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Biomedical subjects

G Kundt

Publications and source records attributed to G Kundt.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Cartographic mapping of health data.

Health is a primary, individual interest of the population. The observation of health standard and health risks requires the consideration of geographical information. The cartographic visualization of health data is used to show spatial relations and correlations. A presupposition is that health data has local references. There are various local references: the local reference by domicile is most important in investigating the spatio-temporal occurrence, the geographically spread, the intensity and temporal periodicity of diseases. Cartographic visualization allows a quick and intuitive recognition of the situation in a geographical region.

Data Collection↗
PubMed1999

Detection of residual aneuploid leukemic cells by "continuous gating".

BACKGROUND: A new method for the detection of residual aneuploid leukemic cells in bone marrow by flow cytometry is described. This method is based on the analysis of FCM derived list-mode-datasets with a new software called "Continuous Gating". The program is able to decrease the detection level of aneuploid tumor cells by analyzing groups of cells with comparable antigen density and scatter properties. METHODS: Aneuploid acute lymphocytic leukemia cells with a known CD34 expression were diluted with diploid bone marrow cells to a concentration of 10, 1, 0.1, 0.05, and 0.01%. Each sample was measured in a FACScan flow cytometer, after staining with CD34 Moab and propidium iodide. Listmode-data were analyzed with the new "Windows"-based "Continuous Gating" software. A gate was set in the DNA parameter, defining the channels in which the aneuploid G0/G1-peak of possible residual tumor-cells should be found. Ten thousand overlapping gates of size 200 x 200 channels (out of 1,023 x 1,023 channels) were set automatically by the program into the side-scatter (SSC)/CD34 dot-plot, calculating the percentage of aneuploid G0/G1-phase cells for every specific gate. RESULTS: The results are plotted in a contour-plot. In dot-plot gates with less than 20 cells, the calculation of the percentage of aneuploid cells was declared invalid and the area in the contour-plot was marked. Detection of residual aneuploid cells, based on a defined expression of CD34 and granularity (SSC), was possible down to a contamination of 0.1%. CONCLUSIONS: The new "Continuous Gating" software can be used for the automated detection of aneuploid leukemic cells, if the density of a certain surface-marker is slightly different from normal cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Simultaneous radiochemotherapy with carboplatin in patients with inoperable advanced stage III and IV head and neck tumors].

BACKGROUND: The results of treating advanced tumors in the head and neck region with radiotherapy alone are disappointing. Concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy may improve this situation. The treatment results of concurrent radiochemotherapy at the University of Rostock were analyzed retrospectively. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1991 to 1996 92 patients with head and neck tumors were treated with concurrent radiochemotherapy (1.8 to 63 Gy; 70 mg/m2 carboplatin day 1 to 5 and 29 to 33) with palliative tumor resection (n = 37) or without surgical treatment (n = 55). Remission rate, overall survival and disease-free survival, local control and acute toxicity were analyzed. RESULTS: Six weeks after radiochemotherapy 56.5% of patients had a complete remission, 36% a partial remission and 7.5% "no change". With a median follow-up of 42 months (6 to 74 months) overall survival, disease-free survival and local control were 24.3%, 28.9%, 18.0% 5 years after treatment. All these criteria were significantly better in patients with palliative tumor resection compared to no surgical treatment (uni- and multivariate) and in patients with Stage III than in patients with Stage IV carcinomas (univariate), overall survival was significantly better in patients with Stage III (multivariate). A pretherapeutic Hb level below 7.0 mmol/l (11.27 g/dl) reduced the local control significantly (uni- and multivariate). Grade III and IV mucositis was detected in 10%, Grade III leucopenia in 12% of treated patients. Grade IV leucopenia and Grade III thrombopenia were observed in 1 patient each. CONCLUSION: The toxicity of this treatment is tolerable. However, additional trials must be conducted before considering the palliative tumor resection as standard therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Disturbances of palatogenesis and their prophylaxis in animal experiments.

The goal of this study using experimental animals was to induce disturbances of palatogenesis which are comparable to human maxillary clefts. Simultaneously, an in vivo method of testing presumed antiteratogenic substances is presented. 13 gravid Wistar rats bearing 98 fetuses received 200 mg/kg of procarbazine on day 14 post conception (p. c.) to induce malformations. 7 of these gravid animals, bearing 48 fetuses, additionally received 200 mg/kg thiamine daily from day 13-19 p. c. to prevent malformations. On day 20 p. c., the fetuses were teratologically screened: all fetuses were externally examined, the skeletons of 1/3 were visualized using cartilage/bone staining methods, and the heads of 2/3 were histologically examined in 24 sequential frontal sections. At birth, the procarbazine-damaged fetuses exhibited a high rate of cleft palate, primarily involving the secondary palate (94%), which was accompanied by retardation and delayed ossification of the viscerocranium. 66% of the fetuses showed pronounced brachygenia. The disturbances of palatogenesis were frequently accompanied by disturbed odontogenesis, which chiefly manifested itself near the cleft of the frontal maxilla as a reduction in size (63%), retardation (38%) or absence (31%) of the tooth germ. In the trial group additionally treated with thiamine, the findings did not differ significantly from these. The animal model presented here proved suitable for studying palatogenesis and localization-specific testing of substances presumed to have antiteratogenic effects. A prophylactic effect of thiamine initially tested as a highly-dosed monotherapy was not verifiable.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1998

[Corneal penetration of various aminoglycosides and quinolones].

BACKGROUND: Penetration of the aminoglycosides gentamicin and tobramycin and chinolones ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin applied as eyedrops and soaked disposable lenses (ACUVUE), used as antibiotic prophylaxis, was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 217 patients received before undergoing cataract extraction 0.3% solutions of these antibiotics as eyedrops or by soaked ACUVUE-lenses. During surgery 50-100 microliters aqueous humor was aspirated; concentration of gentamicin and tobramycin was analysed by fluorescence polarisation immuno assay, concentration of ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin was analysed by high pressure liquid chromatography. RESULTS: After application of gentamicin and ofloxacin as eyedrops and via soaked ACUVUE-lenses as drug delivery system (DDS) we found higher concentrations than after application of tobramycin and ciprofloxacin by the same modes. After using of soaked lenses as DDS the aqueous humor concentrations of all tested substances were higher than the concentrations after the frequent instillation of eyedrops. CONCLUSIONS: Penetration of gentamicin through normal human cornea is higher than penetration of tobramycin; penetration of ofloxacin through normal human cornea is higher than penetration of ciprofloxacin. The aqueous humor concentrations of ofloxacin applied as eyedrops and DDS, of ciprofloxacin and gentamicin applied as DDS allow their use as antibiotic prophylaxis in cataract surgery.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1998

Morphometric measurements to quantify the cerulein induced hyperstimulatory pancreatitis of rats under the protective effect of lectins.

In preceding papers we demonstrated an inhibitory effect of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and Ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEA) on the cholecystokinin (CCK) binding to the CCK receptor of rat pancreatic cells and also on the CCK induced Ca2+ release and alpha-amylase secretion in vitro as well as on pancreatic secretion of intact rats in vivo. In the present study we show the same inhibitory effect of both lectins on the cerulein pancreatitis of rats. This acute pancreatitis was induced by supramaximal injections (5 microg/kg/h i.v. or 10 microg/kg/h i.p.) of the CCK analogue cerulein in rats every hour. To monitor the degree of pancreatitis, we measured the number and diameter of injury vacuoles in the pancreatic acinar cells as one of the most important signs of this type of pancreatitis by light microscopic morphometry with two different systems on paraffin sections. Furthermore, the serum alpha-amylase activity was measured biochemically. We found a correlation between the diameter of vacuoles inside the acinar cells and the serum enzyme activity up to 24 h. The simultaneous i.p. administration of cerulein and WGA or UEA in a dosage of 125 microg/kg/h for 8 h led to a reduction of vacuolar diameter from 13.1+/-2.0 microm (cerulein) to 7.5+/-1.1 microm (cerulein + WGA) or 7.2+/-1.3 microm (cerulein + UEA). The serum amylase activity was reduced from 63.7+/-15.8 mmol/l x min (cerulein) to 37.7+/-11.8 (cerulein + WGA) or 39.4; +52.9; -31.1 (cerulein + UEA-I). Both parameters allow the grading this special type of pancreatitis to demonstrate the protective effect of the lectins.

Amylases↗
PubMed1997

[Influence of reduction of radiation dosage on the incidence of radiation-induced pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis and pericarditis after mediastinal irradiation in the treatment of lymphogranulomatosis].

BACKGROUND: The amount of radiation dose applied in the treatment of Hodgkin's disease is associated with the incidence of complications including radiation-induced pneumonitis, lung fibrosis and pericarditis. Therefore, from the beginning of 1986, we have started to apply a radiation therapy approach with reduced doses in order to minimize complications while maintaining effective treatment. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From 1983 through 1992 141 patients suffering from Hodgkin's disease were included in the present study. All of them were treated by radiation of mediastinum. In 126 cases polychemotherapy was applied before radiation. From 1986 we used a reduced radiation dose in cases that were treated by radiation alone (affected nodal regions with 40 Gy instead of 45 Gy and unaffected nodal regions with 36 Gy instead of 40 Gy) as well as after application of chemotherapy (affected nodal regions 36 Gy instead of 40 Gy and unaffected nodal regions with 30 Gy instead of 36 Gy). Ninety-five patients were treated according to the new therapy protocol. Forty-six patients had been treated with the higher dosages and served as the historical control group. Radiation therapy included Co-60, 15-MV and 9-MV photons, and 15-MeV and 9-MeV electrons. Serial thoracic X-ray controls were performed. CT scans, echocardiographic and electrocardiographic investigations were added in selected cases. RESULTS: During the period from 1983 to 1992, we diagnosed radiation-induced pneumonitis in 31% of the patients who underwent radiation therapy of the mediastinum. In addition, 16% demonstrated lung fibrosis and 10% pericarditis. After implementation of the reduced radiation dosages, the incidence of pneumonitis decreased from 35% to 24% (nearly significant in the 5% range), lung fibrosis from 24% to 12% (p < 0.05) and pericarditis from 26% to 2% (p < 0.01). The efficacy of treatment remained unaffected by the new therapy approach as has been demonstrated for cumulative survival data and recurrence-free intervals. CONCLUSIONS: Reduction of radiation dose in patients with Hodgkin's disease who undergo mediastinal radiation leads to a decrease in the incidence of radiation-induced complications (pneumonitis, lung fibrosis, pericarditis) whereas treatment efficacy remains unchanged.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed1997

Application of thiamine in preventing malformations, specifically cleft alveolus and palate, during the intrauterine development of rats.

OBJECTIVE: Animal experiments were conducted to test the reproducibility of previously documented antiteratogenic effects of thiamine on cleft formation in the craniofacial system. DESIGN: Thirteen gravid Wistar rats carrying 98 fetuses were given the hydrazine derivative procarbacine (200 mg/kg BW) on the fourteenth day postconception (PC) to induce malformations, chiefly cleft alveolus and palate (day of determining presence of sperm was called the first day PC). Seven of the treated gravid rats carrying 48 fetuses were additionally given a daily dose of 200 mg/kg thiamine from the thirteenth to the nineteenth day PC. OUTCOME MEASURES: A comparative analysis of the fetuses in both experimental groups was conducted externally and, for the skeleton, macroscopically using special staining techniques; the heads were analyzed using successional histologic sections; bodies were examined stereomicroscopically using the razor-blade sectioning technique. RESULTS: In 12 of the 16 parameters evaluated, no statistically significant differences were found between experimental groups. In some cases, we even observed an amplifying effect of thiamine on the development of malformations in the rat strain used in our study. CONCLUSIONS: Because several previous authors have repeatedly described treatment with thiamine as one of the sufficient prophylactic measures in slowing the development of viscerocranial malformations, especially cleft alveolus and palate, it is of utmost importance that the timing of treatment and dosage of thiamine be taken into consideration not only in animal experiments but also when applying results to humans.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1996

alpha-Lactalbumin-enriched low-protein infant formulas: a comparison to breast milk feeding.

Tryptophan (TRP) is the limiting amino acid in low-protein infant formulas. This is mainly due to lower alpha-lactalbumin (alpha LA) content in cow's milk whey as compared with human milk protein. To study the effect of alpha LA-enrichment on the TRP supply, cross-over studies were carried out in 20 healthy infants up to 3 months of age. In this study, two protein-reduced (1.3%) infant formulas (moderate TRP content of 1.88% and higher TRP content of 2.10%) were alternately fed over a 2 week period in two groups of infants. Serum TRP levels of the formula-fed infants with the higher TRP content did not differ significantly from an exclusively breastfed control group of 11 infants (10.5 +/- 4.8 versus 10.9 +/- 4.7 mg l-1, p = 0.841), whereas levels of the formula-fed infants with the moderate TRP content were significantly lower (7.4 +/- 3.9, p = 0.038). The supplementation of alpha LA resulting in a higher TRP supply to low-protein diets is a further step towards the production of infant formulas more closely adapted to human breast milk.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1994

[Detection of human papillomavirus DNA in formalin fixed invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)].

Approximately 67 different subtypes of HPVs have now been described. Regularly most of the cervical cancers are positive for HPV 16/18. Current research also indicates that HPVs may be involved in the development of benign tumours and also squamous cell cancers of head and neck. Studies establishing the presence of different HPV subtypes in oral cancers and precancers suggest the possibility of the virus as etiological factor in oral carcinogenesis too. In this study the prevalence of HPV 6/11, 16 and 18 infection and other exogenous risk factors like nicotine and alcohol in laryngeal cancers were studied. A total of 100 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded cancers, 41 glottic and 59 supraglottic, in patients aged 58 years, were detected by use of the E6 specific PCR for HPV DNA. Significantly more glottic cancers, 26 of 41 (63.4%), were positive for the investigated HPV's. HPV 16 was found in all positive cancers. This predominance of HPV 16 was also present in the supraglottic carcinomas, but only 10.2% (6 of 59) of the these groups were HPV positive. In both groups the patients with HPV 16 and/or 18 positive cancers, the exogenous risk factor was higher than with in HPV 16/18 negative tumours. Following infection, the virus either remains dormant or else undergoes active replication resulting in the synthesis of infectious virus. The integration of virus DNA into the host cell DNA may be the result of action of nicotine and/or alcohol. The integration event is the key of the carcinogenesis. The level of the risk factor in the patients with supraglottic tumours was significantly higher.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Three years with a national apheresis registry.

The large number of unsolved problems in plasma exchange therapy makes an apheresis registry appear useful. The results of such an open prospective observational study from 1987 to 1989 in East Germany are presented in this paper. With 1,945 procedures in a total of 419 patients (on average 4.1 treatments per patient) about 80% of all treatments in the country were registered. Exchange volume averaged 2.7 (+/- 0.78) l or 43 (+/- 13.9) ml/kg body weight. Substitutes were albumin (51% of the cases), FFP (22%), and both (22%). Nephrological (25%) and neurological (23%) diagnoses prevailed among the treated diseases. Haematologic diseases (12%) were underrepresented and hepatic coma (20%) was overrepresented. Minor side effects occurred in 22% of all treatments and severe complications in 38 treatments (2%). Four fatalities probably resulted from plasmapheresis therapy. The registry permits an assessment of the treatment results and of several trends during the period of observation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Incidence of cleft lip, alveolus and palate forms.

The different cleft forms of 1,450 cleft lip, alveolus and/or palate patients have been analyzed. Randomized groups of 50 plus the next 50 patients and so forth have been examined. The resulting 29 groups reveal a maximum of 139 different clinical cleft forms. The prediction of a possible maximum was made with the exponential formula y = a. (1-eb.x). The tendency of the prognosis levels at a maximum of 169 different cleft forms in and above 4900 patients.

Alveolar Process↗
PubMed1991

Immunoadsorption and plasma exchange in multiple sclerosis: complement and plasma protein behaviour.

Three groups of patients suffering from acute attacks or progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) are under investigation. First results revealed remarkable clinical improvements of patients with acute attacks in the groups treated by therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and immunoadsorption (IA). Only slight or no improvements were seen in the patients of the control group treated only with steroids. Plasma protein levels (IgG, IgM, IgA, fibrinogen) were considerably reduced in patients of the TPE group after each treatment procedure as expected. The same holds true concerning the total hemolytic capacities (THC) of the complement of the classic (CP) and the alternative (AP) pathway. On the other hand in the IA group only slight decreases of plasma proteins (about 20%) were observed, but the behaviour of THC's were quite similar than those seen in the patients of the TPE group. The THC decreases in both groups can be explained by removal of all complement factors (TPE group) or by the adsorption of single factors (IA group) of both complement pathways according to earlier in vitro investigations. The THC decreases in patients of both groups suffering from acute MS attacks could mean an "antiinflammatory" effect and could--at least partially--contribute to the clinical improvements of these patients.

Blood Proteins↗
PubMed1989

[Introduction of personal-computers in dentistry for children. 2. Computer-based analysis of data from dental examination in children].

In continuation of the program of data recording presented earlier a computer program for analysis and calculation of a data base which consists of the results of dental examination of children is introduced. The presented possibilities of data processing are fitted to the general reports in dentistry of children. They are recommended in solving the problems of a simple and modern data processing in this special field of dentistry.

Child↗