Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Walter

Publications and source records attributed to H Walter.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Hemoglobin E distribution in ten endogamous population groups of Assam, India.

Previous studies have reported a high incidence of hemoglobin E (HbE) in Northeast Indian populations. In the present study 10 endogamous populations of Assam belonging to two racial groups, Caucasoid and Mongoloid, were examined. The frequency of HbE gene (Hb beta E) in the Caucasoid caste populations is around 0.1, whereas the gene is highly prevalent in the Mongoloid populations, frequencies ranging between 0.2 and 0.6. Predominance of Hb beta E in the Tibeto-Burman speakers is contrary to observations made in Southeast Asia, where an association between Austro-Asiatic speakers and high prevalence of HbE exist. The highest occurrence of the gene in this area, which is on the far end of the proposed centre of distribution in Northern Kampuchea and Northeast Thailand, is also a deviation from the expected pattern of gene distribution. It is speculated that Hb beta E in the Tibeto-Burman populations of Assam arose by an independent mutation which contributed to the high frequencies of Hb beta E in the Northeast Indian populations.

Asian People↗
PubMed1988

Red cell polymorphisms in Sardinia.

Acid phosphatase (ACP1), esterase D (ESD) and phosphoglucomutase 1 (PGM1) polymorphisms have been studied in Sardinia and the following gene frequencies have been found: ACP1*A = 0.235, ACP1*B = 0.684 and ACP1*C = 0.081; ESD*2 = 0.118 and PGM1*2 = 0.233. These findings confirm the genetic uniqueness of Sardinians compared to the other Italian and European populations.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1988

Neurophysiological aspects of auditory hallucinations. 99mTc-(HMPAO)-SPECT investigations in patients with auditory hallucinations and normal controls--a preliminary report.

In a symptom-oriented study 17 patients suffering from chronic auditory hallucinations were investigated by means of 99mTc-HMPAO-SPECT and compared with healthy controls. The results confirm the relative frontal hypoactivity in junction with a relative hyperactivity in the basal ganglia and mesial limbic structures in both hemispheres found in a previous pilot study in auditorily hallucinating patients. Our results should fortify the symptom-oriented approach in psychiatric research.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[Psychopathology of patients with delusions of ectoparasitic infestation].

This paper presents a literature review as well as a study in 13 patients suffering from delusion of infestation. Symptoms found in MMPI are related to clinical experience. Our results suggest the distinction of three different groups of these patients: 1. Patients with predominantly hypochondric traits, with a distinct conviction to suffer from a severe, physical illness that is often looked at as incurable (hypochondriacal delusion of parasitosis). 2. Patients with paranoid symptoms and without hypochondric apprehensions. These patients usually hopelessly fight against their parasites, that impair their sphere of existence. Physical illness is denied. ("delusion of infestation"). 3. Patients with signs of both, hypochondrical as well as paranoid delusions ("hypochondriacal delusion of infestation").

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Anthropological studies in Assam, India. 6. Differentiation processes among Assamese populations.

In 1978-79 13 Assamese populations--two Muslim groups, five Mongoloid groups and 6 Hindu caste groups--have been investigated for the distribution of anthropometric, anthroposcopic and dermatoglyphic traits as well as for the distribution of ABO blood groups and PTC taste sensitivity. Except for finger ridge patterns all traits under investigation showed a marked intergroup variability. For anthropometric, anthroposcopic and dermatoglyphic traits a clear differentiation in Mongoloid populations on one hand and Hindu caste groups on the other could be observed and be substantiated by results of corresponding distance analyses. With regard to Muslims it has to be distinguished between Marias who seem to be more closely related to Mongoloid populations and Sheikhs whose phenotypic appearance is more like that of the Hindu caste groups. The results are discussed.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1987

Specific deposition of complement protein C3b on abnormal PNH erythrocytes permits their separation by partitioning. Possible general approach for isolation of specific cell populations.

The deposition of complement proteins on a cell surface has previously been shown to reduce the cell's partition ratio in a two-polymer aqueous phase system. This phenomenon has now been extended to segregate, by partitioning, subpopulations of erythrocytes from patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Purified components of the complement system were employed to deposit the protein C3b specifically on abnormal erythrocytes which lacked the membrane-associated complement regulatory protein DAF. As few as 2100 C3b/cell reduced the partition ratio and 24,000 C3b/cell resulted in resolution of the C3b-bearing and non-bearing human red cells. It was found that the proportion of cells separated did not equal the proportion of cells lysed by complement in the acidified serum lysis test when blood from three of the five patients was examined. The results indicate that the defect giving rise to DAF- cells may be, but is not necessarily, coexpressed with defects affecting other membrane-associated regulatory factors. A broader application of the method using monoclonal antibodies to direct purified complement components to specific cell populations should permit their isolation in large quantities.

CD55 Antigens↗
PubMed1987

The partitioning behavior of K-562 cells associated with different stages of culture growth.

Partitioning behavior of cells in dextran-poly(ethylene glycol) aqueous phase systems is a sensitive reflection of the cells' surface properties. A decrease in partition ratio, in charge-sensitive phases, of a variety of cell lines as a function of culture growth has been reported by a number of investigators. The basis for this phenomenon remains unclear. We have now studied the surface properties of K-562 cells (a human cell line originally derived from a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia in blast crisis) during suspension culture growth by countercurrent distribution. The mean partition ratio of viable cells remained constant during 220 h of culture (i.e., well into stationary phase). The decrease in mean partition ratio of the cell population as a whole during culture, previously observed and reported by others, is attributed to the lower partition ratio of non-viable cells which increase with time of culture.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1987

Distribution of Gm and Km allotypes among ten populations of Assam, India.

Serum samples from ten endogamous populations of Assam, India-Brahmins, Kalitas, Kaibartas, Muslims, Ahoms, Karbis, Kacharis, Sonowals, Chutiyas, and Rajbanshis-were typed for G1m (1, 2, 3, 17), G3m (5, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 26), and Km (1). Among Brahmins, Kalitas, Kaibartas, Muslims, Ahoms, Sonowals, Chutiyas, and Rajbanshis, five different Gm haplotypes were found: Gm1,17;21,26; Gm1,17;10,11,13,15,16; Gm1,2,17;21,26; Gm1,3;5,10,11,13,14,26; and Gm3;5,10,11,13,14,26. Kacharis and Karbis show only four of these haplotypes: Gm3;5,10,11,13,14,26 is absent among them. The intergroup variability in the distribution of these haplotypes is considerable, which can be explained by the ethnohistory of these populations. Genetic distance analysis, in which five Chinese population samples were included, revealed the existence of three main clusters: 1) North and Central Chinese; 2) Kalitas, Kaibartas, Chutiyas, Rajbanshis, Muslims, and Brahmins; and 3) Ahoms, Sonowals, Kacharis, South Chinese, and Karbis. The clusters suggest some genetic relation between these four Assamese populations and South Chinese, which is again understandable considering the ethnohistory of the populations of Northeast India. In the Km system, too, a remarkable variability is seen in distribution of phenotype and allele frequency.

Asian People↗
PubMed1987

Fractionation of K-562 cells on the basis of their surface properties by partitioning in two-polymer aqueous-phase systems.

The K-562 cell line is a culture of human leukemia stem cells originally derived from a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia in blast crisis. We have subjected such cells, in the log phase of growth, to countercurrent distribution in a charge-sensitive dextran-polyethylene glycol aqueous-phase system, a method that fractionates cells on the basis of subtle differences in their surface properties, and found that: (1) The cell population is heterogeneous since it is composed of cells with different partition ratios. (2) There is a correlation between increasing cell partition ratios and increasing cell electrophoretic mobilities. (3) Cells under different parts of the distribution curve have dissimilar ratios of cells in different parts of the cell cycle, a phenomenon that may, at least partially, be the basis for the subfractionation of these cells. There is a clear tendency for cells in G0 + G1 + early S to decrease and for those in late S + G2 + M to increase with increasing partition ratios. (4) Sialic acid is a major surface charge component of the cells as evidenced by a dramatic drop in their partition ratios after treatment with neuraminidase.

Cell Cycle↗
PubMed1987

Sustained normoglycemia and remission phase in newly diagnosed type I diabetic subjects. Comparison between continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion and conventional therapy during a one year follow-up.

After onset of type I diabetes 7 diabetics were randomized to subcutaneous insulin pump treatment (CSII) (age 12 to 29 years, mean: 21 years) and 7 diabetics to conventional insulin treatment (CI) (age 14 to 28 years, mean: 21 years). HbA1, glycosylated serum proteins and mean blood glucose (MBG) as parameters of metabolic control were determined monthly. After 2 months both groups showed HbA1 values in the normal range. Mean MBG values were (mean +/- SD) 116 +/- 7 mg/dl for CSII and 118 +/- 14 mg/dl for CI. Residual insulin secretion was determined monthly by fasting C-peptide. After 14 days, 5, 7, 8 months fasting C-peptide values were significantly (P less than 0.05) higher in CI. After one year fasting C-peptide was comparable in both groups (CSII and CI mean: 0.06 nmol/l). The administered insulin dose was comparable in both groups with a 55% reduction of insulin dose after 5 months in CSII (0.35 +/- 0.15 U/kg/24 h) and in CI after 7 months (0.31 +/- 0.28 U/kg/24 h). After 12 months of insulin therapy about 60% of the initial insulin dose was injected in both groups. 1 patient on CSII (12 years) and 2 patients on CI (15, 28 years) showed a complete remission (for 3-9 months) with no exogenous insulin and normal HbA1 values. 50% of the patients had episodes where they did need less than 0.2 U/kg/24 h insulin to maintain optimal diabetic control (3 CSII, 4 CI). During the first year of insulin treatment in type I diabetes with CSII as well as with CI a comparable near normalisation of diabetic control could be achieved.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Psychopathological concepts of dysphoria.

Dysphoric conditions are increasingly postulated as representing independent mood disorders. However, despite much effort at clarification, their psychopathological definitions remain unclear and variable. This paper reviews some examples of these divergent definitions, most of which are based on quality of mood, as well as responsiveness to external stimuli. The paper then introduces a strategy in possible solution of the above-mentioned definition problems. Setting out from restriction of the term dysphoria to conditions of a morose, tense and irritated mood, as suggested by Snaith and Taylor, we support the opinion that dysphoria should be accepted as a third possibility of mood swing, as a psychopathological disturbance which can be well distinguished from stable and unstable mixed states.

Depressive Disorder↗
PubMed1987

Subfractionation of human T lymphocyte subpopulations by partitioning: surface heterogeneity of the OKT8/Leu2+ T cell subset.

Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were subjected to countercurrent distribution in a charge-sensitive dextran-poly (ethylene glycol) aqueous two-phase system. Cells are thereby subfractionated on the basis of their charge-associated surface properties. The helper/inducer T cell subset (OKT4/Leu3+) has a single distribution curve with a low partition ratio (P). In contrast, the suppressor/cytotoxic (OKT8/Leu2+) subset is clearly heterogeneous and gives two peaks, one with a lower and the other with a higher P value. The cells in the latter peak constitute part of a minor subpopulation of cells enriched with natural killer (Leu7+) cells. Double labelling studies indicate that a majority of Leu2+ cells with a high P value also have a marker of natural killer cells (HNK-1), whereas the Leu2+ cells with low partition ratio are depleted with respect to cells bearing both markers.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗
PubMed1987

Genetic study of the haptoglobin polymorphism in Italy: I. Bari and Genoa provinces.

A random sample of 686 unrelated subjects from Bari (Southern Italy) and Genoa (Northern Italy) provinces was studied for HP polymorphism. The correlation between the HP*1 frequencies and geographical coordinates was studied for the populations of Italy, Europe, Middle East and Mediterranean basin. The results reveal the existence of a gradient of declining HP*1 frequencies from north-west to south-east across Europe and the Middle East.

Alleles↗
PubMed1987

Biology of the people of Sikkim, India. 2. Colour blindness, ear lobe attachment, mid-phalangeal hair and behavioural traits.

14 population groups of Sikkim (India)--Lepchas (2), Bhutias (2), Sherpas, Tamangs, Gurungs, Mangars, Rais, Limboos/Subbas, Pradhans (Newars), Brahmans, Chhetris, Scheduled Castes--have been studied in regard of the intra- and intergroup variability of colour blindness, ear lobe attachment, mid-phalangeal hair and behavioural traits (tongue folding, hand clapsing, arm folding, leg folding, handedness). Some of these variables show a considerable distribution heterogeneity, which is discussed considering history and marriage patterns of these populations. As most of them are highly endogamous one can assume that this heterogeneity is caused by locally acting factors such as drift and/or founder effects, which could be preserved due to as good as lacking gene flow among the populations under study. Beyond that the Sikkim data are compared briefly with those reported for other Indian and Asiatic populations.

Color Vision Defects↗
PubMed1987

Population genetic study in ten endogamous groups of West Bengal, India.

Ten endogamous population groups of West Bengal (India)--Rabhas, Garos, Mechs, Rajbanshis, Jalia Kaibartas, Bagdis, Lodhas, Mundas, Brahmins, Vaidyas--have been typed for twelve polymorphic systems: ABO, Gm, Km, Hp, Cp, Tf, Alb, Hb, aP, EsD, AK and PGM1. The results are compared with those obtained on other Indian populations. Serological and anthropometric data, which have been included into population comparisons, reveal a considerable genetic variability of the groups under study. This variability is obviously connected with the population history of West Bengal.

Blood Group Antigens↗
PubMed1986

[Chronic alcoholism--alcohol sequelae--causes of death].

In this study 444 chronic alcoholic patients, hospitalized at the beginning of this study, were followed up for 4 to 7 years (31). During this time 101 patients died (23.2%), with whom severeness of disease as well as the extent of social depravation could be identified as factors influencing mortality. Beginning in January of 1982 we investigated mortality of the population of a village with a similar socio-cultural background (working situation, rural population, wine-growing area). As it was possible to cooperate with the local general practitioner, who has been living and working in this village since 1946, knowing all the troubles and sorrows, we could get data of each person having died. We collected data on each dead of this village until we had 101 definitely not alcohol addicted cases as control group. For getting this number of cases we had to investigate data of 116 dead, because 15 of them met the diagnostic criteria for chronic alcoholism. Sociodemographic data, social development, diseases and causes of death were recorded in all groups of investigation. In the group of formerly hospitalized chronic alcoholic patients we found a preponderance of men as well as a significantly shorter life-time (alcoholic group: 50 +/- 9.8 years, control group 73.9 +/- 12.5 years). Besides alcohol misuse other factors influencing mortality could be elaborated (e. g. stressing or discriminating working situation, incontinuous and/or unsatisfying partnership, additional criminal acts etc.) separating the chronic alcoholic group (with former hospitalisation) from the control group in a significant way. Concerning the disease leading to death, chronic alcoholic patients more frequently had suffered from liver damage (with break of oesophagus blood vessels) as well as from auto-destructive behaviour patterns (like suicide, masked accidents) compared to the non-alcoholic group. This control group died significantly more frequent because of cardio-vascular diseases, often accompanied by cerebral deficits.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Effect of surface modification of rat erythrocytes of different ages on their partitioning behavior in charge-sensitive two-polymer aqueous phases.

Partitioning differences between cells in two-polymer aqueous phase systems originate from subtle differences between the surface properties of cells. Because of the exponential relation between the parameters affecting the partition ratio (P) and the P itself, differences in membrane components suspected of effecting the differential partitioning of closely related cell populations cannot be directly established by conventional chemical assay techniques. In order to study the chemical nature of the components responsible for the age-related changes in surface properties of rat red cells we have devised an approach which uses a combination of isotopic labeling of erythrocyte subpopulations of distinct cell age with different enzyme and/or chemical treatments followed by countercurrent distribution in charge-sensitive two-polymer aqueous phase systems. These studies show that: neuraminidase-susceptible sialic acid is not responsible for the cell age-related surface differences detected by partitioning; the component(s) responsible for the cell age-related surface differences can be extracted (from aldehyde-fixed red cells) with ethanol or cleaved with dilute sulfuric acid. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that ganglioside-linked sialic acid is the chemical moiety responsible for the cell charge-associated surface differences among rat red blood cells of different ages.

Age Factors↗