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Biomedical subjects

P Hermann

Publications and source records attributed to P Hermann.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Who are the primary caretakers of children born to HIV-infected mothers? Results from a multistate surveillance project.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the primary caretakers of children born to women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. METHODS: We interviewed women at least 18 years of age who have been reported with HIV infection or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome to local health departments in 10 cities and states regarding the primary caretaker of their children born since 1977. RESULTS: Of 541 HIV-infected women who had been pregnant since 1977, 88% had living children. These women comprised 478 family units (mother and children); 234 (49%) of these units consisted of two or more children. The most common primary caretakers for all children within a family unit were the mother alone (46%), grandparents (16%), and both mother and father (15%). When the mother used injection drugs or lived alone, in a shelter, or with friends, almost one quarter of all children were cared for by their grandparents. Only 30% of the mothers knew about child care assistance services, and only 8% had contacted or used these services. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers with HIV, often alone, are the primary caretakers of their children. Increased provisions for child care assistance and planning for future permanent placement of orphaned children are urgently needed.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Role of CD40 antigen and interleukin-2 in T cell-dependent human B lymphocyte growth.

In the present study, we examined the participation of CD40 ligand (L)-CD40 interaction in T cell-dependent B cell responses. To this end, purified B lymphocytes were cultured over irradiated CD4+ cloned T cells activated with immobilized anti-CD3 antibody. The anti-CD40 mAb 89 strongly blocked, in a specific fashion, both proliferation and Ig secretion of tonsil B cells. Interestingly, proliferation of surface (s)IgD+ B cell was significantly less inhibited by anti-CD40 than that of sIgD- cells. Preactivated T cells induced B cells to grow and secrete immunoglobulins preferentially in response to IL-2. This contrasts with the CD40 system where B cells are essentially responsive to IL-4 and IL-10 but not to IL-2 alone. Collectively, these data indicate that CD40L-CD40 interaction plays an important role in IL-2 mediated T cell-dependent B cell responses. However, the activation of a subset of sIgD+ cells may be independent of this interaction.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1994

B cells regulate expression of CD40 ligand on activated T cells by lowering the mRNA level and through the release of soluble CD40.

The expression of CD40 ligand (CD40L) on activated T cells (CD4+ T cell clone MT9) is diminished when the T cells are cultured in the presence of B cells. This effect, observed both with normal tonsil B cells and with the B cell line JY, was detected after 6 h and sustained at least until 18 h of co-culture. Analysis of mRNA showed that CD40L mRNA levels were not modified after 6 h, but were significantly down-regulated after 18 h of co-culture with B cells. Although CD40L expression could not be detected by a CD40-Fc chimera, the molecule was still expressed at the membrane as shown with a polyclonal antiserum against CD40L (anti-TRAP). In addition, T cells activated in the presence of B cells were stained by a polyclonal antiserum against CD40, without the appearance of CD40 mRNA. These results indicated that a soluble form of CD40 (sCD40) bound to the expressed CD40L on T cells. The existence of sCD40 was confirmed by detection of sCD40 in B cell supernatants using a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Collectively, these data show that B cells can regulate the expression of CD40L on activated T cells at least by two different mechanisms.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1994

THE NEURAL CONTROL OF EGG-LAYING BEHAVIOUR IN THE POND SNAIL LYMNAEA STAGNALIS: MOTOR CONTROL OF SHELL TURNING

Behavioural and neurophysiological techniques were used to study the neuronal control of shell turning during egg-laying in the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis. Egg-laying consists of three phases: resting, turning and oviposition, and is triggered by an electrical discharge in a group of neuroendocrine cells, the caudodorsal cells. During the discharge, several peptides encoded on two CDCH genes are known to be released. Behavioural experiments in which different combinations of nerves were lesioned indicated that the inferior cervical nerves are necessary for turning behaviour to occur. The right inferior cervical nerve innervates the right dorsal longitudinal muscle and contains axons of neurones that are active just prior to, and during, shell movements in freely behaving animals. These axons are probably the axons of motor neurones. The motor neurones of the dorsal longitudinal muscle were identified in the cerebral A and pedal N clusters. We have demonstrated that there is a correlation between the state of excitability of the caudodorsal cells and the electrical activity of the pedal N motor neurones. Our results indicate that the pedal N motor neurones are involved in executing the turning phase during egg-laying.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1994

[Microbiological study of the correlation between pontics and their mucosal and bone bases].

Authors investigated the possible relationship between different types of ponties and the development of dental plaque. Microbiological examinations revealed, that keeping to the strictest hygiene rules, even the least proposed saddle ponties should be omitted. Attention is called to the utmost importance of motivation and instruction in case of patients wearing bridges.

Dental Devices, Home Care↗
PubMed1994

[Anchoring of partial dentures using OT-CAP precision attachments].

The authors have examined a precision attachment recently invented in Hungary. They are reporting about the experience gained during clinical examination of dentures made in different classes on the basis of the Fábián and Fejérdy classification of partial edentulousness.

Dental Prosthesis Design↗
PubMed1994

Risk behaviors of persons with heterosexually acquired HIV infection in the United States: results of a multistate surveillance project.

To describe past risk behaviors among persons with heterosexually acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, we interviewed 497 persons > or = 18 years of age with heterosexually acquired HIV infection reported to 11 state and city health departments in the United States. Thirty-nine percent of persons reported using noninjection drugs in the past 5 years; noninjection drug use was highest among men whose sex partners injected drugs (53%). Sixteen percent of all persons used crack, and 17% were classified as potential alcoholics; among men, 29% were classified as potential alcoholics. Of the 49% of men who reported paying a woman for sex, 86% did so multiple times. Most persons had multiple sex partners in the past 5 years; however, 35% of the women had only one sex partner. Thirty-four percent of the women and 50% of the men had been treated for a sexually transmitted disease in the past 10 years. Seventy-four percent of the women and 68% of the men had never used condoms in the 5 years before they knew they were HIV positive. Among these people with heterosexually acquired HIV, noninjection drug use was common, many men have paid someone for sex, and many women have not had multiple sex partners. These findings have important implications for the types of prevention programs that can most successfully lessen the spread of HIV among heterosexuals.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Expression of a 32-kDa ligand for the CD40 antigen on activated human T lymphocytes.

To identify the ligand(s) of the human CD40 antigen, a cDNA encoding the extracellular domain of the CD40 antigen was fused to a cDNA encoding the constant region (Fc) of human IgG1. The CD40-Fc fusion protein was able to specifically bind to CD4+ and various CD8+ T cell clones activated with immobilized anti-CD3. The 125I-labeled CD40-Fc fusion protein bound anti-CD3 activated CD4+ T cell clone (MT9) with an equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of 10-20 nM. The human CD40-binding protein expressed on the cell surface of activated T lymphocytes is a monomeric protein of approximately 32 kDa. Minor components of 29 kDa and 17 kDa were also detected. A small proportion of CD4+ and CD8+ blood mononuclear T cells activated by anti-CD3 expressed the CD40 ligand but its detection was best observed following depletion of B cells. Addition of B cells to purified T cells abolished the binding of CD40-Fc obtained after anti-CD3 activation.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1993

Sociodemographics and HIV risk behaviors of bisexual men with AIDS: results from a multistate interview project.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the sociodemographic characteristics and sexual and drug use behaviors of men with AIDS who engage in bisexual activity. METHODS: We interviewed 2120 men aged > or = 18 years who were reported with AIDS in 11 states and cities. Men were considered bisexual if they reported having had sex with a man and a woman in the previous 5 years. RESULTS: Of the 2020 men with AIDS who reported being sexually active in the previous 5 years, 1150 (57%) had had male partners only, 522 (26%) had had female partners only and 348 (17%) had had both. White men were least likely to report bisexual behavior (15%; 161 out of 1071). Men of Latin American descent were most likely to report bisexual behavior (24%; 37 out of 155), especially those born outside the United States who had lived there for < or = 10 years (38%; 11 out of 29). Bisexual Latin American men, regardless of birthplace, were more likely to be currently married than all other bisexual men (22 versus 7%; P < 0.05). HIV risk behaviors differed between men reporting bisexual and those reporting exclusively homosexual or heterosexual activity. Injecting drug use in the previous 5 years was more common among bisexual than homosexual men (12 versus 6%; P < 0.05). Bisexual men were more likely (P < 0.05) to have received money for sex (11%) than homosexual (4%) or heterosexual men (4%). This difference was even greater among injecting drug users receiving money for sex: bisexual (29%), homosexual (13%), heterosexual (3%). CONCLUSIONS: Demographics and HIV risk behaviors of bisexual men with AIDS differ from those of homosexual and heterosexual men with AIDS. These findings indicate that special efforts are needed to prevent sexual transmission of HIV among bisexual men.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1993

Role of cytokines in human B lymphocyte growth and differentiation.

B lymphocytes express at their surface the CD40 antigen which belongs to the NGF receptor superfamily. The crosslinking of the CD40 antigen using a mouse fibroblastic cell line expressing the human Fc receptor (Fc gamma RII/CDw32) and anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody induces resting B lymphocytes to enter a state of sustained proliferation. Addition of IL-4 to such cultures results in the generation of factor dependent long-term normal human B cell lines and in the secretion of IgE following isotype switching. Addition of IL-10 results in limited cell proliferation but most importantly in very high immunoglobulin production which results from the differentiation of B cells into plasma cells. The combination of IL-10 and TGF beta induces naive sIgD+ sIgM+ B cells to secrete IgA1 and IgA2 as a consequence of isotype switching. The extracellular domain of CD40 binds with high affinity and high specificity to a 32 kDa glycoprotein transiently expressed on activated T cells. This interaction of the CD40 antigen on B cells with its ligand on T cells represents a key step in T cell dependent B cell activation.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Increased detection of HPV 16 virus in invasive, but not in early cervical cancers.

Human papilloma virus type 16 (HPV 16) DNA is found in about 50% of cervical squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), and this association has raised the possibility of a causal role for HPV 16 in cervical carcinogenesis. We have tested this hypothesis by assaying a series of biopsies (n = 119) ranging from normal mucosa to infiltrating SCC with the PCR-technique for the presence of HPV 16 DNA. While HPV 16 DNA was detected in 50% of our cases with invasive SCC, the incidence of HPV 16-positive samples was about 10% in all other biopsies ranging from normal mucosa to cases of carcinoma in situ. HPV 16 therefore appears to be involved in late tumor promotion but not in early tumor development.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Physician and infection control practitioner HIV/AIDS reporting characteristics.

We surveyed a random sample of South Carolina physicians and infection control practitioners about the reporting of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases. Of physicians surveyed, 79% indicated that HIV infection as well as AIDS should be reported by name. The following characteristics were associated with those physicians who do not report AIDS cases: not feeling responsible for reporting, not reporting a case perceived to have been reported in another state, believing that information required for reporting is not on the chart, and residing in an urban setting. Targeted education can address these underreporting factors.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

Enzymatic manipulation of protecting groups: more than deprotection.

Recent developments in the enzymatic manipulation of protecting groups are reviewed. The application of enzymes opens new alternatives in the methodics of peptide synthesis. The following topics are dealt with: 1. New combinations of protecting groups 2. Simultaneous deprotections 3. Enzymatic regiospecificity versus chemical selectivity 4. Racemization control and enantioselective deprotection 5. N- and O-glycosylated amino acid and peptide derivatives.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

[Evaluation of comfort, sound formation and food relations of the oral surface of mould cast metal plates, based on patient questionnaires].

Comfort, sound formation and food relations of the oral surface of mould cast metal plates have been examined by means of interrogatory examination. From processing the answers of the 14 examination persons it has turned out that in view of the examined aspects the smooth oral surface is more favourable than the meshy one. On basis hereof the employment of the smooth surface is suggested.

Denture Design↗
PubMed1989

Zolpidem excretion in breast milk.

Five, lactating, healthy white women were treated with a single 20 mg tablet of zolpidem 3-4 days after the delivery of a full term baby. The drug was administered at 20.00 h, 30 min after dinner, and milk samples were collected before and 3, 13 and 16 h. Venous blood 5 ml was taken before and 1.5, 3, 13, 16 h after zolpidem administration. The apparent elimination half life, estimated from plasma zolpidem concentrations was 2.6 h. The amount of zolpidem excreted in the milk at 3 h ranged between 0.76 and 3.88 micrograms, which represented 0.004 to 0.019% of the administered dose; no detectable (below 0.5 ng/ml) zolpidem was found in the milk at subsequent sampling times. The ratio of the zolpidem concentrations in breast milk and plasma at 3 h was 0.13. The apparent breast milk clearance of zolpidem, calculated from the ratio of the total amount of zolpidem excreted in milk to its AUC in plasma was 1.48 ml/h. The results show that the excretion of zolpidem in human milk is very low (below 0.02%) and that most of it takes place during the first 3 h following drug intake.

Adult↗