Biomedical subjects

S Meyer

Publications and source records attributed to S Meyer.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

A sensitive, continuously recording fluorogenic assay for calpain.

We have developed a sensitive and continuously recording fluorogenic assay for the thiol protease calpain. This assay uses the dipeptide substrate Suc-Leu-Tyr-4-Methoxy-2-Naphthylamine (Suc-LY-MNA) in Tris buffer (pH 7.5) in the presence of 0.1% CHAPS. The assay is linear over a wide range of enzyme concentration and is capable of detecting 10 picomolar calpain making it more sensitive than any previously published method. Moreover, this assay gives a rate that is linear for over ten minutes making it useful for mechanistic studies of inhibitors. This assay can be easily adapted to a 96-well plate format facilitating the large scale screening of inhibitors.

Calpain↗

PubMed1998

Compilation of human mtDNA control region sequences.

This paper describes the organisation of a database for human mitochondrial control-region sequences. The data are divided into three ASCII files that contain aligned sequences from the hypervariable region I (HVRI), from the hypervariable region II (HVRII), and the available information about the individuals, from whom the sequences stem. The current collection comprises 4079 HVRI and 969 HVRII sequences. From 728 individuals sequences of both HVRI and HVRII are available. For easy access, the collection is made available to the scientific community via World Wide Web at URL http://www.zi.biologie.uni-muenchen.de/[symbol: see text]meyers/mtdna.html

Computer Communication Networks↗

PubMed1998

Do bladder neck mobility and urethral sphincter function differ during pregnancy compared with during the non-pregnant state?

The aim of the study was to assess and compare urethral sphincter (US) function and bladder neck (BN) behavior in pregnant and non-pregnant women. Urethral pressure profile parameters, intravaginal-anal pressures and BN position/mobility were compared in both pregnant and non-pregnant women. It was found that pregnancy results in a decreased maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP)/area of continence at rest and at stress, decreased pressure-transmission ratio (PTR) values and backwards displacement of the bladder neck. No significant changes in intravaginal-anal pressures and BN mobility/downwards displacement were seen. Compared with stress continent pregnant patients, pregnant patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) have a lower MUCP at rest/stress and area of continence at stress, but show no difference in BN behavior. Regression analysis shows no correlation between advancing pregnancy and any of these parameters. It was concluded that pregnancy induces diminished US function and backwards displacement of the BN. Compared to continent pregnant patients, pregnant women with SUI also have a diminished US function. US parameters are not significantly modified by advancing pregnancy.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Lupus erythematosus/lichen ruber planus overlap syndrome. 5 cases in a patient sample of the Erlangen University Dermatology Clinic (1894-1995)].

The simultaneous occurrence of lupus erythematosus (LE)- and lichen ruber (LP)-like symptoms is called LE/LP-overlap syndrome (LE/LP-OS). It is defined by concomitant clinical, histologic and immunhistologic features of both diseases. To date, 47 cases of this rare dermatosis have been reported with marked differences in the skin lesions: They are either of intermediate appearance between LE and LP (type I = intermediate type), or show a coexistence of LE- and LP-specific lesions (type II = polar type). To determine the frequency and characteristics of the LE/LP-OS we reviewed our LE-patients from 1984-1995. 5 cases were diagnosed. The frequency of LE/LP-OS in our patients is higher than generally assumed. Due to its variable clinical, histological and immunhistological appearance and the lack of unequivocal pathognomonic signs, this overlap-dermatosis may be underdiagnosed. Since therapeutic consequences result from the diagnosis, criteria are suggested to facilitate the recognition of the LE/LP-OS.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Milky spots in the greater omentum are predominant sites of local tumour cell proliferation and accumulation in the peritoneal cavity.

The role that milky spots in the greater omentum play in tumour cell spread in the peritoneal cavity is presently not fully understood. To study whether intraperitoneally injected tumour cells appear preferentially in milky spots of the greater omentum and to study the changes in the greater omentum, and especially in the cell population of milky spots after tumour cell infiltration, the following study was performed. A detailed temporal sequences of changes in morphology and cellular composition in milky spots of the greater omentum of Wag/Rij rats 5, 15, 30, 60 min, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24 h, 2, 4, 8 days and 2 and 4 weeks after intraperitoneal administration of 2.0 x 10(6) CC 531 tumour cells was investigated by light microscopy and electron microscopy (pre-embedding labelling). Our data showed that the milky spots in the greater omentum were the sites to which tumour cells migrated preferentially from the peritoneal cavity. The tumour cells infiltrated the milky spots and formed clusters within. The cellular population in milky spots reacted by a very rapid influx of young macrophages during the first hour and an increase of the total number of cells (P < 0.01). After 4 h tumour cells were also located on the greater omentum outside the area of the milky spots. Around these tumour cell deposits, new milky spots are formed, which increased the total number of milky spots. The cells present in milky spots are not capable of reversing the growth of tumours and finally a solid omental cake of tumour cells is formed.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

The effects of birth on urinary continence mechanisms and other pelvic-floor characteristics.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of delivery on bladder and anorectal functions. METHODS: One hundred forty-nine nulliparas were studied once during pregnancy and again about 9 weeks after delivery by means of questionnaire, clinical examination, perineal sonography, urethral pressure profiles, and recording of intravaginal and intra-anal pressures during pelvic-floor contraction. RESULTS: Stress urinary incontinence was present in 46 patients (31%) during pregnancy and persisted in ten of them after delivery. After vaginal delivery, urinary and fecal incontinence were present in 36% and 4% of forceps-delivered women, respectively, and in 21% and 5.5% of spontaneously delivered women. Bladder neck mobility was increased significantly after all vaginal births, whereas bladder neck position at rest was lowered only in forceps-delivered women. Functional urethral length was decreased in the supine and standing positions after spontaneous and forceps deliveries. Otherwise, indices of urethral sphincter function were unchanged or improved after vaginal delivery. A significant decrease in intravaginal pressure and in intra-anal pressure was observed in all vaginally delivered women. The intra-anal pressure decrease correlated significantly with infant weight (r=0.24, P=.01). Women who underwent cesarean had no specific complaints and only slight modifications of these measurements. CONCLUSION: After spontaneous and instrumental deliveries, 21% and 34% of women complained of stress urinary incontinence and 5.5% and 4% reported fecal incontinence, respectively. Substantial bladder neck hypermobility was present together with diminished functional urethral length and intravaginal and intra-anal pressures. Only 22% of patients with stress urinary incontinence during pregnancy had such incontinence after delivery.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Stimulated pressure profile at rest: a noninvasive method for assessing urethral sphincter function.

OBJECTIVES: To validate a method for assessing urethral sphincter muscle function by recording rises in intraurethral pressure during repetitive pudendal nerve stimulations. METHODS: A supine urethral pressure profile at rest was performed on 12 stress-continent and 28 stress-incontinent patients during repetitive pudendal nerve stimulations applied near the ischial spine, and the intraurethral pressure increases were calculated for each third of the urethral functional length. RESULTS: No significant difference in intraurethral pressure increases was seen between continent and stress-incontinent women. On the various regression curves, the intraurethral pressure increases showed a significant correlation with maximal urethral closure pressure values at rest and at stress (r = 0.36 to 0.54) and with the patient's age (r = 0.46), but not with pudendal nerve conduction times to the urethral sphincter on either side (r = 0.14 and 0.19). CONCLUSIONS: This method (1) measures intraurethral pressure increases that correlate well with the anatomic location of the urethral sphincter muscle, (2) shows there is no significant difference between them in continent and stress-incontinent patients, except in patients with a low-pressure urethra, and (3) demonstrates that they correlate well with the maximal urethral closure pressure and the patient's age, but not with pudendal motor latencies to the urethral sphincter. This method gives us a mapping of the urethral sphincter activity, explaining why some patients with a low-pressure urethra have less urinary loss than others with the same urethral closure pressure.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Pharmacokinetics of a recombinant amino terminal fragment of bactericidal/permeability increasing protein (rBPI21) after liver surgery in rats and humans.

Major liver resections are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Gut-derived bacteria and bacterial endotoxin (LPS) are considered to play a central role in the pathophysiology of these complications. Like human BPI, rBPI21 binds to LPS from Gram-negative bacteria. By binding and clearing of LPS, rBPI21 can inhibit a number of endotoxin-induced humoral and cellular responses. Because of this capacity, rBPI21 could partially compensate for the loss of hepatic mononuclear phagocytic system function after liver resection. However, the liver is also thought to be an important organ for the clearance of BPI, and reduction of liver mass could result in a decreased clearance and exceedingly high plasma levels of rBPI21. In this study we therefore investigated the pharmacokinetics of rBPI21 in rats and in patients undergoing a major liver resection. Rats were administered an intravenous (i.v.) bolus of rBPI21 after undergoing a 60% or 80% hepatectomy (with sham-operated controls). Patients undergoing a hemihepatectomy and healthy volunteers received rBPI21 or placebo by continuous i.v. infusion for 48 h. Plasma concentrations were measured by sandwich ELISA. In rats, 60% hepatectomy did not consistently change the clearance of rBPI21, whereas 80% hepatectomy decreased the clearance of rBPI21 severalfold. In hemihepatectomized patients, the clearance of rBPI21 after major hepatectomy was also slower, when compared with healthy volunteers, but this difference had disappeared within 24 h. Our data indicate that the administration of rBPI21 in patients undergoing liver resection is well tolerated and does not result in exceedingly high plasma levels. Additional studies on the efficacy of rBPI21 in the prevention of complications after hepatectomy are needed.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Mapping intercellular CO2 mole fraction (Ci) in rosa rubiginosa leaves fed with abscisic acid by using chlorophyll fluorescence imaging. Significance Of ci estimated from leaf gas exchange

Imaging of photochemical yield of photosystem II (PSII) computed from leaf chlorophyll fluorescence images and gas-exchange measurements were performed on Rosa rubiginosa leaflets during abscisic acid (ABA) addition. In air ABA induced a decrease of both the net CO2 assimilation (An) and the stomatal water vapor conductance (gs). After ABA treatment, imaging in transient nonphotorespiratory conditions (0.1% O2) revealed a heterogeneous decrease of PSII photochemical yield. This decline was fully reversed by a transient high CO2 concentration (7400 mol mol-1) in the leaf atmosphere. It was concluded that ABA primarily affected An by decreasing the CO2 supply at ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase. Therefore, the An versus intercellular mole fraction (Ci) relationship was assumed not to be affected by ABA, and images of Ci and gs were constructed from images of PSII photochemical yield under nonphotorespiratory conditions. The distribution of gs remained unimodal following ABA treatment. A comparison of calculations of Ci from images and gas exchange in ABA-treated leaves showed that the overestimation of Ci estimated from gas exchange was only partly due to heterogeneity. This overestimation was also attributed to the cuticular transpiration, which largely affects the calculation of the leaf conductance to CO2, when leaf conductance to water is low.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1998

Ultrasonography of the hip in developmental hip dysplasia.

Ultrasonography of the hip was performed sequentially by two different examiners in 75 infants. The ultrasound strips were reviewed twice by three paediatric orthopaedic surgeons and classified by the Graf method. The intraobserver and interobserver agreement between the interpretations was analysed using simple and weighted kappa coefficients calculated for agreement on the Graf classification and for grouping as normal (types 1A to 2A), and abnormal requiring treatment (types 2B to 4). When examining the same ultrasound strip, intraobserver agreement for the Graf classification was substantial (mean kappa 0.61), but interobserver agreement was only moderate (kappa 0.50). For the grouping into normal and abnormal, the mean kappa value for intraobserver agreement was 0.67 and for interobserver agreement 0.57. Because of the significant differences in agreement between normal and abnormal hips, we analysed a subgroup of those with at least one abnormal interpretation. Intraobserver agreement within this subgroup showed moderate reliability (kappa 0.41), but interobserver agreement was only fair (kappa 0.28). Interpretations of two different strips performed sequentially showed significantly lower agreement with an intraobserver kappa value of 0.29 and an interobserver value of 0.28. In the subgroup with at least one abnormal reading, the intraobserver kappa was 0.09 and the interobserver 0.1. Our findings suggest that both the technique of performing ultrasonography and the interpretation of the image may influence the result.

Female↗

PubMed1998

[Topographic anatomic study of cells transplanted from the groin region].

We performed 25 fresh cadaver dissections to describe the anatomy of the superficial and deep circumflex iliac artery and the superficial inferior epigastric artery how they can be used as donor vessels for the free transfer of groin flaps and for living iliac bone. With the injection of ink the capillary region of these vessels in the bone (iliac crest), the muscle (internal oblique muscle) and skin (groin and thigh) was stained. The superficial and deep circumflex iliac artery are the main supply vessels of the groin and thigh, they can be found in 96% and 100% of the cases. The venous drainage of this region follows from a superficial (superficial circumflex iliac vein) and a deep venous system (Vv. comitantes accompanying the arterial branches). Both venous systems can always be found. The superficial circumflex iliac artery only supplies the skin and is the main donor vessel for skin and soft tissue transplants. The deep circumflex iliac artery supplies the pelvic bone, the internal oblique muscle and a small constant area of skin above the iliac crest. Bone, bone-muscle and bone-muscle and skin transplants can be obtained with this donor vessels. To enlarge the skin area the two arterial branches can be combined in one transplant. With an average vessel diameter of 1.5 mm (superficial circumflex iliac artery) and 3 mm (deep circumflex iliac artery) both vessels can very well be used for microvascular transplantation. These different tissues (muscle, bone, skin) can be obtained in adequate size and form struct composite defects in the upper aerodigestive tract.

Capillaries↗

PubMed1998

[Neurovascular infrahyoidal myofascial flap. Anatomic and topographic study of the innervation and blood supply].

The neurovascular infrahyoidal myofascial flap: An anatomical and topographical study of the innervation and blood supply. 15 cadavers had bilaterally been examined for the topography of the upper thyroid artery and vein and of the lower cervical ansa, as an axial bundle of vessels and nerves for the infrahyoidal myofascial flap. With the injection of methylene blue the vascular territories of the upper thyroid artery had been demonstrated. The upper thyroid artery and vein could be found in all cases. This artery was deriving in 47% from the external carotid artery, in 30% from the bifurcation and in 23% from the common carotid artery. The vein flowed in 43% into the facial vein and in 37% into the internal jugular vein. In the remaining 20% several segmental veins were found, which flowed into the jugular vein separately. In case of a far caudally situated vascular bundle the radius of rotation can be limited in cranial direction. The voluntary innervation of the muscles of this flap is derived from the lower cervical ansa. The upper radix of the ansa can be found 1 cm in latero-cranial direction of the greater horn of the hyoid bone, where it is separating from the hypoglossal nerve. The upper thyroid artery is supplying the infrahyoidal musculature in the whole extension from the hyoid bone to the sternum. Therefore it is possible to develop a myofascial flap of 3.5 cm x 11.5 cm in size, which is pedicled at an upper vascular and nerval bundle. Depending on the radius of rotation defects of the floor of mouth, of the tongue and of the oro- and hypopharynx can well be covered with this new neurovascular myofascial flap.

Arteries↗

PubMed1997

Cyclosporine A is an uncompetitive inhibitor of proteasome activity and prevents NF-kappaB activation.

Cyclosporine A is an immunosuppressive agent that is used clinically in the prevention of transplant rejection and development of graft-versus-host disease. Recently, cyclosporine A has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties and is capable of inhibiting lipopolysaccharide-induced NF-kappaB activation. Ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal proteolysis plays a critical role in signal-induced NF-kappaB activation since it regulates both IkappaB degradation and p105 processing, it is also involved in the production of peptides for the assembly of MHC class I molecules. We report here that cylcosporine A acts as an uncompetitive inhibitor of the chymotrypsin-like activity of the 20S proteasome in vitro and that it suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced IkappaB degradation and p105 processing in vivo demonstrating that inhibition of proteasome proteolysis is the mechanism by which cyclosporine A prevents NF-kappaB activation. A structurally unrelated immunosuppressant, rapamycin, did not inhibit the 20S proteasome in vitro.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Regulation of tie receptor expression on human endothelial cells by protein kinase C-mediated release of soluble tie.

The expression and activity of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) at the cell surface can be modulated by several different pathways including the proteolytic release of the extracellular domain as a soluble receptor. We investigated the regulation of tie receptor expression, an orphan RTK restricted to cells of hematopoietic and endothelial lineages, on primary human endothelial cells and a stably transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line. Tie was expressed in cells as a doublet of 135 and 125 kD; the 135-kD band represented mature cell surface receptor containing sialic acid and N-linked oligosaccharide residues, whereas the 125-kD band represented an intracellular pool of immature receptor. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) had dramatic effects on tie expression at the cell surface. Within 15 minutes of PMA treatment, the 135-kD band disappeared from the cell surface and was accompanied by the appearance of a 100-kD band in cell supernatants. The 100-kD band continued to accumulate in the media throughout the duration of PMA treatment during which mature tie receptor was undetectable on the cell surface by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) or in cell lysates by immunoblot analysis. Using specific antibodies, this 100-kD species was shown to be a soluble form of the tie receptor containing the extracellular domain. PMA-dependent release of soluble tie was mediated through the activation of protein kinase C (PKC); soluble tie was not released in the presence of PKC inhibitors, an inactive PMA analog, or following the downregulation of PKC through chronic PMA treatment. These results indicate that tie receptor expression on endothelial cells is regulated by the release of a soluble extracellular fragment following activation of PKC. Parallel pathways regulating c-kit, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and colony-stimulating factor (CSF) receptor expression suggest that the release of extracellular receptor fragments represents an alternative mechanism through which cells modulate responses to growth factors and cytokines.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Ontogeny of milky spots in the human greater omentum: an immunochemical study.

BACKGROUND: Milky spots in the human greater omentum are preformed specific accumulations of primarily macrophages within the stroma of the greater omentum. To obtain a better understanding of milky spots in the human greater omentum, the development and the earliest forms of milky spots in the human greater omentum were studied, with special attention to the macrophage population. METHODS: Specimens of human greater omentum were obtained from fetuses of 20 to 40 weeks gestation and one newborn three days old (n = 6). Using mature macrophages (RFD 7), activated macrophages (RFD 1), B-lymphocytes (CD 22), and T-lymphocytes (CD 2), and immunoperoxydase labeling, the percentage of these cells in developing milky spots and the development of milky spots were studied by light microscopy. A time-dependent increase in the percentage of positive staining cells and the size of clusters was analyzed using the non-parametric Spearman rank correlation test. RESULTS: Small accumulations of cells with about 50% monocytes/macrophages were present at 20 weeks of gestation. With increasing gestational age the number of clusters of cells increased significantly (P < 0.01) as well as their size (P < 0.01). Starting at 29 weeks, vascularized clusters of cells were seen; true milky spots were present at 35 weeks. A significant (P < 0.05) increase in the percentage of mature macrophages was found in developing milky spots, whereas no activated macrophages were seen. The percentage of B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes found in the clusters of cells and milky spots increased significantly (P < 0.05) but did not exceed 10% of the total number of cells. CONCLUSIONS: From our data it can be concluded that milky spots are specific structures in the greater omentum formed between the 20th and 35th week of gestation. Further, we concluded that immature cells (promonocytes) mature locally in developing milky spots.

Cell Aggregation↗

PubMed1997

Pressure transmission ratio: is it a reliable parameter in increased urethro-vesical junction mobility?

Our objective was to investigate any correlation between the degree of urethro-vesical junction (UVJ) mobility and the pressure transmission ratio (PTR) values. Five hundred and nineteen patients suffering from stress urinary incontinence were divided into four groups according to their degree of UVJ mobility assessed by the Q-tip test method: group 1 (N = 86), urethral axis at stress (UAS) < 30 degrees; group 2 (N = 191), UAS 31-60 degrees; group 3 (N = 214), UAS 61-90 degrees; and group 4 (N = 28), UAS > 90 degrees. A urethral pressure profile at stress was determined in the supine and standing positions, and PTR was calculated in the middle region of urethral functional length. PTR values for groups 2-4 were compared with those for group 1. In the supine position, the values for groups 3 and 4 were lower than for group 1, while in the standing position, only the values for group 3 were different. The incidence of normal PTR values (i.e., > 90%) was the same in all four groups. Overall correlation between PTR values and degree of UVJ mobility was weak (r = 0.14). We conclude that PTR values does not correlate with UVJ mobility in those patients with a Q-tip test of < 60 degrees. This correlation is inconstant when the Q-tip test was > 60 degrees. Also, 14-30% of patients in all four groups had normal standing PTR values. This may be explained by well-preserved innervation with severe alteration of the anchoring bladder neck structures.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Do "whiplash injuries" occur in low-speed rear impacts?

A study was conducted to find out whether in a rear-impact motor vehicle accident, velocity changes in the impact vehicle of between 10 and 15 km/h can cause so-called "whiplash injuries". An assessment of the actual injury mechanism of such whiplash injuries and comparison of vehicle rear-end collisions with amusement park bumper car collisions was also carried out. The study was based on experimental biochemical, kinematic, and clinical analysis with volunteers. In Europe between DM 10 and 20 billion each year is paid out by insurance companies alone for whiplash injuries, although various studies show that the biodynamic stresses arising in the case of slight to moderate vehicle damage may not be high enough to cause such injuries. Most of these experimental studies with cadavers, dummies, and some with volunteers were performed with velocity changes below 10 km/h. About 65% of the insurance claims, however, take place in cases with velocity changes of up to 15 km/h. Fourteen made volunteers (aged 28-47 years; average 33.2 years) and five female volunteers (aged 26-37 years; average 32.8 years) participated in 17 vehicle rear-end collisions and 3 bumper car collisions. All cars were fitted with normal European bumper systems. Before, 1 day after and 4-5 weeks after each vehicle crash test and in two of the three bumper car crash tests a clinical examination, a computerized motion analysis, and an MRI examination with Gd-DTPA of the cervical spine of the test persons were performed. During each crash test, in which the test persons were completely screened-off visually and acoustically, the muscle tension of various neck muscles was recorded by surface electromyography (EMG). The kinematic responses of the test persons and the forces occurring were measured by accelerometers. The kinematic analyses were performed with movement markers and a screening frequency of 700 Hz. To record the acceleration effects of the target vehicle and the bullet vehicle, vehicle accident data recorders were installed in both. The contact phase of the vehicle structures and the kinematics of the test persons were also recorded using high-speed cameras. The results showed that the range of velocity change (vehicle collisions) was 8.7-14.2 km/h (average 11.4 km/h) and the range of mean acceleration of the target vehicle was 2.1-3.6 g (average 2.7 g). The range of velocity change (bumper car collisions) was 8.3- 10.6 km/h (average 9.9 km/h) and the range of mean acceleration of the target bumper car was 1.8-2.6 g (average 2.2 g). No injury signs were found at the physical examinations, computerized motion analyses, or at the MRI examinations. Only one of the male volunteers suffered a reduction of rotation of the cervical spine to the left of 10 degrees for 10 weeks. The kinematic analysis very clearly showed that the whiplash mechanism consists of translation/extension (high energy) of the cervical spine with consecutive flexion (low energy) of the cervical spine: hyperextension of the cervical spine during the vehicle crashes was not observed. All the tests showed that the EMG signal of the neck muscles starts before the head movement takes place. The stresses recorded in the vehicle collisions were in the same range as those recorded in the bumper car crashes. From the extent of the damage to the vehicles after a collision it is possible to determine the level of the velocity change. The study concluded that, the "limit of harmlessness" for stresses arising from rear-end impacts with regard to the velocity changes lies between 10 and 15 km/h. For everyday practice, photographs of the damage to cars involved in a rear-end impact are essential to determine this velocity change. The stress occurring in vehicle rear-end collisions can be compared to the stress in bumper car collisions.

Accidents, Traffic↗

PubMed1997

[Topographic-anatomic study of tissue transplants of the inguinal region].

We performed 25 fresh cadaver dissections to describe the anatomy of the superficial and deep circumflex iliac artery and the superficial inferior epigastric artery to determine how they could least to used as donor vessels for the free transfer of groin flaps and living iliac bone. With injection of ink the capillary region of these vessels was stained in (iliac crest) bone, the internal oblique muscle and skin of the groin and thigh. The superficial and deep circumflex iliac artery were shown to be the main supply vessels of the groin and thigh and could be found in 96%-100% of cases. The venous drainage of this region followed from a superficial system (superficial circumflex iliac veins) and a deep venous system (Vv. comitantes accompanying arterial branches). Both venous systems could always be found. The superficial circumflex iliac artery was shown to only supply the skin and was the main donor vessel to the skin and soft tissue transplants. The deep circumflex iliac artery supplied the pelvic bone, the internal oblique muscle and a small constant area of skin above the iliac crest. Bone, muscle and bone, muscle and skin transplants could be obtained with this donor vessel, with enlargement of the skin area possible by combining two arterial branches combined in one transplant. With an average vessel diameter of 1.5 mm (superficial circumflex iliac artery) and 3 mm (deep circumflex iliac artery) both vessels could be used satisfactorily for microvascular transplantation. Different tissues including muscle, bone and skin could be obtained in adequate amounts to replace composite defects in the upper aerodigestive tract.

Arteries↗