Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to H Walter.
Three Brahmin groups from Lower, Middle and Upper Assam (Kamrup, Darrang, Sibsagar) have been investigated for the distribution of anthropometric and dermatoglyphic traits as well as for that of ABO blood groups and PTC taste sensitivity. The intergroup variability is discussed.
Concrete cross-sectional studies of the organic brain syndrome, carried out periodically, attempt to establish for the parameters evaluation of substrate damage--and different noopsychopathological rating-scales for the measurement of brain capacity impairment. Beyond the level of the purely correlative-statistical point of view of the relationship between parameter and score changes, demanding for a quantitative model which could provide not only a description, but also an explanation for such a relationship. The fact that there can only be a question here of a "quantitative causality" embracing non-specificity of toxic substances and relative to acute and chronic diffuse organic brain syndromes. It results, that quantitative causality meets the requirements of an exponential function model and that one can validate such models through correlative-statistical methods. This has already been carried out by Ball and Taylor.
All long-term patients with the diagnosis "paraphrenia systematica" out of one region were included in this study. 53 patients were treated in an in-patient psychiatric unit between 1979 and 1981 and were available in this study. Parenteral Fluphenacin-Decanoate (25-75 mg monthly) was given. Before, during and after Fluphenacin (each schedule lasting for at least 20 weeks) psychopathological and social evaluations were done. We used quantitative scales: NGI (Nurses Global Impressions) and BPRS (Brief psychiatric Rating Scale). Good Socialization showed a striking correlation to parenteral Fluphenacin-treatment. Differences in the present state psychopathology were not able to explain the social difference. During parenteral treatment 49 patients switched from badly socialized (NGI: more than 12 points) to well socialized (NGI less than 7 points). 18 patients stopped parenteral neuroleptic treatment for various reasons. 13 Patients out of this group had to be readmitted to the psychiatric hospital, while those staying on their parenteral neuroleptic drug-treatment stayed well socialized.
Five Mongoloid population groups from Upper Assam (Ahom, Chutia, Deuri, Mishing and Moran) have been investigated for the distribution of anthropometric and dermatoglyphic traits as well as for that of ABO blood groups and PTC taste sensitivity. The results are discussed with special reference to extent and causes of intergroup variability.
Six Muslim groups from various parts of Assam (Goalpara, Kamrup, Darrang, Nowgong, Sibsagar and Dibrugarh) have been analysed for the distribution of anthropometric and dermatoglyphic traits as well as for that of AB0 blood groups and PTC taste sensitivity. The intergroup variability in the distribution of all these anthropological characters is considerable. The possible reasons therefore are discussed.
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Mankind has always been familiar with drugs which change the state of consciousness. For a long time their utilization was of a ritual future. Intake was practised on the occasion of special ceremonies and, therefore, self-limiting. Through the diminution of mysticism, drugs increasingly assumed a pleasure-gratifying character, thereby becoming subjected to abuse. Drug abuse of a time- and/or regionally-restricted nature, can periodically be observed. Alcohol has represented Austria's most prominent and widely abused drug for centuries. Addictive behaviour depends on several factors and, according to specific accentuation, divergent addiction theories have been proposed, all of which, however, essentially concur on the concept that addiction represents a development rather than a disease. It appears strange that the pertinent literature fails to supply detailed information on dosage or intake frequency. The therapist concerned with addiction is, however, called upon to provide an unbiased, precise diagnosis, and an efficacious treatment schedule, which is possible only if basic scientific information on recognition and development of addiction and treatment possibilities is made available.
Certain kinetic aspects of the partitioning behavior of erythrocytes in dextran-poly(ethylene glycol) aqueous phase systems have been examined, and their implications for cell partitioning have been considered. It is concluded that the diverse and sometimes unique fractionations attained by use of multiple extractions (e.g., countercurrent distribution) of cells in two-polymer aqueous-phase systems depend on non-equilibrium conditions.
Differences in membrane surface properties (both charge-associated and lipid-related) of erythrocytes from any two arbitrarily selected individuals can be detected by use of a purely physical method: cell partitioning in dextran-poly(ethylene glycol) aqueous phase systems. The procedure consists of isotopically labeling (with [51Cr]-chromate) aliquots of red blood cell populations to be compared. Such labeled cells are mixed with an excess of unlabeled erythrocytes from the other individual and the mixtures subjected to countercurrent distribution in either a charge-sensitive or a non charge-sensitive aqueous phase system. As control we also prepare mixtures of labeled cells with unlabeled cells from the same individual to ascertain that the label per se has no influence on the cells' partitioning behavior. The distribution curves are analyzed for total cells (in terms of hemoglobin absorbance) and labeled cells (in terms of counts/min). Changes in the relative specific activities through the distribution curves are routinely obtained when cells from different individuals are used and are indicative of subtle differences in surface properties of such erythrocyte populations.
Separation and subfractionation of cells on the basis of subtle differences in surface properties by partitioning in dextran-poly(ethylene glycol) aqueous phase systems is an established method. We report here that the incorporation of fetal bovine serum into such systems permits countercurrent distribution of small quantities of cells (approximately 10(6]. In the absence of serum such small quantities of cells are lost (probably by adherence) and cannot be recovered after countercurrent distribution.
Seven tribal (Konda Kammara - 2 samples; Koya Dora - 3 samples; Lambadi) and caste (Madiga) populations from Andhra Pradesh (South India) have been analyzed for the distribution of Gc subtypes. The observed heterogeneity in the distribution of Gc1F, Gc1S and Gc2 alleles was found to be statistically significant. Comparisons are made with North Indian populations as well as with those of other racial affiliation. The anthropological impact of the Gc subtype polymorphism is discussed.
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Approx. 70% of the sialic acid on the rat erythrocyte surface is susceptible to cleavage by neuraminidase (Vibrio cholerae). Neuraminidase treatment results in a reduction in the partition coefficient (K) of the red cells in a charged dextran-poly(ethylene glycol) aqueous phase system and in the electrophoretic mobility of the cells. Countercurrent distribution of rat neuraminidase-treated erythrocytes, containing 59Fe-labeled mature red cells of distinct age, indicates that (a) the electrophoretic mobilities of red cells in different cavities along the extraction train increase with increasing K, as is the case with untreated erythrocytes, and (b) the cell age-related differences in surface charge-associated properties are neither eliminated nor altered by the enzyme action.
Patients resistant to therapy with lithium or lithium plus tricyclic antidepressants were included in our study. They had shown no curtailment of depression, no lessening of the depth of depression nor any improvement in the manic symptoms. Therapeutic medication with lithium, lithium plus tricyclics, neuroleptics and/or tranquilizer had been tried out for at last three years and the episodes of the manic-depressive illness were documented over this period. The diagnosis in the case of these patients was manic-depressive illness, type bipolar I or II. We report one case covering three years of treatment showing the following trend: Psychopathology did not change after quitting anciliary medication and tricyclic antidepressants while lithium intake was continued. A low-dose MAO inhibitor (tranylcypromine 13.7 mg/die) in addition to lithium led to shortened and less pronounced depressive and manic episodes and more prolonged normorhythmic periods. This trend emerged with even greater clarity during the course of the study.
Rat reticulocytes undergo charge-associated surface changes, detectable by cell partitioning in charged dextran-poly(ethylene glycol) aqueous phase systems, as they become mature erythrocytes. Young reticulocytes have a lower partition coefficient, i.e., quantity of cells in the top phase as a percentage of total cells added, than do mature erythrocytes. Sialic acid is the main charge-bearing group on red blood cells and, in the case of the rat, most of the sialic acid can be removed by treatment of the cells with neuraminidase (Vibrio cholerae). By combining isotopic 59Fe-labeling of reticulocytes with countercurrent distribution of the entire red blood cell population in charged dextran-poly(ethylene glycol) aqueous phases we have now studied the relative effect of neuraminidase-treatment on rat reticulocytes and mature erythrocytes. It was found that neuraminidase-treatment (a) does not eliminate surface differences, detectable by partitioning, between rat reticulocytes and erythrocytes and (b) reduces the partition coefficient of mature erythrocytes to a greater extent than the partition coefficient of reticulocytes indicating a differential effect of this enzyme on the two cell populations.
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Phenotype and allele frequencies for hemoglobin types (Hb beta), acid phosphatase (AcP), phosphoglucomutase (PGM1 and PGM2), esterase D (EsD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD), glyoxalase I (GLO), superoxide dismutase (SOD A), and adenylate kinase (AK) as well as for haptoglobins (Hp), group-specific component (Gc), transferrin (Tf), Gm, and Inv groups and albumin, are reported in the Mbugu, Sango, Yakpa, and Baya Mandja ethnic groups in the Basse Kotto district of the Central African Republic. The total sample size amounts to 133 males and 128 females aged from 16 to 60, unrelated and healthy. A new albumin variant (albumin Mbugu) is described and discussed. The average heterozygosity is high in each group because of a high degree of exogamy. the FST average standardized value among the four groups indicates that the genetic differentiation in Basse Kotto is at level of about 2%. This indicates that the four examined groups might be considered genetically homogeneous, in spite of their different ethnic origins. The genetic distances among the four groups show that only the Baya Mandja are less closely related to the other three groups because of their foreign origin.