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Biomedical subjects

P Fritz

Publications and source records attributed to P Fritz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Candida tropicalis arthritis of the shoulder associated with articular chondrocalcinosis].

A case of infection of the scapulohumeral joint following articular infiltrations is reported in a female patient with alcohol-related cirrhosis of the liver. Joint destruction occurred despite appropriate treatment with fluconazole. Candida tropicalis joint infections are seen mainly in immunocompromised hosts and usually cause little destruction of the joint. Most are the result of dissemination via the bloodstream. Preexisting chondrocalcinosis in the patient reported here may have been a contributing factor to the development of extensive joint destruction.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Persistence of B19 parvovirus in synovial membranes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Recent clinical observations support the hypothesis that persistent parvovirus B19 is a triggering factor of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in certain genetically predisposed individuals. If this hypothesis is correct, a number of RA patients may exhibit parvovirus B19 DNA in their synovial membranes. We tested the synovial tissue and peripheral blood leukocytes of 20 patients with RA, 24 patients with other arthritides or osteoarthritis (non-RA), and 34 healthy blood donors for the presence of parvovirus B19 DNA using specific DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Using this technique, parvovirus B19 DNA was demonstrated in the synovial biopsies of 75% of patients with RA but in those of only 16.7% of patients with non-RA. In autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells the percentage of PCR-positive patients was about 15% in both RA and non-RA groups and did not differ from that in healthy controls. When the PCR data were correlated with the presence of anti-parvovirus B19 IgG antibodies in serum and synovia all patients with parvovirus B19 DNA in peripheral blood alone or in both peripheral blood and synovial membrane were seropositive. In contrast, about 40% of patients with parvovirus B19 DNA restricted to the synovial membrane were seronegative. These data indicate a highly disease-related persistence of parvovirus B19 in the rheumatoid synovium.

Antigen-Antibody Reactions↗
PubMed1992

[The question of amino acid isomerization in the microwave field. Results of a model study with standard solutions].

Aqueous standard-solutions of L-alanine, L-glutamic acid, and L-proline do not reveal any increase of D-enantiomers after 30 min heating--neither by the conventional method on a hotplate, nor in a standard microwave oven. A specific "microwave effect" and, hence, a special consumer risk is, in contrast to recent assumptions, not detectable. Effects on the amino acids which were observed in conventionally heated samples are explained by higher heat-exposure during the treatment of these samples.

Alanine↗
PubMed1992

Sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis: its progression and radiological features. A study of 12 cases.

Twelve cases of sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis were followed up over four to 16 years. The patients underwent repeated radiological examinations of the sternocostoclavicular joints and the sternum, and the extrasternal osseous manifestations of the disease were studied to show changes in the radiological features during long term follow up. Five of 12 (41%) patients had extrasternal manifestations. With the exception of one patient extrasternal manifestations were first detected by scintigraphs because they were asymptomatic. With respect to the sternal manifestations the initial radiological diagnosis was made during an acute phase while painful swelling over the sternum and decreased mobility of the shoulders occurred. The radiological examinations showed the signs of a proliferative destructive arthritis in most patients. In contrast with the frequent occurrences of clinical symptoms, the radiological signs of progression take several years to become detectable. There are no specific bacteriological, serological or histological findings. Usually a permanent increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rates is found. Sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis is a slowly progressing disease, characterised by a chronic aseptic destructive sternoclavicular arthritis with a reactive low turnover sclerosis that begins in a similar way to an enthesopathy and ends after several decades with total ankylosis. The radiological identification of retrosternal proliferation of soft tissue by computed tomography was found to be a valuable criterion for the differential diagnosis from other benign hyperostotic processes of the sternoclavicular region.

Cervical Vertebrae↗
PubMed1992

Determination of cytokines in synovial fluids: correlation with diagnosis and histomorphological characteristics of synovial tissue.

In a study aimed at correlating cytokine levels in synovial fluid with the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1 beta and interferon gamma were immunoassayed in 27 patients with RA, 16 patients with other arthritides, 23 with osteoarthritis, 13 patients with trauma, and 18 patients at necropsy without inflammatory disease and not known to have had joint disease (median 27 hours after death). The results for interleukin 1 beta clearly show higher cytokine levels in patients with RA and other arthritides than in patients with osteoarthritis, trauma, or the patients at necropsy. Interferon gamma levels in patients with osteoarthritis and the patients at necropsy, however, were significantly greater than in patients with RA, and tumour necrosis factor alpha levels were also greater in the patients at necropsy compared with patients with RA. This study also correlated histomorphological patterns of synovitis and indicators of local inflammatory activity with synovial fluid cytokine levels, showing, for example, a positive association of interleukin 1 beta titre and a negative association of interferon gamma titre with ulcerogranulomatous synovitis (itself associated with RA). Taken together, these results extend and strengthen data suggesting a possible part played by increased synovial fluid levels of interleukin 1 beta in joint destruction in RA, but provide no evidence for increases in levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha or interferon gamma affecting the disease pathology.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Destructive arthropathy of the shoulder].

Destructive arthropathy of the shoulder consists of cartilaginous deterioration combined with subchondral osteolysis. The various diseases able to induce joint destruction (infection, neurological disease, chondrocalcinosis, tumour...) are excluded from this description which only concerns the forms with no obvious cause. Since the description of "senile haemorrhagic caries of the shoulder", several authors have reported, under various names, very similar diseases whose common denominator is destruction of the shoulder joint. The pathogenic factors remain unclear, but various theories have been proposed, involving mechanical factors secondary to lesions of the rotator cuff or suggesting the role of apatite microcrystals.

Calcinosis↗
PubMed1992

Demonstration of cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA and anti-CMV response in the synovial membrane and serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

One hundred forty-seven synovial membranes were investigated for the presence of human cytomegalovirus (CMV). In 11 of 83 synovial membranes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but only in 2 of 64 synovial membranes from patients with other joint disorders, CMV-DNA could be detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique (p less than 0.05). In contrast, the percentage of seropositive patients was not significantly different between the 2 groups of patients and no blood sample from any patient tested revealed the presence of CMV by PCR. Only in patients with RA and CMV positive synovial membranes was the titer of CMV specific antibodies in the synovia higher than in the serum. Thus, the local presence of CMV in the synovial membrane and associated local antiviral responses might participate in the pathogenesis of synovitis in a minority of patients with RA.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1992

[Microcrystal deposit arthropathies of the wrist].

Microcrystalline arthropathies of the wrist include three main forms of microcrystalline pathology: gout, chondrocalcinosis and apatite calcifications. Gout of the wrist is now rare and may be missed, particularly in its chronic form, occasionally associated with tophi and large, often asymmetrical erosions on the X-rays. Chondrocalcinosis is frequent and easy to diagnose in the wrist and may be responsible for a very typical arthropathy predominantly involving the radiocarpal joint, while the frequency and specificity of scapho-trapezoid involvement are controversial. Apatite deposits in the wrist involve various tendons and ligaments, especially the tendon of flexor carpi ulnaris, but may also be responsible for intra-articular pathology.

Apatites↗
PubMed1992

[The percutaneous-endocavitary irradiation of esophageal carcinomas].

In a prospective, nonrandomized study 43 patients with inoperable oesophageal carcinoma were treated with a combined therapy of external and intracavitary irradiation according to the Heidelberg protocol adjusted to tumor stage, general condition and age. The proportion of external beam to afterloading doses was 2/3:1/3. The reference doses were between 50 and 75 Gy. Intracavitary radiotherapy was carried out with a HDR-afterloading device in single doses of 5 Gy. In a median follow-up of 23 months 46% had a complete remission and 42% had a partial remission. Within ten months 17 patients (39.5%) showed local tumor progression or recurrence. Presently the estimated median survival time of the whole collective is eleven months. The median survival was significantly influenced by achievement of complete remission (17.7 months in comparison to 8.7 months by missing complete remission). After completion of therapy 90% had sufficient oral nutrition. During long-term follow-up in 44% of the cases repeated measures had to be taken to eliminate initial or recurrent dysphagia. Almost all postradiogenic stenoses were caused by tumor progression. Radiogenic side-effects caused by HDR-afterloading boosts, exceeding the acceptance, were not found. The combined therapy reduces the period of hospitalisation and has the same palliative effects as an exclusively external radiotherapy.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1992

Morphometric analysis of the angioarchitecture of the synovial membrane in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Using three different immunohistochemical methods we measured the number of vessels, vessel area and diameter and their form factor in the synovial membrane of 102 patients suffering from different joint disease. The variables were evaluated by means of immunomorphometric analysis. We found UEA (Ulex europeus) immunostaining to be the optimal method for quantification of data characterizing the vasculature of the synovial membrane. Irrespective of causes of the given joint disease, we found increases in the number of vessels, vessel perimeter, vessel area and the product of the number of vessels and vessel area over and against the control group (patients without arthritis). Consequences are discussed regarding local bioavailability of medicaments in the synovial membrane.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1991

[The localization of colorectal polyps and carcinomas in relation to their size and the histological findings].

Location, size and histological appearance of colorectal neoplasms were examined retrospectively. A total of 1,357 polyps (including small ones, diameter below 0.5 cm) were found in 1,022 of 3,057 coloscopies. The coloscopies were indicated by findings on preceding radiological or endoscopic examinations (48%), occult blood in stool (18%), during follow-up after polypectomy (21%), and after colorectal carcinoma (13%). A single polyp was found in 718 cases (70%), two to four in 221 (26%), more than five in 33 (4%), 1,106 polyps (61%) were found on high coloscopy; 380 of these (38%) were located proximal to the left flexure. Among the 1,230 polyps examined histologically 907 (74%) were adenomas (494 tubular [54%], 379 tubulovillous [42%], 34 villous [4%]). 251 (28%) of the adenomatous polyps and 49 (32%) of the 151 carcinomas were located proximal to the left flexure. The incidence of moderately severe to severe dysplasias increased with increasing diameter of the polyps: 55% of those smaller than 0.5 cm were adenomas. 70% of polyps with a diameter over 1.0 cm were tubulovillous or villous adenomas. The findings confirm that there is a high incidence of polyps proximal to the left flexure. A complete coloscopy should therefore be done as a matter of course.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1991

Palliation of esophageal cancer--operative resection versus laser and afterloading therapy.

Since 1985, 71 patients with end-stage esophageal cancer have been treated either by surgical (n = 26) or endoscopic laser palliation (n = 45). In 16 of 45 patients treated by endoscopy, additional radiotherapy (extrenal and endoluminal irradiation) was performed. Surgery and Nd:YAG recanalization were initially effective in removing the malignant obstruction in 80% of cases. There were no significant differences in survival in either group. The stenosis-free interval was longer in patients who underwent surgery: 24 weeks; minimal stenosis-free interval: 20 weeks. Local recurrences occurred earlier in the endoscopic study group (mean survival: 36 weeks; minimal stenosis-free interval: 20 weeks). Most stenoses successfully underwent further laser treatment. Although only 35% of patients treated endoscopically underwent additional afterloading therapy, this treatment appears to prolong palliation (mean survival: 38 weeks; minimal stenosis-free interval: 36 weeks). A few patients bled after endoscopy and were treated conservatively. The most important complication in the afterloading group was esophagobronchial perforation, which caused one death in our series. Transient pulmonary problems were the most common complication (31%) in the surgical group with a hospital mortality of 19%. Overall, the improvement in the quality of life after surgery was better. However, our results show that Nd:YAG recanalization and afterloading therapy are effective therapeutic alternatives in patients unfit for surgery.

Brachytherapy↗
PubMed1991

A new applicator, positionable to the center of tracheobronchial lumen for HDR-IR-192-afterloading of tracheobronchial tumors.

A new bronchial applicator for afterloading irradiation is introduced which can be positioned to the center of the tracheobronchial lumen. The central position in the lumen leads to a clear improvement of dose distribution. The applicator is built on the principle of a coaxial tube. Parts of the outer cover can be expanded to baskets and effect a distance of the radiation source from the bronchial mucosa or tumor surface, and at the same time, expend a relief of extreme contact doses. No obstruction of the respiratory system through the positioning device will be caused. The positionable bronchial applicator seems to be suitable for reducing complications caused through high contact doses and irregular dose distributions and may be able to improve the results of endoluminal radiotherapy.

Brachytherapy↗
PubMed1991

Lack of efficacy of d-propranolol in neuroleptic-induced akathisia.

d-Propranolol lacks clinically significant beta-adrenergic receptor blocking properties, but has the same membrane stabilizing effects as racemic (d,l) propranolol. To assess the role of beta-blockade versus membrane stabilization or other shared nonspecific effects in the therapeutic action of propranolol in neuroleptic-induced akathisia (NIA) we treated 11 patients with NIA in a crossover, double-blind study of d-propranolol versus placebo. Akathisia scores were unchanged after both d-propranolol and placebo. Eight patients were subsequently treated in a nonblind manner with racemic propranolol, with a significant reduction in akathisia scores. These findings suggest that beta-blockade, not membrane stabilization or other shared nonspecific effects, contributes to the efficacy of propranolol in NIA.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Effect of alcohol-feeding on IgA-producing immunocytes in the small intestine of rats with and without jejunoileal bypass.

Alcohol-feeding to rats subjected to jejunoileal bypass operation has been shown to lead to marked liver injury (fatty liver, necrosis and inflammation). This study investigated the influence of alcohol-feeding over a period of 3 months on the number of IgA-producing immunocytes and the villus surface area in various sections of the small intestine of rats subjected to a jejunoileal bypass or a sham operation. A jejunoileal bypass in animals receiving the control diet led to a decrease in the number of IgA-producing immunocytes in the duodenum and ileum, but not in the bypassed (blind) loop of the jejunum. In animals subjected to a jejunoileal bypass, alcohol-feeding led to an increase in the number of IgA-producing immunocytes in the duodenum and the bypassed jejunal loop as compared with animals with a jejunoileal bypass receiving the control diet. Among the animals with a jejunoileal bypass fed the control diet, the villus surface area within the duodenum and ileum increased as compared with the groups of sham-operated rats. The feeding of alcohol prevented this increase in the villus surface area in animals with a jejunoileal bypass. The increase in the number of IgA-producing immunocytes induced by alcohol in the animals with a jejunoileal bypass, in the duodenum and bypassed jejunum, supports the assumption of a change in antigen uptake in these parts of the small intestine, brought about by alcohol.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Transfer of adriamycin resistance by fusion of Mr 170,000 P-glycoprotein to the plasma membrane of sensitive cells.

One of the characteristics of multidrug-resistant mammalian cells is the presence of a glycoprotein of approximately Mr 170,000 in their cell membrane. Termed P-glycoprotein, this glycoprotein is thought to be the gene product of an amplified gene cloned and sequenced from a cell line (LZ) which is highly resistant to Adriamycin and cross-resistant to actinomycin D, colchicine, and vincristine. Resistance to Adriamycin has been induced in sensitive cells by chromosome or gene transfer. We now show that P-glycoprotein isolated from LZ cells and fused to sensitive V79 Chinese hamster cells renders the latter transiently resistant to Adriamycin. Incorporation of P-glycoprotein was confirmed by immunoperoxidase staining of fusion products following treatment with antibody to P-glycoprotein and by Western blots of membrane preparations from fusion products. These results suggest that P-glycoprotein is one of the important factors in the expression of Adriamycin resistance and provide added confirmation that it may be the important product of gene amplification in multidrug-resistant cells. The results also suggest that the cell membrane may be one of several targets for Adriamycin cytotoxicity and that P-glycoprotein may be a binding site for Adriamycin, rendering the latter ineffective in registering sufficient membrane damage for cell killing.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗