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Biomedical subjects

S Kern

Publications and source records attributed to S Kern.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

An unusual presentation of secondary syphilis in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection. A case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Syphilis has been reported to assume unusual clinical appearances and to exhibit unusual courses in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1. We recently observed a distinct manifestation of syphilis in an HIV-infected patient with features not previously described. OBSERVATIONS: A 38-year-old HIV-seropositive homosexual man presented with fever, chills, malaise, and a cutaneous eruption consisting of indurated, shiny, erythematous plaques that were confluent on the face and scalp leading to alopecia and extreme tautness of the skin. Initial clinical diagnoses included lymphoreticular malignancy and infection. Although cultures yielded Staphylococcus aureus, a skin biopsy specimen was diagnostic of syphilis. CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates an unusual clinical manifestation of syphilis in a patient with HIV infection and emphasizes the importance of considering cutaneous secondary syphilis in the differential diagnosis of virtually any inflammatory cutaneous disorder in HIV-seropositive individuals.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

Genotoxicity of nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and related structures on Escherichia coli PQ37 (SOS chromotest).

To determine the genotoxicity of nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and related molecules (nPAH) we examined 24 compounds representative of nitroanthracenes, nitrofluorenes, nitronaphthalenes, nitropyrenes, and nitroquinolines for genotoxicity in Escherichia coli PQ37 (SOS-chromotest). To enhance the sensitivity of the tester strain and optimize metabolic activation we used a modified test protocol and S9-mix composition. All chemicals with the exception of 9-nitroanthracene, 1- and 2-nitronaphthalene, 2-methyl-1-nitronaphthalene, and 5-, 6-, and 8-nitroquinoline induced the SOS system of E. coli PQ37. As expected from previously referred mutagenicity studies, the highest SOS inducing potencies (SOSIP) were exhibited by the dinitropyrenes (SOSIP = 151-416), 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (SOSIP = 62), and 3-nitrofluoranthese (SOSIP = 16). Except for some nitronaphthalenes, the nPAHs showed their highest genotoxicity in the absence of an exogeneous metabolic activation system. The results were compared to those reported for the bacterial mutagenicity of these substances in Salmonella typhimurium TA98.

Escherichia coli↗
PubMed1990

Evaluation of nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) by automatic image analysis: a contribution to standardization.

This study summarizes our experiences with the silver staining of nucleolus organizer regions (AgNORs) in a total of 580 tumours from ten different tissues. In contrast to other investigators, we made use of automatic image analysis for the evaluation of AgNORs. This provided good reproducibility as determined by the standard cumulative means technique and intra-observer (r1) and inter-observer (r2) agreement in 30 benign (r1 = 0.83-0.95, r2 = 0.76-0.92) and 50 malignant tissue samples (r1 = 0.72-0.85, r2 = 0.51-0.78). By using a series of staining times on sections from 30 tissue blocks taken from the ten types of tissue investigated, considerable variation in the argyrophilic staining of NORs in different tissues and in different blocks from one tumour was shown. The mean AgNOR area of resting lymphocytes or connective tissue cells within tissue blocks of the same organ system varied up to four-fold, even though identical staining times had been used. The most suitable silver reaction time which rendered a good diagnostic difference in the AgNOR content of benign and malignant tissue ranged, for example, in the breast cancer specimens, from 23 to 35 min. We therefore conclude that the staining time has to be adjusted to the individual silver-binding characteristics of each tissue block or even each section. The use of internal staining standards like lymphocytes or connective tissue cells in the same tissue section is mandatory. This, in turn, is most precisely controlled by morphometry.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

[Experiences with the "Balgrist" cement-free, self-anchoring conical acetabular prosthesis--March 1982 to September 1988].

The advantage over other acetabular sockets for cementless fixation lies in the easier preparation of the acetabulum without endangering neighbouring structures, and in its self-locking ability which ensures firm fixation in the surrounding bone during the critical period of bone-remodelling which occurs during the first three months postoperatively. In over 90% of the 414 sockets, implanted over 6.5 years, with an average follow-up period of four years (3 to 78 months), we have had, clinically and radiologically, good results. Loosened sockets (3.6%) were observed with those made of polyethylene during the early stages mainly due to inadequate experience in implanting them. The titanium model which has been exclusively used from november 1987 has shown no signs of instability neither in the case of primary or revision sockets.

Acetabulum↗
PubMed1989

Campylobacter pylori in patients with dyspeptic symptoms and endoscopic evidence of erosion(s).

The relationship between Campylobacter pylori (CP), histologic gastritis, and dyspeptic symptoms is becoming gradually clearer, but there is still a lack of knowledge of the natural history of treated or untreated gastritis. We examined serial biopsies from the gastric fundus, body, and antrum, and from the duodenum in 16 dyspeptic patients. Patients with concomitant peptic ulcers, alcoholism, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use were excluded. CP was present in the biopsies of 50% of patients at presentation. When CP was present, the antrum was always infected, and often had the highest density of organisms. In the duodenum, CP was found only in areas of gastric metaplasia. The presence of CP was highly correlated with gastritis activity (neutrophilic infiltrate). A 4-yr follow-up study of symptoms, endoscopic appearance, and histologic findings including the presence of CP was performed in 10 of the original 16 patients. After 4 yr, both the severity and frequency of epigastric pain remained the same in seven patients, worsened in one, and improved in two. All patients who had CP at initial presentation retained the organism (5/10), whereas none of the previously noninfected patients acquired the infection (5/10). Both CP-positive and -negative patients were treated for 3 wk with 524 mg bismuth subsalicylate qid, and for the first 2 of 3 wk with 250 mg metronidazole qid. One patient who was CP positive was lost to follow-up. In three of the remaining four patients on this regimen, the organism was eradicated. Of the nine patients who completed the treatment program, two had no change in symptoms and seven improved. CP was present in three of seven with improved symptoms and in one of two with no change in symptoms. After treatment, the only change in histology was the disappearance of activity in the CP-positive patients who lost the organism. In conclusion, CP was present in 50% of dyspeptic patients with endoscopic evidence of at least one erosion. Both the symptoms and CP persisted for 4 yr. Dyspeptic symptoms improved after bismuth subsalicylate/metronidazole therapy, regardless of the presence or absence of CP, although the regimen did succeed in eradicating the organism in three of the four CP-positive patients who completed the study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Ease of suturing surgical fabrics. A quantitative evaluation.

Based on the definition that suturability is the amount of force required to puncture a graft using a surgical needle, a simple testing procedure was devised, using an Instron testing machine to measure the suturability of a number of vascular graft materials. The grafts tested, in order of preference were Cooley double velour, Weavenit, Sauvage filamentous, Cooley knitted, DeBakey woven, and Cooley woven. It has been shown that the suturability of a graft is directly related to its water porosity and the size of the needle used.

Biophysical Phenomena↗
PubMed1982

[Follow-up of unexplained trigeminal neuropathies].

Fourteen patients with unilateral trigeminal neuropathy of unknown origin were examined 5 to 30 years after onset of the illness. In one patient, sensory loss in the area of the mental nerve was probably due to the pressure of the denture. In another three patients there were signs suggestive of multiple sclerosis. In the remaining ten patients there were no manifestation of any additive progressive disease or polyneuropathy. Unilateral trigeminal neuropathy is a benign disorder. The symptoms can persist, regress or even completely disappear. The significant delay in the reflex response of the blink reflex many years after onset of the disease probably signifies a very extensive involvement in the trigeminal nerve. In this disorder there seems to be no relationship to trigeminal neuralgia. In the examined cases viral etiology of the unilateral trigeminal neuropathy could be postulated. This disorder can extent to all three branches of trigeminal or even facial nerve.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Aspects of donation and processing of stem cell transplants from umbilical cord blood].

BACKGROUND: In 1996, the Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Immunology started the banking of unrelated cord blood (CB) transplants in collaboration with the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Mannheim University Hospital. Up to now, more than 2000 placental blood samples have been cryopreserved. We analyze the results of CB collection and processing, and describe the legal background of CB collection in Germany. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CB is only collected with informed consent of the mothers, and without evidence of neither maternal infection nor deformity of the baby. Units with a volume of > 60 ml or > 5 x 10(8) total nucleated cells (NC) are processed as potential transplants. All specimens are evaluated for cell count, HLA typing, sterility testing, ABO/Rh blood groups and clonogenic capacity of hematopoietic progenitor cells. The maternal blood is screened for various infectious disease markers. To reduce the volume of the transplants, we perform buffy coat processing by centrifugation. Finally, we cryopreserve the transplant using a 5.5 percent final concentration of DMSO, and store it in the vapour phase of liquid nitrogen. Results We collected on average 86 +/- 21 ml CB containing 8.87 +/- 3.41 x 10(8) NC (mean +/- SD). 45 percent of the collected units had to be discarded for various reasons. We achieved a mean mononucleated cell recovery by the buffy coat preparation method of 93.4 percent. Defining a threshold dose of 3.0 x 10(7) NC per kg body weight (BW) for transplantation, the mean BW of patients to be sufficiently treated with the stored transplants showed to be 29.6 kg. Conclusions In a very close collaboration between transfusion medicine and obstetricians, a routine collection program for unrelated and related allogeneic CB transplants was established. The CB donation needs to be in accordance with the German drug law. On the other hand, in terms of evidence based medicine, it seems not to be reasonable to collect autologous placental blood for a future transplantation.

Blood Banks↗