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Biomedical subjects

S Maune

Publications and source records attributed to S Maune.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Endothelial and epithelial expression of eotaxin-2 (CCL24) in nasal polyps.

BACKGROUND: Nasal polyposis is mostly associated with eosinophilia of mucosal tissue. This points to the implication of CC chemokines in nasal eosinophilia. Recently the CC chemokine eotaxin-2 (CCL24) was identified. This study was initiated to localize the cellular source, analyze expression of mRNA, and quantify protein synthesis of CCL24. METHODS: Specimens of nasal inferior turbinates from controls and polypous tissue from patients suffering from chronic polypous sinusitis were collected. Furthermore, fibroblasts and epithelial cells were cultured. CCL24 protein was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and ELISA, expression of mRNA by SQ-RT-PCR. RESULTS: CCL24 was observed in endothelial and epithelial cells. Specimens from patients expressed significantly (>2fold) more CCL24 mRNA than controls. Fibroblasts and unstimulated cells did not express CCL24 mRNA. Upon stimulation with TNF-alpha, INF-gamma, IL-4, or costimulation with TNF-alpha and INF-gamma CCL24 mRNA was significantly enhanced (3.2-19.6%). In controls, fibroblast, and unstimulated cells CCL24 protein was below detection limit. Most polyps comprised significant amounts of CCL24 (mean 0.24 ng/mg). TNF-alpha, INF-gamma or IL-4 induced CCL24 protein (0.1-0.3 ng/ml) in epithelial cells. Costimulation with TNF-alpha and IL-4 (0.1-30 and 1-30 ng/ml, respectively) synergistically induced synthesis of CCL24 protein (0.18-0.31 ng/ml). CONCLUSION: In nasal polyps endothelial and epithelial cells are obviously the main source of CCL24, which was shown for transcription (mRNA) and production (protein) levels and was associated with diseases. Results gave evidence of CLL24- directed migration of cells from inside (the bloodstream) to the epithelial side (mucosa) in eosinophilic inflammatory diseases, e.g. nasal polyposis.

Adolescent↗

Normative findings of electrically evoked compound action potential measurements using the neural response telemetry of the Nucleus CI24M cochlear implant system.

One hundred and forty-seven adult recipients of the Nucleus 24 cochlear implant system, from 13 different European countries, were tested using neural response telemetry to measure the electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP), according to a standardised postoperative measurement procedure. Recordings were obtained in 96% of these subjects with this standardised procedure. The group results are presented in terms of peak amplitude and latency, slope of the amplitude growth function and ECAP threshold. The effects of aetiological factors and the duration of deafness on the ECAP were also studied. While large intersubject variability and intrasubject variability (across electrodes) were found, results fell within a consistent pattern and a normative range of peak amplitudes and latencies was established. The aetiological factors had little effect on the ECAP characteristics. However, age affected ECAP amplitude and slope of the amplitude growth function significantly; i.e., the amplitude is higher in the lowest age category (15-30 years). Principal component analysis of the ECAP thresholds shows that the thresholds across 5 electrodes can be described by two factors accounting for 92% of the total variance. The two factors represent the overall level of the threshold profiles ('shift') and their slopes across the electrode array ('tilt'). Correlation between these two factors and the same factors describing the T- and C-levels appeared to be moderate, in the range of 0.5-0.6.

Action Potentials↗

[Acute airway obstruction in acquired hemophilia A].

We report the case of a 67 year old patient suffering from acute airway obstruction caused by hemorrhage localized to the tongue, mouth cavity and hypopharynx, with no evidence of bleeding in his history. The patient presented initially with a globus feeling of the neck, dysphagia and a sore throat. CT scan revealed a swelling of the lingual and sublingual areas and the pharyngeal wall. Next day, there was an immediate life-threatening event caused by progressive bleeding with airway obstruction and an inability to intubate requiring coniotomy. The etiology of the hemorrhage was confirmed by finding a depletion of factor VIII and the presence of auto-antibody directed against this factor. Based on this case report and a review of the literature, we discuss the diagnosis and treatment of acquired hemophilia.

Acute Disease↗

[Strategies of the nasal mucous membranes for defense against infection. Current knowledge of antimicrobial peptides].

Infections of healthy skin or mucous membranes are rare despite constant exposure to microbial colonization. Nonspecific and specific defense mechanisms correspond in the nose: the mucociliary clearance provides very effective mechanical cleaning. If this protection is insufficient, the nasal epithelium comes into close contact with microorganisms. This triggers the recently discovered production of the body's own specific antimicrobial peptides (AP). It seems that it is difficult for microorganisms to form enzyme-induced resistance to AP. This makes AP highly interesting for the development of new antibiotics. The observation that antimicrobial activity can be induced has also led to the hypothesis that natural substances may possibly stimulate endogenous AP production. If this line of defense also fails, the inflammatory cells migrate from the blood into the tissue and, with their capacity for phagocytosis, the enzymatic attack on bacteria can cause a cellular inflammatory reaction in the nasal mucous membrane.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

Sentinel lymph-node biopsy in head and neck cancer.

The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic value of the sentinel node method in patients suffering from squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract. In 50 patients with oral, pharyngeal or laryngeal carcinomas staged N0 up to 50 MBq technetium-99m colloid were injected peritumorally. Sentinel nodes were localised using a gamma-probe in the setting of an elective neck dissection. Pathological findings of sentinel nodes and corresponding neck specimens were compared. In 46 patients sentinel nodes were detected. Of these 34 patients were free of metastatic disease in the sentinel nodes and in the neck specimens. In 12 patients clinically occult metastases were found in the sentinel nodes. Three metastases were detected only after additional sectioning of the sentinel nodes. In four patients, a sentinel lymph node could not be localised. Our results support the sentinel node concept in head and neck cancer and a definition of the sentinel nodes as the three nodes with the highest activity. Careful clinical staging of the neck and thorough pathological evaluation of the sentinel nodes are necessary to avoid false-negative results.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

[Benign fibro-osseous tumors of the frontal skull base with intracranial extension. Report of 2 cases].

We report on two patients with ossifying fibroma of the anterior skull base with intracranial extension. A psammomatoid ossifying fibroma was removed from a 29 year old female patient, and in a 37 year old female patient a cemento ossifying fibroma was removed. The main clinical symptom in both cases was headache. Surgery took place after diagnosis and therapy in an interdisciplinary operation with ENT colleagues. The ossifying fibroma is a benign neoplasm mainly affecting the maxilla and mandible. Complete removal is better than a curettage of the tumor.

Adult↗

Incidence and clinical background of posttonsillectomy bleeding related blood transfusion over 12 years.

Economies in National Health Systems forces ENT surgeons to review their indications for outpatient tonsillectomy. Therefore, it is important to preoperatively identify special risk groups who frequently have extensive posttonsillectomy bleeding with the need of a blood transfusion. Aim of this study was to estimate the incidence for posttonsillectomy bleeding related blood transfusion, to identify risk factors associated with the need for blood transfusion and to release guidelines for posttonsillectomy bleeding of high risk patients. A retrospective study was done on the medical history of 1720 patients who underwent tonsillectomy for chronic tonsillitis between 1982-1993 in the ENT Department at the University of Kiel. The average transfusion rate was 0.52%. End Stage Renal Disease and hypertension combined with a preoperatively decreased Hb and Hct were the risk factors identified leading to a transfusion. These patients should not get a tonsillectomy as an outpatient procedure. The Hb, Hct, PT, PTT, blood type and crossmatch should be drawn and assessed prior to tonsillectomy. We recommend immediate treatment of secondary hemorrhage in those high risk patients under general anesthesia to avoid severe complications.

Adolescent↗

[Bilateral vestibular loss. Diagnosis and follow-up].

BACKGROUND: Atypical symptom in patients with bilateral vestibular loss is head movement-induced oscillopsia. The paucity of precise complaints in many patients is surprising. Therefore, bilateral loss of vestibular function is often undiagnosed. PATIENTS: We report on the long-term follow-up in 29 patients. They were monitored for 2-7 years (mean: 4.5 years). RESULTS: Of the 29 patients 16 described oscillopsia. All symptomatic patients had acute bilateral vestibular loss.Patients described that their symptoms improved over a period of 1-2 years. Improvement was not age dependent. CONCLUSIONS: Otoneurologists should be aware of the particular clinical symptoms in bilateral vestibular loss. Regarding clinical features, compensation of bilateral vestibular loss seems to be unlikely only based on central compensatory eye movement reflexes. More likely perceptual adaptations and restriction of head movement are responsible for subjective improvement.

Adult↗

A phase III placebo-controlled study in advanced head and neck cancer using intratumoural cisplatin/epinephrine gel.

Patients with recurrent or refractory head and neck squamous cell carcinoma received cisplatin/epinephrine injectable gel or placebo gel injected directly into the clinically dominant tumour. The double-blind phase III trial comprised of up to 6 weekly treatments over 8 weeks, 4 weekly evaluation visits, and then monthly follow-up; open-label dosing began as needed after three blinded treatments. Tumour response was defined as complete (100% regression) or partial (50-99% regression) sustained for > or =28 day, and patient benefit as attainment of palliative or preventive goals prospectively selected by investigators and patients. With cisplatin/epinephrine gel, 25% (14 out of 57) of tumours responded (16% complete regression, 9% partial regression), vs 3% (one out of 35, complete regression) with placebo (P=0.007). Patient benefit was positively associated with target tumour response in the blinded period among cisplatin/epinephrine gel recipients (P=0.024): 43% (six out of 14) of responders benefited, vs 12% (five out of 43) of non-responders. The most frequent adverse event was pain during injection and the next most frequent was local cytotoxic effects consistent with the gel's mode of action. Systemic adverse events typical of intravenous cisplatin were uncommon. Intratumoural therapy with cisplatin/epinephrine gel provided safe, well-tolerated, effective palliative treatment for patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, who lack other satisfactory treatment options.

Adrenergic Agonists↗

[A concept for the assessment of quality of life in patients with carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract].

BACKGROUND: The quality of life (QoL) of patients with malignant diseases decreases significantly. OBJECTIVE: The evaluation of QoL is generally not part of the management of patients with head and neck cancer. The aim of this study was to develop an additional disease- and treatment-specific questionnaire to evaluate QoL in surgically treated head and neck cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The general QoL was evaluated with the QLQ-C30 questionnaire developed by the European Organisation of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). RESULTS: The disease-specific QoL was evaluated using the EORTC H&N35 module. The new questionnaire "Kiel Head and Neck 17" (KQL H&N-17) is a disease- and treatment-specific addition especially in regard to side effects caused by surgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A wide application of this whole concept is needed to obtain comparable results from studies suitable for evaluating QoL in patients receiving different treatments for their malignant diseases. Moreover, the effectiveness and quality of treatment could be controlled better, which would help to increase the QoL of these patients.

Activities of Daily Living↗

[Collagenase 3 mRNA expression in squamous epithelial carcinomas of the oropharynx].

BACKGROUND: Metalloproteinases (MMP) are endopeptidases, which are able to degrade extracellular matrix. It is assumed that MMP play an important role in invasion and metastasis of malignomas. The expression of collagenase-3, also named MMP-13, was already detected in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, but the significance in the process of metastasis is still unclear. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 36 tumor biopsies of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (10 cases N0, 26 patients N+) and 12 biopsies of normal oropharyngeal mucosa were analysed with reverse transcriptase-PCR and Northern Blot for their mRNA-expression of MMP-13 and TIMP-1, the physiological inhibitor of MMP-13. RESULTS: In 30 of 36 (83.3%) tumor biopsies a MMP-13-mRNA-expression was detected. In 9 of 10 (90%) cases with N0-status and 21 of 26 (80.7%) cases with N(+)-neck the mRNA-expression could be shown. There was no correlation between MMP-13-mRNA-expression and N-status. In 34 tumor biopsies (94.4%) a TIMP-1-expression was detected. MMP-13-mRNA was not detected in normal oropharyngeal mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that MMP-13-mRNA-expression is not a prognostic factor for metastatic behavior of oropharyngeal cancer and therefore not helpful for further decisions on the therapy.

Adult↗

A newly discovered function of palatine tonsils in immune defence: the expression of defensins.

The palatine tonsils have an undoubted role in the immune defence system. After antigen contact an effective adaptive immune response by B- and T-cell lymphocytes will be released. In addition the palatine tonsils seem to exert influence to the defence by the innate immune system. Therefore, we studied the ability of palatine tonsils to express different alpha and beta defensins and to find out any distinctions in chronic inflamed tonsils. Total RNA of 49 specimens of hyperplastic tonsils and chronic tonsillitis with pathological provided evidence of Actinomyces israelii was isolated using TRIzol protocol, reverse transcribed and the HNP-1, HNP-4, HBD-1 and HBD-2 gene expression densitometric determined, standardised in relation to glycerinaldehyd-3-phosphatdehydrogenase gene expression, after a semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed. mRNA of HNP-1, HNP-4, HBD-1 and HBD-2 was detected in tissue samples, but their amount differed within the two defensin families and tissue of origins. HBD-1 was detected in all 49 tissues of hyperplastic tonsils and chronic tonsillitis. Only in chronic inflamed tonsils the amount of HBD-2 mRNA expression was significant increased. In these specimens also mean relative expression rate of all defensins was observed to be manifestly increased. Palatine tonsils express mRNA for different alpha and beta defensins and this expression suggest a newly supposed function in immune defence: the participation in the innate, non-adaptive immune system. Thus, palatine tonsils have a potentially influence in the growth and control of the physiological mouth bacteria by their bactericidal activity.

Actinomyces↗

Transcriptional repression of the human fibronectin gene in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells.

PURPOSE: The aim of the experiments was to analyze the mRNA expression pattern and verify the repression of FN gene expression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells in comparison with benign mucosal keratinocytes. METHODS: Messenger RNA from SCC cells and benign keratinocytes was reverse transcribed and subjected to PCR following differential display (DD) analysis of the amplicons. Northern hybridization was carried out to confirm the reduction of the FN-mRNA expression in both laryngeal SCC cells and larynx carcinoma biopsies, in contrast to adjacent normal mucosa. Quantitation of protein synthesis was performed with homogenates of fresh tumor biopsies and their normal phenotypes, as well as of benign keratinocytes and laryngeal SCC cell lines, respectively, using ELISA. In the liposome-mediated transient transfection assay, FN promoter activity was analyzed by linking the FN promoter sequence to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene. Transfection efficacy was monitored by co-transfection with pGL3 control vector. RESULTS: A 191 bp mRNA fragment revealing a 99% homology with the human FN-mRNA was detected, the expression of which was repressed 20 times as much in SCC cells as compared to benign phenotypes. Northern hybridization confirmed the distinctly reduced expression of FN-mRNA in both laryngeal SCC cells and larynx carcinoma biopsies, in contrast to adjacent normal mucosa. The quantitation experiments showed a correlation between the range of FN synthesis and the expression of FN-mRNA in cell lines and the biopsies which were used. The 1.28 kb FN gene promoter drove expression of the CAT reporter gene, which was similar to the FN-mRNA expression showed by DD and Northern hybridization. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanisms leading to the low level of FN in many tumors have not yet been sufficiently investigated. Our findings suggest that the decrease of FN in laryngeal SCC cells is transcriptionally regulated.

Base Sequence↗

New insights into the pathophysiology of primary acquired dacryostenosis.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain new insights into the pathophysiology of primary acquired dacryostenosis. DESIGN: Comparative autopsy tissue study with histopathologic correlations. MATERIALS: Tissue specimens from the human nasolacrimal ducts of 36 patients undergoing endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy within a framework of primary acquired dacryostenosis were analyzed by histologic studies and electron microscopic examination. Six lacrimal systems of body donors served as controls. TESTING: One group of tissue specimens from each lacrimal system was prepared and processed with paraffin, sectioned, stained by different methods, and finally examined by light microscopy. The other group was processed with araldite after preparation, sectioned semithin and ultrathin, and examined by transmission electron microscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The degree of dacryostenosis was scored in each tissue specimen by grading the histologic sections as mild (active chronic inflammation), moderate (proliferative sclerotic forms of chronic fibrosis), or severe (total subepithelial fibrosis). RESULTS: Of 36 patients with epiphora, 13 had functional obstruction with a patent lacrimal system on syringing; in 23 cases, the lacrimal passage was completely obstructed. Different pathologic stages correlating to duration of symptoms were found ranging from active chronic inflammation to proliferative sclerotic forms and total subepithelial fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Descending inflammation from the eye or ascending inflammation from the nose initiates swelling of the mucous membrane, remodeling of the helical arrangement of connective tissue fibers, malfunctions in the subepithelial cavernous body with reactive hyperemia, and temporary occlusion of the lacrimal passage. In the follow-up, repeated isolated occurrence of dacryocystitis leads to structural epithelial and subepithelial changes, which may lead either to a total fibrous closure of the lumen of the efferent tear duct or to a nonfunctional segment in the lacrimal passage that is manifest on syringing.

Adolescent↗

[Measurement of the outcome quality as beginning of total quality management in otorhinolaryngology].

BACKGROUND: The last years are characterized by a change of paradigms in the evaluation of medical therapeutical strategies. The term quality of life (QoL) has been established in oncology and could be demonstrated as a subject of highly qualified investigations which were published during the last years. An extendend quality management is correlated with the possibility of cost-effectiveness measurement and arrangement in a time characterized by decreasing financial resources of the hospitals and university departments. The experiences in the field of quality analysis could offer precious tools to optimize structures, processes and results of treatments. This aim is strongly supported by the expected law "Gesundheitsreform 2000". METHOD AND RESULTS: Therefore reliable, valid tools are needed to calculate the effects of therapies. The combination of global and specific questionnaires include the possibility to compare oncologic data of different entities of malignomas. A couple of questionnaires in otorhinolaryngology were developed in the last decade involving the fields of malignomas of the upper aerodigestive tract, rhinosinusitis etc. CONCLUSIONS: Ishikawa, the founder of "Total Quality Management" and of the "Quality Circ", pointed out the high importance of customer satisfaction. Whereas the patient is in the mid point of medical treatment there are hardly any investigations about customer satisfaction published. Therefore it is necessary to develop and establish validated tools for the measurement of quality dimensions. The short, middle and long-lasting effects of a treatment could be calculated by quality of life measurements. The QoL is here of very strong importance, especially since economic aspects are included.

Germany↗

[Pseudoemissions and false positive findings in measurement of transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE)].

BACKGROUND: Recording procedure of transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions is an important part of diagnostics in pediatric audiology. As a rule of thumb measurable TEOAE excludes more than slight hearing impairment. Nevertheless any interpretation of these measurements in a clinical setting must consider supposed false positive findings (so called pseudoemissions) and real false positive findings in cases of profound hearing loss with reproducible TEOAE and missing auditory evoked potentials. PATIENTS AND METHODS: TEOAE recordings in 512 patients were evaluated for recording procedure failure. Possible types of recording procedure failure were divided into failures conditioned by the patients and stimulus or probe dependent failures. In case of insufficient test procedure and absent TEOAE recording procedure was improved and repeated. RESULTS: In 2 patients with severe to profound hearing loss we discovered reproducible TEOAE whereas auditory evoked potentials were missing. As a stimulus and probe dependent recording procedure failure we saw reproducible pseudoemissions in 3 other patients with profound hearing loss. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that conclusions concerning hearing ability on the base of TEOAE should keep in mind possible pseudoemissions as a result of recording procedure failure. Reported cases with absent auditory evoked potentials and reproducible TEOAE showed that TEOAE recordings in these cases indicate substantially preserved outer hair-cell function independent of profound hearing loss.

Artifacts↗

[The quality of life in head and neck cancer patients: description of randomized examination formula based on standardized questionnaires EORTC QLQ C-30, EORTC QTQ-H-N35 and Kiel Questionnaire].

The notion of quality of life (QL) was first introduced in the US in the 50-ies. This notion is much broader then health, it is a personal, subjective feeling of well-being that comes from actual, widely-meant life experiences. The QL is not a measurable value, however, it may be assessed by means of appropriate indices. In the contemporary holistic attitude to a patient, in modern oncology, QL has become a parameter of equal importance to other values characterizing the treatment success, as important as numbers describing e.g. mean survival, disease free survival, or neoplasm controlled survival. Head and neck neoplasms bring about deterioration of the basic functions of the organism such as: breathing, swallowing, speaking and senses: hearing, taste and smell. Application of treatment may intensify pain, dyspnea, hoarseness or cause any kind of discomfort. It influences directly the patients' family and social life. Comparison of QL of patients treated for larynx, tongue, tonsill, glands, and paranasal sinuses neoplasms depending on localisation of primary foci, advancement of the disease, the applied treatment and its radicality, age, sex, place of living (town/country), and educational level. Correlation between the subjectively assessed QL and the objectively evaluated condition of the patient is measured. In ENT Dept. K. Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences 46 patients were examined from May to September 2000. EORTC QLQ C-30, EORTC QLQ-Head and Neck and HAD scale were used. Kiel Questionnaire was introduced in September. The main reason for introducing it was the fact, that surgery is the method of choice in the treatment of head and neck malignancies in our Dept. The team composed of a psychologist and an ENT doctor has been working together on objective assessment of each patient. The QL assessment may be of practical importance when trying to improve the model of health care in cases of oncological patients. This knowledge enables us to learn how the accompanying side effects of therapy influence the QL of our patients, and how these problems may be overcome by proper education, advice, and support provided by the qualified staff. The authors are evaluating the QL in the period of 2, 6 months and 1 year after surgery in patients not supported psychologically. Our goal, in the future, is to introduce the psychological treatment, i.e. repetitive meetings in small groups, conducted by a psychologist. We have contacted 4 major ENT centers in Poland in order to coordinate the research on detailed assessment of QL in Head and Neck Cancer Patients in Poland. The results will be presented in the further publications.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗