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Biomedical subjects

H Ullrich

Publications and source records attributed to H Ullrich.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

copia-, gypsy- and LINE-like retrotransposon fragments in the mitochondrial genome of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Several retrotransposon fragments are integrated in the mitochondrial genome of Arabidopsis thaliana. These insertions are derived from all three classes of nuclear retrotransposons, the Ty1/copia-, Ty3/gypsy- and non-LTR/LINE-families. Members of the Ty3/gypsy group of elements have not yet been identified in the nuclear genome of Arabidopsis. The varying degrees of similarity with nuclear elements and the dispersed locations of the sequences in the mitochondrial genome suggest numerous independent transfer-insertion events in the evolutionary history of this plant mitochondrial genome. Overall, we estimate remnants of retrotransposons to cover > or = 5% of the mitochondrial genome in Arabidopsis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Lipoprotein(a)-apheresis in the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease.

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is one important cause of atherosclerosis. It consists of one molecule of low density lipoprotein and an additional molecule of apo(a) linked to apoB-100 by a disulfide bridge. Apo(a)s are partially homologous to plasminogen, with one kringle 5 and 10-40 repeats of kringle 4. As there is no drug therapy available, we treated three patients who had suffered from at least one myocardial infarction and had Lp(a) as the only risk factor for atherosclerosis. Since October 1992, 186 immunoadsorption treatments have been carried out weekly with Sepharose-coupled anti-Lp(a)-columns. To achieve a reduction in Lp(a) from 78-250 mg/dL before apheresis to below 25 mg/dL immediately after apheresis, patient plasma volume had to be treated two to three times. Treatments lasted 3-5 h. Immediately reversible side-effects such as flushing and tachycardia during the first treatment were seen in 9% of immunoadsorptions. Non-specific protein loss remained tolerable, if one takes into account that the patients received approximately 1 L of ACDB with heparin as anticoagulant and some of the column-rinsing buffer. One patient's clinical condition and exercise test improved dramatically as did coronary angiography after 2 years. Another patient had no change after 1 year, the third patient showed subjective improvement and has not yet had repeat angiography after 1 year of treatment. We conclude that Lp(a)-apheresis may retard progression of atherosclerosis in patients with selective Lp(a) elevation. Further studies to support this hypothesis are needed.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Treatment of severe localized scleroderma by plasmapheresis--report of three cases.

We report three patients with severe, localized scleroderma, and with elevated titres of antinuclear antibodies, who were treated by plasmapheresis in combination with systemic steroid therapy. The therapeutic effectiveness of plasmapheresis was assessed on the basis of improvement in cutaneous and joint lesions. In all cases, significant improvement occurred after 2 months of therapy. Thus, in addition to treating systemic sclerosis, plasmapheresis can also be recommended for treatment of severe cases of localized scleroderma with elevated titres of antinuclear antibodies and antibodies to ss-DNA.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Defective nitrovasodilator-stimulated protein phosphorylation and calcium regulation in cGMP-dependent protein kinase-deficient human platelets of chronic myelocytic leukemia.

The presence and functional role of the cyclic nucleotide signal transduction system was investigated in platelets from patients with myeloproliferative disorders. Platelets from certain patients with chronic myelocytic leukemia showed decreased expression of cGMP-dependent protein kinase, and platelets from two such patients were studied in some detail. These platelets had very little if any cGMP-dependent protein kinase but a normal level of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. They also contained a normal level of VASP (vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein, a specific substrate of both cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinase), as well as a functionally intact prostaglandin E1-stimulated cAMP-mediated VASP phosphorylation. In contrast, sodium nitroprusside-stimulated VASP phosphorylation was severely impaired in these cGMP-dependent protein kinase-deficient platelets, despite an exaggerated cGMP response to sodium nitroprusside. Furthermore, whereas selective activation of the cGMP-dependent protein kinase by 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cGMP strongly inhibited the ADP- or thrombin-evoked calcium mobilization from intracellular stores in normal platelets, this agonist-evoked calcium response was not inhibited by the cGMP analog in cGMP-dependent protein kinase-deficient platelets. The results demonstrate a defect in the nitrovasodilator-/cGMP-regulated signal transduction system in human platelets from some patients with myeloproliferative disorders, and underscore that a cGMP-dependent protein kinase regulatory system, distinct from that of cAMP-dependent protein kinase or other cGMP-dependent effectors is operative in normal human platelets.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1992

Low density lipoproteins inhibit endotoxin activation of monocytes.

Human serum and low density lipoproteins (LDLs) were shown to inactivate endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) by testing the effect of LPS interactions with serum or LDL on the activation of human monocytes. Sera and LDL preparations from four patients with familial hypercholesterolemia were used to demonstrate the inhibition of LPS from inducing interleukin-1 release. Before LDL removal by immunoapheresis, the patients' sera were able to inactive approximately fivefold more LPS than after LDL removal. The LPS-inactivating capacity lost during apheresis could essentially be retrieved in the LDL-rich eluate from the immunoadsorption columns. Because patients were treated frequently with immunoapheresis, their LDL levels before LDL removal were not markedly elevated. These patients' sera before LDL removal were shown to inactivate amounts of LPS comparable to those inactivated by the sera from three healthy volunteers. LDL prepared by ultracentrifugation showed similar LPS inactivation as LDL prepared by immunoapheresis. We conclude that the inhibition of LPS-induced monocyte activation by human serum is dependent to a large extent on the LDL fraction. LDLs were demonstrated to inhibit LPS from inducing interleukin-1 release by human monocytes.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Rheologic studies before and after therapeutic cytapheresis and plasma exchange treatment].

Changes in rheological properties of human blood before and after platelet pheresis were measured in patients with myeloproliferative diseases as well as in a control group of platelet donors. Although the subjective feeling of the patients during measurement did improve, a better rheological situation could not be demonstrated by the rheological parameters used. A reduction of platelets does not influence the viscosity of whole blood or of plasma. On the other hand, the viscosities of whole blood and plasma differed significantly before and after plasma-pheresis in patients with monoclonal gammopathies. The control group comprised patients without hyperviscosity syndrome and did not show any change in rheological parameters.

Blood Component Removal↗
PubMed1992

[Therapeutic thrombocytapheresis in patients with myeloproliferative diseases with the cell separators Fresenius AS 104 and Cobe Spectra: biocompatibility and safety].

We studied biocompatibility, safety and efficiency of the two cell separators AS 104 (Fresenius) and Spectra (Cobe) during therapeutic thrombocytaphereses. Although some patients have very high platelet levels and coagulation as well as circulatory equilibrium is easily disturbed, no important activation of coagulation or complement was observed. In respect to patient's safety both cell separators performed very well.

Biocompatible Materials↗
PubMed1991

[Combined surgical-orthodontic palatine suture expansion in adulthood].

A method of surgical support of a rapid maxillary expansion is described. Specific osteotomies are performed on the attached region of the maxillary zygomatic process and the dorsal and middle part of the hard palate. The results of 14 patients are demonstrated. Almost all patients underwent surgical correction of sagittal and/or vertical jaw relations after a subsequent harmonization. This surgical orthodontic expansion proved to be an efficient and low pain method of preoperative correction of transverse maxillary deficiencies and facilitated the following skeletal surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Therapeutic cytapheresis].

In myeloproliferative disorders many complications are caused by circulatory problems due to high leukocyte or platelet numbers and by hyperviscosity. With cytaphereses and mild cytostatics like Azathioprine, these problems are solved quickly and without major side effects. We report about plateletaphereses for polycythemia vera and megacaryocytic myelosis and leukocytaphereses for chronic myelogenous leukemia. In addition, erythrocytaphereses were carried out successfully in a patient with a combination of heterozygous sickle cell anemia and thalassemia minor.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Comparison of 4 plasmapheresis procedures].

In recent years the collection of plasma has been increasingly carried out by apparative plasmapheresis. In the University Hospitals of Göttingen and Würzburg the plasmapheresis machines PCS from Haemonetics, Autopheresis-C from Baxter, as well as Plasmapur-Monitor from Organon-Teknika, were compared with each other and with the conventional centrifugation of blood bags; experiences in routine use were complemented by specific studies. Altogether, the apparative methods distinguished themselves through a high quality of retransfused blood and collected plasma. Furthermore, practicability, donor compatibility and donor safety resulted in good acceptance by both donors and staff.

Blood Cell Count↗
PubMed1991

[Side effects and risk factors of various plasma donation methods].

Weekly plasma donations of 600 ml were carried out for ten weeks on 20 probands to compare the Plasma Collecting System, Autopheresis C, Plamapur Monitor and the conventional double bag centrifugation. In terms of compatibility for the donor the different systems appear comparable. The PCS tubing set has to be emptied by isotonic saline at the end of the procedure. In the Autopheresis C and Plasmapur Monitor special care should be taken not to mix up isotonic saline and anticoagulant solutions. The protein concentration is higher in the centrifugation systems, but platelet contamination is higher, too.

Blood Cell Count↗
PubMed1991

[Experiences with surgically supported maxillary expansion].

The experience of a method for surgical support of a rapid maxillary expansion is described. The attached region of the maxillary zygomatic process and the dorsal and middle part of the hard palate are osteomized. The results of 18 patients are demonstrated. Almost all patients underwent surgical correction of the sagittal and/or vertical jaw discrepancies later. This surgical-orthodontic expansion proved to be an effective and low pain method for preoperative correction of transverse maxillary deficiencies and facilitated the subsequent skeletal surgery. After the treatment mentioned above in cases with a correct position of the maxilla in relation to the skull base a Le-Fort-I-Osteotomie was not necessary.

Adolescent↗