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Biomedical subjects

T Barth

Publications and source records attributed to T Barth.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Effect of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) on leukocyte count and survival rate of dogs with parvoviral enteritis.

Dogs with clinical signs consistent with parvoviral enteritis and leukopenia (total leukocyte count < 5.0 x 10(9) l(-1)) were included in this randomised double-blind study (treatment group: n = 22; control group: n = 21). The dogs in the treatment group received a subcutaneous daily injection of 10 microg kg(-1) of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) for 5 days. Clinical and blood investigations were performed prior to the first injection, daily during the treatment period and on the day after treatment ended, and then once more, 26 days after the first injection. During the study, no significant differences were found between the two groups with respect to survival rate (treatment group: 68 per cent; control group: 71 per cent, P > 0 4, Fisher-Test) and other clinical findings. Similarly the total leukocyte count, neutrophil count and other haematologic and biochemical parameters did not differ significantly between the groups, based on differences from initial values (P > 0 05). Consequently, the use of rhG-CSF in the treatment of dogs with parvoviral enteritis cannot be recommended.

Animals↗

[In Process Citation]

Case-reports from two female patients with an occlusion||| of the right external iliac artery and femoral artery are presented due to a||| large-vessel vasculitis. Both patients suffered from systemic lupus||| erythematosus This rare manifestation occurred within the first few years of||| the disease and was important for prognosis and further treatment. Other||| manifestations of the disease were general symptoms and polyarthritis. In one||| case the vasculitis was confirmed by histology. A fibrous thickening of the||| intima and a vasculitis of small vessels within the adventitia were the||| prominent feature. This observation supports the idea of small vessel||| vasculitis as the characteristic manifestation in lupus||| erythematosus.

Journal Article↗

[Rare manifestation of large vessel vasculitis in systemic lupus erythematosus].

Case-reports from two female patients with an occlusion of the right external iliac artery and femoral artery are presented due to a large-vessel vasculitis. Both patients suffered from systemic lupus erythematosus This rare manifestation occurred within the first few years of the disease and was important for prognosis and further treatment. Other manifestations of the disease were general symptoms and polyarthritis. In one case the vasculitis was confirmed by histology. A fibrous thickening of the intima and a vasculitis of small vessels within the adventitia were the prominent feature. This observation supports the idea of small vessel vasculitis as the characteristic manifestation in lupus erythematosus.

Adult↗

Somatotropin has no effect on the quantity of guanine nucleotide binding proteins Gqalpha/G11alpha in goat adipose tissue in vivo.

The decapeptide QLNLKEYNLV corresponding to the C-terminus of Gq/G11alpha guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins) was synthesized by the solid-phase method and conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin. The rabbits were immunized with these conjugates and an antiserum that reacted specifically with the alpha subunit of Gq/G11 proteins was used in this study. The antiserum exhibited no cross-reactivity with the alpha subunits of stimulatory (Gs) or inhibitory (Gi) G-proteins associated with adenylate cyclase. Immunoblots with the antiserum showed that it specifically recognized the Gq/G11 alpha-proteins in cholate extracts of adipose tissue membranes of goats. Treatment of young castrated male goats with bST had no effect on the quantity of Gq/G11 alpha subunits in adipose tissue and the results thus obtained did not support the idea that the bST signal in adipose tissue is transmitted via Gq/G11 alpha-proteins.

Adipose Tissue↗

Partition Coefficients and Interfacial Activity for Polar Components in Oil/Water Model Systems.

Partition coefficients, surface tension, and interfacial tension for some polar organic components dissolved in oil/water model systems have been investigated. The systems consist of isooctane modeling the oil phase and of water solutions of NaCl and CaCl2 modeling the water phase. The organic compounds examined were 1-naphtoic acid, 5-indanol, and quinoline, all well-defined molecules known to be representative of polar components in crude oil. The dependence on pH, salinity, and ionic strength in the water phase was investigated. The surface tension and interfacial tension were also examined as a function of component concentration. The results show a connection between the distribution of the polar components and the interfacial tension. Correspondence between the partition coefficient and the pKa value for the components is also reported. For 1-naphtoic acid none of the two ionization forms of the molecule are found to be surface active in aqueous solution. For 5-indanol both forms are surface active, and for quinoline only the nonionic form of the molecule is found to be surface active. The results indicate that the aqueous phase is the one that governs the interfacial tension. Increasing salinity increases the concentration of the component in the oil phase and decreases the interfacial tension between the oil phase and the aqueous phase. The results are explained due to the "salting-out" effect and to changes in the electrostatics for the various systems. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗

Activity profiles of dalargin and its analogues in mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptor selective bioassays.

1. To elucidate the structural features ensuring action of [D-Ala2, Leu5]-enkephalyl-Arg (dalargin), a series of dalargin analogues were tested for their effectiveness in depressing electrically-evoked contractions of the guinea-pig myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle preparations (mu- and kappa-opioid receptors) and the vasa deferentia of the hamster (delta-opioid receptors), mouse (mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptors), rat (similar to mu-opioid receptors) and rabbit (kappa-opioid receptors). The naloxone KB values in the myenteric plexus were also obtained. 2. [L-Ala2]-dalargin was 19 times less potent than dalargin, and its pharmacological activity was peptidase-sensitive. The ratio of delta-activity to mu-activity for [L-Ala2]-dalargin was 6.78, and KB was 7.9 nM. This emphasizes the role that D-configuration of Ala2 plays in determining the active folding of dalargin molecule as well as in conferring resistance to peptidases. 3. [Met5]-dalargin was equipotent to dalargin in the myenteric plexus, but was more potent in the vasa deferentia of hamster and mouse (KB=5.5 nM). Leu5 and the interdependence of Leu5 and D-Ala2 are of importance for the selectivity of dalargin for mu-opioid receptors. 4. Dalarginamide was more potent and selective for mu-opioid receptors than dalargin, whilst dalarginethylamide, though equipotent to dalarginamide in the myenteric plexus, was more potent at delta-opioid receptors (KB=5.0 nM). [D-Phe4]-dalarginamide and N-Me-[D-Phe4]-dalarginamide were inactive indicating the contribution of L-configuration of Phe4 to the pharmacological potency of dalargin. 5. N-Me-[L-Phe4]-dalarginamide possessed the highest potency and selectivity for mu-opioid receptors (the ratio of delta-activity to mu-activity was 0.00053; KB=2.6 nM). The CONH2 terminus combined with the N-methylation of L-Phe4 increased the potency and selectivity of dalargin for mu-opioid receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Oxytocin receptor binding and uterotonic activity of carbetocin and its metabolites following enzymatic degradation.

Metabolites of the analogue 1-deamino-1-carba-2-tyrosine(O-methyl)-oxytocin (carbetocin) following incubation with a rat kidney homogenate were isolated and their pharmacodynamic properties investigated. Apart from the parent compound two metabolites were identified namely desGlyNH2-carbetocin (carbetocin metabolite I) and desLeuGlyNH2-carbetocin (carbetocin metabolite II). Both carbetocin, carbetocin metabolite I and carbetocin metabolite II displayed binding affinities to the myometrial oxytocin receptor of a similar magnitude as oxytocin. Carbetocin was found to have agonistic properties on isolated myometrial strips and it was found to exert this effect through generation of inositol phosphates, as is the case for oxytocin. However, maximal contractile effect of carbetocin was approximately 50% lower than that of oxytocin (2.70 +/- 0.12 g compared to 5.22 +/- 0.26 g) and EC50 was approximately ten times higher (48.0 +/- 8.20 nM compared to 5.62 +/- 1.22 nM). Neither carbetocin metabolite I nor carbetocin metabolite II were able to contract isolated myometrial tissue. All three compounds displayed antagonistic properties against oxytocin in vitro, with carbetocin being the strongest inhibitor (pA2 = 8.21) and carbetocin metabolite II (pA2 = 8.01) being stronger than carbetocin metabolite I (pA2 = 7.81). These results indicate that carbetocin is a partial agonist/antagonist to the oxytocin receptor while the two metabolites carbetocin metabolite I and carbetocin metabolite II are pure antagonists. All three analogues bound to the myometrial vasopressin V1 receptor, albeit with much lower affinities than to the oxytocin receptor. Carbetocin metabolite II showed the weakest binding affinity of 33.7 +/- 7.34 nM compared to 7.24 +/- 0.29 nM for carbetocin and 9.89 + 2.80 nM for carbetocin metabolite I. Only carbetocin bound to the renal vasopressin V2 receptor though the binding affinity was very low (61.3 +/- 14.6 nM).

Animals↗

Theory of the correlation between capillary and free-flow zone electrophoresis and its use for the conversion of analytical capillary separations to continuous free-flow preparative processes. Application to analysis and preparation of fragments of insulin.

A basic theoretical description of the correlation between capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and free-flow zone electrophoresis (FFZE) is presented. The theory of the correlation between CZE and FFZE results from the fact that both methods are based on the same separation principle, zone electrophoresis, and both are performed in the carrierless separation medium with the same composition of the background electrolyte. The equations describing the movement of the charged and noncharged particles in the d.c. electric field applied in the capillary and in the flow-through electrophoretic chamber are presented and used for the quantitative description of the correlation between CZE and FFZE. Based on the theory of the correlation between CZE and FFZE a procedure has been developed for conversion of analytical, microscale CZE separations into continuous preparative separation processes realized by FFZE. Practical application of the developed procedure is demonstrated by CZE analysis and FFZE preparation of an octapeptide fragment of human insulin.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

[Squamous epithelial carcinoma in a 27-year-old patient with cellular immune defect].

Squamous cell cancer of the oral cavity mainly occurs in older patients or in patients with alcohol or nicotine abuse. Younger patients are seldom involved. The case of a 27-year-old woman with a squamous cell cancer of the right cheek will be presented. Without any risk factors, an immune defect resulting in chronic Candida infection of the oral cavity seems to be responsible for the carcinogenesis.

Adult↗

Treatment of oral leukoplakia by topical application of 5-aminolevulinic acid.

A new therapy for the treatment of oral leukoplakia by 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) is presented. ALA, a precursor in the biosynthesis of haeme, induces the production of the endogenous photosensitizer protoporphyrin IX which can be used for PDT. Twelve patients, who had been suffering from leukoplakia of the oral mucosa for several years, were treated by ALA-mediated PDT. ALA was used as a topical photosensitizer and 20% ALA cream was applied to the leukoplakia lesion of the oral mucosa for two hours and then light activated at 630 nm, 100 mW/cm2 and 100 J/cm2. Five patients showed complete response to the treatment, four patients showed a partial response and in three patients treatment was unsuccessful. One patient with partial response was retreated, after which the lesion disappeared.

Administration, Topical↗

Reconstitution of squamous epithelium in Barrett's oesophagus with endoscopic argon plasma coagulation: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Barrett's oesophagus is a premalignant condition. Recent reports have suggested that laser coagulation or photodynamic therapy combined with acid suppression may induce reconstitution of squamous mucosa. However, a high percentage of residual glands remain in cases treated with both techniques. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) appears to be an attractive alternative to other thermoablative techniques. The aim of this study was to investigate the reconstitution of squamous epithelium in Barrett's oesophagus after APC. METHODS: Fifteen patients with histologically proven Barrett's oesophagus were included in a prospective study. After base-line documentation by videotaping and biopsies, Barrett's epithelium was treated by repeated APC at intervals of 4-6 weeks until complete squamous restoration was achieved. All patients were kept under high-dose proton pump inhibitor therapy. RESULTS: In 13 patients complete reconstitution of squamous epithelium was achieved. Buried glands after squamous restoration were detected transiently in only one case after the first session. As side effects seven patients had mild retrosternal discomfort. One patient reported severe retrosternal pain for 1 week. He then refused further APC sessions. Another patient was excluded because of noncompliance. During the follow-up period (6-13 months) recurrence of Barrett's epithelium was observed in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: APC is a suitable technique for achieving squamous restoration in Barrett's oesophagus. The rare occurrence of remaining buried glands may result from the homogeneous coagulation achieved by the ionized argon gas beam.

Barrett Esophagus↗

Differences in whole blood serotonin levels based on a typology of parasuicide.

Suicidal behavior has to be considered as a multifactorial phenomenon, which can be analyzed in a classifying-phenomenological manner. We have examined the relation of parasuicide typology to whole blood concentrations of serotonin, HVA, and tryptophan in 58 patients classified into 4 groups of parasuicide typology compared to 22 nonsuicidal depressed patients and 20 healthy subjects. Suicidal patients classified as impetuous, desperate and ambivalent types had significantly reduced whole blood 5-HT levels in comparison with the appealing type as well as nonsuicidal subjects. No differences were detected in the HVA content, but whole blood tryptophan concentrations were significantly reduced in impetuous suicidal patients and depressed patients compared to healthy subjects. This study provides evidence for reduced whole blood serotonin content based on different types of parasuicide.

Adult↗

New fluorogenic substrates for the study of secondary specificity of prolyl oligopeptidase.

The secondary specificity of prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) has been studied by using a series of fluorogenic substrates containing the highly fluorescent 7-amino-4-methyl-2-quinolinone (AMeq) marker. The substrates were dipeptides of the general formula Z-X-Pro-NH-Meq, bearing amino acid residues with variable functional groups [Met, Lys(Boc), Lys, His, Ser, Leu, Glu(OMe), Glu, Cys(Bzl)] at the P2 position, and the tripeptide Z-Asn-Cys(Bzl)-Pro-NH-Meq. The kinetic parameters for their hydrolysis by porcine kidney POP were determined at lambda ex = 360 nm and lambda em = 430 nm. All the dipeptide substrates showed a high affinity to the enzyme and could be used for its fluorometric determination. The S2 binding subsite of POP can accommodate amino acid residues with a bulky side group, while it prefers a positively charged group (free Lys) instead of a negatively charged one (free Glu).

Fluorescent Dyes↗

Synthesis, radiolabeling and biological activity of peptide oostatic hormone and its analogues.

A series of Pro peptides containing the sequence of the oostatic hormone 3d and its shorter analogues 3a-3c differing in a number of the C-terminal Pro residues was prepared for a study of its effect on oogenesis in Sarcophaga bullata Parker (Diptera). Peptides 3a-3d were synthesized in solution by the fragment condensation of Boc-Tyr-Asp(OtBu)-Pro-Ala-Pro-OH (2f) with Pro oligopeptides H-(Pro)2-5-OtBu. The amino-terminal protected pentapeptide acid 2f was prepared by a stepwise procedure from TFA.H-Ala-Pro-OMe using Boc-Pro-OH, Z-Asp(OtBu)-OSu and Boc-Tyr-OSu. The H(Z)-(Pro)2-5-OtBu oligopeptides 1a-1h were synthesized from Z-Pro-OH and H-Pro-OtBu by a combination of stepwise procedure and fragment condensation. The 125I-labeled molecules of the octapeptide 3b and decapeptide 3d were used for radiotracer distribution studies. Evidence of content of the labeled peptide material in various parts of the insect body (ovaries, head, intestine) is presented. The time distribution of the labeled material in the insect organs was correlated with results of histological analysis of ovaries treated by nonlabeled peptides. The peptides assayed affected processes of egg development in 20-60% of ovarioles. The decapeptide 3d caused changes consisting in some resorbed egg chambers and normal appearance of vitellogenic eggs, whereas the octapeptide 3b caused abnormal yolk deposition and formation of big eggs with irregular yolk granules, proliferation of follicular epithelium in some egg chambers and about the same amount of resorbed egg chambers as decapeptide. These structural differences are complementary to the different values of organ radioactivities.

Animals↗

Interaction of chymotrypsin with carbetocin ([1-deamino-1-monocarba-2-O-methyltyrosine]-oxytocin).

The results of the present study describe the course of reaction and the products following chymotrypsin treatment of the oxytocin analogue carbetocin ([1-deamino-1-monocarba-2-O-methyltyrosine]-oxytocin). The metabolites were analyzed and identified through TLC, HPLC and mass spectrometry. The main product emerging after treatment of carbetocin with chymotrypsin is 9-desglycineamide carbetocin indicating preferential hydrolysis of the peptide bond between leucine at position 8 and carboxyterminal glycineamide. At the same time the stability of the bond between tyrosine at position 2 and isoleucine at position 3 appears significantly enhanced through the alkylation of the hydroxyl group of tyrosine.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

[Cyclosporin A in aplastic anemia in dogs: first results].

Aplastic anemia in the dog is defined as a reduction of marrow activity comprising all three marrow cell lines or selectively of the erythropoiesis. In comparable cases in human medicine an immunogenic etiology is presumed, and a treatment with the immunosuppressant Cyclosporin A is initiated. There are no experiences with this kind of therapy in aplastic anemia of the dog. Four dogs, three with a hypoplasia of the erythropoietic cell line and one with panmyelophthisis, were treated orally for a period of several months with Cyclosporin A 5-10 mg/kg bodyweight bid. In all patients the plasma concentration of Cyclosporin was controlled in regular intervals. Depending on the plasma concentrations the dose was adapted in several cases. Cyclosporin levels between 200 and 600 ng/ml were considered desirable and their efficacy in the therapy of aplastic anemia was examined. In the patient with panmyelophthisis, therapy was not successful. In this case, a marrow intoxication was presumably responsible for the aplastic anemia and the dog was euthanized. In two of the remaining three cases, therapy with Cyclosporin A was successful; the last dog is still being treated with Cyclosporin A at this time.

Anemia, Aplastic↗