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Biomedical subjects

S Braun

Publications and source records attributed to S Braun.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Asymmetries of facial motility during the dissimulation of emotion.

The asymmetrics of facial expression were estimated in a sample of 14 experimental subjects with the Facial Action Coding System during voluntary control of facial mimicry while viewing videotapes. The subjects were instructed to express facially the emotion experienced or to dissimulate their true emotion with a facial expression opposite (incongruous) to what they actually felt. Only during dissimulation did facial mimicry show an asymmetric distribution toward the lower left side of the face.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Multicentre evaluation of an immunological rapid test for the detection of troponin T in whole blood samples.

In a multicentre study we assessed the analytical and diagnostic performance of a rapid test (TROPT rapid test, Boehringer Mannheim; in the USA: CARDIACT) for cardiac troponin T compared to quantitative troponin T ELISA and creatine kinase-MB mass determinations. The rapid test requires 150 microliters of heparinized or EDTA whole blood; serum is not suitable. Interference testing with biotin, haemoglobin and 27 standard drugs yielded no significant influence in the physiological range. Skeletal muscle troponin T concentrations > or = 40 micrograms/l gave positive results with the rapid test. We used the rapid test for 369 samples from 203 patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes and compared the results to troponin T ELISA and creatine kinase-MB mass. 90 patients (44%) were primarily classified as having myocardial infarction by the WHO criteria. Twenty-two (20%) of the 113 non-myocardial infarction patients were unstable angina pectoris cases showing increased troponin T ELISA but not increased creatine kinase-MB mass values. Consequently, these were classified as minor myocardial damage cases. The rapid test was positive in 99% of all samples with a troponin T ELISA value > or = 0.30 micrograms/l and negative in 95 to 96% of all samples below this value. Diagnostic sensitivities for the detection of acute myocardial infarction within the first 12 hours after onset of pain were the same, 90%, for the rapid test, troponin T ELISA and creatine kinase-MB mass. After 48 hours, diagnostic sensitivity of creatine kinase-MB mass sharply decreased whereas that of the troponin T assays remained close to 100% beyond 72 hours after onset of symptoms. Diagnostic specificities for acute myocardial infarction (WHO) of all markers remained between 80 and 100% over this time. The diagnostic sensitivity of the rapid test for the detection of high risk unstable angina pectoris patients with minor myocardial damage was nearly the same as for troponin T ELISA. A major advantage of the rapid test is the ease of use and 20 minute turn around time. This facilitates the detection of increased troponin T at alternate sites.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1996

[Effects of patient education in type II diabetic patients after clinic admission. Results of a 3 month catamnesis after new patient-centered education].

The success of structured teaching programs trying to enable NIDDM patients to carry out effective self-management of their diabetes often does not last very long. Only few type-II-diabetes patients are able to both, control their nutritional behaviour, and maintain metabolic control in the long run. We added therefore a patient-centered motivational support training programme to a regular teaching programme. The underlying hypotheses being that the cognitions of patients with NIDDM frequently cause non-compliant behaviour concerning diet and sports. The motivational training programme aimed at systematic modification of patients' cognitions. 43 type-II-diabetes patients took part in a test of the motivationally supplemented diabetes training. As a result of the training a range of variables such as quality of life, glycosylated haemoglobin, body weight, etc. strongly supported the superiority of the motivational supplemented teaching programme. Unfortunately, effects of the motivational training programme disappeared within three month after completion of the training. These findings suggest that further support is needed to maintain the achieved level of motivation after the training. To address this problem we designed a self-help programme to be worked by the patients themselves whenever metabolic control cannot be maintained.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

[Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy: a case of surgical treatment of chronic pulmonary thromboembolism under circulatory arrest with deep hypothermia].

Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy under circulatory arrest and deep hypothermia is presently a curative treatment for pulmonary hypertension secondary to chronic pulmonary artery thromboembolic occlusion, but is still not frequently performed around the world. We report here the first successful pulmonary thromboendarterectomy under circulatory arrest performed in Chile. The patient was a 37 year old white man, high school teacher, with a 5 months history of effort dyspnea and cough. Pulmonary hypertension secondary to chronic pulmonary thromboembolism was confirmed by angiography and echocardiography. The patient was operated on April 27, 1995. After the operation the patient had an immediate and maintained normalization of his pulmonary hemodynamics. He presented periods of delirium that postponed mechanical ventilation disconnection until the 7th postoperative day, after which he had an uneventful neurological recovery. Before hospital discharge a control angiography showed complete patency of the pulmonary artery system with no evidence of residual thrombi. Presently he is enjoying a normal life and back to his teaching activities.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Cord blood transplantation and the potential for gene therapy. Gene transduction using a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector.

Cord blood, which contains a high frequency of immature stem/progenitor cells with extensive proliferative and replating capacity in vitro was used as a clinical source of transplantable stem and progenitor cells. These cells can be efficiently transduced with new genetic material by using AAV or retroviral vectors. Using a recombinant AAV vector, high level expression of the lacZ gene under a CMV promoter was demonstrated in immature subsets of cord blood progenitor cells.

DNA, Recombinant↗
PubMed1995

Endometrial stromal sarcoma with clonal chromosomal aberrations and mixed phenotype.

We report a case of a moderate-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma with the following chromosomal complement based on the evaluation of 43 metaphases: 47,XX,der(3)t(3;6)(q29;p21.1),der(6) t(3;6)(q21;q27), + 19. Immunohistochemically, the paraffin-embedded tumor tissue displayed positive vimentin reactivity and lack of cytokeratin expression, indicating a mesenchymal origin. Interestingly, the cultivated tumor cells revealed a co-expression of vimentin and different subtypes of cytokeratin. Therefore, the cytogenetically monoclonal tumor cells which showed co-expression of epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes suggest that the endometrial stromal sarcoma can be interpreted as a monophasic variant of the malignant mixed Müllerian tumor.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Hydrocortisone influences voltage-dependent L-type calcium channels in cultured human skeletal muscle.

The glucocorticoid hydrocortisone (HC), applied for up to 2 weeks to either aneurally or innervated cultured human muscle, produced 2-fold increase of the number of dihydropyridine ([3H]PN200-110) binding sites. The K(+)-induced, nifedipine-inhibited Ca2+ uptake was increased 40%. The effect of HC was concentration- and time-dependent. [3H]PN200-110 affinity for its receptor was not affected by HC treatment. HC did not exert significant influence on the total amount of protein, CK activity, and the number of myotubes. These results indicate that voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ channel expression in human muscle is regulated by glucocorticoid.

Binding, Competitive↗
PubMed1995

Characterization of recombinant extracellular domain of human interleukin-10 receptor.

The extracellular region of the human interleukin-10 (hIL-10) receptor was expressed using a myeloma cell line and was purified to homogeneity by ligand-affinity chromatography. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis indicated that the soluble receptor is glycosylated and has an apparent molecular mass of 35,000-45,000. Under native conditions, soluble hIL-10 receptor was determined by gel filtration to be a monomeric protein. Soluble hIL-10 receptor was able to inhibit the binding of 125I-hIL-10 to the full-length receptor and was able to antagonize the effect of human IL-10 in cell proliferation and cytokine synthesis inhibition. The apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of soluble hIL-10 receptor was determined to be 563 +/- 59 pM, approximately 2- to 10-fold higher than that found on intact cells (Tan, J. C., Indelicato, S. R., Narula, S. K., Zavodny, P. J., and Chou, C.-C. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 21053-21059; Liu, Y., Wei, S. H.-Y., Ho, A. S.-Y., de Waal Malefyt, R., and Moore, K. W. (1994) J. Immunol. 152, 1821-1829). When hIL-10 binds soluble hIL-10 receptor in solution, a single complex was detected by gel filtration, and the complex was found to consist of two hIL-10 dimers and four soluble receptor monomers, suggesting that hIL-10 may induce a novel mode of oligomerization of the receptor upon binding.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Constitutive muscular abnormalities in culture in spinal muscular atrophy.

To explore the cause of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), we used an in-vitro model of nerve-muscle co-cultures in which motoneurons were normal and satellite cells were obtained from SMA patients. In co-cultures initiated with satellite cells from type I and type II SMA patients only, we observed degeneration of the innervated fibres after 1-3 weeks of nerve-muscle co-culture. This process involved vacuolisation, disorganisation, and death of the innervated muscle fibres. This observation points to a muscular implication in the severe forms of SMAs.

Culture Techniques↗
PubMed1995

Altered heart rate variability in panic disorder patients.

Resting electrocardiographic recordings were obtained from 10 patients with panic disorder (PD) and 14 normal controls. Signal analysis of the beat-to-beat heart rate variability was performed by means of power spectrum analysis. The analysis revealed that patients with PD had marked reduction in the high-frequency peaks of the power spectrum densities. An Energy Ratio Index (ERI), which accurately differentiated between patients and controls, was calculated. In PD patients, a significant correlation was demonstrated between the clinical ratings and the energy ratios. Our findings suggest that decreased heart rate variability may be a characteristic of PD. The importance of this finding as a diagnostic marker and the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms need to be further explored.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Myasthenia gravis: comparative autoantibody assays using human muscle, TE671, and glucocorticoid-treated TE671 cells as sources of antigen.

The use of acetylcholine receptors (AChR) from the readily available TE671 cell line as a practical alternative to human muscle for monitoring the anti-AChR antibody assay in sera of Myasthenia gravis patients has been recently proposed. Most of the TE671 culture protocols include the use of glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids were shown to upregulate the acetylcholine receptor expression in TE671 cells. To confirm the advantage of using AChR from TE671 cells (AChRTE) and to validate the use of AChR from glucocorticoid-treated cells (AChRGT) in AChR antibody measurement, the three different antigens (muscle AChR (AChRMU), AChRTE, and AChRGT) were compared for radioimmunoprecipitation assay. We found that, despite a slight underestimation of the antibody titers using AChRTE and AChRGT compared to AChRMU, and considering the rare cases of AChRMU antibody titer category permutations, the correlations between the values were satisfactory.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Effects of the new calcium antagonist mibefradil (Ro 40-5967) on exercise duration in patients with chronic stable angina pectoris: a multicenter, placebo-controlled study. Ro 40-5967 International Study Group.

Mibefradil (Ro 40-5967) is a novel calcium antagonist from a new chemical class and is the first that selectively blocks the T-type calcium channel. In this multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel designed study, its antianginal and antiischemic effects were evaluated in 126 patients with chronic stable angina pectoris. Exercise tests were performed after 1 week of placebo (baseline) and 2 weeks after randomization to 25, 50, 100, and 150 mg (once daily) or placebo. Highly significant dose-response relations were present across all treatment groups for exercise duration, time to angina, and time to ST-segment depression. They were associated with a dose-dependent decrease in heart rate and blood pressure and plasma concentrations > 300 ng/ml. Mibefradil was well tolerated. First-degree atrioventricular block (8%) and dizziness (7%) were the most frequently reported adverse events; however, the first-degree atrioventricular block was dose-related, and only one patient discontinued the trial because of dizziness. The excellent efficacy and adequate safety profile of mibefradil may be a consequence of T-type calcium-channel selectivity.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Rationale of the segmented approach to orthodontic treatment.

Modern orthodontics requires defined treatment goals. To achieve them, known force systems must be used to control the active units (teeth being moved) and the reactive units (anchorage teeth). This article discusses the methods of controlling the force systems through the variables of spring design and anchorage selection. Continuous and segmented arch treatment are contrasted in their ability to achieve optimal and defined force systems with minimal side effects.

Dental Stress Analysis↗
PubMed1995

A study of bite force, part 1: Relationship to various physical characteristics.

A new device for measuring and recording bilateral bite force in the molar/premolar region has been developed. Because this new device is elastic and conforms to the occlusal surfaces of the teeth, and because the sensing element is relatively comfortable, it is believed that experimental subjects are less reluctant to register true maximal forces than in earlier studies. Potential correlations of maximum bite force to gender, age, weight, body type, stature, previous history of orthodontic treatment, presence of TMJ symptoms (jaw motion limitation, clicking with pain, or joint pain), or missing teeth were studied in a sample of 142 dental students. The mean maximum bite force of the sample was found to be 738 N, with a standard deviation of 209 N. The mean maximum bite force as related to gender was found to be statistically significant, while the correlation coefficients for age, weight, stature, and body type were found to be low. Even so, all data scatterplots exhibited relatively positive relationships. Correlations of maximum bite force to an earlier history of orthodontic treatment or to the absence of teeth were not found. Subjects reporting TMJ symptoms did not exhibit a significantly different maximum bite force than subjects without symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

A study of bite force, part 2: Relationship to various cephalometric measurements.

Maximum bilateral bite force, determined in 129 dental students, was evaluated with regard to six skeletal and eight dental measurements acquired from conventional lateral cephalometric radiographs. Statistically significant correlations for three of the skeletal measurements were found. Maximum bite force increased with regard to decreasing mandibular plane/palatal plane angle and to decreasing mandibular plane angles. Maximum bite force increased with an increasing ratio of posterior facial height to anterior facial height. Significant statistical correlation for only one of the eight dental measurements was found: maximum bite force related directly with increasing maxillary and/or mandibular dentoalveolar heights, and unexpected finding.

Alveolar Process↗
PubMed1995

[Ultrasound differential diagnostic aspects in cystadenoma of the pancreas].

AIM: Assessment of differential diagnostic criteria of cystic adenomas of the pancreas. METHOD: We rechecked on all diagnostic criteria of patients with pancreatic pseudocysts retrospectively who had been treated in our department between 1981 and 1993. RESULTS: 12 patients with cystic adenomas of the pancreas had been treated in our department i.a. 7.8% of all cystic pancreatic tumours. Histopathologically 1 microcystic and 4 macrocystic adenomas as well as 7 cystic adenocarcinomas were seen. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic ultrasound criteria are discussed. Ultrasound-guided fine--needle-biopsy (FNB) is necessary to diagnose the content as well as the status of the pancreatic cysts. The ultrasound and the fine-needle-biopsy findings are important for differentiating between cystic adenomas and pseudocysts of the pancreas.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

Diversity of heterotrophic nitrogen fixation genes in a marine cyanobacterial mat.

The diversity of nitrogenase genes in a marine cyanobacterial mat was investigated through amplification of a fragment of nifH, which encodes the Fe protein of the nitrogenase complex. The amplified nifH products were characterized by DNA sequencing and were compared with the sequences of nitrogenase genes from cultivated organisms. Phylogenetic analysis showed that similar organisms clustered together, with the exception that anaerobic bacteria clustered together, even though they represented firmicutes, (delta)-proteobacteria, and (gamma)-proteobacteria. Mat nifH sequences were most closely related to those of the anaerobes, with a few being most closely related to the cluster of (gamma)-proteobacteria containing Klebsiella and Azotobacter species. No cyanobacterial nifH sequences were found from the mat collected in November when Microcoleus chthonoplastes was the dominant cyanobacterium, but sequences closely related to the cyanobacterium Lyngbya lagerheimeii were found during summer, when a Lyngbya strain was dominant. The results indicate that there is a high diversity of heterotrophic nitrogen-fixing organisms in marine cyanobacterial mats.

Journal Article↗