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Biomedical subjects

S Böhm

Publications and source records attributed to S Böhm.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Probiotics in chronic inflammatory bowel disease].

Current data show that probiotics are more effective in preventing the recrudescence of an inflammatory process than in suppressing active disease. This is reflected in the solid evidence for the effect of E. coli Nissle 1917 (Mutaflor) in the maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis, and of VSL#3 in preventing the recurrence of pouchitis. These indications have since been incorporated in valid guidelines. Initial clinical studies have also provided promising results regarding the efficacy of VSL#3 in preventing pouchitis immediately following proctocolectomy.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed2005

Immune-mediated rippling muscle disease.

The authors report a 44-year-old man with rippling muscle disease (RMD) who does not have a mutation in the caveolin-3 gene. Immunohistochemistry of the muscle biopsy revealed a marked reduction of caveolin-3 and a mosaic pattern of dysferlin immunostaining. Ultrastructural studies showed a loss of caveolae and alterations of the triad. Autoantibodies were directed against the sarcolemma, triad, and several unknown muscle proteins.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The transcription factor profile of human mast cells in comparison with monocytes and granulocytes.

Expression profiles of mRNAs and proteins for various transcription factors were determined for human skin mast cells (sMCs), leukemic HMC-1 MCs, monocytes and granulocytes. By quantitative RT-PCR, sMCs expressed lower levels of c-fos, PU.1, C/EBPalpha, and C/EBPepsilon than monocytes and granulocytes, but higher levels of MITF, SCL, GATA-1 and GATA-2. At the protein level, MITF, SCL, GATA-2, Elf-1 and c-fos were clearly detectable in sMCs. With the exception of c-fos, these proteins were absent or expressed only slightly in monocytes and granulocytes. The expression of NF-E2p45, GATA-1, PU.1, Ets-1, C/EBPalpha and C/EBPepsilon was below the detection limit in sMCs, but detectable in other myelocytes. The high expression of SCL and GATA-2 in sMCs is reminiscent of stem cells. The absence of C/EBPvarepsilon in sMCs, but strong expression in HMC-1, suggests it may impair MC maturation. In summary, mature human MCs can be characterized as C/EBPalpha(low), C/EBPvarepsilon-, PU.1(low), GATA-1(low), GATA-2+, SCL+, MITF(high).

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Precise determination of the 2s(1/2)-2p(1/2) splitting in very heavy lithiumlike ions utilizing dielectronic recombination.

The 2s(1/2)-2p(1/2) energy splittings DeltaE(L) of the lithiumlike ions 19779Au76+, 20882Pb79+, and 23892U89+ have been measured at the Experimental Storage Ring, utilizing low energy dielectronic recombination. The resonance energies in total 41 different 1s(2) 2p(1/2)nl(j(')) (n > or =20) autoionizing Rydberg states populated in the dielectronic capture process have been determined. The 2s(1/2)-->2p(1/2) excitation energies have been obtained by extrapolation of these resonance energies to the associated series limits n--> infinity. The combined analysis of the experimental data for all three ions yields DeltaE(L)=216.134(96) eV for Au76+, 230.650(81) eV for Pb79+, and 280.516(99) eV for U89+.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Observation of trielectronic recombination in Be-like Cl ions.

Recombination involving the core excitation of two electrons, which may be termed trielectronic recombination, has been experimentally identified for the first time. Using Cl13+ ions circulating in the TSR heavy-ion storage ring, we have observed surprisingly strong low-energy trielectronic recombination resonances, comparable to the dielectronic process. At higher electron-ion collision energies, trielectronic recombination is suppressed due to the autoionization of the triply excited intermediate state into excited final states. The formation of the intermediate state depends sensitively on configuration mixing, making trielectronic recombination a challenge to atomic-structure calculations.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Spontaneous hemarthrosis of the knee associated with clopidogrel and aspirin treatment.

We report a case of a 76-year-old-man who developed spontaneous hemarthrosis of his right knee following clopidogrel-aspirin treatment. Clopidogrel is an ADP receptor antagonist and in combination with aspirin widely used in patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease to reduce the incidence of ischemic events. To date, no case of spontaneous hemarthrosis following clopidogrel-aspirin therapy has been reported. Prompt aspiration after discontinuing the ADP receptor antagonist-aspirin combination therapy can assist early diagnosis and may prevent further damage to the joint. In conclusion, spontaneous hemarthrosis is a possible complication following clopidogrel-aspirin therapy and is recommended to be evaluated when appropriate clinical symptoms (e.g., intraarticular effusion) present.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Pericarditis as primary manifestation of Mycobacterium bovis SSP. caprae infection.

A 76-year-old white male presented with progressive malaise, weight loss and dyspnea at rest. Echocardiography revealed a circular pericardial effusion and global hypokinesia. Pericardiocentesis showed a purulent exudate and microbiologic examination revealed Mycobacterium bovis fully sensitive to isoniazid, streptomycin, ethambutol, rifampin, and pyrazinamide. By spoligotyping the isolate could be further differentiated to M. bovis ssp. caprae. Antimycobacterial therapy was initiated but 3 weeks later the patient's circulation and renal function deteriorated and he died with clinical signs of sepsis despite intensive care treatment. Pericarditis is a rare manifestation of tuberculosis and can be fatal even when diagnosed and treated appropriately. In low incidence countries diagnosis is often delayed and even overlooked.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Pyramidal tract damage correlates with motor dysfunction in bilateral periventricular leukomalacia (PVL).

In children with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), motor dysfunction is thought to be related to involvement of pyramidal tract fibres in the periventricular white matter. The purpose of the present study was to test this hypothesis. Thirteen former preterm adolescents with PVL, ten of whom were suffering from bilateral spastic cerebral palsy, were studied by MRI. The severity of pyramidal tract damage was assessed on semicoronal MRI reconstructions along anatomical landmarks of somatotopy in the precentral gyrus and the internal capsule; for comparison, the overall volume of cerebral white matter (determined by automated volumetry) served as a global measure of lesion severity. The motor dysfunction of each of the four extremities correlated much more strongly with the severity of pyramidal tract damage assessed on the respective MRI reconstruction (range of correlation coefficients, 0.647 to 0.922) than with the total volume of white matter (range of correlation coefficients, - 0.458 to - 0.212; Spearman). These findings corroborate the notion that an involvement of pyramidal tract fibres in the periventricular white matter is indeed a relevant factor for motor dysfunction in children with PVL.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Mechanical interaction between patient and ventilator in biphasic positive airway pressure (BIPAP)--digital and mechanical simulations].

OBJECTIVE: Biphasic Positive Airway Pressure (BIPAP) and the closely related Airway Pressure Release Ventilation (APRV) are characterised by asynchronous actions of ventilator and patient. Clinical observation and physiological reasoning suggest, that in BIPAP patient and ventilator can interact in various ways. This study was to elucidate the mechanical interaction. METHODS: Ventilation and interaction between patient and ventilator were analysed in digital and mechanical simulations of BIPAP with a variety of patient effort magnitudes and durations, machine pressures and phase durations, and passive respiratory system (RS) mechanics. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Patient efforts were most likely to effect a breath if they were strong relative to the machine pressure swing, and if they occurred late in a ventilator phase. Conversely, efforts occurring with or shortly after a machine pressure swing or relatively weak efforts were more or less ineffective. The postulated permanently unrestricted spontaneous breathing in BlPAP mode, although indeed assured in the technical sense, has to be qualified: Every change in machine pressure defines a new balance of the forces driving the RS, and the lung volume will approach a new elastic equilibrium volume ( = relaxation volume); the speed of this approach is determined by the time constant (tau = R x C) of the RS. Patient efforts are most effective when the RS is at or close to an equilibrium. An increase in the assisting machine pressure swing can unload the patient and assure a minimum ventilation, but it reduces the patient"s influence on ventilation and thus potentially patient comfort. In contrast, Automatic Tube Compensation (ATC), an assist component accelerating the RS by reducing resistances, combines unloading with more patient influence; this has to be weighed against the potential disadvantage of higher peak flows.

Air Pressure↗
PubMed2002

Cirrhotic patients with or without hepatocellular carcinoma harbour AFP-specific T-lymphocytes that can be activated in vitro by human alpha-fetoprotein.

BACKGROUND: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is re-expressed in 60%-70% of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) and may therefore be a potential target for a prophylactic or therapeutic tumour-specific vaccination. A prerequisite for this approach is the possibility to induce AFP-specific T-lymphocytes in patients with HCC and/or cirrhosis. METHODS: Peripheral blood was examined for the presence of AFP-specific T-lymphocytes using a FACS-based interferon-gamma secretion assay. RESULTS: In a group of healthy volunteers, the presence of AFP-specific CD4- and CD8-lymphocytes was demonstrated. Screening of blood of 14 cirrhotic patients without HCC and 23 cirrhotic patients with HCC showed that patients with liver diseases that represent targets for vaccination also harbour CD4-positive as well as CD8-positive AFP-specific Tlymphocytes. AFP reactivity in patients' lymphocytes was not significantly influenced by soluble serum AFP. The median stimulation factors for CD4-positive T-lymphocytes were significantly higher (P = 0.0365) in cirrhotic patients without HCC (median 2.08, range 0.50-4.40) compared to cirrhotic patients with HCC (median 1.15, range 0.24-8.50). CONCLUSION: AFP-specific T-lymphocytes that may be instrumental in HCC vaccination strategies are present in humans. This study suggests that immunopreventive vaccination of cirrhotic patients rather than immunotherapeutic vaccination of HCC patients may be preferable.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Intraoperative radiofrequency ablation using a 3D navigation tool for treatment of colorectal liver metastases.

BACKGROUND: Resection as the only potential cure for colorectal liver metastasis is limited by the size and the intrahepatic localization of lesions. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) may extend the limitations of surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 23 consecutive patients suffering from a total of 128 colorectal liver metastases were treated by resection and intraoperative RFA. All of these patients were irresectable by standard surgery due to volume and distribution of the lesions. 17 patients were treated by chemotherapy before RFA, with only 1 patient showing partial regression of liver metastases. In 12 lesions a new 3D navigation tool was used, that allows a virtual overlay of the RFA probe in real-time. RESULTS: 60 metastases were resected, 68 metastases were treated by RFA. There was no mortality, and complications occurred in 4 patients only (1??temporary encephalopathy, 3x cholangitis). Local tumor control according to CT scan was achieved by RFA in 93% of lesions up to 30 mm diameter (n = 45) and in 44% of lesions larger than 30 mm (n = 23). All ablations using the navigation tool were successful. After a mean follow-up of 8 +/- 5 months 12 patients are free of disease, 8 patients have either recurrent or new metastases, and 3 patients died of progressive disease. The estimated median survival time is 18 months (95% confidence interval 13-22 months). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative RFA of colorectal liver metastases in combination with hepatic resection is safe. Up to a lesion size of 30 mm a reliable treatment with RFA is possible. The navigation aid increases the reproducibility of the procedure.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

A flow-through amperometric sensor based on dialysis tubing and free enzyme reactors.

A generic flow-through amperometric microenzyme sensor is described, which is based on semi-permeable dialysis tubing carrying the sample to be analyzed. This tubing (300 microm OD) is led through a small cavity, containing the working and reference electrode. By filling this cavity with a few microl of an appropriate enzyme solution, an amperometric enzyme sensor results. As the dialysis tubing is impermeable for large molecular species such as enzymes, this approach does not require any immobilization chemistry, and as a consequence the enzyme is present in its natural free form. Based on this principle, amperometric sensors for lactate, glucose, and glutamate were formed by filling cavities, precision machined in Perspex, with buffered solutions containing respectively, lactate-, glucose-, and glutamate-oxidase. All sensors showed a large linear range (0-35 mM for glucose, 0-3 mM for lactate, and 0-5 mM for glutamate) covering the complete physiological range. The lower detection limit was in the order of 15-50 microM. Applicability in flow injection analysis systems is demonstrated.

Biosensing Techniques↗
PubMed2001

Immunohistochemical detection of calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor (CGRPR)-1 in the endothelium of human coronary artery and bronchial blood vessels.

The potent vasodilatory peptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is present in the innervation of vascular tissue. The actions of CGRP occur via a receptor, CGRP receptor(R)-1, which is also a target for the cardioprotective peptide adrenomedullin. The human version of the pharmacologically-defined CGRPR-1 has been cloned but its distribution and cellular location is unknown. A rabbit antibody was generated to a synthetic peptide that corresponds to the C-terminus of human CGRPR-1 Immunochemical analysis of the human cell-line, SK-N-MC, which exhibits functional expression of the CGRPR-1 confirmed the antibody's specificity. The antiserum revealed specific staining in the endothelium of human coronary arteries. The vascular smooth muscle and ventricular myocardium were not immunoreactive. In bronchial blood vessels CGRPR-1-immunoreactivity was detected in the endothelium of the venules and not in the arterioles, which is particularly relevant for elucidating the putative role of CGRP in inflammation in this tissue.

Antibody Specificity↗
PubMed2000

Sensitive and accurate quantitation of hepatitis B virus DNA using a kinetic fluorescence detection system (TaqMan PCR).

The laboratory diagnosis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is based mainly on serological assays. Yet the detection and quantitation of viral DNA is necessary when addressing directly the question of infectivity or when monitoring the viral load during therapy. Standard hybridization assays allow for exact quantitation, but their sensitivity is limited to 10(5)-10(6) viral genomes per ml of serum. The most sensitive tests for HBV DNA are nested PCR systems, which recognize virtually one molecule of the target DNA per reaction. However, these assays only provide very coarse quantitative statements. To take advantage of both methods, a new assay for HBV DNA is described based on the commercial TaqMan system. This assay is capable of quantifying HBV DNA from the theoretical lower limit up to 10(10) genome equivalents per ml of serum and, thus, covers the complete range of naturally occurring states of infections. The method was calibrated on the basis of serial plasmid dilutions and compared with a well-established nested PCR system. More than 100 HBV positive sera and serial dilutions of the Eurohep standard for both ad and ay subtypes were analyzed. The assay reliably detected all HBV positive samples. It shows minimal run-to-run deviations, allows for quantitation that covers eight orders of magnitude, and finally, completely avoids the risk of cross-contamination by PCR products. Thus, this technique combines the sensitivity of PCR amplification and the quantitation potential of hybridization tests and it is time efficient and safer.

DNA, Viral↗
PubMed2000

Primary gastric B-cell lymphoma: results of a prospective multicenter study. The German-Austrian Gastrointestinal Lymphoma Study Group.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Appropriate management of primary gastric lymphoma is controversial. This prospective, multicenter study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of endoscopic biopsy diagnosis and clinical staging procedures and assess a treatment strategy based on Helicobacter pylori status and tumor stage and grade. METHODS: Of 266 patients with primary gastric B-cell lymphoma, 236 with stages EI (n = 151) or EII (n = 85) were included in an intention-to-treat analysis. Patients with H. pylori-positive stage EI low-grade lymphoma underwent eradication therapy. Nonresponders and patients with stage EII low-grade lymphoma underwent gastric surgery. Depending on the residual tumor status and predefined risk factors, patients received either radiotherapy or no further treatment. Patients with high-grade lymphoma underwent surgery and chemotherapy at stages EI/EII, complemented by radiation in case of incomplete resection. RESULTS: Endoscopic-bioptic typing and grading and clinical staging were accurate to 73% and 70%, respectively, based on the histopathology of resected specimens. The overall 2-year survival rates for low-grade lymphoma did not differ in the risk-adjusted treatment groups, ranging from 89% to 96%. In high-grade lymphoma, patients with complete resection or microscopic tumor residuals had significantly better survival rates (88% for EI and 83% for EII) than those with macroscopic tumor residues (53%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There is a considerable need for improvement in clinical diagnostic and staging procedures, especially with a view toward nonsurgical treatment. With the exception of eradication therapy in H. pylori-positive low-grade lymphoma of stage EI and the subgroup of locally advanced high-grade lymphoma, resection remains the treatment of choice. However, because there is an increasing trend toward stomach-conserving therapy, a randomized trial comparing cure of disease and quality of life with surgical and conservative treatment is needed.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Digital radiography with a large-area, amorphous-silicon, flat-panel X-ray detector system.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the image quality of a digital radiography system with an amorphous-silicon, large-area, digital flat-panel detector. METHODS: A flat-panel detector based on a matrix of amorphous silicon was integrated into a projection radiography system. The scintillator consisted of a layer of structured cesium iodide. The active matrix size of 30002 pixels together with a pixel size of 143 microm provided a large image area of 43 x 43 cm2. Basic image quality parameters such as detective quantum efficiency (DQE) and modulation transfer function (MTF) were measured and compared with those obtained with conventional systems. RESULTS: The measurement of DQE yielded a high value of 70% at zero spatial frequency. At a system dose equivalent to 400 speed, the DQE of the digital system was a factor of two larger than the DQE of a storage phosphor or screen-film system within the entire spatial frequency range between zero and the Nyquist limit of 3.5 line pairs per millimeter. The flat-panel detector furthermore has an MTF that is superior to that in regular screen-film systems and also provides a substantially larger dynamic range. CONCLUSIONS: This new technology demonstrates its potential to provide equal or superior image quality to conventional screen-film systems and to reduce patient exposure to radiation dose. The advantages of digital radiography systems, based on a flat-panel detector as an instant image display, facilitation of work flow in the radiology department, and digital networking and archiving, are well in sight.

Humans↗