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Biomedical subjects

J Hermann

Publications and source records attributed to J Hermann.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Prospective study of the impact of hypertension upon kidney function in diabetes mellitus.

Longitudinal data were obtained on 131 diabetic subjects enrolled in a study designed to evaluate the impact of persistent elevation of the blood pressure (BP) upon progression of renal damage in diabetes mellitus. For both insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetes, serum creatinine exhibited a more rapid rise in those individuals whose BP remained elevated above 140 mm Hg despite therapy. Since no significant difference in age, duration of diabetes, diabetic control, or renal function at entry in the study could be identified as possible explanations for these differences, the findings support the conclusion that persistent elevation of the BP adds significantly to the risk of renal damage in both insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetes, with more rapid decline occurring in non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Hypertensive subjects exhibited higher levels of plasma angiotensin II during the follow-up period.

Age Factors↗

Okadaic acid, a specific protein phosphatase inhibitor, induces maturation and MPF formation in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

Micro-injection of, or incubation with okadaic acid (OA), a specific phosphatase inhibitor, can induce formation of maturation-promoting factor (MPF) and germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Comparison of the dose-response curves of OA on maturation, isolated enzymes and phosphatase activities in crude oocyte preparations suggests that inhibition of both polycation-stimulated (PCS) and ATP,Mg-dependent (AMD) phosphatases is sufficient but requires that a critical phosphorylation level is attained of one or several of their substrates, resulting in the formation of active MPF and meiotic maturation.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Tubulin and MAP2 regulate the PCSL phosphatase activity. A possible new role for microtubular proteins.

Tubulin can stimulate specifically the aryl phosphatase activity of the low-Mr polycation-stimulated (PCSL) phosphatase, measured as p-nitrophenyl phosphatase activity, or using reduced carboxamidomethylated and maleylated (RCM) lysozyme, phosphorylated on tyrosyl residues, as a substrate. This stimulation is independent of the degree of polymerization of tubulin (A50 = 60 nM) and is due to an increase in Vmax. It is mechanistically different from the ATP-induced activation and resistant to heat and trypsin treatment. Chymotrypsin destroys the stimulatory effect of tubulin. The polycation-stimulated phosphorylase phosphatase activity is inhibited by tubulin, probably by a polycation/polyanion interaction. The microtubule-associated protein, MAP2, is inhibitory to the p-nitrophenyl phosphatase activity and tubulin can eliminate this inhibitory effect. MAP2 also inhibits the polycation-stimulated phosphorylase phosphatase activity.

4-Nitrophenylphosphatase↗

Status of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in childhood in the GDR.

Of 25 HLA-identical, MLC negative transplants 10 patients had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), 8 acute nonlymphoblastic leukaemia (ANLL), 3 severe aplastic anaemia, 2 malignant histiocytosis, 1 patients neuroblastoma and 1 Fanconi anaemia. 3 HLA nonidentical, MLC positive transplants were performed, two children had malignant infantile osteopetrosis and 1 child had a severe combined immunodeficiency disease. Patients with ALL and ANLL received cyclophosphamide and single dose total body irradiation. 3 patients received fractionated TBI. The results for the allogeneic group overall indicate that the actuarial disease free survival rate is 0.62. 16 of 25 patients are in continuous complete remission (CCR) periods of 3-78 months posttransplant. All three transplanted children with severe aplastic anaemia alive disease-free for periods of 21-81 months. 10 patients with ALL were transplanted (2 in first remission for high risk ALL, 8 in second remission). 7 of 10 patients are alive and disease-free (CCR rate 0.67). 8 patients underwent BMT for ANNL while in first remission in 7 patients and in third partial remission in 1 patient. 4 of 8 patients are alive and disease-free for periods of 25-56 months (CCR rate 0.50). 1 patient with neuroblastoma stage IV survives 24 months, 1 child with Fanconi anemia died on day +25 of GVHD and septicaemia. 1 of the 2 patients transplanted for malignant histiocytosis relapsed 3 months posttransplant, 1 patient is alive and disease-free 5 months posttransplant. In none of the HLA-nonidentical and MLC positive transplantations T-cell depleted marrow engrafted.

Adolescent↗

Transplantation of major AB0-incompatible bone marrow: removal of red cells by dextrane sedimentation.

The elimination of erythrocytes by dextran sedimentation is a useful method to prevent haemolytic complications after AB0-incompatible bone marrow transplantation. The procedure presented here lasts only 1.5-2 hours, is high reproducible and safe in respect of infections. The mean recovery of nucleated cells amounted to 94%. The contamination with erythrocytes is low (recovery 1.1%). We have never seen haemolytic reactions during 7 AB0-incompatible bone marrow transplantations.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Immunoreconstitution after human bone marrow transplantation.

Immunologic reconstitution was studied in 24 patients who underwent bone marrow transplantation, 17 allogenic and 7 autologous. The GVHD prophylaxis consisted of methotrexate and prednisone. The complete immune evaluation was to be carried out prior to transplantation at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12 months after BMT and subsequently every 6 months up to 4 years. The investigated immunological parameters included total lymphocyte count, B-lymphocytes, T3-, T4-, T8-lymphocytes, T4/T8 ratio, natural killer cell activity, ADCC, lymphocyte blastogenic response and serum-IgG, -IgA, -IgM. Absolute lymphocyte count, B-lymphocytes, T3-lymphocytes recovered to normal levels after 6 months. T4-lymphocytes decreased significantly during the first 180 days posttransplant. T8-lymphocytes increased after 6 months to values higher than normal and the T4/T8 ratio decreased significantly and continued below 0.8 for 48 months. Patients without and with GVHD had low lymphocyte response to PHA and Con A for the first 6 months.

Adolescent↗

CMV infections in bone marrow transplanted patients--evaluation of prophylaxis with Cytotect (CMV hyperimmuneglobulin).

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a frequent and clinically important infection following bone marrow transplantation. Candidates for this study were patients admitted for transplantation: 22 patients received bone marrow from a HLA-identical, MCR-nonreactive sibling, in 9 patients an autologous BMT was performed. The anti-CMV IgG (Cytotect) was administered at a dosage of 1 ml/kg on days -7, 13, 33, 53, 73 and 93 after BMT. 5 patients in the very beginning of our BMT program did not receive Cytotect. Patients were given random blood products from the bloodbank not tested for CMV positivity. Active CMV infection or seroconversion in our patients was defined as a rise in IgG titer against the late antigen of fourfold or more or an IgM increase. In the allogeneic BMT group the pretransplant serological status was in 6 cases negative in recipients and donor, in 7 patients positive in recipients and negative in donors, and in 4 patients positive in recipients and donors. Of the 6 patients seronegative in recipients and donors, 3 developed active infection and of the 7 patients pretransplant positive with seronegative donors 3 developed active infection and 4 latent infections during the period from 2 to 100 days following grafting. 1 patient out of the group transplanted in third partial remission of AML developed interstitial pneumonia and died on day +30.4 of the 4 cases with seropositivity of recipients and donors developed active CMV infection. Of 9 patients with autologous transplantation 6 patients were pretransplant seropositive. 3 of these 6 developed active infection and 2 latent infection 30 to 180 days after grafting.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Cryopreservation of marrow, purging and autologous bone marrow transplantation in childhood.

Since 1984 bone marrow from 42 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non Hodgkin's lymphoma and neuroblastoma was cryopreserved. In 5 cases (c-ALL, NHL and B type) the marrow was purged by using a cocktail of three monoclonal antibodies (VIL A1, VIB C5, VIB-E3). Up to now 13 children (ALL/10, neuroblastoma/3) were autografted (one of them after purging) after supralethal chemoradiotherapy. Except one child with early death all patients had engraftment: a level of 1.0.10(9)/l leukocytes was reached at days 10-33 (median, 19); platelet level over 60.10(9)/l at days 32-60 (median, 41). 2 children died on treatment related complications, one on infection after full haematological restitution, 2 patients alive with relapse, 8/13 alive in CCR and well.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

[Diagnosis of hereditary spherocytosis].

Experiences with an extended programme of diagnostics in 29 children with ensured or suggested hereditary spherocytosis are assessed and the validity or necessity of individual standard methods for making a diagnosis are discussed. The diagnosis can be sufficiently ensured by the evidence of familiarity, haemolysis (reticulocytosis, icterus) and diminished osmotic resistance of erythrocytes. The value of glycerol lyse tests (AGLT) is especially referred to. Usually an investigation into erythrocyte kinetics is not necessary, there is no need for the very expensive autohemolysis test.

Child↗

[Difficulties in the echocardiographic diagnosis of false aneurysm of the left ventricle. Apropos of 2 cases].

The echocardiographic diagnostic criteria of left ventricular pseudo-aneurysm are well established: the demonstration of a narrow-necked communication between the left ventricular cavity and the aneurysm and endocardial discontinuity at the site of myocardial rupture. The authors report two cases in which these criteria were fulfilled, leading to an echocardiographic diagnosis of pseudo-aneurysm which was erroneous as the operative findings were those of true left ventricular aneurysms.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

[Thoracic actinomycosis].

Actinomycosis is an infectious disease distributed all over the world. Males are affected three times more than females; the incidence of the disease is higher in adults than in children. The main causative agent is Actinomyces israelii, which can be found in the oropharynx of healthy persons. Therefore actinomycosis represents always an endogenous infection, often in connection with other bacteriae. The thoracic manifestation amounts to approximately 15 percent of all cases. The main clinical symptoms are pain, fever, cough, fatigue, and weight loss. The blood picture shows an increased number of white blood cells with a left shift in the differential white blood cell count. Furthermore, there is a strongly raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Radiographs demonstrate no typical patterns of pulmonary abnormalities. For the diagnosis there is a need of anaerobic cultures, in second line histological examination of tissue specimens. Differential diagnosis of actinomycosis includes chronic pneumonias caused by other rare germs and neoplasms. After early onset antibiotic long term treatment a good prognosis may be expected. Penicillin represents the antibiotic of first choice.

Actinomycosis↗

[Coping strategies of adolescents and their significance for counseling].

This study investigated the problem solving strategies in adolescents. An anonymous, open questionnaire was employed. The descriptive analysis of the results show that personal discussion on the pertinent problems is the most common strategy, whereas other methods for overcoming problems (groups, institutions, financial and social aid etc.) are underrepresented. Approximately 1/6 of the adolescents are unable to comment on ways of solving problems specific to their age-group. Moreover, it is striking that only ca. 20% of the adolescents have realistic knowledge about the working methods of the respective institutions. The statistical analysis differentiates these effects according to the variables sex, age, and education. In the concluding section the consequences for institutional youth counselling are discussed. It is emphasized that ideas about counselling possibilities should become more realistic. In addition, the combination of social and psychotherapeutic interventions is suggested.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Conversion of a phosphoseryl/threonyl phosphatase into a phosphotyrosyl phosphatase.

By use of the autophosphorylated epidermal-growth-factor receptor and the synthetic peptide RRLIE-DAEY(P)AARG, representing an autophosphorylation site of the transforming protein of Rous-sarcoma virus, it is demonstrated that the phosphotyrosyl phosphatase activity of the polycation-stimulated phosphatases is substantially increased by an enzyme-directed effect of ATP or PPi. Concomitant with this increase in phosphotyrosyl phosphatase activity, the phosphorylase phosphatase activity is decreased, thus dramatically changing the substrate specificity of these enzymes. The dephosphorylation of four different phosphotyrosyl sites of the epidermal-growth-factor receptor is neither consecutive nor at random, but a preferred dephosphorylation of the P1 site over the P3 greater than P2 greater than P4 sites is observed. This phosphatase activity represents a substantial fraction of the total phosphotyrosyl phosphatase activity in the post-mitochondrial supernatant of Xenopus laevis oocytes.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Modulation of the substrate specificity of the polycation-stimulated protein phosphatase from Xenopus laevis oocytes.

A polycation-stimulated (PCS) protein phosphatase was isolated in high yield (280 micrograms/100 g ovaries) from Xenopus laevis oocytes through a procedure involving a tyrosine-agarose hydrophobic chromatography. The 220-kDa enzyme contains a 35-kDa and a 62-kDa subunit. It was identified as the low-Mr polycation-stimulated (PCSL) protein phosphatase. The labile p-nitrophenyl phosphatase activity, copurifying with the phosphorylase phosphatase activity, can be increased severalfold by preincubating the purified enzyme with ATP, its analogues or PPi. This activation is time-dependent and accompanied by a parallel decrease of the phosphorylase phosphatase activity. Although the stimulation was antagonized by metal ions during the preincubation, the basal and ATP-stimulated p-nitrophenyl phosphatase requires Mg2+ or Mn2+ in the assay, with pH optima of 8.5-9 and 7.5 respectively.

4-Nitrophenylphosphatase↗