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Biomedical subjects

U Weber

Publications and source records attributed to U Weber.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Sublingual nitroglycerine: effects on contractile activity of the distal oesophagus and lower oesophageal sphincter in healthy men.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Nitric oxide plays an important role in the control of gastrointestinal motility. This study assessed the effects of graded doses of the nitric oxide-releasing agent, nitroglycerine, on distal oesophageal motor activity and lower oesophageal sphincter resting pressure. METHODS: Eight healthy young men received at 1-week intervals placebo, 0.2 mg, 0.4 mg or 0.8 mg nitroglycerine sublingually under random double-blind conditions. Sphincter pressure was recorded using a Dent sleeve and oesophageal motility using sensors 1, 4, 7 and 10 cm orad the sleeve during two 15-min periods before and four 15-min periods after drug administration. In minutes 4 to 6 of each period, subjects swallowed 5 mL water at 30 s intervals. RESULTS: After 0.2 mg and 0.4 mg nitroglycerine, amplitude, duration and area under curve of swallow-initiated contractions were smaller than after placebo. After 0.8 mg nitroglycerine, amplitude, duration and area under curve were slightly greater than after placebo and significantly greater than after the lower nitroglycerine doses. No effects were discernible on onset latency and propagation velocity of contractions as well as on lower oesophageal sphincter resting pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Sublingual nitroglycerine had modest, dose-dependent effects on oesophageal peristaltic amplitude and duration, but did not affect the tone of the lower oesophageal sphincter.

Administration, Sublingual↗
PubMed1996

[Intranasal administration of midazolam (Dormicum) in young children in emergency medicine].

A method for sedation of preschool children in emergency medicine is presented. Midazolam (Dormicum) is frequently used in premedication in children. Various routes of administration have been described for this drug. After use of nasal administration of midazolam for premedication we also used this method for sedation of children in emergencies. This technique provides rapid onset and cardiovascular stability while maintaining spontaneous ventilation. In two case reports the first results are demonstrated; the method is evaluated and discussed.

Burns↗
PubMed1996

Avulsion of the popliteus muscle in a malinois dog.

A four-month-old malinois was presented for lameness which was attributed to an avulsion of the origin of the popliteus muscle. Surgical repair by internal fixation with a lag screw and washer resulted in resolution of the lameness.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Diagnosis and therapy of dysphagia after partial horizontal laryngectomy].

Due to an increase in the numbers of function-preserving laryngectomies and the utilization of laser techniques in cancer surgery, more patients after supraglottic partial laryngectomies are experiencing dysphagia of different intensities. We therefore developed a functional therapy program that we use for patients after supraglottic partial laryngectomies following a special diagnostic evaluation including video-laryngoscopy and, if necessary, high-speed cine-radiography. This therapeutic treatment was developed from conventional treatment for patients with dysphagia caused by neurological disorders and includes body posture, altered mouth movements, food consistency and swallowing technique. In so doing, exercises are used to achieve closure of the vocal folds, aids for swallowing liquids and general directions. This method for evaluation and treatment is presented in 12 patients as examples. We now report our positive long-term results and demonstrate the possibilities and limits of therapy. Additional procedures for isolated cases are discussed critically with regard to their indications and treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

pipsqueak encodes a novel nuclear protein required downstream of seven-up for the development of photoreceptors R3 and R4.

Photoreceptor induction in the Drosophila eye is mediated by activation of the Ras signal transduction cascade. Although this process is well understood, little is known about how the diversity of photoreceptor subtypes is generated. The pipsqueak (psq) gene is expressed at high levels in the R3/R4 precursors during eye development and this expression depends on seven-up (svp) gene function. Moreover, strong psq alleles are dominant suppressors of a svp-induced cone cell transformation phenotype. Although the gene was previously identified and described as a member of the maternal posterior group of genes, the strong semilethal alleles isolated here demonstrate a specific requirement for psq function downstream of svp for the development of photoreceptors R3/R4. The gene has three independent 5' ends and codes for several nuclear protein isoforms, some containing the POZ domain which has been implicated in protein-protein interactions. Interestingly, all viable alleles with a maternal posterior group phenotype cluster around one specific 5' exon, while all semilethal alleles have lesions which map to a different alternative 5' exon.

Alleles↗
PubMed1995

The "mirror image" and "two-thirds" types of hemispherical spondylosclerosis.

Clinical and radiological examination of 167 hemispherical spondylosclerosis (HSS) patients (56 male, 111 female) revealed a total of 186 cases of HSS with multiple incidences occurring in 18 patients. Radiologically these HSS cases were characterized by erosion and new bone formation at the inferior and upper end plate of the vertebra below, periosteal bone apposition or ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament, spondylophytes, and signs of degenerative alteration of the vertebra and disc. In addition, the size and location (anterior, middle, posterior third) of each HSS in the lateral view was investigated. The cases were also investigated for reflection phenomenon between supra- and infradiscal sclerosis and for kyphotic angulation of the two adjacent vertebrae. The results showed that in 105 cases (56.5%) the HSS filled out the entire vertebral area; 97 cases (52.2%) showed a mirror-image type HSS; while in 8 cases (4.3%), the infradiscal sclerosis was polymorphic. In 81 cases (43.5%), the sclerosis was limited to the anterior two-thirds; this is termed "two-thirds" type. All 81 of these cases of HSS showed a kyphotic angulation of at least 4 degrees. Of these, 61 (32.8% of the total) showed reflection phenomenon while 20 (10.7% of the total) had polymorphic infradiscal sclerosis. Overall, 158 cases of HSS (85%) exhibited the reflection phenomenon between supra- and infradiscal sclerosis, whereas 28 cases (15%) revealed polymorphic sclerosis of the subadjacent vertebra. Kyphotic angulation was completely absent when HSS was visible in the entire vertebra. A dorsal gap of the disc space was seen in 36 cases (19.4%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1995

In vivo measurement of implant loads in a patient with a fractured vertebral body.

It is not known what loads act on an internal spinal fixation device in patients with a fractured vertebral body. To measure the implant loads in vivo, telemeterized internal spinal fixators were implanted in a patient, and the implant loads measured for numerous body positions and activities before and after anterior fusion. The highest implant loads were found while the patient lifted both extended legs in a supine position. High implant loads were also measured for lateral bending during standing as well as for walking and carrying a load in one hand. The implant loads were small in recumbent positions. In contrast to findings in another patient, who was treated for degenerative instability, implant loads were smaller in the first months after anterior fusion than before. The indication for stabilization and surgical procedure strongly influence implant loads.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

A novel vertebrate svp-related nuclear receptor is expressed as a step gradient in developing rhombomeres and is affected by retinoic acid.

The protein encoded by the zebrafish gene svp[40] belongs to a distinct group within the steroid hormone receptor superfamily that includes Drosophila seven-up and several vertebrate orphan receptors. Svp[40] shares a particularly high degree of amino acid sequence identity (approximately 86%) with the mammalian transcription factors ARP-1 and COUP. The gene is expressed in specific regional and segmental domains within the developing brain. Correspondence between this expression pattern and early sites of neuronal differentiation and axonogenesis in the rostral brain may reflect an involvement in neural patterning. During the early embryonic stages when hindbrain rhombomeres are formed, a segmental expression pattern is established as a step gradient. The single steps of this gradient coincide directly with the four anteriormost segments suggesting a role in controlling rhombomere-specific expression of genes contributing to cell differentiation in the hindbrain. Since COUP/ARP-1 and retinoic acid receptors (RARs/RXRs) are known to have similar DNA-binding specificities, different levels of Svp[40] might modulate retinoid signaling through competition for binding to specific RAREs in the promoters of target genes. Treatment of zebrafish embryos with retinoic acid affects the svp[40] step gradient and causes an elimination of a regional expression domain in the retina. These observations are consistent with svp[40] being an integral part of the retinoid signaling network during hindbrain and eye development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Parenteral application of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa flagella vaccine elicits specific anti-flagella antibodies in the airways of healthy individuals.

To test the hypothesis that a Pseudomonas aeruginosa flagella (FLA) vaccine, intramuscularly administered, elicits specific antibodies in the respiratory tract, antibody titers against FLA were determined in sera and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids of 10 healthy human adults before and after immunization. Immunization produced significantly increased anti-FLA antibody titers in all sera (mean reciprocal titers: IgG: 26,711; IgA: 2,767; IgM: 421) and on respiratory epithelial lining fluids (mean reciprocal titers: IgG: 112; IgA: 76; sIgA: 26). Significant differences in class-specific serum and BAL anti-FLA titers suggested airway antibody production. The study shows that parenteral immunization provides not only high systemic antibody titers but also local antibody production in the human respiratory tract.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Salter-II fracture of the proximal tibia with avulsion of the tuberositas tibiae in the dog].

The combination of a fracture of the proximal tibia (Salter-Harris type II) with an avulsion of the tibial tuberosity is a rare injury in the growing dog. Internal fixation of the tibial plateau with K-wires, in some cases combined with a tension band wire for the avulsed tuberosity, resulted in complete healing. There is the possibility of developing growing deformities, therefore control radiographs should routinely be taken in 10 days intervals.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Significance of subjective sensitivity in evaluation of keratoconjunctivitis sicca].

In patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) frequently a mismatch between the symptoms and clinical signs of impaired tear film is found. Thus, we conducted a study to determine whether tests can be found that provide information on increased sensitivity in KCS patients. Thirty patients with and without KCS were investigated by the following methods: a specific anamnestic questionnaire, esthesiometry and provocation of ocular pain by instillation of a local anesthetic eye drop. Esthesiometry only showed a shift towards higher sensitivity, but the other tests indicated significantly increased ocular sensitivity in KCS patients. These very simple methods permit better understanding of the specific situation in the individual patient.

Humans↗
PubMed1995

[Effect of CPAP and BIPAP on stroke volume in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome].

We studied the effect of CPAP and BIPAP on cardiac output (CO) in 23 male obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS) patients with cardiac history but without congestive heart failure (CHF) during wakefulness using the thermodilution method. CPAP was applied at 10 cm H2O and 15 cm H2O, BIPAP at 10/0 cm H2O and 15/10 cm H2O. CO only decreased significantly by 14.6 +/- 11.8% at 15 cm H2O CPAP and by 13.4 +/- 10.0% at 15/10 cm H2O BIPAP. CPAP and BIPAP did not differ in altering hemodynamics. So sleep apnea patients without CHF develop no severe decrease of CO during nasal positive pressure ventilation up to 15 cm 2O.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Technique and economics of first worldwide roentgen conference via public phone lines with the Medical Desktop-Conference and Integrated Services Digital Network].

The introduction of the world's first Medical Desktop-Conference via public phone lines (ISDN-S2M) in spring 1994 for the weekly discussion of radiological findings with 25 orthopedic surgeons has proved the effectiveness of this system developed by the project BERMED. The use of standard hard- and software as well as ISDN are the most important factors to keep the system costs low. Technical advantages can be seen in the immediate, loss-free transmission of image and other patient-related data and in the integration of digital archives. Medical advantages are the 24-hour-availability of the radiologist and quality-control of the radiologists work. Practitioners and external hospitals can be tied closely to radiological service centers by using ISDNetwork.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed1994

Comparison of intermittent and continuous oral administration of calcitriol in dialysis patients: a randomized prospective trial.

Intermittent bolus administration of calcitriol--i.e., 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol or 1,25-(OH)2D3--is highly efficacious in dialysis patients. In experimental studies, intermittent administration of calcitriol is superior to continuous administration in suppressing preproparathyroid hormone (PTH) mRNA and circulating PTH concentrations. In a randomized, prospective, open multicenter trial 45 dialysis patients with elevated 1,84-iPTH (> or = 20 pmol/l, normal 1-6 pmol/l) levels were randomly allocated to daily administration of 0.75 microgram calcitriol (continuous) or twice weekly administration (intermittent); the two protocols provided an identical total weekly doses of 5.25 micrograms calcitriol. Patients were dialyzed with a dialysate Ca concentration of 1.75 mmol/l and had oral CaCO3 or Ca acetate. 1,84-iPTH (immunoradiometric assay) and serum Ca and Pi levels were measured weekly. At the beginning of the study, the median 1,84-iPTH value was 37 pmol/l (range 20-115) in the intermittent versus 36 pmol/l (range 21-72) in the continuous calcitriol group. After 2 weeks, the median 1,84-iPTH level was 18.5 pmol/l (range 1.4-106) versus 18 pmol/l (range 1.2-48). After 12 weeks, 11 of 21 of the patients in the intermittent and 18 of 24 patients in the continuous group had reached the treatment goal, i.e., 1,84-iPTH < or = 10 pmol/l without hypercalcemia or hyperphosphatemia. There were seven episodes of hypercalcemia (> 2.7 mmol/l) in the intermittent versus two in the continuous group; the mean peak Ca level was 2.8 mmol/l (range 2.76-3.0) versus 2.9 mmol/l (range 2.74-3.06). There were 21 versus 17 episodes, respectively, of hyperphosphatemia (> 2.2 mmol/l).

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1994

Confrontation of scabrous expressing and non-expressing cells is essential for normal ommatidial spacing in the Drosophila eye.

The establishment of neural precursor cells in Drosophila depends on cell-cell interactions and lateral inhibition. Scabrous (sca) is involved in this process by preventing an excess of cells from adopting a neural precursor fate. Specifically in eye development, Sca protein function has been implicated in the spacing pattern that is essential for the ordered appearance of the ommatidial array. During this process sca expression is restricted to neurogenic groups of cells and later to the neural precursors. We report that ectopic sca expression in the morphogenetic furrow results in a rough eye phenotype with oversized and fused ommatidia. These defects in adult eyes are due to the generation of too many ommatidial preclusters in the morphogenetic furrow. Strikingly, sca loss-of-function mutants have an almost identical phenotype. Our results suggest that Sca plays a positive role in establishing the spacing pattern within the furrow and that the quantitative difference in sca expression between neighboring groups of cells is a determining factor in this process. Ectopic expression of Sca also represses endogenous sca expression in the furrow, suggesting that Sca is involved in a feedback loop affecting its own transcription. Interestingly, sca shares homology to a group of extracellular matrix proteins that have been implicated in neuronal differentiation. We present a model for sca function based on its phenotypic and molecular features.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

[Clinical and radiological results with the spherical Mecring as acetabulum prosthesis in hip joint diseases].

The recent experiences which the university hospital in Heidelberg has made with the spherical Mecring must be valued positively. Clinical, radiological and subjective dates from 147 patients were worked up retrospectively. Indeed, the positive results must be considered as relative because of the short respectively medium-term period of control. Nevertheless, the repeated improvement in the second group after a period of postexamination on a average of 3.05 years lets hope for positive long-term results. In the period between 1985 and 1990 three sockets had to be changed. The reasons that the sockets loosened were not specific for the screwing but depending on the individual patients or on the implantations and technical circumstances. The negative results achieved by Engh et al. 1990 could not be recognized (8). He measured a radiological instability of 18% and a technical instability of 28%. What Engh did was measuring simple review photographs and extracting valuable material from them while using geometrical methods. This method shows various measuring mistakes. Therefore Engh's conclusion that the screwing should not be used for implantation because of its displacement in the bones is doubtful. The doubts seem to be supported by the results of our comparison of two series of X-ray photographs with defined different pelvis positions of the same patient. The screwing seemed to be significantly displaced in cranio-medial direction. This was proved by experimental photographs with a pelvis raised to 6 cm in contralateral direction. But the results were a matter of radiological illusion. Radiological migration of the screwing is only provable by complicated X-ray analyses steered with the computer. These big X-ray series are not accessible at the time.

Acetabulum↗