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Biomedical subjects

R Schilling

Publications and source records attributed to R Schilling.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Alternative medical school curriculum design: the independent study program.

The University of Wisconsin Medical School established an alternative Independent Study Program (ISP) in the basic medical sciences in 1972. This program enabled class size to be increased without increasing laboratory teaching space, provided better education for students with diverse educational backgrounds, permitted individual progress, and promoted independent study. When compared to the most receptive oriented regular curriculum students (RCR) and those most discovery oriented (RCD), the preferred learning style of self-selected ISP students was more discovery or self-directed. They retained that style after graduation, while RCD students frequently became less discovery oriented. The ISP group was older, had more females, and had more advanced degrees. Although they had lower undergraduate grade point averages, they did well on the Verbal, General Information, Problem-Solving, and Quantitative sections of the MCAT. They also did well scholastically in Medical School, scored well on the National Boards Medical Examination, had the same distribution of residencies, and obtained the same quality of residency placement for medicine, surgery, and pediatrics. They have been very supportive of the program and feel that it was valuable in developing their abilities for continued self education.

Achievement↗
PubMed1990

High total and free 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations in serum of premature infants.

We investigated the relationship between serum total and free 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25-OH2D) and the biochemical regulation of 1,25-OH2D production in premature infants. We measured 1,25-OH2D, vitamin D binding protein and related biochemical parameters and calculated the free 1,25-OH2D index in serum of 17 premature infants (birthweight 810-1700 g; gestational age 31-36 weeks) on two different occasions defined by body weight (Study A: 1,750-1,850 g, Study B: 2,100-2,200 g). Dietary calcium (Ca) intake was 1,5 or 2,6 mmol/kg/d, phosphorus (P) intake 1,7 mmol/kg/d and vitamin D intake 1,000 IU/d. Biochemical results were similar in infants with different Ca intakes and all were within reference ranges. Concentrations of vitamin D binding protein (Study A 0.15 +/- 0.03 g/l, Study B 0.14 +/- 0.03 g/l; means +/- SD) were lower, concentrations of 1,25 (OH)2D (Study A 180 +/- 67 pmol/l, Study B 216 +/- 53 pmol/l) were higher, and consequently the free 1,25-OH2D index (Study A 6.6 +/- 2.7, Study B 8.8 +/- 2.6) was 4 to 6 times higher than in previously studied term infants. 1,25-OH2D and the free 1,25-OH2D index increased significantly with age and were not correlated with serum P or parathyroid hormone. The data indicate that in premature infants with normal biochemical parameters of Ca and P metabolism elevated concentrations of 1,25-OH2D signify an increased fraction of free 1,25-OH2D and that increased production of 1,25-OH2D is not due to hypophosphatemia or hyperparathyroidism.

Calcitriol↗
PubMed1990

Blood lead values in dogs from a rural area (Champaign, IL in 1987).

We studied 87 healthy dogs to determine background levels of blood lead in dogs living in a presumably uncontaminated environment. We took blood samples from dogs and asked their owners for information regarding behavioral risk factors related to environmental lead exposure. The mean blood lead concentration was 5 (+/- 4.4) micrograms/dl (range 0-22 micrograms/dl).

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Growth and nutritional intake of infants with congenital heart disease.

Poor weight and length gain of infants with congenital heart disease is generally considered to be related to inadequate nutritional intake, but no longitudinal data on growth and nutritional intake of such infants are available. We compared weight, length, subscapular and triceps skinfold thickness, energy and protein intake (24-h dietary intake records) as well as serum prealbumin and albumin of infants with cyanotic heart disease (n = 8) or isolated left-to-right shunt (n = 8) with those of healthy infants aged (n = 8) 45-365 days. Weight, length, and combined (subscapular and triceps) skinfold thickness of the two groups with congenital heart disease (CHD) were significantly less from 183 through 365 days of age. However, energy and protein intake was similar to that of the control group from 45 through 365 days of age. Normal serum prealbumin and albumin in the infants with CHD ruled out protein-calorie malnutrition. It is concluded that a low level of food intake was not the main cause of inadequate growth and of small subcutaneous fat stores in these two small, but homogeneous, groups of infants with CHD.

Body Height↗
PubMed1989

Trans-activation of human MYC: the second promoter is target for the stimulation by adenovirus E1a proteins.

The detailed mechanisms leading to transcriptional activation of the human MYC oncogene in general as well as in certain tumor cells are poorly understood. In view of the ability of a number of viral oncogenes to stimulate transcription in trans, the identification of cellular target genes could contribute to the understanding of components of the transformation process. It is demonstrated that the human MYC promoter is such an efficient target for the trans-acting activity mediated by E1a proteins of adenoviruses (Ad). Using the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene as a marker for promoter activity, co-transfection of constructs containing both MYC promoters and most of the untranslated first exon with plasmids expressing the E1a gene of different adenoviruses stimulates CAT activity up to 24-fold. Trans-activation depends upon the presence of the second promoter (P2), and transcription is initiated at the authentic cap site of P2. This observation is confirmed by the behaviour of stably transformed cell lines carrying single or multiple copies of MYC-cat constructs, which were transfected either with E1a-expressing plasmids, infected with Ad5, or fused with 293 cells constitutively expressing E1a protein. These results suggest that E1a proteins can lead to an imbalance of the regulation of the human MYC gene, which might be a sufficient prerequisite for initiation and progression of transformation.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed1988

[Preventive use of vitamin D and fluoride in Austria].

The implementation of the recommended daily vitamin D and fluoride supplements for infants in Austria has been investigated during a nationwide infant nutrition survey (n = 1069). 93.9% of the infants received daily vitamin D supplements, whereas only 38% received fluroide. Rejection of fluoride supplemtation was most common among mothers aged between 30 and 45 years and mothers with university education. In Carinthia, Vorarlberg and Styria only 2 out of 10 infants received fluoride supplements. It seems necessary to reconsider the recommendations for fluoride supplementation in Austria.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Target sequences for cis-acting regulation within the dual promoter of the human c-myc gene.

Recombinant plasmids of the human c-myc promoter-leader region and the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (cat) gene were constructed. After transfection into different rodent and human cells, the 862-base-pair (bp) PvuII fragment carrying both c-myc promoters and 350 bp of the untranslated leader conferred 1/15 to 1/30 of the CAT activity mediated by the simian virus 40 promoter. The presence of additional sequences upstream of the PvuII fragment had an overall negative effect on c-myc promoter activity detectable by titration analysis with small amounts of transfected plasmid DNA. The analysis of numerous deletion constructs in the c-myc promoter-leader region as well as S1 mapping experiments demonstrated that the high CAT activity depended largely on the presence of the second promoter. By cotransfection of c-myc-cat constructs with plasmids carrying different parts of the c-myc promoter locus, targets for positively acting cellular factors were identified. Two positive regulatory elements were mapped within the 862-bp PvuII fragment. One was localized within the 248-bp PvuII-SmaI fragment -101 to -349 bp upstream of the first cap site and the other within the 142-pb XhoI-NaeI fragment of the first exon, comprising positions -95 to +47 relative to the second cap site. We conclude that the dual promotor of the human c-myc gene represents a strong eucaryotic promotor regulated by cooperation of positively and negatively acting cellular transcription factors.

Acetyltransferases↗
PubMed1987

[Roentgen changes in thoracic images in children given leucocyte concentrates].

The cardiac and pulmonary changes on chest X-ray of 12 children with a therapy of transfusions with granulocytes were analyzed. Elevation of the diaphragma was found in all children. In a high percentage we found cardiomegaly and large patchy infiltrations. In a smaller number there were small pleural effusions, interstitial shadows and at least alveolar infiltrations. The possible pathogenic mechanisms for the development of these X-ray changes are discussed and the value of the X-ray is defined.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

[Lead intake from drinking water in the city of Vienna].

Daily lead intake from drinking water was estimated on the basis of lead concentrations in running and boiled drinking water samples of 42 Viennese households and reported drinking water consumption of adults living in those households. Lead concentration (means, SD, median) in running water samples (15.3 (37.9) micrograms Pb/l, median 6.3) was significantly higher (p less than 0.005) than in boiled water samples (6.4 (11.1) micrograms Pb/l, median 4.1). The highest lead concentrations in running water samples were found in houses built before 1945. Reported drinking water consumption was 1306 (576) ml/day (median 1242); more than 70% of drinking water was consumed at home. Calculated lead intake from drinking water in Vienna was 11.8 (22) micrograms Pb/day (median 5.2). Lead intake from drinking water was highest (19.5 (31.3) micrograms Pb/day, median 7.3) in houses built before 1945. Lead intake with food was calculated using published data on lead concentrations in food items and on food intake and data from the present study. Calculated average lead intake with food (206 micrograms Pb daily) was far below the estimated safe lead intake proposed by WHO 1972. We conclude that lead intake from drinking water in Vienna is low in most households. However, lead intake may be close to toxic levels if persons living in houses built before 1945 are consuming extremely large amounts of drinking water.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Growth, zinc and copper nutritional status of male premature infants with different zinc intake.

Zinc is an essential nutrient for growth and low intake can result in growth retardation. However, high zinc intake can affect copper metabolism. Therefore, data from a study of 10 male premature infants fed a cow's milk-based formula nonfortified with zinc (mean +/- SD = 1.4 +/- 0.1 mg X l-1) were compared with data of 10 similar infants fed the same formula fortified with zinc (4.1 +/- 0.3 mg X l-1). Growth, food intake, zinc and copper nutritional status were studied from 6 through 122 days of age. No differences in gain of weight, length and head circumference and in food intake were found. Serum zinc concentration was significantly (p less than 0.05) and hair zinc concentration was slightly higher in the infants fed the zinc-fortified formula at 122 days of age. Copper and ceruloplasmin concentrations in serum and hair copper concentration were similar in both groups at 122 days of age. The results suggest that feeding a formula nonfortified with zinc did not affect growth of male premature infants. Feeding a zinc-fortified formula on the other hand had no influence on copper nutritional status.

Copper↗
PubMed1985

[Sonographic demonstration of an unusual bladder wall enlargement in a child with non-Hodgkin lymphoma].

An enlargement of the wall of the urinary bladder up to 1.5 cm is described within the course of a Non Hodgkin Lymphoma of a 15 years old girl. The development of a spastic neurogenic bladder is most probable due to tumour infiltration into the spinal cord. An additional factor for the enlargement of the bladder wall is a massive fungus cystitis. A cystotatica induced (Vindesin) neurogenic bladder as another cause for the development of this bladder change cannot excluded completely, but this is very unprobable. The cystography is the method of choice in the morphological evaluation of the bladder mucosa, whereas the sonography can visualize the bladder wall directly. This method has a high value in the diagnosis and follow up of pathologic changes of the urinary bladder in children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Lead content of water and of reconstituted infant formula in Vienna.

Daily lead intake from infant formula was estimated for young infants living in Vienna based on determinations of the lead concentration of drinking water and powdered formulas. The lead concentration in water was higher in houses built before 1945 (median 15.6 micrograms/l) than in houses built between 1945 and 1965 (median 4.4 micrograms/l) and in houses built after 1965 (median 2.8 micrograms/l). Boiling water for 1 min substantially reduced (p less than 0.0005) the lead concentration in water from all houses, apparently because of the coprecipitation of lead with boiler scale. The mean lead concentration in infant formula powder (n = 36) was 161.8 (SD 103.7) micrograms/kg. The lead concentration of an 'average' reconstituted infant formula, calculated using the mean lead concentration of boiled water (5.4 micrograms/l) and of formula powder, was 27.5 micrograms/l. This corresponded to 4.1 micrograms/100 kcal, which was substantially below the FDA maximum value of 16 micrograms/100 kcal. The lead concentration in the fat-free mass of a hypothetical young infant was estimated, assuming formula as the only source of lead and average values for caloric intake and retention of ingested lead. Between 0 and 4 months the estimated lead concentration in the fat-free mass declined from the concentration present at birth, indicating that the lead intake from formula is not likely to cause lead accumulation in the body during early infancy.

Austria↗
PubMed1984

[Causes of phosphate deficiency syndromes and calcification disorders in premature infants fed human milk].

Premature infants fed human milk frequently show biochemical signs of phosphate depletion syndrome and bone undermineralisation. In order to explain those findings we calculated calcium- and phosphorus intake, -retention and -distribution in the body of premature infants and compared it to calcium- and phosphorus-gain and -distribution in the body of the fetus. The premature infants retained markedly less calcium and phosphorus than the fetus. Compared with the fetus premature infants utilized a higher percentage of retained phosphorus for formation of new body cell mass. Therefore, only a small amount of phosphorus was available for bone mineralisation. The calcium: phosphorus ratio in human milk is about 2:1 (mg:mg). Calcium is almost exclusively utilized for skeletal mineralisation and is deposited in bone in a 2,16:1 (mg:mg) ratio with phosphorus. Because of insufficient phosphorus supply for skeletal mineralisation, only part of the calcium provided with human milk could be utilized by the premature infants. In order to avoid disturbances of calcium-, phosphorus- and bone metabolism premature infants fed human milk need calcium and phosphorus supplementation.

Calcification, Physiologic↗