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Biomedical subjects

E Schaefer

Publications and source records attributed to E Schaefer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Low level virus replication in infants with vertically transmitted fulminant hepatitis and their anti-HBe positive mothers.

Perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) occurs in about 10%-20% of anti-HBe seropositive mothers. The babies are at risk of developing fulminant hepatitis. In most cases no viral DNA has been detected in the sera of mothers and children by conventional hybridisation techniques. Thus, the aim of our investigation was to demonstrate HBV DNA in three children with liver failure and their anti-HBe positive mothers by more sensitive molecular hybridisation techniques. The babies were healthy at birth and did not receive vaccination. At 3 months of age they developed acute liver failure and died from liver insufficiency. Only in one child serum HBV DNA was detected by dot blot hybridisation, but polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-detectable HBV DNA was present in all sera. The liver specimen was negative for HBV DNA by Southern blot hybridisation, but showed a focal distribution of viral sequences as determined by in situ hybridisation. This finding was confirmed by PCR. Our results prove that chronic anti-HBe positive HBsAg carrier mothers and their babies show a low level virus replication. Fulminant hepatitis is due to vertical transmission of very small amounts of viral DNA, only detectable by most sensitive techniques like PCR and in situ hybridisation. Our findings underline the necessity to vaccinate all babies of HBsAg positive mothers regardless of HBeAg/anti-HBe status.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Detection of a new hormone contact site within the insulin receptor ectodomain by the use of a novel photoreactive insulin.

We have used a preparation of soluble human insulin receptor ectodomain and a novel photoreactive, biotinylated derivative of insulin (4-azidosalicyloyl(B1-biocytinyl-B2-lysine)-insulin) to identify a new hormone contact site within the extracellular domain of the insulin receptor. The ectodomain was photoaffinity-labeled and digested to completion with trypsin, and the resulting tryptic fragment was purified by either HPLC or by streptavidin-affinity chromatography. The amino terminus of the fragment was identified as Gly390 within the alpha-subunit. These results suggest that residues that are carboxyl-terminal to the cysteine-rich domain, in addition to previously identified regions within the amino terminus of the alpha-subunit, contribute to the insulin binding site. The implications of these results for the de novo folding of the insulin receptor to constitute the hormone binding site are discussed.

Affinity Labels↗
PubMed1992

Comparison of techniques for estimating nutrient intake: the Framingham Study.

We compared estimates of nutrient intake by three diet assessment methods (24-hour recall, 3-day food record, food frequency questionnaire) in a random sample of 73 females and 77 males from the Framingham Offspring/Spouse Study. The results differed according to analytic method. Estimates of group mean intake from the 24-hour recall and 3-day records were similar in both women and men, with differences of less than 10% for most nutrients. The estimates of mean intake calculated from the food frequency questionnaire generally differed from those obtained by the other methods, with higher estimated intakes in women and generally lower estimated intakes in men. Spearman rank correlations between the individuals' nutrient intakes estimated by the three diet assessment methods were modest (r = 0.08-0.68, most below 0.50) and comparable in the comparisons of the 24-hour recall or food frequency questionnaire with the 3-day records. Our data suggest the interchangeability of the recall and record methods and their preference over the food frequency questionnaire for mean estimates of group nutrient intake. The food frequency questionnaire appears to be of some utility in ranking individuals according to the usual intake, although these data are not informative in comparing this method with multiple days of recall or records beyond 3 days. This research underscores the need to develop and evaluate short methods of diet assessment in specific populations of interest.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Hepatitis B virus DNA in liver tissue of chronic HBsAg carriers in childhood and its relationship to other viral markers.

The aim of the study was to examine the state of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in liver tissue of 103 children with chronic hepatitis B aged 0.5-18 years to detect free and integrated viral sequences by Southern blot hybridization. HBV DNA was found in 74 patients. Seventy-two were seropositive for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and two had anti-HBe antibodies. Integrated sequences could be demonstrated in two children. One of them had only integrated HBV DNA and was anti-HBe seropositive. The other one presented both free and integrated viral sequences and developed seroconversion from HBeAg to anti-HBe 5 months after biopsy. In 29 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers, no HBV DNA could be detected in the liver. Ten were HBeAg and 19 anti-HBe seropositive. HBV DNA in serum was found in 65 of the 74 Southern blot-positive and only in two cases of the Southern blot-negative patients. In conclusion, most of the HBeAg-positive children had free HBV DNA in their liver tissue and all patients with anti-HBe except one were negative. According to our results, HBV DNA integration into the liver cell genome can occur at an early stage of chronic disease but is not a frequent event.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Detection of hepatitis B virus DNA by polymerase chain reaction in serum and liver of children with chronic hepatitis B negative for hepatitis B virus DNA by conventional hybridization tests.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction in the serum of 87 and liver tissue of 40 children with chronic hepatitis B, negative for HBV DNA by dot blot and Southern blot hybridization, respectively. In sera HBV DNA could be detected in 73 hepatitis B surface antigen carriers; 14 were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), 56 were anti-HBe-seropositive and 3 had neither HBeAg nor positive anti-HBe. In 14 anti-HBe-positive patients no HBV DNA could be found. Viral sequences in liver tissue were present in 33 specimens; 20 were HBeAg and 13 were anti-HBe-seropositive. All of the 7 negative children had anti-HBe. Our results confirm polymerase chain reaction to be a more sensitive method to detect HBV DNA in the liver compared with conventional hybridization techniques. Every HBeAg-positive carrier as well as the majority of anti-HBe-positive patients show ongoing viral replication. This is of special clinical relevance, because these children must be considered infectious.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Campomelic dysplasia without overt campomelia.

We describe a newborn girl with virtually all the characteristics of campomelic dysplasia except for overt campomelia. This observation and similar cases previously reported indicate that campomelia is a variable feature in campomelic dysplasia. In contrast, hypoplasia of the scapulae is a constant finding and should be regarded as a diagnostic significant sign.

Bone Diseases, Developmental↗
PubMed1992

[Hepatitis B virus DNA. Detection with polymerase chain reaction in liver tissue of children with chronic hepatitis B].

BACKGROUND: Detection of hepatitis B virus DNA is a reliable evidence of the presence of the viral agent and its replication. Conventional hybridization techniques are limited to detect about 30,000 virions. With the polymerase chain reaction it became possible to extend the sensitivity by amplification of viral sequences. In our study we intended to test whether viral sequences could be found in liver tissue specimens negative for hepatitis B virus DNA by conventional hybridization techniques. METHODS: Hepatitis B virus DNA was detected by PCR in liver tissue of 37 children with chronic hepatitis B, negative for hepatitis B virus DNA by Southern blot hybridization. PCR was performed in a thermal cycler using Taq-polymerase and oligonucleotide primers within the hepatitis B core region. Hepatitis B virus DNA was visualized by ethidium bromide staining and subsequent Southern blot hybridization. RESULTS: 20 patients were HBeAg- and 17 anti-HBe-seropositive. Viral sequences were present in each of the 20 HBeAg positive HBsAg carriers and in 10 patients with anti-HBe. No hepatitis B virus DNA could be found in 7 children, all of them positive for anti-HBe. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm polymerase chain reaction to be a more sensitive method to detect hepatitis B virus DNA in the liver compared with conventional hybridization techniques. Every HBeAg positive carrier as well as the majority of anti-HBe positive patients present viral DNA in their liver. Polymerase chain reaction will be suitable to monitor viral replication in spontaneous course and treated patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Chronic hepatitis B. Treatment in childhood with alpha-interferon].

BACKGROUND: In adults several trials of successful therapy for chronic hepatitis B using alpha-interferon with rates of seroconversion from HBeAg to anti-HBe of 30-40% have been reported. Despite the experiences in children are limited, alpha-interferon seems to be a promising drug in this age group as well. We report on our results in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus carrier using the recombination interferon alpha-2b. METHODS: 24 children aged 0.6-16 years with chronic active or chronic persistent hepatitis B were included in the study. 12 children received 9 million units of alpha-interferon/m2 body surface area three times a week during four months. 12 control patients were not treated. The follow-up period was 9-12 months after the beginning of therapy. HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBe and Hepatitis-B-Virus-DNA were assessed during this time on a regular basis. RESULTS: Only seroconversion of HBe-Ag to anti-HBe was considered as response to interferon treatment. During the follow-up period anti-HBe could be detected in 5 (41.6%) of the treated and in one (8.3%) of the untreated children. In one case additional seroconversion of HBsAg to anti-HBs due to virus elimination was observed. In all children a marked reduction of viral replication could be shown. 9 patients cleared Hepatitis-B-Virus-DNA at least for one time during therapy. Alpha-interferon was well tolerated and no severe side effects were observed. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that alpha-interferon can be successfully applied to a considerable number of children with chronic hepatitis B. In patients responding to alpha-interferon usually serum transaminases become normal and infectivity of the disease is markedly reduced. alpha-Interferon treatment should be primarily recommended for children with chronic active inflammation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Effect of long-term fish oil supplementation on vitamin E status and lipid peroxidation in women.

Fifteen young (22-35 y) and 10 older (51-71 y) women received six capsules of fish oil (Pro-Mega)/d, providing a total of 1,680 mg eicosapentaenoic (EPA), 720 mg docosahexaenoic (DHA), 600 mg other fatty acids, and 6 IU vitamin E. Blood was collected before and after 1, 2 and 3 mo of supplementation. Compliance was confirmed by the significant increase in plasma EPA and DHA in all women. Older women had a significantly higher increase in EPA and DHA than did young women (10-fold increases in EPA and 2.5-fold increases in DHA vs. 8-fold in EPA and 2-fold in DHA for older and young women, respectively). The decrease in the arachidonic acid:EPA ratio was more dramatic in the older women. Plasma total triglycerides (TG) decreased significantly, and the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids was significantly (P less than 0.01) increased. Plasma vitamin E levels did not change significantly after supplementation; however, after 3 mo of supplementation by young women, plasma vitamin E was significantly lower than after 1 mo. The vitamin E: TG ratio was significantly increased and vitamin E:(EPA + DHA) significantly decreased. All women showed a significant increase in plasma lipid peroxide through mo 2 of supplementation. After 2 mo, older women had significantly higher lipid peroxide levels than young women. The lipid peroxide:TG ratio, which declined by mo 3, was still significantly higher than baseline. These data indicate that although long-term fish oil supplementation may be beneficial in reducing plasma total TG, susceptibility of plasma lipids to free radical attack is potentiated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1991

IBM-PC compatible software for establishing metacarpophalangeal pattern profiles.

We briefly present software for performing metacarpophalangeal pattern (MCPP) profile analysis, which runs on generally available low-cost IBM (PC, XT, AT) and compatible PCs. The program is easy for the medical geneticist to handle and apply. We compared the mean MCPP of our own patients with Ullrich-Turner syndrome with the mean MCPP for Ullrich-Turner patients originally published by Poznanski.

Adult↗