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Biomedical subjects

U Jahn

Publications and source records attributed to U Jahn.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

The use of a symptom checklist (SCL-90-R) as an easy method to estimate the relapse risk after alcoholism detoxification.

We tested the use of some subscales of the psychiatric symptom checklist SCL-90-R in predicting relapse within a 1-year follow-up period after a combined detoxification- and abstinence-focused day patient psychotherapy program in 20 men and 13 women with alcohol dependence. Scores of the SCL-90-R subscales interpersonal sensitivity (p = 0.008), anxiety (p = 0.022), phobic anxiety (p = 0.019) and Global Severity Index (GSI; p = 0.040) on admission were higher in the subgroup with relapse within the first year after therapy. A decrease in depression (p = 0.004), anxiety (p = 0.006) and GSI (p = 0.006) scores during therapy was associated with a longer abstinence duration (shorter vs. longer than 24 weeks). Therefore we propose to further investigate the capacity of the SCL-90-R to identify subgroups at higher risk for relapse after detoxification and abstinence therapy in patients with alcohol dependence.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed2000

Phagocytosis of wear debris by osteoblasts affects differentiation and local factor production in a manner dependent on particle composition.

Wear debris is considered to be one of the main factors responsible for aseptic loosening of orthopaedic endoprostheses. Whereas the response of cells in the monocytic lineage to foreign materials has been extensively studied, little is known about cells at the bone formation site. In the present study, we examined the hypothesis that the response of osteoblasts to wear debris depends on the chemical composition of the particles. We produced particles from commercially pure titanium (cpTi), Ti-6Al-4V (Ti-A), and cobalt-chrome (CoCr) and obtained ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE; GUR 4150) particles from a commercial source. The equivalent circle diameters of the particles were comparable: 1.0 +/- 0.96 microm for UHMWPE; 0.84 +/- 0.12 microm for cpTi; 1.35 +/- 0.09 microm for Ti-A, and 1.21 +/- 0.16 microm for CoCr. Confluent primary human osteoblasts and MG63 osteoblast-like cells were incubated in the presence of particles for 24 h. Harvested cultures were examined by transmission electron microscopy to determine if the cells had phagocytosed the particles. Particles were found intracellularly, primarily in the cytosol, in both the primary osteoblasts and MG63 cells. The chemical composition of the particles inside the cells was confirmed by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Morphologically, both cell types had extensive ruffled cell membranes, less-developed endoplasmic reticulum, swollen mitochondria, and vacuolic inclusions compared with untreated cells. CpTi, Ti-A, and CoCr particles were also added to cultures of MG63 cells to assess their effect on proliferation (cell number) and differentiation (alkaline phosphatase activity), and PGE2 production. All three types of particles had effects on the cells. The effect on cell number was dependent on the chemical composition of the particles; Ti-A and CoCr caused a dose-dependent increase, while cpTi particles had a biphasic effect with a maximal increase in cell number observed at the 1:10 dilution. Alkaline phosphatase specific activity was also affected and cpTi was more inhibitory than Ti-A or CoCr. PGE2 production was increased by all particles, but the magnitude of the effect was particle-dependent: CoCr > cpTi > Ti-A. This study demonstrates clearly that human osteoblast-like cells and MG63 cells can phagocytose small UHMWPE, CoCr, Ti-A, and cpTi particles. Phagocytosis of the particles is correlated with changes in morphology, and analysis of MG63 response shows that cell proliferation, differentiation, and prostanoid production are affected. This may have negative effects on bone formation adjacent to an orthopaedic implant and may initiate or contribute to the cellular events that cause aseptic loosening by inhibiting bone formation. The effects on alkaline phosphatase and PGE2 release are dependent on the chemical composition of the particles, suggesting that both the type and concentration of wear debris at an implant site may be important in determining clinical outcome.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Venous paradoxical air embolism].

Paradoxical air embolism may occur with any venous air embolism. Air may either enter the systemic circulation through a patent foramen ovale or through transpulmonary passage of air. While small venous air emboli are mostly well tolerated, even the smallest paradoxical air emboli can have fatal consequences in the systemic circulation. Therapy and prophylaxis of paradoxical air embolism equal those of venous air embolism. This is especially true, since paradoxical air embolism may not become obvious under general anesthesia. More specific therapeutic regiments, such as hyperbaric oxygenation and the infusion of perfluorocarbons, are still in an experimental stage.

Embolism, Air↗
PubMed1999

Commissioning of a micro multi-leaf collimator and planning system for stereotactic radiosurgery.

PURPOSE: A computer controlled micro multi-leaf collimator, m3 mMLC, has been commissioned for conformal, fixed-field radiosurgery applications. Measurements were made to characterise the basic dosimetric properties of the m3, such as leaf transmission, leakage and beam penumbra. In addition, the geometric and dosimetric accuracy of the m3 was verified when used in conjunction with a BrainSCAN v3.5 stereotactic planning system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The m3 was detachably mounted to a Varian Clinac 2100C accelerator delivering 6 MV X-rays. Leaf transmission, leakage, penumbra and multiple, conformal fixed field dose distributions were measured using calibrated film in solid water. Beam data were collected using a diamond detector in a scanning water tank and planned dose distributions were verified using LiF TLDs and film. A small, shaped phantom was also constructed to confirm field shaping accuracy using portal images. RESULTS: Mean transmission through the closed multi-leaves was 1.9 +/- 0.1% and leakage between leaves was 2.8 +/- 0.15%. Between opposing leaves abutting along the central beam-axis transmission was approximately 15 +/- 3%, but was reduced to a mean of 4.5 +/- 0.6% by moving the abutmen position 4.5 cm off-axis. Beam penumbrae were effectively constant as a function of increasing square field size and asymmetric fields and was seen to vary non-linearly when shaped to diagonal, straight edges. TMR, OAR and relative output beam data measurements of circular m3 fields were comparable to conventional, circular stereotactic collimators. Multiple, conformal field dose distributions were calculated with good spatial and dosimetric accuracy, with the planned 90% isodose curves agreeing with measurements to within 1-2 mm and to +/- 3% at isocentre. Portal films agreed with planned beams eye-view field shaping to within 1 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The m3 micro multi-leaf collimator is a stable, high precision field-shaping device suitable for small-field, radiosurgery applications. Dose distributions can be accurately calculated by a planning system using only a few beam data parameters.

Brain↗
PubMed1999

The need for evaluation when managing the IMIA.ORG web-site.

The International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA) has built up a web-site to support international scientific exchange and facilitate organizational tasks. Regular monitoring is required to get information on whether the site is actually used and by whom. Main aspects of the evaluation are function, structure and contents. As main evaluation methods the logfile analysis and user questionnaires are used. The number of visits to IMIA's web-site has constantly increased in the last year. In January 1998 the site had 418 visits, in December 1998 there were 6002 visits. The user questionnaire showed that the web-site offers an adequate platform for the members. It is concluded that the members as the main target group are reached by the service and in addition that the growing number of non-members require further development of the public part of the site.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed1996

Fast neutron therapy in treatment of soft tissue sarcoma--the Berlin-Buch study.

From 1975-1994, 221 adult patients with a total of 232 radiation sites for soft tissue sarcomas were irradiated with fast neutrons with a mean energy of 6.2 MeV in Berlin-Buch/Dresden-Rossendorf. The tumour dose ranged between 6 and 12 Gy and was limited by the low dose penetration of the neutron beam. A local control rate of 66% was obtained. The local control was affected by the tumour differentiation, residual status and histological subtype. Severe fibrosis of the subcutaneous tissues occurred in 40% usually after 2 years. No serious general side effects occurred. To optimize neutron therapy, a high energy clinically-based cyclotron with a fully rotational gantry and a multileaf collimator should be utilized. It seems that patients with locally advanced and well differentiated sarcomas can benefit from this therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Effects of clofibric and beclobric acid in rat and monkey hepatocyte primary culture: influence on peroxisomal and mitochondrial beta-oxidation and the activity of catalase, glutathione S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase.

The effect of hypolipidaemic compounds on peroxisomal fatty acid beta-oxidation and on peroxisome morphology in the liver differs widely between rodent and primate species. We studied the relative importance of peroxisomal and mitochondrial beta-oxidation of palmitate in primary cultures of hepatocytes isolated from rat and monkey liver in the absence or presence of clofibric acid or beclobric acid. It was demonstrated that it is possible to differentiate between peroxisomal and mitochondrial beta-oxidation activities in intact cells. Overall beta-oxidation of palmitate was ca. 30% higher in rat hepatocytes than in monkey liver cells. In both monkey and rat cell cultures the mitochondrial component was over 90% of the total palmitate beta-oxidation. In rat hepatocyte culture clofibric acid and beclobric acid caused a 5- to 8-fold stimulation of peroxisomal beta-oxidation, while in monkey cells this activity was not significantly increased. However, in cells derived from both species mitochondrial palmitate beta-oxidation was increased (rat 2.5-fold; monkey 1.5-fold). These results indicate that the species differences in the increase in peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation are not a result of an inability to metabolize fatty acids in rat liver cell mitochondria. A comparison of the activity of enzymes involved in the detoxification of hydrogen peroxide showed that catalase and glutathione-S-transferase activity is 2.9-fold higher in monkey hepatocytes than in rat liver cells, while glutathione peroxidase activity was 1.6-fold higher in rat cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[The physical and technical outlook for neutron therapy in Germany].

All five fast neutron therapy centres in Germany use low energy cyclotrons or neutron generators and are, therefore, at the low energy end of the 21 neutron therapy facilities presently in use worldwide. The depth dose characteristics are worse than for 60Co gamma rays, the absorbed dose rate is too low and the treatment is technically restricted because of the lack of those modern features like multileaf collimators and full gantry rotation that are available with modern linear accelerators. A survey of the statistical and methodical data on the neutron treatment in Germany is presented. To avoid masking the potential biological benefits of high LET neutron irradiation by the use of suboptimal equipment and to utilise the real therapeutical benefit for specific tumor types, the German neutron therapy centres urgently need modernization of their outdated facilities. Specific recommendations of how to meet the requirements of modern neutron therapy are given.

Fast Neutrons↗
PubMed1984

[New biologically active theophylline derivatives. Synthesis and pharmacologic properties of flufylline and fluprofylline].

Within the course of the research project for finding new cardiovascular drugs we have synthetized since 1976 piperazine- and piperidine derivatives of theophylline. The screening shows for the substances Sgd 19578 (flufylline) and Sgd 14480 (fluprofylline) a long-lasting blood pressure lowering activity as well as a remarkable serotonin- and histamine antagonism and broncholytic activity. On the basis of these results these compounds were selected for further investigation.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗
PubMed1983

Sgd 101/75: a sympathomimetic that can be used to identify a new subtype of alpha-adrenoceptor, the alpha 1s-adrenoceptor.

When Sgd 101/75 was compared with clonidine in a number of tests for CNS activity, Sgd 101/75 exhibited little activity in any test. Sgd 101/75 raised BP without affecting HR in several species of anaesthetised animals. The rise in BP was subject to tachyphylaxis, could be antagonised by alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonists, and was obtainable in reserpinised animals. The vasopressor effect of NA was antagonised by Sgd 101/75. Thus Sgd 101/75 is a directly acting partial agonist for vascular alpha 1-adrenoceptors. On the coaxially stimulated guinea-pig ileum and field stimulated rat vas deferens, the twitch response to single pulse stimulation was reduced by NA or clonidine stimulating prejunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptors. Sgd 101/75 antagonised these inhibitory effects competitively (pA2 for antagonism of clonidine on the vas = 6.12). Sgd 101/75 acted as a specific partial agonist on the alpha 1-adrenoceptors of the guinea-pig taenia caecum that subserve relaxation of this tissue. Sgd 101/75 was a full agonist on the alpha 1-adrenoceptors of the rat anococcygeus in vitro. Phenoxybenzamine (300 pM for 30 min, followed by 20 washes over the next 30 min) reduced contractions of the anococcygeus to Sgd 101/75, but produced little inhibition of NA-induced contractions. In phenoxybenzamine-pretreated preparations, Sgd 101/75 (400 microM) did not antagonise NA (maximal effect and EC50 values not changed significantly), so it was concluded that Sgd 101/75 and NA interact with different alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes in this tissue. The subtype specifically activated by Sgd 101/75 was designated the alpha 1s-adrenoceptor. The mouse anococcygeus contained alpha 1s-adrenoceptors, whereas this receptor was absent from the rabbit anococcygeus.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed1983

Pharmacological and toxicological studies of binodaline hydrochloride.

It has been shown, in extensive animal experiments, that 1-(omega-dimethylaminoethylmethyl)-amino-3-phenylindole hydrochloride (binodaline HCl, Sgd-Scha 1059), can be regarded as an antidepressant with novel characteristics. With anticholinergic and histamine-antagonistic effects almost completely lacking, the main effects of binodaline HCl are to increase noradrenergic influences and to produce CNS depression. The acute toxicity of binodaline HCl is comparatively low, and the good tolerance has been demonstrated in long-term studies in laboratory animals.

Animals↗