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Biomedical subjects

W Graninger

Publications and source records attributed to W Graninger.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Familial thyroxine-binding globulin deficiency in association with non-toxic goitre.

A kindred is presented in which 4 members in 3 generations showed absent or reduced serum concentrations of thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG). TBG was undetectable by radioimmunoassay in one male and decreased to varying extent in 3 female patients (4.0, 4.2 and 8.6 microgram/ml; normal range 12.5--26.0 microgram/ml). Total thyroxine serum concentrations in the affected subjects were well in the hypothyroid range without clinical evidence of hypothyroidism. The mode of transmission of the trait was consistent with X-chromosome linkage. A high incidence of non-toxic goitre was also present in most of the family members examined irrespective of TBG levels. The transmission of the goitre trait was compatible with autosomal dominant inheritance. Thus its association with transmission of TBG deficiency was interpreted as not causal but coincidental.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

[Prognostic factors in the drug therapy of metastasizing breast cancer].

175 patients with metastatic breast cancer, treated with chemotherapy, were analyzed retrospectively to identify the characteristics of prognostic importance in predicting response to chemotherapy and survival from onset of the chemotherapy. The most significant factors were the sites of metastatic disease and an estimate of the total extent of disease.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1979

[Results and pharmacokinetic aspects of methotrexate therapy in high doses].

We used MTX as single drug treatment on the basis of an incremental dosage schedule, with doses increased from 250 mg/m2 to 750 mg/m2 or from 5 to 10 g, at intervals of 10 days. Moderately high MTX doses (750 mg/m2 at most) plus citrovorum factor rescue, failed to result in objective tumor regression in all of the 18 patients thus treated. High-dose MTX with CF rescue, by contrast, was found to produce partial remissions in 3 of the 19 cases treated thus far. Meticulous clinical monitoring and MTX serum level determinations are imperative for minimizing complications, if this drastic treatment regimen is employed.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗
PubMed1977

'VA', a new type of erythrocyte polyagglutination characterized by depressed H receptors and associated with hemolytic anemia. II. Observations by immunofluorescence, electron microscopy, cell electrophoresis and Biochemistry.

With help of immunoflorescence, best with anti-AHP from Helix pomatia, a stippled structure could be demonstrated on the patient"s red blood cells. Thus an "A-like" receptor could be detected on the erythrocyte membrane of this group O patient. The reactive antigen was proved not to be a crypt antigen exposed by the action of neuraminidase. The same stippled fluorescence with antiAhp was observed on the red blood cells of a patient suffering from hemolytic anemia induced by influnza A2 virus. In this case this virus was shown not to be responsible for polyagglutination. No virus or microorganism could be isolated from the patient"s blood. Also by immunofluorescence the weak expression of the H antigen could be demonstrated with an extract of Evonymus europaeus. Electron microscopy of erythrocytes was normal. The neuraminic acid content and the electrophoretic mobility were found to be decreased to a minor degree. No distinct cell populations could be observed.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1977

"VA", a new type of erythrocyte polyagglutination characterized by depressed H receptors and associated with hemolytic anemia. I. Serological and hematological observations.

This report describes a case of persistent polyagglutinability restriced to the red blood cells, and associated with hemolytic anemia in a 20-year-old male. AIME WITH NORMAL INTERVALS. His red blood cells were weakly agglutinated by almost all adult sera. No autoagglutination was noted and the direct antihuman globulin test was negative. Polyagglutinability of his red blood cells was clearly distinguishable from T, Tn and Tk. No reaction was noted with Dolichos biflorus and peanut extracts. The cells differed from normal erythrocytes in their positive reactions with various snail agglutinins and their weak reaction with a range of anti-H reagents. There was normal aggregation by Polybrene. MN determinants were normally expressed. The symbol "VA" is roposed for this type of polyagglutination.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

[Autoantibodies in the ABO-Ii-system (author's transl)].

Nine cases of autoantibodies in the ABO-system, found by routine investigations, showed the following specificities by agglutination, absorption, and elution techniques: 5 anti-AI, 2 anti-(not-I)-A, I anti-BI and 1 anti-HI. Neutralization experiments by blood group substances revealed heterogeneity among the 5 anti-AI-cases. This is interpreted by different antibody specificities directed against I-antigen components. The relations between the ABO- and Ii-systems are discussed. The occurrence of these antibodies is attributed to oligosaccharides, which are common to both antigen systems. The etiology remains unknown.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Inhibition of luminol-dependent luminescence and simultaneous generation of native luminescence of activated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes by addition of albumin.

Luminol-dependent luminescence (LDL) and luminol-independent, native luminescence (NL) of polymorphonuclear leukocytes were investigated with respect to the effects generated by the addition of albumin to the reaction medium. The cells were activated: (1) by simple surface attachment to a hydrophilic plastic, (2) by opsonized zymosan, (3) by phorbol myristate acetate, (4) by formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalaline. Both kinds of emissions were recorded simultaneously using a method of spectral discrimination. The addition of albumin resulted in an inhibition of LDL, which coincided with a generation of NL. The extent of the inhibition of LDL depended on the type of stimulus used. Maximum inhibition occurred with cells activated by attachment to plastic surfaces and minimum inhibition was observed with cells stimulated by opsonized zymosan. Different contributions of extracellularly released reactive oxygen-species may be responsible for this. It appears possible to discriminate between intra- and extracellular sites of oxygen-metabolites production using albumin simultaneously as extracellular quencher of LDL and as luminescent probe for NL.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Magnesium-dependent induction of phagocytosis-associated chemiluminescence of adherent human polymorphonuclear leukocytes by non-opsonized zymosan.

A severe dysfunction in the cellular response of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) to non-opsonized zymosan was observed under a deficiency of extracellular Mg2+. The phagocytosis-association native (luminol-independent) luminescence (NL), as well as luminol-dependent luminescence (LDL) (detected simultaneously and discriminated by spectral methods), was strongly inhibited. Apart from a general decrease of total light production, a Mg2+-concentration-dependent delay of the maximum of NL and LDL was observed. A disorder in recruitment of activated membrane-bound NADPH-oxidase of PMNL is suggested. The presence of extracellular Ca2+ did not compensate for the Mg2+ deficit. In the presence of Mg2+ only a slight Ca2+-dependent reduction of NL was obtained, but Ca2+ seemed to selectively promote LDL. This may indicate a positive influence of Ca2+ on the myeloperoxidase release from the cells. Experiments with the metalions-chelating agents EDTA and EGTA, which complex Mg2+ to differing extents, confirmed the important role of Mg2+ in PMNL-activation by non-opsonized zymosan.

Calcium↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Different influences of cytochalasin B on the activation of human neurophils settled onto petri dishes displayed by simultaneously detected native and luminol-dependent luminescence.

Cytochalasin B (CB) is known to interfere reversibly with the cytoplasmic contractile filamental network of mammalian cells. The role of the microfilament system in the mechanism of the reactive oxygen intermediates release of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) was studied for different kinds of stimuli. PMNL from fresh human blood were treated with CB and stimulated by adherence on plastic surfaces, by opsonized zymosan, by phorbol myristate acetate and by N-formylmethionyl-phenylalaline. The production of reactive oxygen species were monitored by simultaneous detection of native, luminol-independent, luminescence (NL) and luminol-dependent luminescence (LDL) using a method of spectral discrimination. Different influences of CB on NL with respect to LDL as well stimuli-dependent influences of CB on the luminescence response of PMNL were observed. Especially phagocytosis-associated activation of PMNL was strongly inhibited by CB, whereas LDL was reduced to a much greater extent in comparison with NL. A firm involvement of the microfilament system is indicated, but it depends on the kind of stimulus engaged.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗
PubMedDate not supplied

In vitro activity of fosfomycin against methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

The in vitro antibacterial activity of fosfomycin was compared to that of oxacillin, cefazolin, ceftriaxone and vancomycin against isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from patients treated at the University of Vienna General Hospital. Of 211 strains, 104 were methicillin-susceptible and 107 were methicillin-resistant. Fosfomycin inhibited over 90% of the strains at concentrations of less than or equal to 64 mg/l, independent of methicillin susceptibility or resistance. The minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were one dilution above the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC). Vancomycin showed activity similar to fosfomycin while other beta-lactam antibiotics such as oxacillin, cefazolin and ceftriaxone were inactive against methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Fosfomycin at a high dosage seems to be a potential drug for the treatment of infections due to methicillin-resistant S. aureus.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Rapid screening for bacteriuria in pregnancy.

We evaluated a bioluminescence assay as a screening test for the detection of bacteriuria in pregnancy. A total of 1,000 urine specimens from a randomly selected group of pregnant women undergoing prenatal surveillance was investigated. Sequential dilution of urine specimens on CLED agar plates served as a reference method. Set against the reference group, bioluminescence screening scored a 93% sensitivity, a 78% specificity and a 99% predictive accuracy for negative results. All urine specimens were also analysed chemically for the presence of nitrite and leucocyte esterase by dip sticks. Dip sticks proved to be insufficient because of poor sensitivities of 54% and 59%, respectively. The bioluminescence assay is an effective, time- as well as labor-saving but questionably cost-effective method for the detection of bacteriuria in pregnancy.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis with paravertebral abscess formation and thyroid involvement.

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis has a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. Involvement of the thyroid gland has rarely been reported. We report a case in a patient with a non-tender swelling of the thyroid, whose symptoms, sonographic and scintigraphic features mimicked carcinoma. Initially the patient presented with back pain due to a paravertebral mass. Fine needle aspiration and culture of the aspirate both from the paravertebral mass and the thyroid ensured the diagnosis. Although seldom observed, tuberculosis should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of nodular lesions of the thyroid. The preponderant absence of thyroid dysfunction in mycobacterial thyroiditis is confirmed by this case.

Abscess↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Release of TNF alpha and IL6 from human monocytes infected with Mycobacterium kansasii: a comparison to Mycobacterium avium.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin 6 (IL6) are cytokines with a varied spectrum of inflammatory and immunological activities, for example modulation of acute phase proteins, fever and stimulation of B-lymphocytes. Mycobacterium avium has been shown to stimulate the release of TNF alpha and IL6 from cultured human monocytes and macrophages into the cell supernatant. Cultured human monocytes were infected with Mycobacterium kansasii and M. avium. The concentrations of TNF alpha and IL6 were measured in the supernatant. Monocytes infected with M. kansasii produced significantly lower amounts of TNF alpha (34.8 +/- 20.3 pg/ml) and IL6 (12.0 +/- 8.9 pg/ml) compared to monocytes infected with M. avium (198.3 +/- 171.7 pg/ml and 63.2 +/- 37.6 pg/ml respectively). The extent of cytokine production might be relevant for the clinical manifestation of mycobacterial disease.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A "minority" opinion about the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme arthritis.

Historically, arthritis was the main symptom which led to the description of the disease called Lyme borreliosis. However, a relatively high awareness of doctors and patients of tick-borne diseases seems to cause a trend to frequently diagnose this antibiotic-sensitive disease. A case can be defined as borreliosis only if either the typical erythema migrans is reliably identified by a physician or if a characteristic late manifestation of Lyme disease is accompanied by unequivocal serological and/or bacteriological evidence of Borrelia infection. Within the musculoskeletal system, the only reliably characteristic symptom is true synovitis, as defined by the palpable swelling of a joint. Mere joint pain or the subjective pain syndrome of fibromyalgia do not constitute a defining symptom for borreliosis. An evaluation of the frequency of Borrelia-associated arthritis in our Viennese rheumatology outpatient clinic revealed only six well-defined cases among 1,673 subsequent referrals. Based on "serological" suspicion, the question had been asked about possible borreliosis in 87 of these patients. In order to avoid unnecessary anxiety about possible long-term complications of Lyme disease among (actually misdiagnosed) patients, the diagnosis of Lyme arthritis should only be made according to the stringent criteria mentioned above. The antibiotic treatment, which is given to many questionable cases of borreliosis ex iuvantibus, although possibly of benefit to a few cases of otherwise undiagnosed reactive arthritis due to infections with microbes other than Borrelia burgdorferi, has to be termed irrational.

Arthritis, Infectious↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fluconazole in Candida albicans sepsis during pregnancy: case report and review of the literature.

Candida sepsis during pregnancy is a rare but life-threatening complication of infection with Candida albicans. In contrast to the situation with other antimicrobial agents, there exists only limited experience with systemic antifungal therapy during pregnancy. A recent report focuses on amphotericin B treatment in systemic fungal infection during pregnancy. The present report discusses a pregnant patient with Candida albicans sepsis and endophthalmitis as well as candida infection of the oral and genital mucous membranes, after hyperalimentation and broad spectrum antibiotic therapy via a central venous catheter. The patient was treated with 10 mg/kg fluconazole from week 16 of gestation for a total duration of 50 days. Adverse effects did not occur and the rest of the pregnancy proceeded favourably for both the mother and the baby.

Abortion, Septic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of polyclonal immunoglobulins on neutrophil phagocytic capacity and reactive oxygen production in patients with gram-negative septicemia.

The effect of immunoglobulin (Ig) preparations on neutrophil phagocytic ability and oxidative burst in response to Escherichia coli stimulation was analyzed in 14 patients with gram-negative septicemia by an ex vivo whole blood assay using flow cytometry. In patients, neutrophils exhibited a decreased capacity to phagocytize E. coli and generate reactive oxygen products compared to healthy controls (median -68%, P < 0.01). The addition of both 7S-Ig and 19S-Ig enriched preparations in vitro resulted in a dose-dependent increase in neutrophil reactive oxygen production at concentrations of 10 g/l (median +153% and +211%, P < 0.01, respectively) and 20 g/l (median +205% and +282%, P < 0.01, respectively). A decreased neutrophil phagocytic ability was seen in patients with septicemia (median -58%) compared to healthy controls (P < 0.01). Again, the addition of 7S and 19S-Igs enhanced the phagocytic ability in a dose-dependent manner (10 g/l: median +56 and +126%; 20 g/l: median +126% and +165%, P < 0.01 for all). It can be concluded that both polyclonal Igs can increase depressed neutrophil reactive oxygen production and neutrophil phagocytosis in patients with gram-negative septicemia.

Adult↗