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Biomedical subjects

S Evers

Publications and source records attributed to S Evers.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Reduced distensibility of the common carotid artery in patients treated with ergotamine.

To investigate the effect of vascular smooth muscle contraction on mechanical vessel wall properties of proximal "elastic" arteries, we investigated the effect of the vasoconstrictor ergotamine on the distensibility of the common carotid artery in 10 migraine patients with ergotamine intake, in 10 control patients with migraine headache but no prior ergotamine intake, and in 10 healthy control subjects. The patients and control subjects were matched for age, blood pressure, and sex. In the ergotamine group, 2.2 +/- 1.4 mg ergotamine tartrate (0.25 to 6 mg) was taken within 12 hours before investigation. Differences in mean 24-hour blood pressure between the study groups were excluded by 24-hour blood pressure recording and differences in arterial wall thickness by high-resolution and differences in arterial wall thickness by high-resolution B-mode ultrasound. A multigate Doppler system was used for measurement of vessel wall movements by M-mode Doppler analysis. Blood pressure was determined by sphygmomanometry. The end-diastolic diameter of the common carotid artery was insignificantly reduced in the ergotamine group compared with the healthy control subjects and control patients (healthy control subjects, 6.6 +/- 0.4 mm; control patients, 6.7 +/- 0.5 mm; patients with ergotamine intake, 6.3 +/- 0.4 mm; P = NS). Arterial distensibility was significantly lower in the patients with ergotamine intake (17.4 +/- 4.0 10(-3)/kPa) than in the healthy control subjects (22.3 +/- 5.1 10(-3)/kPa) and control patients (22.8 +/- 3.6 10(-3)/kPa) (one-way ANOVA, P = .014). The results show that ergotamine reduces the distensibility of the common carotid artery. The data suggest that vascular smooth muscle contraction can modulate the buffering function of the arterial system independently of blood pressure changes.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Lactosphaera gen. nov., a new genus of lactic acid bacteria, and transfer of Ruminococcus pasteurii Schink 1984 to Lactosphaera pasteurii comb. nov.

The phylogenetic position and physiology of strain KoTa2T (T = type strain), which was previously classified as a Ruminococcus pasteurii strain, were studied. A determination of the 16S ribosomal DNA sequence of this taxon revealed its position within the radiation of the gram-positive lactic acid bacteria having low DNA G+C contents and that it is closely related to the genus Carnobacterium. L-Lactic acid was produced from glucose by a fructose-1,6-bisphosphate-activated lactate dehydrogenase, and oxygen tolerance was observed, characteristics which are consistent with assignment to this group. On the basis of its phenotypic characteristics and unique signature nucleotides, we propose that strain KoTa2 (= DSM 2381 = ATCC 35945) should be transferred to a new genus, Lactosphaera gen. nov., as the type strain of the species Lactosphaera pasteurii comb. nov.

Anaerobiosis↗
PubMed1995

Detection of glycopeptide resistance genotypes and identification to the species level of clinically relevant enterococci by PCR.

A PCR assay that allows simultaneous detection of glycopeptide resistance genotypes and identification to the species level of clinically relevant enterococci (Enterococcus faecium, E. faecalis, E. gallinarum, and E. casseliflavus) was developed. This assay was based on specific amplification of internal fragments of genes encoding D-alanine:D-alanine ligases and related glycopeptide resistance proteins. The specificity of the assay was tested on 5 well-characterized glycopeptide-resistant strains and on 15 susceptible enterococcal type strains. Clinical isolates of enterococci that could not be identified to the species level by conventional methods were identified by the PCR test. This assay offers a specific and rapid alternative to antibiotic susceptibility tests, in particular for detection of low-level vancomycin resistance.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1994

Purification and characterization of the VanB ligase associated with type B vancomycin resistance in Enterococcus faecalis V583.

Acquired resistance to glycopeptides in enterococci is associated with the production of D-Alanine:D-Alanine ligase-related proteins. The VanA protein associated with high-level vancomycin and teicoplanin resistance (VanA phenotype) synthesizes a new peptidoglycan precursor, D-alanine-D-lactate, that has reduced glycopeptide affinity. Production of a similar protein, VanB, is induced in strains that display variable levels of vancomycin resistance but remain susceptible to teicoplanin (VanB phenotype). This paper describes the over-production, purification and characterization of VanB. Comparison of kinetic parameters of the two Van enzymes suggests that differences in catalytic efficiency could account, at least in part, for the various levels of vancomycin resistance.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Characterization of the sat4 gene encoding a streptothricin acetyltransferase in Campylobacter coli BE/G4.

The sat4 streptothricin resistance gene from Campylobacter coli BE/G4 was cloned into pUC18, and its nucleotide sequence was determined. Streptothricin acetyltransferase activity was detected in Escherichia coli cells containing recombinant plasmid pAT132 which carries the sat4 gene as an insert. The deduced amino acid sequence displayed 21-27% amino acid identity with streptothricin acetyltransferases from E. coli and streptothricin producers Streptomyces lavendulae and Streptomyces noursei. The sat4 gene was detected by hybridization in clinical and environmental isolates of Campylobacter spp.

Acetyltransferases↗
PubMed1994

Sequence of the vanB and ddl genes encoding D-alanine:D-lactate and D-alanine:D-alanine ligases in vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis V583.

A pair of degenerate oligodeoxyribonucleotides was used to amplify, by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA fragments internal to genes encoding D-Ala:D-Ala ligase-related proteins of vancomycin-resistant (VmR) Enterococcus faecalis V583. Cloning and nucleotide sequencing of the PCR products indicated that fragments of two genes, designated vanB and ddl, were co-amplified. The vanB gene was previously shown to be present in Enterococcus strains expressing VanB-type VmR [Quintiliani Jr. et al., J. Infect. Dis. 8 (1993) 943-950]. The ddl gene was detected by Southern hybridization in all VmR and VmS strains of En. faecalis, but not in representatives of 17 other species of Enterococcus. The vanB and ddl genes were cloned in bacteriophage lambda and sequenced. There was extensive similarity (76% amino-acid identity) between the product of vanB and the VmR protein, VanA. The product of ddl, the D-Ala:D-Ala ligases, DdlA and DdlB, of Escherichia coli and the resistance proteins, VanA and VanB, were more distantly related (32-40% aa identity). After induction of VmR, En. faecalis V583 synthesized the cell wall precursor, UDP-N-acetylmuramyl-tetrapeptide-D-lactate, indicating that the mechanism of glycopeptide resistance in strains with the VanA and VanB phenotype is similar.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Cost of illness studies in health care: a comparison of two cases.

Cost of illness (COI) studies describe the economic burden of disease on society. In this article a standard procedure for a COI study is developed, including the explicit definition of the disease, choice of relevant variables and appraisal of direct and indirect costs. COI studies can be incidence-based or prevalence-based. The adjustment of cost figures for time preferences and the performance of a sensitivity analysis are presented. The standard methodology is applied to diseases in two different areas. The first disease category is dyspepsia, a complaint with a rather somatic background. The second is schizophrenia, a mental syndrome. In performing COI studies in practice, however, researchers are forced to deviate, in many aspects, from the theoretical standards. In this article these choices, and the reasons behind these choices, are explained. Furthermore, we discuss certain problems regarding the reluctance to make a diagnosis regarding certain diseases, the reliability and the validity of the sources used and the absence of certain figures. The value of the information derived from COI studies for policy-making is assessed.

Cost of Illness↗
PubMed1993

[Georg Friedrich Händel's eye disease].

In his last years Georg Friedrich Händel suffered from a loss of sight not definitely to be defined. Based on primary sources, this disease, often mentioned in his biographies, is described and analysed. Altogether, Händel's eye-disease can be best interpreted as a central vascular disorder with degeneration of retina or with ischemic changes in the corresponding nuclei or tractus, complicated by a simple senile or post-traumatic cataract. Händel's profile of risk factors points most probably to a vascular degeneration of macula or a damage of choroidal vessels. Händel's eye-disease must be seen in relation to his cerebro-vascular disorder. His most probable strokes as well as his loss of sight were of vital importance in his biography, as is reflected even by his compositions. However, both disorders did not fundamentally influence his creativity. Only in a few compositions a reference to the loss of sight can be found. Apart from changes in concert-practising during his last years Händel's eye-disease, however, had no direct effect on his musical work.

Blindness↗
PubMed1993

The vanB gene confers various levels of self-transferable resistance to vancomycin in enterococci.

Thirty-nine strains of Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis resistant to vancomycin and susceptible to teicoplanin on disk susceptibility testing (phenotypic class B) were isolated in 15 hospitals in Europe and the United States. The MICs of vancomycin for these strains ranged from 4 to 1024 micrograms/mL. Part of the vancomycin resistance gene vanB from E. faecalis V583 hybridized with a single but variably sized HindIII-KpnI fragment of total DNA from all 39 strains. This indicates that a single class of resistance determinants accounts for the VanB phenotype. No hybridization was detected with DNA from intrinsically resistant Enterococcus gallinarum or Enterococcus casseliflavus. Hybridization with DNA from enterococcal strains susceptible to or with acquired resistance to vancomycin and teicoplanin was not observed. The genes conferring resistance to vancomycin were self-transferable to other Enterococcus strains in 14 of the 39 strains. It thus appears that vanB confers various levels of conjugative vancomycin resistance in enterococci.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1993

From the Canadian Dietetic Association. Concept of dietetic practice and framework for undergraduate education for the 21st century.

Rapid change and marked diversity are expected to characterize the 21st century. If dietitians are to serve as change facilitators in this environment they will have to demonstrate greater flexibility and creativity, practise critical analysis and problem solving and employ creative thinking. Although provision of quality nutrition care will remain the unique contribution of dietitians, practitioners in the future will require a greater understanding of the impact of social, economic and political systems on food availability and food consumption and, in turn, health and well-being. Critical to the future practice of dietetics will be a greater understanding of research methodology, computer technology, quality improvement processes and risk management, principles governing learning and behaviour, personnel management and organizational behaviour, family and group dynamics, interpersonal communication and their application to dietetic practice. The Canadian Dietetic Association recently adopted a framework for the development of baccalaureate programs in dietetics designed to enable the dietetic practitioner to continue to make a unique contribution in the 21st century. The framework allows individual institutions the freedom and flexibility to plan programs that are compatible with their philosophy and organizational structure. In addition, it is predicted on the principle that a career in dietetics entails a lifetime commitment to education, of which the baccalaureate program is only the beginning.

Canada↗
PubMed1993

[Tableau de l'opération de la taille by Marin Marais (1725)--a bladder calculus operation represented in music].

The piece "Tableau de l'opération de la taille", written for viola by the French composer Marin Marais in 1725, presents an operation for removal of a stone in the bladder in musical form. Musicological analysis shows that in the early 18th century the lateral perineal approach was normally used for such operations in France. Medico-historical annotations complement the musicological analysis.

France↗
PubMed1992

Music therapy in the treatment of autistic children. Medico-sociological data from the Federal Republic of Germany.

Related to the theoretical research on the use of music therapy in the treatment of autistic children there was made a postal survey about the attitude towards and the application of music therapy. The data of established paediatricians and paediatric institutions in FRG show that music therapy is already accepted in the treatment of autistic children. The implications of these medico-sociological data are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

A 'stress' test for memory dysfunction. Electrophysiologic manifestations of early Alzheimer's disease.

Long-latency event-related potentials (P300) were assessed in patients with early probable Alzheimer's disease (AD), age-matched controls, and young adults during a task that imposed various degrees of demand on memory. Although patients with AD did not differ from age-matched controls when one item had to be remembered, their P300 potential was dramatically reduced in amplitude or absent with increasing memory load. Aged controls did not differ from young adults on this measure. P300 latency, however, did not differentiate patients with AD. Thus, electrophysiological abnormalities detected in the context of mnemonic demand may provide a sensitive marker of the early stages of probable AD.

Adult↗