Biomedical subjects

S Morgenstern

Publications and source records attributed to S Morgenstern.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Development of a large bladder calculus on sutures used for pubic bone closure following extrophy repair.

Bladder exstrophy is a rare congenital condition that occurs in 1 to 30,000 live births. Primary bladder closure is usually performed in the first days of life in conjunction with an iliac osteotomy in order to achieve a more secure bladder closure. We report a case of a large bladder stone with secondary right-sided hydronephrosis in a 3-year-old child who underwent exstrophy repair at the age of 7 months. During the exstrophy repair a no. 1 braided, polyester, non-absorbable suture was used to close the pubic bones and served as a nidus for intravesical stone formation. This case substantiates the lithogenic nature of non-absorbable sutures in contact with urine as well as the need for close post-operative follow-up in these patients.

Bladder Exstrophy↗

PubMed2001

Gastric corpus mucin expression after partial gastrectomy, in relation to colonization with Helicobacter pylori.

Twelve different genes for mucin have been described. MUC5AC and MUC6 encode the secreted apomucins of the stomach. A gradient from the surface epithelium (foveola) to the glands is typical for MUC5AC synthesis, whereas a gradient in the opposite direction was found for MUC6. Our goal was to determine the distribution of MUC5AC and MUC6 in the postoperative stomach, with relation to the H. pylori status. Gastric corpus biopsy specimens from patients who underwent partial gastrectomy were examined by immunohistochemistry for mucin gene (MUC5AC and MUC6) apoproteins. We used polyclonal antibodies for amino acid tandem repeats of both proteins. A scoring system (0-3) was used to assess staining intensity at four sites: the lumen, the foveola, the mucous neck cells, and the glands. Helicobacter pylori status was determined by histology and rapid urease test and was considered positive or negative when both tests were positive or negative, respectively. We studied 19 H. pylori-positive and 32 H. pylori-negative patients. No significant change in MUC5AC or MUC6 synthesis and secretion was demonstrated between H. pylori-positive or -negative patients. A gradient similar to that shown for the intact stomach (from the surface epithelium to the glands) for MUC5AC protein and an increase of MUC6 protein presentation from the mucous neck cell to the glands were demonstrated. The pattern of MUC5AC protein synthesis was not different between H. pylori-positive and -negative patients in the postoperative stomach. MUC6 expression was higher in the foveola in H. pylori-positive patients, whereas there was no difference in the other cell layers.

Gastrectomy↗

PubMed2001

Does Helicobacter pylori affect gastric mucin expression? Relationship between gastric antral mucin expression and H. pylori colonization.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Helicobacter pylori colonizes the gastric mucous gel layer, the surface epithelium and glands. It has been shown that H. pylori infection causes aberrant expression of gastric mucins MUC 5 and MUC 6. This study aimed to determine the distribution of MUC 5 and MUC 6 in the gastric antrum of dyspeptic patients, and to investigate changes in this pattern in the presence of H. pylori and after successful eradication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gastric antrum biopsy specimens were examined by immunohistochemistry for mucin gene (MUC 5 and MUC 6) expression. Polyclonal antibodies were used to detect amino acid tandem repeats of each protein. A scoring system (0-3) was used to assess staining intensity at three sites: foveola, mucous neck cells and glands. H. pylori status was determined by histology and rapid urease test, and considered positive or negative when both tests were positive or negative, respectively. The study included 49 patients positive for H. pylori, in 36 of whom successful eradication was performed, and 11 H. pylori-negative patients. RESULTS: There was a gradient of MUC 5 expression, higher to lower, from the surface to the glands, which was more pronounced before eradication. Increased MUC 5 synthesis in the mucous neck cells and in the glands was found after H. pylori eradication (P = 0.016). MUC 6 was synthesized in the glands more than in the mucous neck cells or foveola. MUC 6 was also secreted into the lumen and probably comprised the superficial part of the unstirred mucous layer. CONCLUSION: The change in MUC 5 synthesis may reflect H. pylori colonization.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Gastrointestinal anastomosis with the nickel-titanium double ring.

We used a dog model to test the safety and effectiveness of sutureless gastrointestinal anastomoses (n = 23) (end-to-end, end-to-side, or side-to-side) with the nickel-titanium double ring with temperature-dependent shape memory. Results were compared to conventional hand-sutured anastomoses (n = 5). Examination performed after 2 weeks' follow-up showed no leaks and no difference in return of bowel function between the experimental groups and the control group. Microscopic studies showed a complete epithelial lining and perfectly functioning anastomoses. We conclude that the nickel-titanium double-ring device may have an important place in the armamentarium of the gastrointestinal surgeon.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

PubMed2000

HLA-DR and beta 2 microglobulin expression in medullary and atypical medullary carcinoma of the breast: histopathologically similar but biologically distinct entities.

AIMS: To examine the expression of HLA-DR and beta 2 microglobulin in medullary carcinoma and atypical medullary carcinoma of the breast to determine if the effective presentation of tumour antigens to the immune system can differentiate between these two histopathologically similar entities. METHODS: Expression of HLA-DR and beta 2 microglobulin was examined by immunohistochemical methods in five samples of medullary carcinoma of the breast, which has a relatively favourable prognosis, six samples of atypical medullary carcinoma of the breast, which has a prognosis closer to that of regular invasive duct carcinoma, and 20 samples of invasive duct carcinomas, 10 with an accompanying lymphocytic infiltrate. RESULTS: A positive and significant correlation was found between tumour type and both HLA-DR and beta 2 microglobulin expression. Expression was most prominent in medullary carcinoma, followed by atypical medullary carcinoma and invasive duct carcinoma with and without lymphocytic infiltrates. The mean intensity and percentage of HLA-DR tumour immunostaining were significantly higher in medullary carcinoma than in the other three tumour groups, as was the mean intensity of beta 2 microglobulin immunostaining. Mean percentage of beta 2 microglobulin immunostaining was significantly higher in medullary carcinoma than in invasive duct carcinoma without lymphocytic infiltrates, and showed a trend to increase from invasive duct carcinoma with lymphocytic infiltrates to atypical medullary carcinoma and medullary carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Medullary carcinoma and atypical medullary carcinoma of the breast differ in their expression of HLA-DR and beta 2 microglobulin. The relatively favourable prognosis of medullary carcinoma of the breast may be related to effective tumour antigen presentation to the immune system through MHC-I and MHC-II expression. Immunotherapy aimed at MHC-I and MHC-II induction might have a beneficial effect in breast cancer.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Monoclonal anti-endothelial cell antibodies from a patient with Takayasu arteritis activate endothelial cells from large vessels.

OBJECTIVE: To create monoclonal anti-endothelial cell antibodies (mAECA) from a patient with Takayasu arteritis to evaluate their ability to activate human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), and to characterize the mechanism of EC activation. METHODS: A panel of mAECA was generated from peripheral blood lymphocytes of a patient with Takayasu arteritis, using Epstein-Barr virus transformation. Activity against macrovascular EC (HUVEC) and microvascular EC (human bone marrow EC immortalized by SV40) antigens was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Inhibition studies were used to select the monoclonal antibodies (mAECA) which share the same EC epitope binding specificity as the total IgG-AECA from the Takayasu arteritis patient. The binding of the mAECA to human aortic EC was studied by immunohistochemistry. The secretion levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) were determined, to serve as markers for EC activation. The activated EC were examined for the adherence of a monocytic cell line (U937), as well as for expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and E-selectin. In addition, nuclear extracts of the mAECA-treated EC were analyzed for the induction of translocation of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), using a specific NF-kappaB oligoprobe in an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. RESULTS: Six mAECA were selected, the mixture of which produced 100% inhibition of binding of the original IgG (from the patient with Takayasu arteritis) to HUVEC. All mAECA possessed high activity against macrovascular EC, but none had significant antimicrovascular EC activity. The mAECA, but not normal human IgG, had anti-human aortic EC activity. Four of the 6 mAECA activated EC, manifested by increased IL-6 and vWF secretion. The 4 mAECA induced EC expression of adhesion molecules and increased adhesion of U937 monocytic cells to EC. In addition, these mAECA stimulated the nuclear translocation of the NF-kappaB transcription factor. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that AECA may directly stimulate EC in Takayasu arteritis through elevation of adhesion molecule expression associated with NF-kappaB activation and adhesion of monocytes, and may therefore play a pathogenic role in the development of the vasculopathy in Takayasu arteritis.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Synchronous appearance of keratoacanthomas in burn scar and skin graft donor site shortly after injury.

Skin malignancies can originate in burn scars (Marjolin's ulcer). The most common is squamous cell carcinoma, usually appearing years after injury. Split-thickness skin graft donor sites as a source of malignant transformation are far less frequent and demonstrate a shorter interval between surgery and tumor onset. Keratoacanthomas have rarely been reported to arise in such scars. We describe the simultaneous occurrence of keratoacanthomas on a spontaneously healed second-degree burn on the flank and in the scar of a skin graft donor site on the thigh, 4 months after a 40% total body surface area burn.

Burns↗

PubMed1993

Infrequent shedding and transmission of herpesvirus simiae from seropositive macaques.

The epizootiologic properties of Herpesvirus simiae (B virus) were studied in singly housed macaques (Macaca mulatta and M. fascicularis) in a biomedical vivarium to determine whether commonly encountered environments and procedures such as quarantine, breeding, Caesarean section, parturition, and social stress induced virus shedding and transmission. Macaques were tested serologically and for infectious virus. Oral, conjunctival, and vaginal swab samples were obtained repeatedly. Virus excretion was not detected during a 7-week quarantine of 32 newly acquired, singly housed animals tested every other week for 6 weeks, and none of 19 seronegative animals from this group seroconverted during 7 weeks in quarantine. No virus shedding was detected in 16 seropositive animals tested weekly for 3 weeks after Caesarean section or normal parturition or in 11 seropositive animals following introduction of new males to animals rooms. One animal seroconverted after repeated breeding of seropositive animals to seronegative partners. Fifty-three singly housed offspring remained seronegative for up to 10 years, even if born to seropositive dams, and only 1 of 86 singly housed animals less than 7 years old was seropositive. These results suggest that shedding of B virus from seropositive macaques is uncommon, when subjected to common laboratory procedures or environments, and that transmission is rare in singly housed animals. These results may be useful in establishing B virus-free colonies of macaques.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Perineal urinary bladder diverticulum resulting in partial urinary obstruction in a rhesus monkey.

A 16-year-old rhesus monkey with perineal swelling and urinary obstruction was found to have a congenital urinary bladder diverticulum. Because the diverticulum was located at the trigone, its distention partially obstructed the urethra, resulting in incomplete voiding. The diverticulum was resected and did not redevelop.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

A comparison of ankle taping methods.

Four different types of ankle tapings were applied to a model of the human ankle joint. The model was constructed so that it contained a hinge to represent the ankle joint and had an external shape identical to a real ankle and foot. A mechanical testing machine was used to apply moments to the model at a controlled loading rate. From these tests, the deflection and torque to failure and the tangent stiffness were determined. Loadings of an ankle joint in vivo revealed that the angular deflection to initiate pain was approximately 8 degrees. Only the figure eight and full tapings could withstand 8 degrees of angular displacement on the ankle model prior to failure. Analysis of athletic trauma revealed that torques of 420 Nm could be applied to the ankle joint. Only the figure eight taping with three or more wraps has adequate strength to withstand this moment, and thus this taping is recommended. In practice, tapings failed by shearing away from the surface of the foot of shrinking rather than by rupture of the tape.

Ankle Injuries↗

PubMed1984

Two epizootics of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus occurring in laboratory mice despite intensive monitoring programs.

Two epizootics of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in mice occurred within two months in one research facility consisting of several widely separated rooms. These outbreaks developed despite intensive institutional monitoring policies designed to prevent introduction and spread of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Evidence derived from serological and virological assays and interviews with the concerned investigators suggested that a single transplantable tumor carried in mice may have been responsible for spread of the virus. However, the tumor was not contaminated with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus at the time of its introduction into the mouse facility. The origin of the virus responsible for the outbreaks was not definitively established although data supported an hypothesis that the virus was introduced into the research facility by a wild or feral mouse. Virus spread from infected mice to humans did not occur, as measured by serological tests. However, a large and valuable animal facility was depopulated for safety reasons. Absorption of sera with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus antigen proved a necessary and reliable method for confirming specificity of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus fluorescence-positive reactions.

Animals↗

PubMed1981