PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Maurer

Publications and source records attributed to H Maurer.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Ascending myelitis after intensive chemotherapy and radiation therapy in children with cranial parameningeal sarcoma.

In 1977, a program of early, wide-field radiation therapy (RT) to the central nervous system and repeated lumbar intrathecal (IT) medications along with systemic chemotherapy was begun by the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study (IRS) for patients younger than 21 years of age with cranial parameningeal sarcoma and a high risk of meningeal extension. From 1977 until 1987, 149 eligible patients with high-risk cranial parameningeal sarcoma were enrolled in IRS trials. None had evidence of lower extremity or sphincter impairment at diagnosis. Five of the 149 (3.4%) had ascending myelitis at 5.5 to 9 months after the initiation of therapy, with loss of sphincter control and inability to walk; this progressed to severe flaccid quadriparesis and necessitated long-term ventilatory support in 4. All five had received vincristine, dactinomycin, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin; four also had received cisplatin and three also had received etoposide. All patients received 4770 to 5500 cGy to the primary tumor, and four patients received 3000 cGy of cranial RT. Three patients received cervical RT and two received spinal RT. The patients also received four to seven courses of IT methotrexate, hydrocortisone, and cytosine arabinoside. Three patients died: one after local tumor recurrence with central nervous system extension and two without known recurrence. In one of the latter patients, the results of an autopsy showed necrosis of the cervical spinal cord and caudal medulla. Although the exact cause of this complication is unclear, no additional cases have been reported to the IRS since the protocol was revised in 1987 to reduce the doses of the IT drugs and to limit them to four courses each.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

A prospective study of nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas in the pediatric age group.

Nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas in infants and children are rare malignancies with most of the clinical data gained by retrospective analysis. In 1986, a prospective multicentered study was initiated by the Pediatric Oncology Group (POG) with a total of 75 cases now entered for epidemiologic examination. Median age of presentation was 12 years (range, newborn to 20 years). The male to female ratio was 2.3 to 1. The most common soft tissue tumor was synovial cell sarcoma (32/75, 42%), followed by fibrosarcoma (10/75, 13%), malignant fibrous histiocytoma (9/75, 12%), and malignant neurogenic tumors (8/75, 10%). Sixty-five percent of all tumors presented on the extremities (44% lower extremity, 21% upper extremity). Tumors of the trunk accounted for 28% (abdomen 15%, thorax 13%), whereas head and neck tumors were 7%. By TNMG classification, 16% presented as stage I, 21% as stage II, 33% as stage III, and 30% as stage IV. Age at presentation did not affect clinical site or stage. All upper extremity tumors presented with localized disease, whereas lower extremity tumors presented with regional nodal disease in 7% and metastatic disease (pulmonary) in 23% of the cases. Seventy-eight percent of the abdominal tumors were metastatic at diagnosis; the other 22% had extensive regional disease. In the thorax 78% had localized lesions with 22% having extensive regional disease. Ninety percent of synovial cell sarcomas were on the extremities: 84% localized disease and 12% metastatic spread at presentation. Sixty percent of the fibrosarcomas presented on the extremities with 80% having localized disease and 20% metastatic spread. Only 25% of the neurogenic tumors presented with localized disease, whereas 50% had metastases at the time of diagnosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Immunohistochemical study of childhood rhabdomyosarcomas and related neoplasms. Results of an Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma study project.

The authors assessed a panel of immunohistochemical stains against 109 pediatric solid tumors, primarily rhabdomyosarcomas, under the auspices of the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study. Fresh tumor tissue received from participating organizations was divided into portions that were either frozen or fixed in formalin, alcohol, or B5. Immunostaining was performed by the avidin-biotin complex method using monoclonal antibodies to desmin, neurofilaments, vimentin, cytokeratin, and leukocyte common antigen on cryostat sections. Tissue was also embedded in paraffin and stained with antimuscle-specific actin (MSA) and polyclonal antibodies to desmin, creatine kinase M subunit (CKM), myoglobin, and neuron-specific enolase (NSE). Antidesmin staining of cryostat sections was the most sensitive indicator of rhabdomyosarcoma (58 of 62 specimens positive). Results with this reagent in alcohol-fixed and formalin-fixed tissue were similar (46 of 56 positive versus 43 of 56 positive, respectively) and comparable with results with anti-MSA in formalin-fixed tissue (43 of 55 positive). However, the proportion of cells stained by antidesmin was higher in alcohol-fixed tissue than in formalin-fixed tissue. Staining with antimyoglobin and anti-CKM was much less satisfactory, with positivity rates of 17 of 37 and 11 of 57, respectively, in formalin-fixed rhabdomyosarcomas. Immunostaining of muscle markers revealed evidence of myogenesis in six undifferentiated sarcomas and in two sarcomas with inadequate histologic study on hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections. However, positivity was also noticed in samples of fibromatosis, Wilms' tumor, ectomesenchyoma, peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor, renal rhabdoid tumor, myositis ossificans, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, and embryonal sarcoma of the liver. The authors conclude that combined use of antidesmin and anti-MSA enhances the diagnosis of childhood sarcomas, especially when employed with other techniques such as electron microscopic study.

Actins↗
PubMed1979

[Preliminary findings with oral whooping cough vaccination in young infants (author's transl)].

A preliminary report is presented on oral vaccination against whooping cough. 23 babies younger than, and 2 older than nine weeks and 12 newborn infants were vaccinated orally. No side effects were observed. Serum antibody titres did not increase markedly, but no child was seronegative after vaccination. An evident antibody titre rise to a higher level than in serum was found in the saliva. These results point toward an adequate local immunity. At present a definite statement about the efficacy of this oral vaccination is difficult to make. Further investigations are necessary.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1978

Principle and characteristics of the ROCHE tissue pH electrode.

A miniaturized probe for continuous measurement of tissue (interstitial fluid) pH is described. The electrode design follows closely the concept described by Stamm and co-workers. The pH sensitive tip has a length of 1 mm and is made of a Li-Ba-Si glass of low electrical resistivity. The reference electrode with a capillary type liquid junction is an integrated part of the electrode assembly. This paper summarizes the important design features of the electrode and describes its in vitro characteristics.

Electrodes↗
PubMed1978

[Examination of the size of the heart (author's transl)].

Linear size of heart and its volume were determined in 230 healthy individuals. A classification: small, normal and large, was applied. The various groups were correlated, so as to assess the radiologic findings and their assessment. The radiologic findings of the heart have only limited value, even if metric investigation is added.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

[The dynamics of roentgenographic morphology in pulmonary lesions demonstrated by miliary tuberculosis (author's transl)].

The process of disappearance of small inflammatory pulmonary lesions is demonstrated by way of miliary tuberculosis. The dynamics of the healing process are described by the roentgenographic morphology, and the alterations of remaining pulmonary infiltrates to scars within the anatomical pulmonary structures are illustrated. The concept of apparent complete restitution is explained and the importance of the recognition of late pulmonary alterations is emphasized.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

[Emptying of goitre cysts by small-needle aspiration (author's transl)].

Small-needle aspiration was practised up to 16 times (average 2.7 times) in 89 patients with cystic thyroid nodules. Re-examination 7 days to 22 months later showed that the nodule had disappeared or the amount of cystic fluid had decreased to 30% or less in 32 patients. All patients also received suppressive doses of thyroid hormones. It is suggested that additional injection of sclerosing fluid into the cyst may improve results further.

Biopsy, Needle↗