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Biomedical subjects

P Fritz

Publications and source records attributed to P Fritz.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Distribution of lysozyme in synovial tissue of patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis demonstrated by different enzyme histochemical methods.

Lysozyme-producing cells were analysed by enzyme histochemistry in paraffin sections of synovial tissue of 60 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 20 patients with osteoarthritis (OA). For lysozyme detection three enzyme histochemical systems - peroxidase-anti-peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase and biotin-avidin - were used in parallel experiments. Lysozyme was found to be produced by polymorphonuclear cells, mononuclear phagocytes and part of synovial lining cells. All types of lysozyme-producing cells were increased in RA compared with OA. Subgrouping of RA synovitis according to histomorphological criteria allowed the demonstration of an inverse relationship between the number of lysozyme-producing cells and the grade of proliferation of fibroblasts, called mesenchymoid transformation by Fassbender [19]. The different methods of lysozyme detection differed in specificity and sensitivity. The immunoenzymatic staining of lysozyme allows specific and quantitative evaluation of phagocytizing cells in RA and OA.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Mass spectrometric 13C/12C determinations to detect high fructose corn syrup in orange juice: collaborative study.

The 13C/12C ratios in orange juice are sufficiently uniform and different from those in high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) so that the addition of HFCS to orange juice can be detected. HFCS averages -9.7% (parts per thousand) delta 13C, orange juice averages -24.5%, and mixtures of HFCS and orange juice possess intermediate values. One pure orange juice and 4 orange juice -HFCS mixtures containing from 25 to 70% orange juice were properly classified by 7 collaborators. Samples with delta 13C values less negative than -22.1%, 4 standard deviations from the mean of pure juices, can, with a high degree of confidence, be classified as adulterated. Samples with values more negative than -22.1% must be considered unadulterated with HFCS, because pure orange juices possess a range of delta 13C values. The 13C/12C mass spectrometric method was adopted official first action for detecting HFCS in orange juice.

Beverages↗

Synthesis of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and cell proliferation in regenerating livers of NMRI mice after partial hepatectomy. An immunohistochemical and autoradiographic study with 3H-thymidine.

To get more information concerning the relation between cell proliferation and the synthesis of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), liver regeneration and AFP production was followed simultaneously in short intervals in NMRI mice after two-thirds hepatectomy using autoradiographic and immunohistochemical methods. The results indicate that AFP synthesis is not linked closely to cell proliferation in the sense that each proliferating hepatocyte synthesizes AFP during a definite phase of the cell cycle. However, AFP production, as measured by the index of anti-AFP positive hepatocytes, occurs in a very small population of parenchymal cells when the bulk of the hepatocytes has just passed the S-phase and is considered to be in the G2-, M or early G1-phase of the cell cycle when the cells are still in an undifferentiate state.

Animals↗

[On determination and pharmacokinetics of flurazepam metabolites in human blood (author's transl)].

The blood levels and the elimination kinetics of flurazepam and its major metabolites in blood were investigated in 10 volunteers after application of 60 mg flurazepam (Dalmadorm). Hydroxyethylflurazepam and desalkylflurazepam are the metabolites suitable for proving a previous flurazepam ingestion. Splitting of glucuronides is helpful for the determination of hydroxyethylflurazepam as the maximum blood concentration of the unconjugated metabolite does not exceed 1/3 of the concentration after glucuronidase splitting. Because of the different half-lives of formation and of elimination a characteristic time dependent pattern of flurazepam and its metabolites is observed in blood during 24 h after a single dosing. From this, conclusions may be drawn about the period of time between ingestion and sampling of the blood specimen. The accumulation of desalkylflurazepam is indicative of the dose applied or of previous multiple dosing. Parallel to the rise of the blood concentration of the metabolites the excretion of the corresponding hydroxyethylflurazepam glucuronide is detectable in urine. Within 30 min the concentrations are suitable for thin-layer chromatographic quantitation. An impaired performance of the volunteers was observed essentially during the absorption and the early distribution phase.

Blood Pressure↗

Combined cytotoxic action of Viscum album agglutinin-1 and anticancer agents against human A549 lung cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Viscum album agglutinin-1 (VAA-1) is assumed to be the biologically most active ingredient of misteltoe extracts that are often used as adjuvant cancer therapy. To develop new approaches for lung cancer treatment, we evaluated the antineoplastic activity of VAA-1 alone and in combination with other chemotherapeutic drugs, including doxorubicin, cisplatin and taxol in the human lung carcinoma cell line A549. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cytotoxicity was determined by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) ELISA-assays and drug interaction assessed by the isobologram method. Analysis of cell cycle distribution was obtained using flow cytometry. RESULTS: For all drug combinations tested the outcome was additive with the combination of VAA-1 and cycloheximide showing strong synergistic effects. Moreover, VAA-1 induced G1-phase accumulation mechanisms without causing apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the simultaneous administration of VAA-1 with all anticancer agents tested is advantageous since cytotoxic effects are enhanced. These data may provide new clinicalperspectives in future mistletoe therapy.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

European genetic study on rheumatoid arthritis: is there a linkage of the interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-10 or IL-4 genes to RA?

UNLABELLED: The genetic predisposition for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is only partly explained by the HLA locus and most genetic factors involved in the susceptibility (and/or severity) of the disease await further identification. The first European genome scan in RA families provided suggestive evidence for linkage with a region (3.1/3q13) on chromosome 3, but many other potential RA susceptibility genes have yet to be analysed. AIMS: To perform a linkage analysis with microsatellite markers located in the vicinity of the interleukin-1 (IL-1) gene superfamily, the IL-10 gene and the IL-4 gene cluster which might be considered putative candidate loci for RA. METHODS: 107 Caucasoid European RA sibpairs from 90 nuclear families were genotyped for markers flanking the genes for the IL-1 superfamily, IL-10 and the IL-4 gene cluster. Linkage analysis based on the identity by descent (IBD) in affected siblings was analysed with the program SIBPALNA. Affected sibpairs were stratified according to the identity by state (IBS) for three markers in the HLA region (DRB1 oligotyping, D6S276 and TNFa microsatellites) and to the presence/absence of erosive disease on X-ray examination. RESULTS: Analysis of the whole family set showed an excess of allele sharing for markers of the IL-1 gene cluster (IBD 60%; P = 0.012) but not for IL-10 or IL-4. After stratification, the evidence of linkage to IL-1 was restricted to HLA concordant sibpairs (n = 32; IBD 70%; P = 0.006). Some evidence of linkage to IL-10 was also observed in HLA concordant sibpairs (IBD 66%; P = 0.03) and in sibpairs with erosive disease (n = 61; IBD 62%; P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: We found suggestive evidence of linkage of RA to the IL-1 locus. The increased linkage to IL-1 and IL-10 in HLA-identical sibs suggests a possible interaction between these cytokines and the HLA loci. Moreover IL-10 could interact with HLA factors in predisposing to erosive disease. These results need to be tested in additional families for consistency and replication.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Anticancer activity of a lectin-rich mistletoe extract injected intratumorally into human pancreatic cancer xenografts.

BACKGROUND: In single case observations, tumour remissions after intratumoral injections of mistletoe extracts have been described. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the antitumour activity of intratumorally (i.t.)-injected lectin-rich mistletoe extract at different dosages and i.t.-injected mistletoe lectin I in comparison to intravenous (i.v.) Gemcitabine and i.t. treatment with placebo in a human pancreatic cancer xenograft. RESULTS: In a preliminary dose-response experiment, the most marked tumour inhibition was induced when mistletoe extract was given at 8 mg/kg body weight (BW) and mistletoe lectin I at 5.3 microg/kg BW. In a second experiment, bi-weekly i.t. injections of mistletoe extract over 8 weeks resulted in a very high antitumour activity with an optimal T/C value (=median relative tumour volume of the test group vs. the control) of 0.4% combined with 3/8 partial and 3/8 complete remissions. Gemcitabine was less active with 2/8 partial and 1/8 complete remissions and an optimal TIC of 4.6%. CONCLUSION: I.t.-injected lectin-rich mistletoe extract should be further evaluated in patients with inoperable locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Keratomalacia in rheumatoid arthritis: immunohistologic and enzyme histochemical studies].

Corneal and conjunctival biopsies of 13 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and corneal ulceration (RA-keratomalacia) have been characterized by immunohistological and histochemical analysis. Biopsies from 13 patients with bacterial conjunctivitis, 7 patients with allergic conjunctivitis, 15 patients with senile cataract and 15 patients with keratokonus served as controls. The phenotypic composition of the conjunctival inflammatory infiltration of rheumatoid corneal ulceration was not significantly different from the other inflammatory eye diseases studied. However, conjunctival epithelial cells of all RA-patients showed strong de novo expression of HLA-DR- and DP-antigens. HLA-DQ-antigens were only weakly expressed in a minority of patients. In bacterial conjunctivitis a less intense HLA-class-II-expression was found to be restricted to HLA-DR-antigens. Furthermore, in RA patients stromal fibroblasts of the cornea expressed lysosomal elastase. Both observations could be explained by paracrine action of interleukins produced by infiltrating T-lymphocytes and macrophages. Thus, it might be tempting to speculate that immunologically induced, elastase mediated autodegradation of corneal stroma may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid corneal ulceration.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗

[Alveolar ridge augmentation using moldable implants of granular hydroxylapatite and fibrin adhesive].

First results in the use of a hydroxyl apatite fibrin paste for alveolar ridge augmentation are reported. In the production of the moldable implants a fibrin mixture containing 1 i.u. Thrombin/ml is used as an absorbable biologic binder for the granules. The individual shape and situation of the graft is maintained throughout the resorption of the fibrin adhesive and the spread of connective tissue into the intergranular spaces, without any additional means of fixation required. Even under functional load, which starts after 6 weeks, the intergranular distance and the shape of the implants remains unchanged.

Alveolar Ridge Augmentation↗