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Biomedical subjects

H Schmid

Publications and source records attributed to H Schmid.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Differential osmoresponsiveness of periventricular neurons in duck hypothalamus.

Single-unit responses to osmotic stimulation were recorded extracellularly in slice preparations from the duck's hypothalamus in the periventricular layer (pl), magnocellular center (mc), and deep periventricular neuropil of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). The pl neurons were located in the dorsorostral third ventricular region of maximum osmoresponsiveness determined in vivo. Hypertonic stimulation (+20 to +35 mosmol/kgH2O) by excess NaCl in the incubation medium excited 25 and inhibited 4 out of 48 pl neurons. Hypotonic (-10 to -20 mosmol/kgH2O) stimulation inhibited 9 out of 10 neurons activated by hypertonic stimulation. Hypertonic activation of pl neurons was maintained in seven out of nine neurons when NaCl was replaced by LiCl, but replacing NaCl by sucrose was ineffective in each of 10 neurons. Synaptic blockade (Ca2(+)-free/high-Mg2+ medium) did not abolish hypertonic activation in 8 out of 11 pl neurons. Among 30 mc neurons, 2 were activated and 1 inhibited by hypertonic stimulation with NaCl (+20 to +35 mosmol/kgH2O), and among 24 neurons in the periventricular neuropil, 2 were activated and 4 inhibited. The function of osmoresponsive pl neurons as specific receptors would be consistent with their morphological characteristics and with the location and functional properties of the duck's third ventricular osmoresponsiveness in vivo.

Animals↗

Cell-autonomous and inductive signals can determine the sex of the germ line of drosophila by regulating the gene Sxl.

To investigate the mechanism of sex determination in the germ line, we analyzed the fate of XY germ cells in ovaries, and the fate of XX germ cells in testes. In ovaries, germ cells developed according to their X:A ratio, i.e., XX cells underwent oogenesis, XY cells formed spermatocytes. In testes, however, XY and XX germ cells entered the spermatogenic pathway. Thus, to determine their sex, the germ cells of Drosophila have cell-autonomous genetic information, and XX cells respond to inductive signals of the soma. Results obtained with amorphic and constitutive mutations of Sxl show that both the genetic and the somatic signals act through Sxl to achieve sex determination in germ cells.

Alleles↗

Immunohistochemical localization of glutamine synthetase in human liver.

Glutamine synthetase (GS) of human liver was recognized with a polyclonal antibody to pig brain GS, but failed to stain with an antibody against rat liver GS. Using the latter antibody GS of human liver was shown to be localized within small rings of 1 to 3 hepatocytes surrounding the terminal hepatic venules. This pattern was analogous to that seen in rat and mouse liver.

Adult↗

DNA flow cytometry, clinical and morphological parameters as prognostic factors for advanced malignant and borderline ovarian tumors.

Patients with malignant ovarian (n = 111) and borderline (n = 8) tumors (FIGO stage III/IV) underwent surgery and chemotherapy and were analyzed clinically (age, residual tumor after surgery) and morphologically (type, grade, psammoma body content), and by means of flow cytometry (DNA ploidy, S-phase fraction). Follow-up was 12-72 months for investigation of survival. Patients under 60 years of age (n = 18) with malignant tumors showed longer survival than patients over 60 (n = 93) (P = 0.078). Residual tumor was relevant for prognosis in malignant tumors only if macroscopically there was no residual disease (n = 13). There were no significant differences between residual tumors less than or equal to 2 cm (n = 61) and greater than 2 cm (n = 37). WHO typing was of little importance for survival analysis. Compared to borderline tumors (n = 8), serous (n = 65), endometrioid (n = 13), nonclassifiable (n = 12), mucinous carcinomas (n = 8), and nonepithelial tumors (n = 12) had a poor prognosis. Psammoma bodies were found in 25 patients with serous carcinomas, 7 of them had a high content. The prognosis for these 7 patients was much better than that for patients with a moderate or low psammoma body content (P = 0.006). Twenty-three epithelial tumors were graded G1, 28 were G2, and 47 were G3. However, grading was considered only as a prognostic factor in serous carcinomas (n = 65) (P = 0.028). A total of 199 DNA histograms from 119 patients were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). There were no correlations between tumor type and DNA ploidy or S-phase fraction. Seven of eight borderline tumor and all serous carcinomas with a high content of psammoma bodies were diploid combined with a low (less than or equal to 4%) S-phase fraction. DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction were excellent prognosticators. Of 99 epithelial malignant tumors, 35 were diploid and 64 were aneuploid. An S-phase fraction less than or equal to 4% was found in 39 patients, 4.1-10% in 73 patients, and greater than 10% in 23 patients. Diploid tumors and tumors with a low S-phase fraction showed the best survival (P = 0.007, resp. 0.0001). Our study emphasizes the importance of an accurate histology, including information on psammoma body content, and the importance of DNA flow cytometry. The advantage of FCM is that the results are simple, reproducible, and objective.

Age Factors↗

Goserelin, a depot gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist in the treatment of premenopausal patients with metastatic breast cancer. German Zoladex Trial Group.

One hundred thirty-four pre- and perimenopausal patients presenting with metastatic breast cancer (median age, 42 years; range, 25 to 55) were treated with goserelin (Zoladex [ICI 118 630]; ICI Pharma, Plankstadt, Germany) a long-acting gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-analogue depot formulation, injected subcutaneously every 4 weeks, as a first-line therapy. One hundred eighteen patients were evaluable for response. Serum concentrations of estradiol, luteinizing hormones (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormones were significantly suppressed by Zoladex. Mean serum estradiol values fell into the range of castrated or postmenopausal women within 2 to 3 weeks of therapy. This suppression was maintained for the duration of therapy. Overall objective response was: 12 (10.2%) complete remission; 41 (34.7%) partial remission; 33 (28.0%) no change; and 32 (27.1%) progression. In responders, the median time to response was 4 months (range, 2 to 11 months), median duration of response was 8 + months (range 2 to 24 months), and median time to progression was 11 + months (range, 5 to 30 months). Objective responses were seen for different sites of metastases: loco-regional (62.5%), bone (46.7%), visceral (45.0%), and multiple (35.1%). Tumor remission was more common in patients in which the primary tumor was estrogen receptor (ER)-positive (49.3%) or ER-unknown (44.0%), but appreciable response rates were also observed in ER-poor patients (33.3%). Zoladex depot was well tolerated both locally and systemically. It produced effective castration and the objective response rates and duration of remission are at least comparable to those seen following oophorectomy; however, the side effects are less. The use of depot Zoladex avoids the psychological trauma and operative morbidity of the irreversible operative castration.

Adult↗

Osmotic and hormonal stimulation of the third ventricular region of ducks: antidiuretic, circulatory and local neuronal responses.

By means of local microperfusion of the 3rd cerebral ventricle, antidiuretic and circulatory responses to stimulations with various hypertonic solutions and norepinephrine were analyzed in conscious ducks. The results suggest ionic rather than osmometric responsiveness of periventricular osmoreceptive elements, which is in line with single unit recordings of periventricular neurons tested in vitro for their osmoresponsiveness. These neurons were located subependymally at the site of greatest responsiveness in vivo, and corresponded to morphologically identified neurons projecting to the neuroendocrine hypothalamo-pituitary system. Antidiuresis was combined with increases in arterial pressure and heart rate in response to hypertonic stimulations with monovalent cations; divalent cations produced long-lasting antidiuresis and equivocal circulatory responses. Norepinephrine elicited antidiuresis which was accompanied by arterial hypotension and bradycardia. Osmotically and norepinephrine induced antidiuresis was combined with increases of plasma ADH concentration. Different modulatory actions of intrinsic adrenergic, angiotensinergic and vasotocinergic neurons are suggested in hypothalamic control of autonomic functions.

Angiotensin II↗

Species identification and serotyping (capsular antigen) of Pasteurella strains from sheep flocks in south Germany and in Syria.

135 Pasteurella strains were cultivated from nasal swabs of sheep as well as pneumonic lungs of dead and slaughtered sheep. The specimen originated from 41 flocks in South Germany and from 15 flocks and 60 slaughter sheep in Syria (Hama region). Serovariety A2 prevailed amongst P. haemolytica strains (6) isolated in South Germany (53 strains) and in Syria (41 strains). In addition 10 further serovarieties were identified in South Germany (next frequent were A8, A1 and A6) and 7 in Syria. Untypable strains appeared to be more frequent in Syria. Other Pasteurellae (17) represented 1/4 of isolates in Syria and 1/3 of isolates in South Germany. Species identification resulted in P. multocida ssp. multocida (25), P. multocida ssp. septica (4 strains, Syria only), P. canis (3 strains, South Germany only) and Pasteurella-like strains (9 strains). Twelve P. multocida ssp. multocida strains carried capsular antigen D and 7 capsular antigen A. In most cases where multiple samples were examined from one flock, strains with different capsular antigens and/or belonging to different Pasteurella species were isolated (max. 8).

Animals↗

[CA 15-3 and CEA as tumor markers in the diagnosis of the recurrence of breast cancer].

The significance of the tumor markers CA 15-3 and CEA for the oncological follow-up of breast cancer was examined in a retrospective analysis of 108 patients in whom, before and after hospitalization, it was possible to locate a local recurrence, a contralateral breast carcinoma, or a distant metastasis. Overall, examination of the group of patients showed that CA 15-3 was significantly more sensitive than CEA (57%/38%), with an increase of only 3% in sensitivity when investigating both markers simultaneously. Neither marker is suitable for the diagnosis of a relapse in the same region or a contralateral breast carcinoma, as pathologic values are only to be observed in one-third or, respectively, one-quarter of all cases. In cases of distant metastasis, CA 15-3 is significantly superior to CEA (osseous: 62%/41%; visceral: 73%/34%). Only where there is combined osseous/visceral metastatic spread is no significant difference manifested (87%/74%). In 15 out of 17 patients with an apparently relapse-free course both during and after hospitalization, the CA 15-3 value was normal where the CEA value was pathologic. Tumor progression would thus seem improbable where there is a pathologic CEA value in conjunction with a normal CA 15-3 value. In follow-up of breast cancer, simultaneously assay of both "nonredundant" tumor markers, which represent a useful spectrum for tumor control, is to be recommended.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

[Rate of local recurrence and survival in patients with breast reconstruction following mastectomy].

A retrospective study was conducted covering 100 patients who underwent breast reconstruction with plastic prostheses following mastectomy during the period from 1975 to May 1986. They were compared with 100 patients (matched pairs) who had not undergone breast reconstruction. No significant difference between the two groups could be found as regards locoregional recurrences or the overall survival rate. The mean observation period was 86.5 months. Surgical removal of local recurrences did not necessarily involve removal of the prosthesis. Therefore, given adequate operability, and experience on the part of the surgeon, a breast reconstruction following mastectomy can now be performed on any patient desiring it to alleviate mental suffering.

Adult↗

[Therapy with gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists (zoladex) in premenopausal females with metastastic breast cancer].

Medicinal castration using GnRH-analogues is a new therapeutic possibility for treating metastasizing breast cancer in premenopausal women. A total of 22 premenopausal patients were included in the study reported here, all of them low-risk cases. Twenty of the 22 patients had hormone receptor-positive primary tumors. A slow-release depot form of Zoladex (ICI 118630) was used as a GnRH agonist and was administered subcutaneously (3.6 mg) at four-week intervals. The long-term administration of Zoladex brought about a significant reduction in blood FSH, estradiol, and progesterone levels within one to four weeks. In contrast, there were no detectable changes in ACTH, DHEAS, cortisol, testosterone, prolactin, or androstendion levels. Therapy-induced amenorrhea occurred in all cases. The objective remission rate achieved (complete and partial remission) was 45%. As opposed to other formulations, the use of Zoladex as a GnRH analog in depot form has significant advantages, which become particularly evident through improved compliance. With Zoladex therapy an effective drug-induced castration can be accomplished in premenopausal women. As regards its efficacy it is comparable to an ovarectomy, though with less pronounced side effects.

Adult↗

[Transposition and myocutaneous island flaps in primary or secondary locoregional surgical therapy of breast cancer].

New plastic surgical reconstruction techniques can today make a major contribution to locoregional therapy in breast cancer cases. The present paper reports on indications for and experience gathered in primary and secondary therapy with transposition (medial-pedicled thoracoepigastric) and myocutaneous island flaps (lower transversal rectus and latissimus dorsi) at the University Gynecological Clinic of Heidelberg between October 1981 and June 1987. Thirty-nine patients were treated using these techniques. Altogether nine rectus, 13 latissimus dorsi, and 21 thoracoepigastric flaps were used; in 16 cases for primary treatment with T4 tumors and in 27 cases for secondary treatment. In view of the rate of complications and recurrences seen, the indication must be established strictly and individually according to the location of the defect, the anatomic situation, and the prognosis for the patient. Today, the use of these plastic surgery techniques should lie in the hands of experienced surgeons and be an integral part of the treatment of primary advanced breast carcinomas or large locoregional recurrences.

Adult↗

[Disorders of vascularization following fracture of the ankle joint in children].

In the Department of Paediatric Surgery of the University of the Heidelberg, 64 children were admitted during five years to the hospital after an ankle fracture. 12 children showed a typical fracture of the growth plate (v. Laer). All 12 were not older than 12 years. The problem of this typical form of fracture is that even careful accurate treatment may be followed by growth problems of the tibial malleolus. A microangiographic postmortem study using plastinated shetts (v. Hagens) showed a normal distribution of vascularity of the ankle joint. The vascular damage after fracture and the damage of the local vascularity in the area at the growth plate after surgical treatment are comparable.

Ankle Injuries↗