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Biomedical subjects

R Sommer

Publications and source records attributed to R Sommer.

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

Segmentation gene expression in the housefly Musca domestica.

Drosophila and Musca both belong to the group of higher dipteran flies and show morphologically a very similar early development. However, these two species are evolutionary separated by at least 100 million years. This presents the opportunity for a comparative analysis of segmentation gene expression across a large evolutionary distance in a very similar embryonic background. We have analysed in detail the early expression of the maternal gene bicoid, the gap genes hunchback, Krüppel, knirps and tailless, the pair-rule gene hairy, the segment-polarity gene engrailed and the homoeotic gene Ultrabithorax. We show that the primary expression domains of these genes are conserved, while some secondary expression aspects have diverged. Most notable is the finding of hunchback expression in 11-13 stripes shortly before gastrulation, as well as a delayed expression of terminal domains of various genes. We conclude that the early developmental gene hierarchy, as it has been defined in Drosophila, is evolutionary conserved in Musca domestica.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Thrombolysis in acute occlusion of cerebral blood vessels].

Thrombolysis may achieve recanalization in cases of occlusion of the cerebral vessels. If therapy is initiated in good time, development of cerebral infarction may be at least partially prevented. Thrombolytic treatment was performed in 14 patients at the Wagner-Jauregg Hospital within a period of one year. Urokinase was given locally, while rtPA was applied locally and/or systemically. 4 patients had an occlusion of the internal carotid artery, 6 an occlusion of the middle cerebral artery, and 4 an occlusion of the basilar artery. Complete recanalization was achieved in 6 patients, partial recanalization in 4, and no recanalization in 4. The neurological outcome of the cases with complete recanalization was good with the exception of one patients who died. Partial recanalization resulted in a fair outcome in 2 patients, while the other 2 died. 3 out of the 4 patients in whom no recanalization was achieved died. Our findings show that this form of therapy may considerably improve the natural history of the disease, provided recanalization is achieved in good time. They encourage us to continue this form of therapy and to work at improving the therapeutic criteria.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Family advocacy and the mental health system: the recent rise of the alliance for the mentally ill.

The family consumer movement arose as a response to deinstitutionalization and the removal of stigma from parents of mental health clients. In many states the families are a dynamic force in mental health policymaking. If mental health professionals are to collaborate in support and advocacy programs, they should be aware of the origins and goals of the movement. Through their national organization (AMI), families advocate a biological view of mental illness causation and increased power for the mental health system. If the system is unable to meet parent expectations, it is likely that families will place themselves in competition with existing agencies for available resources.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[New formation of fructosamine in patient serum following blood collection].

The stability of fructosamine has been analysed in sera of 24 patients. Fructosamine concentrations increased daily with a constant rate of formation. Synthesis of fructosamine in vitro strongly depended on the incubation temperature and was directly proportional to the glucose concentration of the sample. It is recommended to store sera for the determination of fructosamine at 4 degrees C or - 20 degrees C.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1989

Atypical epithelial thymomas in rats.

The histopathological features of 2 atypical epithelial thymomas found in female Han: SPRD rats are described. The neoplasms were characterized by well-circumscribed epithelial nests and islands. One tumour showed local invasion in lymph vessels.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[UV-inactivation of microorganisms in water].

UV-Inactivation of Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis spores, Staphylococcus-Phage A 994, Poliovirus type Mahoney and Rotavirus SA 11 was tested under controlled physical conditions. B. subtilis-spores were found to be the most resistant of these microorganisms, followed by Rotavirus, Bacteriophage and Poliovirus. E. coli required the lowest irradiation dose for inactivation. Causes and meaning of these dose-survival-reactions are discussed.

Bacillus subtilis↗
PubMed1988

Dry reagent immunoassay for measuring phenobarbital in serum and plasma.

A reagent strip has been developed for measuring phenobarbital concentrations in serum or plasma. This strip utilizes the apoenzyme reactivation immunoassay system (ARIS) and is designed for use with the Ames Seralyzer reflectance photometer. The test takes 85 s and compares strip reactivities with a two-point calibration line that is stored in the instrument. Within-run precision coefficient of variation ranges from 2.4 to 4.1% over five concentrations while the between-run precision ranges from 2.3 to 4.9%. Results obtained with clinical serum samples correlated well (r greater than 0.99) with those obtained by a fluorescence polarization immunoassay (TDx). The strips crossreact with other barbituric acid derivatives that are not coadministered with phenobarbital. Crossreactivity to the metabolite p-hydroxyphenobarbital is sufficiently low as to not interfere in the usual specimens. Samples that are hemolyzed, highly icteric, or from uremic patients should be avoided. This assay is a rapid and convenient method for monitoring serum or plasma phenobarbital concentrations. It is particularly well suited for decentralized test sites, such as emergency rooms, urgent care centers, and physician's offices.

Apoenzymes↗
PubMed1987

Spontaneous nonneoplastic gastric lesions in female Han:NMRI mice, and influence of food restriction throughout life.

A life span study of 900 female virgin Han:NMRI mice (300 outbred controls, 300 of a fat subline, and 300 of a lean subline) was done to determine the occurrence of spontaneous disease with ad libitum or restricted feeding. Major nonneoplastic lesions in the glandular stomach were erosions, ulcers and adenomatous hyperplasia of the fundus. Ulcers, ranging in incidence with ad libitum feeding from 5 to 9% and with food restriction from 13 to 34%, either occurred secondary to other diseases or were due to stress associated with food restriction, causing death mainly in the lean subline. Adenomatous hyperplasia was most common in the control group (41%); the frequency increased with age and was significantly reduced by food restriction. The etiology of adenomatous gastric hyperplasia is yet unknown. However, a lack of antiparietal cell antibodies, as determined by an immunofluorescent technique, indicates that an autoimmune disorder is not involved and an increase in antral gastrin cells, as determined by avidin-biotin peroxidase immunocytochemistry, suggests a hormonal involvement in pathogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of a synthetic DNA for hirudin, the blood coagulation inhibitor in the leech.

A 235-bp DNA coding for the leech blood coagulation inhibitor, hirudin, was chemically synthesized. The synthesis involved preparation of seven long oligodeoxyribonucleotide pairs which were assembled and cloned using a rapid and simple procedure. More than half of the transformed Escherichia coli cells expressed a biosynthetic polypeptide having biological properties which were very similar to authentic hirudin from the leech Hirudo medicinalis. To achieve efficient expression, we fused the hirudin DNA to a truncated C1 repressor gene of bacteriophage lambda to create a hybrid protein. An additional methionine at the fusion point allowed the active hirudin to be cleaved off by cyanogen bromide.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Patient housing options as viewed by parents of the mentally ill. Housing Committee, California Alliance for the Mentally Ill.

The housing committee of the California Alliance for the Mentally Ill, an organization of parents of mentally ill adults, surveyed 350 members on the housing needs of their sons and daughters. The parents reported that their offspring had a high degree of residential instability, and parents expressed the need for wider choices in housing options and more vocational and rehabilitation programs. Parents reported that patients were most satisfied with living at home or in semi-independent living situations and least satisfied with living on the streets or in state hospitals.

Attitude↗