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Biomedical subjects

J Berlin

Publications and source records attributed to J Berlin.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA:Putrescine Hydroxycinnamoyltransferase in Tobacco Cell Cultures with High and Low Levels of Caffeoylputrescine.

A new hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA:putrescine hydroxycinnamoyltransferase (PHT) was detected in two variant lines of Nicotiana tabacum L. (TX1, TX4) accumulating markedly different levels of caffeoylputrescine. The enzyme accepted only the aliphatic diamines putrescine, cadaverine and 1,3-diaminopropane at a ratio of 100:33:8. Caffeoyl- and feruloyl-CoAs were the best acyl donors. The apparent K(m)-values for caffeoyl-CoA and putrescine were near 3 and 10 micromolar, respectively, at the pH-optimum of 10.0. PHT activity was quite similar in low producing TX1 and high producing TX4 cells, while some other biosynthetic enzymes (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, ornithine decarboxylase) were greatly enhanced in TX4 cells, suggesting that PHT does not catalyze the rate-limiting step in hydroxycinnamoylputrescine formation.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1989

Characterization of a meta-Fluorotyrosine-Tolerant Cell Culture of Eschscholtzia californica Cham.

A cell line of Eschscholtzia californica selected for meta-fluorotyrosine (MFT) tolerance was found to have 10-fold increased levels of phenylalanine and tyrosine compared to the parent line, while most other amino acids were only increased 2-fold. Tracer experiments with shikimic acid in the presence of MFT showed that the biosynthesis of the aromatic amino acids was not impaired in the tolerant line. Feeding experiments with phenylalanine, tyrosine, or shikimic acid also revealed a reduced turnover of the pools of the aromatic amino acids in the variant. Thus undisturbed de novo biosynthesis of the aromatic amino acids and dilution of toxic effects of MFT by the enlarged pool sizes seemed to be the main reason for the acquired tolerance. Despite the enlarged availability of the precursor tyrosine, formation of the benzophenanthridine alkaloids was enhanced neither in the growth nor in the production medium.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1989

Psychosomatic correlations in chronic pain patients using electroacupuncture.

Different reports on the efficacy of electroacupuncture in pain led to a randomized prospective study on 120 patients suffering from long-term chronic pain syndromes of different aetiology taking into account the psychological situation. The collected data included measuring the pulse amplitude difference of the arteria radialis dextra and sinistra oscillographically, pain evaluation by visual analogue scales, blood pressure and heart frequency and psychometrie. Results show that neurotic patients have a higher level of anxiety and that reduction of pain and the equalization of the amplitudes of both arterial curves is higher in anxious patients. The results are highly significant with an alpha value of 0.001.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1988

Asbestos exposure and gastrointestinal malignancy review and meta-analysis.

The epidemiologic literature linking asbestos exposure with gastrointestinal malignancy is reviewed. Problems in comparing studies are discussed, appropriate strategies for comparison are developed, and study results are pooled using a model which accounts for both intrastudy and interstudy variability. Stratification of cohorts by dose reveals that significant asbestos exposure, as indicated by a lung cancer standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of at least 200, is associated with an elevated gastrointestinal cancer of SMR for five of six points examined [corrected].

Asbestos↗
PubMed1988

Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials as a method of estimating rare complications of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy.

The design of randomized controlled trials to assess the efficacy of pharmacological measures for the prevention of the gastrointestinal side-effects of anti-inflammatory drugs requires an accurate estimate of excess risk under controlled conditions. Photocopies of 952 randomized controlled trial publications were obtained after scanning titles and abstracts of a MEDLINE computer search, 427 were excluded for obvious reasons, and 525 were again photocopied after obliterating source and results. Selection criteria were: the presence of a non-anti-inflammatory drug control group; at least 4 days of therapy; at least 3 days without anti-inflammatory drugs before randomization; no complicating background drugs; mention of side-effects; and a clear differentiation of gastrointestinal complications. Observer error, with two independent readings, for inclusion suitability in the study was 19% for Methods and 9% for Results. For the 44 aspirin trials, the mean therapy duration was 357 days; the unweighted rate difference between therapy and control groups ( +/- 1 S.E.M.) for ulcer was 0.006 +/- 0.003, for gross haemorrhage 0.006 +/- 0.002 and for unspecified gastric symptoms 0.03 +/- 0.01. In 123 non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NA-NSAID) trials, the mean duration was 67 days; the unweighted rate difference for ulcer was 0.0005 +/- 0.0003, for gross haemorrhage 0.007 +/- 0.004 and for unspecified gastric symptoms 0.02 +/- 0.005. Risk differences were also pooled using the DerSimonian and Laird method, which weights studies inversely according to variance. Using this method, only the unspecified gastric symptoms for non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NA-NSAIDs) and the haemorrhage for aspirin were found to be statistically significant. Longer studies have higher risk differences. Randomized control trials to determine prophylactic efficacy against haemorrhage (that is, to demonstrate a reduction of ulcer rate in the therapy group to the rate of controls) would require 190 patients in each group for NA-NSAIDs in studies of 2-6 months; 950 subjects would be needed to detect a 50% reduction. Randomized control trials to determine a reduction in ulcer rate to that of controls in patients on aspirin for more than 6 months would require 700 subjects in each group; 3346 subjects would be needed to detect a 50% reduction. Such studies are feasible.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed1987

A follow-up study of gastro-intestinal diseases related to bacteriologically substandard drinking water.

In a prospective follow-up study conducted in 52 French alpine villages, one weekly water sample was taken in each village provided with untreated ground water and analyzed as to the presence of four indicator bacteria: total plate count, total coliforms, thermotolerant (fecal) coliforms, and fecal streptococci. Cases of acute gastro-intestinal disease (AGID) occurring among 29,272 inhabitants were reported through physicians, pharmacists, and primary school teachers. A loglinear model identified fecal streptococcus (FS) as the best predictor; the presence of fecal coliforms enhanced the effect of FS. The total bacteria count and the total coliforms had no independent contributions. A threshold analysis suggested that any level of indicator bacteria above zero was associated with an excess of AGID.

Child↗
PubMed1985

Phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance investigation of the in vivo regulation of intracellular pH in cell suspension cultures of Nicotiana tabacum: the effects of oxygen supply, nitrogen, and external pH change.

31P NMR was used to study the in vivo response of intracellular phosphorus-containing compounds of cell suspension cultures of Nicotiana tabacum to extracellular events. Limitation of the oxygen supply in a static system (sealed tube) caused a strong pH decrease of the cytoplasm and a smaller fall in the vacuolar pH. The rate of this process was independent of the age of the cells, except for those at the end of the growth cycle where either reserve supplies of inorganic phosphate have been depleted or metabolism has ceased. The cells can be returned quickly to their normal pH and metabolic status by reoxygenation after depletion times as long as 4.5 h. Regassing with N2 after anaerobiosis also caused the return of the nearly normal pH status, which indicates that rapid cell acidification is caused almost entirely by CO2 accumulation. In a second type of anaerobiosis, attained by continual passage of N2, cytoplasmic pH fell only slowly to a constant value higher than in the static case. Here acidification appeared to arise, at least in part, from lactate accumulation. Provided aeration occurred, the cytoplasm was maintained at a constant pH of 7.5 +/- 0.1 for changes in the medium pH value between 6.5 and 3. The biochemical and biotechnological implications of these results are discussed.

Cell Cycle↗
PubMed1984

[Psychological aspects of spinal anesthesia. Vasovagal syncope and anxiolytic medication].

In 61 male and female patients, the influence of the preoperative emotional state on vasovagal syncopes and anxiolytic medication during spinal anaesthesia for elective orthopaedic surgery was investigated. Male patients pretended to feel emotionally better than female patients, but had higher rates of anxiolytic medication and vasovagal syncopes. Patients in a bad (n = 8) and in a good emotional state (n = 3) received more anxiolytic medication than those with a mean emotional state. Vasovagal syncopes were registered in patients who pretended to feel good (n = 6), in those who felt bad (n = 4) and only in one patient of the mean group. The factors anxiety and depression were the most responsible for this result. The importance of coping-mechanisms for the development of psychological and psychophysiological reactions is discussed. Vasovagal syncope is interpreted as a psychophysiological reaction. In consequence it needs psychoprophylaxis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

[Stress reduction by i.m. premedication with 6 different single substances].

In three prospective randomized studies six substances for intramuscular premedication were investigated and compared to placebo (NaCl 0.9%): diazepam (10-20 mg), flunitrazepam (1-2 mg), droperidol (2.5-5 mg), triflupromazin (10-20 mg), pethidin (50-100 mg) and buprenorphin (0.15-0.3 mg). The effects on preoperative stress were evaluated with psychometrical methods (ESB), heart rate, blood pressure and plasma-cortisol levels. Degree of sedation and side effects were recorded. Good effects on anxiety were found after flunitrazepam, diazepam and triflupromazin. The worst effects were found after droperidol and pethidin. Good effects on depression were found after pethidin, buprenorphin, diazepam and triflupromazin. The worst effects were found after droperidol. Asthenic patients were improved with diazepam and flunitrazepam, but deteriorated after placebo, pethidin, triflupromazin and droperidol. The physiological stress parameters were positively influenced by diazepam and flunitrazepam, but not after placebo and droperidol. Nausea and vomitus were found after buprenorphin, pethidin and droperidol; psychological and neurological problems occurred after droperidol. The highest degree of sedation was found after flunitrazepam, diazepam and droperidol. The day after surgery the patients found placebo, flunitrazepam, diazepam and triflupromazin to be the best premedications, pethidin and buprenorphin were inferior and droperidol was the poorest premedication.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

[Preoperative stress. Study of the mental behavior and parameters of physiological stress in non-premedicated patients during the preoperative period].

In 29 male patients undergoing arterial bypass operations of the lower limb, psychological and physiological stress parameters were investigated. They received no premedication. We found an increase of heart rate (HR), arterial blood pressure (BP), plasma cortisol (Cort), free fatty acids (FFA), ventricular ectopic beats (VEB) and supra-ventricular ectopic beats (SVEB) (registered with a 24 hour ECG). The physiological dynamics were different, depending on the results of the psychological tests (MMQ and ESB): Repressor had higher HR and increased significantly more than sensitizer. Depressive patients had higher Cort levels the day before surgery compared to hopeful ones, but remained at these levels, whereas hopeful patients had a significant increase of Cort immediately before operation. They had also higher BP's and HR's. Patients with sthenic affections increased significantly more with FFA levels than asthenic ones. Anxious and asthenic patients had significantly more VEB than non anxious and sthenic ones. These results can well be interpreted in terms of dynamic psychophysiological stress reactions. We propose the use of psychological and physiological stress parameters for investigations of methods for the reduction of preoperative stress.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1983

[Preoperative psychological state--correlations with anesthesia--relevant psychophysiologic parameters].

In 379 patients prior to surgery the psychological state was determined using a self evaluation inventory. Correlations were sought to heart rate and blood pressure readings at different times before and during anaesthesia. Patients in a poor psychological state had higher heart rates before and during anaesthesia. Before anesthesia heart rate increase correlated to the degree of anxiety. During intubation patients previously having felt markedly depressed or hopeful showed higher heart rates than those having felt moderately depressed. Asthenic patients also had high heart rates during anaesthesia. There results were statistically significant (F-Test). The quality of sleep on the night preceding surgery was rated poor by 31% of patients. This observation underscores the need for solving this problem on organizational and pharmacotherapeutic levels. 18% of patients complained of lacking or poor effects of preanaesthetic medication consisting of analgetics, neuroleptics and vagolytics. Among these anxious, depressed and hopeful patients were significantly overrepresented, comprising those groups who exhibit unfavourable psychophysical reactions as well. This observation clearly demonstrates the need for individualized preanaesthetic medication. It is suggested that in evaluating drugs used in premedication their effect on psychological and psychophysical parameters be scrutinized.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Accumulation of beta-Carboline Alkaloids and Serotonin by Cell Cultures of Peganum harmala L: I. CORRELATION BETWEEN PLANTS AND CELL CULTURES AND INFLUENCE OF MEDIUM CONSTITUENTS.

A number of cell cultures of Peganum harmala were initiated to check for a correlation between the harman alkaloid content of seedlings and cell lines derived therefrom. Despite a poor correlation between callus or suspension culture lines and parent plants, the mean alkaloid contents of strains derived from seedlings with higher alkaloid yields were nevertheless higher than the mean contents of strains derived from low yield plants. Generally, alkaloid accumulation decreased with the numbers of transfers. By permanent visual selection for fluorescent areas of the calluses, however, a mean content of 0.1% harman alkaloids and 0.1% serotonin could be maintained, which was 10 times higher than in unselected callus cultures.The effects of medium constituents on harman alkaloid and serotonin accumulation were measured for a low yielding, faster growing suspension culture strain and a slowly growing, but high yielding cell line. This led to the development of a production medium without 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and phosphate, and with Ca, Mg, and nitrate as sole macronutrients. When this production medium was used, the accumulation of harman alkaloids and serotonin was increased from 0.1 to 1% in the low yielding cell line and from 1 to 2% in the high yielding strain.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1982

Effect of water stress on cotton leaves : I. An electron microscopic stereological study of the palisade cells.

Palisade cells from fully expanded leaves from irrigated and nonirrigated, field grown cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Paymaster 266) were subjected to a microscopic examination to evaluate the effect of water stress on subcellular structures. The water potential difference between the two treatments was 13 bars at the time of sampling. The dimensions of the palisade cells and their density per unit leaf area were determined by light microscopy. Palisade cells from stressed plants had the same diameter, but were taller than their counterparts in irrigated plants. The density of the palisade cells was the same in both treatments as was the fractional volume of the intercellular space. It was concluded that the reduced leaf area observed in the stressed plants resulted primarily from a mitotic sensitivity to water stress. Further, expansion of palisade cells was not inhibited by the stress imposed in this study.Morphometric analysis of electron micrographs was used to evaluate the subcellular structure of palisade cells from nonstressed and stressed plants. The fractional volumes of cell walls, total cytoplasm, chloroplasts, starch granules, intrachloroplast bodies, mitochondria, peroxisomes, and central vacuoles were determined. The surface densities of grana and stroma lamellae, outer chloroplast membranes, mitochondrial cristae, endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi cisternae were also measured. The number of chloroplasts, mitochondria, and peroxisomes were determined. These data were expressed as actual volumes, areas, and numbers per palisade cell for each treatment. Palisade cells from stressed plants had thinner cell walls, larger central vacuoles and approximately the same amount of cytoplasm compared to cells from nonstressed plants. Within the cytoplasm, stressed plants had more but smaller chloroplasts with increased grana and stroma lamellae surfaces, larger mithchondria with reduced cristae surfaces, smaller peroxisomes and reduced membrane surfaces of endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi cisternae.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1982

[The relationship between pre-operative emotional states and stress-linked parameters in surgical patients (author's transl)].

The relationship between the pre-operative emotional state and stress-linked endocrine, respiratory, metabolic and cardiovascular parameters was investigated. It could be demonstrated that the patients' affective state, especially anxiety, depression, feeling of debility, affected endocrine and metabolic function (concentration of serum cortisone and of serum free fatty acids respectively) as well as cardiovascular function, viz.: heart rate, systolic blood pressure and tension-time index. Subjects in a poor pre-operative state of mind showed statistically significant increases in serum cortisone levels and heart rate and also a higher tension-time index. Patients in a depressed state also had markedly higher heart rates immediately before the operation than had those who were in a cheerful confident mood. On the other hand the serum levels of free fatty acids, determined immediately before the operation, were higher in the latter than they were in patients who felt weak and debilitated. The observations are interpreted as the result of increased tone of the sympathetic nervous system in the presence of sthenic affects. The fact that these observations were made in patients undergoing the usual preparatory procedure prior to anaesthesia and surgery indicates that the routine preoperative preparations do not take sufficient account of the psychic and psychophysiological condition of the patient. Both the somatic and the emotional and psychophysiological responses should be considered in the preparation of the patient for surgery. Verification of the therapeutic success should include psychometric methods and measurement of stress-linked parameters.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Psychosomatic effects of intramuscular premedication wtih flunitrazepam, innovar and a placebo in combination with atropine (author's transl)].

A double-blind technique was used for studying the psychic and somatic effects of premedication with flunitrazepam, innovar and a placebo in 116 patients. Innovar and the placebo produced the same results. Flunitrazepam reduced anxiety and apprehension and had a significantly higher amnesic effect. Premedication with Innovar increased not only a feeling of fatigue and heaviness but also anxiety and tension in the patients. When assessing the psychic effects of premedication attention must be paid to the subjective impressions on the part of the patient.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

The colon influences ileal resection diarrhea.

Fecal mass and electrolyte concentrations from 25 ileectomy and/or colectomy patients on known diets were used to assess those factors most responsible for their diarrhea. In 18 ileectomy patients the severity of diarrhea, expressed as a fecal weight, was a function of both percent of colon and centimeters of ileum removed. Linear regression analysis, however, showed that the extent of missing colon had three times the effect of missing ileum on fecal weight. Patients who lost the ileocecal valve and part of the right colon had more diarrhea than those who lost comparable lengths of ileum but had this area preserved. Fecal ion concentrations seemed independent of diet but were related to fecal weight and the amount of colon and ileum removed. Potassium concentration was strongly dependent on the amount of colon lost, while sodium concentration was more influenced by the length of resected ileum. Choloride was most dependent on fecal weight. As expected, fecal fat correlated strongly with the extent of ileum removed. Regresison equations were constructed from the electrolyte data which described and predicted the extent of lost ileum or colon. Our data were also used to separate patients with less than 100 cm of ileum removed from those with more extensive resections. The severity of diarrhea following ileal resection depends primarily on the amount of contiguous colon removed. Varying loss of ileum and colon produced predictable effects on fecal weight and electrolyte composition. Surgeons should preserve the maximum amount of colon possible to reduce the severity of diarrhea in these patients.

Adult↗