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Biomedical subjects

M Kramer

Publications and source records attributed to M Kramer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

cis and trans elements differ among mouse strains with high and low extrahepatic complement factor B gene expression.

Factor B (Bf), an enzyme of the alternative pathway of complement activation, is one of four major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class III genes. To ascertain the genetic mechanism for tissue-specific constitutive and regulated expression of Bf, we sequenced the regulatory regions 5' of the gene from mice of different H-2 MHC haplotypes and assessed trans-acting factors, specific DNA binding nucleoproteins, in liver and kidney. Striking tissue-specific differences in constitutive expression of Bf were demonstrated in mice of H-2f or H-2z haplotypes when compared with H-2d or H-2u (kidney and intestinal Bf in H-2d or H-2u much greater than H-2f or H-2z). These differences correlated with a point nucleotide substitution 3 bp downstream of the upstream Bf initiation site that affects interaction with a DNA binding protein. This and additional cis differences localize the sequence substitutions responsible for previously identified restriction fragment length polymorphisms among inbred mouse strains and also reveal two previously unrecognized polymorphisms generated by SmaI and HinfI digestion. Evidence for differences in trans was found in a comparison of DNA binding nucleoproteins from kidney, but not liver, of B10.PL when compared with B10.M. These data, together with the high degree of sequence homology between human and mouse Bf 5' flanking regions, should prompt a search for polymorphic restriction sites and cis binding elements in the Bf promoter that could serve as markers of human MHC-associated renal pathology and variants in local MHC class III gene expression.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Pulmonary involvement as the major manifestation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Respiratory symptoms and abnormal findings on chest X-ray are frequently noted in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, most of these represent pulmonary infections or mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and leukemic involvement of the lung is seldom diagnosed during life. In this report we describe three patients with non-progressive, responsive CLL who developed biopsy proven pulmonary infiltration with CLL. In one case, pulmonary involvement was the sole manifestation of recurrent disease and a second case had little disease elsewhere with minimal CLL in the blood at the time pulmonary involvement appeared. In all three cases, transbronchial biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage performed during fibreoptic bronchoscopy provided adequate tissue for diagnosis. We conclude that CLL may involve the lung even in the presence of a low peripheral white blood cell count with responsive disease elsewhere, and can readily be diagnosed by transbronchial biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[The exposure of the population to toxic substances in the interior of motor vehicles--the example of benzene].

The exposure of the population to benzene is caused in the first place by emissions of the motor-vehicle traffic. The air pollution concentrations in main traffic routes and in the sphere of influence of industrial plants amount to 5-30 micrograms Benzene/m3 in the course of the year. In indoor air about 6-12 micrograms/m3 are detectable, in the interior of motor-vehicles between 50 and 200 micrograms/m3. Smoking raises the individual burden significantly; in contrast food and drinking water amount only for a small part of the total intake of benzene. In rural areas with low outdoor-air concentrations the main source of burden can be the intake of benzene during the use of motor-vehicles. Despite the relatively low carcinogenic potency of benzene but because of the unfavourable exposure conditions and the comparatively high concentrations measures for the reduction of benzene in fuel should be taken immediately.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1992

[Case study of a Legionella epidemic in a rehabilitation clinic].

A series of nosocomial Legionella infections in a rehabilitation center is reported. In a three months period a total of 10 pneumonias with 3 deaths occurred (8 patients, 1 companion, 1 staff member). Serologic analysis proved additional Legionella infections within the nursing staff. The warm-water system was proved to be the source of infection by isolating Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 subtype Pontiac both in warm-water and patients samples. The air conditioning system could not be ruled out as another (secondary) route of exposure because of shortcomings in construction. Conclusions about prevention and the course of the disease are discussed and standards for warm-water and air conditioning systems are proposed.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Effects of temazepam, flurazepam and quinalbarbitone on sleep: psychomotor and cognitive function.

1 The effect of temazepam 15 and 30 mg, flurazepam 15 and 30 mg, quinalbarbitone 100 and 200 mg and placebo were studied in 14 healthy male volunteers according to a Latin-square design. At 14-d intervals subjects received capsules 30 min before bedtime on 2 consecutive nights and were evaluated for objective sleep characteristics, for morning estimates of sleep characteristics, and for cognitive and psychomotive performance and subjective state at 3.5, 10.0 and 22.5 h after ingestion. 2 Changes in sleep induction and sleep maintenance were observed with temazepam 30 mg and flurazepam 30 mg had the greater effect on cognitive performance, whereas quinalbarbitone 20 mg had the greater effect on psychomotive performance. Subjective assessments of alertness were most affected by flurazepam, and by quinalbarbitone 200 mg. 4 The results suggest that temazepam produces less residual effects and is shorter acting than quinalbarbitone and flurazepam.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

The effect of a single dose of quazepam (Sch-16134) on the sleep of chronic insomniacs.

The present study evaluated the efficacy of 25 mg of quazepam, a new benzodiazepine hypnotic, in a population of chronic insomniacs. The results indicate that a single dose (25 mg) administered for one night was efficacious when measured both objectively by polysomnographic recording and subjectively by questionnaire with no reported side-effects. The change in the objective measures paralleled the direction of change in subjective measures. Sleep efficiency and sleep maintenance were improved without EEG changes in Stages 2, 3-4, and REM. Further study is needed to evaluate the effects of chronic administration of different doses of quazepam in chronic insomniacs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Bicultural training: a cost-effective program.

The effects of a bicultural training program in easing adjustment to the work world were studied on new graduate nurses working in eight medical center hospitals. Data from that study are used to examine program costs per new graduate-head nurse dyad. The cost effectiveness of the bicultural program is illustrated by comparing program costs with savings resulting from decreased turnover among new graduates who receive bicultural training. The mean time and cost estimates for the program may be used by others to determine cost effectiveness of bicultural training in their own institutions.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗
PubMed1979

An analysis of behavioral contingencies in clinical teaching.

Principles of a contingency management were applied in analyzing student reports on clinical instruction. In behavioral science, a contingency is a relationship between a behavior and its effect. The analysis identifies contingencies arranged by clinical instructors that unintentionally interfere with learning. The faculty responded to the findings by planing changes to overcome the problems identified. Prior to the study, many of the problems uncovered were not recognized by the faculty. Students are usually not open about such sensitives areas of feedback. If dental faculty members of other institutions do not feel that similar findings apply to their schools, the authors recommend that they conduct an analogous study.

Attitude↗
PubMed1979

Narcolepsy and automatic behavior: a case report.

Narcolepsy is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy, which may be accompanied by hypnogogic or hypnopompic hallucinations and sleep paralysis. Automatic behavior is a relatively newly recognized symptom of the narcolepsy syndrome. This case report describes a particularly troublesome sort of automatic behavior--shoplifting--in a narcoleptic patient. It illustrates how a sleep-laboratory evaluation was used to confirm the diagnosis of narcolepsy and considers aspects of the treatment of the problem.

Automatism↗