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Biomedical subjects

A Otto

Publications and source records attributed to A Otto.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

New technique for scarless umbilical reinsertion in abdominoplasty procedures.

The most visible scar in the conventional abdominoplasty procedure or TRAM flap donor site closure is the scar around the reinserted umbilicus. In an attempt to increase the aesthetic outcome, the authors have introduced a new technique of umbilical reconstruction and reinsertion during abdominoplasty avoiding any paraumbilical scar, which results in a more natural appearance in that area. This new technique, potential pitfalls, and long-term results are reported.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1998

Akinetic mutism as a classification criterion for the diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

OBJECTIVES: Among the classification criteria for the diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, akinetic mutism is described as a symptom which helps to establish the diagnosis as possible or probable. Akinetic mutism has been anatomically divided into two forms--the mesencephalic form and the frontal form. The aim of this study was to delimit the symptom of akinetic mutism in patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease from the complex of symptoms of an apallic syndrome and to assign it to the individual forms. METHODS: Between April and December 1996, 25 akinetic and mute patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease were consecutively examined. The patients were classified according to the definition of akinetic mutism by Cairns and secondly in accordance with the features constituting the complete picture of an appalic syndrome (defined by Gerstenbrand). RESULTS: From 25 patients with definite Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, 24 patients showed impoverishment of speech and, after a mean duration of four (range 1.1-11.2) months, almost complete absence of voluntary movements and speech. Seven patients were classified as being mute and akinetic and assigned to the mesencephalic form whereas 13 patients were classified as apallic. One patient was mute without being akinetic and four patients were comatose. CONCLUSION: Diffuse brain damage underlies akinetic mutism in patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The term can be used as a classification criterion for the diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease; however, it should be applied very carefully and delimited clearly from the apallic syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Molybdate-uptake genes and molybdopterin-biosynthesis genes on a bacterial plasmid--characterization of MoeA as a filament-forming protein with adenosinetriphosphatase activity.

A gene cluster consisting of homologs to Escherichia coli moaA, moeA, moaC and moaE, which encode enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of molybdopterin cofactor (MoCo), and to modA, modB and modC, which encode a high-affinity molybdate transporter, were identified on pAO1 of Arthrobacter nicotinovorans near genes of molybdopterin-dependent enzymes involved in nicotine degradation. This gene arrangement suggests a coordinated expression of the MoCo-dependent and the MoCo-biosynthesis genes and shows that catabolic plasmids may carry the transport and biosynthetic machinery for the synthesis of the cofactors needed for the functioning of the enzymes they encode. pAO1 MoeA functionally complemented E. coli moeA mutants. The overexpressed and purified protein, of molecular mass 44,500 Da, associated into high-molecular-mass complexes and spontaneously formed gels at concentrations above 1 mg/ml. Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy revealed that MoeA forms fibrilar structures. In the presence of Mg2+ MoeA exhibited ATPase activity (0.020 pmol ATP x pmol protein(-1) x min(-1)). ATP, ADP or AMP induced the disassembly of the MoeA fibers into aggregates. pAO1 MoeA shows 39% identity to the C-terminal domain of the rat neuroprotein gephyrin. Like gephyrin it binds to neurotubulin, but binds with preference to tubulin dimers.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1997

Overexpression of calcium-binding protein calgranulin B in colonic mucosal diseases.

Subtractive two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) has been used for the study of the protein patterns of the normal colonic mucosa and the specimens collected from patients diagnosed for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colonic polyps and colorectal cancer. We found a 13 kDa protein that was detected in five of seven adenomas and in 13 of 15 colorectal carcinomas while it was absent or only slightly expressed in normal colonic mucosa. Furthermore, this protein occurred in all specimens collected from patients suffering from IBD and its quantity reflected the increased severity of inflammation. The combination of microsequencing and mass spectrometry led to the identification of the 13 kDa spot as calgranulin B. Our results indicate that the production of calgranulin B is unregulated in inflammatory, preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions of colonic mucosa.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Further characterization of a rat hepatoma-derived aldose-reductase-like protein--organ distribution and modulation in vitro.

A protein detected in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-initiated rat hepatomas by two-dimensional electrophoresis at 35 kDa/pI 7.4 was identified in a previous study by internal amino acid micro sequencing as an aldose-reductase-like protein [Zeindl-Eberhart, E., Jungblut, P. R., Otto, A. & Rabes, H. M. (1994) Identification of tumor-associated protein variants during rat hepatocarcinogenesis, J. Biol. Chem. 269, 14589-14594]. Two-dimensional electrophoresis of rat lens proteins revealed a spot at 37 kDa/pI 6.8 that showed a high degree of identity (98.5%) with rat lens aldose reductase after amino acid sequencing and 80% sequence identity to the rat-hepatoma-derived aldose-reductase-like protein. This suggests that hepatoma-derived aldose-reductase-like protein and rat lens aldose reductase are related proteins encoded by different genes. A different expression profile of these proteins was found in various rat organs. Rat lens aldose reductase is present, in addition to in lens, in heart, brain, muscle, lung, duodenum, kidney, spleen and bone marrow, while the hepatoma-derived aldose-reductase-like protein is found preferentially in hepatomas and in embryonic liver. Though different in organ expression, an identical response was found for both proteins after stimulation with fibroblast growth factor-1 and after exposure to increased glucose concentrations. Since rat hepatoma-derived aldose-reductase-like protein is expressed in embryonic, but not in adult liver, it is assumed that it is expressed in hepatomas as a functionally active embryonal type of aldose reductase during hepatocarcinogenesis. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the hepatoma-derived aldose-reductase-like protein is expressed already in the preneoplastic stage of hepatocarcinogenesis and might potentially serve as a marker enzyme in early hepatic neoplasia.

Aldehyde Reductase↗
PubMed1997

Autophosphorylation-inactivation site of hexokinase 2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Hexokinase 2 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is phosphorylated in vivo at serine-15 [Kriegel et al. (1994) Biochemistry 33, 148-152] and undergoes ATP-dependent autophosphorylation-inactivation in vitro when incubated in the presence of D-xylose [Fernandez et al. (1988) J. Gen. Microbiol. 134, 2493-2498]. This study identifies the site of inactivation by autophosphorylation as serine-158 by observation of a single tryptic peptide difference, peptide sequencing, and size determination by mass spectrometry. Mutation of serine-158 to alanine and cysteine, respectively, prevents autophosphorylation and causes a drastic decrease of the catalytic activity while mutational change to glutamate results in a complete loss of enzyme activity. The catalytically active mutant enzymes display an increased affinity for glucose and exhibit higher K(M) with respect to MgATP. Phosphoserine/phosphothreonine-specific protein phosphatase-2A completely reverses the autophosphorylative inactivation of the wild-type enzyme.

Alanine↗
PubMed1997

Chicken acidic leucine-rich EGF-like domain containing brain protein (CALEB), a neural member of the EGF family of differentiation factors, is implicated in neurite formation.

Chicken acidic leucine-rich EGF-like domain containing brain protein (CALEB) was identified by combining binding assays with immunological screens in the chicken nervous system as a novel member of the EGF family of differentiation factors. cDNA cloning indicates that CALEB is a multidomain protein that consists of an NH2-terminal glycosylation region, a leucine-proline-rich segment, an acidic box, a single EGF-like domain, a transmembrane, and a short cytoplasmic stretch. In the developing nervous system, CALEB is associated with glial and neuronal surfaces. CALEB is composed of a 140/130-kD doublet, an 80-kD band, and a chondroitinsulfate-containing 200-kD component. The latter two components are expressed in the embryonic nervous system and are downregulated in the adult nervous system. CALEB binds to the extracellular matrix glycoproteins tenascin-C and -R. In vitro antibody perturbation experiments reveal a participation of CALEB in neurite formation in a permissive environment.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Definite surgical treatment of complicated recurrent pilonidal disease with a modified fasciocutaneous V-Y advancement flap.

BACKGROUND: Different methods for managing pilonidal disease have been described in the literature. Recurrence impairs the success of all forms of therapy, but the lowest rates have been reported for reconstructions involving local flaps. Nevertheless, treatment of pilonidal disease with a fasciocutaneous V-Y flap is not a well-established procedure. We have modified the surgical technique and used it selectively for complicated recurrent cases. Our experience with this method is analyzed, and its validity is evaluated. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with recurrent pilonidal sinus undergoing radical excision and reconstruction with our modified fasciocutaneous V-Y advancement flap between 1986 and 1993 were studied retrospectively. RESULTS: Except for two minor transient wound dehiscences, in all cases primary healing was achieved. Furthermore, an excellent functional result and acceptable scar pattern were obtained in all twenty-four patients, with a mean follow-up of 4.5 years. Neither evidence of recurrence nor impairment of daily life activity was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of complicated recurrent pilonidal sinus with the described technique offers a safe but demanding method for definite reconstruction, and we support a more common application.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

H1 and HMG17 extracted from calf thymus nuclei are efficient DNA carriers in gene transfer.

In this article we describe the chromatographic separation of acid nuclear protein fractions which have previously been shown to be active in DNA transfection experiments. By combining anionic and cationic ion exchangers, we were able to separate and identify some of the active proteins. In addition to HMG1, already known for its transfection activity, we have identified histone H1 and HMG17 as further transfection-active proteins. The highest transfection activity was associated with H1 and another nonidentified protein showing a somewhat higher electrophoretic mobility than H1. We have also found that the presence of CaCl2 in a low concentration in the cell culture medium is an important requirement for transfection.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Primary flap closure in complex limb injuries.

Free-tissue transfers enable surgeons to reconstruct or salvage limbs injured or amputated in high-energy traumas which result in extensive damage to soft tissue, bone, tendons, vessels and nerves. Primary free-tissue transfer is performed following debridement, bone fixation, and repair of injured structures within 24 hr after injury. Between 1987 and 1996, 57 patients who had complex extremity traumas were treated with primary free-tissue transfer, or free flaps. Long-term follow-up ranged from 4 months to 9 years (median: 4.5 years). No flap failure or serious wound-healing complication occurred using the protocol. Radical debridement and primary free-flap coverage in extensive extremity injuries can salvage limbs, provide improved functional and aesthetic results, and psychologically benefit patients through lowered morbidity. Other benefits include reduced incidence of free-flap failure, postoperative infection, secondary operative procedures, and invalidity, as well as shorter hospital stays, and lowered medical expenses.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[The recording of parenchymal lung changes in smokers by high-resolution computed tomography].

PURPOSE: It has been the aim of the study to assess parenchymal changes in the lung with high-resolution CT in healthy heavy, moderate, and non-smokers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We prospectively evaluated CT changes in 42 healthy heavy smokers (gr. (group) 2, > or = 30 pack-years), 40 moderate smokers (gr. 1, < 30 pack-years) and 38 non-smokers (gr. 0). For CT-analysis, we used a visual grading and computer-based analysis system (Mipron, Kontron GmbH, Munich, Germany). RESULTS: Productive cough, dyspnoea and chronic bronchitis were more common in smokers than in non-smokers (p < 0.05). Pathological CT-findings were found in 6/38 non-smokers and in 71/82 smokers (p < 0.01). In particular, in smokers (gr. 1 [%], gr. 2 [%]) the following pathological findings were found: dystelectases in dependent lung areas in 50% (62, 38), centrilobular emphysema in 44% (43, 20), pleural thickening in 38% (38, 38), panlobular emphysema in 36% (52, 20), ground-glass pattern in 33% (36, 30), paraseptal emphysema in 21% (31, 10), prominent or thickened interlobular septa in 18% (29, 8) and centrilobular micronodules in 13% (10, 18). Computer-based analysis demonstrated thicker bronchial walls in smokers as compared to non-smokers. CONCLUSION: Although feeling healthy, smokers demonstrate various parenchymal abnormalities in the lung. In smokers, subpleural dystelectases, centrilobular and panlobular emphysema are dependent on cigarette consumption, ground glass pattern, centrilobular micronodules, pleural thickening and bronchial wall thickening are independent on cigarette consumption.

Adult↗