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Biomedical subjects

H Braunsteiner

Publications and source records attributed to H Braunsteiner.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Measurement of glycated protein by a rapid and specific method for absolute quantification of lysine-bound glucose.

We modified the liquid-chromatographic assay of Schleicher and Wieland (J Clin Chem Clin Biochem 1981; 19:81-7) for measuring lysine-bound glucose in serum proteins, increasing its performance and practicality. After precipitating serum proteins from 10- to 50-microL samples with ethanol (700 mL/L) and hydrolyzing these in 6 mol/L HCl, we inject 20 microL of the diluted hydrolysate directly into the chromatograph, which consists of an acid-resistant C18 precolumn combined with a high-resolution C18 main column. The eluent is 3.5 mmol/L H3PO4 solution containing 30 mL of acetonitrile per liter. These modifications increase sensitivity, provide excellent resolution and longevity of stationary phases, shorten assay times to 15 to 20 min, and are suited for automation. The assay is highly sensitive and highly specific, quantifying nanomoles of lysine-bound glucose per milligram of protein. A precision (CV) of 5.1% is achievable at physiological and supra-physiological glucose concentrations, and analytical recovery is 99%. This inexpensive method has been applied to serum albumin, bulk serum proteins, and preparations of low-density lipoproteins and immunoglobulins.

Blood Proteins↗

[Cytochemical study of macrophages in sarcoidosis patients in skin window exudates].

The development of skin-window macrophages was studied in four untreated patients suffering from sarcoidosis by cytochemical assessment of the acid phosphatase activity. The results obtained in these patients were compared with those of healthy volunteers. Appearance of the focal acid phosphatase-activity in the Golgi area was delayed in patients with sarcoidosis. A decreased amount of activity in mature macrophages was also demonstrated depending on the clinical activity of the disease. Patients with hypothyroidism showed the same cytochemical pattern. In contrast to these results, no significant difference in the development of acid phosphatase activity was found in patients with tuberculosis as compared to healthy volunteers. Our observations confirm the hypothesis that the functional disorder of monocytes is, at least, a partial pathogenetic mechanism of sarcoidosis.

Acid Phosphatase↗

The role of erythropoietin, megakaryocyte colony-stimulating factor, and T-cell-derived factors on human megakaryocyte colony formation: evidence for T-cell-mediated and T-cell-independent stem cell proliferation.

Recent studies suggest that megakaryocytopoiesis is governed by a dual-level regulatory process, with megakaryocyte colony-stimulating factor (Meg-CSF) primarily influencing proliferation of the committed precursors and thrombopoietin required for megakaryocyte ploidy amplification and for maturation. The authors have examined different sources of Meg-CSF in a microagar culture system with a view to their capacity to enhance megakaryocyte colony formation directly or via an indirect T-lymphocyte- or monocyte-mediated effect. The comparative influences of phytohemagglutinin-stimulated leukocyte-conditioned medium (PHA-LCM), erythropoietin (Epo), sera of patients with severe aplastic anemia, and direct PHA addition to the culture were evaluated for their capacity to enhance megakaryocytic colony formation as well as for the maturation rate of megakaryocytes (Mk) grown in our microagar culture system. Each treatment by itself enhanced colony formation from unseparated low-density cells. Removal of T-lymphocytes and monocytes from the bone marrow sample caused a cessation of the enhancing effect of direct PHA addition to cultures stimulated with Epo, but did not influence the enhancing activities of severe aplastic anemia serum (SAA), PHA-LCM, and Epo. The results show that SAA serum, Epo, and PHA-LCM induced Mk colony formation directly and therefore may act via a common mechanism. Differences, however, were observed concerning their colony-stimulating potency and their influence on the Mk maturation rate.

Anemia, Aplastic↗

[Comparison of methods for the relative quantification of the hump in cardiokymographic tracings].

Exercise stress testing in a sitting position was carried out preoperatively and three months post aortocoronary bypass surgery in 125 men. Before exercise, immediately after exercise and after 5 minutes of recovery cardiokymography (CKG) was performed in a lying position. So called "bulges" in the CGK-tracings, defined as Type I, II or III registration by non quantitative judgement so far, were set out quantitatively by evaluation of area (Flächen-method) or distance (Distanzmethod) of the bulge. We found a significant increase (p less than 0.001) of bulges according to both methods after exercise but no difference between rest and after recovery concerning the area method. The distance method showed higher values (p less than 0.05) after recovery than at rest. All mean values postoperatively were not significantly lower than the corresponding values preoperatively. Our results show, that CKG-tracings can be quantitatively assessed both by the area or by the distance method. The latter is easier to apply and has comparable results to the area method.

Adult↗

[Value of lipoprotein electrophoresis for the quantitative assessment of plasma lipoproteins].

The reliability of semiquantitative densitometric lipoprotein electrophoresis was compared with that of the quantitative determination of plasma lipoproteins by zonal ultracentrifugation on plasma from 73 patients. As an alternative to the measurement of lipoproteins by electrophoresis other, simple laboratory methods were used and also compared with plasma lipoprotein concentrations obtained by zonal ultracentrifugation. It was found that quantitative measurement of plasma lipoproteins by densitometric electrophoresis correlated positively to actual plasma concentration by zonal ultracentrifugation, but other simple methods of lipid determination--of plasma cholesterol; of triglycerides; of HDL and LDL cholesterol--are definitely better for obtaining plasma lipoprotein concentrations. Lipoprotein electrophoresis should not be used for the quantitative determination of plasma lipoproteins.

Blood Protein Electrophoresis↗

Stimulating effect of intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL) from hyperlipemic plasma on hepatic lipase.

The main lipoprotein density classes, namely very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoproteins2 (HDL2) and HDL3 were investigated with respect to their influence on hepatic lipase (HTGL) activity in vitro. Lipoproteins from pooled normal plasma (NP) and from pooled hyperlipemic plasma (HP) were prepared by means of sequential ultracentrifugation. Hepatic lipase was determined radioenzymatically after preincubation with protamine sulfate. It could be demonstrated that IDL from HP were able to stimulate HTGL activity by approximately 100% above the baseline value. HDL3 from both NP and HP revealed an inhibiting effect on HTGL activity. VLDL, LDL, and HDL2 exhibited no significant effect on HTGL activity. It is speculated that HTGL could possibly represent a second pathophysiological pathway for the catabolism of IDL in hyperlipemia but this presumption is supported by only a few investigations in vivo.

Cholesterol↗

Lactose absorption, milk consumption, and fasting blood glucose concentrations in women with idiopathic osteoporosis.

Lactose tolerance tests were performed in 33 women with osteoporosis and 33 control women matched for age. A questionnaire was used to elicit any history of milk intolerance and the subjects' daily intake of calcium derived from milk and dairy products. Eleven patients and four controls gave a history of milk intolerance (p less than 0.01); 13 patients had lactose malabsorption compared with four controls (p less than 0.01). The daily intake of calcium derived from milk was significantly lower in patients (125 (SEM 20) mg v 252 (43) mg; p less than 0.05). Curves of blood glucose concentrations during the lactose tolerance test in subjects with lactose malabsorption were significantly flatter in patients than controls (p less than 0.05). The fasting blood glucose concentration was higher (5.44 (0.17) mmol/l (98 (3) mg/100 ml) in the patients than the controls (4.88 (0.11) mmol/l (88 (2) mg/100 ml); p less than 0.05), although body weight was significantly lower (61.6 (2.2) kg v 66.3 (1.6) kg; p less than 0.05). Absorption of lactose is significantly impaired in women with "idiopathic" osteoporosis; this combined with low consumption of milk and a subclinical disorder of glucose metabolism may be a major factor in the development of idiopathic osteoporosis in women.

Adult↗

In vitro growth of erythropoietic progenitor cells in long-term remission of acute leukemia.

In vitro growth of CFU-e and BFU-e in bone marrow and of circulating BFU-e in a group of adult long-term survivors of acute leukemia has been evaluated. Six patients with acute nonlymphoblastic and three patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in first continuous remission for more than four years (range 4-12 years) and without maintenance therapy for at least one year were studied. BFU-e and CFU-e growth in patients' bone marrow was not statistically different from a control group of 12 healthy adult volunteers. However, proliferation of BFU-e in peripheral blood of patients was significantly reduced (p less than 0.001). This growth pattern was found in both lymphoblastic and myeloblastic leukemia.

Acute Disease↗

Effect of human plasmalipoproteins on erythropoietic progenitor cells in serum-free cultures.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of human lipoproteins on CFU-e and BFU-e proliferation from human bone marrow in a serum-free system. In our previously described miniaturized agar system the main lipoprotein-density-classes from human plasma, namely very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), intermediate density lipoproteins (IDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), high density lipoproteins2 (HDL2) and HDL3 and a mixture of all the five lipoproteins were added in rising concentrations (from 1/10 to normal human plasma concentration) to serum-free medium containing delipidated and deionized bovine serum albumin (BSA), iron saturated transferrin and erythropoietin. The results demonstrate that all lipoproteins markedly increased the CFU-e and BFU-e proliferation after 7 and 14 days of incubation, respectively. Moreover, the lipoproteins induced a shift towards a lower threshold concentration of erythropoietin. Serumlike conditions were obtained if LDL and the mixture of lipoproteins were added to serum-free medium. Furthermore, in the serum-free cultures a maturation to the mature erythrocyte could be found.

Agar↗

Human erythropoiesis in vitro and the source of burst-promoting activity in a serum-free system.

Bovine serum albumin (BSA) can markedly increase the number of size of erythropoietic bursts produced by mononuclear cells from human bone marrow and peripheral blood, and reduce the threshold amount of erythropoietin (Epo) required for initial burst formation. The purpose of this study was to determine a possible burst-promoting activity (BPA) of BSA. The experiments were performed in a miniaturized agar system, in which the addition of sheep Epo to cultures with or without BSA was delayed for five days. The results obtained have shown that, with or without BSA, Epo deprivation of up to five days (an epoprival state) did not markedly decrease the number of bursts produced by unfractionated peripheral mononuclear cells compared to the number produced in the presence of Epo from the beginning of culture. Similar results were found whether the fetal calf serum (FCS) concentration was 15% or 2%. The preservation of potential BFU-e formation during the epoprival state has therefore been attributed to the ability of T-lymphocytes and/or monocytes to supply BPA. In order to reduce the endogenous amount of BPA, a nonadherent, E-rosette-negative cell fraction was cultured in the presence of Epo, with or without BSA, in serum-free medium containing transferrin (TF). Under these conditions, an equal number of bursts was obtained in FCS and in serum-free medium containing Epo, BSA and TF, whereas no BFU-e growth was found in the presence of Epo and TF, but without BSA. If Epo was withheld for up to five days, the capacity to form erythroid colonies was still retained by the monocyte- and T-lymphocyte-depleted cell fraction in the continuous presence of BSA. However, BPA could not be detected in the BSA. This observation was further supported by experiments in serum-free medium using human recombinant Epo, in which no BFU-e colony formation could be detected in the presence of BSA. From our investigations carried out at limited cell density and in serum-free medium, it could be concluded that the crude Epo preparation was the source of BPA.

Animals↗

[Extent of coronary sclerosis in relation to lipoprotein lipase activity and plasma triglyceride levels].

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is closely connected with an increased concentration of cholesterol and a decreased concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-chol) in human plasma. No general agreement exists about the atherogenic potential of increased plasma triglycerides. Although both a negative correlation between plasma triglycerides and post heparin lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and a positive correlation between the plasma concentration of HDL-chol and LPL-activity are well documented, only a few studies have investigated the relationship between CAD and LPL. Therefore, 109 male patients with angiographically assessed CAD were investigated with respect to plasma lipids, post heparin LPL, and plasma testosterone and estradiol, which are both known to influence LPL-activity. Many well known results were confirmed. The extent of CAD, assessed by coronary angiography as coronary score (CS), was significantly positively correlated to plasma cholesterol, plasma triglycerides, plasma phospholipids, plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-chol) and age. CS was significantly negatively correlated to LPL-activity and to the plasma concentration of HDL-chol. LPL itself was significantly negatively correlated to plasma cholesterol, plasma triglycerides and phospholipids, and significantly positively correlated to HDL-chol and plasma testosterone. The most surprising result of this study was the significant correlation between CS and LPL (r = -0.4624; p less than 0.001), a correlation which could explain the increased plasma triglycerides and decreased plasma HDL-chol.

Adult↗

Essential role of post-heparin lipoprotein lipase activity and of plasma testosterone in coronary artery disease.

89 consecutive men for whom coronary angiography was requested because of suspected coronary artery disease were investigated with respect to plasma lipids, lipoproteins, post-heparin lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and some hormones that influence LPL. The severity of coronary-artery disease was expressed by the coronary score (CS). Coronary-artery disease correlated with total plasma cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-chol), and HDL2. In addition, there was a strong negative correlation (r = -0.479, p less than 0.001) between CS and LPL, as well as positive correlations between CS and plasma triglycerides (p less than 0.01) and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL, p less than 0.01). The impairment of LPL activity correlated with increased VLDL and decreased HDL-chol. The extent of coronary-artery disease is thus strongly influenced by an LPL deficit. LPL activity correlated with plasma testosterone, and there is evidence that low plasma testosterone may be partly responsible for the low LPL and HDL-chol.

Cholesterol↗

[Alcohol-induced type V hyperlipidemia in relation to changes in the chemical composition of HDL2].

Alcohol consumption is one of the most common causes of secondary hyperlipidaemia in man, but not all alcohol addicts display hyperlipidaemia. 10 healthy male controls were compared with three groups of patients. The first group consisted of 9 heavy drinkers exhibiting type V hyperlipidaemia under the influence of alcohol. The second group consisted of 7 patients who had displayed type V hyperlipidaemia during alcohol consumption in the past; at the time of investigation, however, they had ceased to drink alcohol at least 6 months previously and were normolipidaemic. The third group consisted of 7 heavy drinkers without hyperlipidaemia. Determinations of plasma lipids and lipoproteins (by means of rate zonal ultracentrifugation), as well as the major apolipoproteins (apo) of high-density lipoproteins2 (HDL2) and HDL3 (by means of polyacrylamide disc-gel electrophoresis) was carried out in all subjects. Two distinct findings were obtained: the one caused by alcohol abuse itself and the other possibly representing a primary trait consisting of an alteration in lipoproteins. In both groups of heavy drinkers the content of apo-CI in HDL2 was lower and the content of apo-AII was higher than in the controls and the abstinent group. In groups I and II with alcohol-dependent type V hyperlipidaemia, the percentage content of total protein in HDL2, as well as the content of apo-D was higher than in controls and in heavy drinkers without hyperlipidaemia. This increased content of apo-D in HDL2 is discussed as being a possible primary marker of alcohol-inducible hyperlipidaemia.

Adult↗

CFU-gm assay, cytochemical and electron microscopic studies in agar in patients with preleukemic syndrome and aplastic anemia.

Thirty-seven patients with chronic cytopenia were studied using a CFU-gm assay in agar. Cell proliferation was evaluated on days 2, 3, 5, 7, and 10 of incubation. Growth patterns were different in cultures of hematologically healthy persons versus patients with preleukemic syndrome (PL) and aplastic anemia (AA). Three types of PL syndrome and two types of AA (C1 and C2) were distinguished. Bone marrow dysfunction was evaluated further using cytochemistry and electron microscopy to morphologically study cell proliferation in vitro. Cytochemical staining performed in agar demonstrated well-defined maturation defects in myelopoietic precursor cells from the bone marrow of PL patients. Electron microscopic findings of Auer-body-like inclusions in "statu nascendi" in the vacuoles of preleukemic cells supported our results. PL patient groups at high risk for development of overt leukemia and patients with grave prognosis in AA were distinguished. Our results are relevant for the clinical diagnosis and prognosis of patients with cytopenia.

Aged↗

Surface glycoproteins (S-GP) on normal and malignant human leukocytes.

This study aimed to investigate high molecular weight surface glycoprotein (S-GP) patterns on various types of human leukocytes. S-GP were externally labelled by the Galactose-oxidase-NaB3H4 technique. Results based on the analysis of 120 samples derived from different types of normal and malignant leukocytes indicate that the relative expression of high molecular weight S-GPs changes during haemopoietic cell differentiation and to some extent these changes enable the classification of human leukocytes.

Antigens, Surface↗

[Comparison between angiographic and computed tomographic imaging of aortocoronary bypasses in 100 patients].

In 100 consecutively operated patients with 167 aortocoronary bypass grafts (ACVB) routine catheterisation was performed three month postoperatively, as well as sequential, ECG-gated and dynamic computed tomography (CT) the day before angiography. The results showed a sensitivity of 92%, a specificity of 67% and an overall accuracy in 81% for CT. Serial (dynamic) CT provides for quantitative assessment of attenuation values of contrast medium enhancement in ACVB and aorta, which improves security of the CT-test in most patients with patent grafts. Therefore clinical contribution of CT will be greatest for routine screening post-operatively and for assessment of ACVB--patency in asymptomatic patients.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Effect of human recombinant alpha-2- and gamma-interferon on the growth of human cell lines from solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.

We studied the growth effects of human recombinant interferon (IFN)-alpha-2 and -gamma on various human cell lines. Four cell lines from solid tumors (WiDr, CCL 185, BT 20, KB) and three cell lines from hematologic malignancies (U 937, U 266, MOLT 4) were chosen. The study was performed using two different assays: (1) a soft agar cloning assay, and (2) a monolayer and suspension culture. In the soft agar assay alpha-IFN inhibited colony growth of 6/6 lines tested (the line MOLT 4 could not be plated); in the monolayer assay it inhibited proliferation of 6/7 lines tested. Gamma-IFN showed inhibitory effects on 5/6 cell lines tested in the soft agar assay, but on one line (CCL 185) low concentrations of gamma-IFN led to a significant increase in the number of colonies. Using the monolayer assay, gamma-IFN showed inhibition of 6/7 lines tested, whereas a stimulation of growth could not be observed. With a combination of alpha- and gamma-IFN, synergistic effects were seen on a histiocytic cell line (U 937) in both assays and a marginal synergism on the T-cell line MOLT 4 in the monolayer assay.

Cell Division↗