Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B Panning

Publications and source records attributed to B Panning.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Acute apnea caused by an epiglottic cyst.

A life threatening complication in the course of routine sedation in a 5 year old child is reported in a case study. A retention cyst of the epiglottis was found to be responsible for obstruction of the larynx leading to acute apnea. The patient history revealed recurrent episodes of stridor previously diagnosed and treated as acute laryngotracheobronchitis as well as border line psychomotoric retardation. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging was performed for neuroradiological evaluation. After administration of sedation the child presented with stridor and acute apnea. Emergency orotracheal intubation could prevent tracheotomy but was complicated by the unexpected presence of a tumor at the base of the tongue. Further evaluation revealed a large epiglottic cyst. After endoscopic removal of the cyst no further episodes of apnea or stridor were noted.

Acute Disease↗

[Pulse oximetry and capnography in intensive care transportation: combined use reduces transportation risks].

OBJECTIVE: Due to the growing number of diagnostic and therapeutical procedures intensive-care patients must be transported intra- and interhospitally more often. These transports are among the most critical events during intensive-care therapy, with a high incidence of potentially life-threatening mishaps [23]. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible benefit of the combined application of pulse oximetry and capnometry for patient safety during transport. METHODS: In a prospective clinical study 48 mechanically ventilated patients were allocated at random in 2 main study groups, 24 patients were investigated during interhospital transportation with an ambulance car, the other 24 patients during intrahospital transports. They were classified according to APACHE II and TISS. Blood pressure, heart rate and arterial blood gases were measured at eleven selected times. Twelve randomly chosen patients out of each main study group were monitored additionally with pulse oximetry and capnometry. The results were compared using the Mann-Whitney-U test. P < or = 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients had a TISS more than 40. The mean APACHE II-Score was 14 +/- 5. The overall incidence of potentially life-threatening mishaps was 9. Six out of these 9 occurred in the 24 patients with additional monitoring and were immediately detected by pulse oximetry or capnometry. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of pulse oximetry and capnometry offers the possibility to detect potentially life-threatening problems in ventilated patients during transport. This allows for early therapeutical consequences and may help to reduce the risk of transports.

APACHE↗

X chromosome inactivation is mediated by Xist RNA stabilization.

Low level Xist expression can be detected from both active X chromosomes (Xa) in female embryonic stem cells prior to X inactivation. After differentiation, Xist is expressed at high levels only from the inactive X chromosome (Xi). Differentiating female cells increase Xist expression from the Xi prior to silencing low level Xist expression from the Xa. The transition from low level to high level expression is regulated by the stabilization of Xist transcripts at the Xi. We suggest that these developmentally modulated changes in Xist expression are regulated by several different mechanisms: factors that stabilize Xist transcripts at the Xi, an activity that blocks this stabilization at the Xa, and a mechanism that silences low level Xist expression from the Xa.

Animals↗

Xist-deficient mice are defective in dosage compensation but not spermatogenesis.

The X-linked Xist gene encodes a large untranslated RNA that has been implicated in mammalian dosage compensation and in spermatogenesis. To investigate the function of the Xist gene product, we have generated male and female mice that carry a deletion in the structural gene but maintain a functional Xist promoter. Mutant males were healthy and fertile. Females that inherited the mutation from their mothers were also normal and had the wild-type paternal X chromosome inactive in every cell. In contrast to maternal transmission, females that carry the mutation on the paternal X chromosome were severely growth-retarded and died early in embryogenesis. The wild-type maternal X chromosome was inactive in every cell of the growth-retarded embryo proper, whereas both X chromosomes were expressed in the mutant female trophoblast where X inactivation is imprinted. However, an XO mouse with a paternally inherited Xist mutation was healthy and appeared normal. The imprinted lethal phenotype of the mutant females is therefore due to the inability of extraembryonic tissue with two active X chromosomes to sustain the embryo. Our results indicate that the Xist RNA is required for female dosage compensation but plays no role in spermatogenesis.

Animals↗

Herpes simplex virus immediate-early proteins ICP0 and ICP4 activate the endogenous human alpha-globin gene in nonerythroid cells.

Globin genes are normally expressed only in erythroid cell lineages. However, we found that the endogenous alpha-globin gene is activated following infection of human fibroblasts and HeLa cells with herpes simplex virus (HSV), leading to accumulation of correctly initiated transcripts driven by the alpha-globin promoter. The alpha1- and alpha2-globin genes were both induced, but expression of beta- or zeta-globin genes could not be detected. Experiments using HSV mutants showed that null mutations in the genes encoding the viral immediate-early proteins ICP4 and ICP22 reduced induction approximately 10-fold, while loss of ICP0 function had a smaller inhibitory effect. Transient transfection experiments showed that ICP0 and ICP4 are each sufficient to trigger detectable expression of the endogenous gene, while ICP22 had no detectable effect in this assay. ICP4 also strongly enhanced expression of transfected copies of the alpha2-globin gene. In contrast, the adenovirus E1a protein did not activate the endogenous gene and inhibited expression of the plasmid-borne alpha2-globin gene. Previous studies have led to the hypothesis that chromosomal alpha-globin genes are subject to chromatin-dependent repression mechanism that prevents expression in nonerythroid cells. Our data suggest that HSV ICP0 and ICP4 either break or bypass this cellular gene silencing mechanism.

Adenovirus E1A Proteins↗

DNA hypomethylation can activate Xist expression and silence X-linked genes.

Xist and other X-linked gene expression was examined by fluorescence in situ hybridization in cells of wild type and DNA methyltranferase (Dnmt) mutant embryos and embryonic stem (ES) cells to determine whether demethylation-induced Xist expression leads to inappropriate X chromosome inactivation. In undifferentiated ES cells low-level Xist expression was detected from the single active X chromosome (Xa) in male cells and on both Xa's in female cells. Upon differentiation Xist expression was detected only in female cells, in which Xist RNA colocalized with the entire inactive X chromosome (Xi). Differentiated Dnmt mutant ES cells or cells of mutant postgastrulation embryos showed aberrant patterns of Xist expression: Xist transcripts colocalized with the single X chromosome in male cells and with both X chromosomes in female cells. X-linked gene expression was not detected from chromosomes coated with Xist RNA. These results suggest that ectopic Xist expression, induced by DNA hypomethylation, may lead to the inactivation of X-linked genes. We conclude that Xist-mediated X chromosome inactivation can occur in the absence of DNA methylation, arguing that DNA methylation may be required to repress Xist expression for the maintenance of a transcriptionally active Xa. In differentiated Dnmt mutant ES cells the activation of Xist expression correlated with a dramatic increase in apoptotic bodies, suggesting that Xist-mediated X chromosome inactivation may result in cell death and contribute to the embryonic lethality of the Dnmt mutation.

Animals↗

Activation of expression of multiple subfamilies of human Alu elements by adenovirus type 5 and herpes simplex virus type 1.

The nearly one million Alu repetitive elements in the human genome can be grouped into a number of subfamilies. Comparisons between subfamily consensus sequences suggest that Alu evolution is characterized by the sequential amplification and dispersal of a limited number of Alu founder sequences. The S, Sb and Sb1 subfamilies provide an example of such a related series of Alu subfamilies. We have previously demonstrated that adenovirus type 5 and herpes simplex virus type 1 activate RNA polymerase III transcription of endogenous Alu elements in HeLa cells. Here, we report that expression of Alu sequences belonging to the S, Sb and Sb1 subfamilies was activated following infection with these viruses. The data indicate that transpositionally inactive Alu elements can give rise to high levels of pol III transcripts in the presence of appropriate trans-acting factors and demonstrate that the class III promoters of a significant number and variety of Alu sequences are functional in vivo. Multiple subfamilies of Alu sequences were induced in transformed and non-transformed cell types, suggesting that induction of Alu expression may be part of the normal cellular response to viral infection.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

Cardioverter-defibrillator implantation in the catheterization laboratory: initial experiences in 48 patients.

The exponential increase in cardioverter-defibrillator implantations has resulted in a need for safe implantations that do not require long waiting periods. We report intraoperative and follow-up results in 48 patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias who underwent cardioverter-defibrillator implantation in the catheterization laboratory. Twenty-six (54%) patients had their first cardioverter-defibrillator implant (group 1), and 22 (46%) patients underwent pulse-generator replacement (group 2). In all patients, cardioverter-defibrillator implant or pulse-generator replacement was performed with the patient under general anesthesia. In 25 (96%) of 26 patients in group 1, cardioverter-defibrillator implantation was possible with a mean defibrillation threshold of 13 +/- 8 J. One patient had a defibrillation threshold of > 25 J, and therefore cardioverter-defibrillator implant was not achieved. This patient underwent epicardial device implantation 1 day later. Another patient in group 1 had vessel rupture (vena subclavia) intraoperatively. During a mean follow-up of 2 +/- 1 months, two patients died from congestive heart failure 2 and 4 months after device implantation. An infection occurred in one patient in group 2, 3 months after generator replacement. In conclusion, these data show that in the majority of patients cardioverter-defibrillator implantation in the catheterization laboratory is safe and has a low complication rate and therefore can generally be recommended.

Adolescent↗

[Cardioverter-defibrillator implantation in the heart catheterization laboratory--observations with 105 patients].

Today, we are facing an exponential increase in implantation of cardioverter defibrillators (ICD). The intraoperative and follow-up results are reported in 105 patients (pts) with ventricular tachyarrythmias who underwent ICD implantation in the catheterization laboratory. Fifty-seven pts (54%) hat their first ICD implant (G 1), whereas 46 pts (44%) underwent pulse generator replacement or electrode revision (2 pts, 2%) (G 2). In all pts, ICD implant or pulse generator replacement was performed under general anesthesia from the beginning. In 57/58 pts (98%) in G 1, ICD implantation was possible with a mean defibrillation threshold (DFT) of 13 +/- 8 joules. One patient hat a DFT of > 25 joules and ICD implantation was not achieved. This patient underwent epicardial lead implantation 1 day later. One patient in G 1 had a vessel rupture (v. subclavia) intraoperatively. During a mean follow-up of 5 +/- 2 (< 1-13) months, three pts (3%) died from congestive heart failure, 2, 4 and 6 months after device implantation. An infection occurred in 1 patient in G 2, 3 months after generator replacement. Our data show that in the majority of patients ICD implantation in the cath-lab is possible, safe, and the complication rate is low. Therefore, ICD implantation in the cath-lab can generally be recommended.

Adolescent↗

Activation of RNA polymerase III transcription of human Alu elements by herpes simplex virus.

We found that HSV infection of HeLa cells strongly induces RNA polymerase III transcription of endogenous human Alu elements, resulting in the accumulation of high levels of cytoplasmic RNAs initiated from Alu pol III promoters. Induction required viral protein synthesis and occurred during infection with a viral mutant bearing a null mutation in the immediate-early (IE) gene encoding ICP4, suggesting that one or more IE proteins are sufficient for activation. However, mutations in each of the other four IE genes had no effect on activation of Alu expression. We therefore conclude that HSV most likely encodes at least two proteins that are each sufficient to activate Alu transcription and that at least one of these is an IE protein other than ICP4.

Animals↗

Neuroendocrine phenotype differentiation in a hamster lung epithelial cell line under low oxygen pressure or after transformation by diethylnitrosamine.

Oxygen pressure as low as 5% in the gas phase or 87 mmHg in the liquid phase induced various neuroendocrine cell (NEC) phenotypes in more than 80% of cells of a cloned fetal Syrian hamster lung epithelial cell line (M3E3/C3). Further, cells from a number of colonies transformed in an anchorage-independent manner by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) demonstrated a NEC phenotype. Since the cell line used is of a pluripotent stem cell type, both hypoxia and DEN appear to possess a potency for NEC phenotype induction.

Animals↗

[Emergency intubation with the Combitube in a patient with persistent vomiting].

Prompt establishment of a patient airway and effective ventilation are the major goals during initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in patients with cardiac arrest. Endotracheal intubation is the definitive method to maintain an optimal airway. However, endotracheal intubation is not always possible, even for the skilled physician. The Combitube has been developed to overcome this disadvantage. Studies have proved the effectivity of ventilation with this device. A case is reported where a patient suffered from acute respiratory failure and attempts at endotracheal intubation failed due to continued vomiting rendering fibre-optical visualisation of the vocal cords impossible. Blind insertion of the Combitube led to successful ventilation, and hence replacement by an endotracheal airway could be performed without danger of aspiration.

Adult↗