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Biomedical subjects

H Weber

Publications and source records attributed to H Weber.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Structure and function of L-lactate dehydrogenases from thermophilic and mesophilic bacteria. VII. Nucleotide sequence of the lactate dehydrogenase gene from the mesophilic bacterium Bacillus megaterium. Preparation and properties of a hybrid lactate dehydrogenase comprising moieties of the B. megaterium and B. stearothermophilus enzymes.

The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) gene of a mesophilic bacterium, Bacillus megaterium (DSM 090), was cloned in E. coli HB 101 using a pEMBL vector and synthetic oligonucleotide probes. The gene was strongly expressed in the vector used if the orientation of the insert allowed the LDH promoter and the vector's lac promoter to direct transcription in the same direction. The gene and its 5' and 3' flanking regions have been sequenced. Codon usage patterns of LDH genes from mesophilic and thermophilic bacilli were compared and found to be characteristically different. A hybrid gene was constructed from fragments of the LDH genes from B. stearothermophilus (coding for aa 15-100) and B. megaterium (coding for aa 101-331). The hybrid LDH, named S100M, was more thermostable than B. megaterium LDH, less thermostabile than B. stearothermophilus LDH and unlike the two wildtype enzymes, it could not be activated by Fru-P2.

Bacillus megaterium↗
PubMed1987

Ontogenic corticosteroidogenesis of the domestic fowl: response of isolated adrenocortical cells.

Ontogenic adrenocortical function of the domestic was investigated using adrenocortical cells isolated from embryonic chicks (18, 19, 20, and 21 days old) and male and female posthatch birds (1 day, 1 week, and 3 weeks old). Production of the predominant corticosteroids secreted by the chicken adrenal gland, corticosterone, cortisol, and aldosterone, was measured by radioimmunoassay after 2-hr incubation of cells with or without steroidogenic agents. Approaching hatch, basal and maximal ACTH-(1-24) (ACTH)-induced corticosteroid production increased steadily and peaked around 1 day posthatch (5-18 times and 3-9 times, respectively, the production values at 18 days embryonic life). Thereafter, corticosteroid production values decreased steadily to 3 weeks posthatch. Corticosterone predominated over the ages studied: Maximal ACTH-induced corticosterone production averaged 52 and 115 times the production values of aldosterone and cortisol, respectively. In addition, maximal ACTH-induced aldosterone production was roughly 2.2 times greater than cortisol production over the ages studied except for a short-lived, disproportionately greater aldosterone production at 1 day posthatch. In addition to perihatch and age-related differences in cellular corticosteroid production, there were also differences in cellular sensitivity to steroidogenic agents as indicated by the differences in half-maximal steroidogenic concentration values (ED50 values) of the steroidogenic agents. Sensitivity to ACTH increased 2.7 times from Day 18 of embryonic life to 1 day posthatch and then decreased steadily to 3 weeks posthatch. In addition, sensitivity to 8-bromo-cAMP (8-Br-cAMP) increased abruptly at 1 day posthatch (nearly 3 times) but then remained constant thereafter. However, a consistent change in cellular sensitivity to 25-hydroxycholesterol was not observed until 3 weeks posthatch (an increase in sensitivity of 3 times that at Day 18 of embryonic life). These data of cellular sensitivity suggest that there were distinct development and maturational alterations in the cellular loci at which ACTH, 8-Br-cAMP, and 25-hydroxycholesterol acted. Thus, during the transition from embryonic to postembryonic life of the domestic fowl, there are alterations in adrenocortical cell steroidogenic capacity and in the function of some cellular loci comprising the corticosteroidogenic pathway.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗
PubMed1987

Effect of 3,3'-iminodiproprionitrile (IDPN) on corticosteroidogenesis of isolated adrenocortical cells.

The neurotoxic agent, 3,3'-iminodiproprionitrile (IDPN), is a disrupter of neurofilament- and intermediate filament-organelle association. In the present study, the effect of IDPN on corticosteroidogenesis was investigated using isolated rat (having few intermediate filaments) and domestic fowl (having abundant intermediate filaments) adrenocortical cells. Cells were incubated with or without steroidogenic agents and precursors and with or without various concentrations of IDPN for 2 hr. IDPN had similar inhibitory potencies (as indicated by the half-maximal inhibitor concentrations (ID50 values] with both rat and domestic fowl cells despite their grossly different intermediate filament content. However, the average ID50 values of IDPN varied with the different steroidogenic agents and precursors used. The average IDPN ID50 values for maximal ACTH- and 8-bromo-cyclic AMP (8-Br-cAMP)-induced corticosterone production were equivalent (49.7 and 45.7 mM, respectively). However, the IDPN ID50 values for maximal ACTH-induced cAMP production, maximal 25-hydroxycholesterol- and pregnenolone-supported corticosterone production, and maximal ACTH- and 8-Br-cAMP-induced protein synthesis varied from 3.7 to 5.4 times the average ID50 values for maximal ACTH- and 8-Br-cAMP-induced corticosterone production. Thus, the inhibitory action of IDPN was not closely linked to the inhibition of ACTH-transmembrane signaling via cAMP, protein synthesis, and steroidogenic enzyme activity. The data suggest that IDPN inhibited corticosteroidogenesis at at a step after cAMP but before cholesterol side-chain cleavage and that the inhibition was not dependent on the presence of intermediate filaments.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗
PubMed1987

Adrenocortical function of the domestic fowl: effects of orchiectomy and androgen replacement.

The effect of orchiectomy and androgen replacement on cockerel adrenocortical function was investigated. Orchiectomized cockerels (2 weeks old) were implanted with Silastic tubing containing various amounts of one of the following steroids: cholesterol, testosterone (T), androstenedione (A4), and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Birds were administered additional implants, containing doses of steroids equivalent to those of the initial implants, at 4 and 8 weeks of treatment (i.e., 6 and 10 weeks of age). Sham-operated cockerels administered empty implants served as intact controls for comparison of data. Animals were killed after 10 weeks of treatment (12 weeks old). Trunk plasma corticosterone (B) and plasma T, and B production by collagenase-isolated adrenocortical cells incubated briefly (2 hr) with or without steroidogenic agents were measured by radioimmunoassay. Orchiectomy with implantation of the inert sterol, cholesterol (hereafter referred to as orchiectomy), did not alter plasma B concentrations and did not affect basal cellular B production or cellular B production induced by a maximal steroidogenic concentration of ACTH or that maximally supported by 25-hydroxycholesterol. However, orchiectomy did lower maximal 8-bromo-cyclic AMP-induced B production by 30%. Low-implant doses of A4 (1-cm implant) and T (0.3-cm implant), that maintained comb growth, lowered plasma B concentrations by 24-42%, whereas a high-implant dose of T (3-cm implant) and all implant doses of DHT had no effect on plasma B concentrations. Thus, androgen replacement had different effects on plasma B depending on the type of androgen and the implant dose. In contrast, androgen replacement consistently suppressed basal and maximal ACTH-induced cellular B production regardless of the type of androgen. Furthermore, the degree of suppression was dose-dependent. These results suggest that the differential effect of androgen replacement on plasma B concentrations was due to differences in the clearance of circulating B and/or differences in blood volume. In addition, the present study suggests that in the absence of the testes, androgens are suppressants of adrenocortical cell function in the domestic fowl.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗
PubMed1987

[Studies of pure human pancreatic juice].

The test-combination from Fa. Boehringer Mannheim GmbH for measuring citric acid present in foodstuffs is also suitable for use in human pancreatic juice. Accuracy, within-run and between-day imprecision are satisfactory. The detection limit of the method is at least 10 mumol citrate/l pancreatic juice. The limit can be reduced when exact additions of citrate are given to the pancreatic juice and then evaluated using regression analysis. The presence of Ca-ions and possibly also trypsin in the material to be tested does not interfere with the reaction. It is, however, necessary to remove proteins from the sample. Deproteinization can be performed either by ultrafiltration or with perchloric acid.

Cholecystokinin↗
PubMed1987

Scanning electron microscope studies on the breakdown of passivity of a nickel-chromium-molybdenum dental alloy.

The breakdown of passivity and localized corrosion of a Ni-20Cr-10Mo alloy was investigated. The methods employed were potentiodynamic polarization and SEM, and AES and EDX after potentiostatic polarization over a period of 20 hours in the passive and transpassive regions. The 1 micron finished as-cast specimens were polarized in aerated 0.1 M NaCl. The cyclic polarization curves revealed a critical pitting potential of 470 mV (SCE), while the protection potential was 300 mV (SCE). Using the potentiostatic polarization technique, nearly constant corrosion currents appeared, indicating that the whole surface was corroded uniformly. SEM pictures of samples, corroded at 650 mV, showed little pits under the oxide layer and a thinning down of the outer oxide layer. This lead to the opinion that the penetration as well as the adsorption mechanism determine the breakdown of passivity. EDX analysis and AES depth profiles showed an enrichment of Cr and Mo in the oxide. In contrast to oxidized samples, no second layer of Ni was found in the outer oxide region. In the transpassive region the relative amount of Cr and Mo in the oxide layer was higher than the one found in corresponding samples polarized in the passive region. The oxide thickness found was about 5 nm in the passive region (300 mV SCE) and about 250 nm in the transpassive region (650 mV SCE).

Chromium↗
PubMed1987

Dysrhythmias following the Mustard and Senning operation for transposition of the great arteries.

The prevalence and nature of late dysrhythmias following operative repair of transposition of the great arteries were evaluated in 32 children using pre- and postoperative standard electrocardiograms and postoperative Holter monitoring. The Mustard procedure was performed in 17 patients, the Senning procedure in 15 patients. The mean age at operation was 40 +/- 35 months in the Mustard and 9 +/- 6 months in the Senning group. The mean interval between operation and Holter monitoring 7 +/- 2 years in the Mustard and 1.6 +/- 1 years in the Senning group. All patients had sinus rhythm preoperatively. Following operation, the incidence of sinus rhythm increased from 59% in the Mustard and 87% in the Senning group in the first postoperative week to 76% in the Mustard and 100% in the Senning group at the end of follow-up (mean 4.6 +/- 3.5 years). Holter monitoring revealed dysrhythmias or conduction abnormalities in 12 patients (9 Mustard, 3 Senning). A permanent pacemaker had to be inserted in 2 Mustard patients because of complete atrioventricular block and sinus bradycardia with sinus arrest, respectively. Results indicate a prevalence of late postoperative dysrhythmias of 20% in the Senning and of 59% in the Mustard group (p less than 0.05). However, the significantly longer mean follow-up period of the Mustard group precludes a direct comparison between the 2 types of repair.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗
PubMed1986

[A new method for the treatment of supraventricular rhythm disorders].

Initial experience of His-bundle ablation is presented in 12 patients with intractable supraventricular arrhythmias which were not amenable to treatment with conventional drugs. In 8 patients His-bundle ablation resulted in total AV-block and in 2 patients significant improvement without total AV-block was achieved. During long-term follow-up (mean 5.3 months) tachycardia recurred in 1 patient with total AV-block resulting in an overall success rate of 75%. A permanent pacemaker was implanted in 10 patients. 1 patient developed deep leg vein thrombosis as a direct result of this procedure and in 2 patients there were complications due to pacemaker implantation. His-bundle ablation appears to be a promising tool in the management of intractable supraventricular tachycardia.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Labeling of individual amino acid residues in the membrane-embedded F0 part of the F1 F0 ATP synthase from Neurospora crassa. Influence of oligomycin and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide.

Three F0 subunits and the F1 subunit beta of the ATP synthase from Neurospora crassa were labeled with the lipophilic photoactivatable reagent 3-(trifluoromethyl)-3-(m-[125I]iodophenyl)diazirine ([125I]TID). In the proteolipid subunit which was the most heavily labeled polypeptide labeling was confined to five residues at the NH2-terminus and five residues at the C-terminus of the protein. Labeling occurred at similar positions compared with the homologous protein (subunit c) in the ATP synthase from Escherichia coli, indicating a similar structure of the proteolipid subunits in their respective organisms. The inhibitors oligomycin and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide did not change the pattern of accessible surface residues in the proteolipid, suggesting that neither inhibitor induces gross conformational changes. However, in the presence of oligomycin, the extent of labeling in some residues was reduced. Apparently, these residues provide part of the binding site for the inhibitor. After reaction with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide an additional labeled amino acid was found at position 65 corresponding to the invariant carbodiimide-binding glutamic acid. These results and previous observations indicate that the carboxyl side chain of Glu-65 is located at the protein-lipid interphase. The idea is discussed that proton translocation occurs at the interphase between different types if F0 subunits. Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or oligomycin might disturb this essential interaction between the F0 subunits.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1986

Visual properties and spatial distribution of neurones in the visual association area on the prelunate gyrus of the awake monkey.

We have analysed, in the awake monkey (Macaca sylvana) the functional properties of 489 neurones in the prelunate visual area (PVA, largely corresponding to V4). PVA has a coarse retinotopic organization with the lower quadrant of the visual field represented along the prelunate gyrus. The visual periphery is located medio-dorsally, the central visual field laterally near (and within?) the inferior occipital sulcus and the upper quadrant latero-ventrally. The vertical meridian runs caudally within the lunate sulcus, the horizontal meridian crosses the prelunate gyrus and continues into the superior temporal sulcus. Receptive field diameters of neurones vary between 1 degree and 10 degrees with increase towards the visual periphery, but are strictly confined to the contralateral visual field. 28% of the neurones showed spectral sensitivity. About half of these cells had strong spectral opponency, the other half showed only weak opponency with broader spectral response curves. 11 cells (2%) showed striking centre/surround interactions with inhibition, disinhibition or occlusion of the two mechanisms, and different spectral response ranges of the centre and the surround, respectively. 43% of the prelunate cells were responsive to various spatial features without spectral sensitivity. We distinguished on- and off-center cells (2%), direction and movement sensitive cells (10%) and cells sensitive to gratings of parallel lines within a limited range of orientations (about 10%). A special group were cells which responded strongly to stimuli which contained many contrasts (textures without specific orientations and without regular spatial arrangements) (9%). Many of these cells were specifically responsive to variations of the internal structure of such stimuli. 3% of the cells were strongly activated in connection with behaviour: 11 neurones discharged strongly when the monkey looked attentively at a human face or when he responded with facial expressions to a threatening expression of a person. Photographs of faces were not effective. Some neurones (1%) were activated in connection with eye movement. These neurones were found in the lateral part of the prelunate gyrus. Neurones with spectral or non-spectral properties were clustered within small, irregularly shaped patches of 1-4 mm diameter. It is concluded that the prelunate visual cortex, which we consider as part of area 19, is not just a "colour area", but represents various features of the visual environment (including colour, luminance, movement, texture and behavioral significance), and relates them - through its subcortical and cortical outputs - to behaviour.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1986

Lumbar myelography with Omnipaque (iohexol).

Lumbar myelography with iohexol (Omnipaque) was performed in 103 consecutive adult patients with low back pain or sciatica. The patients were observed for 48 h with registration of possible adverse reactions. Mild or moderate transient side effects were recorded in 24 patients. No serious adverse reactions were noted, and EEG recorded in 25 patients showed no changes.

Electroencephalography↗
PubMed1986

Determination of DNA single strand breaks and selective DNA amplification by N-nitrodimethylamine and analogs, and estimation of the indicator cells' metabolic capacities.

N-nitrodimethylamine is metabolized oxidatively to N-nitrohydroxymethylmethylamine, which decomposes to yield formaldehyde and N-nitromethylamine. All four compounds and N-nitromethylamine were tested for their ability to induce DNA single strand breaks in hepatocytes and in SV 40-transformed Chinese hamster embryo cell lines. Only the two monoalkylnitramines were positive. They induced single strand breaks in hepatocytes, but were not effective in the other cells. Formaldehyde and N-nitrohydroxymethylmethylamine were toxic to the cells. None of the compounds tested was able to induce selective DNA amplification in the two transformed cell lines. Enzymes involved in drug metabolism were assayed in the hamster cell lines. The activity of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase and cytosolic epoxide hydrolase were not detectable. N-nitrodimethylamine demethylation was low. The content of reduced glutathione and the activities of glutathione transferase and membrane bound epoxide hydrolase were comparable to values obtained in the rat liver.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Plaque retention on teeth restored with full-ceramic crowns: a comparative study.

Plaque accumulation was determined by using the plaque index of Silness and Löe on 150 crowns in 19 patients. The plaque indices for individual crowns in a quadrant were compared to the average plaque index of the quadrant in which the crowns were inserted (quadrant plaque index = 100%). This comparative study showed that Cerestore full-ceramic crowns have little soft debris retention (32%). Ceramometal crowns (90%), natural teeth (110%), cast gold restorations (148%), and acrylic resin veneer crowns (152%) have increasing plaque retention. The results indicate that ceramics are easily cleaned and exhibit low plaque retention. Increasing the area of ceramic surfaces on restorations decreases plaque retention.

Acrylic Resins↗