Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J Fischer.
The use of lectins in histochemical research substantially contributed to the knowledge on carbohydrates. This paper is a preliminary report of findings with lectin histochemistry on normal and pathological bone tissue.
From a mouse genomic DNA library we have isolated sequences containing the entire coding region for histone H1(0) mRNA, flanked by several kb at both the 3' and 5' ends. Deletions of the 5' upstream region ligated to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT)-encoding gene as a reporter, have shown that a region from bp -400 to -600 is necessary and sufficient for efficient transcription. We have also shown that treatment of F9 teratocarcinoma cells with retinoic acid and cyclic AMP (which differentiates F9 cells to parietal endoderm) clearly increases CAT activity several times over the level found in untreated F9 cells. This increase was observed in transient, as well as in stably transfected cells. Analysis of the deletions in differentiating cells indicates that the element responsible for the observed increase in CAT activity, is contained within the first 700 bp upstream from the H1(0) mRNA cap site.
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Syntheses of steroid-linked N-[N'-(2-chloroethyl)-N'-nitrosocarbamoyl]-(CNC-) amino acid esters and -amides with potential antineoplastic activity are described. The esters are prepared by reaction of CNC-amino acids with steroids using N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole and N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. The corresponding amides are prepared by reaction of 1-(CNC-amino acyloxy)-pyrrolidine-2,5-diones with 17 beta-amino-3-hydroxy-1,3,5(10)-estratriene or 17 beta-O-[4-(6-aminohexylamino)-1,4-dioxo-butyl]-estradiol. Estradiol-17 beta-hemisuccinate is esterified with N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N'-(2-chloro-ethyl)-N'-nitrosourea (HECNU). Spectroscopic characteristics and relative binding affinities to steroid receptors are given.
Arachis hypogaea (PNA) lectin, specific for Gal-B-1,3-GalNac disaccharide and Wheat germ (WGA) lectin, specific for (GlcNac) and terminal neuraminic acid were used to identify histiocytic giant cells, osteoclast like giant cells and osteoclasts. PNA lectin, without neuraminidase predigestion was not bound by the giant cells, while they showed a strong reaction with WGA lectin. Neuraminidase pretreatment decreased WGA lectin binding, which supports that neuraminic acid plays a role in the binding of WGA. On the other hand, neuraminidase digestion liberated large amounts of PNA binding sites in every type of giant cells examined, showing a strong, intracytoplasmic granular staining. This observation is indicative of presence of PNA binding sites masked by neuraminic acid. Instead of the intracytoplasmic PNA binding in some osteoclasts a well defined part of the cytomembrane was heavily stained. We suppose that this PNA binding part of cytomembrane equals to the zone of resorption, characterized by the ruffled border of osteoclasts. Our findings indicate that a neuraminic acid substituted PNA binding glycoprotein is synthetized both in osteoclasts and histiocytic giant cells which may indicate a common origin of these cell types.
An immunosuppressive factor derived from conditioned medium of a human renal cancer cell line, KU2, was analyzed, using mitogen-activated normal peripheral blood lymphocytes. Addition of conditioned medium to lymphocyte cultures resulted in suppression of [3H]-thymidine incorporation to DNA of lymphocytes in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was cytostatic and reversible. This factor inhibited lymphocyte activation stimulated by mitogen at an early stage, and it also suppressed Interleukin-2 production by activated lymphocytes. This factor was non-dialyzable and heat sensitive at 56 degrees C. DNA replication of the cells was necessary for the production of this factor.
A systematic investigation of cancer detection by water-suppressed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) of plasma is reported. With additional suppression of lactate, a statistically significant difference between the linewidths of the methylene group signal of patients with untreated cancer (average linewidth 26.9 +/- 3.9 Hz) and normal controls (average linewidth 31.1 +/- 4.9 Hz) has been found. However, overlap was found between these two groups. It is shown that recognition of malignancy could be improved by consideration of the different relations of the linewidths on the content of serum triglycerides and the observation of a shoulder at the high field side of the methylene signal. Preliminary investigations on lipid fractions separated by ultracentrifugation (UC) indicate a connection of the appearance of the high field shoulder and the HDL lipoprotein.
The peanut-agglutinin binding of lymph node follicles was studied in frozen and paraffin sections of human tonsils. In a substantial fraction (10-25%) of follicles focal zones of high PNA receptor expression were encountered which were more readily recognizable in paraffin sections and corresponded to the centrocytous, "light" zone of the follicle. Results suggest that divergent lectin binding of follicles reflects their different functional states.
Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is a neurotransmitter of the non-adrenergic and non-cholinergic system (NANC). It has been detected in many organs, including the airways, central and peripheral nervous system, the blood, and CSF. As a result of neuronal overflow, vagal stimulation leads to an elevation of VIP levels in the plasma. VIP leads to the activation of adenyl-cyclase, and thus to elevated cAMP in cells bearing VIP receptors. In 25 patients (24 males, 1 female) with a mean age of 50.3 +/- 9.9 years, and a Broca Index of 134.5 +/- 27.0%, plasma VIP was measured in the morning under conditions of fasting with the aid of an RIA assay (Incstar). Eleven patients (mean age: 49.4 +/- 10.1 years, Broca: 130 +/- 27.0%) had fewer than 100 episodes of apnea during nocturnal sleep (apnea/hypoapnea index 4.4 +/- 4.8). At 6.3 +/- 1.6 pcmoll-1, plasma VIP was markedly lower than that measured in 14 patients (mean age: 51.0 +/- 10.0 years, Broca: 138 +/- 28%) with the sleep apnea syndrome (apnea/hypopnea index 58.5 +/- 24.7 (means = 11.0 +/- 3.0 pcmoll-1, p less than 0.001). A significant correlation was found between the apnea episode occurring every night, and the VIP values (r = 0.64; y = -133 + 40 x VIP) measured in the plasma. The VIP measured in the plasma would appear to be a highly sensitive and highly specific indicator of the appearance of episodes of apnea during nocturnal sleep.
In the literature, depending upon the group of subjects investigated and the diagnostic criteria applied, the prevalence of the sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) is reported to be between 1 and 10%. In the present study, 220 nonselected male patients (age range: 45.1 +/- 11.4 years, Brocca index 109.0 +/- 18.0%, 147 cases of chronic bronchitis, 65 of bronchial asthma, 8 with other diseases of the airways, 44.1% obstructive ventilation disturbances, 41.8% smokers) were investigated. As a screening method, nocturnal monitoring of oxygen saturation with the aid of a digital pulse oximeter (Draeger) was carried out. On average, 65.4 +/- 136.5 cases of desaturation to less than 90% SaO2/8 hours sleep were observed. In 48 patients with a Brocca index of more than 120%, desaturations at 156.1 +/- 244.5 were significantly more frequent than in 172 patients with a low relative weight (40.2 +/- 67.0, p less than 0.0001). Forty-eight patients (21.8%) revealed more than 80 episodes of SaO2 drops per night. Twenty-two patients were submitted to polysomnographic investigation. In 13 patients--6% of the overall group--who had more than 100 episodes of apnea/hypopnea (AHI 47.2 +/- 30.1), a sleep apnea syndrome was demonstrated.
In addition to the well-known medically oriented examination procedures and forms of treatment of sleep apnea, we are also interested in the psychological aspects of this pathological condition. Against the background of our experience of patients treated with nCPAP--here we have observed, among other things, an increase in general activity--we investigated the question as to whether typical personality traits are to be observed among persons suffering from sleep apnoea. As a psychodiagnostic procedure, the Freiburg personality inventory (FPI-R) was employed in the following persons: a) Persons with diagnosed sleep apnea, b) persons with unconfirmed suspected sleep apnea, c) persons with diagnosed chronic bronchitis. An initial consideration of the results reveals an unremarkable personality profile of the person with SAS who, however, in comparisons with other groups does reveal certain peculiarities. Although the results presented here do not permit any reliable specific psychodiagnostic statement to be made with the aid of the procedure employed, in several points they do provide clues as to features that should be subjected to a differential investigation.
Since 1981 a curative radiation treatment was performed in 84 patients with prostatic carcinoma. Previously, in 37 cases a transurethral resection of bladder outlet obstruction was done and in 18 patients a pelvic lymph node dissection was performed, whereas 29 patients were without operative therapy. Mild side effects of radiation could observed in all 3 groups in nearly the same portion (59/56/65%). However, in the group with transurethral resection after follow-up of 4,4 years severe late complications were found (cystitis, incontinence, urethral fistula). Therefore, radiation treatment of prostatic carcinoma after transurethral resection was abandoned. The cumulative 5-year-survival rate was 63% and in the TUR group only 41%. 9 out of 10 patients with histological verified lymph node metastases and radiation treatment are alive after mean follow-up time of 3.1 years without evidence of recurrent disease.
The crystallization of enstatite at the surface of Dicor glass during 'ceramization' is proved by electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction. Microprobe measurements demonstrate a loss of potassium and an uptake of calcium in the outer region of the glass-ceramic after ceramization due to an ion exchange between glass and ceramization investment. This investment consists of gypsum and leucite. A thermal analysis reveals the decomposition of gypsum in the range of the ceramization temperature. Calcium diffuses into the surface of the glass while simultaneously potassium leaves the glass. The altered composition allows the crystallization of enstatite.
Of 3,946 patients with lumbar disc herniation, who were operated on from 1980 to 1987 at the Clinic of Neurosurgery of the University of Innsbruck, 11 consecutive patients (0.27%) were younger than 19 years. In 9 patients (82%) there was radicular pain; in 90% the straight-leg raising test was positive, in 36% there was clear relation trauma to the onset of symptoms. Water-soluble contrast myelography or computerized tomography were used to confirm the diagnosis, in 36% both investigations. In 91% the surgical procedure was unilateral partial hemilaminectomy and in one case a laminectomy. In all cases a good or excellent result could be achieved.
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The authors evaluate the contribution of endorectal sonography in malignant diseases of the rectum and rectosigmoid as regard assessment of the stage of the disease. The examination is fully indicated in all tumours with the exception of very low and very stenotic processes. It provides objective information on the penetration of the tumour into neighbouring tissues and organs and of the tumour size. It is a very economical method which does not cause discomfort to the patient and it is quite safe. It permits evaluation of the effectiveness of adjuvant therapy and early diagnosis of local relapses, in particular in conjunction with continual evaluation of the CEA level.