Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to G Berger.
Temperatures were measured with a newly designed bipolar electrode ("Cap-Stamp"). Since the results were satisfactory it was possible to introduce the new method in extracapsular cataract surgery on human. Initial clinical results are reported, the advantages of the new instrument are discussed and the "Cap-Stamp" is compared with conventional instruments.
A bronchial P cell carcinoid, which was negative for all hormones immunocyto chemically tested, showed a globular intracytoplasmic inclusion in almost every cell. The inclusions were not clearly distinguishable using the haematoxylin- eosin- safran procedure; they were best demonstrated with the Masson trichrome stain and the Grimelius technique and were easily detected in 1 micron thick Epon sections as target-like structures. On electron microscopy, they were found to be composed of filamentous aggregates entrapping a few endosecretory granules, which showed degenerative changes. The filaments, 8-10 nm in diameter, lacked any periodicity; they were randomly dispersed in the central area and arranged in broken concentric swirls at the periphery of the inclusions. The globules lacked the tinctorial properties of amyloid, but showed a strong immunostaining for keratin-like proteins. A systematic investigation of 12 APUDomas of bronchial or duodenopancreatic origin, using both light and electron microscopy, identified a few filamentous bodies in one case, a somatostatin cell tumour of ampulla of Vater. In both cases, the structures appeared similar to those previously reported in growth hormone cell pituitary adenomas as well as in a few bronchial or gut carcinoids. Whatever their nature, morphological data suggest that they are related to abnormalities in the secretory function, involving the Golgi apparatus, the endosecretory granules and the microtubular microfilamentous system.
Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical studies in a case of placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) of the uterus were carried out in order to define the nature of the abnormal tissue. By electron microscopy, the large cells, whether mononuclear or syncytial, showed numerous ribosomes, prominent Golgi elements, and abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) filled with granular material. Pseudopods and microvilli were found on the cell surfaces. By immunofluorescence, the well-developed filamentous cytoskeleton proved to be actin-rich. beta-HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) and SP1 (beta 1-specific pregnancy glycoprotein) were detected in only a few tumor cells, whereas most of them stained for HPL (human placental lactogen). The present results show the secretory nature of most of the tumor cells, which resemble the intermediate trophoblast of the placental bed. Together with previous studies, they suggest that a varying spectrum of syncytiotrophoblastic differentiation exists in PSTT. Decidual, myometrial, or histiocytic cells do not seem involved in the histogenesis of the tumor tissue.
The phenomenon of epithelial migration from the tympanic membrane laterally along the external auditory meatus has long been recognized, and the site of keratin desquamation observed. In this study, the surface features of deep canal epithelium have been studied in 14 human temporal bones, and skin removed from 21 human temporal bones has been sectioned and studied by light microscopy. The findings reveal the role of hairs and ceruminous glands in the desquamation of deep canal stratum corneum, and elucidate the migratory mechanism. The formation an distribution of keratin wrinkles and cellular ridges in the external canal are explained.
The distribution of mast cells was studied in normal human middle ear mucoperiosteal lining and in middle ear biopsies of patients with acute and chronic otitis media. The mast cells were identified on the basis of the metachromatic staining for their cytoplasmic granules with Giemsa and toluidine blue. Only a few mast cells located in proximity to blood vessels in the lamina propria underneath the epithelial layer were observed in normal middle ear mucoperiosteum. The number of mast cells in acute inflammatory reactions and in the normal middle ear lining was similar. By contrast, the mast cell count was significantly increased in chronic inflammatory reactions. The population density of the mast cells was the highest in the subepithelial layer of cholesteatoma, in regions where the lamina propria showed fibrosis and infiltration with chronic inflammatory cells, and around mucous glands. The presence of increased numbers of mast cells in chronic otitis media is consistent with our previous finding of high levels of histamine in middle ear effusions. It is postulated that mast cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic otitis media through the release of their active biochemical mediators.
A primary endometrial adenocarcinoma is reported that showed abundant foci suggestive of pathologically differentiated intestinal epithelium. The tumor epithelium was composed of four main cell types. Columnar cells resembled absorptive intestinal cells and displayed glycocalyceal carcinoembryonic antigen immunostaining; mucin-producing cells and a few Paneth-like lysozyme-rich cells were irregularly distributed; a massive quantity of argyrophil cells including a few amphicrine (muco-argyrophil) ones, were detected by Grimelius-Alcian blue method. Immunocytochemical evidence was obtained for the storage of serotonin, somatostatin and gastrin/cholecystokinin in some of the endocrine cells. These findings suggest that the tumor arose from a pluripotential stem cell of the glandular epithelium.
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The method of the proton induced x-ray emission ( PIXE ) was used for the investigation of ion exchange processes on the surface of intramuscularly implanted Bioglass-Ceramics. This method allows a simultaneous analysis free from destruction in concentrations ranges of ppm for several elements. The measurements were carried out with different proton energy, in that manner a relative quantity analysis was possible in different layers. A durable two-layered surface already originates in a short time after the implantation on the implant interface. This one consists of a layer rich in calcium and phosphorus as well as a second zone rich in silicon. The meaning of this two-layered surface for the bio-activity and the bio-stability of the material is discussed.
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An hypothesis is presented in which all the genes of living organisms are proposed to arise from the juxtaposition of the genes from different elementary organisms. There would be no creation of genes afterwards, only modification by mutations. The ulterior transformation of organisms would be due to evolution of chromosomes towards the most stable state, by crossing over during meioses.
An hypothesis is proposed in which the specificity of interaction between an aminoacid and a nucleotide sequence of a tRNA would be enhanced by a ternary association with a specific proteinoid. These strict relations would have led to the present genetic code that we know. It is also proposed that the origin of the enzymatic activity of the primitive proteinoids would have arisen from the presence of different substrates during polymerisation, which would have favored specific sequences of aminoacids by forming more stable complexes with them, corresponding to the lowest free enthalpy. The information included in the aminoacid sequences of the proteinoids would have been transferred to messenger type RNA, according to a mechanism reverse of that for the present process for protein synthesis, and then to DNA.
A case of sudden deafness with vertigo shortly before death is reported in a patient with disseminated adenocarcinoma of the breast. Examination of the temporal bones revealed extensive perilymphatic hemorrhage as the probable cause of the deafness. The pathophysiology of deafness due to inner ear hemorrhage is discussed.
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Radiation has been used to treat carcinoma of the larynx for some 60 years. We have seen some very late complications of radiation to this region. In this paper we present three patients who had radiation-induced necrosis and fibrosis 13, 19, and 22 years after initial treatment. The problem exists of diagnosing and differentiating perichondritis/fibrosis from recurrent carcinoma. However, many times it is impossible to make this distinction clinically, endoscopically, radiologically, or even pathologically. The pathogenesis, clinical features, and treatment of this rare late complication of radionecrosis and/or fibrosis are presented.
Secretory otitis media is the most common cause of hearing loss in children. Although allergy has been suggested as a possible cause, its role as an etiologic factor in the formation of secretory otitis media is controversial. The presence of histamine in most middle ear effusions is thought to be generated from inflammatory and not allergic provocation. This potent mediator of inflammation may contribute to the chronicity of secretory otitis media.
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The anterior process of the malleus has been recognized and its unique embryological development described for some time. However, most authorities, while describing it in the fetus and the child, claim that it atrophies with age and offer no theory as to its function. This study examined the horizontal serial sections of whole temporal bones of 50 ears, from donors of various ages from a 24 week fetus to extreme old age. Measurements indicate that, while the anterior process of the malleus seems to get smaller with increasing age, its anatomical consistency would indicate a physiological function. It is proposed that the anterior malleal process, in conjunction with the anterior malleal ligament, acts as the fulcrum of the axis of rotation of the malleus/incus complex and also acts as a damper to resonant oscillations of the complex at low frequencies.
Doppler-echo flow was measured in the assessment of 3608 carotid arterial systems (common, internal and external carotid arteries on one side). Conventional carotid angiography was performed in 156 cases, 363 were examined by digital subtraction angiography (DSA). All three methods were employed for 32 carotid systems. It was demonstrated that the accuracy of the Doppler-echo flow method depends on the experience of the examiner. In the hands of the experienced, accurate diagnosis with regard to "haemodynamic effective obstruction" was 96% and for "no haemodynamically effective obstruction" 98%. Among beginners the corresponding results were 87 and 93%, respectively. DAS was a very low-risk procedure. Directly occurring cerebrovascular complications during manipulation were not observed among 1,000 procedures. The results agreed in 88% of cases examined by the Doppler-echo flow method, so that in most cases it is possible to avoid arterial angiography with its higher risks. Analysis of 32 cases, in which there was additional arterial angiography, indicates that there may be some false-positive and false-negative results with DSA. If the findings do not agree, arterial angiography is still necessary.