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Biomedical subjects

P Schultz

Publications and source records attributed to P Schultz.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Structural organization of an active, chromosomal nucleolar organizer region (NOR) identified by light microscopy, and subsequent TEM and STEM electron microscopy.

The three-dimensional arrangement of the chromatin components within the nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) from living oocyte nuclei was investigated. As a suitable cell system we chose vitellogenic oocytes of the orthopteran insect Acheta. This cell type is particularly attractive for analysis of nucleolar chromatin, since structural and functional aspects of NORs during early oogenic stages (including the association of NORs with amplified rDNA copies) are particularly well known (Lima-de-Faria 1974). In the course of the present study we first identified putative chromosomal NORs in isolated nuclei of mid-diplotene oocytes according to morphological characteristics using differential interference contrast (DIC) or phase contrast light microscopy. The presence of actively transcribing chromosomal NORs during this late stage of Acheta oogenesis obviously had been overlooked by previous investigators, probably due to difficulties of chromosome visualization. For a more detailed ultrastructural analysis, NORs were gently sedimented from opened nuclei and processed for sectioning using a modified "end-embedding" procedure (Mott and Callan 1975; Spring and Franke 1981). A small number of thick and thin sections could be made from individual NORs. Sections were analyzed by light microscopy, conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Whereas the structural connection of NORs to the chromosome axis and also the general arrangement of active nucleolar genes within the NOR complex could be seen with TEM, the visualization of individual nucleolar genes and the organization of transcription complexes was only possible using bright field STEM of thick sections at low temperature.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

T-antigen is the only detectable protein on the nucleosome-free origin region of isolated simian virus 40 minichromosomes.

A nucleosome-free region or nucleosome gap, containing the origin of replication and the transcriptional promoter elements, is observed on 20%-25% of the SV40 minichromosomes isolated at physiological ionic strength at late time during the infectious cycle. We found that this subpopulation of gapped minichromosomes was more sensitive to digestion with a variety of single-cut restriction enzymes than the rest of the minichromosomes. This increased digestibility of gapped minichromosomes allowed us to excise the gap region by concomitant digestion with Bgl I and Msp I. T-antigen was the only detectable protein bound to this isolated chromatin fragment. In particular no histones could be detected. The presence of T-antigen on the gap region was confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy. Most of the T-antigen appeared to be located on the late side of the Bgl I restriction enzyme site.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Correlation of scoliosis and pulmonary function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Pulmonary function was correlated with patient age and degree of thoracic scoliosis in 25 patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in a retrospective, longitudinal study. The observed forced vital capacity (FVC) was found to peak at approximately the age when standing ceases, then to decline rapidly. Thoracolumbar curves were found to be insignificant in adversely affecting pulmonary function in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Percent FVC was found to be the parameter of pulmonary function that was most strongly correlated with age and scoliosis measurements. In addition, age and thoracic scoliosis together were better predictors of percent FVC than either one alone. Each 1 year of age had approximately the same negative influence on percent FVC that each 10 degrees of thoracic scoliosis had; both decreased percent FVC by approximately 4%. A regression equation for percent FVC is presented which predicts that the patient who has had scoliosis progression halted by spinal fusion would, subsequent to the surgery, show a slower rate of decline of percent FVC and that this rate is quantifiable, predictable, and dependent solely on the patient's advancing age. Therefore, early spinal instrumentation and fusion is advocated in the patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

The Bannayan syndrome: an autosomal dominant disorder consisting of macrocephaly, lipomas, hemangiomas, and risk for intracranial tumors.

The Bannayan syndrome is a disorder consisting of macrocephaly, alterations of linear growth, and benign mesodermal hamartomas--primarily lipomas and hemangiomas. The purpose of this report is to present a family with the Bannayan syndrome, confirming the genetic etiology of the disorder and demonstrating that affected individuals are at risk for developing intracranial neoplasms. This report brings to seven the number of cases reported in the literature.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1981

Mutagenicity of a series of hexacoordinate rhodium(III) compounds.

19 rhodium(III) compounds have been tested for genetic damaging capabilities using an Escherichia coli differential repair assay and for mutagenicity in the strains of Salmonella typhimurium. 10 of these were active in both assays. Presence of the plasmid pKM101 was required for mutagenicity in Salmonella. Both the composition of the ligands and the free-dimensional structures of the coordination complexes profoundly affect genetic activity. In general, the structure--activity relationships appear to favor complexes with (1) a +1 charge, (2) 2-relatively labile leaving groups with 4 more strongly bonded amine ligands, and (3) a relatively slow rate of exchange of the ligands which is characteristic of substitutionally inert coordination complexes.

Escherichia coli↗
PubMed1981

Mutagenicity of a series of hexacoordinate chromium (III) compounds.

17 chromium(III) compounds have been tested for DNA-damaging capabilities using an E. coli differential repair assay and for mutagenicity in strains of Salmonella typhimurium. 4 of these compounds were active in both assays. Another 4 compounds were positive only in the repair assay and 9 were devoid of activity in both assays. Most of the doubly active complexes contain aromatic amine ligands like 2,2'-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline. Closely related complexes of ligands derived from saturated amines are much less active. It appears that chromium(III) in the proper ligand environment can have considerable genetic toxicity and could represent one of the several possible ultimate species in a mechanism for chromium mutagenesis and carcinogenesis.

Chromium↗
PubMed1981

The pathomechanics of gait in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Forty-six separate gait studies were analysed for 21 ambulatory patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Three groups were defined on the basis of significant gait variables: early, transitional and late. Disease progression can be predicted with 91 per cent accuracy by three gait variables: cadence, dorsiflexion in swing, and anterior pelvic tilt. The patients in the early group manifested a positive Gower's sign but gait changes were subtle, being principally slightly increased hip flexion in swing, decreased dorsiflexion in swing and reduction in cadence. The force line moved in front of the knee center early in single-limb support. In the transitional stage, anterior pelvic tilt was exaggerated, cadence was further reduced, and foot drop in swing phase was increased. Shoulder sway was noted as a compensation for gluteus medius weakness. The base of support widened. The force line remained behind the hip joint and in front of the knee joint throughout single-limb support. In the late stage, work output increased, cadence continued to drop, shoulder sway increased further, and there was a wider base of support. The force line remained very close to the center of the hip and in front of the knee at all times during single-limb support. The authors' conclusions are: (1) the earliest postural change in gait is increased lumbar lordosis secondary to gluteus maximus weakness, and at this time the quadriceps are relatively competent; (2) quadriceps insufficiency was the key factor in gait deterioration. It appeared in the transitional stage and was characterized by exaggerated anterior pelvic tilt, restricted hip extension in stance phase, equinus posturing, and maintenance of the force line in front of the knee throughout single-limb support. Long-leg bracing is indicated when these signs of quadriceps insufficiency are noted.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed1981

A technique for the isolation of chicken hepatocytes and their use in a study of gluconeogenesis.

A new technique was developed for the isolation of chicken liver parenchymal cells. Glucose produced from 10 mM lactate was proportional to the amount of cells present. In the time-course study, gluconeogenesis from lactate and fructose was linear up to 60 min. Fructose proved to be the best substrate. Fructose was converted to glucose at the highest rate; this was followed by lactate, pyruvate, and xylitol. Alanine, glycerol, propionate, alpha-ketoglutarate, and succinate proved to be poor substrates. There was no statistical difference between the results obtained with hepatocytes obtained from fed or fasted chickens. The isolated hepatocytes responded to glucagon, dibutyryl-cAMP, and epinephrine. The dose-response for glucagon was a sigmoid-curve and the half-maximum stimulation was given by approximately 1 x 10(-2) micrometers hormone. The same type of curve was obtained with dibutyryl-cAMP, but the half-maximum stimulation was achieved at around 1.0 micrometer. The response to epinephrine was marginal. In the time-course experiment, prior to glucagon stimulation, glucose accumulated at a linear rate (slope = .2484). After the addition of the hormone, the level of cAMP increased by about 30% in the first minute and reached a peak (100%) in about 2 min; thereafter, it decreased to the level prior to the stimulation by the hormone. Two minutes after the addition of glucagon there was a significant increase in the rate of gluconeogenesis; this continued for another 3 min and then at a slower pace (slope = .2566).

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Gluconeogenesis in isolated chicken hepatocytes: effect of fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutrate, ethanol, and various pyruvate/lactate ratios.

The effect of fatty acids beta-hydroxybutyrate, ethanol, and different pyruvate/lactate ratios on gluconeogenesis in isolated chicken hepatocytes was investigated. Glucogenesis was significantly affected by a change in the oxidation-reduction (pyruvate/lactate) ratio, and this effect was greater than could be accounted for by the additive effects of these substrates. Substituting lactate with nongluconeogenic substrates, such as beta-hydroxybutyrate or ethanol, increased the formation of glucose by 80 and 200%, respectively, demonstrating the beneficial effect of the increased reducing equivalents in the hepatocytes. Oleic acid per se had no effect but when added complexed with albumin, it had a negative effect on gluconeogenesis.

Animals↗