Clinical use of a new frameless optical neuronavigation system for brain biopsies: 10 cases (2013-2020).

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the retrospective study was to describe the brain biopsy procedure using a new frameless optical neuronavigation system and to report diagnostic yield and complications associated with the procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records for all dogs with forebrain lesions that underwent brain biopsy with a frameless optical neuronavigation system in a single referral hospital between 2013 and 2020 were retrospectively analysed. Following data were collected: signalment, neurological signs, diagnostic findings, number of brain biopsy samples, sampled region, complications, duration of hospitalisation, whether the samples were diagnostic and histopathological diagnoses. The device consists of a computer workstation with navigation software, an infrared camera, patient tracker and reflective instruments. The biopsy needle was equipped with reflective spheres, so the surgeon could see the position of the needle during sampling the intracranial lesion free handed through a mini-burr hole. RESULTS: Ten dogs were included. Absolute diagnostic yield based on specific histopathological diagnosis was 73.9%. Three dogs had immune-mediated necrotizing encephalitis, two dogs showed a necrotizing leukoencephalitis and two dogs a meningoencephalitis of unknown origin. In two dogs, the brain specimen showed unspecific changes. In one dog, the samples were non-diagnostic. Seven dogs showed no neurological deterioration, one dog mild temporary ataxia and two dogs died within 36 hours post brain biopsy. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In these 10 dogs, the frameless optical neuronavigation system employed was useful to gain diagnostic brain biopsy samples. Considering the mortality rate observed, further studies are needed to confirm the safety of this procedure and prove its actual clinical effectiveness.

[Histamine intolerance syndrome. Its significance for ENT medicine]. / Das Histaminintoleranzsyndrom. Seine Bedeutung für die HNO-Heilkunde.

The symptoms of histamine intolerance are similar to those of the IgE-mediated allergic immune response. Patients affected by this disease, mostly middle-aged women, suffer from conditions such as headaches and rhinitis, particularly after consuming histamine-rich foods, indulging in alcoholic beverages, or taking certain pharmaceuticals. Moreover, life-threatening anaphylactic reactions can be observed with this syndrome. This article describes the biochemical processes and cellular background of histamine intolerance syndrome and discusses the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures within otorhinolaryngology. It is our goal to direct attention to this often unrecognized clinical picture and to contribute to increased immunologic knowledge of this disease.

[Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy with hypertrophy of cervico-thoracal nerve roots in a dog]. / Chronische entzündliche demyelinisierende Polyradikuloneuropathie mit Hypertrophie zerviko-thorakaler Nervenwurzeln beim Hund.

A case of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy in a Magyar Vizsla dame, 7 months of age, is described. The neurological deficits such as movement disorders, hyporeflexia and muscle atrophy, were limited to the front legs. The hypertrophied cervico-thoracal nerve roots could be shown by magnetic resonance imaging. The diagnosis was additionally based on clinical findings, the relapsing course, the good response to therapy with prednisolone, the results of electrodiagnostic workup and muscle and nerve biopsy.

The development of a radioallergosorbent test (RAST) for murine IgE antibodies.

A purified monoclonal IgE preparation, isolated from the ascitic fluid of mice bearing a hybridoma secreting IgE with specificity to ovalbumin, was used for the production of goat anti-murine IgE (GAME) antiserum, which was then rendered monospecific for the epsilon chain. Another monoclonal hybridoma IgE preparation with specificity for the 2,4-dinitrophenyl group was isolated from ascitic fluid in a relatively pure state by affinity chromatography and used in the form of an immunosorbent to isolate antibodies from the monospecific goat serum. The GAME antibodies were 125I-labeled and used to develop a radioallergosorbent test (RAST) for the quantitation of murine IgE antibodies specifically adsorbed onto antigen-coupled paper discs. The RAST was specific for antibodies of the IgE class only and was as sensitive as and more accurate than PCA assay. RAST results on sera of mice treated with tolerogenic conjugates indicated a reduction in the affinity and concentration of the IgE antibody populations on suppression of the IgE response. The effect of interference by non-IgE antibody populations on the RAST curves has been discussed.

Influence of the anti-inflammatory compound flosulide on granulocyte function.

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) are involved in inflammatory reactions. It is thought that oxygen-derived free radicals released from activated PMN may participate in tissue damage during inflammation. We have shown that flosulide (6-(2,4-difluorophenoxy)-5-methylsulfonylamino-1-indanone ), a novel highly potent anti-inflammatory compound, inhibits superoxide production induced by N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (FMLP), C5a and PMA without impairing bacterial killing or chemotaxis. Flosulide (10(-5)-10(-7) M) was more potent in inhibiting the FMLP-induced respiratory burst of PMN than the structurally related compound nimesulide. FMLP-induced superoxide generation was also inhibited by two human flosulide metabolites. A good correlation between this in vitro effect and in vivo anti-inflammatory potency in rat adjuvant arthritis was found for flosulide and its metabolites. Indomethacin, piroxicam and ibuprofen did not inhibit the respiratory burst at 10(-5) M. FMLP receptor number was decreased by 36% in the presence of 10(-5) M flosulide. However, a 250-fold molar excess of flosulide could not displace labeled FMLP from the receptor. Inhibition of degranulation of primary and secondary granules was a common effect of all anti-inflammatory compounds tested. At a concentration of 10(-5) M, all drugs inhibited degranulation to about the same degree, independent of their in vivo anti-inflammatory activity.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories--XII. Mode of action of anti-inflammatory methane sulfonanilides.

The influence of anti-inflammatory methane sulfonanilides on the arachidonic acid metabolism in ram seminal vesicle homogenate depends on the pK3 of the individual substance: more acidic compounds suppress, less acidic compounds stimulate PG synthesis and enhance the PGH2/PGG2 ratio. As oxygen radicals are liberated during the conversion of PGG2 to PGH2 it is suggested that the less acidic methane sulfonanilides are scavengers of the (pro-inflammatory) oxygen radicals.

Evidence for a Soft Nuclear Equation-of-State from Kaon Production in Heavy-Ion Collisions.

The production of pions and kaons has been measured in 197Au+197Au collisions at beam energies from 0.6 to 1.5A GeV with the kaon spectrometer at SIS/GSI. The K+ meson multiplicity per nucleon is enhanced in Au+Au collisions by factors up to 6 relative to C+C reactions, whereas the corresponding pion ratio is reduced. The ratio of the K+ meson excitation functions for Au+Au and C+C collisions increases with decreasing beam energy. This behavior is expected for a soft nuclear equation-of-state.

A sulphonamido-indanone derivative CGP 28237 (ZK 34228), a novel non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent without gastro-intestinal ulcerogenicity in rats.

CGP 28237 (5-methylsulphonylamino-6-phenoxy-1-indanone) belongs to a series of structurally novel indanones. The compound is a weak acid (pK = 6.98), but it does not contain a carboxylic group. CGP 28237 exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity in developing and established adjuvant arthritis in rats (ED40 approximately 0.5 mg/kg p.o.) and good activity in carrageenin oedema (ED40 approximately 3 mg/kg p.o.). It inhibits yeast-induced fever in rats with ED50 values of 1, 2 and 10 mg/kg p.o. at 1, 3 and 5 hours after drug administration. The antinociceptive activity in mice (phenyl-p-benzoquinone writhing) and rats (acetic-acid writhing) is weak. CGP 28237 has been shown to be non-ulcerogenic in rats under acute and chronic test conditions: it does not cause mucosal lesions in the stomach at 2 X 400 mg/kg p.o., it does not enhance gastro-intestinal blood loss during 10 days' oral treatment with 400 mg/kg p.o., and it did not induce gastro-intestinal lesions in a 4-week toxicity study up to 1000 mg/kg p.o. Although CGP 28237 is not a cyclooxygenase inhibitor in bovine seminal vesicle microsomes, it inhibits prostaglandin synthesis in zymosan-stimulated murine macrophages (IC50 approximately 3 X 10(-6) mol/l) and protects rabbits against arachidonic acid-induced lung embolism with 10 mg/kg p.o. CGP 28237 may represent a novel anti-inflammatory drug with excellent gastro-intestinal tolerability.

[What are the changes in the nasal mucosa caused by allergic rhinitis?]. / Was passiert bei der allergischen Rhinitis in der Nasenschleimhaut?

Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common illnesses of mankind. It is important to be aware that it is an immunological disease associated with extensive changes in the mucosa of the respiratory tract. The cardinal symptoms are nasal obstruction and/or discharge, as well as itching and sneezing urge. The mechanisms involved are complex and include activation and migration of inflammatory cells, vascular dilatation, increase and changes of glandular activity, activation of nerve endings, onset of a neurogenic inflammation and morphologically demonstrable alterations in the mucosa. All this makes it clear that allergic rhinitis is a disease that has to be taken seriously and treated thoroughly, rather than be treated lightly, as has been the case--perhaps because it is so frequent.

[T-cells regulate the immune-response in allergic rhinitis]. / Die Regulation der Immunantwort bei der allergischen Rhinitis durch T-Lymphozyten.

Allergic diseases show a broad variety of symptoms, depending on the type of allergen and the location where it interacts with the human body. Contact of allergens with the upper respiratory tract result in conjunctivitis or allergic rhinitis. Apart from antigenpresenting cells, T-cells do play an important role in this hypersensibility reaction. Due to the production and secretion of cytokines, T-lymphocytes induce and maintain the corresponding Th-immuneresponse. In addition to regulatory functions, T-cells have potential influence on the chronic progression of allergic inflammatory reactions of the nasal mucosa and are therefore interesting target cells for specific immunotherapy as well as corticosteroid treatment. This article shows the specific function of T-cells during allergic rhinitis and reveals the basics for understanding the mechanism of immunotherapy and chronification of inflammatory allergic diseases of the nasal mucosa.

Inhibition of human allergic T-helper type 2 immune responses by induced regulatory T cells requires the combination of interleukin-10-treated dendritic cells and transforming growth factor-beta for their induction.

BACKGROUND: In grass pollen-allergic individuals, T cell anergy can be induced by IL-10-treated dendritic cells (IL-10-DC) resulting in the suppression of T helper type 1 (Th1) as well as Th2 cells. This study was performed to analyse whether such IL-10-DC-treated T cells are able to act as regulatory T cells (Treg) suppressing the function of other T cells in the periphery. As transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta is also a potential inducer of Treg, we additionally analysed the inhibitory capacity of TGF-beta-treated T cells in this system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Freshly isolated CD4+ or CD4+ CD25- T cells from grass pollen-allergic donors were stimulated with autologous mature monocyte-derived allergen-pulsed DC in the presence or absence of T cells previously cultured with IL-10-DC- and/or TGF-beta. RESULTS: Anergic T cells induced by allergen-pulsed IL-10-treated DC or allergen-pulsed DC and TGF-beta enhanced IL-10 production and strongly inhibited IFN-gamma production of freshly prepared peripheral CD4+ or CD4+ CD25- T cells while proliferation and Th2 cytokine production were only slightly reduced. The combination of allergen-pulsed IL-10-treated DC and TGF-beta had an additional effect leading to a significant suppression also of Th2 cytokine production and proliferation. Suppression was not antigen-specific and was mainly mediated by cell-to-cell contact and by the molecule-programmed death-1 and only partially by CTLA-4, TGF-beta and IL-10. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that regulatory T cells that also suppress Th2 cytokine production are induced by two signals: TGF-beta and IL-10-DC. This is of importance for the regulation of allergic immune responses and might be exploited for future therapeutic strategies for allergic diseases.

In-medium effects on phase space distributions of antikaons measured in proton-nucleus collisions.

Differential production cross sections of K+/- mesons have been measured in p + C and p + Au collisions at 1.6, 2.5, and 3.5 GeV proton beam energy. At beam energies close to the production threshold, the K- multiplicity is strongly enhanced with respect to proton-proton collisions. According to microscopic transport calculations, this enhancement is caused by two effects: the strangeness exchange reaction NY --> K- NN and an attractive in-medium K- N potential at saturation density.

Observation of different azimuthal emission patterns of K+ and of K- mesons in heavy-ion collisions at 1-2 A GeV.

Azimuthal distributions of pi+, K+, and K- mesons have been measured in Au+Au reactions at 1.5A GeV and Ni+Ni reactions at 1.93 A GeV. In semicentral collisions at midrapidity, pi+ and K+ mesons are emitted preferentially perpendicular to the reaction plane in both collision systems. In contrast for K- mesons in Ni+Ni reactions, an in-plane elliptic flow was observed for the first time at these incident energies.

The occurrence of high-level streptothricin resistance in thermotolerant campylobacters isolated from the slurry of swine and the environment.

This is the first report on the occurrence of streptothricin resistance (MIC > 400 micrograms/ml) in Campylobacter spp. The majority of resistant strains has been typed as C. coli by biotyping and SDS disc electrophoresis of bacterial whole cell proteins. The resistance to streptothricin was strongly connected with resistance to kanamycin (100%) and tetracycline (80%). As an important source of streptothricin-resistant Campylobacter strains we localized slurry of swine previously fed with feed containing streptothricins. Additionally, such strains could also be isolated from river water.

In vitro studies on long-term stability of R plasmids in Escherichia coli K12.

The maintenance and stability in an E. coli K12 host of environmental isolates of R plasmids encoding gentamicin resistance during multiple passages in antibiotic-free and antibiotic-containing broth were investigated in regard to the conferred resistance phenotypes and the respective EcoRI digestion patterns. Only two plasmids belonging to the IncM group maintained stable endonuclease digestion patterns over a 15-month period in both of the media applied. Other members of this group revealed a considerable variability in their EcoRI digestion patterns, but a stability in their resistance determinants. Two IncM plasmids and an IncK plasmid exhibited partial resistance loss under nonselective conditions. The complete segregation of resistance determinants from IncOF plasmids resulted in a stably maintained cryptic core plasmid.

[Isolation and characterization of gentamicin resistance plasmids of coliform bacteria from the waste water of a water treatment plant]. / Isolierung und Charakterisierung von Gentamicinresistenzplasmiden koliformer Bakterien aus dem Abwasser einer Kläranlage.

Gentamicin resistance coliforms detected continuously in raw and purified waste water samples of a sewage treatment plant made up less than 0.1% of all coliforms. 43.9%; 31.4%; 13.3% and 11.3% of gentamicin-resistant coliforms were identified as Enterobacter, E. coli, Klebsiella and Citrobacter, respectively. R plasmids encoding a gentamicin resistance phenotype were isolated and characterized. They range between 55 and 60 MD in size and belong to 3 incompatibility groups (IncOF, IncM, IncK). Using restriction endonucleolytic digestion of plasmids, they could be further characterized and subtyped. In contrast to moderate molecular alterations observed among the IncM plasmids, the IncOF plasmids reveal a high stability of restriction pattern. This IncOF plasmid was predominantly found in E. coli wild strains and detected continuously.

Measurement of locomotor activity in hyperalgesic rats as an objective method for testing the antialgesic activity of drugs.

The registration of locomotor activity in hyperalgesic rats has been shown to be a simple and objective method to demonstrate the antialgesic activity of NSAI. Aspirin-like drugs significantly antagonize the pain-produced reduction in motility of hyperalgesic rats. It has also been demonstrated that new potent anti-inflammatory methanesulfonanilides, which do not inhibit PG-synthesis in vitro and are almost inactive in Writhing models, exhibit potent antialgesic activity in this model.

Production of monoclonal mouse IgE antibodies with DNP specificity by hybrid cell lines.

IgE anti-DNP antibody-secreting hybridomas were obtained by polyethylene glycol fusion of murine myeloma cells with spleen cells from mice, primed with DNP-KLH and challenged with DNP-Nippostrongylus brasiliensis extract. The in vivo and in vitro continuously growing hybridomas are producing high amounts of monoclonal IgE anti-DNP antibodies, which are heat-labile, hapten-specific and have rat mast cell sensitizing capacity.

[Reactions and side effects of ovulation inhibitors on the skin]. / Wirkungen und Nebenwirkungen von Ovulationshemmern an der Haut.

PIP: An overview of dermatological diseases which occur in conjunction with oral contraceptive (o.c.) use is presented. An increase in pigmentation during o.c. use is attributed to an increase in the binding of cortisol with transcortin caused by the estrogen component, which leads to an increase in melanin-stimulating hormone production. Sebum production is decreased during o.c. use, which has a beneficial effect in cases of acne and seborrhea oleosa. This effect is most pronounced with preparations containing chlormadinon acetate, which has an antiandrogenic effect. O.C. use can influence hair growth by disturbing the balance between anagenic and telogenic hairs. Androgenetic alopecia is most often caused by preparations containing nortestosterone. Peroral dermatitits, lupus erythmatodes visceralis and similar disorders, and allergic skin reactions have been observed among o.c. users. Porphyria cutanea tarda is generally found in young women in conjunction with o.c. use, which can be related to liver dysfunctions. Vaginal candidosis is also more frequently found among o.c. users, particularly in conjunction with combination preparations. Herpes gestationes can occur during o.c. use, mainly among women who developed it during pregnancy. Progesterone appears to be responsible for provoking the condition. 166 patients who developed dermatological disorders during o.c. use were studied according to the preparation each used. Acne vulgaris improved more frequently among Ovosiston users. A marked increase in vaginal fluor indicated an increase in trichomoniasis and candida mycosis. In all observed cases of porphyria cutanea tarda, liver damage (hepatitis, cyrrhosis, or fatty liver) could be ascertained.^ieng

Characterization and isolation of IgE class-specific suppressor factor (IgE-TsF) I. The presence of the binding site(s) for IgE and of the H-2 gene products in IgE-TsF.

IgE-specific reverse plaque assay for the direct comparison of the IgE and IgG antibody responses was established and the method was employed for the assessment of the activity of IgE class-specific suppressor factor (IgE-TsF). In the in vitro culture system, the addition of IgE-TsF to DNP-KLH-primed spleen cells inhibited an antigen-induced increase of IgE-producing cells but did not show any effect on the IgG or IgM responses. Absorption of IgE-TsF with IgE-producing hybridoma cells removed the suppressor activity but IgM-producing hybridoma cells did not absorb the suppressor activity. The suppressor activity of IgE-TsF was removed by murine IgE-conjugated Sepharose column but not by IgM-, IgG-, or human IgE-conjugated column. The suppressor activity was eluted from IgE-column with glycine-HCI buffer, pH 3.2, or acetate buffer, pH 4.0, and the suppressor factor eluted from IgE-column was reabsorbed by anti-H-2d conjugated column. The results showed that IgE-specific suppressor factor was composed of the binding sites for IgE molecules and the H-2 gene products.