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Biomedical subjects

M Günther

Publications and source records attributed to M Günther.

135 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

High anti-inflammatory activity of harpagoside-enriched extracts obtained from solvent-modified super- and subcritical carbon dioxide extractions of the roots of Harpagophytum procumbens.

Solvent-modified carbon dioxide extractions of the roots of Harpagophytum procumbens have been investigated with respect to extraction efficiency and content of harpagoside, and compared with a conventional extract. The effects of pressure, temperature, type and concentration of the modifier have been examined. Two extraction steps were necessary in order to achievehigh anti-inflammatory harpagoside-enriched extracts. The first extraction step was carried out in the supercritical state using carbon dioxide modified with n-propanol to remove undesired lipophilic substances. The main extraction was performed either in the supercritical or in the subcritical state with carbon dioxide modified with ethanol. The supercritical fluid extraction resulted in extracts containing up to 30% harpagoside. The subcritical extracts showed a harpagoside content of ca. 20%, but the extraction yield was nearly three times greater compared with supercritical conditions. The total harpagoside recovery resulting from the sum of the extract and the crude drug residue was greater than 99% in all experiments. The conventional extract and two carbon dioxide extracts were tested for in-vitro inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase or cyclooxygenase-2 biosynthesis. Both carbon dioxide extracts showed total inhibition on 5-lipoxygenase biosynthesis at a concentration of 51.8 mg/L. In contrast, the conventional extract failed to show any inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase biosynthesis.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Anaemia in pregnant Ghanaian women: importance of malaria, iron deficiency, and haemoglobinopathies.

In sub-Saharan Africa, anaemia in pregnancy results from multiple causes including malaria, iron deficiency and haemoglobinopathies. In a cross-sectional study among 530 pregnant women in Ghana in November-December 1998, red blood cell indices were analysed with respect to malaria, serum concentrations of ferritin and C-reactive protein (CRP), and the haemoglobin and alpha-globin genotypes. Anaemia (haemoglobin [Hb] < 11 g/dL) was found in 54% of the women; 63% harboured malaria parasites at predominantly low numbers. Ferritin levels were considerably influenced by malaria and inflammatory processes (CRP > 0.6 mg/dL). Depending on the definition applied, the prevalence of iron deficiency ranged between 5% and 46%. The HbAS trait was observed in 14%, HbAC and elevated HbF in 7% each, and sickle cell disease in 1%. Heterozygous beta-thalassaemia was present in 1% of the women and alpha(+)-thalassaemia in 33% (29% heterozygous, 4% homozygous). Women with HbAS had higher malaria parasite densities than those with HbAA. In individuals with highly elevated HbF (> 10%), parasitaemia occurred in 27% only. Low gravidity, second trimester of pregnancy, malaria, raised CRP levels, and homozygous alpha(+)-thalassaemia were independent risk factors for anaemia in multivariate analysis. alpha(+)-Thalassaemia, however, was associated with a lesser degree of malarial anaemia when compared to non-thalassaemic women. Iron deficiency appears not to be a major health problem in this population. Haemoglobinopathies are common but, except for homozygous alpha(+)-thalassaemia, do not substantially contribute to anaemia in pregnancy. alpha(+)-Thalassaemia ameliorates malarial anaemia in pregnant women.

Anemia, Iron-Deficiency↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Frequent occurrence of contrast medium reactions in urograms following accidents in childhood].

Between 30.8.1973 and 30.11.1982 3.200 intravenous urograms were performed with Urografin 76% in patients aged from 0 to 16 years. With regard to the incidence of contrast medium reactions, there was a distinct difference between children who had suffered accidents previously and those who had not: among the former it was 4.24%, in the latter 13.51%. The number of cases appears large enough to rule out randomness. Lalli 's neurodysregulation theory offers the best basis for explaining this highly significant difference: the increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier as a result of microlesions in secondary brain trauma and the increased response of the autonomic nervous system to contrast media which occurs as a result could be a significant factor. However, it does not fully explain the incidents observed. It would be desirable to carry out checks at other clinics and in adults.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Applicability of four new antibodies for the detection of fetal nucleated cells out of maternal blood by FISH analysis.

The availability of fetal cells from the maternal peripheral blood opens up the possibility for a noninvasive prenatal diagnosis. Until now this prospect has been hampered by the fact that there are no highly specific antibodies to fetal cells. In the present study, four as yet untested monoclonal antibodies - 2G5, 3F9, EPO-R and Flk1 - were analyzed in view of their effectiveness to stain fetal nucleated cells. Therefore, 20 ml of peripheral blood from 40 women carrying a male fetus were collected in the 16th to 28th weeks of pregnancy. Mononucleated cells, enriched by density gradient, were stained with one of the four antibodies and isolated with magnetic cell sorting. Subsequently, fluorescence in situ hybridization with chromosome X and Y centromere probes was performed which allowed us to analyze the maternal or fetal origin of the enriched cells. For evaluation, 500 nuclei per case were examined. The antibody 3F9 detected 0.2 cells on average (n = 5), 2G5 1.2 (n = 11), EPO-R 1.6 (n = 10) and Flk1 1.8 cells (n = 8) with fetal specific Y-positive hybridization signals. The antibody against CD71 (n = 6) used as control gave no Y-specific signals. Considering these results, the tested antibodies, especially Flk1, appear to be more successful in detecting fetal cells than the commonly used CD71 antibody.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Determination of cell mediated immunity against tumour associated antigens in patients of ENT.

In an unconventional assay system (MEM Test) Caspary & Field claimed in 1971 to have detected lymphocyte sensitization to a common tumour antigen in all patients with cancer. There was no evidence of histogenetic specificity to the reaction and their conclusions are in direct contradiction to those of all workers who have studied the cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes on tumour cells. To improve the specificity of the test system, another type of tumour antigen was used in MEM Test incubation. Tumour-associated antigens were prepared according to the hypertonic salt extraction method introduced by Reisfeld, Leonard, Meltzer et al. As shown by the results, information could be gained concerning the existence of a malignant tumour and its location.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A mathematical model for metastatic growth illustrated by in vivo and in vitro growth of a transplantable mammary carcinoma in mice.

We analysed the growth pattern of metastases in C3H-mice produced by i.v. injection (tail vein) of tumor cell suspensions of mammary carcinoma HB. Although the ordinary Gompertz equation generally corresponds well to tumor growth in animals and men, we found it inadequate to describe the growth of lung metastases in our model. The morphometric analysis and growth kinetics (LI/GF) of the metastases show a biphasic pattern. The first phase is characterized by a strictly avascular growth and nutrition by diffusion, the second phase is initiated by tumor angiogenesis. To analyze these observations we developed a new mathematical equation which fits particularly well to the metastatic growth curve. We conclude that the present model is appropriate for the analysis of tumor angiogenesis, especially to study factors, which influence the development of a tumor specific vascular system.

Animals↗