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U Moehrlen

Publications and source records attributed to U Moehrlen.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

[Conventional radiological examination of the nasal bone--helpful or superfluous? Case histories and literature survey].

Fractures of the nasal pyramid are among the most common injuries to the skull. Numerous studies have shown that conventional radiological examination of simple fractures of the nose give no information that is helpful either in reaching a diagnosis or in deciding on the therapeutic management. Nevertheless, physicians still frequently refer patients for such examinations to check for fractures. It is now increasingly important to reduce the costs, and particularly to avoid unhelpful investigations and unnecessary radiation exposure.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Impact of carbon dioxide versus air pneumoperitoneum on peritoneal cell migration and cell fate.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative systemic immune function is suppressed after open abdominal surgery, as compared with that after minimally invasive abdominal surgery. As a first line of defense, peritoneal macrophages (PMo) and polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes (PMNs) are of primary importance in protecting the body from microorganisms. Previous studies have shown changes in these cell populations over time after open versus laparoscopic surgery. This study aimed to investigate the dynamics of cell recruitment and clearance of peritoneal cells. METHODS: Female NMRI mice (33 +/- 2 g) were randomly assigned to carbon dioxide (CO2) or air insufflation. Intravasal cells with phagocytic capabilities were selectively stained by intravenous injection of the fluorescent dye PKH26 24 h before surgery. Gas was insufflated into the peritoneal cavity through a catheter, and the pneumoperitoneum was maintained for 30 min. Peritoneal lavage was performed 1, 3, 8, or 24 h after surgery. Apoptotic cells were assessed by flow cytometry using a general caspase substrate. RESULTS: The total peritoneal cell count did not differ between groups. The PKH26-positive PMo level was significantly increased after CO2, as compared with air, at 1 h and 24 h. The ratio of apoptotic PMo did not differ between the groups. In the peritoneal lavage, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) were tripled in the air group, as compared with the CO2 group, whereas the ratio of apoptotic PMNs was significantly decreased. There was a higher fraction of PKH26-positive PMNs after air exposure, as compared with that after CO2. CONCLUSIONS: Air exposure triggered a higher transmigration rate of PMNs from the blood compartment into the peritoneal cavity and decreased PMN apoptosis, as compared with CO2. The lower proportion of PKH26-positive peritoneal macrophages in the air group might have been attributable to a higher inflammatory stimulation than in the CO2 group, leading to increased emigration of PMo to draining lymph nodes. All the findings underscore a complex cell-specific regulation of cell recruitment and clearance in the peritoneal compartment.

Air↗
PubMed2005

Early peritoneal macrophage function after laparoscopic surgery compared with laparotomy in a mouse mode.

BACKGROUND: The authors previously demonstrated postoperative preservation of the immune function measured by delayed-type skin reaction and tumor growth after laparoscopic surgery, as compared with laparotomy. For further elucidation of the origin of the demonstrated immune preservation, peritoneal macrophage (PMo) function was investigated 1 h after different surgical procedures. METHODS: Female NMRI mice were divided into five groups: anesthesia only, abdominal skin incision, laparotomy, peritoneal carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation, and peritoneal air insufflation. Escherichia Coli phagocytosis, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) release of isolated PMo were investigated. RESULTS: All invasive interventions reduced the PMo phagocytosis by factors of approximately 2 to 4.7, as compared with the sham control group. Spontaneous ex vivo TNF-alpha release was significantly increased whenever the abdominal cavity was exposed to ambient air. The macrophage's ability to release TNF-alpha after E. coli exposure was diminished in the abdominal air exposure groups, as compared with the CO2 insufflation group. CONCLUSION: Reduced phagocytosis 1 h after surgical interventions suggests a contribution of PMo to the altered immune function. When exposed to CO2, PMo show a decreased basal TNF-alpha release. However, PMo also show an increased TNF-alpha release after a second immune stimulation (E. coli), suggesting a greater competency of interaction in an immune defense reaction after CO2 exposure.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Tissue endothelin-converting enzyme activity correlates with cardiovascular risk factors in coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Endothelin-converting enzymes (ECEs) are the key enzymes in endothelin-1 (ET-1) generation. However, their pathophysiological role in patients with cardiovascular disease remains elusive. METHODS AND RESULTS: Vascular reactivity to big endothelin-1 (bigET-1; 10(-9) to 10(-7) mol/L) and ET-1 (10(-9) to 10(-7) mol/L) were examined in the internal mammary artery (IMA, n=33) and saphenous vein (SV, n=27) of patients with coronary artery disease with identified cardiovascular risk factors. Vascular ECE activity was determined by conversion of exogenously added bigET-1 to ET-1. Tissue contents of bigET-1 and ET-1 were measured by radioimmunoassay. In addition, the effects of LDL and oxidized LDL on ECE-1 protein levels were determined by Western blot analysis in human IMA endothelial cells. In the IMA, vascular ECE activity showed an inverse correlation with serum LDL levels (r=-0.76; P<0.01) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure and a positive correlation with fibrinogen (r=0.58; P<0.05). In the SV, fibrinogen was the only parameter to be correlated with vascular ECE activity. Vascular tissue content of bigET-1 was attenuated in the IMA of patients with hyperfibrinogenemia but increased in patients with elevated systolic blood pressure and increased serum LDL levels (P<0.05). Most interestingly, LDL and oxidized LDL downregulated ECE-1 protein levels in human IMA endothelial cells (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate, for the first time, that vascular ECE activity is (1) inversely correlated with serum LDL levels and blood pressure and (2) positively associated with fibrinogen in human vascular tissue. Hence, ECE-1 activity may modulate cardiovascular risk in patients with coronary artery disease.

Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases↗
PubMed1999

Abdominal pulsatile tumor after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

A 70 years old patient was successfully treated for infrarenal aortic aneurysm by an endovascular bifurcated prosthesis. Three months later, because of dysuria, he underwent urological examination revealing an abdominal pulsatile tumor. Thereafter, the patient was sent to our emergency ward with suspected symptomatical endoleak. Radiological screening by computer tomography and magnetic resonance angiography showed good post-operative results without endoleak. Patient was treated with antispasmodic medication and is doing well today. Because endovascular repair of aortic aneurysm, in contrast to an open approach, does not eliminate the aneurysm itself, post-operative abdominal palpation can be ambiguous. Magnetic resonance angiography--without the need of nephrotoxic contrast medium--compares favourably to CT and provides excellent pictures with less artefacts for post-operative screening of endoleak. If reperfusion can be excluded, pulsation is due to the transmission of the blood-pressure wave to the thrombosed aneurysm.

Aged↗