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Biomedical subjects

F Wierrani

Publications and source records attributed to F Wierrani.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Hypericin--the facts about a controversial agent.

Hypericin is a naturally occurring substance found in the common St. John's Wort (Hypericum species) and can also be synthesized from the anthraquinone derivative emodin. As the main component of Hypericum perforatum, it has traditionally been used throughout the history of folk medicine. In the last three decades, hypericin has also become the subject of intensive biochemical research and is proving to be a multifunctional agent in drug and medicinal applications. Recent studies report antidepressive, antineoplastic, antitumor and antiviral (human immunodeficiency and hepatitis C virus) activities of hypericin; intriguing information even if confirmation of data is incomplete and mechanisms of these activities still remain largely unexplained. In other contemporary studies, screening hypericin for inhibitory effects on various pharmaceutically important enzymes such as MAO (monoaminoxidase), PKC (protein kinase C), dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, reverse transcriptase, telomerase and CYP (cytochrome P450), has yielded results supporting therapeutic potential. Research of hypericin and its effect on GABA-activated (gamma amino butyric acid) currents and NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartat) receptors also indicate the therapeutic potential of this substance whereby new insights in stroke research (apoplexy) are expected. Also in the relatively newly established fields of medical photochemistry and photobiology, intensive research reveals hypericin to be a promising novel therapeutic and diagnostic agent in treatment and detection of cancer (photodynamic activation of free radical production). Hypericin is not new to the research community, but it is achieving a new and promising status as an effective agent in medical diagnostic and therapeutic applications. New, although controversial data, over the recent years dictate further research, re-evaluation and discussion of this substance. Our up-to-date summary of hypericin, its activities and potentials, is aimed to contribute to this process.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Multiple endometrial stromal nodules with sparse cysts and glands in the lung--a nodular variation of endometriosis that may mimic metastases of sarcoma.

We report an unusual case of a nodular variation of pulmonary endometriosis. To our knowledge, there is no previous report on a morphological investigation of this entity. The etiology of this rare condition is still a matter of discussion. The well-circumscribed nodular mass is composed of cells identical to, or closely resembling, those of endometrial stroma containing sparse cysts and glands. Immunohistochemically, the cells showed an extensive co-expression of cytokeratin AE1/AE3 and vimentin and were highly positive for progesterone receptor (PRICA) and estrogen receptor (ERICA). Cells lining the cysts and glands as a monolayer were reactive for Ber-Ep4, cytokeratin Pan and cytokeratin AE1/AE3 and negative to all other markers used including PRICA and ERICA. The differential diagnosis of this entity included fibrous tumor of the pleura and metastatic low-grade-endometrial-stromal-sarcoma. The morphological findings are correlated with immunohistochemical studies and results of cell image analysis. This study details the clinicopathological features of the nodular variation of pulmonary endometriosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

5-aminolevulinic acid-mediated photodynamic therapy of intraepithelial neoplasia and human papillomavirus of the uterine cervix--a new experimental approach.

The aim of this study was to treat patients for ectocervical dysplasia [cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grades 1 and 2] and associated human papilloma virus (HPV) infections with photodynamic therapy (PDT). In 20 patients, 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA, 12% w/v) was applied topically with a cervical cap 8 h prior to illumination. A thermal light source (150 W halogen lamp) emitting a broadband red light (total energy: 100 J/cm2, fluence rate: 90 mW/cm2) was used for superficial illumination of the portio. In addition, an Nd:YAG pumped dye laser (652 nm) was used to illuminate the cervical canal (total energy: 50 J/cm2, fluence rate: 300 mW/cm2). Preliminary results of follow-ups at 1, 3, 6, and 9 months posttherapy showed a cytological improvement in the grading of the PAP smears in 19 patients and the eradication of cervical HPV in 80%. These results demonstrate that ectocervical dysplasia and associated HPV infections can be treated by PDT.

Administration, Intravaginal↗
PubMed1999

[Experimental investigations and clinical use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the Rudolf Foundation Hospital].

This article addresses experimental investigations and the clinical use of PDT in the Rudolfstiftung Hospital, Vienna. We investigated mesotetrahydroxyphenylchlorine (mTHPC) and the photosensitizer hematoporphyrin derivative alone or in combination to prove photodynamic antibacterial effects on Staphylococcus aureus (wild type). mTHPC showed antibacterial toxicity in the dark; hematoporphyrin derivative showed suppressive growth effects only after white-light illumination. Photodynamic activity by the combination of both dyes was obtained in a roughly additive manner. Furthermore, we observed the development of resistance of erythromycin after the illumination procedure with hematoporphyrin derivative. Wild-type S. aureus developed no resistance to the other antibiotics tested. Furthermore, long-term follow-up examinations proved mTHPC-mediated PDT as a possible adjuvant intraoperative therapy in cases of relapses of gynecologic carcinomas. PDT is a tissue-selective and simple intervention. It shows few side effects, and, therefore, it reduces the overall burden of tumor patients. In another clinical investigation, we used 5-aminolevulinic acid-based PDT to treat intraepithelial neoplasia and human papillomavirus of the uterine cervix. 33 of 38 (86,8%) patients with superficial cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades I and II were treated successfully with PDT. Eradication of human papillomavirus infections was successfully performed in 80% of the cases.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Antagonistic effects of combination photosensitization by hypericin, meso-tetrahydroxyphenylchlorin (mTHPC) and photofrin II on Staphylococcus aureus.

Photodynamic therapy involves the application of a photosensitizer activated by visible light to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen. In addition to clinical investigations, in vitro studies concerning photodynamic potency of sensitizers as well as quantification of illumination procedures are necessary. In our investigation, the objective was to evaluate not only the effects of photosensitizer and light on Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, but also to investigate possible synergistic or antagonistic effects of these sensitizers. Therefore, we used hypericin, Photofrin II, porfimer sodium and meso-tetrahydroxyphenylchlorin (mTHPC) alone, as well as in combination. Log-phase cells of S. aureus exhibited a marked sensitivity to white thermal light irradiation in the presence of Photofrin II and mTHPC. However, hypericin caused a rather stimulated growth expressed in increased optical density (OD) and increase of total cell count (TCC) of the culture. Combination sensitization of S. aureus by Photofrin II and mTHPC with hypericin likewise caused a stimulation of bacterial growth. No synergistic effects were obtained by combination of Photofrin II and mTHPC; photoresponse of S. aureus was rather decreased by using combined porphyrins. In comparison, TCC and colony-forming units (CFU) were suppressed in the presence of mTHPC after an illumination procedure as well as in dark reactions. These effects were also obtained in the combination photosensitization by mTHPC and Photofrin II. In the presence the of hypericin, photodynamic effects of mTHPC and Photofrin II were inhibited. It was finally concluded that hypericin in our model is not a proper sensitizer for combination photo-sensitization due to antagonistic effects on photodynamic activity of mTHPC and Photofrin II.

Cell Culture Techniques↗
PubMed1997

Does the in-vitro efficiency of meso-tetrahydroxy-phenyl-chlorin depend on pre-treatment of sensitizer?

The efficiency of a new photosensitizer of the second generation, meso-tetra-hydroxyphenyl-chlorin (mTHPC), which has a strong absorption at 652 nm, was investigated by oxygen consumption measurements and membrane integrity testing. The experiments proved a great increase in the efficiency of mTHPC after preincubation at 37 degrees C for 24 hours. From these findings it can be assumed that tumor cells can be treated in an optimal way with PDT after a longer delay following drug administration.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1997

Elevated serum melatonin levels during human late pregnancy and labour.

Melatonin (MLT) shows an influence on gonadal steroid genesis, and has soporific effects. Serum MLT levels were examined during late pregnancy and 4 days after delivery in 25 women. Circulating levels of melatonin were analysed as integrated values (areas under the curve [AUC]) over 24 hours, 5 to 2 days before and 4 days after delivery. Antepartum AUCs were significantly increased compared with postpartum AUCs. Additionally, MLT levels were measured every 2 hours in a subgroup of 11 women during spontaneous labour between 08.00 and 12.00 h at a time when physiological serum MLT levels were low. Increased MLT levels were determined and compared to MLT levels measured in a previous evaluation of the antepartum AUCs. Elevated serum MLT levels during late-pregnancy and labour may influence the concentration of receptors of gonadal steroids in the gravid uterus at term and the psychic perception of painful uterine contractions during labour.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Clinical effect of meso-tetrahydroxyphenylchlorine based photodynamic therapy in recurrent carcinoma of the ovary: preliminary results.

This article addresses the use of meso-tetrahydroxyphenylchlorin-based photodynamic therapy (m-THPC-PDT) to treat recurrent gynaecologic malignancies of the ovary. Photodynamic therapy is an experimental approach in the treatment of neoplasms and results indicate it is a highly tissue selective, relatively simple intervention with few side effects, therefore reducing the overall burden on the patient. Of the three patients involved in the initial study, two were treated solely with photodynamic therapy by laparoscopy, and one underwent additional palliative debulking surgery of metastatic tumours. After a post-operative period of more than two years all three women remained free of relapses.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1996

[Sarcoma botryoides in the pediatric vagina--a soft tissue sarcoma with good prognosis].

Although rare, sarcoma botryoides of the vagina in infants is a highly aggressive soft tissue tumour. Former opinions suggesting exenterative surgery and radiation to improve the dismal outcome in these young children, are outdated. Due to balanced therapies (topical tumourectomy, chemotherapy and radiation adjusted to tumour stage) cure of these sarcomas may be expected dependent on tumour stage, localisation and response to chemotherapy. The rate of complete remissions has increased in recent years. We report on an eighteen-month old girl with complete remission of tumour stage IIA who had been treated according to the CWS 91 protocol. Diagnosis and treatment were performed in March 1994 at the age of six months. We observed the patient in complete remission for 8 months (till September 1995).

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1996

A new approach to cancer therapy due to appropriate uptake and retention kinetics of meta-tetrahydroxy-phenylchlorin in a human fibroblast cell line.

Studies have shown that meta-tetrahydroxy-phenylchlorin is an efficient tumor targeting agent for laser photodynamic therapy. The effectiveness of this approach for cancer treatment depends on drug concentration, incubation time and extracellular protein. We studied uptake and retention kinetics of mTHPC in a human fibroblast cell line. Our results clearly demonstrate a difference in the amount of extracellular mTHPC at an incubation temperature of 37 degrees C compared to 20 degrees C and 4 degrees C. pH-values were always constant and not responsible for the increase. Furthermore, both absorption and fluorescence of mTHPC increase when incubated at normal human body temperature. Incubation of human fibroblast cells with mTHPC (10 micg/mL) showed that intracellular mTHPC increases in a linear manner reaching saturation after 24 hours and declining until 48 hours with concommitant increase of supernatant mTHPC. Therefore, we believe that tumor cells can be treated optimally with PDT following a delay > 24 hours after drug administration with a minimum of damage to surrounding normal tissues.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1995

The clinical effect of uterine hyperflexion and cervical elongation in cases of pelviscopic hysterectomy.

In a retrospective study of women who had undergone pelviscopic hysterectomies in the last 2 years, we focused on postoperative cyclic spotting. Preoperatively, a regular, cyclic menstruation and a premenopausal sexual hormone constellation were common to all patients. In the first group (n = 29), spotting occurred only in association with two uterine anatomical varieties: uterine hyperflexion and cervical elongation. The second group (n = 18), in which intraoperative internal electrocoagulation of the residual cervical envelope was performed, no spotting occurred despite the presence of uterine hyperflexion and cervical elongation. This procedure prevents the occurrence of postoperative spotting in cases of uterine anatomical varieties.

Electrocoagulation↗
PubMed1994

[Resection of cervical glands in pelviscopic hysterectomy].

A case of pelviscopic hysterectomy with uterine hyperflexion and cervical elongation is presented. In this case we were forced to extirpate the cervical fascia because of uterine hemorrhage by laparotomy after the cervical tissue punch had been performed. The histological findings were supravaginal cervical glands. Complete removal of cervical glandular tissue may be undetermined by hyperflected uteri and cervical elongation.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Pelvic promontory fixation of the vaginal vault in sixty-two patients with prolapse after hysterectomy.

During a 20 year study period from 1969 to 1991, 62 patients underwent abdominal colpopexy between a prolapsed vaginal vault and the cartilage of the promontory. A simple surgical operation technique introduced in 1954 was modified and tested on these women. Hysterectomy, either transabdominal or vaginal, had previously been performed upon all of these patients. In some instances, short lyodura loops were used to suspend the vagina. In all operations, the suspension was covered with peritoneum of the lumbosacral area. Functional and cosmetic results were excellent and urinary stress incontinence could often be improved. It is suggested that this type of procedure is indicated in subtotal and total prolapse of the vagina after hysterectomy in patients who desire to preserve sexual function.

Aged↗