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U Wagner

Publications and source records attributed to U Wagner.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Polychlorinated biphenyls: the occurrence of the main congeners in follicular and sperm fluids.

We have studied the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls in human body fluids associated with reproduction. Since the polychlorinated biphenyls represent a family of compounds, 3 of the main congeners of this family were selected for this study. The distribution of these 3 congeners was investigated in 37 specimens of follicular fluid and in 16 specimens of sperm fluid. Both fluids showed a similar, low contamination with total polychlorinated biphenyls (ca. 10 micrograms/kg on average), but it was evident that the follicular fluids preferentially accumulated the more highly chlorinated components. This finding must be taken into account when interpreting the concentration levels of the main congeners in relation to total pollution and the toxic potential of polychlorinated biphenyls.

Female↗
PubMed1988

[Scanning electron microscopy studies in the detection of apo-B,E receptor activity of the lymphocyte membrane for diagnostic verification of genetically determined disorders of lipid metabolism].

We present a scanning electron microscopic method for determining the quantity of the apo B,E-receptors at the surface of lymphocytes. We used human lymphocytes from venous blood. Gold particles, 50 nm in diameter, were conjugated to the receptors by indirect coupling. We visualized the gold particles by means of an electron microscope (JEM 100 S with scanning attachment ASID). The lymphocytes of control persons and of patients with primary hyperlipoproteinaemias were analysed. Scanning electron microscopic assay of labelled apo-B,E-receptors was shown to allow the rapid and accurate identification of patients with autosomal monogenic hypercholesterolaemia.

Cell Membrane↗
PubMed1988

Hepatocyte-specific promoter element HP1 of the Xenopus albumin gene interacts with transcriptional factors of mammalian hepatocytes.

By transfecting various Xenopus albumin-CAT fusion genes into the mouse hepatoma cell line BW1J a 13 base-pair hepatocyte-specific promoter element (HP1) could be identified. A similar sequence element is also present in the promoter of the albumin and alpha-fetoprotein genes of other vertebrates. Introduction of single point mutations into HP1 destroys its function. Binding studies with nuclear proteins identify a factor interacting with HP1 which is specific for hepatic cells. In-vitro transcription in a rat liver nuclear extract demonstrates that HP1 leads to an increased transcriptional activity. This increased transcription is specifically inhibited by the addition of an HP1-containing oligonucleotide, establishing that the interaction of factors with HP1 is essential for increased transcription. Since HP1 derived from a Xenopus gene functions in mammalian hepatocytes, we conclude that a regulatory system involved in liver-specific gene expression has been conserved during evolution.

Albumins↗
PubMed1988

Tissue-specificity of liver gene expression: a common liver-specific promoter element.

Several liver specific genes contain a sequence similar to the hepatocyte-specific promoter element (HP1) identified in the Xenopus albumin gene. By competition experiments in gel retardation assays we demonstrate that the albumin, the alpha 1-antitrypsin and the beta-fibrinogen promoter elements bind an identical factor, whereas the HP1-related sequence in the transferrin gene has different binding properties. The elements of all four genes are able to confer increased transcription in nuclear extracts from rat liver. The HP1 found in the albumin, alpha 1-antitrypsin and beta-fibrinogen promoter bind identical transcription factors, since in vitro transcription can be specifically inhibited by the addition of an excess of the corresponding oligonucleotide. The cis-element HP1 and its transacting factor have been conserved during evolution, since elements derived from frog, rat and human genes function in rat liver nuclear extracts.

Albumins↗
PubMed1988

5'-flanking and 5'-proximal exon regions of the two Xenopus albumin genes. Deletion analysis of constitutive promoter function.

The 5'-flanking regions and the first two exons of the 68kd and 74kd albumin genes of Xenopus laevis reveal extensive sequence homology between the two in the exon part, in the 5'-flanking region up to position -400 as well as in the first intron. Sequence comparisons of the Xenopus genes with either the albumin genes of the chicken and mammals or the mammalian alpha-fetoprotein genes reveals no homology in the 5'-flanking region but some conserved features in the first exon. The analysis of the chromatin structure demonstrates a DNase I hypersensitive region in the promoter of the 68kd albumin gene specific for hepatocytes that express the albumin gene. Deletion analysis of albumin-CAT fusion genes indicates that a 69 base-pair fragment extending from -50 to +19 of the 68 kd albumin gene is sufficient for constitutive transcription in microinjected Xenopus oocytes. The addition of 5'-flanking sequences did not change the transcriptional activity. This is consistent with the sequence data that revealed no other promoter element in this region other than the TATA box. The absence of a CCAAT box distinguishes the Xenopus albumin genes from the mammalian albumin genes but is in agreement with the promoter structure of the alpha-fetoprotein genes.

Albumins↗
PubMed1988

A cell-specific activator in the Xenopus A2 vitellogenin gene: promoter elements functioning with rat liver nuclear extracts.

Transfection experiments using Xenopus vitellogenin A2 gene constructs allowed us to identify an activator which increases the activity of the thymidine kinase promoter. The activator is located between -121 and -87 of the A2 vitellogenin gene and is separated by a stretch of curved DNA from the estrogen-responsive DNA element at -331. The activator functions in a cell-specific manner, as it is active in human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) as well as hepatoma cells but not in fibroblasts or HeLa cells. The activator is composed of at least three elements: elements 1 and 2 which form a partial palindrome, function independently, but act synergistically when combined. Element 3 is not active on its own, but supports elements 1 and 2. A TATA box region derived from the Xenopus albumin gene is sufficient for the function of the activator. In vitro transcription experiments using rat liver nuclear extracts demonstrate that the activator interacts with transcription factors. These factors are distinct from those recognizing HP1, a regulatory element common to several genes specifically expressed in hepatocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Immunohistochemical hormone content in medullary and undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma and prognosis after surgery.

Immunohistochemical determinations in tissue specimens of medullary and "undifferentiated" thyroid carcinomas were carried out with antisera against calcitonin, calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP), somatostatin, and also thyroglobulin, using the PAP method. All 8 samples of medullary carcinoma stained positive with antisera against calcitonin and CGRP, 7 samples were also positive for somatostatin. Out of 22 cases initially diagnosed as "undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma" 3 revealed positivity for calcitonin, 2 for CGRP, and 1 for somatostatin. Congo red stain for amyloid, performed several years ago in 2 of these 3 cases, had been negative. The patients with medullary carcinoma survived longer than those with "undifferentiated" carcinoma. One patient of the latter group, but with calcitonin, CGRP, and somatostatin immunoreactivity in the tumour tissue, is now alive and well, more than 4 a after initial treatment.

Amyloid↗
PubMed1987

[Primary lymphedema in the nephrotic syndrome: case report].

The aim of this case report is to discuss possible connections between the development of a hypoproteinaemic oedema due to the nephrotic syndrome and the occurrence of lymphoedema. Two patients (a three year-old girl and a seven year-old boy) developed lymphoedema of one leg one year after the onset of the nephrotic syndrome. The case of the six year-old girl is presented. Malignancy was excluded by clinical investigation. Direct lymphography failed to show any peripheral lymph-vessels; indirect lymphography (i.c. infusion of a newly-developed contrast medium) revealed hypoplasia of the peripheral lymph-collectors. The development of lymphoedema 12-18 months after the appearance of the nephrotic syndrome supports the hypothesis that the increase in extravascular fluid, which is caused by a reduced oncotic pressure in the plasma, may trigger off the development of lymphoedema if there is a primary defect of the lymphatic system.

Child↗
PubMed1987

[Significance of the genetics of haptoglobin types in the demarcation of subgroups of juvenile chronic arthritis].

According to the at present valid definition and due to its different clinical subgroups as well as to the different therapeutic influencibility and prognosis the juvenile chronic arthritis represents a very heterogeneous feature of a disease. Systems of genetic markers increasingly obtain importance for the exact clinical specification of the juvenile chronic arthritis. The investigations described in this paper show a significant correlation of the genetically determined haptoglobin variants to the subgroups of the juvenile chronic arthritis. By means of the careful nosological differentiation which goes beyond the usual principles of subdivision the type of haptoglobin gives a diagnostic enrichment in the assessment of the juvenile chronic arthritis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

[Social conditions and ischemic heart disease in the female].

In the development of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in women, there are a variety of factors which, possibly, may exert an influence. The recognition of such factors must be considered prerequisite to a preventive approach to the disease. Possible relationships between socio-economic conditions, in particular education level and occupation as well as marital status and number of children, with manifestations of IHD or presence of risk factors have been studied. Recently, results have been published from the Cottbus Prevention Study/GDR (CGPPS), the World Health Organization Project Eberbach-Wiesloch/FRG and US-American analyses (NHANES II). On evaluation of available data and assessment of the coronary risk profile in women, it should be taken into consideration that comparison is encumbered by the facts that the studies did not employ uniform definitions of socio-economic classification, risk factors and IHD and that they were subject to differing historical developments. Similar to that observed in men, arterial hypertension and overweight was seen significantly more frequently in women factory workers and rural women than in their more sophisticated counterparts. As in other studies, the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in women did not differ among the socio-economic stratifications. The number of smokers was significantly higher in those at the upper levels of education than in women factory workers and rural women or office workers and housewives. There was an inverse relationship between the level of education and mean arterial blood pressure. There was no relationship, however, between income and cholesterol levels. In women working at the lower levels of employment, there was a higher incidence of IHD.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Coronary Disease↗
PubMed1987

[Urolithiasis in pediatrics: analysis of 34 patients].

The increasing incidence of urolithiasis makes it important to report about 34 children with urolithiasis seen between 1976 and 1986 at the Department of Pediatrics, University Medical School Vienna. At the time of the first diagnosis 59 percent of the patients were less than 7 years of age; 62 percent of our patients were males. Recurrent chronic urinary tract infection in 32 percent, metabolic disorder (secondary hyperoxaluria 5, idiopathic hypercalciuria 3, cystinuria 2, hyperuricuria 2) in 27 percent were evaluated; in 13 patients the origin of calculi was idiopathic. Most infectious stones contained magnesium ammonium phosphate, most idiopathic stones calcium oxalate. In 21 patients (62%) surgical treatment, in one patient extracorporal shock wave lithotripsie was realized. Adequate metaphylaxis (general, dietetic, medicementous) can lower the rate of occurrence of stone formation.

Adolescent↗