Biomedical subjects

Thomas Herrmann

Publications and source records attributed to Thomas Herrmann.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Serum levels of soluble Fas, nitric oxide and cytokines in acute decompensated cirrhotic patients.

AIM: To evaluate plasma levels of nitrite/nitrate (NOx), soluble Fas (sFas) antigen, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with compensated and acute decompensated cirrhosis and to evaluate mediators causing acute decompensation in liver cirrhosis. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in the medical intensive care unit of an academic tertiary center. Fifty-five patients with acute decompensation (gastrointestinal hemorrhage, encephalopathy, hydropic decompensation) and twenty-five patients with compensated liver cirrhosis were included. Blood samples were taken for analyses of sFas, Nox, IL-6, TNF-alpha. Liver enzymes and kidney functions were also tested. RESULTS: In patients with acute decompensation, plasma sFas levels were higher than in non-decompensated patients (15305 +/- 4646 vs 12458 +/- 4322 pg/mL, P < 0.05). This was also true for the subgroup of patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (P < 0.05). The other mediators were not different and none of the parameters predicted survival, except for ALT (alanine-aminotransferase). In patients with portal-hypertension-induced acute hemorrhage, NOx levels were significantly lower than in patients with other forms of decompensation (70.8 +/- 48.3 vs 112.9 +/- 74.9 pg/mL, P < 0.05). When NOx levels were normalized to creatinine levels, the difference disappeared. IL-6, TNF-alpha and sFas were not different between bleeders and non-bleeders. In decompensated patients sFas, IL-6 and NOx levels correlated positively with creatinine levels, while IL-6 levels were dependent on Child class. CONCLUSION: In acute decompensated cirrhotic patients sFas is increased, suggesting a role of apoptosis in this process and patients with acute bleeding have lower NOx levels. However, in this acute complex clinical situation, kidney function seems to have a predominant influence on mediator levels.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Vertical profile of PCDD/Fs, dioxin-like PCBs, other PCBs, PAHs, chlorobenzenes, DDX, HCHs, organotin compounds and chlorinated ethers in dated sediment/soil cores from flood-plains of the river Elbe, Germany.

Concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and other organic micropollutants were determined in dated sediment/soil cores collected from the flood-plain of the river Elbe near Pevestorf (PT), approximately 125 km upstream of Hamburg, and Heuckenlock (HL) in southeast of Hamburg. Concentrations of PCDD/Fs peaked sharply at PT in the 1950s and at HL at the end of the 1940s. Cluster analyses provide evidence that the region of Bitterfeld-Wolfen (about 350-400 km upstream of Hamburg) could be the source of the PCDD/F contamination existing in the cores PT and HL since the 1940s. Obviously it is caused by sediments of the river Elbe of a similar composition. Whereas the PCDD/Fs, HCHs (hexacyclohexane isomers), DDX (DDT, DDD, DDE), and tetrachlorinated ethers in PT and HL presumably originated predominantly from the Bitterfeld-Wolfen region, organotin compounds in HL and dichlorinated haloethers in HL during the 1940s and 1950s can probably largely be attributed to emissions from the Hamburg region. Although they are separated by a large distance, in both sediment cores PT and HL concentrations and composition patterns of most organic micropollutants analyzed widely match. Inductively it can be concluded that similar contaminations will be found in many of the river bank soils between the Bitterfeld-Wolfen region and Hamburg. Excavation of top soils may uncover highly contaminated materials. Since the dated sediment cores show the variation in contaminants in the Elbe sediments over a defined time period, it is possible to make an approximate assessment of the actual degree of contamination to be expected in areas where in previous decades contaminated dredged sediments from the Elbe and from the Port of Hamburg have been deposited on land and used for building plots or for agricultural purposes.

Benzofurans↗

PubMed2006

Cellular uptake of fatty acids driven by the ER-localized acyl-CoA synthetase FATP4.

Long-chain fatty acids are important metabolites for the generation of energy and the biosynthesis of lipids. The molecular mechanism of their cellular uptake has remained controversial. The fatty acid transport protein (FATP) family has been named according to its proposed function in mediating this process at the plasma membrane. Here, we show that FATP4 is in fact localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and not the plasma membrane as reported previously. Quantitative analysis confirms the positive correlation between expression of FATP4 and uptake of fatty acids. However, this is dependent on the enzymatic activity of FATP4, catalyzing the esterification of fatty acids with CoA. Monitoring fatty acid uptake at the single-cell level demonstrates that the ER localization of FATP4 is sufficient to drive transport of fatty acids. Expression of a mitochondrial acyl-CoA synthetase also enhances fatty acid uptake, suggesting a general relevance for this mechanism. Our results imply that cellular uptake of fatty acids can be regulated by intracellular acyl-CoA synthetases. We propose that the enzyme FATP4 drives fatty acid uptake indirectly by esterification. It is not a transporter protein involved in fatty acid translocation at the plasma membrane.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

A prospective study on radiation-induced changes in hearing function.

PURPOSE: To quantitate changes in hearing function after radiotherapy for head-and-neck tumors. METHODS AND MATERIALS: At the Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, 32 patients were irradiated for head-and-neck tumors. Three-dimensional treatment planning was applied. Total tumor doses were 30.0-77.6 Gy, local doses to the inner ear (n = 64) ranged from 1.7 to 64.3 Gy. Audiometry was performed before the onset of radiotherapy (RT), at a tumor dose of 40 Gy or at the end of palliative treatment, at the end of curative RT, and 2-6 months post-RT. Assays applied were frequency-specific threshold measurements for air and bone conduction, measurements according to Weber and Rinne, tympanometry and assessment of the stapedius reflex. RESULTS: Age and prior disease significantly decreased, whereas previous or concurrent alcohol consumption significantly increased hearing ability. A significant reduction in hearing ability during RT was found for high frequencies (at 40 Gy) and low frequencies (at end of RT), which persisted after RT. No differences were observed for air or bone conduction. None of the other assays displayed time- or dose-dependent changes. Dose-effect analyses revealed an ED50 (dose at which a 50% incidence is expected) for significant changes in hearing thresholds (15 dB) in the range of 20-25 Gy, with large confidence limits. CONCLUSIONS: Radiation effects on hearing ability were confined to threshold audiogram values, which started during the treatment without reversibility during 6 months postradiotherapy.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

The complementarity determining region 2 of BV8S2 (V beta 8.2) contributes to antigen recognition by rat invariant NKT cell TCR.

Invariant NKT cells (iNKT cells) are characterized by a semi-invariant TCR comprising an invariant alpha-chain paired with beta-chains with limited BV gene usage which are specific for complexes of CD1d and glycolipid Ags like alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer). iNKT cells can be visualized with alpha-GalCer-loaded CD1d tetramers, and the binding of mouse CD1d tetramers to mouse as well as to human iNKT cells suggests a high degree of conservation in recognition of glycolipid Ags between species. Surprisingly, mouse CD1d tetramers failed to stain a discrete cell population among F344/Crl rat liver lymphocytes, although comprised iNKT cells are indicated by IL-4 and IFN-gamma secretion after alpha-GalCer stimulation. The arising hypothesis that rat iNKT TCR recognizes alpha-GalCer only if presented by syngeneic CD1d was then tested with the help of newly generated rat and mouse iNKT TCR-transduced cell lines. Cells expressing mouse iNKT TCR reacted to alpha-GalCer presented by rat or mouse CD1d and efficiently bound alpha-GalCer-loaded mouse CD1d tetramers. In contrast, cells expressing rat iNKT TCR responded only to alpha-GalCer presented by syngeneic CD1d and bound mouse CD1d tetramers only poorly or not at all. Finally, CD1d-dependent alpha-GalCer reactivity and binding of mouse CD1d tetramers was tested for cells expressing iNKT TCR comprising either rat or mouse AV14 (Valpha14) alpha-chains and wild-type or mutated BV8S2 (Vbeta8.2) beta-chains. The results confirmed the need of syngeneic CD1d as restriction element for rat iNKT TCR and identified the CDR2 of BV8S2 as an essential site for ligand recognition by iNKT TCR.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2006

Polybrominated diphenyl ether exposure to electronics recycling workers--a follow up study.

Workers at an electronics recycling plant have previously been shown to have elevated serum levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) compared to referents without occupational PBDE exposure. Subsequent structural changes and industrial hygiene measures at the plant were applied to improve the work environment. The present study aims to assess the impact of these work environment changes on the occupational exposure to PBDEs. Blood were drawn from the workers and analyzed at two different laboratories, and serum concentrations of several PBDE congeners were determined by GC/MS or GC/HRMS. Cross-sectional studies were performed prior to (in 1997; N=19) and after (in 2000; N=27) workplace improvements. Longitudinal studies were performed on twelve of the workers that were sampled at both occasions. Even though the amount of processed goods had doubled in 2000 as compared to 1997, there was a significant decrease in the serum levels of BDE-183 and BDE-209. For BDE-209 the levels observed in year 2000 were even lower than in referents with no occupational exposure. In contrast to the decrease of higher brominated diphenyl ethers, the concentrations of BDE-47 did not significantly change. For BDE-153, the cross-sectional study indicated no change, whereas the longitudinal follow up indicated a significant increase. This study shows that the industrial hygiene improvements clearly reduced the occupational exposure to BDE-183 and BDE-209 at the plant. Still, the levels of hexa- to nonaBDEs but not BDE-209 were elevated, compared to referents with no occupational exposure.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗

PubMed2006

Translocation of long chain fatty acids across the plasma membrane--lipid rafts and fatty acid transport proteins.

Translocation of long chain fatty acids across the plasma membrane is achieved by a concert of co-existing mechanisms. These lipids can passively diffuse, but transport can also be accelerated by certain membrane proteins as well as lipid rafts. Lipid rafts are dynamic assemblies of proteins and lipids, that float freely within the two dimensional matrix of the membrane bilayer. They are receiving increasing attention as devices that regulate membrane function in vivo and play an important role in membrane trafficking and signal transduction. In this review we will discuss how lipid rafts might be involved in the uptake process and how the candidate proteins for fatty acid uptake FAT/CD36 and the FATP proteins interact with these domains. We will also discuss the functional role of FATPs in general. To our understanding FATPs are indirectly involved in the translocation process across the plasma membrane by providing long chain fatty acid synthetase activity.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Early intestinal changes following abdominal radiotherapy comparison of endpoints.

PURPOSE: To compare tests for intestinal function with clinical scores after abdominal irradiation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: At the Department of Radiotherapy, Erfurt, Germany, intestinal changes were studied in 91 patients receiving abdominal radiotherapy between 1992 and 1996. Conventional fractionation (1.8-2 Gy per fraction, total doses 30.6-62.5 Gy) was applied. Before and at weekly intervals during radiotherapy, the clinical response was scored according to RTOG/EORTC for the upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Resorption tests for vitamin B(12) and D-xylose were performed before the onset and immediately after treatment. RESULTS: The clinical response displayed a well-defined dose-effect relationship with grade 1 effects in 5% and 50% of the patients at about 10 Gy and 50 Gy, respectively. For grade 2 reactions, 5%- and 50%-effective doses were 20-30 Gy and 60-80 Gy. Effects in the upper and lower GI tract were highly correlated. Changes in body weight did not show a correlation with other clinical symptoms. Changes in resorption also displayed a significant dose effect. However, no correlation was found with the clinical symptoms in the individual patient. CONCLUSION: In the present study, the clinical manifestation of intestinal side effects according to RTOG/EORTC criteria was reflected by neither the vitamin B(12) nor by the D-xylose resorption test. Hence, these tests cannot be regarded as useful for objective quantitation of intestinal radiation injury.

Abdomen↗

PubMed2006

A process for making cutaneous radiation applicators based on digital data.

An optical modeling process for facial regions and other body surfaces has been developed. The body part in question is digitized using optical 3-D metrology to obtain a comprehensive dataset. The data is then prepared for further use by smoothing the point clusters. The radiophysically significant position of the radioactive material, e. g., seeds, aluminum tubes, etc., can be accurately determined using CAD modeling. Subsequently, a rapid prototyping process (fused deposition modeling [FDM]) is used to implement the CAD model directly in order to create a radiation applicator that can be used in practice. Biologically compatible polycarbonate can be used for this purpose.

Brachytherapy↗

PubMed2006

Treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumor with imatinib mesylate: a retrospective single-center experience in Heidelberg.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common mesenchymal neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract. Surgery has been the only effective therapy. However, many patients still eventually die of disease recurrence. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy have been of limited value. Imatinib mesylate (Glivec) is an orally administered competitive inhibitor of tyrosine kinases associated with the KIT, ABL protein, licensed for the treatment of metastatic GIST since 2002 in Germany. METHODS: We summarized the data of 16 patients with advanced or metastatic GIST treated with imatinib mesylate in palliative and neoadjuvant settings. RESULTS: Overall response was 81%, with no evidence of disease (NED) in 3/16 (19%), partial response (PR) in 9/16 (56%) and stable disease (SD) in 1/16 (6%), whereas 3/16 patients (19%) suffered from progressive disease (PD). Mean follow-up was 18.6 months [range: 4-30]. Mean progression-free survival (PFS) was 17.6 months [range: 0-30], mean overall survival (OS) from initial diagnosis was 32.3 months [range: 5-122]. Most common side effects were periorbital edema and skin rash. CONCLUSION: Imatinib mesylate is well tolerated in a dose of up to 800 mg/day and has significant activity during long- term treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic GIST.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Effects of radiotherapy on olfactory function.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Changes in olfactory function have been reported in patients receiving significant doses of radiation to the olfactory epithelium. Aim of this study was to investigate severity and time course of changes in olfactory function in patients irradiated for tumours of the head and neck region. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-four patients receiving radiotherapy (RT) for tumours in the area of the head and neck participated (16 women, 28 men; age 11-81 y; mean 55 y). Olfactory function was measured before and bi-weekly during RT for 6 weeks. A subgroup (25 patients) was followed for 12 months. Patients were divided into two groups according to the dose to the olfactory epithelium. Twenty-two patients ('OLF group') had radiation doses to the olfactory epithelium between 23.7 and 79.5 Gy (median 62.2 Gy). In the 22 patients of the 'non-OLF group' the dose applied to the olfactory epithelium was significantly lower (2.9-11.1 Gy, median 5.9 Gy). Total tumour dose (30-76.8 Gy), age, sex distribution, and baseline chemosensory function were not significantly different between groups. Testing was performed for odour identification, odour discrimination, and olfactory thresholds. RESULTS: Odour discrimination, but not odour identification or odour threshold, was significantly decreased 2-6 weeks after begin of therapy in the OLF group. In addition, a significant effect of the radiation dose was observed for odour discrimination. More than 6 months after therapy, OLF group patients had significantly lower odour identification scores compared to the non-OLF group. CONCLUSION: As indicated through the non-significant change of olfactory thresholds, the olfactory epithelium is relatively resistant against effects of radiation. It is hypothesized that RT has additional effects on the olfactory bulb/orbitofrontal cortex responsible for the observed changes of suprathreshold olfactory function.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Activation of V gamma 9V delta 2 T cells by NKG2D.

Human Vgamma9 Vdelta2 T cells recognize phosphorylated nonpeptide Ags (so called phosphoantigens), certain tumor cells, and cells treated with aminobisphosphonates. NKG2D, an activating receptor for NK cells, has been described as a potent costimulatory receptor in the Ag-specific activation of gammadelta and CD8 T cells. This study provides evidence that Vgamma9 Vdelta2 T cells may also be directly activated by NKG2D. Culture of PBMC with immobilized NKG2D-specific mAb or NKG2D ligand MHC class I related protein A (MICA) induces the up-regulation of CD69 and CD25 in NK and Vgamma9 Vdelta2 but not in CD8 T cells. Furthermore, NKG2D triggers the production of TNF-alpha but not of IFN-gamma, as well as the release of cytolytic granules by Vgamma9 Vdelta2 T cells. Purified Vgamma9 Vdelta2 T cells kill MICA-transfected RMA mouse cells but not control cells. Finally, DAP10, which mediates NKG2D signaling in human NK cells, was detected in resting and activated Vgamma9 Vdelta2 T cells. These remarkable similarities in NKG2D function in NK and Vgamma9 Vdelta2 T cells may open new perspectives for Vgamma9 Vdelta2 T cell-based immunotherapy, e.g., by Ag-independent killing of NKG2D ligand-expressing tumors.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Iron stores modulate hepatic hepcidin expression by an HFE-independent pathway.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In HFE-related hereditary hemochromatosis an inappropriately low hepatic expression of the iron-regulatory peptide hepcidin (encoded by HAMP) has been suggested to cause iron overload. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the hepatic expression of HAMP in relation to iron stores requires HFE or might involve other important iron-related genes including HJV (encoding hemojuvelin) and TFR2 (encoding transferrin receptor-2). METHODS: Using quantitative RT-PCR, the iron-dependent hepatic expression patterns of HAMP, HJV, and TFR2 were evaluated in human and murine HFE-related hemochromatosis. RESULTS: The overall level of hepatic HAMP expression in human and murine HFE-related hemochromatosis is impaired but can still be modulated by iron stores. Moreover, we demonstrate an HFE-independent correlation between the expression of HAMP and TFR2 in mouse and human livers. On the other hand, a strong correlation between the hepatic expression of HAMP and HJV was only found in hemochromatosis patients and Hfe-deficient mice. CONCLUSION: The central pathogenetic step in HFE-related hemochromatosis is an impaired basal expression of HAMP rather than a lack of HAMP upregulation in response to iron stores. An HFE-independent pathway that seems to involve TFR2 and HJV can regulate HAMP expression under conditions of iron overload.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Hyperfractionated accelerated chemoradiation with concurrent fluorouracil-mitomycin is more effective than dose-escalated hyperfractionated accelerated radiation therapy alone in locally advanced head and neck cancer: final results of the radiotherapy cooperative clinical trials group of the German Cancer Society 95-06 Prospective Randomized Trial.

PURPOSE: To report the results and corresponding acute and late reactions of a prospective, randomized, clinical study in locally advanced head and neck cancer comparing concurrent fluorouracil (FU) and mitomycin (MMC) chemotherapy and hyperfractionated accelerated radiation therapy (C-HART; 70.6 Gy) to hyperfractionated accelerated radiation therapy alone (HART; 77.6 Gy). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred eighty-four stage III (6%) and IV (94%) oropharyngeal (59.4%), hypopharyngeal (32.3%), and oral cavity (8.3%) cancer patients were randomly assigned to receive either 30 Gy (2 Gy every day) followed by 1.4 Gy bid to a total of 70.6 Gy concurrently with FU (600 mg/m(2), 120 hours continuous infusion) days 1 through 5 and MMC (10 mg/m(2)) on days 5 and 36 (C-HART) or 14 Gy (2 Gy every day) followed by 1.4 Gy bid to a total dose of 77.6 Gy (HART). The data were analyzed on an intent-to-treat basis. RESULTS: At 5 years, the locoregional control and overall survival rates were 49.9% and 28.6% for C-HART versus 37.4% and 23.7% for HART, respectively (P = .001 and P = .023, respectively). Progression-free and freedom from metastases rates were 29.3% and 51.9% for C-HART versus 26.6% and 54.7% for HART, respectively (P = .009 and P = .575, respectively). For C-HART, maximum acute reactions of mucositis, moist desquamation, and erythema were lower than with HART, whereas no differences in late reactions and overall rates of secondary neoplasms were observed. CONCLUSION: C-HART (70.6 Gy) is superior to dose-escalated HART (77.6 Gy) with comparable or less acute reactions and equivalent late reactions, indicating an improvement of the therapeutic ratio.

Actuarial Analysis↗

PubMed2005

Enzymatic properties of purified murine fatty acid transport protein 4 and analysis of acyl-CoA synthetase activities in tissues from FATP4 null mice.

Fatty acid transport protein 4 (FATP4) is an integral membrane protein expressed in the plasma and internal membranes of the small intestine and adipocyte as well as in the brain, kidney, liver, skin, and heart. FATP4 has been hypothesized to be bifunctional, exhibiting both fatty acid transport and acyl-CoA synthetase activities that work in concert to mediate fatty acid influx across biological membranes. To determine whether FATP4 is an acyl-CoA synthetase, the murine protein was engineered to contain a C-terminal FLAG epitope tag, expressed in COS1 cells via adenovirus-mediated infection and purified to near homogeneity using alpha-FLAG affinity chromatography. Kinetic analysis of the enzyme was carried out for long chain (palmitic acid, C16:0) and very long chain (lignoceric acid, C24:0) fatty acids as well as for ATP and CoA. FATP4 exhibited substrate specificity for C16:0 and C24:0 fatty acids with a V(max)/K(m) (C16:0)/V(max)/K(m) (C24:0) of 1.5. Like purified FATP1, FATP4 was insensitive to inhibition by triacsin C but was sensitive to feedback inhibition by acyl-CoA. Although purified FATP4 exhibited high levels of palmitoyl-CoA and lignoceroyl-CoA synthetase activity, extracts from the skin and intestine of FATP4 null mice exhibited reduced esterification for C24:0, but not C16:0 or C18:1, suggesting that in vivo, defects in very long chain fatty acid uptake may underlie the skin disorder phenotype of null mice.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[Prolongation of latency or overall treatment time by unplanned radiation pauses. The clinical importance of compensation].

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Local tumor control after radiotherapy does not only depend on total dose, dose per fraction and physical parameters but also on the time interval between surgery and begin of radiotherapy and on overall time of fractionated irradiation. This study summarizes the evidence for an impact of delay and overall time of radiotherapy on locoregional tumor control. METHODS: Published reports of the last 30 years were reviewed for evidence of a time factor, i.e., for an influence of overall treatment time on local tumor control. Overall, 33 nonrandomized studies and twelve randomized trials addressing this question were identified. RESULTS: Prolongation of waiting time between surgery and radiotherapy, dependent on tumor type and residual burden, decreases local control. Postoperative radiotherapy should be initiated early, whenever medically appropriate. Almost all nonrandomized and randomized trials indicate that prolongation of overall time of fractionated irradiation decreases local tumor control, particularly of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and cervix, but also of non-small cell and small cell lung cancer. In these tumors prolongation of overall treatment time by 1 week results in a decrease of local control between 1-16%. CONCLUSION: Prescription of radiotherapy may not be limited to total dose and dose per fraction, but needs to include the parameter overall treatment time. Unscheduled treatment interruptions such as holidays, machine breakdown or patient-related factors, leading to protraction of the overall treatment time, decrease the chance of cure for the patient. Therefore, unplanned gaps need to be compensated by appropriate measures such as additional fractions at weekends or by applications of a second fraction per day.

Dose Fractionation, Radiation↗

PubMed2005

Radiation induced lung reactions in breast cancer therapy. Modulating factors and consequential effects.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Radiologic reactions in lung, usually subclinical, are a frequent side effect of radiotherapy for breast cancer. This study was initiated to identify effects of age and tamoxifen on radiation pneumonitis and consequent fibrosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospectively, 451 patients irradiated postoperatively between 1992 and 1995 at the Department of Radiotherapy of Carl-Thiem-Klinikum (Cottbus, Germany) were analyzed. The median age was 58 years. After mastectomy (n = 296), 25 x 2.0 Gy were applied; breast-conserving surgery (n = 155) was followed by 30 x 2.0 Gy. In 221 patients, adjuvant tamoxifen was given. Follow-up included thorax radiography after 15 weeks and 1 year. In patients with reversible observations in standard chest radiography from 15 weeks to 1 year, CT or high-resolution (HR-)CT scans were analyzed after 4-7 years. RESULTS: Clinical symptoms of pneumonitis were seen in 25 patients (5.5%), all with radiologic changes. Early radiologic changes were detected in 134 patients (29.7%). Age (> 58 years; p = 0.0127) and tamoxifen (p = 0.0001) were found as significant parameters of early pneumopathy. Late radiologic changes were seen in 94/425 patients (22.1%), all after a positive early reaction (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: A low incidence of clinically symptomatic pneumonitis was observed, while the vast majority of patients presented with early radiologic changes. Higher age and tamoxifen treatment significantly increased the incidence of early pneumopathy. Local fibrotic responses must be expected in all patients with early reactions, indicating a strong consequential component of the late reaction.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Biomonitoring of persistent organochlorine pesticides, PCDD/PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs in blood of children from South West Germany (Baden-Wuerttemberg) from 1993 to 2003.

In the context of a monitoring program, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were quantified in the blood of 10 year old children at four different demographic regions in Baden-Wuerttemberg, a highly industrialised federal state in South West Germany. DDE, HCB, PCB 138, PCB 153 and PCB 180 were measured in 1996/1997, 1998/1999, 2000/2001 and 2002/2003 in individual samples of about 400 children per year. PCDD/PCDFs and some relevant coplanar PCBs were determined in pooled samples from children in seven cycles from 1993 to 2003. Blood concentrations of the investigated compounds decreased in that time period by a factor of 2-4 with the exception of most PCDFs. The concentrations of POPs in the blood of the children were distinctly lower than the concentrations reported for adults. Breast feeding was associated with about 30% higher median concentrations of DDE, HCB, PCBs and a 30% increase for mean PCDD/PCDF concentrations. Concerning demographic differences, significant lower concentrations of HCB, PCBs and PCDD/PCDFs could be seen in children from Mannheim compared to the region of Aulendorf. About 10-20% higher concentrations were found in boys compared to girls for HCB, indicator PCBs and PCDD/PCDFs. The pattern of non-ortho and mono-ortho PCBs in the blood of children was similar to the pattern reported for mother's milk, and PCB 126 and PCB 156 contributed about 70% to the toxicity of dioxin-like PCBs and about one-third to total TEQ including PCDD/PCDFs.

Adult↗