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Biomedical subjects

T Jung

Publications and source records attributed to T Jung.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The fall of biological maturation promoting factor (MPF) and histone H1 kinase activity during anaphase and telophase in mouse oocytes.

Cell fusions have been used to determine the biological activity of the MPF complex in murine oocytes during their progression through anaphase and telophase to metaphase II. Oocytes (1) at metaphase I, (2) during the anaphase-telophase transition, or (3) at metaphase II were fused to germinal vesicle-staged (immature) oocytes. The hybrids were cultured for 1 h in the presence of db cAMP before fixation and nuclear evaluation. Metaphase I oocytes invariably induced germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in the immature partner. By contrast, anaphase/telophase oocytes never induced GVBD in immature oocytes. The capacity to induce GVBD reappears after the formation of the second metaphase plate. In a second study, histone H1 kinase activity was measured during mouse oocyte maturation in single oocytes. H1 kinase activity was low in GV oocytes, increased sharply at MI, declined during anaphase and telophase and increased again at MII. After egg activation, H1 kinase activity was reduced to basal levels. These results provide direct evidence that a drop in activity of MPF in murine oocytes occurs concomitantly with the exit from metaphase I; MPF activity remains low until the cell re-enters metaphase.

Anaphase

Concentrations of leukotriene B4 in symptomatic and asymptomatic periapical lesions.

Twelve periapical lesions from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (six each) were obtained and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. Six pulps from unerupted third molars as well as chronically inflamed gingival tissues were also obtained, frozen, and used as negative and positive controls, respectively. The concentration of leukotriene (LT) B4 was determined by reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography. Representative samples from each group were fixed in formalin, sectioned, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Extremely low levels of LTB4 were detected in the uninflamed pulpal samples in comparison to those found in chronically inflamed gingival tissues and periradicular lesions. A significant statistical difference was noted between concentrations of LTB4 in periapical lesions of symptomatic patients and those found in asymptomatic patients and samples of chronically inflamed gingival tissues (p < 0.05). In addition, a positive correlation was found between the presence of symptoms, the concentration of LTB4, and presence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in symptomatic periapical lesions. The results show presence of high concentrations of LTB4 in symptomatic human periapical lesions.

Analysis of Variance

Effects of protein kinase inhibitors on pig oocyte maturation in vitro.

Normal oocyte maturation depends on signal transmission between granulosa cells and the oocyte. We have analysed the effects of inhibiting (I) cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase A, PK-A), (II) Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C, PK-C) and (III) calmodulin (CaM) on pig oocyte maturation in vitro, protein synthesis and phosphorylation. The inhibition of PK-A using a specific inhibitor H8, decreased the maturation rate (rate of germinal vesicle breakdown, GVBD) of cumulus-enclosed pig oocytes in a dose-dependent manner by approximately 12%, reaching a plateau at 100 microM. The inhibition of PK-C with H7, an inhibitor with some side-effects on PK-A, decreased the maturation rate of cumulus-enclosed oocytes in a dose-dependent manner to a maximum of 20% at a concentration of 100 microM. The calmodulin antagonist W7 up to a concentration of 200 microM had no effects on maturation of cumulus-enclosed pig oocytes. None of the inhibitors (H7, H8 and W7) altered the patterns of protein synthesis of either pig oocytes and cumulus cells after maturation in vitro. Oocyte phosphoprotein patterns were, however, clearly changed by W7. Cumulus cell protein phosphorylation patterns were changed by all 3 agents. Since inhibition of cyclic AMP and Ca2+ phospholipid pathways by PK-A and PK-C blocking chemicals affected only a limited proportion of oocytes (12 and 20%, respectively) and inhibition of Ca2+ binding to CaM was without effect on oocyte maturation, we conclude that these pathways modulate rather than regulate oocyte maturation in the pig.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine

Effects of caffeine on protein phosphorylation and cell cycle progression in X-irradiated two-cell mouse embryos.

The G2 phase/mitosis transition in cleavage-stage mouse embryos is correlated with an increased phosphorylation of a defined set of proteins at 46, 35, 30, and 29 kDa. Cell cleavage and the associated changes in protein phosphorylation are delayed after X-irradiation. To understand the mechanism of the caffeine-induced uncoupling of mitosis and the cellular reactions to DNA-damaging agents, we have studied the effects of caffeine treatment on cell cycle progression and protein phosphorylation in two-cell mouse embryos after X-irradiation. Caffeine alone had no effect on timing of and changes in phosphorylation associated with the embryonic cell cycle. In combination with X-rays, however, caffeine was able to override the radiation induced G2 block and restored the normal timing of these phosphorylation changes after X-irradiation. However, new additional changes in protein phosphorylation appeared after the combined treatment. Isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX), a substance chemically related to caffeine but a more specific inhibitor of the phosphodiesterase that breaks down cyclic AMP, reduced the radiation induced G2 block from 4 to 5 h to about 1 h and restored the cell cycle associated changes in protein phosphorylation. However, the same new changes which appeared after the combined treatment of caffeine and X-rays were observed after the combination of IBMX and X-irradiation. IBMX specific changes in protein phosphorylation were detected in both the single and the combined treatment. These results indicate a similar action of caffeine and IBMX in overriding the radiation induced G2 block in two-cell mouse embryos.

Animals

A prospective study of skeletal changes during short-term acitretin therapy.

We prospectively analyzed skeletal changes of 16 patients who were treated with acitretin for various disorders of keratinization at doses of 10-50 mg/day (overall mean 0.4 mg/kg/day) for 7-12 months (mean 11.4 months). Skeletal changes from pretherapy findings were observed in 5 patients. In 4 of 5 patients they appeared to be linked to a preexisting degenerative pathology and could not be attributed to acitretin therapy. However, in 1 patient a spinal osseous side effect could not be excluded. No retinoid-induced extraspinal tendon or ligament calcifications were observed.

Acitretin

[The magnetic resonance procedure in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis. Its value and comparison with skeletal scintigraphy].

61 patients with clinical findings suspicious for an osteomyelitis were examined by MRI between January 1985 and November 1989. All results were verified either by surgery or by the clinical course. MRI criteria of a musculoskeletal infection were: decreased signal intensity of the lesions on short TR, short TE images and increased signal to intensity on long TR, long TE images when compared to the intensity of normal bone marrow, adipose tissue and muscles. 35 of 61 patients had been examined by 99mTc-MDP three phase bone scans prior to the MRI examination. Sensitivity and specificity of the MRI examinations were superior to those of bone scans. We therefore recommend MRI examinations as the method of choice in the diagnosis of the early musculoskeletal infections and in all chronic complicated cases.

Bone and Bones

Association of protein phosphorylation and cell cycle progression after X-irradiation of two-cell mouse embryos.

Studies of protein phosphorylation in the second cell cycle of mouse embryos were assessed by [32P]-incorporation and one- and two-dimensional electrophoresis. Unirradiated and X-irradiated embryos were compared. X-irradiation in the G2 phase led to a block in this cell cycle phase. The phosphorylation of proteins with molecular weights of 30 and 46 kDa specifically correlated with the G2 phase-mitosis transition in normally dividing and in irradiated embryos. The time lag in the phosphorylation of these proteins between the unirradiated and X-irradiated embryos was identical to the duration of the radiation-induced G2 block. X-irradiation immediately decreased the phosphorylation of a 29 kDa protein to below detectable levels. Re-phosphorylation of this protein preceded the following mitosis. It is suggested that the 29 kDa protein may be involved in the regulation of events that led to the radiation induced G2 block and the initiation of mitosis after release.

Animals

Imbalance of CD4+CD45R+ and CD4+CD29+ T helper cell subsets in patients with atopic diseases.

To evaluate the proportion of helper cell subsets we studied 18 children with atopic dermatitis, 30 patients with asthma, 27 healthy age-matched controls aged 1 to 17 years and 11 atopic controls without symptoms related to atopy, aged 9-22 years. Lymphocytes were isolated from heparinized peripheral blood and the proportion of CD4+CD29+ and CD4+CD45R+ cells was determined by double-labelling immunofluorescence. Children with atopic dermatitis yielded a significantly (P less than 0.01) higher proportion of CD4+CD45R+ (median 75%) cells compared with normal controls (median 66.6%), whereas the proportion of CD4+CD29+ cells was significantly (P less than 0.01) lower in patients with atopic dermatitis (median 20.4 versus 29.6%). Interestingly, the percentage of CD4+CD45R+ cells shows an age-dependent decline (r = -0.67, P less than 0.01) in the control group, which is not found in the patient group.

Adolescent

[Reproducibility of the jaw relation record].

The jaw relations in edentulous patients were determined with the use of the gotic arch and wax bite blocks. To compare the different methods interchangeable tracing devices and wax registrations were used. This apparatus was alternatingly used by various investigators, but with the same base plate. A quick and reliable survey of the results was possible with this experimental procedure. Our study confirmed the superior reproducibility of the graphic method with centrally supported needle.

Dental Impression Technique