Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Berger

Publications and source records attributed to G Berger.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

The infant's pre-tympanic region of the eustachian tube in health and disease.

The size of the eustachian tube lumen of the pre-tympanic segment in infants and children from birth up to two years is presented. The material consisted of serially sectioned 28 eustachian tubes of normal temporal bones and 13 eustachian tubes of temporal bones harboring acute and secretory otitis media. The size of the eustachian tube lumen was measured with the aid of a millimetric grid mounted on a microscope. These measurements have shown that: there is no increase in the lumen size of the pre-tympanic region of the auditory tube from birth to two years of age. Each age group presents a considerable range in luminal size, compatible with a natural biological distribution. No obstruction of the eustachian tube lumen was encountered in any of the pathological specimens. There is no significant statistical difference between the lumen size of the pre-tympanic region coming from normal temporal bones as compared to those from temporal bones with acute or secretory otitis media.

Acute Disease↗

Female genital tract and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: an immunohistochemical study.

Systematic detection of endocrine cells was performed in two genital tracts from patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS). These tissues proved to be particularly rich in endocrine cells. The specialized cells were distributed in the cervix and fallopian tubes. In the cervix, they were confined to remarkable mucinous tumors related to "adenoma malignum." Serotonin, somatostatin, gastrin, and pancreatic polypeptide immunoreactive cells were characterized. In fallopian tubes, serotonin-storing cells and somatostatin cells were detected respectively among normal-appearing and mucinous areas of tubal epithelium; in addition, serotonin-storing cells were found in many mesonephric rests. This strongly contrasts with the usual paucity of endocrine cells in the female genital tract. However, none of the findings mentioned was really specific of PJS. In particular, endocrine cells seem to be an integral constituent of adenoma malignum, with or without PJS. These findings suggest a disturbance of tissular differentiation.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Endocrine cells in the female genital tract.

Endocrine cells are normal inhabitants of the para-urethral, Bartholin's and endocervical glands and of mesonephric rests. All these cells were characterized as serotonin-storing cells. In the para-urethral and Bartholin's glands, serotonin-containing cells were most often found in the transitional epithelium of excretory ducts. Endocrine cells participated in some pathological conditions. Abundant argentaffin cells were observed among the terminal ductules in chronic bartholinitis and serotonin-storing cells were identified in a peculiar ectocervical epithelium. Numerous serotonin-storing cells were detected in a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma of cervix occurring in a patient with the Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Argyrophilic cells were present in cases of endometrial carcinomas; a striking feature was the demonstration of gut peptide hormones in an unusual type of endometrial adenocarcinoma. Finally, serotonin-storing cells were a constituent of Brenner tumours. It is suggested that a similar endocrine pattern may be shared by tissues originating from both Müllerian ducts and the urogenital sinus.

Bartholin's Glands↗

Specular reflector noise: effect and correction for in vivo attenuation estimation.

After reviewing the usual models proposed for the echographic response of soft tissues, we discuss the interaction between the ultrasonic wave and large size obstacles. Structures of this size, specular reflectors, can be found in tissues. The influence of such reflectors on in vivo attenuation measurements is detailed. We point out the importance of the specular echo noise originating from two kinds of reflectors: plane-like and vessel-like reflectors. We present a complete study of their influence on two different algorithms for attenuation estimates: the spectral centroid shift and the narrow band methods. Results are presented on stimulated data, a tissue-mimicking phantom and in vivo muscle data. Different procedures for minimizing the specular echo noise are also discussed.

Humans↗

Histopathology of the temporal bone in osteogenesis imperfecta congenita: a report of 5 cases.

The histopathologic findings in 8 temporal bones from 5 patients with osteogenesis imperfecta congenita are reported. The otic capsule, bony walls of middle ear, and ossicles showed evidence of both deficient and abnormal ossification. Microfractures were found in the otic capsule and in the anterior process and handle of the malleus, in addition to their common location at the crura of the stapes. The cochlear and vestibular end-organs appeared normal. Pathologic changes compatible with otosclerosis were not seen. The possible implication of these changes on hearing and balance is discussed.

Ear, Inner↗

Light and electron microscope localization of G-17- and G-34-like immunoreactivities of human gastrinomas.

Gastrin- 17 (G-17) and gastrin-34-like immunoreactivities of human gastrinoma cells were investigated at light and electron microscope level using N-terminally directed antisera. The procedure includes (a) the 24 hr/immunoperoxidase staining of Bouin-fixed paraffin embedded tissues, (b) the immunoelectron microscopic labelling of aldehyde-fixed Epon-embedded tissues according to the immunogold technique. On light microscopy, a variable number of tumor cells stained for G-34. In contrast, G-17 immunoreactivity was very low or undetectable in the tumor material, although it was easily detected in endocrine cells of similarly processed human pyloric mucosa. On electron microscopy, most of the tumor cell granules belonging to the round compact or dense-cored type exhibited a variable labelling for G-34, whereas the vacuolar/floccular type remained unlabelled. In contrast, the labelling for G-17 occurred over most of the tumor cell granules, whether compact or floccular. Dense granules of varying size and shape, previously shown to store C-terminal gastrin immunoreactivity, were only faintly labelled by the two antisera. When compared to the labelling pattern of human pyloric G-cells, the predominance of round dense granules with G-34 and G-17 immunoreactivity in gastrinoma cells suggests an incomplete or defective post-translational processing of the precursor peptide.

Colloids↗

[Immunodetection of gastrin-like peptides in routine electron microscopy by the "immunogold" method].

The present immunoelectron microscopic study was carried out in order to evaluate the influence of several technical parameters of the immunogold staining procedure on the labelling intensity of gastrin-storing cells in normal and pathological states. Ultra-thin sections of double-fixed Epon embedded human pyloric mucosa were immunolabelled using a C-terminal directed antigastrin serum, followed by colloidal gold linked immunoglobulins. When the labelling density occurring over the endocrine secretory granules was quantitatively evaluated, the following conclusions could be drawn: the density increased dramatically when particles of decreasing diameter (40 nm, 20 nm, 10 nm) were comparatively used, the dilution of the primary antiserum had to be adjusted in order to obtain an intense specific labelling together with a negligible background (non specific) labelling. However, a long incubation time of the primary antiserum, as well as the use of etching procedures, resulted in an increase of the labelling density when a highly diluted antiserum was applied. Subsequent attempts to immunolabel ultrathin sections of gastrin-secreting malignant tumours showed that the goal could be achieved on tissues routinely processed for electron microscopy, provide the previous parameters were carefully selected according to the control G cell model.

Cytoplasmic Granules↗

Radiation effects on the external auditory canal.

Radiation is used to treat many head and neck tumors, and of necessity the temporal bone is sometimes included in the paths of radiation. We studied the histopathology of the external auditory canal in 13 temporal bones from 10 patients who had undergone irradiation for head and neck tumors. The pathologic changes noted could be divided into: bony changes, and soft tissue changes. Bony changes manifested were those of resorption, fibrosis, empty lacunae, and sequestration. There were five soft tissue changes: the formation of a secondary cholesteatoma, ulceration of the lining epithelium with resorption of the underlying bone, thickened epithelium in the canal as well as in the tympanic membrane, subepithelial fibrosis, and atrophic ceruminous glands. Clinically these changes can be manifested as a persistent otitis externa, with otorrhea and otalgia.

Adult↗

Primary subglottic carcinoma masquerading clinically as T1 glottic carcinoma--a report of nine cases.

In a clinical and pathological study of patients who had failed radiotherapy for T1 glottic carcinoma, nine patients were encountered who presented with hoarseness, and were considered clinically to have glottic carcinoma at an early stage. Whole organ sections of the laryngectomy specimens showed them to be tumors arising in the subglottic region with involvement of the vocal cord as a late manifestation of their disease. The clinical and pathological features of these nine patients and their tumors are discussed with emphasis on how the diagnosis may be made prior to embarking upon therapy.

Adult↗

Multihormonal carcinoid tumor of the pancreas. Secreting growth hormone-releasing factor as a cause of acromegaly.

This report describes the histologic, immunocytochemical, and ultrastructural study of a multihormonal carcinoid tumor of the pancreas, secreting a growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) which provoked acromegaly. The patient presented a nonfamilial multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 1. The absence of radiologic signs of a pituitary adenoma in conjunction with elevated plasma levels of pancreatic polypeptide, glucagon, somatostatin, as well as growth hormone (GH), led to the discovery of the tumor. Its surgical excision produced a rapid disappearance of most of the clinical and biologic disorders. No immunoreactive GH was found in the tumor using radioimmunoassay and immunocytochemistry. In contrast, three peptides with GH-releasing activity were extracted and characterized. Immunocytochemistry showed that the GRF-reactive cells, together with rare somatostatin-storing cells, made up areas which demonstrated a medullary pattern of growth with extracellular amyloid deposits. Under electron microscopic examination, actively secreting cells were observed which carried endocrine granules of 100 to 150 nm in diameter. The other regions of the tumor presented a different type of growth and were composed of pancreatic polypeptide-, glucagon-, or somatostatin-reacting cells. Cells immunostained with antisera raised against beta-endorphin were also noted. These data suggest that GRF may be a new biologic marker for pancreatic endocrine tumors.

Acromegaly↗

HPLC purification of a biologically active membrane protein: the reaction center from photosynthetic bacteria.

Reaction centers from Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides R 26 have been isolated from a crude extract obtained by lauryldimethylamine oxide extraction of chromatophore membranes, by HPLC using a combination of surface-mediated and size exclusion chromatography. The eluted RCs exhibit a normal activity (t 1/2 of the back-reaction is 70 ms) and are recovered in good yield (over 50% based on the activity) and purity (based on the A 280 nm/A 800 nm = 1.30 +/- 0.05 ratio and the characteristic 3 polypeptides SDS-PAGE pattern). The elution time (5-10 mn) is about two orders of magnitude faster than for the classical purification techniques.

Bacterial Proteins↗

The pathologic features of keratosis obturans and cholesteatoma of the external auditory canal.

The presence of a keratin plug occluding the deep external auditory canal was first noted and documented in the 19th century. It has subsequently been proposed that two different diseases can be responsible for the presence of this type of obstruction within the deep meatus: keratosis obturans and external auditory canal cholesteatoma. Keratosis obturans is characterized by a dense plug of keratin debris located primarily within the deep meatus. There is an associated hyperplasia of the underlying epithelium and evidence of chronic inflammation within the subepithelial tissue. There is no evidence of erosion or necrosis of the underlying bone. In external auditory canal cholesteatoma the significant finding is extensive erosion of the bony external auditory canal by a wide-mouthed sac, lined with stratified squamous keratinizing epithelium, that arises lateral to the tympanic membrane and is located in the inferior portion of the bony external canal. There is frequently evidence of sequestration of the underlying bone.

Aged↗

llC labelling of a protein: concanavalin A.

A method is described for the 11C labelling of a phytoagglutinin, concanavalin A, involving reductive methylation by formaldehyde and sodium cyanoborohydride. The reaction mixture is then chromatographed by gel permeation. The quantities (20-80 mCi) and specific activities (20-170 mCi/mg) obtained are such that a practical application of the method is possible. No evidence was found, however, of any preferential uptake of concanavalin A by Krebs II ascite cells in Swiss mice.

Animals↗

Alcohol-induced salivary hyperamylasemia.

The effects of alcohol intoxication on serum amylase levels were tested in both normal subjects and chronic alcoholics. Paired samples of ethanol levels and isoamylase levels in the normal subjects (n = 11) showed a rise in both total serum amylase (P less than 0.01) and nonpancreatic isoamylase (P less than 0.05) after drinking. Unpaired cohort groups of sober chronic alcoholics at a rehabilitation facility (n = 46) and intoxicated chronic alcoholics in an emergency room (n = 58) were also compared. Average blood alcohol levels in the intoxicated controls were 93 mg% compared to a level of 301 mg% in the intoxicated chronic alcoholic. Intoxication superimposed on chronic alcoholism caused a moderate rise in the total serum amylase (NS) and a significant elevation of the nonpancreatic isoamylase (P less than 0.01). Sober chronic alcoholics had a significantly greater average total serum amylase (P less than 0.001) and nonpancreatic isoamylase (P less than 0.01) than the normal controls. No difference in the average pancreatic isoamylase levels was seen in any group. These data suggest a biphasic response to alcohol on the serum amylase level. Acute and chronic changes appear to operate independently. The cause for these effects is speculative. Isoamylase analysis is needed in the alcoholic population to sort out the meaning of hyperamylasemia.

Abdomen↗

Adhesion, spreading and growth of animal cells on the surface of glass ceramic Ap40--a contribution to the cell compatibility of dental permanent hard tissue implants.

Cells of different cell lines on the surface of glass ceramic Ap40 responded in the manner of reversible vacuolization in the cytoplasm. Whereas the eluate of bulk glass ceramic did not produce toxic effect on cell populations in vitro, the eluate of pulverized glass ceramic Ap40 caused a toxic reaction, the effect being dependent on concentration and incubation time. Although cell attachment, spreading and proliferation of fibroblast-like and epithel-like cells on glass ceramic surfaces are delayed when compared to glass and polystyrene the cells are adhering to a confluent monolayer.

Animals↗

[Anterior capsulotomy using a diathermy cutter. Experimental principles (1)].

In experimental studies a new method for anterior capsulotomy of the crystalline lens was developed. The anterior lens capsule can be cut by diathermy in such a manner that this action can be reproduced. The effects of current are illustrated by means of light-microscopic sections, which are also helpful in estimating the degree of surgical trauma. Advantages of the new method are outlined and discussed, with references to other publications.

Animals↗