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Biomedical subjects

J Fritz

Publications and source records attributed to J Fritz.

69 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Immunological studies in childhood scleroderma.

The results of immunological studies on 13 children suffering from scleroderma are reported. Antinuclear antibodies with speckled pattern of fluorescence could be found in systemic sclerosis and in 3 patients with scleroderma en bandes. The same patients (except but one with PSS) demonstrated high levels of DNA antibodies. The 2 patients with PSS were found to have a very low percentage of T cells, whereas the percentage of B cells was increased. The results demonstrate the significance of autoimmunity not only in systemic sclerosis but also in focal scleroderma. Beyond this it can be presumed that immune deficiency (with a defect in cellular immunity) may be the predisposing cause of at least progressive systemic sclerosis.

Adolescent↗

[Scleroderma, an ageing process? I. Clinical and immunological aspects (author's transl)].

Scleroderma with its different manifestations is mainly a disease of connective tissue and of vascular system. Next the alteration to collagen, which is demonstrable in lesions by decrease of embryonale collagen type III, there are also humoral and cellular phenomens of autoimmunity. In more than 70% of our patients we found antinuclear antibodies, and in most of them, we found with the leukocytemigration--inhibition-test cellular immunphenomenons to RNA, collagen and muscle. There is a small connection between ageing and immunological defense and repair, accordingly of immunocytes and fibroblasts. Further more precise characterization of this cell-compartments under the aspect of a premature ageing could bring a new understanding in the largely unknown etiopathogenese of scleroderma.

Aging↗

[Cellular immune phenomenon in scleroderma].

The leucocyte-migration-inhibition test was performed to examine 10 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis and 6 patients with linear scleroderma for evidence of cell-mediated immunity to RNA, DNA, human muscle antigen and collagen human type I. An inhibition of cell migration was detected in 6 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) and in 3 patients with linear scleroderma in presence of RNA. No cellular reactivity in presence of DNA was observed. Seven cases with PSS, and all 6 cases with linear scleroderma showed a migration inhibition when human muscle antigen was tested. Cell-mediated immunity to collagen human type I was discovered 7 times in PSS and 2 times in linear scleroderma.

Antigens↗

[Cellular immunity in melanomalignome (author's transl)].

Cellular immunological reactivity was examined in 20 patients having melanomalignoma at different clinical stages, using Leukocyte-Migration-Inhibition-Test. As antigens three homologous melanoma-extracts were used, produced by our own method. Independent from the clinical stages cell-migration inhibition could be established in 15 out of the 20 patients. In this way, these tumor extracts have been shown to contain melanoma-associated antigens. Regardless of the clinical stage of the disease, the melanomalignomas patient produces cellular immunity against those tumor-antigens. It is note-worthy that the actual course of the disease seems not to be influenced by immun-mechanisms.

Adult↗

[Leucocyte migration-inhibition test in syphilis (author's transl)].

The leucocyte migration-inhibition test was performed on blood from 57 patients with syphilis. Even in the early stages of the disease with lymph-node involvement there were signs of cellular antitreponemic reactivity. But there was an absence of cellular immune response in some patients with secondary syphilis and CNS involvement in the course of tertiary syphilis.

Cell Migration Inhibition↗

Contrast enhanced MR-guided biopsy of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Magnetic resonance (MR)-guided liver biopsy was performed in three patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. The tumor was considered (n = 2) or proven (n = 1) inaccessible with ultrasound or computed tomographic guidance. Because all lesions were poorly delineated on nonenhanced MR imaging, contrast agents (Gd-BOPTA, n = 1; ferucarbotran, n = 2) were applied to facilitate biopsy in an open low-field scanner. Postcontrast tumor conspicuity was fair in the patient receiving Gd-BOPTA and excellent in both patients receiving ferucarbotran, and biopsy was successful in all cases.

Aged↗

Surgical sealant in the prevention of early vein graft injury in an ex vivo model.

BACKGROUND: The amelioration of the adaptation process (arterialisation) of the vein graft wall to the arterial circulation in coronary artery bypass surgery by using extravascular support is clearly established in animal models and in in vitro and ex vivo set-ups. This support consists of some form of external graft-supporting modality like a prosthetic graft of stent. The clinical application of perivenous support, however, is hampered due to the fact that no easy applicable external support is available. Considering that application in the form of a spray is the most convenient modality, we evaluated whether polyethylene glycol is capable of providing adequate perivenous support. Polyethylene glycol is a synthetic, biodegradable product, used in cardiac surgery as a sealant, and is commercially available in the form of a spray. METHODS: Segments of human saphenous vein graft obtained during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedures were placed in an ex vivo model, a side loop of the extracorporeal perfusion circuit, and perfused with autologous blood, making the circumstances identical to the implanted saphenous vein grafts concerning pressure, temperature, level of complement and leukocyte activation and blood pressure. Alternately around every other study vein graft segment polyethylene glycol was applied. Unsupported grafts served as control. After 1 min of solidification, perfusion was started with a pressure of about 60 mmHg (nonpulsatile flow). Perfusion was maintained for 60 min, after which the grafts were collected for light microscopy and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Light microscopy and electron microscopy showed remarkable attenuation of endothelial cell loss and less injury of smooth muscle cells of the circular and longitudinal layer of the media in the supported group compared to the nonsupported vein graft segments. CONCLUSION: Polyethylene glycol is able to provide adequate external vein graft support, preventing overdistension, in an ex vivo model. This provides a basis for clinical application. Further investigation is warranted to evaluate long-term effects.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

[Osteogenesis in exposure to ionizing radiation in vitro].

Irradiation is a well established therapeutical concept to prevent heterotopic ossification after joint replacement. The influence of irradiation on proliferation of mature osteoblasts and their potential osteoprogenitors, matrix formation and mineralization are not well known in this setting. We therefore studied the effect of different doses of ionizing irradiation on the several steps of osteogenesis in vitro, using cells isolated from the juvenile rat. A colony forming test, the MTT-viability assay, a cell count, measurement of the cellular protein content and alkaline phosphatase activity, as well as determination of in vitro mineralisation have been applied to calvarian osteoblasts, fibroblasts and stromal bone marrow cells. Irradiation results in a dose-dependent suppression of clonogenic activity in all mitotically active cells, but metabolic activity and matrix synthesis were not impaired. In dense cultures alkaline phosphatase expression and in vitro mineralisation were not significantly affected by irradiation. Our experimental in vitro data suggest that irradiation inhibits the initial phase of in vivo osteogenesis due to the cytostatic effect. Postoperative irradiation after THR must therefore take place as early as possible. The homoeostasis of normal, orthotopic bone does not seem to be severely affected by local low-dose irradiation.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Aggressive verbal behaviour as a function of experimentally induced anger in persons with psoriasis.

The importance of psychosocial factors on the etiology and fluctuating disease activity of psoriasis has been discussed in recent years. The present experiment investigated whether psoriatics in an anger-inducing situation show less aggressive verbal behaviour than average person. Twenty-six psoriatics and 26 matched healthy controls were randomly assigned to either an anger-inducing or a non-anger-inducing social situation. The experimental conditions were arranged so that the persons were confronted with either negative, derogatory, or positive, favorable feedback on eight characteristics (intelligence, appearance, maturity, tolerance, honesty, friendliness, humor, and helpfulness). Standardized feedback was given by a confederate of the experimenter. Immediately after the feedback was received by the subjects the photo hand test (PHT) was applied. The PHT is an item-analyzed, validated projective test for aggression. Two independent raters categorized the subjects' responses into six mutually exclusive categories, including a category for responses with aggressive content. 2 x 2 analysis of variance (psoriatics vs controls; anger-induced vs non-anger induced) were calculated for the aggressive responses and the acting-out score (AOS). The results showed a significant interaction, suggesting that psoriatics did indeed exhibit fewer verbal aggression responses under anger-inducing circumstances than the controls.

Adult↗

[T- and B-lymphocytes in the so-called collagenoses].

Lymphocytes of peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma and dermatomyositis were investigated, and relatively, with regard to T- or B-cell characteristics. T-lymphocytes of most patients with SLE were decreased both absolutely. B-lymphocytes mostly showed only a relative increase. Successful immunosuppressive treatment usually accompanied by normalization of T-cell number and with decrease of B-cells. This differentiation of lymphocytes is an additional aid in the determination of activity of SLE and a useful index of immunosuppressive-cytostatic treatment.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗