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Biomedical subjects

Tobias Ankermann

Publications and source records attributed to Tobias Ankermann.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Diagnosis and management of cerebral salt wasting (CSW) in children: the role of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to report our experience with diagnosis and management of cerebral salt wasting (CSW) in children and to evaluate the role of atrial natriuretic peptide/brain natriuretic peptide (ANP/BNP) in pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present nine children suffering from prevalent cerebral disease--seven of whom underwent anesthesia and surgical procedures--with features of CSW, seen within a 22-month period. The symptoms, patient characteristics (including hormone status), monitoring, treatment protocol, and outcome are described. RESULTS: Natriuresis (urine Na+ concentrations 131 to >250 mmol/l) and polyuria (5.5+/-1.5 ml/kg/h) with increased Na+ turnover (maximum Na+ loss: median 1.50 mmol Na+/kg/h, range 0.47 to >3.50) vanished within 2 weeks in 6/9 patients (increase in serum Na+ from 127+/-2 mmol/l to 136+/-1). K+ excretion was also high (maximum K+ loss: median 0.18 mmol K+/kg/h, range 0.09-0.53). ANP/BNP as suspected causes of salt wasting were elevated only in 1/6 and 2/7 patients, respectively. Plasma renin activities and aldosterone levels were either suppressed or in the low normal range. CONCLUSION: Natriuresis and polyuria are the main diagnostic criteria for CSW. The fluid balance in CSW is negative, in contrast to a positive fluid balance in SIADH. The length of the disease is self-limited and generally ceases within 2 weeks, while Na+, K+, and fluid turnover should be monitored carefully. Only a minority of our children showed elevated ANP/BNP levels. A dose/effect relationship for natriuretic peptide levels and increased Na+ turnover could not be established.

Adolescent↗

Intrapulmonary application of a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor using surfactant as a carrier reduces lung edema in a piglet model of airway lavage.

Leukotriene-generated effects on microvascular integrity and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) play a key role in the inflammatory process of the alveolar-capillary unit in neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome. We asked if intrapulmonary application of MK886, a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, and the use of a porcine surfactant preparation (Curosurftrade mark) as a carrier substance would improve lung function in a neonatal piglet model of airway lavage. Anesthetized, mechanically ventilated newborn piglets (n = 19) underwent repeated airway lavage to induce acute lung injury. Piglets then received either surfactant alone (S, n = 6), or MK886 admixed with surfactant (S + MK, n = 7), or an air-bolus injection as control (C, n = 6). Measurements of gas exchange, lung function, extravascular lung water (EVLW), cell counts, and leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) were performed during 6 hr of mechanical ventilation. Arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO(2)) (S, 13.8 +/- 4.2 kPa, vs. S + MK, 20 +/- 6.6; P < 0.05), functional residual capacity (S, 15.1 +/- 6.8 ml/kg, vs. S + MK, 18.8 +/- 3.7 ml/kg; P < 0.05), and EVLW (S, 29 +/- 14 ml/kg, vs. S + MK 24 +/- 4 ml/kg; P < 0.05) were significantly improved in the MK886 group. This clinical effect was linked with a decrease in LTB(4) concentration in BAL (S, 3.5 (1.9-5.4) pg/ml, vs. S + MK, 1.6 (0.7-4.7) pg/ml; P < 0.05) and an increase in IL-8 (S, 2,103 (852-4,243) pg/ml, vs. S + MK, 3,815 (940-26,187) pg/ml; P < 0.05). PMNL counts in BAL were reduced (S, 570 +/- 42 cells/ml, vs. 275 +/- 35 cells/ml; P < 0.05). In conclusion, intrapulmonary application of the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor MK886 with surfactant as a carrier improves lung function by decreasing EVLW as the main response to LTB(4) reduction.

Animals↗

Bronchoscopic surfactant administration in pediatric patients with persistent lobar atelectasis.

Persistent lobar atelectasis in pediatric patients on mechanical ventilation results in impaired gas exchange and lung mechanics and contributes to a further need for mechanical ventilation. The most common types of atelectasis in children are resorption atelectasis following airway obstruction, and atelectasis due to surfactant deficiency or dysfunction. We aimed to determine whether bronchoscopic suctioning and surfactant application to atelectatic lung segments would result in improved oxygenation, ventilation, chest X-ray scoring, and early extubation. Five children with heterogeneous lung diseases (aged between 7 months and 15 years) were treated with a diluted surfactant preparation (Curosurf) in a concentration of 5-10 mg/ml (total dose 120-240 mg) which was instilled into the affected segments. Outcome parameters were gas exchange, radiographic resolution of atelectasis and extubation. All mechanically ventilated patients could be extubated within 24 h following the intervention. Bronchoscopic surfactant application could be carried out without adverse effects and brought improvements in oxygenation, respiratory rate, and partial or complete resolution of atelectases without recurrence.

Adolescent↗

Case report: successful interdisciplinary treatment of cerebrally disseminated invasive pulmonal aspergillosis in a child with acute myeloid leukemia.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a life-threatening infection in immunocompromised patients. Mortality rates of cerebrally disseminated IPA approach 100%. We report on a case of a 9-year-old girl with acute myeloid leukemia, who acquired cerebrally disseminated IPA during chemotherapy-induced leukopenia. Longtime survival was achieved by left pneumonectomy and neurosurgical resection of the intracerebral lesion combined with systemic application of itraconazole and liposomal amphotericin B. A review of literature revealed 7 other cases of cerebrally disseminated IPA with survival of more than 12 months.

Antifungal Agents↗

Topical inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB enhances reduction in lung edema by surfactant in a piglet model of airway lavage.

OBJECTIVE: Acute respiratory distress syndrome is occasionally seen in newborn infants due to a severe inflammatory process in the lungs that affects capillary-alveolar permeability, epithelial integrity, and type I and II pneumocyte function. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a topically applied nuclear factor-kappaB inhibitor (IkappaB kinase-NF-kappaB essential modulator binding domain [IKK-NBD] peptide) on gas exchange, lung function, lung fluids, and inflammation in a piglet model of repeated airway lavage that is characterized by surfactant deficiency, lung edema, and an inflammatory response. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled animal study. SETTING: Research laboratory of a university children's hospital. SUBJECTS: A total of 24 anesthetized, mechanically ventilated newborn piglets. INTERVENTIONS: Repeated airway lavage was carried out until both the Pao2 decreased to approximately 40 mm Hg, while ventilating the piglets with an Fio2 of 0.6, and a peak inspiratory pressure of >/=18 cm H2O was needed to maintain tidal volume at 6 mL/kg. One group of piglets served as a control (n = 8), a second group (S, n = 8) received a porcine surfactant preparation (Curosurf), and a third group received IKK-NBD peptide admixed to surfactant (S+IN, n = 8). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: After 6 hrs of mechanical ventilation after intervention, S+IN group piglets showed decreased extravascular lung water (S+IN vs. S, 20 +/- 3 vs. 28 +/- 10 mL/kg; p < .05) and a lesser protein content in the epithelial lining fluid (S+IN vs. S, 38 +/- 5 vs. 50 +/- 5 mg/L; p < .05). Functional residual capacity (S+IN vs. S, 16.7 +/- 6.3 vs. 12.2 +/- 4.3 mL/kg; p < .05), alveolar volume (S+IN vs. S, 5.4 +/- 1.8 vs. 4.6 +/- 1.5 mL/kg; p < .05), and lung mechanics were improved. Bronchoalveolar lavage showed a lesser percentage of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (S+IN vs. S, 70% +/- 6% vs. 82% +/- 3%; p < .01) and a reduction in the chemokine leukotriene B4 (S+IN vs. S, 2.0 +/- 0.6 vs. 3.5 +/- 1.4 pg/mL; p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: A topically applied nuclear factor-kappaB inhibitor improves lung edema and lung volumes and reduces inflammation in this newborn piglet model of airway lavage.

Analysis of Variance↗

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy in infants.

OBJECT: The failure rate following endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in infants younger than 1 year of age has been reported to be higher compared with that of older children. The authors present results of ETVs in such infants and advocate that success or failure of the procedure depends not on the age of the patient but on the cause of the hydrocephalus. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed the management and outcome of 18 ETVs in infants for the treatment of hydrocephalus. The surgeries were performed between November 1996 and October 2002. The mean age at the time of surgery was 150 days (range 9-354 days). The minimal follow-up period was 18 months and the mean was 50 months. The authors divided the patients into the following three groups: obstructive hydrocephalus (four infants), communicating hydrocephalus (10 infants), and hydrocephalus associated with myelomeningocele (four infants). No perioperative death occurred, and perioperative transient morbidity related to ETV was low. The success of the procedure was determined by the cause of the hydrocephalus. Infants with obstructive hydrocephalus had a 100% success rate (four of four), and infants with communicating hydrocephalus had a 10% success rate (one of 10). In infants with hydrocephalus related to myelomeningocele, the success rate was 50% (two of four). CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that ETV presents an effective alternative for the treatment of obstructive hydrocephalus in infants younger than 1 year of age. Age does not present a contraindication for ETV, nor does it increase the perioperative risk. The success of ETV is determined by the cause of the hydrocephalus.

Age Factors↗

Surfactant reduces extravascular lung water and invasion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes into the lung in a piglet model of airway lavage.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in newborns and young infants is linked with an inflammatory response of the lungs which affects the capillary-alveolar permeability, epithelial integrity and type I and II pneumocyte function. Abundant extravascular lung water with a high protein content inactivates surfactant together with the enzymatic action of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL). We asked if a decrease in extravascular lung water and a reduction in lung infiltration with PMNL could be achieved by surfactant administration (Curosurf) within 6 h of mechanical ventilation when given in a newborn piglet model of repeated airway lavage. Improvements in gas exchange and lung mechanics were predominantly caused by resorption of extravascular lung water rather than by the reopening of alveolar atelectases. PMNL were significantly reduced in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after 6 h of mechanical ventilation. However, acute phase cytokines (IL-6, TNF-alpha) remained unchanged, except for IL-8 which increased after administration of surfactant. We conclude that the decrease in extravascular lung water and in infiltration with PMNL following surfactant administration is accomplished within 6 h through mechanisms different from attenuation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Surfactant treatment for newborn and infant ARDS might therefore improve fluid overload and atelectasis and reduce PMNL infiltration.

Animals↗

Topical interleukin-8 antibody attracts leukocytes in a piglet lavage model.

OBJECTIVE: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in young infants is linked with a pulmonary inflammatory response part of which are increased interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels and migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) into lung tissue. A topical application of an antibody against IL-8 might therefore decrease PMNL migration and improve lung function. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, prospective animal study. SETTING: Research laboratory of a university children's hospital. SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Anesthetized, mechanically ventilated newborn piglets (n=22) underwent repeated airway lavage to remove surfactant and to induce lung inflammation. Piglets then received either surfactant alone (S, n=8), or a topical antibody against IL-8 admixed to surfactant (S+IL-8, n=8), or an air bolus injection (control, n=6). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: After 6 h of mechanical ventilation following intervention, oxygenation [S 169+/-51 (SD) vs S+IL-8 139+/-61 mmHg] and lung function (compliance: S 1.3+/-0.4 vs S+IL-8 0.9+/-0.4 ml/cmH(2)O/kg; extra-vascular lung-water: S 27+/-9 vs S+IL-8 52+/-28 ml/kg) were worse in the S+IL-8 group because reactive IL-8 production [S 810 (median, range 447-2323] vs S+IL-8 3485 (628-16180) pg/ml; P<0.05) with facilitated migration of PMNL into lung tissue occurred. Moreover, antibody application caused augmented chemotactic potency of IL-8 [linear regression of migrated PMNL and IL-8 levels: S r(2)=0.30 (P=ns) vs S+IL-8 r(2)=0.89 (P=0.0002)]. CONCLUSION: Topical anti-IL-8 treatment after lung injury increases IL-8 production, PMNL migration, and worsens lung function in our piglet lavage model. This effect is in contrast to current literature using pre-lung injury treatment protocols. Our data do not support anti-IL-8 treatment in young infants with ARDS.

Administration, Topical↗

Chronic interstitial lung disease with lung fibrosis in a girl: uncommon sequelae of Epstein-Barr virus infection.

A 12-month-old immunocompetent girl presented with tachypnea, inspiratory crackles, mild hypoxemia, and failure to thrive after an acute Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. The course of acute EBV infection was demonstrated by viral load measurement in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). EBV DNA was further detected by PCR in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and from a lung-tissue specimen obtained by open-lung biopsy, which indicates the pulmonary involvement of active EBV infection. Histology revealed an uncharacteristic interstitial infiltration and fibrosis. Following topic and systemic treatment with corticosteroids, the child became asymptomatic and showed normal weight gain as well as mental and physical development. Pulmonary parenchymal involvement during the course of primary EBV infection may result in interstitial lung disease and fibrosis not only in immunodeficient, but in immunocompetent children as well. Treatment with combined inhaled and oral steroids seems to be a treatment option in these patients.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Desmopressin for nocturnal enuresis in nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.

We have investigated two unrelated families, in which two children had inherited primary nocturnal enuresis, and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus caused by new mutations in the aquaporin-2 gene (AQP2). The mutant AQP2 proteins were inactive, suggesting that administration of desmopressin could not concentrate the urine in these patients. However, treatment with desmopressin resolved primary nocturnal enuresis completely. This observation questions the notion that desmopressin resolves primary nocturnal enuresis through pharmacological manipulation of renal concentrating ability only. Desmopressin might also act on extrarenal targets such as the central nervous system.

Child↗