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Biomedical subjects

K Junker

Publications and source records attributed to K Junker.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Transforming growth factor beta 1 is significantly elevated in plasma of patients suffering from renal cell carcinoma.

The levels of active and latent transforming growth factor beta 1 (aTGF-beta 1, ITGF-beta 1, respectively) in plasma samples were measured by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). Samples were collected from patients suffering from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) before they underwent tumour resection. In all cases tested, the levels of latent TGF-beta 1 were much higher (n = 23, 41.0 +/- 13.9, range 19.3-78.1 ng/ml) than in healthy controls (n = 21, 3.8 +/- 2.9, range 0.6-9.9, P < < 0.0001), while active TGF-beta 1 did not differ that impressively (n = 38, 1.2 +/- 1.3, range 0.0-4.5 for RCC, n = 21, 0.1 +/- 0.2, range 0.0-1.1 in controls, P < 0.001). As for TGF-beta 1 production by proximal tubulus cells has been shown, it was speculated that these high TGF-beta 1 levels might be due to secretion by the tumour, which usually originates from proximal tubuli. Indeed, production of TGF-beta 1 was found in culture supernatants, and it was possible to show TGF-beta 1 mRNA expression in tumour samples. This TGF-beta 1 was predominantly secreted in the latent form. This is in contrast to data from other authors, who found TGF-beta 1 to be secreted mainly in the active form, but need not mean that it is inactive locally as the low pH encountered within tumours is in the range necessary for its activation. It is concluded that elevated latent TGF-beta 1 is common in RCC, is at least partially produced by the tumour and might be a cause for local immunosuppressive effects within the tumour.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗
PubMed1996

Interstitial deletion of chromosome 6q: precise definition of the breakpoints by microdissection, DNA amplification, and reverse painting.

Routine chromosomal analysis using GTG-banding alone showed a mosaic terminal deletion of 6q in a 14-week-old boy with developmental retardation, facial anomalies, agenesis of corpus callosum, cleft palate, hypotonia, short neck and pterygium colli, and minor anomalies of hands and feet. Discrepancies between the clinical findings on our patient and those described in the literature on patients having terminal deletions led to a more precise analysis of the karyotype. Reverse painting was performed on normal G-banded metaphases for exact determination of the breakpoints and on metaphases of the patient for evaluation of mosaicism. A DNA library that was obtained by microdissection of three deleted chromosomes 6 was used as a painting probe. Subsequent DNA amplification was performed with the help of topoisomerase-pretreated degenerate oligonucleotide primers. Unexpectedly, the hybridization pattern on normal metaphase chromosomes revealed an interstitial deletion with breakpoints at 6q25.1 and 6q27 instead of a terminal deletion. Hybridization on metaphases of the patient showed one deleted chromosome 6 in all metaphases analyzed at a higher resolution rather than mosaicism as previously assumed [karyotype, 46,XY,del(6)(q25.1 --> q27)]. We assume that in the single cases of 6q- described in the literature the deletions are misclassified. This might be due to difficulties in distinguishing between interstitial and terminal deletions at 6q and in precisely defining chromosomal breakpoints after GTG-banding alone.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1996

[Cyto- and molecular genetic studies of renal cell carcinoma with special reference to multifocal carcinoma lesions].

In 86 consecutive radical nephrectomies we found in 12 kidneys (13.8%) a total of 17 multicentric foci of carcinoma. Beside the usual histopathological investigations we performed in seven secondary tumors further cyto-and molecular genetic analyses. The structural and/or numerical chromosome aberrations in the small secondary tumors were similar to the changes in the main tumors. We conclude that these foci have malignant potential. In eight of these results and the multicentricity that was found, we continue to recommend elective radical nephrectomy in renal cell carcinoma.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

[Small cell bronchial carcinoma following chemotherapy. Morphological findings].

Resection specimens of 14 patients with small cell bronchial carcinoma after neoadjuvant chemotherapy were processed histologically and graded according to a three-step regression grading system: grade I, no or only slight tumor regression; grade II, incomplete tumor regression; grade III, complete tumor regression without vital tumor tissue. In five patients with either no vital tumor tissue or only small tumor remnants in the resection samples, a typical sequence of central fresh tumor necrosis, foam cell rim, vascular granulation tissue and peripheral scar formation was seen. This morphological finding may be interpreted as a characteristic, but unspecific parameter of good response to preoperative chemotherapy. The presence of vital tumor rims surrounding the capillary bed with intermingled necrotic foci, however, argues in favor of spontaneous tumor regression, which is commonly observed in small cell lung cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Primary culture of different renal cell carcinoma cells with respect to immunomodulatory effects].

The presented results show that renal cell carcinomas (RCC) have partial immunomodulatory capacity (production of cytokines as IL-6, -10, -11; modulation of mitogen-induced transformation of T lymphocytes). The production of IL-10 shows a tendency to correlate with higher staging and grading of RCC. The cytokine production does not correlate with specific types of RCC. Direct immunosuppression of T lymphocytes in lymphocyte transformation tests (LTT) was not detectable.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗
PubMed1995

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in gallbladder carcinoma: risk of tumor cell seeding].

The laparoscopic cholecystectomy of gall bladder carcinoma may have unfortunate consequences because of tumor cell dissemination. In this case report a female patient is presented, where histologically a gallbladder carcinoma was surprisingly diagnosed after laparoscopic cholecystectomy because of symptomatic cholecystectomy. 2 weeks after the first operation tumor cell clusters were found in the laparoscopy tracts.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed1991

[Malignant hematologic diseases. Diagnosis and treatment. A clearing report].

The malignant haematological disorders comprise the main groups leukemia, malignant lymphoma and multiple myeloma and the potentially malignant disorders: myelodysplastic syndrome, polycythaemia vera, myelofibrosis and M-component of uncertain significance. The common feature of all these disorders is monoclonality, i.e. they originate from one single cell. Around 2,000 new cases are diagnosed per year in Denmark. Because of the relative small number of patients, complex diagnosis and treatment (especially the possibility of cure on intensive treatment) a high degree of centralization is warranted to secure an evenly distributed high level of patient care and research. The present rules for referral of patients are unsatisfactory. A new referral system is proposed based on a common set of rules, agreed upon by five haematological centers in Denmark and the surrounding region, comprising diagnostic procedures, treatment, research and development for all haematological patients in the area. Based on these common rules (functional centralization) it is decided whether the individual patient can be treated in the primary hospital or should be referred to a center (geographical centralization). Recommendations about diagnosis, treatment and referral are made in this report. Detailed suggestions are given for diseases which may be treated locally whereas no detailed regimens are given for diseases and disease stages which should be centralized. In the latter cases, the main emphasis is placed on a presentation of treatment results.

Denmark↗
PubMed1990

[Side-effects of treatment on the structure of the lung].

The morphology of therapy-associated changes in the lungs is determined by largely unspecific findings, since various toxic injuries lead to a formal-pathogenetically almost identical reaction pattern. In addition to direct toxic injuries, the morphological investigation also reveals evidence of allergic and individual-specific complex reaction patterns. In an early phase (Phase I), pathological-anatomical degenerative changes affecting the endothelial and epithelial cells, basal membrane, mesenchymal and matrix structures--initially functionally partially reversible, but then extending to complete necroses--can be found. Measurable functional disorders are demonstrated in particular by disturbed permeability of the capillaries, increased interstitial fluid, and functional disorders of the pneumocytes (shortage of surfactant, defective intercellular connections). The cellular exsudative phase (Phase II) is characterised by an accumulation and stimulation of macrophages, a variably pronounced immunological infiltration with and without eosinophilia, and regenerative findings affecting membrane structures, endothelial and epithelial cells. The fibrotic, chronic phase (Phase III) leads to largely irreparable, predominantly interstitial, fibrosis in the region of the non-fibrillar matrix, and to an increased production of collagenous fibres, elastic fibres and muscle fibres by myofibroblasts in an interaction with macrophages. Atypical proliferations of pneumocyts, pronounced eosinophilia, predominantly endangiitic vascular changes, etc. may, to some extent, indicate injuries by certain groups of substances or ionising radiation. Heterogeneous, multi-focal toxic pulmonary changes, that permit only limited interpretation in biopsy material, together with the possibilities of prior lung diseases in the elderly patients require caution on the part of the pathologist when it comes to a causal-pathogenetic interpretation of formal-pathogenetically unequivocally establishable findings.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Mediastinal lymph node metastases in bronchial cancer--CT analog horizontal section of an autopsy patient sample].

On the basis of horizontal sections through the entire heart-lung preparation, the size relationships and topographical features of mediastinal lymph node metastases of lung carcinomas are presented. This sectioning technique is more suitable for the determination of the lymphatic metastasization pattern than the conventional postmortem technique. The detection of multiple areas with focal consolidated lymphatic tissue in the mediastinal fatty tissuereveals additional possibilities for lymphopatic tumour spread in the mediastinum.

Carcinoma, Bronchogenic↗
PubMed1989

[A mini epidemic of varicella zoster virus reinfection at a department of hematology].

Whereas primary infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV) (chickenpox) and reactivation of VZV (shingles) are common and recognized, clinical reinfection with VZV is rare. A little epidemic of presumed reinfection with VZV in six immune-compromised adults is presented here. The epidemic lasted for three months, during which a healthy young woman also developed a primary VZV infection in the form of chickenpox. In the immune-compromised patients, the clinical picture was dominated by disseminated, prolonged and frequently haemorrhagic and necrotic eruptions which may cause diagnostic difficulties. Skin biopsy proved helpful in the diagnosis while demonstration of the VZV antigen in the skin elements was specific and sensitive. All of the patients, with one exception, were treated with acyclovir and dissemination of the infection to the inner organs did not occur. One patient may have died on account of the VZV infection. In conclusion, immune-incompetent patients must be warned against infection from chickenpox or disseminated herpes zoster. In cases of proved exposure, prophylactic treatment with acyclovir should be considered and, in cases of clinical disease, immediate treatment with 10 mg acyclovir per kg body weight should be administered intravenously thrice daily.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[A review of pulmonary histiocytosis X].

The article contains a review and two case reports of pulmonary histiocytosis-X. This is a rare disease entity comprising about 3% of all chronic interstitial lung diseases. Diagnosis is confirmed by histological and electronmicroscopic demonstration of the typical histiocytosis-X cell. The course of the disease varies. About 25% of the patients show spontaneous remission, in 40% the changes remain stationary, while 35% progress and eventually die from respiratory insufficiency or cor pulmonale. Treatment with glucocorticoids and cytostatics should be initiated at high disease activity, with progressive X-ray changes and decreasing pulmonary function.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Reinfection with varicella-zoster virus in immunocompromised patients.

A small epidemic of varicella/atypical generalized zoster among 6 immunocompromised patients and one previously healthy person is described. The 6 immunocompromised patients suffered from lymphoproliferative diseases in terminal stages treated with chemotherapy and reported varicella in their childhood. They developed a generalized maculopapular rash with hemorrhagic bullae and necroses. The infection passed from one patient to another during a 3-month period in the department. They were placed in adjacent rooms and nursed by the same staff. The most specific diagnostic tool was the detection of varicella-zoster virus antigen from vesicles by ELISA technique. The epidemic was supposed to be caused by exogenous reinfection with varicella-zoster virus, and illustrated that generalized zoster may be even so infectious as varicella and that immunocompromised patients should be protected against reinfection.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Lithium inhibits the cytolytic glucocorticoid effect on S49 mouse lymphoma cells.

Cytolysis is the end point of receptor-mediated effects of glucocorticoids on S49 mouse lymphoma cells of wild-type. In the presence of 5 mM LiCl this effect of triamcinolone or dexamethasone was markedly delayed. The cytoprotective effect of Li+ against 10(-7) M triamcinolone acetonide was already manifest after 24 h of steroid incubation, and on the fifth day 50-fold more Li+-treated than control cells were viable. This effect of Li+ was not exerted through changes of the doubling time of the cells, and thus could not be ascribed to an overall reduction of protein- or RNA synthesis. Data on accumulation and effect of cyclic AMP indicated that the cytoprotective effect was independent on cyclic AMP. Furthermore Li+ did not affect the amount or affinity of glucocorticoid receptors in intact cells. By use of aqueous 2-phase partitioning and DNA-Sepharose binding of [3H]triamcinolone acetonide labelled cytosols we demonstrate that Li+ inhibits the in vitro salt-activation of the glucocorticoid-receptor complexes by 60-100%. The nuclear bound fraction of hormone-receptor complexes in intact cells at 37 degrees C was not affected by Li+. The data suggest that Li+ inhibits the cytolytic glucocorticoid effect by interacting with the hormone-receptor complexes.

Animals↗