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Biomedical subjects

B Wolf

Publications and source records attributed to B Wolf.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

An automated procedure for measuring biotinidase activity in serum.

In this automated procedure for quantifying biotinidase activity in human serum, a manual colorimetric method that measures conversion of the enzyme's artificial substrate N-biotinyl p-aminobenzoate was modified for use with a Technicon AutoAnalyzer II. The intra-run replicate precision (CV) was 2.1% and the day-to-day CV was 4.6% for quality-control sera. Results were linearly related to biotinidase activity in serum over the complete range of clinically relevant values, 0.2 to 11.0 U/L. Moreover, results of the automated assay were not significantly different from those of the manual assay. Because the automated procedure is faster and more precise, we recommend it for population-based studies and some screening studies.

Amidohydrolases↗
PubMed1989

A case of immune complex hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure associated with doxepin use.

A 46-year-old man suffering from neurotic depression complicated by alcohol and benzodiazepine dependence developed Coombs'-positive hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia with acute renal failure after 5 weeks of monotherapy with doxepin at a final dosage of 100 mg daily. The patient recovered completely after discontinuation of doxepin, blood exchange transfusion, and repeated hemodialyses. He had no history of hematologic abnormalities, exposure to other toxins, or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Because other etiologic factors were ruled out, the short interval between the onset of the patient's hemolytic crisis and the administration of doxepin highly suggests that doxepin was associated with the complication. To the best of our knowledge, ours is the first report of this adverse effect following doxepin administration.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1988

Benzodiazepine dependence--aetiological factors, time course, consequences and withdrawal symptomatology: a study of five cases.

The development and time course of benzodiazepine (BZD) dependence is reported for five case histories. The underlying psychiatric disorders, life-events as potential initiators of BZD use/abuse and psychosocial consequences are discussed. The abstinence symptoms appearing during a course of standardized withdrawal therapy are described in detail. The case reports clearly demonstrate the chronic nature of the development of BZD dependence and of the tendency to increase the dosage which may occur only after years of intake and the gradual appearance of negative effects of chronic BZD intake.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

The amino-acid sequence of rabbit Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase.

The primary structure of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase from rabbit liver was investigated. The reduced and S-carboxymethylated enzyme was treated with cyanogen bromide, trypsin or Staphylococcus aureus proteinase V8. The resulting peptides were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography and sequenced by automated Edman degradation. With the exception of the N- and C-terminus the complete sequence was established by means of overlapping peptides. The N-terminus is blocked and thus not susceptible to Edman degradation. The amino-acid composition of the tryptic N-terminal peptide corresponds to that of the cytoplasmatic Cu-Zn superoxide dismutases of other mammals investigated. The chromatographic behaviour of these N-terminal peptides on a reversed phase C18 column is also identical, thus suggesting also for the rabbit Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase the N-terminal sequence Ac-Ala-Thr-Lys. The C-terminus was demonstrated to have the sequence -Ile-Ala-Pro by enzymatic degradation with carboxypeptidase Y. The complete amino-acid sequence of the rabbit Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase consists of 152 amino-acids and shows the expected homology to other Cu-Zn enzymes published so far. The aspartate and six histidine residues known to complex the metal ions are conserved at homologous positions. This also applies for the arginine residue near the C-terminus which is supposed to direct the anionic superoxide radical towards the active centre of the enzyme. The amino acid sequence of the rabbit Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase corresponds to those of other mammals in more than 80% of its amino-acid residues. From a total of 152 amino-acid residues the rabbit shares with rat 128, with mouse 130, with horse 127, with pig 126/127, with cattle 130 and with man 131 amino acids in homologous positions. However the Cu-Zn superoxide dismutases of closely related mammals like rats and mice differ in only five amino acid residues of their sequence. A phylogenetic closer relatedness between lagomorphs and rodents than between other orders of mammals, could not be derived from the sequence data given. Rather rodents and lagomorphs are to be considered as two evolutionary independent orders of mammals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

[Pregnancy after ejaculatio ante portas in a patient with an anatomical obstruction to intercourse].

Pregnancies with intact hymen respectiverly without immissio penis are very events. There is reported about a 36 year old women, which had been pregnant following ejaculatio between the upper parts of the thigh. An immissio penis was impossible since long time because of a heavy defect of the pelvis. The introitus vaginae could be passed only with Hegar dilatator of number 3. Contraception therefore in the mind of the patient was not necessary. Diagnosis of pregnancy in the 17th gestational week resulted accidentally by ultrasound. Pregnancy was terminated at term section and tubal ligation.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Evaluation of immune complexes and collagen type-specific antibodies in sera and synovial fluids of horses with secondary osteoarthritis.

Thirty-one horses with secondary osteoarthritis as a sequel of trauma (chip fractures) or osteochondritis dissecans were screened for immune complexes (IC) and anticollagen antibodies. Eighty-two percent of horses with joint disease had circulating C1q-binding IC; 77% of those horses had IC in synovial fluids of affected joints. Although only a few horses had anticollagen type-II antibodies, anticollagen type-I antibodies were found in sera of 25% of the horses and in 41% of their synovial fluids. This correlated well with the clinical data and suggested that antibodies might have been elicited by antigens derived from detached intra-articular osteochondral fragments. Immunologic reactivity is a new concept in equine secondary osteoarthritis and might be involved in the mechanisms of chronic inflammation and progressive collagen destruction in degenerative joint disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Isolation and characterization of basic superoxide dismutase consisting of Mr-25,000 subunits in rat liver.

1. A basic protein (pI = 9.0) exhibiting superoxide dismutase activity was purified to homogeneity from rat liver by DEAE-cellulose, CM-cellulose and S-hexylglutathione affinity gel chromatography, chromatofocusing and Sephadex G-150 gel filtration. 2. The purified enzyme had specific activity of 4700 units/mg protein. The activity was not affected by 2 mM KCN. Manganese was detected in the enzyme preparation; the content was 0.9 mol/mol subunit. The N-terminal sequence of the first 23 amino acids of the enzyme exhibited a strong homology (except at position 11) with the mature protein of human Mn-superoxide dimutase. It is, therefore, concluded that the purified enzyme is Mn-superoxide dismutase. 3. The N-terminal amino acid sequence showed that about 50% of tyrosine at position 11 was substituted by glutamine, suggesting the existence of microheterogeneity of the superoxide dismutase protein. 4. The superoxide dismutase purified here was found to consist of subunits with an apparent relative molecular mass of 25,000. This larger than the value hitherto reported for rat liver Mn-superoxide dismutase (Mr 2,400); the previous low value is attributed to differences in methods. 5. The enzyme was shown by immuno-blotting to be exclusively localized in the mitochondrial fraction in the liver. The tissue content of Mn-superoxide dismutase is organ-specific, and was the highest in heart. The precursor protein of the Mn-superoxide dismutase was not detectable in the liver cytosolic and mitochondrial fractions as well as in several extrahepatic organs (lung, heart, brain, muscle, kidney and testis), suggesting rapid transport across mitochondrial membranes and processing of the superoxide dismutase protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1987

Immunological comparison of biotinidase in serum from normal and biotinidase-deficient individuals.

An antiserum specific to enzymatically active human serum biotinidase was prepared. Using this antiserum, two immunologically cross-reacting protein fractions, only one of which corresponds to the active enzyme, were observed in sera from individuals with normal biotinidase activity. Neither of these protein fractions was detected in sera from 18 individuals with biotinidase deficiency from 15 families.

Amidohydrolases↗
PubMed1987

Isolation and characterization of a novel nonheme chloroperoxidase.

Chloroperoxidase, purified from the fermentation of Curvularia inaequalis, had a molecular weight of approximately 240,000 and was composed of 4 subunits of identical molecular weight (Mr 66,000). The enzyme was specific for I-, Br- and Cl-, and inactive toward F-. The optimum pH of the enzyme was centered around 5.0. X-ray fluorescence revealed that the enzyme contained 2.2 atoms of zinc and 0.7 atom of Fe per molecule of protein. The enzyme had no heme-like compound as a prosthetic group, making it the first nonheme chloroperoxidase to be reported. Under oxidative conditions that rapidly inactivated other haloperoxidases, this enzyme was remarkably stable.

Chloride Peroxidase↗
PubMed1987

Laminin expression in colorectal carcinomas varying in degree of differentiation.

We are studying the ability of colorectal carcinomas, which vary in degree of differentiation, to assemble a basement membrane and the relationship between differences in this ability and perturbations in laminin expression. For these studies, we are using human colorectal carcinoma cells grown both in vitro and in nude mice as well as tumors obtained at surgery. Immunoperoxidase staining of human tumors indicates that laminin is present in a defined basement membrane in moderately to well-differentiated tumors. This staining pattern is absent in poorly differentiated tumors. In these tumors, staining is discontinuous and sometimes observed intracellularly. The laminin synthesized by in vitro cells was immunoprecipitated and analyzed by acrylamide electrophoresis. Neither poorly nor well-differentiated carcinoma cells exhibit marked differences in the rate of synthesis of laminin. Differences are present in the rate at which newly synthesized laminin is secreted. These differences may result from alterations in posttranslational processing. Such alterations may contribute, along with other factors, to the inability of poorly differentiated tumors to make a basement membrane.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Antibodies to canine collagen types I and II in dogs with spontaneous cruciate ligament rupture and osteoarthritis.

Antibodies to homologous collagens, types I and II, have been found in the sera and synovial fluids of dogs with spontaneous cruciate ligament rupture and osteoarthritis. Samples from 30 dogs with degenerative joint disease of the knee and from 15 healthy dogs were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Fifty-three percent of dogs with joint disease showed significant levels of anti-type I collagen antibodies in their sera, and 56% had anti-type II reactivity. Ninety-one percent of the dogs with joint disease exhibited antibody reactivity to type I collagen in their synovial fluid, and 88% showed reactivity to type II collagen. Correlation of these results with the clinical data indicated that the antibodies had been elicited by antigens derived from cruciate ligaments (type I collagen) and from altered joint cartilage (type II collagen). Immunologic reactivity in this form of canine osteoarthritis is a new concept, and it should be considered in our attempts to understand the pathogenesis of this disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

New cryoultramicrotome with a feedback-advance system.

Cryoultramicrotomy is gaining in significance and use as technical improvements are made. In comparison with epoxy resin procedures, cryopreparations are more rapid; there is only a negligible loss of material and thus antigenicity is well preserved. The present work contains some newly developed details for the exact determination of the advancement of the sample in the direction of the knife in a microtome. It is a software-controlled ultramicrotome advance drive system with feedback regulation as well as repeatedly patented devices for advancement sensors.

Cold Temperature↗
PubMed1987

Localization of thyrotropin-releasing hormone- and insulin-immunoreactivity in the pancreas of neonatal rats after injection of streptozotocin at birth.

Streptozotocin treatment at birth induces, in the pancreas of rats, first depletion of insulin and thyrotropin-releasing hormone and then early regeneration of beta cells and insulin, but not TRH. This study was undertaken to investigate whether the reduction in pancreatic TRH content can be associated with changes in the intensity and the distribution of TRH-immunoreactivity, and to follow the pattern of regeneration of beta cells through insulin- and TRH-immunoreactivity. In control animals, strong TRH-immunoreactivity was seen in insulin-containing cells on days 1-4 after birth. At day 7, the TRH-immunoreactivity was already decreased. In contrast, insulin-immunoreactivity was present throughout the neonatal period. A sparse population of cells near ducts also contained both TRH- and insulin-immunoreactivity at 1-2 days age. In streptozotocin-treated animals, TRH-immunoreactivity is found only in a few scattered insulin-containing cells in altered islets on days 1-4. Near the ducts, there were new insulin-containing cells which did not contain TRH. From day 7 regeneration of endocrine cells was characterized by new, typical islets, but these contained insulin- but not TRH-immunoreactivity. These findings suggest a differential control of the biosynthesis of insulin and TRH within the pancreas.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

An unusual case of splenic abscess and sepsis in an immunocompromised host.

Lactobacilli are important members of the vaginal, gastrointestinal, and oral flora in humans. Although these organisms are usually innocuous, increasing numbers of serious infections attributable to these bacilli have recently been reported. The authors report an unusual case of a patient presenting with a splenic abscess and sepsis resulting from lactobacilli and review the literature describing serious infections caused by these organisms.

Abscess↗