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Biomedical subjects

G Gross

Publications and source records attributed to G Gross.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[The Rostock moulage collection].

Wax moulages are valuable witnesses of the beginning of dermatology as an independent speciality. In addition, they document changes in the allocation of clinical pictures to certain conditions. This has been due to the knowledge about new etiologies of dermatologic disorders, which have been steadily increasing since the beginning of the 20th Century. Furthermore changes in the frequency of certain diseases can be recognized to some extent. The still existing moulages of the Department of Dermatology and Venereology of Rostock offer some interesting examples.

Germany↗

Culture of primary human gingival fibroblasts on biodegradable membranes.

Repair and regeneration of periodontal tissues by tissue engineering is dependent on the use of biodegradable polymer scaffolds which serve as a carrier for cells or bioactive substances. There is a need to understand how a specific biomaterial may influence gene expression. The aim of this investigation was to develop and to optimize an in vitro technique for the adherance and proliferation of primary human gingivaL cells on implantable and biodegradable matrices. Square pieces of Bio-Gide matrix (BG) and slices of Ethisorb tamponade (ET) were coated with poly-L-lactide. The stability of coated and uncoated scaffolds was investigated by incubation in standard culture medium. Various concentrations of the cells were seeded onto coated and uncoated polymer matrices in tissue culture dishes without shaking ("static seeding") or continuous shaking ("agitated seeding"). Cultures were grown for 4 week and were then evaluated by light and scanning electron microscopy. After a culture period of 10 d, BG-carriers showed a delicate consistency which made histological processing difficult. Cells were grown only sparsely in coated and non-coated BG-scaffolds. Contrary. ET-specimens were stable during a 4 week culture period. After "static seeding" a significantly higher number of cells resulted in comparison to those in "agitated" cultures. The cells were evenly distributed throughout the ET-carriers and produced extracellular matrix compounds as well. Furthermore, the examination with RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) revealed that the cells synthesized and secreted type I collagen, and expressed genes implicated in transducing bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signals. Messenger RNAs for BMP-2, -4, -7, the BMP type I receptors Act R-1 (alk 2, activin-like kinase receptor), BMPR-IA (alk 3), -IB (alk 6), and the type II receptor BMPR-II were detected. These data reveal that static seeding favors the adherence and proliferation of primary gingival cells on polyglactin matrices. This system may serve as a valuable tool for periodontal tissue engineering.

Activin Receptors, Type I↗

Differential expression of thrombospondin 2 in primary and metastatic malignant melanoma.

In the present report we used oligonucleotide microarray analysis for the identification of genes characterizing the late-stage metastatic phenotype of malignant melanoma. A panel of 5,600 genes was analysed in a low aggressive and a highly aggressive (metastatic) human malignant melanoma cell line, respectively. More than 300 differentially regulated genes were identified. High metastatic potential correlated with upregulated mRNA expression in the groups of cytoskeletal proteins, apoptosis and cell cycle proteins, GTP binding proteins and oncogenes, extracellular ligands and receptors, transcription and translation factors. In contrast, most angiogenesis factors, extracellular matrix molecules, and melanoma-specific antigens were downregulated. Particular target genes were further analysed by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining of primary malignant melanomas and melanoma metastases. Here, we show that thrombospondin 2, an extracellular matrix molecule which was differentially regulated in the microarray analysis, was strongly expressed in melanoma metastases, but not in primary tumours. The identification of thrombospondin 2 as a target molecule emphasizes the importance of cell-matrix interactions for the pathogenesis of malignant melanoma metastasis and may open future perspectives for treatment of this tumour.

Blotting, Northern↗

Virus infections and tumors of the oral mucosae. Symposium of the "Arbeitskreis Oralpathologie und Oralmedizin" and the "Arbeitsgemeinschaft Dermatologische Infektiologie der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft", Rostock, July 6-7, 2001.

The symposium on Virus Infections and Tumors of the Oral Mucosae was organized as a joint meeting of the Arbeitskreis Oralpathologie and Oralmedizin and the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Dermatologische Infektiologie (ADI) der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft. The main topics of the meeting were herpes virus infections, human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections of the oral mucosae. Clinically both diagnostic, differential diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of the virus-associated diseases were discussed in several presentations. Another important issue was the role of these viruses, particularly of HPVs, in the origin and development of oral cancer. Apparently besides smoking and alcohol other risk factors comprise high risk HPVs, immunodeficiency and possibly also genetic factors. Whether neonatal early infections may predispose children to a specific cancer risk in their future life is still at a level of discussion. Some arguments, however were shown that tonsillar carcinoma, which shows the highest prevalence of the high-risk HPV 16- DNA sequences between all oral cancer, is possibly an epidemiologically and etiologically distinct tumor. It is argued that this tumor is probably less dependent on classical carcinogens than other oral malignant tumors.

DNA, Viral↗

[Clinical aspects and therapy of anogenital warts and papillomavirus-associated lesions].

There is a series of different therapies for the treatment of anogenital warts. Home therapy should be reserved only for initial therapy of simple cases. Such approaches include podophyllotoxin solution, podophyllotoxin cream,imiquimod cream and adjuvant interferon gel. Recurrent disease and disseminated disease must be treated by the physician. Choice of therapy depends on the morphology, the extent of the disease and also on the immunological status of the patient. Therapy should be discussed between the physician and the patient. Whatever therapy will be chosen, HPV DNA can persist latently in surrounding tissue and may lead to recurrence of visible lesions. Long-standing warts can undergo malignant conversion; intraepithelial neoplasias such as Bowen's disease, erythroplasia of Queyrat and bowenoid papulosis are especially prone to develop into squamous-cell carcinoma. Thus adequate therapy and thorough follow-up are mandatory in such cases. In the future therapies directed against HPV specifically will be available. They should lead both to destruction and complete clearance of visible lesions and also should prevent recurrences. Ideally HPV should be eliminated completely from the treated tissue.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

[Bilateral asymmetric herpes zoster in adolescence].

Zoster is a frequent disease of adulthood with a distinct age-dependent increase after 60. In contrast during childhood or adolescence zoster only rarely occurs. Certain risk factors such as hematologic malignancies are associated with early appearance. The typical clinical manifestation is unilateral, equally involving thoracic dermatomes. A 16-year-old patient presented with zoster in bilateral asymmetrical distribution, with trigeminal and thoracic dermatomes simultaneously affected. Despite the clinical findings and the unusual localization, there was no history, clinical nor laboratory signs of an immune suppression or any other underlying disease. Careful follow-up examinations are necessary in order to recognize systemic, especially hematologic, malignancies.

Adolescent↗

[Atypical herpes simplex virus type 2 manifestations on the hand].

Cutaneous and mucocutaneous herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and type 2 infections are some of the most common virus infections of man. Despite optimal laboratory diagnosis and widely improved antiviral therapy, only 20 percent of patients suffering from genital herpes are correctly diagnosed, and even less often is appropriate therapy prescribed. Atypical herpes includes vegetating forms in atypical locations, mild cases and even asymptomatic herpes. Such atypical cases often remain undetected and do not receive specific and sufficient treatment. Two case reports illustrate the importance of clinically diagnosing herpes with atypical manifestations in immunodeficient patients.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Localisation of mRNA for h5-HT1B and h5-HT1D receptors in human dorsal raphe.

In the mammalian mesencephalon, virtually all serotoninergic neurons are located in the raphe nuclei and the adjacent reticular formation. Pharmacological evidence obtained in rodents suggests that terminal and somatodendritic autoreceptors controlling serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) release belong to the 5-HT1B/D subtype of receptors, whereas somatodendritic autoreceptors controlling neuronal cell firing are predominantly of the 5-HT1A subtype. This study investigated the presence of h5-HT1D and h5-HT1B receptor mRNA within the subdivisions of the dorsal raphe of post-mortem human brains by means of in situ hybridisation. Although differences in the labelling intensity, which may be caused by different pre- and/or post-mortem conditions, were obvious among the specimens, all brains expressed both the h5-HT1D and the h5-HT1B mRNA in dorsal raphe neurons. In comparison to h5-HT1D mRNA, expression of h5-HT1B mRNA was slightly more abundant. Information on the existence and localisation of h5-HT1D and h5-HT1B receptors in human dorsal raphe neurons confirms that both subtypes may serve an autoreceptor function in humans. This finding is of pharmacological relevance since these receptors are potential new targets for therapeutic interventions in psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety.

Aged↗

Perspectives in the biological function, the technical and therapeutic application of bone morphogenetic proteins.

The bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) belong to the transforming growth factor beta superfamily of growth and differentiation factors and have been characterized by their ability to induce new bone formation in ectopic (non-skeletal) sites. BMPs are secreted molecules and are key regulators in early embryogenesis and organogenesis. One of the many functions of BMPs is to induce cartilage, bone, and connective tissue formation in vertebrates. This osteo-inductive capacity of BMPs has long been considered very promising for applications in bone repair, in the treatment of skeletal diseases, and in oral applications such as dentiogenesis and cementogenesis during regeneration of periodontal wounds. We discuss here biological roles of the BMPs in the organism and their signaling cascades leading to bone and cartilage formation in particular. It is also the aim of this review to evaluate the potential and the problems of BMPs in skeletal tissue engineering for the regeneration of bone damaged by disease or trauma and to serve as therapeutic agents for periodontal defects.

Animals↗

Altered energy metabolism in anorexia nervosa.

Optimal nutritional rehabilitation of anorexia nervosa requires more information concerning actual energy and substrate requirements. To this end, indirect calorimetry was performed in female patients (n=34, age 20.9+/-1.2 yr, body mass index [BMI] 15.6+/-0.2 kg/m(2); mean+/-SEM) soon after commencement of refeeding and at the time of discharge from hospital (n=18, BMI 19.0+/-0.3 kg/m(2)). Healthy female controls (n=18, age 24.6+/-1.3 yr, BMI 21.6+/-0.6 kg/m(2)) were also tested. Resting energy expenditure (REE) and respiratory quotient (RQ) were measured in the fasting state, followed by diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT) and RQ over a 4 h period following a 100 g oral glucose load. Compared with post-refeeding patients and controls, pre-refeeding patients had a high basal RQ and a low REE, with a paradoxically higher DIT (13.2+/-0.9% of REE vs. 8.3+/-1.2% and 8.6+/-0.9% in post-refeeding patients and controls, respectively). RQ values in pre-refeeding patients exceeded unity following the glucose load, probably reflecting net lipogenesis, whereas in the post-refeeding patients, post-glucose RQ was similar to that of controls, suggesting premature curtailment of lipogenesis. These data demonstrate energy wasting in emaciated patients with anorexia nervosa. Biological repair processes could account for disproportionate energy loss early in refeeding and there may be some later impediment to full restoration of fat stores.

Adolescent↗

[The psychopathology of delusion, the principle of psychonomy and biological theory of delusion].

The psychopathology of the delusional experiences of schizophrenic patients is analyzed on the basis of a sample of 119 drug-naive patients and 502 patients of the Bonn-Schizophrenia-Study. The phenomenology, the forms and themes of delusion, the delusional certainty, the impact on behaviour ("Realitätsbedeutung"), the levels of development of delusional perception and the meaning of the psychological working-up of the primordial delusional experiences ("Wahnarbeit") are described. The structure-dynamic and the 'gestalt'-psychological approaches of Janzarik and Kisker try to derive the phenomenon of delusional psychoses from the psychonomy of the emotional connections, as far as they cannot be explained as immediate symptoms of a somatic illness. [7]. The present study also shows that subjective experiences of schizophrenic patients, suffering from delusions, largely develop psychonomically according to the rules of the psychic motivational dynamic, and that the share of the comprehensible working-up and assimilation with regard to the "schizophrenic end-phenomena" [16] has been considered too little by the traditional psychiatry. But, there are in the view of the basic symptom concept, especially in process active stages, hints at a higher share of the somatic component as to the structure of delusional syndromes. Looking at the processes, determined by the psychic causality on the one side, and at the boundaries of "genetic understanding" [39] in the delusional psychosis on the other side, we tried to answer the question to what extent the delusional psychosis can be understood according to the "principle of psychonomy" [5,6], and, in what respect it seems to be "apsychonomic" and thereby presumably somatically founded. The inquiry yields starting points for a biological hypothesis of delusion, compatible with a multidimensional conception, that reveals understandable connections between delusion and biography and shows the reach of the "principle of psychonomy".

Delusions↗

[Therapy of subclinical (subdiagnostic) syndromes of schizophrenia spectrum].

Since 1911, when E. Bleuler thought of the so-called latent schizophrenia as the most frequent type of schizophrenia, but most seldom diagnosed as such, the question, whether there exist abortive forms of schizophrenia, was discussed again and again; so in 1932 by Mayer-Gross, who devoted to the uncharacteristic onset of schizophrenia a special chapter, in 1938 by Stern (so-called borderline neuroses) und in 1949 by Hoch and Polatin (pseudoneurotic schizophrenias). Since the 50s Huber had described by means of follow-up studies the uncharacteristic basic stages occurring long before the onset and after remission of the florid symptomatology, in 1957 the cenesthetic schizophrenia and in 1961 and 1966 the asthenic or pure defect of schizophrenia, which he also counts to the subclinical syndromes or formes frustes of endogenous psychoses just as the endogenous juvenile-asthenic failure syndromes, the larvate schizophrenia, the endogenous obsessive-compulsive disorder and the circumscribed cenesthopathy. The recognition of these subthreshold stages and types of the schizophrenia spectrum, which cannot be diagnosed by valid diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia, is the presupposition for an adequate therapy. The patients complain about subjectively experienced mainly dynamic, affective, cognitive (thought, perception and action disturbances), cenesthetic and vegetative basic symptoms, can be registered and documented by the Bonn Scale BSABS. We will deal with symptomatology, course and therapy of the mentioned sublinical syndromes. The psychopharmacological treatment is chosen according to the psychopathological cross-section picture and will be continued until improvement or remission of the symptomatology and after stepwise reduction stopped. If dynamic and affective basic symptoms predominate, we prefer antidepressants (e. g. amitriptyline-type or the newer SSRIs), in case of prevailing cognitive and cenethetic basic symptoms neuroleptics, today mainly atypical ones. In the past also classical neuroleptics, e. g. haloperidol, fluphenazine or pimozide in low dosage of or low potent drugs as thioridazine or perazine have proved to be worthwhile.

Adult↗