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G Kuhn

Publications and source records attributed to G Kuhn.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Adaptation and psychometric properties of the German version of the Dissociative Experience Scale.

We introduce the 'Fragebogen zu Dissoziativen Symptomen' (FDS), a German adaptation of the Dissociative Experience Scale (DES) which was developed to screen for dissociation within an ICD-10 framework. In addition to the original 28 DES items, the FDS contains 16 items covering dissociative phenomena included in the ICD-10, particularly pseudoneurological conversion symptoms. The psychometric properties of the FDS were studied in 927 clinical and nonclinical subjects from different diagnostic groups and compared to results of American studies. The scale had good test-retest reliability of .88, high internal consistency (split-half = .90, Cronbach's alpha = .94) and good construct validity. These results indicate that the FDS may be a valuable screen for dissociative psychopathology in German-speaking countries.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Comparison of the body image of healthy and psychiatrically and chronically ill children using the KBMT-K].

UNLABELLED: Initially some results from empirical studies regarding body satisfaction and differentiation of body experience of children are described. METHOD: In our study several groups of children showing different kinds of illness at the age of eight to twelve years were subjected to the "Körperbildmaltest für Kinder" (KBMT-K, Günter) (Colour-A-Person-Dissatisfaction-Test for Children), a depression inventory and an anxiety test. Furthermore we examined the children's body knowledge. We assessed two samples of children in psychiatric and psychotherapeutic inpatient treatment. The diagnoses were disruptive behaviour (n = 32) or emotional disturbances (n = 36). Three other groups were formed of children with somatic chronic illnesses (asthmatics (n = 47), inpatient diabetics (n = 34) and outpatient diabetics (n = 30)). We compared the test scores with those of healthy children. RESULTS: Only the younger (eight to ten years old) children of both samples showed a significantly lower body satisfaction in comparison to healthy children, the young girls with a chronic somatic illness having the lowest scores. Older girls with a chronic somatic illness (aged 11 or 12 years) had a significantly poorer differentiation of their body experience than the healthy peers, a finding we had not expected in advance. Comparing the different clinical samples with the healthy sample, only the emotionally disturbed children were significantly more dissatisfied with their own body. Whereas we were able to demonstrate by statistical analyses that in addition to the illness, depression and anxiety had an impact on body image, the knowledge of the body did not influence the above-mentioned concepts. The results are discussed.

Affective Symptoms↗
PubMed1998

[Questionnaire on dissociative symptoms. German adaptation, reliability and validity of the American Dissociative Experience Scale (DES)].

The "Fragebogen zu dissoziativen Symptomen (FDS)" represents the authorised German translation and adaptation of the "Dissociative Experience Scale" (DES; Bernstein and Putnam 1986). The original scale comprises 28 items covering dissociative experiences with regard to memory, identity, awareness and cognition according to DSM-III-R and DSM-IV. For the German version, 16 items were added to cover dissociative phenomena according to ICD-10, mainly pseudoneurological conversion symptoms. Reliability and validity of the German version were studied in a total sample of 813 persons and were compared to the results of the original version. Test-retest reliability of the FDS was rtt = 0.88 and Cronbach's consistency coefficient was alpha = 0.93, which is comparable to the results of the DES. The instrument differentiates between different samples (healthy control subjects, students, unselected neurological and psychiatric inpatients, neurological and psychiatric patients with a dissociative disorder and schizophrenics). The FDS is an easily applicable, reliable and valid measure to quantify dissociative experiences.

Dissociative Disorders↗
PubMed1997

Geological record and reconstruction of the late Pliocene impact of the Eltanin asteroid in the Southern Ocean.

In 1995, an expedition on board the research vessel FS Polarstern explored the impact site of the Eltanin asteroid in the Southern Ocean, the only known asteroid impact into a deep ocean basin. Analyses of the geological record of the impact region place the event in the late Pliocene (approximately 2.15 Myr) and constrain the size of the asteroid to be >1 km. The explosive force inferred for this event places it at the threshold of impacts believed to have global consequences, and its study should therefore provide a baseline for the reconstruction and modelling of similar events, which are common on geological timescales.

Aluminum Silicates↗
PubMed1997

Effects of porcine somatotropin on the chemical body composition and fat quality in growing-finishing pigs.

Seventy eight growing-finishing pigs (male castrates and females) of the cross-breed Pietrain x (Large White x German Landrace) were used to investigate the effects of pST treatment on the chemical composition of the body, the growth of adipocytes, and the fatty acid profile of the backfat. Intramuscular injections (1 or 3 mg pST) were administered daily from an average weight of 65 kg up to slaughter. After pST treatment significant changes in all studied characteristics were observed in barrows, whereas the females exhibited very small responses. The pST caused an increase of water and protein contents and a simultaneous decrease of lipid content especially in body parts rich in fat. Furthermore, the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids increased and the fat cell diameter decreased in the backfat.

Adipocytes↗
PubMed1997

Follow-up study among model and pattern makers in a German automobile company. Results of a second follow-up.

An historical follow-up study of 528 model makers in a German automobile company found an unusual pattern of mortality among these workers that included an increased risk of total cancer and tumors of the stomach, genitourinary organs, and the brain (Becker et al, 1992). Because of small numbers of cases and problems with the validity of causes of death, we carried out a second follow-up using data from the official mortality statistics and extending the observation period by five years. The new results did not confirm the previous observations of an increased risk of total cancer, cancer of the genitourinary organs, and tumors of the brain but confirmed indications of an increased risk of stomach cancer and suggested for the first time that there may be an increased risk of cancer of the intestine. Though the small numbers of cases did not allow statistical confirmation of these findings, they are consistent with the results of other studies recently conducted in the United States and published in this journal.

Automobiles↗
PubMed1996

Cultured astrocytes express biglycan, a chondroitin/dermatan sulfate proteoglycan supporting the survival of neocortical neurons.

Astrocyte-conditioned medium (ACM) supports the survival of rat E15 neocortical neurons. Using a microtiter assay for neuronal survival, we demonstrated that part of the survival activity is associated with a proteoglycan fraction obtained after two chromatographic steps: (1) preparative Q-Sepharose anion-exchange chromatography under non-denaturating conditions and (2) MonoQ chromatography in the presence of 8 M urea. Analytical SDS-polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis of pooled active MonoQ-fractions (MQ-pool) revealed a broad proteoglycan band migrating with an apparent M(r) in the range of 150-400 kDa. Digestion of the MQ-pool with chondroitin-ABC-lyase yielded a major core protein of 50 kDa. In Western blots the high molecular weight (150-400 kDa) material as well as the 50 kDa core protein band were immunoreactive to chicken polyclonal antibodies raised against purified biglycan from rat meningeal fibroblasts. Northern blot analysis of total RNA prepared from highly enriched astrocyte cultures revealed a single 2.9 kb biglycan transcript. By using in situ hybridization we demonstrated that essentially all cells in these cultures expressed biglycan mRNA. Furthermore, highly purified biglycan from bovine cartilage was shown to markedly enhance survival of rat neocortical neurons. In conclusion, we have shown that astrocytes synthesize and release the small chondroitin/dermatan sulfate proteoglycan (CS/DSPG) biglycan, a molecule that was found to support survival of neocortical neurons in vitro.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors relative to cervical cancer and the Pap smear among adolescent girls in West Virginia.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Questionnaires assessing knowledge of, attitudes toward, and behaviors relative to cervical cancer and its prevention were administered to 279 tenth-grade girls. RESULTS: Eighty-four percent had heard of cervical cancer, and 83% had heard of the Pap smear. Sexual intercourse with multiple partners and cigarette smoking were risk factors identified by 65% and 40% of these students, respectively. Forty-eight percent reported being sexually active. This group, compared with those not sexually active, was more likely to 1) identify the Pap test as a test involving a vaginal examination, 2) use tobacco products, and 3) be exposed to tobacco smoke. The most common barriers to obtaining a Pap test reported by those sexually active were embarrassment (64%), pain/discomfort (57%), fear of cancer (27%), fear of parents discovering sexual activity (25%), and cost (13%). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the information obtained in this study, the authors recommend changes in school health programs that target adolescent girls: 1) risk factors and behavior should receive more emphasis, and 2) the pelvic examination and Pap test should be described in sufficient detail to address the issues of embarrassment, pain, and discomfort.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Directing an emergency medicine residency: the problems and their potential solutions.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the problems facing emergency medicine residency directors (EMRDs), to describe potential solutions, and to associate perceptions with anticipated duration in the position of EMRD. METHODS: A confidential questionnaire was mailed to the EMRDs at all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-approved programs. The survey included a problem and solution list constructed by a panel of EMRDs. The respondents were asked to rate problems using a Likert-like scale and were asked to indicate which of the listed solutions they had used and had found useful, or thought would be useful. Associations of these features and demographic variables with the intention to leave the position of EMRD within 5 years were sought. RESULTS: Eighty-seven of 93 EMRDs (93.5%) completed the survey. Their mean age was 40 years; 50% had been EMRDs for < 3 years. Most of the EMRDs (62%) had an associate EMRD, and 77% had at least one secretary. The EMRDs worked a median of 220 hours per month. Major problems included: insufficient time for the job (57%), career interfering with family needs (44%), and lack of adequate faculty help (38%). The most frequently cited and useful solutions included: attending education courses, self-reading on education and management techniques, and discussing problems with and seeking advice from others. Most (68%) of the EMRDs anticipated continuing as program director for < or = 5 years. Neither age, gender, previous amount of time in the position, number of hours worked, nor nature of the problems faced on the job was a significant predictor of which of the EMRDs anticipated leaving. CONCLUSIONS: Half the responding EMRDs were < 40 years of age, half had been EMRDs for < or = 3 years, and 68% anticipated continuing in their position for < or = 5 years. Major frustrations included lack of knowledge and time. Family and career conflicts were frequent. These problems are similar to those of program directors in other specialties. Some recommendations are made to assist EMRDs.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Spermatozoa antigen SAA-1 and co-precipitating molecules: regulation of human acrosome reaction].

OBJECTIVES: Examination of the regulation of the human sperm acrosome reaction as an example of ligand-induced exocytosis. METHODS: Development of monoclonal antibodies (mab) against immunaffinity-purified sperm antigen SAA-1. Examination of cross-reactivity of the mabs to human tissues using immunohistochemistry. Examination of reactivity to endometrial carcinoma cell lines and to PC-12 cells by immunohistochemistry and by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Mabs to immunoaffinity-purified SAA-1 recognize three coprecipitating molecules. Cross-reactivity was demonstrated to glandular epithelia exhibiting ligand-induced exocytosis, and to endometrial carcinoma and PC-12 cells. CONCLUSIONS: The proteins described could be components of the exocytosis-regulating machinery of human spermatozoa.

Acrosome↗
PubMed1993

Coexpression of PMP22 gene with MBP and P0 during de novo myelination and nerve repair.

The recently cloned PMP22 gene, the rat variant of the murine growth arrest-specific gene gas3, encodes a new 22 kD integral membrane glycoprotein of peripheral myelin. By means of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, we have (1) analyzed PMP22 expression in myelinated and nonmyelinated peripheral nerves, and (2) compared the spatio-temporal changes in the expression of PMP22 mRNA with the expression of the myelin genes P0 and MBP (myelin basic protein) in developing as well as degenerating and regenerating sciatic nerve of rat. (3) We further investigated the expression of PMP22 mRNA by Northern blot in cultured Schwann cells maintained under different conditions of cell growth and arrest. Expression of PMP22 mRNA is restricted to Schwann cells of myelinated peripheral nerve. Transection of sciatic nerve in adult rat leads to a simultaneous and rapid decline in both PMP22 and P0 mRNA to nondetectable levels in the degenerating distal stump. When a demyelinated and axon-free distal stump, as indicated by the lack of MBP and neurofilament immunoreactivity, was reanastomosed to its proximal counterpart, the coordinated reexpression of PMP22 and MBP succeeded axonal regeneration through the distal segment with a delay of 1-2 weeks. As in regenerating nerve, a striking synchrony of expression of PMP22 and P0 transcripts, as well as MBP immunoreactivity, could be observed during sciatic nerve development. Further, in vitro evidence suggests that, unlike NIH3T3-fibroblasts, expression of PMP22/gas3 is not strictly growth arrest-specific in Schwann cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Expression of decorin mRNA in the nervous system of rat.

A rat cDNA clone (pCD67) isolated from a cDNA library of regenerating sciatic nerve by differential hybridization screening revealed 75% homology on the nucleic acid level and 81% homology (including conservative amino acid changes) to the deduced amino acid sequence of the core protein of human dermatan/chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan decorin (PGII, PG40, PG-S2). Two transcripts of 1.3 and 1.75 KB very similar in size to the two decorin mRNA species previously identified in connective tissue were detected by Northern blotting in both normal and injured sciatic nerve and in the mature and embryonic rat brain. The steady-state level of the decorin 1.3 KB mRNA was very much higher in peripheral nerve than in the central nervous system or in other non-neural tissues (skeletal muscle, heart, colon, kidney). In situ hybridization experiments indicated that decorin mRNA is expressed by Schwann cells and vascular cells in peripheral nerve. In the spinal cord the ventral horn motor neurons and other neurons in gray matter showed specific hybridization signals. Furthermore, in situ hybridization indicated decorin expression in Purkinje neurons and cells of the molecular layer in cerebellum, and in neurons of the primary olfactory cortex and brainstem (pons). Our data clearly demonstrate decorin mRNA expression in distinct neural cell populations, suggesting yet unknown functions of this proteoglycan in the peripheral and central nervous system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Comparison of MRI and discography in the diagnosis of lumbar degenerative disc disease.

Recent reports have attempted to compare the relative value of discography and MRI in the evaluation of lumbar degenerative disc disease. None has compared the accuracy of the two techniques in regard to the detection of disc herniation specifically, and none has offered surgical correlation. In this prospective study, both techniques were used to evaluate 264 disc levels in 90 patients with incapacitating low back pain or radicular pain. The results showed an 86% agreement level both between tests and between the orthopaedist and radiologist on each test. Surgical findings agreed with diagnostic studies at 63 of 76 levels in 57 patients who underwent operative treatment. An analysis of the relative sensitivity and specificity of each test in the diagnosis of degeneration and herniation revealed that the greater sensitivity of MRI in the detection of herniation was the only statistically significant difference (p < 0.05).

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Follow-up study among model and pattern makers in an automobile company in the Federal Republic of Germany.

The follow-up of a cohort of 528 model makers and a control group of 2273 tool makers shows an unusual pattern of mortality in the model makers' cohort. In contrast to the usual ranking, malignant neoplasms are the most frequent group of cause of death followed by diseases of the cardiovascular system. The rate ratio (RR) for malignant tumors is significantly increased among model makers compared with tool makers RR = 1.8, (95% confidence level [CL] = 1.3-2.7). The sites affected by excess cancer were stomach, the genitourinary organs, and the brain. In contrast to other studies, no tumors of the large intestine have been observed. Furthermore, there is a remarkable underrepresentation of tumors of the respiratory organs. Because these results are based on a rather small number of cases, further follow-up of the cohort is warranted to draw more profound conclusions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Elevation of the bacteriological content of milk of clinically unaffected lactating bitches of a canine research stock].

In the years 1987-1989 a bacteriological investigation of the milk was made in 44 clinically healthy postparturient bitches. In 30 animals bacteria most commonly isolated were staphylococci. 30.3% (40 samples) of the samples yielded pure cultures and 6.8% (9 samples) anacultures. Small numbers of bacteria were isolated in most of the samples; 67.4% showed moderate bacterial growth (less than or equal to 10(4)/ml sample). In vitro drug sensitivity tests revealed lincomycin, erythromycin and polymyxin B proved to be most efficient. Moreover neomycin, kanamycin and chloramphenicol showed low resistance rates while colistin sulfate and carbenicillin were less effective. A direct influence of lactiferous gland colonization with bacteria on mortality of puppies was not observed. With respect to clinical aspects, the application of antibiotics for sanitation of the lactiferous gland colonization with bacteria in clinically healthy bitches has to be considered carefully. However, for this the estimation of drug sensitivity tests is not satisfactory and should be completed by accurate bacteriological identification.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Axon-regulated expression of a Schwann cell transcript that is homologous to a 'growth arrest-specific' gene.

We have isolated a 1.8 kb cDNA (pCD25) clone that encodes a transcript that is differentially expressed during nerve regeneration. Nucleotide sequence comparison indicates 89.6% homology with the recently identified murine 'growth arrest-specific' gene gas3. The open reading frame of the CD25 transcript predicts a 17 kDa protein with four putative transmembrane regions. Steady-state levels of the CD25 mRNA are very much higher in sciatic nerve than in other tissues, and expression in sciatic nerve is confined to Schwann cells. Following nerve injury, the transcript levels rapidly declined in nerve segments distal to the site of lesion, but recovered upon nerve regeneration. In contrast, in distal stumps of permanently transected nerves, the mRNA level remained very low. Substantial amounts of the mRNA could be reinduced only upon anastomosis of these interrupted nerve stumps. Re-induction of the mRNA followed the elongation of regenerating axons through the distal nerve segment. Our data indicate that axons regulate expression of the CD25 mRNA in Schwann cells, and suggest that the CD25 protein functions during Schwann cell growth and differentiation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Long-term effects of ovariectomy on pituitary-adrenal axis and specific antibody response in rats.

The effects of ovariectomy on morphologically demonstrable characteristics of lymphoid tissue, pituitary, and adrenal glands as well as on plasma ACTH and corticosterone levels and humoral immunity of female Lewis rats were investigated. The present study establishes ovaries as potential regulatory organs upon thymus, pituitary, and adrenal glands in female Lewis rats. In addition to the effects on these important lymphoid organs and endocrine glands, ovariectomy influenced the time course of serum IgM antibody titres against fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), but had only moderate effects upon serum IgG antibody titres. In conclusion, the present results suggest that ovariectomy modifies morphological characteristics of the thymus and pituitary-adrenal axis. Furthermore, circulating corticosterone seems to play an important role in regulating antibody formation in intact compared to ovariectomized female Lewis rats, while the influence of thymic mass is far from clear.

Animals↗