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Biomedical subjects

H Spatz

Publications and source records attributed to H Spatz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

De novo expression of the cell adhesion molecule E-selectin on gastric cancer endothelium.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Angiogenesis and the molecular phenotype of the tumor vasculature determine tumor growth and metastasis. PATIENTS/METHODS: In a series of 58 gastric cancer patients, vascular density and the antigenic profile of endothelial cells in normal, inflamed and malignant gastric tissues were compared using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In both benign gastric mucosa and primary gastric cancer vascular density was inflammation-independent. However, increased vascularity in primary tumors was positively associated with a high tumor cell density suggesting tumor-induced angiogenesis (P=0.00001 ). P-selectin was expressed in most of the gastric mucosa samples on a small fraction of vessels and increased in the presence of moderate to strong leukocyte infiltrate. VCAM-1 positive mucosal vessels were rare and showed no association with inflammation. E-selectin and the EN 7/44 antigen defining budding vessels were absent on normal and inflamed endothelium. In contrast, in primary gastric cancer de novo expression of both E-selectin and the EN 7/44 antigen was observed. E-selectin positive vessels were preferentially found in vascular-rich tumor areas (P=0.0043) independently of leukocyte infiltration. Upregulation of VCAM-1 on tumor-associated endothelium was closely related to inflammation (P=0.019), while P-selectin expression resembled that in benign mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: Differentially expressed vascular molecules may influence the functional characteristics of extravasating leukocytes and represent new targets in anti-gastric cancer therapy.

Capillaries↗
PubMed1995

[Platelet serotonin in endogenous depressive patients and normal controls].

We have studied the content of platelet serotonin in 31 depressive patients free of medication and in 29 controls. The depressive patients have been selected according to clinic diagnosis and to urinary phenylethylamine (PEA) and total phenylacetic acid (PAA) values, because low levels of these two substances are for us almost a constant in endogenous depressive patients. For the control group we selected 23 out of 29 cases studied, which had all urinary PEA and PAA values within the normal range published by us previously. In this group platelet serotonin content was of 527-900 ng/10 9 platelets with a mean of 698 +/- 125 ng/10 9 platelets. In the depressive group, taking account of platelets serotonin content we could differentiate two subgroups. In a group of 19 patients we found lower values, 157-513 ng/10 9 platelets with a mean of 407 +/- 102 ng/10 9. In the other 13 patients group we found platelet serotonin levels similar to those of the control group, 552-780 ng 10 9 platelets with a mean of 658 +/- 93 ng/10 9 platelets. Accepting blood platelets as models for serotoninergic nerve terminals, we suppose that the response of depressive patients to serotonin reuptake blockers treatment should be different in both subgroups, which is at present matter of study in our laboratory.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1993

[Elimination of N,N-dimethyltryptamine by urine].

N,N-dimethiltryptamine (DMT) in urine has been quantified on an 83-psychiatric patient sample. Sample covered patients who had sometimes been administered neuroleptic drugs as well as patients with some particular symptomatology associated to psychotic disorders such as hallucinations, delusions, perception disorders, etc. 43.3% (36 cases) evidenced an abnormally high DMT in urine (0.9-13.5 mcg/24 h). Higher values were more frequently found in both schizophrenic patients, and non-schizophrenic patients with either hallucinations, delusions, anorexia or bulimia. Most patients with DMT normal values (< 0.5 mcg/24 h) presented either mental retardation, cerebral atrophy or dysrhythmias. A very good correlation was found between urinary DMT abnormally high values, and patients' improvement after such patients had been treated with neuroleptic drugs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

[Clinical, biochemical and psychopharmacologic correlates in patients with depressive symptomatology].

A population of 41 clinic outpatients suffering depressive symptomatology was studied. According to the presence or absense of sixteen specific symptoms it was possible to distribute these patients in three different groups. Simultaneously urinary determinations of phenethylamine (PEA), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylglicol (MHPG), phenylacetic acid, 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid and serum 5-hydroxytriptamine were performed. A clossed clinical-biochemical correlation was noted in each group in relation to PEA and MHPG daily output. The other determinated values were not significant. Besides the clinical data, the mentioned groups presented the following characteristic output data: group A: decreased PEA and MHPG levels, group B, decreased PEA and normal MHPG levels and group C: normal values of the two substances. Five tricyclic antidepressant drugs were tested in the three groups. It was shown that patients with low pretreatment urinary output values of PEA and MHPG responded favourably to imipramine, desipramine and nortriptyline, alone or in association. On the other side, the group B responded favourably to chlorimipramine and amitriptiline, alone or in combination. No change or clinically worse were observed in patients of these groups when medication was not administrated according to the described form. The group with normal PEA and MHPG output values worsened or did not respond to medication following administration of any of the antidepressants essayed. Only psychotherapeutic treatment in combination with ansiolitics let to an improvement of symptomatology. At least, our findings suggest a closed clinical-biochemical-psychopharmacological correlate of some classes of depression that may provide rational basis for a more predictive tricyclic antidepressant therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Therapy of depression by phenylalanine. Preliminary note.

To 23 subjects with endogenous depression after a previous unsuccessful treatment with common antidepressive drugs (imipramine-like or MAO inhibitors) dl- or d-phenylalanine was given in dialy oral doses of 50 or 100 mg during 15 days. A complete euthymia was obtained in 17 subjects between one and 13 days of treatment. No important adverse reaction was observed.

Administration, Oral↗