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Biomedical subjects

G Meyer

Publications and source records attributed to G Meyer.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in facial nerve lesions.

We present our 2-year experience with a contrast enhancement agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examining facial nerve pathology. Characteristics of the agent gadolinium diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid are reviewed. The radiographic capability to differentiate pathologic vs. normal facial nerves based on enhancement and a change in signal intensity generated by the nerve is demonstrated. Experience with facial nerve disorders including Bell's palsy, facial nerve neuromas, a facial nerve graft site, postoperative facial paralysis, and traumatic facial paralysis is presented. The ability to image the facial nerve in Bell's palsy provides an entirely new means of examining this disorder, and its implications are discussed. The ability to enhance the paralyzed facial nerve in the temporal bone after posterior fossa surgery supports a previously held concept as to the pathophysiology of this problem.

Adult↗

[Stress in the occupational role of teachers with disabilities and physical disorders].

We investigated 18 female polytechnical school-teachers with reduced work fitness compared to a group of female teachers without fitness-reduction with the aim to measure the strain of dominant psychologic work in school. We used blood pressure, heart-rate, voice function and subjective feeling according the Nitsch-scale during teaching and a day without teaching. The results indicate differences in subjective feeling scores whereas somatic parameters did not show higher strain. Because of the high interindividual differences in strain in the group with reduced work fitness further investigations should be realized.

Arousal↗

[Air vents for improved accuracy of fit of cast inlays].

The advantages of air vents in the production of extensive cast gold inlays and partial crowns were examined in an in vitro study aimed at reducing the occurrence of open margins in the proximal surfaces. The results of this study with a total of 44 casts showed that a closer marginal fit is achieved by the use of additional air vents.

Air↗

[Titanium: a new avenue for inlay and partial crown technique?].

Inlays and partial crowns made with a new titanium casting system were studied for open margins. The rather heterogeneous results do not satisfactorily stand comparison with conventional methods and thus the clinical application of this system does not seem to make sense.

Crowns↗

Differentiation and retrodifferentiation of U937 cells: reversible induction and suppression of intermediate filament protein synthesis.

Significant morphological and functional changes were observed when human monoblastoid U937 tumor cells growing in suspension were induced by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) for 72 h to differentiate along the monocyte/macrophage pathway. These include adherence of the cells to each other and to the substratum, alterations in cell-surface antigen expression and cessation of autonomous proliferation. In this study, we show by both, hybridization analysis of RNA and immunoblotting that an enhanced expression of the intermediate filament (IF) subunit proteins vimentin, lamin A and lamin C accompanied the TPA-induced differentiation process. After long-term culture of differentiated U937 cells in the absence of TPA (more than 28 days), however, the adherent cells retracted their pseudopodia, detached and started again to proliferate. This "retrodifferentiation" process, not previously described was paralleled by a rapid down-regulation of both, IF mRNA and protein synthesis back to the level of undifferentiated U937 control cells. These data suggest a functional relationship between the expression of vimentin and lamins A and C and the differentiation process taking place in these cells.

Cell Differentiation↗

Aggregations of granule cells in the basal forebrain (islands of Calleja): Golgi and cytoarchitectonic study in different mammals, including man.

The granule cell islands in the olfactory tubercle (islands of Calleja) and the insula magna of Calleja are present in all species examined in this study: cat, rat, mouse, rabbit, hedgehog, monkey, man, and dolphin, displaying the same basic morphology. They appear as rather undifferentiated neurons with a poorly developed dendritic tree and a short unramified axon that does not leave the island. The larger islands and the insula magna are associated with medium-sized neurons often lying in cell-sparse core regions; they probably represent the efferent component of the islands. The distribution of granule cell islands in the olfactory tubercle varies from species to species: in the cat, they are restricted to the superficial cap regions; in the hedgehog and rabbit, they lie in cap regions and in the deep polymorph layer. In the rat, they are confined mainly to the deep polymorph layer, whereas in the mouse they extend through the three layers. In most species, the lateral islands form part of the cap regions, and they may receive fibers from the lateral olfactory tract. However, the consistent relationship between dwarf cells in the cap regions and granule cells seems to be a merely topographical one. The variable location of granule cell islands indicates that they are not related to specific cell types or cell groups in the olfactory tubercle, except to the large neurons in the hilus zones, which send their dendrites into the islands. Another close and constant relationship exists between granule islands and fibers of the medial forebrain bundle. The medial islands and the insula magna are the largest and most constant aggregations of granule cells. They are present even in the dolphin, which lacks lateral islands. Medial islands and insula magna are continuous in the hedgehog and the newborn kitten and seem to belong to a medial system of granule cells that is independent from the olfactory tubercle and from olfactory fibers. Aggregations of granule cells occur also outside the olfactory tubercle and the insula magna: in the hedgehog and the rabbit, clusters lie scattered in the n. accumbens. Distribution of granule cells outside the olfactory tubercle is related to ontogenetic development: in newborn kittens, granule cells extend from the subependymal layer of the lateral ventricle, where they probably originate, to the medioventral border of the hemisphere, and also distribute throughout the n. accumbens and the ventral pallidum. Thus, the granule cell territory is initially wider, and the original distribution is maintained in some species.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Aged↗

Early postnatal development of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide- and peptide histidine isoleucine-immunoreactive structures in the cat visual cortex.

The early postnatal development of neurons containing vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI) has been analyzed in visual areas 17 and 18 of cats aged from postnatal day (P) 0 to adulthood. Neuronal types are established mainly by axonal criteria. Both peptides occur in the same neuronal types and display the same postnatal chronology of appearance. Several cell types are transient, which means that they are present in the cortex only for a limited period of development. According to their chronology of appearance the VIP/PHI-immunoreactive (ir) cell types are grouped into three neuronal populations. The first population comprises six cell types which appear early in postnatal life. The pseudohorsetail cells of layer I possess a vertically descending axon which initially gives rise to recurrent collaterals, then forms a bundle passing layers III to V, and finally, horizontal terminal fibers in layer VI. The neurons differentiate at P 4 and disappear by degeneration around P 30. The neurons with columnar dendritic fields of layers IV/V are characterized by a vertical arrangement of long dendrites ascending or descending parallel to each other, thus forming an up to 600 microns long dendritic column. Their axons always descend and terminate in broad fields in layer VI. The neurons appear at P 7 and are present until P 20. The multipolar neurons of layer VI occur in isolated positions and have broad axonal territories. The neurons differentiate at P 7 and persist into adulthood. Bitufted to multipolar neurons of layers II/III have axons descending as a single fiber to layer VI, where they terminate. The neurons appear at P 12 and persist into adulthood. The four cell types described above issue a vertically oriented fiber architecture in layers II-V and a horizontal terminal plexus in layer VI which is dense during the second, third and fourth week. Concurrent with the disappearance of the two transient types the number of descending axonal bundles and the density of the layer VI plexus is reduced, but the latter is maintained during adulthood by the two persisting cell types. Two further cell types belong to the first population: The transient bipolar cells of layers IV, V, and VI have long dendrites which extend through the entire cortical width. Their axons always descend, leave the gray matter, and apparently terminate in the upper white matter. The neurons differentiate concurrently with the pseudohorsetail cells at P 4, are very frequent during the following weeks, and eventually disappear at P 30.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Aging↗

Development of neuronal types and laminar organization in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus in the cat.

The development of neuronal morphology and laminar organization in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus has been studied with the different Golgi methods in kittens and cats of 1 day-2 years of age. The different Golgi methods used allowed us to selectively visualize the axonal or dendritic component of the fibrodendritic laminae. The characteristic lamination of the central nucleus defined by the fiber system of the lateral lemniscus is already present at birth. The axonal component of the laminae is constituted by parallel condensations of varicose terminals, myelinated axons, and preterminal fibers, oriented from ventrolateral to dorsomedial. The laminae are smaller in the dorsolateral edge of the nucleus. Neurons are classified mainly on the basis of their dendritic trees and the axonal ramification patterns. Three main types are distinguished: spinous disk-shaped neurons, aspinous to sparsely spinous disk-shaped neurons, and large or giant multipolar neurons. Our results suggest that the basic structures of the central nucleus--neuronal types and lamination of the lemniscal fibers--are already established at birth. The different neuronal types can be distinguished from the first days of life according to the ramification pattern of dendritic and axonal arbors. The characteristics of the different cell types, such as the density and distribution of dendritic spines, and the presence of varicose dendritic branchlets, are recognizable from the second week. At the end of the first month, neurons display an adult-like morphology, although the density of dendritic spines is higher than in the adult. Our morphological data can be related to the development of response properties in the inferior colliculus.

Aging↗

The spiny stellate neurons in layer IV of the human auditory cortex. A Golgi study.

The spiny stellate neurons have been studied by the Golgi method in the auditory koniocortex and parakoniocortex of man. Spiny stellate cells are a consistent though not very common component of layer IV. They are not confined to specific sublayers but occur at all depths of layer IV, and also in layer IIIc. Spiny stellate cells in the auditory areas show a great variety of their dendritic arborization pattern. The presence of all intermediate forms between small pyramidal cells--which constitute the dominant cell type in layer IV and which display an extraordinary heteromorphism--and spiny stellate cells shows the close kinship between both neuronal types. The morphology and distribution of spines along the dendrites of spiny stellate neurons are similar to those of the small pyramidal cells of the same layer. The axons, which were impregnated only in their proximal portions, mostly descend, giving rise to recurrent ascending collaterals, but initially ascending axons do also occur. Spiny stellate neurons are present in the different cytoarchitectonic areas examined, and thus they are not confined to the auditory koniocortex.

Adult↗

Effects of postnatal administration of ethanol on the M. gastrocnemius of the albino mouse.

A combined morphometric-histochemical (mATPase) study of the effects of ethanol during postnatal development on the m. gastrocnemius has been performed in the albino mouse. The experimental group received ethanol in the drinking water until sacrifice at the age of 40 days. Based on the fiber composition, three different areas are distinguished in the m. gastrocnemius of the mouse. The typical location of these areas does not change after ethanol administration. However, postnatal administration of ethanol produces a selective atrophy and a decrease of the number of type IIb (fast glycolytic) fibers. Concurrently, the number of type IIa (fast oxidative-glycolytic) fibers increases.

Animals↗

Salt stress leads to differential expression of two isogenes of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase during Crassulacean acid metabolism induction in the common ice plant.

The common ice plant is a facultative halophyte in which Crassulacean acid metabolism, a metabolic adaptation to arid environments, can be induced by irrigating plants with high levels of NaCl or by drought. This stress-induced metabolic transition is accompanied by up to a 50-fold increase in the activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCase). To analyze the molecular basis of this plant response to water stress, we have isolated and characterized two members of the PEPCase gene family from the common ice plant. The PEPCase isogenes, designated Ppc1 and Ppc2, have conserved intron-exon organizations, are 76.4% identical at the nucleotide sequence level within exons, and encode predicted polypeptides with 83% amino acid identity. Steady-state levels of mRNAs from the two genes differ dramatically when plants are salt-stressed. Transcripts of Ppc1 increase about 30-fold in leaves within 5 days of salt stress. In contrast, steady-state levels of Ppc2 transcripts decrease slightly in leaf tissue over the same stress period. Steady-state levels of transcripts of both genes decrease in roots over 5 days of salt stress. We have used in vitro transcription assays with nuclei isolated from leaves to demonstrate that the increased expression of Ppc1 caused by water stress occurs in part at the transcriptional level.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Effect of [D-Ala2,MePhe4,Gly-ol5]enkephalin and [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin on ion and amino acid transport in rabbit ileum.

The selective mu-opioid agonist [D-Ala2,MePhe4,Gly-ol5]enkephalin (DAGO) (10 microM) reduced the short circuit (Isc) and the L-valine induced increase of the transepithelial potential difference and Isc(delta Vms and delta Isc) measured in-vitro in rabbit ileum, with a mechanism antagonized by naloxone (1 microM). [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin (DADLE) (10 microM) had no significant effect on the transepithelial potential difference (Vms), Isc, delta Vms and delta Isc. In the ileum deprived of the serosa and muscolaris, DAGO reduced the delta Vms and delta Isc, but not the Vms and Isc, suggesting localization of the receptors responsible for this latter effect in the myenteric plexus and/or the muscularis mucosae. These preliminary results suggest that in the rabbit ileum opioids influence electrolyte and amino acid transport and these effects may be at least partly mediated by mu-receptors.

Amino Acids↗

Enkephalin regulation of L-valine transport in rabbit ileum.

We studied the influence on ionic basal transport (Na+ and Cl-) and L-valine transport of two enkephalins which are not metabolized and act in delta and mu receptors respectively. Transports have been indirectly determined measuring the transepithelial electric potential and the short circuit current. DADLE does not significantly influence ion and amino-acid transport, while DAGO alters both of them in the presence of the myenteric plexus (muscle layers present) or inhibits only L-valine transport in the absence of the plexus (muscle layers removed).

Animals↗

Thrombolytic treatment of acute pulmonary embolism.

Many investigators have reported about beneficial results with thrombolytic therapy in patients with acute pulmonary embolism. Streptokinase and urokinase have been used for more than 15 years, but the conditions of use of these agents still remain controversial. Optimal dosage and treatment schedule are still evolving. For streptokinase most investigators adopt a fixed dosage schedule: a loading dose of 250,000 units followed by a maintenance infusion of 100,000 units per hour for 24 to 72 hours. For urokinase numerous dosage regimens have been used such as: high dosage schedule 4,400 units per kilogram per hour for twelve to 24 hours with or without loading dose; moderate dosage 1,600 to 2,000 units per kilogram per hour for 24 hours and low dosage in bolus. With these treatments there is a trend to reduced in-hospital-mortality in massive pulmonary embolism; the early pulmonary revascularization and the hemodynamic improvement are higher than those noticed with heparin. These results are obtained with a minimum of complication essentially bleeding in 10 or 15%; most bleeding being located at puncture site. More recently, new thrombolytic agents have been used in acute pulmonary embolism. Only four studies have tested rt-PA which is effective and relatively safe, but the optimal dose regimens remain to be determined. Less information is available concerning Anisoylated Plasminogen Streptokinase Activator Complex (APSAC), the angiographic improvement seems to be rapid and important (50% on average) but the decrease of fibrinogen is important too and comparable with streptokinase. Considering the good results of thrombolytic treatment of acute submassive and massive pulmonary embolism, there is a doubt as to whether the pulmonary embolectomy has any place in the pulmonary embolism patients except in those with cardiac arrest. In the near future new thrombolytic drugs could be more efficient on pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis, and thus the bleeding risk might be decreased.

Acute Disease↗