Medizinische Beurteilungskriterien zu bandscheibenbedingten Berufskrankheiten der Lendenwirbelsäule (II)

The first part of this serial paper dealt with the medical criteria used in evaluation of the clinical picture caused by physical stress and the evaluation of other candidate causes and was published in issue no. 3/2005 (pp. 711–752) of Trauma and Berufskrankheit. This follow-up paper (II) presents criteria to be used in the evaluation of whether it is necessary to give up the occupations putting the spine at risk and in estimation of the degree of disability.     

Pharmacotherapy of ventricular fibrillation. A prospective study in an emergency medical service

This prospective study investigated the effects of standard pharmacotherapy in out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation (VF) after i.v. or endobronchial (e.b.) administration of epinephrine and lidocaine. METHODS. Only patients presenting with out-of-hospital VF were included in this study, whereby VF of noncardiac origin was excluded. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed according to the guidelines of the American Heart Association. Basic life support was initiated by Emergency Medical Service (EMS) technicians. The first step of advanced life support was immediate defibrillation by the EMS physician. Epinephrine was given in doses of 2.5 mg e.b. or 1.0 mg i.v. If indicated, patients received 200-500 mg lidocaine e.b. or 100 mg i.v. The course of CPR was tape-recorded and 2-3 blood samples were taken from each patient for drug monitoring. Plasma levels of epinephrine and lidocaine were measured by high-pressure liquid and gas chromatography, respectively, and then correlated to the course of CPR. RESULTS. Forty-seven patients presented VF on arrival of the EMS physician. Restoration of spontaneous circulation was achieved in 64% (Table 3), and 30% of the patients were discharged from hospital without major neurologic deficits. Immediate defibrillation before initiation of pharmacotherapy produced a success rate of 15.8%, whereas defibrillation after drug therapy was successful in 61.5% of cases. Following e.b. instillation of 2.5 mg epinephrine (Fig. 1), median peak concentrations of epinephrine (40.2, range 4.0-79.8 ng/ml) were reached after 3-4 min and plasma levels greater than or equal to 10 ng/ml were seen for 20 min. After i.v. injection of 1.0 mg epinephrine (Fig. 2) maximum concentrations (71.6, range 4.7-104.2 ng/ml) were measured after 1-2 min and plasma levels decreased below 10 ng/ml after 10 min. Following e.b. instillation of 400-500 mg lidocaine mean lidocaine concentrations within the therapeutic range (2-5 micrograms/ml) were reached after 4-5 min and remained within these limits for 20-30 min. Peak concentrations were obtained after 12 min. Doses of 200-320 mg lidocaine e.b. failed to achieve therapeutic plasma levels (Fig. 3). Regarding the pharmacodynamic aspects of drug therapy, 22.5% of the initial survivors were resuscitated from VF without therapeutic epinephrine, presenting with mean endogenous epinephrine concentrations of 7.1 ng/ml, 51.6% of patients were resuscitated after epinephrine therapy with plasma concentrations greater than 20 ng/ml. In only 1 case could a relationship be demonstrated between the administration of lidocaine and resuscitation success. CONCLUSION. In CPR, the e.b. administration of epinephrine and lidocaine is a reliable alternative to the i.v. injection route of these drugs. Recommended doses are 2.5 mg for epinephrine and 400-500 mg for lidocaine. Resuscitation from VF requires immediate epinephrine therapy if initial defibrillation is not successful. Lidocaine has no effect on resuscitation from VF and therefore should be used specifically for antiarrhythmic therapy after restoration of spontaneous circulation.     

Peritoneal morphology in children treated by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Fifty peritoneal biopsies (PB) from 35 patients with end-stage renal disease, treated by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and aged 2 months to 18 years, were examined by light microscopy (n=50) and/or scanning electron microscopy. PB were performed during surgical procedures immediately before the start of, during, or after the cessation of CAPD treatment. PB from 15 children without renal disease undergoing laparatomy were examined similarly. Before the start of CAPD, a scarcity and shortening of the mesothelial microvilli was observed by scanning electron microscopy. During and after CAPD, variable alterations of mesothelium, interstitium and capillaries were found. The mesothelial layer was absent in all 5 PB obtained during episodes of active peritonitis. In patients treated by CAPD for longer than 6 months, mesothelial denudation was observed more frequently (6/11) than in children treated for shorter periods (1/7) (P<0.08). Fibrosis of the peritoneal membrane was present in about 50% of patients during or after the cessation of CAPD without impairment of peritoneal function. No correlation was found between the presence of fibrosis and the frequency of peritonitis or the duration of CAPD treatment.     

A highly variable STR at the D12S391 locus

A total of 103 fragments in the STR D12S391 locus were sequenced. 24 different alleles were found which can be grouped into 12 allelic classes based on the total number of repeats. The structure of this compund STR consists of blocks of (AGAT) and (AGAC) repeats with a consensus structure (AGAT)_8–l7 (AGAC)_6–10 (AGAT)_0–1. Whereas shorter alleles only have (AGAT) repeats, > 225 bp alleles are more complex, having two motifs (AGAT) and (AGAC). Population data showed that this to be a highly polymorphic STR with a heterozygosity of 0.9. This fact together with its simple structure make this STR very suitable for forensic and genetic purposes.     

Monitoring left ventricular dilation in mice with PET.

Molecular imaging by small-animal PET is an important noninvasive means to phenotype transgenic mouse models in vivo. When investigating pathologies of the left ventricular (LV) myocardium, the serial assessment of LV volumes is important. By this, the presence of LV dilation as a sign of developing heart failure can be detected. Whereas PET is usually used to derive biochemical and molecular information, functional parameters such as ventricular volumes are generally measured using echocardiography or MRI. In this study, a novel method to monitor LV dilation in mice with PET is presented and evaluated using cardiac MRI. METHODS: A semiautomatic 3-dimensional algorithm was used to delineate the LV myocardial wall on static PET images depicting myocardial glucose metabolism ((18)F-FDG PET) for 20 mice: 10 wild-type and 10 genetically modified littermates designed to develop a dilative cardiomyopathy phenotype (cardiomyocyte-specific knockout of survivin). The volume enclosed by the 3-dimensional midmyocardial contour was calculated as a measure for LV volume for each mouse. Data were compared with ventricular volumes measured by MRI in the same animals. RESULTS: LV volumes obtained by PET and MRI correlated well (R = 0.89) for hearts with small and large left ventricles. In accordance with the hypothesis, the LV volumes were increased significantly for transgenic mice examined at an older age compared with those examined at a younger age (MRI: 160.5 +/- 25.7 microL vs. 114.7 +/- 15.2 microL [P = 0.012]; PET: 129.3 +/- 15.3 microL vs. 73.8 +/- 15.0 microL [P < 0.001], all values shown as mean +/- SD; for MRI, mean of end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes are given), whereas they did not for their wild-type littermates (MRI: 106.2 +/- 12.3 microL vs. 94.7 +/- 14.6 microL [P = 0.214]; PET: 82.6 +/- 20.9 microL vs. 65.0 +/- 16.9 microL [P = 0.185]). CONCLUSION: Evaluation and quantitation of LV dilation in both control and cardiomyopathic mice can be reliably and serially performed using small-animal PET and (18)F-FDG, yielding useful functional information in addition to metabolic data.     

Diagnostik und Therapiestrategie bei Weichteilsarkomen

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) represent a rare entity of all malignant tumors (1%). Thus, an in-depth understanding of multidisciplinary treatment strategies may not be sufficiently present at all operative units. Consecutively, optimal diagnostic and therapeutical pathways may not be applied. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the procedure of choice in diagnosing STS. Biopsies should be performed in specialized centers. Identification of cytogenetic factors has become more important for the typing and prognosis of STS. Management of STS should employ multimodal treatment concepts (Oncology, Radiotherapy, Surgical Oncology). The decision on whether radiotherapy, chemotherapy or another option is indicated should be taken by an interdisciplinary tumor board, which also determines the sequence of treatment in relation to resection. To obtain sufficient information from histopathologic examination of the resected tumor, a clear and distinct definition of critical margins and topography by the surgeon is essential. Following these concepts, optimal local tumor control associated with resections preserving function and limbs is achieved without impairment of overall prognosis. Tumor resection alone, without previous evaluation and where appropriate adopting multimodal treatment strategies, no longer meets modern standards. After primary treatment is complete, patients have to be enrolled in a standardized follow-up program.     

The angiotensin II type 1-receptor blocker candesartan increases cerebral blood flow, reduces infarct size, and improves neurologic outcome after transient cerebral ischemia in rats.

The goal of the present study was to test the impact of administration time of the angiotensin II type 1-receptor blocker candesartan on cerebral blood flow (CBF), infarct size, and neuroscore in transient cerebral ischemia. Therefore, 1-hour middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was followed by reperfusion. Rats received 0.5-mg/kg candesartan intravenously 2 hours before MCAO (pretreatment), 24 hours after MCAO, every 24 hours after MCAO, or 2 hours before and every 24 hours after MCAO. Infarct size (mm3) and a neuroscore at day 7 were compared with controls. CBF was quantified by radiolabeled microspheres and laser-Doppler flowmetry. Compared with controls (95 +/- 8), infarct size in candesartan-treated groups was smaller (59 +/- 5, 68 +/- 10, 28 +/- 3, and 15 +/- 3, respectively; P<0.05). Although there was no difference in neuroscore between pretreatment and controls (1.55 +/- 0.18, 1.80 +/- 0.13), other treatment regimens resulted in improved neuroscores (1.33 +/- 0.16, 1.11 +/- 0.11, 0.73 +/- 0.15; P<0.05). CBF in pretreated animals at 0.5 hours after MCAO was significantly higher than in controls (0.58 +/- 0.09 mL x g(-1) x min(-1) and 44% +/- 7% of baseline compared with 0.49 +/- 0.06 mL x g(-1) x min(-1) and 37% +/- 6%, microspheres and laser-Doppler flowmetry; P<0.05). Thus, candesartan reduces infarct size even if administered only during reperfusion. Apart from pretreatment, other treatment regimens result in significantly improved neuroscores. In the acute phase of cerebral ischemia, candesartan increases CBF.     

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: State of the Art

Abstract The rupture of the Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) belongs to the most common ligament injuries of the human knee joint. ACL rupture results in an increased anterior translation and internal rotation of the tibia. Untreated knee instability causes a disintegration of the roll and sliding movement and a high incidence of secondary meniscus and chondral damages with consecutive or advanced arthritic changes. For deciding on a conservative or operative therapy, it is necessary to develop a high-risk profile. Elderly, inactive patients without instability symptoms can be treated conservatively; younger, active people and complex ligament injuries should receive an ACL replacement. The goal is to eliminate instability by maintaining the physiological kinematics of the knee. Anterior cruciate ligament may be reconstructed arthroscopically assisted by autologous tendons. Predominantly, hamstring- and bone-patellar-tendon grafts are used. No significant differences in knee laxity, clinically and functionally, were observed between both grafts. Various reconstruction techniques, single- or double-bundle techniques, were described. Successful replacement depends on a correct tunnel placement and reconstruction of the physiological band tension, a sufficient mechanical stability of fixation, an impingement-free range of motion and an adequate rehabilitation. A high degree of patient satisfaction in clinical and functional outcome could be evaluated.     

Increase in the degree of phosphorylation of circulating fibrinogen under thrombolytic therapy with urokinase

Human fibrinogen is phosphorylated in vivo to an equal extent at two positions, one at Ser 3 located on fibrinopeptide A, the other at Ser 345 of the A alpha-chain. As has been shown previously, the degree of phosphorylation of the circulating fibrinogen pool can be determined in vitro from the ratio between the HPLC peaks formed by phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated fibrinopeptide A which has been cleaved from plasma fibrinogen by thrombin or reptilase. Plasma samples were obtained from patients with venous thrombosis undergoing fibrinolytic therapy with urokinase (n = 8). The degree of phosphorylation increased from about 35% before treatment to values between 50% and 70% within 48 hours. It remained at these high levels as long as urokinase was administered and declined slowly thereafter. This behaviour of the degree of phosphorylation of fibrinogen is explained by a model which assumes that fibrinogen is secreted in the phosphorylated form and then dephosphorylated in the circulation by an up to now unidentified phosphatase by first order kinetics. When this system is in steady state, the degree of phosphorylation is about 25% under normal conditions. If the elimination rate of fibrinogen is greatly enhanced by fibrinogenolysis the system will approach a new steady state with a higher degree of phosphorylation, the magnitude of which will depend on the new ratio of dephosphorylation and elimination.