Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M Busch.
After experiences with fluid filled tubes a gel fitted with an adhesive has been developed, to reproducibly markate treatment ports on the patient's skin. A gel is chosen, that hinders loss of the fluid and smoothly fits to the skin surface due to the adhesive. The clinical use of the gel hopefully will help with the use of NMR image information in radiotherapy treatment planning.
We present here an easy-to-use computer program which finds oligonucleotides suitable as primers in polymerase chain reactions (PCR) or as probes for hybridization. In contrast to other programs used for this purpose, the additional advantage of this one is the possibility of directly detecting gene- as well as gene family-specific oligonucleotides. For this purpose, up to 200 different DNA sequences, of maximally 65,000 nucleotides each, can be scanned in a single search to ensure either single or multiple gene binding of the PCR primers or probes. Specific oligonucleotides for genes carrying internal repetitions and for single genes belonging to a set of highly conserved genes can also be detected. Many parameters such as exclusion of simple sequences, which are known to be highly repeated throughout various genomes or regions of stable secondary structures in both primer-primer and primer-template, can be taken into consideration and avoided. Furthermore, the G + C content and the length of the oligonucleotides can be changed in a broad range by the user.
Intestinal protozoa like Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia have been proposed as vectors or cofactors in the development of AIDS. To determine whether these protozoa could transmit HIV, laboratory strains of protozoa were cocultured with cells chronically infected by a highly replicative strain of HIV-1. Entamoeba histolytica, but not Giardia lamblia, took up virus. Immunologically detectable HIV-1 was present in the amebae up to 48 h after exposure to infected cells, but this virus could not be transferred to uninfected human cells. Amebae isolated directly from two HIV-infected individuals were also found to be positive for HIV-1. After lysis of these protozoa and coculture with uninfected peripheral blood mononuclear cells, no transfer of virus to the human cells was observed.
Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) from a number of bacteria belonging to the alpha-2 subgroup of the class Proteobacteria were screened for the presence of 27-hydroxy-octacosanoic acid (27-OH-28:0). With few exceptions, most of the bacteria contained 27-OH-28:0 in their lipid A fractions. In addition, some of the bacteria contained other n-2-hydroxylated long-chain fatty acids hitherto not reported. The distribution of 27-OH-28:0 was restricted to the alpha-2 subgroup. LPSs from members of the other subgroups (the beta and gamma subgroups), including some well-characterized enterobacterial LPSs, were devoid of 27-OH-28:0. Our results indicate that the presence of n-2-hydroxylated long-chain fatty acids in LPSs might be used as a chemophylogenetical marker.
We used in vitro model of storage-induced leukocyte degradation in blood to experimentally characterize the infectivity of the debris of lymphocytes harboring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1). The leukocyte filtration process removed both intact HIV-infected H9 cells and the particulate debris, but failed to remove the cell-free HIV released from lysed cells. These data suggest that the leukocyte filtration of donor blood soon after collection would optimally reduce the particulate infectious burden of blood for transfusions.
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The movement of the patient lowers the contrast of the portals, because the exposition time is long and identical with the treatment time. To enhance the contrast in the portals, the first models of the cassettes were modified under the clinical tests by a rear sheet nearly free from backscattering. With the modified cassettes iodine contrast media are weakly seen on the portals in the laboratory tests, but not in the clinical routine.
Advantages of new flexible intracervical applicators treating cervical cancer with high dose rate afterloading brachytherapy are reported: The insertion of the flexible applicator is usually possible without anesthesia and dilation of the cervix. Therefore the treatment can be performed on an outpatient basis. The risks of perforation and infection are minimal. Dosimetry and documentation of the applicator geometry are possible, if the planning system allows the definition of individual curves of an individual applicator. We now prefer flexible applicators instead of rigid steel applicators treating cervix carcinoma.
219 patients suffering from cervix carcinoma received definitive radiation therapy using moderate doses of external beam therapy and high dose-rate afterloading brachytherapy from 1979 to 1986. At five years, the actuarial survival (AS) for stage Ib patients was 81%, for stage IIa 53%, for stage IIb 56%, for stage IIIa 25%, for stage IIIb 33% and for stages IVa and IVb 0%. Significant prognostic factors for actuarial survival were FIGO stage, histological type, grading and, marginally, age of the patient at the time of diagnosis. The survival data censored for death caused by intercurrent disease (tumor related survival, TUS) at five years were: 90% (Ib), 66% (IIa), 63% (IIb), 50% (IIIa), 41% (IIIb) and 0% (IVa and IVb). The prognostic factors were stage and grading. Age and histology failed to be a significant prognostic factor. The disease-free survival (DFS) according to FIGO stage at five years were: Ib 84%, IIa 64%, IIb 59%, IIIa 50%, IIIb 38%, IVa and IVb 0%. Prognostic factors for disease-free survival were limited to FIGO stage and grading. The five-year local control results (LC) according to stage were 90% (Ib), 64% (IIa), 67% (IIb), 43% (IIIb) and 0% (IVa and IVb) with stage as prognostic factor. High dose-rate afterloading therapy for cervix carcinoma yields good results for local control and survival with a low ratio of severe side effects (6%). Radiation therapy eliminates the prognostic influence of histological type and grading of the tumor on local control. External beam and afterloading doses, however, are relevant factors for prognosis, if the patients are stratified by FIGO stage.
One of the late complications in patients with vaginal agenesis who had the McIndoe procedure are keloids. Using HDR afterloading (three times 4 Gy in 5 mm tissue depth) and a shielded vaginal applicator we prevented recurrence of the keloids after surgical removal.
On the basis of ribosomal 16S sequence comparison, Brucella abortus has been found to be a member of the alpha-2 subdivision of the class Proteobacteria (formerly named purple photosynthetic bacteria and their nonphototrophic relatives). Within the alpha-2 subgroup, brucellae are specifically related to rickettsiae, agrobacteria, and rhizobiae, organisms that also have the faculty or the obligation of living in close association to eucaryotic cells. The composition of Brucella lipid A suggests a close phylogenetical relationship with members of the alpha-2 group. The chemical analysis of the lipid A fraction revealed that Brucella species contain both glucosamine and diaminoglucose, thus suggesting the presence of a so-called mixed lipid A type. The serological analysis with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies is in agreement with the existence of mixed lipid A type in B. abortus. The amide-linked fatty acid present as acyl-oxyacyl residues were 3-O-C(16:0)12:0, 3-O-C(16:0)13:0, 3-O-C(16:0)14:0, and 3-O-C(18:0)14:0. The only amide-linked unsubstituted fatty acid detected was 3-OH-C16:0. The ester-linked fatty acids are 3-OH-C16:0, 3-OH-C18:0, C16:0, C17:0, and C18:0. Significant amounts of the large-chain 27-OH-C28:0 were detected together with traces of 25-OH-C26:0 and 29-OH-C30:0. Comparison of the Brucella lipid composition with that of the other Proteobacteria also suggests a close phylogenetical relationship with members of the alpha-2 subdivision. The genealogical grouping of Brucella species with pericellular and intracellular plant and animal pathogens as well as with intracellular plant symbionts suggests a possible evolution of Brucella species from plant-arthropod-associated bacteria.
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Optimization of brachytherapy means first of all a physical adaptation of isodoses to shape and tolerances of radiosensitive tissues surrounding the target volume, and also to shape and dosage requirements of the tumor to be treated. Dose computation algorithms for optimizing afterloading therapy postulate the discontinuous movement of the iridium source. A new method for the application of the discontinuous movement to our afterloading equipment was worked out. It combines the abilities of the source movements and the demands of the clinical optimization of the isodoses used for the brachytherapy of cervix carcinoma.
We developed a new application system for the intracavitary afterloading therapy of the cervix carcinoma. With this system special problems of the application as the possible perforation of the cervix uteri are prevented.
The rare syndrome of Lér's melorheostosis is described on the basis of a case encountered in one of our own patients, a 29 year old male patient. Particular attention is given to the symptoms, the specific results of clinical examination, and the differential diagnosis.
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