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Biomedical subjects

H Berndt

Publications and source records attributed to H Berndt.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1976

[General problems in the diagnosis of cancer].

Cancer distingishes itself from other chronic diseases in internal medicine by the chance of complete and constant cure in "early" recognition and treatment. The well-timed diagnosis, therefore, is decisive for the fate of the patient. This increases the responsibility of the internist. Early recongnitionof the cancer by well planned medical check-up meets with close boundaries and is nowadays only justified for malignant tumours of the cervix uteri, the mammary gland, the stomach and the lung. The dispensary care of risk groups favours the higher quality of the work of the physician, but is not able to reduce decisively the problem. The dispensary care has important functions in the field of health education and thus also aims at the primary prevention. Quick and relevant diagnostics in complaints is at present and in near future the most important way to the recognition of cancer in the curable stage. Careful general examination of the body and aimed questioning after danger signals independent of the reason of the consultation may improve the situation. Apart from the recognition of the cancer the disribution diagnostics and the judgment of the general resistance to stress are responsible tasks of the internist.

Cytodiagnosis↗
PubMed1976

Identification and physiological characterization of the nitrogen fixing bacterium Corynebacterium autotrophicum GZ 29.

The coryneform hydrogen bacterium strain GZ 29, assigned to Corynebacterium autotrophicum fixed molecular nitrogen under autotrophic (H2, CO2) as well as under heterotrophic (sucrose) conditions. Physiological parameters of nitrogen fixation were measured under heterotrophic conditions. The optimal dissolved oxygen concentration for cells grown in a fermenter with N2 was rather low (0.14 mg O2/l) compared with cells grown in the presence of NH+4 (4.45 mg O2/l). C. autotrophicum GZ 29 had a doubling time of 3.7 h at 30 degrees C with N2 as N-source and sucrose as carbon source and at optimal pO2. Acetylene reduction reached values of 12 nmoles of ethylene produced/min X mg protein. Although the oxygen concentration in the growing culture was kept constant, the optimal dissolved oxygen tension for the acetylene reduction assay shifted to higher pO2-values. The overall efficiency of nitrogen fixation amounted to 22 mg N fixed/g sucrose consumed; it reached a maximal value of 65 mg N fixed/g sucrose consumed at the beginning of the exponential growth phase. Intact cells reduced acetylene even under anaerobic test conditions; further anaerobic metabolic activity could not be ascertained so far.

Acetylene↗
PubMed1976

[Malignant neoplasms of the stomach in Berlin, capital of the G.D.R. - An analysis of the state of diagnosis and treatment].

In Berlin, capital of the German Democratic Republic, 7,386 new cases of gastric cancer (ICD 151) were registered in the period from 1955 to 1969 and in year 1973. 52 percent of patients were male. Percentage of cases 75 years old and more, increased from 21% (1955-1959) to 36% (1965-1969). There were only slight changes in incidence. About 30% of cases were in the operable stages I and II. With rising age, the proportion of the advanced stages III and IV increases. No real progress as made in early diagnosis of stomach cancer as measured by stage distribution during observation period. Patient's delay from first symptom to first visit was shorter than one month in 40%, physician's delay from first visit to correct diagnosis was shorter than one month in 54%. 15% of patients were treated within one month after first symptom and 47% within three months. There was no correlation between duration of history and percentage of early stages. When observation periods 1955 to 1959, 1960-1964, 1965-1969 and 1973 are compared, we find an increase in old patients (75+ years), a decrease of localized stages I + II, and a decrease in resection rate. Therefore, a decrease in survival rates is to be expected. Crude 5-year survival rate was 6.4% (1955-1959) and 6.2% (1960-1964). When we compare data from Berlin with observations in the Region of Erfurt and in Birmingham Region, the situation of detection and treatment of stomach cancer in Berlin seems to be somewhat better. Finally, some suggestions for the improvement of control of stomach cancer are made.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[Bronchial cancer in Berlin, capital of the G.D.R. 2. communication. lung cancer detection between 1955 and 1973 (author's transl)].

In Berlin, capital of the G.D.R., more than 8,600 cases of bronchial cancer were observed in the period 1955 to 1969 and in 1973/4. Number of cases has increased from one 5-years period to the following period. Incidence of lung cancer in men increased especially in higher age groups whereas in female a rising incidence can be seen in all age groups. Duration of history is no good measure of health behaviour and of diagnostic quality. Distribution of clinical stages gives reliable information on the situation of detection. With rising age, the proportion of advanced stages increases. Stage distribution has not changed during the observation period and no measurable progress towards earlier detection of lung cancer has been achieved. In the same time, proportion of elderly lung cancer patients rose considerably and the chances of radical surgical treatment grew worse. Nevertheless the resection rate has increased. It seems that the quality of specialized surgical care has made some progress. Some conclusions can be drawn for cancer control: Prophylactic examinations are to be concentrated on high risk groups. Patients with suspicion of lung cancer shall be admitted to the specialist without delay. Development of nonsurgical methods of therapy for cancer of the lung is an important goal.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

[Peptic ulcer - etiology and pathogenesis].

On account of its frequency, its severe sequelae for individual and society and an account of the hitherto insufficient possibilities for prevention and cure the peptic ulcer of the stomach and the duodenum is a severe problem in health policy. To the conditions of development known from epidemiology belong genetic as well as environmental factors. For the participation of genetic predispositions plead among others the familial accumulation and the connection with ABO-blood-groups. Environmental factors are evidently more important. Conspicuous are geographic differences and temporary trends of the frequency of ulcer. Psychosocial factors is attributed an important role among the developmental conditions. Ventricular ulcer and duodenal ulcer differ epidemiologically and pathophysiologically. In the ventricular ulcer the question is apparantly the local expression of a diffuse lesion of the mucous membrane. Due to a lesion of the barrier of the mucous membrane the increased rediffusion of hydrogen ions is the cause. Reflux of the duodenal juice, drugs and disturbances of circulation participate in this. In the duodenal ulcer the mucous membrane is healthy, but is not able to resist the increased and prolonged exposition to hydrochloric acid and pepsin. Disturbances of the nervous and humoral regulation of the production of acid and its inhibition are apparantly the cause.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1975

[Stomach ulcer and stomach cancer].

About 5--10% of the gastric carcinomas develop from a gastric ulcer (ulcerocancer). This process, however, is, referred to gastric ulcers, too rare to indicate a prophylactic resection of the stomach on account of the danger of the development of cancer. Careful diagnostics and following control with X-ray examination and gastroscopy are, however, necessary in every gastric ulcer. The retrogression of the complaints neither proves healing of the ulcer nor benignity of the ulcer. Compared with the ulcerocarcinoma the differential diagnosis of the gastric ulcer is easy when locally advanced, patelliform carcinomas are in question. It is difficult in small carcinomas and especially in the carcinoma of the mucous membrane of type III. Individual radiologic and endoscopic signs and especially their combination are useful for the differentiation, but they may be misleading. A carcinomatous ulcer may radiologically and endoscopically look like a peptic ulcer and may apparently also fully heal. Therefore, a certain differential diagnosis is only possible with the help of an aimed biopsy of the stomach or the cytodiagnostics. The two methods serve further propagation. They should be used in every case, when an apparantly benign ulcer does not reveal a clear retrogression under effective treatment with carbenoxolone within four weeks. The examination of the gastric juice may be used for the differential diagnosis.

Carbenoxolone↗
PubMed1975

Kinetics and properties of beta-ketothiolase from Clostridium pasteurianum.

1. Beta-Ketothiolase of Clostridium pasteurianum was purified 130-fold by ammonium sulphate fractionation and by column chromatography using DEAE-Sephadex A-50 and hydroxylapatite. Subjected to gel electrophoresis beta-ketothiolase revealed two distinct bands; by isoelectric focusing two enzymes with isoelectric points at pH 4.5 and 7.6 were separated. As established by sucrose density gradient centrifugation the molecular weight of both enzymes was found to be 158000. 2. The condensation reaction was measured by a coupled optical test using beta-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase as auxiliary enzyme and either acetyl-CoA or free coenzyme A plus acetyl-phosphate and phosphotransacetylase (regenerating system) or acetyl-CoA plus regenerating system as substrates. Beta-Ketothiolase from C. pasteurianum used only 20% of the chemically synthesized acetyl-CoA; the enzyme from Alcaligenes eutrophus H 16 used 25%. When the regenerating system was added the condensation reaction continued. The enzyme from C. pasteurianum was inactivated by free coenzyme A, while the enzyme from A. eutrophus was inhibited. When acetyl-CoA was added as the substrate the initial velocity determination was impeded by the lack of linearity. With acetyl-CoA as the substrate the Km-value was found to be 2.5 mM acetyl-CoA. If free CoASH (or acetyl-CoA) plus regenerating system was added the Km was 0.44 mM (0.42 mM) acetyl-CoA. 3. The beta-ketothiolase activity was measured in the direction of acetoacetyl-CoA cleavage by an optical assay following the decrease of the enol and chelate form of acetoacetyl-CoA by absorption measurement at 305 nm. The activity was maximal at 24 nM MgCl2. The apparent Km values for acetoacetyl-CoA were 0.133 mM and 0.105 mM with 0.065 and 0.016 mM CoASH, respectively. The Km-values as calculated for only the keto form of acetoacetyl-CoA were 0.0471 and 0.0372 mM, respectively. The cleavage reaction was inhibited by high acetoacetyl-CoA concentrations; the inihibition was partially relieved by CoASH. In the range of low concentrations of acetoacetyl-CoA only a slight inhibition by CoASH was observed. The Km for CoASH was found to be 0.0288 and 0.0189 mM with 0.09 and 0.045 mM acetoacetyl-CoA, respectively. High concentrations of CoASH exerted an inhibitory effect on the cleavage reaction. With respect to enzyme kinetics and sensitivity to inhibitors and metabolites the beta-ketothiolases of C. pasteurianum and A. eutrophus were rather similar.

Acetoacetates↗
PubMed1975

[Comparative considerations on incidence of malignant neoplasms in the United States (White) 1969-1971 and in the German Democratic Republic 1971 (author's transl)].

An analysis of the incidence of malignant neoplasms in the GDR 1971 as compared with the United States 1969-1971 shows that in the USA, incidence of total cancer and of several individual sites is significantly higher than in the GDR. Possible reasons for this observation are discussed. The much higher incidence of nearly all malignant neoplasms in high age in the USA raises suspicion that cancer registration in the GDR for these age groups is incomplete. Wide differences in younger and middle age cannot be solely explained by underregistration in one country. Incidence of stomach cancer is much higher in the GDR than in the USA and incidence of malignant neoplasms of colon, breast (female), prostate, and urinary bladder is significantly higher in North America. Remarkable but not as big differences are observed for most cancer sites. Only part of these observations can be explained by different diagnostic criteria (e. g. acute leukosis). It is concluded that there is a real difference in cancer risk between the GDR and the USA. It is hoped that these results stimulate special studies in order to elucidate the causes of different cancer incidence and there by to gain more insight in factors which enhance the risk of cancer.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

[On cancer mortality in the German Democratic Republic. Regional differences and time trends of mortality of malignant neoplasms of stomach, colon, rectum, breast, and uterus, 1960--1969].

Mortality of maligant neoplasms of stomach (ICD 151; 84 529 deaths), colon (ICD 153; 13237 deaths), rectum (ICD 154; 13687 deaths), breast (ICD 174; 24400 deaths), and uterus (ICD 180--182; 25308 deaths) in the GDR in the years from 1960 to 1969 is described. There are regional differences of mortality which cannot be explained by demographic and diagnostic factors solely but suggest that there exist real differences of cancer risk. Mortality of stomach cancer is relatively low in the middle regions (Berlin, Frankfurt, Potsdam, Cottbus) and in the region of Erfurt and remakably high in the regions of Schwerin, Neubrandenburg, Gera, Leipzig and Karl-Max-Stadt. Mortality of colonic cancer is highest in Berlin, lowest in Schwerin, Neubrandenburg and Gera. Mortality of rectum cancer shows minor regional differences and another distribution than colonic ancer. Mortality of breast cancer is extremely high in Berlin and very low in Suhl. Mortality of cancer of the uterus reaches high levels in Neubrandenburg and is very low in the region of Karl-Marx-Stadt. In the period 1960--1969, mortality of stomach cancer has decreased whereas mortality of colonic cancer has increased. Mortality of rectum neoplasm remained constant. The time trend of mortality of breast cancer demonstrates regional differences and has increased somewhat in th GDR. Mortality of uterus cancer has slightly decreased. Regional differences and time trends of cancer mortality in the GDR suggest the influence of environmental factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

[Relationship between patient delay and prognosis in gastric cancer in an unselected population (author's transl)].

Whereas the morphology of malignant neoplastia is well known, exact information on the natural history of cancer is lacking. Some hints in this direction can be gained from detailed observations of the course of disease and from correlations between duration of history and prognosis. In the literature, views on the dependence of prognosis on duration of delay are conflicting. This was the reason why we examined this relationship in gastric cancer in the region of Erfurt, GDR, based on the unselected data of the cancer registry. 1838 cases of gastric cancer in male in 1960--1969 could be evaluated concerning prognosis and patient delay. In 2575 cases, relationship between duration of delay and clinical stage as well as mode of treatment could be investigated. From the statistical evaluation it was concluded that a long history is a sign of a less aggressive tumour growth. A short delay seems to be an index of adverse host-tumour relations. Better treatment results can be expected by shortening of patient delay. Possibilities to change the situation are discussed. A more centralized organisation of surgical care is proposed.

Germany, East↗
PubMed1975

[Malignant neoplasms of colon and rectum in Berlin, capital of the G.D.R., 1960--1969 (author's transl)].

The situation of detection and treatment of colonic and rectal cancer in the capital of the G.D.R. Berlin is described for the period 1960--1969 and analyzed in comparison to other periods and regions. This study is based on the regional cancer registry and therefore free of the selection bias in clinical statistics. In the ten year period, 3855 new cases were registered (colon 2158, rectum 1697). The proportion of old patients is high, 66 percent were 65 years and older, 28% 75 and more years old. About 41% of patients seek medical advice within four weeks after first symptoms and about 60 percent of cancers were treated within one month after first consultation. The locaized stages I and II amounted to 46 percent of cases. There was only loose relation between duration of history and stage of disease. In nearly 39% of cases radical operation was performed and 27% were not treated by surgery. 5-year survival rates of colonic and rectal cancer in the period 1960--1964 amounted to 12% for all stages irrespeitive of method of treatment and 31% for patients after radical surgery. Survival rates depend on stage, on mode of treatment and on age. In the period from 1955 to 1973, proportion of old patients increased, distribution of stages remained nearly constant but proportion of cases radically operated on increased by 3%. Comparison of the regions of Berlin and Erfurt showed only small differences. Compared with international reports, survival rate is very low in Berlin, presumably due to complete registration of new cases and high number of very old people with colonic and rectal cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

[The influence of menopause on prognosis of breast cancer (author's transl)].

Between 1949 and 1968, 1369 female patients received primary treatment for breast cancer in the Robert-Rössle-Clinic of the Central Institute for Cancer Research of the Academy of Sciences of the GDR. Using a sequential procedure based on decision theory, the influence of menopause on prognosis of breast cancer was investigated in clinical stage I--III. The following rank order of negative prognostic signs was found in the 365 patients of 46-55 years age (5-year survival rate in braquets): skin involved beyond breast (0%); inflammatory type of cancer (0%); fixation of chest wall (0%); radiation treatment only (10%); tumor diameter in surgical specimen 5 cm and more (26%); tumor diameter 10+ cm by clinical examination (31%); skin ulceration (0%); axillary lymph nodes considered to contain growth (40%); menopause (59.7%). 85% of menstrating patients without these adverse prognostic signs survived for more than 5 years. Taking into consideration other observations, it is suggested that breast cancer before menopause is mostly oestrogen-dependent. When the ovary ceases to produce oestrogens in the next future, the cancer looses hormonal stimuli necessary for growth. This interpretation is in agreement with the observations that younger menstruating women show a definitely worse prognosis (5-year survival rate 55,8%). In controlled clinical trials, patients before and after menopause should be randomized separately.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1975

[Semisynthetic sheep des-A1-glycine insulin (author's transl)].

The synthetic Des-1-glycine-A-chain of sheep insulin as the monomeric cyclic bisdisulfide and native bovine B-chain bissulfonate were reduced together with mercaptoethanol. They combined at pH 10.6 to yield Des-A1-glycine-insulin. This was purified by gel and ion exchange chromatography. The low insulin activity (0.4 - 0.6%) as measured by the fat cell test as well as the change in the CD spectrum indicated that the loss of the N-terminal glycine of the A-chain results in fully inactive insulin. This confirms the results obtained earlier by partial synthesis of Des-A1-glycine-insulin.

Animals↗