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Biomedical subjects

G Metzner

Publications and source records attributed to G Metzner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Effects of indoor painting and smoking on airway symptoms in atopy risk children in the first year of life results of the LARS-study. Leipzig Allergy High-Risk Children Study.

INTRODUCTION: The Leipzig Allergy High-Risk Children Study (LARS) is a prospective nested cohort control study about the influence of chemical indoor exposure in dwellings on the health outcome of atopy-risk children during the first years of life. DESIGN AND METHODS: 475 premature children and children with allergic risk factors have been selected out of the 1995/1996 birth cohort in the city of Leipzig. Twenty-five volatile organic compounds (VOC) were measured in the infant's bedrooms using passive sampling systems for 4 weeks after birth. The babies underwent a medical examination at the age of six weeks and 1 year. The parents answered a questionnaire. RESULTS: Correlations between VOC exposures and infections were calculated by multiple logistic regression. Selected VOC show a direct association to actually painted dwellings (OR = 2.4; 95% Cl 1.1-5.3). An increase of risk of pulmonary infections was observed in infants aged 6 weeks if restoration (painting OR 5.6; 95% Cl 1.3-24.0) or flooring connected with painting had occurred during the pregnancy period. Higher concentration of styrene (> 2.0 micrograms/m3, indicator for flooring) elevated the risk of pulmonary infections in six-week-old infants (OR = 2.1; 95% Cl 1.1-4.2). Environmental benzene > 5.6 micrograms/m3 increased the risk of airway infections in six-week-old babies (OR = 2.4; 95% Cl 1.28-4.48). Smoking in the dwelling (OR = 2.0; 95% Cl 1.1-3.5) as well as restoration (OR = 1.9; 95% Cl 1.1-3.5) are also risk factors of the development of wheezing in the one-year-old child. CONCLUSIONS: The data give indications in order to prevent allergies and chronic lung diseases in atopy risk children exposure to chemicals from indoor air should be minimised from birth on.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed1999

Biodegradation in laboratory activated sludge plants and aquatic toxicity of herbicides.

The biodegradation and the aquatic toxicity of four herbicides (isoproturon, terbuthylazine, mecoprop, metamitron) were investigated. Laboratory activated sludge plants were used for biodegradation experiments. The biodegradation of mecoprop reached nearly 100%, the other herbicides were not eliminated by biodegradation. The acute Daphnia magna 24-h assay, the algal 72-h inhibition test, and the recently developed lemna growth inhibition 7-d test were applied to evaluate the biological effects of herbicides as original substances. EC 50 and EC 10 values were determined. Algal and lemna test show that isoproturon and terbuthylazine are both much more toxic than mecoprop and metamitron. Daphnids are generally less sensitive against herbicides than plants. Biodegradation and toxicity test were coupled for mecoprop to assess biological long-term effects of possible biodegradation products of this herbicide. The effluents of the laboratory activated sludge units were used in toxicity tests (Daphnia magna 21-d reproduction test, lemna growth inhibition 7-d test). No inhibiting effect on the tested organisms was observed.

2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗
PubMed1999

[Genotoxicity of stack gas condensates of Bavarian waste incineration plants. II. Suitability of fast bacterial tests of emission monitoring].

The genotoxicity of stack gas condensates of 21 waste incineration plants (located in Bavaria) was examined in the years 1990-1995 using two bacterial short time tests. The SOS chromotest was carried out with the tester strains Escherichia coli PQ37, PQ243 and PQ300. In addition, for the purpose of comparison, the Ames-Test was performed for selected examples with the tester strains Salmonella typhimurium TA97, TA98, TA100 and TA1537. In a pilot study, carried out in the years 1990 to 1991, the stack gas condensates from five plants were examined. They showed clear genotoxic and mutagenic effects. On the other hand, in subsequent tests we generally discovered only weak inductions for 9 of 18 crude and 24 of 78 clean gas condensate extracts, mostly after metabolic activation. Four plants were tested continuously in the years 1992 to 1995. Three of them showed a clear reduction of the detectable genotoxic potential. The fourth one gave negligible SOS inducing emissions in the whole examining period. On the other hand, for 6 of the 21 tested plants we found chromotest positive results even at the last test point. Correlations between the SOS inducing potential of the stack gas condensates and the analytical parameters detected at the same time (6 summary parameters, 24 inorganic and 63 organic chemical parameters) were not evident. Only the two highest emissions of nitropyrenes were associated with SOS inductions. Organic substances which are not analytically detected or synergistic effects might be responsible for the SOS inducing potency of the other genotoxic stack gas condensates.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1999

[Genotoxicity of stack gas condensates of Bavarian waste incineration plants. III. Emission monitoring with a simple UDS assay using the human lung cell lines NCI-H 322 and 358].

For the validation of the genotoxicity testing on stack gas condensates from waste incineration plants using bacterial short time tests (15), a modified UDS assay with the lung cell lines NCI-H 322 and 358 was developed. The UDS assay is more sensitive than the SOS chromotest and discriminates better between the negative or weakly positive and the clearly positive samples. It has a high sensitive and specificity and also accuracy, is practicable in a comparatively simple, speedy and reasonably priced manner and is therefore appropriate for an emission monitoring similar to simple bacterial short time tests. Especially in strongly concentrated crude and clean gas condensates, maximal induction factors were seen in the range of strong UDS inducers. From 55 samples on 16 incineration plants tested in the years 1992 to 1995, in 48 we found weak to strong UDS inductions in at least one of the two test cell lines. From three plants examined continuously in this period only two emitted stack gases with constantly low genotoxicity at the end of sampling. 5 clean gas condensates, that were taken in random samples from 3 other plants in the period 1994 to 1995, proved to be non-genotoxic in the UDS assay. However, one of these plants emitted stack gases with high cytotoxicity, which might have masked UDS-inducing single substances. It is not possible to make a statement on the human toxicological relevance. However, a clearly positive development towards more harmless stack gas condensates was established. A definite correlation could not be shown between the chemical analysis of the detected cancerogenic organic single substances of the samples and the detected UDS inductions. Further investigations for finding strong UDS inducers from the substance spectrum of municipal stack gas emissions are necessary.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1999

[Genotoxicity of stack gas condensates of Bavarian waste incineration plants. IV. Overview and short comments on the results].

Emissions from waste incineration plants can be monitored relatively simply and cost-effectively via stack gas condensates. We compared quantitative chemical-analytic data of stack gases with two genotoxicity tests. The tests employed, i.e. a new, simple UDS assay variant with the human lung cell lines NCI-H 322 and 358, developed for this purpose, and an automated version of the SOS chromotest, were validated with respect to the contents of stack gases analytically detected. As judged by Bavarian waste incineration plants, sampled in the years 1990 to 1995, we obtained the following principle results: A drastic reduction of the genotoxicity from stack gases in the sampling period was observed with both tests. There were found genotoxic stack gases with the more sensitive UDS assay also in modern plants at the end of sampling period. Up to 99% of the organic components were not detected by chemical analysis despite an extensive program of analytics. The concentration of the quantified cancerogenic organic single substances from the samples did not suffice to explain genotoxic effects in the stack gases. Unknown, not identified stack gas contents are mainly responsible for the genotoxic potential of the stack gases. According to our results, emissions of modern waste incineration plants are likely to increase the genotoxic hazardous potential of the air only insignificantly even in pollution-free zones.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1998

Papillomavirus-induced genital warts in a girl--management by surgery and immunomodulating therapy.

A 4-year-old girl with condylomata acuminata of the vulva and papular warts of the surrounding skin is presented. The lesions were removed by surgery. Histologic investigation showed koilocytosis of the squamous epithelium and in-situ hybridization revealed human papilloma virus type 6 infection. There were no signs of sexual abuse or sexual transmission of the virus. After ablation, an interferon-containing ointment was applied. In order to prevent recurrence, a low-molecular-weight immunomodulating leucocyte fraction was given for more than 1 year, during which time no relapse was observed.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1997

Biodegradation and aquatic toxicity of beta-alaninediacetic acid (beta-ADA).

The aquatic toxicity and biodegradability of the new chelating agent beta-alaninediacetic acid (beta-ADA) were investigated. There is no inhibition effect of beta-ADA in the daphnia magna 24 h test up to a concentration of 1000 mg/L. The algal growth inhibition test resulted in an EC 50 of 19.7 mg/L. An EC 20 of 740 mg/L was determined in the luminescent bacteria test. An EC 50 was not obtained in this test up to a concentration of 2000 mg/L beta-ADA. The degree of biodegradation of beta-ADA was determined in a static and a continuous test. The beta-ADA removal reached 98% at the end of the test after eight weeks in the continuous test which was carried out with laboratory activated sludge units simulating a waste water treatment plant. Further, biodegradation and toxicity tests were coupled, i.e. the effluents of the laboratory activated sludge units were applied in the toxicity tests. A higher toxicity of the effluents of the test units in comparison with the control unit was not observed.

Acetic Acid↗
PubMed1992

[Secretion of hCG by mononuclear cells--a specific and essential reaction in pregnancy?].

Mononuclear cells in peripheral blood secrete immunoreactive hCG (ir-hCG) when they are stimulated in in-vitro culture with the proteinkinase C - activator phorbol-myristat-acetate (TPA). We examined the ir-hCG secretion in 61 fertile and 191 pregnant women and 38 men. Mononuclear cells of pregnant women secrete after TPA stimulation significantly more ir-hCG than mononuclear cells on non-pregnant but fertile women. This effect can be detected as early as 23rd days of a menstrual cycle which is accompanied by conception and persisted over the entire duration of a pregnancy. Maximal effects were observed in the 7th to 19th and 30th to 34th weeks of pregnancy. An artefact caused by adhesive serum-hCG could be excluded. The elevated potential of the mononuclear cells to be stimulated remained intact for about 14 days after termination of a normal pregnancy in the first trimester. An ir-hCG secretion similar to that seen in nonpregnant women was found in patients with early abortion. The possible physiological importance of the in-vivo secretion of beta-HCG during pregnancy is discussed.

Abortion, Incomplete↗
PubMed1990

Phase-I study of diacetyl-splenopentin (BCH 069).

BCH 069 is a new synthetic pentapeptide with thymic hormone-like activity. Two groups of patients received 50 mg BCH 069 or placebo by subcutaneous injection for 4 weeks 3 times weekly. The third group of patients received 50 mg BCH 069 by intravenous injection for 6 weeks 3 times weekly. The therapy was carried out during the peak of the pollen season. We observed the following clinical and biochemical activities of BCH 069: - flush symptom with a feeling of heat during intravenous administration of 50 mg/10 ml but not during 50 mg/20 ml, - decrease of triglyceride serum level, - decrease of SGOT- and SGPT serum levels, - increase of lipase serum level, - decrease of hemoglobin. - All changes of the biochemical parameters were not outside of the normal laboratory values. The disease-specific inflammatory changes were not seen in the intravenously treated group. The administration route is very important for the clinical side effect but not for drug induced biochemical changes. It can be concluded that BCH 069 is a well tolerated drug.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1990

[Disease-specific and non-specific seasonal parameter changes in hayfever patients].

10 patients have been treated by subcutaneous injections of placebo three times weekly for 4 weeks within a phase-I trial of BCH-069. Immunological, hematological and biochemical parameters were observed at different times: preseasonal, seasonal and postseasonal. --Some new observations are reported, which are induced by the seasonal inflammation. For example there was a strong increase of C-reactive protein and also an increase in the triglyceride level. --The parameters could be useful for trials of new antiallergic drugs in hay fever in the future.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1989

[The effect of long-term dialysable leukocyte extract therapy on the recurrence behavior of idiopathic uveitis].

26 patients with idiopathic uveitis (anterior uveitis 11, intermediate uveitis 8, posterior uveitis 7) were treated with Dialysable Leukocyte Extract (DLE) for a long period. In comparison with the period before DLE in anterior and posterior uveitis the numbers of relapses decrease, the inflammation-free intervals become longer. These prolongations are significant. In cases with intermediate uveitis such a significance is not available. But in all types of uveitis DLE therapy shortens the duration of inflammatory episodes. These effects lead to a highly significant decrease of the portion of the period during and after DLE therapy in which inflammatory signs occur in comparison with the period before DLE therapy. The latter result becomes evident for all types of uveitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Clinical and immunologic aspects in patients with agammaglobulinemia].

Agammaglobulinemia is a rare disease. The concentration of these patients provides efficacy of diagnosis and treatment. Within this group the "acquired" type in adulthood (CVID, n = 31) can be separated from the X-linked agammaglobulinemia of infants (n = 6). The former is characterized by variable clinical and immunological pictures. Common to both are sinubronchial infections and extremely low levels of all classes of immunoglobulins. IgG-levels below 4 g/l are usually accompanied by a more severe disease. For the first time an osteopathy in most cases of CVID has been described. Patients with agammaglobulinemia should remain under close control with regard to their clinical data as well as to the result of the substitution by adequate preparations of immunoglobulins. A certain association with HLA-B21 could be identified. In 4 families with several afflicted members this has, however, not the case. Immunological screening in first-degree relatives provides information for genetical counseling.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Immunoreconstitution after human bone marrow transplantation.

Immunologic reconstitution was studied in 24 patients who underwent bone marrow transplantation, 17 allogenic and 7 autologous. The GVHD prophylaxis consisted of methotrexate and prednisone. The complete immune evaluation was to be carried out prior to transplantation at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12 months after BMT and subsequently every 6 months up to 4 years. The investigated immunological parameters included total lymphocyte count, B-lymphocytes, T3-, T4-, T8-lymphocytes, T4/T8 ratio, natural killer cell activity, ADCC, lymphocyte blastogenic response and serum-IgG, -IgA, -IgM. Absolute lymphocyte count, B-lymphocytes, T3-lymphocytes recovered to normal levels after 6 months. T4-lymphocytes decreased significantly during the first 180 days posttransplant. T8-lymphocytes increased after 6 months to values higher than normal and the T4/T8 ratio decreased significantly and continued below 0.8 for 48 months. Patients without and with GVHD had low lymphocyte response to PHA and Con A for the first 6 months.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[HLA compatibility and susceptibility to habitual abortion. Results of histocompatibility testing of couples with frequent miscarriages].

We have performed class I HLA antigen testing in 42 women with recurrent habitual abortions and in their husbands. The main criterion for inclusion in this group was a frequency of more than two abortions without the known reasons for abortion and without a living child. 29 couples with a least two healthy children and no abortion in the clinical history served as a control group. The data were evaluated in respect to the association of HLA and disease as well as to the level of histocompatibility within the couples. In our results we did not find any significant association between HLA-A, B, C phenotypes and the habitual abortion. On the other hand, we observed a significantly higher level of histocompatibility in the couples with habitual abortions in comparison to the control couples. The frequency of identity in one and more histocompatibility antigens was in the patient group significantly higher than in the control group and as it could be expected by chance, calculated on the basis of antigen distribution within the loci A, B, C in the population in the southern part of the GDR. In no case we have revealed lymphocytotoxic antibodies as a possible cause for miscarriage. Our results are in favour of the hypothesis that a higher level of histocompatibility could be an immunological explanation for the habitual abortions. In addition, this hypothesis was supported by the successful immunotherapy with leukocytes derived from the husband or nonrelative donors.

Abortion, Habitual↗
PubMed1987

Effects of lectin I from mistletoe (ML I) and its isolated A and B chains on human mononuclear cells: mitogenic activity and lymphokine release.

The interaction of lectin I from mistletoe (Viscum album) (ML I) and its isolated A and B chains with mononuclear cells from healthy human donors was investigated with respect to proliferation capacity (mitogenicity) and monokine/lymphokine factor (MSF) production. The factor produced was studied by means of the electrophoretic mobility inhibition assay using guinea pig macrophages as indicator cells. ML I and its B chain exhibited comparable inhibitory effects on the proliferation of mononuclear cells (MNC, lymphocytes) that differed in quantity only. After 72 h the tritiated thymidine incorporation had diminished in comparison to the control over a concentration range from 10(-7) to 10(-11) mol/l (ML I) or from 3 X 10(-7) to 3 X 10(-9) mol/l (B chain), respectively. The ML I was about 30 times more active than the B chain. Moreover, MSF production could be substantiated for the B chain at a concentration of 3 X 10(-8) mol/l. In contrast to the B chain, the A chain stimulated the MNC to blastogenic transformation at concentrations of 3 X 10(-8) and 3 X 10(-9) mol/l. The stimulation index was much lower than after PHA stimulation. The same concentrations induced the production of lymphokine (MSF). The lymphokine activity on the indicator cells could be inhibited by L-fucose. Perhaps both cytotoxicity and lymphocyte stimulation are important for anti-tumor activity after application in vivo.

Humans↗
PubMed1986

Inhibition of macrophage migration by a factor from ascites fluids of ovarian cancer patients. II. Production and characterization of an anti-MIF antibody.

A macrophage migration inhibition factor (OC-MIF) has been isolated from ascites fluid of ovarian cancer patients by affinity chromatography on L-fucose-Sepharose 6B, and characterized biochemically. OC-MIF activity was purified approximately 10 000-fold as compared to the starting material. It exhibits molecular heterogeneity with respect to net charge and molecular weights. Compared to it, purified and radioiodinated OC-MIF is fairly homogeneous and contains a major protein component with a molecular mass of about 45 kD, and two isoelectric points of 3.0-4.0 and about 5.0. Rabbits were immunized with the highly purified MIF material and an antiserum was prepared and was used to prepare immunoadsorbent beads. Beads made with anti-OC-MIF antiserum, but not with rabbit control serum, could remove specifically OC-MIF activity and showed weak reactivity towards Con A induced MIF. Using a radioimmunoassay (RIA) anti-OC-MIF antiserum reacts with OC-MIF and also with Con A induced MIF. This antigenic relationship between conventional MIF and OC-MIF and common biochemical properties suggest that the two mediator substances are very similar and may, perhaps, be identical. Furthermore, the possibility to determine various MIF activities by means of RIA was investigated.

Antibodies↗