Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to G Alth.
Histograms of the serum uric acid level of cancer patients (n = 501) and healthy controls (n = 15150) are compared. The statistical evaluation of the data yields significantly lower uric acid levels for cancer patients than for healthy persons (P less than 0.0001 for males, P less than 0.001 for females). These results support the theory that reactive species of oxygen (singlet oxygen and oxygen radicals) play an important role during carcinogenesis.
A uniquely low incidence and death rate of interstitial pneumonia after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for haemopoietic malignancy is described. Deduced from the comparison with results from a multicenter study, we conclude, that a) reduction of the dose rate to less than 5 rad/min, b) exclusion of CMV pos platelet donors and c) application of a CMV hyperimmune globulin are effectful means to reduce this most often deathly complication after BMT for haemopoietic malignancy.
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Electron irradiation (45 MeV) with the chosen doses modifies the molecule composition of isolated dry yeast RNA. High-energy irradiation will crack the RNA which then forms new chains of macromolecular nucleic acids. Other radiation types (60Co, photons, X-rays) do not modify dry RNA, but when irradiated in aqueous solution, these macromolecular bands will be built, too. After UV irradiation with 254 nm delivered over 24 hours these macromolecular bands disappear completely in the electrophoretic diagram. This wavelength corresponds to the absorption maximum of purines, thus stimulating them and reducing their stability.
A partial decomposition of RNA molecules in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is caused by photochemically produced superoxide anion radical (O2-.). Hydroxyl radicals (OH.) lead to complete destruction of RNA. Such radicals as originating from peroxidase-hydrogen peroxide reaction cause a partial decomposition of RNA molecules. All RNA species are damaged to the same extent by radicals. Damages due to oxygen radicals can be prevented or reduced by strong radical captors (dimethyl sulfoxide, 1,4-diazabicyclo-(2,2,2)-octane or superoxide dismutase). All these reactions proceed in aqueous solution. Correlations with the use of radicals in radiotherapy are discussed.
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In the past 50 years 2210 patients suffering from induratio penis plastica were admitted to our department. In 69% of the cases an improvement could be observed within 18 months after radium moulage therapy. By improving radium protection the therapy may now be performed without any significant exposure of the testes. A 15 year old patient is the youngest case reported in world literature. Trend analyses show a case shift towards the senium.
A brachytherapy by afterloading technique which would be adequate to the method of Stockholm, Munich, or Hamburg met with difficulties until the year of 1977, because there were no practicable afterloading probes in the form of plates. As for the charge of a radium plate in which radium tubes are joined together in different arrangements according to the technique applied, the probes of multiple probe units can be arranged in a parallel order, so that the effect of a radiation shield is produced. Plates made of plexiglas or of synthetic material in which the probes with the sources are inserted by corresponding boreholes serve as carriers for the afterloading probes. The dose to the points P, A and B, R and V is calculated taking into consideration the distance between the probe plate and the target volume, and the dose distribution is optimized by means of CT and of an irradiation computer. The irradiation of large tumor volumes can now be performed under the same conditions as for radium therapy. In our Department, the high dose-rate method is applied for this irradiation for colpostatic reasons. Between October 1, 1976 and December 31, 1983, 1272 patients were submitted to this treatment. A plate applicator which has satisfied all requirements was developed in 1981 in collaboration with the companies Buchler, Braunschweig and Chemomedica, Vienna.
In this work an attempt has been made to find a general nosological formula of induratio penis plastica in order to compare the typical and numerous possibilities of therapy. The author has developed a classification based on the T.N.M. system, whereby the typical parameters of this disease, such as the grade of induration and deviation, as well as the subjective symptoms of pain and the ability of penetration has been considered in this system. The size of the indurations and the number of solidifications are as important as the site. This nomenclature makes it possible pro futuro to obtain a comparative therapeutic assessment in induratio penis plastica and, hence, to obtain guidelines on the indication for the optimal therapy of Peyronie's disease.
In 4 cases with cutaneous metastases from internal cancer the primary tumours were found in the gallbladder, the breast, the lung and the kidney. The cutaneous metastases were the first symptom of the disease in 2 of 4 cases and led to the diagnosis. Course, treatment and prognosis of secondary skin tumours are discussed in detail.
The serum protein spectrum of a PAGE separation shows characteristic and permanent modifications in patients of premenopausal age submitted to a curative or postoperative irradiation by high dose rate afterloading method or percutaneous telecobalt therapy for carcinoma of the cervix. In older patients, the serum protein spectrum remains nearly unchanged during and after radiotherapy.
In a prospective randomized study 78 selected patients with bronchogenic cancer have been included, and five different treatment modalities have been compared (1. Biologic therapy; 2. Vitamin A + Cytoxan; 3. Vitamin A + Telecobalt irradiation; 4. Telecobalt irradiation; 5. Immunotherapy). No significant differences if survival times between the different groups have been observed. Nevertheless, significant differences of survival times were found between small cell and squamous cell carcinoma patients without respect to the therapy applied. The highest number of remissions was obtained by therapy 3, followed by 4 and 2. Consequences for further studies are discussed.
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The influence of radiotherapy in 10 patients and chemotherapy in 5 patients, on DNA excision repair capacity was investigated in lymphocytes of the peripheral blood. No effects on DNA repair were found using only betatrone of 60Co-irradiation under normal conditions. Combination of both irradiation schedules over a longer period of therapy provoked an inhibition of DNA repair. Chemotherapy inhibits DNA repair immediately after starting therapy, but after a relatively short time, the extent of DNA repair increases above normal level.