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Biomedical subjects

M Schindler

Publications and source records attributed to M Schindler.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Lipids trigger changes in the elasticity of the cytoskeleton in plant cells: a cell optical displacement assay for live cell measurements.

An assay has been developed to quantitatively measure the tension and elasticity of the cytoskeleton in living plant cells. The cell optical displacement assay (CODA) uses a focused laser beam to optically trap and displace transvacuolar and cortical strands through a defined distance within the cell. Results from these experiments provide evidence for the classification of at least two rheologically distinct cytoskeletal assemblies, cortical and transvacuolar, that differ in their tension and response to both signaling molecules and reagents that perturb the cytoskeleton. It is further demonstrated that the tension of the transvacuolar strands can be significantly decreased by the addition of either linoleic acid, 1,2 dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol, or 1,3 dioctanoylglycerol. These decreases in tension could also be induced by lowering the cytoplasmic pH. In contrast, addition of Ca2+, Mg2+, or the ionophore A23187 to the cells caused a considerable increase in the tension of the transvacuolar strands. The data provides evidence that: (a) linoleic acid may be a signaling molecule in plant cells; (b) diacylglycerol functions as a signaling molecule through a protein kinase C-independent pathway mediated by PLA2; and (c) Ca2+ and pH have regulatory roles for controlling cytoskeleton tension and organization.

Calcimycin↗

Characterization of the pyruvate kinase-encoding gene (pki1) of Trichoderma reesei.

The pyruvate kinase-encoding gene (pki1) from Trichoderma reesei was isolated by hybridization to the corresponding Aspergillus nidulans pkiA gene. The 1614-bp nucleotide (nt) sequence of the cloned gene codes for a 538-amino-acid protein. The coding sequence contains a single intron of 246 nt at a position identical to that of intron E in the A. nidulans gene. The PKI protein shows extensive homology to the PKIs of A. nidulans and A. niger (67%) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (59%). The 5' non-coding sequence contains a number of motifs typical for yeast glycolytic genes, but so far only rarely found in filamentous fungi.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Carbohydrate binding activities of Bradyrhizobium japonicum: unipolar localization of the lectin BJ38 on the bacterial cell surface.

A polyclonal antiserum generated against the Bradyrhizobium japonicum lectin BJ38 was characterized to be specifically directed against the protein. Treatment of B. japonicum cells with this antiserum and subsequent visualization with transmission electron microscopy and both conventional and confocal fluorescence microscopy revealed BJ38 at only one pole of the bacterium. BJ38 appeared to be organized in a tuft-like mass, separated from the bacterial outer membrane. BJ38 localization was coincident with the attachment site for (i) homotypic agglutination to other B. japonicum cells, (ii) adhesion to the cultured soybean cell line SB-1, and (iii) adsorption to Sepharose beads covalently derivatized with lactose. In contrast, the plant lectin soybean agglutinin labeled the bacteria at the pole distant from the bacterial attachment site. These results indicate that the topological distribution of BJ38 is consistent with a suggested role for this bacterial lectin in the polar binding of B. japonicum to other cells and surfaces.

Antibodies↗

Diltiazem provides anti-ischemic and anti-arrhythmic protection in patients undergoing coronary bypass grafting.

In 91 patients undergoing elective coronary bypass grafting, the anti-ischemic and anti-arrhythmic efficacy of a 24-hour infusion of either the calcium antagonist diltiazem (0.1 mg/kg per h, n = 44) or nitroglycerin (1 micrograms/kg per min, n = 47) were compared. Myocardial ischemia was diagnosed by Holter monitoring and the repeated assessment of 12-lead ECG and serum enzyme levels and defined as a transient ischemic event, transient coronary spasm or myocardial infarction. The two groups did not differ with respect to preoperative and operative data. Postoperatively, the average heart rate and pulse pressure rate were significantly lower in the diltiazem group. The incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (4.5 vs 19.1%, P < 0.01), transient coronary spasm (2.3 vs 11.4%, P < 0.05) and myocardial infarction (4.5 vs 8.5%, not significant) and the frequency of ventricular premature couplets/h (12.1 +/- 4.5 vs 18.1 +/- 5.1, P < 0.05) and ventricular runs/h (2.5 +/- 0.8 vs 6.5 +/- 2.8, P < 0.05) were lower in the diltiazem as compared to the nitroglycerin group. In addition, diltiazem-treated patients had significantly lower postoperative peak values of creatine kinase-MB (19.3 +/- 11.6 vs 29.3 +/- 20.6, P < 0.05). In conclusion, perioperative infusion of diltiazem is effective in reducing the incidence and extent of arrhythmias and myocardial ischemia in patients undergoing elective coronary bypass grafting as compared to patients receiving nitroglycerin.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗

The influence of obesity on perioperative morbidity: retrospective study of 502 aortocoronary bypass operations.

The incidence of perioperative complications after coronary artery surgery was investigated by a retrospective study of all 502 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in our Department between January 1st and December 31st of last year (1990). Furthermore, the influence of obesity on the early results of surgery was assessed and the effect of preoperative weight reduction on perioperative complication rates examined. Obese patients had a greater incidence of left-stem coronary artery stenosis (p less than 0.001), hyperlipidaemia (p less than 0.05), hypertension (p less than 0.05), diabetes mellitus (p less than 0.02), and were in general younger at the time of operation (57.9 +/- 8.4 vs. 60.8 +/- 8.5 years). There were no differences in the surgery performed and in operative mortality, but there were some in perioperative morbidity. Obese patients had higher rates of infection (p less than 0.02), sternal dehiscence (p less than 0.02), arrhythmias (p less than 0.02) and myocardial infarction (p less than 0.02). No significant differences were identified in obese patients with or without preoperative weight reduction, although there was a trend of better postoperative recovery and results in patients having undergone preoperative weight reduction. Analysis of our results demonstrated obesity to be an independent risk factor for perioperative complications, hospital morbidity, and length of hospitalization.

Aged↗

Gap junction protein homologue from Arabidopsis thaliana: evidence for connexins in plants.

An Arabidopsis thaliana library constructed in the pBluescript expression vector lambda ZAP II (Stratagene) was screened with three affinity-purified antibodies raised against (i) rat liver connexin 32, (ii) a polypeptide from soybean root cells that migrates with a molecular mass of 29 kDa in SDS/polyacrylamide gels and is immunologically related to rat liver connexin, and (iii) a synthetic peptide corresponding to a sequence in rat liver connexin 32. A single clone was obtained whose gene product demonstrated immunological crossreactivity with all three reagents. The cDNA from this clone contained 1171 base pairs and coded for a protein of 280 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 32,339 Da (migrates as a 29-kDa polypeptide in SDS/polyacrylamide gels). The sequence homology observed between the 32-kDa polypeptide of Arabidopsis and connexin 32 from rat liver, in conjunction with observed similarities in predicted number and distribution of hydrophobic domains, sites for posttranslational modification, and basic pI, provides strong evidence that the biological range for connexin-type proteins may now be considered to include the plant kingdom.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The effect of lung mechanics on gas transport during high-frequency oscillation.

With the general aim of obtaining clinically relevant information on the use of high-frequency oscillation (HFO), we examined the effects of altering oscillatory frequency (f), tidal volume (VT), and mean airway pressure (Paw) on gas exchange in rabbits, both before and after altering the animal's pulmonary mechanics by saline induced lung injury. Twenty-seven combinations of f (5, 8, 12 Hz), VT (0.5, 1, 2 mL/kg), and Paw (5, 10, 13 cm H2O) were used. Acute pulmonary injury was induced by instilling 10 mL/kg of warm saline into the lung. Gas exchange was assessed by steady-state levels of arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) and carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2). Arterial PaO2 was independent of f or VT before or after lung injury; it was independent of Paw before injury but highly dependent on Paw after lavage. The difference was presumably related to lung volume recruitment. Arterial PaCO2 was dependent on f and VT but independent of Paw at any time. The relationship was modeled by the equation PaCO2 alpha fa. VTb where the exponents a = -0.4 and b = -0.6. Our technique of a standardized saline instillation gave a reproducible and stable model of lung injury. In damaged rabbit lungs the principles of HFO appear to be similar to conventional mechanical ventilation; oxygenation depends on Paw and inspired oxygen concentration, while CO2 removal is determined by f and VT.

Animals↗

A comparison of postoperative analgesia provided by wound infiltration or caudal analgesia.

A prospective randomised study was performed to compare postoperative analgesia produced by caudal block with that of local wound infiltration in 54 children following unilateral inguinal herniotomy. There was no statistically significant difference in the analgesia produced by these two methods. The requirement for additional postoperative analgesia and the incidence of side-effects was similar in the two groups.

Analgesia, Epidural↗

Alkalinization of the lysosomes is correlated with ras transformation of murine and human fibroblasts.

The pH of the intralysosomal compartment of fibroblasts in culture was monitored by measuring the fluorescence emission intensity at 530 nm of fluid phase pinocytosed fluorescein-conjugated dextrans (FITC-dextrans) excited at 488 and 457 nm. Following the procedure of Ohkuma and Poole (Ohkuma, S., and Poole, B. (1978) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. (1978) 75, 3327-3331), a relationship was established between the fluorescence emission intensity of the FITC-dextrans and pH. This correlation was used to determine the intralysosomal apparent pH (pHapp) of a series of fibroblast cultures. The mean intralysosomal pHapp values of nontransformed mouse 3T3 fibroblasts and an infinite life-span human fibroblast cell strain, designated MSU-1.1, was 5.0. In distinction that of 3T3 fibroblasts transformed to the malignant state by Kirsten murine sarcoma virus and MSU-1.1 cells transformed by transfection of the v-Ki-ras or T24 H-ras oncogene was 6.1. These measurements suggest that ras transformation results in a significant perturbation of lysosomal pH.

Animals↗

[Left hemispheric site of EEG findings in patients with schizophrenic psychoses].

It was the aim of our study to examine the interhemispherical and extrahemispherical integration that is possibly disturbed in patients suffering from schizophrenic psychoses, using an easy method of EEG performance spectral analysis. For this purpose, the EEG at rest and the functional EEG were determined in 69 schizophrenic patients (ICD) and 22 healthy subjects and the EEG reactivity was calculated. Differences especially in alpha-2 reactivity were seen both intrahemispherically and interhemispherically. This supports the concept of left hemispheric dysfunction in patients suffering from schizophrenic psychoses.

Adult↗

Nucleocytoplasmic transport is enhanced concomitant with nuclear accumulation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) binding activity in both 3T3-1 and EGF receptor reconstituted NR-6 fibroblasts.

Measurements of nucleocytoplasmic transport of fluorescent-labeled macromolecules were performed in both an EGF-nonresponsive mutant fibroblast line (3T3-NR6) and in the same cell line reconstituted with active EGF receptors derived from rat hepatic membrane fraction. Immunolocalization studies of exogenously incorporated EGF receptors in reconstituted 3T3-NR6 fibroblasts demonstrated predominantly intracellular localization. The EGF receptor constructs also showed EGF-stimulated incorporation of [3H]thymidine, providing biochemical evidence for functional integration of the exogenously supplied EGF receptors into the reconstituted fibroblasts. Additional support for the functional incorporation of receptor may be inferred from the enhanced cellular accumulation of 125I-EGF in cells treated with chloroquine and leupeptin. 125I-EGF binding and transnuclear macromolecular transport measurements in mutant and reconstituted cells, in conjunction with such measurements on nuclei isolated from these cells, provide data consistent with a growth factor/nuclear signaling mechanism dependent on the nuclear acquisition of EGF binding activity from the plasma membrane.

Animals↗

Carbohydrate binding activities of Bradyrhizobium japonicum. I. Saccharide-specific inhibition of homotypic and heterotypic adhesion.

Bradyrhizobium japonicum (R110d) exhibited four saccharide-specific binding activities: (a) adsorption to Sepharose beads containing covalently coupled lactose; (b) homotypic agglutination through one pole of the cell (star formation); (c) heterotypic adhesion to the cultured soybean cell line, SB-1; and (d) attachment to roots of soybean plants. Each of these binding activities can be inhibited by the addition of galactose or lactose, but not by derivatives such as N-acetyl-D-galactosamine or melibiose. Treatment of wild-type bacteria with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine followed by selection on the basis of reduced binding to SB-1 cells, resulted in two specific mutants, designated N4 and N6. Compared to wild type, these two mutants also exhibited decreased binding activity in: (a) adsorption to lactose-Sepharose beads; (b) homotypic star formation; and (c) heterotypic attachment to roots of soybeans plants. These results suggest that all four of the saccharide-inhibitable binding activities of Bradyrhizobium japonicum may be mediated by the same mechanism(s) or molecular component(s).

Agglutination↗

Carbohydrate binding activities of Bradyrhizobium japonicum. II. Isolation and characterization of a galactose-specific lectin.

Extracts of Bradyrhizobium japonicum were fractionated on Sepharose columns covalently derivatized with lactose. Elution of the material that was specifically bound to the affinity column with lactose yielded a protein of Mr approximately 38,000. Isoelectric focusing of this sample yielded two spots with pI values of 6.4 and 6.8. This protein specifically bound to galactose-containing glycoconjugates, but did not bind either to glucose or mannose. Derivatives of galactose at the C-2 position showed much weaker binding; there was an 18-fold difference in the relative binding affinities of galactose versus N-acetyl-D-galactosamine. These results indicate that we have purified a newly identified carbohydrate-binding protein from Bradyrhizobium japonicum, that can exquisitely distinguish galactose from its derivatives at the C-2 position.

Binding, Competitive↗

The effect of ACE inhibition on myocardial energy metabolism.

There are several indications that the oxygen supply to the myocardium is inadequate in chronic heart failure. This is due to an increased intramyocardial vascular resistance, elevated filling pressures, and a shortened diastolic perfusion time. In parallel, the myocardial oxygen demand is heightened due to elevated wall stress, heart rate and contractility. This imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand might be the cause of the adaptive metabolic changes seen in severe chronic heart failure. We showed increased LDH 5, decreased LDH 1 and increased ADP/ATP-carrier concentration in the myocardium from patients with chronic heart failure. After ACE-inhibitor treatment in 33 patients with chronic heart failure, LDH 1 increased from 38.7 +/- 6.7% to 42.3 +/- 5.5% (P less than 0.005) paralleled by a decrease in LDH 5 from 20.8 +/- 7.0% to 15.8 +/- 4.7% (P less than 0.001). The ADP/ATP-carrier concentration also decreased significantly within the normal range. This shift in the LDH isoenzyme pattern and decrease in the ADP/ATP-concentration can be interpreted as an indication for an improvement of myocardial energy balance in chronic heart failure under ACE-inhibitor therapy. This might help interrupt the self-perpetuation of chronic heart failure which is partially caused by a progressive subendocardial perfusion deficit.

Cardiac Output, Low↗

Thrombocytopenia and platelet functional defects in pre-eclampsia: implications for regional anaesthesia.

A prospective, observational study of forty pre-eclamptic patients was conducted to confirm or refute reports of a platelet functional defect superimposed on the consumptive thrombocytopenia of pre-eclampsia. Investigations included a platelet count, in vivo platelet function as assessed by a Duke bleeding time, and in vitro platelet function as assessed by thromboxane B2 and Platelet Factor 3 (PF 3). The overall incidence of thrombocytopenia was 15%. Prolonged bleeding time and slightly decreased availability of PF 3 (evidence of possible platelet dysfunction) was present in 2.5% of patients while 21% had evidence of fibrinolysis with an elevated monoclonal D-dimer. In the assessment of suitability for regional blockade, a platelet count is essential. If the platelet count is between 50 and 100 x 10(9)/l a bleeding time is indicated.

Anesthesia, Conduction↗

O-antigen from Bradyrhizobium japonicum lipopolysaccharide inhibits intercellular (symplast) communication between soybean (Glycine max) cells.

The technique of fluorescence redistribution after photobleaching was utilized to measure intercellular movement of low molecular weight fluorescent hydrophilic substances across the cell wall/membrane interface between contiguous soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Mandarin) root cells (SB-1 cell line) in tissue culture. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) purified from Bradyrhizobium japonicum R110d, a Gram-negative bacterium that normally infects and induces nodulation in soybean roots in vivo, inhibits intercellular communication between the soybean cells in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, LPS from noninfecting strains failed to yield the same effect. The inhibitory activity of the LPS was localized to the O-antigen region of the LPS.

Antigens, Bacterial↗