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Biomedical subjects

U Ludwig

Publications and source records attributed to U Ludwig.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Silent BOLD imaging.

Pulsed magnetic field gradients in magnetic resonance imaging produce high levels of acoustic noise. In functional magnetic resonance imaging, acoustic scanner noise causes unwanted masking effects. Recently, we proposed a method to perform magnetic resonance imaging experiments undisturbed by acoustic scanner noise by utilizing the property of standard gradient coils to poorly submit acoustic noise in the low frequency range. The silent gradient scheme is now incorporated into a standard T(2)*-weighted sequence. Additionally, simultaneous multi-slice excitation (SIMEX) pulses were implemented to improve the intrinsic low volume coverage of the silent sequence. The proposed silent SIMEX technique was tested and compared with a standard noisy technique using auditory and visual stimulation paradigms. The scanner noise during the silent experiments could be reduced below the range of the ambient noise of the magnet room. This feasibility study shows a trend of decreased activated areas in the noisy experiment for both, the visual and auditory paradigm.

Brain↗
PubMed2000

Facilitation of electric forepaw stimulation-induced somatosensory activation in rats by additional acoustic stimulation: an fMRI investigation.

The influence of scanner acoustic noise on somatosensory activation pattern in rat cortex was investigated by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) using the blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) contrast. This was achieved by two approaches. The first approach was to compare a conventional, loud fMRI sequence with a new sequence, in which the noise level was reduced by about 30 dB. In the second approach, the inner ear of the animal was destroyed, resulting in deafness. We compared the activation patterns obtained with both sequences before and after cochleotomy. The activated area was larger when data were sampled with background noise, and was also larger before cochleotomy than after. Thus, facilitation of somatosensory activation is induced by additional acoustic stimulation. Magn Reson Med 44:317-321, 2000.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1998

Sarcosine reductase of Tissierella creatinophila: purification and characterization of its components.

Sarcosine reductase is the only reductase system present in Tissierella creatinophila when grown on creatinine plus formate. The acetyl-phosphate-forming component protein C was purified to homogeneity. SDS-PAGE of the purified protein revealed two protein bands with apparent mol. masses of 62 and 50 kDa. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the two subunits was determined. Antibodies raised against each of the subunits of protein C from Eubacterium acidaminophilum cross-reacted with the corresponding protein present in T. creatinophila, Clostridium litorale and Clostridium sporogenes. The arsenate-dependent hydrolysis of acetyl phosphate catalyzed by protein C was partly inhibited by antibodies directed against the large subunit. Antibodies raised against the small subunit were twice as effective, which indicates that this subunit is the primary site of acetyl transfer from acetyl phosphate. The protein A component of the sarcosine reductase of T. creatinophila was purified to homogeneity by cochromatography with thioredoxin reductase on DEAE-Sephacel, hydroxylapatite, Q-Sepharose, and Sephacryl 100-HR. Protein A had an apparent mol. mass of 21 kDa. Its N-terminal amino acid sequence showed high similarities to that of other proteins A. Initial steps for the purification and preliminary characterization of the sarcosine-specific, substrate-binding protein Bsarcosine component of T. creatinophila indicated the involvement of a 50-kDa protein.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1993

[The pathogen spectrum of blood cultures of premature and newborn infants in a neonatal intensive care unit].

The bacterial spectrum of blood cultures in a neonatal intensive-care unit was retrospectively assessed in a two-year study. Analysis of positive blood cultures showed a dominance of gram-positive bacteria, especially of coagulase-negative staphylococci. The resistance of these germs points to vancomycin as the most effective antibiotic. B-streptococci, germs that are dreaded especially in neonatology, were not found in any of the cases. Positive blood cultures were mostly in correlation with clinical symptoms, less so to the leukocyte count and/or C-reactive protein levels. There was no case of death directly caused by sepsis.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1992

[Infections after bone marrow transplantation in childhood].

In 66 children having undergone bone marrow transplantation (BMT) the occurrence of infections was studied retrospectively. Bacterial infections were mostly found in the early period after transplantation before marrow engraftment. The analysis of positive blood cultures showed a dominance of gram-positive bacteria, especially of coagulase-negative staphylococci. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections were most important, because of its high rate and the risk of CMV associated interstitial pneumonia (IP), two patients suffered from. Infections from herpes simplex virus (HSV), varizella zoster virus (VZV) and Epstein Barr virus (EBV) had no influence on prognosis. In fungal infections the systemic aspergillosis was the most important complication. To increase the effectiveness and safety of therapy the serum levels of antibiotics and antifungal drugs should be determined.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Hormonal control of RNA polymerases in rat bone marrow nuclei. The action of erythropoietin and testosterone.

The cytodifferentiation of stem cells to mature cells in bone marrow is an appropiate system to study biochemical aspects of hormonal action. We have used this system to analyze the way how erythropoietin and testosterone regulate erythropoiesis at the molecular level. Experiments designed to correlate the biochemical action of both hormones and to determine their differential action on rat bone marrow nuclei DNA-dependent RNA polymerases are reported. The effect of both hormones on the synthesis of RNA by isolated nuclei derived from normal rats was studied. Erythropoietin enhances the activity of RNA polymerase type II while testosterone stimulates polymerase type I activity. Gel-electrophoresis analysis of nuclear RNA shows that erythropoietin enhances the synthesis of RNA species with sedimentation coefficients of 30S, 22S, 15S, and 9S. Testosterone stimulates the synthesis of the 28 and 18S RNA as well as 4S RNA. A model is postulated to explain the action of erythropoietin and testosterone on RNA synthesis by isolated rat bone marrow nuclei.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

[Evaluation of the aca lipase (DuPont) determination and of the lipase determination according to Myrick (Calbiochem-Behring) (author's transl)].

Two lipase methods, the method for the aca (DuPont) and the method according to Myrick (1976) Thesis, Birmingham Al.) (Calbiochem-Behring), were compared with the lipase method of Rick (1969) Z. Klin. Chem. Klin. Biochem. 7, 530--539) and with the amylase determination. The diagnostic value of the aca method, the amylase and the lipase method of Rick were in good agreement, whereas the method of Myrick gave conflicting results.

Amylases↗
PubMed1979

[Treatment of the swan neck deformity].

The pathogenesis and the anatomic causes for the swan neck deformity are reviewed. Many different soft tissue operations can succeed in preventing catastrophic loss of function if the deformity is treated while still in stage 1 or 2. In the later stages (3 and 4) restoration of finger is often not possible as a result of joint stiffness and irreversible joint changes. In this case, arthroplasty and arthrodesis should be considered.

Contracture↗
PubMed1979

Hormonal control of gene expression: differential activation of rat bone marrow RNA polymerases by erythropoietin and testosterone.

Hormones play a role in the regulation of gene expression by inducing changes in enzyme patterns in target cells mediated by the synthesis of specific RNA molecules. Erythropoiesis has been used as a system for studying the molecular mechanism of regulation of gene action by means of two hormones: erythropoietin and testosterone. Experiments designed to correlate the biochemical action of both hormones on rat marrow cells are herein reported. Both factors seems to act at different biochemical and citological levels. Erythropoietin triggers the erythropoietic process acting on the erythropoietin sensitive cells (ESC), in which the hormone induces the synthesis of a high molecular weight RNA, which is the precursor of a functional 9 S messenger RNA. Testosterone seems to act on polychromatophilic erythroblasts, in which the synthesis of ribosomal RNA or its precursor is stimulated. The steroid enhances the nuclear ribonuclease activity, which could represent a control mechanism for the processing (maturation) of high molecular weight RNAs. The incorporation of 3H-GTP and 3H-UTP into RNA by isolated rat bone marrow nuclei is stimulated by erythropoietin and testosterone. Using alpha-amanitine and different ionic strength conditions it was found that erythropoietin enhances preferentially RNA polymerase II activity while testosterone increases RNA polymerase I activity. It is postulated that erythropoietin and testosterone act synergically to create the biochemical machinery for hemoglobin synthesis, the macromolecule that characterizes the erythropoietic process.

Amanitins↗