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Biomedical subjects

J Schulz

Publications and source records attributed to J Schulz.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

[Sonography of pregnancy in sheep. II. Accuracy of transrectal and transcutaneous pregnancy diagnosis].

Pregnancy was diagnosed by transcutaneous ultrasonography in 327 ewes of 2 flocks. In addition transrectal sonography was performed in 93 of these ewes. Two hundred and thirty six ewes were pregnant and 88 animals were non-pregnant. Criteria to assess the accuracy of transrectal and transcutaneous sonography were overall accuracy (correct diagnoses/all diagnoses), sensitivity (correct diagnoses "pregnant"/all pregnant animals), specificity (correct diagnoses "non-pregnant"/all non-pregnant animals), predictive value of positive diagnoses (correct diagnoses "pregnant"/all diagnoses "pregnant"), predictive value of negative diagnoses (correct diagnoses "non-pregnant"/all diagnoses "non-pregnant"). Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, predictive value of positive diagnosis and predictive value of negative diagnosis were 95%, 95%, 91%, 99% and 71% with the transcutaneous sonography resp. 94%, 95%, 93%, 97% and 86% with the transrectal sonography. Accuracy of the transrectal examination was superior (100%; 26/26) to the transcutaneous approach (89%; 39/44) in early pregnancy (Day 22 to 90). Transcutaneous sonography was more appropriate during the last part of pregnancy. The results demonstrate that both methods allow reliable pregnancy diagnosis in sheep under farm conditions. Ultrasonic pregnancy diagnosis is of economical value, if pregnancy rate of herds is below 90% and the diagnostic accuracy reaches at least 95%.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Ménétrier's disease--a rare cause of a protein deficiency syndrome].

Hypoproteinaemia (total proteins 5.2 g/dl) and hypoalbuminaemia (2.7 g/dl) were demonstrated in a 44-year-old woman with leg oedema during the previous four months and 10-kg weight gain during the previous year. A protein-losing enteropathy was diagnosed, all other causes having been excluded. Gastroscopy revealed giant hypertrophic gastritis. A biopsy showed foveolar hyperplasia with some inflammatory infiltrates, typical of Ménétrier's disease. Endosonography excluded any additional infiltrative process of the bowel wall. Long-term treatment with ranitidine, 150 g twice daily, achieved normalization of total protein and albumin concentrations. But the macroscopic changes in the gastric wall were still recognizable on repeat gastroscopy. As there is a danger of malignant degeneration gastroscopy and, if indicated, endosonography should be repeated annually.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Risk characterization and the extended spaceflight environment.

Recent trends toward prolonged space flights have highlighted concern over potential health hazards for crews occupying a confined habitat for an extended duration mission. Previous spaceflight and remote habitat experiences have identified a large number of compounds that pose potential hazards as space habitat contaminants. A project is underway to prioritize these compounds according to: 1) the degree of potential exposure, 2) known or potential health risks, 3) process- and mission-specific determination of sources of contamination, and 4) preliminary evaluation of mission performance degradations associated with compound contaminant or substitution. An effort is underway to establish a comprehensive database making use of all available national and international data in order to provide a basis from which to evaluate both the impact and the likelihood of long term or transient exposure to these agents. The database will define projected capabilities of Space Station Freedom from early assembly phase through man-tended and permanently-manned capability, previous knowledge of the lunar base environment, and the limited data available from the Viking mission for the Mars environment. This information will then form the basis for mitigation measures including: 1) future process modification or substitution, 2) special provisions for compound containment or use restrictions, 3) re-evaluation of current exposure standards, and 4) reprioritization of information needs (e.g., toxicology, effects on human performance, or re-evaluation of alternative-process mission requirements).

Ecological Systems, Closed↗
PubMed1992

Cytokeratin pattern of clinically intact and pathologically changed oral mucosa.

The various cytokeratin polypeptides in oral epithelia are expressed in dependence on site and formation of a stratum corneum. Certain cytokeratins occur permanently and others occasionally. In fibrous hyperplasia and Lichen ruber planus, patterns of cytokeratins did not deviate significantly from normal. In some but not all cases of squamous cell carcinoma and leukoplakia studied, marked aberrations of pattern were characterized by (i) appearance of cytokeratin No. 19, (ii) somewhat more frequent occurrence of cytokeratins Nos. 8 and 18, (iii) proteolytic modifications of cytokeratins, and (iv) partial loss of a few site-specific cytokeratins. The aberrations may be taken as additional diagnostic criteria for differentiation between non-aggressive and potentially aggressive leukoplakic lesion, even if they are not correlated with the conventional histological grading of dysplasia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Sonography during the pregnancy of sheep. I. Fetometry for the determination of the stage of gestation and prediction of the time of parturition].

Transrectal and transcutaneous ultrasonography was performed on 187 pregnant Merino ewes to measure the growth of fetal parameters (fetometry) such as the diameters of the eye, braincase and trunk, the width of one rib with its intercostal space and the crown-rump-length (CRL). In the ewes, cross and longitudinal diameters of the intrauterine lumen around the embryo and fetus were determined. Trunk diameter and crown-rump-length of embryos and fetuses were sonographically determined from Day 26 and size of eyes, braincase and ribs were measured from Day 52 to 66 of gestation. Embryonic resp. fetal parameters and uterine diameters showed almost linear growth rate. Relationship between the measured parameters and days of pregnancy is described by regressions and correlation coefficients. Correlation coefficient between gestational stage and the diameter of the trunk was very narrow (r = 0.98) and between gestational stage and the crown-rump-length resp. eye diameter equalled 89% (r = 0.89). These fetal parameters are appropriate to assess gestational age and growth of ovine fetuses. It can be concluded that sonographic fetometry in the ovine can be valuable for the evaluation of fetal development, the estimation of gestational age and the prediction of parturition dates.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Possibilities of clinico-cytological diagnosis in contagious equine metritis (CEM)].

Clinical, bacteriological and serological examinations on a 6 years old pony mare were performed. Cytological alterations in the genital tract were also recorded. A cellular reaction was seen after infection with T. equigenitalis. This reaction is an evidence for infection but it is not specific for this organism. Cytological studies should be performed on mares especially in cases of latent infections to complete bacteriological examination and to prevent false positive or negative results.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Double-blind, randomized study of the anti-anginal and anti-ischaemic efficacy of fendiline and diltiazem in patients with coronary heart disease.

In a 6-week, randomized, double-blind trial, the drug effects of the calcium antagonists, fendiline (75 mg twice daily) and diltiazem (90 mg twice daily), as measured by subjective and objective parameters of coronary heart disease, were studied in 79 patients with stable angina pectoris. The statistical analysis included the data of 71 patients. The results of exercise-ECG tests showed that both medications were effective anti-ischaemic agents. Fendiline was found to be effective in reducing ST-segment depression at maximum comparable load (71 watts) as well as at the time of reaching the individual maximum tolerated load (discontinuation of exertion). Diltiazem, on the other hand, proved effective only at maximum comparable load (72 watts). There was no significant difference between the groups with regard to the reduction after 6 weeks. As regards work tolerance, the duration of exercise and time until appearance of a ST-segment depression of 0.1 mV, before and after treatment comparisons revealed significant changes only in the group receiving diltiazem and the differences between fendiline and diltiazem were statistically significant with regard to these three parameters. Reduction in the frequency of anginal attacks and the diminution of nitroglycerin consumption were comparable in both medication groups, and the changes from baseline were statistically significant. Assessment of the efficacy and tolerability of the medications by patients as well as by investigators revealed no statistically significant differences between the two groups. Blood pressure and heart rate were clearly lowered by diltiazem, whereas fendiline induced only a slight decrease in blood pressure. The results indicate that both medications are equally suited for the treatment of stable angina pectoris.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

ATP-dependence of proteolysis in the pulp of rabbit molar teeth.

The ATP-dependent proteolysis of rabbit dental pulp shares a high portion of the total proteolytic capacity in incisor and molar teeth (76 and 69%). It has been found in the fractions of homogenates containing mitochondria, cytosol and microsomes, respectively. The dependence of proteolytic activity on ATP is characterized by an apparent Michaelis constant at cellular levels of ATP (Km = 2.9 mM). The kinetics of inhibition by hemin (Ki = 115.3 microM, n = 2.8) and vanadate (Ki = 1.3 mM, n = 0.93) reveal different modes of actions of both inhibitors. The kinetic features of the ATP-dependent proteolysis in dental pulp differs from those in reticulocytes of the same animal species.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1991

[Early ultrasonic diagnosis of twins after insemination and contralateral embryo transfer in cattle and the results of calving].

In order to test the efficacy of ultrasonic diagnosis of early twin pregnancy, 20 dairy cows were inseminated, and 4-8 days later a seven-day old embryo was additionally transferred into the uterine horn contralateral to the site of ovulation. Sixteen of 20 cows became pregnant (80%). In 7 of 16 animals a twin pregnancy resulted (44%). Out of eight single pregnancies five (62.5%) followed insemination, and three (37.5%) followed egg transfer. Sixteen pregnant animals were examined ultrasonically. In 7 cases it was possible to estimate a twin pregnancy on the 41st day. This diagnosis was verified on parturition. The ultrasonically diagnosed side of pregnant horn in the singles was correct in 7 of 8 cases, identified by the genetical different origin of the offspring from artificial insemination or egg transfer.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Experimental udder infection with Escherichia coli. 1. The behavior of selected clinical, hematological and other parameters concerned with milk composition].

Four cows with clinically intact udders in high lactation were intracisternally infected by a pathogenic field strain of Escherichia coli. Infections were induced by quarters and with time intervals. Hence, when the animals were slaughtered six hours from beginning of the experiment, epithelial samples could be collected from cisternal walls and lactiferous ducts which, by the time of sampling, had been in contact with pathogens for one, four, and six hours. Highly acute mastitis began to develop two hours from experimental infection and exhibited typical clinical symptoms, including general disorders, unambiguous alterations to the white blood count, and changes in milk composition. These changes were typical of acute toxin action on the udder quarters. Concomitant reactions of non-infected control quarters, detectable by clinical manifestations or by laboratory diagnosis, were not observed.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Experimental udder infection with Escherichia coli. 2. Morphological changes of the epithelium in the area of the glands of the milk cistern and the large milk ducts].

Optical light, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy were used in investigations of epithelia in the glandular region of the milk cistern and greater lactiferous ducts and yielded the following findings, four and six hours from infection: degeneration and necrosis of epithelial cells, intraepithelial foreign cell infiltration (neutrophilic granulocytes, lymphocytes, macrophages), intra-epithelial oedema and locally delimited epithelial loss. The lesions differed by intensity in various regions, so that a distinction could be made among five froms of epithelial alterations. The epithelial cells revealed their capability of absorbing pathogenic material and storing it in cytoplasmic vacuoles. This was considered to reflect active involvement of epithelium in antibacterial defence, and consequently, to reflect the role played by epithelium as a defence barrier in the milk cistern and greater lactiferous ducts.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Experimental udder infection with Escherichia coli. 3. Morphological changes directly to subepithelially situated structures in the area of the glands of the milk cistern and the large milk ducts].

Alterations were recorded from capillaries and connective tissue by means of optical light and electron microscopy in investigations of subepithelial structures, following experimental Escherichia coli infection. These alterations led to an impairment of the blood-udder barrier and thus to increased extravasation of cells (especially neutrophilic granulocytes). They were found to accumulate in subepithelial connective tissue and, eventually, to penetrate in high quantity the epithelium proper, and, consequently, to be considerably involved in alterations to the latter.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Experimental udder infections with Escherichia coli. 4. Discussion of the pathogenesis of acute mastitis].

The correlations among findings obtained from experimental Escherichia coli udder infection and reported in the three previous communications are discussed in this paper. The defence capabilities elucidated included specific and unspecific activities of non-epithelial cells, primarily neutrophilic granulocytes, macrophages, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and mast cells, as well as the capability of epithelial cells proper of absorbing pathogenic material from lumens of lactiferous ducts and milk cisterns and of storing such material within intracytoplasmic vacuoles. Hence, alterations in the course of pathogenesis of acute coli mastitis were found to be of complex nature and could be properly followed up by their morphological patterns.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1990

[Metaphylaxis of puerperal disorders in cattle].

The effects of metaphylactic measures in cattle herds with the aim of diminishing puerperal disturbances and ensurement of high reproductive performance were studied. About 5000 cows in more than 30 groups (experimental and controls) were included into the clinical investigations. Dietary supplementation by sodium propionic acid over a period of 4 weeks, oxytocin or parasympathomimetics administered during the first 3 days post partum had a certain metaphylactic effect, only when the therapeutic principle met the prevalent cause of the given puerperal disturbance. In herds with high incidence of noninfectious retention of fetal membranes the metaphylactic application of Se and Vitamin E (10 days ante partum) can be taken into account. Stimulation of the ovarian activity by GnRH is recommended in animals which fail to have developed follicular activity by the 12th-15th day post partum.

Animals↗