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Biomedical subjects

H D Schworm

Publications and source records attributed to H D Schworm.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Detection and modulation of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist messenger ribonucleic acid and immunoreactivity in Graves' orbital fibroblasts.

PURPOSE: To analyze the expression and regulation of intracellular and soluble interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) in orbital fibroblasts and to determine whether a disbalance between IL-1 receptor agonist and antagonist may promote IL-1 mediated proinflammatory actions in Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). METHODS: Early passages of cultured orbital fibroblasts (OFs) derived from four patients with active GO and six control subjects were examined for their baseline expression of the two variants of IL-1RA, intracellular IL-1RA (icIL-1RA) and soluble IL-1ra (sIL-1RA. In addition, modulation of icIL-1RA and sIL-1RA was studied after exposure of OF to a broad range of cytokines as well as to nonspecific stimulating agents such as lipopolysaccharide and phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate. The IL-1RA gene and protein variants were analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, immunocytochemical staining, immunoblotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: At baseline, both GO- and control OF showed low levels of constitutive icIL-1RA ribonucleic acid and absence of sIL-1RA ribonucleic acid expression. Exposure to various cytokines stimulated icIL-1RA and sIL-1RA gene expression in both groups, but generally to markedly lower levels in GO-OF compared to that of control OF (P < 0.01). Analysis of IL-1RA protein expression showed low levels of constitutive IL-1RA immunoreactivity (22 kDa) in cell lysates and absence of sIL-1RA immunoreactivity in culture supernatants derived from both GO-OF and control OF. Interleukin-1-alpha was capable of inducing expression of two variants (23 and 26 kDa) of IL-1RA immunoreactivity in supernatants, derived from control OF, and to a lesser degree, GO-OF (P < 0.01). Quantitative analysis showed markedly lower abundance of IL-1RA immunoreactivity in cell lysates and supernatants derived from GO-OF monolayers compared to that detected in control OF (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate differences in regulation of icIL-1RA and sIL-1RA and markedly lower levels of expression in cultured GO-OF compared to normal OF. Failure to generate, upon cytokine stimulation, sufficient quantities of icIL-1RA and sIL-1RA to balance agonist stimulation of the IL-1 receptor may facilitate IL-1-dependent proinflammatory and fibrogenic actions within the orbital tissue in GO.

Cell Culture Techniques↗
PubMed1996

Molecular analysis of antigen receptor variable region repertoires in T lymphocytes infiltrating the intrathyroidal and extrathyroidal manifestations in patients with Graves' disease.

To determine whether T cells infiltrating thyroid, orbital and pretibial tissue of patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) and pretibial dermopathy (PTD) represent a primary immune response that is directed against certain antigenic determinants shared between these involved tissues, we characterized these T cells at the molecular level. T cell antigen receptor (TcR) variable (V) region gene usage in thyroid, orbital, pretibial tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with GD, GO and PTD was assessed using RT-PCR and 22 V alpha and 23 V beta gene-specific oligonucleotide primers, followed by Southern hybridization analysis using TcR C-region-specific, digoxigenin-labelled oligonucleotide probes. In some instances, CDR3- and junctional regions of TcR V beta genes were sequenced. Marked restriction and similarities of V alpha and V beta gene usage were detected in samples derived from patients with active GO and PTD of recent onset. Moreover, sequence analysis of junctional domains of V beta families revealed oligoclonality of some intrathyroidal, orbital and pretibial T cell populations as well as the presence of conserved junctional motifs shared by T cells derived the thyroid gland and the extrathyroidal sites. These data suggest that similar antigenic determinants may be responsible for the recruitment and oligoclonal expansion of T cells both within the thyroid gland and at the involved extrathyroidal sites in Graves' disease.

Eye Diseases↗
PubMed1996

[Effect of strabismus operation of corneal topography].

BACKGROUND: In order to determine the short- and long-term influence of strabismus surgery on corneal curvature, a prospective study was carried out measuring corneal topography before and after operation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Corneal topography was performed using a computer assisted videokeratoscope. 77 eyes of 74 patients were examined 1 day before and 1 day as well as 3 months after surgery. Data of the semimeridians at 0 degree, 90 degrees, 180 degrees and 270 degrees in the 3-, 5- and 7-mm zone and of the corneal center were analyzed. Objective refraction, induced astigmatism and simulated keratometer reading were evaluated. 39 horizontal recess-resect procedures. 12 inferior rectus recessions, 10 horizontal resections. 10 inferior oblique recessions and 6 other procedures were performed. RESULTS: The spheric equivalent of objective refraction decreased by 0.23 D. The absolute astigmatism increased by 0.16 D, the maximum change was 1 D. Changes of objective refraction were statistically not significant. The simulated keratometer reading increased by 0.2 D postoperatively and returned to the initial value after 3 months. With few exceptions, corneal topographic changes were small, statistically not significant and nearly disappeared after 3 months. Corneal flattening tended to occur in the semimeridian of resection while corneal steepening was observed at the site of recession. CONCLUSIONS: The influence of strabismus surgery on corneal astigmatism is usually small and mostly transitory. In a few cases, however, the induced astigmatism persists. Patients should be informed about this possibility preoperatively.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Discordant monozygotic twins with the Schimmelpenning-Feuerstein-Mims syndrome.

The Schimmelpenning-Feuerstein-Mims syndrome (SFM), characterized by linear nevus sebaceous and ocular and neurologic abnormalities, is a sporadic condition without known familial cases or etiology. We report the occurrence of SFM in only one of two monozygotic (MZ) twins. After considering a variety of possible causative mechanisms, we suggest that a postzygotic dominant lethal mutation in mosaic form may best explain SFM and the discordancy for SFM in these MZ twins.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1996

Functional prognosis in A and V patterns: a retrospective analysis of surgery on oblique muscles.

Treatment of A and V patterns through surgery on the overacting oblique muscles was evaluated. A retrospective analysis of 330 operated cases with A and V patterns was performed. Surgery on the overacting oblique muscles proved to be successful in treating the vertical incomitance in these patterns, especially after the introduction of maximal recession of the inferior oblique muscle in cases with marked V patterns that used to show undercorrections with the usual 8-mm recession. Little was found in the literature about the binocular vision in these patterns. We therefore evaluated cases with special regard to the functional point of view. We found that about one-third of the patients had had simultaneous perception preoperatively and that more than two-thirds did so postoperatively.

Child↗
PubMed1995

[The initial clinical manifestations of rhabdomyosarcoma].

Unilateral proptosis, dislocation of the globe and impairment of motility in childhood are known to be typical presenting signs of rhabdomyosarcoma of the orbit. In a retrospective analysis of 17 patients with rhabdomyosarcoma (1974-1993) only 8 patients presented with typical signs. 9 patients did never show the typical signs which initially lead to a wrong diagnosis in many cases. A 5-year-old boy complained of a conjunctival cyst in the lower fornix of the left eye. Two weeks later the cyst was replaced by a solid tumor. The tumor was not completely resectable, histology revealed an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. Presenting signs and symptoms of orbital rhabdomyosarcoma show a sometimes misleading variety including conjunctival cyst formation. In any recent onset of unilateral rapidly progressing alterations of the lid, the conjunctiva or the caruncle in childhood the physician should consider a rhabsomyosarcoma of the orbit.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

[The "ideal" cholecystectomy. A prospective, randomized study].

200 patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy were studied in a prospective randomized manner. This study suggests that the nasogastric tube and postoperative iv-infusions are unnecessary. We continue to use a subhepatic drain. Exception: the senior surgeon in a straightforward case.

Cholecystectomy↗
PubMed1987

[Injuries of the large vessels caused by laparoscopy].

Laparoscopy is used in surgery, internal medicine and gynecology for diagnostic as well as for therapeutic purpose. Frequency of complications is minimal. By means of 4 cases it will be demonstrated that severe traumata of the retroperitoneal vessels are possible using this method. We could prove by anatomic studies that the possibility of vascular injury should not be underestimated because of the mostly bifurcation. Diagnostic and therapeutic consequences have been discussed.

Abortion, Induced↗