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Biomedical subjects

G Bastert

Publications and source records attributed to G Bastert.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

An endoscopically assisted technique for construction of a neovagina.

The specific disadvantage of the commonly used Vecchietti method for reconstruction of the vagina in cases of vaginal agenesis is the need for laparotomy. We now describe a successful endoscopically assisted construction of a neovagina by a variation of the Vecchietti method. The method causes relatively little stress to the patient.

Cystoscopes

Analysis of cytotoxicity of 131I-labelled OC125 F(ab')2 on human epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines.

Monoclonal antibody (mAb) OC125 detects the cell surface-antigen CA125, which is expressed in more than 80% of epithelial ovarian cancers but not in normal adult ovaries. Its high specificity and binding affinity makes OC125 a potential candidate for use in radioimmunotherapy (RIT) in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. Initial biodistribution studies using radiolabelled specific mAbs have demonstrated significant increase in tumor uptake of dose as compared to radiolabelled irrelevant antibody. We report here an isodose comparison of the cytotoxicity of 131I-labelled OC125 F(ab')2, 131I-labelled nonspecific protein and external beam irradiation using a cesium-137 gamma source. Enhancement of cytotoxity due to the specific binding of the mAb could only be observed when a critical activity of 131I localized at the cell membrane. At a specific activity labelling of less than 4.1 mCi/mg, the antigen specificity of OC125 does not contribute to cell kill. Using a specific activity of 10.2 mCi/mg, the relative biological effectiveness of 131I-labelled OC125 (F(ab')2 was increased by a factor of 5 compared with external-beam X-ray therapy, and the specificity of mAb OC125 was found to enhance the cytotoxicity of the radioimmunoconjugate (RIC) by a factor of 2.7. This low value is in accordance with previously reported theoretical calculations for long range, low-LET isotopes and may be one of the reasons why RIT using 131I has severe limitations. In conclusion, it is necessary to maximize the specific activity of RICs with low-LET isotopes such as iodine-131 in order to maximize the ratio of the dose delivered specifically by membrane-bound mAb versus free-floating nonspecific protein.

Adenocarcinoma

[Initial results of a new method of sonographic diagnosis of lung maturity].

The immaturity of the foetal lung is one of the central problems in obstetrics. In this paper first results are presented to determine the maturity of the foetal lung by sonography. Using the foetal liver as a reference organ we are avoiding the known pitfalls which made it impossible in the past to standardise the foetal lung changes depending upon the age of gestation. We examined 121 patients between week 27 and week 41. In one ultrasound section cut we depicted lung and liver as well. According to the known A-mode we registered frequencies in both organs. The registered frequencies were entered digitally into a computer and checked for f mean, f max and f min. Subsequently we calculated quotients of frequencies of the foetal lung and liver. For all weeks of gestation the mean value and standard deviation were calculated. We found that the liver is an adequate reference organ, since there is no change in the reflection pattern between the different weeks of gestation. We registered significant differences in the quotients of lung and liver between the different weeks of gestation, a cutting line being week 35. A quotient of Q mean lower than 1.1 hints to lung maturity while values over 1.1 point to immaturity.

Female

[Three-dimensional ultrasound imaging of benign and malignant breast tumors--initial clinical experiences].

Previous experimental and clinical studies showed, that three-dimensional (3-D), i.e. dynamic spatial reconstruction of 2-D ultrasound images is feasible. A rotating acoustic plane helps to visualise the cross-sections serially and in a coordinated manner. When reconstructing the 2-D ultrasound images, surface reconstruction from planar contours of each cross-section is performed (so that the organ limits are defined) and the cross-sectional pictures are reconstructed into 3-D organ images. This approach had been described by the authors on a previous occasion. Another step forward is "transparent" spatial imaging eliminates the source of error involved in contouring. It is important to emphasise, that the 3-D system now described by the authors, yields a spatial image of the organ in question, and does not just present 3 planes of the organ (some authors have been claiming, that such an imaging method is also three-dimensional). Our system enables the imaging of several cross-sectional planes cut through the spatially calculated organ. This results in cross-sections, which cannot be performed by conventional sonography, thus disclosing new perspectives and possibilities. In the present article, the authors describe a clinical pilot study in the diagnosis of carcinomas of the breast. In our opinion, 3-D imaging of the tumours enables the physician to diagnose the status of the tumours; this is demonstrated by the examples of 35 malignant and benign tumours of the breast. In 95% of the cases of malignant tumours and 80% of the benign tumours, the diagnosis proved correct. This paper describes the fundamental possibilities and limitations of the new method.

Breast Neoplasms

[B-streptococci in obstetrics--risks and consequences of maternal colonization and neonatal contamination].

2,373 mothers and their newborn were studied during two years with respect to B streptococci colonisation or contamination. Bacteriological, vaginal and anal smears were taken from mothers at the beginning of parturition, as well as the amnion and the aspirated stomach contents of the newborn, employing, in each case, conventional culture methods and a latex agglutination test as a rapid testing method. Smears from the ears were also taken from the newborn for bacteriological examination. The vertical transmission and its possible influencing variables were examined in 1,328 mother/child pairs of the first observation year. Surface contamination of the newborn was confirmed in 10% in at least one smear. In the group of mothers with B streptococci colonisation, the amnion showed the highest rate of contamination (43%), followed by the aspirated stomach contents (26%) and the ear smears (taken from each side separately) with 28% and 30% respectively. Vertical transmission was decisively influenced by vaginal maternal colonisation (50% of the cases resulting in contamination of newborn), whereas anal colonisation, if it was the only site of colonisation, resulted in contamination of newborn in only 32% of the cases. The rate of contamination of newborn dropped significantly from 50% to 20% after intrapartal antibiotic prophylaxis, the latter appearing to be meaningful only after at least 6 hours of exposure. In this group, the surface contamination could be reduced from 61% to 8%. A group of newborn suffering from early onset of sepsis (0.4%), was compared with a group of 13 newborn at risk of infection (0.9%) with established surface contamination and clinical or laboratory chemistry confirmation of infection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ampicillin

[Ultrasound diagnosis of blood flow in benign and malignant breast tumors].

Malignant tumours can be differentiated from the benign ones by their vascular blood supply. We employed three methods to analyse the blood flow: the angiodynograph, the duplex system, and the continuous-wave Doppler method, and measured the blood flow in 151 patients on the preoperative day. Histology revealed a malignoma in 92 cases and a benign tumour in 59 cases. It was found, that in more than 90% of the malignomas, a high blood flow was identified in or around the tumour by means of the colour method (angiodynography), which could be quantified by the pulsed-wave Doppler. A significantly lower blood flow was evident in the benign tumours with a markedly increased resistance index (by 80%) established by means of the pulsed-wave Doppler. Continuous-wave (CW) Doppler showed a significantly higher blood flow with almost all malignomas in the entire breast, than was the case with benign changes. Our studies showed, that the enhanced blood flow in and around malignant tumours can be visualised by means of update technology, angiodynography being particularly suitable for demonstrating the flow by the B-mode. Quantification, however, is, at present, only possible by employing the duplex method with pulsed-wave Doppler. CW Doppler is suitable only for blood flow diagnosis of the entire organ, but it requires great precision of working method and is time consuming; tumour blood flow cannot be visualised on-target by this method.

Blood Flow Velocity

[Palliative laser therapy in gynecologic oncology].

Local recurrences of carcinomas of the breast and genitals are a severe psychic and physical strain on the patients. Continuous confrontation with an often visible and generally painful tumour manifestation is an indication for palliative treatment, if other oncological therapies can no longer be employed. In these cases, the possibility of laser use represents a new therapeutic approach. In a pilot study at the University of Heidelberg, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, a palliative laser therapy was performed on 45 patients with locally recurrent carcinomas of the breast (n = 29) and genitals (n = 16). Carbon dioxide and Nd:YAG lasers were utilized for tumour resection, vaporisation and coagulation. This new concept, the combined application of both wavelengths has been proved to be most efficient.

Adult

[Fetomaternal macrotransfusion after successful internal version from breech presentation by moxibustion].

In a primigravida with a fundal/anterior wall placenta, a successful cephalic version was noted at 39 weeks after repeated moxibustion of the point Zhiyin (bl 67). Since routine foetal heart rate monitoring showed a sinusoidal pattern with severe decelerations, immediate Caesarean section was performed. Foetomaternal macrotransfusion of about 300 ml of blood was found. In view of this complication, possible risks of the method are discussed. Moxibustion does not seem to be suitable as self-therapy without close medical follow-up.

Adult

[Diagnosis of tubal function using intraluminal ultrasound--initial results].

The extremely small ultrasound transducers of the intraluminal ultrasound instruments, introduced via catheters, enable diagnosis to be made inside hollow organs. In order to test the possible uses and indications for this new method in gynaecology, we conducted preliminary examinations in the diagnosis of the uterus and tubes. We employed an intraluminal instrument supplied by Dornier. The intraluminal transducers of this instrument have a diameter of 3.5 and 5 F. Following in-vitro examinations, hysteroscopy and laparoscopy/laparotomy were performed in 15 patients during which the transducer was pushed up via the cervix uteri to the tubes with full vision. This was successful in all 15 patients; in 9 cases the transducer could be pushed as far as the distal end. The tubal walls were examined in detail by this method and for the first time it became possible to achieve functional diagnosis of the motility of the tubes. Strictures can be visualised. The endometrium of the uterus, however, cannot as yet be diagnosed exactly by the present-day state of examination technique. If image quality can be further improved, this method will be the first to enable a functional diagnosis of the tubes and the uterus.

Endometrium

Fibrin glue for reanastomosis of the fallopian tube in the rabbit: adhesions and fertility.

Fertility and adhesions were examined in 41 rabbits in three treatment groups following the construction of microsurgical anastomoses with fibrin glue and by conventional suturing techniques. The three types of treatment were: isthmic anastomoses without resection, ampullary anastomoses, isthmic anastomoses following resection of oviduct segments. There were no significant differences between the two methods of performing the anastomoses in any of the three groups with respect to number of ovulations, number of implantations, nidation index, and pregnancy rate. The extent of the formation of adhesions was also no different between the two types of anastomosis construction. From the functional point of view, fibrin glueing of the tubes can be considered as good as microsurgical suturing. Another study is planned to examine whether this is also true from the morphological viewpoint. It must be remarked that fibrin glueing does not appear to be suitable for anastomoses in which a lumen-adjusting technique is needed or for deep tubocornual or intramural anastomoses.

Anastomosis, Surgical

Detection of tumor cells in bone marrow of patients with primary breast cancer: a prognostic factor for distant metastasis.

PURPOSE: At the time of primary surgery, approximately 90% of all patients with breast cancer are free of metastases, but in the next 5 years almost 50% of them will relapse. We evaluated the significance of the presence of tumor cells in bone marrow of patients with primary breast cancer to investigate their predictive value for relapse. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred sixty patients with primary breast cancer were examined for tumor cells in bone marrow aspirates taken from six sites of the skeleton. After density centrifugation, cells in interphase were smeared and stained. For the immunocytologic reaction, we used a new monoclonal antibody (2E11) that was reactive with the core protein of the tumor-associated glycoprotein TAG12. TAG12 is secreted by nearly all human breast carcinomas. RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between tumor-cell detection and tumor stage (P < .0001), nodal status (P < .0001), and tumor grading (P = .002). A good relation to progesterone receptor (PR; P = .008) was found, but there was no correlation to estrogen receptor (ER) and menopausal status. Follow-up examinations showed distant metastases in 26 of 211 patients (15%). Twenty-two relapses occurred among the 81 patients with 2E11-positive cells in bone marrow, but only four occurred among the 130 patients without tumor-cell detection. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that tumor-cell detection in bone marrow of patients with primary breast carcinoma is a good predictor for all distant relapses (P < .0005, Cox multiple regression analysis) and provides additional information in regard to other prognostic factors. The highest predicting value for distant metastasis results from the combination of nodal status, negative PR, and tumor-cell presence in bone marrow.

Adult

Mineralocorticoids and mineralocorticoid receptors in mononuclear leukocytes in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension.

To examine the role of mineralocorticoids in the pathophysiology of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), we studied plasma aldosterone and 18-hydroxycorticosterone levels in 25 women with PIH and 25 normal pregnant women, as controls. Furthermore, we evaluated the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) status in mononuclear leukocytes in the 2 groups. MR count was significantly (P less than 0.0005) decreased in the PIH group (148 +/- 9 binding sites/cell) compared with the control group (300 +/- 17 binding sites/cell; mean +/- SEM). Plasma aldosterone in women with PIH was 281 +/- 61 pmol/L; in normal pregnant women it was 697 +/- 172 pmol/L (P less than 0.025). Plasma 18-hydroxycorticosterone was also significantly (P less than 0.025) lower (PIH, 1071 +/- 149 pmol/L; controls, 1907 +/- 318 pmol/L). These values were determined at the onset of clinical symptoms of PIH. These results cannot be explained by receptor down-regulation due to higher levels of mineralocorticoids in PIH; a hitherto unknown mineralocorticoid may, thus, be responsible for the hypertension and altered MR status.

18-Hydroxycorticosterone

[Functional aspects of healing in microsurgical tubal anastomosis--experimental studies of the rabbit fallopian tube].

Ovarian function and fertility was studied in 46 female New Zealand White rabbits after isthmic-isthmic reanastomosis of the oviduct. Postoperative ovarian function was slightly suppressed and returned to normal after two month. No significant differences were found between the control side and the side of anastomosis. Fertility was reduced directly after surgery on the side of anastomosis as well as on the control side. On the side of reanastomosis a continuous increase of tubal function occurred up to two month after surgery. At this time tubal function was reduced to 30%, the nidation index was about 0.6. Tubal function of the untreated oviduct was nearly normal (nidation index 0.8) two weeks after surgery.

Animals

[Breast cancer screening: current status and introduction as a preventive service].

1. Screening intervals according to Tabar: 1 year in women younger than 50 in order to minimize "interval cancers". 2 years in women older than 50 years. 2. Mammographic views according to Lundgren et al: 2 views at first round 1 oblique view in the following rounds, yearly. All women on risk should attend screening. The identification of useful "high risk groups" is not established. Palpation is recommended at each screening. Self-examination is recommended. Adjuvant therapy should not depend on lymph node status in screening-cancer cases. It should depend on clinical and histological "prognostic factors".

Adult

[Ultrasound diagnosis of fetal lung maturity--a new method].

First results are presented to determine the maturity of fetal lung by sonography. Using the fetal liver as a reference-organ we are avoiding the known pitfalls which made it impossible in the past to standardize the fetal lung changes depending on the age of gestation. We examined 104 patients between week 27 and week 41. In one ultrasound section cut we depicted as well lung and liver. According to the known A-mode we registered frequencies in both organs. The registered frequencies were entered digitally into a computer and checked for f(mean), f(max) and f(min). Afterwards the frequencies of the lung were divided by those of the liver. Of all weeks of gestation the mean value and standard deviation were calculated. We found the liver as an adequate reference-organ, since there is no change of the reflection pattern between the different weeks of gestation, while there are significant changes to be registered in the fetal lung, a cutting line being week 35. A quotient of f(mean) lower than 1.1 hints to lung maturity while values over 1.1 point to immaturity. This was confirmed by several cases of analysis of amniotic fluid (L/S-ratio). Further comparisons with amniotic fluid results will have to validate these findings.

Amniocentesis

[Doppler ultrasound study of breast tumors using color Doppler ultrasound, duplex ultrasound and the CW Doppler ultrasound].

The preoperative examinations by doppler-sonography of 83 patients with tumors of the breast are presented. The examinations are done with newest technique: duplex-sonography in slow-flow-technique (AI 3200, Dornier); colour-sonography in MEM-technique (AI 5200, Dornier) and synchronical colour-doppler++ (Quantum 2000, Siemens) and CW-doppler-sonography (Vasocope 3, Kranzbühler). There is a markable difference between the side of carcinoma and the normal side as well as pre- and postmenopausal patients. No difference is shown in cases of benign tumors and the normal side. The increasing blood flow of a malignant tumor is showed in changing the doppler parameters (A/B-ratio and resistance-index) and in the doppler wave form. The number of vessels found in or around a tumor is not a good criteria to find malignant diseases, the best criteria is the difference between sides of the mamma.

Blood Flow Velocity