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Biomedical subjects

M Schmidt

Publications and source records attributed to M Schmidt.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Diagnosis and treatment of sarcoidosis (author's transl)].

With only a few exceptions, in sarcoidosis the lung is virtually always, the liver mostly and the spleen only occasionally involved. Therefore, thorax-X-ray is the most important screening procedure. Histological verification by laparoscopy, bronchoscopy (transbronchial lung biopsy and bronchial mucosa biopsy) or mediastinoscopy is essential. In order to decide the therapeutic regimen, particularly the use of corticosteroids, the staging according to Wurm seems less suitable than pulmonary function testing (pneumotachograph, plethysmograph, CO-transfer, compliance). Futher clinical trials will have to find out, whether enzyme analysis (ACE) is apt to monitor progression of disease or to diagnose sarcoidosis in clinical routine use.

Adult

Effects of dichlorvos (DDVP) inhalation on the activity of acetylcholinesterase in the bronchial tissue of rats.

The experiments presented here deal with the effects of the inhalation of dichlorvos [dimethyl-(2,2 dichlorvinyl)-phosphate, DDVP] vapor on acetylcholinesterase (ACHE) activity in rat bronchial tissue. Exposure to DDVP concentrations of 0.8 and 1.8 micrograms/l for 3 days reduced ACHE activity in the bronchial tissue (62.8 +/- 0.8 and 51.6 +/- 1.6% of the control), but did not elicit any changes in blood ACHE activity (101 +/- 4.5% of the control each). Higher concentrations (4.3 micrograms/l) induced a decline in ACHE activity also in the blood (38.2 +/- 1.1% of the control). In the histochemical preparations used to demonstrate ACHE activity in bronchial tissue (thiolacetic acid method), a staining of the bronchial glands and smooth muscles characteristic of the enzyme activity was strongly reduced after exposure of the animals to even the lowest dose applied (0.2 microgram/l). The question of whether localized inhibition of ACHE in the bronchial tissue might cause increases in airway resistance due to activation of a broncho-bronchial reflex is discussed. This efferent cholinergic mechanism has been found to be at least partly responsible for maintenance of bronchospasm and hypersecretion in chronic obstructive diseases of the respiratory system.

Acetylcholinesterase

Population genetic data on properdin factor B (Bf) in northern Germany.

Properdin factor B phenotypes were determined in 1,112 unrelated individuals and in 151 mother/child combinations from Northern Germany. Gene frequencies were : F = 0.1960, S= 0.7905, F1 = 0.0072, S1 = 0.0063. The data of the mother/child combinations are in full accordance with the postulated gene model.

Adult

[Square-wave polarographic determination of heavy metals in vegetables with special regard to cadmium].

The cadmium contents of 104 foods mostly of vegetable origin (market samples from a highly industrialized area in the GDR) were determined by means of square-wave polarography. The values obtained are in good agreement with literature data about the cadmium contents of foods, and they are not indicative of an increased contamination of the products under investigation compared to other industrialized countries.

Cadmium

Neurogenic tumors and VIP-induced diarrhea.

The authors report a case of cervical ganglioneuroblastoma associated with intractable watery diarrhea and hypokalemia. The probable physiopathologic mechanism of the diarrhea and its relation to the vasoactive intestinal peptide secretion (VIP) by the tumor are discussed.

Diarrhea, Infantile

[The value of renal phlebography in the differential diagnosis of arteriographically hypo- or avascular lesions in the kidney (author's transl)].

The present paper is an investigation into the diagnostic value of renal phlebography for differentiating between arteriographically hypo- and avascular malignant lesions in the kidney and benign renal masses. In three examinations carried out on eight patients with renal masses, phlebography was of crucial diagnostic importance. In ten renal cysts a presumptive diagnosis made by arteriography was confirmed by phlebography. In another eight renal cysts, a case of haemorrhagic pyelitis and in two cases of unilateral pseudotumerous pyelonephritis, phlebography was of no value.

Adenocarcinoma

[Rapid determination of antibiotics resistance in clinico-surgical practice on the basis of radioactive carbon dioxide measurements].

The radiometric method is founded on the measurement of the 14CO2 which has gone free. This method was worked out of our team. It is a prompt sensitive and quantitative procedure for the control of antibiotic effect on bacteria. The method is a support in critical clinical situations. The prompt establishment of the antibiotic sensitivity can be live-saving. The empirics descended from 312 surgical patients. The antibiotical sensitivity of secretion samples is to be obtained within 4-6 hours. The results show in comparison with the classic bacteriological examinations five per cent less deviation. At the same time the computer analysis enables a finer distinction. 22 variable findings are possible within the categories: sensible, middling sensible and resistant. In that way the tested antibiotics are classified in an order of rank. The apparatus for the examination is producible without particular expenses. The measurements can be carried out at each hospital or clinical laboratory.

Anti-Bacterial Agents

Effects of a chemotactic factor, N-formylmethionyl peptide, on adherence, superoxide anion generation, phagocytosis, and microtubule assembly of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

FMLP promoted microtubule assembly in PMNs at concentrations which were chemotactic for the cells. At higher concentrations than those required for chemotaxis, FMLP enhanced the adherence of PMNs to nylon glass fibers. With colchicine, PMN adherence was inhibited, but upon exposure to FMLP, PMN adherence could be restored. The effect of FMLP on PMN adherence was transitory and was no longer evident by 5 min. At concentrations similar to those employed in the adherence studies. FMLP induced the cells to briefly generate O-2, since ferricytochrome C reduction was no longer evident by 5 min. Pretreatment of the PMNs with cytochalasin B enhanced the release of O-2 by PMNs exposed to FMLP. On the other hand, there was no effect of FMLP on phagocytosis of C3-coated particles. These results suggest that FMLP induces responsive cells to develop a hyperadherent plasma membrane which is largely independent on microtubule control. Since oligopeptides similar of AMLP are formed in bacteria, it is likely that the action of N-formylated peptides is important in regulating the inflammatory response.

Cell Adhesion

Cyclic release of luteinizing hormone and the effects of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone injection in Asiatic elephants.

Cyclic changes in serum concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH) were observed throughout the estrous cycle of Asiatic elephants (Elephas maximus). The increase in serum LH was correlated with a slight increase in serum estradiol concentration and the onset of behavioral heat (willingness to mate). In a second series of studies, injection of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone after 3 days of estrone administration induced an increase in serum LH. These studies indicate that the Asiatic elephant exhibits a cyclic LH release that can be experimentally induced by estrone and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone administration.

Animals

[Determination of serum digoxin. A comparison between RIA and EIA (author's transl)].

The results of two radioimmunoassays (RIA, precipitating technique), of a homogenous (EMIT) and a heterogenous (ELISA) enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for ascertaining the amounts of digoxin showed a good correlation in precision and a reasonably satisfying correlation in the recovery. However, there was a clear discrepancy in the amounts of digoxin concentrate in the serum of patients. Only the RIA of Abbott and the EIA of Boehringer showed no significant differences. Particularly noticeable was the tendency towards lower values in the EMIT-technique as well as its liability to unspecific serum changes (lipaemia etc.), which often made the detection of digoxin impossible. The routine use of this technique appears problematic. The need for establishing one's own laboratory and test-specific therapeutical range is pointed out.

Digoxin

Reactivity patterns of nerve cell-glia-complexes in mice during pentylenetrazole-induced seizures. Cytometric-cytophotometric studies.

The relationships between nerve cell-glia-complexes (NGCs) and surrounding capillaries were studied by combined cytometric-cytophotometric methods in male mice up to 60 min after injection of 70 milligrams/kilograms of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). The nuclear area in neurons from cortical layers IV and V of the motoric area 8 increased by 13%, and in neurons from the hypoglossal nucleus there was an increase of 23%, associated with phasic changes in the nuclear area of their glial satellites. The number of perfused capillaries increased in both brain regions and there was a 20%-elongation of erythrocyte-filled capillary segments. The cytoplasmic RNA content enlarged in the hypoglossal neurons but decreased in cortical neurons from area 8. Peptidergic neurons and their glial satellites (supraoptic nucleus) showed nuclear shrinkage. Fifty percent of these peptidergic neurons reacted by reduction of their cytoplasmic RNA content. The measured cell reactions seem to be specific for different groups of NGCs which were defined by their histotopography, their neuronal interconnections, and a prevalence of secretory or nonsecretory neurons.

Animals

[Treatment of metastasising soft-tissue sarcoma with a uniform combination chemotherapy of cyclosphosphamide, vincristin, adriamycin and DTIC ("CyVADIC") (author's transl)].

Combination chremotherapy with cyclophosphamide, vincristin, adriamycin and DTIC (CyVADIC") was used from 1974 to the middle of 1977 on 12 patients with various forms of metastisising soft-tissue sarcoma. An objective response was observed in seven of eleven patients. Full, although brief, remission occurred in two of six patients with fibrosarcoma and persists in one with an undifferentiated sarcoma. Partial remission was induced in one patients each with fibrosarcoma and alveolar-cell sarcoma. Mean survival time was 18 months. Those responding to treatment had a longer average survival time than those refractory to it. No statistically significant conclusions can be drawn because of the small number of patients, but these observations suggest that this combined treatment can favourable influence previously therapy-refractory forms of metastasising soft-tissue sarcoma.

Adult