Morphological and functional aspects of the human spermatic cord veins.
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Humans↗
Biomedical subjects
R Tauber
Publications and source records attributed to R Tauber.
Semen analysis after treatment of varicocele by antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy.
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Adolescent↗
p53 hot-spot mutational analysis in advanced Western gallbladder carcinoma.
In gallbladder carcinoma, studies on the prime target of genetic alterations and gene therapy in human gallbladder malignancies, the p53 tumor suppressor gene, have been focusing on this gene's immunohistochemical detection. From November 1991 to October 1993, seven patients suffering from gallbladder carcinoma underwent surgical resection. Cancerous and normal liver tissues were obtained immediately after surgery, snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen, and stored at -80 degrees C for immunohistochemistry and DNA isolation. Exons 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the p53 gene were completely sequenced following polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a 1574-bp fragment. Missense mutations were detected in the cancerous tissues of two patients: one transition each on codons 134 (Phe-->Leu) and 146 (Trp-->Arg). Immunohistochemical p53 staining was positive in the latter patient only. This is the first report on sequence analysis and mutagenesis of the p53 gene in Caucasian patients with gallbladder cancer. Both mutations were transitions and seem to represent a rather rare event. The possible impact of p53 mutagenesis on gallbladder tumorigenesis requires evaluation in larger studies.
Adenocarcinoma↗
Angioarchitecture of the human spermatic cord.
Human spermatic cords were investigated by means of cast preparations, light-microscopic examination and computer-aided 3-dimensional reconstructions from serial sections of paraffin-embedded material. After leaving the testis, the testicular veins formed two principal groups co-existing side by side. Numerous veno-venous anastomoses could be observed within each individual group, whereas only a few mutual intergroup anastomoses were found. The testicular artery ran within one group but showed no close topographical relationship to the other group. Light microscopy of the serial sections revealed that the group of veins with no close topographical relationship to the testicular artery ran at a distance of several centimeters embedded within fatty tissue. With the help of computer-aided 3-dimensional reconstructions, a spatial picture of the vascular organization was obtained. These results allowed the following classification of the veins of the pampiniform plexus. Group-I veins formed a tight plexus around the testicular artery by means of veno-venous anastomoses. Group-II veins formed veno-venous anastomoses between each other and ran over at a sizeable distance embedded in fatty tissue but showed no close topographical relationship to the testicular artery. Group-III vessels formed veno-venous anastomoses between group-I and group-II. Group IV veins formed arterio-venous anastomoses with the testicular artery. Based on the differences in wall structure and diameter, a subclassification in group-I and group-II was undertaken. This organization of the veins of the human pampiniform plexus should further the understanding of physiological processes, such as the transfer of hormones and other substances from the veins to the testicular artery and vice versa. It should also facilitate the tracing of the veins during antegrade sclerosing.
Adult↗
[Antegrade scrotal phlebography of the v. spermatica in left-sided testicular varicocele--are retrograde phlebographic classifications suitable for typing?].
PURPOSE: The study was conducted to clarify whether the use of classifications in base of retrograde phlebography would be sufficiently suitable for typifying the findings of antegrade phlebography examinations of the internal spermatic vein with regard to antegrade sclerotherapy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In course of antegrade sclerotherapy in 236 patients with previously untreated idiopathic left-sided varicocele, phlebography via scrotal approach was performed. The results were compared with the relevant findings of the pre-existing classifications of the retrograde exams. RESULTS: Comparison with the classifications of Bähren and Braedel showed distinct discrepancies. In 28.8% (Bähren) respectively 36.4% (Braedel) of our findings, typification was unsuccessful. Correspondence was found with the Riedl-classification. Collateral vessels however, are not sufficiently differentiated. CONCLUSION: Retrograde classifications proved insufficient in typifying the findings of antegrade phlebography of the internal spermatic vein. A more subtle classification is required. This has been worked out and presented.
Contrast Media↗
[Spermiogram findings following antegrade sclerosing of a varicocele].
Antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy is an established method for treatment of varicocele. Semen analysis of 103 patients at least 6 months postoperatively showed an significant increase of progressive motility from 36.5 +/- 20.7% to 51.7 +/- 20%. Evaluation of sperm density and morphology showed a significant increase too. In 79% we found an improvement of sperm density, in 63% of normal morphology and in 71% of progressive motility. There was no correlation between preoperative size of varicocele to postoperative findings in semen analysis. In 42% (n = 38) of inability to conceive the partners became pregnant. These results show that antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy is equivalent to other kinds of operative treatment for varicocele with regard to improvement of fertility parameters.
Female↗
[The physician as manager--medical department coordination as a reaction to changed responsibilities].
As a reaction to the changing situation in the public health service, we have changed a senior house officer post into a job for medical management out off our own motivation. In the sense of job sharing, the department has now got an expert with medical competence for the new business. He is the connecting link between the department and the administration of the hospital.
Cost Control↗
ATP-dependent redistribution of phosphatidylethanolamine in the plasma membrane of an epithelial and a hepatocytic cell line.
The redistribution of spin-labeled phospholipid analogues of sphingomyelin (SM) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) from the outer to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane of an epithelial (CaCo-2) and a hepatocytic cell line (HepG2) was investigated. The amount of analogues in the outer leaflet was determined by their back-exchange to bovine serum albumin (BSA). For both cell lines a fast ATP-dependent inward movement of spinlabeled PE (SL-PE) was found while SL-SM redistributed only slowly by a passive mechanism. After depletion of intracellular ATP transverse diffusion of SL-PE was similar to that of SL-SM. The data are compatible with the presence of an aminophospholipid translocase in both cell lines.
Adenosine Triphosphate↗
[Vascular organization of the pampiniformis plexus in the man and its significance for antegrade sclerosing of testicular varicocele].
The vascular organization of human spermatic cord was analyzed by means of injection and by casting preparation of the testicular artery and veins of the pampiniform plexus after orchiectomy. After leaving the human testis, the testicular veins are organized in two main groups and form two vein plexus. One of these vein groups forms a tight plexus around the testicular artery. Computer-aided 3-D reconstructions based on the paraffin serial sections of the human spermatic cord allowed us to demonstrate the relation between the blood vessels and the other tissue structures of the spermatic cord. The results obtained allowed us to subdivide the human spermatic cord into three compartments. The dorsomedial compartment contains the vas deferens and its blood vessels. The middle compartment contains the testicular artery and the vein group which forms a tight plexus around this artery. The ventrolateral compartment contains a vein group which shows no topographic relation to the testicular artery. This vein group is embedded in a large, macroscopically visible volume of fatty tissue. To be sure of sparing the testicular artery during antegrade sclerotherapy this vein group should be prepared.
Arteries↗
Financial analysis of antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy for men with varicoceles.
OBJECTIVE: To calculate and compare the costs of the treatment of varicocele by antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy with other modalities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 2305 operations using antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy to treat varicocele in childhood and adolescence were analysed for cost factors and compared with different surgical treatment methods for varicocele. RESULTS: Calculation of the pre-, intra- and post-operative costs showed that antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy was the most economically effective of all forms of surgical management for varicocele. CONCLUSIONS: Because antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy is a cost-effective treatment for varicocele, the indications for treatment may be widened to include more men with potential infertility, and thus avoid the need for expensive methods of artificial fertilization.
Adolescent↗
Transverse movement of spin-labeled phospholipids in the plasma membrane of a hepatocytic cell line (HepG2): implications for biliary lipid secretion.
The redistribution of spin-labeled phospholipid analogs across the plasma membrane of HepG2 cells, either in suspension or grown as monolayers, was investigated. After incorporation into the outer membrane leaflet spin-labeled aminophospholipids phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) moved rapidly to the inner monolayer, whereas the analog of phosphatidylcholine (PC) disappeared more slowly from the outer leaflet. The fast, inward movement of the aminophospholipids was abolished after adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-depletion of cells, suggesting the presence of an aminophospholipid translocase in the plasma membrane of these cells. Compared with human red blood cells, the activity of the aminophospholipid translocase is two orders of magnitude higher in HepG2 cells. From these data, a transverse phospholipid asymmetry can be inferred with the aminophospholipids mainly concentrated on the inner monolayer and the choline-containing phospholipids on the outer leaflet. The relevance of the enrichment of PC in the outer membrane leaflet for the formation and composition of the bile is discussed.
Adenosine Triphosphate↗
["Contra laparoscopy" position in treatment of testicular varicocele].
Laparoscopic varicocelectomy does not offer any significant advantage in comparison to sclerotherapy or open surgical procedures. Invasiveness (transperitoneal approach, intraoperative complications, general anesthesia, duration of operation, possible ligation of the spermatic artery) is not less, but the technical expenditure and costs are higher than those in competing procedures. Laparoscopic treatment is not the procedure of first choice and even in recurrent varicocele it should only be performed if prior treatment by-repeated antegrade sclerotherapy is not successful and distal reflux has been ruled out. Therefore, the laparoscopic approach is of only minor value in the treatment of varicocele testis.
Contraindications↗
[Leiomyosarcoma of the spermatic cord. A case report with review of the literature].
The case of a 68-year-old man with leiomyosarcoma of the spermatic cord is reported. Radical orchiectomy with high ligature of the cord was performed. Pathological examination including immunohistochemistry demonstrated a leiomyosarcoma which seemed to arise from a spermatic cord vessel.
Aged↗
Direct calibration ELISA: a rapid method for the simplified determination of association constants of unlabeled biological molecules.
We present a novel method for the rapid determination of association constants. The method is based on the direct calibration of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (dcELISA) and does not require any external calibration. It combines kinetic and equilibrium binding experiments and can be performed on a single microtiter plate. The absorbance data are evaluated by several linearized plots without the need for sophisticated computations. The dcELISA has been used to analyze the binding of a monoclonal antibody, OKT9, to its cognate antigen, the human transferrin receptor, and yielded an association constant of Ka = 2.2 x 10(9) l/mol and a complex formation rate constant of kc = 2.7 x 10(-4) s-1. A 26% larger association constant was obtained with a radioimmunoassay (RIA)-based Scatchard analysis using 125I-labeled OKT9. By quantifying the binding of the same iodinated antibody with the dcELISA we were able to verify that the iodination modifies the binding properties of the antibody. The dcELISA thus appears to be superior to all methods requiring covalent modifications. In principle, the direct calibration method can also be combined with all other solid phase assays. It should thus expand their scope in quantifying the binding properties of biologically important molecules.
Animals↗
Functional reconstitution of the human placental transferrin receptor into phospholipid bilayers leads to long tubular structures proceeding from the vesicle surface.
We have reconstituted the human placental transferrin receptor (hTfR) into phospholipid vesicles using either dialysis, dilution, or gel filtration. Several different detergents and phospholipids and a variety of lipid-to-protein weight ratios were tested. Preformed vesicles as well as detergent-solubilized phospholipids were used. Reconstituted mixtures were fractionated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation and screened for ferritransferrin binding activity, and peak fractions were analyzed by electron microscopy. The efficiency of reconstitution was strongly influenced by the choice of the phospholipids used and the reconstitution method. Best results were obtained when hTfR was dissolved with octylpolyoxyethylene, mixed with detergent-solubilized soy bean lecithin, and reconstituted by slow dialysis. The data show that hTfR capable of binding ferritransferrin was reconstituted into vesicles with an irregular surface and many protrusions. In addition the reconstitution of hTfR resulted in the formation of tubular structures proceeding from the vesicle surface, which may serve as an in vitro model for future studies on the relevance of self-assembly processes for cellular endocytosis.
Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗
Selective reentry of recycling cell surface glycoproteins to the biosynthetic pathway in human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells.
Return of cell surface glycoproteins to compartments of the secretory pathway has been examined in HepG2 cells comparing return to the trans-Golgi network (TGN), the trans/medial- and cis-Golgi. Transport to these sites was studied by example of the transferrin receptor (TfR) and the serine peptidase dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPPIV) after labeling these proteins with the N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide ester of biotin on the cell surface. This experimental design allowed to distinguish between glycoproteins that return to these biosynthetic compartments from the cell surface and newly synthesized glycoproteins that pass these compartments during biosynthesis en route to the surface. Reentry to the TGN was measured in that surface glycoproteins were desialylated with neuraminidase and were monitored for resialylation during recycling. Return to the trans-Golgi was traced measuring the transfer of [3H]fucose residues to recycling surface proteins by fucosyltransferases. To study return to the cis-Golgi, surface proteins were metabolically labeled in the presence of the mannosidase I inhibitor deoxymannojirimycin (dMM). As a result surface proteins retained N-glycans of the oligomannosidic type. Return to the site of mannosidase I in the medial/cis-Golgi was measured monitoring conversion of these glycans to those of the complex type after washout of dMM. Our data demonstrate that DPPIV does return from the cell surface not only to the TGN, but also to the trans-Golgi thus linking the endocytic to the secretory pathway. In contrast, no reentry to sites of mannosidase I could be detected indicating that the early secretory pathway is not or is only at insignificant rates accessible to recycling DPPIV. In contrast to DPPIV, TfR was very efficiently sorted from endosomes to the cell surface and did not return to the TGN or to other biosynthetic compartments in detectable amounts, indicating that individual surface proteins are subject to different sorting mechanisms or sorting efficiencies during recycling.
Animals↗
Transferrin-binding protein complex is the receptor for transferrin uptake in Trypanosoma brucei.
In Trypanosoma brucei, the products of two genes, ESAG 6 and ESAG 7, located upstream of the variant surface glycoprotein gene in a polycistronic expression site form a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored transferrin-binding protein (TFBP) complex. It is shown by gel filtration and membrane-binding experiments that the TFBP complex is heterodimeric and binds one molecule of transferrin with high affinity (2,300 binding sites per cell; KD = 2.1 nM for the dominant expression site from T. brucei strain 427 and KD = 131 nM for ES1.3A of the EATRO 1125 stock). The ternary transferrin-TFBP complexes with iron-loaded or iron-free ligand are stable between pH 5 and 8. Cellular transferrin uptake can be inhibited by 90% with Fab fragments from anti-TFBP antibodies. After uptake, the TFBP complex and its ligand are routed to lysosomes where transferrin is proteolytically degraded. While the degradation products are released from the cells, iron remains cell associated and the TFBP complex is probably recycled to the membrane of the flagellar pocket, the only site for exo- and endocytosis in this organism. It is concluded that the TFBP complex serves as the receptor for the uptake of transferrin in T. brucei by a mechanism distinct from that in mammalian cells.
Animals↗
Extracorporeal piezoelectric shock wave lithotripsy as mono and multiple therapy of large renal calculi including staghorn stones in unanaesthetized patients under semi-ambulant conditions.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness and complication rate of extracorporeal piezoelectric shock wave lithotripsy (EPL) as monotherapy for the treatment of large renal calculi. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Treatment consisted of semiambulant EPL as monotherapy combined with protective ureteric stenting in 84 patients. Three groups were established according to stone volume (borderline-stone, partial and complete staghorn). An average of 18,230 shock waves was applied in 3.76 sessions to each patient. RESULTS: No major complications were observed but there were minor complications in 33% of patients. Invasive auxiliary methods were necessary in only 12%. After a mean follow-up of 9 months (n = 72), 54% of patients were stone-free and in 22% the fragments passed spontaneously. Thus the success rate was 76%. Analysis of the three groups showed no difference in stone status during follow-up. There was no relation between the outcome of treatment and stone volume. Analysis of the patients who failed to respond to treatment showed that they were treated for longer than the stone-free group, with significantly fewer sessions per week (0.71 vs 1.28 sessions/week). It appears that higher rates of stone removal can be achieved with more frequent treatment sessions at shorter intervals. CONCLUSION: We consider semi-ambulant EPL monotherapy to be a minimally invasive alternative treatment in patients with large renal calculi, including staghorn stones.
Adolescent↗