Biomedical subjects

M Wolff

Publications and source records attributed to M Wolff.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

Partial percutaneous discectomy for treatment of thoracolumbar disc protrusion: retrospective study of 331 dogs.

OBJECTIVES: To determine retrospectively the prognosis and outcome for dogs diagnosed with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease treated with partial percutaneous discectomy (PPD). METHODS: Three hundred and thirty-one dogs presenting with symptoms of thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease from 1998 to 2003 were treated with PPD. Diagnosis and location of intervertebral disc disease was confirmed by clinical examination, radiography, myelography and magnetic resonance imaging. PPD was performed via fluoroscopy-guided removal of a 5 mm bore cylinder out of the central intervertebral space. RESULTS: Clinical success after surgery was achieved in 159 (88.8 per cent) grade II to IV patients and 58 (38.2 per cent) grade V patients. The mean (sd) time from percutaneous discectomy to first improvement was 8.3 (13.2) days. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The PPD approach to the thoracolumbar spine involves minor trauma (yielding rapid recovery) and less pain, and produces results comparable with open fenestration. Consequently, this simple minimal invasive technique can be recommended as an alternative to the technique of fenestration and can be easily performed in addition to open surgical decompression techniques or prophylactically. However, it is not a replacement for surgical treatment in dogs with thoracolumbar disc disease that require removal of disc fragments causing spinal cord or nerve root compression.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Benzodiazepine receptor-dependent modulation of neutrophil (PMN) free amino- and alpha-keto acid profiles or immune functions.

We have examined the effects of midazolam, Ro 5-4864 (agonist for "peripheral" [p] benzodiazepine receptors [BR]), PK 11195 (antagonist for pBR), flumazenil (antagonist for "central" BR), naloxone (antagonist for opiate receptors) and the combination of midazolam and Ro 5-4864, PK 11195, flumazenil or naloxone on intracellular amino- and alpha-keto acids and the immune function markers superoxide anion (O(2)(-)), hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and released myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in neutrophils (PMN). Only midazolam and Ro 5-4864 led to significant changes in the dynamic PMN free amino- and alpha-keto acid pools. Concerning PMN immune function markers, midazolam and Ro 5-4864 significantly decreased O(2)(-) and H(2)O(2) formation and released MPO. When midazolam and Ro 5-4864 were applied together they appeared to act additively. Pre-incubation with PK 11195 partially neutralized the midazolam effects whereas flumazenil or naloxone showed no effects. We therefore believe that pBR are involved in the signal transmission of anesthetic-induced cellular metabolic changes in PMN.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

The Opportunity Rover's Athena science investigation at Meridiani Planum, Mars.

The Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity has investigated the landing site in Eagle crater and the nearby plains within Meridiani Planum. The soils consist of fine-grained basaltic sand and a surface lag of hematite-rich spherules, spherule fragments, and other granules. Wind ripples are common. Underlying the thin soil layer, and exposed within small impact craters and troughs, are flat-lying sedimentary rocks. These rocks are finely laminated, are rich in sulfur, and contain abundant sulfate salts. Small-scale cross-lamination in some locations provides evidence for deposition in flowing liquid water. We interpret the rocks to be a mixture of chemical and siliciclastic sediments formed by episodic inundation by shallow surface water, followed by evaporation, exposure, and desiccation. Hematite-rich spherules are embedded in the rock and eroding from them. We interpret these spherules to be concretions formed by postdepositional diagenesis, again involving liquid water.

Atmosphere↗

PubMed2004

Effects of ornithine on neutrophil (PMN) free amino acid and alpha-keto acid profiles and immune functions in vitro.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of ornithine on polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) free amino- and alpha-keto acid profiles, superoxide anion (O2-) generation, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) formation and released myeloperoxidase activity (MPO). Exogenous ornithine significantly increased PMN asparagine, glutamine, aspartate, glutamate, arginine, citrulline, alanine, alpha-ketoglutarate and pyruvate as intracellular ornithine increased. Concerning PMN immune function markers ornithine increased H2O2-generation and MPO activity while O2- -formation was decreased. We believe therefore that ornithine is important for affecting PMN "susceptible free amino- and alpha-keto acid pool" although the mechanisms are not yet clear. This may be one of the determinants in PMN nutrition considerably influencing and modulating PMN host defense capability.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

The Spirit Rover's Athena science investigation at Gusev Crater, Mars.

The Mars Exploration Rover Spirit and its Athena science payload have been used to investigate a landing site in Gusev crater. Gusev is hypothesized to be the site of a former lake, but no clear evidence for lacustrine sedimentation has been found to date. Instead, the dominant lithology is basalt, and the dominant geologic processes are impact events and eolian transport. Many rocks exhibit coatings and other characteristics that may be evidence for minor aqueous alteration. Any lacustrine sediments that may exist at this location within Gusev apparently have been buried by lavas that have undergone subsequent impact disruption.

Atmosphere↗

PubMed2004

[Consensus-recommendations for sirolimus in liver transplantation].

Sirolimus is an m-TOR inhibitor without renal side effects and potentially protects against the development of malignancy. Due to a higher incidence of complications in two trials and an official warning in the drug information, the use of Sirolimus in liver transplantation is limited. The participants of this consensus meeting had to analyse and evaluate the literature with respect to the potential role of Sirolimus in liver transplantation. This consensus statement follows the scheme normally employed for the presentation of guidelines including the grading of evidence (1a-5) and the extent of recommendation (A-C). Moreover, the consensus included the experience of the authors with respect to the handling of Sirolimus after liver transplantation.

Drug Therapy, Combination↗

PubMed2004

Acute haemorrhagic encephalomyelitis (AHEM): MRI findings.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) comprises a group of demyelinating disorders of the CNS, of which a haemorrhagic variant indicates the most severe clinical course (AHEM). It is supposed to be caused by an overshooting immunological response following an infection or a vaccination. Restricted diffusion of protons could be demonstrated using DW-MRI in a case of rapidly progressive disease with additional haemorrhage. Hence, the addition of DWI adds to the diagnostic power of MRI in the setting of post-infectious demyelinating disorders of the CNS.

Brain↗

PubMed2004

Successful treatment of brain aspergillosis with voriconazole.

Until recently, brain aspergillosis was almost always fatal, with a response rate to amphotericin B of < 10%. This study describes a retrospective analysis of eight consecutive cases of brain aspergillosis. All patients were immunosuppressed and five required mechanical ventilation. Antifungal treatment included amphotericin B (n = 7), itraconazole (n = 3), voriconazole (n = 2) and flucytosine (n = 1). Three (38%) patients survived following prolonged azole therapy after initial amphotericin B treatment, combined with a reduction in their immunosuppressive treatment. The prognosis of brain aspergillosis might be improved if immunosuppression could be reduced and prolonged oral azole therapy used.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Photoacoustic distributed feedback laser spectroscopy on hydrogen fluoride.

We have developed a photoacoustic spectrometer based on a distributed feedback (DFB) diode laser. The single-mode emission of the laser can be tuned continuously over 700 GHz enabling the precise determination of absorption line parameters. Our experiments were performed on the rotational lines P2 and P3 of the vibrational transition 2-0 (overtone) of hydrogen fluoride (HF) at 1304.534 nm and 1312.591 nm (vacuum), respectively. The pressure broadening coefficient due to elastic collisions with N(2) molecules is found to be 5.92 +/- 0.04 GHz/atm (296 K) and 5.38 +/- 0.04 GHz/atm, respectively. The Doppler linewidths turn out to be 630 +/- 40 MHz and 670 +/- 40 MHz (296 K), respectively. The pressure-induced line shifts of the absorption lines for N(2) are 540 +/- 40 MHz/ atm and 580 +/- 40 MHz/atm, respectively.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Terminal ileitis with sealed perforation--a rare complication of intestinal endometriosis: case report and short review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Perforation is a rare complication of intestinal endometriosis. We report on a 38-year-old patient with previously known rectovaginal and ileocecal endometriosis who was referred with an acute abdomen. CASE REPORT: On abdominal plain film an ileus of small intestine was diagnosed. The patient had fever, and the C-reactive protein was markedly increased. Upon emergency laparotomy an acute terminal ileitis with omentum-sealed perforation and a stenosis of the anterior wall of the rectum due to endometriosis were found. Partial resection of the ileum with end-to-end anastomosis, appendectomy, and short segmental rectum resection were performed. The postoperative course was uneventful. Histological examination corroborated the intraoperative diagnosis of fistulas, perforation and deep ulceration of the intestine consistent with transmural endometriosis. DISCUSSION: For proper care of these patients excellent cooperation between gynecologists and general surgeons is desirable. A short review of the literature concerning intestinal endometriosis is given.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Long-term safety analysis of preventive HIV-1 vaccines evaluated in AIDS vaccine evaluation group NIAID-sponsored Phase I and II clinical trials.

This report evaluates long-term safety data from 3189 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) uninfected, healthy volunteers who were enrolled into 51 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)-sponsored Phase I and II multicentred, randomized, double-blind trials of recombinant HIV-1 subunit vaccines (23 studies), synthetic peptide vaccines (7 studies), live vaccinia-vector recombinant envelope vaccines (7 studies), canarypox vector recombinant vaccines (13 studies), a DNA vaccine (1 study), and a Salmonella-vector vaccine (1 study). During the 12,340 person-years of follow-up, participants were monitored for adverse events including immune dysfunction/autoimmunity, anaphylaxis, cancer, death, and vaccine allergy. The analysis provides evidence that a preparation of a C4-V3 polypeptide vaccine emulsified in incomplete Freund's caused serious toxicity, but otherwise no safety problems considered serious were identified for any of the vaccines and adjuvants studied. These data serve to solidify the growing safety base of current vaccine technologies utilized in candidate vaccines for HIV-1 infection.

AIDS Vaccines↗

PubMed2003

Serotonin 1B knockout mice exhibit a task-dependent selective learning facilitation.

Serotonin 1B knockout (KO) mice exhibit better spatial reference memory performance in the Morris water maze than their wild type (WT) controls. The present study was aimed at dissecting the underlying cognitive bases of this facilitation using a stepwise water maze paradigm. The performance of KO mice did not differ from WT in a single start-goal task, nor when using two opposite starts. However, KO mice exhibited better performance in stages requiring cognitive flexibility or the higher level of spatial navigation planning (standard version). In a short-term memory version of the task, no such genotype effect was observed, confirming our previous findings. These results suggest that the serotonin 1B receptor gene deletion selectively enhances learning performance when the cognitive requirement of the task is elevated.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

[A comparison of moxifloxacin and amoxicillin in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in Latin America: results of a multicenter clinical trial].

Since community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common disease with a high morbidity rate, it is important to obtain information concerning its etiology and susceptibility to antibiotics across different geographic areas. This study presents data obtained in 5 Latin American counties in the course of an international clinical trial that evaluated the efficacy and safety of treatment with either moxifloxacin or amoxicillin administered for 10 days to patients suspected of having CAP caused by a pneumococcal infection. Details are given of the pathogens identified, the patterns of sensitivity to antibiotics observed, and the clinical and microbiological results obtained.A total of 84 patients were studied, of whom 70 (83.3%) were evaluated at the end of the trial to determine the efficacy and safety of the treatment received. Gram-positive bacteria were found in samples from 29 patients (80.5%). The pathogen was Streptococcus pneumoniae in 28 of those cases (77.7%). Gram-negative bacteria were found in 7 patients (19.4%), the most common being Haemophilus influenzae in 3 patients (8.3%). The presence of atypical microorganisms was detected in 18 of the 70 patients (25%), mainly Mycobacterium pneumoniae (n=11), and in 6 cases (8.5%) the infection was mixed. Ten strains of S. pneumoniae (35.7%) were shown to be susceptible to penicillin, 2 (7.1%) were highly resistant, and 16 (57.1%) showed moderate resistance. The clinical success rate at the final visit after treatment was 94.1% for moxifloxacin and 91.7% for amoxicillin. The results of this trial demonstrate a high prevalence of S. pneumoniae with reduced susceptibility to penicillin in patients with CAP in Latin America. It also revealed a high incidence of atypical pathogens and mixed infection in 8.6% of patients. This information should be taken into account when establishing protocols for empirical treatment of CAP in Latin America.

Amoxicillin↗

PubMed2003

Isolation and characterization of a novel insect defensin from Rhodnius prolixus, a vector of Chagas disease.

An antimicrobial peptide belonging to the defensin family of small cationic peptides associated with innate immunity in insects was isolated from the hemolymph of Rhodnius prolixus, a vector of Chagas disease. This peptide, designated R. prolixus defensin A, was purified and sequenced. The active peptide contains 43 residues and aligns well with other insect defensins. However the pre-pro region of the sequence has little shared identity with other insect defensins. We have identified 3 isoforms of R. prolixus defensin from cDNA clones obtained from RNA isolated from the whole bodies of immune activated insects. Northern analysis and Real-Time Quantitative PCR indicate that there is a very low baseline transcription of this peptide in naïve insects, and that transcription increases significantly in the fat body of immune activated insects. In addition there is a delayed induction of transcription of this peptide in the intestine 24 h post activation suggesting that the midgut/intestine of this species is active in the immune response against pathogens.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2003

Portal hypertension is associated with increased mRNA levels of vasopressor G-protein-coupled receptors in human hepatic arteries.

BACKGROUND: The contractile response of human splanchnic vessels to different vasoconstrictors is attenuated in cirrhosis. Functional studies indicate a cellular signalling defect upstream of the G-protein level. The aim of the present study was to analyze expression and mRNA levels of the following most relevant vasopressor receptors in the smooth musculature of human hepatic arteries: alpha1 adrenoceptor (AR) subtypes a, b and d, angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1), arginine vasopressin receptor type 1a (V1a), endothelin receptor type A (ETA) and B (ETB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hepatic arteries were collected from 10 donors (noncirrhotic) and 14 recipients (cirrhotic) at liver transplantations. Real-time-PCR was performed to quantify steady-state levels of receptor mRNAs. RESULTS: alpha 1aAR mRNA levels showed no significant difference between the cirrhotic arteries and the controls while the mRNA levels of the other vasoactive receptors were significantly higher in the cirrhotic hepatic arteries (alpha 1bAR: 4-fold, P = 0.013; AT1: 16-fold, P = 0.024; V1a: 23-fold, P = 0.001; ETA: 4-fold, P = 0.02; ETB: 8-fold, P = 0.008). No mRNA for the alpha 1dAR was detected either in the donor or recipient hepatic arteries. CONCLUSION: We conclude that vascular hyporeactivity to the most relevant endogenous vasoconstrictors of cirrhotic hepatic arteries is not caused by a receptor down-regulation at mRNA levels. In contrast they were up-regulated.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Reliability of rating scales of perceived exertion and heart rate during progressive and maximal constant load exercises till exhaustion in physical education students.

The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and estimation of time limit (ETL) scales, and heart rate in physical education students during standardised and replicated progressive and constant load exercises till exhaustion realised on a track. Three groups of ten physical education students who present the same anthropometrical characteristics performed an incremental exercise to determine their maximal aerobic velocity (MAV) on an indoor track. Thereafter, group 1 performed an identical incremental exercise whereas groups 2 and 3 performed two identical exercises to exhaustion: a constant load exercise up to exhaustion at 90 and 100 % MAV, respectively, to determine the time to exhaustion at each intensity (tlim 90 and tlim 100). The results of this study were that MAV, tlim 90 and tlim 100 were not significantly different between the two trials. Moreover, the individual Pearson correlation coefficients between test and retests were very high (0.94 to 1). The slope and y intercept values of the relationships between test and retest perceived exertion ratings were not significantly different from the identity line. Moreover, test-retest differences in HR values fell within the 95 % LoA analysis. Consequently, HR values, RPE and ETL scales are reliable during standardised and replicated progressive and constant load exercises till exhaustion performed on a track with physical education students.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

[Liver transplantation in Germany].

As in other western countries the major challenge of liver transplantation in Germany is to expand the number of liver transplantations in respect to the increasing disparity of qualified patients on the waiting list and the still static availability of brain death donor organs. The problem of death on the waiting list has become overt since the German transplantation law has been installed, which has changed the former center-oriented to a patient-oriented allocation weighting waiting time over medical urgency criteria. The more liberal acceptance of so called marginal cadaveric donor livers will probably impair further improvements in the acute and long-term outcome of liver transplantation. This problem can be partially compensated by the use of novel surgical techniques, such as splitting a donor liver to be transplanted into two adult recipients or, more commonly and safe, into an adult and one child. Another alternative to increase the donor pool is living donor liver transplantation, which was first introduced for pediatric recipients but is now increasingly used in adults. In 2001, a constant number of 757 liver transplantations were performed in Germany, including 12.5 % living donor transplantations. Recently, general guidelines for the selection of patients with end-stage liver disease and acute liver failure have been published by the Bundesärztekammer. Additional developments have contributed to improve the results of liver replacement including individualized immunosuppression strategies and novel treatment options to avoid recurrent viral disease following transplantation.

Cadaver↗

PubMed2002

[Blackwater fever].

DEFINITION: Blackwater fever is a clinical entity characterized by acute intravascular hemolysis classically occuring after the re-introduction of quinine in long-term residents in Plasmodium falciparum endemic areas and repeatedly using the product. CLINICAL PROFILE: The symptomatology appears brutally with emission of porto-colored urine, icterus, pallor, nausea, fever and acute renal failure. The hemolytic-like anemia is immediately severe. Parasitemia is mild or absent. The mechanism of renal failure is tubular necrosis. QUININE AND SIMILAR MOLECULES: Well known at the start of the 20th century, blackwater fever has become exceptional since 1950, when quinine was replaced by chloroquine. The disease reappeared in 1990, following the re-utilization of quinine because of resistance to chloroquine. Thereafter, several cases have been described with halofantrine and mefloquine, two new molecules similar to quinine (amino-alcohol family). The physiopathogenesis of the disease is not well known, however it would appear that the concomitance of a double sensitivization of the red blood cells to the P. falciparum red blood cells and to the amino-alcohols is necessary to provoke the hemolysis. EVOLUTION: The severity of the clinical picture often requires initial management in intensive care unit. Nowadays, however, prognosis is good and the disease usually regresses without after effects.

Adolescent↗