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Biomedical subjects

R Fries

Publications and source records attributed to R Fries.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Valve repair in aortic regurgitation without root dilatation--aortic valve repair.

BACKGROUND: Aortic valve repair was established in the context of aortic root remodeling. Variable results have been reported for isolated valve repair. We analyzed our experience with isolated valve repair and compared the results with those of aortic root remodeling. METHODS: Between October 1995 and August 2003, isolated repair of the aortic valve was performed in 83 patients (REP), remodeling of the aortic valve in 175 patients (REMO). The demographics of the two groups were comparable (REP: mean age 54.4 +/- 20.7 yrs, male-female ratio 2.1 : 1; REMO: mean age 60.8 +/- 13.6 yrs, male-female ratio 2.4 : 1; p = ns). In both groups the number of bicuspid valves was comparable (REP: 41 %, REMO: 32 %; p = ns). All patients were followed by echocardiography for a cumulative follow-up of 8204 patient months (mean 32 +/- 23 months). RESULTS: Overall in-hospital mortality was 2.4 % in REP and 4.6 % in REMO ( p = 0.62). Systolic gradients were comparable in both groups (REP: 5.8 +/- 2.2, REMO: 6.5 +/- 3.1 mm Hg, p = 0.09). The mean degree of aortic regurgitation 12 months postoperatively was 0.8 +/- 0.7 after REP and 0.7 +/- 0.7 after REMO ( p = 0.29). Freedom from significant regurgitation (> or = II degrees ) after 5 years was 86 % in REP and 89 % in REMO ( p = 0.17). Freedom from re-operation after 5 years was 94.4 % in REP and 98.2 % in REMO ( p = 0.33). CONCLUSIONS: Aortic regurgitation without concomitant root dilatation can be treated effectively by aortic valve repair. The functional results are equivalent to those obtained with valve-preserving root replacement. Aortic valve repair appears to be an alternative to valve replacement in aortic regurgitation.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Association of the melanocortin 4 receptor with feed intake and daily gain in F2 Mangalitsa x Piétrain pigs.

The melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) is a key factor in the regulation of energy balance and body weight. Hence it is a candidate for feed intake and energy homeostasis-related traits. Studies in humans and swine have revealed several sequence variants in the gene that are associated with some of these traits. In pigs the coding non-synonymous missense variant Asp298Asn in MC4R has been associated with feed intake, fatness and growth. Here we confirm the association of this Piétrain-derived polymorphism with feed intake and daily gain in the F2 generation of a Mangalitsa x Piétrain cross. In one Piétrain founder animal, we detected an additional non-synonymous missense variant Arg236His. Thus, the MC4R gene could be a useful marker for increased growth in the relatively slow-growing Piétrain breed.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Heating and humidifying of carbon dioxide during pneumoperitoneum is not indicated: a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Carbon dioxide (CO2) pneumoperitoneum usually is created by a compressed gas source. This exposes the patient to cool dry gas delivered at room temperature (21 degrees C) with 0% relative humidity. Various delivery methods are available for humidifying and heating CO2 gas. This study was designed to determine the effects of heating and humidifying gas for the intraabdominal environment. METHODS: For this study, 44 patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass were randomly assigned to one of four arms in a prospective, randomized, single-blinded fashion: raw CO2 (group 1), heated CO2 (group 2), humidified CO2 (group 3), and heated and humidified CO2 (group 4). A commercially available CO2 heater-humidifier was used. Core temperatures, intraabdominal humidity, perioperative data, and postoperative outcomes were monitored. Peritoneal biopsies were taken in each group at the beginning and end of the case. Biopsies were subjected staining protocols designed to identify structural damage and macrophage activity. Postoperative narcotic use, pain scale scores, recovery room time, and length of hospital stay were recorded. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare the groups. RESULTS: Demographics, volume of CO2 used, intraabdominal humidity, bladder temperatures, lens fogging, and operative times were not significantly different between the groups. Core temperatures were stable, and intraabdominal humidity measurements approached 100% for all the patients over the entire procedure. Total narcotic dosage and pain scale scores were not statistically different. Recovery room times and length of hospital stay were similar in all the groups. Only one biopsy in the heated-humidified group showed an increase in macrophage activity. CONCLUSIONS: The intraabdominal environment in terms of temperature and humidity was similar in all the groups. There was no significant difference in the intraoperative body temperatures or the postoperative variable measured. No histologic changes were identified. Heating or humidifying of CO2 is not justified for patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

Abdomen↗
PubMed2005

Microflora of two different types of poultry litter.

1. The microbiological composition of litter (straw and wood shavings) was sampled, prior to placing 1-d-old chicks, during housing of the birds and after depopulation. Two independent trials were conducted. 2. The total aerobic plate count (APC) was determined and the predominant microflora of the samples was identified using flow charts. 3. Before chick placement, the APC of wood shavings (about 4.0 log/g) was lower than the APC of straw (about log 7.5/g). With stocking, in both types of litter the APC increased to about log 9.76/g straw-litter and log 9.89/g wood shavings, respectively. After depopulation, the APC remained high (> log 9 in both types of litter) within the period of observation. 4. From both experiments, 1981 isolates were collected and identified, most of them were Gram-positive. During stocking the birds, the number of Gram-positive isolates (in particular Gram-positive irregular rods and Micrococcaceae) increased; after depopulation it stayed at that high value, whereas the number of Gram-negative isolates remained low. In both types of litter the isolates were obtained in a comparable proportion.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed2005

Validation of sperm sexing in the cattle (Bos taurus) by dual colour fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Separation of X- and Y-bearing sperm cells, together with artificial insemination using sex-specific semen, makes it possible to pre-determine the sex of calves. This has the potential to considerably improve cattle breeding, genetic resource management and particularly the efficiency of dairy and meat production. However, the broad use of sexed semen will depend on availability, price, fertilizability and in particular the actual sorting purity of sperm doses. To validate the accuracy of sperm sexing in Bos taurus, we have developed a simple, fast and reliable dual colour fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) test, where Y-bearing spermatozoa are identified by a DNA fragment hybridizing to a large pericentromeric repetitive DNA block on the bovine Y chromosome (locus DYZI, Yp13-q12). To avoid an underestimation of Y signals, we used a second DNA probe identifying a large subcentromeric block of complex repetitive DNA on the bovine autosome 6 (locus D6Z1, 6q12-15) as a positive control. Bovine sperm were fixed with methanol:acetic acid and denatured by simply immersing in 3 M NaOH, yielding consistent hybridization results and good preservation of sperm morphology. The FISH protocol was evaluated on unsorted sperm as well as on sperm samples sexed using the Beltsville technology, which separates X- and Y-bearing spermatozoa by staining with Hoechst 33342 and flow sorting according to their DNA content (Johnson et al. 1987).

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[The perception of veterinary medicine in the print media].

Between January 2000 and October 2003, a print media data bank on published contributions was screened for the German key words "Tierarzt/Tierärztin" and "Veterinär/Veterinärin" (veterinary surgeon) and related items. 267 articles have been found. Regarding the contents, the articles were characterised according to the content (VPH, surgeons, other), and the cause of the article. Regarding the surgeon part, mostly companion animals are dealt with. If it comes to VPH, primarily so called scandals such as misuse of therapeuticals or epidemics (BSE, FMD) have been reported. In the first instance these articles reflect only a temporary interest, and they do not give real insight into the daily work of the profession. As a consequence, public intelligence on veterinary medicine may be misled by such press articles, possibly generating wrong expectations in young people who might start with veterinary medicine. Institutional bodies should provide information, which covers the subject in a more realistic way in order to prevent a wrong understanding of the profession and to offer the whole scope of the public functions of veterinary medicine.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

[Clinical significance of stress reactivity for frequency of electric shock discharges in patients with implanted cardioverter-defibrillators].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Recent research indicates that discharges of implanted cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) are triggered by psychosocial stress. This study examined the presence of patterns of psychophysiological stress reactivity in ICD-patients. Further more potential relationship between factors of stress reactivity and the frequency of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators discharges was investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 46 consecutive patients (38 male, 8 female; age: 26-80 years) with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators the following parameters of physiological reactivity were measured in a standardised experimental stress test: Heart rate, skin conductance, muscle tension and respiratory activity. In a standardised interview anxiety sensitivity, depression, desire for control, stress load, and attitude towards the defibrillator were evaluated and quantified. The relationship between the mentioned parameters were examined with factor analysis to reveal patterns of psychophysiological reactivity. Potential relationship between psychophysiological factors and frequency of shock delivery was verified with linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Factor analysis revealed four independent psychophysiological traits. The factors were named "Play Dead Reflex", "Heart Phobia", "Negativism" and "Irritability". Linear regression model showed significant correlation between "Play Dead Reflex" and discharge frequency. CONCLUSIONS: Results confirm the presence of specific psychophysiological stress reaction patterns in ICD-patients. The stress reaction pattern "Play Dead Reflex" could be discussed as a potential risk factor in developing life-threatening tachyarrhythmias leading to an increase in defibrillator discharges in patients with ICD. This hypothesis should be considered in prospective studies and psychosomatic treatment of concerned patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Differential diagnosis of leg edema].

Both generalized and localized edema needs to be submitted to a differential diagnostic investigation. In the case of edema affecting the lower extremities, in particular the Stemmer sign which is the inability to tent the skin at the dorsum of the toes is a useful distinguishing aid. If there is acute unilateral swelling of a leg, other processes with diffuse space-consuming processes need to be distinguished from deep venous thrombosis and secondary lymphedema. Chronic bilateral leg edema is usually due to a venous flowoff obstruction (stasis edema). Less commonly, lipedema or a primary lymphedema may be responsible for the swelling.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed2004

Detection and characterization of SNPs useful for identity control and parentage testing in major European dairy breeds.

We propose the use of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) instead of polymorphic microsatellite markers for individual identification and parentage control in cattle. To this end, we present an initial set of 37 SNP markers together with a gender-specific SNP for identity control and parentage testing in the Holstein, Fleckvieh and Braunvieh breeds. To obtain suitable SNPs, a total of 91.13 kb of random genomic DNA was screened yielding 531 SNPs. These, and 43 previously identified SNPs, were subjected to the following selection criteria: (1) the frequency of the minor allele must be larger than 0.1 in at least two of the three examined breeds, and (2) markers should not be linked closely. Allele frequencies were estimated by analysing sequencing traces of pooled DNA or by genotyping individual DNA samples. The selected SNP loci were physically mapped by radiation hybrid mapping or by fluorescence in situ hybridization, and tested against the neutral mutation hypothesis. The presented marker set theoretically allows probabilities of identity less than 10(-13) for individual verification and exclusion powers exceeding 99.99% for parentage testing.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2004

Influence of methods for Trichinella detection in pigs from endemic and non-endemic European region.

A total of 1401 German and 226 Croatian pigs raised either indoors or outdoors were tested for Trichinella infection by direct and indirect detection methods. A 10 g sample of diaphragm were examined for muscle larvae by the artificial digestion method; the species was determined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). For detection of anti-Trichinella IgG, serum samples diluted 1:100, and meat juice samples diluted 1:10, were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All German pigs and those Croatian pigs raised indoors proved to be Trichinella-negative by all methods. Muscle larvae were detected in a total of eleven of the Croatian pigs, which were raised on small outdoor farms. For eight isolates, PCR results demonstrated that recovered larvae were Trichinella spiralis. Anti-Trichinella-IgG was detected in serum and meat juice of digestion positive animals when the worm burdens exceeded 0.38 larvae per gram of muscle. Positive results in Croatian pigs indicate a higher risk of infection for outdoor farming in areas where Trichinella is endemic. Results of direct and indirect detection were compared and are discussed with special regard to specificity and sensitivity of methods.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2004

Characterization and chromosome localization of a processed pseudogene related to the bovine laminin receptor gene family.

A bovine BAC clone containing a processed laminin receptor pseudogene (LAMR1P) has been isolated and characterized. A 2,901-bp sequence was produced from the clone, of which 1,187 bp represented seven identifiable exon-like domains, but no intervening sequences. The pseudogene sequence reveals several transversions and transitions, as well as insertions and deletions. A premature stop codon motif is present at nucleotide position 115 located in the exon-2-like domain. Physical mapping of the gene was performed by FISH and RH panel mapping and assigned LAMR1P to BTA4q24-->q26 with the closest linkage to BM6458 (19 cR, LOD score of 11.6). The functional laminin receptor putatively plays an important role in the transmission of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). In this process, the receptor supposedly acts as the binding site for prion proteins to enter mammalian cells. Considering the existence of several human laminin receptor pseudogenes forming a complex family, any knowledge of even pseudogene sequences might be helpful to isolate the functional bovine laminin receptor gene.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

[Quantitative microbiological analysis--impacting factors as demonstrated with the aerobic plate count].

The real number of viable cells in a sample is generally unknown. In order to get a real reflection of the number of bacteria, impacting factors must be taken into consideration and must be kept comparable. Important preconditions for the assessment and comparison of quantitative microbiological data are: Samples should be taken and prepared under circumstances as identical as possible (stage of sampling and quality of the material), structure of the laboratory technique must be comparable (preparation of the first dilution, technique of plating, media and incubation circumstances), the personal factor must remain under control as far as possible (performance of the analyses in daily work, skills of all technicians).

Animals↗