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Biomedical subjects

M Gregor

Publications and source records attributed to M Gregor.

137 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1976

[Malignant neoplasms of the stomach in Berlin, capital of the G.D.R. - An analysis of the state of diagnosis and treatment].

In Berlin, capital of the German Democratic Republic, 7,386 new cases of gastric cancer (ICD 151) were registered in the period from 1955 to 1969 and in year 1973. 52 percent of patients were male. Percentage of cases 75 years old and more, increased from 21% (1955-1959) to 36% (1965-1969). There were only slight changes in incidence. About 30% of cases were in the operable stages I and II. With rising age, the proportion of the advanced stages III and IV increases. No real progress as made in early diagnosis of stomach cancer as measured by stage distribution during observation period. Patient's delay from first symptom to first visit was shorter than one month in 40%, physician's delay from first visit to correct diagnosis was shorter than one month in 54%. 15% of patients were treated within one month after first symptom and 47% within three months. There was no correlation between duration of history and percentage of early stages. When observation periods 1955 to 1959, 1960-1964, 1965-1969 and 1973 are compared, we find an increase in old patients (75+ years), a decrease of localized stages I + II, and a decrease in resection rate. Therefore, a decrease in survival rates is to be expected. Crude 5-year survival rate was 6.4% (1955-1959) and 6.2% (1960-1964). When we compare data from Berlin with observations in the Region of Erfurt and in Birmingham Region, the situation of detection and treatment of stomach cancer in Berlin seems to be somewhat better. Finally, some suggestions for the improvement of control of stomach cancer are made.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

[On cancer mortality in the German Democratic Republic. Regional differences and time trends of mortality of malignant neoplasms of stomach, colon, rectum, breast, and uterus, 1960--1969].

Mortality of maligant neoplasms of stomach (ICD 151; 84 529 deaths), colon (ICD 153; 13237 deaths), rectum (ICD 154; 13687 deaths), breast (ICD 174; 24400 deaths), and uterus (ICD 180--182; 25308 deaths) in the GDR in the years from 1960 to 1969 is described. There are regional differences of mortality which cannot be explained by demographic and diagnostic factors solely but suggest that there exist real differences of cancer risk. Mortality of stomach cancer is relatively low in the middle regions (Berlin, Frankfurt, Potsdam, Cottbus) and in the region of Erfurt and remakably high in the regions of Schwerin, Neubrandenburg, Gera, Leipzig and Karl-Max-Stadt. Mortality of colonic cancer is highest in Berlin, lowest in Schwerin, Neubrandenburg and Gera. Mortality of rectum cancer shows minor regional differences and another distribution than colonic ancer. Mortality of breast cancer is extremely high in Berlin and very low in Suhl. Mortality of cancer of the uterus reaches high levels in Neubrandenburg and is very low in the region of Karl-Marx-Stadt. In the period 1960--1969, mortality of stomach cancer has decreased whereas mortality of colonic cancer has increased. Mortality of rectum neoplasm remained constant. The time trend of mortality of breast cancer demonstrates regional differences and has increased somewhat in th GDR. Mortality of uterus cancer has slightly decreased. Regional differences and time trends of cancer mortality in the GDR suggest the influence of environmental factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1973

Dorsal root potentials produced by afferent volleys in cutaneous group 3 fibers.

1. Dorsal root potentials (DRP) were recorded in the lumbosacral spinal cord of decerebrated unanaesthetized cats, following afferent volleys restricted to the thin myelinated (Group III) cutaneous afferents of the hind limb. The thick myelinated fibres (Group II) were blocked by a depolarizing current.2. A pure Group III volley produced a DRP of negative polarity, called the III-DRP, signalling a depolarization of the intraspinal terminals of afferent fibres. The longer latency of the III-DRP when compared to that of the DRP after a Group II volley was accounted for quantitatively by the lower conduction velocity of the Group III fibres.3. Special attention was given to the presence of III-DRPs having a predominantly positive polarity thus signalling a presynaptic hyperpolarization. Such ;positive III-DRPs' were, however, never observed in this investigation.4. Both after transection of the spinal cord at various levels and after administration of pentobarbitone the III-DRP persisted at normal polarity. The duration of the DRPs was increased by these experimental procedures.5. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the prominent role postulated for the Group III fibres in the context of the gate control theory of pain.

Animals↗
PubMed1972

Characteristics of spinal neurones responding to cutaneous myelinated and unmyelinated fibres.

1. Spike discharges were recorded from neurones in the lumbar spinal cord in cats anaesthetized by barbiturate.2. The neurones were examined systematically for various physiological parameters and for their location. Especially the neurones situated in the dorsal horn were classified for the following parameters: mono- or polysynaptic linkage to myelinated afferents; type of natural stimuli which excited the neurones; depth from the cord surface; number of impulses discharged upon a cutaneous A fibre stimulus; steady-state discharge in the absence of intentional stimulation.3. All neurones were also tested as to whether or not they responded to volleys in cutaneous C fibres. Of 111 units which were activated by the A fibres in nerves from the hairy skin, 57 (= 51%) responded to C volleys in those nerves too.4. By blocking conduction in the A fibres using polarizing currents it was shown that the responses to C fibre volleys were partially or totally suppressed by a preceding discharge of the neurone in response to an A volley. Using search stimuli which were suprathreshold for C fibres one cell out of 36 could be found which responded only to afferent volleys in C fibres.5. About half of all neurones were shown to be connected monosynaptically to cutaneous A fibres, as was judged from the synaptic delay. The other half were polysynaptically linked to the A fibres. Both mono- and polysynaptic neurones were found in all layers of the dorsal horn. About 15% of the cells had additional input from muscle Group II and/or III fibres via polysynaptic pathways.6. Subdividing the A and A+C responsive neurones according to their mono- (M) or polysynaptic (P) connexions yielded the following sub-samples: MC, 39%; PC, 15%; MA, 13%; PA, 33%. Most MC neurones had, and most PA units had not, a spontaneous discharge. About half of the PA cells could not be driven by natural skin stimulation. The majority of MC units responded specifically to movement of hairs.7. A model was proposed hypothesizing two pathways in the dorsal horn, one showing convergence of A and C fibres and the other not. Some relations concerning other observations on C fibre effects were discussed.

Action Potentials↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Quantification of VP22-GFP spread by direct fluorescence in 15 commonly used cell lines.

BACKGROUND: The intercellular transport property of VP22 chimeric proteins offers the opportunity for the improvement of gene therapy delivery systems. Since enhanced therapeutic effects of transduced genes already have been exemplified for chimeric proteins VP22-p53 and VP22-tk, we were interested in examining whether spread of VP22 chimeric proteins is a general biological phenomenon not restricted to distinct tissues or species. METHODS: To study intercellular spread of VP22-GFP fusion proteins, 15 different mammalian cell lines were transfected with 200-2000 ng of VP22-GFP or GFP expression plasmids. Expression of VP22-GFP or GFP was monitored by fluorescence microscopy of live GFP fluorescence and direct FACS analysis. For selected cell lines, antibody detection of VP22-GFP spread was analysed by confocal microscopy as a control. RESULTS: Spread of VP22-GFP fusion proteins was detected in all 15 cell lines tested, and quantified by FACS analysis. Experimental conditions were found to be critical in the investigation of VP22-mediated intercellular spread. CONCLUSION: Results of our study indicate that spread of VP22 chimeric proteins is a general biological phenomenon not restricted to distinct tissues or species. Therefore, further evidence is provided that VP22-enhanced gene therapeutic effects may be obtained irrespective of the target organ/tissue to be addressed.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Growth characteristics and imaging properties of the morris hepatoma 3924A in ACI rats: a suitable model for transarterial chemoembolization.

PURPOSE: For experimental studies investigating modalities and efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) an animal model resembling the human situation as closely as possible would be appropriate. Specifically, reproducible tumor growth characteristics with the capability for appropriate in vivo imaging to monitor treatment efficacy are required. METHODS: Morris hepatoma 3924A was implanted into the liver of 30 ACI rats. Tumor growth was followed by angiography (n = 10), ultrasound (US, n = 30), native computed tomography (CT, n = 16), and native magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, n = 30) between day 8 and day 36 after implantation. The radiological morphological characteristics were compared with the macroscopic and microscopic histological findings of the explanted tumors. RESULTS: In all 30 animals a solitary liver tumor was found and macroscopically no signs of metastases, ascites, or peritoneal tumor were visible. On histopathological examination tumor sizes ranged between 27 +/- 3 mm(3) (day 8) and 3468 +/- 79 mm(3) (day 36). The first signs of tumor necrosis occurred at day 16. US allowed tumor visualization from day 8, MRI from day 8, angiography from day 10, and CT from day 14. CONCLUSIONS: The tumor model has the potential to be used for the visualization of tumor growth by MRI and US. The potential for monitoring therapeutic effects of TACE needs to be investigated.

Angiography↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Quality of life assessment in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): German version of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ-D; disease-specific instrument for quality of life assessment) -- first application and comparison with international investigations].

BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important outcome-parameter in health research and care. The aim of the working group Quality of Life in the Competence Network Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD; in the original German: "Kompetenznetz chronisch entzündliche Darmerkrankungen") is to generate instruments for assessment of HRQOL and its implementation as standards in clinical trials, health care and research in IBD. METHODS: The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) is an international validated disease specific instrument for HRQOL-assessment. A German version of the IBDQ was elaborated and tested in 415 outpatients with Crohn's disease (CD, n = 306) and ulcerative colitis (UC, n = 109). The aim of the study was to compare the results of HRQOL-assessment (IBDQ-D) with international investigations, to correlate HRQOL results with disease activity and to preform a pretest of psychometric properties. RESULTS: International data suggest that the IBDQ-D is a suitable instrument for HRQOL-assessment in CD and UC. For both disease a statistically significant negative correlation with disease activity was found. Tested psychometric properties do not suggest that a revision of the IBDQ-D is required. The IBDQ-D offers the HRQOL-assessment as an primary or secondary outcome in clinical trials in IBD in Germany.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Telomerase activity in long-standing ulcerative colitis.

Telomerase activity is frequently associated with neoplasia. It is a ribonucleoprotein capable of replacing telomeric DNA sequences that are lost at each cell division. Neoplastic progression in chronic ulcerative colitis is characterized by the development of epithelial dysplasia which is accompanied by genetic alterations. Therefore we tested telomerase activity in 128 biopsy samples of four colectomy specimens with long-standing ulcerative pancolitis by using the Telomerase PCR ELISA System. In three patients with multiple dysplastic or carcinomatous lesions, telomerase activity was detected in 22 samples with a regional association to dysplastic or carcinomatous areas. 15 of the samples with telomerase activity (68%) were found in dysplastic/carcinomatous samples or in the direct vicinity of dysplastic areas, 4 (18%), 2 positions (about 4 cm) and the remaining three (14%) not more than 3 positions away from such areas. In the fourth patient, resected because of clinical deterioration despite medical treatment and who had no dysplastic lesions, no telomerase activity was detected. These results show that telomerase activity might be used as a complementary marker to histology for the identification of patients with ulcerative colitis who are at an increased risk for neoplastic progression.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗