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Biomedical subjects

C Kunz

Publications and source records attributed to C Kunz.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Protein composition of rhesus monkey milk: comparison to human milk.

1. Proteins in human milk and Rhesus monkey milk have been compared by FPLC gel filtration and anion exchange chromatography, SDS-Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, nitrogen and protein determination. 2. Mature Rhesus milk is higher in protein concentration (15-20 mg/ml) than human milk (8-9 mg/ml). 3. Non-Protein nitrogen is 6-13% in Rhesus milk but 25-30% in human milk. 4. Secretory IgA, lactoferrin, serum albumin, alpha-lactalbumin and lysozyme are present in Rhesus milk, but at a lower concentration than in human milk. 5. The casein subunit pattern is more complex in Rhesus milk compared to human milk. 6. The ratio of whey proteins to casein is similar in both milks (approximately 60/40). 7. A protein with a M(r) of 21,600 is a major component in monkey whey but is not found in human milk.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Assessment of the antigenic structure of tick-borne encephalitis virus by the use of synthetic peptides.

The feasibility of using synthetic peptides for the identification of individual monoclonal antibody (MAb)-defined epitopes was assessed on the basis of a structural model of the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus envelope glycoprotein E. For this purpose a series of 19 synthetic peptides was prepared, covering most of the E protein sequence. Each of the peptides was tested by ELISA for reactivity with 19 protein E-specific MAbs raised against TBE virus strain Neudoerfl. Specific reactivity was observed with three MAbs and two peptides (representing amino acids 1 to 22 and 221 to 240, respectively), thus providing new information on the location of the corresponding epitopes. Specificity was confirmed in a competition ELISA by the ability of the peptides to block MAb binding to TBE virus antigen. However, in contrast to the other MAbs, these peptide-reactive MAbs were not blocked by native virus particles in the competition ELISA, indicating that they do not recognize the native conformation of the E protein. These three MAbs also showed increased reactivity with denatured forms of the virus in a dot blot assay. Additionally, they reacted only in ELISA systems in which the virus was directly coated to the solid phase and thereby presumably partially denatured, but not when a capture antibody was used, which preserves the native antigen conformation. We have thus identified two classes of MAbs, those which recognize the native form and those which recognize the denatured form of protein E. The latter may be useful for the analysis of sites probably involved in protein folding and oligomerization.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Evaluation of the polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis of herpes simplex virus encephalitis.

Cerebrospinal fluid samples from 257 patients with suspected herpes simplex virus encephalitis were prospectively analyzed by herpes simplex virus polymerase chain reaction. The polymerase chain reaction indicated herpes simplex virus encephalitis in 9 serologically proven cases and in 14 additional patients. Increased polymerase chain reaction signals were observed together with more severe neurological symptoms (P < 0.01) and within the first days of acyclovir treatment (P < 0.05).

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1993

Early diagnosis of perinatally acquired HIV infection by the polymerase chain reaction.

31 children born to HIV-seropositive mothers were tested for the presence of HIV infection by an HIV-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay within the first months of life, at a time when the antibody (AB) tests did not yet allow a diagnosis. The follow-up by Western Blot and/or antigen (Ag)-ELISA indicated an HIV infection in 10 of these children. Failure to detect HIV infection by prior PCR occurred in only 1 of these patients. In this case only one sample was obtained within the first week of life and the negative PCR result may have been due to an infection of the child at delivery rather than during pregnancy. No HIV infection was detected in the remaining 21 cases, using both PCR as well as conventional methods. The simultaneously performed Ag-ELISA was clearly inferior to PCR, identifying only 4 of the 9 PCR-positive patients as early as the PCR. The perinatal HIV transmission rate in Austria was shown to be 32%, similar to that described for other European countries.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1992

[Endangering of the Liechtenstein population by the early-summer meningoencephalitis virus].

There have been a few severe cases of tick-borne encephalitis in Liechtenstein during the last 20 years. To form a better idea of the risk of infection and the potential benefit of vaccination, a total of 311 sera from different cohorts were investigated for antibodies to tick-borne encephalitis. The mean seroprevalence found was 3.6% and was not higher even in persons who were active in professional forestry. The antibodies measured derived in all groups mainly from previous vaccination and in only 2 cases (0.6%) from natural infection. It is concluded that the risk of TbE infection in Liechtenstein is very low. Therefore, a reduction in cases would probably be achieved only by mass vaccination.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1992

Prevalence of hepatitis-C virus infection in children with chronic post-transfusion hepatitis.

The prevalence of hepatitis-C virus (HCV) infection was investigated in a group of children with chronic post-transfusion hepatitis using a first- and second-generation HCV-antibody ELISA, 2 confirmatory tests (a second-generation recombinant immunoblot assay and a line immunoassay) as well as an HCV-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In 33% of the children, clear discrepancies were observed between the 4 different HCV-antibody detection assays, indicating that the serological diagnosis of HCV infection is still problematic. HCV RNA was detectable by PCR in only 69% of the antibody positive patients, which may be due to a fluctuation of viraemia during the course of infection. Such a fluctuation was demonstrated in 6 patients from whom serum samples drawn at different times were investigated. In contrast, in 8 of the 15 seronegative patients, HCV infection was identified only by PCR, although the hepatitis had already persisted for more than 2 years. Antibody assays and PCR together detected HCV infection in about 90% of the patients with chronic hepatitis. When markers of hepatitis B infection were also investigated, only 6% of the cases remained undiagnosed.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Cloning and expression of a chitinase gene from the hyperparasitic fungus Aphanocladium album.

Recombinant clones from a cDNA library of an Aphanocladium album chitinase-overproducing mutant strain were isolated by screening with antiserum against a 39 kDa chitinase purified from this hyperparasitic fungus. Analysis of the isolated positive clones indicated that most of them carried the same cDNA. A cDNA from this group was used as a hybridization probe to isolate an 8 kb DNA fragment from a genomic library of the wild-type strain. The chitinase 1 gene was mapped to this fragment by two independent approaches. Its partial DNA sequence was in perfect agreement with an amino-terminal peptide sequence obtained by sequencing 23 amino acids of the 39 kDa chitinase. Its transfer in Fusarium oxysporum resulted in a transformant producing both a protein of about 39 kDa that cross-reacted with the chitinase antiserum and a chitinase activity that was inhibited by the same antiserum. Northern blot analysis indicates that the cloned chitinase gene was subject to catabolite repression and appeared inducible by chitin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Molecular epidemiology of tick-borne encephalitis virus: cross-protection between European and Far Eastern subtypes.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus isolates from widely separated geographic regions of the USSR, six isolates from Hungary and one from France were compared with the European and Far Eastern prototype viruses. Peptide mapping by limited proteolysis yielded similar patterns for five selected isolates from the USSR. All isolates from Hungary and France exhibited the same reactivity pattern with a panel of 16 protein E-specific monoclonal antibodies, whereas 10 out of 12 isolates from the Soviet Union showed minor differences at certain epitopes. However, no correlation between geographic origin of the isolates and their antigenic structure was observed. No statistically significant difference in the degree of protection was detected when mice were immunized with the European prototype vaccine and challenged with three selected Asian isolates and one from the European part of the USSR.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Simultaneous vaccination against hepatitis A and B: results of a controlled study.

Hepatitis A and hepatitis B are endemic in many countries and must be considered as serious health risks for large parts of the world population. Simultaneous or combined vaccination against these two diseases would therefore be most advantageous. In order to investigate possible interactions between these vaccines with respect to their tolerability and immunogenicity, we conducted a randomized prospective study comparing single and simultaneous administration of the two vaccines. Three groups of healthy volunteers, each with 55 persons, were included in the study. All were negative for hepatitis A and hepatitis B markers and had normal serum liver enzyme values. Group I received hepatitis A vaccine (720 ELISA units) into the left deltoid muscle, group II received hepatitis B vaccine (20 micrograms) into the right deltoid muscle and group III received hepatitis A vaccine into the left, and hepatitis B vaccine into the right deltoid muscle. Three doses of the vaccines were administered at 0, 1 and 6 months. Local and systemic reactions were monitored by means of questionnaires. Blood samples for determination of antibody to hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) and antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) and of serum SGOT and SGPT levels were drawn at months 0, 1, 2, 6 and 7. There were no serious general and only mild local reactions. The mean serum SGOT and SGPT values remained in the normal range in all groups. The seroconversion rates and mean geometric titres of the anti-HAV and anti-HBs antibodies were similar when the vaccines were administered separately or simultaneously. There were no significant differences between the compared groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Low renal net acid excretion, high calciuria and biochemical signs of sodium deficiency in low-birth-weight infants fed a new low-phosphorus formula.

In 11 infants (birth weight greater than 1800 g) fed a new type of humanized formula with a low phosphorus (P) content (calcium (Ca) 11 mmol/l, P 7.2 mmol/l, sodium (Na) 8.3 mmol/l) biochemical parameters of blood, serum and urine were determined. In nine boys Ca and P balances were evaluated also. Renal net acid excretion was low (0.85 mmol/kg/day). Mean concentrations of P and Ca in urine were 0.34 mmol/kg/day (10.5 mg/kg/day) and 0.1 mmol/kg/day (4 mg/kg/day), respectively. In four infants, Ca concentration in urine was, however, greater than 0.15 mmol/kg/day) (6 mg/kg/day). In infants with birth weights greater than 1800 g fed the new, low-P formula, the low renal net acid excretion, the normal P and the high Ca concentrations in urine were comparable to term infants fed human milk. The high calciuria in several infants may be normal physiologic values. However, it remains to be established that the urinary solubility product of infants fed the new, low-P formula is in the same range as those for infants fed human milk. Unexpectedly, low urinary Na excretion (0.26 mmol/kg/day) and increased urinary excretion of aldosterone-18-glucuronide indicated biochemical evidence of Na deficiency secondary to low Na intake and a high weight gain. If the new, low-P formula is to be fed to infants with a birth weight as low as 1800 g. Na content should be higher than in mature human milk because of the often relatively higher weight gain.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1992

Re-evaluation of the whey protein/casein ratio of human milk.

Total casein subunits as well as whey proteins were quantitated in human milk samples during lactation. Two independent methods were used: precipitation at pH 4.3 in the presence of Ca2+ followed by Kjeldahl analysis and polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis (PAGGE) followed by densitometric scanning. Both methods yielded similar results: casein synthesis is low or absent in early lactation, then increases rapidly and subsequently decreases. The concentration of whey proteins decreases from early lactation and continues to fall. These changes result in a whey protein/casein ratio of about 90:10 in early lactation, 60:40 in mature milk and 50:50 in late lactation. These observations indicate that the synthesis and/or secretion of caseins and whey proteins is regulated by different mechanisms. In addition, the relative proportion of the different beta- and kappa-casein subunits was found to vary throughout lactation.

Caseins↗
PubMed1992

Equine keratoma.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Biomechanics of the carpus--functional anatomy and movement analysis of the carpal bones].

The often unsatisfactory outcome of attempts to reconstruct ligaments and perform partial arthrodeses of the wrist bones has prompted us to investigate the kinematic behavior of the proximal row of carpal bones in their immediate environment. The movements of the individual bones were observed on fresh autopsy specimens before they were dissected to study the exact location of the interconnecting ligaments. Finally, a special model of epoxy resin was made in which the exact form of the joint surfaces (cartilage surfaces) was maintained. The ligaments were simulated by means of stout threads and, according to the observations recorded in the previous study, attached to the model bones. In this manner a working model resulted that not only proved the correct positioning of the ligaments, but also enabled their function in controlling the movements of the bones during dorsal-palmar flexion and radial-ulnar abduction of the wrist to be established. It was seen that movement of the proximal row of carpal bones is caused primarily by the orientation of the adjoining articular surfaces and limited by the ligaments. Therefore, it is of paramount importance that the friction at the joint surfaces remains as low as possible. If the friction increases, the "floating" bones can no longer slide under load and movement of the hand becomes limited.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed1991

Respiratory tract infections due to different rhinovirus serotypes and the influence of maternal antibodies on the clinical expression of the disease in infants.

Rhinoviruses were isolated from nasopharyngeal secretions of 49 children hospitalized because of severe respiratory tract infection. The isolates were typed using 90 type-specific antisera. No obvious relation between certain serotypes and the severity of illness was found. Serum samples were drawn from all children simultaneously with the nasopharyngeal secretions and screened for the presence of type-specific neutralizing antibodies. Children aged 1 week to 6 months had higher neutralizing antibody titers and revealed a lower degree of morbidity than older children. The decline of neutralizing serum antibodies with increasing age was correlated with a higher incidence of severe disease in those aged 7-12 months. Nevertheless, also in this age group children with mild clinical courses of disease were observed despite a low concentration or an absence of neutralizing serum antibodies. This indicates that not only neutralizing serum antibodies, but other factors also influence the clinical expression of RHV-induced disease.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1991

Sequence of the genes encoding the structural proteins of the low-virulence tick-borne flaviviruses Langat TP21 and Yelantsev.

The structural protein coding regions of the genomes of Langat virus (strain TP21) and Yelantsev virus, which was originally described to be a low virulence natural isolate of tick-borne encephalitis virus, were cloned and sequenced. These viruses had both been used as experimental live vaccines against tick-borne encephalitis in Czechoslovakia and Russia, respectively. Peptide mapping and monoclonal antibody binding experiments yielded identical reaction patterns for Langat virus and Yelantsev virus which were distinct, however, from the pattern obtained with tick-borne encephalitis virus. Sequence analysis confirmed this distinctiveness and proved that the vaccine strain Yelantsev was also Langat virus. The envelope protein E of both viruses exhibits an 88% amino acid sequence homology with that of tick-borne encephalitis virus. Assessment of the antigenic reactivity and sequence comparison with the E protein of tick-borne encephalitis virus revealed several differences affecting epitopes involved in virus neutralization. These observations suggest that Langat-like virus-based vaccines may not represent the most effective means to achieve protection against tick-borne encephalitis virus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗