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S Anders

Publications and source records attributed to S Anders.

54 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

X-PEEM Study on Surface Orientation of Stylized and Rubbed Polyimides.

X-ray photoelectron emission microscopy (X-PEEM) was used to study the surface orientation of stylized and rubbed polyimide thin films. Using soft X-rays produced by a synchrotron light source, this technique combines high spatial resolution imaging with near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy to yield information on the surface orientation of the films. Stylizing is an ideal model of the rubbing process since the local stress acting on the polyimide to orient the molecules can be calculated. The minimum normal stress necessary to orient the surface of BPDA-PDA films was found to be 45 MPa much lower than the bulk yield stress of 200-300 MPa. Studies of the polyimide films oriented by the conventional rubbing method showed lateral inhomogeneities in the orientation of the polymer at the surface.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Spontaneous splenic hemorrhage in a patient with Wegener's granulomatosis.

We report the occurrence of spontaneous splenic hemorrhage in a patient with Wegener's granulomatosis. Pulmonary infiltrates, hemoptysis, and crescentic glomerulonephritis were accompanied by a progressive splenic enlargement with minimal abdominal symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging was particularly helpful. The spleen was removed by minimally invasive endoscopic surgery. Subcapsular hemorrhage had occurred because of splenic vasculitis. Postoperatively, a remission was achieved by a combination of high-dose corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide.

Endoscopy↗
PubMed1998

BM-40 (osteonectin, SPARC) is expressed both in the epidermal and in the dermal compartment of adult human skin.

BM-40 (Osteonectin, SPARC) is the most abundant glycoprotein secreted by human osteoblasts. In situ hybridization studies on the expression of BM-40 mRNA in murine tissues have demonstrated the highest levels of transcripts in bone, but expression was also observed in several other mesenchymal tissues. In contrast, little is known about the expression of BM-40 in human tissues, especially in skin. Total RNA obtained from normal human skin was analyzed by northern blotting and revealed a marked expression of BM-40. To analyze its expression in vivo, in situ hybridization was performed, demonstrating that BM-40 is expressed in fibroblasts, smooth muscle, and endothelial cells in the dermis. Interestingly, BM-40 mRNA was also detected throughout the basal, spinous, and granular layers in the epidermis of adult human skin. Further analysis by immunohistochemistry revealed a marked deposition in the dermis that was most intense directly below the basement membrane in the papillary dermis and around vascular as well as glandular structures. In the epidermis, BM-40 protein could be detected intercellularly in suprabasal layers. This finding is further supported by the intercellular deposition of BM40 detected by immunofluorescence in cultured keratinocytes. This study demonstrates that BM-40 that has previously been thought to be exclusively expressed in extracellular matrix producing cells may in fact play a role in differentiation and maintenance of the epidermis.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Laparoscopic rectum surgery in carcinoma].

Rectal cancer requires a special training in laparoscopic colorectal surgery because of its high requests in managing the operation. From August 1993 to March 1997, we performed 61 laparoscopic operations for rectal cancer in our hospital, 53 patients underwent a continence preserving resection and 8 patients a laparoscopic assisted abdominoperineal rectal exstirpation. 50 cases were curatively operated. In 11 patients only a palliative operation was feasible. The perioperative mortality was zero. Intra- and postoperative complications were seen in 7 cases (11.5%). Late complications were observed in another 6 patients (9.8%). 4 of the palliatively operated patients died in a median follow up of 17.5 months. After curative operation a tumor progression occurred in 6 patients (12%), 3 of them (6%) died within the follow up period. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of laparoscopic rectal cancer operations in any localization and with the same oncologic results as achieved with conventional approach.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Systemic scleroderma. Multicenter trial of 1 year of treatment with recombinant interferon gamma.

OBJECTIVE: To confirm significant improvement of the skin score in systemic sclerosis by treatment with interferon gamma in a larger group of patients and to investigate on a molecular level the influence of interferon gamma on collagen type I messenger RNA expression. DESIGN: Open, noncontrolled multicenter study. SETTING: Five outpatient clinics specializing in the care of systemic scleroderma. PATIENTS: Thirty-two patients suffering from the diffuse or limited form of systemic sclerosis and progressive disease were recruited; 20 patients finished the study. INTERVENTION: Each patient received interferon gamma, 50 micrograms subcutaneously 3 times a week for 1 year. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Skin score, collagen type I messenger RNA in skin biopsy specimens. RESULTS: The patients who completed the study showed an unchanged median skin score after 1 year of therapy. In addition, similar collagen type I messenger RNA levels were detected in skin biopsy specimens taken from involved skin before and after therapy in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of systemic scleroderma with interferon gamma is associated with stabilization of the skin score and lack of worsening of visceral involvement.

Female↗
PubMed1997

Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of intralesional interferon gamma for the treatment of localized scleroderma.

BACKGROUND: Localized scleroderma is characterized by circumscribed fibrotic plaques and may progress to widespread skin involvement and fibrosis. Interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of collagen synthesis and of the migration and proliferation of dermal fibroblasts. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether IFN-gamma is effective in the treatment of localized scleroderma. METHODS: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter study was conducted. Twenty-four patients with progressive lesions received 100 micrograms of IFN-gamma or placebo subcutaneously on 5 consecutive days for 2 weeks followed by 100 micrograms of IFN-gamma or placebo once weekly for 4 weeks. Thereafter patients were observed for 18 weeks. To determine whether improvement could be related to an altered level of collagen messenger RNA (mRNA), biopsy specimens were taken from uninvolved and involved skin before and after therapy. RESULTS: The patients treated with IFN-gamma or placebo showed no significant difference in size or fibrosis of lesions or collagen type I mRNA synthesis. However, a reduction in the number of new lesions was observed in the IFN-gamma-treated group. The biopsy specimens obtained from involved skin showed a moderate increase of type I collagen and a significant decrease in the small proteoglycan decorin mRNA levels. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that IFN-gamma is ineffective in the treatment of localized scleroderma, but may inhibit the development of new lesions.

Collagen↗
PubMed1997

[Laparoscopic splenic surgery--report of 17 personal cases].

Since the beginning of the decade we can remark an increasing of publications about laparoscopic approach in splenic surgery. We report about 17 unselected own cases (8 males, 9 females). Main indications were 12 hematologic diseases: 9 idiopathic thrombopenic purpuras, 1 hemolytic anemia, 1 Hodgkin's disease and 1 recurrent splenic infarction with hypersplenism and extramedulary hemapoiesis, further 1 unclear sepsis with focal lesions and splenomegaly, 1 dysontogenetic splenic cyst, 1 splenic co-affection of Wegener's disease, and 2 traumatic lesions. We performed in 13 cases asplenectomy, under these 1 time combined with a laparoscopic hernioplasty and 1 time with a complete staging, further in 1 case a partial splenic resection, in 1 case a diagnostic excision and in 2 cases a hemostyptic management without splenectomy. We had to convert in no case, the lethality rate was also 0. As a complication we noted one postoperative bleeding, we could managing also laparoscopically. Our mean operating time of 137 min was evident shorter than the published ones by other authors. Because of our good results and the excellent tolerance by patients we can recommend this proceeding. Nevertheless, it should be limited for surgeons with a large experience at laparoscopic centers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

'Staircase' replaces traditional pathways.

Tired of using traditional clinical pathways, case managers at an Arizona hospital developed a "staircase to wellness" for patients instead. The staircase approach allows more flexibility for the patient's recovery because it doesn't mandate certain procedures or goals be met on certain days. Instead, the patients follows certain "steps" to recovery in the preoperative, intensive care, recovery, and discharge portions of the hospital stay. Physicians and nurses like the new approach of mapping the patient's progress better than older methods because it allows for individual differences in patients and continuity of care is improved.

Arizona↗
PubMed1996

Co-ordinate induction of collagen type I and biglycan expression in keloids.

Proteoglycans are macromolecules displaying structural roles as well as regulatory functions in the maintenance of the extracellular matrix. Biglycan/PG-I and decorin/PG-II are two small proteoglycans that are structurally related but differ considerably in their localization in vivo and behaviour in vitro. Decorin and, to a minor extent, biglycan, can be located at the surface of type I collagen fibrils and have been shown to influence collagen fibrillogenesis. However, the physiological role of biglycan in the dermis is not known. Biopsies obtained from keloids were bisected and processed for total RNA extraction and immunohistochemistry. Northern blot analysis of total RNA obtained from keloids with high growth tendency in vivo showed a marked induction of biglycan and collagen alpha 1(I)mRNA expression in comparison with total RNA obtained from normal skin or keloids with little growth tendency. In contrast, decorin mRNA expression remained largely unaltered. Studying these biopsies by immunohistochemistry, decorin expression in the dermis was unaltered comparing normal and keloid tissue, whereas a markedly increased staining for biglycan was observed in the keloid tissue, which was most pronounced in the nodular formations, and was a characteristic feature of keloids. The altered expression of biglycan in keloid tissue might be involved in the abnormal regulation of extracellular matrix deposition either through the binding of growth factors or by influencing the three-dimensional organization of collagen fibres or associated molecules.

Biglycan↗
PubMed1990

Do infections induce monoclonal immunoglobulin components?

The incidental finding of monoclonal immunoglobulin components (MC) in some infections prompted us to study this phenomenon more systematically. Using isoelectric focusing with immunoblotting (detection limit for MC 0.1 mg/ml), the following infections were studied for the presence of MC: visceral leishmaniasis, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, echinococcosis and infectious mononucleosis. MC were found in 16 of 20 leishmania patients and in eight of 18 CMV patients, but in only one of 20 echinococcosis patients and in none of 30 infectious mononucleosis patients. The MC were mostly transient, where tested. A minority of the MC found in the leishmaniasis patients was shown to bind to leishmania antigens. The specificity of the majority of the MC remains unknown. Further study is required to explain the high incidence of MC in CMV infection and visceral leishmaniasis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Quantitative determination of immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses].

The four IgG subclasses differ with respect to structure and biological function. Within the last 26 years, numerous immunological methods have been developed to study the role of the individual subclasses in humoral immune response. Different methods for quantitative IgG-subclass determinations are discussed with special reference to reliability and standardization. The clinical indications for measuring IgG-subclass levels are listed.

Humans↗
PubMed1990

[Immunoglobulin G subclass deficiency in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive bronchitis].

In 99 patients with asthma or chronic obstructive bronchitis immunoglobulins and immunoglobulin-G subclasses were measured to characterize the frequency of humoral immune deficiencies. 26 patients had decreased serum levels in one or two IgG subclasses. So IgG-subclass deficiency is a common finding in patients with asthma and obstructive bronchitis. Treatment with corticosteroids seems to promote low IgG-subclass levels, but cannot fully explain alterations of IgG subclasses. Today IgG-subclass deficiencies are regarded as an important factor in the susceptibility to recurrent infections. We think, variation in IgG subclasses may have further effects on the noninfectious inflammatory processes of asthma and obstructive bronchitis.

Asthma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Total knee arthroplasty and high tibial osteotomy in osteoarthritis--results of a survey in traumatic surgery and orthopedic clinics].

AIM: Knee arthroplasties, both total (TKA) and unicondylar, as well as high tibial osteotomy (HTO) represent the main treatment options in severe osteoarthritis of the knee. The aim of this study was to collect detailed information regarding the current treatment strategies in Germany. METHODS: 220 departments of orthopaedic surgery and 250 departments of trauma surgery were asked about their treatment strategies in an anonymous nation-wide survey regarding the different operative procedures in HTO, TKA, revision TKA and related issues. Univariate analyses were performed and means, medians and rates were calculated. RESULTS: Questionnaire forms were answered by 54 % of the departments. The survey represents 31 138 TKA for the year 2002. In the mean 137 TKA were performed in each department. Posterior cruciate ligament retaining components were used in 67 %, resurfacing of the patella was performed in 19 % of cases. The incidence of revision TKA is about 10 % compared to the primary TKA cases. In comparison to a different survey from the year 1995, the absolute number of primary and revision TKA has increased by a factor of nearly three. Compared to the number of TKA, the proportion of HTO has declined to 12 % and the number of unicondylar knee arthroplasties represents 7 % of all cases. CONCLUSION: In the surgical treatment of severe osteoarthritis, TKA shows a highly increasing number, whereas HTO is decreasing. An increasing number of revision TKA can be observed. There is trend towards the cemented implantation technique. Patella resurfacing is not performed routinely in most German hospitals.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Current treatment modalities for cartilage defects at the knee--results of a nation-wide survey of surgical trauma and orthopaedic clinics in Germany].

AIM: A local cartilage defect at the knee is mostly followed by arthritis after a period of time. Up to now there are no options to adequately regenerate hyaline cartilage in vivo. Hence, the present strategies try to create a repair tissue with hyaline-like characteristics or to repair defects by transplanting autologous osteochondral cylinders. The objective of this study was to collect data about the current treatment of local cartilage defects of the knee in Germany. METHOD: In a countrywide anonymous survey, 250 German trauma surgery and 220 orthopaedic surgery departments were asked about their diagnostic procedures and their treatment strategies when addressing a local cartilage defect of the knee. RESULTS: 230 (48.9 %) of the questionnaires were returned and evaluated. We found differences between the two specialities: the orthopaedic departments are more progressive in applying autologous chondrocyte transplantation (ACT) (28.3 % versus 13.6 %) and osteochondral transplantation (OCT) (69.1 % versus 56.3 %). Only 5.2 % of the German surgeons perform periostal grafting for local cartilage defects. CONCLUSION: There are still discrepancies about the therapy for local cartilage defects of the knee. Our survey illustrates the present status of cartilage repair strategies in Germany.

Cartilage↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Risk factors associated with heterotopic ossifications in primary total hip arthroplasty].

AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the important predisposing factors associated with heterotopic ossifications (HO) after total hip arthroplasty. METHOD: 589 patients were examined 6 months after primary total hip arthroplasty with regard to periarticular ossifications. Several predetermining factors were evaluated using the hospitalization records and preoperative X-ray examination. RESULTS: A significantly increased frequency of heterotopic ossifications was found for male gender, patients with very high body mass index (BMI), low preoperative range of motion (ROM), long duration of operation and large preexistent osteophytes (p < 0.05). Only one out of the one hundred patients with an BMI < 22.6 developed severe HO (Brooker III). Out of the one hundred patients with the best preoperative ROM (> or = 140 degrees ) only one case developed severe ossifications (Brooker III). There was no correlation with the use of acrylic bone cement or the patient's age. The frequency of HO was significantly reduced both as well by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs as from postoperative radiation prophylaxis. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty with low preoperative ROM in the hip joint, large osteophytes and a very high BMI an efficient prophylaxis against HO is of great importance.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Suicidal electrocution using timers. Case reports and review of the literature].

Suicidal electrocution using a time switch is relatively rare. Based on two cases from the authors' own forensic material and seven cases from literature peculiarities regarding the concomitant intake of medicines (benzodiazepines) and alcohol are discussed and comments are made how to proceed in the criminal and forensic investigation of such cases.

Adult↗