Biomedical subjects

B Grube

Publications and source records attributed to B Grube.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Efficacy of a comfrey root (Symphyti offic. radix) extract ointment in the treatment of patients with painful osteoarthritis of the knee: results of a double-blind, randomised, bicenter, placebo-controlled trial.

This randomised, double-blind, bicenter, placebo-controlled clinical trial investigated the effect of a daily application of 6g Kytta-Salbe f (3 x 2 g) over a 3 week period with patients suffering from painful osteoarthritis of the knee. The two hundred and twenty patients examined consisted of 153 women and 67 men of an average age of 57.9 years. On average, the complaints relating to osteoarthritis of the knee had persisted for 6.5 years. Two hundred and twenty patients were included in the Full Analysis Set (FAS) and safety collective, 186 (84.5%) in the Valid Case Analysis Set (VCAS) collective. In the course of the trial, the visual analog scale (VAS) total score (primary target value) in the verum group dropped by 51.6 mm (54.7%) and in the placebo group by 10.1 mm (10.7%). The average difference between the groups of 41.5 mm (95% confidence interval=34.8 to 48.2 mm) or 44.0% is significant (p<0.001). The significance is confirmed through the evaluation of the diary, the VCAS evaluation and the separate assessment of the two centres. This also applies to the separate assessment of the VAS total score following pain at rest and on movement. The WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities) total score (secondary target value) also improved similar to the VAS total score. At the end of the trial, a reduction by 60.4 mm (58.0%) was recorded for the verum group and a reduction of 14.7 mm (14.1%) for the placebo group. The average group difference of 45.7 mm (95% confidence interval=37.1 to 54.3 mm) or 43.9% is significant (p<0.001). The difference between the treatment groups increased systematically and significantly, in parallel with the duration of the treatment. Thus, the superiority of the treatment with Kytta-Salbe f over that with the placebo is proven, even by means of the multi-factorial multivariate analysis for repetitive measurements. In respect of the explorative secondary target values SF-36 (quality of life), angle measurement (mobility of the knee), CGI (clinical global impression) and global assessment of efficacy by the physician and the patient, a significant superiority (p<0.001 each) of the verum group over the placebo group was also proven. The results suggest that the comfrey root extract ointment is well suited for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. Pain is reduced, mobility of the knee improved and quality of life increased.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

PubMed2005

First measurement of the transverse spin asymmetries of the deuteron in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering.

First measurements of the Collins and Sivers asymmetries of charged hadrons produced in deep-inelastic scattering of muons on a transversely polarized 6LiD target are presented. The data were taken in 2002 with the COMPASS spectrometer using the muon beam of the CERN SPS at 160 GeV/c. The Collins asymmetry turns out to be compatible with zero, as does the measured Sivers asymmetry within the present statistical errors.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Down-regulation of promoter 1.3 activity of the human aromatase gene in breast tissue by zinc-finger protein, snail (SnaH).

Aromatase (estrogen synthetase) is expressed in breast cancer tissue, and in situ expression of the enzyme stimulates breast cancer growth. Promoter I.3 is one of the major promoters that control the expression of aromatase in breast cancer tissue. Using the yeast one-hybrid approach to screen a human breast tissue hybrid cDNA expression library, we found that the zinc-finger transcriptional factor Snail (SnaH) interacted with a regulatory region near promoter I.3 of the human aromatase gene. DNA mobility shift assays and mutation analyses using recombinant SnaH protein expressed in Escherichia coli have revealed that this protein interacts with a segment, 5'-CTGATGAAGT-3', which is between 66 and 76 bp upstream from the transcriptional start site of promoter I.3. Using mammalian cell transfection experiments, SnaH was found to act as a repressor of promoter I.3 activity. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments have revealed that the NH2-terminal SNAG domain is important for the repressor activity of SnaH. To demonstrate the inhibitory activity against aromatase expression, a stable SnaH-expressing MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line was generated, and the aromatase RNA messages in the SnaH-transfected cell line were found to be 30% of those in the vector-transfected cell line. Reverse transcription-PCR analysis on RNAs isolated from 12 cell lines has confirmed that SnaH is expressed at a higher level in normal breast epithelial cell and stromal fibroblast cell lines than in breast cancer cell lines. In addition, SnaH mRNA was detected in only 16 of 55 breast cancer specimens. On the other hand, aromatase mRNA was detected in 54 of the 55 specimens. Our results indicate that SnaH acts as a repressor that down-regulates the expression of aromatase in normal breast tissue by suppressing the function of promoter I.3. A reduction of the expression of SnaH in breast cancer tissue further suggests a cancer-protective role for this protein in normal breast tissue.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

Surgical palliation at a cancer center: incidence and outcomes.

HYPOTHESIS: Surgical intervention in palliative care is common; however, the indications, risks, and outcomes are not well described. DESIGN: Retrospective review of surgical cases during a 1-year period with a minimum 1-year survival update. SETTING: A National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. PATIENTS: Patients with a cancer diagnosis undergoing operative procedures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of palliative surgeries and analysis of length of stay, morbidity, and mortality. RESULTS: Palliative surgeries comprised 240 (12.5%) of 1915 surgical procedures. There were 170 major and 70 minor procedures. Neurosurgical (46.0%), orthopedic (31.3%), and thoracic (21.5%) surgical procedures were frequently palliative. The most common primary diagnoses were lung, colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers. Length of hospital stay was 12.4 days (range, 0-99 days), with 21.3% of procedures performed on an outpatient basis. The 30-day mortality was 12.2%, with 5 patients dying within 5 days of their procedure. The overall mortality was 23.3% (56/240). Mortality for surgical procedures classified as major was 21.9% (44/170) and 10.0% (7/70) for those classified as minor (Fisher exact test, P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: Significant numbers of palliative procedures are performed at our cancer center. Overall morbidity and mortality were high; however, a significant number of patients had short hospital stays and low morbidity. Palliative surgery should remain an important part of end-of-life care. Patients and their families must be aware of the high risks and understand the clear objectives of these procedures.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

HIV/AIDS case management tasks and activities: the results of a functional analysis study.

Functional analysis, a variation of the time study technique, was used to examine how HIV/AIDS case managers in the tri-county region of New York State spend their time-the actual tasks and activities they choose to perform relative to the total universe of activities and tasks subsumed in the general category of case management. The picture developed was of a system operating primarily in a crisis mode, spending relatively brief amounts of time completing a range of activities and providing an extensive scope of services for or on behalf of clients. The bulk of the work was client centered, not administrative, and involved providing disease management and essential services (e.g., family and mental health). The implications of these findings are discussed, with particular attention paid to the potential influence of client profiles and worker demographics.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed2000

Examining the HIV/AIDS case management process.

Eight themes in the HIV/AIDS case management process emerged from a 1998 study of 14 Ryan White Title I-funded case management programs in the New York City tri-county region. For individuals who were struggling with multiple environmental stressors, the diagnosis of HIV or AIDS was merely one of the many pressures that brought them to case management programs. Most came when they were in crisis. Using both chart reviews and focus groups with case managers and supervisors, this article reports that the activities that characterize this region's case management introduce alternative ways of thinking about the HIV/AIDS case management process.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1999

HIV/AIDS case management: views from the frontline.

Case management has been a critical component of services to vulnerable populations for the past 20 years, and the knowledge base has been constantly evolving. This article offers an additional dimension to the study of case management practice by providing an opportunity for perceptions of case managers, heretofore relatively neglected, to be included in the literature. It reports the results of two study efforts (chart review and focus groups) that examined the case management system of care for people with HIV/AIDS in the New York tri-county region. While the literature and chart review findings stress the primacy of linkage activities, the case managers emphasize the importance of providing the support necessary to ensure that clients are able to maintain a reasonable quality of life. Findings are discussed in the context of the "strengths perspective" as well as service system and organizational contingencies. Potential methodological implications for the use of the study techniques are suggested.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1991

[Effect of lead, zinc and cadmium on the cytotoxic action of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes on yeast cells].

In earlier studies we observed that the metal ions of lead, zinc and cadmium remarkably inhibited the phagocytic capacity of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL). The generation of toxic oxygen species, however, was increased by the same heavy metals. In the study presented now we tested the effects of human PMNL on surrounding yeast cells when their microbicidal activities were altered in the presence of the above mentioned metals ions. It was shown that each of the metal salts increased the number of yeast cells killed by the PMNL despite the reduced phagocytic capacity. So we assume an increased cytotoxic effect of PMNL in the presence of the heavy metals.

Cadmium↗

PubMed1989

The "sponge deformity" after tangential excision and grafting of burns.

Sequential excision and grafting of burns have resulted in several new problems. We have termed one of these the "sponge deformity," i.e., a grafted area where, in multiple small areas, the bed heals underneath the graft with or without slough of the overlying graft. If the graft sloughs, a pockmark forms. If the graft does not slough, an overlying bridge forms. In our experience, this deformity is very troublesome to patients because it is difficult to wash, catches on objects, bleeds, and looks quite unsightly. Between February of 1981 and June of 1986, we treated 16 patients with this deformity. All 16 patients were treated by simple excision of the bridges and pockmark edges with a curved iris scissors. In all patients, the wounds healed well and the resultant surfaces were considerably smoother. This retrospective review of the patients suggests that the deformity usually occurs around the periphery of the excised area where the excision was shallower and when thicker grafts are used. Perhaps the bed underneath the graft epithelializes from residual epithelial elements prior to vascularization of the autograft. If this is true, it might be possible to prevent the deformity by excising the wound deeper, by applying thinner grafts, or by applying allograft or xenograft, expecting that the area will heal promptly and not require autografting.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Toxic epidermal necrolysis. A comprehensive approach. Multidisciplinary management in a burn center.

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) is a life-threatening disorder with reported mortality rates of 25-60 percent in pediatric patients. The authors report on their experience in managing six children using a standardized treatment protocol in the intensive care unit of a regional burn center. Areas of sloughed skin were covered with porcine xenograft (pig skin) until reepithelialization was complete. There was one death in the series, and one child had ophthalmologic complications. Treatment in a multidisciplinary burn center is recommended for children with TEN.

Burn Units↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Burn depth: a review.

Despite the plethora of technologic advances, the most common technique for diagnosing burn depth remains the clinical assessment of an experienced burn surgeon. It is clear that this assessment is accurate for very deep and very shallow burns. But since clinical judgment is not precise in telling whether a dermal burn will heal in 3 weeks, efforts to develop a burn depth indicator are certainly warranted to accurately determine which dermal burns to excise and graft. This review summarizes the considerable literature in which a variety of techniques to determine burn depth have been used.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

St. John's Wort extract: efficacy for menopausal symptoms of psychological origin.

Herbal remedies such as St. John's Wort preparations can be used successfully to relieve the psychological and vegetative symptoms of menopause. This drug-monitoring study investigated 12 weeks of treatment with St. John's Wort, one tablet three times daily (900 mg Hypericum, Kira), in 111 women from a general medical practice. The patients, who were between 43 and 65 years old, had climacteric symptoms characteristic of the pre- and postmenopausal state. Treatment outcome was evaluated by the Menopause Rating Scale, a self-designed questionnaire for assessing sexuality, and the Clinical Global Impression scale. The incidence and severity of typical psychological, psychosomatic, and vasomotor symptoms were recorded at baseline and after 5, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment. Substantial improvement in psychological and psychosomatic symptoms was observed. Climacteric complaints diminished or disappeared completely in the majority of women (76.4% by patient evaluation and 79.2% by physician evaluation). Of note, sexual well-being also improved after treatment with St. John's Wort extract.

Adult↗