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1.
J Tissue Eng Regen Med ; 12(6): 1352-1362, 2018 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29603903

ABSTRACT

A highly interesting source for adult stem cells is adipose tissue, from which the stromal vascular fraction (SVF)-a heterogeneous cell population including the adipose-derived stromal/stem cells-can be obtained. To enhance the regenerative potential of freshly isolated SVF cells, low-level light therapy (LLLT) was used. The effects of pulsed blue (475 nm), green (516 nm), and red (635 nm) light from light-emitting diodes applied on freshly isolated SVF were analysed regarding cell phenotype, cell number, viability, adenosine triphosphate content, cytotoxicity, and proliferation but also osteogenic, adipogenic, and proangiogenic differentiation potential. The colony-forming unit fibroblast assay revealed a significantly increased colony size after LLLT with red light compared with untreated cells, whereas the frequency of colony-forming cells was not affected. LLLT with green and red light resulted in a stronger capacity to form vascular tubes by SVF when cultured within 3D fibrin matrices compared with untreated cells, which was corroborated by increased number and length of the single tubes and a significantly higher concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor. Our study showed beneficial effects after LLLT on the vascularization potential and proliferation capacity of SVF cells. Therefore, LLLT using pulsed light-emitting diode light might represent a new approach for activation of freshly isolated SVF cells for direct clinical application.


Subject(s)
Adipose Tissue/cytology , Cell Separation , Low-Level Light Therapy , Cell Differentiation/radiation effects , Cell Survival/radiation effects , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Neovascularization, Physiologic/radiation effects , Stromal Cells/cytology , Stromal Cells/radiation effects
2.
Unfallchirurg ; 119(9): 781-4, 2016 Sep.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27271325

ABSTRACT

The aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is well-known for its local expansile growth form and for the high risk of recurrence after treatment. We present the case of a 6­year-old patient with a large ABC in the metaphysis of the proximal tibia, which showed recurrence only five months after treatment with curettage and autologous bone graft. By using six percutaneous intralesional injections of polidocanol the patient was successfully treated with no recurrence. After 18 months, a mild genu valgum was clinically noted.


Subject(s)
Bone Cysts, Aneurysmal/diagnosis , Bone Cysts, Aneurysmal/drug therapy , Polyethylene Glycols/administration & dosage , Sclerosing Solutions/administration & dosage , Sclerotherapy/methods , Child , Female , Humans , Injections, Intralesional , Polidocanol , Recurrence , Tibia/drug effects , Treatment Outcome
3.
Ultraschall Med ; 37(3): 271-6, 2016 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25876222

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate different sonographic signs of strangulating closed-loop obstruction retrospectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a period of approximately 10 years all documents, US scans and video clips of patients with strangulating intestinal obstruction were reviewed. The following sonographic signs were evaluated: akinetic bowel loops; echo-free luminal content; hyperechoic congestion of the mesentery; free peritoneal fluid; bowel wall thickening; signs of ischemia on color Doppler or contrast-enhanced US. Moreover, we looked for signs of bowel obstruction proximal to the closed loop and for the width of the strangulated segment. RESULTS: The most often documented features of strangulating closed-loop obstruction were an akinetic bowel loop (94 %), a hyperechoic and thickened mesentery (82 %) and free peritoneal fluid (100 %). In 54 % of cases the luminal content was almost anechoic. In 76 % of patients bowel wall thickening and in 50 % signs of ischemia on color Doppler or contrast-enhanced US were documented. In 67 % small bowel dilatation proximal to the strangulated bowel segment was present. The width of the strangulated bowel loops was 2.86 cm on average. CONCLUSION: The akinetic bowel loops, hyperechoic thickening of the attached mesentery and free peritoneal fluid are typical for strangulating closed-loop obstruction. An anechoic luminal content is only visible in about half of the patients, but this eye-catcher can lead the investigator to the correct diagnosis. In about one third of patients no signs of bowel obstruction proximal to the strangulated loops are present. Dilatation of the strangulated loop may be absent or mild.


Subject(s)
Intestinal Obstruction/diagnostic imaging , Ultrasonography , Female , Gastrointestinal Motility/physiology , Humans , Intestine, Small/blood supply , Intestine, Small/diagnostic imaging , Ischemia/diagnostic imaging , Male , Mesentery/diagnostic imaging , Multimodal Imaging , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
4.
Rev Sci Instrum ; 86(12): 123109, 2015 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26724008

ABSTRACT

Formaldehyde is an excellent tracer for the early phase of ignition of hydrocarbon fuels and can be used, e.g., for characterization of single droplet ignition. However, due to its fast thermal decomposition at elevated temperatures and pressures, the determination of concentration fields from laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) measurements is difficult. In this paper, we address LIF measurements of this important combustion intermediate using a calibration cell. Here, formaldehyde is created from evaporation of paraformaldehyde. We discuss three setups for preparation of formaldehyde/air mixtures with respect to their usability for well-defined heating of formaldehyde/air mixtures. The "basic setup" uses a resist heater around the measurement cell for investigation of formaldehyde near vacuum conditions or formaldehyde/air samples after sequential admixing of air. The second setup, described for the first time in detail here, takes advantage of a constant flow formaldehyde/air regime which uses preheated air to reduce the necessary time for gas heating. We used the constant flow system to measure new pressure dependent LIF excitation spectra in the 343 nm spectral region (41 (4) absorption band of formaldehyde). The third setup, based on a novel concept for fast gas heating via excitation of SF6 (chemically inert gas) using a TEA (transverse excitation at atmospheric pressure) CO2 laser, allows to further minimize both gas heating time and thermal decomposition. Here, an admixture of CO2 is served for real time temperature measurement based on Raman scattering. The applicability of the fast laser heating system has been demonstrated with gas mixtures of SF6 + air, SF6 + N2, as well as SF6 + N2 + CO2 at 1 bar total pressure.

5.
Neuroimage ; 100: 1-14, 2014 Oct 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24904993

ABSTRACT

Recent advances in neurofeedback based on real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) allow for learning to control spatially localized brain activity in the range of millimeters across the entire brain. Real-time fMRI neurofeedback studies have demonstrated the feasibility of self-regulating activation in specific areas that are involved in a variety of functions, such as perception, motor control, language, and emotional processing. In most of these previous studies, participants trained to control activity within one region of interest (ROI). In the present study, we extended the neurofeedback approach by now training healthy participants to control the interhemispheric balance between their left and right visual cortices. This was accomplished by providing feedback based on the difference in activity between a target visual ROI and the corresponding homologue region in the opposite hemisphere. Eight out of 14 participants learned to control the differential feedback signal over the course of 3 neurofeedback training sessions spread over 3 days, i.e., they produced consistent increases in the visual target ROI relative to the opposite visual cortex. Those who learned to control the differential feedback signal were subsequently also able to exert that control in the absence of neurofeedback. Such learning to voluntarily control the balance between cortical areas of the two hemispheres might offer promising rehabilitation approaches for neurological or psychiatric conditions associated with pathological asymmetries in brain activity patterns, such as hemispatial neglect, dyslexia, or mood disorders.


Subject(s)
Functional Laterality/physiology , Functional Neuroimaging/methods , Neurofeedback/physiology , Visual Cortex/physiology , Visual Perception/physiology , Adult , Female , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Young Adult
6.
Eur J Neurol ; 15(12): 1359-64, 2008 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19049554

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is based on dissemination in space (DIS) and time (DIT). The aim of the study was to assess the impact of spinal cord (SC) imaging on the evidence of DIS and DIT. METHODS: Thirty-five treatment-naive patients with a first clinical symptom suggestive of MS were examined in a 2-year prospective longitudinal follow-up assessment. Brain and SC magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Expanded Disability Status Scale and multiple sclerosis functional composite were analysed at baseline and after 1 and 2 years. RESULTS: At study entry, 21 patients were classified as clinically isolated syndrome suggestive of MS (CIS) and 14 patients as possible early MS. SC lesions were detected at baseline in 14 CIS patients (67%, median: 1.0, enhancing 29%) and in 11 patients with possible early MS (79%, median: 2.0, enhancing 29%). DIS as depicted by additive SC imaging was detected in two additional individuals according to the revised versus the 2001 McDonald criteria. All patients with emerging cord lesions showed new brain lesions. Five individuals developed clinically asymptomatic cord lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal cord abnormalities are frequent in CIS patients and in patients with possible early MS. SC imaging slightly improved the establishment of DIS, but had no impact on the evidence of DIT.


Subject(s)
Brain/pathology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Multiple Sclerosis/pathology , Spinal Cord/pathology , Adolescent , Adult , Age of Onset , Biomarkers , Brain/physiopathology , Disability Evaluation , Disease Progression , Early Diagnosis , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/standards , Male , Middle Aged , Multiple Sclerosis/physiopathology , Predictive Value of Tests , Prognosis , Prospective Studies , Spinal Cord/physiopathology , Time Factors , Young Adult
7.
Eur J Neurol ; 13(9): 1029-30, 2006 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16930373

ABSTRACT

Bilateral facial palsy is frequently linked with lyme disease. We report a patient with bilateral facial palsy due to Epstein-Barr virus infection but with Borrelia burgdorferi IgM in serum caused by polyclonal B-lymphocyte stimulation.


Subject(s)
Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/complications , Facial Paralysis/etiology , Facial Paralysis/virology , Herpesvirus 4, Human/pathogenicity , Adult , Antibodies/cerebrospinal fluid , Female , Herpesvirus 4, Human/immunology , Humans , Lyme Disease/pathology
9.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-14605481

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present investigation was to analyze survival time and survival rate of all patients with malignant melanoma who had been counseled at the Tumorambulanz Herdecke of the Community Hospital Herdecke. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 284 melanoma patients were included in a retrospective questionnaire study. Only those patients were considered for analysis in whom the prognostic factors histology, tumor localization, and Clark level were known. The data of the study population were compared with patient data obtained from the literature. RESULTS: 94 patients were included in the analysis. 66 of whom had received and 7 had not received mistletoe treatment, in the remaining 21 patients there was no information whether or not mistletoe treatment had been given. Thus, we did our study without a clearly defined internal control group. The median survival time among patients treated with mistletoe had been 14.1 years. The 5- and 10-year survival rates were 80 and 68% for the mistletoe-treated patients, respectively. DISCUSSION: The 5-year survival rate of the mistletoe-treated patients is comparable to that of patients without mistletoe therapy while the 10-year survival rate is a little bit lower. This may be due to the fact that, in contrast to the patients from the relevant literature, 33.3% of the patients suffered from lymph node and/or distant metastases already before counseling the Tumorambulanz Herdecke. Moreover, 50% of our patients had melanoma of Clark level IV in contrast to 22.2% or 31% in the relevant literature. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of the theoretical reservations against mistletoe treatment in melanoma patients, our retrospective analysis did not show any clues about disadvantages of mistletoe treatment in melanoma patients. A controlled prospective study therefore should prove the efficacy of a mistletoe therapy in patients with malignant melanoma.


Subject(s)
Melanoma/drug therapy , Mistletoe , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Severity of Illness Index , Survival Analysis , Treatment Outcome
12.
Thromb Res ; 103(1): 3-8, 2001 Jul 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11434940

ABSTRACT

Individuals with more than one defect in the natural anticoagulant system exhibit an increased risk for thrombosis. We report on a family with two cases of combined protein C (PROC) and protein S (PROS) deficiency, five cases of isolated PROC deficiency Type I, and two cases of isolated PROS deficiency Type I. PROC and PROS deficiency were documented by functional and immunologic tests. The sequencing of all exons and splice junctions of the PROC gene led to the identification of a new, unpublished G-->A transition at nt 8490, leading to an exchange of alanine 259 by threonine. The mutation was present in all family members with PROC deficiency. The carriers of the isolated PROC mutation were asymptomatic at ages of 4, 7, 10, 11, and 80 years. The combination of the PROC mutation with a PROS deficiency in two family members triggered venous thromboembolism at age 31 and 6 years, respectively. The PROS deficiency was associated with complete exclusion of one PROS allele. Two family members with isolated PROS deficiency are still asymptomatic at age 21 and 9 years, respectively. Our findings in this family suggest that the heterozygous mutation at codon 259 of the PROC gene represents a mild thrombotic risk factor and only confers a high thrombotic risk in combination with a second defect, such as the complete exclusion of one PROS allele.


Subject(s)
Mutation, Missense , Protein C/genetics , Protein S/genetics , Venous Thrombosis/etiology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Alleles , Child , Child, Preschool , DNA Mutational Analysis , Family Health , Heterozygote , Humans , Loss of Heterozygosity , Middle Aged , Risk Factors , Severity of Illness Index
13.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10899748

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present investigation was to investigate potentials risks of treatment with mistletoe extracts in patients with malignant haematological and lymphatic diseases consulting the Tumour Ambulance of the Community Hospital Herdecke and to evaluate the therapeutic experiences with this treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All 700 patients with these diseases who had been counselled at the Tumour Ambulance of Community Hospital Herdecke since the foundation of the unit were included in a retrospective questionnaire study to collect information on the course of the disease and the survival time. Therapy with mistletoe extracts had been recommended to all patients. The treatment was carried out by the patient's physician outside the hospital. For inclusion into further analysis, information on survival time and mistletoe treatment had to be available. Survival times of patients who had actually received the recommended mistletoe treatment and of patients who had not received the recommended mistletoe treatment were compared (internal comparison). Furthermore, the results were compared to those of conventionally treated patients obtained from the literature (literature comparison). RESULTS: Of 237 patients for whom sufficient data was available, 14 had not been treated with a mistletoe extract. The median survival time was 9.18 years among patients who had received mistletoe compared to 7.54 years among those without. Before a statistical test was carried out, the equivalent distribution of diagnosis in the 2 groups was tested. Regarding this criterion, only 205 patients treated with mistletoe extract and 9 patients not treated with mistletoe extract could be included into the statistical tests of the median survival time. The median survival time was 11.4 years (mistletoe patients) and 8.6 years (patients without mistletoe therapy). The difference was not significant. There were no cases in which mistletoe treatment was associated with deterioration. The comparison with data from the literature yielded very similar survival times among patients not treated with mistletoe extract and those included in our study. CONCLUSION: No indications to risks of a mistletoe therapy on progress of the disease and the survival time could be found. Therefore, no ethical reservations should be opposed to future prospective investigations of mistletoe therapy in patients with malignant haematological diseases.


Subject(s)
Hematologic Neoplasms/therapy , Leukemia/therapy , Lymphoma/therapy , Mistletoe/therapeutic use , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Plants, Medicinal , Female , Hematologic Neoplasms/mortality , Humans , Leukemia/mortality , Lymphoma/mortality , Male , Retrospective Studies , Survival Rate
15.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10803227

ABSTRACT

The statement presented here gives an overview and assessment of the procedures and concepts currently used for the collection and determination of airborne, culturable microorganisms at sources of emission within composting plants and in their near vicinity. The paper focuses on "classical" methods, which involve cultivation as an intermediate step for the determination of viable, airborne microorganisms. The theoretical and practical requirements on such methods are discussed. Results and experiences from recent investigations are described.


Subject(s)
Air Microbiology , Air Pollutants, Occupational , Bacteriological Techniques , Refuse Disposal , Environmental Monitoring , Humans
17.
Ann Emerg Med ; 33(1): 111-3, 1999 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9867898

ABSTRACT

Intraosseous administration of methylene blue may be an emergency alternative to intravascular administration. A 6-week-old female infant (3 kg) presented to the emergency department after a 1-week illness and appeared cyanotic and listless. Oxygen saturation by oximetry was 86% while the patient was receiving oxygen. Vital signs were blood pressure, 107/80 mm Hg; pulse, 190; respirations, 47; temperature, 39.0 degreesC. A metabolic acidosis and a methemoglobin level of 29.3% were present. After several unsuccessful attempts to establish intravenous access, an intraosseous needle was placed in the infant's left tibia. Methylene blue, 1 mg/kg, normal saline solution, and sodium bicarbonate were given intraosseously. The patient's oxygen saturation rose to 98% to 100%, and her cyanosis improved. Three hours later, her methemoglobin level was 8.2%. The child recovered uneventfully and was sent home after 3 days. Intraosseous administration of standard intravenous doses of methylene blue rapidly terminated the effects of acquired methemoglobinemia.


Subject(s)
Antidotes/administration & dosage , Emergency Treatment , Methemoglobinemia/drug therapy , Methylene Blue/administration & dosage , Bone and Bones , Emergency Treatment/methods , Female , Humans , Infant , Injections , Oximetry
19.
J Struct Biol ; 108(1): 14-24, 1992.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-1373289

ABSTRACT

Limited proteolysis experiments were performed with outer membranes from Comamonas acidovorans to probe the topology of its major protein component, the anion-selective porin Omp32. Proteinase K treatment above a critical temperature of 42 degrees C cleaved the surface-exposed regions of the porin, yielding membrane-embedded fragments which were separated by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or reversed phase chromatography. The identification of the proteinase K-sensitive sites was performed by microsequencing. This allowed us to determine six surface-exposed sites of the porin, all located in nonconserved primary structure regions. These results along with the previously determined amino acid sequence and in conjunction with some structural constraints applicable to porins allowed us to propose a chain-folding model of the Omp32 porin. The features of our model are compared with the structure of the Rhodobacter capsulatus porin, recently established by X-ray crystallography (Weiss et al., 1991) and they are used to elucidate the structural basis of the anion selectivity.


Subject(s)
Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/ultrastructure , Bacterial Proteins , Gram-Negative Bacteria/ultrastructure , Ion Channels/ultrastructure , Amino Acid Sequence , Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/chemistry , Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Blotting, Western , Calorimetry, Differential Scanning , Cations , Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel , Endopeptidase K , Ion Channels/chemistry , Microscopy, Electron , Molecular Sequence Data , Peptide Fragments/chemistry , Porins , Protein Conformation , Serine Endopeptidases/metabolism , Spectrophotometry, Infrared
20.
Mol Microbiol ; 5(7): 1695-702, 1991 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-1719335

ABSTRACT

The three-dimensional structure of the regular surface protein (p4 symmetry, lattice constant a = b = 10.5 nm) of Comamonas acidovorans has been determined to a resolution of about 1.5 nm by means of electron microscopy and image processing. Three-dimensional reconstructions were performed using native outer membranes and artificial two-dimensional crystals of the surface protein, which was selectively solubilized by deoxycholate and recrystallized on carbon films. The two-fold symmetric morphological complex is composed of two identical monomers which are in tight contact with the outer membrane and presumably anchored to it by a small hydrophobic domain.


Subject(s)
Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/chemistry , Membrane Proteins/chemistry , Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/isolation & purification , Crystallization , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted , Macromolecular Substances , Microscopy, Electron , Models, Molecular , Porins , Protein Conformation , Pseudomonas/ultrastructure , Staining and Labeling
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