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J Mehlhorn

Publications and source records attributed to J Mehlhorn.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

[Antinuclear antibodies as early diagnostic criteria of developing collagen disease in quartz dust exposure--a case report].

One and a half years antinuclear autoantibodies (ANA) against Scl-70 and U1-RNP were found in the serum of a quartz dust exposed worker before the clinical manifestation of the progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS). Only a discrete lung fibrosis and an enlargement of the heart was seen at the time of the first autoantibody detection. Because workers with an intensive and long-lasting quartz dust exposition take a high risk to develop PSS a sensitive ANA-screening is indicated at minimum suspicion of chronic collagen disease. The detection of a high ANA-titer in a clinical healthy person may give a hint for the possible future development of such a disease and requires the observation of the clinical course and the paraclinical and immunological parameters. A lung fibrosis and/or an enlargement of the heart in X-ray photographs would indicate visceral early manifestations of the PSS before skin symptoms appear.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed1990

Silica-induced scleroderma.

In a survey done in East Germany between 1981 and 1988, we found that 93 of 120 male scleroderma patients had long-term exposure to silica dust. We describe our findings in 12 patients with scleroderma and silicosis. The exposure time to silica dust was between 3 and 34 years; the interval between the beginning of exposure and the onset of scleroderma averaged 27.3 years (range 9 to 40 years). Antinuclear antibodies in titers between 80 and 10,240 with nucleolar and/or speckled patterns were found in 10 patients, antibodies against double-stranded DNA in three, Scl-70 (topoisomerase I) in three, and anticentromere antibodies in five. The following markers of collagen metabolism were increased in serum: beta-galactosidase in 12 patients, laminin peptide-P1 in 10 patients, N-terminal procollagen type III peptide in 10, and urinary sialic acid excretion in 7. We propose that crystalline particles of silica less than 5 microns may be phagocytosed by macrophages and release lymphokines and monokines, which activate fibroblasts and enhance their collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis. In addition, silica may act as an adjuvant to increase immune reactivity.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1990

Type III collagen aminopropeptide and laminin P1 levels in serum of patients with silicosis-associated and idiopathic systemic scleroderma.

A group of 191 patients with systemic scleroderma and 12 patients with silicosis-associated scleroderma were investigated for connective tissue turnover. The serum levels of type III collagen aminopropeptide (P-III-P), the laminin PI (Lam PI) fragment and the acid lysosomal beta-galactosidase (beta-Gal) were determined by specific radioimmunoassays and spectrofluorometry, respectively. Increased levels of type III collagen aminopropeptide strongly correlated with enhanced activity of beta-galactosidase. Both parameters correlated with the clinical course in idiopathic systemic scleroderma and in silicosis-associated scleroderma. Serum levels of Lam PI were also found to be elevated in both groups, although there was no correlation with the severity of the disease. Autoantibodies directed against the DNA topoisomerase Scl-70 and against centromeric proteins were found in a similar range in patients with idiopathic systemic and silicosis-associated scleroderma. These results suggest that P-III-P, Lam PI and beta-Gal are useful serological markers of fibrotic activity and demonstrate similarities between idiopathic systemic scleroderma and scleroderma associated with silica-dust exposure.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Silica-associated systemic sclerosis is clinically, serologically and immunologically indistinguishable from idiopathic systemic sclerosis.

To determine whether the clinical, immunological and serological features of patients with silica-associated systemic sclerosis are different from patients with the 'idiopathic' form of systemic sclerosis (SS) we studied 22 underground coal miners who were exposed to silica dust (SD), 30 mine workers who later developed silicosis (S) and 17 mine workers exposed to silica dust who subsequently developed a systemic sclerosis-like disease (SA-SS). The patients with SA-SS had features clinically indistinguishable from individual patients with SS. They all had Raynaud's phenomenon, 14 had cutaneous sclerosis identical to that seen in acrosclerosis and three had a generalized cutaneous sclerosis. Sixteen patients had bibasilar pulmonary fibrosis, 10 had necrosis of the fingertip pulps, nine had oesophageal involvement and only one patient had renal involvement. Antinuclear antibodies and circulating immune complexes were detected in three and eight patients with SD, 14 and five patients with S and in 16 and nine patients with SA-SS, respectively. Anti-Scl-70 antibody was detected in eight of the 17 patients with SA-SS. Evidence for in vivo endothelial cell damage, as determined by elevated levels of von Willebrand factor, was found in nine patients with SD, 14 patients with S and in 10 patients with SA-SS. Following incubation of the patient's serum with confluent cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells there was only a significant reduction in calcium ionophore-induced release of prostacyclin with the serum from SA-SS patients compared to that with control serum (NC). The mean +/- SEM release of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (the stable metabolite of prostacyclin expressed as ng/10(4) cells) decreased from 2.90 +/- 0.27 to 2.01 +/- 0.33 (SD), 3.34 +/- 0.42 to 1.76 +/- 0.31 (S), 1.98 +/- 0.12 to 0.64 +/- 0.07 (SA-SS) and 2.28 +/- 0.33 to 1.36 +/- 0.21 (NC) with 1 and 20% serum, respectively. This study demonstrates that immune complex and antinuclear antibody formation and in vivo endothelial cell damage occurs following occupational exposure to silica. The patients who subsequently develop a systemic sclerosis-like disease have clinical, immunological and serological features which are indistinguishable from the idiopathic form of the disease although as a group the SA-SS patients have a higher prevalence of pulmonary involvement and the anti-Scl-70 antibody.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1990

[Detection of Campylobacter pylori in gastric mucosa--relation to gastroscopy findings and degree of gastritis].

In 862 unselected gastroscopies we could confirm the high percentage of campylobacter pylori infection in the antral gastric mucosa strongly associated with chronic superficial gastritis and active inflammatory signs. Significant correlation with age concerned the normal findings only. In patients with duodenal ulcers we found in 91% gastritis and in 88% campylobacter pylori in antral mucosa. A small group with duodenal ulcers was campylobacter pylori-negative as well as without gastritis signs. Comparing the antrum and corpus gastric mucosa (250 pat.) the antral mucosa was representative for the whole stomach in view of gastritis and campylobacter pylori test, sufficiently for practical use. Between the test methods (culture, urease, microscopy) we favoured the microscopic test.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[N-procollagen(III)peptide and lysosomal beta-galactosidase in progressive scleroderma and silicosis].

The concentration of type III collagen aminopropeptide and the activity of lysosomal beta-galactosidase were determined in the serum of patients with progressive sclerosis (PS), silicosis and PS associated with silicosis. In PS-patients, the serum levels of both parameters were significantly increased with a high correlation to the stage of the disease and to each other. In patients with silicosis normal serum concentrations of both parameters were found, whereas in all patients suffering from silicosis and PS significantly elevated serum levels were detectable, independent of the stage of PS. Both parameters can also be used as markers of therapy (e.g. with D-penicillamine) and as early indicators for the development of PS in patients with silicosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Early detection of scleroderma in quartz dust exposed workers and workers with silicosis by determining serum beta-galactosidase activity].

Progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) is a rare disease belonging to the collagen diseases. PSS is frequently observed in workers with an intensive exposure to crystalline silica and with silicosis in the GDR. The recognition as an occupational disease is regulated by law. The elevated beta-galactosidase activity in the serum of patients with silicosis and beginning PSS can be used for detecting of early stages of PSS. References are given to medical care of patients with silicosis and exposure to quartz.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Coincidence of silicosis and lupus erythematosis].

From 1975 to 1989 37 patients with Lupus erythematodes exposed to quartz dust over many years were observed. Thirty of them suffered from silicosis. The coincidence of silicosis and Lupus erythematodes can be an expression of a common pathogenesis.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed1990

[Correlations of quartz dust exposure, scleroderma and lung function].

There are closed relations between progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) and exposure to quartz dust in the GDR. The recognition of PSS as an occupational disease is regulated by law. By analysis of the dust exposed working places a limit for silica concentrations were fixed. It is unlikely, that silica concentrations below 10% in the respirable dust induce a PSS. There are no significant differences in lung function of PSS-patients with and without quartz exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Fundamental research in ultrasonic surgery. IX. Splenic surgery using cavitation ultrasound--an experimental animal study of aspiration and sealing technics with ligament FIMOMED].

A farther alternative for the conservation of the spleen represents the ultrasonic aspiration and sealing technique by means of the monomeric tissue adhesive Ligament Fimomed. The effectiveness of the method was proved by histomorphologic investigations in animal experiment with the porcine spleen. The method was effective in nearly all injuries across to the longitudinal axle of the organ even with a larger parenchymal defect and also in case of splenic tumor. The control of hemorrhage succeeded promptly and surely. Not any postoperative complication appeared.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Combination of glandular and foveolar hyperplasia of the gastric mucosa--a rare mixed type].

In a 28 year-old man with epigastric pain endoscopy detected giant gastric folds and multiple superficial erosions. Histologically a mixed form of glandular and foveolar hyper plasia of the gastric mucosa was suggested (Ming's type III). Basal and pentagastrin stimulated secretion volume and acid output were moderately elevated, hypersecretion of protein was not found. Serum levels of calcium and gastrin were normal, also after secretin stimulation. The mucosa of the corpus was extensively infested with Campylobacter pylori. Therapy with cimetidine, antacids, pirenzepine and metronidazol resulted in relief of symptoms but not of histological findings. Bismuth (JatroxR) was successful in eradicating Campylobacter pylori and decreasing inflammation of the mucosa. Cause and prognosis of this mixed hyperplasia are not known.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Reduced mastication as a cause of chronic gastritis].

The influence of reduced mastication on the pathogenesis of chronic gastritis was examined in rats. In spite of reducing experimentally the masticatory effect to a third no inflammation of the gastric mucosa was to provoke. Nevertheless, the attended group showed a significant smaller increase of weight during the experiment.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Effect of physical stress on airway resistance determined by oscillometry].

For evaluation of reference values of airway resistance measured by forced oscillation technique (Ros) in connection with physical exercise, 193 healthy persons were examined. In this study could be shown that reference values measured at rest are also valid under exercise conditions to find out functional disorders.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Effect of histologic specimen preparation on the frequency of incidental prostatic cancer].

In search of a suitable histological material handling method to record the whole number of incidental prostatic cancers, which deal with the personnel situation of a routine laboratory, the so-called 5-g-rule was evaluated in 100 cases of prostatic adenoma material. Subsequently the rest material was checked completely. A further control material were 480 irregular reviewed prostatic adenoma specimens. By the use of the 5-g-rule the frequency of prostatic cancer was increased from 6.9% to 10%. In the rest material further 9 carcinomas and much more inflammatory, atrophic and atypical-hyperplastic lesions were found. However, the 5-g-rule is for an experienced pathologist a good screening method to find the majority of carcinomas.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

[Occupationally-induced progressive scleroderma and the heart].

A 60-year-old man with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) had worked as underground miner in ore mining for 26 years with intensive exposure to crystalline silica. The PSS was acknowledged as an occupational disease. Parallel to the progress of the PSS there developed disturbances of the conduction system and cardiac rhythm with left heart failure. Despite treatment sudden death set in. A myocardial fibrosis was found histopathologically. This is a consequence of the PSS and therefore the occupational disease is the cause of death. Cardiac involvement means a poor prognosis and necessitates both evaluation of the damage in percent caused by the occupational disease and interdisciplinary teamwork in the dispensary care of patients.

Cardiomyopathies↗
PubMed1988

[The aggressiveness of prostatic cancer in relation to classification and grading].

On 231 autoptical examined prostatic carcinomas it was checked retrospectively if a correlation between the metastasizing behaviour and the histological tumor type is present. 145 (63%) of the examined cases have been metastasized, of that 106 (73%) in multiple organs and 39 (27%) in one organ: 18 times in the skeleton (12.4%), 13 times in lymph nodes (8.9%), six times in the liver (4.1%) and twice in the lung (1.4%). Lymph node metastases were preferably found in the pelvic (69%) and paraaortal nodes (78%), at which in 30% of the cases the regional groups have been jumped across. The metastasizing behaviour was dependent on the histological type and the age of the patient. To an assessment of the prognosis the only differentiation of the uniform and the pluriform cancer type is insufficiently. The examination of a histological grading, which was proposed by the Patho-Urological circle "prostatic cancer" of the FRG, in 104 unselected cases on the other hand has shown not only an increasing metastasizing tendency, but also an increasing metastasizing thickness and variety with growing malignancy grade. This grading represents well the tumor aggressiveness, is simple reproducible and should be appreciate to a wide use by pathologists.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

[Prostatitis from the morphologic viewpoint--an autopsy analysis].

In the light of differential-diagnostic and therapeutic problems the prostatitis plays an important role in the urologic practice, all the more since under this technical term pathomorphologically and pathogenetically different diseases are comprised. By systematic investigation by means of the serial section technique of 450 prostates from the current autopsy material and with the age groups 40 to more than 80 years we studies the various forms of prostatitis with regard to frequency, age distribution and correlation with other lesions of the prostate. The chronic unspecific prostatitis we found in 61% and the suppurative one in 36.7% of the cases. In the two forms changes with small foci had precedence with age-dependent increase of the frequency. While the chronic unspecific prostatitis first of all seems to be a reaction to the interplay of atrophic and hyperplastic lesions of the prostate, the suppurative prostatitis as above all a ductal ascending infection under cover of hyperplasia, disturbance of urine flow, urocystitis and longer hospitalisation. According to our investigations the inflammations are not suited as indicator for malignomas of the prostate. For clinical treatment and pathology the importance of the granulomatous prostatitis results from the differential diagnosis to the carcinoma of the prostate.

Adult↗