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Biomedical subjects

A Funk

Publications and source records attributed to A Funk.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

PCR-based assays for the detection of monoclonality in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: application to formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue and decalcified bone marrow samples.

In crucial cases the diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) still represents a challenge to the pathologist since morphological criteria do not always help to distinguish between reactive and malignant lymphoproliferations. Clonality assays are a useful supplement since monoclonal cell proliferation is strong evidence for malignancy. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can be utilized to establish the clonal origin of B- or T-cell lymphocyte populations by amplification of rearranged immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor (TCR) genes. In the present study DNA was isolated from a variety of neoplastic and nonneoplastic formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded lymph nodes (n = 62), cutaneous tissue (n = 9), samples of miscellaneous origin (n = 11), and reported here for the first time, decalcified bone marrow samples (n = 35). These samples were submitted to PCR-based assays directed against the immunoglobulin heavy-chain (IgH), immunoglobulin kappa light-chain (IgL kappa), and TCR gamma chain genes. The impact of various decalcifying agents on the ability to amplify DNA was investigated by PCR-based amplification of a single copy gene. Buffered and nonbuffered EDTA was found not to impede amplification of DNA fragments up to 300 bp in length. In lymph node and cutaneous specimens monoclonality was detected in 83% of B-NHL cases using a seminested PCR approach for the amplification of IgH, whereas the same approach gave rise to monoclonal bands in 80% of bone marrow samples. The subsequent amplification of IgL kappa helped to raise the sensitivity of detection to 94%. Monoclonality was detected in seven of nine T-cell NHLs by amplification of TCR gamma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Differential clearance of nitroxide MRI contrast agents from rat cerebral ventricles.

Seven stable nitroxides have been evaluated as contrast agents in MRI studies of the rat cerebroventricular system. Because the contrast enhancement is primarily confined to the cerebral ventricles, nitroxides can be used to examine the ventricular structure. On the other hand, based on the absence of reducing agents in the rat CSF and on the fact that nitroxides can be reduced intracellularly, the relative reduction in contrast subsequent to an intracerebral injection provides information on the relationship of chemical structure to transmembrane flux in vivo. Observed rate constants and rate constants due to reduction have been analyzed quantitatively by modeling the effects of flow with GdDTPA, which is not subject to reduction. Five-membered ring nitroxides, in general, were reduced at much slower rates than six-membered ring nitroxides. The presence of a positive charge in the structure can substantially slow down the transmembrane flux.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Displacement margins and edge contour: informative criteria of tumor dignity in ultrasound mammography].

88 patients with ultrasonically detected breast tumours were examined at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Technical University Aachen (RWTH) in the context of a prospective study. Ultrasonic contour characteristics and marginal zone displacement properties were evaluated with regard to their usefulness as criteria for detecting malignancy. using a highresolution hand-held 10 Mhz scanner. With regard to marginal zone displacement as a sign of benignancy, a sensitivity of 67.6% and specificity of 86.3% were found (positive and negative predictive value reaching 89.3% and 86.3%, respectively). A sensitivity of 84.3% and specificity of 86.5% could be demonstrated when an ill-defined, jagged contour was taken as a sign of malignancy. A well-defined, smooth contour resulted in a sensitivity and specificity of 62.2% and 100%, respectively, when used as criterion for benignancy. No clear indication could be found to support the use of an ill-defined but smooth contour as a sign of benignancy. 56.3% showing the aforementioned characteristic were benign, the rest (43.7%) were malignant neoplasias. The evaluation of ultrasonic contour characteristics and marginal zone displacement properties are hence fundamental criteria to augment other characteristic tumour signs in the ultrasonic diagnosis of breast pathology.

Adenocarcinoma, Scirrhous↗
PubMed1994

Treatment of temporomandibular joint structures by 308-nm excimer laser--an in vitro investigation.

Arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has become a clinically important and increasingly accepted method for diagnosis and treatment of TMJ alteration. This minimally invasive method is clearly limited by the anatomic dimensions of the TMJ. The 308-nm excimer laser has already found clinical applications in angioplasty, ophthalmology, and dentistry. This study aimed to find out whether it is possible to ablate TMJ-related structures under arthroscopic conditions. It also aimed to determine the energy threshold for ablation and the maximum rate of ablation. By histologic investigation of the irradiated tissues, the amount of tissue alteration was determined. TMJ structures of freshly slaughtered pigs served as tissue samples. The 308-nm excimer laser light was guided through optical fibers. The tissue was irradiated under continuous flow of saline solution. The energy threshold for ablation of TMJ structures was found at about 1 J/cm2. The maximum rate of ablation was found at 3-5 micron/pulse, depending on the type of tissue. The amount of tissue alteration varied between 1 and 150 microns. The types of tissue alteration were vacuolization and hyalinization. The results of the investigations described indicate that the 308-nm excimer laser is an ideal tool for TMJ arthroscopic surgery. Unlike other laser systems, it offers a unique combination of minimal tissue alteration, precise tissue ablation, guidability through optical fibers, and good transmission through water. This makes possible endoscopic removal of free bodies, adhesions, exostoses, and appositions in a minimally invasive surgical procedure.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Puerperium after threatened premature labor--positive effects of infection screening by determination of CRP in pregnancy].

Silent intrauterine infection as cause of preterm labour should be recognised early by measuring C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the maternal serum. Ensuing antibiotic therapy may not only cause gestational prolongation, but also has a positive effect on pathology during the puerperal period. Consequently, we examined the rate of infectious puerperal complications of 181 patients who suffered from so-called idiopathic preterm labour. 84 patients showed normal CRP-levels at the onset of tocolysis (< 5 mg/l); an elevated level was found in 97 patients (> 5 mg/l). Patients with elevated CRP-levels and supplemented antibiotic therapy during pregnancy (n = 51) showed significantly fewer symptoms of postpartal endometritis than women with similarly elevated CRP-levels but without antibiotics (n = 46). This effect was not produced when preterm labour was associated with normal CRP-levels. Patients with premature contractions and elevated CRP-values at the onset of tocolysis seem to benefit from the antibiotic therapy during pregnancy because they show reduced infectious complications throughout the puerperal period.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Specific in situ labeling of apoptosis shows different rates of programmed cell death in non-Hodgkin lymphomas].

Two new techniques were used to quantify cell death (i.e. DNA fragmentation) in situ: (1) 3' overhangs of the fragmented DNA were end labelled with biotin-7-dATP and TdT (peroxidase/DAB). (2) In situ nick translation (ISNT) was performed with DNA polymerase 1 and biotin-7-dATP, to label single strand segments of DNA (peroxidase/DAB). Both methods were tested to be negative in ischemic and tumor necrosis, and negative for mitotic figures. In 26 centroblastic Non Hodgkin lymphomas (CB) (monomorphous subtype [n = 9], polymorphous subtype [n = 7], secondary [n = 10]), 14 chronic lymphocytic leukemias and two immunocytomas these methods were employed to quantify the rate of cell death. ISNT proved to be more sensitive than end labelling. By ISNT, CB had a mean cell death rate of 250/10HPF (monomorphous type: 429/10HPF, polymorphous type: 222/10HPF, secondary: 111/10HPF). CLL showed a significantly lower rate (28/10HPF). These data suggest, that the low rate of cell turnover in CLL is indicated by a low rate of cell proliferation and a low rate of programmed cell death. In CB the high proliferation rate was accompanied by a high level of cell death. In CB/monomorphous a high turnover state with a very high proliferation and cell death rate was found, whereas CB/polymorphous represents an expansive state as indicated by a lower rate of cell death. CB/secondary showed almost no programmed cell death and therefore was interpreted as a high expansive state neoplasia.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed1994

[Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the stomach, surgical therapy and prognosis].

In a retrospective study, clinical and histopathologic factors of 41 patients with a primary gastric non-Hodgkin lymphoma were analysed. All patients underwent gastric resection: total gastrectomy in 44%, subtotal in 34% and extended gastric resection in 22% of the patients. In 27% of the cases gastric resection was part of a multimodal therapy. While RO resection was achieved in 80% of the cases, the overall 5-year survival rate was 74%. In a multivariate analysis using the Cox model R0-resection independently improved prognosis, whereas extended gastric resection was associated with a poorer survival rate. As R0-resection should be the aim of every oncologic surgery, preoperative identification of the R0-resectable cases by extended patient evaluation is of great importance.

Combined Modality Therapy↗
PubMed1993

Primary structures of proteinase inhibitors from Phaseolus vulgaris var. nanus (cv. Borlotto).

The primary structures of two trypsin-chymotrypsin inhibitors from Phaseolus vulgaris var. nanus (bush bean, cv. Borlotto), PVI-3(2) und PVI-4, were derived from automated Edman degradation data, amino acid composition and manual Edman degradation results of enzymatic fragments and homology with other Bowman-Birk type proteinase inhibitors. The highest degrees of homology were observed between PVI-3(2) or PVI-4 and the trypsin-chymotrypsin inhibitors from lima beans (LBI I, IV and IV', 86%), black-eyed peas (BTCI, 81%), and, in part, adzuki beans (ABI I, II and II', 74-77%). Similarly, the primary structure of the trypsin-elastase inhibitor from the same source, PVI-3(1), was deduced which showed highest homology with that of the trypsin-elastase inhibitor GBI II from garden beans (92%), followed by GBI II' from garden beans (86%) and C-II from soybeans (71%). In contrast, homology between PVI-3(2) and PVI-4 on the one hand and PVI-3(1) on the other was relatively low (61%).

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Identification of p53 gene mutations in gastrointestinal and pancreatic carcinoids by nonradioisotopic SSCA.

A nonisotopic screening method based on single-strand DNA conformation analysis (SSCA) was established for the identification of p53 gene alterations in achieved tissue samples. The sensitivity of this approach was validated by testing mutations previously identified by direct sequencing. Applying this assay, 40 samples of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumors, including 33 gastrointestinal carcinoids and seven endocrine pancreatic tumors, were screened. Only one mutation (codon 283, CGC to CCC) was identified in a single clinically benign rectal carcinoid. This mutation occurred during the development of the tumor and was accompanied by loss of the wild-type gene. Our data indicate, that, in contrast to gastrointestinal carcinomas, alterations of the p53 gene are infrequent events in the development of gastrointestinal and pancreatic carcinoids. In addition, there was no evidence for the involvement of p53 in the malignant metastatic progression of carcinoids.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1993

[Doppler ultrasound diagnosis in post-term pregnancy].

The capability of Doppler flow velocimetry to predict intrauterine growth retardation is well known. The increased morbidity and mortality rate of postterm newborns is also well known. The aim of our study was to examine if Doppler flow velocimetry is able to indicate foetal jeopardy in the postterm period. Flow velocimetry of the foetal descending aorta, the umbilical artery, the uterine arteries and in 59 cases also the foetal middle cerebral artery was obtained from 167 pregnancies after 40 completed weeks of gestation. We found significant changes of normal values in prolonged pregnancy compared to third trimester normal values, examining the mean velocity of the foetal descending aorta and the S/D-ratio of the umbilical artery. No clinically significant changes were found examining the S/D-ratio of the uterine arteries and the pulsatility index of the foetal middle cerebral artery. Daily examinations of the foetal descending aorta were carried out in 23 and of the umbilical artery in 19 cases during the last four days before delivery, and in 11 cases of the foetal middle cerebral artery during the last three days before delivery. We did not find significant changes in the medians of the mean velocity of the foetal aorta, of the S/D-ratio of the umbilical artery and of the pulsatility index of the foetal middle cerebral artery. Measurement of sensitivity and positive predictive value of the four arteries examined showed, that Doppler ultrasound could not predict small for date infants or Caesarean section because of foetal distress.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aorta↗
PubMed1993

[The echo-dense edge and hyper-reflective spikes: sensitive criteria for malignant processes in breast ultrasound].

At the Department of Gynaecology of the RWTH-Aachen, 110 patients with palpatory and/or mammographic suspect findings were sonographically examined. By using a high resolution 10 MHz-probe with a freely mobile transducer, a new method of differential diagnostic criteria was established, pertaining to the edge of the tumour. The high echogenetic halo and the hyperdense spikes proved to be most important differential diagnostic tools in assessing sonographically suspect tumours.

Adenofibroma↗
PubMed1993

[The value of Doppler ultrasound studies within the scope of obstetric management in unexpected findings in the cardiotocograph].

In a study of 30 cases with moderate or serious foetal heart rate alterations, we examined the influence of Doppler ultrasound on our obstetrical management. Normal results of Doppler umbilical artery flow velocity waveform analysis would allow us in 22 of 24 cases, to continue the pregnancy under usual control. Only in two cases with moderate foetal heart rate alterations, absence of labour and a normal Doppler result, Caesarean section was necessary because of foetal distress. A pathological Doppler result was found in six cases with intrauterine growth retardation. These risks were not known prior to the patients hospitalisation. Surprisingly, we found only moderate foetal heart rate alterations in these cases. Without any further control of the foetal heart rate, we decided to perform Caesarean section immediately after the Doppler investigation. We are of the opinion, that Doppler ultrasound could be very useful in obstetrical management to decide, if the pregnancy must be ended or could possibly be continued in cases of premature birth.

Apgar Score↗
PubMed1993

[Doppler ultrasound studies of breast tumors with the continuous wave technique].

The aim of the study was to ascertain the reliability of continuous-wave Doppler signals in the diagnosis of breast cancer. CW-Doppler findings in a series of 63 cases of palpable breast tumors with histologic confirmation (24 malignancies and 39 benign tumors) are reported. Depending on the parameters used -20 -24 of 24 malignant nodes (83%-100%) and 20 -24 of 39 benign lesions (51%-62%) were correctly identified. Even benign tumors showed significant differences in systolic peak and diastolic frequencies compared to the contralateral breast. The Resistance-Index (RI) did not allow the differentiation of lesions when measured on one side only. Comparing the Resistance-Indices of both breasts helped improving the specificity of CW-Doppler-sonography to 89.7% and the positive predictive value to 73.3%. The CW-Doppler-sonography with the relevant parameters of diastolic and systolic peak frequency and the RI is considered a useful tool in the diagnosis of breast cancer.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Prognostic factors in primary gastric non-Hodgkin's lymphoma--results of uni- and multivariate analysis].

Retrospectively analyzed data of 41 patients with primary gastric non-Hodgkin lymphoma which were all treated by gastric resection are presented with regard to their histopathologic and clinical findings. 87% of the patients were distributed on stage EI and EII (51% high-grade and 49% low-grade lymphoma). R0 resection was achieved in 80% of our cases and in 27% of the cases gastric resection was part of a multimodal therapy. The median follow up of the living patients was 42 months, the overall 5-year survival rate 74%. Tumor stage, extent of surgical resection, histologic grade, tumor site, R0-resection and tumor size showed a significant prognostic influence on survival. The question whether R0 resectable cases benefit from an adjuvant therapy must be answered by further randomized studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Immunoreactivity and expression of amylin in gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumors.

Amylin was isolated from human insulinomas, but there has been only preliminary data regarding whether this peptide can also be detected in other types of gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumors. In the present study, immunohistochemical staining of 87 gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumors demonstrated amylin immunoreactivity in 21.8% of the neoplasmas. Thirteen of 15 insulinomas, three of 21 gastrinomas, two of 29 nonfunctioning tumors, and one of 18 carcinoids were amylin-immunoreactive. Seventeen of the 19 amylin-immunoreactive tumors were primarily located in the pancreas, but two tumors were found in the intestine. Measurements of amylin messenger RNA expression in a few tumors revealed amylin synthesis in these tumors. Amylin immunoreactivity did not correlate with invasion and metastasis. However, the rate of curative resections was significantly higher in amylin-immunoreactive tumors. These results demonstrate for the first time that amylin immunoreactivity is not restricted to insulinomas and can also occur rarely in endocrine tumors of the intestine.

Amyloid↗
PubMed1992

[Telemetric cardiotocography--clinical value and limits of the method in routine monitoring].

Cardiotocography by external telemetry and maternal ambulation has been compared to the usual recording in recumbent position. The visual interpretation extended to several items, such as technical quality, CTG scoring, contractions and foetal activity, which were interpreted for single groups of gestational age and diagnosis. A questionnaire of the patients joined with this study, referring to the acceptance of cardiotocography, definitely voted for the telemetrical method. As to the valuation of the cardiotocograms (CTGs), it was necessary to consider a slight restriction of the undulation of the foetal heart rate by telemetry. Referring to the technical quality of the CTGs, the telemetrical method was inferior in all points while recording in recumbent position. Problems appeared to occur especially with adipose gravidas. In patients with toxaemia, we noticed a tendency to increasing systolic blood pressure combined with growing restriction of foetal undulation by telemetrical recording. The use of external telemetry with maternal ambulation at other diagnostical situations should depend only on technical quality and maternal acceptance of telemetry, since there are no differences with respect to information.

Adolescent↗