Monoclonal plasma and Mott cells in a rectal adenoma.
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Adenoma↗
Biomedical subjects
B Wagner
Publications and source records attributed to B Wagner.
Accidental cell death and generation of reactive oxygen intermediates in human lymphocytes induced by thionins from Viscum album L.
The cytotoxic mechanisms of thionins from Viscum album L., the viscotoxins, were investigated in human granulocytes and lymphocytes. The time course of viscotoxin effects indicate accidental cell death, i.e. membrane permeabilization, degradation of cytoplasm and chromatin, swelling of mitochondria with loss of their cristae, and generation of reactive oxygen intermediates within 1-2 h, followed by secondary apoptosis-associated events. The viscotoxin homologue purothionin from whole-wheat flour and viscotoxin B, however, did not induce cell death in cultured lymphocytes. Cytotoxicity of cationic and amphipathic viscotoxin was prevented only by cleavage of its disulphide bridges.
Apoptosis↗
Prevalence of primary hyperparathyroidism in 13387 patients with thyroid diseases, newly diagnosed by screening of serum calcium.
Primary Hyperparathyroidism (PHP) often goes unrecognised. Evidence of the influence of thyroid diseases on parathyroid activity exists. In order to determine the prevalence of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP) in patients with thyroid diseases, a series of patients referred to an outpatient department for patients with thyroid diseases were examined for additional PHP. In addition to screening for thyroid diseases, serum calcium concentration (S-Ca) was measured in a series of persons who came to our outpatients' service for patients with thyroid diseases during the period 1992 to 1998. 13387 persons, median age 48 y, m = 2367, f = 11020, among them 9017 patients with thyroid diseases and 4370 persons without thyroid dysfunction, were studied. In patients with S-Ca outside the normal range, further diagnostic tests relating to PHP were performed. 106/13387 persons showed S-Ca > or = 2.6 mmol/L, in 31 cases due to PHP. In comparison to persons without thyroid diseases, the occurrence of PHP was significantly higher in patients with thyroid diseases (4/4370 = 0.09% vs. 26/9017 = 0.29%). Furthermore, 2 patients with normal S-Ca were diagnosed as having PHP in addition to another endocrine disease (acromegaly, multiple endocrine neoplasia type IIa, resp.). 31 of the 54 persons with S-Ca > 2.6mmol/L and who showed no other reasons for hypercalcaemia were found to be in a hyperthyroid state. The prevalence of PHP was significantly higher in patients with euthyroid goitre (p < 0.05) and in patients with thyroid carcinoma (p = 0.01) as compared to other persons with thyroid diseases. The groups of patients did not differ with regard to age. However, patients without thyroid diseases were significantly younger (median age 38y). Above the age of 50, the prevalence of PHP became higher in patients with euthyroid goitre or thyroid carcinoma than in those with a healthy thyroid gland. In contrast, in persons of under 50 y, there was no difference between these groups. The percentage of males with PHP was higher than in the total population studied (30% vs. 21.5%). In conclusion, a high occurence of PHP could be demonstrated in patients with thyroid diseases (0.29%) as compared to persons without thyroid dysfunction (0.09%), the highest prevalence being in patients with thyroid carcinoma. A clinically not relevant influence of thyroid function on S-Ca was seen in some patients with hyperthyroidism. Determination of S-Ca is recommended for each patient referred to a thyroid outpatients' department because of the high number of PHP cases in this context.
Adolescent↗
Demonstration of Tritrichomonas foetus in the external genitalia and of specific antibodies in preputial secretions of naturally infected bulls.
Portions of penis and prepuce were collected from 24 bulls with current or recent Tritrichomonas foetus infection. Epididymides were collected from seven of the bulls, and seminal vesicles and prostate were collected from four. Following immunohistochemical staining with two monoclonal antibodies (34.7C4.4 and TF1.15) prepared against T. foetus surface antigens, trichomonads were identified in sections from 15 of the bulls. Organisms were most often located in penile crypts in the midshaft and caudal regions and less often in preputial crypts. Trichomonads were not observed in sections from other genitalia or in subepithelial tissue. T. foetus antigen, however, was present in the cytoplasm of some epithelial cells and the cytoplasm of some mononuclear cells in subepithelial lymphoid aggregates and follicles. Preputial smegma was collected from 16 T. foetus-infected bulls and from 16 control bulls with negative T. foetus cultures. Preputial antibody levels to TF1.17, a surface antigen of T. foetus, were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Preputial secretions from infected bulls contained specific antibody of each isotype and subisotype tested. IgG1 responses were the greatest, IgM and IgA responses were approximately equal, and IgG2 responses were low. Each isotype and subisotype response in infected bulls was significantly greater than that in the controls. These results confirm previous speculation concerning anatomical sites of infection and suggest that parasite antigen can be taken up and processed locally, resulting in deposition of specific IgG1, IgG2, IgA, and IgM antibodies in the preputial cavity.
Animals↗
Causes of morbidity and mortality and their effect on reproductive success in double-crested cormorants from Saskatchewan.
The objectives of this study were to describe causes of morbidity and mortality in a breeding colony of double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) on Doré Lake (Saskatchewan, Canada), and to determine cause-specific mortality rates of juvenile birds. Morbidity and mortality were monitored every third day during the breeding season from 1994 to 1996 from inside a tunnel-and-blind system. Affected eggs and birds were collected for examination and diagnosis. The cause of mortality was determined for 105 eggs, 178 nestlings (< or = 4-wk-old), 1393 post-nestling chicks (> 4-wk-old), and 10 adults. The main causes of mortality were infertility or embryonal death, avian predation, displacement of eggs and chicks from the nest, starvation from sibling competition, Newcastle disease, coyote predation, human-induced suffocation, and entrapment. In 49% of the cases, avian predation and displacement from the nest of eggs or nestlings was associated with human disturbance. Thirty-six nestlings, 40 post-nestling chicks, and three adults were examined for the presence of parasites. Contracaecum spiculigerum was found in the proventriculus; Amphimerus elongatus in the liver. Piagetiella incomposita in the gular pouch; Eidmanniella pellucida, Pectinopygus farallonii, and Ceratophyllus lari in the plumage; and Theromyzon sp. in the nasal and oral cavity. Contracaecum spiculigerum was associated with ulcerative gastritis, A. elongatus with multifocal hepatitis and bile duct hyperplasia, and P. incomposita with ulcerative stomatitis, but these lesions were not considered fatal. Other diseases included beak deformity, abnormal rotation of the carpal joint, hypopigmentation, and eye loss. Overall mortality of cormorant chicks between hatching and the end of the breeding season varied from 25 to 48%. The most important causes of mortality were Newcastle disease, which killed 21% of hatched chicks in 1995, sibling competition (maximum 12% in 1994), and coyote predation (2% in 1994).
Animals↗
Organisation of the equine immunoglobulin constant heavy chain genes. II. Equine cgamma genes.
The number of immunoglobulin G constant heavy chain genes (cgamma genes) varies broadly among mammalian species, reflecting structural and functional differences between expressed immunoglobulin G (IgG) isotypes and allotypes. Up to now equine IgG isotypes have been defined only at the biochemical and serological level. It is still not clear how many IgG isotypes exist in horses and whether there are any allotypes. Here, we describe the isolation and characterisation of equine cgamma genes. An equine genomic lambda phage library was screened with a human cgamma4 probe. Cross-hybridising equine cgamma sequences were cloned twice and characterised by restriction mapping with the human cgamma4 and a murine sgamma1 probe. Genomic equine DNA probes for both, cgamma genes and corresponding switch regions (sgamma), were isolated and used for a more detailed BamHI restriction analysis, comparing genomic DNA of various horses. This analysis reveals the existence of at least five, or probably six cgamma genes in the equine haploid genome. Beside the porcine system, this is the highest number of cgamma genes described for any mammalian species. Moreover, for two of these cgamma genes, BamHI restriction fragment length polymorphism became evident.
Animals↗
[Preventive iodine administration and iodine excretion in the Vienna area and in the forest quarter].
In order to reduce the still substantial iodine deficiency in the Austrian population, compulsory iodisation of salt was increased in 1990 from 10 mg potassium iodide/kg salt to 20 mg potassium iodide/kg. In this investigation we evaluated the adequacy of iodine supply in Vienna and the Waldviertel, a rural region northwest of Vienna. Daily iodine excretion (which reflects daily iodine intake) was investigated in 92 persons from the Waldviertel (all without thyroid gland pathology) and 110 persons from Vienna (54 with unremarkable thyroid glands, 56 with endemic goiter). Daily iodine excretion was higher in persons from the Waldviertel (161 +/- 90.7 micrograms/24 h, p < 0.05) than in those from Vienna (with healthy thyroid glands 126.4 +/- 42.9 micrograms/24 h and with goiter 117.2 +/- 60.5 micrograms/24 h, resp.). In both populations iodine supply as defined by the WHO (excretion of > 150 ug iodine/day) was inadequate. The recommended level was not achieved in 50% of the persons from the Waldviertel region and in 75% of persons from Vienna (healthy thyroid glands 76%, goiter: 75%). Iodine deficiency (intake < 100 micrograms/24 h) was present in 42% persons from the Waldviertel and in 31% and 24% persons, respectively, from Vienna with unremarkable thyroid glands and goiter. We conclude that although the iodine content of salt was increased, an iodine deficiency was present in a considerable portion of the population of an industrialized country (approximately 40% of persons from a rural region and 30% from the city of Vienna).
Adult↗
Comparison of mesencephalic free-floating tissue culture grafts and cell suspension grafts in the 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat.
Ventral mesencephalon (VM) of fetal rat and human origin grown as free-floating roller-tube (FFRT) cultures can survive subsequent grafting to the adult rat striatum. To further explore the functional efficacy of such grafts, embryonic day 13 ventral mesencephalic tissue was grafted either after 7 days in culture or directly as dissociated cell suspensions, and compared with regard to neuronal survival and ability to normalize rotational behavior in adult rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions. Other lesioned rats received injections of cell-free medium and served as controls. The amphetamine-induced rotational behavior of all 6-OHDA-lesioned animals was monitored at various time points from 18 days before transplantation and up to 80 days after transplantation. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunostaining of the histologically processed brains served to assess the long-term survival of grafted dopaminergic neurons and to correlate that with the behavioral effects. Additional cultures and acutely prepared explants were also fixed and stored for histological investigation in order to estimate the loss of dopaminergic neurons in culture and after transplantation. Similar behavioral improvements in terms of significant reductions in amphetamine-induced rotations were observed in rats grafted with FFRT cultures (127%) and rats grafted with cell suspensions (122%), while control animals showed no normalization of rotational behavior. At 84 days after transplantation, there were similar numbers of TH-immunoreactive (TH-ir) neurons in grafts of cultured tissue (775 +/- 98, mean +/- SEM) and grafts of fresh, dissociated cell suspension (806 +/- 105, mean +/- SEM). Cell counts in fresh explants, 7-day-old cultures, and grafted cultures revealed a 68.2% loss of TH-ir cells 7 days after explantation, with an additional 23.1% loss after grafting, leaving 8.7% of the original number of TH-ir cells in the intracerebral grafts. This is to be compared with a survival rate of 9.1% for the TH-ir cells in the cell-suspension grafts. Immunostaining for the calcium-binding proteins calretinin, calbindin, and parvalbumin showed no differences in the neuronal expression of these proteins between the two graft types. In conclusion, we found comparable dopaminergic cell survival and functional effects of tissue-culture grafts and cell-suspension grafts, which currently is the type of graft most commonly used for experimental and clinical grafting. In this sense the result is promising for the development of an effective in vitro storage of fetal nigral tissue, which at the same time would allow neuroprotective and neurotrophic treatment prior to intracerebral transplantation.
Amphetamine↗
Organization of the equine immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region genes; III. Alignment of c mu, c gamma, c epsilon and c alpha genes.
Previous restriction analysis of cloned equine DNA and genomic DNA of equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells had indicated the existence of one c epsilon, one c alpha and up to six c gamma genes in the haploid equine genome. The c epsilon and c alpha genes have been aligned on a 30 kb DNA fragment in the order 5' c epsilon-c alpha 3'. Here we describe the alignment of the equine c mu and c gamma genes by deletion analysis of one IgM, four IgG and two equine light chain expressing heterohybridomas. This analysis establishes the existence of six c gamma genes per haploid genome. The genomic alignment of the cH-genes is 5' c mu/(/) c gamma 1/(/) c gamma 2/(/) c gamma 3/(/) c gamma 4/(/) c gamma 5/(/) c gamma 6/(/) c epsilon-c alpha 3', naming the c gamma genes according to their position relative to c mu. For three of the c gamma genes the corresponding IgG isotypes could be identified as IgGa for c gamma 1, IgG(T) for c gamma 3 and IgGb for c gamma 4.
Animals↗
Evaluation of ovarian tumors in postmenopausal women by transvaginal sonography.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was the evaluation of simple reproducible sonomorphological criteria for the preoperative evaluation of ovarian tumors in postmenopausal women by use of transvaginal sonography. STUDY DESIGN: Postmenopausal women (> or =1 year of secondary amenorrhea) with ovarian tumors (n=378; tumors > or =3 cm and <3 cm but with solid parts) were examined in a prospective study by transvaginal sonography prior to surgery between 1987 and 1993. The sonomorphological criteria were correlated with the histological findings of the tumors. RESULTS: Of all ovarian tumors in postmenopausal women, 6.3% were functional cysts (follicular or corpus luteum cysts). Almost all of them were detected within the first 5 years of postmenopause. The other ovarian tumors were diagnosed as retention cysts (17.5%), benign neoplasms (39.4%), and malignant tumors (36.8%). Simple ovarian cysts (monolocular, smooth inner wall) represented sonomorphologically the second most frequent type of ovarian tumors in postmenopausal women (35.7%). Of these tumors, 9.6% were diagnosed as malignant. CONCLUSIONS: Simple reproducible sonomorphological criteria proved to be a useful clinical parameter in the preoperative evaluation of ovarian tumors.
Adult↗
Properties of an alpha-galactosidase, and structure of its gene galA, within an alpha-and beta-galactoside utilization gene cluster of the hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima.
Thermotoga maritima represents one of the few hyperthermophilic bacteria currently known. The chromosomal alpha-galactosidase gene of T. maritima strain MSB8 has been cloned and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The gene, designated galA, has coding capacity for a 552 residue polypeptide with a calculated molecular mass of 63,653 Da. GalA was found to be flanked by other genes probably involved in galactoside breakdown and utilization. The previously sequenced beta-galactosidase gene, lacZ, is localized immediately upstream of galA while two open reading frames that putatively encode enzymes of galactose catabolism, i.e. galactose-1-phosphate uridylytransferase (galT) and galactokinase (galK), were found downstream of galA. The identified genes are extremely close together or even overlap and have the same orientation, so they could all be part of one galactoside utilization operon of T. maritima MSB8. GalA displayed low-level amino acid sequence similarity with alpha-galactoside of glycosyl hydrolase family 36. However, GalA is smaller than the other members of this enzyme family. The galA gene was expressed in Escherichia coli and the recombinant alpha-galactosidase was purified and characterized. The molecular mass of the recombinant enzyme was estimated at about 62 kDa by denaturting gel electrophoresis. Maximal hydrolysis of the chromogenic substrate p-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-galactopyranoside was measured at pH 5.0-5.5 and 90-95 degrees C (5 min assay). Divalent cations were not required for activity. The enzyme released galactose from raffinose, melibiose and the synthetic substrates p-nitrophenyl-and omicron-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-galactopyranoside. The T. maritima alpha-galactosidase thus was highly specific for the galactose moiety and the alpha-anomeric configuration of the glycosidic linkage. Its extreme thermal stability (t 1/2 = 6.5 h at 85 degrees C) makes this enzyme an interesting candidate for biotechnological applications.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
A paradoxical rise of neonatal seizures after treatment with vitamin B6.
We report the case of a newborn with intractable epileptic seizures developing a paradoxical rise of seizure frequency and electroencephalogram alterations after administration of vitamin B6. We have been unable to determine the aetiology of this disorder. In a newborn presenting with drug-resistant epileptic seizures, the first therapeutic option remains the application of intravenous pyridoxine, but the physician should be aware of the risk of an increase in seizure frequency.
Electroencephalography↗
Effect of selective inhibition of the inducible cyclooxygenase on renin release in healthy volunteers.
BACKGROUND: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can block renin release via inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX). The responsible COX-isoenzyme in man is unknown. Therefore, we assessed the effects of meloxicam, a selective inhibitor of COX-2, and indomethacin, an unselective inhibitor of COX-1 and COX-2, on furosemide stimulated plasma renin activity (PRA). METHODS: In a randomized cross-over design 15 healthy female volunteers received no NSAID or meloxicam 7.5 mg/d for 6 days or indomethacin 25 mg tid for 2 days and 25 mg on the 3rd day. On the control day and on the last day of each treatment the following parameters were evaluated before and after furosemide 20 mg i.v.: PRA measured by RIA, urinary excretion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) assessed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, urine volume and urinary excretion of sodium, potassium, and creatinine, and serum concentrations of sodium, potassium, and creatinine. RESULTS: Furosemide led to a more than two-fold rise of PRA. Indomethacin as well as meloxicam had no significant effect on basal PRA but inhibited the furosemide-stimulated PRA increase. PGE2 excretion on the control day rose two-fold after furosemide. Meloxicam had no effect on basal PGE2 excretion, whereas indomethacin reduced this parameter by 30%. Both drugs inhibited the increase of urinary PGE2 after furosemide. No drug effects on urine flow nor on electrolytes and creatinine in serum and urine could be observed. CONCLUSION: Meloxicam inhibited furosemide stimulated renin release, suggesting that in man COX-2 is responsible for prostaglandin synthesis mediating renin release.
Adolescent↗
Anthelmintic use on Saskatchewan pig farms: results from a postal survey.
A postal survey to determine anthelmintic use in Saskatchewan was sent to 580 pig producers in March, 1996. Response rate was 33%. Of all respondents, 76% treated at least some animals. Sows were treated on 90% of farms, weanlings on 86%, boars on 75% and growers on 67%. Injectable treatment with a macrolide was used by more than half the producers. In-feed treatment, with a variety of anthelmintics, was less common and in-water treatment was used least often. The majority of respondents (62%) used a 'planned treatment program'. Although anthelmintic use was widespread, only 48% of producers felt there was a parasite problem on their farm. This was most often determined by the presence of adult worms in feces or poor performance of the pigs. Fecal testing and slaughter checks were used less commonly and primarily on the larger farms. Sources of product information included veterinarians (57%), feed companies (36%), and advertising (24%). Effectiveness (81%) and ease of use (66%) were the major reasons for choosing a particular product; price (16%) was least important. These findings are discussed in the context of current knowledge of the epidemiology of the important enteric nematodes of pigs.
Abattoirs↗
Ascaris suum prevalence and intensity: an abattoir survey of market hogs in Saskatchewan.
Two surveys examining the prevalence and intensity of Ascaris suum were conducted at a Saskatchewan abattoir. In the first, 2500 livers from market weight animals were examined and scored for lesions consistent with ascarid migration. Forty-four percent displayed some degree of scarring with approximately 8% being severely damaged. In the second, both livers and intestinal contents from 500 market weight animals were examined. Seventeen percent were infected with intestinal A. suum (mean of 2.5 parasites per infected pig) and 50% had liver lesions typical of ascarid larval migration. Fifty-three percent of the animals in the second survey had some evidence of ascarid infection (adult parasites, hepatic lesions or both). The results are compared with those from a similar survey conducted in the late 1970s at the same abattoir as well as with surveys conducted elsewhere in Canada and in the UK.
Abattoirs↗
[Concentrated action against osteoporosis].
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Aged↗
Organization of the equine immunoglobulin constant heavy chain genes. I. c epsilon and c alpha genes.
We provide a restriction map of the equine c epsilon and c alpha genes as a molecular basis for isotype classification. Human and murine DNA probes were used for identification of homologous equine DNA sequences and for isolation of the equine c epsilon and c alpha genes from a genomic DNA library. A detailed map of the equine 5'-s epsilon/c epsilon-s alpha/c alpha-3' gene region was obtained. Equine c epsilon and c alpha DNA probes were prepared and used for restriction analysis of immunoglobulin heavy chain gene loci from different horses. This analysis indicated the presence of only one equine c epsilon and one c alpha gene in the haploid equine genome. In addition, for the equine c alpha gene, four haplotypes were identified according to BamHI restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of genomic DNA. The relative location of the c epsilon and c alpha genes 3' of the equine c mu and c gamma genes was determined by restriction analysis of equi-murine heterohybridomas.
Animals↗
[The German soldier was loyal follower of the political system. Barely any resistance by physicians to the Third Reich].
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Ethics, Medical↗