Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L Auerbach

Publications and source records attributed to L Auerbach.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Q2 evolution of the neutron spin structure moments using a 3He target.

We have measured the spin structure functions g(1) and g(2) of 3He in a double-spin experiment by inclusively scattering polarized electrons at energies ranging from 0.862 to 5.058 GeV off a polarized 3He target at a 15.5 degrees scattering angle. Excitation energies covered the resonance and the onset of the deep inelastic regions. We have determined for the first time the Q2 evolution of Gamma(1)(Q2)= integral (1)(0)g(1)(x,Q2)dx, Gamma(2)(Q2)= integral (1)(0)g(2)(x,Q2)dx, and d(2)(Q2)= integral (1)(0)x(2)[2g(1)(x,Q2)+3g(2)(x,Q2)]dx for the neutron in the range 0.1< or =Q2< or =0.9 GeV2 with good precision. Gamma(1)(Q2) displays a smooth variation from high to low Q2. The Burkhardt-Cottingham sum rule holds within uncertainties and d(2) is nonzero over the measured range.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Q2 evolution of the generalized Gerasimov-Drell-Hearn integral for the neutron using a 3He target.

We present data on the inclusive scattering of polarized electrons from a polarized 3He target at energies from 0.862 to 5.06 GeV, obtained at a scattering angle of 15.5 degrees. Our data include measurements from the quasielastic peak, through the nucleon resonance region, and beyond, and were used to determine the virtual photon cross-section difference sigma(1/2)-sigma(3/2). We extract the extended Gerasimov-Drell-Hearn integral for the neutron in the range of four-momentum transfer squared Q2 of 0.1-0.9 GeV2.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Dynamics of the 16O(e, e'p) reaction at high missing energies.

We measured the cross section and response functions for the quasielastic 16O(e,e'p) reaction for missing energies 25< or =E(m)< or =120 MeV at missing momenta P(m)< or =340 MeV/c. For 25<E(m)<50 MeV and P(m) approximately 60 MeV/c, the reaction is dominated by a single 1s(1/2) proton knockout. At larger P(m), the single-particle aspects are increasingly masked by more complicated processes. Calculations which include pion exchange currents, isobar currents, and short-range correlations account for the shape and the transversity, but for only half of the magnitude of the measured cross section.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Color Doppler sonography of the lateral thoracic (breast-feeding) arteries: a new approach to the diagnosis of breast disease?

OBJECTIVE: The main arteries to the breast are the lateral thoracic artery and to a lesser extent the internal thoracic artery. In this prospective open diagnostic study involving 94 women, we compared the intraindividual differences of Doppler indices in the lateral thoracic (breast-feeding) artery of breasts affected by cancer with those unaffected by disease. METHODS: Sixty-seven consecutive patients were recruited from an outpatient unit for breast surgery and 27 volunteers were studied who were known to be without any breast disease (controls). In each patient we attempted to obtain Doppler indices from the lateral thoracic artery of both breasts. The difference in Doppler indices in each individual was assessed and statistical analysis was performed to assess whether these differences were significantly altered in women with cancer compared to healthy women. RESULTS: Lateral thoracic arteries could be visualized in 88% of the study population. Significantly lower values for pulsatility and resistance indices and systolic/diastolic ratios were obtained in the lateral thoracic arteries of breasts affected by cancer as compared to the contralateral breasts (1.73 +/- 0.39 vs. 2.05 +/- 0.47, P = 0.003; 0.78 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.84 +/- 0.06, P < 0.0001; 4.71 +/- 1.24 vs. 6.75 +/- 3.38, P = 0.0008, respectively). Using the intraindividual difference of pulsatility index, resistance index and systolic/diastolic ratio to screen for malignancy, sensitivities for breast cancer of 78%, 85% and 83%, respectively, were achieved. Depending on the cut-off level, specificity reached 94%. CONCLUSION: The intraindividual difference in Doppler indices in women with breast cancer may be a useful test for the diagnosis of breast lesions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Axillary metastases of an occult primary carcinoma of the breast-discovered only by 99mTc-tetrofosmin scintigraphy.

Recent reports consider 99mTc-tetrofosmin scintigraphy to be a powerful new diagnostic tool for discriminating malignant from benign breast disease. We report on a woman suffering from histologically confirmed axillary metastases of a primary unknown, occult carcinoma, whose origin was suspected within the breast. All the diagnostic procedures performed to discover any lesion failed or were inconclusive. The primary cancer was clearly visualized, however, in the right breast by means of 99mTc-tetrofosmin scintigraphy. Conclusion. We suggest that 99mTc-tetrofosmin scintigraphy is a powerful method to detect breast cancer, especially when other diagnostic imaging procedures are inconclusive.

Axilla↗
PubMed1999

Identification of women with early breast cancer by analysis of p43-positive lymphocytes.

Regular screening mammographies and increasing knowledge of high-risk groups have resulted in an improvement in the rate of detection of smaller malignant lesions. However, uncertain minimal mammographic features frequently require further costly and often uncomfortable investigation, including repeat radiological controls or surgical procedures, before cancerous lesions can be identified. Placental isoferritin (p43), a protein with immunosuppressive effects, has been detected on the surface of lymphocytes taken from peripheral blood in patients with breast cancer. In this study we evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of the expression of p43-positive lymphocytes as a marker in early stage breast cancer and also investigated its expression on T-cell subpopulations. The presence of p43-positive lymphocytes was investigated using the monoclonal antibody CM-H-9 and flow cytometry in 76 women with controversial, non-palpable mammographic findings who were undergoing surgical biopsy. Patients with early breast cancer (n = 48) had significantly higher p43-positive cell values (median 3.83%, range 0.98-19.4) than patients with benign lumps (n = 28, median 1.43%, range 0.17-3.7) or controls (n = 22, median 1.3%, range 0.4-1.87) (P < 0.0001). At a cut-off level of 2% p43-positive cells a sensitivity of 91.7% and a specificity of 89.3% for detection of breast cancer could be reached. While the median ratio of total CD4+/CD8+ cells was 2.6, a ratio of 1.3 was found for the p43-positive subpopulation (P < 0.001), thus indicating a significant link between p43 and CD8+ cells. The determination of p43-positive lymphocytes in peripheral blood could serve as an additional diagnostic tool in patients with controversial mammographic findings and could also reduce the need for cost-intensive and often uncomfortable management of these patients.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1999

[Placental isoferritin (PLF): early predictor of fetal growth retardation].

OBJECTIVE: Maternal immunoreaction against the embryo can be responsible for fetal growth retardation. The secretion of PLF during pregnancy could be reliable for a diminished immunoreaction of maternal lymphocytes against the embryo. The aim of the present study was to elucidate a possible correlation between PLF and fetal growth retardation. METHODS: In this study, blood samples of 402 pregnant women were obtained between the 12th and 16th weeks of gestation. The serum levels of PLF were compared with birth weight, percentile of birth weight, and gestational age. RESULTS: Women with children whose birth weight was below or equal to the 10th percentile for gestational age showed significantly lower PLF levels (11.4 U/ml, n = 107) as compared with women whose newborns were of normal weight (19.9 U/ml, n = 295; p < 0.004). CONCLUSION: Determination of the PLF level could serve to identify women at risk of having growth-retarded babies.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1998

Comparison of immunohistochemical and biochemical measurement of steroid receptors in primary breast cancer: evaluation of discordant findings.

Tumor samples of 240 patients with primary breast cancer were biochemically and immunohistochemically investigated for estrogen receptors (ER) and, in 130 of the samples, for progesterone-receptors (PgR) in order to examine reasons for discordant findings. The biochemical (DCCA) and immunohistochemical assays (ICA) yielded positivity in 71% for ER, and in 44% for PgR. Concordant ER-DCCA and ER-ICA results were obtained in 84%; two thirds of the discordant ER-findings manifested as DCCA-neg/ICA-pos. Concordance in the case of PgR amounted to 72%, and of the discordances 60% were DCCA-neg/ICA-pos. Significant association with postmenopausal status existed only for ER positivity in ICA (p = 0.01), whereas ER-DCCA, PgR-DCCA and PgR-ICA were all more or less independent of the menopausal status. The frequency of discordances was independent of menopausal status. Discordance for ER-assays increased significantly near the respective cut-off point; this was not unequivocally true for PgR-assays. The correlation of tumor types of sparse cellularity, as well as prominent stroma content ('scirrhous carcinoma') with increased frequency of the constellation DCCA-neg/ICA-pos was of borderline significance for PgR (p = 0.06), but not for ER. The percentage of discordant ER-findings, figuring as DCCA-neg/ICA-pos, was statistically significantly increased in locally advanced breast cancer (p = 0.03). Fibrocystic disease in peritumoral breast tissue had no impact on receptor-assay discordance. In any case, the models derived from theoretical thought, laboratory data and singular observations can only in part explain the discordance in steroid receptor values measured with different methods.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Placental isoferritin in pregnancies with small-for-gestational age fetuses.

The secretion of placental isoferritin (PLF) during pregnancy could be responsible for the diminished immunoreaction of maternal lymphocytes against the embryo. In this study, serum levels of PLF in 335 pregnant women were correlated with birth weight, percentile of birth weight, gestational age, and pulsatility index of the uterine artery, as well as with diastolic notching. Women with small-for-gestational age (SGA) infants (birth weight below or equal to the tenth percentile) showed significantly lower PLF levels (11.7 U/ml) compared with women whose newborns were of normal weight (19.4 U/ml) (P < 0.05). In line with this finding, a strong correlation was observed between PLF levels and the percentile of birth weight, pulsatility index of the uterine artery, and the presence of diastolic notching. The strong correlation of low PLF values and SGA newborns suggests that determination of PLF could serve as a marker to identify women at risk of having such babies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Quantification of uPA receptor expression in human breast cancer cell lines by cRT-PCR.

The conversion of plasminogen to active plasmin is thought to be a crucial step in the process of extracellular matrix degradation associated with metastatic spread. Activation of plasminogen is initiated by urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA). The binding of uPA to the uPA cell surface receptor (uPA-R) accelerates plasmin generation from plasminogen and localizes uPA activity to the cell surface. We investigated the mRNA-expression of uPA-R in 19 different human breast cancer cell lines. In a competitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (cRT-PCR) we simultaneously co-amplified two different RNA templates bearing the same primer recognition sequences, the cell line RNA and a known amount of an in vitro synthesized uPA-R-RNA internal standard. We analyzed the two PCR products differing 50 bp in size by agarose gel electrophoresis and calculated the initial uPA-R-RNA template concentration from the relative intensities of the bands quantified by video densitometry. We grouped the investigated cell lines according to their in vitro invasiveness according to literature. Cell lines with a high potential of invasiveness showed a higher expression of uPA-R compared to those with a low potential of invasiveness (Student's t-test, p 0.04). In addition to that we compared the uPA-R mRNA levels with uPA-R, uPA, and PAI-1 protein levels in culture supernatants and cell lysates. The obtained results in breast cancer cell lines with different invasiveness and in benign epithelial cell lines revealed the complex cooperation of the urokinase type proteolytic pathway. uPA, uPA-R, and PAI-1 are to be considered as a diagnostic tool rather than assaying a particular molecule alone. Our findings support the hypothesis that the urokinase proteolytic pathway plays a central role in the acquisition of an invasive phenotype and favors its potential use as a prognostic marker in patients with breast cancer.

Binding, Competitive↗
PubMed1996

[Axillary metastases of unknown primary carcinoma].

S.R., a 66-year old woman, was referred to our department because of an axillary mass in the right side. The patient had observed an increasing, painless swelling in the right axilla for the last two months. In the region of the right axilla in the middle axillary line an ovoid and solid tumour of 3 cm in diameter, quite well distinguishable, moving against the skin and the surrounding tissue, could be palpated. A subsequent mammography yielded an unsuspicious visualisation of both breasts and the left axilla. In the right axilla a circular solidification was detected, which then turned out on ultrasound examination to be a 2.6-cm diameter axillary lymph node. In the course of the lymph node extirpation of the right axilla two lymph nodes were dissected with histological evidence of metastatic nodes of a solid tumour, most likely in accordance with a breast carcinoma. Several immunohistochemical methods had been applied to determine the origin of the tumour cells and were thus identified as breast cancer cells. To detect primary causative carcinoma, different examinations were performed postoperatively without identifying any cancerous lesions. At least accurate research concerning the history of the patient was required to reexamine the histologic material of an operation of the right breast in 1989. The histological diagnosis of the dissected node of that time had been defined as a benign intracanaliculary papilloma in the right side without evidence of malignancy. The reexamination of the paraffin-embedded material from the operation of the right breast in 1989 revealed a lobular carcinoma of the right breast. The "occult" (undetectable) carcinoma of the breast occurs in less than 1% of all breast carcinomas. Thus it represent a rare clinical event and hence no standardised therapy schemata exist. To confirm the diagnosis of an occult carcinoma of the breast efficient reexamination of histological material from earlier breast operations indicated.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

A prospective analysis of immunohistochemically determined hormone receptors and nuclear features as predictors of early recurrence in primary breast cancer.

The immunohistochemically determined receptor status, as well as first-generation risk factors (tumor size, lymph node status, histologic grading including subfactors, tumor histology, and biochemically determined receptor status) were prospectively analyzed in 288 cases of primary breast cancer for their impact on recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) after a median observation period of 41 months. Immunohistochemically (ER-ICA) and biochemically determined estrogen receptors (ER-DCC), as well as tumor size, lymph node status, histologic grading, mitotic rate, and nuclear polymorphism, were of prognostic value for recurrence-free survival and/or overall survival. In multivariate analysis, lymph node status, tumor size, and mitotic rate proved to be independent prognosticators; ER-ICA showed significance in the univariate analysis which dropped, however, when multivariate analysis was applied. The prognostic power of histologic grading in our series seemed to depend mainly on the subfactors which relate to nuclear features.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Maternal alloimmunization against fetal platelet antigens: a prospective study.

Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) is induced by maternal alloantibodies to fetal platelet antigens. This prospective study was carried out to evaluate the incidence of anti-platelet antibodies in 933 mother-child pairs where the mother and child were typed for the human platelet antigens (HPA)-1, -2, -3, -5. Sera from mismatched mother-child pairs were screened for anti-platelet antibodies, anti-HLA class I and blood group ABO IgG antibodies. Platelet-specific antibodies were anti-HPA-3a in one and anti-HPA-5b in 17 neonates, respectively. All these neonates had normal platelet counts. One woman had autoreactive antibodies. Anti-HLA class I and anti-blood group A IgG antibodies were detected in five and four neonates, respectively, born with a platelet count < 150 x 10(9)/l. None of the 11 homozygous HPA-1b mothers became immunized against their heterozygous offspring. The maternal HLA-allotypes HLA-DR52 and -DR6, typically found in individuals immunized against HPA-1a and -5b, respectively, were found in three of 11 HPA-b/b nonresponders and eight of the anti-HPA-5b responders. The results indicate that a risk for NAIT due to HPA-2 and -3 alloimmunization is low. The HLA allotypes do not predict the risk for NAIT due to HPA-1 or -5 alloimmunization. Maternal anti-HPA-5b antibodies do not correlate with the platelet count in the neonate.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1994

Prognostic factors in primary fallopian tube carcinoma. Austrian Cooperative Study Group for Fallopian Tube Carcinoma.

A retrospective nationwide evaluation of primary fallopian tube carcinomas for a period of 10 years (1980-1990) was performed to evaluate the prognostic impact of various factors. Sixty-six cases were investigated for the prognostic influence of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PgR) status, mitotic activity, degree of nuclear anaplasia, and inflammatory reaction. ER and PgR receptors were detected by immunohistochemistry from paraffin sections. Forty-two percent were PgR-positive and 26% were ER-positive. However, no correlation of steroid receptors with survival could be found. Ninety-two percent of all tumors showed a moderate and high degree of nuclear anaplasia and only 8% showed a low degree of nuclear anaplasia. Thirty-four (52%) samples from all patients revealed low mitotic activity compared to 32 (48%) with an intermediate and high mitotic rate. Twenty-four (37%) tissue samples showed a positive inflammatory reaction which correlated with a significantly better outcome compared with tumors without this feature. This finding was also confirmed in multivariate analysis as an independent prognostic factor.

Fallopian Tube Neoplasms↗
PubMed1994

Preoperative and postoperative CA-125 serum levels in primary fallopian tube carcinoma.

Levels of CA-125 were determined pre- and postoperatively in 13 patients with fallopian tube cancer. Values before surgery were significantly higher (Median 1220 IU/ml, 90-5000 IU/ml) compared with postoperative levels (Median 194 IU/ml, 67-880 IU/ml) (P = 0.0052). Correlation analysis with FIGO stage and grading failed to show any statistical significance, but a trend for a positive correlation with FIGO stage and preoperative values could be observed. The CA-125 antigen is expressed by fallopian tube carcinoma and should therefore be used in diagnosis and follow-up.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗
PubMed1994

A comparative analysis of management and prognosis in stage I and II fallopian tube carcinoma and epithelial ovarian cancer.

Staging and surgical as well as post-operative treatment of primary Fallopian tube carcinoma (FTC) followed the lines established for primary ovarian cancer (OC). In a nationwide retrospective analysis we were able to find a distinct difference between these two tumours. A total of 262 patients, 68 with FTC and 194 with OC, in stage I and II were included into this study. A univariate as well as a multivariate analysis for survival was performed, including factors such as age, histological type, grading and surgical and adjuvant treatment. A significantly poorer outcome (P = 0.0002) for FTC patients with a 5-year survival of 50.8% compared with 77.5% for OC patients was observed. This finding was persistent and independent of any investigated factor, in univariate as well as multivariate analyses. Therefore, we feel that a more aggressive therapeutic approach to the treatment of FTC even in early stages can be recommended. On the other hand, the retrospective character of our study has to be taken into account.

Age Factors↗