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Biomedical subjects

E Beck

Publications and source records attributed to E Beck.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Expression of diagnostic 31/32 kilodalton proteins of Schistosoma mansoni as fusions with bacteriophage MS2 polymerase.

An expression plasmid pEx34b was used to synthesise parts of the 31/32 kDa Schistosoma mansoni antigens as fusions with the amino terminus of the phage MS2 polymerase. Purified MS2-schistosome fusion proteins reacted specifically in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with sera from S. mansoni-infected patients. The observation that the majority of human sera tested recognised schistosome-specific epitopes, but not the MS2 polymerase fragment, suggests that the fusion proteins are useful for the immunodiagnosis of schistosomiasis and might be incorporated in a serological test system based on recombinant antigens.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Lesions akin to transmissible spongiform encephalopathy in the brains of rats inoculated with immature cerebellum. Their significance in the aetiology of these diseases.

Fourteen BD IX rats were inoculated intracerebrally with a homogenate prepared from the immature cerebellar cortex of 10-day-old rats, when synaptogenesis is at its peak in this species. Eight controls were inoculated with mature cerebellar cortex. Transient ultrastructural changes were observed between 2 and 23 weeks' incubation in those animals which had received an inoculum of immature cerebellum. These changes pointed to a re-activation of embryonic or neo-natal growth mechanisms and were identical to those occurring in kuru-inoculated spider monkeys. With longer incubation histopathological lesions such as intracytoplasmic vacuolation, chromatolysis and neuronophagia appeared in neurons of the brain stem reticular formation. Such features are common in all the spongiform encephalopathies. All controls were negative. It is suggested that the transmissible agent in these diseases might be the factor which influences the various stages of normal neuronal maturation. A hypothesis is developed which would reconcile the "infectious" character of these diseases with a genetic factor and explain the "unconventional" behaviour of the agent as well as the mode of its transmission.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Schistosoma mansoni: localisation of antigenic regions on the 31 kilodalton diagnostic protein.

Antigenic sites on the 31 kDa diagnostic protein of Schistosoma mansoni (Sm31) were identified using the cDNA fragment H3 cloned in the expression vector pEx34b. This fragment encodes approximately two-thirds of the polypeptide. A set of deletion mutants was generated by the exonuclease Bal31 and the resulting shortened proteins synthesised in Escherichia coli as fusions to MS2 polymerase were tested in Western blots with human schistosomiasis patient sera. Three antigenic regions were identified, one of which was narrowed down by appropriate restriction sites to a sequence specifying only 27 amino acid residues. Examination of a longer MS2 fusion product extending into the N-terminus of the protein, corresponding to the nearly full length Sm31 sequence, revealed that its reactivity in immunoblots is comparable with that of the H3 clone. This suggests that additional antigenic sites, which might be more reactive than those already identified, are absent from the remaining part of the protein.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Behavior of intertypic recombinants between virulent and attenuated aphthovirus strains in tissue culture and cattle.

Two aphthovirus intertypic recombinants between the virulent strain A Venceslau and guanidine-resistant attenuated mutants of either strain C3 Resende or O1 Campos were obtained in an attempt to establish the region(s) of the viral genome responsible for attenuation in cattle. Recombinants that inherited the 3' half of the genome from either attenuated parent and the 5' half from the virulent strain were selected and analyzed with respect to their ability to grow in cells of bovine origin and for their virulence in cattle. The results obtained support our previous conclusion, derived from studies with homotypic recombinants between attenuated aphthovirus type O1 and its original virulent strain, that the host range restriction phenotype for fetal bovine kidney cells of the attenuated strain is inherited from the 3' half of the genome. For the intertypic recombinants, however, this restriction is enhanced, presumably by the presence of a heterologous 5' half of the genomic region. In addition, we demonstrate that the results in vitro correlate with those of virulence tests in cattle.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Analysis of neutralizing epitopes on foot-and-mouth disease virus.

For the investigation of the antigenic determinant structure of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against complete virus were characterized by Western blot (immunoblot), enzyme immunoassay, and competition experiments with a synthetic peptide, isolated coat protein VP1, and viral particles as antigens. Two of the four MAbs reacted with each of these antigens, while the other two MAbs recognized only complete viral particles and reacted only very poorly with the peptide. The four MAbs showed different neutralization patterns with a panel of 11 different FMDV strains. cDNA-derived VP1 protein sequences of the different strains were compared to find correlations between the primary structure of the protein and the ability of virus to be neutralized. Based on this analysis, it appears that the first two MAbs recognized overlapping sequential epitopes in the known antigenic site represented by the peptide, whereas the two other MAbs recognized conformational epitopes. These conclusions were supported and extended by structural analyses of FMDV mutants resistant to neutralization by an MAb specific for a conformational epitope. These results demonstrate that no amino acid exchanges had occurred in the primary antigenic site of VP1 but instead in the other coat proteins VP2 and VP3, which by themselves do not induce neutralizing antibodies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

[Surgical management of injuries to the dorsal pelvic ring by elastic stabilization].

A new method of operative stabilization of injuries of the dorsal ring of the pelvis is demonstrated. The necessity of conservation of the elasticity of the pelvic ring is discussed. Only an elastic stabilization can preserve the mobility of the sacroiliac joint. This method is simple and involves little risk. Special instruments and implants are not necessary.

Bone Screws↗
PubMed1988

[Acute management of spinal injuries. The cervical spine, conservative therapy].

Stable injuries of the cervical spine can be treated with a cervical collar. Unstable injuries that do not require repositioning can be immobilized with a Minerva plaster cast. Crutchfield's extension is used for extension of short duration during repositioning before setting a cast or performing surgery and for long-term extension in cases of transverse lesions of the spinal cord. The Halo apparatus is especially suitable for treatment requiring extension of long duration when there are no symptoms of transverse lesions of the spinal cord.

Atlanto-Axial Joint↗
PubMed1988

Double-contrast computed tomographic examination techniques in habitual and recurrent shoulder dislocation.

Preoperative planning of recurrent shoulder dislocation requires an accurate knowledge of bone and soft tissue lesions affecting the joint. A new method of double-contrast CT examination is presented which allows an accurate evaluation of the soft tissue structures important for the stability of the joint. Forty-two patients were examined with this technique, twenty-seven of whom (28 shoulders) were operated on, the procedure being selected on the basis of the CT findings. In all cases the preoperative CT findings corresponded to the intraoperative findings.

Contrast Media↗
PubMed1988

[Distal radius fractures--forms of fracture and injury pattern].

Fractures at the distal end of the radius are the most frequent fractures. There are still many therapeutical problems. The success of conservative or operative treatment depends mainly on the different types of fractures. In order of compare end results and to recommend therapy, it is necessary to define different fracture types, based on practical classification. A classification of fractures at the distal end of the radius is presented, with localization and reference to the extent of injury with consideration of lesions of the radiocarpal joint and indirectly to the distal radio ulnar joint. In the period of growth five types of injuries are differentiated. In adults three main groups, depending on the involvement of the radio-carpal joint are described. These are subdivided according to dislocation. The fractures types were classified by using X-rays of cases over a period of several years. With this classification the pattern of injury of 593 fractures of the distal end to the radius, treated in 1980 in our clinic, was analysed.

Humans↗
PubMed1988

Early vascular alterations in the diabetic rat heart.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there are vascular alterations in diabetes prior to atherosclerotic lesions. Four and 12 weeks after induction of diabetes (streptozotocin, 60 mg/kg b.w.) in rats characterized by low plasma insulin, hyperglycaemia, glucosuria, and loss of body weight, however, without morphological alterations of the cardiac vasculature--local myocardial perfusion parameters were estimated in the epicardium of Langendorff perfused hearts using fluorescence indicator (FITC-dextrane, MG 3kD) washout kinetics after bolus injection. The elution profile was characterized by a fast vascular and a slow transendothelial component. In diabetic hearts, vascular as well as transendothelial washout were prolonged. Concomitantly, the vascular perfusion volume and the amount of indicator exchanged with the interstitium was significantly diminished. Vascular response to bradykinin (5 nmol/l) was moderately attenuated and the limitations in transendothelial indicator exchange could not be affected by bradykinin, although vascular perfusion volume was significantly increased. These findings clearly indicate disturbed local myocardial perfusion early in the development of diabetes.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Cloning of diagnostic 31/32 kilodalton antigens of Schistosoma mansoni.

A cDNA library derived from messenger RNA of adult Schistosoma mansoni was constructed in lambda gt11 and schistosome antigens were expressed as fusions with the amino terminus of the beta-galactosidase of Escherichia coli. Using mouse and human infection sera, recombinant clones specific for a 31/32 kDa doublet having a potential in the immunodiagnosis of schistosomiasis were selected. The specificity of the clones was verified by their reactivity with monoclonal antibodies. The identity of the cloned epitopes with those of the native proteins was confirmed by Western blot analysis of total schistosome proteins, using both antibodies affinity purified from the fusion proteins and antisera raised in rabbits against the fusions. The reactivity of the cloned antigens with human infection sera suggests their usefulness for the immunodiagnosis of human schistosomiasis.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

[What is the significance of posterior boot edge fracture in Alpine skiing?].

Lower leg fractures have decreased in number in alpine skiing since the winter season 1970/71. Yet it seems that the fracture rate remains at a 4% level since 1982/83. In this study we analysed 266 lower leg fractures treated in a period between october 1982 to october 1986 at the Department of Traumatology of the University of Innsbruck. When listing up the various types of lower leg fractures the numerous posterior boot top fractures were evident. These bending fractures with a dorsal wedge make up 82.1 percent of the open lower leg fractures. Radiological evaluation of the fracture type and the personal accident description give evidence of the fall mechanism. The dorsal bending fracture at the crossing of the middle to the distal third of the tibia is caused by a backward fall when the toepiece of today's ski-binding does not release the ski boot in the vertical plane. The high and stiff ski boot has no protective function in a backward fall and the so called "safety effect" of the calf muscles is not effective in such a case. This fracture occurs mainly in the 20 to 25 years age group. To avoid such serious lower leg fractures a toepiece of the ski-binding has to be found which releases not only in the transversal plane but also in the vertical plane, that is multidirectionally.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Platelet induced aggravation of acute ischaemia in an isolated rabbit heart model.

In isolated coronary ligated rabbit hearts the effects of washed human platelets on the size of the epicardial ischaemic area and on recovery from ischaemia during 60 min of reperfusion was evaluated by endogenous NADH-surface-fluorescence photography. Infusion of washed human platelets to non-ischaemic control hearts produced a decrease in left ventricular pressure to 64(3)% of control (n = 4), no change in global coronary flow rate, no retention of platelets (recovery 108(9)%), and no alteration in basal NADH-fluorescence. When platelets were infused into coronary ligated hearts, however, the size of the epicardial ischaemic area was significantly enhanced to 127(8)% (n = 5) of control. Moreover, this increase in size was negatively correlated with the recovery of platelets in the coronary effluent: the lower the recovery rate the larger the ischaemic area (y = 253-1.44x, r = -0.855, n = 15, p less than 0.001). When platelet infusion was stopped after 30 min the enlargement of the ischaemic area seemed to be reversible. When the coronary ligature was released, however, and the ischaemic myocardium reperfused the recovery from ischaemia was retarded in the platelet treated hearts as shown by functional (left ventricular pressure and flow) and metabolic (NADH-fluorescence) indices. Thus it is directly shown for the first time in an isolated in vitro heart preparation that platelets aggravate myocardial ischaemia.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1987

Subtyping of European foot-and-mouth disease virus strains by nucleotide sequence determination.

The VP1-coding regions of foot-and-mouth disease virus strains from 18 recent European outbreaks and of 9 strains isolated more than 20 years ago and used in part as vaccines were determined by direct cDNA sequencing. Comparison of the sequences revealed that most of the isolated outbreak viruses are closely related to the vaccine strains used. Isolates from the Italian epizootic of 1984 to 1985 correspond, for example, to the vaccine strain A5 Parma 62; the outbreak in 1984 in Bernbeuren, Federal Republic of Germany, was induced by A5 Allier 60; outbreaks in 1982 in Funen, Denmark, and in Murchin, German Democratic Republic, were caused by O1 Lausanne 65. Viruses isolated during the 1983 Iberian epizootic show a close relationship to the vaccine strain A5 Allier 60 but were probably derived from another not yet identified vaccine strain from Spain. Only two minor outbreaks in the Federal Republic of Germany, A Aachen in 1976 and O Wuppertal in 1982, did not correspond to the classical European strains but were obviously introduced from outside. We suggest that nucleotide sequence analysis should be used as a standard method of diagnosis, because when compared with other techniques it more clearly reveals the origin and course of epizootics and offers the possibility of preventing further outbreaks.

Animals↗