Biomedical subjects

Martin Fuchs

Publications and source records attributed to Martin Fuchs.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Expression of CYR61, an angiogenic immediate early gene, in arteriosclerosis and its regulation by angiotensin II.

BACKGROUND: The renin-angiotensin system is thought to be involved in development and progression of arteriosclerosis, thereby contributing to adverse cardiovascular events. To elucidate the role of angiotensin II (Ang II) at a cellular level, we analyzed the Ang II-induced gene expression profile. METHODS AND RESULTS: Genes induced on Ang II stimulation (10(-7) mol/L, 45 minutes) in rat smooth muscle cells were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction selected subtraction. In addition to known genes, such as interleukin 6, leukemia inhibitory factor, and c-fos, we identified CYR61, an angiogenic immediate early gene. Northern blot analysis revealed a rapid 2.5-fold increase of CYR61 transcript levels by Ang II, peaking at 30 minutes, which was blunted by Ang II type 1 receptor blockade. Exposure of rat aortic rings to Ang II (30 minutes) revealed a 2-fold, and intraperitoneal injection of Ang II (30 minutes) in mice a 3-fold, increase of aortic CYR61 transcripts. In arteriosclerotic aortas of apolipoprotein E-deficient mice, CYR61 transcripts confirmed by in situ hybridization and proteins shown by immunohistochemistry were elevated, whereas they were hardly detectable in wild types. In human carotid atherectomies and arteriosclerotic coronary arteries, immunohistochemical analysis revealed expression of CYR61 within connective tissue in neointima, adventitia, and surrounding small capillaries and blood vessels, colocalized with ACE and Ang II. Normal human arteries showed no significant staining for CYR61. CONCLUSIONS: CYR61, an angiogenic factor, is induced by Ang II in vascular cells and tissue. The expression of CYR61, colocalized with Ang II and ACE, in small vessels of human arteriosclerotic lesions is consistent with the notion that the activated renin-angiotensin system may contribute to plaque neovascularization by enhancing regulators of microvessel formation and cell proliferation.

Angiogenesis Inducing Agents↗

PubMed2002

What is palliative care in Germany? Results from a representative survey.

The recent development of palliative care inpatient units in Germany has been impressive. As a first step for quality assurance, a core documentation form was developed in 1996. The core documentation form consisted of 4 pages with 35 items documenting physical and psychosocial symptoms at the time of admission, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures before and during inpatient treatment, and outcome of physical and psychosocial dimensions. Checklists were used for most items and free text entries could be added. Of the 65 palliative inpatient units in Germany, 44 participated in the second phase of the evaluation of the core documentation in 2000. Eight units were affiliated with anesthesiology departments, 31 with internal medicine, two with radiotherapy, 1 with a surgical department, and 2 units were not affiliated with a department of the hospital. A total of 1087 patients were assessed in the 44 units during a period of up to 3 months. There was a high variability between units in all checklist items of the core documentation. Compared to units affiliated with internal medicine departments, units affiliated with anesthesiology departments performed less chemotherapy, but more immunotherapy; gave fewer infusions and blood transfusions but more skin and wound care, and more lymphatic drainage and massage; and documented psychosocial interventions more frequently for patients as well as for relatives. In one-third of the patients, a consent for omission of therapeutic options was documented. Inpatient treatment ended with the death of the patient in 45.3% of patients and with discharge in 51.6% (not documented 3.1%). The efficacy of inpatient treatment was rated very high by the staff. In conclusion, we found large variation in the documentation pertaining to palliative care patients at the time of admission, as well as for inpatient treatment, among palliative care units in Germany. This was related to the affiliation of the units at least to some degree, but also to differences in interests and documentation discipline. We suggest that training procedures for documentation should be included in crossectional surveys, as the results may not be comparable otherwise. However, common documentation instruments may be the first step towards an interdisciplinary discussion on aims and methods in palliative care.

Data Collection↗

PubMed2002

In-vivo electrophysiological study in mice with chronic anterior myocardial infarction.

INTRODUCTION: An increasing number of genetically altered mice with specific molecular cardiac defects are being assessed by electrophysiological studies and ECG monitoring. This approach should allow for the identification of critical genes involved in the arrhythmogenesis in myocardial infarction. Therefore it was the aim of this study to establish a standard for the in-vivo electrophysiological characteristics in the mouse model of chronic anterior myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using a minimized, invasive, in-vivo electrophysiological study, surface ECG parameters, sinus node function, atrial, atrio-ventricular and ventricular conduction and ventricular repolarization, and enhanced vulnerability to atrial and ventricular arrhythmia were studied in 20 wild-type C57BL/6 mice either under control or 11 weeks after large anterior myocardial infarction induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Telemetric ECG recording was performed in the same animals at baseline unrestrained, conscious condition to study surface ECG parameters, heart rate variability and the prevalence of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmia. During electrophysiological study, infarcted mice showed an 81% increase of the angle of the QRS axis (p < 0.001) and a prolongation of the P wave by 23% (p = 0.01), the QRS complex by 39% (p = 0.001), the QT interval by 23% (p<0.05), the QT(c) interval by 30% (p < 0.005) and the JT(c) interval by 31% (p < 0.05) in comparison to control animals. Furthermore, there was a prolongation of the atrio-ventricular interval by 28% (p < 0.0005) and the atrio-ventricular functional refractory period by 26% in infarcted animals (p < 0.05), and inducibility of ventricular tachycardia in 4 of 6 infarcted versus in none of control animals (0 < 0.01). During telemetric ECG recording, there was a marked increase in ventricular ectopic activity in infarcted mice in comparison to controls (p < 0.05). Heart rate and time- and frequency-domain of heart rate variability were not significantly different in both groups (p > 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The mouse model of chronic anterior myocardial infarction is associated with significant atrial and ventricular conduction disturbances and vulnerability to ventricular arrhythmia and thus may provide a highly valuable tool to study molecular determinants of arrhythmogenesis in myocardial infarction.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Reduction of severe wrist injuries in snowboarding by an optimized wrist protection device: a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: The benefits of sport are well recognized, but many activities carry a sport-specific injury risk. Snowboarding has become an increasingly popular winter sport in Austria in recent years, with an estimated 900,000 participants annually. Roughly 6,000 of these suffer from injury and up to 2,000 sustain moderate or severe wrist injuries (mainly fractures of the distal radius and epiphysiolyses). METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled trial to test the protective effect of a wrist protector, which differs in position, stiffness, length, and fixation from conventional protectors. Seven hundred twenty-one snowboarders were randomized into two groups. The risk factors and the injuries that occurred were registered by questionnaires and, in case of medical treatment, by medical reports. Time until injury (in half-days) was compared by the proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Nine severe wrist injuries were sustained in the unprotected control group and only one in the protected group (hazard ratio, 0.13; 95% confidence limits, 0.02, 1.04). Twelve snowboarders of the protector group secretly discarded their protectors during the trial (including the snowboarder who suffered the one and only severe wrist injury of this group). A per-protocol analysis was therefore performed, which demonstrated a more accentuated result (p = 0.003). There was no statistically significant increase in the incidence of other types of injury. Experience was shown to be a further protective factor. CONCLUSION: We recommend the use of a wrist protector, particularly for novices participating in this sport. As in other domains of medicine, preventive measures can decrease morbidity also in terms of sport injuries.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Current limitations in treatment of heart failure: new avenues and treatment options.

Chronic heart failure is one of the main causes of death in western countries. Despite state-of-the-art treatment including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers, and spironolactone, survival and relief from symptoms still are unacceptably poor in patients with chronic heart failure. The present article gives an overview of current limitations in the treatment of heart failure and points out possible treatment options in the future. It seems possible to reduce or at least delay progression of heart failure by adding drugs that interfere with novel pathophysiologic aspects in heart failure activation of the neuroendocrine system, including catecholamines, angiotensin II, cytokines, and endothelins, as well as alteration of calcium homeostasis and energy depletion.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Reflectance from images: a model-based approach for human faces.

In this paper, we present an image-based framework that acquires the reflectance properties of a human face. A range scan of the face is not required. Based on a morphable face model, the system estimates the 3D shape and establishes point-to-point correspondence across images taken from different viewpoints and across different individuals' faces. This provides a common parameterization of all reconstructed surfaces that can be used to compare and transfer BRDF data between different faces. Shape estimation from images compensates deformations of the face during the measurement process, such as facial expressions. In the common parameterization, regions of homogeneous materials on the face surface can be defined a priori. We apply analytical BRDF models to express the reflectance properties of each region and we estimate their parameters in a least-squares fit from the image data. For each of the surface points, the diffuse component of the BRDF is locally refined, which provides high detail. We present results for multiple analytical BRDF models, rendered at novel orientations and lighting conditions.

Algorithms↗