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Biomedical subjects

D Greschuchna

Publications and source records attributed to D Greschuchna.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Identification of glucocorticoid receptors in normal and neoplastic adult human lung.

A dexamethasone-binding protein was detected in cytosol of five normal and three neoplastic lung tissue samples. The apparent dissociation constant of the dexamethasone protein complex ranged from 5.8 to 21 nM (11.4 +/- 5.7 nM for normal tissue cytosol, 12.1 +/- 7.7 nM for the neoplastic tissue cytosol). The binding protein sedimented at 8 S in sucrose density gradient at low ionic strength and showed a high specificity for glucocorticoids. It was concluded that the dexamethasone-binding protein had the characteristics of a glucocorticoid receptor. The glucocorticoid receptor content was determined to be 12-77 fmol/mg protein (37.1 +/- 18.9 fmol/mg protein for the normal tissue cytosol, 51.9 +/- 23.9 fmol/mg protein for the neoplastic tissue cytosol).

Aged↗

Bullectomy.

The aims of this study were to investigate whether a relevant functional improvement before and after bullectomy was achieved in cases of a localized bulla and generalized bullous changes early and late postoperatively and to establish clear criteria for bullectomy. For this purpose, 21 patients with a localized bulla compressing the rest of the lung, and 19 with generalized bullae with emphysematous changes of the remaining lung were examined before and after (1 1/2 months and 1 1/2 years) surgery. Comparison of the preoperative and postoperative data and the follow-up included X-ray studies with planimetric assessment of the size of the bullae, lung function tests, perfusion scintigrams and clinical findings. The preoperative and postoperative statistical values of lung volume and respiratory mechanics showed the most significant differences. Bullectomy for a localized bulla with compression of the rest of the lung led to an improvement in gas exchange and respiratory mechanics. This operation, however, produced no functional improvement in cases of generalized bullous changes. Functional and clinical success is greater, the larger and more delimited the bulla is to be seen on X-ray, the more the healthy lung tissue is compressed, and, finally, the less associated diseases such as chronic bronchitis are present. Indication for bullectomy should be limited to these cases. The size of the bulla should amount to at least 2/3 of the hemithorax, preoperative function should be clearly reduced and the patient should be suffering from dyspnea.

Follow-Up Studies↗

Regional and global lung function in unilateral fibrothorax after conservative therapy and decortication.

Twenty-six patients suffering from unilateral fibrothorax were investigated before surgery or conservative therapy (decortication, n = 15; conservative treatment, n = 11) and followed up after 24.5 and 18.6 months respectively. Global lung function analysis was done by body plethysmography, ventilation and gas exchange analysis and blood-gas analysis under resting and exercise conditions. Regional lung function analysis included the semiquantitative description of fibrothorax by X-ray photos, and ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy. The functional result of unilateral fibrotic pleurisy is restriction which is also persistent after therapy, but to a lesser degree. This restriction is shown in an increased dead space ventilation as well as in ventilatory inhomogeneities, which causes a distortion of respiratory gas exchange. A decrease of compliance of the lung and chest wall is not measurable after therapy. Conservative treatment leads to a functional improvement to the same degree as decortication in cases of severe preoperative functional disturbances of the operated patients. After a course of 1.5 and 2 years respectively, the reference value has not been reached in either group. The regional pattern after therapy is characterized by a restriction and under-perfusion of the formerly affected site. The regional improvement of lung function is independent of the type of therapy, however, it shows a close correlation to the amount of pleurisy prior to therapy. Conservative treatment is the therapy of choice as long as no complications of insufficient recovery impede the course of the illness.

Adult↗

The importance of histological classification and tumor staging for prognosis after resection of bronchial carcinoma.

Between 1962 and 1974, out of 642 patients operated on for bronchial carcinoma, 89% were resected and in 11% of the cases the operation was concluded as an exploratory thoracotomy. If the expansion of the tumor was limited, even undifferentiated carcinoma had a favorable prognosis. After 5 years 53% of the patients with the histological diagnosis of a squamous celll carcinoma, 46% of a small-cell carcinoma and 40% of an undifferentiated medium and large-cell carcinoma were alive, if the tumors belonged to the T1 stage. It is emphasized that strong selective preoperative criteria, including mediastinoscopy, are necessary.

Adenocarcinoma↗