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H Pointner

Publications and source records attributed to H Pointner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Anticytokeratins are a potential source of false-positive indirect immunofluorescence assays for C-ANCA.

Antibodies to neutrophil cytoplasmic antigens (ANCA) targeted toward granule enzymes have been recognized as a valuable diagnostic tool in the detection of Wegener's granulomatosis and systemic vasculitides. However, the most commonly used method of detection, the indirect immunofluorescence assay, is prone to false-positive results due to antibodies of different pathological significance either targeted to, or cross-reacting with, similarly distributed epitopes. Using double immunofluorescence, the present study demonstrates that anticytokeratin antibodies are able to produce false-positive C-ANCA immunofluorescence assays. In addition, a case of natural appearance of cytokeratin-reactive antibodies causing a false-positive "pseudo-ANCA" staining pattern in a patient presenting with sepsis is reported. Since the expression of cytokeratins is almost exclusively confined to epithelial cells, the most plausible explanation for both phenomena is a crossreaction of anticytokeratin antibodies with granule associated epitopes. Due to the natural appearance of anticytokeratin antibodies in association with a variety of other pathologic entities, it is of crucial importance for the diagnostic significance of the C-ANCA immunofluorescence assay to exclude anticytokeratin caused false-positive results. It is shown that supplementary indirect immunofluorescence tests performed on cultured human epithelial cells readily distinguish anticytokeratin caused "pseudo-ANCA" from true C-ANCA.

Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic↗
PubMed1997

Antimitochondrial antibody profiles in primary biliary cirrhosis distinguish at early stages between a benign and a progressive course: a prospective study on 200 patients followed for 10 years.

In recent retrospective studies, it was shown that subtypes of antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) can help to discriminate between a benign [only anti-M9 and/or anti-M2 positive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)] and a rather progressive course (anti-M2, -M4 and/or -M8 positive). According to different constellations of these AMA subspecificities in ELISA and complement fixation test (CFT), four AMA profiles (A-D) were defined. In 1984 we started a prospective study based on 200 PBC patients with known AMA profiles in order to correlate the antibody pattern with the clinical outcome. Progression was defined primarily as the necessity of liver transplantation and death due to hepatic failure or variceal bleeding. At entry, 18 (9%) of the 200 patients had AMA profile A (only anti-M9), 57 (29%) profile B (only anti-M2 with or without anti-M9), 74 (37%) profile C (anti-M2 in association with anti-M4/-M8 by ELISA), and 51 (26%) profile D (anti-M2/-M4/-M8 by ELISA and CFT). At the beginning of the study, 177 patients had PBC stage I/II. During the observation period of ten years, ten patients died and in 18 orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) was performed; all these patients belonged to profile C/D. Furthermore, 44% of the patients with profile C and 31% of the patients with profile D progressed to late stages, as defined by histology and clinical manifestations such as portal hypertension and increase of bilirubin, while only one of the patients with profile B and none of the profile A-patients developed late stage PBC. A significant increase of bilirubin was observed only in C/D-patients. AMA profiles did not change during the follow-up. In conclusion, AMA profiles discriminate between a benign and a progressive course of PBC already at early stages.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Investigation of the pathogenesis of massive hemolysis in a case of Clostridium perfringens septicemia.

Massive hemolysis is a rare, usually fatal complication of Clostridium perfringens septicemia. Of all toxins produced by the bacterium, phospholipase C (PLC) is believed to be the most likely cause of hemolysis. An influence of neuraminidase has often been suspected. In the present study, a case of C. perfringens septicemia with acute massive intravascular hemolysis is described. It led to death within 4 h of admission to the hospital. While the course of events was comparable to previously reported cases, we succeeded in gaining deeper insight into the pathogenesis by monitoring serum anti-T titer and quantifying serum PLC activity during the course of the disease. We excluded an effect of neuraminidase by a negative direct antiglobulin test, a negative anti-T lectin test, and a steady serum anti-T titer of 1 in 32. Serum PLC activity, on the other hand, showed a nearly fivefold increase (6.0 to 27.3 U/l), which is consistent with the hypothesized dominant role of this enzyme.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Progressive cerebellar syndrome in adult coeliac disease.

A case of slowly progressing cerebellar syndrome and pathologically confirmed adult coeliac disease is presented. Neurological symptoms progressed although the patient had no enteric complaints. This case seems to be identical with 18 previously reported cases of encephalopathy and adult coeliac disease. However, the aetiology and pathogenesis of the encephalopathy are still not known.

Atrophy↗
PubMed1985

Influence of verapamil on gastric acid secretion and gastrin release in dogs.

Gastric secretion is supposed to be calcium-dependent. The effect of verapamil (0.3 mg/kg/h i.v.), a calcium channel-blocking agent, on stimulated gastric acid secretion and gastrin release was investigated in 8 mongrel dogs. Stimulation was either performed by bombesin (1.0 microgram/kg/h i.v.) or by insulin (0.3 U/kg i.v.). Verapamil significantly inhibited both the bombesin- and the insulin-stimulated gastric acid secretion. Mean total gastric acid output over a 120-min period was 9.5 +/- (SEM) 2.2 mmol after bombesin stimulation and 6.3 +/- 2.0 mmol after bombesin and verapamil (p less than 0.01). The respective values were 15.3 +/- 2.0 mmol for insulin stimulation and 7.0 +/- 1.6 mmol for insulin and verapamil (p less than 0.01). There was no significant influence of verapamil on plasma gastrin concentrations. Thus, the impairment of acid secretion by verapamil is not due to an inhibition of gastrin release in intact dogs.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

[Sarcoidosis of the nervous system. Clinical and diagnostic synopsis based on two cases].

This paper reports two cases of neurosarcoidosis . Initially the clinical picture involved only the nervous system. Later on manifestations pertaining to other systems were detected by interdisciplinary investigations. The resulting diagnostic problems, the value of additional investigations and the therapeutic management are discussed on the basis of the two presented cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Influence of long-term anticonvulsant treatment on liver ultrastructure in man.

In 35 patients on long-term anticonvulsant treatment (7-35 years, means = 19.6 years), various liver enzymes were measured. In 32 cases (91.4%), elevated levels of serum-gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT) were found. Liver biopsy was performed in five of 13 patients with GGT levels of greater than 60 U/l (75-257, means = 123 U/l). Light microscopy showed a minimal steatosis and fine granular appearance of hepatocytes in two cases, and a slight portal fibrosis in one case. Two cases showed an unremarkable histology. Electron microscopy revealed signs of enzyme induction as overall swelling of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and additionally a dilatation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum in all five specimens. No signs of liver damage or disturbance of liver function could be observed.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Effect of luminal somatostatin on pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion in the rat.

The perfused rat stomach was used to investigate the effect of intragastrically administered somatostatin (S-14) on basal and pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion. Intravenous injection of pentagastrin (10 micrograms/kg body wt) induced a peak acid output (PAO) of 6.3 +/- 0.45 mu eq H+. With luminal perfusion of the stomach by S-14 (100 micrograms X kg-1 X min-1), no significant inhibition of gastric acid secretion was observed (PAO: 5.9 +/- 0.6 mu eq H+). The same dose of S-14 administered intravenously significantly inhibited acid secretion (PAO: 1.7 +/- 0.4 mu eq H+) as did intravenous injection of neutralized S-14-containing gastric perfusate obtained by perfusion from a different rat stomach (PAO: 1.9 +/- 0.5 mu eq H+). Intravenous injection of a saline gastric perfusate containing no S-14 did not alter gastric acid secretion (PAO: 6.3 +/- 0.7 mu eq H+). It is concluded that S-14 does inhibit gastric acid secretion when administered systemically but not by intraluminal application.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Effect of gut lavage on phenobarbital elimination in rats.

In the management of intoxications, the major goals are enhanced elimination of the toxin from the organism and prevention of further absorption. Absorption of an orally administered substance from the gastrointestinal tract can be decreased by adequate washing of the stomach. Delayed absorption of the substance from the small intestine cannot be avoided by this procedure and after the gastric lavage, a nonspecific absorbent must be administered and diarrhea induced (1). This study demonstrates that iatrogenic diarrhea via gut lavage can also eliminate toxins already absorbed by the body.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

[(Influence of somatostatin (SS-14) on early dumping reaction in patients after partial gastrectomy) ].

In seven patients suffering from early dumping syndrome after partial gastrectomy (Billroth II operation) an early dumping reaction was provoked by 100 g dextrose per os and the influence of somatostatin-14 (SS-14) infusion on clinical appearance of dumping syndrome was evaluated. SS-14 in contrast to the control trial resulted in total suppression of insulin release and slightly delayed and lowered increase of blood glucose which was not statistically significant, but with SS-14 there was no change in clinical symptoms of dumping reaction and compared to the control test no significant difference was found between the decrease of blood pressure, the increase of pulse frequency, the small increase of hematocrit and plasma free fatty acids.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Diagnosis of pancreatic function. Simplified screening with fluorescein dilaurate using serum concentration determinations].

Fluorescein-dilaurate has been recommended as a screening test for the assessment of exocrine pancreatic function. In this test fluorescein excretion in the urine is measured for an 8--10 hour period. To avoid urine collection the present study reports on serum fluorescein determinations following oral administration of fluorescein-dilaurate-ester. According to the results of a standard secretin-pancreozymin-test 24 subjects were classified as 10 persons with normal pancreatic function, 7 patients with mild and 7 patients with severe exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Fluorescein concentrations were measured photometrically after TCA-precipitation. In the normal persons maximal fluorescein levels were observed 4--6 hours after oral load of the test substance. Patients with mild pancreatic insufficiency showed the same pattern and only in patients with severe pancreatic insufficiency much lower serum fluorescein concentrations were found. They were statistically significantly different from normal subjects 3--6 hours after administration of fluorescein-dilaurate.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Case report of a patient with intermittent fever, leucopenia and terminal fungal sepsis (author's transl)].

A fatal case of disseminated candidiasis with deep organ involvement is reported. The patient was employed as a radiologist for several decades and already showed X-ray-induced bone marrow damage at the onset of the disease. He suffered for several years from an unknown granulomatous systemic bacterial infection and had been treated with antimicrobial agents with varying degrees of success. Regarding prophylaxis of systemic Candida infections it is concluded that prolonged medication with glucocorticoids and antibiotics should be combined with the oral administration of antimycotic drugs in order to prevent invasion by potentially pathogenic fungi.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1981

Failure of somatostatin to influence experimental tumor cell growth in vivo and in vitro.

The influence of somatostatin on tumor cell growth was studied in vivo in mice (sarcoma 180 ascites tumor and Lewis lung tumor) and in vitro on nontransformed and polyoma-transformed cell lines. 4 or 20 micrograms/100 g of cyclic somatostatin and 4 micrograms/100 g of linear protamin Zn-bound somatostatin were injected s.c. twice daily in the in vivo study. Cyclic somatostatin (1, 4 or 10 micrograms/ml) was added twice daily to the cell cultures. Somatostatin administration influenced neither the survival of animals nor the growth rate of cultured cell lines.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

The effect of SST, glucagon, calcitonin and PGE1 on exocrine pancreatic secretion in the unrestrained dog in long-term experiments.

Using a new model of a reversible pancreatic fistula which allows the long-term-investigation under nearly physiological conditions on the unrestrained dog, we tested the effect of somatostatin (50 micrograms), calcitonin (4 micrograms), glucagon (1 microgram), and prostaglandin E1 (150 micrograms) on the exocrine pancreatic function in 45 experiments over a period of 13 h: SST inhibits the basal as well as the secretin or CCK-stimulated secretion: calcitonin shows inhibition of the stimulated secretion only; glucagon blocks the secretin-stimulated pancreatic function; and PGE1 reduces the bicarbonate concentration and trypsin output in secretin stimulation, but in one of the two series it stimulates the basal secretion.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

The action of somatostatin on intestinal alkaline phosphatase stimulated by secretin and cholecystokinin-pancreozymin.

The action of somatostatin on intestinal alkaline phosphatase activity (IAP) in the duodenal juice was examined in 22 subjects undergoing diagnostic secretin-CCK-PZ-tests. Under continuous secretin-CCK-PZ-stimulation there is an increase of IAP which is followed by a period of exhaustion after 1 h of stimulation. The intravenous administration of somatostatin induces a distinct inhibition of IAP which cannot be due to the exhaustion of the enzyme synthesis. As there is a functional relationship between fat absorption and alkaline phosphatase, it is suggested that this inhibition of IAP is one of the mechanisms of the somatostatin-induced inhibition of intestinal fat absorption.

Adult↗