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Biomedical subjects

G Watzek

Publications and source records attributed to G Watzek.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Modulation of NK activity in regional lymph nodes by preoperative immunotherapy with OK-432 in patients with cancer of the oral cavity.

The influence of preoperative perilesional therapy with the potent bacterial biological response modifier (BRM) OK-432 on natural killer (NK) cell activity in peripheral blood and tumor draining lymph nodes (LNs) of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) has been investigated. Pretreatment NK activity in peripheral blood (PB) was comparable within the group of HNC patients. However, after perilesional OK-432 therapy, a significant increase in cytotoxicity was observed by day 8. Furthermore, postoperative suppression of PB NK activity was less pronounced in patients with OK-432 therapy. In tumor draining LNs, NK activity was significantly higher in patients receiving OK-432 therapy than in those treated by surgery alone. No differences were detected concerning the in vitro stimulatory capacity of interferon (IFN) and/or Staphylococcus protein A (SPA) on LN NK activity in both the OK-432 treated and untreated group. Furthermore, by immunoperoxidase technique, LNs of OK-432 treated patients were found to express a higher number of cells reacting with the monoclonal antibody HNK-1 compared to LNs of the untreated group. Both these results suggest that perilesional OK-432 therapy leads to an increase in number and function of NK cells in regional LNs, together with an increase in NK activity in PB in some but not all patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

[Heavy metal deposits in pathologically modified hard tissues. Clinical and experimental studies].

Various studies have shown a relationship to exist between toxic heavy metal accumulation and pathologic processes in various tissues. In the present study pathologic processes were found to be associated with an increase in the concentrations of various elements including Hg, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu and Mn. Our results suggest the accumulation of toxic heavy metals and the increase in the Zn concentration to be a secondary phenomenon. If the tissue damage becomes irreversible, the zinc concentration drops, while toxic heavy metals continue to accumulate. consequently, zinc could be an indicator of the biological reactivity of tissues.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Prostaglandin synthesis in dental cysts.

The synthesis of prostaglandins by dental squamous cell cysts was studied. Radiothinlayer-chromatography (RTLC) showed C14-labelled arachidonic acid to be converted into the prostaglandins PGE2, 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha, PGF2 alpha and PDG2. In addition, hydroxyfatty acid synthesis in excess of total prostaglandin production was observed. The substances mentioned are thought to be causally involved in the osteolytic activity of dental cysts.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1985

Evidence that PGI2-generation in human dental cysts is stimulated by leucotrienes C4 and D4.

Various prostaglandins, particularly PGE2 and PGI2, appear to play a major role in osteolytic processes. The bone-destructive action of dental squamous cell cysts is thought to be caused or at least mediated by prostaglandins. Both leucotrienes and prostaglandins are synthesized from a common precursor substance, i.e. arachidonic acid, in a series of reactions. There is a special relation between leucotrienes and PGI2 in that PGI2 synthesis in endothelial cells can be enhanced by LTC4 and LTD4. R-TLC showed conversion of the arachidonic acid added into PGI2 in 8 out of 12 cases, as reflected by the stable degradation product 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha. In 8 cases bioassay showed PGI2 synthesis without addition of LTC4 and LTD4. Incremental LTC4 and LTD4 additions were found to cause a highly significant increase of PGI2 synthesis rates. In summary, LTC4 and LTD4 stimulate PGI2 synthesis in chronic inflammatory processes in vivo and may thus elicit or accelerate osteolysis.

Arachidonic Acids↗
PubMed1984

[Scintigraphy using 111-indium-oxine-sulfate-labeled autologous granulocytes compared to scintigraphy using 99-Tc-pyrophosphate in inflammations of the jaw region].

The present paper compares scintigraphy using leucocytes labelled with 111 indium oxine sulphate with conventional 99Tc pyrophosphate scintigraphy for the investigation of inflammatory processes in the region of the jaw bones. It also tries to establish whether progress can be made in the field of differential diagnosis using a combination of these two methods of investigation. It is shown that conventional scintigraphy using 99Tc pyrophosphate represents an approved method of investigation, whereas scintigraphy using autologous leucocytes does not as yet fulfil the expectations that have been placed in it.

Abscess↗
PubMed1983

6-oxo-PGF1 alpha -a new tumour marker for tumours in the maxillo-facial region.

The diagnosis of secondary or recurrent tumour growth after operations on primary maxillo-facial tumours is still only possible at a late stage. On the other hand, the prostaglandins of the E series assume an important role in connection with tumour growth. The present investigation succeeded for the first time in detecting an increase in the level of 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha, the stable metabolite of PGI2, before planned radical operation in patients with maxillo-facial tumours. In the further course of the illness it was possible to establish a correlation between the plasma values and the occurrence of metastasis or recurrence of disease. These results indicate that a certain significance can be attributed to 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha as a tumour marker.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1982

Experimental investigations into the clinical significance of bone growth at viscerocranial sutures.

The development of a viscerocranial suture under physiological conditions was investigated in a total of 37 pigs and the effects of various traumas on expected sutural bone growth were observed. Different operations were carried out on one side only in the vicinity of the zygomaticotemporal suture in 18-25 day old piglets. The animals were sacrificed six months after the operation. The skulls of some of the animals were macerated and subjected to macroscopic and radiological investigation. Both zygomatic arches were removed from each of the remaining animals and used for the production of undecalcified microtome and ground sections. Intravital fluorochrome labelling was used to determine the asymmetric growth at this suture; this is interpreted as being the formation of new bone following passive expansion of the sutural region. After injury or transplantation of the periosteum and after the healing of a narrow bone defect or fracture we observed either a continuous suture from the outset or the formation of a new fissure after osseous regeneration. Similar findings were also made after the transplantation of compact rib fragments into a sutural defect without subsequent bridging of the defect. Only after the transplantation of autologous pieces of cancellous rib into an osseous defect in the sutural region was sutural ossification, accompanied by distinct deformation of the skull observed. As a clinical consequence of this it may be presumed that trauma or operation in the region of a suture has a considerable effect on the growth of the visceral cranium only if it results in premature synostosis.

Animals↗