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Biomedical subjects

J Fuchs

Publications and source records attributed to J Fuchs.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Circulating aggregated platelets, number of platelets per aggregate, and platelet size during acute myocardial infarction.

Circulating aggregated platelets (total, reversibly and irreversibly aggregated), the number of platelets per aggregate and "big" platelets were measured by a modification of the Wu and Hoak method in 42 patients on the first, second and fifth day of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Among them, 30 had an uncomplicated course and 12 patients had complications that occurred between the 5th and 10th day of hospitalization (7 patients had reinfarction and 5 died). In all patients the measured parameters were elevated compared with those of control subjects. There was a significant increase, especially after the first observation day, in the values of total aggregated platelets (37 +/- 11% vs 26 +/- 12%, p < 0.001), reversibly aggregated platelets (27 +/- 9% vs 17 +/- 8%, p < 0.001) and the average platelets per aggregate (8.6 +/- 0.3 vs. 2.3 +/- 0.4) in patients with versus without complications. In considering the role of platelets in the development of AMI, these findings may add information to the role of platelets in determining the course of AMI.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1992

DNA strand breaks and DNA cross-links in peripheral mononuclear blood cells of ovarian cancer patients during chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide/carboplatin.

DNA strand breaks and DNA cross-links were detected in peripheral mononuclear blood cells of 15 ovarian carcinoma patients by alkaline filter elution. These patients received therapy with 600 mg/m2 of cyclophosphamide and 350 mg/m2 of carboplatin. Blood samples were taken a day before and 16 to 18 h after a therapy cycle. The patients showed an increased elution rate of 37% compared with that of healthy controls before the current cycle of chemotherapy, probably due to treatment in a previous cycle of therapy. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.02; U test). At the end of the actual cycle of therapy an average acceleration of the elution rate of 157% was found compared with that of controls (P < 0.01; U test). Compared with the rate before the cycle of therapy, the mean elution rate after treatment was accelerated by 89% (P < 0.01; Wilcoxon test). The amount of DNA-protein cross-links was also increased after drug application. The individual patients showed different responses after drug intake. While some patients showed hardly any alteration in the elution rate, others showed an acceleration of up to 400%. Monitoring the course of disease in six of these patients indicated that a strong acceleration in the elution rate after drug application is possibly linked to the success of the chosen cancer treatment as measured by a decrease in the tumor marker CA12-5 to the normal level. In another investigation the group of patients who had received non-alkylating antineoplastic agents showed no increase in DNA strand breaks compared with untreated controls. Thus, monitoring DNA single-strand breaks in the peripheral mononuclear blood cells of patients can help to evaluate the efficiencies of the cancer treatment as a composite of individual differences in resorption, metabolic activation and detoxification, and possibly some constitutional aspects of drug resistance to cyclophosphamide/cisplatin and probably to several other alkylating antineoplastic drugs. This may help in choosing an effective drug and in adjusting the doses of these drugs individually in the chemotherapy of cancer.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Big platelets in hyperlipidemic patients.

Both "big" platelets and hyperlipidemia are associated with increased coronary risk. This study was undertaken to search for a possible effect of various hypolipidemic drugs on big platelets. The percentage of big platelets, assessed microscopically, was measured in 66 patients who had hyperlipidemia of various types. Twenty-seven patients with hypertriglyceridemia were randomly selected to receive either fish oil or placebo in a crossover study. Another group of 39 patients with hypercholesterolemia, among them 13 with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), received lovastatin. The pretreatment level of big platelets was elevated, and similar in all groups: 23.3 +/- 12% versus 22 +/- 9%, in the fish oil versus placebo group, 19.1 +/- 6.3% versus 24 +/- 11% in the FH versus non-FH primary hypercholesterolemia group (reference value, 6.8 +/- 3.5%). After treatment, despite the improvement in lipoprotein profile, the percentage of big platelets did not change. The relationship between lipid reduction and big platelets is thus questionable, and necessitates further study.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Partial suppression of cell mediated immunity in chromoblastomycosis.

The cellular immune response of 8 patients from the Brazilian Amazon region with chromoblastomycosis was analyzed. Primary immunological responses of patients were tested by contact sensitization to 2,4-dinitro-chlorobenzene (DNCB), or rejection of first set skin allografts. 2 of 8 patients were reactive to DNCB after sensitization, and skin allograft rejection occurred in an average of 14 days. Capacity of patients to mount recall immunological responses was measured by skin testing with two fungal antigens and three bacterial antigens. Delayed skin reaction to trichophytin and candida antigens was negative in the majority of the patients. However, reactivity to mycobacterial (tuberculin), and bacterial (staphylococcal, streptococcal) antigen was high, or only slightly diminished respectively. The data suggest that patients with chromoblastomycosis have suppressed nonspecific, cell mediated immunity for some antigens (skin allografts, DNCB, fungal antigens), while reactivity to bacterial and mycobacterial antigens is not impaired.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Major thoracic surgery during long-term extracorporeal lung assist for treatment of severe adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Surgery in patients treated with extracorporeal lung assist (ELA) carries a high risk of life threatening bleeding complications caused by the need for systemic anticoagulation. A case report describing a successful surgical intervention for the repair of a broncho-pleural leakage by thoracotomy during ELA is presented. A newly developed heparin coated extracorporeal system was used in a patient being treated for severe adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after left sided pneumectomy. The heparin coated system allowed discontinuation of systemic heparinization intraoperatively without coagulation complications related to the extracorporeal system. This procedure was followed by resolution of the ARDS.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Ultrastructural study of sex inversion in a protogynous hermaphrodite, Epinephelus microdon (Teleostei, Serranidae).

Sex inversion of Epinephelus microdon, a protogynous hermaphrodite was studied using light and electron microscopic criteria. The sex changes takes place within ex-ovarian lamellae in which, in addition to spermatogonia, numerous primordial germ cells (PGCs) were detected. These undifferentiated and bipotential early germ cells are involved, as well as spermatogonia, in the building up of the testis.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) imaging in skin: biophysical and biochemical microscopy.

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is a spectroscopic technique that allows detection of paramagnetic compounds, e.g., free radicals, in skin, and is used for measuring skin membrane fluidity and polarity. EPR imaging is concerned with spatially resolved EPR spectroscopy. We studied EPR images at X-band frequency (9 GHz) in the skin biopsies of hairless mice. Our particular imaging technique utilized a modulated field gradient to obtain cross-sectional images perpendicular to the skin surface. Employing nitroxide free radicals, this approach allows analysis of skin biophysical and biochemical features at the micrometer resolution level. By spin labeling drugs, pharmacokinetic properties of the labeled compound can be monitored in skin. We suggest that EPR imaging has a broad application potential in dermatologic research. In comparison to other spatially visualizing techniques, such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging and ultrasound, EPR imaging has significant advantages, such as high spatial resolution and providing specific biochemical and biophysical information that cannot be obtained by other methods in skin.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Glaucoma blindness in Denmark.

In order to evaluate the prevalence and the incidence of glaucoma blindness in Denmark, all registration forms of persons greater than or equal to 50 years of age at admission, admitted to the Danish Association of the Blind (DAB) between 1955 and 1987 with glaucoma as main cause of blindness, were examined. In 1987 6.7% of DAB-members greater than or equal to 50 years of age suffered from blindness caused at least partially by glaucoma, equivalent to an estimated prevalence of 45 per 100,000 of the Danish population greater than or equal to 50 years. The estimated annual incidence of blindness due to glaucoma was 7 per 100,000 greater than or equal to 65 years, and in an equal number of patients glaucoma was a contributory cause of blindness. The incidence of blindness due to glaucoma was decreasing in the young age groups (less than 65 years) throughout the study period. Glaucoma blindness seems to occur at a later age now than earlier, leaving the patients blind for a shorter time. This pattern may be explained by improved health services but could also be due to a change in the spontaneous course of glaucoma. The proportion of glaucoma blindness in the glaucoma population was estimated to be 4-5%.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1991

Crystal structure of a Y35G mutant of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor.

The structure of a Y35G mutant of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) was solved by molecular replacement and was refined by both simulated annealing and restrained least-squares at 1.8 A resolution. The crystals belong to the space group P42212, with unit cell dimensions a = b = 46.75 A, c = 50.61 A. The final R-factor is 0.159 and the deviation from ideality for bond distances is 0.02 A. The structure of the mutant differs from that of the native protein, showing an overall root-mean-square (r.m.s.) difference of 1.86 A for main-chain atoms. However, the change is mostly localized in the two loops (respective r.m.s. values of 2.04 A and 3.93 A) and the C terminus (r.m.s. 6.79 A), while the core of the protein is well conserved (r.m.s. 0.45 A). The change in the loop regions can be clearly attributed to the mutation while the difference in the C terminus might be only due to a different crystal packing. Seventy water molecules were included in the model but only seven of them are shared with the native structure. Thermal parameters are showing a good correlation with those for the wild-type of BPTI.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Transient ischemic attack-related syncope.

The records of 483 patients admitted to the emergency room because of syncope were reviewed. Thirty seven patients (7.7%) were found to suffer from transient ischemic attack- (TIA) related syncope. This group is the subject of this report. Of these patients, 28 (76%) were men (mean age 71 years). Seven patients reported previous syncopal episodes. Past history revealed a high rate of ischemic heart disease (70%) and hypertension (68%). Concurrent neurologic symptoms, which led to the diagnosis of TIA-related syncope, included mainly vertebrobasilar symptoms: vertigo (in 55% of the patients), ataxia (46%), parasthesia (41%). Two patients most probably were presenting bilateral carotid artery disease. Various diagnostic tests (including electroencephalography, computed tomography, sonography, and cerebral angiography) were used to exclude other causes of syncope. During follow-up (mean 14.5 months) four patients (11%) had an additional episode of TIA and in three of them syncope reappeared. One patient had a complete stroke. We conclude that TIA is a much more frequent explanation for syncope than has been previously argued. These patients tend to be elderly males with high incidence of ischemic heart disease and hypertension. The concurrent neurologic symptoms, leading to the diagnosis, represent mainly vertebrobasilar territory ischemia.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Lovastatin therapy in hypercholesterolemia: effect on fibrinogen, hemorrheologic parameters, platelet activity, and red blood cell morphology.

The effect of lovastatin therapy on blood rheology was investigated in 26 hypercholesterolemic patients. Treatment with lovastatin was associated with a significant improvement in whole blood filtration time and a tendency toward normalization in red blood cell morphology. A significant increase was observed in fibrinogen level, in ADP-induced platelet aggregation, in the percentage of "big" platelets, and in platelet count. The viscosity of whole blood and plasma and the percentage of aggregated platelets did not change significantly. The cause for these hemorrheologic changes and their role in influencing the coronary risk of lovastatin-treated hypercholesterolemic patients should be further investigated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Oxidative imbalance in HIV infected patients.

We present an outline of the complex interplay of oxidants and antioxidants in infectious diseases in general, and in particular with reference to the HIV infection, and subsequent opportunistic infections. Viral and opportunistic infections may directly or indirectly cause an imbalance in prooxidant/antioxidant mechanisms and result in generation of increased steady state concentrations of reactive oxidants. In HIV patients a prooxidant state could lead to a self-perpetuation of infection via stimulated expression of genes carrying the virus genome, and subsequently to immunosuppression, and promotion of initiated cells to neoplastic growth.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed1991

Lovastatin therapy in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemic patients: effect on blood rheology and fibrinogen levels.

Thirteen heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemic patients were treated with lovastatin for 1 year, and were investigated for the effect on lipid profile, blood rheology and fibrinogen levels. A significant dose-dependent reduction in serum levels of total and LDL-cholesterol, Apo B and the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol was noted. Improvement in red blood cell filterability and an increase in fibrinogen levels were also observed. We conclude that the hypocholesterolaemic effect of lovastatin in familial hypercholesterolaemia is accompanied by changes in blood rheology. While some of these haemorheological changes may be considered beneficial, others may be regarded as unfavourable. The net effect of lovastatin therapy on the coronary risk of familial hypercholesterolaemic patients warrants further investigation.

Blood Viscosity↗
PubMed1991

One- and two-dimensional electron paramagnetic resonance imaging in skin.

EPR imaging with modulated field gradients provides the possibility for obtaining an EPR spectrum in a selected volume. We demonstrate the feasibility of X-band (9.5 GHz) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) imaging in skin biopsies of hairless mice. One- (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) EPR images of the persistent free radical di-tertiary-butyl-nitroxide are measured. At a microwave frequency of 9.5 GHz (X-band), 2D images are obtained in skin biopsies with an actual point distinction resolution of 25 microns. In a biological model system, 2D images are measured at L-band frequency (2.0 GHz) with a pixel resolution of 61 microns, and a theoretical spatial resolution of 12.5 microns. In combination with the spin labeling and spin trapping technique, EPR imaging is the most direct approach to analyzing spatial distribution of physicochemical properties in skin, such as membrane fluidity and polarity, as well as detection of free radicals.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Influence of pH on sulfhydryl groups and fluidity of the mitochondrial membrane.

Fluidity of the red blood cell membrane decreases as pH changes from 8 to 7.5. In rat liver mitochondrial (RLM) membrane fluidity precipitously declines as pH drops from 7.35 toward 7.0. With dithionitrobenzoate (Nbs2), reaction rates of mitochondrial -SH groups from rat liver and heart (RHM) and in beef heart submitochondrial particles are reduced at pH 7.0 as compared to 7.35. Similar results are obtained with the lipophilic fluorescence dye monobromobimane (MB). Bromobimane Q (MQ), which predominantly labels superficially located -SH groups, does not detect differences in -SH reaction rate between pH 7.35 and 7.0. Oligomycin diminishes the amount of reactive -SH groups in RLM titrated with Nbs2 only at pH 7.35, whereas with MB a decrease caused by oligomycin is found at pH 7.35 and pH 7.0. With MQ, an increase in reaction rate is observed for both pH values after pretreatment with oligomycin. Using 4-maleimido-TEMPO mobilization of -SH groups is found with oligomycin at pH 7.0, whereas at pH 7.35 they are immobilized. Phosphate significantly stimulates reaction rates of -SH groups at pH 7.0 in RHM and RLM. In RHM inhibition of succinate oxidation by oxaloacetate as well as the efflux of NAD(P)H is enhanced at pH 7.0, indicating increased permeability in both directions. Decreases in pH, fluidity, and thiol reactivity are important factors in hypoxic/ischemic membrane damage.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Native valve infective endocarditis in the 1970s versus the 1980s: underlying cardiac lesions and infecting organisms.

A retrospective review of the records of 135 patients with proven or suspected endocarditis, seen between January 1970 and December 1987, is presented. Among the findings: (1) Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) as an underlying lesion was more common in the 1980s group of patients (22%) than in the 1970s group (6%, p less than 0.01); (2) no significant difference was found in the occurrence of pathogens between the 1970s and the 1980s groups of patients; (3) in most patients (17 of 19) with MVP, the organisms isolated were Streptococci viridans; (4) most patients (15 of 17) with MVP had undergone a dental procedure without prior antibiotic treatment in the two months prior to admission. Prophylactic antibiotic treatment is suggested in patients with MVP undergoing dental procedure, especially in a subset of patients with flail or redundant valve leaflet as 16 of our MVP patients (out of 17) had this pathology on echocardiogram.

Adolescent↗