Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Fuchs

Publications and source records attributed to J Fuchs.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Tubular esophageal duplication associated with esophageal stenosis, pericardial aplasia, diaphragmatic hernia, ramification anomaly of lower lobe bronchus and partial pancreas anulare.

Alimentary tract duplications are rare anomalies, which are often associated with other congenital malformations. We report on a newborn with the combination of tubular esophageal duplication, congenital esophageal stenosis, ramification anomaly of lower left lobe bronchus, complete pericardial aplasia and malrotation of the bowel with a partial pancreas anulare. The diagnoses are based on esophagogram, bronchogram, bronchoscopy, gastroscopy, explorative thoracotomy and laparotomy. The treatment was a resection of the duplication per thoracotomy, esophageal myotomy with fundoplicatio.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1998

The occurrence of liver growth factor in hepatoblastoma.

Rapid growth of recurrent disseminated tumor and/or metastases can occur in children after incompletely resected, non-pretreated malignant hepatoblastoma (HB). This accelerated tumor growth is observed during the first four postoperative weeks, which is the period of maximal liver regeneration. One key regulator of regeneration, the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), may be responsible for the induction of tumor growth. We, therefore, investigated levels and sources of HGF in HB patients. With ELISA we measured elevated serum levels (> 1,000 pg/ml) of HGF in 10 of 23 HB patients in comparison with three healthy children (< 610 pg/ml). HGF values of non-pretreated children with HB ranged from 169-10,183 pg/ml (mean 889 pg/ml) while those of patients after primary chemotherapy reached 608-15,000 pg/ml (mean 4,556 pg/ml). An up to fourfold increase of HGF was detected in 10 of 12 children 24-72 hours after liver resection. With immunoenzymatic staining on cryostat sections and cytospin preparations of the tumors we could localize HGF to the fibroblasts of the mesenchymal tumor components. In contrast, its receptor (c-met) was found to be expressed on the epithelial HB cells. Our results indicate that HGF secretion is enhanced after liver resection in children with HB and thus could have a biological function for growth of HGF receptor-expressing tumor cells. The results of immunostaining further suggest that HB is able to produce HGF as its own growth factor in a local paracrine fashion.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1998

Multiparameter analysis of clastogenic factors, pro-oxidant cytokines, and inflammatory markers in HIV-1-infected patients with asymptomatic disease, opportunistic infections, and malignancies.

HIV-1-infected patients are in chronic oxidative stress and clastogenic factors (CFs) are present in their plasma. CFs from patients with HIV are formed via superoxide anion radical and stimulate further superoxide production. The pathophysiolgic significance and the exact composition of the circulating clastogenic material in patients with HIV is unknown. Cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), are increased in the plasma of patients with HIV and TNF-alpha shows clastogenic activity in vitro. The aim of this clinical study was to compare levels of CF in HIV-1-positive patients with asymptomatic disease, opportunistic infections, and malignancies with those in HIV-1-negative control groups and to correlate CF activity with CD4+ T cell numbers, the cytokines (TNF-alpha, interleukin-2 [IL-2], IL-6), and the inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein [CRP], neopterin, granulocyte elastase). CFs were significantly increased in all HIV-1-positive patients and in HIV-1-negative patients with malignant tumors. HIV-1-positive patients with Kaposi's sarcoma showed the highest CF activity in their plasma (p < 0.08). CFs appear very early in HIV infection, and they correlate negatively with CD4+ T cells, which are an indicator of disease activity. The presence of CF in the plasma of HIV-infected patients is not a general response to a viral infection because these factors are not increased in HIV-1-negative patients with viral infection (zoster). CFs are not specific for the HIV-1 infection; they also occur in HIV-1-negative patients with malignant tumors. There was a tendency towards a positive correlation (p < 0.14) between CF and TNF-alpha but there was no positive correlation of CF with IL-2, IL-6, CRP, elastase, and neopterin levels. This indicates that TNF-alpha may be among the components of CF in HIV-1-infected patients. In addition, other unidentified components may contribute to the clastogenic activity of the plasma or the composition of CF may vary from patient to patient. Further clinical studies with larger sample populations are necessary to analyze the composition of CF in HIV-1-positive patients.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1998

[Resources for home nursing care: willingness to undertake care by persons not involved in nursing services].

In Germany the majority of people in need of nursing care are attended to at home. This is also promoted by the German nursing care insurance. Considering the increasing number of people in need of care more (people who care for them) are required. The article describes the readiness to care of a representative sample of 4806 people who are actually not involved in nursing care activities. The results show that the readiness to give nursing care is highly dependant on the care recipient. Independant from age, sex or social class, there is an strong readiness concerning care of the partner. Regarding other relatives (children, parents) or non-related persons like friends or neighbours, women show greater readiness than men to take over nursing care activities. Age and social class provoke differences, but not in such a homogenious way. All in all the readiness to provide nursing care is surprisingly high; it is to be hoped that it leads to realisation, in case of need.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Evaluation of in vitro susceptibility of hospital bacterial isolates to piperacillin and tazocin (piperacillin/tazobactam].

Due to increasing frequency of infections caused by pathogens that are resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics, combinations of such antibiotics and beta-lactamase inhibitors were introduced into therapy in last few years. Tazobactam is the most potent beta-lactamase inhibitor. The purpose of the study was to evaluate in vitro susceptibility to piperacillin and piperacillin with tazobactam of 256 isolates cultured from biological samples obtained from 203 patients. The biological materials obtained were as follows: urine (44.9%), post-operative and post-traumatic wound swabs (27.3%), BAL (12.1%), blood (6.6%), drain swabs and other (5.5%). The isolates predominantly found were Escherichia coli (22.3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.0%), Staphylococcus aureus MSSA (13.7%), Proteus mirabilis (11.7%) and other. There were 95.5% of strains found susceptible to piperacillin with tazobactam and only 4.3% resistant ones. On the other hand, piperacillin only susceptible strains were 59.4% and resistant ones in 40.6%. Great differences in susceptibility to examined antimicrobial agents were observed in Enterobacteriaceae family and Staphylococcus (MSS) genus. There were no differences in susceptibility to piperacillin and tazobactam and piperacillin alone in anaerobic Enterobacteriaceae strains and non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli.

Body Fluids↗
PubMed1997

Induction of DNA crosslinks and DNA strand lesions by cyclophosphamide after activation by cytochrome P450 2B1.

Cyclophosphamide requires metabolic activation by cytochrome P450 to exert its genotoxic effects. Therefore in vitro studies on its mechanism of action have been limited to the use of self-activating derivatives of cyclophosphamide or to hepatocytes as an activating system. In this study we used a cell line of Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (V79 cells), genetically engineered to express active cytochrome P450 2B1 as the sole observable cytochrome P450 (SD1 cells). An increase in DNA strand lesions (SL: DNA single-strand breaks and alkali labile sites) was observed between 0.5 and 1.5 mM cyclophosphamide (24 h incubation) which could be classified as alkali labile sites using a modified alkaline elution assay. Compared to cyclophosphamide, its active metabolite 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4-OOH-CY) was about 250-fold more effective in induction of SL. Equimolar concentrations of phosphoramide mustard (50 microM), the ultimate DNA binding metabolite of cyclophosphamide, caused only about 50% of SL compared to 4-OOH-CY. A minimum of 12 h of incubation of SD1 cells was needed for cyclophosphamide (1 mM) until SL were detectable, compared to only 2 h for 4-OOH-CY and 1.5 h for phosphoramide mustard (50 microM). DNA crosslinks were observable after shorter incubation periods than single-strand breaks (6 h for cyclophosphamide and 1 h for 4-OOH-CY and phosphoramide mustard) and were no longer detectable at incubation periods of more than 20 h. Treatment of SD1 cells with ionizing radiation only, cyclophosphamide only, and radiation plus cyclophosphamide showed that SL induced by cyclophosphamide were not repaired during incubation with fresh culture medium (24 h). However, an efficient repair of SL caused by ionizing radiation was observed and was not inhibited by cyclophosphamide. These observations give strong evidence that different types of SL were induced by cyclophosphamide and radiation. SD1 cells were able to repair the special kind of SL induced by radiation but not the SL caused by cyclophosphamide.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Analysis of DNA single-strand breaks in human venous blood: a technique which does not require isolation of white blood cells.

For DNA strand break analysis in human white blood cells, usually metrizoate-Ficoll centrifugation is used to isolate mononuclear cells. This procedure is time-consuming and requires at least 20 ml of blood per sample. Therefore, we developed a technique which does not require isolation of white blood cells prior to DNA strand break analysis by alkaline elution (direct method). The sensitivity of this new technique was compared to that of the standard method, which includes isolation of mononuclear blood cells. A statistically significant increase in sensitivity was observed using the direct method. After in vitro gamma-irradiation of venous blood, an increase in the elution rate of 7.7 x 10(-3) hr(-1)/Gy was detected if mononuclear blood cells were isolated compared to 10.5 x 10(-3) hr(-1)/Gy with the new technique (P < 0.05). Incubation of venous blood with ethylene oxide for 1 hr caused an increase in the elution rate of 5.8 x 10(-3) hr(-1)/mM ethylene oxide for the standard and 12 x 10(-3) h(-1)/mM for the direct method (P < 0.05). DNA single-strand breaks were detected in blood cells of 10 persons without any apparent genotoxic exposure. A mean normalized elution rate of 1.30 +/- 0.38 (95% confidence interval) was detected in isolated mononuclear blood cells, and a similar mean normalized elution rate of 1.41 +/- 0.50 was obtained using the direct method. The difference was not statistically significant. Five patients treated with a combination chemotherapy consisting of cyclophosphamide (750 mg/m2 i.v.), doxorubicin (50 mg/m2 i.v.), vincristine (1.4 mg/m2 i.v.), and prednisolone (100 mg/m2 p.o.) for non-Hodgkin's disease were analyzed for DNA single-strand breaks before and 16-18 hr after the application of chemotherapy. Increases in mean elution rate of 68% and 116% were detected using the standard and the direct methods, respectively. For the direct method, only 3 ml of venous blood were sufficient for analysis of one sample, compared to 25 ml needed if mononuclear cells were isolated, and about 4 hr of work per assay can be saved.

Blood↗
PubMed1997

Benign papilloma of the cervix in childhood: immunohistochemical findings and review of the literature.

UNLABELLED: Papillomas of the genital region are rare benign tumours causing sanguineous vaginal discharge in prepubertal girls. We report on a papilloma of the cervix in a 2-year-old girl. We characterize the tumour immunohistochemically and give a brief review about the current literature. CONCLUSION: Genital tract papillomas are benign differentiated tumours of probable Müllerian origin with a good prognosis even after tumour recurrence. Local excision is adequate for treatment.

Age of Onset↗
PubMed1997

Electron paramagnetic resonance studies on nitroxide radical 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-4-piperidin-1-oxyl (TEMPO) redox reactions in human skin.

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is currently being explored for the study of living biological systems. Among biophysical and biochemical applications, the study of nitroxide radical interactions with tissue antioxidants and oxidants is of growing interest. Skin is a target organ of the EPR methodology and is frequently exposed to oxidative stress. We investigated the piperidine-type nitroxide 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-4-piperidin-1-oxyl (TEMPO) because it is skin permeable and readily accepts electrons in biological systems. TEMPO is readily scavenged on the surface of cultured human skin. Pretreatment of skin cultures with butylhydroperoxide, which decreases intracellular ascorbate and glutathione, causes inhibition of nitroxide scavenging. Exposure of skin cultures to dehydroascorbate, which is internalized and converted to ascorbate, leads to stimulation of nitroxide scavenging. In human keratinocytes and fibroblasts, the TEMPO radical is reversibly reduced to the hydroxylamine depending on the oxygen concentration and the availability of intracellular glutathione and ascorbate. Cell exposure to the glutathione synthetase inhibitor buthionine-sulfoximine depleted intracellular glutathione and inhibited nitroxide reduction; exposure to dehydroascorbate or glutathione-monoethylester increased intracellular ascorbate or glutathione concentration and stimulated nitroxide reduction. Quantitative considerations indicate that the major reduction site of TEMPO in skin and skin cells is the cytosol ascorbate/glutathione redox cycle. We suggest that analysis of TEMPO radical scavenging by the EPR technique is a convenient method for measuring skin ascorbate and thiol-dependent antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed1997

Karyotype analysis of Helianthus annuus using Giemsa banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization.

The karyotype of H. annuus was analysed by computer-aided image processing with respect to the chromosome length, arm ratio, occurrence and chromosomal position of intercalary heterochromatin and the location of 18S/25S and 5S ribosomal RNA genes. The karyotype was subdivided into a group of four acrocentric chromosome pairs, of which two were distinguishable by HKG (HCl, KOH, Giemsa) banding and a group of 13 meta- to submetacentric pairs. The latter could be subdivided into seven pairs with one and six pairs with two HKG bands. Three pairs of submetacentric satellite chromosomes revealed 18S/25S rDNA loci after fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and silver staining. A fourth, smaller and possibly inactive, locus occurred in the terminal position on a metacentric pair. One submetacentric satellite chromosome pair revealed a 5S rRNA gene locus in the pericentromeric position; a second locus marked a submetacentric pair with one HKG band. The C-banding technique marks exclusively centromeric heterochromatin. Measurements of chromosomes in combination with Giemsa banding and FISH enabled the discrimination of most chromosome pairs of the sunflower.

Azure Stains↗
PubMed1997

Retroperitoneal lymphangiomyoma in an infant.

Lymphangiomyomatosis (LAM) is a benign tumor-like lesion of lymphatic vessels with unknown etiology. 80 cases of LAM are presently described. So far, it appears that only women in their reproductive years seem to be affected. Here, we describe the first LAM in an 11-months-old infant with a presumably local form of LAM. This leads us to consider the possibility that this tumor-like lesion may originate from a hamartomateous malformation. The diagnosis is based on pre-operative sonography and CT, as well as on histological and immunohistochemical examination of the tumor.

Female↗
PubMed1997

Increase in DNA single-strand break rejoining by continuous exposure of human mononuclear blood cells to radioiodine ((131)I) in vitro.

Radioiodine ((131)I) induced a dose- and time-dependent increase in DNA single-strand breaks (DNA-ssb) in human (G0) mononuclear blood cells (MNC) in vitro. Incubation of MNC with 22MBq (131)I/ml at 4 degrees C caused a linear, time-dependent induction of DNA-ssb (increase in elution rate: 24.7 x 10(-3) h(-1) per 100 min incubation with (131)I). However, if MNC were incubated at 37 degrees C a decrease in the slope of the time effect curve was observed after about 300 min incubation with 22 or 30 MBq (131)I/ml. The goodness of fit of different regression models was assessed by Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC). The best fit was obtained for a non-linear model (y=a+bx+cx(0.5); AIC=53.5; where x is incubation time and y is elution rate), whereas other models including the linear regression model y=a+bx; AIC=38.6) were worse. As the total induction of DNA-ssb at 4 degrees C was constant with time, the decrease in the slope of the time effect curve (DNA-ssb versus time) at 37 degrees C can be interpreted as an increase in rejoining of DNA-ssb. Inhibition of both RNA and protein synthesis clearly increased the extent of DNA-ssb observable after incubation with (131)I. Thus, during continuous exposure of MNC to (131)I, proteins were synthesized which rejoined DNA-ssb. However, incubation of MNC with (131)I (44 MBq/ml) at 37 degrees C under conditions expected to lead to inhibition of RNA and/or protein synthesis still resulted in a decrease of the slope of the time effect curve, indicating a stimulation of DNA-ssb rejoining. Thus, we favour the hypothesis that the increase in the activity of DNA-ssb rejoining, besides de novo synthesis of repair enzymes, is also caused by a post-translational stimulation of DNA-repair enzymes and that this stimulation possibly is mediated by DNA-fragments.

DNA Repair↗
PubMed1997

Marfan syndrome and other systemic disorders with congenital ectopia lentis. A Danish national survey.

In order to elucidate demographic and nosologic characteristics of Marfan syndrome (MS) and other systemic disorders associated with congenital ectopia lentis (ECL) in Denmark, a register of affected persons was established in a nationwide retrospective study. Three hundred and forty patients with MS (180M, 160F) were registered. By January 1, 1993, the estimated prevalence rate of MS was 4.6/100,000. An estimated average birth rate of 0.96/10,000 live born was found. The mean age at death was decreased (38 +/- 18 y) mainly due to cardiovascular complications. Correspondingly, a median cumulative probability of survival of 57 y (males) and 58 y (females) was found. Only seven patients with ECL as manifestation of other systemic disorders were diagnosed in the material, i.e. three patients with homocystinuria, two patients with Weill-Marchesani syndrome, and another 2 patients with sulphite oxidase deficiency. In a further 122 cases with ECL a nosologic diagnosis could not be established due to unavailable or insufficient information. This group may comprise patients with MS and other systemic disorders as well as patients with non-systemic ECL. In retrospect, the differential diagnostic activity for patients with congenital ectopia lentis has been insufficient during the last few decades and a common protocol for diagnosis, control and treatment of ECL is needed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Circulating aggregated platelets, number of platelets per aggregate and platelet size in chronic dialysis patients.

The accelerated arteriosclerosis of chronic dialysis patients is multifactorial. Both non-uremic patients with atherosclerosis and uremic patients have functional platelet abnormalities. Our aim was to study platelet function in chronic dialysis patients and to correlate the findings with the presence of cardiovascular morbidity. Fifty-three chronic dialysis patients were examined. The presence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) was recorded, and the patients were examined for the presence of ischemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and cerebrovascular accident. The parameters of platelet function, which were examined with the modified Wu and Hoak method, included platelet number, percentage of totally, reversibly and irreversibly aggregated platelets, average number of platelets per aggregate and percentage of large platelets. Significant differences were found between totally aggregated platelets, reversibly and irreversibly aggregated platelets, the percentage of large platelets (p < 0.0001) and the average number of platelets per aggregate (p < 0.001) in dialysis patients compared with control persons. There was no difference between the 2 groups in platelet count. No differences were found between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis groups, and the duration of dialysis treatment had no effect. We conclude that platelet abnormalities evident in chronic dialysis patients are a part of the multifactorial etiology of advanced CVD and may predispose dialysis patients to CVD.

Arteriosclerosis↗
PubMed1997

[Experiences with primary fascia closure of the abdomen in gastroschisis--a 16 year review].

47 children with gastroschisis were operated at the Hannover Medical School between 1980 and 1995. The average gestation period was the 36th week of pregnancy with an average birthweight of 2370 gr. A primary layered closure of the abdominal wall was performed on 46 children. A multi-sided closure of the abdominal wall defect using Gore-Tex was necessary in only one case. Post-operative intubation lasted for an average of 56 hours. The children were fed by parenteral nutrition for an average of 32 days, with oral feeding starting on the 15th post-operative day. The average weight on discharge was 3035 gr. 18% of the children had post-operative problems such as sepsis, necrotic enterocolitis and ileus. A death rate of only 2% is proof of the progress that has been made in prenatal care of the newborn child suffering from gastroschisis and suggests that primary closure of the abdomen is the operative method to be aimed for.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed1997

[Occurrence and susceptibility of hospital strains producing enzymes with a wide spectrum of substrate profiles].

In connection with more and more frequent occurrence of extended spectrum beta-lactamases an effort has been made to detect their presence in the biological materials coming from the patients of different wards of Mining Hospital in Sosnowiec from January to September 1995. Among 38 diagnostic materials, from which the strains in question were isolated, the following materials have been examined: bronchial lavage (52.6%), surgical wounds (18.4%), urines (15.8%) and others (13.2%). The examined diagnostic materials came from Intensive Care Unit (87.0%), Casualty and Orthopaedic Surgery Clinic (5.0%) and General Surgery Clinic (3.0%). The most frequently isolated microorganisms were Klebsiella pneumoniae. (47.4%), Serratia marcescens (36.8%), Enterobacter cloacae (10.5%) and others (5.3%). Half of the examined strains constituted those producing extended spectrum beta-lactamases and probably possessing an extra resistance mechanism: (Serratia marcescens--74%, Enterobacter cloacae--21%, Enterobacter aerogenes--5.0%) and 50% were those producing extended--spectrum beta-lactamases. (Klebsiella pneumoniae--95%, Escherichia coli--5%). Susceptibility of the examined strains to anti-microbial antibiotics was diverse. Full susceptibility of the analysed strains has been observed exclusively in case of Karbapenems (Imipenem, Meropenem and Cefamycyn). In case of beta-lactamase with beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations susceptibility was diverse and dependent on the species of the examined microorganism.

Body Fluids↗