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H Wolf

Publications and source records attributed to H Wolf.

At least 451 records · Page 25Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Positive urinary cytology after tumor resection: an indicator for concomitant carcinoma in situ.

Concomitant urothelial atypia (grade II atypia or carcinoma in situ) is predictive of new tumor growth after transurethral tumor resection. Concomitant urothelial atypia can be demonstrated by pre-selected site mucosal biopsies. However, a number of patients have new tumors despite normal pre-selected site biopsies. To investigate whether urinary cytology is a better indicator for concomitant urothelial atypia than pre-selected site biopsies, we studied in bladder tumor patients the correlation between the findings of pre-selected site biopsies (8 per patient) at tumor resection and urinary cytology (2 per patient) after successful resection. Concomitant urothelial atypia was demonstrated by biopsies in 52 per cent of the patients, of whom 60 per cent had grade II atypia and 40 per cent had carcinoma in situ. All patients with concomitant carcinoma in situ in biopsies had positive cytology findings. Of the patients with concomitant grade II atypia in biopsies 15 per cent had negative cytology studies. In 48 per cent of the patients no urothelial atypia in pre-selected site biopsies was demonstrable. However, cytology was positive, that is neoplastic cells were present, in 64 per cent of these specimens (19 patients). Of the 19 patients 16 currently have had demonstrable urothelial atypia in pre-selected site mucosal biopsies at a later occasion. We conclude that urinary cytology seems to be a better indicator for the presence of concomitant urothelial atypia than pre-selected site mucosal biopsies and, therefore, it can be used as a screening procedure for patients without demonstrable concomitant carcinoma in situ at tumor resection.

Carcinoma in Situ↗
PubMed1988

The antigenic index: a novel algorithm for predicting antigenic determinants.

In this paper, we introduce a computer algorithm which can be used to predict the topological features of a protein directly from its primary amino acid sequence. The computer program generates values for surface accessibility parameters and combines these values with those obtained for regional backbone flexibility and predicted secondary structure. The output of this algorithm, the antigenic index, is used to create a linear surface contour profile of the protein. Because most, if not all, antigenic sites are located within surface exposed regions of a protein, the program offers a reliable means of predicting potential antigenic determinants. We have tested the ability of this program to generate accurate surface contour profiles and predict antigenic sites from the linear amino acid sequences of well-characterized proteins and found a strong correlation between the predictions of the antigenic index and known structural and biological data.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1988

An integrated family of amino acid sequence analysis programs.

During the last years abundant sequence data has become available due to the rapid progress in protein and DNA sequencing techniques. The exact three-dimensional structures, however, are available only for a fraction of proteins with known sequences. For many purposes the primary amino acid sequence of a protein can be directly used to predict important structural parameters. However, mathematical presentation of the calculated values often makes interpretation difficult, especially if many proteins must be analysed and compared. Here we introduce a broad-based, user-defined analysis of amino acid sequence information. The program package is based on published algorithms and is designed to access standard protein data bases, calculate hydropathy, surface probability and flexibility values and perform secondary structure predictions. The data output is in an 'easy-to-read' graphic format and several parameters can be superimposed within a single plot in order to simplify data interpretations. Additionally, this package includes a novel algorithm for the prediction of potential antigenic sites. Thus the software package presented here offers a powerful means of analysing an amino acid sequence for the purpose of structure/function studies as well as antigenic site analyses. These algorithms were written to function in context with the UWGCG (University of Wisconsin Genetics Computer Group) program collection, and are now distributed within that package.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1988

False negative findings at third trimester chorionic villus sampling (C.V.S.).

A discrepancy is reported between the karyotypes of chorionic cells (direct method):46,XX and of cultured amniotic fluid cells: 47,XX, + 18 in a pregnancy of 30 weeks. A stillborn girl, with external signs of trisomy 18 syndrome, was subsequently shown to have a mosaic pattern in both the lymphocytes and the placenta.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1988

Proprioceptive input patterns elevator activity in the locust flight system.

1. In the locust, Locusta migratoria, the roles of two groups of wing sense organs, hind wing tegulae and wing-hinge stretch receptors, in the generation of the flight motor pattern were investigated. A preparation was employed that allowed the intracellular recording of neural activity in almost intact tethered flying locusts or after selective manipulations of sensory input. The functions of the two sets of receptors were assessed 1) by studying the phases of their discharges in the wingbeat cycle (Fig. 3), 2) by the selective ablation of input from the receptors (Figs. 4-7), and 3) by the selective stimulation of the receptor afferents (Figs. 8-12). 2. Input from the tegulae was found to be responsible for the initiation of elevator activity (Figs. 9 and 10) and for the generation of a distinct initial rapid depolarization (Figs. 4, 5, and 8) characteristic of elevator motor neuron activity in intact locusts (Figs. 1 and 16). 3. Input from the wing-hinge stretch receptors was found to control the duration of elevator depolarizations by the graded suppression of a second late component of the elevator depolarizations as wingbeat frequency increased (Figs. 6, 7, 11, and 12). The characteristics of this late component of elevator activity suggested that it is generated by the same (central nervous) mechanism that produces the elevator depolarizations recorded in deafferented animals (Fig. 2). Apparently this late component contributes to the intact pattern of elevator depolarizations only at lower wingbeat frequencies and is abolished by the action of stretch-receptor input at frequencies above approximately 15 Hz (Figs. 1, 2, and 4). At these high wingbeat frequencies elevator activity is dominated by the rapid depolarizations generated as a result of tegula input. 4. The present study demonstrates 1) that the timing of elevator motor neuron activity is determined by phasic afferent input from tegulae and stretch receptors and 2) that input from the stretch receptors controls the duration of elevator activity in the wingbeat cycle following the wing movement that was responsible for the generation of the receptor discharge.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed1988

Phenotypic and functional analysis of cellular cytotoxicity after splenectomy.

Phenotypic and functional aspects of cellular cytotoxicity were investigated in patients after splenectomy. While assays testing for natural killer cell (NK) activity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity showed a significantly reduced (p less than 0.005 and p less than 0.025, respectively) activity of the relevant cell populations, lectin-dependent cellular cytotoxicity was either normal or, in one dilution of phytohemagglutinin, even significantly increased (p less than 0.025), as compared to healthy control persons. In a search for a possible explanation for this phenomenon, it was found that the total lymphocyte count was significantly increased (p less than 0.01) in patients after splenectomy, when compared with healthy control individuals. However, neither the absolute cell count nor the percentage of Leu7+ lymphocytes showed significant differences between splenectomized patients and controls. In contrast, the percentages of (Leu7+Leu2)+, OKT11+, OKT4+ and Leu2a+ lymphocytes were significantly decreased (p less than 0.0025, p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.005, respectively) in splenectomized patients with not only the percentage, but also the absolute number of DR+ lymphocytes being significantly increased (p less than 0.005 and p less than 0.05, respectively). We thus conclude that in patients after splenectomy NK activity is decreased which may possibly be due to the lack of a NK subset. In contrast, the overall percentages of T cells (OKT11+), T helper/inducer (OKT4+) and T suppressor cells (Leu2a+) were significantly decreased in patients after splenectomy, although this defect could be compensated by a significant increase in the absolute lymphocyte number.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Urothelial atypia and survival rate of 500 unselected patients with primary transitional-cell tumour of the urinary bladder.

In a consecutive series of 500 unselected patients with primary urinary bladder tumours the influence of urothelial atypia on the 5 years survival-rate was examined. All tumours were transitional-cell tumours categorized according to the T-classification. Mucosal biopsies from 7 pre-selected sites were taken at the initial cystoscopy in 391 patients (78%) to identify urothelial atypia. The over-all cumulative 5 years survival-rate was 48%. Submucosal and muscle invasion had major influence on survival, whereas tumour grade was less important. Patients with urothelial atypia fared significantly worse than those with normal bladder mucosa (5 years survival 42% versus 62%). This difference in survival-rate became apparent first after two years of observation. Grade II atypia in the bladder mucosa and grade III (carcinoma in situ) had equal significance assessed by the survival-rates.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Antithrombotic defense during the postoperative period. Clinical documentation of low molecular weight heparin.

The incidence of postoperative thromboembolic complications depends on the type of basic disease, the surgical procedure as well as on various additional risk factors. Without perioperative prophylaxis about 10 to 70% of the patients develop deep vein thrombosis (DVT). After an extensive description of different methods to diagnose DVT, the practical use of the radiofibrinogen uptake test is illustrated by means of a clinical trial on low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). The study consisted in a randomized comparative trial on the peri-/postoperative thrombotic prophylaxis with LMWH 2,500 U s.c. once daily and unfractionated heparin (UFH) 5,000 U s.c. twice daily. 231 patients were recruited from the field of elective surgery and were characterized by a comparatively high postoperative risk of thrombosis. The medication of heparins was supplemented by dihydroergotamine (DHE) 0.5 mg s.c with the advantage to measure the prophylactic potential of short-chain heparin in comparison with UFH/DHE as a highly active antithrombotic regimen. The duration of prophylaxis with applications at 12- and 24-h intervals, respectively, covered a period of at least 7 days. Diagnosis of leg vein thrombosis was performed with the radiofibrinogen uptake test. Under standard prophylaxis with UFH/DHE twice a day 14 patients suffered postoperative thromboses, while with LMWH/DHE once a day only 4 patients suffered thromboses (p less than 0.025). Bleeding complications (wound hematome, re-operations, postoperative blood loss) were equally frequent in both groups and were in the normal range. Other side effects, in particular peripheral vasospasms and anginal attacks, were not observed.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[Primary health care: reality or utopia in a developing country?].

Though it is 20 years since the acceptance, by member nations of WHO, of the concept of primary health care (PHC) as the best and cheapest means of achieving "Health for All in the Year 2000", most developing nations have made little or no progress toward its attainment. This is due, among other things, to a misconception of the meaning of PHC, by both developing and developed nations. While many developing nations see it as a new vertical programme, and therefore fail to integrate it into already existing ones, most developed nations take it, wrongly to mean that the developing nations should return to ancient, primitive medicine, which in earlier times led to high morbidity even in the developed nations. In the developing countries, there is still a disproportionately high concentration of resources in urban areas, and much more emphasis is still being placed on curative than on preventive measures. To achieve "Health for all in the Year 2000", therefore, a reorientation of both the developed and the developing nations is urgently needed.

Child↗
PubMed1988

Coronary thrombolysis in man with pro-urokinase: improved efficacy with low dose urokinase.

Single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (scu-PA), was given to 20 patients with acute myocardial infarction first alone (group I; n = 9) and then in combination with an initial bolus injection of 200,000 units of urokinase (group II; n = 11). In group I, scu-PA was administered in a dose of 15 mg up to 60 mg as an infusion over one hour. Complete reperfusion was achieved in 3/9 patients after 50 to 60 min and partial reperfusion in an additional 2 patients. In group II, a bolus injection of urokinase and 48 mg of scu-PA over one hour were given. Reperfusion was achieved in 9/11 patients after a mean of 30 +/- 22 min. Fibrinogen, alpha 2-anti-plasmin and plasminogen levels did not change from baseline in group I. In group II, fibrinogen levels decreased slightly from 272 +/- 84 mg% to 178 +/- 82 mg% (p less than 0.05) after two hours. No bleeding complications were encountered. Reocclusion at 24 hours was evaluated in 18 patients and was not seen. It was concluded that an initial bolus of urokinase improves the efficacy and the rate of thrombolysis by scu-PA.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Blood group ABO and Lewis antigens in bladder tumors: correlation between glycosyltransferase activity and antigen expression.

Pronounced changes in the expression of ABO and Lewis antigens have been observed in transitional cell carcinomas compared with normal urothelium. These changes are associated with changes in the activity of blood-group gene-encoded glycosyltransferases. This paper describes the correlation between blood-group antigen expression and the activity of glycosyltransferases in transitional cell carcinomas. Examined individuals were A1A2BO, Lewis, and secretor typed by the use of blood and saliva. The activity of alpha-2-, and alpha-4-L-fucosyltransferases as well as the alpha-3-N-acetyl-D-galactosaminyltransferase were determined as p-moles of labelled sugar incorporated by Lacto-N-biose I and 2'-fucosyllactose, respectively, per 100,000 carcinoma cells. In 3 non-secretors whose erythrocytes types as Le(a+b-), the alpha-2-L-fucosyltransferase activity was similar to that in 3 secretors, and the Leb antigen could be demonstrated to be present by monoclonal antibodies, both by immunohistological and immunochemical means. In 11 tumors from A individuals, the A1-transferase was severely reduced in 9 individuals who showed a loss of A antigen expression, and present in 2 individuals with A antigen expression in cytoplasmic vesicles. In conclusion, we demonstrate a good correlation between individual glycosyltransferase activity and expression of blood group Leb and loss of expression of blood group A in transitional cell carcinomas. Immunostaining of neutral glycolipids separated by TLC showed the Leb-active glycolipids to be simple hexa-saccharides in both secretors and non-secretors.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1988

[Evaluation of the prevention of perioperative thromboembolism with low molecular weight heparin and dihydroergotamine. A study of the incidence of lethal pulmonary embolisms and undesired symptoms, especially the risk of vasospasm and myocardial infarction].

In a prospective trial 33,421 patients receiving a combination of low molecular weight heparin and dihydroergotamine (LMWH/DHE; Embolex NM) as a routine antithrombotic agent were observed. The patients were recruited from surgical, traumatological, orthopedic, gynecological and urological departments. During the observation period 17 patients suffered from myocardial infarction leading to death in 7 cases. In 63 patients pulmonary embolism occurred, causing death in 12 cases. No irreversible vasospastic reaction due to DHE was seen. In one case a reversible ischaemic reaction in a lower limb was described which might have possibly been due to DHE. The low rate of complications suggests that LMWH/DHE is a safe and highly effective combination with a low risk of vasospastic reactions.

Coronary Disease↗
PubMed1988

[Pediatric research in the tropics: pros and cons].

Despite all efforts, the research activities of German paediatricians in the sectors of tropical medicine and provision of medical services in developing countries still cannot be described as adequate. An increased level of commitment is therefore required of each individual paediatrician.

Child↗
PubMed1988

[How sensitive and specific is the determination of gliadin antibodies in the serum of patients with severe damage of small intestine mucosa?].

Serum antigliadin antibodies of the IgG- and IgA-class were investigated by an ELISA-test in healthy children, children suffering from coeliac disease and children with recurrent diarrheas. The sensitivity and specificity of positive antibody-titres for the diagnosis of coeliac disease were evaluated. The investigation of antigliadin antibodies proved to be a useful instrument for the diagnosis of acute coeliac disease as well as for the follow-up of such patients. The limitations of this method are pointed out.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Blood group ABO-related antigens in fetal and normal adult bladder urothelium. Immunohistochemical study of type 2 chain structures with a panel of mouse monoclonal antibodies.

Seven monoclonal antibodies with specificity for blood group antigens carried by type 2 chain core structures (N-acetyllactosamine, H, Le(x), LeY, A monofucosylated, A difucosylated (AleY), A type 3) were used to study the distribution of these antigens in normal human bladder urothelium. The urothelial samples were from 7 fetuses (aged 7 to 21 weeks), and 22 adults. By means of an immunohistochemical method applied to frozen and fixed tissues, localization of antigens in the 3 cell layers of urothelium was compared with individual ABO, Lewis, and Secretor type. During fetal development, N-acetyllactosamine, H, and LeY antigens were continuously expressed, whereas Le(x) varied with age. The A type 3 chain was present in fetal urothelium but A type 2 chain was not. In adults, we observed a unique blood group distribution: with complex antigens like LeY and ALeY in all cell layers, and a unique expression of most of the less complex antigens in the luminal cell layer. Pretreatment of tissue sections with neuraminidase proved that Le(x) and N-acetyllactosamine could be partly substituted by sialic acid A type 3 chain and most of N-acetyllactosamine antigens were present only in cytoplasm, whereas all other examined antigens could be present both in cytoplasm and on cell membranes. Blood group A antigen expression was related to erythrocyte A1 and A2 subtype, and a remarkable correlation was found between type 1 chain related secretor status and expression of Le(x), LeY, and A antigens.

ABO Blood-Group System↗