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H Schulze

Publications and source records attributed to H Schulze.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Organization of tubules in the human caput epididymidis and the ultrastructure of their epithelia.

The structure of the human caput epididymidis was examined by gross morphological and light and electron microscopic techniques. There were at least seven types of tubules, each characterized by a different epithelium. These tubules were connected with one another by at least eight types of junctions to form a network. Most of the caput epididymidis was composed of efferent ducts. Within these, five types of tubules, each with a different ciliated epithelium, were found in different regions; and four types of junctions between the efferent ducts and the epididymal tubule were observed. The efferent ducts left the testis, initially as parallel straight tubules containing both ciliated and non-ciliated cells in an epithelium of irregular height. Each efferent duct then coiled tortuously into lobules that folded over one another. These efferent ducts then branched out as thin tubules to join a network of dark tubules which were lined by a regular epithelium containing prominently vacuolated, non-ciliated cells. These tubules anastomosed via common cavities characterized by a ciliated cuboidal epithelium and sometimes joined tubules exhibiting a non-vacuolated ciliated epithelium. The latter, as well as typical efferent ducts, made connection with the epididymis proper in both end-to-end and end-to-side junctions. In the more distal junctions with the epididymis, the efferent ducts joined to a transitional epididymal ductule before joining to the side of the epididymis proper. Post-junctional epithelia in the beginning of the epididymis occasionally contained patches of cells characteristic of efferent ducts. Tall cells with long stereocilia constituted a discontinuous "initial segment"-like region of the epididymis. This is the most detailed study so far of the epithelia and the tubule organization in the caput epididymidis of any species, and most of the results are reported for the first time for the human. Although the pattern of the tubule network resembles that of some domestic species, the rich variety of epithelia has not been appreciated before.

Aged↗

Correlation of biochemical blocks and genetic lesions in leucine auxotrophic strains of the imperfect yeast Candida maltosa.

The four enzymatic steps in the conversion of alpha-ketoisovaleriate to leucine were examined in the wild type and in 13 leucine auxotrophic strains of Candida maltosa. The genetic lesions in the auxotrophs, involve at least five different loci and are correlated with three enzymatic steps. This was confirmed by gene cloning, protoplast fusion, and enzyme assays. The pathway for leucine biosynthesis in C. maltosa shows general similarity to that of other lower eukaryotes but there are individual differences in the numbers of genes responsible for single enzymatic steps. A disomic state of the chromosomes carrying genes coding for alpha-isopropylmalate synthase and beta-isopropyl-malate dehydrogenase was elucidated.

2-Isopropylmalate Synthase↗

In situ embedding of cell monolayers cultured on plastic surfaces for electron microscopy.

Various procedures suitable for routine in situ embedding of cell monolayers were tested including: (1) the use of different Epon substitutes, (2) the use of different types of plasticware obtained from different sources, and (3) different methods of preparing capsules for sectioning. Different resins reacted differently with different plastics and type of preparation. Merck Epon substitute bound to most of the plastics tested. Ladd Epon substitute released cleanly from all plastics tested when a suitable method of preparation was used. The results show that for routine embedding of cell monolayers it is necessary to select an appropriate Epon substitute and method of preparation of capsules for the type of plasticware used. A routine method is described, with various alternative steps which can be applied when particular difficulties are encountered.

Animals↗

Histological localization of estrogen receptors in normal and diseased human prostates by immunocytochemistry.

The role of estrogens and estrogen receptors (ER) in the human prostate remains unresolved. In this study we have used the monoclonal ER antibody H222 to investigate the histological localization of ER in normal and diseased human prostates by immunocytochemistry. Prostate tissue was obtained from 3 young organ donors (Group I-normal prostate), from 14 prostates removed by radical prostatectomy or radical cystoprostatectomy, which had caused no or only mild obstructive symptoms (Group II-non-obstructive prostate), and from 11 prostates removed by suprapubic prostatectomy, which had caused severe obstructive symptoms due to a large benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (Group III-obstructive prostate). In prostates of all groups ER were found to be in nuclei of the prostatic urethra and of the periurethral prostatic duct. In striking contrast, ER in the interglandular prostatic stroma was not as homogeneous among the different groups. We observed a low concentration of ER in the stroma of normal prostates, the highest concentration in non-malignant stroma of non-obstructive prostates, and no ER at all in stroma of obstructive prostates. Based on the immunocytochemical localization of ER in normal and diseased human prostate, our results indicate that stromal growth in obstructive BPH may not be mediated via ER. However, we cannot exclude that an increase of stromal ER concentration (as observed in non-obstructive prostates) is directly involved in induction of BPH, leading further prostate growth thereafter into an estrogen independent state.

Adolescent↗

Rupture of ileal neobladder due to urethral obstruction by mucous plug.

We report a case of ileal neobladder rupture after radical cystectomy due to mucus obstruction of the bladder neck. Since mucus production in bowel neobladders cannot be sufficiently influenced pharmacologically, patients with a continent urinary diversion connected to the urethra should learn self-catheterization.

Humans↗

Influence of different types of antiandrogens on luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue-induced testosterone surge in patients with metastatic carcinoma of the prostate.

The long-term effect of the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue-induced initial testosterone surge in the treatment of patients with metastatic carcinoma of the prostate still is unknown. However, acute worsening of the disease has been reported in up to 10% of the patients. To prevent such tumor flare we investigated the endocrinological effects of different types of antiandrogens administered in addition to a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue. Patients with newly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer were pre-treated with either the steroidal antiandrogen cyproterone acetate (6) or the nonsteroidal antiandrogen flutamide (5) for 1 week before the initial injection of the depot luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue Zoladex. In another 5 patients flutamide was first given 24 hours before Zoladex therapy was started. Luteinizing hormone, testosterone and prostatic acid phosphatase during month 1 of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue therapy were compared to data obtained in 5 patients treated by Zoladex alone. Only pre-treatment with cyproterone acetate was capable of preventing the Zoladex-induced testosterone surge. However, both pre-treatment regimens with either cyproterone acetate or flutamide for 1 week prevented an initial increase in prostatic acid phosphatase beyond pre-treatment levels in all patients. In contrast, in 4 of 5 patients treated with Zoladex alone and in 2 of 5 pre-treated with flutamide for 1 day an initial increase in prostatic acid phosphatase beyond the pre-treatment values was seen. Our data indicate that pre-treatment with flutamide for only 1 day may not be sufficient to prevent a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue-induced tumor flare in all cases.

Acid Phosphatase↗

A modified technique for the production of an arterio-venous shunt in sheep, allowing a comparison of biocompatibility of synthetic materials.

Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) prostheses were implanted in 12 sheep as a shunt between the carotid artery and the jugular vein using an end-to-side anastomosis technique. This technique allows repeated tests of the pharmacological and toxicological safety of artificial kidney units after both single and multiple administration. Furthermore, it enables the investigation of detoxification of compounds via dialysis, thus contributing to drug safety. Implantation of the prosthesis was uncomplicated. Connection to the extracorporeal circulation was achieved via catheters and maintained using a pump with an output of up to 300 ml/min. This enabled maintenance of extracorporeal circulation for several hours without clinical impairment to the animals. The AV-shunts remained functional for between 8 and 253 days (mean 112.3 days).

Animals↗

Maintenance of human epididymal epithelial cell function in monolayer culture.

Cells liberated by enzyme treatment of tubules dissected out of human epididymides obtained at castration for prostatic carcinoma were cultured for up to 42 days on permeable supports. Outgrowth and monolayer formation was unrelated to the age of the patient or his treatment with anti-androgens. The cells comprising the monolayer were cuboidal and shorter than those in situ but their ultrastructure was characteristic of epithelial cells. There was no evidence of smooth muscle cells or fibroblast overgrowth. The cells manifested fluid-phase and adsorptive endocytosis from both apical and baso-lateral aspects and released into the medium alkaline and acid phosphatases and N-acetylglucosaminidase.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

Alpha-actinin synthesis can be modulated by antisense probes and is autoregulated in non-muscle cells.

We used a 279 bp cDNA probe derived from a Dictyostelium alpha-actinin genomic sequence to assay the degree of homology between alpha-actinin from slime molds, mammalian and chicken cells. Recognition of this probe by vertebrate cells was shown in Southern and Northern blots, and by antisense RNA-induced depression of endogenous alpha-actinin synthesis in living cells. Micro-injection of Dictyostelium or chicken gizzard alpha-actinin resulted in incorporation of these proteins in stress fibers, peripheral microfilament belts and adhesion sites. Alpha-actinin-injected cells showed a marked, transient reduction of synthesis of the corresponding endogenous protein. These data emphasize the high degree of conservation of alpha-actinin during evolution and show for the first time autoregulation of synthesis for a microfilament protein.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

[Lectin histochemical studies of nevus cell nevi of the corium].

Using 11 different kinds of lectins, we histochemically studied 18 dermal nevocytic nevi (NCN). The investigation included both unfixed frozen sections and pretreated sections fixed with acetone (pretreatment: chloroform/methanol, Triton X-100, neuraminidase). In this way, we hoped to get some information both on the expression of surface glycoconjugates and the chemical nature of the sites of lectin binding. Our results argue for an abundance of glucosyl, mannosyl, galactosyl, and N-acetyl galactosamine residues on the surface of nevus cells. In comparison to keratinocytes, we found a greater sensitivity to chloroform/methanol, which suggests a relative increase of glycolipids. Dermal NCN showed heterogenic lectin binding: The highest intensity was seen in the marginal nevus cells, the lowest in the central cells of epidermal nests. Dermal cells showed a moderate binding intensity. Epidermal cells lying above the NCN disclosed some modifications of their lectin binding pattern. In contrast to normal epidermis, basal keratinocytes failed to bind LCA; suprabasal cells showed cytoplasmic staining. In some NCN, we observed an intensive perinuclear staining of the upper keratinocytes with granular ConA. Our results suggest (1) a modified lectin binding pattern of nevus cells depending on their microenvironment, as well as (2) a distinctly altered lectin binding of keratinocytes in the adjacent epidermis.

Adolescent↗

Evaluation of average life span of epithelial and stromal cells of human prostate by superoxide dismutase activity.

Little is known about the cell kinetics on which development of benign prostatic hyperplasia is based. This prompted us to study the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, which is known 1) to correlate with the life span of cells and 2) to decrease with advancing age of cells. Therefore, SOD was measured in epithelium and stroma of the human prostate from patients of various ages (20-86 years) and compared with the activity in the postmitotic skeletal muscle. It was found that the highest mean specific SOD activity is present in skeletal muscle (4.0 mU.mg protein-1), followed by the stroma (2.1 mU.mg protein-1) and epithelium (1.4 mU.mg protein-1). Similar results were obtained when SOD activity was expressed per DNA (5.03, 1.73, and 0.16 mU.micrograms DNA-1, respectively). Comparing the slope of the age-dependent regression lines, it was demonstrated that the slope of the stroma is much closer to the slope of the postmitotic skeletal muscle than the slope of the epithelium. From the data, it was calculated that the average life span of stromal cells is probably longer than 30 years and of epithelial cells longer than 2 years. Hence in human prostatic tissue the average cell death rate might be rather low.

Adult↗

Critical evaluation of treatment of staghorn calculi by percutaneous nephrolithotomy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

The combined use of percutaneous nephrolithotomy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in patients with staghorn calculi has become an established treatment regimen. We evaluated the results of 90 staghorn calculi-bearing kidneys treated with such combination therapy after a mean follow-up of approximately 2 years. A total of 69 kidneys (76.7 per cent) became free of stones at some point after treatment. However, due to stone recurrence this number decreased to 55 kidneys (61.1 per cent) at the end of follow-up. Patients who had undergone a previous open operation on the stone-bearing kidney showed less favorable results than the over-all group. When our results were compared to reported data on open surgery or percutaneous nephrolithotomy alone even better results may have been obtained by such treatment modalities. However, our data indicate that percutaneous stone debulking combined with further destruction of residual stone fragments by shock wave lithotripsy certainly is less invasive than an open operation and provides an alternative to percutaneous treatment alone, which can yield comparable results.

Adult↗

Fluid-phase transcytosis in the primate epididymis in vitro and in vivo.

Ligated tubules from the corpus epididymidis of men and monkeys were incubated in medium containing horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as a marker for fluid-phase endocytosis. HRP was localized by light and electron microscopy after 0, 15, 30 and 60 min of incubation. Movement between the cells was prevented by tight junctions, but bypass of this barrier was apparently achieved by an intracellular vesicular mechanism leading to a time-dependent appearance of HRP in the lumen. Uptake of HRP into basal cells and capture by the lysosomal apparatus of principal cells were also observed. HRP-filled vesicles also appeared in the basal, mid and apical cytoplasm of epithelial cells in the caput 1 h after injection of the tracer into the epididymal circulation of the monkey, suggesting that this pathway also operates in vivo.

Aged↗

[Percutaneous treatment of a renal pelvis-calyx cholesteatoma].

A 54-year-old women reported recurrent pain in one side. Radiological and ultrasonographic examination revealed a mass in the left renal pelvis and the lower calyx. With percutaneous calycopyeloscopy keratinous fragments of a cholesteatoma were found and extracted during the same procedure. Up to now, malignant degeneration of a cholesteatoma has never been reported in the literature. Therefore, a conservative surgical treatment is acceptable.

Cholesteatoma↗