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Biomedical subjects

J Huber

Publications and source records attributed to J Huber.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Differential responses of old human cartilage explants to synovial- and mononuclear-cell factors.

To investigate mechanisms of cartilage destruction that may apply to rheumatoid arthritis, young and old human, and young porcine, articular cartilage was cultured for 8 days and the effects on proteoglycan (PG) metabolism of normal synovium supernatant (NSS), rheumatoid synovial fluid (RFL), and blood mononuclear cell supernatant (MCF) were studied. The effects were chondrocyte-mediated. An inverse correlation was found between baseline net PG synthesis and the effect of NSS on PG synthesis. Responses of young (porcine and human) cartilage were similar. In young cartilage the three agents induced PG depletion by suppression of net PG synthesis. In old cartilage NSS and RFL induced PG depletion, whereas MCF did not. In cartilage of low baseline net PG synthesis, NSS and MCF stimulated both PG release and PG synthesis; NSS stimulated predominantly PG release, and MCF predominantly PG synthesis. In conclusion, young and old human cartilage differ in the quality of their in vitro response to potentially catabolic factors. This may be due to the difference in baseline net PG synthesis. Synovial extracts differ from mononuclear-cell supernatants in their effects on old cartilage. It is suggested that this is caused by the presence, in different relative amounts, of factors that influence either PG synthesis or PG release.

Aging↗
PubMed1987

[Significance of 17-hydroxyprogesterone for the diagnosis of ovulation].

In 30 sterility patients with normal course of the cycle, 17 OHP already rises significantly one day before the LH-peak. It influences not only progesterone and E2 but also hypothalamic opiate activity and LHRH and LH secretion. 17 OHP is on the one hand discussed as a further trigger for the LH peak and is on the other hand regarded as an initiator for incipient luteinization.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗
PubMed1987

[Salivary LH as an ovulation indicator: comparison between salivary LH, serum LH and ultrasonic findings].

A radioimmunological method of salivary LH determination has been developed as a new non invasive approach to hormonal ovulation detection. In this study salivary LH patterns have been compared to serum LH peak and daily sonographic assessment of follicle maturation in 15 spontaneous cycles of 9 women experienced in self-observation of their cycles (NFP). The day where the mature follicle was no longer visible sonographically was labelled day 0. Serum LH peaks occurred in 11 out of 15 cycles on day -1, two times on days -2 and 0 and preceded salivary LH peaks in 8 out of 15 cycles. The latter coincided in 7 cycles with day 0 in two cycles each with days -1 and +1 and in 4 cycles with day -2. Thus 13/15 serum- and 11/15 salivary-LH peaks occurred within +/- one day of the disappearance of the mature follicle. A time lag of up to six hours between the sampling of saliva and serum might explain the difference in the respective peak days, however, more studies into the kinetics of LH transport and its circadian rhythmicity seem necessary. Nevertheless, in principle also the salivary LH peak is considered a suitable indicator of ovulation.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

A phenotypic male with true hermaphroditism and a 46,XX/46,XY/47,XXY karyotype.

A phenotypic boy presenting with gynaecomastia showed a mixed karyotype of 46,XX/46,XY/47,XXY. The left gonad was normally descended into the scrotum, but proved to be an ovary without any testicular structures. After left gonadectomy, plasma androgen and estrogen levels showed that the right gonad only contained testicular tissue. Seven patients with this form of triple mosaicism have been described but the clinical features are strikingly different among the described cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Parenteral and oral cyproterone acetate treatment in severe hirsutism.

In the present study a parenteral treatment regimen with cyproterone acetate was compared with the high dose peroral administration in patients with severe hirsutism. Two groups consisting of 10 patients each performed treatment with either 100 mg cyproterone acetate perorally for the first 10 days of the menstrual cycle or received a monthly implant of 300 mg cyproterone acetate intramuscularly applied on the first day of each cycle. In addition, contraception was performed with Diane in both patient groups. 9 treatment cycles were followed by a posttreatment period of 3 months. Hair parameters and serum androgens were monitored regularly. No significant differences of testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate and prolactin serum levels became evident between both cyproterone acetate regimens. Measurements of facial hair diameters revealed a better reduction for the parenteral application. Also the improvement of dermatological parameters was more prominent in the parenteral treatment group. The good effects of a medium dose parenteral application against higher dose peroral treatment thus was documented. The lack of significant differences of androgenic suppression in both regimens turns up the question if different metabolism at the cellular level may be responsible for that phenomenon.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1987

Efficacy of low-dose oral contraceptives containing levonorgestrel, gestoden and cyproterone acetate.

The efficacy of low-dose oral contraceptives containing 30 micrograms or 35 micrograms ethinyl estradiol in combination with Levonorgestrel, gestoden (delta 15-Levonorgestrel) and cyproterone acetate was studied. Borderline doses for inhibition of ovulation were found to be approximately 50 micrograms for Levonorgestrel, 40 micrograms for gestoden and 1 mg for cyproterone acetate. These results were derived from the assay of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, 17 beta-estradiol and progesterone serum levels during the daily treatment of a total of 47 female volunteers from day 5 through day 25 of their cycles. A combination of 30 micrograms ethinyl estradiol plus 75 micrograms Levonorgestrel or 75 micrograms gestoden resulted in complete inhibition of ovulation in each of the 20 subjects studied. Monitoring of hormone serum levels in 6 female volunteers with normal cycles during the administration of 35 micrograms ethinyl estradiol plus 2 mg cyproterone acetate showed inhibition of ovulation in all subjects studied during the first and third therapy cycle. One subject exhibited follicular maturation during the third treatment cycle as judged from the patterns of 17 beta-estradiol serum levels. Present data suggest that low-dose oral contraceptives containing Levonorgestrel, gestoden and cyproterone acetate are highly efficient in providing great contraceptive safety and do not support the previous notion that the kind of progestagen used is relevant for the degree of central inhibition.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Pharmacological and endocrine profiles of gestodene.

Efforts to minimize oral contraceptive side effects have focused on the use of new dosage schemes and the synthesis of new steroids that can be used in safer, low-dose formulations. To determine whether the new progestogen gestodene offers an advantage in this regard, we studied its pharmacological and endocrine profiles. Gestodene was found to exhibit relative binding affinity and biological activity profiles similar to or better than those of progestogens in current use. Modulation by gestodene of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH)-stimulated gonadotropin release in vitro and in vivo in a rat model system indicated that gestodene is some three times as biologically active as levonorgestrel. The borderline dose for inhibition of ovulation by gestodene was estimated in a total of 23 women with normal cycles. Levels of LH-RH, follicle-stimulating hormone, 17 beta-estradiol, and progesterone were estimated during the ingestion of various doses of gestodene. A dose of 30 micrograms of gestodene caused inhibition of ovulation in 11 out of 12 subjects, and eight out of 11 showed follicular maturation. When 40 micrograms of gestodene was taken, six out of seven women did not ovulate, and one out of seven had a cycle with luteal insufficiency. These data indicate that 40 micrograms of gestodene is the borderline dose for inhibition of ovulation. A combination of 75 micrograms gestodene with 30 micrograms ethinyl estradiol was found to inhibit ovulation in ten subjects, and no follicular maturation was noted.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1987

[Interaction of plasma beta-endorphin and progesterone in the luteal phase].

Recent research indicates that opioid peptides may be participants in the coordination and control of the menstrual cycle. The peripheral ovarian steroids (progesterone and estradiol) seem to modulate endogenous opioid activity and thereby hypothalamic LH-RH-secretion. This mechanism works during the luteal-phase under the influence of progesterone. The purpose of this study is to investigate the interaction of endogenous opioid peptides and peripheral ovarian steroids in 24 women by comparing progesterone and beta-endorphin levels of unstimulated and HMG-stimulated cycles. The women with stimulated cycles showed significantly higher progesterone and beta-endorphin levels. The interaction of progesterone und beta-endorphin may partly be explained by the fact that progesterone acts on progesterone receptors in the central nervous system. This leads to activity of opioid neurons in the brain and finally influences LH-RH- and LH-release. Beta-endorphin production is also discussed to come from the ovary. Beta-endorphin is involved maintaining normal luteal phase and therefore plays an important role in reproduction.

Female↗
PubMed1987

[Naloxone-induced gonadotropin changes in females with amenorrhea].

Along with 51 amenorrheic patients the pituitary reactional situation was checked by means of an Gn-RH-stimulation test. Simultaneously to all these women the opiate antagonist Naloxone was infused in a further test series. In 7 from 51 women a significant increase of the LH was demonstrated in comparison to the basic values. Comparing the kinetics of the pituitary gland it was evident, that in all cases the gonadotropin emanation was detective respectively missing after the second Gn-RH-bolus, which followed immediately after the first one. The findings seem to proof the thesis that the endorphins mainly influence the gonadotropin reserve capacity. In cases, where it was possible to objectify the influence--the second pool was missing as well.

Amenorrhea↗
PubMed1987

[Initial experiences with pro-urokinase in acute myocardial infarct].

Pro-urokinase is a fibrin-specific, single-chain, high molecular form of urokinase that induces thrombolysis without fibrinogenolysis in experimental animals. Consequently, the potential advantage of pro-urokinase is that its activation can be limited to the site of a clot. Its efficiency was assessed in ten patients with acute transmural myocardial infarction. Reperfusion occurred in only two patients. In five out of seven patients with persistent complete coronary occlusion, clot lysis could be achieved by intracoronary streptokinase application within 30 min after completion of the pro-urokinase infusion. Fibrinogen and alpha 2-antiplasmin changed only moderately during pro-urokinase infusion. These preliminary data may indicate a limited thrombolytic efficiency of pro-urokinase in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Reye's syndrome].

Reye's syndrome, characterized by acute encephalopathy and fatty degeneration of the viscera with hepatic failure, is a life-threatening illness that affects children of all ages. Although Reye's syndrome has been investigated extensively, its etiology and pathogenesis remain obscure. Metabolic pathophysiology appears to include a process affecting liver mitochondria. Recently disturbances in fatty acid oxidation have been described with a similar clinical picture. The cause of these events is presumably related to triggering viral illnesses, in ways that are unclear. Since prompt treatment might provide a better chance for recovery, early diagnosis is important.

Brain Diseases↗
PubMed1986

Contrasting in vitro effects of retinol and mononuclear cell factor on young and old human cartilage.

Studies with young animal cartilage have shown that retinol and mononuclear cell-factor (MCF) cause in vitro breakdown of the cartilage, mediated by the living chondrocyte (indirect degradation). We studied the effects of retinol and MCF on healthy human articular cartilage of different ages, measuring the effects on proteoglycan (PG) content of the cartilage, and on PG synthesis during 8 days of culture. This study shows: Retinol and MCF induce indirect degradation of young, but not of old human cartilage of the humeral head; Both retinol and MCF suppress PG synthesis of young and stimulate PG synthesis of old cartilage; The effects of retinol and MCF on cartilage PG content and on PG synthesis are related to the metabolic state of the chondrocyte; Therefore mononuclear cell-factor may have a destructive or beneficial effect on cartilage depending on whether proteoglycan synthesizing activity is high or low, respectively.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Diagnosis of the type of amyloid in paraffin wax embedded tissue sections using antisera against human and animal amyloid proteins.

Different histochemical techniques were compared on paraffin wax embedded tissue sections for routine classification of amyloid; the following methods were used: potassium permanganate, the indirect immunoperoxidase method using polyclonal anti-human amyloid antisera (anti-AA, anti-A lambda, anti-A kappa and anti-AF) and the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method using antisera against human, bovine, hamster and canine AA amyloid. Anti-human AA antiserum appeared to be a useful tool in this respect. Polyclonal anti-AL antisera may be helpful in diagnosing AL amyloid, but were less of value than anti-AA serum. Strong cross reactivity between anti-bovine AA antiserum and human AA amyloid deposits was found. This indicates that animal amyloid AA antisera can also be used for the diagnosis of AA amyloid in human tissues.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Inhibition of ovulation with 35 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol and 2 mg of cyproterone acetate (Diane 35)].

In the study reported here the ovulation inhibition dose for cyproterone acetate was determined. Experiments showed that the ovulation inhibition dose is 1 mg of cyproterone acetate, administered daily. Results proved that the cyproterone acetate dose cannot be reduced when cyproterone acetate is combined with ethinyl estradiol. However, the objective of this study was to determine whether it is possible to reduce the estrogen dose to 35 micrograms when the common combination of 2 mg cyproterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol is being used. After a control menstruation cycle, 2 mg cyproterone acetate and 35 micrograms ethinyl estradiol were administered daily to six women with normal menstruation. Drug administration began on Day 5 and ended on Day 25. During the control cycle, the first treatment cycle, and the third treatment cycle, LH, FSH, 17 beta estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, prolactin, and SHGB were examined daily. Cervix score and karyopyknosis index were determined at the same time. In addition, antithrombin III was examined during the control cycle and during the third treatment cycle. Present results show that ovulation inhibition is possible with dose reduction of ethinyl estradiol to 35 micrograms, combined with 2 mg of cyproterone acetate. Increase in SHBG and reduction in testosterone serum level point to an additional antiandrogenic effect of cyproterone acetate, aside from its cellular effect. The combined preparation discussed here does not bring about any changes in antithrombin III values. Results permit the conclusion that ovulation inhibition is insured with a reduction of the daily estrogen dose from 50 micrograms to 35 micrograms.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Amniotic AFP concentration in pregnancies with numerical chromosome aberrations].

Amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein concentration were measured in 360 normal pregnancies between 15 and 23 weeks gestation. Taking into account the effect of gestational age the mean and SD were calculated, confirming the physiological decrease in AFP levels at the beginning of the second trimester. By comparison 25 pregnancies with trisomic states (23 trisomy 21, 2 trisomy 18) showed AFP levels below the control mean in 19 cases. In 5 cases we found AFP concentrations above the control mean, partly even not included in the range of 1 SD and in one case the AFP concentration was at the control mean. These results lend further support to the observation of lower amniotic fluid AFP levels in pregnancies with numerical chromosomal aberrations. In all but 6 cases AFP levels ranged not more than 1 SD below the control mean. No clinical consequences can therefore be based on these data.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Androgen receptor in hirsutism and acne.

Hyperandrogenism may result in acne and hirsutism. On the other hand, acne and hirsutism may occur without elevated androgen serum levels. An important point of androgen action is the target organ sensitivity at the receptor level. In the present study, androgen receptor (AR) determinations by saturation analysis were performed in 36 hirsute as well as in 11 female and 52 male acne patients. A small group of endocrine healthy patients served as control group. For AR analysis, the predilection sites of the disease were chosen. In acne, also nonlesional skin served as control. 26% of the hirsute patients were AR-positive, with mean AR levels of 68 fmol/mg protein. Male acne patients were 50% AR-positive in acne lesions and 60% positive in their nonlesional skin. The mean AR levels were 25 and 38 fmol/mg protein, respectively. The control group was 27% AR-positive, with mean AR levels of 15 fmol/mg protein. Female acne patients were 3/11 positive in lesional and 1/11 positive in nonlesional skin. The mean AR levels were 25 and 35 fmol/mg protein, respectively. The female control group was in 3/13 cases AR-positive, with a mean level of 8 fmol/mg protein. Comparison of the AR levels indicates hirsutism as the mostly androgen-dependent dermatosis. No correlation between AR and androgen serum levels was demonstrated. This finding suggests that androgen action at the target organ level in both dermatoses may be independent of peripheral serum levels of hormones.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1986

Implantation of cultured thymic fragments in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Cultured thymic fragments were implanted in one patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related complex (ARC) and in eight AIDS patients with opportunistic infections (OIs, four patients), Kaposi's sarcoma (KS, two patients), or both (two patients). Thereafter, objective clinical improvement was noted in one patient with OI, and a stable symptom-free condition was observed in the ARC patient and in two other patients with OIs. However, the ARC patient and two of the three patients with OIs developed infections three to six months after implantation. A fourth case of OI and the patients with KS showed progression of the disease. Peripheral blood investigations for counts of total leukocytes, lymphocytes, and T-lymphocyte subsets as well as for lymphocyte stimulation with mitogens showed no changes interpretable as an improvement of the cellular immune deficiency status. We conclude that cultured thymic fragments have no distinct in vivo effect on the course of AIDS, except for a temporary clinical improvement or a period of stable condition in some patients with OIs.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗