The role of complement, C5a and its receptors in sepsis and multiorgan dysfunction syndrome.

Sepsis continues to be a major clinical problem that is difficult to treat, as the pathophysiology of the disease is still unclear. Despite promising experimental strategies, therapeutic interventions have been largely unsuccessful. There is now increasing evidence that the disturbance of innate immunity during sepsis and multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS) may be linked to uncontrolled activation of the complement system. Especially, the powerful anaphylatoxin C5a seems to play a key role in the development of immune paralysis. In this review, we describe our present understanding of the role of complement in the inflammatory response during sepsis and MODS.     

Impact of early dietary gamma-linolenic acid supplementation on atopic eczema in infancy

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are components of cell membranes and may play an immunomodulating role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). The goal was to determine the impact of PUFAs on AD by dietary supplementation of infants. Based on the parents' decision on their babies' primary feeding, mothers and newborns were randomized to the supplementation with gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) or placebo for up to 6 months. Breastfed infants received GLA by supplementing their mothers. Formula diet was commercial whey hydrolysate unsupplemented with PUFAs. Of 131 eligible infants, 24 developed AD within the first year of life. Of these, nine belonged to the exclusively breastfed group (n = 58), 14 to the combined-fed group (n = 53), and one to the never breastfed group (n = 20). We could not find an influence of GLA on the development of AD. In subjects with AD, at 1 yr of age the serum-immunoglobulin E (IgE) was the lowest in the GLA-supplemented group A-subjects. In the GLA-supplemented group, GLA-levels in breast milk were similar in atopic and non-atopic infants. In the non-supplemented group the GLA-content of breast milk was 0.07% of total fatty acids in atopic infants vs. 0.17% in non-atopic infants (p < 0.01). Dietary GLA-supplementation could not prevent AD. Interestingly, the number of infants developing AD was the lowest in never breastfed children. In infants suffering from AD, GLA-supplementation seemed to reduce total IgE in the first year of life.     

Characteristics of sensory trick-like manoeuvres in jaw-opening dystonia.

We evaluated the effect of different manipulations on the performance of a standardized counting task in 7 patients with idiopathic jaw-opening dystonia. Patients used a small stick as sensory stimulus. Following conditions were examined: stick placed between teeth and cheek (CHEEK), biting on stick (TEETH), voluntary jaw occlusion without stick (OCCLUSION). Articulation was rated by patients and experimenters and surface electromyographic activity (EMG) was recorded. Patient-rating (CHEEK - 36.6%, TEETH - 48.1%) and EMG (-18.1%; -17.3%) were significantly improved for conditions using the stick, whereas experimenter-rating showed a trend for TEETH (-16.2%). Although jaw occlusion during speaking deteriorates articulation in healthy subjects, there was no further deterioration in patients and EMG was even significantly reduced (-18.6%). Comparable results were obtained in 1 patient using a special dental device. We conclude that sensory tricks significantly improve subjective and objective parameters. Besides tactile stimulation, altered proprioceptive feedback and antagonist activation may modulate hyperactive dystonic networks.     

Physiology of continuous blood flow in recipients of rotary cardiac assist devices.

The beating heart and the resultant pulse wave have been a symbol of life for centuries. The development history of roller pumps for cardiopulmonary bypass shows that the human body tolerates non-pulsatile blood flow, at least for short-term support. Over the last few years, many types of rotary blood pumps have been developed for clinical use in patients requiring mid- to long-term support. Although early clinical experiences in patients with long-term support have been promising, the matter of whether pulsatile flow is needed or not remains controversial. Therefore, this review summarizes the observed clinical consequences of continuous blood flow in patients supported by rotary blood pumps and relates these consequences to underlying experimental studies.     

Expression and distribution of vascular endothelial growth factor protein in human brain tumors

Marked neovascularization is a hallmark of many neoplasms in the nervous system. Recent reports indicate that the endothelial mitogen vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may play a critical role in the regulation of vascular endothelial proliferation in malignant gliomas. Using novel monoclonal antibodies to the VEGF polypeptide we have determined the expression and cellular distribution of VEGF protein in a representative series of 171 human central nervous system (CNS) tumors by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. In agreement with previous in situ hybridization data, 19 out of 20 glioblastomas (95%) showed immunoreactivity for VEGF, whereas both the percentage of immunoreactive tumors and the extent of immunoreactivity for VEGF were significantly lower in astrocytomas. Of the pilocytic astrocytomas (WHO grade I) 44% were immunoreactive for VEGF, but we observed several cases with pronounced vascular proliferates in the absence of VEGF. In ependymomas, meningiomas, hemangioblastomas, and primitive neuroectodermal tumors, there was no correlation between VEGF expression, vascular endothelial proliferation and the grade of malignancy. Oligodendrogliomas and the oligodendroglial component of mixed gliomas lacked immunoreactive VEGF, indicating that endothelial growth factors other than VEGF may regulate tumor angiogenesis in these neoplasms. Western blot analysis showed a predominant VEGF protein species of 23 kDa and confirmed the immunohistochemical data in all cases. Our findings demonstrate that VEGF is expressed in a wide spectrum of brain tumors in which it may induce neovascularization. However, other angiogenic factors also appear to contribute to the vascularization of CNS neoplasms. Received: 18 April 1996 / Revised, accepted: 20 August 1996     

Thoracoscopic wedge resection

Summary Thoracoscopic surgery is decidedly expanded by the ability to perform pulmonary wedge resections of the lung by using the Endo-GIA-stapler. In addition to thoracoscopic biopsies, since July 1991 we have carried out wedge resections in 12 patients suffering from spontaneous pneumothorax (nine) or peripheral bronchial carcinoma (three). Postoperatively one air fistula persisted over 9 days. The chest tube was removed within 48 h in all other patients. There was no other major complication. The postoperative hospitalization period lasted 4.6 days (1–9 days). Operating time was 44 min (30–70 min). The benefit for the patient consists in the little-impaired breathing mechanics, the short hospital stay, and the favorable cosmetic result.