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Biomedical subjects

I Gruber

Publications and source records attributed to I Gruber.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Complete extirpation of benign breast lesions with an ultrasound-guided vacuum biopsy system.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether ultrasound-guided vacuum biopsy (VB) with curative intent is suitable for the complete extirpation of selected sonographically detectable benign lesions of the breast, and to establish the limitations of the method with regard to lesion size and complications, the extent of scar formation and the prognostic value. METHODS: One hundred and nine patients underwent hand-held, ultrasound-guided VB (8G or 11G needle) between June 2000 and September 2003. Of these, 45 (41%) women underwent ultrasound-guided extirpation of 46 lesions, and 42 women with 43 lesions were followed up clinically and sonographically for an average of 5.9 months. The complete extirpation rate, residual lesions, and patient satisfaction with the intervention were evaluated. RESULTS: Removal of all sonographic evidence of lesions (median diameter, 13 mm) was achieved in 86% of cases (8G needle, 80%; 11G needle, 89%). 19% of the patients had suspected scar formation at the biopsy site. A palpable lesion in the breast could be removed by VB in 90% of cases. None of the patients developed infections and there were no hemorrhages requiring intervention, or damage to the skin or chest wall. A total of 95% of the patients stated that they would prefer this approach to open excision for possible future intervention. CONCLUSIONS: VB is an ambulatory procedure associated with a low degree of pain. It has a high degree of patient acceptance and, as a minimally invasive biopsy technique for benign lesions, is a good alternative to open excision. The rate of complications is low and is similar to that observed with conventional microbiopsy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Sentinel node identification and intraoperative lymphatic mapping. First results of a pilot study in patients with endometrial cancer.

INTRODUCTION: To minimize the surgical morbidity after lymphadenectomy, sentinel node biopsy (SLNB) has become fundamental in the management of different malignancies. We decided to evaluate sentinel lymph node (SNL) biopsies also in patients with endometrial cancer undergoing hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy. METHODS: In the setting of a prospective study we developed a technique for sentinel node biopsy of ten patients with histologically confirmed endometrial cancer. Prior to surgery 99m Tc Nanocol was injected in the peritumoral region by hysteroscopy. Six hours later lymphoscintigraphy was performed to identify the draining lymph nodes. During surgery we first detected the sentinel lymph node by a hand-held gamma tracer and then removed it. Surgery was completed by the standard therapy of total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and pelvic and/or para-aortic lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: Scintigraphic identification was possible in eight out of ten patients. Intraoperative identification of sentinel lymph nodes was possible in seven out of eight patients. In five patients we found the sentinel lymph nodes in the pelvic region while the other two patients had bilateral sentinel nodes in the pelvic and para-aortic region. Histologically confirmed microscopic tumor metastases of the SLNs and para-aortic lymph nodes were only found in one case. The sentinel lymph nodes from the other six patients were free of tumor and accurately reflected the pathological status. CONCLUSION: The identification of sentinel lymph nodes in endometrial cancer is a practical and safe method. In order to improve this technique as a standard procedure for staging of endometrial cancer further studies with a larger number of patients have to be done.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell↗
PubMed2002

[CD80-modified tumor cell lines: implications for cell-based vaccinations in breast cancer patients].

A number of genetic alterations are required for malignant transformation. However, these mutations provide the source for tumor-associated antigens which can be recognized by cellular effectors of the immune system. Recent advances in tumor immunology - such as the improved understanding of antigen presentation as well as T cell activation - have opened new perspectives for cancer immunotherapy. The advantage of using tumor cell based vaccines is that these comprise the complete antigen pool of an individual tumor for activating polyclonal immune responses. However, the induction of antigen-specific immune responses is impaired by the fact that T cell activation is depending on additional nonspecific costimulatory signals provided by the antigen-presenting cell. The majority of solid human tumors does not express costimulatory molecules and is unable to deliver all signals required for T cell activation. In contrast, tumors often induce immunologic tolerance. Therefore, the introduction of genes encoding costimulatory molecules such as CD80 or cytokines is aimed at conferring the immunostimulatory potential of tumor cells. We have undertaken efforts at endowing a breast carcinoma cell line expressing at least seven known tumor associated antigens with immunostimulatory competence by CD80 gene transfer. In preclinical studies this cell line was demonstrated to induce specific immune responses. We designed a phase I/II trial to administer the CD80-modified cell line to patients with metastatic breast cancer to determine the toxicities of the vaccination protocol and nature of the vaccine-induced immune response.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1998

Duplication of a genomic region containing the Cdc2L1-2 and MMP21-22 genes on human chromosome 1p36.3 and their linkage to D1Z2.

Cdc2L1 and Cdc2L2 span approximately 140 kb on human chromosome 1p36.3. The products of the Cdc2L genes encode almost identical protein kinases, the PITSLRE kinases, which have functions that may be relevant to the regulation of transcription/splicing and apoptotic signaling. These genes are deleted/translocated in neuroblastomas with MYCN gene amplification, a subset of malignant melanomas, and in a newly delineated deletion syndrome. Here we report that the p36.3 region of human chromosome 1 consists of two identical genomic regions, each of which contain a Cdc2L gene linked to a metalloprotease (MMP) gene in a tail-to-tail configuration. This duplicated genomic region is also linked tightly to D1Z2, a genetic marker containing a highly polymorphic VNTR (variable number tandem repeat) consisting of an unusual 40-bp reiterated sequence. Thus, these genes and the polymorphic marker D1Z2 are organized as follows: telomere-D1Z2-5'-MMP22-3'-3'-Cdc2L2-5'-5'-Cdc2L1 -3'- 3'-MMP21-5'-centromere. Remarkably, the introns and exons of Cdc2L1 and Cdc2L2, as well as their flanking regions, are essentially identical. A total of 15 amino acid differences, 12 nonconservative and 3 conservative, can be found in the 773-786 amino acids specified by the various products of the Cdc2L genes. Two separate promoter/5' untranslated (UT) regions, CpG1 and CpG2, are identical to a reported previously methylated genomic CpG sequence and are used to express >20 different Cdc2L transcripts from the two genes. The expression of CpG2 transcripts from Cdc2L1 and Cdc2L2 is tissue/cell-line specific. CpG1 transcripts are expressed ubiquitously from both genes, with perhaps some bias towards the expression of CpG1 Cdc2L1 mRNAs in certain hematopoietic cells.

5' Untranslated Regions↗
PubMed1997

[The foramen sternale: a minor anomaly--great relevance].

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the incidence of a midline sternal foramen, as a developmental anomaly, in order to avoid fatal complications following sternal puncture of sternal acupuncture treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 100 chest computed tomograms were evaluated in reference to the incidence of this anomaly and its various features. RESULTS: The variety of CT aspects ranged from very incomplete types with only sandglass-like retraction of sternal cortex, to a complete foraminal defect. The incidence of midline sternal foramen in a feature bearing a risk of complication, is approximately 6%. CONCLUSION: We conclude that--if sternal acupuncture is planned in the region of corpus--previous radiographs should be done to rule out this anomaly. Furthermore, we strongly recommend the acupuncture technique of the "Wiener Schule", which prescribes a safe superficial-oblique approach to the sternum.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1992

Time course of histomorphometric alterations in nerve grafts without connection to a muscle target organ: an experimental study in sheep.

In 15 adult sheep, the saphenous nerve (28 +/- 1.8 cm) was used for ipsilateral or for cross-nerve grafting and was sutured to the proximal stump of the cut, motor-nerve branch of the vastus muscle. The distal end of the nerve graft was left without a target organ. Semi-thin cross sections of normal vastus nerves and saphenous grafts and of the distal ends of the grafts were analyzed by computer-assisted planimetry, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 months after the nerve-grafting procedure. Electronmicroscopy was also performed on specimens from the distal ends of the nerve grafts. Comparing the total number of myelinated nerve fibers in the distal end of the graft, the ipsilateral group showed an increase with time elapsed since nerve grafting, while the cross-over group showed a maximum after 3 and 6 months, and fewer fibers after longer periods of regeneration. Independent of the time passed since nerve grafting, the diameters of the myelinated nerve fibers were homogeneously thin in both experimental groups. Most interesting, the cross-nerve grafts did more poorly than the ipsilateral ones, even before they were influenced by the target muscle. With ultrastructural investigation, the ends of the grafts containing only a few myelinated fibers also showed a low number of unmyelinated fibers, but an increase of collagen fibers. The results have consequences for the clinical application of cross-nerve grafting.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[The effect of the motivation of a tracing device in the hygiene phase of PA treatment].

In a clinical comparative study the effectiveness of an oral hygiene motivation tool (Parograph) was evaluated. 100 patients with periodontal diseases got oral hygiene instructions with the classic clinical methods (brush-techniques) and the motivation tool. As a result, only the patients with higher plaque index showed a faster significant reduction of plaque index when motivation tool was used. The comparison between other indices used were statistically not significant.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[The effects of herbal agents on dental plaque and sulcus bleeding index].

This study was designed to examine the efficacy of plant-derived active substances in a combined application of toothpaste and mouth rinse on dental plaque and sulcus bleeding index and the pH values of the saliva. 50 healthy students of dentistry without periodontal diseases took part in this study. Over a period of 4 weeks half of the group used herbs, while the other half used a placebo preparation. The data of the oral examination were always obtained at 12 a.m., with the last food intake at least 1 hour before. The results revealed a significant reduction of plaque accumulation and bleeding signs under herbal extracts in contrast to the placebo preparation. The salivary pH values were shifted to the alkaline range in the herbal extract group whereas the placebo product showed the opposite effect. Our data demonstrate the usefulness of herbal extracts as an adjunct in the treatment of periodontal disease and in a routine preventive regimen.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Comparative study of the measured values of different periodontal probes].

A 0.25 N hinged constant force probe (Borodontic) and two inflexible probes (WHO, PCP-11) were used for probing. The mean probing depth differences between WHO and Borodontic as well as between Borodontic and PCP-11 were significant. Deepest probing levels were found with WHO and shallowest levels with Borodontic. Also, the pockets in patients with higher sulcus bleeding index presented shallower probing levels with Borodontic than the other probes.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The influence of herbal ingredients on the plaque index and bleeding tendency of the gingiva.

The effectiveness of medicinal herbs in both a toothpaste and oral rinse on dental plaque, sulcus bleeding, and the pH of total saliva was investigated in a single-blind study on 50 dentistry students between the ages of 23 and 28 years. Over a period of 4 weeks, 25 students used either placebo or preparations containing medicinal herbs. Parameters measured were the approximal plaque index (API) and sulcus bleeding index (SBI). These were determined at the same time of day (12:00 P.M.), the last food intake having occurred at least 1 hour previously. Compared with the placebo preparations, the herbal ingredients significantly reduced both the API (initial value: 40.8%, final value: 23.9%) and the SBI (initial value: 33.4%, final value: 18.6%). The pH of the total saliva was significantly displaced into the alkaline range by the application of the herbal products, whereas the placebo products had a contrary effect. The results of this study suggest that herbal ingredients can be employed supportively in the therapy of periodontal diseases and for routine prophylaxis.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[The efficacy of dequalinium chloride/benzalkonium chloride as well as medicinal plants on the gingiva].

A comparative study involving 50 patients of both genders was conducted in order to determine the effect of dequalinium chloride/benzalconium chloride mouthrinse (Dequonal), and of a preparation of herbal essences (Parodontax) on gingival health. Each of the mouthrinses was used during four weeks by a group of 25 patients who were instructed to abstain from any other oral hygiene measure during this period. Approximal plaque index, sulcus bleeding index and saliva pH were significantly enhanced by both preparations. A slightly better effect shown by dequalinium chloride/benzalconium chloride was not significant.

Adult↗