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Biomedical subjects

K Bauer

Publications and source records attributed to K Bauer.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome owing to 1:3 segregation of a maternal 4;21 translocation.

We describe a child with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome with the karyotype 45,XY,inv(9)(p11q13)pat,-4,-21,+der(4),t(4;21)(p15.3;q11.2)mat. This is the second case known to us of Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome caused by 1:3 segregation of a parental rearrangement. This mode of segregation can be predicted in both cases by a pachytene-diagram model. It is uncertain whether or not the proximal 21q monosomy in this case has affected the phenotype.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Release of vitamin B12 from carrier erythrocytes in vitro.

Resealed erythrocyte ghosts (carrier erythrocytes) are potential in vivo carriers for exogenous enzymes or drugs, but data on carrier erythrocyte survival and clearance rate in humans are not available. We have measured the in vitro efflux of vitamin B12 encapsulated in human red cell by hypo-osmotic dialysis, as a preliminary for its use as a marker for in vivo human studies. Vitamin B12 was encapsulated into erythrocytes at a relative incorporation efficiency of 60%. In vitro hemolysis of carrier erythrocytes was minimal over 40 h, but vitamin B12 was rapidly lost from the cells, efflux t/2 was 5 h, presumably by diffusion through the intact cell membrane. Vitamin B12 (Vit B12) may, nevertheless, be a suitable marker for short-term human studies on carrier erythrocyte splanchnic clearance.

Blood Specimen Collection↗

Maltose-binding protein does not modulate the activity of maltoporin as a general porin in Escherichia coli.

Maltoporin (lambda receptor) is part of the maltose transport system in Escherichia coli and is necessary for the facilitated diffusion of maltose and maltodextrins across the outer membrane. Maltoporin also allows the diffusion of nonmaltodextrin substrates, albeit with less efficiency. The preference of maltoporin for maltodextrins in vivo is thought to be the result of an interaction of maltoporin with the maltose-binding protein, the malE gene product. In a recent report Heuzenroeder and Reeves (J. Bacteriol. 144:431-435, 1980) suggested that this interaction establishes a gating mechanism which inhibits the diffusion of nonmaltodextrin substrates, such as lactose. To reinvestigate this important conclusion, we constructed ompR malTc strains carrying either the malE+ gene, the nonpolar malE444 deletion, or the malE254 allele, which specifies an interaction-deficient maltose-binding protein. Lactose uptake was measured at different concentrations below the Km of this transport system and under conditions where transport was limited by the diffusion through maltoporin. We found no difference in the kinetics of lactose uptake irrespective of the malE allele. We conclude that the maltose-binding protein does not modulate the activity of maltoporin as a general outer membrane porin.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Further characterization of 4-bromomisonidazole as a potential detector of hypoxic cells.

[14C]Bromomisonidazole was prepared by direct bromination of [ring-2] [14C]misonidazole in dioxane. The uptake and binding of the two labeled sensitizers were compared in vitro in 1-mm EMT-6 spheroids which contain a necrotic core. Using liquid scintillation counting it was shown that spheroids incubated with 50 microM [14C]bromomisonidazole concentrated drug above levels in the medium by 1 1/2 hr and achieved maximum concentration by 10 hr with no further increase at 23 hr. Spheroids incubated with 50 microM [14C]misonidazole may concentrate the sensitizer more slowly but ultimately reached the same fivefold increase over levels in the medium by 23 hr as was observed for bromomisonidazole. Autoradiographs prepared from spheroids after incubation with [14C]misonidazole or [14C]bromomisonidazole showed silver grains preferentially located over viable hypoxic cells in the inner half of the spheroid rim adjacent to the necrotic center, with lower grain density over nonviable necrotic areas and many fewer grains over oxic cells at the periphery of the spheroid. The results indicate that both severely and moderately hypoxic cells may preferentially bind [14C]bromomisondiazole. The data support the potential of radiolabeled bromomisonidazole for in vivo imaging pending additional studies of the metabolism of this agent.

Animals↗

Degradation of substance P by neurones and glial cells.

Neuronal and astroblast-rich cultures from rat brain degrade exogenously added substance P. The rate of degradation is decreased by diisopropylfluorophosphate, phosphoramidon and bacitracin, but not by N-ethylmaleimide or bestatin. When diisopropylfluorophosphate, phosphoramidon and bacitracin are simultaneously present in the culture medium, the degradation of substance P is completely inhibited. These results indicate that the hydrolysis of substance P by intact cells is catalyzed by the post-proline dipeptidylaminopeptidase (EC 3.4.14.5), the thermolysin-like metallopeptidase ("enkephalinase", EC 3.4.24.11) and a yet uncharacterized bacitracin-sensitive activity. While the thermolysin-like metallopeptidase is mainly associated with glial cells, the specific activity of the other enzymes is five times higher in the neuronal culture.

Animals↗

Subcellular distribution of particle-bound neutral peptidases capable of hydrolyzing gonadoliberin, thyroliberin, enkephalin and substance P.

Subcellular fractions from rat anterior pituitary homogenates were obtained by differential and gradient centrifugation, identified with the help of marker enzymes and screened for peptidases capable of hydrolyzing gonadoliberin, thyroliberin, enkephalin and substance P. Since each neuropeptide is susceptible to cleavage by more than one enzyme, specific substrates or inhibitors have been used for the selective determination of the individual peptidasic activities. Among the various enzymes tested, the angiotensin-converting enzyme, the thermolysin-like metalloendopeptidase ('enkephalinase'), a thyroliberin-degrading enzyme and some aminopeptidasic activities were found to be associated with the plasma membrane. Other aminopeptidases, a gonadoliberin-degrading and a substance-P-degrading enzyme are associated with the mitochondria and thus are most likely not involved in the biological inactivation of neuropeptides.

Animals↗

Efficacy of the M-2 protocol in previously untreated patients with advanced multiple myeloma.

37 consecutive, previously untreated patients with advanced multiple myeloma (16 patients Stage II, 21 patients Stage III) were treated with a five drug regimen consisting of carmustine, melphalan, vincristine, cyclophosphamide and prednisolone (M-2-protocol) in a prospective manner. Remission was achieved in 24 patients (65%). The median time to remission was 10 weeks, the median duration of remission 15,3 months. Median survival time from the onset of treatment was 24 months for all patients. Responding patients have a projected 65% three year survival. Median survival in non-responders was 10 months. 8 patients died during the first year of treatment. These results do not confirm the favourable results with this drug combination obtained in a previous trial. The discrepancy may be explained by a higher proportion of poor risk patients in the present study.

Aged↗

Characterization of a neutral endopeptidase localized in the mitochondrial matrix of rat anterior pituitary tissue with GnRH as a substrate.

We have determined the subcellular localization of an endopeptidase activity able to degrade gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and present in the rat adenohypophysis. After fractionation of tissue homogenates in 0.25 M sucrose by differential centrifugation, about 25% of the total cellular GnRH degrading activity was found to be sedimentable and recovered from heavy (M) and light (L) mitochondrial fractions with a distribution pattern similar to that of the mitochondrial and lysosomal reference enzymes cytochrome oxidase and beta-galactosidase. Upon further fractionation on sucrose density gradients, the activity comigrated with mitochondria. The peptidase appears endowed with a structure-linked latency; the activity is low in a freshly prepared mitochondrial fraction and increases upon treatment with membrane disrupting agents in a manner similar to that of malate dehydrogenase, a component of the mitochondrial matrix. Determination of GnRH cleavage sites was performed by amino acid analysis of the fragments obtained after incubation of the peptidase with (3H)-GnRH labelled on the pyroglutamic acid residue, in presence of carboxypeptidase and peptidyldipeptidase inhibitors. The fragments were separated by ion-exchange chromatography on an Aminex Q-15S column and purified by chromatography on silica gel plates. Fragments 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5 and 1-6 were all present as early as 1 min after the beginning of incubation. Formation of each of them was inhibited to the same extent by EDTA, mersalyl acid, dithioerythritol and Na deoxycholate. The same fragmentation pattern was observed after partial purification of the enzyme by gel filtration. These data indicate that cleavage of several peptide bonds may result from a possibly single endopeptidase located in the mitochondrial matrix space.

Animals↗

CSF and plasma beta-casomorphin-like opioid peptides in postpartum psychosis.

The authors measured opioid receptor-active components in the CSF of 11 women with postpartum psychosis, 11 healthy lactating women, and 16 healthy women who were not lactating. Activity that eluted with 0.2 M acetic acid 0.7-0.9 times the total volume of the column (fraction II activity) was significantly higher in the CSF of both healthy and psychotic women in the puerperium than in that of the lactating women. Very high levels of fraction II activity were seen in four psychotic patients. Material from these patients was further characterized by electrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography: The material migrated as bovine beta-casomorphin. Receptor-active material with the same characteristics was also found in the plasma of these four patients. The authors conclude that certain cases of postpartum psychosis are associated with the occurrence in plasma and CSF of unique opioid peptides probably related to bovine beta-casomorphin.

Adult↗

Hemoglobin D "Los Angeles" in an Austrian family: biochemical identification, clinical aspects, and kindred study.

During a screening program for gestational diabetes, hemoglobin D "Los Angeles" (beta 121 Glu----Gln) was detected by HPLC in an overweight but healthy pregnant Austrian woman. The chromatogram of the hemolysate revealed an unusual splitting of the hemoglobin A1 peak. Sequential analysis of the abnormal peptide indicated hemoglobin D "Los Angeles" heterozygosity in the patient. This is the first description of this variant in Germanic-appearing people. In a kindred study of 49 of the 57 living family members spanning four generations, 22 were heterozygous for hemoglobin D "Los Angeles". How this gene got to this region of Austria is unknown, but transfer via Iran and Turkey seems likely.

Austria↗

[Initial description of hemoglobin D Punjab in an Austrian family].

Haemoglobin D Punjab was detected in a slightly overweight, but otherwise healthy pregnant woman when she was tested for gestational diabetes within the framework of a screening programme. Chromatographic evaluation of the haemolysate by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed an unusual "splitting" of the A1 peak into two minor peaks. A diabetes-independent haemoglobin variant was suspected and further investigations, including electrophoresis, purification and sequential analysis of the tryptic peptide, identified the abnormal haemoglobin as haemoglobin D Punjab (beta 121 Glu-Gln). This is the first report of this haemoglobin variant in Austria. Various possible modes of geographical spreading of the gene from Punjab (India) are discussed, the land-route via Turkey being the most favourable hypothesis in this case. An investigation of 6 out of 7 living members of the family was undertaken. In 3 instances haemoglobin D Punjab was confirmed by HPLC and electrophoresis. The investigation of the family is currently being expanded to include a total of five generations.

Adult↗

[Identification of hemoglobin D Punjab (beta 121 glu replaced by gln) in an Austrian family. Sequence analysis of the abnormal tryptic peptide beta XTp13].

In the course of a screening programme for gestational diabetes an abnormal haemoglobin fraction was detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), used for Hb A1c-quantification. Cellulose acetate electrophoresis revealed a heterozygote haemoglobinopathy with approximately equal amounts of Hb A1 and of an abnormal haemoglobin which migrated in the position of Hb S under the conditions used. Preparative separation of these haemoglobin components was performed by use of a DEAE-cellulose column and standard conditions. alpha- and beta-chains were isolated with CM-sepharose and buffer containing 8M urea. The abnormal component of the aberrant haemoglobin was found to be the beta-chains in reconstitution experiments with globin-chains and haemin. A tryptic hydrolysate of the isolated abnormal beta-chains was analysed by means of HPLC and a C2 reverse phase (RP2). Rechromatography of the abnormal fractions on a C18 reverse phase (ODS) led to a pure preparation of peptide beta XTp13. The amino acid sequence analysis of this peptide showed an exchange of glutamic acid to glutamine in position beta 121 (beta 121 Glu----Gln). By these means evidence was obtained for the existence of a heterozygote Hb D Punjab state in the observed patient.

Adult↗

Heterogeneous distribution of enkephalin-degrading peptidases between neuronal and glial cells.

Cultured neurones, astroblasts and astrocytes from murine brain have been screened with specific tests for the presence of peptidases capable of degrading enkephalin. Bestatin-sensitive aminopeptidases represent the major enkephalin-degrading activity in all cases. The dipeptidylaminopeptidasic activity is much higher in the neuronal than the glial cultures, whereas the opposite is true for the metallopeptidase called "enkephalinase". Only trace amounts of the dipeptidylcarboxypeptidase "angiotensin-converting enzyme" have been found. We conclude that bestatin-sensitive aminopeptidases on nerve cells are probable candidates for enkephalin-inactivating enzymes, whereas the "enkephalinase" on glial cells more likely serves a scavenger function.

Aminopeptidases↗

Factors limiting exercise performance in progressive systemic sclerosis.

In order to evaluate to which extent various organs limit physical performance in PSS, maximal working capacity was studied in 22 patients. Special attention was given to cardiac and pulmonary function, joint mobility, and muscular strength. A model for scoring these parameters is given. Working capacity was on the average 51% of the predicted normal value. Ventilation at maximal workload was high despite normal arterial blood gases and presumably normal physiologic dead space. This can be explained by an increased demand on ventilation from an increased muscle metabolism. This may be due to impeded mobility of respiratory and locomotive organs. The maximal heart rate was low and patients with low physical capacity had only a small decrease in base excess. One third of the patients developed arrhythmia during exercise, which contributed to a low performance. Other myocardial involvement was common, seen in the Q-waves, low voltage, left axis deviation, and increased heart volume. In PSS, these ECG changes probably reflect myocardial fibrosis that has developed without clinically manifest infarction. Special attention must be given to arrhythmias at work, which are overlooked in a resting ECG. Ventricular tachycardia plays an important role in sudden death, which, when it occurs, almost always does so within the first years after the onset of PSS. There was no close linkage between cardiac dysfunction and pulmonary fibrosis or joint-muscle impairment. The scoring system showed an equal distribution in reduction of working capacity as to circulation, pulmonary function, and locomotive function.+2

Adult↗