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Carmen Pizarro,1,* Neele Herweg-Steffens,1,* Martin Buchenroth,2 Wolfgang Schulte,3 Christian Schaefer,1 Christoph Hammerstingl,1 Nikos Werner,1 Georg Nickenig,1 Dirk Skowasch1 1Department of Internal Medicine II – Cardiology, Pneumology and Angiology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany; 2Department of Pneumology, Johanniter Hospital Bonn, Germany; 3Department of Pneumology, Malteser Hospital Bonn/Rhein-Sieg, Germany *These authors contributed equally to this work Background: In acute exacerbation of COPD, increased plasma levels of cardiac troponin are frequent and associated with increased mortality. Thus, we aimed at prospectively determining the diagnostic value of coronary angiography in patients with exacerbated COPD and concomitantly elevated cardiac troponin. Patients and methods: A total of 88 patients (mean age 72.9±9.2 years, 56.8% male) hospitalized for acute exacerbation of COPD with elevated plasma troponin were included. All patients underwent coronary angiography within 72 hours after hospitalization. Complementary 12-lead electrocardiogram, transthoracic echocardiography, pulmonary function, and angiological testing were performed.Results: Coronary angiography objectified the presence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in 59 patients (67.0%), of whom 34 patients (38.6% of total study population) underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. Among these 34 intervened patients, the vast majority (n=26, 76.5%) had no previously known IHD, whereas only eight out of 34 patients (23.5%) presented an IHD history. Patients requiring coronary intervention showed significantly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (45.8%±13.1% vs 55.1%±13.3%, P=0.01) and a significantly more frequent electrocardiographic ST-segment depression (20.6% vs 7.4%, P=0.01). Neither additional laboratory parameters for inflammation and myocardial injury nor lung functional measurements differed significantly between the groups. Conclusion: Angiographically confirmed IHD that required revascularization occurred in 38.6% of exacerbated COPD patients with elevated cardiac troponin. In this considerable portion of patients, coronary angiography emerged to be of diagnostic and therapeutic value. Keywords: COPD, acute exacerbation, troponin elevation, coronary angiography, ischemic heart disease

We report on the thermal decomposition of uncapped, ultrathin HfO[SUB2] films grown by chemical vapor deposition on SiO[SUB2]/Si(100) substrates. Medium energy ion scattering, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to examine the films after they had been annealed in vacuum to 900-1050°C. Film decomposition is a strong function of the HfO[SUB2] overlayer thickness at a given temperature, but the underlying SiO[SUB2] layer thickness does not significantly affect the thermal stability of the HfO[SUB2] film. Oxygen diffusion in the system was monitored by [SUP16]O/[SUP18]O isotopic labeling methods. Direct evidence of silicide formation is observed upon decomposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated 124 stepped-screw implants (gritblasted and acid-etched surface) placed in 104 patients immediately after tooth extraction or implant explantation and followed between August 1990 and December 1996. Implants of varying diameters and lengths were used to cover a wide range of indications in both the maxilla and mandible; 68% of the implants supported single-tooth replacements. The study parameters included Plaque Index, Gingival Index, probing depth, Periotest values, and peri-implant bone loss. Statistical analysis according to Kaplan-Meier revealed a 97% survival rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defined total deflection of maxillary central incisors was ascertained in the orofacial, direction. The extent of bone atrophy resulting from marginal periodontitis was determined by radiography. Both values were compared with the Periotest value. A correlation and regression analysis demonstrated a significant relationship, such that the Periotest provided accurate information about bone atrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the developmental status after eight years of the first implantation of a Tuebingen implant was undertaken in man. It describes comparative histological studies in animals and humans and suggests indications and contraindications for clinical use. For achieving optimal protection against mechanical strains, every variety of endosseous implant must remain a semi-implant and accompanied by continuing interruption of ectodermal integrity. A circular groove into which the marginal gingival border and its internal epithelial seam can be placed is therefore included in the implant body.

An endosseous implant that should allow osseointegration as well as fixation by connective tissue has been developed. A special surface structure consisting of titanium wire loops on a titanium implant was produced by diffusion bonding. The mechanical properties of this implant are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the highlights of a consensus conference on implantology held on October 18, 1989 in Mainz, West Germany. Implants are described as artificial abutments that are implanted into jaw bones to support crowns and fixed prostheses or to stabilize a prosthesis. The conference addressed several areas in implants including implant materials, the suitability of patients for implementation, and late implementation.

There is considerable evidence that there may be a genetic component contributing to the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Some investigators hypothesize that the disease may be related to a genetic defect located on chromosome 21. There is also some reason to suspect that Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease may have some etiologic factors in common. Certainly, many patients with Parkinson's disease develop dementia. Furthermore, some patients with Alzheimer's disease develop extrapyramidal signs such as involuntary muscle movements; these patients seem to have a different prognosis than other Alzheimer's patients. To accurately evaluate the familial relationships of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, the family histories of 198 patients with clinically diagnosed Alzheimer's disease were compared with the family histories of 198 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. In order to avoid introducing bias into the comparison, Alzheimer's patients with signs of Parkinsonism were excluded from the study. The results indicate that first-degree relatives of an Alzheimer's patient have over three times the relative risk of developing Alzheimer's than do individuals with no first-degree relatives with the disorder. (For purposes of this study, first-degree relative means brother, sister, or parent, since no children of patients in this study have yet developed Alzheimer's disease.) For individuals with two or more first-degree relatives with Alzheimer's disease, the relative risk increases to 40 times that of the control subjects. In keeping with the results of other reports, the familial association is stronger when the age of onset of AD is younger. The relative risk of an individual with a relative developing AD younger than 65 years of age is 7.8, in contrast to a relative risk of 3.3 for those with relatives developing AD at 65 or over. Curiously, there was a strong sex effect in the relationship between AD and Parkinson's disease. Men with relatives with Parkinson's had a relative risk of developing AD of 8.0, while for women, relatives with Parkinson's raised the relative risk to only 1.8. The results suggest not only a strong genetic component to Alzheimer's disease, but also that Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease may have important etiologic features in common. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)