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Biomedical subjects

M Krause

Publications and source records attributed to M Krause.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Fibrolytic enzyme treatment of barley grain and source of forage in high-grain diets fed to growing cattle.

We conducted a study to determine the effects of treating barley grain with a fibrolytic enzyme mixture on chewing activities, ruminal fermentation, and total tract digestibility in cattle. We also investigated the potential benefits of using barley straw rather than barley silage as a roughage source in high-grain diets for feedlot cattle. Steers were given ad libitum access to one of four diets that consisted of 95% barley-based concentrate and 5% forage (DM basis). The concentrate was either control or enzyme-treated, and the forage was either barley silage or barley straw. Applying the enzyme mixture onto the barley lowered the concentrations of dietary ADF and NDF. However, it is not certain when this fiber hydrolysis occurred relative to feed consumption because the fiber analyses were conducted after the study was completed. Enzyme treatment of barley increased total tract dietary ADF digestibility by 28% (P<.05). Acetate-to-propionate ratio tended to decrease, which suggests that enzymes may have increased ruminal starch digestion as a result of enhanced digestion of barley hulls. Replacing silage with straw increased ADF intake (P<.05) and resulted in 1-h/d increase in rumination time (P<.05). Even though there was no effect of diet on ruminal pH, replacing silage with straw increased ruminal acetate, as a percentage of total VFA, and total tract ADF digestion (P<.01). This study demonstrates that using a fibrolytic enzyme mixture in high-grain diets that contain mainly barley grain can improve fiber digestion and grain utilization, but the mode of action is unclear. Straw can be used rather than silage to increase the effective fiber content of a high-grain feedlot diet.

Amylases↗
PubMed1997

Complexes at the replication origin of Bacillus subtilis with homologous and heterologous DnaA protein.

The initial steps in the formation of the initiation complex at oriC of Bacillus subtilis were analyzed with special emphasis on the exchangeability of B. subtilis DnaA protein by DnaA of Escherichia coli. The DNA binding domain of B. subtilis DnaA protein was localized in the 93 C-terminal amino acids. Formation of the "initial complex", as analyzed by electron microscopy, was indistinguishable with B. subtilis DnaA protein or with E. coli DnaA. Similarly, both proteins were able to form loops by interaction of DnaA proteins bound to the DnaA box regions upstream and downstream of the dnaA gene in B. subtilis oriC. The region of local unwinding in the "open complex" was precisely defined. It is located at one side of a region of helical instability, a DNA unwinding element (DUE). Unwinding in oriC could only be catalyzed by the homologous DnaA protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

[Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy: significance in everyday clinical practice].

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy (PLE) is a newly recognized syndrome with characteristic radiologic findings. The clinical picture resembles that of hypertensive encephalopathy. PLE is caused by uncontrolled hypertension as well as other neurotoxic conditions. We report on 3 patients with this syndrome. One patient also had transient hydrocephalus which may have been caused by PLE. Clinicians must be aware of this syndrome as its recognition obviates unnecessary diagnostic procedures. PLE is reversible by lowering elevated blood pressure and treating neurotoxic conditions such as uremia.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in a, until now, healthy 46-year-old HIV-negative man].

A 46-year-old male patient was referred from a peripheral hospital with a 5 days history of high fever, dyspnea and respiratory deterioration. Direct immunofluorescence examination of bronchoalveolar fluid repeatedly showed clusters of Pneumocystis carinii. High-dose sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim therapy was initiated and the patient recovered promptly during the following days. This otherwise healthy patient's past history was unremarkable in terms of prior infectious diseases. There was no evidence of immunodeficiency and he was not taking medication. Antibodies against HIV-1 were repeatedly negative, as were the assay for p24-antigen, PCR for HIV-DNA and HIV culture. Subpopulations of lymphocytes showed normal values. Analysis of the IgG fractions revealed a decreased subclass 2 fraction. Functional assays showed decreased biological binding capacity of this subclass 2 IgG to polysaccharide antigens. A four-fold increase of cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG titer suggested a concomitant CMV infection or reactivation. As CMV infection is known to cause transient cellular immunodeficiency, reactivated CMV infection, in concert with IgG subclass 2 deficiency, could be a predisposing factor for P. carinii infection in this patient.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1997

O-Linked GlcNAc transferase is a conserved nucleocytoplasmic protein containing tetratricopeptide repeats.

O-Linked GlcNAc addition and phosphorylation may compete for sites on nuclear pore proteins and transcription factors. We sequenced O-linked GlcNAc transferase from rabbit blood and identified the homologous Caenorhabditis elegans transferase gene on chromosome III. We then isolated C. elegans and human cDNAs encoding the transferase. The enzymes from the two species appear to be highly conserved; both contain multiple tetratricopeptide repeats and nuclear localization sequences. The C. elegans transferase accumulated in the nucleus and in perinuclear aggregates in overexpressing transgenic lines. O-Linked GlcNAc transferase activity was also elevated in HeLa cells transfected with the human cDNA. At least four human transcripts were observed in the tissues examined ranging in size from 4.4 to 9.3 kilobase pairs. The two largest transcripts (7.9 and 9.3 kilobase pairs) were enriched at least 12-fold in the pancreas. Based on its substrate specificity and molecular features, we propose that O-linked GlcNAc transferase is part of a glucose-responsive pathway previously implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Long-term survival of patients with recurrent or refractory germ cell tumors after high dose chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment of patients with recurrent or refractory germ cell tumors is still a debated topic. High dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with autologous stem cell rescue (ASCR) might be promising for intensification of first or subsequent salvage treatment. However, the long-term results of this approach remain largely unknown. METHODS: Between August 1989 and September 1992, 74 patients with recurrent and/or refractory germ cell tumors were treated in a Phase I/II trial with HDCT consisting of carboplatin (1500-2000 mg/m2), etoposide (1200-2400 mg/m2), and ifosfamide (0-10 g/m2). In September 1995 all patients were reevaluated to determine overall response, late toxicities, and survival. RESULTS: Two patients died from treatment-related toxicity shortly after HDCT, and 47 had recurrence or progression of disease after a median of 3 months (range, 1-44 months). Of these latter patients, three were living continuously disease free at the conclusion of this study after a second HDCT regimen, salvage surgery, or chronic oral etoposide treatment. The results were an overall survival of 38% (95% confidence interval, 27-50%) and a failure free survival of 31% (95% confidence interval, 21-43%) at 5 years. There were no long-term survivors among patients whose disease progressed while they were receiving conventional doses of cisplatin before HDCT. Late toxicities consisted mainly or renal impairment (in 21% of patients), paresthesias (in 29%), and ototoxicity (in 18%). CONCLUSIONS: HDCT can be curative for patients with germ cell tumors who do not become disease free after conventional dose chemotherapy but respond to this treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Does warming of anesthetic solutions improve analgesia and akinesia in retrobulbar anesthesia?

PURPOSE: The authors assess the effect of warming local anesthetic solutions on pain of injection and on bulbar akinesia and analgesia of retrobulbar anesthesia (RBA). METHODS: Seventy patients undergoing RBA for cataract surgery were enrolled in a prospective, double-blind trial. They were allocated randomly to receive 5 ml either warm (37 degrees C) or cold (20 degrees C) anesthetic solution for RBA. Additionally, O'Brien's method was used to create an akinesia of the orbicularis oculi muscle. The following data were collected before and 20 minutes after retrobulbar injection: pain of injection, eye motility (Kestenbaum test), and corneal sensitivity (0: no sensitivity; 1: sensitivity remaining) at four different sites. The pain of injection was registered using an ordinal analogous scale before and immediately after the injection. Furthermore, data acquisition included any possible side effects and the bulbar length, measured with ultrasound. RESULTS: The score for injection pain (4.5 +/- 2.3 points), horizontal eye motility (0.2 +/- 0.8 mm), vertical eye motility (0.9 +/- 2.1 mm) all were lower for the warm group in comparison to the cold group (average pain score: 5.2 +/- 2.6 points; horizontal eye motility: 0.7 +/- 1.6 mm; vertical eye motility: 1.2 +/- 2.0 mm). Two patients in the warm group and four patients in the cold group had remaining corneal sensitivity. None of the differences were significant. CONCLUSIONS: Data indicate no significant difference in bulbar analgesia and akinesia after RBA between injections of warm and cold anesthetic solutions.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Autologous connective tissue bars as vehicles for the administration of growth-influencing substances to the brain.

One of the main problems in the introduction of growth factors or other substances into the CNS is that most of these do not pass the blood-brain barrier, and so they have to be delivered directly to the target cells. Recently, different methods of intracerebral administration have been introduced such as release of drugs from polymer matrix or hollow polymer fibres, implantation of solution-soaked gel foam pieces or genetically modified cells secreting growth factors. In our studies on regeneration in CNS, the problem of introducing active substances into the brain arose. For this reason we elaborated a new method for the administration of soluble factor by means of autologous connective tissue chambers filled with fibrin. This method is particularly suitable in studies in which the visualization of the regrowth of nerve fibres is one of the main purposes. Presence of an active substance inside the chamber fibres to grow in the direction of the chamber and such fibres can be visualized here. Such visualization is impossible while using other methods of trophic substance delivery into the CNS, e.g. intraventricular steel cannula connected to an osmotic minipump, because there is neither space nor appropriate milieu to allow the fibres' ingrowth. Retrograde tracing methods allow to establish the cells of origin of these fibres. This method is inexpensive, simple and adaptable to histological procedures.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The effects of oral versus written instructions on parents' recall and satisfaction after pediatric appointments.

This study explored the differential effects of written versus oral instructions on parents' recall of information and satisfaction after pediatric appointments. Ninety-six parents completed descriptive information and satisfaction ratings, and four pediatricians completed ratings concerning the complexity level of the appointment. After the appointment, parents were randomly assigned to the Written condition (to receive a transcription of the pediatrician's instructions) or Oral condition (verbal instruction only). Parents were telephoned 5 to 7 days later to report their recall of instructions and satisfaction with the appointment. For the Oral condition parents only, more previous appointments with a given pediatrician were associated with greater parental satisfaction and recall of instructions, and more previous appointments and more time spent with the pediatrician were related to fewer forgotten instructions. Parental characteristics, such as age, number of children, and occupational status, were associated with satisfaction and accurate recall. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Insecticidal activity of a recombinant baculovirus containing an antisense c-myc fragment.

Attempts to develop baculovirus-based insecticides by insertion of genes encoding enzyme inhibitors, neuropeptides or toxins have met with some success. However, it is often difficult to ensure correct processing or secretion of the encoded peptides. Here we tested a simpler strategy by insertion of an antisense fragment of a host gene to block translation of a protein essential for larval growth and development. We selected the c-myc gene for two main reasons: (i) its protein is known to be well conserved in evolution and to have multiple essential functions during development; and (ii) c-myc family genes have yet to be characterized in insects, thus blockage of essential genes by anti-sense transcripts from a strong virus promoter could provide a sensitive test for the existence of myc-like gene products. An appropriate fragment of the human c-myc gene was inserted downstream from the polyhedrin promoter of Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus and tested in bioassays on Spodoptera frugiperda larvae. Western blot analysis with a human c-myc antibody revealed an endogenous protein band which bound specifically to these antibodies. This band disappeared more rapidly from cells infected with the antisense c-myc recombinant virus than from those infected with c-myc-negative virus. Results of bioassays showed that the antisense construct stopped feeding as soon as the polyhedrin promoter-driven transcripts accumulated, followed shortly by death of the larvae. These results suggest that c-myc-like protein(s) exist in insects and that the antisense strategy is an effective approach to virus insecticide productions.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Expression profile and subcellular location of the plasmid-encoded virulence (Spv) proteins in wild-type Salmonella dublin.

The plasmid-encoded virulence genes (spvABCD) in nontyphoid Salmonella strains mediate lethal infections in a variety of animals. Previous studies have shown that these genes are transcriptionally regulated by stationary-phase growth. We studied the expression profile and the subcellular locations of the SpvABCD proteins in wild-type S. dublin by using polyclonal antibodies against SpvA, SpvB, SpvC, and SpvD. The cellular levels of the individual proteins were determined during growth by quantitative immunoblotting. As expected, SpvA, SpvB, SpvC, and SpvD were not detectable before the late logarithmic growth phase and appeared in the sequence SpvA, SpvB, SpvC, and SpvD. In contrast to the transcriptional regulation, however, SpvA and SpvB reached their maximal expression shortly after induction and declined during further growth whereas SpvC and SpvD expression remained high throughout the stationary phase, indicating that the Spv proteins are individually regulated at a posttranscriptional level. To localize SpvABCD within the bacteria, the cells were fractionated into the periplasmic, cytoplasmic, inner membrane, and outer membrane components. The cell fractions and the culture supernatant were analyzed by immunoblotting. SpvA was present in the outer membrane, SpvB was present in the cytoplasm and the inner membrane, and SpvC was present in the cytoplasm. SpvD was secreted into the supernatant; however, a substantial portion of this protein was also detected in the cytoplasm and membranes. The molecular weights of SpvD in the supernatant and in the cytoplasm appeared to be equal, suggesting that SpvD is not cleaved upon secretion.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1997

Plasmid virulence gene expression induced by short-chain fatty acids in Salmonella dublin: identification of rpoS-dependent and rpo-S-independent mechanisms.

The Salmonella plasmid virulence spvABCD genes are growth phase regulated and require RpoS for maximal expression in stationary phase. We identified a growth phase-independent expression of spv which is mediated by short-chain fatty acids. During this fatty acid-mediated expression of spv, RpoS is required for induction only during exponential phase. In stationary phase, an rpoS-independent mechanism is responsible for expression of spv.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1997

Is the medial globus pallidus a site for stimulation or lesioning in the treatment of Parkinson's disease?

After the encouraging report on bilateral pallidal stimulation by Siegfried in 1994, we started this procedure in 1995 and will report our experience in 6 patients with a mean follow-up of 1 year. In contrast to the good results of pallidotomy reported in the literature improving the 'on' symptoms as dyskinesias as well as 'off' symptoms such as rigidity, bradykinesia and on-off fluctuations, our results indicate that pallidal stimulation improves the 'off' symptoms only to a minor extent and L-dopa-induced dyskinesias remain the main indication. Considering the overall functional outcome, the question arises whether the medial globus pallidus should be lesioned or stimulated.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Effect of volume recruitment on response to surfactant treatment in rabbits with lung injury.

We determined if surfactant treatment effect can be enhanced by mechanical volume recruitment during surfactant administration by measuring functional residual capacity, tidal volume, the alveolar portion of tidal volume, dynamic compliance of the respiratory system, a/A ratio, and PaCO2 by measuring before and after surfactant administration to rabbits with lung injury induced by airway lavage. There was improvement in all lung function indices when surfactant was given with volume recruitment, but when surfactant was given without volume recruitment, the only index to show significant improvement was a/A ratio of oxygenation. These results support the hypothesis that mechanical recruitment of terminal airspaces from a previously unventilated compartment will enhance the effectiveness of surfactant replacement by facilitating the distribution of instilled surfactant to this compartment.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

A C. elegans E/Daughterless bHLH protein marks neuronal but not striated muscle development.

The E proteins of mammals, and the related Daughterless (DA) protein of Drosophila, are ubiquitously expressed helix-loop-helix (HLH) transcription factors that play a role in many developmental processes. We report here the characterization of a related C. elegans protein, CeE/DA, which has a dynamic and restricted distribution during development. CeE/DA is present embryonically in neuronal precursors, some of which are marked by promoter activity of a newly described Achaete-scute-like gene hlh-3. In contrast, we have been unable to detect CeE/DA in CeMyoD-positive striated muscle cells. In vitro gel mobility shift analysis detects dimerization of CeE/DA with HLH-3 while efficient interaction of CeE/DA with CeMyoD is not seen. These studies suggest multiple roles for CeE/DA in C. elegans development and provide evidence that both common and alternative strategies have evolved for the use of related HLH proteins in controlling cell fates in different species.

Amino Acid Sequence↗