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Biomedical subjects

B Emmerich

Publications and source records attributed to B Emmerich.

134 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

In situ amplification of single copy gene segments in individual cells by the polymerase chain reaction.

A method is described using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify defined nucleic acid strands in individual cells in situ in conventional smears of bone marrow and peripheral cells. Using radioactively labeled precursors, the incorporation into newly synthesized strands by PCR can be detected by microautoradiography. The specificity of the method can be monitored by gel electrophoresis of the material shed into the reaction mixture. Thus it could be shown that even single genes in individual cells can be amplified to visibility. In a mixture of HIV infected and non infected cells both can be clearly distinguished from one another.

Autoradiography↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Highly fluorochrome labeled gene probes for quantitative tracing of RNA in individual cells by in situ hybridization.

A new method is presented for preparing highly fluorochrome labeled gene probes suitable for in situ hybridization. For this purpose fluorochromes were attached to a synthetic polypeptide, which was then coupled covalently to various gene probes. The advantage of the reported method is its high labeling efficiency and the easy coupling procedure. The method allows rapid and quantitative detection of homologous RNA at the single cell level. Optimal conditions for the hybridization of fluorochrome-labeled gene probes were established microfluorimetrically, and the specificity and sensitivity of the method were tested. Quantitation of the RNA with a fluorochrome-labeled gene probe in situ in individual cells allows determination of the degree of gene activation in individual cells and may thus provide a new tool for investigation of normal and malignant cells with respect to activation of genes controlling differentiation and proliferation.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evidence for cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance of multiple myeloma cells in vivo.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Multiple myeloma is an incurable disease and patients eventually die of disease progression due to drug resistance. VLA-4 (very late antigen 4), VCAM (vascular adhesion molecule), LFA-1 (leukocyte function-associated antigen 1), and ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1)-mediated adhesion of myeloma cells to bone marrow stromal cells induces primary multidrug resistance in vitro. Based on these preclinical data we hypothesized that myeloma cells with strong adhesion - due to strong expression of adhesion molecules on the cell surface - are selected by chemotherapy in patients. To prove this hypothesis we determined the expression levels of adhesion molecules in 31 multiple myeloma patients by flow cytometry. METHODS: A 3-color stain with CD38, CD138 and antibodies against VLA-4, ICAM-1, LFA-1, and VCAM was performed. The patients were either at diagnosis (chemo-naive; n=17) or at relapse (pre-treated; n=15). Furthermore, the response to the next chemotherapy of chemo-naive patients was correlated with the expression levels of adhesion molecules. RESULTS: ICAM-1, VLA-4, and VCAM expression was higher in pre-treated patients than in chemo-naive patients and the expression levels increased with the number of chemotherapy regimens. Primarily multidrug-resistant patients had significantly higher expression levels of VLA-4 and ICAM-1 than responders. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that multiple myeloma cells expressing high levels of VLA-4 and ICAM-1 are drug resistant and that such a subpopulation of cells is selected by chemotherapy.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Building a cytology report database: a computer-assisted system for documentation, evaluation and hospital-wide recall of haematological biopsy reports.

Owing to an increasing number of biopsies from different organ systems in our institution and referring institutions there was need to develop a computer-based system to improve documentation, analysis and reports of pathological findings, as well as speed of transmission of information in a clinical haematology/oncology unit. As terminals connected to a central minicomputer are located on all wards of our hospital, we have now provided a faster way of moving information from the cytology reporting site to all hospital departments. Using the hospital's minicomputer we developed an easy-to-use system based on five different codes for each cytological specimen: organ biopsied, quality of specimen, cytological diagnosis including information as to status of patient (i.e. pretherapy), and an additional code describing the degree of remission obtained after chemotherapy of acute leukemias. After microscopic analysis of the specimen these five codes are read into a terminal; minutes after the diagnosis is made, a short version of the report can be accessed from all wards in the hospital.

Biopsy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of non-hodgkin's lymphoma of low-grade malignancy with human fibroblast interferon.

10 patients with advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of low malignancy were treated with partially purified HulFN-beta. They received daily i.v. infusions of 4.5 X 10(6) IU for 4 weeks, followed by 9 X 10(6) IU daily for 2 weeks. Patients with stable disease during this period received consolidation therapy with 4.5 X 10(6) IU three times per week for a maximum of 20 weeks. Six out of 10 patients had progressive disease after the initial 6 week treatment and 4 had stable disease. Two of the latter developed progressive disease during consolidation therapy, one had a complete remission of minimal bone marrow involvement, and one was in partial remission with a loss of bone marrow infiltration but unchanged lymph node enlargement.

Adult↗