PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Wurster

Publications and source records attributed to K Wurster.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

[3H]-nociceptin ligand-binding and nociceptin opioid receptor mrna expression in the human brain.

Following the cloning of the novel nociceptin opioid receptor (NOP(1)) and the identification of its endogenous ligand orphanin FQ/nociceptin the distribution and functional role of the NOP(1) receptor system have been studied mainly in the rodent CNS. In the present study the regional distribution and splice variant expression of the NOP(1) receptor was investigated in the adult human brain using [(3)H]-nociceptin autoradiography, NOP(1) reverse transcriptase PCR and mRNA in situ hybridization. Ligand binding revealed strong expression of functional NOP(1) receptors in the cerebral cortex and moderate signals in hippocampus and cerebellum. Interestingly, the NOP(1) receptor specific ligand was also strongly bound in the human striatum. A matching pattern of mRNA expression was observed with high amounts of NOP(1) mRNA in the prefrontal and cingulate cortex as well as in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. mRNA levels in the Ammon's horn and cerebellar cortex were moderate and low in the striatum. A considerable expression of N-terminal NOP(1) splice variant mRNAs was not detectable in the human brain by means of in situ hybridization. This suggests that functional NOP(1) receptors in the human brain are encoded by N-terminal full length NOP(1) transcripts. The present data on the anatomical distribution of nociceptin binding sites and NOP(1) receptor mRNA contribute to the knowledge about opioid receptor systems in the human brain and may promote the understanding of function and pharmacology of the orphanin FQ/nociceptin receptor system in the human CNS.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Modulation of resynthesis of 1-alkyl-2-arachidonyl-glycero-3-phosphocholine and phosphatidylinositols for interception in vivo of free arachidonic acid, lyso-PAF, diacyl-glycerols, and phosphoinositides.

Thermal injury causes directly a liberation of inositolphosphates, diacylglycerols, free arachidonic acid, and lyso PAF from eukaryotic cells. From lyso PAF derivates PAF, from free arachidonic acid are derivating PG, LT, and TX. These "soluble mediators" are stimulating inflammatory cell populations in a feedback mechanism: the stimulus activates the inflammatory cells to produce the same soluble mediators (Fig.1). The arising soluble mediators are the take off for the inflammation cascade causing as later step the activation of kinin, clotting, and complement systems. The pure biochemical lesions at the onset results in the clinical manifestation of oedema, increased dermal temperature, and pains. The possibilities for prevention and allevation of early pain, due to the acute burn, lie in the inhibition of the spreading out of inflammatory mediators (Bauer 1987a) (Fig.2).

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Ultrasound-guided fine-needle puncture of the thyroid].

If properly performed, modern high-resolution real-time ultrasonography will disclose subtle differences in the texture of thyroid tissue and thereby enable the examiner to suggest a diagnosis. Nevertheless, there is often a need for a more specific diagnosis of solid or semisolid thyroid lesions - especially when the lesion might be malignant. Ultrasonically guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (UG-FNB) allows a final cytological and/or histological diagnosis to be made in patients with benign or malignant space-occupying growths even if they are small. In its simplest form, thyroid nodules (diameter greater than 1.5 cm) with a uniform sonographic texture are punctured blind after determination of the site and size of the lesion on the basis of ultrasonic imaging. When the lesion is small and deeply situated (diameter less than or equal to 1.5 cm), this method will not be sufficiently accurate and more precise needle guidance is mandatory. In ultrasonically guided fine-needle puncture, the idea is to place the tip of an appropriate needle safely and accurately in the suspect lesion, so that representative specimens of solid tissue or fluid can be obtained and technical failures reduced. The main indication for biopsy of the thyroid gland is to differentiate between benign and malignant tumors. To compare the accuracy of conventional puncture techniques and ultrasonically guided puncture methods, 835 patients with benign or malignant space-occupying growth (even the small ones) were examined simultaneously with conventional and ultrasonically guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy over a period of 3 years (prospectively). Our results showed a significant difference in the sensitivity between conventional puncture without sonographic guidance and ultrasonically guided puncture techniques performed on patients with small and very small lesions (phi less than 2 cm). The size, macroscopic structure, and topographic-anatomical localization of the lesions were found to influence the diagnostic accuracy of the puncture techniques. UG-FNB is an excellent, effective, safe and painless method of treating uncomplicated thyroid cysts; it should be considered an alternative to surgery, if there are no clinical and cytological findings indicating malignancy and no severe space-occupying complications. Since the tip of the needle can be visualized on the scan, the needle may be advanced or withdrawn during aspiration so it is possible to empty the cyst completely. The use of ultrasound in the follow-up of patients with thyroid cyst puncture is mandatory to evaluate the results. Surgical therapy should be reserved for large cysts causing space-occupying complications.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1986

[Esophageal injuries caused by a swallowed foreign body. A life-threatening condition].

Report on a case in which a protracted foreign body in the esophagus (chicken bone) had perforated the wall in the cervical area and had led to premonitory bleeding and finally to massive hemorrhage. Neither before had further symptoms occurred regarding to the esophageal perforation such as mediastinitis or subcutaneous emphysema nor had the attempt been successful to picture the transmural lesion. With an appropriate history of the foreign body and relapsing gastro-intestinal hemorrhage--despite a negative endoscopic result--an esophageal lesion must be highly suspected as causing bleeding. The immediate thoracotomy for wound repair is strongly indicated.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Vascularization of malignant testicular tumors.

Recent studies of malignant testicular tumors report a correlation between vascularization, biologic behavior, radiosensitivity, and chemotherapeutic response of the tumor. Postoperative angiographies of malignant testicular tumor specimens (seminoma n = 4, nonseminoma n = 12) showed the following results: Contrary to the symmetric vascularity pattern of normal testes, seminomas were hypovascular, well-defined from normal testicular tissue and not neovascular. Nonseminomas showed isovascularity (n = 5) or hypovascularity (n = 7) but with focal hypervascular areas in the tumor (n = 10), and pathologic neovascularization. Present angiographic studies reveal marked differences in the vasculature pattern of malignant testicular tumors. In nonseminomas, focal hypervascular or neovascular areas as centers of a high-growth rate correlate well with comparable cell kinetic studies. Assuming a similar growth behavior in metastases, the vascularization type of these growth centers theoretically favors the efficient use of chemotherapeutic agents.

Arteries↗
PubMed1983

Lectin--peroxidase conjugates in histopathology of gastrointestinal mucosa.

Peroxidase (HRP) conjugates of Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), Arachis hypogaea agglutinin (PNA) and Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA I) were used as specific molecular probes in order to describe histological patterns of carbohydrate moieties in glycoconjugates of gastric mucosa. Specimens of normal mucosa, metaplasias and carcinomas were fixed, embedded in paraffin and stained with lectins by a postembedding technique. In normal mucosa, DBA reacted with surface epithelial, parietal and antral gland cells; neck cells did not react. In single goblet cell metaplasia, with few exceptions, goblet cells showed DBA binding. In contrast, mainly negative goblet cells were seen in intestinal metaplasia. In gastric carcinomas of intestinal or diffuse types, heterogeneous staining patterns were observed. Large numbers of mucus-producing surface epithelial, neck and antral gland cells stained with PNA-HRP conjugates. Parietal cells did not react. Among the chief cells only few showed PNA binding. In single goblet cell metaplasia, equal numbers of goblet cells were positive or negative, whereas goblet cells in intestinal metaplasia were mainly unstained. Carcinomas contained both PNA-positive and PNA-negative cells; PNA-positive cells occurred preferentially in the tumor periphery. UEA I - HRP conjugates stained the bulk of surface epithelial and neck cells; chief cells and antral gland cells were mainly positive, too. Parietal cells did not react. In single goblet cell metaplasia and intestinal metaplasia, UEA I-positive as well as UEA-negative goblet cells occurred. Striated cells exhibited a great variety of lectin reactivity. Carcinomas also showed a heterogeneous staining pattern. Under both normal conditions and in carcinoma development, qualitative and quantitative differences in the composition of glycoconjugates must be expected.

Gastric Mucosa↗
PubMed1983

Cellular localization of lectin-affinity in tissue sections of normal human duodenum.

Peroxidase (HRP) conjugates of Arachis hypogaea agglutinin (PNA), Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA I) and Bandeiraea simplicifolia agglutinin I (BSA I) were used to detect the expression of carbohydrate moieties in glyco-conjugates of normal human duodenal mucosa. Lectin histology was performed on sections from paraffin embedded specimens of donor blood groups A, B, AB and 0. While PNA, DBA and UEA I staining appeared to be independent of the donor blood groups, BSA I affinity was restricted to the blood groups B and AB. Neither striated columnar cells nor goblet cells stained with PNA-HRP conjugates. Glyco-conjugates of goblet cell mucins reacted with DBA and UEA I, but staining intensities varied in crypts and villi: positive goblet cells occurred preferentially in upper parts of the crypts and in villi. Striated columnar cells also exhibited variation in staining intensities, with binding of DBA and UEA I observed in the upper half of crypts and in villi, occurring predominantly along the brush border and in apical parts of the cells. Glyco-conjugates synthesized by Brunner's gland cells possessed a great variety of lectin reactivity with the lectins employed. Within a given histological section positive gland areas with different staining intensities beside negative cell populations might reflect different functional states.

Blood Group Antigens↗
PubMed1982

[Differential diagnosis of testicular neoplasms. Tumorous and clinically tumor-like diseases of the scrotum].

The observation of a case of inguinal omental hernia with marked peritoneal carcinosis treated by operation for suspected testicular tumor leads us to discuss systematically the differential diagnosis of tumors and tumor-like conditions of the scrotal region. In order to analyse the frequency and importance 420 cases of ours were reconsidered. Of these 30 had been admitted to our hospital because of suspicion of tumors of the testis. The diagnosis on admission and after morphological analysis by the pathologist are compared.

Aged↗
PubMed1982

Mixed chemodectoma-ganglioneuroma of the conus medullaris region.

Report of a 33-year-old man with a year-long history of low-back pain radiating into the left leg. Neurologic examination upon admission to the hospital revealed a spinal compression syndrome at the level L5. Laminectomy at L 4/5 revealed an encapsulated intradural tumor measuring 4 X 2.5 X 2.5 cm. The tumor was attached to the dorsal root L 4 and extended downward to the conus region. Light and electron microscopy revealed features mostly consistent with a mixed chemodectoma and ganglioneuroma.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Microcalcifications in testicular malignancy: diagnostic tool in occult tumor?

Malignant testicular tumor microcalcifications are being reported at an increasing rate. However, whether or not the detection of microcalcifications had any clinical significance has not been clarified. In the the present study testicular specimens from 92 patients (43 with malignant and 49 with nonmalignant testicular diseases) were examined postoperatively by mammographic technique. Microcalcifications were identified in 32 of the testicular tumor specimens (74 per cent), more frequently in teratomas (87 per cent) than in seminomas (60 per cent), and in 3 "burned-out" tumors. In contrast, only 8 of the benign testicular specimens showed microcalcifications (16 per cent). The arrangement of microcalcifications as well as the distinct pattern of distribution may further discriminate nonmalignant from malignant entities. Though the rate of detection and allocation of microcalcifications in malignant testicular tumors was a surprising finding, the general use of orchioradiography seems problematic because of the risk of potential damage to the germinal epithelium. In occult carcinoma, however, preoperative or orchioradiography may be justified.

Calcinosis↗
PubMed1982

Tissue glue for sealing plastic valves and bioprostheses in the canine aorta.

In experiments on seven dogs, a fibrin glue was used to seal plastic valves and bioprostheses in the thoracic aorta. Each valves was fixed in place with only four single sutures. Intraoperative and postoperative angiographic checks, with countercurrent aorta filling, gave no indication of perivalvular leak, even after eight weeks. Histologic studies confirmed the angiographic findings and showed only slight changes in the aortic wall. The results indicate that application of fibrin glue, supplementary to conventional suture procedure, may be useful when satisfactory fixation of aortic valves is hampered by pathologic circumstances.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Gastric marker proteins. Purification and immunohistological demonstration of the chief cell esterase.

An immunogenic acid stable esterase of gastric origin was purified from normal gastric juice. Specific antibodies were obtained by solid immunoadsorbents and were used for indirect immunoenzyme histology on gastric resection specimens. This esterase proved to be a cell specific marker for gastric chief cells. Different patterns of chief cell alterations in gastritis and cancer were observed.

Esterases↗
PubMed1981

Cytological findings in cases of marsupialized odontogenic cysts. A contribution to early diagnosis of malignant changes.

The early diagnosis of a malignant or premalignant change in cyst epithelium in the follow-up control of fenestrated odontogenic cysts can easily be made using exfoliative cytology. This investigation reveals the findings in 408 cyto-smears of 89 patients. Only in one case was the cyst epithelium free of pathological signs. 405 cyto-smears showed very variable inflammatory changes. The smears of one patient were typical for an ameloblastoma, microscopically smears of three patients showed keratinised epithelium. If the radical removal of an odontogenic cyst is not possible, cyto-smears should be applied and randomly repeated. Thus the possible change of cyst epithelium via inflammation or dysplasia to malignancy can be detected and treated earlier.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

[Bone metastases in Wilms' tumor in relation to histologic grading (author's transl)].

86 patients with Wilms' tumor were treated in Heidelberg between 1951 and 1980. Using the histopathologic grading according to Hardwick and Stowens the sarcomatous tumor type has an unfavorable prognosis. All the patients in stage III to V developed metastases. In contrast to other types of Wilms' tumor these sarcomatous tumors do metastasize to bones, not primarily to the lung. Boys up to 5 years are mostly affected by the tumor. These were "cold" lesions in bone scan using different radionuclides on skeletal osteolytic metastases, which is limiting the application of scans to detect bone metastases in Wilms' tumor. A more aggressive chemotherapy should be given to improve prognosis of the sarcomatous type of Wilms' tumor.

Bone Neoplasms↗