Responses of rat myocardial antioxidant defences and heat shock protein HSP72 induced by 12 and 24-week treadmill training

AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of both a short (12 weeks) and a long-term (24 weeks) endurance treadmill-training programme on the levels of oxidative stress markers, the activity of the enzymatic antioxidants, and the content of the 72 kDa heat shock protein (HSP72) in rat myocardium. METHODS: Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to exercise trained (n = 16) and sedentary (n = 14) groups. After 12 week of training, eight rats were killed while the remaining eight continued the training programme until 24 week. RESULTS: Seven sedentary controls were killed together with each trained group. Levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyls, and total and oxidized glutathione (tGSH and GSSG) in myocardial homogenates were unchanged by training irrespective of the protocol duration. However, an increased content of the oxidative stress biomarkers was detected in hearts from both the 24-week trained rats and their sedentary controls when compared with their corresponding 12-week groups. The antioxidant enzymatic activities total and mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (tSOD and mtSOD, respectively), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione reductase (GR), remained unchanged after the 12-week training period whereas a significant increase in tSOD and mtSOD activities (18%, P < 0.05) was observed in heart homogenates of 24-week trained animals as compared with their sedentary controls. HSP72 expression levels were not significantly modified after 12 week of training but a threefold increase was detected after 24 week (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that a long-term endurance training (24 weeks) induced discrete increases in antioxidant enzyme activities in rat myocardium and elicited a marked enhancement in HSP72 expression levels. However, a shorter training programme (12 weeks), was not effective in increasing heart antioxidant defences.     

Prozessoptimierung im „kranken Haus“

Starting January 1st 2004 the German diagnosis-related group (DRG) system was established for in-patient cases. Consequently, the detection and realization of cost-saving potentials are becoming more and more important. For a successful future, efficient allocation of resources is essential. Economically, anaesthesia-related time delays during perioperative work-flow should be minimized. Since numerous entities contribute to perioperative care, it is extremely complex to analyze and optimize this process flow. In this publication single steps leading to an optimized perioperative process flow will be presented: documentation of predefined time points, calculation of relevant time intervals and analysis of key numbers for complex settings. Single steps of the given process analysis will be demonstrated using data from surgical patients at the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel. The attached data collection sheets can be used by interested hospital departments and are meant to serve as a template for further process analyses. Based on the shown analysis, an example will be given to develop an optimized work-flow as a standard operating procedure (SOP). The implementation of the SOP module in an interdisciplinary clinical pathway (CP), which defines efficient medical care from admission to discharge, is mainly responsible for decreased process costs but increased quality of care.     

Combination of ion beam stabilisation, plasma etching and plasma deposition for the development of tissue engineering micropatterned supports

The performance of biomedical assays at both molecular and cellular level depends greatly on the ability to design new polymer surfaces. Patterns can be created by using materials with contrasted surface properties. In this work we describe in detail the preparation of micropatterned surfaces to be used as tissue engineering supports. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was used as the 'anti-fouling' polymer in opposition to functional regions covered by acrylic acid (AAc). Since spin-casted PEG films are unstable, ion beam stabilization (IBS) treatment was applied in order to render it insoluble. On the other hand, AAc films were deposited by low-power plasma chemical vapour deposition. Chemical properties of both polymers were monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy while topographic features were followed by atomic force microscopy. Finally, a micropattern was produced by using a mask, which isolated the IBS-PEG from the AAc-deposited regions. Endothelial cells cultured on the surface were observed to follow the micropatterns. In fact, for a certain surface density it was observed that the cells present tensile or compressive stresses when forced to remain in the anti-fouling or the functionalised regions, respectively.     

Pentoxifylline (PTX)--an alternative treatment in Graves' ophthalmopathy (inactive phase): assessment by a disease specific quality of life questionnaire and by exophthalmometry in a prospective randomized trial

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of pentoxifylline (PTX) in subjects with inactive Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) through a specific quality of life (QOL) questionnaire and exophthalmometry readings. METHODS: Eighteen females were randomly divided in two groups. Group A (n=9) was treated with PTX 1200 mg orally/day for 6 months. Group B (n=9) received placebo during the initial 6 months and then PTX for another 6 months. Proptosis measurements were carried out every 3 months and a questionnaire graded from 0 to 10 according to the severity of the symptoms was performed at baseline and after placebo and PTX administration. RESULTS: At baseline, Group A questionnaire score values were 5.5 (median; range 3.5 to 8.0), and 5.0 after 6 months (3.0 to 6.0; p=0.01). In Group B, baseline values were not significantly different after 6 months of placebo: 6.0 (4.5 to 7.0) and 5.5 (4.5 to 7.0), respectively. However, a significant change was observed 6 months after PTX: 4.0 (2.0 to 5.0; p<0.001). Patients in Group A had a progressive improvement of proptosis during PTX: at baseline, 23 mm (median; range 20 to 32); after 3 months, 23 mm (18 to 30; p=0.02); and after 6 months, 23 mm (18 to 30; p=0.005). In Group B, proptosis remained stable during placebo: at baseline, 23 mm (21 to 25); after 3 months, 23 mm (20 to 25); and after 6 months, 23.5 mm (20 to 25). A significant change was observed after 3 and 6 months of PTX: 22 mm (19 to 24; p=0.0006) and 20.8 mm (17 to 25; p=0.0003), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pentoxifylline seems to improve the QOL of patients in the inactive phase of GO. The objective findings of the proptosis readings corroborate to suggest that PTX may be an effective and promising drug in the inactive phase of GO.     

Techniques and complementary techniques. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy in mechanically ventilated children

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy can be performed at the patient's bedside. This technique allows direct visualization of the upper and lower airways up to the segmental and subsegmental bronchi. Its most frequent indications are airway examination ot evaluate damage produced by toxins or the endotracheal tube, patency of the endotracheal tube and extubation failure. It is also used to obtain microbiological samples, facilitate intubation when difficult, aspirate airway sections or mucus plugs, perform bronchoalveolar lavage and administer drugs. With prior preparation, adequate monitoring and sedation, material according to the size of the patient and correct techniques, there are few complications. However, the procedure can produce trauma and obstruction of the airway, bronchial hemorrhage, barotrauma, loss of alveolar recruitment, bronchospasm, hypoxemia, bradycardia, and bronchopulmonary infection.     

Three-wall decompression technique using transpalpebral and endonasal approach in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of the three-wall decompression technique using transpalpebral and endonasal approach in patients suffering from Graves' ophthalmopathy. METHODS: In this prospective study, we present a consecutive series of 15 subjects (17 eyes) who were submitted to orbital decompression by removing the inferior and lateral walls using transpalpebral incision combined with a transnasal endoscopic resection of the medial wall. The surgical technique involved the preservation of the bone structure between the lamina papyracea of the ethmoid and the maxillary orbital floor. MAIN RESULTS: The mean ocular recession based on Hertel measurements was 6.00 mm (range, 4-9 mm). None of the patients presented pre-operation diplopia, and one developed post-operation diplopia. Visual acuity was preserved in all cases. CONCLUSION: It is safe and efficient to perform three-wall decompression, combining transpalpebral and endoscopic transnasal approach, with preservation of the bone structure and the bone lateral to the infraorbital canal with fixation by two titanium plates on the lateral edge and removal of intraorbital fat, which results in significant proptosis reduction and minimal complications.     

Leserbrief Zum Beitrag von W. Harth und R. Linse: “Botulinophilie” Der Hautarzt (2001) 52:312–316

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

白三烯抑制剂在哮喘治疗中的进展

目的：介绍白三烯抑制剂治疗哮喘的进展。方法：综述近年来国外有关文献,介绍和评价白三烯抑制剂的临床疗效,不良反应和用法用量。结果：白三烯抑制剂有效地治疗哮喘发作,且副作用较少。结论：白三烯抑制剂临床使用安全有效,是一类新的哮喘治疗药物。