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Biomedical subjects

A Kirsch

Publications and source records attributed to A Kirsch.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Fibromyalgia and facial expression].

QUESTION: Do female inpatients with fibromyalgia (FM) differ from healthy women in their nonverbal affective behavior? METHODS: The data culled from 15 interviews with female FM inpatients and 15 interviews with healthy women were analyzed and the analyses of facial expression were subsequently correlated with gaze behavior. RESULTS: FM patients exhibited neither a reduction of total activity of facial expression nor of absolute frequency of primary affects in comparison to healthy subjects who did (also in eye contact) however exhibit a significantly higher proportion of "genuine joy" and lower proportion of "contempt." CONCLUSION: The absence of reduced total activity of facial expression is in contrast to the elaborate descriptions of symptoms provided by the patients, but detailed analyses show that elements which stabilize relationships are lacking and that dissociative elements are implanted in the interactions.

Emotions↗

Sinuorbital complications after intranasal cocaine abuse.

Proptosis and double vision were the presenting signs in a case of chronic orbital inflammation generated by osteolytic destruction of the sinuorbital barriers due to intranasal abuse of cocaine. The pathophysiologic background and reports from the literature dealing with orbital involvement in this condition are discussed.

Administration, Intranasal↗

Ocular neuromyotonia: a case report.

Ocular neuromyotonia is a rare motility disorder occurring after tumor irradiation near the skull base or as a consequence of vascular abnormalities. Ocular myasthenia, convergence spasm and a cyclic third nerve palsy must be considered as differential diagnoses. The case of a 32-year-old woman suffering from intermittent diplopia six months after radiation therapy of a recurrent pituary gland adenoma is presented.

Adenoma↗

Modified transposition procedure of the vertical recti in sixth nerve palsy.

PURPOSE: To report a modified transposition procedure of the vertical recti for severely limited abduction of the globe caused by sixth nerve palsy and to compare this with the Hummelsheim transposition procedure. METHODS: Retrospective study of 13 eyes of 12 patients that had Hummelsheim transposition procedure and 19 eyes of 17 patients that had modified transposition procedure of the vertical recti for severely limited abduction of the globe caused by sixth nerve palsy. The modified transposition procedure joins lateral strips of the vertical recti and sutures this junction to the lateral rectus muscle. Functional results of the Hummelsheim procedure are compared with functional results of the modified transposition procedure. RESULTS: Abductive capacity improved by 4.19 +/- 1.67 mm in the Hummelsheim group and 4.08 +/- 1.7 mm in the modification. The angle of squint changed from +22.33 +/- 6.74 degrees to -0.20 +/- 2.61 degrees in the Hummelsheim group and from +25.54 +/- 5.66 degrees to +0.95 +/- 5.26 degrees in the modification group. The functional results as to abductive capacity and postoperative angle of squint showed no significant difference between the two methods (P >.05, t test). The modification was less time consuming. CONCLUSIONS: A modification of the transposition techniques of eye muscles in sixth nerve palsy is introduced. Its functional results are comparable to the classic technique of Hummelsheim. Operative risk and trauma are reduced, because the technique avoids scleral stitches and was found to be less time consuming than the Hummelsheim procedure.

Abducens Nerve Diseases↗

In utero intervention in a patient with prune-belly syndrome and severe urethral hypoplasia.

Prenatal ultrasound scanning of a 20-year-old woman at 17 weeks of gestation revealed findings suggestive of bladder outlet obstruction, including bladder distension, dilated bilateral ureters, urinary ascites, and oligohydramnios. Vesicoamniotic shunts were placed with decompression of the bladder and correction of the amniotic fluid levels. Labor was induced at 36 weeks' gestation. At birth, the infant was noted to have prune-belly syndrome with severe urethral hypoplasia, a variant usually associated with a poor prognosis, necessitating vesicostomy for bladder drainage. We present a case of a patient with prune-belly syndrome and bladder outlet obstruction in whom early intervention resulted in an excellent outcome with preservation of renal and pulmonary function.

Adult↗

A tissue engineered cell-occlusive device for hard tissue regeneration--a preliminary report.

Tissue engineering is an emerging discipline that applies engineering principles to create devices for the study, restoration, modification, and assembly of functional tissues and organs from native or synthetic sources. In the field of guided bone regeneration (GBR), cellular matter engineering has been applied, more or less successfully, to the development of biodegradable and bioresorbable devices with chemical, physical, or mechanical properties, structure, or form that permit active tissue integration with desirable cell types and tissue components. The employment of synthetic and naturally occurring polymers as well as sophisticated manufacturing technologies allow the tissue engineering of matrix configurations so that the biophysical limitations of mass transfer can be satisfied. The configuration of such a hybrid matrix can also be manipulated to vary the surface area available for cell attachment, as well as to optimize the exposure of the attached cells to nutrients. A biodegradable and bioresorbable device made of synthetic and natural polymers was engineered specifically for GBR procedures. The degradation and resorption kinetics as well as the mechanical properties give the device the potential to function as a carrier for bone growth factors. This innovative device was applied as a GBR membrane in a clinical investigation in seven patients.

Absorbable Implants↗

Clinical results of TRAM flap delay by selective embolization of the deep inferior epigastric arteries.

Preoperative selective embolization of the deep inferior epigastric arteries constitutes a new technique in TRAM flap delay. Whereas surgical ligation of these vessels has proved to be an effective delay procedure in experimental and clinical settings, it requires an additional operative step under general anesthesia. Despite the introduction of the free TRAM leading to improved flap perfusion, this microsurgical technique is not always available because of the requirements of specialized equipment and staff, longer operating hours, and subsequently higher expenses. The search for a minimally invasive, easy, and inexpensive technique to improve perfusion of the pedicled TRAM flap led us to selective embolization of the deep inferior epigastric arteries by an angiographic procedure. After 4 years of experience with this technique, we now present the first clinical results. Breast reconstruction by a delayed pedicled TRAM flap was performed in 40 patients with a mean age of 48.4 years (range, 31 to 66 years). The mean interval between embolization and surgery was 3.6 months. Postoperative data concerning flap survival and complications were available for all patients. Embolization of the deep inferior epigastric arteries was performed bilaterally in 35 patients (87.5 percent) and unilaterally in 5 patients (12.5 percent). Radiotherapy had been applied in 21 patients (52.5 percent) before surgery. Postoperative flap complications consisted of partial necrosis in three (7.5 percent), fat necrosis in one (2.5 percent), impaired wound healing in five (12.5 percent), and postoperative bleeding in two patients (5 percent). Abdominal wound healing complications occurred in six patients (15 percent), abdominal wall weakness in eight (20 percent), and hernia formation in four (10 percent). Surgical corrections were performed at the breast (TRAM flap) in 22 patients (55 percent) and at the abdomen (donor site) in 9 (22.5 percent). Preoperative selective embolization of the deep inferior epigastric arteries constitutes an alternative delay procedure for the pedicled TRAM flap. It is superior to the conventional procedure without delay, offers several advantages compared with surgical ligation of these vessels, and represents an alternative to the free TRAM flap in selected cases.

Adult↗

[Catheter ablation of the inferior epigastric artery. An conservative method for conditioning the pedicled TRAM flap].

The pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap is a recognized, reliable method of autogenous tissue breast reconstruction after mastectomy. However, the blood supply to the distal part of the flap is often precarious after ligation of the the main feeder, the inferior epigastric artery (AEI), at time of the operation. We describe our clinical experience with a new technique to augment the superior blood stream (superior epigastric artery, AES) by selective embolization of the inferior epigastric artery some weeks prior to plastic surgery. One hundred and eleven embolization procedures were performed until now. Technique of crossover and ipsilateral epigastric spiral embolization is described, requiring minimal time and material as an in- or outpatient procedure. The anatomical situation of the m. rectus abdominis blood supply is discussed as well as possible complications of the procedure.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

[Clinical results and color-coded duplex ultrasound findings 4 years after conditioned TRAM flap-plasty].

Presented is a new technique in preoperative conditioning of the pedicled TRAM-flap employing an interventional-radiologic procedure, selective embolization of the deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA). During a four year period in 40 patients with a mean age of 48.4 (31-66) years breast reconstruction was performed by a superiorly pedicled TRAM-flap following preoperative conditioning. 30 of 40 patients were eligible for follow-up one to five years postoperatively. The mean interval between embolization and surgery amounted to 3.6 months. In 25 of 30 cases embolization of the DIEA was performed bilaterally, in 5 of 30 cases unilaterally. 14 of 30 patients underwent preoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer. Applying CCDS the peak flow values were determined in the superior epigastric arteries (TRAM/contralateral side). Pre-embolization values (54.9 cm/s/55.8 cm/s), post-embolization values (57.2 cm/s/57.9 cm/s) and late postoperative values (61.0 cm/s/61.6 cm/s) proved a statistically significant effect of selective embolization on peak flow without relevant difference between TRAM and contralateral side (p < 0.05). Postoperative flap complications consisted of partial necrosis in 2 of 30, fat necrosis in 1 of 30, impaired would healing in 5 of 30 and postoperative bleeding in 2 of 30 cases. Abdominal would healing complications occurred in 5 of 30 cases, abdominal wall weakness was found in 8 of 30 and hernia formation in 4 of 30 cases. Corrective surgery was performed at the breast (TRAM-flap) in 22 of 30 and at the abdomen (donor site) in 9 of 30 cases. Patient acceptance concerning selective embolization and TRAM-flap surgery was very high. 29 of 30 patients confirmed that they would again choose this type of breast reconstruction. The pedicled TRAM-flap following preoperative conditioning by selective embolization of the DIEA constitutes a safe and reliable method of breast reconstruction with autogenous tissue. It is superior to the pedicled TRAM-flap without delay and offers definite advantages compared to alternative techniques of enhanced flap vascularization.

Adult↗

Enzymatic assay of galactosyltransferase by capillary electrophoresis.

The kinetic parameters of a galactosyltransferase-catalyzed reaction were determined for the first time using capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) using the methylumbelliferyl (MU) glycoside of N-acetylglucosamine as the acceptor molecule. The CZE was performed using borate buffer and the enzymatic transformations were monitored at 214 nm. The kinetic parameters obtained for MU-GlcNAc were Km = 35.9 microM and Vmax = 7.5 micromol/min/mg, and those for UDP-Gal were Km = 115.3 microM and Vmax = 12.4 micromol/min/mg. A representative inhibition assay was also carried out using UDP as an inhibitor to give the Ki value of 83.9 microM against MU-GlcNAc. The structure of the synthetic product was also confirmed using 1H NMR spectroscopies after isolation by simple chromatography.

Animals↗

High-dose chemotherapy in germ cell tumours: a large single centre experience.

High-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) has evolved as a strategy to improve the treatment outcome in patients with relapsed and/or refractory germ cell tumours. Between August 1989 and September 1995, 150 consecutive patients with relapsed and/or refractory germ cell tumours were treated with conventional-dose salvage chemotherapy followed by one cycle of HDCT with carboplatin 1500-2000 mg/m2, etoposide 1200-2400 mg/m2 and ifosfamide 0-10 g/m2 and were retrospectively analysed. With a median follow-up time of 55 months (range 21-88 months) 51/150 (34%) patients are alive and disease free. The projected event-free and overall survival are 29% (confidence interval 22-37%) and 39% (confidence interval 31-47%) respectively. The relevance of prognostic variables for long-term survival after HDCT were prospectively confirmed. Persisting toxicities occurred in approximately one third of the long-term survivors. Treatment intensification with HDCT resulted in a significant proportion of the long-term survivors in patients with relapsed and/or refractory germ cell tumours. Trials to prospectively evaluate HDCT as an early intervention in these patients seem justified.

Adolescent↗

Treatment of relapse after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation with unmanipulated G-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood stem cell preparation.

Donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) are an effective treatment of leukemia relapse after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Undesired side-effects are the development of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and the occurrence of pancytopenia in some patients. In a pilot study, we investigated if unmanipulated G-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood stem cells which naturally contain large numbers of T lymphocytes (D-PBSC/LI) would be equally effective or even superior than DLI in generating a graft-versus-leukemia reaction (GVL) but could mitigate or prevent the development of pancytopenia. We treated 12 patients with CML chronic phase (n = 5), CML blast crisis (n = 2), AML (n = 2), ALL (n = 1), CLL (n = 1) and multiple myeloma (n = 1). In five patients with acute leukemia or CML blast crisis D-PBSC/LI followed intensive chemotherapy (group A), in seven patients D-PBSC/LI were given without any prior chemotherapy (group B). In group A two patients were evaluable for hematologic toxicity. Leukopenia <1000/microl lasted for 10 and 19 days, and thrombocytopenia <20,000/microl for 11 and 13 days, respectively. In group B leukopenia <1000/microl and thrombocytopenia <20,000/microl was observed in only one patient. Moderate cytopenia developed in four of five evaluable patients. A complete remission could be achieved in all seven patients with CML who all developed acute and/or chronic GVHD. None of the remaining five patients achieved a complete remission despite acute and/or chronic GVHD in two of them. Four patients died from disease progression, one patient from a secondary lymphoma, and one patient as a result of uncontrolled GVHD. In conclusion, D-PBSC/LI is effective in inducing GVL reaction but it does not prevent pancytopenia in each case. It remains unclear if it mitigates the incidence and severity of pancytopenia.

Adult↗

Development and clinical application of titanium minipins for fixation of nonresorbable barrier membranes.

Clinical applications of the principle of guided bone regeneration in oral and maxillofacial surgery include preimplant reconstruction of atrophied bone defects and coverage of endosseous implants that were incompletely covered by bone through primary intention. Nonresorbable polytetrafluoroethylene membranes are used. Over the past several years, the use of periosteal sutures to fix membranes has been supplemental or replaced by the use of metallic fixation systems. Five-year clinical results with a membrane pin set developed for fixation of such membranes are reported. Application of the titanium pin limits the relative movement between the membrane and surrounding bone and/or between and surrounding soft tissue flaps. Moreover, the titanium pin expands the range of applications for such membranes, particularly to topographically complicated bone defects at sites where clinically secure and biologically functioning placement of the membrane is not always easy.

Adult↗

Maxillary sinus augmentation using different grafting materials and dental implants in monkeys. Part III. Evaluation of autogenous bone combined with porous hydroxyapatite.

The aim of this study was to evaluate clinically, histologically, and histometrically the use of autogenous bone combined with porous hydroxyapatite (Interpore 200) as a grafting material for maxillary sinus augmentation procedures. In 4 adult male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) the 1st, 2nd and 3rd maxillary molars on one side of the jaws were extracted. After a healing period of 3 months, maxillary sinus augmentation procedures were performed in each monkey, and the sinuses were grafted with autogenous bone from the monkeys' tibia mixed in a 3:1 ratio with porous hydroxyapatite. At the same time, 2 pure titanium plasma-sprayed IMZ cylinder implants were immediately placed into the augmented sinuses (i.e. simultaneous implants-loaded group). After 4 months, 2 additional similar implants were placed into the previously augmented sinuses (i.e. delayed implants-loaded group). Four months later, the abutment connection was performed and all 4 implants were loaded with a gold-alloy bridge for 6 months (i.e. until sacrifice of the animals). The contralateral side of each monkey received similar treatment with the exception that the extractions were performed 7 months after those in the opposite side and that the implants were not loaded. Thus, 2 additional study groups (i.e. simultaneous implants unloaded group and delayed implants unloaded group) were obtained. Clinically, all loaded implants were stable at the day of sacrifice. Histologically, the grafted sinuses exhibited a significant amount of new bone formation. The porous hydroxyapatite granules appeared integrated with the newly formed bone. Histometric analyses revealed that delayed implant placement resulted in a greater amount of direct mineralized bone-to-implant contact in the augmented area than the simultaneous implant placement. Furthermore, the percentage of direct mineralized bone-to-implant contact was far more significant in the residual bone than in the augmented area. It was concluded that the autogenous bone/porous hydroxyapatite graft combination enhanced bone formation and mineralized bone-to-implant contact in the augmented sinuses and that the delayed implant placement may be favorable for sinus augmentation procedures.

Animals↗

Maxillary sinus augmentation using different grafting materials and dental implants in monkeys. Part I. Evaluation of anorganic bovine-derived bone matrix.

The aim of this study was to evaluate clinically, histologically and histometrically the use of anorganic bovine bone matrix (i.e. Bio-oss) as a grafting material for maxillary sinus augmentation procedures. In 4 adult male rhesus monkeys (i.e. Macaca mulatta) the 1st, 2nd and 3rd maxillary molars on one side of the jaws were extracted. The remaining bone between the alveolar crest and the bottom of the sinus was then reduced to 3-4 mm. After 3 months, maxillary sinus augmentation procedures were performed on one side of the jaws in each monkey and the sinuses were grafted with the bovine bone matrix. At that time, 2 IMZ pure titanium plasma coated implants were immediately placed into the augmented sinuses (i.e. simultaneous implants-loaded group). After 4 months, 2 additional similar implants were placed into these previously augmented sinuses (i.e. delayed implants-loaded group). Four months later, the abutment connection was performed and all 4 implants were loaded with a gold-alloy bridge for 6 months (i.e. until sacrifice of the animals). The contralateral side of each monkey received the same treatment with the exception that the extractions were performed 7 months after those in the opposite side and that the implants in this side were not loaded. Thus, 2 additional study groups (i.e. simultaneous implants-unloaded group and delayed implants-unloaded group) were obtained. Clinically, all loaded implants were stable at the day of sacrifice. Histologically, the grafted sinuses exhibited significant bone formation with integration of the bovine bone matrix particles to the new bone. Direct mineralized bone-to-implant contact was greater for the delayed implant placement groups than for the implants installed simultaneously with the sinus augmentation. Furthermore, the percentage of direct mineralized bone-to-implant contact was greater in the residual bone than in the augmented area. It was concluded that the anorganic bovine bone matrix facilitated bone formation and implant osseointegration in the augmented sinuses and that the delayed implant placement in combination with the sinus augmentation procedure seemed to be preferable.

Alveolar Process↗

Maxillary sinus augmentation using different grafting materials and osseointegrated dental implants in monkeys. Part II. Evaluation of porous hydroxyapatite as a grafting material.

The aim of this study was to evaluate clinically, histologically and histometrically the use of porous hydroxyapatite (i.e. Interpore-200) as a bone grafting material for maxillary sinus augmentation procedures. In 4 adult male rhesus monkeys (i.e. Macaca mulatta) the 1st, 2nd and 3rd maxillary molars on one side of the jaws were extracted and the remaining bone between the alveolar crest and the bottom of the sinus was reduced to 3-4 mm. After 3 months, maxillary sinus augmentation procedures were performed on one side of the jaws in each monkey, and the sinuses grafted with the porous hydroxyapatite. Two IMZ titanium plasma-sprayed cylinder implants were then immediately placed into the augmented sinus (i.e. simultaneous implants-loaded group). After 4 months, 2 additional similar implants were placed into the previously augmented sinuses (i.e. delayed implants-loaded group). Four months later, the abutment connection was performed and all 4 implants were loaded with a gold-alloy bridge for 6 months (i.e. until sacrifice). The contralateral side of each monkey received the same treatment with the exception that the extractions were performed 7 months after those in the opposite side and that the implants in this side were not loaded. Thus, 2 additional study groups (i.e. simultaneous implants-unloaded group and delayed implants-unloaded group) were obtained. Clinically, all loaded implants were stable at the day of sacrifice. Histologic analysis demonstrated a significant amount of new bone formation in the augmented sinuses. Porous hydroxyapatite graft particles appeared to be integrated to the new bone. The percentage of direct mineralized bone-to-implant contact in the augmented area was greater on the delayed-placed implants than on the simultaneously-placed implants. Also, the percentage of direct mineralized bone-to-implant contact was greater in the residual bone than in the augmented area. It was concluded that this porous hydroxyapatite bone graft enhanced bone formation and bone-to-implant contact in the augmented sinuses and that the delayed implant placement in combination with the sinus augmentation procedure appears to result in a higher percentage of direct mineralized bone-to-implant contact.

Alveolar Process↗

High-dose chemotherapy with carboplatin, etoposide and ifosfamide followed by autologous stem cell rescue in patients with relapsed or refractory malignant lymphomas: a phase I/II study.

Patients with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) and Hodgkin's disease (HD) with recurrences after an anthracyclin-containing regimen only have a chance of cure of below 10% with conventional chemotherapy. In order to improve their prognosis, we started a phase I/II trial using high-dose therapy comprising carboplatin, together with etoposide and ifosfamide (CEI), followed by autologous stem cell rescue (ASCR) as consolidation after salvage treatment. Since September 1990, 40 patients with intensively pretreated advanced NHL (n = 24) or HD (n = 16) received one cycle of high-dose therapy (HDT) consisting of carboplatin 1500 mg/m2, ifosfamide 10 g/m2 and etoposide in escalating doses from 1200 mg/m2 to 2400 mg/m2 followed by ASCR. Thirty-nine patients were assessable for toxicity and response. The following doses appeared to be safe: carboplatin 1500 mg/m2, etoposide 2400 mg/m2 and ifosfamide 10 g/m2. All patients developed grade 3 nausea and grade 3 or 4 mucositis. Granulocytopenic fever occurred in 100% with grade 4 infections in 15%. Mild transient kidney toxicity was noted in 36% and liver toxicity in 20% of patients. One toxic death occurred (2.5%). Objective responses were obtained in 36 of 39 patients (92%) with complete remissions (CR) in 24 patients (61.5%) and partial remissions (PR) in 12 (30.7%). Median observation time for surviving patients was 23.3 months (range 3.4-52.3). The probabilities of overall, event-free and relapse-free survival at 2 years are 62, 39 and 55%, respectively. Patients with primary refractory disease or resistant relapse had a poor prognosis. High-dose carboplatin, etoposide and ifosfamide plus autologous stem cell rescue represents an effective, potentially curative salvage treatment with acceptable toxicities.

Adolescent↗