In isolated rat hearts, 25 min of global ischaemia led to significant decreases in the ATP, creatine phosphate (CP), and glycogen contents and increased glucose-6-phosphate (G-6-P) and lactate in the myocardium. During a subsequent reperfusion for 15 min only the CP level, but not ATP and glycogen were restored. G-6-P and lactate were reduced, but remained still elevated in comparison with non-ischaemic hearts. The post-ischaemic coronary flow volume and creatine kinase (CK) release increased significantly compared with preischaemic values. Arrhythmias such as extrasystoles, ventricular tachycardia, flutter and fibrillation, occurred, especially during the first few minutes of reperfusion. Application of the oxygen radical scavenger, superoxide dismutase (SOD), enhanced the myocardial creatine phosphate content during reperfusion. In fibrillating hearts, SOD also increased the ATP content in comparison with non-treated hearts. Superoxide dismutase was effective only during reperfusion and not during the preceding ischaemia. Neither the CK release nor reperfusion arrhythmias were decreased by the radical scavenger. The results suggest that the superoxide radical is involved in the reduction of high energy phosphates during post-ischaemic reperfusion and that this effect can be antagonised by the superoxide anion scavenger superoxide dismutase.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Biocompatibility of polyethylene terephthalate (Trevira hochfest) augmentation device in repair of the anterior cruciate ligament.

The biocompatibility of a 3 mm band made of polyethylene terephthalate (Trevira hochfest) has been tested in an experimental study within right knee joints of 60 sheep. After transsecting the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), two randomized groups were formed. In group I, the ACL was repaired according to the Marshall technique whilst in group II an additional 3 mm polyethylene terephthalate (PET) augmentation band was implanted using the through-the-condyle (TTC) procedure. To assess the biocompatibility of the augmentation device the knee joints of both groups were punctured and the synovial fluids were analyzed before, as well as 2, 6, 16, 26, and 52 weeks after the operation. In addition, the histologic appearance of excised suprapatellar pouches and ipsilateral inguinal and popliteal lymphatic noduli were examined. Comparing both groups no significant differences were found neither before nor after the augmented and non-augmented ACL repair. No pathological increase in the total protein concentration occurred after operation and no significant differences versus the preoperative analysis were found. No synovitis signalling a decrease in the glucose concentration was observed. The cytological examination revealed no increase of the leukocyte cell count results. Within the synovial specimen neither free nor phagocytosed PET wearparticles could be detected. In groups I and II the histological appearance of excised popliteal and inguinal lymphatic noduli showed a normal result. In 25% of the PET augmented ACL repairs, a slight concentration of PET wearparticles and solitary, multinuclear giant foreign body cells could be seen in the histological preparations of suprapatellar pouches.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Therapy for chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: in Hungary, over the past 5 years more than 900 patients with chronic hepatitis C have been examined for treatment with interferon at 16 major hepatology centres, using unified diagnostic and therapeutical criteria. Authors give an account of their experiences on the clinical features of patients with chronic hepatitis C and report the results of the interferon therapy. METHODS: a total of 993 patients--virtually the entire Hungarian hepatitis C patient population who had been referred for interferon treatment--were included in the program. Actually, the sustained efficacy of the therapy was evaluated in 724 cases. Treatment protocols (dose of interferon and duration of therapy) have changed with time from a weekly dose of 3x3 MU IFN for 6 months in the first period, to 3x3-5 MU for 12 months in the second period, and finally in the third period a combination therapy with ribavirin has also been introduced. RESULTS: in the first period, the end-of-treatment response (ETR) was 35%, sustained response (SR) 13%, the second phase schedule resulted in 42% ETR and 22% SR, while in the third period, ETR was 49% and SR 36%, respectively. Fibrosis in histology and baseline pretreatment HCV-RNA level appeared as predictors of response. The duration of treatment and the total dose of interferon exerted a moderate effect on therapeutic efficacy. Neither age nor gender influenced the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: our results-obtained in a Central East European country-are in accordance with findings of suboptimal efficacy of traditional interferon monotherapy for chronic hepatitis C reported in the West, and suggest the benefit of the combination treatment of interferon with ribavirin.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Treatment strategy in non-testicular malignant germ cell tumors in children and adolescents--concept of the MAKEI 83 cooperative therapeutic study of the Society for Pediatric Oncology].

In December 1982 the German Society of Pediatric Oncology (GPO) has initiated a cooperative study for non-testicular malignant germ cell tumors with initial vinblastine, bleomycin and cisplatinum chemotherapy depending on stage and histological grading, followed by ifosfamide, cisplatinum and VP 16 chemotherapy. Dysgerminoma patients with advanced disease are also treated with primary chemotherapy including vinblastine, bleomycin and cisplatinum; radiotherapy is limited to current disease. Patients with more differentiated teratomas receive combination chemotherapy with vinblastine, actinomycin D and cyclophosphamide.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

MR measurement of spinal CSF flow with the RACE technique.

The purpose of our study was the application and validation of a phase-sensitive pulse sequence that allowed real time CSF flow measurement without need for electrocardiographic (ECG) synchronization. After excitation of a slice perpendicular to the axis of the spine, projective data were obtained with a gradient echo sequence [contrast enhanced Fourier acquired steady-state technique (CE-FAST)] without spin warp gradient [real time acquisition and evaluation of motion technique (RACE)], allowing one-dimensional spatial resolution across the region of interest with a total sampling time of 20-30 ms. The sequence was calibrated with a spinal CSF phantom with oscillatory fluid motion. The calculated mean pulsation amplitudes of 20 healthy volunteers in the cervical region were 16 mm (range 9-36 mm), in the thoracic region 11 mm (5-21 mm), and in the lumbar region 3 mm (1-6 mm). The technique was capable of demonstrating physiologic alterations of CSF flow during respiratory maneuvers and may provide a tool to evaluate the altered CSF dynamics resulting from spinal block, inflammatory processes, or hemorrhage.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Quantification of carotid blood flow velocity using MR phase mapping.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of a two-dimensional phase-sensitive MR technique [phase mapping (PM)] for the quantification of carotid blood flow velocity (CBFV) and pulsatility in normal subjects and patients with extracranial carotid disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using PM, we measured the systolic peak, minimum diastolic, and mean CBFV and the pulsatility index in both common carotid arteries (CCAs) of 22 normal subjects and 32 patients. In addition, the CBFV was quantified in the internal carotid arteries (ICAs) of 25 patients. These data were compared with independent measurements based on pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasonography. RESULTS: Correlations between PM and pulsed-wave Doppler were strong for systolic peak CBFV in both the CCA (r = 0.91) and the ICA (r > or = 0.82). Slightly lower correlations were obtained for mean CBFV (r > or = 0.79) and minimum diastolic CBFV (r > or = 0.75), both measured in the CCA. Velocity waveform comparison revealed high between-method correlations for the CCA (r = 0.90 for normals; r > or = 0.88 for patients) and slightly lower correlations for the ICA (r > or = 0.75). Agreement was lower (r = 0.63) for measurements in the ICA distal to high grade stenosis. CONCLUSION: Phase mapping compared well with Doppler ultrasonography in quantifying CBFV and pulsatility in patients with extracranial carotid artery disease. Except for poststenotic measurements in high grade obstructive lesions, PM is capable of providing quantitative hemodynamic information on the severity of ICA stenosis.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Factors influencing flow-induced signal loss in MR angiography: an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: Signal loss due to poststenotic turbulence is one remaining limitation in the clinical use of MRA. The objective of this study was to determine the factors influencing poststenotic signal loss (PSL) in a stenotic tube system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With use of a two-dimensional gradient echo sequence (FLASH), the influence of (a) the degree of stenosis (50, 75, and 91% cross-sectional area reduction), (b) flow velocity (12, 47, 71, and 94 cm/s), (c) TE (3, 6, 13, and 20 ms), and (d) flip angle (5, 10, 20, ... , 90 degrees) on the length of PSL was measured in a nonpulsatile stenotic tube system. To quantify the effect of first-order gradient motion refocusing (GMR), the signal intensity ratio from flow-compensated and -uncompensated images was calculated. For statistical analysis, multiple regression analysis and unpaired Student t test were used. RESULTS: In the flow model used, the length of PSL increased significantly with the degree of stenosis (beta ST' = 0.483 mm/%, beta ST" = 0.447 mm/%, p < 0.0001), flow velocity (beta v' = 0.297 s, beta v" = 0.213 s, p < 0.0001), and TE (beta TE = 1.88 mm/ms, p < 0.0001), respectively, whereas no correlation emerged for varying flip angles (beta alpha = 0.0214, p = 0.29). First-order GMR reduced significantly PSL in through-plane measurements (p < 0.0001). Maximal signal-enhancing effects of first-order GMR were observed 1-3 cm distal to the stenosis. CONCLUSION: Flow model parameters (i.e., degree of stenosis, flow velocity) markedly influenced the length of PSL that could be compensate for by use orf shortened TEs and first-order GMR. Varying flip angles had no significant influence on PSL.

Acrylic Resins↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of age, gender and ear side on SOAE parameters in infancy and childhood.

We investigated 267 infants and children aged 9 days to 16.8 years to study the spontaneous otoacoustic emission (SOAE) data prevalence, number per ear, level and frequency as a function of growth. Dependence on age, gender and ear side was statistically analyzed using the method of generalized estimation equations. Except in the 1st year of life, SOAE prevalence per ear and SOAE number per ear decreased significantly with increasing age. Both SOAE parameters were significantly higher in female than in male subjects, with gender difference of SOAE prevalence per ear being more distinct in the 1st year of life. Although a clear ear side effect on SOAE prevalence per ear could already be seen in ears of female children in this age group, only SOAE number per ear was significantly higher in right ears than in left ears from the 1st year of life on. Except in the first 12 months, SOAE level and SOAE frequency decreased significantly with increasing age. Neither a significant gender difference nor a significant ear side difference could be determined. Our results found in infancy and childhood are discussed within the framework of the current literature.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

ESR investigations on blood treated intravenously with ascorbic acid.

The effect of 1 g of ascorbic acid, administered intravenously to healthy male and female volunteers, on blood and its constituents was investigated by means of electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy and by differential hematologic examinations. The native blood ESR spectrum exhibits 2 min injection of vitamin C a considerable increase in spin concentration and a new signal at about g = 2.005 which we previously had found to correlate to the semidehydroascorbate radical. This spectrum is identical to that obtained in acute lymphatic leukemia. While it prevails in untreated leukemic patients, spin concentration and shape of the spectrum obtained return to normal within several hours to one day in healthy individuals. Since neither in erythrocytes nor in plasma modifications could be observed, the ESR changes detected must have their origin in the leukocytes. Hematologic studies of the peripheral blood show that the number of granulocytes, lymphocytes, and thrombocytes was not drastically affected by the vitamin C injection.

Adult↗