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Biomedical subjects

Werner Kolb

Publications and source records attributed to Werner Kolb.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

A hinged external fixator for the elbow.

OBJECTIVE: Stabilization of the ulnohumeral joint against rotation and shear forces, preserving flexion and extension movements, in order to safeguard the healing of the collateral ligaments. INDICATIONS: Persistent instability of the elbow joint in 90 degrees flexion following elbow dislocation, particularly in the anteroposterior direction; dislocation fractures; arthrolysis and graft arthroplasties; closed distraction arthrolysis. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Local infection in the area of the planned Schanz pins, uncertain position of the neurovascular structures, and lack of experience with the external fixator. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Determination of the joint axis through the capitulum of the humerus and the trochlea. Insertion of a 3-mm Kirschner wire (reference pin) in the center of rotation. Insertion of the humeral and ulnar Schanz pins under direct vision from the lateral or medial aspect. The lateral humeral Schanz pins are inserted in the distal humerus dorsal to the radial nerve. Removal of the reference pin. Symmetrical distraction of the ulna 2-3 mm from the joint surface of the humerus with the aid of the distractor. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: No immobilization, immediate start on active and passive physiotherapy under plexus anesthesia, depending on the soft-tissue situation, individual pain, and the extent of the surgical procedure. RESULTS: The case histories of ten patients treated for persistent instability of the elbow at 90 degrees flexion or for an old dislocation of the elbow between April 2001 and March 2003 were studied retrospectively. The average age was 51 years (40-62 years). In seven patients internal fixation of the elbow had to be performed, six of which were treated initially with an AO fixator. After an average of 8 days the management was changed to hinged fixation. The median Mayo Elbow Function Score was 78 points with two very good, three good, and five satisfactory results. Subjective satisfaction on the DASH Score (Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand) revealed a slight reduction by an average of 18 points.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The polymorphism GABABR1 T1974C[rs29230] of the GABAB receptor gene is not associated with the diagnosis of alcoholism or alcohol withdrawal seizures.

As the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) modulates ethanol consumption, alcohol withdrawal symptoms and seizure generation by interacting with the GABAB receptor, the genes encoding for the GABAB receptor can be considered as candidate genes for alcoholism and alcohol withdrawal seizures (AWS). As the polymorphism GABABR1 T1974C[rs29230] of the GABAB receptor gene had been associated with alcoholism and EEG abnormalities in prior studies, the present examination investigated if the polymorphism is associated with the diagnosis of alcoholism or AWS. After genotyping the allele and genotype frequencies of a group of alcoholics with a history of AWS (n = 69) were compared with the results of a group of alcoholics with only mild withdrawal symptoms (n = 97). Additionally a group of healthy controls (n = 101) was compared with individuals with the diagnosis of alcoholism (n = 220). As no significant differences were found between the compared groups, this study gave no further evidence for GABABR1 T1974C[rs29230] as a candidate for alcoholism or AWS.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T-polymorphism and its association with alcohol withdrawal seizure.

BACKGROUND: Elevated homocysteine plasma levels are considered as a risk factor for the occurrence of seizures during alcohol withdrawal. Homocysteine plasma concentrations seem to be influenced by the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T-polymorphism. It was investigated whether the T-allele of the MTHFR C677T-polymorphism is associated with alcohol dependence, alcohol withdrawal seizure (WS), or the daily amount of alcohol consumption. METHODS: A group of 102 healthy controls and 221 alcoholic patients, including 97 patients with a history of mild withdrawal symptoms (MWS) and 70 patients with a history of alcohol WS, were genotyped, and personal data were collected for statistical evaluation in a case-control design. RESULTS: The T-allele is significantly associated with WS by comparing alcoholic patients with a history of WS (T-allele frequency: 0.39) and healthy controls (T-allele frequency: 0.28) (p=0.03). Although there was no significant difference between alcoholic patients with only MWS and alcoholic patients with a history of WS, a trend for the T-allele frequency among the analyzed subgroups was noticed: T-allele frequency increased from f(T)=0.28 in healthy controls to f(T)=0.33 in alcoholic patients with MWS up to f(T)=0.40 in alcohol-dependent men having a WS. Differences between healthy male controls and male alcoholic patients concerning the T-allele frequency also turned out to be significant [f(T)=0.27 vs f(T)=0.37; p=0.03]. Daily alcohol intake was independent of T-allele carrier status in alcohol-dependent patients. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests an influence of the MTHFR C677T-polymorphism on the etiology of alcohol WS and alcohol dependence in men in a western European population. An influence of MTHFR C677T on the daily amount of alcohol intake before admission among alcohol-dependent patients could not be shown.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Association of the dopamine transporter gene with alcoholism.

AIMS: It was investigated whether the allele A9 of the dopamine transporter gene (DAT1; SLC6A3) is associated with alcoholism, delirium tremens (DT), alcohol withdrawal seizures (AWS), or the daily alcohol intake. METHODS: A group of 102 healthy subjects and 216 alcoholics, including 97 patients with a history of mild withdrawal symptoms, 65 with a history of AWS and 83 with a history of DT were genotyped and personal data were achieved for statistical evaluation in a case-control design. RESULTS: The frequency of individuals carrying the allele A9 [f(A9+)] was significantly higher (P = 0.01) in the group of alcoholics [f(A9+) = 0.48] compared with healthy controls [f(A9+) = 0.32]. There was no significant association of the allele A9 with severe withdrawal symptoms or the daily amount of alcohol consumed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reveal that the allele A9 is strongly associated with alcoholism but not with withdrawal symptoms or daily alcohol intake.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Plasma homovanillic acid: a significant association with alcoholism is independent of a functional polymorphism of the human catechol-O-methyltransferase gene.

The central dopamine system seems to influence addictive disorders. Plasma homovanillic acid (HVA) is an indicator of central dopaminergic activity. In this study the hypothesis that plasma HVA is associated with alcoholism or with delirium tremens (DT) during alcohol withdrawal was tested. A functional genetic polymorphism of the enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) that participates in converting dopamine into its final metabolite HVA was investigated for an association with alcoholism or DT during alcohol withdrawal. In addition, a relation between the functional polymorphism of COMT and plasma HVA concentrations was studied. Plasma HVA concentrations and COMT genotypes were determined in 142 German alcoholics and 101 German healthy controls. Alcoholic patients were examined after a minimum of 3 weeks after cessation of drinking. Mean plasma HVA concentrations were significantly lower in alcoholic patients compared to healthy controls. A group of alcoholics with a history of DT during alcohol withdrawal (n=62) did not differ significantly in plasma HVA concentrations from alcoholics with a history of only mild withdrawal symptoms (n=67). The functional polymorphism of the human COMT gene was neither significantly associated with the diagnosis of alcoholism or DT during alcohol withdrawal nor with plasma HVA concentrations.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

A genotype-controlled analysis of plasma dopamine beta-hydroxylase in healthy and alcoholic subjects: evidence for alcohol-related differences in noradrenergic function.

BACKGROUND: Norepinephrine and dopamine mediate important aspects of alcoholism and alcohol withdrawal. Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DbetaH) converts dopamine to norepinephrine. A recent study demonstrated a strong association between variance in plasma DbetaH activity and a novel polymorphism (DBH-1021C-->T) at the structural locus (DBH) encoding DbetaH protein. METHODS: Our study investigated whether the DBH-1021C-->T polymorphism and plasma DbetaH activity were associated with alcoholism or with delirium tremens (DT) during alcohol withdrawal by analyzing 207 German alcoholic and 102 healthy control subjects. We also examined the influence of the polymorphism on enzyme activity. RESULTS: Mean (+SD) plasma DbetaH activity measured in alcoholic subjects abstinent was significantly lower than that observed in control (27.7 + 16.7 vs. 35.6 + 18.8; p =.01). It did not differ between subjects with DT during withdrawal and subjects with mild withdrawal symptoms. The T allele of the DBH-1021C-->T polymorphism was significantly associated with lower plasma DbetaH activity. None of the alleles or genotypes were associated with alcoholism or DT. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that the alcoholism-related reduction in plasma DbetaH activity is independent of genotype at DBH-1021C-->T and replicate the finding that DBH-1021C-->T is strongly associated with plasma DbetaH activity in a native Western European population.

Adult↗