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Biomedical subjects

H J Altermatt

Publications and source records attributed to H J Altermatt.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

[Campylobacter pylori: cause of gastritis and ulcer disease?].

Several studies have shown a striking association between the presence of Campylobacter pylori (C.p) in the gastric mucosa and histologically confirmed gastritis and ulcer disease. The microorganism has been found in up to 90% of patients with active chronic antral (type B) gastric ulcer, and in up to 70% of patients with duodenal ulcer. Voluntary ingestion of C.p. by two persons and two epidemic occurrences after apparent C.p. contamination of stomach probes, with demonstration of the bacterium in the mucosa, have shown that C.p. can induce acute gastritis; in one volunteer the acute gastritis progressed to the active chronic form. Eradication of C.p. by antibacterial treatment is associated with resolution of gastritis. Relapse of peptic ulcer is closely related to infection by C.p. The microorganism has important virulence factors allowing it to select an ecological niche below the mucus layer on the gastric mucosa. C.p. exhibits strong mucolytic activity through proteases which could damage the mucus barrier and therefore increase susceptibility to development of gastritis and peptic ulcers; however, the pathogenic impact of C.p. remains unknown. C.p. is diagnosed by histological or microbiological examination of gastric biopsy specimens or by serological techniques. Bismuth salts alone or in combination with antibiotics are effective against C.p., but the efficacy of antimicrobial treatment of gastritis and ulcer disease associated with C.p. has still to be proven by large double-blind placebo-controlled trials. The hitherto published findings do not allow definite evaluation of the pathogenetic significance of C.p. in gastritis and ulcer disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Campylobacter↗
PubMed1988

Radioprotection by pretreatment with deuterated water: cytokinetic changes in the small intestine of the mouse.

All mice partially deuterated by ingestion of 29% heavy water for 12 days survived whole body gamma irradiation (8.5 Gy) from a 60Co source, whereas 42% of nondeuterated control animals died from bone marrow failure. The incorporation of 3HTdR into enterocytic DNA, as measured by autoradiography and liquid scintillation spectrometry, was used to assess the proliferative activity of small intestinal epithelium. The sequence and the magnitude of changes in tritium activity were in good agreement. Deuteration alone resulted in a reduced proliferative activity of small intestinal crypt epithelium, particularly in the basal cell positions and the first positions of the proliferation compartment. The number of positions occupied by the proliferative compartment and the crypt length were, however, barely affected by deuteration. The radiation-induced depression of DNA synthesis in the proliferative compartment was of similar magnitude in both groups. Crypt epithelium in deuterated mice, however, displayed signs of an accelerated and/or enhanced regeneration. The cytokinetic changes in deuterated animals are consistent with a protective effect for clonogenic intestinal epithelium at the time of irradiation.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

[Hamartoma of the breast].

Hamartoma (adenolipoma, fibradenolipoma, lipofibradenoma) of the breast, a rare, benign lesion, occurs in females. It is unilateral and displays an organoid structure. It is composed of lactiferous ducts, mammary glands, and connective and fatty tissue, surrounded by a pseudocapsule. It causes enlargement of the breast, usually without a localized lesion on palpation. Mammographic and intraoperative findings, however, are characteristic. Because the microscopic features of hamartoma are similar to those of other related benign lesions of the breast, diagnosis may be difficult by histologic examination alone; in addition, knowledge of radiologic, surgical and clinical findings may be required.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Heavy water (D20) inhibits growth of human xenotransplanted oropharyngeal cancers. An animal experiment study in nude mice].

The large mass ratio of D to H, 2 to 1, gives rise to multiple effects in living organisms, when D is administered as heavy water (D2O). Deuterium at high concentration interferes with cell division and depresses the uptake of DNA-precursors in mammalian cells (Katz et al., 1970). However, the effects of D2O on the organism disappear after cessation of deuteration of the body water. Mammals do not survive more than 35% of D2O substitution for normal water in their body fluids for long periods of time. However, mice drinking 30% D2O have a normal life span and normal body weight (Katz et al., 1970; Hodel et al., 1982). Heavy water also exerts antineoplastic effects. We demonstrated that moderate body deuteration combined with a cytostatic drug significantly increases the survival time of mice bearing transplantable murine neoplasms (Laissue et al., 1982). Hitherto, it is not known whether heavy water affects human neoplasms in the same way. Therefore, we have studied human squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharyngeal region which were xenografted in nude mice. A moderate deuteration of body water of the mice (less than or equal to 20 atom %) drinking 30% D2O, inhibited the tumour growth markedly by a factor of 0.4 to 0.5 compared to the growth of the same tumours in control animals drinking tap water. This effect of D2O seems to be directly proportional to the grade of malignancy of the carcinomas. Histologically, no differences were detectable between the original carcinomas and the tumour grafts in animals with and without D2O.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

[Binding of serum immunoglobulins to human inner ear tissue in inner ear hearing loss: methodologic limits].

The immunopathological processes possibly involved in cryptogenic sensorineural hearing loss were investigated. In a pilot study the sera from 66 patients were tested by the indirect immunofluorescence technique for immunoglobulins which bind to normal human inner ear tissue. The reaction was positive in two thirds of all patients with sudden hearing loss, especially bilateral. This was mostly for IgG, and to the organ of Corti. Others have found that Corti's organ showed marked degenerative changes in cases of sudden hearing loss, examined by histology. The reaction was positive in half of the patients with progressive sensorineural hearing loss. It was noticeable that positive reactions for IgA were twice as frequent in sera of patients with progressive hearing loss than in those with sudden deafness. In a control study, the sera of ten patients were tested in parallel by the same method on histological sections of inner ears taken from four individuals. Similar results were found for the sera of two patients only. The sera of the remaining eight patients revealed very inconsistent reaction patterns. These preliminary results may indicate that temporary or permanent humoral (auto) immune mechanisms could have occurred in certain inner ear diseases. So far however reliable diagnostic methods have not been established, and not enough patients have been followed up.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Protection of mice from whole body gamma irradiation by deuteration of drinking water: hematologic findings.

Partial deuteration of mice by ingestion of 29% heavy water for 12 days prior to irradiation lessened their susceptibility to lethal doses of whole body gamma irradiation from a 60Co source. Deuteration alone slightly reduced the number of nucleated bone marrow cells, blood leukocytes, and platelets. After exposure to 8.5 Gy, all mice drank tap water. Radiation-induced destruction of hemopoietic and lymphoid tissues was of equal degree in deuterated and control animals. Conversely, nucleated bone marrow cells, blood leukocytes and platelets, endogenous spleen colonies, and thymus of deuterated mice displayed signs of an accelerated and/or enhanced regeneration. The cytokinetic changes observed in deuterated animals were consistent with a protective effect for pluripotent stem cells at the time of irradiation.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

[Generalized melanosis of macro- and microphages in metastasizing melanoma].

A patient suffering from a metastasizing malignant melanoma of the skin developed diffuse melanosis of the skin and melanuria a few weeks before death occurred. At autopsy, disseminated metastases of malignant melanoma were associated with marked melanosis of the organs and particularly of the mononuclear phagocytic system. In addition, neutrophilic granulocytes of the peripheral blood frequently contained melanin granules. The presence of melanin in blood monocytes and granulocytes may be useful for the diagnosis of (metastasizing) malignant melanoma.

Humans↗
PubMed1986

[Significance of autopsy. Continuous evaluation of autopsy findings by internists].

To continuously monitor the impact of autopsy results, a short questionnaire was forwarded with each list of autopsy diagnoses to the clinician who had requested the autopsy. This continuous feedback between clinician and pathologist reveals unsolved problems and provides the opportunity for their interdisciplinary evaluation. The 1188 autopsies were done from 1980 to 1984 at the Institute of Pathology for the Medical Clinic, Cantonal Hospital, Lucerne, an acute-care medical teaching hospital department containing about 200 beds. The autopsy rate was 52% for in-hospital deaths. The clinician deemed that about 9/10 of all autopsies had confirmed his diagnosis. About 3/4 of all autopsies disclosed previously unknown and clinically important findings. Major discrepancies between clinical diagnosis and autopsy findings were noted in about 10% of all autopsies. Further, in approximately 1/10 of all autopsies the findings were considered to be of potential therapeutic relevance had they been known before death. The results confirm the relevance of autopsy for the practice of controlled clinical medicine based on objective criteria.

Autopsy↗
PubMed1986

Somatostatin (somatostatinlike) immunoreactive cells in the human inner ear.

Certain epithelia of the human inner ear and human endolymphatic sac display somatostatin and/or somatostatin-like immunoreactivity. Histologic sections from 13 human temporal bones and from 15 endolymphatic sacs were studied using the unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique. The somatostatin and/or somatostatin-like immunoreactive cells were located exclusively in the covering epithelium of the spiral prominence and in the epithelium of the intermediate and rugosal part of the endolymphatic sac. In the epithelium of the spiral prominence and endolymphatic sac, secretory granules of the same size and appearance as those of intestinal or pancreatic somatostatin-producing cells were demonstrated ultrastructurally. The findings are consistent with a local exocrine, paracrine, and/or endocrine system of the inner ear.

Cytoplasmic Granules↗
PubMed1986

[Phagocytosis and transport of injected teflon paste. An animal experiment study].

Submucosal injections of teflon paste (suspension of teflon in glycerin) are used for therapy of ENT diseases. Little is known about the fate of the injected teflon particles. Is teflon phagocytosed and removed? Teflon paste was injected into the peritoneum of mice. After 48 days, we have found many teflon particles in peritoneal macrophages, in microphages and macrophages of regional lymph nodes and the spleen, and in Kupffer cells of the liver. We assume that phagocytosis and removal of the injected teflon particles occur in the patient, too. The particles are indigestible and, therefore, may block the phagocytic system. Phagocytes containing teflon induce local inflammation and fibrosis. Conclusive information about late effects is not available.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

[Velofacial hypoplasia and submucous cleft palate: histologic analogies. A comparative histologic and histomorphometric study of velum musculature].

Velofacial hypoplasia (VFH) is particularly characterised by severe open nasalising with palate-throat insufficiency due to an abridged palatal velum. The cause of this disorder is unknown. Submucosal cleft palates (SMG), which may cause similar signs, are considered to be caused genetically, or acquired during pregnancy as an impedimental malformation. We compared histologically and histomorphometrically the palatal velums of patients with VFH and SMG, with normal specimens. In VFH and SMG, the muscle fibres of the palatal velums feature pathological variations of their diameters; moreover, these specimens contain more fibrous than muscle tissue compared with the controls. These changes do not indicate clearly either a neuropathogenic or a myopathogenic or other pathogenesis. However, the similarities of the clinical, histological and histomorphometric findings do indicate a common formal pathogenesis. Anamnestic examinations of the pregnancies (particularly of the first trimenon) of mothers of patients with VFH may reveal further findings supporting our assumption.

Child↗
PubMed1986

[Occult uterine perforation caused by an intrauterine device].

This article reports on a patient who had an asymptomatic perforation of the uterus by an intrauterine contraceptive device. Six and eight years later, the woman had normal pregnancies and deliveries. Ten years later an exploratory laparotomy was performed because of abdominal pain of unknown origin. The intrauterine device was surgically removed from Douglas' pouch. We summarize and discuss the complications due to a perforation of the uterus by an intrauterine contraceptive device and appropriate diagnostic procedures.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

[Pregnancy and childbirth in a mother with active histiocytosis].

The course of pregnancy is described in a 20-year-old patient who had had active histiocytosis X since infancy. After an acute onset during the first year of life, a disseminated chronic state developed at 18 months of age which persisted until the pregnancy. Long-term therapy with 6-mercaptopurine was instituted at diagnosis and was not discontinued until the 17th week of pregnancy. The course of pregnancy, delivery and puerperium was normal except for elevated LDH, altered protein electrophoresis and anemia. The newborn showed no abnormality.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

[Hormone-producing (paracrine) cells in the human labyrinth].

Presence of immunoreactive somatostatin in the covering epithelial cells of the spiral prominence was demonstrated by immunohistochemical methods. The concentration of somatostatin increases from the basal turn to the apical turn of the cochlea. Ultrastructural investigations of these cells reveal secretory granules with a diameter of 250-350 nm. The findings promote the existence of a local paracrine system of the inner ear.

Adolescent↗