Melatonin and the ovulatory luteinizing hormone surge.

A newly developed 125I-radioimmunoassay allows for the accurate determination of physiological concentrations of plasma melatonin. Melatonin secretion does not change significantly on the day before and the day of the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge when compared with the early follicular phase. In addition, it was confirmed that the beginning of the LH surge frequently occurs in the morning and is associated with low melatonin values (six of nine women).

[A method for recording the network topology of human retinal vessels].

Network analysis of the human retinal vessels must be based on a thorough knowledge of the topology of the network. This derives from the numerical composition of the network's individual components. Using histologic specimens, centrifugal and centripetal ordering methods were compared.

Sporadic unilateral adrenomedullary hyperplasia with hypertension cured by adrenalectomy.

Adrenomedullary hyperplasia (AMH) with increased urinary excretion of epinephrine is regarded as the earliest adrenal manifestation in familial pheochromocytoma; however, pathogenetic mechanisms and morphogenesis involved in the development of sporadic adrenomedullary diseases are unknown as yet. We present 4 patients with clinical, biochemical, imaging, and morphological findings of sporadic unilateral adrenomedullary hyperplasia cured by unilateral adrenalectomy. All patients were hypertensive with intermittent hypertensive crises, and with increased catecholamine concentrations in urine and serum.

Diffuse leiomyosarcomatosis of the colon.

Smooth muscle cell tumors of the large bowel excluding the rectum are extremely rare. The case of a 30-year-old patient, who had ulcerative colitis for 5 years, is reported. Because of uncontrollable bleeding a proctocolectomy was performed.

[Leu-M1, CEA and intermediate filament proteins in histochemical differential diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma].

The differential diagnosis "pleuramesothelioma" vs "metastatic adenocarcinoma" can mostly not be decided clearly by conventional histological methods in malignant pleuraneoplasias. Leu-M1 is employed in immunhistochemical diagnosis of lymphomas in Hodgkin's disease but it also reacts with adenocarcinoma cells. Pleuramesotheliomas are Leu-M1 negative.

[Effects of various oxygen concentrations on metabolic performance of in vitro perfused human placentas].

The aim of the experiments was the in vitro-investigation of metabolic reactions of human placentae under different oxygen supply, particularly when oxygenation followed a period of hypoxia. A perfusion system was used with both circuits of a whole placenta being recirculated over 2 hours with blood-containing perfusate. In group A 17 placentae were perfused under normoxic conditions; in group B 10 perfusions were carried out under hypoxia.

Microvascular network topology of the human retinal vessels.

A quantitative analysis of blood flow in the human retinal vessels requires a detailed picture of the microvascular network topology. In order to lay the foundation for a quantitative microcirculatory network analysis of the human retina, a novel technique for tissue preparation and network characterization was developed. After injection of hydrogen peroxide into the human bulb, the microvasculature was filled with oxygen produced by endothelial catalase and visualized after embedding in a mixture of cedar oil and gum damar.

A case of tularemia meningitis in Sweden.

Tularemia meningitis occurred in a previously healthy 64-year-old man from Northern Sweden. The patient was immunocompetent and recovered without sequelae. The bacterial isolate conformed by most criteria with the Euro-Asian biovar Francisella tularensis var.

[Effect of a new gestagen--dienogest--and its combination with ethinyl estradiol on the activity of biotransformation reactions].

Caffeine is mainly metabolized by 3-methyl-cholanthrene-inducible cytochrome P-450, whereas metamizol (Analgin) is probably mainly metabolized by phenobarbital inducible cytochromes P-450. Therefore the elimination of caffeine from serum and the amount of the main metabolites of metamizol excreted into urine reflect the activity of these two cytochrome P-450 families. Sex hormones can influence the activity of cytochrome P-450.

Immunocytochemical differential diagnosis of adrenocortical neoplasms using the monoclonal antibody D11.

The monoclonal antibody D11 is a valuable aid in the accurate typing of adrenal tumours as, in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedding material, strong nuclear D11 positivity was observed only in adrenocortical cells in 190 neoplasms (including 100 adrenal tumours). This pattern was demonstrated for all zona glomerulosa cells in 27 normal adrenals and for the neoplastic cells of 15 adrenocortical adenomas derived from that zone, as judged from clinically evident hyperaldosteronism. Normal cells of zona fasciculata and reticularis also showed strong diffuse D11 immunostaining and the same nuclear plus cytoplasmic D11 reactivity was evident in 15 benign and malignant adrenocortical neoplasms derived from these zones, documented by hypercortisolism.

Adrenomedullary hyperplasia and phaeochromocytoma. DNA cytophotometric findings in 47 cases.

Fifty adrenalectomy specimens containing normal (n = 3), hyperplastic (n = 4) or neoplastic (n = 43) medullary tissue were subjected to quantitative cytophotometric measurements of DNA content. Differing evaluation schemes were applied for interpretation of DNA distribution patterns. Of the 43 phaeochromocytomas (PCC), 16 were inherited as part of the syndrome of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2a (MEN 2a).

Diffuse sclerosing variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma. S-100 protein immunocytochemistry and prognosis.

The recently published second edition of the WHO classification of thyroid tumours describes the diffuse sclerosing papillary carcinoma (DSPC) as a specific variant of papillary thyroid cancer (PC). Besides several histological hallmarks, this rare tumour is characterized by its occurrence in young individuals and is thought to have a less favourable prognosis than PC in general. The observations on two examples of this tumour presented herein, however, are at variance at this assumption.

Application of a new electrophoresis technique (2D cryostat section electrophoresis) to synovial tissue of RA patients and comparison with immunohistochemical staining methods.

We describe a new two dimensional electrophoresis technique which is based on the combination of cryostat section technology and IEF- and SDS-gel electrophoresis. The optimal conditions for two dimensional cryostat section electrophoresis are investigated. The application of this technique to synovial membranes of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis is described.

[Demonstration of activated oncogenes of the ras family in human thyroid tumors using the polymerase chain reaction].

Activation of ras-oncogenes in 180 different thyroid tumours, was examined by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and subsequent analysis of the amplification products by oligonucleotide probing, direct sequence analysis of single stranded DNA and primer-mismatch analysis. In contrast to recently published results we found a very low frequency of activated ras-genes occurring mainly in undifferentiated carcinomas and follicle cell carcinomas which show a transition to undifferentiation. In none of thirty benign tumors an activated ras-gene was found.

[Histology, immunocytochemistry and DNA cytophotometry of adrenal glandpheochromocytoma (PCC)--a morphologic clinal study of 64 tumors].

Surgical specimens of 64 adrenal PCCs were investigated by conventional histology, immunocytochemistry and DNA-cytophotometry. Tumour weights of more than 200 g were recorded for each of the 6 malignant, but for only one of the 58 clinically benign neoplasms. Increased mitotic activity (greater than 5 mitoses/10 HPF) was, apart from one benign lesion, only seen among malignomas.

[Histology, immunocytochemistry and DNA cytophotometry of adrenocortical tumors--a clinicomorphological study of 72 tumors].

Surgical specimens of 72 adrenocortical tumours were investigated by conventional histology, immunocytochemistry and DNA-cytophotometry. Histologically, 57 tumours were classified as adenomas and 15 as carcinomas. Nine adenomas weighed more, 2 carcinomas less than 50g.

Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid.

The results of our study may be summarized as follows: 1. Medullary carcinomas of the thyroid are derived from the C cells of the gland and are characterized by strong histologic and cytologic pleomorphism with inconstant stromal amyloid deposits. 2.

[T-cell oriented therapy concept in the treatment of rejection following liver transplantation].

Since 1984 32 liver transplantations were performed at the University of Hamburg in 29 patients. 2-year survival rate of electively grafted patients is 71.4%.

[Pharmacokinetics of cefotaxime during late pregnancy].

Examining serum level values and urinary concentrations taken from nonpregnant control persons and pregnant women suffering from urinary tract infections (UTI) during the third trimenon, the pharmacokinetic dates after single application of 1 g cefotaxime have been evaluated. We used a computer program based on the two-compartment model. It is shown that during pregnancy complicated by UTI the elimination half-life will be prolonged, the distribution volumes and clearance values will be increased.

[Pharmacokinetic studies of cefotiam in late pregnancy].

Examining blood level values and urinary concentrations taken from pregnant women during the third trimester and nonpregnant female volunteers, the pharmacokinetic dates of cefotiam (a second generation's cephalosporin) have been evaluated. We used a computer program of an open two-compartment model for intravenous injection. We found an increase of some pharmacokinetic parameters (elimination half-life, distribution volume, clearance) during pregnancy.

[The hall--reflections on the site of open interaction between patients and the therapeutic team].

Starting from an apparent every-day situation in daily clinic life--the encounter between patients and therapeutic team in a sojourn chosen by the first ones--reflections are made about patterns of relations shown there. These contain partly complicated transference - and counter-transference-mechanisms and represent an always new challenge for the team to deal with the own professional role and the engagement toward the mentally sick.

CA 50 and CA 19-9 antigen expression in normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic thyroid tissue.

The occurrence of the tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens defined by the monoclonal antibodies (moabs) C 50 and 19-9 has been studied by immunoperoxidase staining of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from normal, hyperplastic, adenomatous, and carcinomatous thyroid tissues. Epithelial expression of these antigens was observed neither in normal nor in hyperplastic thyroid tissue. The antigens were expressed in only 1 of 26 follicular adenomas and the staining in this case was weak and restricted to a few cells.

Prognostic factors in medullary thyroid carcinomas.

Among 45 patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma, clinical parameters (age, sex, stage) and morphological findings (histological and immunocytochemical pattern, DNA content) were correlated with follow-up data. Prognosis was found not to be related to histological features or to immunoreactivity for a variety of hormonal and nonhormonal products typical of neoplastic C-cells. Instead, survival was significantly correlated to age, sex and stage of disease.