Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Braun

Publications and source records attributed to J Braun.

At least 559 records · Page 31Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Epileptic seizures and cerebral atrophy in alcoholics.

Computed tomography was carried out in two groups of chronic alcoholics diagnosed according to the research diagnostic criteria, one with and the other without epileptic seizures. The sizes of the ventricles and the extracerebral spaces were compared with those of a control group, in order to examine the possible role of cerebral atrophy in precipitating epileptic fits in chronic alcoholics. Although a severe degree of atrophy was demonstrated in both groups, no difference was found between alcoholics with and without seizures. However, by correlating the sizes of different spaces, a more generalized atrophy was found in alcoholics with seizures. Thus, cerebral atrophy in a more generalized form may play a yet undefined role in precipitating epileptic attacks.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Ligand-induced association of surface immunoglobulin with the detergent-insoluble cytoskeletal matrix of the B lymphocyte.

Ligand binding is believed to induce surface immunoglobulin (Ig) to form a physical association with the underlying cell cytoskeleton. We investigated this interaction by use of nonionic detergents, which are known to dissolve membrane proteins but preserve a detergent-insoluble cytoskeletal residue. In the absence of ligand treatment, surface Ig in the B cell plasma membrane was fully dissolved by nonionic detergent; however, interaction with a ligand converted the receptor to a novel, detergent-insoluble state. The conversion of surface Ig to a detergent-insoluble form required receptor cross-linking but occurred independently of capping. Several types of experiments demonstrated that this form of Ig was not due to the size insolubility of immune complexes and involved a stable, noncovalent association of the receptor with the detergent-insoluble, cytoskeletal residue. Incubation of ligand-bound cells at 37 degrees C promoted the degradation of surface Ig and the appearance of new, lower m.w. species, including a major soluble protein (50,000 daltons) that was antigenically related to surface Ig. These events corresponded to receptor endocytosis by several criteria (time course, temperature sensitivity, and energy dependence). Taken together, these results were consistent with the ligand-induced transmembrane attachment of receptors to the underlying cytoskeletal matrix followed by receptor internalization and catabolism.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Effect of CSF on bacterial growth.

The growth patterns of five potentially pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and a commonly encountered, nonpathogenic microorganism (S epidermidis) were compared using CSF, trypticase soy broth (TSB), and a phosphate buffer. Each grew less in CSF than in TSB. Escherichia coli was least affected with a median difference of 2 logarithms between CSF and TSB at 24 hours of growth, whereas S epidermidis was markedly inhibited, with a median difference of 6.85 logarithms. The differences among the remaining four organisms ranged from 3.86 to 5.94 logarithms, all significantly greater than that for E. coli. Similar results were obtained at 48 hours of growth. The non-support of bacterial growth by CSF may constitute a host defense mechanism. The basis of these observations may be the presence of inhibitors or the absence of nutrients required for bacterial growth in the CSF.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1981

Evaluation of modified gowning procedures in a neonatal intensive care unit.

The effect of modified gowning techniques in a neonatal intensive care unit was evaluated. During alternate two-month intervals, no gowns were worn over street clothes in patient care areas by staff or visitors. Mortality and infections rates during these "modified" gowning intervals were the same as during the gowning periods. However, the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis was significantly greater in the modified gowning periods (7/353) than in the gowning periods (1/371). An expansion of this one-year study to include another year showed an even greater effect. The prevalence of bacteria at three anatomic sites (nares, umbilicus, and groin) on days 2, 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28 of hospitalization was comparable between those studied during modified gowning and gowning intervals. Exceptions were the significantly increased prevalence of Staphylococcus epidermidis in the groin (days 21 and 28) during gowning and S aureus in the nares (day 28) during modified gowning periods.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1981

Supratentorial and parafalcial subdural empyema diagnosed by computerized tomography. Case report.

A case is presented in which computerized tomography (CT) demonstrated a supratentorial and parafalcial purulent collection. However, neither carotid angiography nor CT revealed the small scattered pockets of pus that were found over the convexity at operation. The entire subdural space was exposed by a wide craniectomy, permitting adequate subdural drainage and decompression of the brain. It is thought that thorough drainage of the entire subdural space is crucial for the attainment of a successful result in a single-state operation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

[The inhibitory effect of dantrolene on the rise of serum-creatine-kinase activity after combined use of halothane and suxamethonium in man (author's transl)].

The effect of dantrolene (2 x 1 mg/kg) on the rise of serum CK activity after combined use of halothane and suxamethonium was the subject of a double-blind-study of 20 children. Dantrolene significantly inhibited the mean enzyme activity both post- and preoperatively. The incidence of suxamethonium-induced fasciculations was significantly reduced by dantrolene. Serum levels of dantrolene and its metabolites showed considerable interindividual variation; a relation between the levels and enzyme activity could not be detected. Comparing the enzyme-inhibiting effects of different methods dantrolene proved to be more effective than alcuronium preceding suxamethonium and "self-taming."

Anesthesia↗
PubMed1981

[Multiphasic neuromuscular blockade during and following regional application of succinylcholine in man (author's transl)].

The influence of the isolated arm technique on the development of the neuromuscular block induced by succinylcholine (suxamethonium) was investigated in 11 anesthetized patients using the adductor pollicis twitch method. A multiphasic course was shown: phase A (=occlusionphase) during ischemia; phases B1 and B2 (=post occlusion phases) after restoring circulation. The mean maximal depression of control twitch height increased from 60.4% in phase A to 75.2% in phase B1 and on up to 96.4% in phase B2. The mean onset time from releasing the tourniquet to first depression of twitch height amounted to 4.9 s in phase B1 and 27.8 s in phase B2. The multiphasic course is interpretated as the consequence of a temporary disequilibrium of muscle perfusion with the regional method. A neuromuscular effect after opening the tourniquet was evident in 3 out of 8 simultaneous studies on the control arm. An abnormal myotonic reaction was observed repeatedly in 1 patient.U

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Capping and adenosine metabolism. Genetic and pharmacologic studies.

Capping of membrane Ig was studied in lymphocytes treated with agents that interfere with adenosine metabolism. Treatment of murine or human B cells with combinations of coformycin, an inhibitor of adenosine deaminase, homocysteine, and adenosine impaired Ig capping. Inhibition of capping was also produced by 3-deazaadenosine, a specific inhibitor of adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase. The inhibitors did not affect capping of the Thy-1 antigen or membrane sites reactive with antilymphocyte antibodies. Two patients with a hereditary deficiency in adenosine deaminase had impairment of Ig capping. Such an impairment was not found in lymphocytes of two other patients who had undergone successful bone marrow transplantation. It is known that the addition of a calcium ionophore results in activation of microfilament function and in disruption of Ig caps. The ionophore effect was not inhibited by the agents mentioned above. Our results suggest that the inhibition of Ig capping during aberrant adenosine metabolism may be caused by a methylation defect preceding the contracticle event that produces membrane reorganization.

Adenosine↗