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Biomedical subjects

E Kaiser

Publications and source records attributed to E Kaiser.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

No effect of insulin treatment or glycemic improvement on plasma carnitine levels in type 2 diabetic patients.

Carnitine is an essential factor for the transport of long-chain fatty acids and is important for the heart muscle. A longitudinal study in type 2 diabetic patients was carried out. Carnitine levels were observed before and during metabolic intervention with dietary measures and either sulfonylurea or insulin treatment. In both treatment groups a significant glycemic improvement was observed after 3 months (insulin treatment group: hemoglobin A1c 11.3 +/- 2.8 versus 7.0 +/- 1.0; sulfonylurea treatment group; hemoglobin A1c 11.3 +/- 1.4 versus 7.3 +/- 0.9). Carnitine levels did not differ from a control group and did not change significantly during the observed period.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Lusorian artery lesion as rare cause of severe upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding.

A patient in an intensive care unit experienced severe esophageal bleeding caused by erosion of a lusorian artery. The lusorian artery is a rare variant of the right subclavian artery. It originates in the descending aortic arch and crosses behind the esophagus to the right, sometimes generating esophageal compression. The patient's condition required respirator therapy and placement of a duodenal tube. At the point of crossing over of the lusorian artery and the esophagus, the duodenal tube caused esophageal necrosis, leading to erosion of the lusorian artery. This resulted in extensive esophageal bleeding, which at last required surgical intervention. To attain proper treatment and to avoid unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, a lusorian artery lesion has to be included in the differential diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Electrophoretic separation of alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes in synovial fluid and serum from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The alkaline phosphatase enzyme in both serum and synovial fluid from 28 cases of rheumatoid arthritis and from the serum of 30 controls was measured. The enzyme was further studied by separating its isoenzymes to clarify their origin in both synovial fluid and serum of 10 patients with elevated level of the enzyme in their sera. The level of the enzyme in serum was elevated in 37% of patients confirming previous reports on that point. The most abundant isoenzyme in the synovial fluid (66.9%) was found to be bone in origin while in serum the most abundant isoenzyme was found to be hepatic (60.5%). This may be responsible for increased bone turn-over in rheumatoid joints whether in formation or resorption.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1993

[Neurogenic intermittent claudication of the femoral nerve caused by occlusion of the common iliac artery].

A 52 year old heavy smoker complained of paresthesiae and pain at the ventral side of the right thigh and the antero-medial side of the right lower leg as well as weakness of the right quadriceps femoris during exercise. Clinical examination revealed a paresis of the right quadriceps, hypesthesia and hypalgesia in the area of the femoral nerve and a reduced right patellar reflex after 10 min walking. An occlusion of the right common iliac artery was diagnosed by angiography. Following transluminal angioplasty and implantation of an intravascular stent, the patient was free of symptoms. On the basis of the clinical observations following recanalisation of the common iliac artery, the symptoms can best be explained by a reduced perfusion of the iliolumbar artery supplying the upper part of the femoral nerve, causing ischemia of the femoral nerve during exercise. In conclusion, stenosis/occlusion of the common iliac artery should be considered as a differential diagnosis of quadriceps weakness and paresthesia in the area of the femoral nerve associated with exercise.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗
PubMed1992

Exons encoding the highly conserved part of human glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are important components of the genetic apparatus. In spite of common catalytic properties, synthetases with different amino acid specificities are widely diverse in their primary structures, subunit sizes, and subunit composition. However, synthetases with given amino acid specificities are well conserved throughout evolution. We have been studying the human glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase possessing a sequence of about 400 amino acid residues (the core region) that is very similar to sequences in the corresponding enzymes from bacteria and yeast. The conserved sequence appears to be essential for the basic function of the enzyme, the charging of tRNA with glutamine. As a first step to a better understanding of the evolution of this enzyme, we determined the coding region for the conserved part of the human glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase. The coding region is composed of eight exons. It appears that individual exons encode defined secondary structural elements as parts of functionally important domains of the enzyme. Evolution of the gene by assembly of individual exons seems to be a viable hypothesis; alternative pathways are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Hypoxia-mediated induction of endothelial cell interleukin-1 alpha. An autocrine mechanism promoting expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules on the vessel surface.

Tissue injury that accompanies hypoxemia/reoxygenation shares features with the host response in inflammation, suggesting that cytokines, such as IL-1, may act as mediators in this setting. Human endothelial cells (ECs) subjected to hypoxia (PO2 approximately 12-14 Torr) elaborated IL-1 activity into conditioned media in a time-dependent manner; this activity was completely neutralized by an antibody to IL-1 alpha. Production of IL-1 activity by hypoxic ECs was associated with an increase in the level of mRNA for IL-1 alpha, and was followed by induction of endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 and enhanced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) during reoxygenation. During reoxygenation there was a three- to five-fold increased adherence of leukocytes, partly blocked by antibodies to endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 and ICAM-1. Suppressing endothelial-derived IL-1, using either antibodies to IL-1 alpha, specific antisense oligonucleotides or the IL-1 receptor antagonist, decreased leukocyte adherence to reoxygenated ECs, emphasizing the integral role of IL-1 in the adherence phenomenon. Mice subjected to hypoxia (PO2 approximately 30-40 Torr) displayed increased plasma levels of IL-1 alpha, induction of IL-1 alpha mRNA in the lung, and enhanced expression of ICAM-1 in pulmonary tissue compared with normoxic controls. These data suggest that hypoxia is a stimulus which induces EC synthesis and release of IL-1 alpha, resulting in an autocrine enhancement in the expression of adhesion molecules.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[The effect of arteriosclerosis on the wall elasticity of the human common carotid artery].

The arterial distensibility and the modulus of volume elasticity of more than 100 isolated human carotid arteries was measured and correlated with arteriosclerosis and aging. The loss of arterial distensibility progresses steadily with aging. Arteries with severe arteriosclerosis and arteries with minimal arteriosclerosis show almost similar distensibility. On the other side the differences between distensibility of arteries with moderate arteriosclerosis and arteries with minimal as well as severe arteriosclerosis, especially in the younger and middle ages, are significant.

Aging↗
PubMed1991

[Decreased plasma carnitine in Type I diabetes mellitus].

Realizing the importance of carnitine for the lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and the possible role for glucose utilization and myocardial function carnitine concentrations in type I and type II diabetic patients in plasma, erythrocytes and 24 h urine were determined. The plasma levels of carnitine were significantly diminished in type I diabetic patients compared to controls, while carnitine concentrations in erythrocytes and 24 h urine did not differ from controls. Plasma carnitine levels did not change significantly during the diurnial profile. No correlation between HbA1c and carnitine levels was observed in the diabetic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Long-term studies with an anti-androgen/estrogen combination preparation of its effectiveness, liver tolerance and lipid metabolism in females].

The usefulness of antiandrogenic therapy with cyproterone acetate for androgenisation signs and symptoms in women, when tumours are definitely not the cause, has now been confirmed world-wide in about 100,000,000 therapy cycles using the hormonal contraceptive Diane and its follow-up preparation Diane-35, which contains a lower level of oestrogen. Nowadays, low-dose hormonal contraceptives are preferred in order to minimise the so-called "internal" risk by reducing the level of the oestrogen component and, by careful selection of the progestin, minimising the residual androgenic effect. In an open study on 150 women with moderately severe symptoms of androgenisation, we assessed, for treatment periods of up to 36 cycles, the effect of the only oestrogen-reduced hormonal contraceptive with anti-androgenic activity (Diane-35), and also monitored biochemical parameters, which are indicative of high risk metabolic activity and permit an accurate characterisation of the hormonal contraceptive, especially with long-term use. Although the parameters of liver and fat metabolism occasionally yielded values close to the limit of the normal range, it was particularly favourable to note, that the lipoprotein fraction HDL exhibited a slightly rising tendency, whereas, at the same time, the LDL fraction dropped. Special attention has been paid to ultrasonographic monitoring of the liver, since the influence on the function of this organ has been frequently discussed in conjunction with prolonged use of 17-alpha-alkylated steroidal compounds, and because a possible connection between sex steroids and the development of liver tumours has been a point of discussions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1991

[Lafora disease (progressive myoclonic epilepsy) in the Bassett hound--possibility of early diagnosis using muscle biopsy?].

A progressive, hereditary disease has been observed in Basset Hounds, which appears clinically and neuromorphologically as myoclonus epilepsy (ME) and is similar to Lafora-Glueck disease in humans. The characteristic intracellular accumulations are typical myoclonus inclusion bodies. Four forms of inclusion bodies (IB) can be distinguished: a) very small, homogeneous, PAS-positive IBs, b) IBs consisting of an accumulation of PAS-positive particles, c) IBs with a concentric internal structure and a smooth or radial outer zone, and d) IBs with a homogeneous center, concentric layering, light intermediate zone, and a smooth outer zone. The occurrence of IBs is restricted largely to nerve cells. Here they are located mainly in pericarya, to a lesser extent in dendrites, and rarely in the neurites of the peripheral nervous system. IBs are also found in samples of skeletal muscle where they lie between myofibrils or beneath the sarcolemma. They are slightly basophilic in HE-staining and markedly PAS-positive. In transmission electron micrographs IBs prove to consist of chain-like filamentous material of varying density with focal concentrations. They are similar to IBs of the brain. Both muscular and neuronal IBs lack surrounding membranes. Diagnosis of Lafora disease in dogs by examination of muscle biopsies is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Determination of plasma free fatty acids, free cholesterol, cholesteryl esters, and triacylglycerols directly from total lipid extract by capillary gas chromatography.

An accurate capillary gas chromatographic method using different internal standards for determining free fatty acids, cholesterol, cholesteryl esters, and triacylglycerols in plasma and other biological sources is described. It is designed to give information about species composition and, consequently, more detailed information about changes in lipid metabolism of patients suffering from metabolic disorders. After plasma extraction the lipids, except phospholipids, are directly examined without any further derivatization. For free fatty acid determination the programmed temperature vaporizer (PTV) injector was heated from 40 degrees C (sample introduction) to 190 degrees C. In a second gas chromatographic run the PTV-injector system was heated from 60 degrees C (sample introduction) to 400 degrees C, enabling the determination of free cholesterol, cholesteryl esters, and triacylglycerol species, differing in the number of carbon atoms. Evaluation of the values obtained resulted in coefficients of variation (%) of 1.0-2.8, 2.0, 1.29-2.24, and 2.8, for free fatty acid standards, plasma free fatty acids, cholesterol and cholesteryl ester standards, and plasma total cholesterol, respectively. Free fatty acids, cholesterol, and cholesteryl esters were not influenced by storage of plasma at -24 degrees C up to 4 days prior to extraction. The results of the gas chromatographic method and the enzymatic methods correlated well. Determination by gas chromatography yielded higher total cholesterol and lower triacylglycerol values than those values obtained by enzymatic methods.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Phospholipases in biology and medicine.

Phospholipases, a group of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids, are classified according to the bond cleaved in a phospholipid into PLA1 (EC 3.1.1.3), PLA2 (EC 3.1.1.4), PLB (EC 3.1.1.5), PLC (EC 3.1.4.3), and PLD (EC 3.1.4.4). This paper reviews source and structure of PLA2 and the involvement of PLA2 and PLC in several biological phenomena, such as, signal transduction, photoreception, biosynthesis of lung surfactant, sperm motility, and fertilization. New assays for PLA2 activity and concentration in biological fluids are discussed. Phospholipases are involved in many inflammatory reactions by making arachidonate available for eicosanoid biosynthesis. The determination of PLA2 activity and mass concentration in plasma is useful in the diagnosis and prognosis of pancreatitis and of septic shock. Naturally occurring phospholipase inhibitors, such as lipocortins act as second messengers in the anti-inflammatory response to steroids. Lipocortins may be valuable therapeutic agents, because they are more specific in their anti-inflammatory action than glucocorticoids; therefore, they are less likely to produce harmful side effects.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Magnetic resonance tomography of the shoulder. Possibilities of over interpretation of normal findings].

In order to test the criteria for abnormalities of the shoulder as seen on MR, 30 normal shoulders were examined. The examination included T1, proton and T2-weighted SE sequences and T2*-weighted FE sequences, using transverse, oblique coronary and oblique sagittal planes. In 57% there was increased signal intensity in the tendon of the rotator cuff; this might have been interpreted as a rupture of the cuff or tendinitis. Anatomical examination suggests that the finding is due to a normal layer between the long head of the biceps and the tendon joint complex. The anterior glenoid labrum could not be clearly delineated in 57% and the posterior labrum in 5%. In two cases there was a superior, postero-lateral defect in the head of the humerus. The currently accepted criteria for the MRT diagnosis of shoulder abnormalities need to be critically re-evaluated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[The differential diagnosis of spinal cord malformations in cattle].

Hereditary developmental disorders of the CNS, especially spinal cord, are of increasing importance in the bovine species. Therefore, congenital spinal malformations of non-hereditary origin have to be ruled out by carefully directed neuromorphological procedures. The two cases of malformation of the spinal cord reported were not accompanied by vertebral defects: The first one represents a complete diplomyelia of the caudal lumbo-sacral medulla in an 18 months old Brown Swiss heifer, the second one a circumscribed hydromyelia of the fifth lumbal segment, based on an incomplete dysraphic defect, in a 4 months old male German Simmental calf. Problems of diagnostic measures and of terminology, concerning differentiation between diplomyelia and diastematomyelia, were discussed in detail.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Nerve compression syndromes of the elbow and hand].

The importance of nerve compression syndrome in the upper extremity for making a diagnosis or differential diagnosis in orthopedics, surgery, especially hand surgery, and neurology is evident. We review the characteristics of this entity, demonstrate the pathophysiological findings, and stress their importance on the diagnosis, therapy, indications for operation, and operative techniques in our patients. With special regard to the topographic anatomy each of these nerve compression syndromes of the elbow and the wrist region is demonstrated systematically and consequences are discussed for surgical therapy.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Effect of carnitine on foetal rat lung dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine content and lung morphology. Carnitine and lung surfactant, I.

Lungs of foetal rats between the 16th and 20th gestational day (total gestation lasting 22 days) were examined. There was a striking increase of both total phosphatidylcholine and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine from day 19 to 20 of gestation. The carnitine content increased continuously from day 17 both in the foetal lungs and livers. In both organs, the increase in short-chain acylcarnitine was more pronounced than the increase in free carnitine. Compared with an untreated control group, treatment of the mother with L-carnitine (from day 16 to 18 of gestation, with 60, 80, and 100 mg/kg.d L-carnitine, respectively) resulted in significant increases in both total phospholipid (p less than 0.05 in all treated groups) and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (p less than 0.05, p less than 0.01, p less than 0.001, corresponding to maternal treatment with 60, 80, 100 mg/kg.d, respectively) on the 19th gestational day. The results are in accordance with morphological evaluations: with increasing carnitine-dosage, increasing numbers of lamellar bodies in type II cell progenitors were found. The enhanced dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine content is a consequence of enhanced phospholipid synthesis in remarkably undifferentiated type II cells largely lacking membrane structures and cell organelles capable of phospholipid synthesis. Thus, in general, carnitine treatment seems to stimulate foetal lung phospholipid synthesis, thereby enhancing the dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine content.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗