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Biomedical subjects

J Hanke

Publications and source records attributed to J Hanke.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

[Laboratory diagnosis of renal changes caused by occupational chemical factors].

The problem of early detection of the consequences of toxic action of chemical substances on the kidneys at the working place is becoming one of more important problems in the prophylaxis of renal diseases. The introduction of new sensitive diagnostic methods such as enzyme activity determination or low-molecular-weight proteins measurement in urine has made possible detection of renal damage in the reversible stage. As yet the observations demonstrate that workers exposed in their occupation to heavy metals (cadmium, lead, metalic mercury) and organic solvents should be subjected to special control for detection of renal changes.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1990

Acetylation phenotypes and bladder cancer.

The human population consists of slow and fast acetylators. To test the hypothesis that slow acetylators are predisposed to bladder cancer caused by exposure to aromatic amines, we performed a retrospective study, phenotyping cancer patients. Bladder cancer patients were divided, based on interview data, into two groups: those with and without occupational exposure to aromatic amines. The nonexposed group had a distribution of slow acetylators (60.5%) similar to that in the general Polish population. (A group of controls was 45.4% slow acetylators.) The exposed group was predominantly slow acetylators (87.6%). A prospective study in a currently healthy occupationally exposed cohort has been initiated to investigate possible change in acetylator phenotype with disease or therapy onset. Cohort members have been typed for acetylator status; a tumor marker (to identify bladder cancer at a preclinical stage) and acetylator status will be measured periodically.

Acetylation↗
PubMed1990

Molecular cloning, expression, and chromosome 19 localization of a human Ro/SS-A autoantigen.

Ro/SS-A antibodies are found in a number of human autoimmune disorders including Sjogren's syndrome and several systemic lupus erythematosus-related disorders. These heterogeneous autoantibodies are known to recognize several distinct cellular antigens. With synthetic oligonucleotides corresponding to amino acid sequence information we have isolated a full-length cDNA clone which encodes a human Ro ribonucleoprotein autoantigen. The 1,890-base pair clone contains an open reading frame that encodes a 417-amino acid, 48-kD polypeptide that migrates aberrantly at 60 kD by SDS-PAGE. Rabbit antibodies raised against this protein's recently described amino-terminal epitope react with a previously identified 52-kD human Ro protein and immunoprecipitate the human cytoplasmic RNAs. Ultraviolet light cross-linking studies suggest that this Ro protein binds each of the four major human cytoplasmic RNAs. The deduced amino acid sequence is 63% homologous to an Onchocerca volvulus antigen. Southern filter hybridization analysis indicates that this gene is not highly polymorphic and exists as a single copy in the human genome. Chromosomal localization studies place this gene on the short arm of chromosome 19 near the gene encoding the low density lipoprotein receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Ro/SS-A and the pathogenic significance of its antibodies.

Ro/SS-A is a soluble cellular protein to which antibodies are frequently directed in patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-related disorders. The pathogenic significance of these antibodies is uncertain. Our effort to further characterize the immunological and structural nature of Ro/SS-A suggests that the native human Ro/SS-A molecule is not glycosylated and consists of two disulfide linked domains. The amino terminus of the smaller domain contains a major epitope reactive with anti-Ro/SS-A sera. We have isolated and characterized a complementary DNA (cDNA) clone which encodes the Ro/SS-A polypeptide. The Ro/SS-A gene does not appear to be highly polymorphic and exists as a single copy on the short arm of chromosome 19. The isolation of the Ro/SS-A cDNA should allow for a more complete characterization of Ro/SS-A epitopes which should help further elucidate the importance of Ro/SS-A antibodies in the pathogenesis of disease.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed1989

[Detection of the early effects of occupational exposure].

The diagnosis of early effects at the level of molecular lesions, usually fully reversible, is the primary preventive task within occupational health service. Due to the effects of individually differentiated adaptability potential on biochemical changes, the most reliable information on early effects of exposures may be derived from epidemiological studies. The complexity of molecular epidemiology is exemplified by the diagnosis of early effects of lead exposure.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1989

[Usefulness of biological tumor markers for early detection of neoplastic changes in the bladder of persons exposed to aromatic amines].

Industrial exposure to aromatic amines may result in bladder cancer, especially in persons characterized by a slow acetylation phenotype. What is particularly important in neoplastics therapies is an early detection of neoplastic changes. Prophylactic and prognostic examination suggest that determination of neoplastic markers may contribute to an early detection of these changes. From the results gathered it emerges that carcinoembryonal antigen (CEA) and tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) are most useful for an early detection of bladder cancer. It seems reasonable to examine the most seriously exposed ones using methods for CEA and TPA determination. Such an examination performed twice or three times in this group should help to early detect hyperplasia of urinary bladder epithelium.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[CA 15-3 and CEA as tumor markers in the diagnosis of the recurrence of breast cancer].

The significance of the tumor markers CA 15-3 and CEA for the oncological follow-up of breast cancer was examined in a retrospective analysis of 108 patients in whom, before and after hospitalization, it was possible to locate a local recurrence, a contralateral breast carcinoma, or a distant metastasis. Overall, examination of the group of patients showed that CA 15-3 was significantly more sensitive than CEA (57%/38%), with an increase of only 3% in sensitivity when investigating both markers simultaneously. Neither marker is suitable for the diagnosis of a relapse in the same region or a contralateral breast carcinoma, as pathologic values are only to be observed in one-third or, respectively, one-quarter of all cases. In cases of distant metastasis, CA 15-3 is significantly superior to CEA (osseous: 62%/41%; visceral: 73%/34%). Only where there is combined osseous/visceral metastatic spread is no significant difference manifested (87%/74%). In 15 out of 17 patients with an apparently relapse-free course both during and after hospitalization, the CA 15-3 value was normal where the CEA value was pathologic. Tumor progression would thus seem improbable where there is a pathologic CEA value in conjunction with a normal CA 15-3 value. In follow-up of breast cancer, simultaneously assay of both "nonredundant" tumor markers, which represent a useful spectrum for tumor control, is to be recommended.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1988

[Genetic problems in occupational medicine].

The investigation has been aimed at the genetically conditioned increased sensitivity to occupational hazards. Special attention should be paid to population's genetic differentiation at setting up hygienic standards and interpretation of results of biological absorption tests. As problems related to genetically conditioned increased sensitivity to hazards are particularly significant in the countries with the population's considerable biochemical differentiation or considerable rate of the so called biochemical deficits, therefore the problem gets more intense as more immigrants from Asiatic and African countries are employed in European industries. In the authors' opinion, correctly arranged pre-employment studies should reduce the number of poisonings in chemical industry.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1988

[Immunotoxicology].

The aim of the present paper is to inform Polish occupational physicians about a new medical discipline called immunotoxicology which developed during last decades. The importance of immunotoxicology resides in the fact that examinations performed on its basis make it possible to understand some toxic mechanisms which could not have been explained so far studying biochemical disorders. Immunotoxicology is regarded as an extension of toxicology. According to the principles of immunology, organism's reactions to xenobiotics action depends on the mechanisms regulating immunological system, i.e. on its activity or suppression. Considering the present scientific achievements, it can be said that both these states are related to disregulation of homeostatic mechanisms. Owing to the informative nature of this paper, many examples of immunological reactions were adopted from the relatively rich world literature. Readers who are interested in more comprehensive information may refer to source literature.

Autoimmune Diseases↗
PubMed1988

Psammomabody content and DNA-flow cytometric results as prognostic factors in advanced ovarian carcinoma.

138 advanced ovarian serous carcinoma--all FIGO stages III/IV--were investigated by prognostic morphological factors like tumour grading and rate of psammomabody content--subdivided in to serous carcinoma with a high, a moderate and a low rate of psammomabodies and a group of serous carcinoma without psammomabodies. Additionally 91 of these tumours were examined by DNA-flow-cytometry--respectively DNA-ploidy and s-phase-fraction. All prognostic factors were correlated to the overall survival time. The psammomabody content factor is only important if histologically a high or moderate rate of psammomabodies is found in the tumour tissue. Tumours with a low rate of psammomabodies do not differ from serous tumours without psammomabodies. DNA-flow-cytometry is a qualified method to demonstrate a slow tumour growth tendency. The majority of carcinomas with a high rate of psammomabodies is DNA-diploid and has a low -phase-fraction. The overall survival rate for these tumours is much better. Tumour grading--a more subjective method--is also of high value, but there is a certain difficulty in reproducing the results in individual cases. By the combination of the two morphological methods--semiquantitative assessment of psammomabodies and DNA-flow-cytometry--we were able to discover a small group of patients with advanced ovarian cancers who have a favourable prognosis.

DNA↗
PubMed1987

[Morphologic criteria of prognosis and clinical course in ovarian tumors of the borderline type].

Borderline tumors of the ovary are morphologically characterized by histologic and cellular criteria and by lack of evidence of invasion. During an observation period of 12 years at Heidelberg University Gynecological Clinic, 49 patients with borderline tumors underwent surgery and the clinical course was followed up. In 15 cases the tumor was at an advanced stage (FIGO III/IV); chemotherapy was instituted after surgery in 12 of these women. None of the patients with early-stage tumors (FIGO I/II) were lost due to the tumor during the period of observation; the death rate among patients with stage III/IV tumors (FIGO) was 40%. However, the death of three of these women was also due to their advanced age and high internal risks. As in the case of ovarian carcinomas, the survival rates improve if the postoperative residual tumor mass is smaller than 2 cm. Subsequent histologic work-up of archived, formalin-fixed tumor tissue and metastases thereof showed that two forms of the metastasizing borderline tumor exist: one with a favorable prognosis, a "pure" form with borderline changes in the ovary and metastases, and one with a less favorable prognosis, with borderline changes in the ovary and destructive-invasive portions of tumor in the metastazation areas. Impulse cytophotometric studies (ICP) showed that all primary tumors had the same degree of ploidy i.e., diploid. However, detection of an aneuploid distribution pattern in a metastasis correlated with subsequent histological confirmation of tumor invasion and rapid tumor death. The S-phase fraction was low, at 2.02% +/- 1.3.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Combined Modality Therapy↗
PubMed1987

[Clinical course of ovarian cancer in relation to morphologic prognostic factors and cell kinetic parameters].

Apart from the stage of the tumour and the method of surgical approach, factors of special importance in prognosis are the histological type of tumour and the histological and cytological grading of malignant ovarian tumours. To supplement the prognostic factors, DNA flow cytometry has recently been introduced to determine parameters of cell kinetics such as ploidy (the status of the chromosome set in the karyotype) and the number of DNA-synthesized cells. In the present study 81 patients with a malignant tumour of the ovary--most of them classified according to FIGO stage III/IV--were followed up for 12 to 56 months (FIGO = Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique). The survival times are correlated with clinical, morphological and cell kinetics data. The FIGO stage is the most important prognostic factor. None of the patients in stage I/II (FIGO) died during the study period, whereas of 63 women in stage III/IV (FIGO) 41 have already died. The histological tumour type is not so significant for prognosis. The survival curves show that of all the examined prognostic factors in stage III/IV (FIGO) the S-phase proportion (i.e. the proportion of DNA-synthesized cells) is the most important one. Statistically significant differences are also seen in ploidy and in grading. However, in histological grading of tumours the differences are noticeable only in grading G 1 and in grading G 3. G 2 carcinomas--which, by the way, account for one-third of all carcinomas-are a kind of collecting "pool" of tumours whose prognosis cannot be assessed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cell Division↗
PubMed1987

[The role of screening studies in epidemiology and occupational medicine].

Discussed in the paper are the conditions underlying the planning of screening tests for early diagnosis of diseases--at the asymptomatic stage--and the detection of higher risk groups. The so called "early diagnosis" can be established with various strategies: specific examinations for all those spontaneously coming to physicians, periodic examinations for industrial workers, genetic screening ensuring the protection against exposures to work environment hazards for those exhibiting genetically conditioned biochemical abnormalities. Screening tests in a specific population should be preceded by extensive epidemiological studies aimed at the determination of such basic parameters as: the rate of feature marker in a population, incidence of the disease resulting from the marker's presence, determination of the relative risk coefficient.

Humans↗
PubMed1986

[The second-look operation in advanced ovarian cancer--experiences since the introduction of cisplatin combination chemotherapy].

In cases of ovarian carcinoma the trend today is toward postoperative cytostatic follow-up therapy which is as aggressive as possible, though of limited duration. The aim is to achieve full clinical remission and to verify it histologically by a second-look-operation. This paper presents the results obtained in 41 women who underwent second-look surgery, out of a total of 87 women with advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma (FIGO stage III and IV) who had been given combination chemotherapy with cisplatin postoperatively. Taking various well-known prognostic factors into account (stage, age, histologic grading, primary postoperative residual tumor mass), the situation before and after a second-look laparotomy was analyzed. The survival data (life table analyses according to Kaplan-Meier) indicate the importance of these prognostic factors. Approximately one-third of the patients had full clinical remission after aggressive cisplatin combination chemotherapy; complete remission was verified microscopically in 18% of all cases, with a mean of 12 biopsies. The long-term prognosis for such women, who can be cured even if they have primary advanced ovarian carcinoma, is likely to be good. In addition, present-day indications and the standard surgical procedure for a second-look operation are described.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Urinary excretion of beta 2 microglobulin in workers chronically exposed to various heavy metals].

Increased urinary excretion of beta-2-microglobulin (b2m) is regarded as one of the earliest indices of the lesion of renal tubules. A great usefulness of the determination of this protein has been demonstrated in workers chronically exposed to heavy metals. The investigations have been carried out in 79 workers chronically exposed to cadmium, 39 workers chronically exposed to mercury and 31 non-exposed subjects. The urinary b2m concentration in all subjects was determined using the radioimmunoassay technique. In their own investigations the authors found, in 27.8% of the cadmium-exposed subjects, an increased excretion of b2m, a correlation being found between the urinary concentration of this protein and cadmium r = 0.696. Mercury-exposed workers did not exhibit an increased urinary excretion of b2m.

Adult↗