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Biomedical subjects

G Schulz

Publications and source records attributed to G Schulz.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Effect of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on neutropenia and related morbidity induced by myelotoxic chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: A phase Ib/II clinical study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of recombinant human (rh) granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating (GM-CSF) factor in attenuating neutropenia and associated morbidity caused by high-dose anticancer chemotherapy administered in the presence or absence of autologous bone marrow support. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients with various solid tumors and lymphoid neoplasias were treated with a single daily subcutaneous dose of rh GM-CSF (250 micrograms/m2) 48 hours after receiving a second cycle of highly myelotoxic chemotherapy for a period of 10 days. Within-subject comparisons on neutropenia-related clinical and laboratory variables were made with data obtained from the same patients after they received the first neutropenia-inducing cycle of identical chemotherapy in the absence of GM-CSF. RESULTS: GM-CSF was active in neutropenic patients because it significantly increased the neutrophilic nadir, reduced the time of relevant neutropenia, and reduced the duration of a patient's hospital stay and the necessity for parenteral antibiotics. No significant toxicity was encountered with subcutaneous GM-CSF treatment. CONCLUSION: Although GM-CSF was shown to significantly reduce chemotherapy-associated morbidity in patients receiving myelotoxic cancer chemotherapy, additional studies are needed to assess whether the use of GM-CSF in anticancer chemotherapy will allow an increase in the dosage level, leading to improved response rates and survival among cancer patients.

Adolescent↗

Characterization of the surface layer glycoprotein of Clostridium symbiosum HB25.

The cell surface of Clostridium symbiosum HB25 is covered by a squarely arranged surface layer (S-layer) glycoprotein. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the sodium dodecyl sulfate-soluble whole-cell extract showed the presence of several high-molecular-weight protein bands in a narrow range (approximate Mr, 140,000) which, upon periodic acid-Schiff staining, gave a positive reaction. After proteolytic degradation of the purified S-layer glycoprotein, a single glycopeptide fraction was obtained by gel permeation chromatography. Hydrolysis, treatment with aqueous hydrofluoric acid, and 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance studies showed that the glycoprotein glycan is a high-molecular-weight polymer (approximate Mr, 15,000) of tetrasaccharide repeating units with the component sugars N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), N-acetylmannosamine (ManNAc), and N-acetylbacillosamine (BacNAc; 2-N-acetyl-4-amino-2,4,6-trideoxy glucose) linked by monophosphate diesters. The following structure is proposed: [----6)-alpha-D-ManpNAc-(1----4)-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1----3)-alpha-D-+ ++BacpNAc- (1----4)-alpha-D-GalpNAc-(1----PO3)----]n. The nuclear magnetic resonance data provided evidence for a charge interaction between the free amino group of BacNAc and the phosphate group of adjacent glycan chains. Since polycationic ferritin did not label the cell surface of intact cells, an electrostatic interaction can also be expected in vivo, leading to a charge-neutral outer surface, which is characteristic of all other S layers from members of the family Bacillaceae studied so far.

Amino Acids↗

Hematopoietic growth factors in bone marrow transplantation.

Preliminary clinical results demonstrate the activity of recombinant human granulocyte (rHuG) and granulocyte/macrophage (rHuGM) colony stimulating factors (CSFs) in enhancing bone marrow engraftment after autologous and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). In several analyses of prospective, controlled clinical trials of rHuG- and rHuGM-CSF, reduced morbidity and cost, as well as improved survival have been observed. There is reason to hope that more profound understanding of the in vivo biology of these and other cytokines will lead to further reduction in morbidity and mortality associated with both autologous as well as allogeneic BMT. These advances could significantly broaden the spectrum of diseases amenable to treatment by BMT.

Bone Marrow↗

[The role of school admission examination in a preventive health program for children 3-7 years old].

This paper reports on new aspects of the prophylactic care programme, with particular emphasis being laid on prophylactic examination for children of pre-school age. An account is given of the interrelations between the various check ups. Prophylactic examination in the fifth year of age--mass screening No. 10 as the first school entrance examination--is the main priority during this period. The major issues relating to case history, physical, locomotor, and psychosocial development, behaviour, and classical status are described in detail and are offered as a graduated programme.

Child Behavior Disorders↗

Percolation and binding of MAB BW 494 to pancreatic carcinoma tissues during high dose immunotherapy and consequences for future therapy modalities.

The distribution of the monoclonal antibody (MAb) BW494 in human pancreatic carcinoma biopsies during high dose i.v. immunotherapy was investigated. Using immunohistochemical techniques combined with anti-idiotypic, endothelial cell specific and bispecific MAbs it was shown that 3 days after onset of immunotherapy, MAb BW494 was bivalently bound to tumor cells in some highly vascualized areas near capillaries. No binding was observed in other highly vascularized tumor cell areas although the epitope detected by MAb BW494 was present. In contrast to our expectation the majority of the tumor cells was not yet saturated by the antibody, probably due to diffusion barriers in the solid tumor tissue.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Percolation and binding of monoclonal antibody BW494 to pancreatic carcinoma tissues during high dose immunotherapy and consequences for future therapy modalities.

The distribution of the monoclonal antibody (MAb) BW494 in human pancreatic carcinoma biopsies during high dose intravenous immunotherapy was investigated. Using immunohistochemical techniques combined with anti-idiotypic, endothelial cell-specific and bispecific MAbs, it was shown that 3 days after onset of immunotherapy, MAb BW494 was bivalently bound to tumour cells in some highly vascularised areas near capillaries. No binding was observed in other highly vascularised tumour cell areas although the epitope detected by MAb BW494 was present. In contrast to our expectation the majority of the tumour cells were not yet saturated by the antibody, probably due to diffusion barriers in the solid tumour tissue.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

[The colonization of the upper respiratory tract and the bacteremic phases of enzootic pneumonia of calves].

Twenty calves, following their re-accommodation on a calf raising unit, were tested twelve days for presence of Pasteurellae and mycoplasms on the mucosa of the nasal pharynx and in blood. The same microorganisms were searched for in another 65 calves, yet, only at the beginning of pneumonia. Tests were applied to 19 calves for presence of chlamydia in the blood. The nasopharynx of all 20 calves was colonised by Pasteurellae, whereas mycoplasms were detected only in few cases. Neither Pasteurellae nor mycoplasms were isolated by blood culturing, though chlamydia were found in concomitance with pneumonia in three of 13 evaluable cases.

Animals↗

Stimulation of granulopoiesis in patients with malignancy by recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor: assessment of two routes of administration.

We administered Escherichia coli-derived recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor to 61 patients with malignancy, 36 of whom had normal peripheral blood counts and 25 of whom had peripheral cytopenia due to underlying bone marrow disease, to compare the efficacy of two different routes of administration to stimulate the in vivo granulopoiesis: i.e., continuous i.v. infusion and s.c. injection. Three well-tolerated dose levels were investigated. Application of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor resulted in dose-dependent increases in circulating neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes and an increase in bone marrow cellularity, irrespective of route of administration. In some patients, mild side effects, including bone pain, dyspnea, flu-like symptoms, and a decrease of platelet counts, were recorded, but they were less pronounced when the hormone was administered subcutaneously.

Adolescent↗

[Bilateral strumal ovarian carcinoid].

Report about a rare case of strumal carcinoid tumor arising in the right and left ovary of a 79-year-old euthyroid woman. In the literature we found nearly always unilateral cases. There was no carcinoid syndrome. The tumor was a chance hit by the necropsy.

Aged↗

The side-chain conformations of N-acetyl-7-,8-,9-deoxy-, and -4,7-dideoxy-neuraminic acid and their effect on the activation of CTP:N-acylneuraminic acid cytidylyltransferase.

The conformations of the deoxy side-chain analogs of N-acetylneuraminic acid and of N-acetyl-4-deoxyneuraminic acid have been studied by n.m.r. spectroscopy, which allowed us to distinguish between local minima conformations suggested by hard-sphere calculations. The conformations were correlated with the activity with CTP: N-acetylneuraminic acid cytidylyltransferase (CMPsialate synthase; EC 2.7.7.43).

Carbohydrate Conformation↗

The effect of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on neutropenia and related morbidity in chronic severe neutropenia.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To define the clinical and hematologic effects of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) on patients with chronic severe neutropenia. DESIGN: Open-label, phase II study of rhGM-CSF. SETTING: Inpatient hematology and surgery clinic at a university medical center. PATIENTS: Four consecutive patients with chronic severe neutropenia, which in two cases was complicated by severe infection, in one case by perianal fistula, and in one case by complete rectal prolapse. Two patients had chronic idiopathic neutropenia; one patient had congenital neutropenia (myelokathexis); and one patient had autoimmune neutropenia. INTERVENTIONS: The rhGM-CSF was given intravenously or subcutaneously at starting dosages of 150 to 1000 micrograms/m2 body surface area.d for 12 to 14 consecutive days. Two patients received a second course of daily rhGM-CSF treatment after a nontreatment interval of 14 to 20 days. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In all four patients, the absolute neutrophil counts increased from less than 0.25 x 10(9)/L to 3.2 to 19.2 x 10(9)/L within 2 weeks of beginning rhGM-CSF therapy. Two patients had life-threatening infections that resolved during therapy. The two other patients had major ano-rectal surgery during rhGM-CSF treatment and had no postoperative infections. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with chronic neutropenia, rhGM-CSF may increase neutrophil counts. This therapy may be a useful adjunct to antibiotic therapy for patients with infection and perioperatively for patients having anorectal surgery.

Adult↗

Synthesis of trisaccharides containing 3-deoxy-D-manno-2-octulosonic acid residues related to the KDO-region of enterobacterial lipopolysaccharides.

Glycosylation of methyl (allyl 7,8-O-carbonyl-3-deoxy-alpha-D-manno-2-octulo-pyranosid)o nate with an alpha-(2----4) linked per-O-acetylated KDO-disaccharide bromide derivative under Helferich conditions afforded a 2:1 mixture of the alpha- and beta-linked trisaccharide derivatives in 50% yield. Removal of the protecting groups gave sodium O-[sodium (3-deoxy-alpha-D-manno-2-octulopyranosyl)onate]-(2----4)-O-[ sodium (3-deoxy-alpha- and -beta-D-manno-2-octulopyranosyl)onate]-(2----4)-sodium (allyl 3-deoxy-alpha-D-manno-2-octulopyranosid)onate. Radical copolymerization of the allyl glycosides afforded artificial antigens, suitable for defining antibody specificities directed against the KDO-region of enterobacterial lipopolysaccharides.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗

Recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and low-dose cytosine arabinoside in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. A pilot study.

In a pilot study, five patients with myelodysplastic syndromes with an excess of blast cells were treated with a combination of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) and low-dose cytosine-arabinoside (ara-C) in an attempt to selectively kill the leukemic blast cells and thereby to restore normal hemopoiesis. The treatment schedule consisted of three 14-day-cycles of 250 micrograms/m2 rhGM-CSF and 20 mg/m2 ara-C given daily s.c. with four-week treatment-free intervals. In all four evaluable patients the percentage of bone marrow blast cells decreased significantly with an increase in the mature myeloid cells but without bone marrow aplasia. Toxic side effects attributable to the drugs were minor with fever, mild bone pain, erythema and itching at the site of subcutaneous injection of rhGM-CSF. In conclusion, the combined therapy of rhGM-CSF and low-dose ara-C appears to be effective in the short-term control of the leukemic cell population.

Adult↗

Hematopoietic responses in patients with advanced malignancy treated with recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

The in vivo effect of yeast-derived recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rh GM-CSF) was investigated in 30 patients with advanced malignancy in a phase Ib trial. Patients were treated at four different dose levels (120 to 1,000 micrograms/m2/d) by either daily intravenous (IV) bolus injection or 24-hour continuous infusion. Administration of rh GM-CSF resulted in a broad spectrum of dose- and schedule-dependent hematopoietic effects. Sustained infusion of rh GM-CSF elicited a maximum 17-fold average peak increase of the total WBC count with mainly neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes accounting for this rise, and increases in bone marrow cellularity with a shift to immature myeloid elements. Elevation of lymphocytes, platelets, and reticulocytes was not induced. Within five days after discontinuation of treatment the leukocytosis had disappeared. Adverse reactions encountered with rh GM-CSF seen in 65% of the patients studied were never life-threatening and always rapidly reversible. They included mild myalgias, facial flushing, low-grade fever, headache, bone discomfort, nausea, dyspnea, and transient decline of platelet counts. These results suggest that rh GM-CSF can be safely administered at the doses and schedules used and that it can induce in vivo some of the biological effects reported in in vitro studies. Although no objective antitumour responses have been seen, the ability of rh GM-CSF to increase number and function of leukocytes in vivo may prevent neutropenia and infections when GM-CSF is added to cytotoxic cancer therapy.

Adolescent↗

[Medical care in large camp grounds--a report of experiences].

This paper reports on the experiences gathered in respect of medical care during a ten-day youth camp with members of German girl guide and boy scout associations in the summer of 1988 comparising 6,000 youngsters. Large-scale tent camping of children and adolescents lasting for several days requires a costly and complicated infrastructure for self-support. A medical aid unit where patients can also be looked after on an inpatient basis if necessary, is mandatory if there are more than approximately 300 campers. There should be a doctor-participants ratio of 1:500 or 1:800 for "around-the-clock" availability of medical aid. One of the doctors in the medical team should be a surgeon or a doctor particularly skilled in minor surgery. Every doctor should have three medical assistants at his disposal. Cooperation with hospitals and practising physicians in the neighbourhood should be clarified and organised beforehand. The most frequently occurring diseases in the tent camp were injuries (36% of the patient material), infectious diseases (30%) often of a viral nature and physically conditioned noxae (sunburn, solar dermatitis, burns). About 8% of the patients had to be treated on an inpatient basis in the medical camp unit. Severe lesions or injuries were very rare, probably mainly thanks to the disciplined behaviour of the participants in the camp.

Adolescent↗

[The frequency and localization of hematogenic distant metastases of bronchial carcinoma].

We examined on the basis of 289 autopsies the localization and frequency of metastases in 383 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma. In correspondence with the literature the main localisations of metastases were found in liver, suprarenal glands and skeleton. The small cell carcinoma showed the highest metastatic frequency, especially with 65.9% of liver metastases. The evidence of liver metastases in the phase before treatment is very important, because of the frequency of combination of liver metastases with metastases of suprarenal glands and skeleton.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes--a phase I/II trial.

In a phase I/II study, 11 patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and severe transfusion-dependent cytopenia were treated with recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) to investigate the effects of rhGM-CSF on normal hematopoiesis and leukemic cells. The treatment schedule included dose escalation from 15 micrograms/m2 to 150 micrograms/m2 administered by continuous intravenous (IV) infusion for seven to 14 days and was repeated after a two-week treatment-free interval. The blood leukocyte counts increased dose dependently by 130% to 1,800% in ten patients; a rise of monocytes and eosinophils occurred in seven and six patients, respectively. No sustained increase in reticulocytes or platelets was observed. Lymphocyte counts increased in all patients affecting both T-helper and T-suppressor cells; however, the lymphocytes were not activated as analyzed by the expression of the interleukin-2 receptor. In four of the patients, all with greater than 14% blast cells in the bone marrow, the percentage of bone marrow blast cells increased during treatment with rhGM-CSF. Cytogenetic data indicated induction of both proliferation and differentiation of the leukemic clones by rhGM-CSF. Toxic side effects were minor with slight fever, phlebitis at the infusion site, and bone pain in the minority of patients. In conclusion, rhGM-CSF effectively stimulates hematopoiesis in vivo in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. However, as the leukemic cell population can be stimulated in patients with a higher initial blast cell count, the combination of rhGM-CSF with other differentiation-inducing or cytotoxic agents has to be considered.

Aged↗