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Biomedical subjects

A Berndt

Publications and source records attributed to A Berndt.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

[LPS receptor expression and lps binding capacity of monocytes and macrophages in swine].

The expression of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) receptor CD14, being of importance for an effective immune response, and the direct measurable binding of LPS molecules by alveolar macrophages (AM), peritoneal macrophages (PM) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of swine were determined. Additionally, the influence of an experimental intrabronchial infection with Pasteurella multocida on these parameters was investigated. Whereas the AM and the PM differed only negligibly regarding their share of CD14 bearing and LPS binding cells, in contrast to AM the intensity of the LPS-binding of PM was significantly higher. Among the PBMC, two populations could be detected which expressed the CD14 with different intensity, whereas the LPS-binding of both populations was similarly pronounced. Following infection of the animals, AM showed an unchanged percentage of CD14 positive cells and simultaneously an increased CD14 receptor expression. On the other hand, the percentage of the LPS-binding cells rose, while no changes of the intensity of LPS-binding were observable. The studies revealed that intrabronchial infection results in local and systemic alterations of CD14 expression and LPS-binding capacity of different cell populations. However, a direct correlation between the appearance of CD14- and LPS-binding does not seem to inevitably exist, indicating probably CD14-independent LPS-binding.

Animals↗

Oral squamous cell carcinoma invasion is associated with a laminin-5 matrix re-organization but independent of basement membrane and hemidesmosome formation. clues from an in vitro invasion model.

The basement membrane (BM) molecule laminin-5 represents the major component of the anchoring filaments, the BM counterpart of the hemidesmosomes. Because laminin-5 is abundantly deposited adjacent to budding invasive carcinoma cells in vivo, a special invasion-promoting role is suspected. We present a 3D collagen type I gel invasion model for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) using the newly established OSCC cell lines PE/CA-PJ15, PE/CA-PJ34, and PE/CA-PJ41. The carcinoma cells on the surface of the collagen type I gel show an invasive growth exclusively in the presence of gel-inoculated (myo)fibroblasts yielded from nodular palmar fibromatosis or tumour stroma. The model is characterized by an immunohistochemical and ultrastrcutural failure of structural BM and hemidesmosome formation. In the model an invasion-associated modulation of the laminin-5 deposition (alpha3, clone BM165; gamma2, clone GB3) was demonstrated: in invasive areas a strong ribbon-like immunostaining in the tumor-gel interface. The results obtained from the invasion model suggest that the assumed invasion-promoting ability of the BM molecule laminin-5 is realized independent of a structural BM and hemidesmosome formation.

Basement Membrane↗

Pharmacokinetics of trapidil in patients with chronic liver disease.

The pharmacokinetics of trapidil were studied in 15 patients with chronic liver disease (12 with hepatic cirrhosis, 2 with alcoholic fatty liver, 1 with liver fibrosis). Trapidil was administered intravenously as a 100-mg bolus. Serum samples were analyzed for trapidil by means of high-performance liquid chromatography. Mean pharmacokinetic parameters were compared with those found in a previous study of 12 healthy volunteers. Total plasma clearance was decreased significantly in patients with hepatic cirrhosis (96 mL/ min versus 258 mL/min in healthy individuals and 252 mL/min in patients with noncirrhotic liver disease). No difference in clearance was observed between patients with compensated or decompensated cirrhosis, and portal hypertension did not affect this clearance of trapidil. It can be concluded that trapidil clearance is a parameter that is very sensitive to alterations in hepatic clearance caused by liver cirrhosis, and that the dosage of trapidil should be adjusted accordingly in such patients.

Adult↗

Molecular variants of fibronectin and laminin: structure, physiological occurrence and histopathological aspects.

This review deals with biological and pathological aspects of various isoforms of the matrix molecules fibronectin and laminin. They are generated by different molecular mechanisms: ED-A+ and ED-B+ fibronectin by alternative splicing of pre mRNA, de novo-glycosylated fibronectin by alternative post-translational O-linked glycosylation of the IIICS region, and the laminin isoforms by exchange of single chains of the heterotrimeric molecule. In contrast to the "common" fibronectin, the distribution of ED-B+ and de novo-glycosylated fibronectin is restricted to embryonic tissues; they subsequently reappear in granulation tissue, in fibrosing processes and in tumour stroma. The expression of these so-called oncofetal fibronectins is stimulated by growth factors (TGF beta). The association of the ED-B+ fibronectin with proliferative activity and newly formed vessels identifies this fibronectin variant as a marker of cellular activity in the process of fibrosis and as a suitable agent for the evaluation of tumour angioneogenesis. Initial results suggest a correlation between the amount of ED-B+ and de novo-glycosylated fibronectin in tumour stroma and the behaviour of carcinomas with regard to their invasiveness and propensity for metastatic dissemination. The current nomenclature of the laminin molecule family is presented. The laminin chain constitution of basement membranes switches from embryonic or proliferatively active to adult terminally differentiated tissues [disappearance of the laminin beta 2 (s) chain] and depends on the tissue type. The discrepancy between the loss of basement membranes (multiple basement membrane defects) in carcinomas and the recently reported increased laminin chain synthesis in these tumours may be explained by abundant laminin chain deposition outside the basement membrane in the carcinoma invasion front, possibly associated with enhanced adhesion of budding tumour cells.

Animals↗

Reduced formamide content and hybridization temperature results in increased non-radioactive mRNA in situ hybridization signals.

To define conditions for highly sensitive non-radioactive mRNA in situ hybridization on cryostat sections the influence of decreased formamide content and hybridization temperature was studied. The examination was performed on fibromatosis nodules of palmar fibromatosis visualizing the beta actin mRNA of myofibroblasts. The results show that a decrease in formamide content and hybridization temperature is able to enhance the sensitivity of mRNA detection applicating digoxigenin labelled DNA oligodeoxynucleotide. The best hybridization signal could be obtained under formamide-free conditions. In conclusion, a simplified sensitive formamide-free mRNA in situ hybridization protocol using oligonucleotide probes on human tissue cryostat sections is presented. The negative formamide effect is seen as a result of the chemical interaction of formamide with nucleic acid strands. An omission of formamide is suggested if the target as well as the probe are single stranded.

Actins↗

Matrix remodelling in dilated cardiomyopathy entails the occurrence of oncofetal fibronectin molecular variants.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether disturbance of the cellular homoeostasis and integrity of cardiomyocytes in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is accompanied by alterations in cell-matrix relations as indicated by changes in the deposition of fibronectin (FN) isoforms. DESIGN: Tissue from a case series of patients with DCM was investigated by immunohistochemistry with antibodies against FN (all variants, clone IST4), ED-A+ FN (clone IST9), ED-B+ FN (clone BC1), and oncofetal glycosylated FN (clone 5C10). The sites of de novo synthesis of FN were demonstrated by means of non-radioactive RNA in situ hybridisation (ISH) with biotinylated FN cDNA fragments as the probe. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Samples from 10 patients with clinical criteria and histological diagnosis of DCM and from 3 individuals with normal hearts. INTERVENTIONS: Samples were obtained by right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Distribution of oncofetal FN variants in DCM hearts. RESULTS: Immunostaining of FN (IST4, all variants) showed a coarse interstitial network in normal and diseased myocardium. ED-A+ FN was deposited as fine interstitial spots in normal myocardium and in DCM samples. Immunostaining for oncofetal glycosylated FN and ED-B+ FN was not seen in normal adult myocardium, whereas myocardium from DCM patients showed focal and delicate staining in the interstitium. RNA ISH showed that these deposits resulted from local FN synthesis. CONCLUSION: The results accord with de novo expression of oncofetal FN variants in hearts from patients with DCM. The oncofetal FN variants may serve as disease markers in myocardium affected by DCM.

Adult↗

Pharmacokinetics of the antiarrhythmic agent tiracizine: steady state kinetics in comparison with single-dose kinetics.

Serum and urine kinetics of unchanged tiracizine (T), a new class I antiarrhythmic agent, and three metabolites (M1, 2, and 3) were assessed in eight healthy extensive metabolizers after a single oral administration of 50 mg tiracizine and during steady state (50 mg b.i.d.). Additionally, tiracizine-induced ECG changes were measured. Considerable accumulation of M1 and M2 was observed during repeated dosing (M1, Cmax,ss = 391.8 ng mL-1 against Cmax,sd = 132.8 ng mL-1; M2, Cmax,ss = 143.2 ng mL-1 against Cmax,sd = 25.8 ng mL-1). However, significant increases of AUC (AUC tau = 261.9 ng h mL-1 against AUC0-infinity,sd = 182.9 ng h mL-1), Cmax (Cmax,ss = 75.9 ng mL-1 against Cmax,sd = 56.9 ng mL-1) and t 1/2 beta (t 1/2 beta,ss = 4.0 h against t 1/2 beta,sd = 2.4 h) of the parent compound indicate non-linear kinetics. The significant decrease in renal clearance of all four substances as well as the decrease of non-renal tiracizine clearance with repeated dosing led to the assumption that non-linearity is due to saturable renal excretion and a fall in intrinsic tiracizine clearance. PQ time was prolonged significantly during steady state and culminated at the tmax of the parent compound, whereas there was no change in any ECG parameter after a single-dose administration of 50 mg tiracizine.

Administration, Oral↗

Occurrence of T lymphocytes in perivascular regions of the lung after intratracheal infection of swine with Pasteurella multocida.

The defence mechanisms of the lung acting against airborne antigens (bacteria) are not yet fully understood. Therefore, we investigated cell-derived immunological processes in porcine pulmonary tissue. The incidence and distribution of leukocyte subpopulations in lungs, lung lymph nodes and tonsils from eight animals intratracheally infected with Pasteurella multocida (P.m.) type A wild strain and from four non-infected control animals were established by immunohistochemistry, using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against specific porcine leukocyte antigens: MHC Class II (MHC II), SWC1, SWC3a, CD2a, CD4a, CD8b. In the test animals, a broad layer of SWC1+ cells and SWC3a+ cells emerged in the subsinusoidal region of lung lymph nodes and in the bronchoalveolar spaces of the lung as early as 4 and 24 h after infection, and in the subsinusoidal regions of the lung lymph nodes only very few cells could be stained with the mAb against the MHC II antigen. We could not detect any MHC Class II+ cells in the bronchoalveolar spaces at this time of the investigation. In the course of the disappearance of the SWC1+ cells and SWC3+ cells, CD2a+, CD4a+ and, in lower numbers, CD8b+ T lymphocytes seemed to concentrate in the perivascular and, partially, the peribronchial regions of the lung 72 h after infection. By means of the double immunostaining method, we could demonstrate an accumulation of CD4a+ cells and CD8b+ cells after infection which lacked the SWC1 antigen, indicating that these cells were activated T lymphocytes. The same cell types (SWC1-/CD4a+ and SWC1-/CD8b+ cells) as well as CD8b-/CD4a+ cells could be observed in the interstitium of the lung 72 h after infection.

Animals↗

Differential expression of fibronectin splice variants, oncofetal glycosylated fibronectin and laminin isoforms in nodular palmar fibromatosis.

The tissue formation process in nodular palmar fibromatosis (Morbus Dupuytren) was investigated by the demonstration of fibronectin splice variants (ED-A and ED-B fibronectin), de novo glycosylated fibronectin and laminin isoforms (A, M, B1, B2, s chains) in association to the proliferative activity (Ki-67 antigen) and the occurrence of myofibroblast phenotype (alpha-smooth muscle actin, desmin). The proliferative noduli of the fibromatosis were characterized by a diffuse immunostaining for alpha-smooth muscle actin, and single cells positive for desmin and the Ki-67 antigen. In contrast to the surrounding aponeurosis as extracellular matrix, components of the whole proliferative noduli were defined: ED-A, ED-B and de novo glycosylated fibronectin, B1 and B2 laminin chain, tenascin and collagen type IV. The demonstration of the A and M laminin chain was restricted to a few cells of the proliferative noduli. S laminin could be visualized in the majority of palmar aponeurotic fibroblasts. As revealed by mRNA, in situ hybridization a de novo synthesis of fibronectin could only be detected within proliferative noduli. There is a positive correlation between the myofibroblast phenotype formation, cellular proliferation and the occurrence of ED-A and ED-B containing fibronectin, as well as de novo glycosylated fibronectin in Dupuytren's disease. The ultrastructural irregularities of myofibroblastic basal lamina and the heterogeneity of the myofibroblast phenotype are equivalent to the variability of laminin isoform immunostaining.

Alternative Splicing↗

Integrin receptors and their relationship to cellular proliferation and differentiation of oral squamous cell carcinoma. A quantitative immunohistochemical study.

The expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (fibronectin, laminin, collagen IV) and ECM receptors of integrin type (alpha 2 beta 1, collagen receptor; alpha 6 chain of the fibronectin receptor; alpha 6 chain of the laminin receptor) were examined in normal oral squamous epithelium and in invasive areas of squamous cell carcinomas with various differentiation and proliferation activities (Ki-67 antigen labelling), evaluating the presence, quantity (using an image analysis system) and distribution of the integrin subunits. In the mucosa, there was uniform immunostaining for alpha 2 beta 1 and alpha 6 concentrated at the cell membrane in the basal/supra basal cell zone, whereas, alpha 5 showed a discontinuous staining of the basal cell-basement membrane interface. alpha 2 and alpha 6 could be visualized in all carcinomas. alpha 5 showed low expression preferentially in less differentiated carcinomas. In contrast to normal mucosa, there was an increase in alpha 6 staining in well-differentiated carcinomas. Dedifferentiation of oral carcinomas was accompanied by an increase in cellular proliferation and with a decrease in alpha 2 beta 1 and alpha 6 staining. This reduction of alpha 6 staining was shown to be statistically significant, suggesting that this integrin may be a valuable grading parameter for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Basement Membrane↗

Day-night variations in the renal excretion of the antiarrhythmic agent tiracizine and its metabolites.

Daytime and nighttime urinary recovery as well as morning and evening trough serum levels of the antiarrhythmic agent tiracizine and three of its metabolites (M1, M2, and M3) were assessed during a 7-day multiple-dose study period (50 mg tiracizine twice daily) in eight healthy volunteers. A significantly lower mean steady-state urinary recovery was observed during the daytime as compared with during the nighttime (Ae (tot tau d)=42.0 +/- 15.7% vs. Ae (tot tau n)=51.2 +/- 19.6%). This difference is mainly due to a substantial increase of M1 and a smaller increase of M2 urinary recovery by night. Results of additional in vitro investigations showed the ratio of the nonionic/ionic forms of M1 and M2 to be highly dependent on pH in the range of pH 5-pH 7. Therefore, the observed day-night variations might be attributed to alterations of ionization, i.e., nonionic tubular reabsorption of the metabolites due to circadian differences in urinary pH. Trough serum levels of M1 and M2 tended to be higher at 7 P.M. as compared with 7 A.M. Due to the narrow therapeutic index of class I antiarrhythmics, the present results indicate the need for further investigations concerning the effect of urinary pH on the pharmacokinetics of tiracizine and its metabolites.

Adult↗

[The user perspective studied by users of psychiatric institutions].

The perspective of users of psychiatric services has mostly been studied by professional researchers. In this study a group of users investigated subjective quality of life, assessment of psychiatric treatment and needs of other users. A special questionnaire was constructed and used. Psychiatric institutions were assessed as being on average good to satisfactory; satisfaction with different life domains was fairly good; needs for support varied very much.

Adult↗

[Relative bioavailability of the antiarrhythmia agent, tiracizine and its metabolites].

Relative bioavailability of a 100 mg tablet formulation of the antiarrhythmic agent tiracizine (CAS 78816-67-8) compared to a 50 mg formulation was assessed in a simple cross over study after single administration of a 100 mg dose to 12 healthy volunteers. Tiracizine and three of its metabolites (M1, M2 and M3) were measured in serum and urine by high pressure liquid chromatography. AUC (means after administration of the test preparation and 95% nonparametric confidence interval for the ratio test preparation/reference preparation) were 391.5 ng.h/ml and 0.87-1.11 for tiracizine, 5184.5 ng.h/ml and 0.94-1.26 for M1, and 1319.9 ng.h/ml and 0.88-1.16 for M2. Mean maximum serum concentrations after the test preparation and corresponding 95% confidence interval were 111.2 ng/ml and 0.86-1.20 for tiracizine, 301.2 ng/ml and 0.98-1.22 for M1, 54.6 ng/ml and 0.86-1.17 for M2, and 35.2 ng/ml and 0.82-1.17 for M3.tmax did not differ after the two preparations for tiracizine, M2 and M3, but was significant lower for M1 after administration of the test preparation (2.2 +/- 0.7 vs 3.0 +/- 1.2 h). Total urinary recovery (sum of parent compound and metabolite recovery) up to 32 h after intake of the test preparation was 31.2% of the administered dose. The corresponding 95% confidence interval was 0.84-1.08. Statistical evaluation of all parameters revealed bioequivalence between the two preparations if a single dose of 100 mg is administered.

Adult↗

[The bioequivalence of metoclopramide in two tablet formulations].

An investigation on the bioavailability of a tablet with 10 mg metoclopramide-HCl (CAS 363-62-5) Cerucal was performed in a two-way cross-over study with 12 volunteers. Metoclopramide was determined in serum by HPLC. The relative bioavailability (mean and nonparametric 95% confidence interval) with respect to a reference preparation was 0.95 (95% CI 0.88-1.02) for AUC and 0.92 (95% CI 0.79-1.07) for Cmax. A positive decision for bioequivalence was derived from the usual confidence intervals for both parameters. The tmax-values did not differ significantly. Statistical evaluation of all parameters revealed bioequivalence between the two preparations.

Adult↗

Transcription specific differences visualized by fluorescence in situ hybridization pattern on interphase nuclei of different cell types.

Application of a "formamide free" and thus "material preserving" in situ hybridization technique using the cDNA of the myf3 gene revealed the following results: Human rhabdomyosarcoma cells, characterized by a high expression of myf3 show intensive hybridization signals in their interphase. RNase treatment prior to hybridization considerably reduces the size of this signals. In comparison, isolated nuclei of human lymphocytes in which no need for the expression of this gene exists, show barely hybridization signals. Correspondingly, RNase treatment had no effect on hybridization pattern at all. In conclusion an increased transcription efficiency of a cell type specific gene is accompanied by a higher hybridization accessibility in the corresponding cell nuclei.

Cell Nucleus↗

TGF beta and bFGF synthesis and localization in Dupuytren's disease (nodular palmar fibromatosis) relative to cellular activity, myofibroblast phenotype and oncofetal variants of fibronectin.

Nodular palmar fibromatosis is a self-limited proliferation of fibro-/myofibroblasts associated with growth factor synthesis and abundant fibronectin extracellular matrix deposition. bFGF and TGF beta are potent modulators of fibro-/myofibroblast proliferation and differentiation. Moreover, in vitro investigations evidenced a TGF beta 1-dependent regulation of alternative splicing of fibronectin mRNA. To investigate a possible implication of these growth factors in the tissue formation process of palmar fibromatosis, TGF beta 1/2 and bFGF synthesis, as well as TGF beta 1/3 and bFGF tissue distribution, is demonstrated by RNA in situ hybridization and/or immunohistochemistry in relation to myofibroblast phenotype development (alpha-smooth muscle actin, desmin immunohistochemistry), expression of different fibronectin isoforms (ED-A+, ED-B+ and oncofetal glycosylated fibronectin immunohistochemistry, fibronectin RNA in situ hybridization) and cellular activity (cyclin RNA in situ hybridization, Ki-67 immunolabelling). The myofibroblast phenotype (alpha-smooth muscle actin, desmin), the growth factor synthesis (TGF beta 1 and 2, bFGF), fibronectin matrix synthesis (RNA in situ hybridization with cDNA) and ED-A+, ED-B+ and oncofetal glycosylated fibronectin immunostaining are exclusively localized in the active proliferative nodules (Ki-67 immunolabelling and cyclin mRNA demonstration). Whereas the growth factor synthesis is restricted to the proliferative areas of the fibromatosis only, TGF beta 1, TGF beta 3 and bFGF proteins can also be detected immunohistochemically with a lower intensity in the surrounding aponeurotic tissue. The spatial correlation of myofibroblast phenotype, TGF beta and bFGF synthesis and the occurrence of the oncofetal molecular fibronectin variants (ED-B+ and oncofetal glycosylated fibronectin) in the active proliferative fibromatosis nodules suggests a pathogentic role of these growth factors and matrix components in the tumorous tissue formation process. The presence of the bFGF and TGF beta 1/3 proteins in fibroblasts neighbouring the proliferative nodules may point to a recruitment of quiescent aponeurotic fibroblasts in the fibromatous tissue formation process.

DNA, Complementary↗

Elucidation of the structure of talinolol metabolites in man. Determination of talinolol and hydroxylated talinolol metabolites in urine and analysis of talinolol in serum.

The objective of this study was to determine the structure of talinolol metabolites formed and the amounts excreted in urine. Talinolol metabolites in urine were identified by comparing their HPLC retention times and their GC-MS profile with those of previously characterized reference compounds. The metabolites were quantified by HPLC with a normal-phase silica column, a single chloroform extraction and UV detection. Less than 1% of an administered dose was found in urine as hydroxylated talinolol. Other metabolites could be excluded. A sensitive method to determine talinolol in serum and a simple method for analysis of talinolol in urine are described. These methods were found to be precise and accurate for the measurement of talinolol in samples obtained from patients during chronic talinolol treatment as well as from healthy volunteers after a single dose of talinolol.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗