Regulation der Laktation

At birth the human newborn is immature and has not yet acquired fully competent organ functions. During lactation especially the digestive tract and the immune system gain competence. Lactation is regulated by a complex interaction of numerous hormonal factors. Most important are probably prolactin and oxytocin—two hormones produced and secreted in the pituitary. The production and secretion of these two hormones is again regulated by several factors in the central nervous system and these mechanisms can be disturbed by a variety of exogenous factors such as drugs and any other substances interacting with dopamine metabolism in the brain. It is important to know these physiological interactions to be able to understand the regulation of lactation and to be able to assess which factors could interfere with this process.     

Total-videoendoskopische Strumaresektion via“axillobilateral breast approach”

BACKGROUND: The axillobilateral breast approach (ABBA) is a procedure allowing thyroid resection without scarring at the neck. We operated on a series of 26 patients with this technique. METHOD: Via incisions at the edge of the mamilla and axilla, trocars are placed subcutaneously under the platyma. Dissection is performed bluntly and with an ultrasonographic scalpel under videoscopic control. The procedure itself corresponds to conventional surgery. The specimen is removed through the axillary trocar. RESULTS: Twenty-six female patients underwent thyroid resection using the ABBA technique. Subtotal resection was performed in 24. Mean operation times were 111 min (unilateral) and 187 min (bilateral). In none of these cases was conversion necessary. One transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and one paresis of the arm plexus were found postoperatively. CONCLUSION: In selected patients the ABBA technique is feasible and safe with the mandatory radicalness. The primary aim of this method is the cosmetic result.     

Endoprothesenlockerungen

The life time of hip endoprostheses is in part limited by aseptic loosening. The aim of this study was to produce a digital system for recording shaft loosening in such endoprostheses using acceleration sensors. Four identical prosthetic shafts were each set with 3.2-axial acceleration sensors and placed in artificial femurs. In order to simulate a firm fit, one prosthesis was fixed with bone cement; a loose fit was fixed with a surrounding silicon shell 0.5 mm thick. Simulation of the transition from firm to loose in the other two prostheses was attained by the distal 2/3 or 1/3 being cemented, with the rest surrounded by a silicone shell. A weak oscillation was initiated via a damped falling weight. Using a fast Fourier transformation it was possible to make a global evaluation of the measurement curves. A wavelet transformation could be used to differentiate firm or loose prostheses. A third order Daubechies filter recognized the deviation in the main oscillation, made visible by an increase in amplitude. The results encourage the development of an implantable, telemetrically functioning total system which would allow digital quality assurance when integrated into the endoprosthesis.     

Vom Konzept zur Praxis – Aktuelles in der Luftrettung

The 2006, annual meeting of the senior physicians and emergency medical technicians of the German Air Rescue Service (Deutschen Rettungsflugwacht, DRF) was titled “From Concept to Practice”. The themes of security in the air rescue services and the current practice of cardiopulmonary respiration were discussed. In addition, different concepts and networks for treating patients with acute coronary syndrome or severe trauma were presented. The training of emergency technicians and quality assessment using the database of the whole TeamDRF was explained. New helicopter stations as well as long-range transport using normal aviation by the TeamDRF were presented.     

HBV-DNA sequences are rarely detected in the liver of patients with HBsAg-negative chronic active liver disease and with hepatocellular carcinoma in Italy

Hepatitis B virus sequences were studied by molecular hybridization in liver biopsies from patients with HBsAg-negative chronic liver disease or hepatocellular carcinoma, collected in Italy. Among the 42 patients with chronic liver disease who had no history of drug addiction, alcohol abuse nor evidence of metabolic and autoimmune disorders, only two (5%) had HBV-DNA sequences in the liver, although 23 of them (57%) were positive for antibodies to HBV in serum. HBV-DNA was also demonstrated in integrated form in the tumorous tissue of one out of eight cases with HBsAg-negative hepatocellular carcinoma. These incidences of HBV-DNA positivity in the liver are lower than those reported from other Mediterranean areas and similar to those of North Europe, United States and Japan, suggesting that etiologic factors other than HBV are responsible for the majority of HBsAg-negative chronic liver diseases in our region.     

Psychosoziale Rehabilitation von Kindern und Jugendlichen mit körperlicher und/oder psychischer Erkrankung

The guidelines regarding medical rehabilitation have changed. When applying for medical rehabilitation, the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) must be used for young adults with somatic and/or psychiatric diseases. The ICF is an appropriate tool to assess the outcome of rehabilitation in children and adolescents. Nowadays the ICF is used in rehabilitation hospitals; in former times the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) was used. The different criteria of the ICF such as personal factors, environmental factors, body function and structure (impairment), activities (limitation) and participation (restriction) are explained. A case report is presented which shows the outcome of rehabilitation according to FIM and ICF in graphic form.     

Notfälle bei extrapyramidalen Erkrankungen

Zusammenfassung Extrapyramidalen Störungen liegen zwar meist chronische Erkrankungen zugrunde, jedoch kommt es unter Umständen auch zum akuten Auftreten oder zu einer dramatischen Verschlechterung bis hin zu lebensbedrohlichen Zuständen. So kann ein Infekt, Medikamentenentzug oder eine Exikkose bei Parkinson-Patienten eine akinetische Krise auslösen. Auch akute, therapieassoziierte Psychosen mit Halluzinationen, Verwirrtheits- und Unruhezuständen können beim Parkinson-Patienten eine Notfallbehandlung erforderlich machen. Akute medikamenteninduzierte Dystonien treten nach einer Latenz von Stunden bis Tagen nach der Therapie mit Neuroleptika auf. Diese Frühdyskinesien können mit i.v.-Gabe von Anticholinergika effektiv behandelt werden. Seltene Folge einer Neuroleptikatherapie ist das maligne neuroleptische Syndrom, das mit Hyperthermie, Rigor und Bewusstseinsveränderungen einhergeht und zur kardiopulmonalen Dekompensation führen kann. Auch hier ist eine rasche Diagnosestellung entscheidend.     

Schlaganfallverbund Essen

Modern stroke care is now comparable to the care for cardiac ischemia. Although there are 100 stroke units in Germany, only a few patients can be treated with all the options available with evidence-based medicine. The stroke network in Essen is based on a concept, which optimizes all elements of stroke care, from the acute onset to rehabilitation. The Essen manual on stroke summarizes all results of the local round table talks. Logistics for acute situations, recommendations for prehospital care, and requirements at admission are explained in detail. With networks for stroke, patient care can be optimized and costs can be saved.