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Biomedical subjects

J Kunz

Publications and source records attributed to J Kunz.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

An outbreak of rotavirus infections in newborns--new aspects?

In the context of a prospective study for detection of rotavirus infections, an outbreak in neonates was observed in April 1986 at the Schweizerische Pflegerinnenschule in Zurich. Altogether, 103 neonates were investigated by means of genome gel electrophoresis for rotaviruses (HRV, human rotavirus) in the feces in the course of April 1986. Of these 103 neonates, 51 (49%) were HRV-positive and 52 (51%) were HRV-negative. Of the 51 HRV-positive neonates, 42 (82%) showed clinical symptoms, especially a typically altered pathological quality of the feces and an increased frequency of fecal passage. Vomiting and fever were observed less frequently. The pathological quality of the feces proved to be significantly correlated with the infection of rotaviruses in the neonate at risk. Besides this, reduced feeding behavior, circulatory signs and in one neonate a convulsive state of unclear etiology were also observed. This has only been rarely described up to now in rotavirus infections in neonates. This study confirms that rotavirus may cause frequently slight symptoms in neonates, but sometimes also symptoms of a clinically significant extent.

Diarrhea↗
PubMed1990

Incidence and diagnosis of rotavirus infection in neonates: results of two studies.

The present study investigates the incidence of human rotavirus excretion in neonates of two hospitals. From April 1, 1983 to March 31, 1984, rotaviruses were detected with Rotazyme in the feces of 57 (15%) of 383 neonates at the Department of Pediatrics, University of Berne, in a total in 71 (5.2%) of the 1369 stool samples tested. Of the 57 neonates with Rotazyme-positive stool samples, 53 (93%) were asymptomatic. The problems of the specificity of Rotazyme in neonatal feces and the possibility of rapid testing on neonatology wards are discussed. In a prospective study carried out in April 1986 at the "Schweizerische Pflegerinnenschule in Zurich", rotaviruses were detected with genome gel electrophoresis in the feces of 15 (63%) of 24 risk neonates in the premature baby ward and in 36 (46%) of 79 neonates from the infant nursery, in a total in 63 (34%) of the 188 stool samples tested. In this rotavirus outbreak all rotaviruses detected showed the same band pattern, and therefore had an identical electrophorotype. Symptoms and hospital hygiene aspects of this outbreak will be dealt with in subsequent papers.

Diarrhea↗
PubMed1990

Nosocomial rotavirus infections in neonates: means of prevention and control.

Fifteen out of 24 risk neonates from the premature baby ward (= 63%) and 36 of 79 healthy neonates from the infant nursery (= 46%) at a Zürich hospital were infected within a period of 29 days during a nosocomial epidemic human rotavirus (HRV) outbreak. Forty-two out of 51 of all HRV-infected babies (=82%) manifested clinical symptoms, but these could not all be attributed to an HRV infection. On average, rotavirus could be detected in infected risk neonates five days after their admission to the premature baby ward. Eleven of the 15 risk neonates were infected within 10 days after the admission of the index case. Immediately after detection of the epidemic process, specific detailed countermeasures were instituted, including hand protection and hand disinfection, individual nursing set and cohorting of already infected babies. Early institution of such measures and information of all persons responsible for treatment and care of the babies concerned are crucial for success.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed1990

S-phase fraction of human tumors and preneoplasia.

Biopsies recovered from human tumors and their preneoplasias (n = 250) were incubated in vitro with 3H-Thymidine, and histoautoradiographic labeling indices (TLIs) were measured. We studied cervical carcinomas and dysplasias of the squamous epithelium of the cervical portio: oral carcinomas and leukoplakias; breast carcinomas and fibrocystic mastopathies; basal cell epitheliomas as well as cerebral tumors of differing degree of malignancy. In each case 2000 to 4000 cells were counted. The relevance of the procedure was examined in methodological investigations. The most important results can be summarized as follows: TLIs represent a relative measure of the size of S-phase fraction of malignant tumors and their behaviour runs parallel with different rate growth. Even for tumors of the same histologic type (Squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix uteri: invasive-ductal breast carcinoma) TLIs are proliferation-kinetic parameters of prognostic significance, in that they characterize the different degrees of malignancy of such tumors. If account is taken of certain conditions, the reliability of the indices is not greatly affected by the intratumoral heterogeneity of cell proliferation. TLIs are more reliable than is histologic description in determining the proliferative potential of dysplasic epithelial changes and various forms of malignancy.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1990

[Cell kinetic investigations in fibrocystic mastopathies and invasive breast carcinomas].

The thymidine labeling index (TLI) was measured in tissues from 64 women with fibrocystic changes, fibroadenomas and invasive breast carcinomas by an in vitro method. The lesions were classified according to Prechtel and Hutter. Per patient a total of about 5000 cells were counted from five different regions. The TLI in Mastopathia (MP) I was 0.23 +/- 0.16 (mean +/- SD), in MP I-II 0.43 +/- 0.40, in MP II 0.77 +/- 0.41, in MP III 0.99 +/- 0.67, in fibroadenomas 0.87 +/- 0.49 and in carcinomas 3.44 +/- 2.04. These results underline the proliferative heterogeneity of different forms of fibrocystic conditions. Their relative risk for the subsequent development of invasive breast cancer seems to be low but different. The variable labeling indices of breast cancer express the different growth rate of the tumors. Labeling indices, flowcytometric data and immunohistochemically detected Ki-67-growth fraction show a similar behaviour. Results of cell kinetic studies could contribute for characterization of human breast carcinoma and their preneoplasias.

Adenofibroma↗
PubMed1990

[Effect of methodical factors on the in vitro labeling of tissue samples with 3H-thymidine].

The influence of a delayed start of incubation of liver tissue from 7 day old rates on 3H-thymidine incorporation in different cell fractions was studied histoautoradiographically. 10 intervals before incubation (0-360 min) were tested. The TLIs are decreased when incubation is started more than 100 min after tissue excision. In vitro experiments performed immediately after tissue excision show also decreased values in comparison to such incubated 20 min later. The proliferative behaviour of cells which are stored more than 2 hours before incubation is similar to cells of old animals, especially such cells demonstrate a prolongation of their S-phase. Carbogen stimulates 3H-thymidine incorporation but DNA synthesis is not stopped completely when nitrogen is added during incubation.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Immunohistochemical detection of chromogranin A and morphometric findings in pancreatic nesidioblastosis in children].

The histologic features and morphometric data of the endocrine pancreas (surgical specimens) of 12 infants suffering from persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia are reported. In 3 cases, a focal nesidioblastosis, in another 3 cases, a diffuse nesidioblastosis were observed. 2 infants demonstrate B-cell adenomata and 4 adenomata combined with a diffuse nesidioblastosis. In respect to volume density of the endocrine pancreas and diameter of the islets, there are no differences between cases with diffuse nesidioblastosis and age-matched controls. Structural changes of the endocrine pancreas in cases with nesidioblastosis are detectable by their chromogranin-A-immunoreactivity. Further investigations are necessary to clarify if there are disturbances in the relationships between chromogranin A and peptide hormones additionally to structural changes in the pancreas.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1989

Taenia crassiceps metacestode vesicular fluid antigens shared with the Taenia solium larval stage and reactive with serum antibodies from patients with neurocysticercosis.

After removal of host (mouse) serum proteins (albumin, transferrin, IgG and another five unidentified proteins) by immunoaffinity chromatography, the vesicular fluid of T. crassiceps metacestodes (TcVF) was immunoelectrophoretically examined for antigens recognized by rabbit antiserum to aqueous crude extract of T. solium cysticerci. Based on a precipitate pattern developed in electroimmunodiffusion, nine cross-reactive antigens could be demonstrated. In the ELISA, TcVF was shown to be a potent antigen for the demonstration of IgG antibodies in the sera of Mexican patients (n = 14) with confirmed neurocysticercosis (mean E490 values +/- SD: 0.39 +/- 0.38) although it was less sensitive when compared to T. solium VF (0.95 +/- 0.54). Sensitivity was much higher using cross-reactive TcVF antigens selected by immunoaffinity chromatography with rabbit IgG antibodies to larval T. solium crude extract (0.87 +/- 0.57). SDS-PAGE fluorograph of cross-reactive, radioiodinated TcVF protein antigens and selected by antibodies of individual neurocysticercosis sera (n = 13), exhibited six to nine bands depending on the serum tested. Altogether ten 125I-labelled proteins (Mr range from about 20,000 to 200,000) were recognized by neurocysticerosis antibodies. Four proteins (Mr about 22,000, 25,000, 32,000 and 45,000) were detected by all sera.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Clinical efficacy of amoxycillin/clavulanate in laparoscopically confirmed salpingitis.

To test the efficacy and safety of amoxycillin/clavulanate (Augmentin), 102 hospital patients with laparoscopically confirmed acute salpingitis were treated with parenteral amoxycillin/clavulanate (1.2 g qid for three days) followed by oral amoxycillin/clavulanate (two tablets of 625 mg tid for a further six days). Bacteriological samples were obtained from the cervix uteri and the pouch of Douglas. One hundred patients were assessable for clinical outcome using several variables including pain scores. Amoxycillin/clavulanate alone was effective in 95 patients (95%). Three patients (3%) responded to amoxycillin/clavulanate with marked improvement but another antibiotic was subsequently added to their treatment regimen. Treatment failed in two patients. At follow-up two weeks after hospital discharge, three patients (3.8%) had relapsed or were re-infected. Adverse drug events included one case of drug fever, one case of rash and one case of severe diarrhoea. Treatment was stopped in all three cases. Gastrointestinal reactions, mainly mild diarrhoea, were seen in 31 patients. No clinically relevant changes in haematological or clinical chemical indices were attributable to the amoxycillin/clavulanate treatment. We conclude that amoxycillin/clavulanate is a clinically effective and safe treatment for acute salpingitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1989

[A completely thrombosed giant aneurysm in an infant].

In a 16-month-old boy completely thrombosed aneurysm in the midline region (Regio pinealis) was successfully extirpated. The clinical symptoms were reduced by a pressure hydrocephalus, which was caused by an occlusion of the passage of the cerebrospinal fluid at the level of the aquaeductus. In the histological picture the inner third of the wall of the aneurysm was imposing as a necrosis with a membrane-like layer of elastin-like proteins on the outward side and adjacent loose connective tissue.

Arteries↗
PubMed1988

The hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemias in infancy: a study of six cases.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate various functional tests for the differentiation of hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia. The pathophysiological and histological findings in six infants, aged 2-7 months, with persistent hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia are described. Islet cell adenoma was found in four infants and pancreatic nesidioblastosis in two others. Circulating levels of blood glucose (BG), immunoreactive insulin and C-peptide immunoreactivity were measured under basal conditions and during both stimulation and suppression. The diagnosis of hyperinsulinaemia was made by estimation of the BG/serum insulin ratio, which was the most important diagnostic criterion of hyperinsulinism. Control subjects of comparable age showed a ratio of 8.3 +/- 4.4 (range 4.1-13.3), whereas the six patients had values between 0.3 and 5.1. At least four determinations with ratios lower than 2.6 were necessary for confirming the diagnosis. Preoperatively we performed oral glucose tolerance, diazoxide infusion, somatostatin infusion and C-peptide suppression tests. It is suggested that the various function tests, especially the suppression tests, do not differentiate hyperinsulinism caused by an adenoma from that caused by diffuse pancreatic nesidioblastosis.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1988

Cell proliferation and 3H-proline incorporation in periodontal ligament exposed to mechanical stress.

In order to study the metabolic processes induced in the periodontal ligament by mechanical influences, a tension spring was implanted in rats between the incisor and the first maxillary molar on the right-hand side, while the left maxilla of these animals as well as non-operated rats served as controls. Under such mechanical stress, there occurred at 3, 10 and 21 days after implantation a significant increase in the 3H-thymidine labeling index, which was demonstrable histoautoradiographically. A change in cell density was not discovered. Therefore, the increase in S-phase fraction as equally recorded in both pressure and tension zones is regarded as an expression of an enhanced cell turnover. Cell renewal in the periodontal ligament can be modified by inflammatory processes within the gingival region. There is a slight enlargement of the periodontal space in the tension zone. Under our experimental conditions, no change occurs in the silver grain number per cell after 3H-proline administration. The results indicate that, following the impact of orthodontic forces, the reactivity of periodontal cell proliferation as compared to collagen synthesis is enhanced.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Effect of a single dose of cefotaxime or ceftriaxone on human faecal flora. A double-blind study.

The effect of cefotaxime and ceftriaxone on faecal flora was investigated in women undergoing routine vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy. Three groups of 9 patients received, in a double-blind fashion and just before surgery, cefotaxime 2g intravenously, ceftriaxone 2g intravenously or no antibiotic (controls). Stools were collected before prophylaxis (sample 1) and after surgery (samples 2 and 3). The only alteration after cefotaxime was a decrease of non-fastidious aerobic Gram-negative flora in sample 2. The same effect was more pronounced after ceftriaxone (p less than 0.01) which, in addition, increased yeast colonies (p less than 0.05) in sample 2. In sample 3, more resistant (MIC greater than 32 mg/L) aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were found after ceftriaxone (log10 median 7.5 and 9.0, respectively) than after cefotaxime (4.2 and 6.0) or in controls (4.4 and 6.6) [p less than 0.01 in each case]. Group D streptococci and Gram-positive cocci remained unchanged in the 3 groups. Clostridium difficile cytotoxin assays were negative. The effects on faecal flora were more pronounced after ceftriaxone.

Bacteria, Aerobic↗
PubMed1988

[The significance of gene expression and post-translational modifications of collagen for the origin of fibrosis].

An account is given in this paper of processes relating to molecular and cellular biology in collagen synthesis, with reference being made to autoradiographic evidence to secretion of 3H-proline containing precursors of collagen fibre from fibroblasts of granulation tissue into extracellular space. Findings made in this context in the wake of in situ hybridisation have shown collagenisation to be regulated primarily by gene expression rather than by post-translational modifications. Reference is made to new possible approaches to the control of fibrosis and sclerosis, resulting from knowledge of molecular biological foundations and principles underlying collagen synthesis.

Animals↗