Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R Eichhorn.
We discuss the fundamental physical differences and the mathematical interconnections of counterintuitive transport and response properties in Brownian motion far from equilibrium. After reviewing the ubiquity of such effects in physical and other systems, we illustrate the general properties on paradigmatic models for both individually and collectively acting Brownian particles.
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Spinal tumors are a frequent form of manifestation of neurofibromatosis. Out of 171 patients, who have been operated on over a ten years period on spinal tumors, 7 patients had neurofibromatosis (4.1%). A total of 9 operations were performed, removing 20 spinal tumors. Three patients had multiple neurofibromas. Half of the neurofibromas had a dumbbell configuration with a larger extraspinal extension. In three patients a family history of neurofibromatosis and typical dermatological signs were evident. Two cases will be selected and the basic concept regarding treatment and the risks involved will be discussed.
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The initial symptoms of an HIV-1 infection were observed in four patients. The following were characteristic for the acute primary phase: (a) initial maculopapular exanthema, especially of the trunk, with occasional transition into a papulovesical appearance; (b) involvement of the oral mucosa, often of aphthous character; and (c) general malaise with fever and lymphadenopathy. The observed cutaneous changes had, on one hand, features of a Coxsackie or mononucleosis exanthema, on the other of secondary syphilis. In three patients seroconversion occurred within 2-6 weeks, the fourth failed to return for follow-up. The listed acute primary symptoms can be used as the earliest indicators of an HIV-1 infection having occurred.
Since 1980 a new epidemic form of disseminated mucocutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) with a progressive clinical course has been observed in populations at risk. Since 1982, 13 cases of AIDS-associated KS have been seen in our department; all of them were in young homosexual males with circulating HIV antibodies and a reduction in the ratio of T-helper to T-suppressor lymphocytes (0.05-1.3). Following systemic treatment with recombinant alpha A-interferon (rIFN-alpha A) over a period of 6 months (18 million IU/day for 3 months; later 18 million IU/3 X weekly) together with other concomitant measures (superficial X-ray radiation, argon laser radiation, surgical excision of isolated lesions) we registered complete remission of the remaining lesions in 2 cases, progression of the disease in 4 cases, and at least temporary stabilization of the disease in 7 cases. In 4 patients opportunistic infections occurred during rIFN treatment: Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) with lethal outcome in 2 cases, atypical mycobacteriosis in 2 cases, and Legionella pneumoniae infection in 1 case. Two additional deaths were registered due to PCP appearing during the post-treatment period. Life-threatening virus infections were not observed during rIFN treatment. Out of 9 patients receiving prophylactic trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole medication, only 1 developed allergic exanthema as a result of this drug combination. Occasionally, rIFN-induced leukopenia was seen and pronounced thrombocytopenia appeared in 1 patient during treatment. Overall, systemic rIFN therapy was well tolerated; its long-term administration in patients with AIDS-associated mucocutaneous KS seems to be well justified according to these preliminary observations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Plasma membrane vesicles from calf T-lymphocytes were fractionated by affinity chromatography on Con A-Sepharose. One subfraction eluted freely from the affinity column (fraction 1), while a second one adhered specifically to the column (fraction 2). While both fractions were derived exclusively from the plasma membrane, fraction 2 carried the high-affinity receptor for the mitogen concanavalin A and was distinct from fraction 1 with respect to its polypeptide pattern and the content of some plasma membrane-associated enzymes, suggesting the existence of functional plasma membrane domains. These functionally distinct fractions showed different lipid composition. The adherent fraction was enriched in phosphatidylcholine, while the relative amount of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine was reduced. Furthermore, the relative amount of saturated fatty acids was enhanced in the phospholipids of the adherent plasma membrane fraction. This could be shown in total phospholipids, as well as in separated individual phospholipids. We could therefore demonstrate that lipid heterogeneity may exist in plasma membranes of cells without structural polarity. Similar results were obtained when T-lymphocytes were stimulated with the mitogen concanavalin A. The functional domain, consisting of the high-affinity concanavalin A receptor, several enzymes and distinct lipid compositional pattern, thus seems to constitute a relatively stable structural entity of the lymphocyte plasma membrane.
Twenty male hyperuricaemic patients with normal kidney function were studied and it was found that the serum concentrations and excretions rates in the 24-hour urine of allopurinol and oxipurinol do not differ significantly after 9 days of oral treatment with either 300 mg allopurinol or a combination of 300 mg allopurinol and 60 mg benzbromarone daily. The sum of the excretion rates of the two pyrazolopyrimidines in the 24-hour urine represents 80.9% and 77.1%, respectively of the daily dose of allopurinol given alone or in combination with benzbromarone. As expected, the hypouricaemic effect of the combined therapy turned out to be stronger than that observed after monotherapy with allopurinol, due to the uricosuric component of benzbromarone. The difference was found to be highly significant.