PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Frick

Publications and source records attributed to H Frick.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Variation in survival after diagnosis of breast cancer in Switzerland.

BACKGROUND: Survival after diagnosis of cancer is a key criterion for cancer control. Major survival differences between time periods and countries have been reported by the EUROCARE studies. We investigated whether similar differences by period and region existed in Switzerland. METHODS: Survival of 11,376 cases of primary invasive female breast cancer diagnosed between 1988 and 1997 and registered in seven Swiss cancer registries covering a population of 3.5 million was analysed. RESULTS: Comparing the two periods 1988-1992 and 1993-1997, age-standardized 5 year relative survival improved globally from 77% to 81%. Furthermore, multivariate analysis adjusting for age, tumour size and nodal involvement identified regional survival differences. Survival was lowest in the rural parts of German-speaking eastern Switzerland and highest in urbanised regions of the Latin- and German-speaking northwestern parts of the country. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that survival differences are present even in a small and affluent, but culturally diverse, country like Switzerland, raising the issue of heterogeneity in access to care and quality of treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Photodynamic detection of diseased axillary sentinel lymph node after oral application of aminolevulinic acid in patients with breast cancer.

Benign as well as malignant tumour tissues of the breast demonstrate higher fluorescence intensity (FI) than normal breast tissue after application of a photosensitiser. As a follow-up study, we evaluated the FI of metastatic sentinel lymph nodes and metastatic axillary lymph nodes compared to nonmetastatic sentinel and axillary lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer. In all, 11 patients received 30 mg 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) kg(-1) bodyweight orally 3 h prior to surgery. The sentinel lymph node was marked with Nanocoll preoperatively and with a blue dye intraoperatively. Tumour excision, excision of the sentinel lymph node and an axillary lymph node dissection were performed during the same surgical session. The operation site was illuminated with blue light (400 nm) to obtain macroscopic tissue characterisation of fluorescence. Tissue samples were stored protected from light, and analysed using a fluorescence microscope. Results were correlated with histopathology. In all, 14 sentinel lymph nodes, seven axillary lymph nodes and seven primary tumours were analysed. Metastatic sentinel lymph nodes demonstrated a statistically significant higher FI than nonmetastatic sentinel lymph nodes (2630 vs 526, P<0.0001). The FI of metastatic sentinel lymph nodes, of metastatic axillary lymph nodes and of the primary tumour were comparably high, and were statistically significantly higher compared to the normal mammary tissue. Intraoperatively, only in a few cases, it was possible to recognise the metastatic sentinel lymph node macroscopically with blue light. Our study indicates that photodynamic diagnosis with ALA has a potential in the diagnosis and detection of the sentinel lymph node in patients with breast cancer, and is worth to be further investigated and developed for intraoperative photodynamic diagnosis and possibly therapy.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1997

[Neurosyphilis 12 years after treatment of primary infection in a meanwhile HIV infected patient].

A 33-year-old male HIV-positive patient developed pure right motor hemiplegia due to meningovascular neurosyphilis. 12 years ago he was successfully treated for early syphilis with a single dose of 2.4 million units penicillin G benzathine without subsequent evidence of new infection or disease progression. Repeated HIV tests remained negative until 1993 when the HIV infection was diagnosed. It is well known that Treponema pallidum, the etiologic agent of syphilis, may be detected in the cerebrospinal fluid during early infection. Thus the former recommended regimen of single-dose penicillin G benzathine may not reliably eradicate T. pallidum from the CNS. Residual organisms may serve as a reservoir for relapse and dissemination in an immunocompromised host.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1997

Hypoplastic thymus and T-cell reduction in EECUT syndrome.

We report on a patient with EEC/EECUT syndrome and concomitant hypoplasia of the thymus and reduction of T cells in secondary lymphatic organs. The patient was born prematurely at 35 weeks of gestational age and exhibited ectodermal dysplasia, ectrodactyly, cleft palate and urinary tract abnormalities. On the left side, a large ureterocele was present. On the right side, an atretic ureter was found. Both conditions had led to intrauterine hydronephrosis, renal dysplasia, oligohydramnios, pulmonary hypoplasia, and death of the child. Ureteral malformations are thought to be of epithelial origin. Autopsy showed only small rudiments of thymic tissue containing single epithelial cells, but were completely devoid of Hassall corpuscules. Again, this clearly points to an ectodermal defect. Although there was severe reduction of T cells in secondary lymphatic organs, the thymic defect would not have necessarily led to immunological deficiency; perhaps this is the reason that an epithelial defect in the thymus of patients with EEC syndrome has not yet been reported. With regard to an updating of the diagnosis of the EEC/EECUT syndrome, an "EEC/EECUT plus" syndrome is suggested.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1996

The substrate specificity of tocopherol cyclase.

The substrate specificity of the enzyme tocopherol cyclase from the blue-green algae Anabaena variabilis (Cyanobacteria) was investigated with 11 substrate analogues revealing the significance of three major recognition sites: (i) the OH group at C(1) of the hydroquinone, (ii) the (E) configuration of the double bond, and (iii) the length of the lipophilic side chain. Experiments with two affinity matrices suggest that substrates approach the enzyme's active site with the hydrophobic tail.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed1988

Histochemistry of mucosubstances in Brunner's-gland cells and duodenal goblet cells of two New World monkey species (Saimiri sciureus and Saguinus fuscicollis).

Duodenal goblet cells and Brunner's-gland cells obtained from two species of New World monkeys (Saimiri sciureus and Saguinus fuscicollis) were studied using conventional histochemical methods and by applying a panel of 17 labelled lectins. The secretions of both goblet and Brunner's-gland cells were found to contain neutral mucosubstances, while those of goblet cells also exhibit acid and sulphated carbohydrate components. Lectin binding studies allowed a more detailed analysis of the mucus glycoproteins. Marked differences between the two examined species were not detected. N-Acetyl-galactosamine, galactose, fucose and N-Acetyl-glucosamine were found to be the predominant sugar residues in Brunner's-glands glycoproteins, with mannose and glucose being only minor components.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Hemodynamic effects of pirmenol and lidocaine: a placebo-controlled, double-blind, comparative study.

The acute hemodynamic effects of pirmenol and lidocaine were studied in a double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation. Thirty patients undergoing catheterization received one of the following: pirmenol as a 50-mg intravenous bolus injection followed by a 2.5 mg/min infusion, lidocaine as a 75-mg intravenous bolus injection followed by a 3 mg/min infusion or placebo administered in a similar fashion. Mean plasma pirmenol concentrations during steady infusion were 2.3 to 2.4 mg/liter, and mean plasma lidocaine concentrations were 16 to 24 mumol/liter. Pirmenol increased heart rate from baseline by 10 beats/min (p less than 0.001) and mean arterial pressure by 5 mm Hg (p less than 0.001), with similar increases in systemic (p less than 0.05) and pulmonary vascular resistance (p less than 0.01). Lidocaine induced a comparable increase in mean arterial pressure (6 mm Hg, p less than 0.001), but unlike pirmenol, it increased left ventricular and diastolic pressure by 2.8 mm Hg (p less than 0.05). Indexes of left ventricular work were not affected by either drug. Echocardiographic ejection fraction was reduced more by pirmenol (-0.05, p less than 0.0001) than by lidocaine (-0.03, p less than 0.05), a difference that may be related to the changes in heart rate. Side effects were not observed in any patient. The myocardial depressant effect of pirmenol is relatively slight and comparable to that of lidocaine.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Pirmenol in the termination of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.

The effects of pirmenol in terminating paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia were studied in 25 patients. Pirmenol was administered as 1 or 2 injections of 50 mg to 17 patients during a spontaneous attack, or as a 50-mg bolus followed by steady infusion of 2.5 mg/min in 8 patients during a tachycardia that was induced electrophysiologically. Termination was successful in 11 of 17 patients who had a spontaneous attack and in 3 of 8 patients who had induced tachycardia. Pirmenol was effective in 3 of 5 patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant mechanism, but in none of 3 patients with a reentrant tachycardia with a retrogradely conducting atrioventricular bypass tract. Conversion to sinus rhythm was achieved in 14 of 25 patients (56%). No hemodynamic adverse effects occurred. Pirmenol increased the atrial effective refractory period, but had little effect on conduction in the atrioventricular node and His-Purkinje system. Reentry was abolished through a block in the retrograde part of the dual atrioventricular nodal pathway, which is typical of class I antiarrhythmic agents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Conversion of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm by intravenous pirmenol.

The acute effects of pirmenol on atrial fibrillation were investigated in 40 patients with paroxysm of atrial fibrillation. Patients were randomized to receive either pirmenol, 50 or 100 mg intravenously, or placebo. Patients with congestive heart failure or a history of sinus node disorder were excluded. Sinus rhythm was achieved in 12 of 20 patients in 2 to 16 minutes after pirmenol administration and in 3 of 20 patients in the control group within 1 hour. A nodal escape rhythm during sinus slowing was observed in 1 patient. No sinus arrest, atrioventricular conduction disturbance or hypotension appeared. Pirmenol has an antifibrillatory effect on the atria. Sinus rhythm is restored rapidly after intravenous administration. Treatment of atrial fibrillation of recent onset was well tolerated in patients accepted for the study.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1986

[Diagnosis, therapy and results of acute instability of the syndesmosis of the upper ankle joint (isolated anterior rupture of the syndesmosis)].

Instability of the syndesmosis of the ankle is defined as a rupture of the anterior tibiofibular ligament and the interosseus membrane. We discuss two different ways in which the injury can occur: the external rotation mechanism and the supination mechanism. Clinical findings allowing a definite diagnosis are always present. These can be confirmed by arthrography of the ankle. A total of 92 patients have been operatively treated by suture of the ligament and reinforcement of the syndesmosis by a positioning screw.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

[Anatomy of the visceral fascia of the pelvis from the didactic viewpoint].

The fascia-like formations of the pelvic subserosum are unsatisfactorily interpreted by the classical interpretations of "hypogastric gain" or "fibroglia". However, these two opposing concepts can be reconciled if the connective tissue of the female minor pelvis is not seen as a unit but rather as a complex structure. In the surroundings of the pathways directed towards, or originating from, the pelvic viscera, ontogenesis results in a densification of the at first very loose connective tissue and eventually in the formation of fascia-like structures. Hence, these are not primarily basic structures of the vessels and nerves, but originate wherever pathways are already present. Three "roads" lead from three roots in three planes to the inner genital. The road of the veins runs in a "transverse" plane ("horizontal" plane in the standing woman) to the lateral pelvic wall. This is responsible for the formation of the ligamentum cardinale which has been described as the central part of the "fibroglia". The arterial road runs craniocaudally in a "frontal" plane. The branches of the hypogastric artery (a. iliaca interna) have taken densified webs of fascia with them which produce the pattern of "hypogastric gain". The neurovegetative road originates at the sacrum at the foramina sacralia anteriora, and is in "sagittal" position. Loose connective tissue remains between the densification zones, and it is here where surgery can be performed practically without causing any trauma.

Arteries↗
PubMed1985

[Ligamentous connections of the spinal processes].

In the cervical region the fibres of the interspinous and nuchal ligaments pass in an anterocranial direction: they act against diminishing of the cervical lordosis. In the thoracic region, longitudinal bundles of fibres connect the tops of the spinous processes; they act against an augmentation of the thoracal kyphosis. Between thoracal kyphosis and lumbal lordosis there is no exact course of the fibres of the interspinous ligts. ("thorakolumbaler Ubergangsbereich"). In the lumbar spine the fibres of the interspinous ligts., being very strong, pass in a posterocranial direction. They have the function of limitation the range of flexion ventrally and of limiting backwards-shifting of the cranial vertebra in dorsal-flexion. In the lumbosacral segment additional fibres, arising from the top of the 5th lumbar spinous process, pass in a posterocaudal direction and interlace with the thoracolumbar fascia, whose fibres form--below the 4th lumbar vertebra--a scissor-latticed structure. The supraspinous ligt. lies superficially to the thoracolumbar fascia. Its fibres pass several spinous processes. It ends caudally at the 4th lumbar spinous process.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[The effect of training and anabolic agents on the weight of the heart and extremities].

Albino-mice (50 animals per group) were exercised (running) for 30 days (29,6 km/animal totally) or received in the same period Methandrostenolon (0,12 mg/animal). With a third group exercise and anabolic steroid was combined. Mean body weight, mean weight of fore and hind leg, also mean weight of heart were compared between the groups and with corresponding weights of the control group. Calculating with allometry equation the influence of both exogen factors on weight of extremities and weight of heart was determined. Anabolic steroid resulted an increased body weight, significantly more than in the control animals. Exercise reduced statistically the weight of living animals. Without influence of body weight the combination of exercise and anabolic steroid made an increase to the weight of extremities, especially of the hind leg. The weight of heart increased only after exercise.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Pyrimidine Metabolism in Lemna minor: II. Specific Inhibition of Plastid Replication in a Higher Plant Cytidine Deoxyriboside.

Short term photoheterotrophic growth of Lemna minor in the presence of 100 micrograms per milliliter (440 micromolar) cytidine deoxyriboside bleaches the fronds in the absence of effect upon growth rate (Frick 1978 Plant Physiol 61: 989-992). Serial sections of mesophyll cells of green and bleached fronds were compared in the light microscope. The number of plastids in cells of comparable size was reduced during bleaching by more than 50%. The total and average plastid profile area per section in the series was reduced on the order of 70%, and the summed plastid profile area over the entire cell was reduced about 90%. Thus, cytidine deoxyri-boside-bleached mesophyll cells contained fewer identifiable plastids (50%) of smaller volume (10-30%) than the green control cells.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1978

Pyrimidine Metabolism in Lemna minor: I. Functional Compartmentation of Chloroplast Pyrimidine Metabolism in a Higher Plant.

Cytidine deoxyriboside (Cdr), uridine deoxyriboside (Udr), and guanosine deoxyriboside (Gdr), induce quantitative bleaching of the fronds of Lemna minor (duckweed) during growth in continuous light on photoheterotrophic medium. Cdr-induced bleaching is not accompanied by a reduction in frond multiplication rate, but Udr- and Gdr-induced bleaching is. Bleaching by Cdr is fully prevented by thymidine (Tdr), cytidine (Cr), or uridine (Ur), but not by orotic acid (OA) which itself inhibits growth. Bleaching by Udr is not antagonized by Tdr, Cdr, Cr, Ur, or OA. The ability of Cdr to induce phenocopies of chlorophyll-deficient mutants in the absence of effect on growth rate is interpreted as indicating a functional compartmentation of pyrimidine metabolism between chloroplast and whole cell. On the assumption that Cdr induces bleaching by regulating the biosynthesis of deoxynucleoside triphosphates, and in analogy with the antagonism of fluorodeoxyuridine effects on growth by Tdr, Cr, or Ur, the suggestion is made that deoxycytidine is converted to thymidylate by a step other than that utilizing thymidylate synthetase.

Journal Article↗