Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Huber

Publications and source records attributed to C Huber.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Lens implantation combined with trabeculectomy.

The results in seventeen cases of combined trabeculectomy and posterior lens implantation after extracapsular surgery are presented with a follow-up of three to 17 months. The mean reduction of intraocular pressure was 13 mmHg. There was no relationship between the histological localisation of the filter site and the effectiveness of the operation. As the postoperative inflammation is increased as compared to simple lens implantations, a combined operation is only indicated where no alternative to a filtering operation is possible. The use of an iris suture after iridotomy will prevent a later retraction of the iridectomy limbs.

Follow-Up Studies↗
PubMed1985

Effects of human recombinant alpha 2 arg-interferon and gamma-interferon on human breast cancer cell lines: dissociation of antiproliferative activity and induction of HLA-DR antigen expression.

Human recombinant gamma-interferon (rhu-IFN-gamma) and human recombinant alpha-interferon (rhu-IFN-alpha 2 arg) with a chemical purity of over 95% were compared for their antiproliferative and HLA-DR-inducing activity in five human breast cancer cell lines (BT 20, ZR 75.1, MCF 7, 734B, Hs578T). Cytostatic effects on tumor cells were evaluated in monolayer cultures. HLA-DR antigen expression was examined by an indirect immunofluorescence technique using two different anti-HLA-DR monoclonal antibodies (anti-HLA-DR, VID-1) against framework determinants. rhu-IFN-gamma and rhu-IFN-alpha 2 arg differed in their antiproliferative efficiency in terms of both dose dependency and the spectrum of sensitive target cells. Combinations of rhu-IFN-gamma and rhu-IFN-alpha 2 always resulted in higher cytostatic effects. HLA-DR expression was exclusively inducible by rhu-IFN-gamma and did not correspond to its antiproliferative activity. Furthermore, HLA-DR expression did not depend on proliferation but did require intact RNA and protein syntheses as shown by inhibition with cycloheximide and actinomycin D. HLA-DR antigen expression in mammary cancer lines was dependent on time, dose, and the continued presence of rhu-IFN-gamma. Thus, our data suggest that in particular combinations type I and type II interferons might be useful in the treatment of breast cancer because they provide effective cytostatic and cell membrane-modulating properties.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1984

Immune response-associated production of neopterin. Release from macrophages primarily under control of interferon-gamma.

Neopterin, a compound derived from GTP, represents a precursor molecule of biopterin that is an essential cofactor in neurotransmitter synthesis. We have recently reported that in vivo as well as in vitro immune responses are accompanied by an increased release of neopterin and that this phenomenon can be used for the biochemical monitoring of diseases accompanied by hyperimmune stimulation. This article deals with the cellular origin and the control of this immune response-associated neopterin release in vitro. Using highly purified or monoclonal cellular reagents we demonstrate that macrophages (M phi) stimulated with supernatants from activated T cells release large amounts of neopterin into culture supernatants. Further experiments involving induction of neopterin release from M phi with various human recombinant interferons (IFNs) or neutralization of the effect of T cell supernatants with various monoclonal anti-IFN antibodies revealed immune IFN as the active principle. It thus appears that a metabolic pathway so far exclusively known in context with the generation of an essential cofactor of neurotransmitter-synthesis during immune responses is also activated in M phi under stringent control by immune IFN-like lymphokines.

Biopterins↗
PubMed1984

[The first case of AIDS in the Tyrol].

This case report deals with a description of the first case of AIDS in Tirol. Our patient was an intravenous drug abuser and presented with both opportunistic infections (candidiasis, interstitial pneumonia due to Pneumocystis carinii) and with Kaposi's sarcoma. He died within 4 weeks as a result of staphylococcal septicaemia refractory to intensive chemotherapy.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1984

[Value of preventive immunoglobulin administration in cadaveric kidney transplantation].

Transplant recipients have a high risk of infection, especially during the early postoperative period, due to impaired immune responsiveness. In a prospective randomized trial comprising 50 consecutive renal allograft recipients, a study was undertaken of the impact of prophylactic administration of immunoglobulins (Intragam) on the rate of infection. Similar numbers of infections were observed in both groups. They predominantly affected the lungs or the lower urinary tract. An unexpected result revealed by the study was that only 17 out of 25 patients of the immunoglobulin group, in comparison with 22 out of 25 of the control group were discharged with a functioning graft. It thus appears that the prophylactic administration of immunoglobulins to asymptomatic allograft recipients is not only useless, but probably also dangerous.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Neopterin, a new biochemical marker for clinical assessment of cell-mediated immune response].

Activated T-lymphocytes represent crucial effector cells. They are pathogenetically involved into various disease states such as allograft rejection or viral infection. So far their assessment is laborious and rarely possible in clinical routine. In this review article we present the compount neopterin as a new biochemical marker for the in vivo and in vitro detection of activated T-lymphocytes. Our main finding was that in vitro as well as in vivo stimulation of T-lymphocytes with foreign and chemically or virally modified autologous cells in invariably associated with increased neopterin production. It thus appeared that neopterin might represent a potential marker for biochemical monitoring of diseases caused by or associated with T-lymphocyte activation. Our clinical experience with neopterin determination in allograft rejection and in infectious or autoimmune states strongly support this view. We conclude that evaluation of neopterin represents a useful and simple tool for the biochemical monitoring of immunological and/or malignant states.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

The gray iris syndrome. An iatrogenic form of pigmentary glaucoma.

An excessive trauma of the iris at the time of lens implantation in the posterior chamber can lead to a change in color of a blue iris because of a diffuse pigmentary dispersion syndrome and possibly a pigmentary glaucoma. The clinical signs of the syndrome are illustrated and the possible causes and preventions of this surgical complication are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

Neopterin as a new biochemical marker in the clinical monitoring of bone marrow transplant recipients.

In previous reports we demonstrated that increased amounts of the pyrazinopyrimidine compound neopterin are released in the context of T lymphocyte activation. The aim of this investigation was twofold: (1) to define the contribution of hemopoetic cells to neopterin excretion, and (2) to search for the clinical utility of this biochemical marker in the monitoring of such patients. Thirteen patients were grafted with allogeneic, 1 with syngeneic, and 2 with autologous marrow. Urinary neopterin excretion was measured daily by means of high-performance liquid chromatography from the time before transplantation until the patients' discharge from the isolation unit. In all patients bone marrow aplasia was associated with depressed, and engraftment with increased, neopterin values. Rising neopterin levels invariably preceded the cytological definition of "take," on the average by seven days. After hematological reconstitution, neopterin excretion continuously declined in all 5 patients lacking infectious complications and/o-graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). A transitory increase of urinary neopterin followed by normalization was observed in 5 further patients. At the time of increased neopterin excretion, 4 experienced either herpetic infection or GVHD, both of which resolved promptly under the appropriate treatment. Neopterin values remained elevated after engraftment in 6 patients who suffered from persistent GVHD. Results of this pilot study suggest that (1) bone marrow derived cells are crucially involved in production of neopterin in vivo and (2) evaluation of neopterin excretion patterns after hemopoietic reconstitution enables one to discriminate between patients with and without an increased risk of developing GVHD or viral disease.

Biopterins↗
PubMed1984

Human large granular lymphocytes and their relationship to natural killer cell activity in various disease states.

This study investigated the numbers of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) and their relationship to natural killer (NK) function, as assessed by their capacity to lyse the human tumor target, K562. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 42 normal controls and from 171 patients suffering from various nonmalignant or malignant diseases were evaluated. Also studied were samples from a patient undergoing autologous bone marrow reconstitution following total body irradiation. Results suggested the existence of a close relationship between the numbers of LGL and the capacity to lyse K562 targets, further supporting the view that LGL are crucial effector cells mediating NK lysis. In certain diseases, such as malignant states, functional capacity was not simply determined by the numbers of LGL. Here preferential reduction of the capacity to lyse K562 targets was observed, indicating that additional limiting factors are involved in the determination of the cytotoxic potential. Based on the relationship between LGL and natural immune functions, as well as on the identification of leukemias affecting this cell type, we would recommend their evaluation on a large scale clinical basis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

The relationship of HNK-1 (Leu 7) and VEP13 antigens on human cells mediating natural killing.

The NK cell associated antigens defined by the two monoclonal antibodies, HNK-1 (anti-Leu 7) and VEP13, were investigated for their mutual expression on peripheral blood lymphocytes of healthy donors. In double labelling experiments only 6 +/- 3.9% of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were found to carry both markers. When VEP13+ cells were enriched by rosette formation using VEP13 coated ox red blood cells all the NK activity was recovered in the VEP13+ cell preparation, whereas the VEP13- subset was devoid of it, despite of the fact that there was a remainder (7-13%) of HNK-1+ cells. These VEP13- HNK-1+ cells were found to also bear the T3 antigen but lack the M1 antigen. Thirty-eight to sixty-eight per cent of VEP13+ enriched cell population expressed the HNK-1 antigen too. When these cells were further separated into HNK-1+ and HNK-1- cells by means of the FACS thus yielding the VEP13+ HNK-1+ and VEP13+HNK-1- subsets, it could be demonstrated that both populations were able to mediate natural killing against K-562 target cells thus indicating existence of an HNK-1- natural killer cell population. Investigating lymphocytes from a patient suffering from a leukaemia in which 75% of cells were of LGL morphology, 32% of cells were found to be HNK-1+ while 76% of cells were shown to bear the VEP13 antigen, thus revealing a similar phenotype as observed in normal individuals. Our results indicate the existence of a HNK-1- VEP13+ natural killer cell population.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1984

Urinary neopterin in the diagnosis and follow-up of neoplasia: a biochemical parameter to detect cell-mediated immune response.

Neopterin is excreted at high levels during disease states challenging the T-lymphocyte-macrophage system. Stimulation of T-lymphocytes in mixed lymphocyte culture in the presence of macrophages is accompanied by raised neopterin levels in the supernatant. Neopterin may therefore be considered a specific indicator of cell-mediated immunity. Pretreatment analysis of patients with hemopoietic (191), urological (82) and gynecological (224) neoplasia revealed neopterin levels above the upper normal limits, with frequencies ranging from 57% (cervical carcinoma) to 96% (chronic lymphocytic leukemia). In patients with tumors of the genitourinary tract or with hemopoietic neoplasms, urinary neopterin levels were correlated with the tumor burden and became normal when remission was achieved. In gynecological cancer long term follow-up studies showed the value of neopterin excretion levels as a tumor marker. Tumor progression was indicated early by a rising neopterin level. Based on a comparison of different tumor types, the association of cell-mediated immunity and of neopterin excretion levels in less differentiated neoplasm is discussed.

Adolescent↗