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Biomedical subjects

Z Schaff

Publications and source records attributed to Z Schaff.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[The role of HCV in the pathogenesis of post-transfusion hepatitis].

Between January 1987 and April 1988 following 462 open heart surgery operations, 83 patients with icteric hepatitis were seen. Among them 59 patients were anti-HCV positive with the Ortho anti-HCV test, these findings suggested a hepatitis C virus infection. The source of viral infection was searched, and a prothrombin complex concentrate which had been used during that period, seemed to be the potential cause of bloodborne hepatitis C. The results suggest that special care is required when using such blood products.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures

[Determination of hepatitis C antibodies, using the Abbott and the Ortho anti-HCV EIA kits, in chronic liver diseases and patients under hemodialysis for chronic renal failure].

The diagnostic usefulness of anti HCV EIA test of Abbott and Ortho companies were compared. The anti HCV levels determined in the sera of 173 patients with chronic liver diseases and of 17 haemodialysed kidney patients. 109 of 190 (57%) sera were found to be negative and 81 (43%) positive determined by Abbott kit, while 127 (67%) were negative and 63 (30%) were positive by the Ortho kit. Positive results in patients with chronic liver disease were found in 66 patients by Abbott and 58 patients with Ortho Kit. Distribution of positive cases according to the diagnosis is as follows: 29 (57%) out of 51 chronic hepatitis, 17 (61%) out of 28 cirrhosis. Conflicting results were obtained in 20 cases of 190 (11%) when 17 sera were positive by Abbott and negative by ORTHO, and 3 sera were negative by Abbott, and positive by Ortho. The samples close to the cut off and with low positivity with conflicting results were checked again by the neutralization HCV EIA Abbott assay. We found the Abbott HCV EIA test more sensitive in our excellent for screening of large numbers of samples, we recommend to confirm the positive results by a neutralization type test.

Adolescent

[Viral hepatitis and morphology of hepatitis viruses].

Our knowledge has increased significantly about the hepatitis viruses and the disease caused by them. The most important hepatitis inducing viruses are the hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses, however, probably new members will be added soon. The possibility of differentiation and detection of these viruses was based on methods of molecular biology and serology.

Hepatitis Viruses

Dual tropism of HIV-1 IIIB for chimpanzee lymphocytes and monocytes.

In humans, macrophages serve as a major reservoir of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) in the infected host and may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. In HIV-1-infected chimpanzees, however, virus could not be recovered from cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage, leaving the question of macrophage tropism of HIV-1 in this species unresolved. The data reported that HIV-1 IIIB shows dual tropism and is infectious for both chimpanzee monocytes and lymphocytes in vitro. Viral replication in chimpanzee monocytes was clearly demonstrated by infection of allogeneic phytohemagglutinin (PHA) blasts in vitro and by electron microscopy (EM). EM revealed HIV particles associated with 10-15% of the HIV-1 IIIB-infected chimpanzee monocytes. Viral particles budding from the monocyte surface in the typical crescent form were noted as well. This is in contrast to the human situation, where monocytotropic HIV strains preferentially bud into and accumulate in cytoplasmic vacuoles. These results indicate that both lymphocytes and cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage replicate virus in the chimpanzee; the cell tropism of viral strains, however, is different in chimpanzees and humans.

Animals

Ultrastructure of normal and hepatitis virus infected human and chimpanzee liver: similarities and differences.

Ultrastructure of liver biopsy specimens obtained from normal and hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected livers of patients and chimpanzees were compared. Nuclear alterations (glycogen particles, nuclear bodies, "vermicellar bodies", etc.), intracytoplasmic crystalloid inclusions were observed before and after the HBV and HCV infections both in human and chimpanzee hepatocytes, however, some of them were more common during the viral infection. Extreme endoplasmic reticulum dilatation characterized the human, while the presence of membranous cytoplasmic inclusions the hepatocytes of chimpanzees during HCV infection. Interferon-associated membrane alterations were noted during acute or chronic hepatitis, however, in slightly different forms in humans and chimpanzees. Data suggest to be precautions in the interpretation of the ultrastructural alteration observed in different species even to be so closely related as humans and chimpanzees especially during infection with hepatotropic viruses.

Animals

[Chronic gastritis and the presence of Helicobacter pylori in patients with non-ulcerative dyspepsia].

After definition in the group of the non ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) can be counted all those patients at whom beside the dyspeptical complaints, the radiological and endoscopical examinations didn't show ulcerative changes. The authors made biopsy 550 times on the occasion of 1390 gastroscopical examination (39.5% of the cases). The histological examination showed chronic gastritis in 372 cases (26.7% of all the examinations, 67.6% of the histological examinations). At this group of patients the dyspeptical complaints gave the principal indication of gastroscopical examination. Also it was examined the presence of dysplasia and intestinal metaplasia beside the different severity grade of chronic gastritis. The presence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) was examined by histological methods. Hp positivity was noticed in 16.4% in the upper group. The authors made Hydrogen-breath examinations in 34 cases between patients with NUD. The results of Hydrogen-breath examinations also raise the multifactorial nature of the NUD. On the basis of examinations chronic gastritis and CP infection can form subdivisions in the heterogenic group of patients with NUD. For exacter judgement of Hp pathogenicity are needed further and wide-spread examinations. The authors would like to call the attention to the indispensability of the biopsy during the gastroscopical examination.

Chronic Disease

[Hepato-lobectomy for carcinoid tumor of the hepatic duct].

Authors performed successful right hepatolobectomy in a 13-year-old girl because of a carcinoid tumor of the right hepatic duct, resulting in obstructive jaundice. The patient remains well 2 years after surgical treatment, complaint- and symptom free. This is the first hepatolobectomy in the Hungarian--and the second one in the world literature performed for carcinoid of the extrahepatic bile ducts.

Adolescent

Accumulation of phenols in isolated hepatocytes after pretreatment with methylglyoxal.

The effects of a single intraperitoneal injection of methylglyoxal (50-800 mg/kg body wt.) in mice were investigated in the liver after 24 h. The administration of methylglyoxal (400 mg/kg body wt.) resulted in an increase in aniline hydroxylase activity in liver microsomes. At the same time an accumulation of p-amino-phenol, the hydroxylated product of aniline, was observed in isolated hepatocytes upon addition of aniline similarly to conditions (starvation, diabetes mellitus, pyrazole pretreatment) when aniline hydroxylase was induced. Methylglyoxal also decreased the reduced glutathione content in the liver, while the activity of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase was increased, suggesting the onset of liver injuries. It is assumed that the increased oxidation of aniline hydroxylase combined with decreased glutathione levels after methylglyoxal treatment favours the formation of potentially hazardous phenol derivatives in the liver.

Aminophenols

The effect of D-penicillamine on CCl4-induced experimental liver cirrhosis.

The effect of D-penicillamine (Pe) on liver fibrosis-cirrhosis induced by chronic CCl4 and phenobarbital (Pb) administration in Fischer 344 male rats was studied. Morphometric analysis did not reveal a decrease in the amount of connective tissue fibers after Pe-treatment. Compared to the CCl4 and Pb-treated control groups, Pe had no significant effect on the concentrations of hydroxyproline, a parameter of collagen degradation, either; however, it increased the glycosaminoglycan concentrations. Lymphocyte stimulation by Con-A in the Pe-treated groups did not differ from that of the CCl4 and Pb-treated ones. According to our studies, Pe-treatment was ineffective in rats with liver fibrosis-cirrhosis induced by CCl4 and Pb administration. It seems that Pe can be effective only in the cirrhosis types accompanied by a considerable copper accumulation due to suppression of the toxic effects of copper.

Animals

Flow cytometric analysis of DNA content in focal nodular hyperplasia and hepatocellular carcinoma.

DNA index of twenty-three surgically removed, formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded liver specimens (10 focal nodular hyperplasias--FNH, and 13 hepatocellular carcinomas--HCC) were studied by flow cytometry. Diploid value appeared in 9/10 FNH (one was hypodiploid), while 10/13 HCC (77%) had DNA aneuploidy (one hypo- and 9 hyperdiploid). The presence of normal DNA content in 3 HCCs suggests that DNA aneuploidy only cannot indicate the malignant transformation of a benign lesion (e.g. FNH).

Adolescent

Hepatocellular carcinoma in Fanconi's anemia treated with androgen and corticosteroid.

The case of an 11-year-old boy is reported who was known to have Fanconi's anemia for 3 years and was treated with androgens, corticosteroids and transfusions. Two weeks before his death he was readmitted because of aplastic crisis with septicemia and marked abnormalities in liver function and died of hemorrhagic bronchopneumonia. At autopsy peliosis and multiple hepatic tumors were found which histologically proved to be well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma. This case contributes to the previous observations that non-metastasizing hepatic neoplasms and peliosis can develop in patients with androgen- and corticosteroid-treated Fanconi's anemia.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones

Connective tissue content of fibrolamellar carcinoma and other human liver tumors.

The connective tissue content of four different human liver tumors (Fibrolamellar carcinoma, FLC; hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC; focal nodular hyerplasia, FNH and hepatocellular adenoma, HCA) was investigated by computer aided morphometry. A significantly higher connective tissue content was found in FNH and FLC as compared to HCA and HCC. The distribution of the connective tissue was homogeneous in the cases of FNH, HCA and HCC, while a highly unhomogeneous distribution was observed in FLC cases.

Adolescent

Connective tissue content of fibrolamellar carcinoma and other human liver tumors.

The connective tissue content of four different human liver tumors (Fibrolamellar carcinoma, FLC; hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC; focal nodular hyperplasia, FNH and hepatocellular adenoma, HCA) was investigated by computer aided morphometry. A significantly higher connective tissue content was found in FNH and FLC as compared to HCA and HCC. The distribution of the connective tissue was homogeneous in the cases of FNH, HCA and HCC, while a highly unhomogeneous distribution was observed in FLC cases.

Adolescent

Immunohistochemical detection of transforming growth factor-beta 1 in fibrotic liver diseases.

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 was localized by means of immunohistochemical reaction in liver biopsy specimens taken from patients having different chronic liver diseases with extending fibrosis. Two polyclonal antibodies that were produced in rabbits were directed against the amino terminal of transforming growth factor-beta 1. Staining by anti-CC(1-30) was primarily extracellular and located in the portal and periportal fibrotic areas of all seven cases with chronic active hepatitis. No staining was noted in the four chronic persistent cases studied. A strong reaction was seen with the antibody in nine of the ten cirrhotic samples, whereas it was negative in one inactive cirrhosis case and in all five cases with normal liver histological findings. No positive staining could be detected by the anti-LC(1-30) in any of the liver tissues. Detection of transforming growth factor-beta 1 in active liver diseases at the site of fibrosis suggests that transforming growth factor-beta 1 might have a role in the process and progression of fibrosis during the development of the disease.

Antibodies

[The hepatitis C virus--principal causative agent in non-A, non-B hepatitis].

The diagnosis of non-A, non-B (NANB) hepatitis was based on the exclusion of hepatitis A and B infection and other known causes of hepatitis, such as other viruses, alcohol and toxic effects. More recently, an RNA has been isolated from a NANB-infected chimpanzee serum and with its aid a polypeptide antigen was produced by molecular biological methods. Antibodies to this antigen--as part of the infectious agent, called hepatitis C virus (HCV)--were detected in the sera of infected patients. Studies with this antigen/antibody system proved, the HCV is responsible for the majority of posttransfusion and sporadic NANB hepatitis cases worldwide. The antibody appears late, in the serum up to 6 months after the infection. The occurrence of the infection is high among hemophiliacs and drug abusers. Anti-HCV antibody was detected also in certain liver disease with "unknown etiology" (chronic active hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis). This newly developed test provides the possibility to prove HCV infection in different groups of patients by detecting an antibody to a component of HCV.

Hepacivirus

[Acute kidney failure caused by rhabdomyolysis].

Rhabdomyolysis developed in the muscles of the left lower extremity of a 43 year old man leading to myoglobinuria and acute renal failure. The diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis was strengthened by muscle and renal biopsy. The renal functions were restituted after peritoneal dialysis performed four times (12 hours each) within two weeks. The possible role of alcohol or Dalgol intoxication as well the disturbed circulation in the development of rhabdomyolysis is discussed. Authors point out the benefit of peritoneal dialysis in acute renal failure caused by rhabdomyolysis.

Acute Kidney Injury

Fine structure of hepatocytes during the etiology of several common pathologies.

Hepatocytes respond to injury by a few basic pathological reactions that are reflected in cell death, different types of degeneration, regeneration, or tumorous transformation. At the ultrastructural level, alterations of cell organelles can be observed in different combinations as a result of the injury, depending on the etiological agent(s) or pathological conditions developed. Nuclear bodies, dilation and fragmentation of rough endoplasmic reticulum (rer), swelling of mitochondria, and an increased number of lysosomes occur during acute viral hepatitis. The core and surface components of the hepatitis B virus can be localized in the liver cells in chronic hepatitis and in carriers. Close contact of hepatocytic and lymphocytic cell membranes were observed in chronic active hepatitis. Hepatocytes surrounded by an increased amount of collagen fibers are characteristic of cirrhosis. Loosely arranged, fine fibrils or condensed forms of Mallory bodies are pathognomic for alcoholic injury. A wide spectrum of alterations are noted after drug treatment: the proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (ser) as an adaptive phenomenon, focal or complete necrosis of the cell, inflammation, and the like. The fine structural analysis of hepatocytic inclusions in storage diseases has a differential diagnostic value. The storage of copper and other elements can be measured by x-ray microanalysis. The study of the hepatocytic differentiation in liver tumors is highly important in establishing the diagnosis and in proving the hepatocytic origin of the tumor.

Humans