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J J Widmann

Publications and source records attributed to J J Widmann.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Long-term tumor-free surviving patients with anaplastic small cell bronchial cancer].

Report on 12 patients with small cell lung cancer who achieved disease-free survival for over 24 months after initial therapy. All the cases were classified as limited disease. Median age was 62 years and median performance status 0. Only 2 patients had weight loss of more than 5% in the six months prior to the diagnosis. Four patients were treated by local therapy alone (surgery in 3, radiotherapy in 1). Eight patients received systemic treatment (chemotherapy in 4, chemotherapy plus radiotherapy in 4). Median duration of cytostatic treatment was 17 months, with 3 of 8 patients receiving chemotherapy for less than 6 months. Three patients relapsed 27, 34 and 54 months after initial treatment. Median survival is 52 + months. It is concluded that long term disease-free survival can be achieved in patients with limited disease small cell lung cancer, even where initial treatment is relatively short.

Adult↗

[Hereditary myeloperoxidase deficiency. Clinical, biological and genetic study].

A case is reported of hereditary myeloperoxidase deficiency in a diabetic patient suffering from a Candida albicans hepatic abscess. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is completely absent from the neutrophils and monocytes, although it is present in the eosinophils. Functional granulocyte studies have revealed normalchemotactic and phagocytic activity, although the bacterial activity is partially diminished with regard to Staphylococcus aureus and is almost nil with regard to Candida albicans. The granulocytic metabolism, when stimulated by zymosan, is characterized by greatly increased oxygen consumption. Genetic investigations have been conducted in 28 members of the patient's family. Cyto- and biochemical determination of MPO is clearly diminished in close relatives of the patient. Genetic analysis indicates recessive autosomal transmission with variable expressivity of the gene for the heterozygote state.

Adult↗

[Adenocarcinoma of the appendix. 6 cases and review of the literature].

The adenocarcinoma of the vermiform appendix is most frequently discovered at the pathological examination, which causes the problem of a second operation. Our study was done on 145 patients and compares survival according to the attitude taken by the surgeon. It seems that the most favorite treatment is a precocious right hemicolectomy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Proliferation of endothelial cells in estrogen-stimulated rat liver. A light and electron microscopic cytochemical study.

The mononuclear phagocytes (Kupffer cells) in the normal rat liver can be distinguished from the endothelial cells on the basis of their endogenous peroxidase activity in the endoplasmic reticulum and their exclusive ability to phagocytose large (0.81 mum.) latex particles. Using these cellular markers we have investigated the effects of an estrogen upon the mitotic activity and the ultrastructure of individual types of littoral cells in the rat liver. Adult female rats received a single 10-mg. injection of diethylstilbestrol, and at daily intervals up to 6 days their livers were fixed by perfusion and processed for localization of peroxidase. Mitotic figures were rare in untreated control animals, but dividing littoral cells with both positive and negative peroxidase reaction could be identified. The exclusive localization of injected latex particles in dividing peroxidase-positive cells indicated that peroxidase reaction identified the Kupffer cells not only in the interphase but also during the mitotic division. In estrogen-treated animals there was a sharp rise in the mitotic activity of littoral cells; the activity reached its peak on the 3rd day and returned to normal levels on the 6th day after the initial injection. A breakdown of the dividing cells on the basis of their peroxidase reactivity revealed that nearly the entire population of dividing cells consisted of peroxidase-negative endothelial cells. In addition, numerous hyperactive Kupffer cells containing large phagolysosomes with phagocytosed peripheral blood cells and latex particles were seen. Intermediate cell-types with cytochemical features between Kupffer cells and endothelial cells or between monocytes and Kupffer cells were not encountered. Because of the limited phagocytic capacity of hepatic endothelial cells, our observations would provide morphologic evidence in support of previous physiologic studies, indicating that estrogen treatment has little or no effect upon the particle clearing function of the reticuloendothelial system in rats. The rare but clear demonstration of dividing Kupffer cells in liver sinusoids would indicate that these cells are capable of self-replication in situ. Finally, our observations suggest that estrogens may play an important role in the pathophysiology of endothelial cells.

Animals↗

Intracavitary cardiac extension of hepatoma.

Acute right atrial obstruction in a 62-year-old man was demonstrated angiographically to be due to a tumor, which was later proved to be metastatic hepatoma. Resection of the tumor resulted in total symptomatic relief.

Bile↗

Proliferation of mononuclear phagocytes (Kupffer cells) and endothelial cells in regenerating rat liver. A light and electron microscopic cytochemical study.

The proliferation of littoral cells in regenerating rat liver after partial hepatectomy has been investigated using endogenous peroxidase and uptake of large (0.8-mu) latex particles as markers of Kupffer cells. Female rats were subjected to 2/3 partial hepatectomy and sacrificed at intervals up to 11 days. Prior to sacrifice, animals were injected with latex and their livers were fixed by perfusion and were processed for cytochemical localization of peroxidase. The sinusoidal cells exhibited a marked regenerative response after partial hepatectomy. Peroxidase activity persisted in endoplasmic reticulum of Kupffer cells during mitosis. Furthermore, latex particles were exclusively localized in such peroxidase-positive cells, thus confirming their identity as Kupffer cells. Quantitative counts revealed that the peak mitotic activity of Kupffer cells occurred at 48 hours, whereas that of endothelial cells was at 96 hours after partial hepatectomy. Our findings indicate that Kupffer cells are capable of dividing locally in the liver; no morphologic evidence of transformation of endothelial cells or monocytes to Kupffer cells was found. The significance of these observations concerning the origin of Kupffer cells is discussed, and it is concluded that in the model of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy the Kupffer cells are formed predominantly by local cell division.

Animals↗

Mononuclear phagocytes (Kupffer cells) and endothelial cells. Identification of two functional cell types in rat liver sinusoids by endogenous peroxidase activity.

The fine structural characteristics and phagocytic properties of peroxidase-positive and peroxidase-negative cells in rat hepatic sinusoids were investigated. Cells with a positive peroxidase reaction in the endoplasmic reticulum and the nuclear envelope make up approximately 40% of cells in rat hepatic sinusoids and have abundant cytoplasm containing numerous granules and vacuoles, and occasional tubular, vermiform invaginations. After intravenous injection of colloidal carbon, the luminal plasma membrane of these cells shows continuous sticking of carbon, and there is evidence of avid phagocytosis of colloidal carbon particles. Peroxidase-positive cells are the only cells in hepatic sinusoids which phagocytize large (0.8 micro in diameter) latex particles. In contrast, the peroxidase-negative endothelial cells, which make up 48% of cells, have scanty perinuclear cytoplasm and organelles, and their long cytoplasmic extensions that form the lining of the hepatic sinusoids have fenestrations; these cells ingest small amounts of colloidal carbon, principally by micropinocytosis, exhibit no sticking of carbon particles to their plasma membranes, and do not ingest the larger (latex) particles. The so-called fat-storing cells are peroxidase negative and totally nonphagocytic. The peroxidase reaction thus distinguishes the typical mononuclear phagocytes or Kupffer cells of rat liver from the endothelial-lining cells.

Animals↗