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Biomedical subjects

E Straube

Publications and source records attributed to E Straube.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Structure of the Arabidopsis RPM1 gene enabling dual specificity disease resistance.

Plants can recognize pathogens through the action of disease resistance (R) genes, which confer resistance to pathogens expressing unique corresponding avirulence (avr) genes. The molecular basis of this gene-for-gene specificity is unknown. The Arabidopsis thaliana RPM1 gene enables dual specificity to pathogens expressing either of two unrelated Pseudomonas syringae avr genes. Despite this function, RPM1 encodes a protein sharing molecular features with recently described single-specificity R genes. Surprisingly, RPM1 is lacking from naturally occurring, disease-susceptible Arabidopsis accessions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Enzyme immunoassay for detection of antibodies against isolated flagella of Legionella pneumophila.

Flagella of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1, strain Philadelphia (ATCC 33152), were isolated and used as antigen to detect antibodies by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) in sera of patients with significant titers against Legionella as determined by the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Healthy blood donors served as a control group. Whereas the sera of blood donors were negative in both assays, sera of patients showed two patterns of reactivity. Sera with elevated titers against Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 or Legionella gormanii in IFA usually demonstrated high titers in EIA. However, high IFA titers against Legionella bozemanii were associated with low titers in EIA. The data show that flagella protein of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 strain Philadelphia is of limited value for the detection of antibodies against Legionella other than Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1, although in vitro studies revealed genus-specific epitopes. This might be due to unpredictable variabilities in the expression of flagella in vivo.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1995

Does occupational nuclear power plant radiation affect conception and pregnancy?

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of occupational exposure in a nuclear power plant in Griefswald, Germany on male and female fecundity. METHODS: The frequency of men and women exposed to ionizing radiation through work in a nuclear power plant among 270 infertile couples was retrospectively compared to a control fertile population using a pair-matched analysis. The total cumulative equivalent radiation dose was determined. In addition, the spermiograms of the male partners in both groups were compared and correlated to the degree of exposure. RESULTS: No differences were noted in the frequency of nuclear power plant exposure between sterile and fertile groups. There was a higher rate of anomalous spermiograms in nuclear power plant workers. However, abnormalities were temporary. No correlation was found between the cumulative equivalent radiation dose and abnormal spermiograms. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that occupational exposure due to ionizing radiation should be investigated as a possible cause for involuntary temporary sterility and as a risk factor for early pregnancy disorders.

Female↗
PubMed1993

Adhesion and internalization of E. coli strains expressing various pathogenicity determinants.

The adhesion of Escherichia coli to host epithelial cells is the very first step of urinary tract infections followed by the internalization of some bacteria into these cells. These steps are influenced by several surface antigens or products of the pathogen, e.g. fimbriae or adhesins, K antigen, and hemolysin. The bacterial adherence and the internalization of several mutants of an E. coli O18:K5 strain differing in the expression of K5 antigen, hemolysin, and fimbriae were measured using a permanent line of porcine tubuloepithelial cells (LLC-PK1). Strains with K5 antigen were reduced in adherence and internalization in comparison to the K-negative strains. The expression of hemolysin by these strains lead to an increase of adherence and internalization. The internalization of bacteria is influenced mainly by their adherence to the epithelial cells. Thus, the internalization of attached bacteria is rather a kind of endocytosis than an invasion of the bacteria. To confirm this thesis, we investigated the influence of cytoskeletal inhibitors (cytochalasine B, cytochalasine D, colchicine, and chloroquine) on bacterial adherence and internalization. The cytoskeletal inhibitors lead to a significant inhibition of internalization of the bacteria tested. The receptor-mediated endocytosis of bacteria by tubuloepithelial cells may be of importance in the pathogenesis of recurrent urinary tract infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[The pathogen spectrum of blood cultures of premature and newborn infants in a neonatal intensive care unit].

The bacterial spectrum of blood cultures in a neonatal intensive-care unit was retrospectively assessed in a two-year study. Analysis of positive blood cultures showed a dominance of gram-positive bacteria, especially of coagulase-negative staphylococci. The resistance of these germs points to vancomycin as the most effective antibiotic. B-streptococci, germs that are dreaded especially in neonatology, were not found in any of the cases. Positive blood cultures were mostly in correlation with clinical symptoms, less so to the leukocyte count and/or C-reactive protein levels. There was no case of death directly caused by sepsis.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1992

Adherence to and cytotoxicity of Escherichia coli for eucaryotic cell lines quantified by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide).

Adherence of Escherichia coli to human epithelial cells (HEp-2) was studied using MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) which is cleaved by enzymes of eucaryotic or procaryotic cells to formazan. This method allows to quantify adherence of Escherichia coli to HEp-2 cells and offers the advantage of assaying a large number of eucaryotic cells without using specific antisera or radioactive material. Furthermore, toxic effects of isolated hemolysin cloned in Escherichia coli onto a renal tubular cell line (LLC-PK1) was investigated by this method, showing reduced cellular viability of tubular cells after an incubation period of 10 to 20 min. MTT is therefore considered to be useful to assay the adherence of Escherichia coli to eucaryotic cells and to quantify toxic effects in eucaryotic cells induced by bacterial virulence factors.

Bacterial Adhesion↗
PubMed1992

Is Escherichia coli invading tubuloepithelial cells?

The adhesion of Escherichia coli to host epithelium cells is the very first step of urinary tract infections followed by the internalization of the bacteria into these cells. These steps are influenced by several surface antigens or products of the pathogen, e.g. fimbriae or adhesins, K antigen, and hemolysin. The bacterial adherence and the internalization of several isogenic E. coli O18 strains differing in the expression of K5 antigen, hemolysin, and type of fimbriae were measured by using a permanent line of porcine tubuloepithelial cells (LLC-PK1). Strains with K5 antigen were reduced in their adherence and internalizability as compared to the K-negative strains. The expression of hemolysin by these strains lead to an increase of adherence and internalization. The internalization of bacteria is influenced mainly by their adherence to the epithelial cells. Thus, the engorgement of attached bacteria is rather a kind of endocytosis than an invasion of bacteria.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Infections after bone marrow transplantation in childhood].

In 66 children having undergone bone marrow transplantation (BMT) the occurrence of infections was studied retrospectively. Bacterial infections were mostly found in the early period after transplantation before marrow engraftment. The analysis of positive blood cultures showed a dominance of gram-positive bacteria, especially of coagulase-negative staphylococci. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections were most important, because of its high rate and the risk of CMV associated interstitial pneumonia (IP), two patients suffered from. Infections from herpes simplex virus (HSV), varizella zoster virus (VZV) and Epstein Barr virus (EBV) had no influence on prognosis. In fungal infections the systemic aspergillosis was the most important complication. To increase the effectiveness and safety of therapy the serum levels of antibiotics and antifungal drugs should be determined.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Microbiological studies of self-disinfecting alginate impression materials].

Using microbiologically experimental methods and observations corresponding to praxis the efficiency of the addition of antiseptics to alginate is evaluated. The addition of chlorhexidine to the alginate leads to a considerable reduction of the amounts of germs, but an one hundred percent disinfection of the alginates is not always performed. An influence of the alginate materials and the water quality on the antimicrobial efficacy of chlorhexidine has been proved. The always occurring contamination of the impression tray rules out a complete stopping of infection between the patient and the laboratory staff.

Alginates↗
PubMed1992

[The effect of biomaterials and other industrial materials on the growth of several aerobic bacterial species in vitro].

The article deals with interactions between bio-vitro-materials and bacteria species in vitro. The growth of S. aureus, Sc. salivarius, E. coli and Ps. aeruginosa in a salt solution with and without addition of biomaterials was examined until the day 60 in a static culture. By counting the cfu/ml and determination the relative change of germ capacity the results were compared. The data of such series obtained with working materials of similar chemical composition were collected and evaluated. We found, that Ps. aeruginosa was promoted in growth by all materials, especially those, which contained carbon. The same can be said about the last materials and E. coli. In contrast as well Ca- and P-containing as--free biomaterials reduced the numbers of germs. Changes of multiplying of S. aureus and Sc. salivarius seldom were observed. It ist apparent, that the biomaterials tested are not indifferent against a few germs, which may cause infections, but they promote the growth of a few species in vitro. This may favour an infection, if such materials should be implanted. It is proposed to test biomaterials microbiologically before clinical application. Materials with indifferent behavior or low anti-microbiological effect have to be favoured.

Bacteria, Aerobic↗
PubMed1991

Adhesion of Staphylococcus saprophyticus to renal tubular epithelial cells is mediated by an N-acetyl-galactosamine-specific structure.

S. saprophyticus CCM883 and 9325 were found to adhere to the tubular cell line LLC-PK1. An ELISA technique was used to determine adherence of bacteria and inhibition of adherence by various carbohydrates. Only N-acetyl-galactosamine was found to significantly inhibit adhesion (p less than 0.001), which suggests that the surface component mediating adhesion recognizes structures on the target cell that contain this carbohydrate.

Acetylgalactosamine↗
PubMed1991

Peritonitis caused by Trichomonas--a preliminary case report.

Trichomonas infections of the abdominal cavity are uncommon and case histories have not been published previously. A patient to whom reference is made this paper developed a combined immunodeficiency syndrome and portal hypertension with ascites on the basis of a cirrhosis of the liver. This seems to have been the precondition for a peritonitis caused by a Trichomonas species.

Ascites↗
PubMed1990

Kinetic studies of phenol degradation by Rhodococcus sp. P1. I. Batch cultivation.

Rhodococcus sp. P1 utilizes phenol as the sole carbon and energy source via the beta-ketoadipate pathway. In batch cultivation, concentrations up to 2.8 g.l-1 phenol were degraded. The highest values for the specific growth rate of 0.32 h-1 were obtained at concentrations near 0.25 g.l-1. At higher concentrations, substrate inhibition was observed, characterized by increases in lag phase and decreasing growth rates. A mathematical expression was proposed to fit the kinetic pattern of phenol inhibition on the specific growth rate mu: [formula: see text] Nomenclature: K- Exponent of the inhibition function, Ks- Monod saturation constant, g.l-1, KI- Inhibition constant, g.l-1, S- Substrate concentration in culture broth, g.l-1, So- Initial substrate concentration, g.l-1, Y- Yield constant, g cell dry mass.g substrate-1, mu- Specific growth rate, h-1, mu max- Maximum growth rate, h-1.

Culture Media↗
PubMed1990

Comparison of different methods for the detection of antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis in human sera.

Different methods for the detection of IgG antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis were compared as to their specificity, sensitivity and efficacy. A modified microimmunofluorescence test (MIF) was used as a reference method. Two commercial ELISA tests kits (Chlamyset-antibody EIA, Orion, Finland and Chlamydelisa, Whittacker M.A. Bioproducts, USA), the complement fixation test (CFT) and five self-made ELISA tests with CFT antigens were compared with the reference method and with each other. In comparison to the reference method, the Chlamyset was found to be the most useful method. Three of the ELISA tests with CFT antigens were statistically comparable with the Chlamyset and the CFT, but the two others showed statistically significant differences. The Chlamydelisa and the MIF showed great differences from all other methods. The Chlamydelisa was very sensitive but apparently unspecific. Possible reasons for the different results are discussed.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1990

[New regulation in prenatal care in relation to occupational risks].

Based on former legal guidelines and knowledge about prevention of professional risks for a pregnancy are quoted these aspects of the guideline for the prenatal care from March 18th, 1988, and in the new pregnancy record. In the district of Rostock we introduced a bipartited letter for use as correspondence between the maternity center and the occupational health service. It shall contribute to a better care of pregnant working women.

Female↗
PubMed1990

[Are early stages of visual information processing in schizophrenic patients disturbed? Results of an experimental study].

In a study of early stages of visual information processing in schizophrenic patients, twenty acute schizophrenics, twenty remitted schizophrenics and twenty chronic schizophrenics were compared with control groups consisting of twenty healthy subjects and twenty depressive patients (psychiatric controls). The groups tested were matched for age, sex, and educational level. The psychiatric groups were selected according to the research diagnostic criteria (RDC) of Spitzer et al. Performance in a picture integration task and a backward masking task were measured. Chronic and acute schizophrenics showed similarly poor performance in the masking task compared to both control groups. The remitted schizophrenics, however, did not differ from the healthy controls or from the psychiatric controls. This finding contradicts the claim recently made by Merritt et al., that poor performance in backward masking is a trait marker for schizophrenia.

Adult↗