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Biomedical subjects

U Schmidt

Publications and source records attributed to U Schmidt.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Treatment of depressive symptoms with a high concentration hypericum preparation. A multicenter placebo-controlled double-blind study].

In a multicenter, placebo-controlled double-blind trial, the effect on depression (ICD 10 F 32.1) of treatment with an innovative highly concentrated hypericum preparation was investigated. The study contained 97 outpatients who received 100 to 120 mg of the hypericum extract bid. The course of the illness was assessed with the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), the von Zerssen Depressivity Scale (D-S) and the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGIS). Treatment resulted in an appreciable improvement in the symptoms of depression, and the 70% response rate (n = 43), corresponded to that of chemical antidepressants. The preparation also showed an anxiolytic effect. The substance was extremely well tolerated, and no side-effects were reported by any of the patients.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1995

The actinophage RP3 DNA integrates site-specifically into the putative tRNA(Arg)(AGG) gene of Streptomyces rimosus.

The temperate actinophage RP3 integrates site-specifically into the chromosome of Streptomyces rimosus R6-554. The phage attachment site attP and the hybrid attachment sites of the integrated prophage--attL and attR--were cloned and sequenced. The 54nt core sequence, common to all RP3 related attachment sites, comprises the 3' terminal end of a putative tRNA(Arg)(AGG) gene. AttB bears the complete tRNA gene which is restored in attL after integration. A 7.5kb HindIII fragment, bearing attP, was used to construct an integrative plasmid to simulate the integration process in vivo and to localize the phage genes necessary for site specific integration. The int and xis genes were sequenced and compared to other recombination genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Patterns of punitiveness in women with eating disorders.

The level and direction of hostility in patients with bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa and a comparison group were measured using the the Hostility and Direction of Hostility Questionnaire. A semistructured interview developed by Harris, Brown, and Bifulco (Psychological Medicine, 16, 641-659, 1986) was used to assess childhood care to examine whether a link exists between childhood exposure to aggression or parental neglect and adult hostility. Patients with eating disorders had significantly higher hostility levels and were significantly more intropunitive than the comparison group. Patients with bulimia nervosa were significantly more intropunitive than the comparison group. Patients with bulimia nervosa were significantly more hostile than patients with anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa patients were more likely to direct hostility inwardly, rather than outwardly, when compared with bulimia nervosa patients. Impulsivity was associated with extrapunitiveness whereas intropunitiveness was associated with depression. Although some measures of poor childhood care correlated with adult hostility levels no clear pattern emerged.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

The force-interval relationship in human myocardium.

The force-interval relationship is an important modulator of contractility in mammalian myocardium. In a number of mammalian species, increasing the frequency of stimulation results in an increase in force of contraction. Over the last 10 years, the effects of atrial pacing have been closely examined in normal human subjects and in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, and the effects of the stimulation frequency have been investigated in isolated preparations from nonfailing and failing human hearts. An abnormal force-interval relationship in vivo and in vitro has been a consistent finding in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, whereby an increase in stimulation frequency fails to increase the contractile response. The force-interval relationship of cardiac muscle has been shown to reflect intracellular calcium cycling and sarcoplasmic reticulum function. Therefore, agents that affect excitation-contraction coupling, in particular intracellular calcium mobilization and sarcoplasmic reticulum function, modulate the response of contraction force to stimulation frequency.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Puberty, sexual milestones and abuse: how are they related in eating disorder patients?

In order to assess the relationship pubertal development, sexual milestones and childhood sexual abuse in women with eating disorders, 44 patients with restricting anorexia nervosa (RAN), 26 with bulimic anorexia nervosa (BAN), 29 with bulimia nervosa and also with a history of anorexia nervosa (BN/HistAN), and 69 with bulimia nervosa but without a history of anorexia nervosa (BN) completed questionnaires on pubertal and sexual development and unpleasant sexual experiences. Forty-four female college students complete the sexual development questionnaire only. Different eating disorder groups were found to be similar in terms of their pubertal development. All eating disorder groups showed delays in aspects of their psychosexual development (age at first kiss, masturbation, genital fondling and first sexual intercourse) compared with the control group, although to a different degree. The RAN group was delayed on almost all sexual milestones whereas the other groups were delayed on only some. On some variables, most noticeably on first sexual intercourse, restricters also were more delayed than the other eating disorder groups. Similarly, the median number of sexual partners differed significantly between groups (RAN = 1, BAN = 2, BN/HistAN = 4, BN = 4, controls = 5, P < 0.0001). Eating disorder patients, in particular RAN patients, were less positive about sexual relationships than controls, but did not differ from controls in attitudes to masturbation, marriage, children or pregnancy. Of the eating disorder patients 22-31% had been sexually abused during childhood. A history of abuse affected attitudes to masturbation, but did not appear to affect sexual development.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Halothane restores the altered force-frequency relationship in failing human myocardium.

BACKGROUND: The terminally failing human myocardium exerts a negative force-frequency relationship (FFR), whereas a positive FFR occurs in nonfailing myocardium. To study the possibility of pharmacologically influencing this defect of the failing human heart, the effect of halothane on the basal FFR and the FFR in the presence of isoproterenol and ouabain was investigated. METHODS: Experiments were performed on isolated, electrically driven (0.5-2 Hz, 37 degrees C, Ca2+ 1.8 mmol/l) ventricular preparations. Myocardium from human failing and nonfailing hearts was obtained at cardiac surgery. To further characterize the studied myocardium, the positive inotropic effect of isoproterenol and the density of beta-adrenoceptors were measured using the radioligand 125I-CYP. RESULTS: Halothane produced a negative inotropic effect. The anesthetic (0.38 mmol/l) reversed the negative FFR in failing myocardium, antagonized the effect of isoproterenol (0.1 mumol/l) on FFR, and restored the FFR in the presence of ouabain. CONCLUSIONS: Halothane restores the FFR in human failing myocardium possibly by influencing the intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. These findings provide evidence that pharmacologic interventions, e.g., during anesthesia, may influence contractility also as a result of a depressed or enhanced FFR.

Calcium↗
PubMed1995

Interaction of halothane with inhibitory G-proteins in the human myocardium.

BACKGROUND: Halothane has been reported to possess a catecholamine-sensitizing effect in laboratory animals and in anesthetized patients and to enhance the positive inotropic effect of isoproterenol in human papillary muscle strips. The current study was designed to investigate further the underlying subcellular mechanisms on human myocardium, in particular the mechanism of action of halothane on G-proteins. METHODS: To investigate the effect of halothane on adenylyl cyclase activity, isoproterenol-, guanylylimidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p)-, and forskolin-activated enzyme activities were studied alone and in the presence of halothane in native and manganese-treated membranes. The mechanisms of halothane interaction with inhibitory G-proteins (G1) were studied in adenosine diphosphate-ribosylation studies with pertussis toxin and immunochemical techniques. RESULTS: Halothane (1%) augmented isoproterenol- and Gpp(NH)p-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity but had no effect on forskolin-stimulated enzyme activity. Manganese ions inhibited the stimulating effect of isoproterenol and Gpp(NH)p on adenylyl cyclase activity, but the effect of forskolin remained unchanged in control and halothane-treated membranes. In the presence of pertussis toxin, the effect of isoproterenol and Gpp(NH)p on adenylyl cyclase activity was enhanced, but further stimulation by halothane was abolished. Halothane did not influence the attachment of Gi alpha to the membrane. No effect of halothane on adenosine diphosphate-ribosylation of Gi alpha by pertussis toxin was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Halothane stimulates adenylyl cyclase activity by inhibiting the function of the inhibitory G-proteins by interfering with the effects of the alpha subunits or beta gamma subunits with the effector. Decreased membrane attachment of Gi alpha in the presence of halothane does not occur. The interaction of alpha and beta gamma subunits is not affected by halothane. Halothane does not impair the binding of pertussis toxin to the Gi alpha-protein.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗
PubMed1995

T-cell-rich B-cell lymphoma and lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's disease: two closely related entities?

T-cell-rich B-cell lymphoma (TCRBCL) is a recently described variant of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It may arise de novo or secondary to follicular lymphoma and large B-cell lymphoma. We present here seven cases of TCRBCL to emphasize a peculiar relationship to lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's disease. Morphologically, the neoplastic populations of all TCRBCLs, in addition to centroblast-like and immunoblast-like cells, comprised a few L+H-like elements. These neoplastic cells were all regularly scattered in a majority of reactive small T-lymphocytes as well as histiocytes. Moreover, tumour cells of TCRBCL, including the L+H-like elements of TCRBCL, expressed LCA and L26 but did not stain for Leu-M1 and BerH2, as is the case with the Reed-Sternberg cell L+H variant of lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's disease. Furthermore, the L26 immunoreaction in one of the cases, which otherwise presented as typical TCRBCL, disclosed a small subcapsular area resembling nodular paragranuloma because some few foci consisting of mature B lymphocytes with occasional L+H-like elements were seen. This also holds true for a second of the TCRBCLs presented that obviously coexisted with recurrent Hodgkin's paragranuloma 10 years after the primary manifestation. These findings indicate a close connection between TCRBCL and lymphocyte-rich Hodgkin's disease, and it may even be speculated as to whether TCRBCL represents merely a phenotypically different manifestation of this Hodgkin's subtype. Although the data presented here will not provide sufficient proof of this hypothesis, it seems clear that the nosology of TCRBCL in the context of current lymphoma classifications requires further elucidation.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Studies of point mutants define three essential paired nucleotides in the domain 5 substructure of a group II intron.

Domain 5 (D5) is a highly conserved, largely helical substructure of group II introns that is essential for self-splicing. Only three of the 14 base pairs present in most D5 structures (A2.U33, G3.U32, and C4.G31) are nearly invariant. We have studied effects of point mutations of those six nucleotides on self-splicing and in vivo splicing of aI5 gamma, an intron of the COXI gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondria. Though none of the point mutations blocked self-splicing under one commonly used in vitro reaction condition, the most debilitating mutations were at G3 and G4. Following mitochondrial Biolistic transformation, it was found that mutations at A2, G3, and C4 blocked respiratory growth and splicing while mutations at the other sites had little effect on either phenotype. Intra-D5 second-site suppressors showed that pairing between nucleotides at positions 2 and 33 and 4 and 31 is especially important for D5 function. At the G3.U32 wobble pair, the mutant A.U pair blocks splicing, but a revertant of that mutant that can form an A+.C base pair regains some splicing. A dominant nuclear suppressor restores some splicing to the G3A mutant but not the G3U mutant, suggesting that a purine is required at position 3. These findings are discussed in terms of the hypothesis of Madhani and Guthrie (H. D. Madhani and C. Guthrie, Cell 71:803-817, 1992) that helix 1 formed between yeast U2 and U6 small nuclear RNAs may be the spliceosomal cognate of D5.

Base Composition↗
PubMed1995

Multiple myeloma with bone marrow biopsy features simulating concomitant chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis.

Multiple myelomas occasionally exhibit bone marrow lesions simulating a concomitant chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis. In the present study, trephine biopsy histologies of such "myelofibrotic" myelomas are described and compared to those from a case of true chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis which developed in the course of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. "Myelofibrotic" myeloma are characterized by osteosclerosis, marrow fibrosis and focal megakaryocytic hyperplasia in the presence of plasma cell infiltration of the bone marrow. These myelomas are to be distinguished from the more commonly occurring multiple myeloma with simple marrow fibrosis and/or osteosclerosis. Furthermore, "myelofibrotic" myelomas are not identical to myelomas coexisting with true chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis, a condition which would appear to be extremely rare and should only be diagnosed if focal megakaryocytic hyperplasia with atypia can be unequivocally demonstrated. Avoidance of misinterpretation of "myelofibrotic" myeloma requires a knowledge of these different myeloma variants.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Short-time rabbit model of endotoxin-induced hypercoagulability.

We describe a short-time endotoxin-induced rabbit model of hypercoagulability for the study of the coagulation cascade and the therapeutic effects of coagulation inhibitors. Cardiorespiratory function was maintained in rabbits under general anesthesia and standardized mechanical ventilation (tidal volume, 6 ml/kg; 60 breaths/min) via tracheostomy and low-dose inotropic support. Coagulation parameters such as prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, fibrinogen concentration, platelet count, fibrin monomers, D-dimers, antithrombin III and factor XIII activities, thrombelastography, and platelet aggregometry were measured during a 4-h period after sequential double endotoxin administration (80 and 40 micrograms/kg of body weight, intravenously). Mean arterial pressure and arterial and central venous blood gas tensions were monitored. Global clotting, activation parameters of coagulation, and leukocyte count deteriorated significantly in the endotoxin-treated animals but was mainly unaltered in controls (P < 0.05). Tissue specimens of the lungs, liver, brain, and kidneys were examined. Endotoxin-induced, disseminated fibrin deposition was found in the lungs and liver (P < 0.01). We conclude that this short-time model of hypercoagulability in rabbits reliably induced disseminated intravascular coagulation. Tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation provided a reproducible model in which the differences between the controls and the endotoxin-treated animals were exclusively due to administration of endotoxin and not to unforeseen complications of the respiratory system. This model allows the study of therapeutic effects of coagulation inhibitors on endotoxin-induced changes.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Post-transfusion rise in thrombocytes: observations in a hematologic-oncologic patient sample].

OBJECTIVE: Aim of the present analysis was the evaluation of clinical conditions and product-specific parameters influencing posttransfusion platelet increment. DESIGN: 400 single-donor platelet transfusions were analyzed for patient- and concentrate-specific factors influencing posttransfusion platelet increment. Statistical analysis was performed by the General Mixed Model Analysis of Variance. SETTING: Department of hematology and oncology at a university hospital. PATIENTS: 46 patients (24 male, 22 female; age 17-80 years). INTERVENTIONS: Single-donor platelet transfusions. RESULTS: As demonstrated earlier, splenomegaly, body temperature, and bone marrow transplantation could be proven as factors reducing posttransfusion platelet increment. In addition, hepatomegaly and application of antibiotics had negative effects on platelet increment. Among the product-specific parameters leukocyte contamination and pretransfusion storage time reduced transfusion success significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical factors influencing posttransfusion platelet increment can hardly be controlled. In contrast, concentrate-specific parameters can be influenced by preparation technique and storage procedure. Therefore, high value should be set on low leukocyte contamination and short pretransfusion storage time of platelet concentrates.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Inverse relation of E-cadherin and autocrine motility factor receptor expression as a prognostic factor in patients with bladder carcinomas.

Down-regulation of E-cadherin, an intercellular adhesion molecule, and up-regulation of autocrine motility factor receptor (gp78) expressions have been shown to play a role in tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Monoclonal antibodies against E-cadherin and gp78 were used to stain serial snap-frozen sections of 12 normal bladder and 83 bladder carcinoma specimens (27 noninvasive, 53 invasive, and 3 metastases). In normal urothelium, E-cadherin is expressed while gp78 is not. Positive expression of E-cadherin and negative expression of gp78 were found to be associated with a low risk of clinical progression in the superficial bladder carcinoma patient group. While reduction in E-cadherin concomitantly with an increase in gp78 expression was associated with poor prognosis, 71% of the patients (n = 30) underwent rapid cancer progression, and 32% of the patients died of cancer-related disease at a median of 2 years after initial diagnosis. Thus, it is suggested that reduction of E-cadherin expression associated with an increase in the level of gp78 in bladder cancers may define a high risk group of patients. The dual use of these two antigens may improve early diagnosis of high risk bladder cancer patients and influence treatment decisions.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

The postnatal development of frequency-place code and tuning characteristics in the auditory midbrain of the phyllostomid bat, Carollia perspicillata.

This report describes the postnatal development of hearing range, auditory sensitivity and tonotopy within the inferior colliculus (IC) of a mammal specialized for ultrasonic hearing. The experimental animal, Carollia perspicillata, has an adult hearing range of 7-110 kHz (characteristic frequencies) but lack any significant overrepresentation of a limited frequency band as known for rhinolophoid bats and Pteronotus. The audiogram of the newborn Carollia includes characteristic frequencies from 8 to 76 kHz, which is about 65% of the adult hearing range. As in adults, low frequencies are represented in the dorsolateral portion of the IC. However, at birth the ventromedial IC is non-responsive to acoustic stimulation up to intensities of 90 dB SPL. During development there is a progressive conversion of non-responsive IC areas into acoustically responsive slabs with characteristic frequencies above 76 kHz along the dorsolateral to ventromedial (low-to-high frequency) IC axis. This development is superimposed by a non-uniform shift of characteristic frequency: a decrease of CFs in dorsolateral regions, and an increase of CFs in ventromedial areas. The results suggest a bidirectional shift of frequency representation along the cochlear tonotopic axis.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1994

First step in managing bulimia nervosa: controlled trial of therapeutic manual.

OBJECTIVE: To test the short term efficacy of a self directed treatment manual for bulimia nervosa. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial of the manual against cognitive behavioural therapy and a waiting list. SETTING: Tertiary referral centre. SUBJECTS: 81 consecutive referrals presenting with bulimia nervosa or atypical bulimia nervosa. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency of binge eating, vomiting, and other behaviours to control weight as well as abstinence from these behaviours. RESULTS: Cognitive behavioural treatment produced a significant reduction in the frequency of binge eating, vomiting, and other behaviours to control weight. The manual significantly reduced frequency of binge eating and weight control behaviours other than vomiting, and there was no change in the group on the waiting list. Full remission was achieved in five (24%) of the group assigned to cognitive behavioural treatment, nine (22%) of the group who used the manual, and two (11%) of the group on the waiting list. CONCLUSIONS: A self directed treatment manual may be a useful first intervention in the treatment of bulimia nervosa.

Adult↗