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Biomedical subjects

M Baur

Publications and source records attributed to M Baur.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Anti-CEA immunoscintigraphy in postoperative follow-up of tumor patients. Differentiated use of various monoclonal antibody preparations].

The sensitivity of immunoscintigraphy (ISC) with monoclonal antibodies (Mab) depends on the Mab type, the radiophysical properties of the isotope, the labeling method and the tumor localization. We investigated 38 studies with three different Anti-CEA Mab (In111/I131 BW 431, n = 12; I131 IMACIS-1, n = 11; Tc99m BW 431/26, n = 15) in 35 postoperative tumor patients (31 colorectal, 1 gastric, 2 breast and 1 pancreas cancer) with a total of 62 tumor manifestations. Planar ISC was used in all studies. A dual isotope technique with Tc99m-colloid was applied for imaging of liver metastases in the In111/I131 BW 431/31 and I131 IMACIS-1 studies. Whereas the global sensitivity, ranging from 64-73%, was comparable, the different physiological properties of the Mab preparations caused marked differences in the imaging capabilities of certain tumor localizations, especially in the liver. All Mab underestimated the extent of liver involvement, however, the highest regional sensitivity (75%) was found with the I131 IMACIS-1. In contrast, Mab with the highest physiological liver uptake (In111 BW 431/31, Tc99m BW 431/26) imaged liver metastases in most cases unspecifically as cold spot, yielding a sensitivity of 0-9%. No differences between the Mab were seen in the regional sensitivity with respect to lung metastases, which ranged between 33-40%. All tested Mab showed a high sensitivity in imaging local recurrences ranging between 50% for the I131 IMACIS-1 and 100% for the Tc99m BW 431/26. We conclude, that in postoperative tumor patients anti-CEA ISC with Tc99m BW 431/26 is the method of choice for the detection of local recurrences.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Phase I-II study on weekly administration of pirarubicin in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

A phase I-II study of weekly low-dose pirarubicin was performed in 19 patients with advanced breast cancer. The goal was to establish the optimal dose intensity, i.e., the maximal dose applicable at tolerable toxicity within the intended schedule. Each of the four different dose groups used (20, 24, 25, and 27 mg/m2) comprised 4-5 patients. In over 47% of patients, objective remissions were obtained (confidence interval 26%; 71%) including one complete and eight partial remissions; the median duration of remission was 41 weeks (range 16-72), and the median time to reach remission was 12 weeks (range 6-36). Efficacy of treatment was more dependent on prior chemotherapy than on pirarubicin dosage. The weekly i.v. push injection of the drug was easily applicable at an outpatient clinic and well tolerated. WHO grade 3 was the highest toxicity observed for leukopenia (3/19), leukopenia associated with infection (1/19), nausea/vomiting (2/19) and alopecia (6/19). More severe myelosuppression was avoided by interrupting the weekly application until recovery of leukocytes to greater than or equal to 3.5 x 10(3)/mm3. No clinical signs of cardiotoxicity were observed. Generally, mild to moderate signs of cardiac dysfunction acquired during therapy were detected by special cardiac monitoring. Only in 3 of 19 patients was a cumulative dose of more than 550 mg/m2 surpassed. This was accepted as the upper limit for conventional anthracycline therapy. The median cumulative dose applied was 325 mg/m2/week (range 58.2-800.0). Because of maldistribution of prognostic factors, no dose-response relationship could be established. With respect to the total time for which each patient was studied, the dose group of 27 mg/m2 achieved the highest dose intensity with a median of 17.4 mg/m2/week (range 13.5-22.4). Therefore, the dosage of 27 mg/m2/week is recommended to be used in further phase II-III trials of weekly applied pirarubicin.

Adult↗

Intermolecular homologous recombination in plants.

To study DNA topological requirements for homologous recombination in plants, we have constructed pairs of plasmids that contain nonoverlapping deletions in the neomycin phosphotransferase gene [APH(3')II], which, when intact, confers kanamycin resistance to plant cells. Protoplasts isolated from Nicotiana tabacum were cotransformed with complementary pairs of plasmids containing these truncated gene constructs. Homologous recombination or gene conversion within the homologous sequences (6 to 405 base pairs) of the protein-coding region of the truncated genes led to the restoration of the functional APH(3')II gene, rendering these cells resistant to kanamycin. Circular plasmid DNAs recombined very inefficiently, independent of the length of the homologous region. A double-strand break in one molecule only slightly increased the recombination frequency. The most favorable substrates for recombination were linear molecules. In this case, the recombination frequency was positively correlated with the length of the homologous regions. The recombination frequency of plasmids linearized at sites proximal to the deletion-homology junction was significantly higher than when linearization was distal to the homologous region. Vector homology within cotransformed plasmid sequences also increased the recombination frequency.

Blotting, Southern↗

Role of phospholipase A in multiorgan failure with special reference to ARDS and acute renal failure (ARF).

In 150 patients admitted to an ICU phospholipase A serum activity was measured daily. The correlation between the increase of phospholipase A serum activity and the severity of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and the incidence of acute renal failure (ARF), two important target systems in multiple organ failure (MOF) syndrome was studied as well as the efficacy of a treatment with phospholipase A inhibitors (methylprednisolone and dexamethasone). The results of this study show that there exists a statistically significant correlation between the increase of phospholipase A activity and the incidence of multiple organ failure. Inhibitory treatment ameliorates the organ function for a short time without any change of long-term outcome. The results could not clarify whether the rise of the mother enzyme of the arachidonic acid metabolism is only an epiphenomenon of multiple organ failure or the causative agent itself.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Gene targeting in plants.

Although the generation of transgenic plants is now routine, the integration of foreign genetic information has so far been at random sites in the genome. We now present evidence for directed integration into a predicted location in the host plant genome. Protoplasts of transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabaccum) plants carrying copies of a partial, non-functional drug-resistance gene in the nuclear DNA were used as recipients for DNA molecules containing the missing part of the gene. Molecular and genetic data confirm the integration of the foreign DNA through homologous recombination within overlapping parts of the protein coding region, resulting in the formation of an active gene in the host chromosome. This approach is referred to as gene targeting. The gene targeting frequency (the number of drug-resistant clones resulting from gene correction compared to the number of resistant clones from parallel experiments with a similar non-interrupted hybrid gene) was 0.5-4.2x10. These experiments demonstrate the possibility of producing transgenic plants with desired modifications to a specific nuclear gene.

Journal Article↗

The clinical course of lung metastases from breast cancer.

The clinical course of 50 breast cancer patients whose first metastases were found in the lungs was investigated. 18 months after the start of primary treatment 50% of the patients had developed pulmonary metastases (range: 0-81 months). In 23% of patients a solitary, and in 68% more than one, lung metastases were detected. After a median time of 4 months, in 56% of patients the disease had spread to further organs with bone (25%) and liver (17%) being the most frequent sites. First line management of lung metastases employed surgery, endocrine treatment, chemotherapy or a combination of these modalities. In 24% of patients a complete response was achieved, and in 11% a partial response, with an overall response rate of 35%. Median survival from detection of lung metastases was 13 months (range 4-123+). Patients with only a solitary lung metastasis survived for a median of 11.5 months as compared to 10.5 months for patients with more than one pulmonary metastases. Patients with a disease-free interval of more than 18 months survived significantly longer than patients with a disease-free survival of 18 months or less.

Adult↗

[Treatment of intestinal atony following gynecologic operations. Study on the effectiveness and tolerance of ceruletide].

The efficacy and tolerability of Ceruletide and Neostigmin were compared in patients with postoperative intestinal atonia after extensive gynecological surgical operations. Patients treated with Ceruletide (n = 30, dosage of Ceruletide 2 ng/kg/min. i.v.) showed earlier defecation than the Neostigmin-group (n = 30, dosage of neostigmin 3 x 0,5 mg/die). The frequency of side effects was comparable in both groups, patients treated with Ceruletide suffered mainly from gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea) whereas patients treated with Neostigmin complained of disorders of circulation. Ceruletide is faster effective than Neostigmin, the tolerability of both drugs is equivalent.

Blood Pressure↗

Human genetics and human rights. Identifying the families of kidnapped children.

Between 1975 and 1983 in Argentina, at least 145 children were kidnapped with their parents or born in captivity to imprisoned women and then separated from their mothers. The parents of these children generally remain among the missing persons. However, the grandparents of the kidnapping victims and the Argentinian government are concerned with identifying these children. Genetic analysis can aid in determining whether a child who may be among the kidnap victims is related biologically to a particular family. Laboratory analysis of genetic markers in human blood enables the calculation of an "index of grandpaternity." This index reflects the probability that a child shares genes with a specified set of grandparents because he is their grandchild compared to the probability he and they share similar genes only by chance. The most useful system for this analysis is HLA, although other genetic markers including blood groups, red cell enzymes, plasma proteins, and DNA polymorphisms can be tested to provide adequate information in families with only one or two living grandparents. This approach has been applied successfully in Argentina, with an index of grandpaternity for one family of 99.9%, based on HLA typing only.

Child↗

[Sudden death caused by massive air embolism during respirator therapy in the newborn].

A premature male infant with hyaline membrane disease succumbed suddenly during continuous positive pressure respirator therapy. Autopsy revealed a very rare complication to be the cause of sudden death: air embolization to pulmonary veins, right ventricle and superior and inferior venae cavae as well as interstitial and subpleural emphysema, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium. The important role of lymphatic vessels as a port of entry for air is stressed.

Embolism, Air↗

[Quantitative functional analysis of the left ventricle in coronary heart disease. An evaluation of current methods. II. Correlation of results. Global and regional contractility parameters (author's transl)].

In the first part of the present paper, the basic methods for quantitative angiocardiography are described. In the second part, a variety of results are tabulated and discussed, derived from selective coronary arteriography, laevocardiography, left ventricular pressure measurements and heart size as seen on conventional chest X-rays. Various correlations have been derived from these. It was not possible to find an quantitative relationship between coronary sclerosis and myocardial function. The reason for this depends on the fact that the parameters derived from laevocardiography represent integrated global function. The significance of regional contractility is stressed.

Angiocardiography↗