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Biomedical subjects

J Wacker

Publications and source records attributed to J Wacker.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Biochemical and functional characterization of aminopeptidase N expressed by human melanoma cells.

A cell surface protein expressed on melanoma cells, but not on normal melanocytes, was biochemically and functionally characterized. Microsequencing of the M(r) 143,000 affinity-purified protein revealed amino acid sequence identity to aminopeptidase N (EC 3.4.11.2). In situ expression, indirect immunofluorescence, and Western blotting demonstrated that aminopeptidase N is tightly associated with extracellular matrix components. A specific polyclonal antiserum and the competitive inhibitors of aminopeptidase N, bestatin and amastatin, inhibited invasion of an aminopeptidase N-expressing metastatic melanoma cell line through the reconstituted basement membrane Matrigel in a dose-dependent manner. In vitro digestion of Matrigel with affinity-purified aminopeptidase N revealed an enzyme-sensitive M(r) 160,000 protein. These experiments suggest a role for aminopeptidase N in melanoma invasion of basement membranes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Family planning and desire for additional children after cesarean section.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the acceptance of contraceptives among cesarean section patients in a West African traditional environment. METHOD: Eighty-three cesarean section patients of a regional hospital in Burkina Faso were interviewed at their homes as to their attitudes towards family planning. RESULT: In collaboration with local midwives, contraception for 2 years had been recommended to the patients. Only one woman had been using contraceptives before. After cesarean, 46 women used contraceptives and 13 had undergone tubal ligature. Contraceptive users had their next pregnancy on average 10 months later than women not practicing contraception. Patients showed a strong interest to limit their family size. None of the women desired more than 5 children. CONCLUSION: Correct promotion provided, cesarean section patients in a traditional environment accept contraceptives and are interested in family planning.

Burkina Faso↗
PubMed1993

Hypertension in pregnancy.

Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is a frequent cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. In the present study we focused on the pathophysiology of PIH, mainly on the role of mineralocorticoids, reversed blood pressure patterns, and the resulting necessity of continuous monitoring of the preeclamptic mother. Problems of antihypertensive therapy are discussed and the first results of a pilot study with Urapidil are presented. To examine the role of mineralocorticoids in the pathophysiology of PIH, we studied plasma aldosterone and 18-hydroxy-corticosterone (18-OH-B) levels in 25 women with PIH and in 25 healthy pregnant women. Furthermore, we evaluated the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) count in mononuclear leukocytes in the 2 groups. The MR-count was significantly decreased in the PIH-group. The values of plasma aldosterone and 18-OH-B were also low. These results cannot be explained by receptor down-regulation due to higher level of mineralocorticoids of the zona glomerulosa. Perhaps deoxycorticosterone or a hitherto unknown mineralocorticoid is responsible for the hypertension and altered MR-status. The first results of continuous blood pressure measurements with a noninvasive, real-time blood pressure monitor (Finapres) are presented. The comparison of the obtained values with intraarterial measurements demonstrates a good correlation between the two methods. We also report on the first experiences with Urapidil in the treatment of hypertension in severe preeclampsia. The data show that hypertension in preeclamptic women can be treated by Urapidil without side effects or reflex-tachycardia. Further studies will have to prove if Urapidil is suited for prepartal treatment of PIH as well.

Antihypertensive Agents↗
PubMed1993

Influence of stimulus size and contrast on the temporal parameters of saccadic eye movements: implications for road traffic.

Saccadic eye movements are required for the recognition of peripheral objects in road traffic. Their latencies largely determine reaction time in emergency situations. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of stimulus and surround parameters on the temporal characteristics of saccadic eye movements under conditions of object size, contrast and luminance corresponding to nighttime traffic. Square stimuli of 1 degree or 5 degrees size were presented under an eccentricity of 5 degrees and 15 degrees. The luminance of the surround was 4 x 10(-4) cd/m2 and 1 cd/m2. More than approx. 2,000 saccades of 7 normal subjects were registered and evaluated with respect to the latency, maximal velocity, and frequency of secondary saccades. At high stimulus contrast, latency approaches a minimum of approx. 200 ms. Latency increases with decreasing contrast up to maximal values of more than 600 ms. Transforming the contrast values into a relative decibel scale shows that this increase in latency occurs at significantly higher relative contrast values under scotopic as compared with photopic conditions. Our results demonstrate that an overall latency of 200-300 ms is not adequate for the assessment of accidents, especially under the stimulus conditions of nighttime traffic.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Computerized tomography follow-up in the acute phase after craniocerebral trauma].

Because of methodological reasons, within the first day after a head trauma, CT scan often does not demonstrate all the pathological consequences of brain injury. Additionally, secondary sequelae are frequent events. In our series of 129 patients the findings on subsequent CT scans done during the posttraumatic course were worse compared to the initial CT in 45% of patients. This deterioration on the CT scan was seen irrespective of the initial GCS score and the initial diagnosis of circumscribed or diffuse injury. The event observed most often was bleeding into a preexisting contusion or even bleeding into a region which had looked normal on the first CT scan. In the vast majority of cases, this happened within the first 2 weeks after the initial trauma. We conclude that an initially pathological CT should be repeated early in the posttraumatic period even in patients with mild to moderate head injury. In particular, we recommend that patients having sustained diffuse brain injuries should be transferred to neurotraumatology units for specialised management, even when there may not be immediately obvious indications for surgical intervention.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Mineralocorticoids and mineralocorticoid receptors in mononuclear leukocytes in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension.

To examine the role of mineralocorticoids in the pathophysiology of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), we studied plasma aldosterone and 18-hydroxycorticosterone levels in 25 women with PIH and 25 normal pregnant women, as controls. Furthermore, we evaluated the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) status in mononuclear leukocytes in the 2 groups. MR count was significantly (P less than 0.0005) decreased in the PIH group (148 +/- 9 binding sites/cell) compared with the control group (300 +/- 17 binding sites/cell; mean +/- SEM). Plasma aldosterone in women with PIH was 281 +/- 61 pmol/L; in normal pregnant women it was 697 +/- 172 pmol/L (P less than 0.025). Plasma 18-hydroxycorticosterone was also significantly (P less than 0.025) lower (PIH, 1071 +/- 149 pmol/L; controls, 1907 +/- 318 pmol/L). These values were determined at the onset of clinical symptoms of PIH. These results cannot be explained by receptor down-regulation due to higher levels of mineralocorticoids in PIH; a hitherto unknown mineralocorticoid may, thus, be responsible for the hypertension and altered MR status.

18-Hydroxycorticosterone↗
PubMed1991

[Chronic obstructive syndromes. The practitioner's hope].

Late diagnosis is the problem of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A patient with COPD, comes to see his doctor often when symptoms have occurred. By that time, lung function has already diminished by a third or one half. A single but good FEV1/FVC curve can detect the smoker who risks to develop an airway obstruction. The generalist can modify the patients' prognosis by performing this simple spirometry, encouraging smoking cessation and taking into account the patient's risks factors.

Humans↗
PubMed1991

[Vaginal sonography in the diagnosis of and therapeutic indications in cervical incompetence].

Besides its contribution to the diagnosis, the vaginal sonography or transvaginal ultrasound is a remarkable support in the indication of the treatment of cervical incompetence and its control after cerclage. The study group consisted of 40 patients, their gestational age between 16 and 29 weeks, admitted in the department for cervical incompetence. After transvaginal ultrasound examination combined to the results of clinical evaluations, 32 pregnant women were retained for cervical cerclage. The other cases were given only medical treatment. It springs out from the analyse of the criteria of exploration, the absence of a funnel shaped formation of internal os in the cases non retained for cervical cerclage at the vaginosonography examination. Likewise, but in a less degree (6/8) a cervical dilatation greater than or equal to 10 mm. The softening of the cervix was also absent in the majority of the cases (5/8) at the clinical examination. On the contrary, the cervix was shortened in all cases, both in clinical and ultrasound examination. Another important element is the advanced gestational age which is in favour of medical treatment and ultrasound check up. The average gestational age of the group without cerclage is 26.87 weeks and that of the whole study group is 23.64 weeks. The vaginalsonography makes possible the follow up, in the postoperative periods after cervical cerclage and the appreciation of the outline of internal os and the localisation of the band used for cerclage.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed1988

[Myocardial infarct following cocaine abuse].

The case is reported of a young male who presented with massive anterior myocardial infarction after sniffing cocaine. The cardiovascular complications of cocaine abuse are numerous (sudden death, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, myocarditis) and are being reported more and more frequently in the literature. Thoracic or abdominal pain in any patient known to abuse cocaine should be thoroughly investigated, despite the youth of these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[Pulmonary tests in the office of the internist/general practitioner].

The x-ray and pulmonary function equipment of most Swiss private practitioners should be sufficient to diagnose and treat most ambulatory pulmonary diseases. More knowledge about chest x-ray technique and a well performed forced vital capacity manoeuvre will improve both of their interpretation. Furthermore, a Mantoux test correctly done and interpreted, a simple pleural punction and a quick method of the usual Gram stain of purulent expectorations complete the choice of possible investigations in the ambulatory medicine.

Bronchial Provocation Tests↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Increased aldosterone-18-glucuronide/tetrahydroaldosterone ratios in pregnancy.

In the present study the aldosterone-18-glucuronide and tetrahydroaldosterone values in 24 hour urine collections of healthy nonpregnant women, women with normal pregnancies and women with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) were compared. In pregnancy an elevated excretion of both aldosterone metabolites was found. The Q-ratio (aldosterone-18-glucuronide/tetrahydro-aldosterone+aldosterone-18-glu cur onide) was also increased compared to healthy nonpregnant women. The elevated Q-ratios point out to increased formation of aldosterone-18-glucuronide. This predominantly renal metabolite may reflect greater availability of aldosterone molecules for interaction with mineralocorticoid receptor in the kidney.

Aldosterone↗