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Biomedical subjects

W Straube

Publications and source records attributed to W Straube.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Combined hyperthermia and irradiation in the treatment of superficial tumors: results of a prospective randomized trial of hyperthermia fractionation (1/wk vs 2/wk).

From December 1984 to December 1989, 240 superficially located recurrent/metastatic malignant lesions (173 patients) were enrolled in a prospective randomized study of one versus two hyperthermia fractions per week. In the majority of patients, the dose of radiation therapy was less than 4000 cGy over 4 to 5 weeks. Stratification was by tumor size, site, and histology. The goal of the hyperthermia sessions were 42.5 degrees C for 45-60 min minimum intra-tumor measured temperature. Hyperthermia was given after radiation within 30-60 min. External applicators, both microwave (over 90% of treatments) and ultrasound, were used. Overall, complete response rate in 222 evaluable lesions was 56.3% (125/222) with a minimum follow-up of 6 months and a maximum follow-up of 52 months. The complete response rate for once a week versus twice a week hyperthermia group was 54.7% and 57.8%, respectively. The severe complication rate was 18% (41/222). There was no difference between the two treatment arms. Cox regression analyses were performed to study the prognostic significance of patient characteristics, tumor characteristics, and treatment parameters. Detailed analysis and results are presented.

Adult

[Immunologic aspects of endometriosis].

In development of endometriosis immunological phenomenons are discussed. In women with endometriosis specific antibodies are demonstrated and it is worth to speculate that there takes place de novo-expression of specific antigens. It is also possible, that changes in humoral immunity in endometriosis are secondary to deficient cellular mechanisms.

Antibody Formation

Rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuria associated with violent exercise and alcohol abuse: report of two cases.

Two cases of acute rhabdomyolysis with myoglobinuria and high levels of serum enzyme are presented. The first patient developed acute renal insufficiency in the context of a binge and heavy alcohol drinking lasting several days. He was treated with haemodialysis for three weeks, and survived. The second patient developed rhabdomyolysis and heavy myoglobinuria after playing squash vigorously. Forced mannitol-alkaline diuresis therapy for prophylaxis against hyperkalaemia and metabolic acidosis was performed. He did not develop renal failure. The clinical features, pathology and treatment of rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuria are summarized.

Acute Kidney Injury

Characteristics of improved microwave interstitial antennas for local hyperthermia.

The heating potentials of two newly-developed microwave interstitial antennas are reported in this paper. The longitudinal (parallel to the antenna) and transverse (over a plane perpendicular to the antenna) specific absorption rate (SAR) distributions of single and an array of four parallel antennas were measured in a muscle equivalent phantom and their performance characterized at 915 MHz in terms of the following parameters: peak depth (location of the profile peak with respect to the surface), 50% HL (effective heating length over which SAR greater than 50% of the peak normalized SAR), dead length (axial length at the antenna tip with SAR less than 50% of peak normalized SAR), and the variations of the specific absorption rate pattern relative to the depth of insertion. The results are analyzed and discussed in terms of these parameters and other factors important in the clinical use of these antennas for effective interstitial hyperthermia.

Equipment Design

Serum concentrations of pregnancy-associated alpha-2-glycoprotein in diabetic pregnancy complicated by nonfulminant and fulminant proliferative retinopathy.

The pregnancy zone protein serum concentration in normal pregnancy reaches its peak at about the 24th week. High serum PZ concentrations are significantly more frequent among pregnant diabetic patients without proliferative retinopathy. In contrast, the mean values in mothers with diabetes mellitus complicated by proliferative retinopathy continue to decrease. A very low limit of 150 mg/l was achieved more frequently in diabetic pregnancy complicated by fulminant proliferative retinopathy. Measurement of serum PZ levels in diabetic pregnancy might help to predict the risk of progressive retinopathy.

Adolescent

[Hypertension and nephroptosis].

Renal diseases have been recognized as both a cause and a consequence of hypertension. Orthostatic renal hypertension is caused by ischemia resulting from elongation, twisting and angulation of renal vessels when a hypermobile kidney is present. Recent observation of a 22-year-old woman in whom orthostatic renal hypertension was cured by nephropexy prompted this report. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis and therapy of this condition are also discussed.

Adult

Tumor control in long-term survivors following superficial hyperthermia.

Sixty tumors with a minimum of 1-year follow-up were treated with radiation and superficial microwave hyperthermia (915 MHz). The overall local control rate was 50% (30/60). The most important factor in outcome was appropriateness of the hyperthermia applicator. Tumors covered by at least the 25% iso-SAR contour achieved 65% local control versus 21% local control with less than 25% SAR coverage (p less than 0.01). Several measures of adequate minimum monitored tumor temperature and duration were considered. The measure best correlated with outcome was best single session time at or above 43 degrees C (t43). If each monitored tumor catheter achieved t43 greater than or equal to 30 minutes in at least one session, then tumor control was significantly (p less than 0.01) improved (63% with Min t43 greater than or equal to 30 versus 25% with Min t43 less than 30). Although there was considerable overlap between tumors with SAR greater than or equal to 25% and those achieving Min t43 greater than or equal to 30, a statistically significant (p = 0.02) difference could be demonstrated between the group meeting both the SAR and the minimum tumor time/duration standards as opposed to those meeting only one standard. The actuarial local progression-free survival for tumors most likely to have had adequate hyperthermia (defined as SAR greater than or equal to 25% and Min t43 greater than or equal to 30) and all other tumors did not begin to separate significantly until 8 to 12 months after treatment. Implications for future randomized studies are discussed.

Combined Modality Therapy

[Experiences with labor induction at term with a PGE2 gel (Prepidil Gel) in unripe cervix].

The induction of labour was started with an intracervical administration of 0.5 mg PGE2-Gel (Prepidil) in 30 gravidae at or near term with an unripe score of the cervix and for a medical indication. After excluding patients, where labour had already started subsequent to this measure, induction of labour was continued randomised with PGE2-gel intravaginal versus intravenous oxytocin. The progress of labour, the neonatal condition, and paraclinic values were examined. In 11 cases, labour had already started after the intracervical administration of PGE2. The Bishop-score of the other gravidae was improved in the mean from 2.5 +/- 1.1 to 5.5 +/- 1.7. Was the induction carried out with PGE2 vaginal, the rate of success rose to 5 of 9, and after infusion of oxytocin in 6 of 10 cases. The continued PGE2 vaginal inductions were insignificantly slower (p greater than 5%) than the inductions continued which oxytocin. The mean duration of labour was 7.7 +/- 3.4 hours in the PGE2-group and 4.5 +/- 2.6 hours in the oxytocin group. No disadvantages resulted for mother and child from the vaginal administration of PGE2. Because of the high rate of acceptance, vaginal administration of PGE2 is a suitable method for the safe induction of labour.

Administration, Intravaginal

[Granulomatous orchitis].

Five cases of granulomatous orchitis are reported and the literature is reviewed. The clinical features, pathology and treatment of this rare disease are discussed. In four cases the clinical features were chronic, while one patient had an acute course. The average age of the five patients was 31 years. In all cases we found only one testes was affected. In two cases the affected testis was removed, and in the remaining three cases only partial orchiectomy was performed.

Adult

[Spontaneous kidney rupture].

Two cases of spontaneous rupture of the kidney are reported and the literature is reviewed. The clinical and pathological features of this uncommon disease and its treatment are discussed. In the first case the cause of retroperitoneal bleeding was a renal carcinoma, while in the second it was the result of renal metastases from gestational trophoblastic disease. The most common symptoms are an acute onset of flank or abdominal pain, macroscopic hematuria and a drop in the hemoglobin level. Resistance or a mass can be palpated. Ultrasound and radiological examinations allow visualization of a tumor or hematoma and mostly reveal the etiology of hemorrhage. An exploratory operation is necessary for diagnosis, and primary nephrectomy should be seriously considered.

Adult

[Computer-assisted analysis of the tocogram. Initial experience using a new evaluation procedure].

This paper describes first observations with a new computer aided analysis of tocogram. It seems that length of uterine contraction is an important parameter for quality of labour. In 9 from 12 cases promotion to constant length of labour with relatively low absolute duration of contractions was connected with a distinct increase of the velocity of cervical dilatation. The uniformity can be an important factor for the conversion into active phase of labour.

Adolescent

Detection of early pregnancy factor (EPF) in pregnant and nonpregnant subjects with the rosette inhibition test.

We tested for early pregnancy factor (EPF) using a rosette inhibition test with polyclonal anti-lymphocyte serum from the horse and two monoclonal antibodies specific for the E-receptor of T-lymphocytes. When lymphocytes were preincubated with early human pregnancy sera, rosette inhibition titres were four or more dilutions higher (P less than 0.01) than when lymphocytes were preincubated with nonpregnant sera.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Human early pregnancy factor: serum concentrations before and after therapeutic abortion in comparison with beta-hCG and an early pregnancy associated protein.

Serum concentrations of the early pregnancy factor (EPF), beta-hCG and the early pregnancy associated protein (EPAP) were measured in 12 patients before and after therapeutic abortion for social-medical reasons. Detection of EPF was performed by the rosette-inhibition assay, beta-hCG quantification by radioimmunoassay and EPAP measurements by rocket immunoelectrophoresis using a monospecific polyclonal rabbit antiserum. The disappearance rate of EPF after termination of pregnancy was closely correlated with the decrease of beta-hCG concentrations (rpbis = 0.71) and loosely correlated with the decrease of EPAP concentrations (rPbis = 0.43). No correlation has been found between hCG and EPAP values.

Abortion, Therapeutic

Human early pregnancy factor and early pregnancy associated protein before and after therapeutic abortion in comparison with beta-hCG, estradiol, progesterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone.

Serum activities and concentrations, respectively, of early pregnancy factor (EPF), early pregnancy associated protein (EPAP), beta-hCG, estradiol, progesterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone were estimated in 20 healthy primigravidae within the tenth to twelfth completed gestational week before and after therapeutic abortion. EPF, beta-hCG and estradiol markedly decreased after termination of pregnancy, whereas progesterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone concentrations moderately fell. EPAP showed no significant alterations in a 24 hours period. Because of its possible role as immunosuppressive substance and its short half-life EPF may be a promising immunobiomarker for disturbances in early pregnancy.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone

[Sex steroids and the immune system].

Endocrine and immune system are strongly correlated. Hormonal contraceptive drugs influence humoral, cellular and mucosal immunity in different kind and in dependency of the relationships between estrogens and gestagens. At present most authors support the opinion that estrogens are responsible for immunosuppressive features. This review summarizes experimental and clinical reports.

Antibody Formation

[Early embryonal signals].

As early pregnancy signals are known up to now: early pregnancy factor (EPF), early pregnancy associated protein (EPAP), early pregnancy associated thrombocytopenia (EPAT), platelet activating factor (PAF) and the so-called amplified pregnancy signals. Clinical relevance in the near future may obtain EPF estimations for diagnosis of early pregnancy after sterility therapy and for monitoring of the first trimester of pregnancy.

Chaperonin 10