PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B Schreiber

Publications and source records attributed to B Schreiber.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Chronic low back pain with endurant pain coping--optimizing rehabilitation success in a hitherto neglected patient group].

In view of a frequently poor success rate of rehabilitation programmes in patients with low back pain, a specific intervention programme was developed addressing the subgroup of patients with endurant pain coping behaviour and evaluated within a research project sponsored by the National federation of pension insurers, VDR. In terms of a control group design with 4 points of measurement (beginning and end of rehabilitation, 6- and 12-months follow-up), an intervention group (n = 163) was compared to a control group (standard programme of an orthopaedic rehabilitation clinic, n = 252). Data were collected using the KSI, BDI, IRES, FFbH-R and a pain questionnaire. Subjects were blue-collar insurants, aged 46 on average with a pain history of 9.6 years. Findings show a stronger reduction of pain intensity and strain, significant enhancement of functional capacity as well as a greater decrease of sick leave days and pension requests. These results are presented over the course of the 4 points of measurement as well as in relation to the intervention programme, which focuses on the endurant pain coping behaviour. The consequences of implementing such therapy components into standard rehabilitation programmes are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2004

[Treatment specificity in chronic-back pain: is optimized rehabilitation allocation enough?].

The multidimensional and heterogeneous etiogenesis of chronic low back pain requires multimodal as well as specific treatment programmes. Aim of the present study was to increase the specificity of treatment already at the interface "family health care - assigning institution - rehabilitation clinic" by supporting the assignment to orthopaedic or psychosomatic rehabilitation through extensive diagnostics and deriving a patient's profile of risk factors in the forefield of rehabilitation. In a prospective randomized control group design the rehabilitation success in 309 persons (age 22 - 58) suffering from chronic low back pain was compared on risk factor specific vs. conventional assignment. Between 22 % and 27 % of the assignments following conventional criteria have to be considered as false. On the other hand, rehabilitation success did not turn out to have been increased by specific assignment. In conclusion, implications for more far-reaching change in treatment programmes within and subsequent to stationary rehabilitation are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Cluster formation - an operationalization of rehabilitation success in rehabilitants with chronic low back pain].

To investigate the impact of the way of allocation for rehabilitation on rehabilitation success in patients with chronic low back pain it was necessary to define appropriate criteria of success. A multidimensional model of success is presented in this article. First, the outcomes of rehabilitation are described and statistically tested. No statistically or clinically relevant changes between pre and post measurements were found. For further analysis of predictors and group comparisons it is necessary to define multidimensional success. For this purpose, cluster analyses are introduced as a possible model, resulting in three groups of patients with differing outcomes, i. e.: 20 % patients with declined pain symptoms, 40 % patients without any changes, 40 % patients with increased symptoms. No impact of the way of allocation for rehabilitation could be verified.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Monte Carlo simulations of the imaging performance of metal plate/phosphor screens used in radiotherapy.

The imaging performance of metal plate/phosphor screens which are used for the creation of portal images in radiotherapy is investigated by using Monte Carlo simulations. To this end the modulation transfer function, the noise power spectrum and the detective quantum efficiency [DQE(f)] are calculated for different metals and phosphors and different thicknesses of metal and phosphor for a range of spatial resolutions. The interaction of x-rays with the metal plate/phosphor screen is modeled with the EGS4 electron gamma shower code. Optical transport in the phosphor is modeled by simulating scattering and reabsorption events of individual optical photons. It is shown that metals with a high atomic number perform better than lighter metals in maximizing the DQE(f). It is furthermore shown that the DQE(f) for the metal plate/phosphor screen alone is nearly x-ray quantum absorption limited up to spatial frequencies of 0.4 cycles/mm. In addition, it is argued that the secondary quantum sink of optical photons imposed by the optical chain (mirror, lenses and video camera) leads to a significant degradation of the signal-to-noise ratio at spatial frequencies which are most important for successful registration of portal images. Therefore, the conclusion is that a replacement of the optical chain by a flat array of photodiodes placed directly under the phosphor will lead to a substantial improvement in image quality of portal images.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1996

Multiple fistulas and tracheobronchial stenoses require extensive stenting of the central airways and esophagus in squamous-cell carcinoma.

We report here on two cases of double airway and esophageal stenting in patients with multiple esophagotracheal fistulas and stenoses of the airways and esophagus due to squamous-cell carcinoma. Dumon stents and a Strecker device were used for tracheobronchial stenting. Covered Gianturco Z-stents were implanted into the esophagus. In one case, extrinsic compression of the trachea and tumor progression required recanalization by Nd:YAG laser. Clinical improvement led to discharge of the patients within two weeks after the procedure. The results show that simultaneous implantation of stents in the central airways and covered Gianturco Z-stents in the esophagus is an effective therapeutic strategy in patients with tracheal and esophageal obstructions and esophagorespiratory fistulas. Further systematic studies evaluating double stenting are warranted.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Retention of antibacterial activity and bacterial colonization of antiseptic-bonded central venous catheters.

We determined how long antiseptic impregnation with silver sulphadiazine and chlorhexidine (SCC) on polyurethane central venous double- or triple-lumen catheters is retained in vivo. A total of 116 antiseptic catheters were tested for antibacterial activity in an in-vitro bioassay after various periods of iv catheterization. Segments from the subcutaneous (sc) and intravenous (iv) portions of the catheters were cultured. The results of test antiseptic catheters were compared with those from 117 noncoated control (c) catheters. Retention of antibacterial activity followed an exponential curve and lasted for up to 520 h after catheter insertion. Significant differences (P = 0.0001) between SSC and C catheters were noticed with regard to the quantitative level of bacterial colonization (SSC-sc 87 +/- 34 vs C-sc 584 +/- 122; SSC-iv 52 +/- 17 vs C-iv 286 +/- 57; all values are given as mean cfu +/- S.E.M.), and the frequency of bacterial colonization (SSC-sc 20.7% vs C-sc 38.5%, P = 0.0047; SSC-iv 18.1% vs C-iv 30.8%, P = 0.0361). There was no significant difference between the incidence of catheter-related bacteraemia in the test (n = 0) and control groups (n = 3) (P = 0.2573). Further prospective studies are required to delineate the role of antiseptic catheters in preventing catheter-related infections.

Bacteremia↗
PubMed1992

How much brushing is enough for the diagnosis of lung tumors?

BACKGROUND: Bronchoscopic investigations of lung tumors require high diagnostic accuracy. Sometimes the combination of brush biopsy with cytologic and histologic examination of forceps-obtained biopsy specimens fails to diagnose tumors. Techniques with a minimum risk and low cost when repeated several times could increase the efficiency of tumor diagnosis and help to avoid rebronchoscopy. METHODS: Repeated brush biopsies were done during one bronchoscopic examination in 270 patients with pulmonary neoplasias using a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope guided by radiographic video fluoroscopy. The results of up to five brush biopsies were compared for their diagnostic sensitivity. RESULTS: Singly, 68-77% of the specimens showed malignant findings. With repeated brushing, the sensitivity of the diagnostic accuracy increased to 89.6%. In the periphery of the bronchial tree, the sensitivity of brush biopsy was slightly lower in bronchoscopically invisible tumors. In 222 of 242 (91.7%) patients with positive results of brush biopsy, there was agreement in the final typing of tumor morphology. CONCLUSION: For routine bronchoscopy, repeated brush biopsy should be done to obtain the highest diagnostic yield.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1987

[Acinar cell carcinoma of the salivary glands].

Between 1972 and 1985, eleven cases of acinic cell carcinoma were treated at the ENT clinic of the University Hospital Geneva. Eight of them were located in the parotid gland, three in minor salivary glands, two of these on the hard palate and one on the lower lip. Local recurrence occurred in four cases: two were recurrences of a parotid gland carcinoma and two of a minor salivary gland carcinoma. Three patients developed metastases, two in cervical lymph nodes and one in the lungs. Two tumours presented a very aggressive local development. Hence, the acinic cell carcinoma has a significant tendency to recur, to produce metastases, and may have an aggressive evolution. Radical treatment by surgery is necessary.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Proteolytic activity of Candida albicans and other yeasts.

Clinical isolates of C. albicans (75 strains) and other yeasts (20 strains) were evaluated for their ability to produce a carboxyl acid proteinase in an effort to assess its potential role as a virulence factor. Yeasts were categorized as to the infectious process present in the patient: (1) isolates from patients with invasive disease, (2) isolates from patients with possible invasive disease, (3) isolates from superficially infected patients and (4) isolates from noninfected, colonized patients. Yeasts were grown for 7 days in medium containing bovine serum albumin (BSA) as the sole nitrogen source. The amount of extracellular proteinase was measured at pH 3.2, using BSA as substrate. The majority (97%) of C. albicans isolates produced a detectable proteinase. Some non-C. albicans isolates produced proteinase; however, the amount of activity was generally less than for C. albicans. No correlation was found between the amount of proteolytic activity and the degree of invasiveness of the strains.

Candida albicans↗
PubMed1984

Long-term results of prosthetic ureteral replacement in minipigs.

In a 3-year study, silicone rubber prostheses were implanted in 6 minipigs as ureteric replacement. A Dacron velour cuff was applied for the proximal anastomosis and a disc of the same material implanted into the bladder wall to anchor the prosthesis distally. The silicone tube incorporated a metal spiral to prevent kinking. On autopsy all anastomoses were firm and resistant to tearing except in 1 animal where the proximal end of the prosthesis had loosened without further complications. Incrustation or leakage never occurred. On histology dense ingrowth of collagen fibres into the meshes of Dacron velour was evident. Malignant cells could never be demonstrated. The findings are compared with a previous 12-month study. The growth of polypoid structures occluding the prosthesis was found to be a new problem with long-term alloplastic ureteric replacement. The best results were achieved with unilateral prostheses after contralateral nephrectomy.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Behaviour of the different oxidation states of As, Sb, Se an Sn using dithiocarbamates for their separation from environmental, food and drug samples.

The mentioned elements are known to occur in the environment in different oxydation states with different biological activities. Speciation of the oxydation state by selective enrichment can lead to relevant information for the toxicologist. A sample treatment procedure is described that --allows to discriminate between the oxidation states of the mentioned elements --converts the elements to the optimum oxydation state for enrichment from the sample --brings the elements in an ideal form for their determination by x-ray fluorescence analysis using coprecipitation with the dibenzyl-ammoniumsalt of dibenzyldithiocarbamic acid. An outline of the method, instrumentation used and applications to organic, biological and environmental samples is given.

Antimony↗
PubMed1981

Protection of mice against 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced skin tumors by immunization with a fluorinated analog of the carcinogen.

5-Fluoro-12-methylbenzanthryl-7-acetic acid (5-FMBAAA) is an analog of the carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) with little or no carcinogenic activity. CD-1 mice immunized with 5-FMBAAA conjugated to bovine serum albumin (BSA) developed serum antibodies capable of binding DMBA. As a means of testing whether this immunization protected against DMBA-induced tumors, a low-dose carcinogenesis model system was developed, entailing the repeated skin application of 25 ng DMBA in dodecane alternating with applications of the tumor promoter, phorbol myristate acetate. Mice immunized with the 5-FMBAAA:BSA conjugate and subsequently exposed to this low-dose regimen for 40 weeks developed significantly fewer skin tumors (0.23 papilloma/mouse) than did unimmunized mice, mice immunized with BSA, or mice immunized with an unconjugated mixture of BSA and 5-FMBAAA (0.47 to 0.54 papilloma/mouse). Immunization did not reduce tumor incidence in mice treated with phorbol myristate acetate alone. The results suggest that, when mice are exposed to a carcinogen at doses low enough to approach environmental levels, immunization against the carcinogen can provide specific protection.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗