Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Ernst

Publications and source records attributed to E Ernst.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

High-resolution linkage map of mouse chromosome 13 in the vicinity of the host resistance locus Lgn1.

Natural resistance of inbred mouse strains to infection with Legionella pneumophila is controlled by the expression of a single dominant gene on chromosome 13, designated Lgn1. The genetic difference at Lgn1 is phenotypically expressed as the presence or absence of intracellular replication of L. pneumophila in host macrophages. In our effort to identify the Lgn1 gene by positional cloning, we have generated a high-resolution linkage map of the Lgn1 chromosomal region. For this, we have carried out extensive segregation analysis in a total of 1270 (A/J x C57BL/6J) x A/J informative backcross mice segregating the resistance allele of C57BL/6J and the susceptibility allele of A/J. Additional segregation analyses were carried out in three preexisting panels of C57BL/6J x Mus spretus interspecific backcross mice. A total of 39 DNA markers were mapped within an interval of approximately 30 cM overlapping the Lgn1 region. Combined pedigree analyses for the 5.4-cM segment overlapping Lgn1 indicated the locus order and the interlocus distances (in cM): D13Mit128-(1.4)-D13Mit194-(0.1)-D13Mit147-(0.9)-D13 Mit36-(0.9)-D13Mit146-(0.2)-Lgn1/D13Mit37-(1.0)- D13Mit70. Additional genetic linkage studies of markers not informative in the A/J x C57BL/6J cross positioned D13Mit30, -72, -195, and -203, D13Gor4, D13Hun35, and Mtap5 in the immediate vicinity of the Lgn1 locus. The marker density and resolution of this genetic linkage map should allow the construction of a physical map of the region and the isolation of YAC clones overlapping the gene.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Acupuncture/acupressure for weight reduction? A systematic review.

Acupuncture and acupressure are often advocated and used as a means of controlling appetite and reducing body weight, supported by case-series and uncontrolled studies that show encouraging results. This paper reviews placebo/sham-controlled clinical trials published on this topic. Two independent literature searches identified four such studies. None of these is without significant methodological flaws and their results are contradictory. The two relatively rigorous trials show no effect on body weight. On balance, no clear picture emerges to show that acupuncture/acupressure is effective in reducing appetite or body weight. Claims that these forms of treatment have specific effects on these conditions are therefore not based on well-performed clinical trials.

Acupressure↗
PubMed1997

Leisure-time physical activity but not work-related physical activity is associated with decreased plasma viscosity. Results from a large population sample.

BACKGROUND: Regular leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is inversely associated with coronary heart disease (CHD). This has been mainly explained by its impact on traditional CHD risk factors, but more recently it was also shown to lower fibrinogen, which largely determines plasma viscosity. No data on the effect of work activity (WA) on plasma viscosity have been published. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied the relationship between self-reported LTPA or WA and plasma viscosity as well as other CHD risk factors in 3522 men and women age 25 to 64 years. Physical activity was assessed by questionnaire. LTPA was inversely associated with plasma viscosity in both sexes. The unadjusted mean differences in plasma viscosity in men between no activity and the highest activity were 0.024 mPa.s (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.016 to 0.032 mPa.s, P < .001) during winter and 0.024 mPa.s (95% CI, 0.016 to 0.031 mPa.s, P < .001) during summer. After adjustment for age, cholesterol, smoking, blood pressure, body mass index, and years of education, mean differences decreased but still remained substantial and statistically significant (0.010 mPa.s; 95% CI, 0.003 to 0.018 mPa.s [P = .009] for winter activity; and 0.010 mPa.s; 95% CI, 0.002 to 0.017 mPa.s [P = .011] for summer activity). Similar results were found in women. WA showed no appreciable association with plasma viscosity after controlling for the covariates. CONCLUSIONS: LTPA is inversely associated with plasma viscosity, independent of other risk factors, whereas WA shows no material effect in men and women. Decreased plasma viscosity may represent one mechanism through which LTPA confers a decrease of CHD risk.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Premorbid adjustment and remission of positive symptoms in first-episode psychosis.

The impact of premorbid social and intellectual functioning in childhood and early adolescence on the developmental course of schizophrenia is not sufficiently understood. In a retrospective case study (93 consecutive in-patients, 43 males and 50 females) of first-episode psychosis occurring in adolescence, the relationship between premorbid adjustment and short-term therapeutic outcome under treatment conditions was examined. All of the patients had a DSM-III-R diagnosis of schizophrenia (n = 56) or schizo-affective disorder (n = 37). The mean age of the patients at the time of the study was 15.8 (SD = 1.0). Premorbid functioning during childhood and early adolescence was assessed by using the Cannon-Spoor et al. Premorbid Adjustment Scale (PAS) and studied with respect to its prognostic relevance for short-term therapeutic outcome (eight weeks) under neuroleptic treatment (350-700 mg Chlorpromazin dose equivalent). Criteria for clinical outcome were obtained from the study by Pearlson et al. (1989) which defines three grades (complete remission, partial remission and no response), according to the degree of positive symptomatology. Statistical analysis was based on nonparametric variance analysis. Patients with complete remission of positive symptoms after eight weeks of therapy had experienced far better premorbid adjustment in early adolescence and in childhood. Diagnosis and gender did not bias this result. Our data suggest that premorbid social functioning is a crucial variable with regard to therapeutic outcome in first-episode psychosis. Previous studies have reported a relation between poor premorbid functioning and negative symptoms. We found premorbid adjustment related to the course of positive symptoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Use of complementary therapies by individuals with 'arthritis'.

The popularity of complementary medicine is at an all-time high. Rheumatological patients are amongst its most frequent users. This survey was aimed at generating insight into this phenomenon. A self-selected convenience sample of 3384 individuals with 'arthritis' was sent a purpose-designed questionnaire. 1020 completed questionnaires were received (response rate = 30.1%). One third of respondents had received at least one treatment from a complementary practitioner. Orthodox therapies were generally perceived as more effective than complementary treatments. Therapeutic encounters with complementary practitioners were viewed as markedly more satisfying than those with GPs. Adverse effects reported in connection with orthodox treatments were more frequent and severe than those reported with complementary therapies. No firm conclusions can be drawn from these data. However, a hypothesis emerges that complementary medicine is well accepted by rheumatological patients and perceived to have certain advantages over mainstream medicine.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Zinc-containing neurons are distinct from GABAergic neurons in the telencephalon of the rat.

We used a double-labeling protocol that combined the silver amplification of endogenous zinc with routine immunocytochemistry to determine if telencephalic neurons that exhibit GABA-, calbindin- or parvalbumin-like immunoreactivity give rise to zinc-containing boutons. We did not observe telencephalic neurons double-labeled for zinc and GABA or parvalbumin. Zinc and strong calbindin immunoreactivity were colocalized in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells and dentate granule cells. Other strongly calbindin-immunoreactive neurons of the telencephalon were never double-labeled. We conclude that GABAergic cells do not contain histochemically reactive zinc and, therefore, are unlikely to use this pool of zinc as a neuromodulator. This observation does not support an in vivo significance of the modulation of GABA receptors by zinc such as has been observed in vitro. In CA1 of the hippocampus, we observed the histochemical label for zinc in all visibly calbindin-immunoreactive pyramidal cells and vice versa. Thus, two markers define a subpopulation of hippocampal pyramidal cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Evidence-based PM&R?

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Evidence-Based Medicine↗
PubMed1997

How should we research unconventional therapies? A panel report from the Conference on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research Methodology, National Institutes of Health.

Research in unconventional medicine requires a number of different questions to build up a "mosaic" of evidence. Choice of research design depends on the question being asked and is independent of the therapy under investigation. Despite the doubts of some practitioners, randomized trials are of value for determining certain questions in alternative medicine.

Complementary Therapies↗
PubMed1997

Histochemical demonstration of zinc ions in human epididymis using autometallography.

A recently described autometallographic technique, allowing demonstration of chelatable zinc in human biopsy material, was applied to cryostat sections from biopsies of human epididymis. Sections from the rat epididymis were used as control materials to examine the quality of the method compared with a previously used autometallographic method. The human epididymis exhibits heavy staining in the head of the epididymis and only small amounts of zinc in the body and tail of the organ. The zinc staining was found in the apical part of the ciliated cells and in the lumen. The present technique can be used to localize zinc ions at ultrastructural levels. Zinc grains were localized in lysosome-like bodies and secretory granules of the ciliated cells. The luminal staining was present as free, evenly dispersed zinc grains or attached to sperm cells and stereocilia in the lumen. The large differences in staining patterns along the epididymal tract in humans and rats suggest that zinc ions are important for the maturation of sperm cells.

Biopsy↗