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Biomedical subjects

B Schulze

Publications and source records attributed to B Schulze.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Crazy? So what! Effects of a school project on students' attitudes towards people with schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: Aiming at promoting young people's mental health and reducing stigma towards people with schizophrenia, project weeks were carried out with secondary school students aged 14-18 years (n=90). Key to the project week is meeting a (young) person with schizophrenia. METHOD: Students' attitudes and behavioural intentions towards people with schizophrenia were assessed before and after the project. Parallelly, a control group of students were questioned (n=60). Assessment was repeated after 1 month. RESULTS: Despite expected ceiling effects, the project led to a significant reduction of negative stereotypes. For social distance, a positive trend could be observed. These developments were not present with the controls. Attitude changes were still evident at the 1-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Results support the hypothesis that young people's attitudes about schizophrenia are susceptible to change. Antistigma projects at school level could thus be a promising approach to improving public attitudes and to preventing stereotypes from becoming reinforced.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Comparing the influence of site quality, stand age, fire and climate on aboveground tree production in Siberian Scots pine forests.

Temporal patterns of stem and needle production and total aboveground net primary production (ANPP) were studied at the tree and stand level along four chronosequences of Siberian Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forests differing in site quality (poor lichen type or the more fertile Vaccinium type) and in frequency of surface fires (unburned, moderately burned (fire return interval of approximately 40 years), or heavily burned (fire return interval of approximately 25 years)). The maximum range of variability in aboveground production was quantified for: (1) possible long-term changes in site quality; (2) stand age; (3) non-stand-replacing, recurring surface fires; and (4) interannual climate variability. For (1) and (2), total ANPP was low in the lichen-type chronosequence, reached a maximum of 170 g C m(-2) year(-1) after 100 years and decreased to 100 g C m(-2) year(-1) in older stands. Maximum ANPP in the Vaccinium-type chronosequence was 340 g C m(-2) year(-1) and occurred earlier in the 53-year-old stand than in the other stands. Along the lichen-type chronosequences, peak ANPP was paralleled by maximum carbon allocation to stem growth. (3) In mature trees, damage by recurrent surface fires decreased stem growth by 17 +/- 19% over a 10-year period relative to pre-fire values. At longer timescales, ANPP was hardly affected by fire-related differences in mortality. (4) Needle- plus stem-NPP, reconstructed for a 3-year period, varied within a range of 15 g C m(-2) year(-1) in the lichen-type stands and 35 g C m(-2) year(-1) in the Vaccinium-type stands. For the same period, the coefficient of variance was higher for needle-NPP (20 +/- 10%) than for stem-NPP (12 +/- 7%). Needle- and stem-NPP did not covary in time. Most 30-year time series of stem-NPP at the tree level exhibited strong autocorrelation. In older trees, stem-NPP was positively correlated with growing season precipitation. Thus, the factors driving variability in ANPP ranked according to their maximum influence as: stand age (controlled by the frequency of stand-replacing fires) > site quality > growth depression because of surface fire damage approximately equal age-related reduction in ANPP > interannual variability approximately equal long-term effects of fire (stand density reduction). In lichen-type forests, we found that ANPP at the landscape level declined sharply when the interval between stand-replacing fires was less than 120 years, illustrating that fire strongly influences ANPP of boreal Scots pine forests.

Climate↗
PubMed2002

Injury prophylaxis in paragliding.

OBJECTIVES: To show trends in paragliding injuries and derive recommendations for safety precautions for paraglider pilots on the basis of accident statistics, interviews, questionnaires, medical reports, and current stage of development of paragliding equipment. METHODS: All paragliding accidents in Germany have to be reported. Information on 409 accidents was collected and analysed for the period 1997-1999. RESULTS: There was a substantial decrease in reported accidents (166 in 1997; 127 in 1998; 116 in 1999). The number of accidents resulting in spinal injuries was 62 in 1997, 42 in 1998, and 38 in 1999. The most common cause of accident was deflation of the glider (32.5%), followed by oversteering (13.9%), collision with obstacles (12.0%), take off errors (10.3%), landing errors (13.7%), misjudgment of weather conditions (4.9%), unsatisfactory preflight checks (4.9%), mid-air collisions with other flyers (2.2%), accidents during winching (2.2%), and defective equipment (0.5%). Accidents predominantly occurred in mountain areas. Fewer than 100 flights had been logged for 40% of injured pilots. In a total of 39 accidents in which emergency parachutes were used, 10 pilots were seriously injured (26%) and an additional three were killed (8%). CONCLUSIONS: Injuries in paragliding caused by unpredictable situations can be minimised by (a) using safer gliders in the beginner or intermediate category, (b) improving protection systems, such as padded back protection, and (c) improving pilot skills through performance and safety training.

Accidents, Aviation↗
PubMed2001

Identification, by homozygosity mapping, of a novel locus for autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis on chromosome 17p, and evidence for further genetic heterogeneity.

Autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI) comprises a group of severe disorders of keratinization, characterized by variable erythema and skin scaling. It is known for its high degree of genetic and clinical heterogeneity. Mutations in the gene for keratinocyte transglutaminase (TGM1) on chromosome 14q11 were shown in patients with ARCI, and a second locus was described, on chromosome 2q, in families from northern Africa. Three other loci for ARCI, on chromosomes 3p and 19p, were identified recently. We have embarked on a whole-genome scan for further loci for ARCI in four families from Germany, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. A novel ARCI locus was identified on chromosome 17p, between the markers at D17S938 and D17S1856, with a maximum LOD score of 3.38, at maximum recombination fraction 0.00, at D17S945, under heterogeneity. This locus is linked to the disease in the Turkish family and in the German family. Extensive genealogical studies revealed that the parents of the German patients with ARCI were eighth cousins. By homozygosity mapping, the localization of the gene could then be refined to the 8.4-cM interval between D17S938 and D17S1879. It could be shown, however, that ARCI in the two Arab families is linked neither to the new locus on chromosome 17p nor to one of the five loci known previously. Our findings give evidence of further genetic heterogeneity that is not linked to distinctive phenotypes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Microbiological transformations. 47. A step toward a green chemistry preparation of enantiopure (S)-2-, -3-, and -4-pyridyloxirane via an epoxide hydrolase catalyzed kinetic resolution.

The biocatalyzed hydrolytic kinetic resolution of 2-, 3-, and 4-pyridyloxirane by the Aspergillus niger epoxide hydrolase (EH) has been explored. This was used to perform a gram scale preparation of these epoxides of (S) absolute configuration using a process performed at a concentration as high as 10 g/L (82 mM). All three epoxides have been obtained in a nearly enantiopure form (ee > 98%). Interestingly, it was shown that this biotransformation could be achieved using plain water instead of buffer solution, an important improvement as far as downstream processing of an eventual industrial process is concerned. Neither of these substrates could be obtained in reasonable enantiomeric purity and yield using the nowadays most efficient metal-based catalysts.

Aspergillus niger↗
PubMed2001

Influence of the heme pocket conformation on the structure and vibrations of the Fe-CO bond in myoglobin: a QM/MM density functional study.

The influence of the distal pocket conformation on the structure and vibrations of the heme-CO bond in carbonmonoxy myoglobin (MbCO) is investigated by means of hybrid QM/MM calculations based on density functional theory combined with a classical force field. It is shown that the heme-CO structure (QM treated) is quite rigid and not influenced by the distal pocket conformation (MM treated). This excludes any relation between FeCO distortions and the different CO absorptions observed in the infrared spectra of MbCO (A states). In contrast, both the CO stretch frequency and the strength of the CO...His64 interaction are very dependent on the orientation and tautomerization state of His64. Our calculations indicate that the CO...N(epsilon) type of approach does not contribute to the A states, whereas the CO...H-N(epsilon) interaction is the origin of the A(1) and A(3) states, the His64 residue being protonated at N(epsilon). The strength of the CO...His64 interaction is quantified, in comparison with the analogous O(2)...His64 interaction and with the observed changes in the CO stretch frequency. Additional aspects of the CO...His64 interaction and its biological implications are discussed.

Carbon Monoxide↗
PubMed2001

Secretory IgA, free secretory component and IgD in saliva of newborn infants.

AIM: To determine levels of secretory IgA (sIgA), free secretory component (FSC) and IgD in saliva of newborn infants at the age of 1 day and to evaluate the detection patterns, the influence of saliva flow and the relation to serum derived proteins. METHODS: Seventy-three healthy newborn infants were studied. Saliva was obtained from the bottom of the mouth and buccal sulci using a sterile polyethylene tube connected to a syringe. SIgA, FSC, IgD and albumin were measured by radial immunodiffusion. RESULTS: SIgA was detected in 74.0% of all saliva samples, whereas detection rates for FSC and IgD were 94.5% and 75.3%, respectively. Investigation of detection patterns and their relation to saliva flow indicated that secretion of sIgA and FSC into the oral cavity is under similar regulation. Levels of IgD were found to be independent from saliva flow, as well as from concentrations of serum-derived proteins suggesting different regulative mechanisms compared to sIgA and FSC. The flow rate of unstimulated whole saliva in newborn infants was found to be 15 times lower compared to adolescents, emphasizing the role of saliva flow as a limiting factor for secretion of sIgA and FSC. CONCLUSION: SIgA, FSC and IgD can be determined in saliva of newborn infants even in the first day of life. The saliva flow rate has to be considered when evaluating the function and biological relevance of the oral mucosal immune system of newborn infants shortly after birth.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed2001

Outcome of heart transplantation in patients previously infected with hepatitis C virus.

The lack of knowledge about the course of hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) before heart transplantation (HTx) prompted us to describe our experience with 4 such patients who presented with positive HCV serology before surgery. Two experienced non-liver related deaths at 3.5 and 5 years after HTx, and none of the patients developed signs of hepatic insufficiency during the follow-up (mean 3.8 years). Tests for HCV antibodies were frequently negative, whereas viral RNA was detected in 81% of the measurements, showing that virus detection techniques seem to be more sensitive than serology techniques in detecting HCV infection in this group of patients. Although immunosuppression promotes active HCV replication, it does not seem to change the chronic features of HCV infection during the first years in patients with good liver function.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Patients' and relatives' assessment of clozapine treatment.

BACKGROUND: Subjective evaluations by schizophrenic patients and their relatives of clozapine treatment were assessed as part of an exploratory study. METHODS: A problem-centred interview was carried out with 80 patients at discharge from in-patient or day-hospital treatment. Views of 46 relatives on the treatment were also assessed. RESULTS: In addition to expected effects (improvement of or stabilisation of one's state of mental health, antipsychotic effects), patients surprisingly often highlighted the calming and relaxing effect of clozapine as well as improved sleep as particularly positive. While more than half of the respondents expected a worsening of their condition if they stopped taking medication, only every fifth patient feared a relapse. Among the negative effects, fatigue and sedation were cited by far the most often. The absence of extrapyramidal side effects was clearly noted as an advantage of clozapine. Only 10% of those questioned were aware of the risks for the haemotopoetic system associated with the drug. Differences were found between patients' and relatives' assessments particularly with regard to the negative effects. CONCLUSIONS: Patients and relatives frequently hold specific and distinct views on clozapine treatment. These views should be considered when patients and relatives are informed and when compliance is addressed.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Altered mRNA expression of glycosyltransferases in human colorectal carcinomas and liver metastases.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Biosynthesis of carbohydrate structures is tissue specific and developmentally regulated by glycosyltransferases such as fucosyltransferases, sialyltransferases, and N-acetylgluco- saminyltransferases. During carcinogenesis, aberrant glycosylation leads to the development of tumour subpopulations with different adhesion properties. Therefore alterations in glycosyltransferase mRNA expression in colorectal carcinomas were examined by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). METHODS: Colorectal carcinoma specimens were classified and characterised according to the WHO/UICC system. Expression of fucosyltransferases FT-I, FT-III, FT-IV, FT-V, FT-VI, and FT-VII, sialyltransferases ST3Gal-I, ST3Gal-III, ST3Gal-IV, and ST6Gal-I, beta1,4-galacto- syltransferase, and beta1,6-Nacetylgluco- saminyltransferase V (GNT-V) was screened simultaneously in extracts of 22 homogenised tumour specimens by RT-PCR and compared with corresponding mucosa from each patient. Also 12 adenomas and 17 liver metastases of colorectal carcinomas were examined. RESULTS: GNT-V expression was enhanced in colorectal adenomas (p = 0.039), carcinomas (p<0.001), and liver metastases of colorectal carcinomas (p<0.001). Also, expression of fucosyltransferase FT-IV was increased in colorectal adenomas (p = 0.039) and carcinomas (p<0. 001). In addition, fucosyltransferase FT-I (p<0.001) and sialyltransferases ST6Gal-I (p = 0.004) and ST3Gal-III (p = 0.001) showed increased expression in carcinoma specimens. On the other hand, fucosyltransferase FT-III was less abundantly expressed in carcinomas exhibiting distant metastases (p = 0.046) and in highly invasive tumours (p = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Glycosyltransferase mRNA expression is significantly altered in colorectal adenomas and carcinomas isolated from surgical specimens. RT-PCR determination of specific glycosyltransferases may be helpful for earlier detection of carcinomas and for tumour prognosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Determination of secretory IgA and albumin in saliva of newborn infants.

As a first line of defence against microbial invasion, secretory IgA (sIgA) is the dominant immunoglobulin on all mucosal surfaces. In this study sIgA was determined by radial immunodiffusion in saliva samples of 63 newborn infants divided into the following age groups: (1) 1 day and younger, (2) 2-10 days. Concentrations of sIgA and albumin as well as their relation to age, postprandial time, gestational age and birth weight were analysed. sIgA could be detected in 75.0% (group 1) and 77.1% (group 2) of the saliva samples with a mean concentration of 190.2 mg/l (group 1) and 216.4 mg/l (group 2). Differences failed to reach significance. Concentration of sIgA was found to be independent of age but positively related to the concentration of albumin in the same saliva sample. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that high levels of sIgA are found in saliva of newborn infants, indicating the existence of a competent oral mucosal immune system as early as within the first 10 days of life.

Albumins↗
PubMed1999

Altered mRNA expression of glycosyltransferases in human gastric carcinomas.

Biosynthesis of carbohydrate structures is tissue-specific and developmentally regulated by glycosyltransferases like fucosyl-, sialyl- and N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases. During carcinogenesis, aberrant glycosylation leads to the development of tumor subpopulations with different adhesion properties. The aim of this contribution was to directly compare mRNA expression of several glycosyltransferases in surgical specimens of gastric carcinomas. Carcinoma specimens were classified and characterized according to the WHO/UICC system. In each case, the expression of 12 glycosyltransferase enzymes was studied simultaneously by RT-PCR. For semi-quantitative analysis, amplification of the sample sequence was compared with that of beta-actin, co-amplified within the same tube. Expression of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V in gastric carcinomas was significantly enhanced compared to normal tissue. Also, expression of sialyltransferase ST3Gal-IV and fucosyltransferase FT-IV was significantly enhanced in carcinoma tissue. No significant differences in glycosyltransferase expression were found in samples positive for Helicobacter pylori or between the different gastric regions. Thus, carcinogenesis is characterized by specific alterations in mRNA expression of several glycosyltransferases. Future studies will show whether RT-PCR detection of the expression of these enzymes could be helpful for prognostic purposes.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Biocatalysis for industrial production of fine chemicals.

Chiral intermediates constitute a significant part of the fine chemicals market, which is strongly influenced by trends in the pharmaceutical industries, where approximately 70% of pharmaceuticals are expected to be enantiomerically pure in the next century as compared to 25% today. The main technologies by which enantiomerically pure ingredients are obtained today are (dynamic) resolutions of racemic mixtures. Asymmetric syntheses are being developed, but their applications in industry are still under represented. Biotechnological methods, resolutions as well as asymmetric syntheses, are becoming increasingly important in the industrial production of fine chemicals.

Biotechnology↗
PubMed1998

Biosynthesis of vitamin B12 in anaerobic bacteria--experiments with Eubacterium limosum on the transformation of 5-hydroxy-6-methyl-benzimidazole, its nucleoside, its cobamide, and of 5-hydroxybenzimidazolylcobamide in vitamin B12.

In anaerobic bacteria 5-hydroxybenzimidazole and 5-hydroxy-6-methylbenzimidazole are precursors of the 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole moiety of vitamin B12. In order to elucidate the pathway from these bases to vitamin B12, experiments on the transformation of 5-hydroxy-6-methylbenzimidazole, of 5-hydroxy-6-methylbenzimidazole-alpha-D-ribofuranoside, of 5-hydroxybenzimidazolylcobamide and of 5-hydroxy-6-methylbenzimidazolylcobamide into vitamin B12 were carried out. The vitamin B12 synthesized by the anaerobe Eubacterium limosum in the presence of 5-hydroxy-6-methylbenzimidazole and L-[methyl-13C]methionine was subjected to NMR spectroscopy. It revealed that the methyl group at C5 of the 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole moiety was 13C labeled, whereas the methyl group at C6 was unlabeled. This shows that the transformation of 5-hydroxy-6-methylbenzimidazole into the base moiety of vitamin B12 occurs regiospecifically. 5-Hydroxy-6-methylbenzimidazole-alpha-D-ribofuranoside as well as 5-hydroxybenzimidazolylcobamide and 5-hydroxy-6-methylbenzimidazolylcobamide were also transformed into vitamin B12 by E. limosum. When 5-hydroxy-6-methylbenzimidazolylcobamide 13C labeled at C2 of the base part and 14C labeled in the ribose was used for this experiment, the vitamin B12 obtained from this cobamide was 13C and 14C labeled in the same positions. This demonstrates that the alpha-glycosidic bond of the precursor cobamide is not split during the formation of vitamin B12. It can be deduced from these results that the precursor bases are transformed regiospecifically into their alpha-nucleotides, and partially into their cobamides. The alpha-nucleotides are then transformed into alpha-ribazole-5'-phosphate and, subsequently, into vitamin B12. Most likely the cobamides are degraded to the alpha-nucleotides before being used for the biosynthesis of vitamin B12. A pathway for the latter process is suggested.

Benzimidazoles↗
PubMed1998

The psychiatric epidemiology of violent behaviour.

This paper reviews the current state of the debate on the relationship between mental disorder and violent behaviour. Starting from the discussion of methodological approaches to assessing a possible association, the most important studies carried out on the issue in recent years are discussed. Their results concur in supporting the assumption that there is a moderate but reliable association between mental disorder and violence. However, this does not imply that people with mental illness are generally more likely to commit violent acts than members of the general population. An elevated risk of violent behaviour is only evident for specific psychiatric diagnoses and symptom constellations. For schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, a significant increase in the likelihood to commit violent acts is reported. Substance use disorders and antisocial personality disorder, however, represent a markedly higher risk for violent behaviour. The article further discusses possible determinants of violent behaviour such as psychotic symptoms and comorbidity with substance abuse and considers who is at particular risk of becoming a target of violent acts.

Comorbidity↗