Development and Evaluation of Two Canine Low-Fidelity Simulation Models.

Two self-made low-fidelity models for simulation of canine intubation and canine female urinary catheterization were developed and evaluated. We used a study design that compares acquired skills of two intervention groups and one control group in a practical examination. Fifty-eight second-year veterinary medicine students received a theoretical introduction to intubation and were randomly divided into three groups.

Development and validation of an immunoluminometric assay (ILMA) for fetuin-A-glycoprotein.

Background: To identify dialysis patients with low fetuin-A levels, a sensitive immunoluminometric assay (ILMA) was developed.

Methods: For the two-site ILMA, one monoclonal antibody was coated to polystyrene beads and one polyclonal antibody was labelled with acridinium ester.

Results: The lower detection threshold was 0.

Myoglobin plasma level related to muscle mass and fiber composition: a clinical marker of muscle wasting?

Progressive muscle wasting is a central feature of cancer-related cachexia and has been recognized as a determinant of poor prognosis and quality of life. However, until now, no easily assessable clinical marker exists that allows to predict or to track muscle wasting. The present study evaluated the potential of myoglobin (MG) plasma levels to indicate wasting of large locomotor muscles and, moreover, to reflect the loss of MG-rich fiber types, which are most relevant for daily performance.

Association between early postoperative coagulation activation and peri-operative myocardial ischaemia in patients undergoing vascular surgery.

We investigated the association of peri-operative myocardial ischaemia with activation of coagulation and endogenous fibrinolysis in patients undergoing vascular surgery. In 50 patients, continuous Holter monitoring was performed to assess peri-operative myocardial ischaemia and 12-lead electrocardiography was recorded preoperatively and 72 h postoperatively to assess myocardial infarction. Serial blood samples were drawn peri-operatively to determine the concentrations of fibrin monomers (for activation of coagulation), D-dimer (for endogenous fibrinolysis) and cardiac troponin T and I.

Absorption of D(+)-xylose, cobalamin, and folic acid after autologic-allotopic ileum mucosa transplantation in beagles.

Background/purpose: Ileum mucosa transplantation in a demucosed colon coat was developed as a new method for small bowel elongation. In an animal model, the authors investigated the absorptive capacity of the transplanted mucosa for D(+)-xylose, cobalamin (vitamin B12), and folic acid.

Methods: Ileum mucosa was transplanted in a vascularized demucosed segment of transverse colon in 18 beagle dogs.

Transgenic mice overexpressing erythropoietin adapt to excessive erythrocytosis by regulating blood viscosity.

Severe elevation of red blood cell number is often associated with hypertension and thromboembolism resulting in severe cardiovascular complications. However, some individuals such as high altitude dwellers cope well with an increased hematocrit level. We analyzed adaptive mechanisms to excessive erythrocytosis in our transgenic (tg) mice that, due to hypoxia-independent erythropoietin (Epo) overexpression, reached hematocrit values of 0.

Prevention of chemotherapy-related toxic side effects by infection with adeno-associated virus type 2.

Drug resistance and toxic side effects are major limiting factors in the clinical use of antineoplastic chemotherapy. Patients with pancreatic cancer generally do not benefit from chemotherapy. The nonpathogenic adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV-2) has been shown to sensitize human tumor cells to gamma irradiation and chemotherapeutic drugs.

Increased cytokine release by leucocytes in survivors of stroke at young age.

Background: Enhanced stimulus-induced release of pro-inflammatory cytokines by leucocytes may contribute to the pathogenesis of ischaemic stroke.

Design: We investigated the lipopolysaccharide-induced release of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, IL-8, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in whole blood from 20 patients with a history of ischaemic stroke under the age of 50, 20 patients with a history of cervical artery dissection (CAD) and 21 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects.

Results: Release of IL-8 was higher (P = 0.

[Importance of intraoperative parathormone measurements in primary hyperparathyroidism with 5-gland hyperplasia].

While intraoperative parathormone measurements are mandatory for unilateral operations of primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT), its value for treatment of parathyroid hyperplasia is regarded as insufficient. We report a case of a pHPT with hyperplasia of five glands, in which only the intraoperative analysis of parathormone detected the remaining fifth hyperparathyroid gland after extirpation of four enlarged parathyroid glands. We describe technical problems involved in the tests available today and how the results of the intraoperative parathormone test need to be interpreted.

[Microbiological and clinical effects of selective bowel decontamination in transthoracic resection of carcinoma of the esophagus and cardia].

Introduction: Surgical therapy of carcinoma of the esophagus or cardia by transthoracic esophageal resection is associated with a high morbidity in which nosocomial infections have a great importance. This study investigates the influence of prophylactic selective bowel decontamination on the course and results of transthoracic resection of the esophagus.

Methods: Seventy patients with carcinoma of the esophagus and cardia were included in this prospective and partially randomized study at the University of Heidelberg.

Predictive value of serum interleukin-6 and -8 levels in preterm labor or rupture of the membranes.

Background: The aim of this prospective study was to examine if serum concentrations of cytokines are of value in the identification of patients at risk for preterm delivery.

Methods: Interleukin- 1beta,2,4,6,8 and tumor necrosis factor alpha were determined between 25 and 37 weeks of gestation in the serum of 72 consecutive patients with preterm labor, 38 patients with preterm rupture of the membranes, and 24 healthy pregnant women as a control group. Material was collected within 18 hours after hospitalization and was immediately centrifuged and shock frozen.

Effects of restorative proctocolectomy on renal and adrenal function.

Purpose: Restorative proctocolectomy is a standard procedure in the surgical treatment of ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis. The radical removal of the colorectum with construction of an ileostomy often results in high stoma losses. These may lead to changes in the electrolyte and acid-base balance and to alterations in renal and suprarenal gland function.

[A method for reducing the risk of infection in newborn and premature infants with stomas].

Prematures and neonates with stomas have a high risk of developing sepsis by bacterial translocation, particularly when combined with parenteral nutrition. We studied a group of 35 newborns where split ileo- or jejunostomas were implanted in their first week of life. To prevent the development of a non-used distal bowel and a short bowel syndrome, the proximal bower content was transferred into the aboral stoma via the new continuous extracorporal stool transport (CEST) technique a few days after surgery.

Blood cell damage after in vitro irradiation of fresh whole blood with 630 nm laser light.

A study on blood cell damage after irradiation of fresh whole blood with 630 nm laser light was carried out in vitro. Various fluence rates of laser light were used with and without cooling of blood. Damage to the blood was assessed by blood cell counts, osmotic fragility measurements and examination of blood films.

Effects of standard unfractionated and low-molecular-weight heparins on platelets of patients undergoing total hip replacement surgery.

For prevention of venous thromboembolism in general and in orthopedic surgery, patients are treated prophylactically with standard unfractionated heparins (SH) or with low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH). Patients (n = 22) undergoing total hip replacement surgery received either 5,000 IU SH (Heparin-Na) three times per day (n = 10 patients) or LMWH (Fraxiparin) once per day (n = 12 patients). Blood samples using CTAD (citrate, theophylline, adenine, dipyridamole) as anticoagulant were collected perioperatively after the first heparin administration, after the operation, and daily until day 4 postoperatively.

Platelet factor 4 release in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation--can reperfusion be impaired by platelet activation?

Background: Reperfusion following cardiac arrest is associated with a marked activation of blood coagulation. This seems to be associated with microcirculatory reperfusion disorders. The present study was designed to investigate the possible involvement of platelets in reperfusion injury following cardiac arrest.

Pharmacokinetics of a new microemulsion formulation of cyclosporin A (Neoral) in young patients after renal transplantation.

Pharmacokinetics of the new galenic formulation of cyclosporin A, Neoral, (Sandoz) was examined in 12 stable young patients after renal transplantation. Six of these patients were tested before and 4 weeks after switching from the standard formulation Sandimmun to Neoral. No significant changes were observed in trough levels, Lmax, Cmax, and AUC0-12 h, but the absorption rate constant (Ka) increased (P = 0.

Activation of blood coagulation after cardiac arrest is not balanced adequately by activation of endogenous fibrinolysis.

Background: Animal studies have demonstrated that hemostatic disorders occurring after cardiac arrest affect outcome. We investigated hemostatic changes during and after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in humans.

Methods And Results: The prospective study included 23 patients (29 to 86 years) who underwent out-of-hospital CPR for nontraumatic causes.

[Successful use of a heparinoid (danaparoid sodium) for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II in aortic valve reoperation].

The 29-year-old, heroin-addicted patient received an aortic valve prosthesis (SJM) 10 years ago because of aortic valve stenosis III. One year after surgical treatment he refused to take Phenprocoumon and thus received no anticoagulation for 9 years. The patient was hospitalized due to cardial decompensation and thrombosis of the aortic valve prosthesis was diagnosed.

[Procedure for production of leukocyte depleted erythrocyte and thrombocyte concentrates (PRP method) using top and bottom bags, Optipress automated separators and a computer controlled Cryofuge 6000].

PRP methods for production of WBC-poor red blood cell (RBCC) and platelet concentrates (PC) are investigated using top-and-bottom bags and Optipress separators. A standard centrifugation method (profile A) and 2 methods (profiles B and C) for a computer run centrifugation using 21 (profile B) or 19 (profile C) varying time segments and g numbers. An MS-DOS-compatible personal computer runs a Cryofuge 6000.