Biomedical subjects

B Lang

Publications and source records attributed to B Lang.

240 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

[Role of hormonal receptors in the regulation of the corpus luteum (author's transl)].

Recent publications dealing with the hormonal regulation of the corpus luteum function have been reviewed. Hormones involved in this regulation are: LH and placental analogue hCG, FSH, prolactin and placental analogue hPL, prostaglandins, oestradiol and androgens. The hormone receptor interaction in the luteal cells and the role of each hormone in the modulation of the cell responsiveness has been reviewed.

Androgens↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The HLA system and rheumatoid arthritis].

Recent developments in molecular biology allow a more detailed description of and insight into the interaction between T-cell receptor, antigen/peptide, and MHC gene products. These advances also provide a better approach to understanding the molecular genetics of susceptibility to certain diseases. This review tries to interpret MHC structure/function relationships, using rheumatoid arthritis as a paradigm. The following aspects are of special importance: Most likely MHC class-II gene products are directly involved in the pathogenic process and are not only to be considered as "markers". Susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis is not associated with a single serologically defined HLA-specificity (e.g., HLA-DR4). However, there is substantial evidence that shared functional epitopes on different MHC molecules (e.g., HLA-DR1 and HLA-DR4 subtypes) confer risk for rheumatoid arthritis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Spontaneous pneumoperitoneum in progressive systemic sclerosis (generalized scleroderma)].

In a twenty-nine year old female patient with progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) (PSS) and an impressing involvement of the intestine (disturbance of the oesophageal motility, pseudo-obstruction, malabsorption) a spontaneous, asymptomatic pneumoperitoneum is observed. Perforation or pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) could not be proved. The possible pathogenesis, course, prognosis and therapy of this rare complication are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Pfeifer-Weber-Christian panniculitis (PWCP). Description of a case and review of the literature].

We report on a case of Pfeifer-Weber-Christian panniculitis (PWCP) in a 40 year old woman. PWCP is a rare inflammatory disorder of the subcutaneous fatty tissue. It is characterized by painful relapsing, subcutaneous nodules occurring preferentially at the upper arm, thigh and trunk regions. The disease is often accompanied by recurrent temperatures and constitutional symptoms. The clinical course of our patient had already lasted for four years when we saw her for the first time. Besides local panniculitis of the arms and the trunk she suffered from recurrent temperatures. Antibiotics and/or antiinflammatory therapy failed to control the disease. Laboratory tests and chest X-ray did not reveal noteworthy pathological results. PWCP was proven histologically and distinguished from other soft tissue disorders. The findings are discussed in the context of previous reports. The etiopathology of PWCP remains unclear and a specific therapy still awaits introduction.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Anti-Jo-1 antibodies: specific autoantibodies for polymyositis with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. 2 case reports].

Anti-Jo-1 antibodies are rare autoantibodies, which bind and inhibit the activity of histidyl-tRNA-synthetase. They are predominantly found in a genetically and clinically distinct subset of myositis patients, presenting with interstitial alveolitis. We describe the case of a 22-year-old woman with Jo-1-syndrome with typical features of myositis, pulmonary fibrosis, nonerosive symmetric polyarthritis, Gottron's papules at the metacarpophalangeal joints and classic heliotrope discoloration of the periorbital area with edema. The patient did not respond to chloroquine, azathioprine, intravenous immunoglobulins or cyclophosphamide. Remission was finally achieved with oral methotrexate plus corticosteroids. The second case describes a 34-year-old man with myositis, who rapidly developed respiratory insufficiency after suffering from joint pain and stiffness for about 10 weeks. He responded well to cyclophosphamide pulse therapy and high-dose corticosteroids. The second case demonstrates that control of the interstitial alveolitis is most important for long-term outcome. Therefore, immunosuppressive drugs should be used along with corticosteroids as early as possible.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Chronic recurrent polychondritis].

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a recurrent, chronic und rare disease of unknown etiology, characterized by inflammation of cartilaginous structures of the ears, nose, respiratory tract and joints. The association with HLA-DR4 and the occurrence of antibodies to type-II collagen and other autoantibodies suggest that an immunologic mechanism is involved in its pathogenesis. In about 30% of occurrences RP is associated with other rheumatic or autoimmune diseases. Ocular inflammation, involvement of the cardiovascular system, skin, central nervous system and audiovestibular organ are most probably caused by vasculitis. The course of RP is variable. Severity and outcome primarily depend on the occurrence of associated autoimmune diseases and vasculitis. According to the activity and systemic manifestations, medical treatment includes nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, corticosteroids and cytotoxic agents.

Autoantibodies↗