macrophages, the responses of lung parenchymal cells were examined in a radiation-induced fibrosis model. Increased accumulation of extracellular SP-D in the alveolar space was found. Double staining with anti-surfactant protein A antibodies revealed different Clara cell populations containing one or both types of surfactant proteins.

Animals↗

Handedness and the laterality of breast cancer in women.

In a pilot study of 138 women with mastectomies that explored the consistent finding of more left breast cancer in American women, associations were found among handedness, initial breast cancer laterality, and age. To test these findings further, 889 subjects were added to the original sample. The resulting sample of 1,027 consisted of 861 right-handed, 94 ambihanded, and 72 left-handed subjects aged 21 to 84. A chi-square test showed a statistically significant association between ipsilateral breast cancer before age 45 and contralateral breast cancer after age 44 in right-handers, chi 2 (1, n = 861) = 4.169, p less than .05. The association was also significant for left-handers, chi 2 (1, n = 72) = 4.036, p less than .05. In addition, a chi-square test showed a statistically significant association between handedness and earlier development of breast cancer, chi 2 (1, n = 933) = 13.9, p less than .01. Almost twice as high a percentage of left-handers as right-handers developed breast cancer before age 45. Log-linear analysis demonstrated no significant associations of nodes with either handedness or age. Overall, there was no statistically significant association between the laterality of breast cancer and a history of breast cancer in a primary relative, chi 2 (1, n = 1,024) = 1.38, p greater than .05. In some presently unknown way, lateral asymmetries of neurotransmitters may contribute to an explanation of the findings.

Adult↗

Symptomatic choroid plexus xanthogranuloma of the lateral ventricle. Case report and brief critical review of xanthogranulomatous lesions of the brain.

Xanthogranulomas of the choroid plexus are found relatively frequently at autopsy; however only 8 cases of symptomatic choroid plexus xanthogranuloma of the lateral ventricle have been reported. We describe an additional case in a 63-year-old man who presented with headache. A well circumscribed mass located in the trigone of the right lateral ventricle and extending into the periventricular white matter was detected on imaging studies. The clinical impression was metastasis. The resected material had the typical histological appearance of a xanthogranuloma of the choroid plexus. The clinical and histopathologic features of these lesions are reviewed and other xanthogranulomatous processes involving the brain are briefly discussed.

Calcinosis↗