PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Buchholz

Publications and source records attributed to J Buchholz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Locally recurrent rectal carcinoma].

There is no doubt that surgical treatment with curative intent is warranted in patients with recurrent colorectal cancer. This is also true for locally recurrent rectal cancer. Operative procedures are demanding but may be curative if complete excision can be achieved. Preoperative radiochemotherapy has helped to improve resectability, but operative morbidity is still high. Procedure-related mortality on the other hand is low, at around 3%, and 25% 5-year survival can be expected after complete excision.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

Detection of high-energy phosphates in cortical bone as an indicator of bone healing and remodelling: use of a rabbit model.

UNLABELLED: PURPOSE; To study high-energy phosphates in cortical bone through experiments on inbred white New Zealand rabbits. METHODS: Tibial fractures were induced in 80 rabbits and then stabilised by screw osteosynthesis. After 3 (group A; n=40) or 7 days (groups B; n=40), the defective tissue was covered by local muscle flaps. At increasing intervals (from 1 to 16 weeks), the screws were removed and the animals were euthanised (n=8 per group). The bone was removed and analysed histomorphologically; adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: The mean ATP concentration in healthy cortical bone at 16 weeks was 0.092 (standard error, 0.009) nmol/mg dry mass, which was significantly higher than that in the group with delayed healing: 0.081 (0.011) nmol/mg in group A and 0.005 (0.001) nmol/mg in group B (paired t test, p<0.05). Earlier healing led to lower rates of necrosis (0 vs 38; groups A vs B) and osteomyelitis. CONCLUSION: Early muscle-flap coverage can revascularise the cortical bone, which is reflected in the higher ATP content in the cortical bone measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Measuring changes of ATP levels can help investigate the metabolism of the pathological bone.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Thermodiffusion for the quantification of tissue perfusion in skeletal muscle--clinical evaluation in standardized traumatological procedures with tourniquet and potential application in the diagnosis of compartment syndrome.

The quantification of tissue perfusion in different parenchymal organs like liver, kidney, and brain by means of thermodiffusion has recently been validated experimentally and was introduced into clinical practice. Traumatology and plastic surgery deal as well with issues of microcirculation. Therefore, it was the aim of this study to validate thermodiffusion for use in skeletal muscle. Eighteen patients were studied during knee arthroscopic procedures that utilized a tourniquet. A thermodiffusion probe was inserted in the tibialis anterior muscle of the side under treatment. Measurement started before the initiation of limb ischemia (by tourniquet) and continued throughout the procedure until tissue perfusion returned to normal values postoperatively. Furthermore, an example of clinical applicability of this technique is given by monitoring muscle tissue perfusion in 3 patients with imminent compartment syndrome. Preoperative values of muscle tissue perfusion in the patients undergoing arthroscopic procedures were 17.74 +/- 4.27 ml/min 100 g. After initiation of tourniquet perfusion quickly decreased to 3.59 +/- 3.53 ml/min 100 g. Upon reperfusion tissue perfusion increased to values above normal for a few minutes and then returned to preischemic values of 20.86 +/- 7.01 ml/min 100 g. There was no significant difference between pre- and postoperative values (P=0.154) but tissue perfusion during tourniquet was significantly reduced (P=0.0001). In 3 patients presenting with the clinical signs of imminent compartment syndrome, thermodiffusion measurement was applied and showed microcirculatory impairment of different degrees. Fasciotomy was followed by a prompt increase of muscle microcirculation to levels slightly above normal. In summary, valid and stable measurements of tissue perfusion in skeletal muscle by means of thermodiffusion are possible under clinical circumstances. Thermodiffusion allows for on-line monitoring of muscle microcirculation, e.g., in compartment syndrome. The clinical potential of thermodiffusion measurements in trauma surgery needs further prospective evaluation.

Adult↗

Laparoscopic management of hydronephrosis in a woman with rare genitourinary anomalies: unicornous uterus, contralateral agenesis of the kidney, and contralateral ectopic ovary in the groin.

A 40-year-old woman had infected right-sided hydronephrosis and rare genitourinary anomalies-a dextroposed unicornous uterus-as the cause of the hydronephrosis, which had to be mobilized laparoscopically by dissecting the scar tissue. Furthermore, the patient had left-sided agenesis of the kidney and a left-sided ectopic ovary with a rudimentary tube in the inner inguinal canal.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Laser doppler flow imaging of open lower leg fractures in an animal experimental model.

PURPOSE: Open lower leg fractures are frequently associated with severe soft tissue damage, followed by osteomyelitis. Using an animal experimental model, we investigated the effect of timing of coverage of a tibial fracture with a local muscle flap. METHODS: 80 rabbits had a tibial fracture induced in a standardised fashion, which was stabilised by screw osteosynthesis. After 3 (group A; n=40) and 7 days (group B; n=40), respectively, the tissue defect was covered by a local gastrocnemius flap. In increasing intervals from 1 to 2, 4, 8, and 16 weeks, the rabbits from each group were killed and the bone fracture was analysed histomorphologically. Cortical microcirculation was measured by 2-channel laser doppler flowmetry. RESULTS: Muscle flaps after 3 days improved perfusion significantly as compared with 7 days (24 Flux [standard error, 5 Flux] versus 10 Flux [3 Flux]; baseline, 1.4 Flux). Group A animals also displayed a lower rate of necrosis (0 versus 38). The incidence of osteomyelitis was higher in group B than in group A (24% versus 0%). CONCLUSION: Laser doppler flowmetry was proven to be a reliable, minimally invasive means for identifying avital tissue, leading to reduction in the loss of vital bone tissue in experimental settings.

Animals↗

[Angle- and rotation-stable internal fixation of proximal humerus fractures with the humerus fixator plate. Early clinical experience with a newly developed implant].

INTRODUCTION: The Humerus Fixator Plate is presented as a new implant for angle- and rotation-stable internal fixation for the operative treatment of proximal humerus fractures at the surgical neck. METHODS: In an ongoing two-centre study, 47 patients were treated with the new implant. To date, 31 patients had clinical and radiological postoperative follow-up examinations with a mean interval of 10 months (range: 6-14 months). RESULTS: In 46 patients (97.9%), complete angle and rotational stability was achieved without limiting the range of motion or requiring immobilization. Good pain relief was obtained in 43 patients (91.5 %), and 3 patients (6.4%) showed moderate pain relief following surgery. There was one implant failure. Utilizing the Constant-Raw score (without any correction factors), a mean result of 82.8 points (range: 46-100 points) was ascertained. The majority of the patients (87.1%) achieved "excellent" or "good" clinical results. X-ray analysis revealed no non-union nor humerus head necrosis. In 4 cases (12.9%), protrusion of a humerus head screw was observed which mandated removal of the implant. CONCLUSION: The first clinical investigations of the novel Humerus Fixator Plate are encouraging and provide essential advances in the treatment of unstable proximal humerus fractures.

Adult↗

[Psychotropic substances in the area of preclinical intensive care medicine].

The aim of preclinical intensive care is to prevent severe consequences by providing immediate therapeutic aid to emergency patients in a life-threatening condition. We investigated how the abuse of drugs and alcohol influences the frequency and the category of emergency cases as well as the patient outcome. 250 emergency cases were analysed in a prospective study in the area of Heidelberg, Germany, from the summer of 1995 to the spring of 1999. The analysis is based on patient data obtained from the German standardised Emergency Record and on the clinical outcome and influence of drugs and alcohol. A serious level of drugs or alcohol was detected in 17% of the patients (the average level of alcohol was 1.97 promille). 81% of these intoxicated patients were given a NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) score of less than 4 (not life-threatening) and therefore were not in need of the a presence of a physician.

Adolescent↗

Chronic hypoxia alters prejunctional alpha(2)-receptor function in vascular adrenergic nerves of adult and fetal sheep.

The impact of development and chronic high-altitude hypoxia on the function of prejunctional alpha(2)-adrenoceptors was studied by measuring norepinephrine release in vitro from fetal and adult sheep middle cerebral and facial arteries. Blockade of prejunctional alpha(2)-adrenoceptors with idazoxan significantly increased stimulation-evoked norepinephrine release in normoxic arteries. This effect was eliminated after chronic hypoxia in cerebral arteries, with a tendency to decline in fetal facial arteries. After chronic hypoxia, the capacity to release norepinephrine declined in fetal middle cerebral arteries with a similar trend in facial arteries. Norepinephrine release was maintained in adult arteries. During development, stimulation-evoked norepinephrine release from middle cerebral and facial arteries was higher compared with adult arteries. In fetal arteries, adrenergic nerve function declined after chronic hypoxia. However, in adult arteries, adrenergic nerves adapted to chronic hypoxia by maintaining overall function. This differential adaptation of adrenergic nerves in fetal arteries may reflect differences in fetal distribution of blood flow in response to chronic hypoxic stress.

Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Antagonists↗

[Chronic venous insufficiency after open tibial fracture. An underestimated problem].

There is a wide range of alternatives for primary bone reconstruction in the treatment of open lower leg fractures with soft tissue damage of the type Gustillo II and III. The primary objective should always be the protection of soft tissue damage whether one uses the fixateur externe, or an unreamed nail or primary bone shortening with secondary callus distraction. In recent years, this approach has produced better results and a reduction in the rate of major amputations. The overall effects of the initial treatment can only be analysed after a number of years. Research results indicate long-term soft tissue complications of the lower leg, varying from harmless swelling to venous ulcer. We conducted a clinical investigation which compared 80 patients, who were treated between 1985 and 1994 using the venous-occlusion plethysmography, to 50 healthy individuals. Clinically significant damage of the deep venous system was found in over 50% of cases. There was a direct correlation between the number of years since the initial treatment and the degree of damage found. Based on these findings, we recommend that the initial treatment of this condition and the preventative treatment of the secondary trauma diseases should follow regulated surgical guidelines and be recognised for insurance purposes.

Adult↗

Nitric-oxide synthase-containing nerves facilitate adrenergic transmitter release in sheep middle cerebral arteries.

Cerebral blood vessels contain both sympathetic and nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS)-containing nerves. NO has been proposed to modulate smooth muscle function and adrenergic nerve activity, and the nature of this modulation is controversial: some data show NO inhibits norepinephrine (NE) release, whereas others suggest that NO augments release. To test the hypothesis that in cerebral arteries NO released by NOS-containing nerves augments stimulation-evoked NE release, we used direct measurement of NE and NO release in isolated sheep middle cerebral arteries. The facial artery, which has not been reported to be innervated with NOS-containing nerves, was used as an artery comparison model. HPLC and redox electrochemical detection was used to measure NE, and NO was measured by chemiluminescence. Stimulation-evoked NE release from the middle cerebral artery significantly declined in the presence of the NOS inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). The effect of L-NAME was reversed by the addition of the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine. In contrast, in facial arteries, L-NAME had no effect on stimulation-evoked NE release, whereas S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine still significantly elevated NE release. Activation of perivascular nerves significantly increased NE release in both the middle cerebral and facial arteries. However, when NO was measured in the same samples, stimulation-evoked release of NO was significantly increased compared with basal release only in middle cerebral arteries. These data support the concept that cerebral arteries in the sheep contain both adrenergic and NOS-containing nerves. Furthermore, this study provides succinct evidence that NO released from NOS nerves augments stimulation-evoked NE release.

Animals↗

Regional metabolic changes in the pedunculopontine nucleus of unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine Parkinson's model rats.

The pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) located in the mesopontine tegmentum is innervated by descending projections from nuclei in the basal ganglia. The present study was performed to determine whether nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuron degeneration is associated with changes in PPN metabolic activity. Unilateral nigrostriatal lesioning was performed by injecting 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the substantia nigra pars compacta in 10 rats. Six of these animals exhibited apomorphine-induced rotations contralateral to the lesion and were included in the experimental group for determination of regional cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (rCMRglucose) along with five sham-lesioned and five normal controls. All studies were performed 13-15 days after lesioning using [14]C-2-deoxyglucose autoradiography. Significant hemispheric differences in metabolic activity were observed only in the 6-OHDA lesioned animals. Increased rCMRglucose was found in the globus pallidus (+63%) ipsilateral to the lesion as compared to the contralateral hemisphere, and reduced rCMRglucose in the primary motor, sensory, and auditory cortex (-7%, -12% and -7%, respectively), and in the subthalamic nucleus (-6%). Metabolic activity within the PPN ipsilateral to the lesion was significantly greater than the contralateral hemisphere (P<0.05; lesion 57+/-8, nonlesion 52+/-5), and significantly greater than the sham-lesioned side of the sham rat (P<0.05; sham lesion 47+/-5). No hemispheric differences were observed in the lateral dorsal tegmental nucleus. These observations offer further support for a role of the PPN in Parkinson's and for the utility of the rodent unilateral 6-OHDA model in defining the pathophysiologic significance of the mesopontine tegmental striatal-motor interfaces in basal ganglia disease.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

A comparative study on neurochemistry of cerebrospinal fluid in advanced Parkinson's disease.

This study addresses two issues: (1) the comparative neurochemistry of classic tremor type of Parkinson's disease or PD-A and akinetic type of Parkinson's disease or PD-B; and (2) the neurochemistry of levodopa failure syndrome (LDFS). Cerebrospinal fluid from the lateral ventricle was collected from 50 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease of PD-A and PD-B. Levels of monoamine neurotransmitters and metabolites were determined using high performance liquid chromatography. We have found that (1) 5-hydroxylindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) level is significantly lower in PD-B than in PD-A; (2) 5-HIAA level is inversely associated with score of part one of United Parkinson's Disease Rating Score (UPDRS); (3) 5-HIAA level is inversely associated with score of part four of UPDRS; (4) 3-O-methyldopa (3-OMD) level is positively associated with levodopa failure syndrome (LDFS) assessed by part four of UPDRS and inversely associates with 5-HIAA. From these data, it can be inferred that serotonergic activity is decreased in PD-B to a greater extent than in PD-A and that decreased serotonergic activity plays a role in LDFS.

Aged↗

Impact of development and chronic hypoxia on NE release from adrenergic nerves in sheep arteries.

To examine effects of development and chronic high-altitude hypoxia on sympathetic nerve function in sheep, norepinephrine release was measured in vitro from middle cerebral and facial arteries. Capsaicin was used to test the role of capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves; norepinephrine release was not altered by capsaicin treatment. Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of NO synthase, decreased stimulation-evoked norepinephrine release in middle cerebral arteries from normoxic sheep with no effect in hypoxic arteries or facial arteries. Thus NO-releasing nerves augmented norepinephrine release. Furthermore, the function of NO-releasing nerves declined after chronic hypoxia. Despite loss of the augmenting effects of NO, stimulation-evoked fractional norepinephrine release was unchanged after chronic hypoxia, suggesting that middle cerebral arteries adapt to hypoxia by increasing stimulation-evoked norepinephrine release. In fetal facial arteries, chronic hypoxia resulted in a decline in stimulation-evoked norepinephrine release, but there was an increase in the adult facial artery. In the adult, adaptation to chronic hypoxia is similar in both cerebral and facial arteries. However, differential adaptation in fetal adrenergic nerves may reflect differences in fetal redistribution of blood flow in the face of chronic hypoxia but could also possibly contribute to increased incidence of fetal morbidity.

Adrenergic Fibers↗

Effects of maturation on adrenergic neurotransmission in ovine cerebral arteries.

The present studies examine the hypothesis that multiple adrenergic neuroeffector mechanisms are not fully developed in fetal, compared with adult, ovine middle cerebral arteries. In arteries denuded of endothelium and pretreated with 1 microM atropine to block involvement of muscarinic receptors, 10 microM capsaicin to deplete sensory peptidergic neurons, and 10 microM nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) to block possible influences from nitric oxidergic innervation, transmural stimulation at 16 Hz increased contractile tensions to 9.5 +/- 3.7% (n = 6) of the potassium maximum in adult arteries. Corresponding values in fetal arteries, however, were significantly less and averaged only 1.1 +/- 0.6% (n =10). However, postsynaptic sensitivity to norepinephrine (NE) was similar in the two age groups; NE pD(2) values (-log EC(50)) averaged 6.11 +/- 0.12 (n = 6) and 6.33 +/- 0.09 M (n = 9) in fetal and adult arteries, respectively. Similarly, NE content measured via HPLC was also similar in the two age groups and averaged 32.4 +/- 5.0 (n = 17) and 32.5 +/- 3.9 ng/ng wet wt (n = 13) in fetal and adult middle cerebral arteries, respectively. In contrast, stimulation-induced NE release was greater in fetal than in adult arteries, whether calculated as total mass released [883 +/- 184 (n = 17) vs. 416 +/- 106 pg NE/mg wet wt (n = 13)] or as fractional release [51.1 +/- 5.3 (n = 17) vs. 22.8 +/- 3.8 pg/pg NE content per pulse x 10(-6)]. Measured as an index of synaptic density, neuronal cocaine-sensitive NE uptake was similar in fetal and adult arteries [1.55 +/- 0.40 (n = 10) and 1.84 +/- 0.51 pmol/mg wet wt (n = 7), respectively]. Overall, age-related differences in postsynaptic sensitivity to NE, NE release, and NE uptake capacity cannot explain the corresponding age-related differences in response to stimulation. The data thus suggest that total synaptic volume and cleft width, in particular, are probably greater and/or that adrenergic corelease of vasoactive substances other than NE is altered in fetal compared with adult middle cerebral arteries.

Adrenergic Fibers↗

Impact of age on modulation of norepinephrine release from sympathetic nerves in the rat superior mesentery artery.

There is an age-related increase in stimulation-evoked fractional norepinephrine release in tail arteries of Fischer 344 rats from 6-20 months of age. Previous studies have ruled out changes in the function of uptake and subsequent metabolism mechanisms, or feedback by prejunctional alpha2-adrenoceptors. The tail artery is important in thermoregulation, and there is the possibility that the previously observed increase in sympathetic nerve activity is due to age-related changes in thermoregulation as opposed to a fundamental age-related change in the regulation of sympathetic nerves. Thus, we measured stimulation-evoked norepinephrine release in another blood vessel model, the superior mesentery artery using HPLC with electrochemical detection. In this study fractional norepinephrine release was measured under three separate conditions, drug free Krebs'; in the presence of deoxycorticosterone and cocaine; in the presence of deoxycorticosterone and cocaine and the alpha2-adrenergic receptor antagonist, idazoxan. The most significant finding was that fractional norepinephrine release in mesentery arteries from 20-month-old animals was higher as compared to 6 months regardless of treatment condition. Furthermore, the elevation in norepinephrine release cannot be accounted for by changes in norepinephrine content, uptake and subsequent metabolism mechanisms or changes in basal norepinephrine release. These data from the mesentery artery model confirm and support our previous work in the rat tail artery model. In addition, the data from this study suggest the possibility that there are common mechanisms underlying the age-related increase in peripheral sympathetic nerve activity.

Adrenergic Fibers↗

Improved exercise performance following lung volume reduction surgery for emphysema.

Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) for emphysema has been suggested to improve patient lung function and activity. The short-term impact of LVRS on exercise performance was evaluated using maximal and submaximal steady-state exercise testing in 27 patients with severe hypoxemic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), along with measurements of patient function, dyspnea, and quality of life. LVRS significantly improved exercise performance, due to ventilatory improvements associated with increased ventilatory reserve, enhanced tidal volume recruitment, and improved alveolar ventilation. Preoperative measurements of ventilatory reserve and dead space ventilation during exercise testing were closely associated with improved exercise performance. Improvements in patient dyspnea, walk distances, and quality of life also occurred following LVRS and were associated with improvements in exercise performance. Surgical mortality from LVRS was low (4%), but short-term all-cause mortality was increased (19%). Short-term mortality was associated with reduced expiratory muscle strength and markedly elevated dead space ventilation. We conclude that LVRS produces significant improvements in exercise performance, dyspnea, and quality of life in selected patients with COPD. Physiologic prediction of patients most likely to survive for an extended period and have significant benefit following LVRS may also be possible.

Adult↗

Cerebrospinal fluid from multiple sclerosis patients inactivates neuronal Na+ current.

Multiple sclerosis is a common inflammatory disease of the CNS. A great number of immunologically active molecules have been identified in the CSF of these patients (CSF-MS), but the role of these substances in neuronal dysfunction, especially in the origin of transient symptoms, is unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effect of CSF from 13 multiple sclerosis patients on membrane currents of cultured cortical neurons from embryonic rat and compared it with the effect of CSF from 12 patients with non-inflammatory neurological diseases. We found an increase in Na+ current (INa) inactivation by a shift of the hoo curve to more hyperpolarizing potentials by 9.3 mV. This effect was reversible by washing and could be abolished by CSF-MS heat inactivation. The degree of the shift ranged from 4.3 mV to 17.6 mV and correlated with the IgG index, but not with the degree of pleocytosis, protein or albumin content. The maximal amplitude of INa was unchanged. We concluded that diffusible factors are released into the CSF which reduce neuronal excitability and thereby disturb the function of the neuronal network. These factors may well contribute to transient neurological symptoms seen in patients with "active' multiple sclerosis.

Adolescent↗