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Biomedical subjects

J Wagner

Publications and source records attributed to J Wagner.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

[Spectinomycin resistant gonococcal infections in West Germany. Detection in 7 patients and occurrence of post-gonorrheal epididymitis caused by the spectinomycin-resistant PPNG strain].

Seven patients (four men, three women) with gonococcal urethritis resistant to spectinomycin treatment were seen in May and June 1989 in the Department of Dermatology in Berlin (West), and strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) resistant to spectinomycin were detected, cultured in vitro from these individuals. In five of the seven patients penicillin-resistant strains were found, including a penicillinase-producing strain in one case; the other two patients had penicillin-sensitive strains. In all cases the NG-populations detected were sensitive to cephalosporin and cipro(oxo)floxacin. In a 17-year-old young man with the PPNG strain severe gonococcal epididymitis developed after repeated infection that had been inadequately treated with spectinomycin. All seven patients mentioned sexual contact with individuals who lived in Southeast Asia or had their origins there; in at least four cases the contact persons came from Thailand. This is the first report on spectinomycin-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections (PPNG and non-PPNG) in the Federal Republic of Germany. The necessity for monitoring the results of penicillin and/or spectinomycin treatment of gonorrhoea are underlined for the dermatovenereologist, and some guidelines for therapy are given.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Arthrodesis of the elbow using Ilizarov's external fixator].

Arthrodesis of the elbow was achieved without major surgery on the joint itself, while maintaining satisfactory pronation, supination, and function of the arm. To this end, the external fixator of Ilizarov was used in a compression set-up which interfered only moderately with daily life activities. Solid fusion was achieved after 4 1/2 months. To our knowledge this is the first time that this technique has been used for such an indication. The operative technique is described and its advantages emphasized.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Nail-patella syndrome. A case report and review of the literature].

We report on the case of a 36 year-old woman with nail-patella syndrome that was detected following a plain roentgenogram of the abdomen showing iliac horns. The nail-patella syndrome (NPS) is a hereditary disorder of tissues of ectodermal and mesodermal origin transmitted as an autosomal-dominant trait. Complete NPS is characterised by a series of skeletal disorders and specific nephropathy; in the recent years some other diseases associated with NPS were described, whereas many patients exist with incomplete NPS.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Acidic fibroblast growth factor enhances peripheral nerve regeneration in vivo.

When added to a collagen-filled nerve guide, purified acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) increased the number of myelinated axons that regenerated across a 5-mm nerve gap distance. In addition, a greater number of primary sensory and motor neurons extended axons through the nerve guide in animals treated with aFGF. Thus the effect of aFGF on peripheral nerve regeneration is not simply an increase in axonal branching within the nerve guide tube. This is the first highly purified growth factor since nerve growth factor that has been shown to promote nerve regeneration in vivo. This experimental model provides a convenient and quantitative means to assess the effects of putative neuronotropic factors on peripheral nerve regeneration in vivo.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1988

Fluorinated analogues of spermidine as substrates of spermine synthase.

A series of mono- and geminal difluorinated analogues of spermidine (4-azaoctane-1,8-diamine) have been tested as potential substrates of partially purified rat hepatoma (HTC) cell or pure bovine spleen spermine synthase (EC 2.5.1.22). Substitution of the hydrogen atoms of the methylene group at position 7 by one or two fluorine atoms decreases 8-fold and 160-fold the apparent Km values for the HTC cell enzyme respectively. Similarly, the Km values of 7-monofluoro and 7,7-difluorospermidine for the pure bovine enzyme are reduced 8-fold and 100-fold respectively, in comparison with spermidine. Di-, but not monofluoro substitution, in the 6-position causes a 5-fold reduction in the affinity for the HTC cell enzyme. Gem-fluorine substitution in the 2-position abolishes substrate capability. In addition to their high affinity for spermine synthase, 7-monofluorospermidine and 7,7-difluorospermidine cause substrate inhibition. This phenomenon, which is more pronounced in the case of the difluorinated analogues is pH-dependent. These enzymatic findings are discussed with regard to the protonation sites of the spermidine analogues, determined by potentiometric titration, which vary as a function of the number and position of the fluorine substituents relative to the basic amino groups.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Provision of services for mentally handicapped children in the Witwatersrand area.

Childhood mental retardation is defined as significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning existing together with difficulty in adaptive behaviour, manifesting during the period from birth to 18 years. We addressed the issues of diagnosis, placement and management of the mentally handicapped child in the Witwatersrand area and surveyed facilities available for them. According to our calculations, facilities were adequate for 69.7% white, 26% Indian, 9.3% coloured and only 7.6% black children. Urgent attention must be given to providing more care for these children, especially those with profound mental retardation. A special class in a regular school is the most appropriate environment for the mildly to moderately retarded group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Degenerative spondylolisthesis with unilateral spondylolysis. A case report.

Degenerative spondylolisthesis has a different aetiology to that of spondylolisthesis due to bilateral spondylolysis. To our knowledge, a combination of degenerative spondylolisthesis with unilateral spondylolysis has not been described. We report such a case and focus attention on the different mechanisms of spondylolisthesis. The clinical and radiological features of both conditions are clearly illustrated and discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Clinical evaluation of methylcellulose as a bulk laxative.

We studied a bulk laxative containing methylcellulose in a group of normal subjects as well as in a group of chronically constipated individuals. The initial study in normal subjects was performed to show that the compound could increase fecal weight without significant side effects. Fifty healthy subjects were studied. Methylcellulose in daily doses of 4 g demonstrated a statistically significant increase in fecal frequency, fecal water, and fecal solids. In the second phase, we studied a group of 59 chronically constipated individuals treated with daily doses of the laxative containing either 1, 2, or 4 g of methylcellulose or 3.4 g psyllium. All of these doses resulted in statistically significant increases in stool frequency, water content, and fecal solids. There was no increase in individual stool weight from any of the laxative doses. Methylcellulose, in a daily dose as low as 1 g, is an effective laxative.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

PC12 cells grown on cellulosic filters differentiate in response to NGF and exhibit a polarity not seen when they are grown on solid substrata.

Studies were performed with cellulosic filters and standard culture plates to compare methods of cell culture and differentiation of the cell line PC12, a clone originating from a rat pheochromocytoma. PC12 cells respond to nerve growth factor (NGF) by flattening of the cell body and subsequent extension of neurite-like processes. When PC12 cells are cultured in dishes without NGF, they have a diameter of approximately 3 to 7 micron and exhibit short processes of no longer than 3 to 5 micron. If PC12 cells are grown on a cellulosic filter they have the same average soma diameter and similar short processes extending laterally, but in addition have branching processes which extend as far as 10 to 15 micron into the filter substrate. When dish-cultured and filter-cultured cells are incubated with 50 ng/ml NGF they both exhibit differentiation-specific ultrastructural changes by 3 d of treatment. In the case of dish-cultured cells, large cytoplasmic processes exhibit an increase in the number of chromaffin cell-like secretory granules by 3 d of treatment. This characteristic is also demonstrated by filter-cultured cells, but the processes containing these granules are found concentrated within the cellulosic meshwork. Thus the timing of the NGF-elicited differentiation program is similar to both filter-cultured and dish-cultured cells, but the ultrastructural consequences are different. The filter-cultured PC12 cells exhibit a polarity not demonstrated by dish-cultured cells. Growing PC12 cells on cellulosic filters is a technique useful for "anchoring" neurons without the complication of the addition of extracellular matrix components. Filter-culture may represent a more in vivo-like method for studying neuronal growth and differentiation.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1988

Improved computer-assisted reading of identification and shortened MIC data for reporting on urine specimens at a Berlin university hospital.

Results of bacteriological analyses of urine specimens from patients of Steglitz University Hospital at Berlin Free University are transmitted directly from the laboratory reading station to a mini-computer by means of an input tablet and a menu-driven programme. First, an identification of each specimen is entered on reception and printed out to form a working list. After culturing, the microorganisms are inoculated into microdilution plates for susceptibility testing and differentiation of Enterobacteriaceae. At the reading station, the urine data acquisition programme stores the observed CFU/ml values as well as up to 6 pathogens for each specimen. For each pathogen susceptibilities to 30 antibiotics are tested and reported for up to 4 levels of sensitivity. Enterobacteriaceae are speciated largely according to the results of 17 biochemical tests. User-programme interaction can be monitored on an LCD. Two correction facilities are provided: (1) within the current specimen, or (2) by recalling earlier specimens. Antibiotic usage patterns and species coding may be modified without reprogramming by editing the configuration files for (1) usage of the menu, (2) species coding, and (3) substrate-species combinations. The results are printed on self-adhesive labels, which are returned to the senders of specimens on the conventional request forms.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1988

Synthesis and biological properties of alpha-mono- and alpha-difluoromethyl derivatives of tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan.

The syntheses of alpha-mono- and alpha-difluoromethyl derivatives of tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan are described. In an attempt to selectively regulate serotonin synthesis, alpha-(mono- and difluoromethyl)tryptophan were tested in vivo as precursors (or prodrugs) of their 5-hydroxy analogues. Although alpha-(mono- and difluoromethyl)-5-hydroxytryptophans are potent irreversible inhibitors of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (equipotent to alpha-difluoromethyl-Dopa), only alpha-(monofluoromethyl)tryptophan affects the level of serotonin in vivo (small decrease), alpha-(difluoromethyl)tryptophan being a very poor substrate of the activating (or helper) enzyme, tryptophan hydroxylase.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗
PubMed1988

Anticonvulsive properties of pregnanolone emulsion compared with althesin and thiopentone in mice.

The anticonvulsive properties of pregnanolone (as an emulsion) were evaluated in mice and compared with similar properties of Althesin and thiopentone. Pregnanolone emulsion was found to antagonize convulsions induced by the GABA antagonists pentetrazole, bicuculline and picrotoxin and by the specific glycine receptor antagonist, strychnine. The drug was effective in all four convulsive tests at subanaesthetic doses with maximal activity appearing within less than 1 min. The anticonvulsive therapeutic indices of pregnanolone emulsion were superior when compared with the therapeutic indices of Althesin and thiopentone in all four tests. Pregnanolone emulsion might be a useful alternative drug in the management of convulsive states resistant to conventional therapy.

Alfaxalone Alfadolone Mixture↗
PubMed1988

Pharmacokinetics and serum bactericidal activity of vancomycin alone and in combination with ceftazidime in healthy volunteers.

The pharmacokinetics and serum bactericidal activity of vancomycin alone and in combination with ceftazidime were investigated in 10 healthy volunteers. The pharmacokinetic parameters showed no significant differences (P less than 0.05) between single and combined administration. No antagonistic effects were observed in serum bactericidal activity with the combination against 20 gram-positive and 20 gram-negative locally isolated bacteria. A titer of greater than or equal to 1:8 was generated by the combination against all test strains except enterococci. Seven of ten volunteers developed a typical "red man's syndrome" during the administration of 1.0 g of vancomycin.

Adult↗