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J Günther

Publications and source records attributed to J Günther.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

The macrophage electrophoretic mobility (MEM) test for the diagnosis of hydatidiform mole and choriocarcinoma. Preliminary report.

In 1970, Field and Caspary reported that lymphocytes from patients with malignant disease can be stimulated by a basic protein from human brain (human encephalitogenic protein--HEP). The stimulated lymphocytes are capable of releasing the macrophage-slowing factor, which reduces the electrophoretic mobility of guinea-pig macrophages. In general, this effect was not found with lymphocytes from patients without malignant disease. This paper deals with the application of the MEM test using HEP and HCG as antigen in the diagnosis of trophoblastic disease. We have found cellular sensitization against HCG in all patients with gestational trophoblastic tumours and against HEP in patients with hydatidiform moles of the group II or III as well as choriocarcinoma. Patients with malignant tumours of different localization showed a cellular sensitization against HEP, but only some against HCG. In pregnant women no cellular sensitization against HEP as well as HCG was detected. The results of the MEM test using HEP as antigen in patients with gestational trophoblastic tumours are compared with the clinical findings and the histological diagnosis. By means of this combination a more exact evaluation of the biological activity of the trophoblastic disease was obtained.

Adult↗

Impulse conduction in the myelinated giant fibers of the earthworm. Structure and function of the dorsal nodes in the median giant fiber.

The dorsal openings in the myelin sheath of the median giant fiber (MGF) of the earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris L.) have been studied with electronmicroscopical and electrophysiological methods. The fine structure of the dorsal nodes (DN) resembles in many aspects the Ranvier nodes in vertebrate and crustacean nerve fibers. The nodal membrane directly faces the extracellular collagenous capsule of the ventral cord and displays a conspicuous electrondense undercoat. The myelin sheath of the paranode shows a characteristic differentiation into large desmosomal contracts. Recordings of the transmembrane and longitudinal surface currents along the dorsal side of the MGF during spike propagation support the view that an active inward current is restricted there to the DN. The inward current density in the DN reaches outstandingly high values similar to those measured in vertebrate nodes of Ranvier. The nodal activity can be blocked by application of tetrodotoxin and local anaesthetics. Local electrical stimulation of only one DN may suffice to elicit propagated actions potentials up and down the MGF. It is concluded that the dorsal nodes of the median giant fiber of the earthworm are highly specialized excitable structures mediating saltatory impulse conduction in these fibers.

Animals↗

Macrophage electrophoretic mobility (MEM) test in malignant gynaecological diseases.

All patients examined [52] with malignant disease of the female genital tract showed lymphocyte reactions to encephalitogenic factor (EF) of more than 10% as measured by the macrophage electrophoretic mobility (MEM) test and its modification (MOD-MEM). Whilst 13 patients with non-malignant disease of the genital tract and 30 normals showed lymphocyte reaction to EF of less than 6%, 4 patients with nonmalignant gynaecological disease gave values above the 10% limit. The lymphocyte reactions of this latter group of patients were discussed with respect to their previous clinical histories. Some of the malignant cases were carcinoma of the cervix in situ so that the MEM test would appear to be of value in the early diagnosis of cancer. The need for caution in the interpretation of results is discussed as well as further possible applications of the technique.

Carcinoma in Situ↗

[Effect of anoxia on energy supply and isotonic work performance in the myocardium of the frog].

To investigate correlations between energy supply and mechanical work in the frog's myocardium in true anoxia, the stroke volume, systolic and diastolic volumes and the parameters of velocity of contraction and relaxation of frog hearts were compared to the levels of high energy phosphates and the delivery of lactate. During perfusion with N2 saturated Ringer solution, stroke volume, systolic contractility and diastolic relaxation decrease till a contracture. High preload produces a dilatation growing up to the contracture after retarded and weakened relaxation. The ATP-content decreases during the first quarter of the experiment to 60%. CP decreases continuously to 15%, ADP and AMP remain constant. There is a production of lactate increasing considerably with the onset of contracture. The measured glycolysis is not sufficient for production of mechanical work. The effect of anoxia on the action potential and the reduction of the sequestration of Ca++ and of the break of actomyosin bridges following the decrease of ATP are considered as causing the series of the mechanical events.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

[Immunochemical investigations on the protein of the "pregnancy zone". X. Demonstration of immunosuppressive activities of the pregnancy-associated alpha2-glycoprotein (pregnancy zone protein) by means of the macrophage electrophoretic mobility test (author's transl)].

By means of the macrophage electrophoretic mobility (MEM) test the supposed immunosuppressive activity of the pregnancy-associated alpha2-glycoprotein (pregnancy zone protein) could be demonstrated significantly. Pregnancy sera and sera of nonpregnant women with hormonal contraception containing this pregnancy protein showed an immunosuppresive activity, too. On the contrary, serum of male donors with the blood group AB and human serum albumin had no inhibitory effects. The results suggest that the pregnancy-associated alpha2-glycoprotein rather influences the afferent limb of the immune response and does not interfere with the activity of the mediator (migration inhibiting factor).

ABO Blood-Group System↗

[Effect of D20 on contractility and excitation contraction coupling in the rat papillary muscle].

D2O decreases the isometric contraction force of papillary muscles from the left ventricle of rats. This effect can be compensated only partially by increasing the calcium content in the perfusion solution. Differences in the effect of D2O under different calcium concentrations point also to an action site other than at the contractile proteins. The enlargement of the restitution of contraction 300 msec after the basic beat, the diminution of the postextrasystolic tiation and the disappearance of postextrasystolic depressions because of high calcium potencontent in the bathing solution make it more probable that the action site lies in cell compartments which may be involved into the supply of activator calcium. The increasing occurrence of aftercontractions alredy at slightly enhanced extracellular calcium is in good agreement with this fact.

Animals↗

[Aspects of the value of humoral antibodies in encephalomyelitis of neuroallergic origin].

The importance of humoral antibodies formed in the course of neuroallergic diseases characterized by a cytergic type of reaction and especially in the course of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAEM) is discussed, special attention being given to the importance of pathogenetic, immunodynamic, diagnostic, and therapeutic factors. The circulating antibodies of EAEM induced by cellular and humoral immunoprocesses are assumed to produce either intensifying or mitigating effects. Among the most important functions are the influence of immune globulins on the blood/brain boundary lesion, the gliotoxic and myelinotoxic effects, and the detection of a blockade of the intraneural transmission. The therapeutical effect to be discussed in the light of the protective effects of humoral antibodies is a mere conception in view of incompletely understood mechanisms including those governing the chronology and dynamics of immunoprocesses associated with multiple sclerosis, especially since the antigen-specific induction of tolerance appears to be far more essential.

Animals↗

[Experiences with the macrophage electrophoresis mobility test (MEM test) in the diagnosis of malignant gynecological diseases].

In 1970, Field and Caspary reported that lymphocytes from patients with a malignant disease could be stimulated by an encephalitogenic factor, the myelin basic protein from human brain. After in vitro incubation with this protein the stimulated lymphocytes release a factor ("macrophage slowing factor") which reduces the electrophoretic mobility of guinea-pig macrophages. In general, this effect was not found in lymphocytes from patients with non-malignant disease. On the base of this unexpected finding the hitherto most successful way to an universal and early in vitro test for cancer detection was established. Experiences are reported with the macrophage-electrophoretic-mobility-test (MEM-test) at 38 patients with malignant and 16 patients with non-malignant gynaecological disease in various stages of disease and treatment. The test was positive in all malignant diseases. Significance and perspectives of the test system with respect to the tumour diagnostic were discussed.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

[Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis as a model for the study of therapeutic concepts for encephalomyelitis disseminata].

The induction of immunological tolerance with, and for, the caused organotypical antigen is a conception for a specific therapy for neuroimmunological diseases with at least a partial autoallergic pathogenesis. Appropriate to a set step-by-step programme for the development of antigen-specific therapy preventive tolerance experiments were carried out at the model of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAEM) with allogenic myelin basic protein (BP) prepared from rabbits. The result is: 100 ug BP given intravenously simultaneously with 100 ug BP in incomplete Freud's adjuvant given intracutanously twice a week and 40 mg Cyclophosphamid given daily during the minor clinical incidence rate and no signs of EAEM pathomorphologically. A longlasting tolerance for the BP could be obtained as a test proved after 100 days. Hints are given for further potential therapeutic treatments, such as the use of antigen bound chemically to the immunosuppressive drug or the use of chemically modified BP for the induction of a specific tolerance.

Animals↗

[Experimental prevention and suppression of neuroallergic diseases].

For concepts of therapy for neuro-allergic diseases, especially of the encephalomyelitis disseminata type the experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAEM)--as a neuro-immunological disease of the first order and a classic pattern for the specification of immunological processes--can be used for more and more extensive testing. After an exposition of the different forms of treatment (prevention, suppression and therapy) and their value the possibility of inducing tolerance a versus the encephalitogenic protein is discussed following the EAEM example--taking the view that all measures taken up to now in the case of neuro-allergic diseases have been unspecific and consequently not set down. In addition emphasis was laid on the assumption of tolerance induction after sensitization which is important to the formation of a therapy for encephalomyelitis disseminata.

Animals↗