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Biomedical subjects

W Janssen

Publications and source records attributed to W Janssen.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

[Recent information about the etiopathogenesis of paretic-paralytic forms of herpesvirus infection in horses].

From spring 1990 to summer 1991 we investigated 21 horses with clinical symptoms of EHV-infection by means of serological and virological methods including DNA-hybridization to identify the causative agents. The results indicated that, as already reported by us, EHV4 may also cause the paralytic form of the infection. The possibility of double infection with EHV4 and EHV1 cannot be excluded. In 3 out of 21 affected horses we could investigate brain tissue and/or spinal fluid by Dotblot hybridization with EHV1 and EHV4-DNA. The investigated samples of all three horses showed hybridization with EHV4-DNA, without or with less pronounced reaction with EHV1-DNA. The results were confirmed by serological investigation. Brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid from two horses with paretic or paralytic disorders (1979 and 1980) was also investigated by DNA hybridization. In the liquor of one horse--a 5-month-old foal with neonatal ataxia--we detected EHV1-DNA. The other horse showed a strong reaction with EHV1 and a weaker reaction with EHV4 in its brain material and no hybridisation in the cerebrospinal fluid. The results are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[Congenital Epstein-Barr virus infection].

A male infant infected in utero with EBV clinically presented after birth with dystrophy, generalized hypotonia, hepatosplenomegaly, diffuse petechiae and hematomas, metaphysis of the long bones, anemia, hyperbilirubinemia and elevated serum transaminases, lymphocytosis and thrombocytopenia. Malformations were absent. Specific serologic studies suggested congenital EBV infection in the newborn infant and primary EBV infection in the mother. Other known congenital infections could be excluded.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Selective distribution of kainate receptor subunit immunoreactivity in monkey neocortex revealed by a monoclonal antibody that recognizes glutamate receptor subunits GluR5/6/7.

A monoclonal antibody (4F5) was generated against a portion of the putative extracellular domain of glutamate receptor subunit GluR5. Western blot analyses and immunocytochemistry of transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells confirmed that monoclonal antibody 4F5 was specific for GluR5, -6, and -7 (the three identified members of the kainate receptor subunit class), but did not recognize GluR1, -2, or -3 (the AMPA/kainate receptor subunit class). The antibody was subsequently used to examine immunocytochemically the regional, laminar, and cellular distribution of GluR5/6/7 receptor subunits at the light and electron microscopic levels in monkey neocortex. Receptor subunit immunoreactivity was present throughout all cortical areas examined, but exhibited marked cellular, laminar, and regional specificity. Typically, pyramidal cell somata and apical dendrites were well stained. Electron microscopy revealed an extensive cytoplasmic localization of GluR5/6/7 immunoprecipitate, with intense staining of many postsynaptic densities, all of which were associated with asymmetric synapses located on dendritic shafts or dendritic spines. There was no evidence of stained glial cells or presynaptic axon terminals. In most areas, labeled cells and dendrites were concentrated in layers II, III, and V while layers I, IV, and VI typically possessed the fewest and/or least intensely stained elements. A consistent feature in many areas was groups of clustered layer V pyramidal cells and bundles of ascending apical dendrites. Regionally, motor areas and higher-order association areas of the frontal, parietal, and occipital lobes were more densely stained than primary sensory areas (somatic sensory and visual cortex), which was confirmed quantitatively. These data indicate a high degree of selectivity in the distribution of kainate receptors composed of GluR5/6/7 subunits, and suggest that functional specificity and diversity in the ubiquitous excitatory amino acid-utilizing axonal systems in neocortex are achieved in part by the differential association of particular glutamate receptor subunits with specific cortical circuits. In addition, the regional, laminar, and morphological characteristics of GluR5/6/7-immunoreactive neurons bear a strong similarity to those of the neocortical neurons with heightened vulnerability in certain neurodegenerative disorders.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1992

Determination of moxonidine (BDF 5895) in plasma by gas chromatography-negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

For the measurement of the pharmacokinetic behaviour of moxonidine, 4-chloro-5-(2-imidazolin-2-yl-amino)-6-methoxy-2-methylpyrimidine, an extremely sensitive analytical method was needed. The GC-MS method developed is specific and reliably detects moxonidine plasma levels down to 40 pg ml-1. Using negative ion chemical ionization (NICI) the M- fragment of the ditrifluoromethyl benzamide derivative of moxonidine (m/z 721) and the [M-HCl]- fragment of the ditrifluoromethyl benzamide derivative of clonidine (internal standard, m/z 673) were monitored in the selected ion monitoring mode, ensuring a specific and sensitive detection of the compounds. The validation process carried out included assay precision, repeatability, linearity, accuracy, stability and estimation of the detection and determination limits. The plasma-level time-curves and pharmacokinetic parameters from two volunteers after oral administration of 0.2 mg moxonidine are presented and demonstrate the practicability of the method in, for example, clinical studies.

Antihypertensive Agents↗
PubMed1992

HIV-infection in the autopsy material (Hamburg 1984-1989).

77 HIV-positive corpses were autopsied at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Hamburg (in cooperation with the Bernhard-Nocht Institute) from August 1984 until September 31st, 1989. In the clinical autopsies (29 cases) the patients had always shown manifest AIDS symptoms, while 90% of the HIV-infected forensic autopsy cases had no AIDS symptoms during their lives and mostly died from drug overdose. Authors describe the clinical autopsy findings (Kaposi sarcoma, infections caused by opportunistic pathogenics), serological AIDS screen-examinations, and the precautions applied during the autopsies. They also describe their own methods for the prevention of infection with reference to hygiene in the dissecting rooms.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1991

Intensive gunshot residues at the exit wound: an examination using a head model.

The autopsy findings of intensive gunshot residues at the exit wound after a gunshot wound in the head led to an experimental investigation to clarify the mode of origin and intensity of these gunshot residues on the inner surface of the exit wound. For this purpose a simple skull/brain model was prepared. The results of the examination showed that with weapons of the same calibre distinct gunshot residues should be expected at the exit wound.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

High-dose chemoradiotherapy supported by marrow infusions for advanced neuroblastoma: a Pediatric Oncology Group study.

We conducted a pilot protocol at seven Pediatric Oncology Group (POG) institutions to examine the feasibility, toxicity, and efficacy of using a common regimen of high-dose chemoradiotherapy (HD CT/RT) supported by autologous or allogeneic marrow infusions in children with metastatic neuroblastoma (NBL) in first or second remission. During a 57-month period, we accrued 101 patients. We report here results for the 81 who completed treatment at least 2 years ago. The HD CT/RT regimen consisted of melphalan 60 mg/m2/d for three doses, and total body irradiation (TBI) either 1.5 Gy (n = 27) or 2.0 Gy (n = 54) twice daily for six doses. Twenty-three patients also received irradiation consisting of 1.2 Gy twice daily for 10 doses to persisting disease sites. Seventy-four were given autologous and seven allogeneic marrow, 64 autologous marrows being purged immunomagnetically. Fifty-four children were in first complete (CR) or partial (PR) remission and 27 in second CR or PR. As of October 1, 1990, follow-up was from 32 to 72 months. Forty-seven of these 81 children relapsed, 10 died of complications, one of unknown cause, and 23 continue in remission, including 21 of the 54 treated in first remission, and 16 who completed treatment more than 3 years ago. The 2-year actuarial event-free survival (EFS) probabilities are first CR (CR1) 32% (SE 10%), first PR (PR1) 43% (SE 9%), second CR (CR2) 33% (SE 27%), and second PR (PR2) 5% (SE 5%). Probability of EFS correlated with remission number (first better than second, P less than .001), with interval from diagnosis to HD CT/RT (greater than 9 months better than less than 9 months, P = .055), and with TBI dose (12 Gy better than 9 Gy, P = .031). These encouraging results may partly reflect selection for this treatment of patients with NBL who have a slower disease pace.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Immunomagnetic purging of bone marrow: a model for negative cell selection.

Many in vitro techniques have been developed for removing cancer cells from the marrow of patients who are to undergo autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). These purging techniques can be classified as immunological or pharmacological. The immunomagnetic technique has been widely used in neuroblastoma patients. It depends on an interaction between target neuroblastoma cells in the marrow and a complex of specific monoclonal antibodies and magnetized microspheres, the target cells being selectively removed by passage through a magnetic field. Laboratory studies with neuroblastoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells have shown the high efficiency of this technique in selectively removing cancer cells while retaining adequate numbers of normal hematopoietic cells for subsequent reinfusion into the patient. Clinical studies in several hundred neuroblastoma patients, as well as small numbers of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, breast cancer, and myeloma patients, suggest that this is a clinically safe and effective technique. However, no clinical trial has been conducted comparing ABMT with and without in vitro marrow purging. Until such time, we will regard immunomagnetic purging as "standard of care" for neuroblastoma patients receiving ABMT.

Bone Marrow↗
PubMed1989

Death caused by drug addiction: a review of the experiences in Hamburg and the situation in the Federal Republic of Germany in comparison with the literature.

Based on criminological experiences and pathomorphological, serological and toxicological studies of more than 300 fatalities, an overview is given of drugs, their intravenous abuse and drug deaths in Hamburg and the Federal Republic of Germany. The number of drug deaths has increased dramatically in Hamburg, where there were more than 50 cases each year in 1987 and 1988. In the F.R.G. approximately 400 cases are registered per annum. The percentage of female intravenous drug abusers is growing and the age of the decedents is increasing. The mean was formerly 25 years, but is now 30 years. Among the histopathological findings, foreign-body granulomas are of special value; infectious diseases, especially hepatitis B and HIV-infection, have to be investigated serologically and morphologically. The prevalence of HIV-1 antibodies among drug deaths in Hamburg is approximately 15%, in comparison with approximately 50% in Berlin. The "supply" of heroin has apparently become so copious that nearly all deaths are caused by overdosage with this substance. An international agreement about a definition of a drug death is a prerequisite for nationwide analyses.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

[Salmonella gallinarum biovar gallinarum as the cause of a highly acute septicemic disease in adult laying hens kept in battery cages].

Early in the summer of 1988 two flocks each of them consisted of about 7500 brown laying hens of a heavy hybrid line were affected by fowl typhoid. The birds have been bought at the age of 20 weeks and housed in two buildings placed close together in one farm. The disease started in flock I at the age of 26 weeks and in flock II at the age of 36 weeks. In repeated trials amoxicillin was effective in the treatment of fowl typhoid when given in the drinking water for ad libitum consumption over a 4-7 days period; however relapse occurred 3-4 days after withdrawal of the drug. All the hens were slaughtered 5 days after termination of the last therapy. In spite of the treatment 18.3% of the hens in flock I and 14.3% of those in flock II died within the observation period of 47 days and 22 days respectively. Egg production was not affected. The source of the fowl typhoid producing organisms could be not elucidated.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1988

[Morphologic studies in criminal justice--requirements and reality].

A critical analysis is given of the investigation and examination of fatalities for the public prosecution office and for the courts. Rationalistic simplifications in legal quarters, changes in legal procedures and bureaucracy have had negative effects on the field of forensic medicine. It is questionable whether forensic science today can fulfil the scientific demands with regard to a complete and thorough explanation of the cause of death. The reduced interest in expert opinions concerning the pattern of injuries that can help in the reconstruction of the act or in judging the intention and guilt of the perpetrator is a striking and alarming development in criminal justice. Medical examinations in the somatic field are no longer used enough in forensic cases; with regard to the administration of justice, the role of the forensic expert is limited to the postmortem findings and the cause of death. On the other hand, there is increased interest in the expert opinion of psychologists, psychiatrists and specialists in the field of drugs and alcohol. The fact that the number of autopsies and histological as well as toxicological examinations ordered by the public prosecutor is rather small has serious and negative implications for establishing the truth. Such orders are merely dependent on the circumstance of death and the situation in which the body was found. However, the external circumstances can be misleading or they can be manipulated. That is why some crimes are not revealed. In the Federal Republic of Germany, if there is no suspicion of external violence permission is granted for corpses to be buried without the cause of death being clarified by autopsy. However, the fact that the opinions of forensic specialists differ regarding this development in the administration of justice must also be criticized. There is an increasing tendency for investigations to be carried out only if they are ordered by the prosecutor and for questions to be answered only if they are asked officially. Even our colleagues are influenced too much by external circumstances and consider an autopsy unnecessary if the cause of death seems to be clear (for instance in cases of hanging, drowning or bleeding to death). Second autopsies have shown that the thoroughness and the quality of the first autopsy often leave much to be desired. It is, for instance, unforgivable if organs are described without being examined. Special interest is afforded to the necessity for the significance of histological examinations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Autopsy↗
PubMed1987

HIV-infection in forensic autopsy cases.

Sudden and unexpected death and violent death of persons with a high risk of acquiring HIV-infections, especially homosexual males and intravenous drug abusers, have to be investigated by forensic autopsies. Therefore every forensic pathologist has to be aware of this infection and should try to make the proper diagnosis. Three typical cases are described: (1) suicide by hanging, (2) homicide by cutting the throat and (3) intravenous heroin overdose. Merely retrospectively it could be cleared up that the deceased were homosexual but did not manifestly suffer from AIDS. The morphological findings in the lymph nodes and the postmortem serological findings are described in detail.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1985

Effect of low-dose argon irradiation on rate of wound closure.

Four open circular wounds were made on the backs of each of ten guinea pigs by excising approximately 2-cm areas of full-thickness skin and subcutaneous tissue. Every 2 or 3 days, one of the four wounds was treated with 2 J/cm2 argon laser, one washed and treated, one only washed, and one receiving no treatment. The area of the remaining open wound was traced on a glass microslide. A tenth guinea pig received the same "treatments" but the laser was not turned on. The wounds receiving different treatments were randomly selected on different guinea pigs. The area of open wound remaining was measured with a planimeter, and the rate of healing was plotted for each. The numbers of days required for 50 and 75% healing were determined. All wounds were coded and the results determined by an independent observer. We found no difference in the rate of healing of any of these wounds and, under these experimental conditions, found no effect on the overall rate of wound healing by low-dose argon laser exposure.

Animals↗