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Biomedical subjects

K Pfeiffer

Publications and source records attributed to K Pfeiffer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Prednimustine combined with mitoxantrone and 5-fluorouracil for first and second-line chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer.

A total of 60 patients with advanced breast cancer were treated with a combination of prednimustine (P: 110 mg/m2, days 1-5), mitoxantrone (M: 12 mg/m2, day 1) and 5-fluorouracil (F: 500 mg/m2, day 1) (PMF). Treatment was repeated every 3 weeks. In all 53 patients were evaluable for response. A total of 12 subjects had failed prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease. In response to PMF treatment we observed 21 partial remissions and 3 complete remissions, amounting to a total response rate of 45%. The median duration of response was 39 weeks, and median survival was 56 weeks. Dose-limiting side effects were leukopenia (40 cases) and thrombocytopenia (11 patients). Nausea and vomiting was experienced by 93% of subjects; in 56% of cases it reached WHO stage II-III. Alopecia occurred in 18% of our patients. Our results suggest that PMF represents an active regimen in the treatment of advanced breast cancer and yields a response rate of 45%. Considering that the majority of our patients had not received prior chemotherapy, the question remains open as to whether a 45% response rate outweighs the observed toxicity.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

4'-O-tetrahydropyranyl-doxorubicin in advanced breast cancer: a phase II study.

In a phase II study, 35 patients with advanced breast cancer were treated with 4'-O-tetrahydropyranyl-doxorubicin (THP-DXR) (70 mg/m2 i.v. on day 1); treatment was repeated every 3 weeks. Eight patients had failed prior chemotherapy for advanced disease. A total of 34 patients were evaluable for response. After a median of 10 treatment courses (range, 3-15), objective tumor response was seen in 59% (20 of 34 patients) (95% confidence limits, 42%-75%). In all, 17 partial remissions and 3 complete remissions were observed; stable disease occurred in 13 patients. The median duration of response was 42+ weeks (range, 21 - 77+ weeks). The dose-limiting side effects were leukopenia (26 patients, WHO grade III-IV) and thrombocytopenia (9 patients, WHO grade II-IV). Nausea/vomiting was experienced by 34 patients; in 18, it reached WHO grade II-III. Other treatment-related side effects included alopecia (WHO grade II-III) in 26 patients and stomatitis and diarrhea (WHO grade I-III) in 9 patients. At cumulative doses of THP-DXR of at least 700 mg/m2 (range, 700-1,050 mg/m2), no signs of congestive heart failure were observed. We conclude that THP-DXR is effective for first- and second-line chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer and that side effects are manageable.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Ectopic bone induction by partially purified bone extract alone or attached to biomaterials.

Formation of new bone is suggested to be caused by interaction of a set of chemical factors with mesenchymal target cells. A specific assembly of factors, i.e. chemotaxis-, adhesion-, proliferation- and differentiation-factors, as well as macromolecular structure components, essential for formation of large amounts of ectopic bone was termed "osteopoetin" (OP). In the present study a partially purified osteopoetin containing bovine bone extract (OCBE) was used to induce ectopic bone formation. In order to reduce the amount of OCBE necessary for bone induction, OCBE was seeded onto different commercially available collagens or poly-L-lactic acids (PL). Solid collagens in a sponge-like form were used for the first time to function as an attachment system for an osteoinductive substance. The test substances were implanted into abdominal muscle pouches of male Wistar rats. After 21 days the implants were harvested and evaluated histologically. OCBE resulted in the formation of large ossicles containing hematopoietic bone marrow. The minimal amount of OCBE to elicit ectopic bone formation can be reduced by a factor of 10 when attached to quickly resorbable collagens, but not when attached to slowly resorbable PL. These results suggest that collagens are suitable OCBE attachment systems and useful for clinical application.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Is there any correlation between platelet aggregation, plasma lipoproteins, apoproteins and membrane fluidity of human blood platelets?

Fluorescence anisotropy (which is inversely related to membrane fluidity) of gel filtered platelets of 18 normolipemic subjects (20-26 years) was measured after incubation with three different fluorescent probes (DPH, TMA-DPH, and 6-As). These values were correlated to both platelet aggregation parameters after stimulation with ADP (4 microM), epinephrine (10 microM) or collagen (2 micrograms/ml PRP) and to plasma lipids, lipoproteins and apoproteins. Fluorescence anisotropy values after DPH-labeling of platelets were only negatively correlated to TG (p less than 0.05). No correlation was found between fluorescence anisotropy values of DPH, TMA-DPH and 6-As to LDL-C, Lp(a), HDL-C and HDL3-C (p less than 0.01). However, fluorescence anisotropy values of DPH and TMA-DPH were negatively correlated to apoproteins A2 and B (p less than 0.05). No correlations were found between fluorescence anisotropy after DPH labeling and different aggregation parameters. TMA-DPH and 6-As fluorescence anisotropy values are correlated to epinephrine induced stimulation (p less than 0.01).

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Evaluation of fetal heart rate artifacts, hemodynamics and digoxin treatment in fetal tachyarrhythmia by Doppler measurement of fetal blood flow--case report of a pre-excitation syndrome.

A fetal cardiac arrhythmia may cause misleading fetal heart rate tracings with unreliable signs of fetal distress. Assessment of such artifacts and of the hemodynamic relevance of a fetal arrhythmia by alternative methods is necessary for management and therapy. A 28-year-old healthy woman was referred at 30 weeks of gestation because of fetal tachy-brady-arrhythmia, but cw-Doppler assessment of umbilical artery blood flow revealed periods of pseudobradycardia during bigeminal and trigeminal fetal pulse. FHR turned to regular tachycardia, and transplacental digitalization was started. Between 32 and 34 weeks the patient discontinued her digitalis intake, and a fetal pericardial effusion indicated subsequent cardiac failure. Serial pulsed Doppler measurements of fetal aortic blood flow were performed and imminent heart failure was recognized after the digitalis was discontinued and before a pericardial effusion occurred. Furthermore, improvement of fetal cardiac performance secondary to restarting digitalis and also prior to resolution of the pericardial effusion. After spontaneous delivery a Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome was diagnosed, and continuation of digoxin treatment was indicated. Cw-Doppler assessment of umbilical artery blood flow was a suitable method to evaluate questionable FHR recordings, and pulsed Doppler allowed monitoring of the therapeutic effect of transplacental digitalization by serial measurements of fetal aortic blood flow.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Determining carpal collapse. An improved method.

The carpal height index (carpal height ratio of the diseased wrist divided by that of the normal wrist, as described by Kato et al.) was calculated in forty normal subjects, ten patients who had Stage-III lunatomalacia, and eight patients who had non-union of a fracture of the scaphoid. The method of Youm et al. for determining the carpal height index was altered to include the use of defined points of reference and a standardized radiographic technique. Two tests of reproducibility demonstrated the reliability of the method. The carpal height index was found to be superior to the carpal height ratio for the evaluation of unilateral disease. The mean carpal height index of diseased wrists differed significantly from that of normal wrists. The carpal height index (for unilateral disease) or the carpal height ratio (for bilateral disease) can be used to describe the progression of collapse of the wrist quantitatively and to evaluate and compare various forms of treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

[Identification of health endangering substances in air pollution].

In a health-related evaluation of the environment, timely recognition of possible health hazards is of much greater significance than describing health injuries that have already occurred. The following model has been found to be workable: The entire study consists of 4 parts which are quite significant when compared with each other and analyzed statistically. (1) Detailed interviews with physicians in practice in the area examined (2) Spirometric tests among school children in third and fourth grades (elementary school) (3) Questionnaires to be completed by the parents of the school children examined, in which the questions implied in (1) are also included. (4) The results obtained are compared to the available data pertaining to the air quality in the region. Possible exposure to adverse indoor conditions in schools and homes are also taken into consideration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

[Present status and place of sialography].

Roentgenography without contrast media and sialography, as well as the basic facts concerning the radiodiagnostic of the salivary gland, are all discussed with regard to the most current equipment, examination techniques, the positioning of patients, and the problems involved in contrast media. The technique used in more than 4,000 sialograms is recommended. The diagnostic value of this method is illustrated by means of representative patient series: sialolithiasis, inflammatory disorders, and tumors. The limitations of the method are demonstrated and complementary examinations shown.

Dilatation, Pathologic↗
PubMed1987

[Computed tomography and diagnosis of salivary gland diseases].

A study was carried out to compare routine sialography and combination sialo-CT. The results in 36 patients with afflictions of the parotid and submandibular region are discussed. In addition to tumors, regarded as primary indications, inflammatory disorders were also considered. The diagnosis made by routine sialography is regularly confirmed by computed sialography (CTS), which is often an important complementary means. Visualization of the deep parotid lobe and parapharyngeal space (third plane) is very important for making the diagnosis and planning therapy.

Humans↗
PubMed1986

Anatomical variations of the semilunar notch in elbow dislocations.

The anatomical relations of the semilunar notch of the ulna were studied in radiographs, taken in a strict lateral view, from 100 patients with elbow dislocations. The results were compared with those from a control group of 150 patients without dislocation or other radiographic pathology. We found that the coronoid process and an angle (a) formed between the axis of the ulna and a line going through the tip of the coronoid process and the tip of the olecranon were significantly smaller than those in the control group (P = 0.02). The central angle of the semilunar notch was significantly larger in the dislocation group than in the control group (P = 0.009). The smaller angle (a) and larger central angle in the dislocation group are a result of a lower coronoid process, but they are also due to the prominent tip of the olecranon. The results suggest that the dislocation mechanism is partly a hyperextension, with the tip of the olecranon as the pivot point.

Disease Susceptibility↗