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Biomedical subjects

W Braun

Publications and source records attributed to W Braun.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Antibodies to hepatitis B virus x-protein in sera of patients with acute and chronic active hepatitis.

Sera of patients with acute (AH) and chronic active hepatitis (CAH) were tested for anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) x-protein (HBx) by immunoblotting, using recombinant MS2- and beta gal-HBx fusion proteins as substrate. Antibodies against HBx were detected in 5 out of 17 patients with AH at an early stage of infection, and in 13 out of 35 patients with CAH. Positive sera from AH patients showed a relatively weak anti-HBx reactivity when compared to sera from CAH patients. In follow up studies we tested serial serum samples from patients positive for anti-HBx. Patients with AH were observed for 3 to 6 weeks and CAH patients for up to 51 months. In general anti-HBx reactivities appeared to be stable although significant differences in apparent antibody levels were noted when sera from individual patients were compared. Our data further support an early expression of HBx-antigen in HBV-infected individuals. There was no correlation between HBe-antigen and anti-HBx in CAH.

Blotting, Western↗

GEOM: a new tool for molecular modelling based on distance geometry calculations with NMR data.

GEOM is a new graphics tool which allows the use of distance geometry to compute linear and cyclic structures typically arising in drug design situations. Modified amino acids or monomeric organic entities can be easily constructed in an interactive way and deposited in the library of the distance geometry program together with geometric information required for structure calculation in dihedral angle space. In addition, GEOM is able to produce all files needed to calculate a structure based on NMR data (NOE and J-coupling constraints) and it permits the graphic analysis and comparison of computed structures. The application of GEOM is demonstrated in three examples: modelling of cyclosporin A structures with and without a limited set of H-bond constraints and modelling of a cyclic hexapeptide with a full NMR data set.

Computer Graphics↗

Use of digital subtraction fluorography in screening for coronary artery disease in patients with chronic renal failure.

The diagnosis of coronary artery disease remains a major problem in patients with end-stage renal disease. Screening with conventional noninvasive techniques is limited by the poor exercise capacity of these patients. This study evaluated the accuracy of digital subtraction fluorography in detecting coronary calcification as a noninvasive, nonexercise screening test for coronary artery disease. Eighty-six patients under evaluation for renal transplantation and considered at increased risk of coronary artery disease were studied by coronary arteriography and digital subtraction fluorography for coronary calcification. Significant coronary disease (greater than or equal to 50% obstruction in at least one vessel) was present in 36 (42%) patients. The detection of coronary calcification by digital subtraction fluorography had a sensitivity of 78% and a specificity of 66%. The probability of disease being present in the absence of coronary calcification in this group was 18%. The detection of coronary calcification by digital subtraction fluorography appears to be a satisfactory and inexpensive screening test in this setting.

Calcinosis↗

A double-blind clinical trial of fenticonazole (2%) spray versus naftifine (1%) spray in patients with cutaneous mycoses.

A multi-centre, double-blind trial was carried out in 100 patients with cutaneous mycotic infections, confirmed by direct microscopy and/or culture, to compare the efficacy and tolerability of spray formulations of 2% fenticonazole and 1% naftifine. On entry, patients were allocated at random to receive once daily topical applications of one or other drug over a period of 2 to 4 weeks, treatment being stopped when patients had recovered or substantially improved. Clinical and mycological assessments were made before (baseline), at weekly intervals during treatment and, if possible, 2 to 3 weeks after the end of treatment (drug-free period). Treatment was continued for 19.25 days with fenticonazole and 19.62 days with naftifine. All patients had positive mycological findings on entry. The most frequently isolated pathogens were dermatophytes, mainly Trichophyton rubrum; however, Candida albicans was present in 33.3% of patients in the fenticonazole group and in 20.8% of those treated with naftifine. At the end of treatment, only 3 (6.3%) and 5 (10.4%) patients, respectively, of the 48 patients assessed in each group still had positive mycological findings. Assessments of symptoms indicated comparable, significant improvement in both groups, and at the end of treatment the overall opinion of doctors and patients was that about 90% of patients were cured or greatly improved. The end of the drug-free period evaluation showed that, of the patients assessed as cured or greatly improved at the end of treatment, only 1 (3.2%) patient who had received fenticonazole and 2 (6.3%) who had received naftifine were confirmed mycologically as having relapsed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Topical↗

[Divorces, 1988].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Developed Countries↗

[Irradiation for the prevention of heterotopic ossification following surgery of the hip and knee joint. Report of initial experiences].

Ectopic bone formation following operations of the hip is a severe problem in traumatology and orthopedic surgery by reason of its high morbidity. After initial enthusiasm the treatment of these ossifications by EHDP has disappointed. Encouraged by further publications we began with postoperative local irradiation therapy in 22 patients with a disposition for heterotopic ossifications. The radiotherapy was made with a total dose of 12 Gy spread over 3 days. The range of improvement in the recurrences of para-articular ossifications was between 1.2 and 2 CA. The only side effects, we could detect, were 2 pseudarthroses of the trochanter major.

Cobalt Radioisotopes↗

[Use of nitrates in hypertension. Cardiac and peripheral effects before and during antihypertensive therapy at rest and during stress].

The acute effects of 1.6 mg glycerol trinitrate (2 x 0.8 mg) on the hemodynamic function were compared in 11 healthy subjects and 25 hypertensive patients (WHO stages I and II), at rest and during exercise. The nitrate testing was performed before the beginning of antihypertensive treatment, during nonmedical therapy, as well as under additional oral therapy with diisopropylamin. Right-heart-catheterization, echocardiography, radionuclide-ventriculography and venous occlusion plethysmography were performed. Nitroglycerin consistently led to a reduction of blood pressure in the systemic and pulmonary circulation both at rest and during exercise. There was a small decrease of peripheral arterial resistance (TPR) at rest and a more pronounced decrease of pulmonary arteriolar resistance (PAR) at rest and during exercise. The documented effects may be important with regard to combined antihypertensive treatment. In addition, the application of nitrates in hypertensive crises may be useful.

Administration, Sublingual↗

Glibenclamide steady state plasma levels during concomitant vinpocetine administration in type II diabetic patients.

The influence of vinpocetine on glibenclamide steady state plasma levels was investigated in 18 patients suffering from type II diabetes and symptoms of dementia. During the study patients continued to follow their individual scheme of glibenclamide intake and 10 mg vinpocetine were given t.i.d. from day 2 to 5. Glibenclamid as well as glucose plasma levels were repeatedly determined on the first day of the trial and compared to those on the fifth day where patients had received additional vinpocetine medication for four days. Time point comparisons were employed to exclude clinically relevant changes of glibenclamide bioavailability and kinetics. The data of this trial show that vinpocetine does not interfere with the kinetics of glibenclamide. Thus, it can be concluded that the comedication with vinpocetine does not represent a potential risk for a possible drug interaction in case of antidiabetics treatment with glibenclamide.

Blood Glucose↗

[Pneumococcal infections in children: hemolytic-uremic syndrome].

By the example of a case-report diagnostic and therapeutic features of the haemolytic-uraemic syndrome are discussed within the frame of infections by pneumococci. In case of infections by pneumococci but also of those ones caused by other bacteria or viruses neuraminidase may be set free, that on its part may lead to an enzyme-induced haemolysis and in some cases also to a damage of other cell systems. In case of an active share of the kidney a haemolytic-uraemic syndrome may be the consequence.

Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome↗

Vinpocetine pharmacokinetics in elderly subjects.

The pharmacokinetics of vinpocetine (Eusenium) were investigated in 20 elderly, healthy volunteers. Plasma levels of the drug were determined during one dose interval of either repeated intravenous infusion or oral administration. AUC, Cmax and tmax values were derived for oral application, AUC values in case of intravenous application. Oral administration of 20 mg vinpocetine resulted in 4.60 x 10(-8) mol l-1 h, 1.71 x 10(-8) mol l-1 and 2.33 h for AUC, Cmax and tmax, respectively. The appropriate values for apovincaminic acid were 1.92 x 10(-6) mol l-1 h, 6.39 x 10(-7) mol l-1 and 2.41 h. When 10 mg vinpocetine were infused for 1 h, AUC values for vinpocetine and apovincaminic acid were 3.42 x 10(-7) mol l-1 h and 1.69 x 10(-6) mol l-1 h. Absolute bioavailability of vinpocetine was 6.7%. These data were in good agreement with the literature on young and elderly subjects. Marked deviations of apovincaminic acid kinetics in elderly subjects as described earlier could not be demonstrated in this study.

Administration, Oral↗

[Clinically relevant pathogens isolated from blood cultures of inpatient treated children (1972 to 1985)].

Blood cultures are extremely useful in diagnosing various bacteremic diseases in childhood. The results obtained in this study are presented in relation to two periods of equal length (1972-1978, 1979-1985). At the present time there are about 22 relevant isolates from blood cultures per 1000 admitted children and year in the Department of Pediatrics, and about 3 isolates per 1000 admitted children and year in the Department of Pediatric Surgery, respectively. From newborns we isolated most frequently E. coli, Staph. aureus, B-Streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and yeasts. From children beyond the first month of life Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, other streptococci, Neisseria meningitidis, and Staph. aureus were the most frequent identified etiologic agents. The main factors influencing the spectrum of agents causing bacteremia are: age of patients, status of hospitals, and applicated diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Bacteria↗

[Method of treating femur head dislocation fractures].

The fracture and dislocation of the head of the femur is still an uncommon accident, however, involving many complications. To avoid secondary damage a closed reduction should be obtained as soon as possible and with great care. Osteosynthesis of the femur head fragments is desireable for congruency of the joint surfaces and to prevent post traumatic arthrosis. Only this treatment allows for functional physical therapy. Type 3 fractures in patients over 65 and also multiple fractures of the femur head should be treated with a prosthesis implant. In young people primary reconstruction of the joint should be attempted in every case.

Adult↗

Determination of the complete three-dimensional structure of the alpha-amylase inhibitor tendamistat in aqueous solution by nuclear magnetic resonance and distance geometry.

The complete three-dimensional structure of the alpha-amylase inhibitor Tendamistat in aqueous solution was determined by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance and distance geometry calculations using the program DISMAN. Compared to an earlier, preliminary determination of the polypeptide backbone conformation, stereo-specific assignments were obtained for 41 of the 89 prochiral groups in the protein, and a much more extensive set of experimental constraints was collected, including 842 distance constraints from nuclear Overhauser effects and over 100 supplementary constraints from spin-spin coupling constants and the identification of intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The complete protein molecule, including the amino acid side-chains is characterized by a group of nine structures corresponding to the results of the nine DISMAN calculations with minimal residual error functions. The average of the pairwise minimal root-mean-square distances among these nine structures is 0.85 A for the polypeptide backbone, and 1.52 A for all the heavy atoms. The procedures used for the structure determination are described and a detailed analysis is presented of correlations between the experimental input data and the precision of the structure determination.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Conformation of [Cd7]-metallothionein-2 from rat liver in aqueous solution determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

The three-dimensional structure of [Cd7]-metallothionein-2 from rat liver was determined in aqueous solution, using nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry and distance geometry calculations. The experimental data provided proton-proton distance constraints from measurements of nuclear Overhauser effects, constraints on the geometry of the metal-cysteine clusters determined by heteronuclear correlation spectroscopy, and dihedral angle constraints derived from both coupling constants and nuclear Overhauser effects. The structure calculations were performed with the program DISMAN. As in previous studies with rabbit liver metallothionein-2a, the structure calculations were performed separately for the alpha and beta-domains containing the 4 and 3-metal clusters, respectively, since no interdomain constraints were found. For both domains, the global polypeptide fold, the location of polypeptide secondary structure elements, the architecture of the metal-sulfur cluster and the local chirality of the metal co-ordination are very similar to the solution structure of rabbit metallothionein-2a, but show considerable difference relative to the crystal structure of rat metallothionein-2.

Animals↗

Three-dimensional structure of rabbit liver [Cd7]metallothionein-2a in aqueous solution determined by nuclear magnetic resonance.

In previous work the metal-polypeptide co-ordinative bonds in the major protein species of a reconstituted [113Cd7]metallothionein-2 preparation from rabbit liver in aqueous solution were determined, the secondary polypeptide structure was found to contain several half-turns and 3(10)-helical segments, and a preliminary characterization of the overall polypeptide backbone fold in the beta-domain containing the three-metal cluster, and the alpha-domain containing the four-metal cluster, was obtained. Using a new, more extensive set of nuclear magnetic resonance data these earlier structures were improved by new structure calculations. The new experimental data consist of distance constraints from measurements of nuclear Overhauser effects, and dihedral angle constraints derived from both coupling constants and nuclear Overhauser effects. The structure calculations were performed with the program DISMAN. Since no information on the orientation of the two domains relative to each other could be obtained, the structure calculations were performed separately for the alpha-domain and the beta-domain. The average of the pairwise root-mean-square distances among the 20 structures with the least residual violations of input constraints was 2.9 A for the beta-domain and 1.4 A for the alpha-domain (1 A = 0.1 nm). The overall chirality of the polypeptide fold is right-handed for the beta-domain and left-handed for the alpha-domain. For each of the seven metal ions the local chirality of the co-ordination of the four cysteinyl Sy atoms is clearly defined. The improved structures of both domains show the previously noted differences relative to the recently published crystal structure of metallothionein-2a from rat liver.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Poppy seed allergy].

A patient with an immediate type hypersensitivity reaction against poppy seed is reported. Clinical symptoms consisted of swelling of the oral mucosa, vomiting, respiratory distress, and urticaria. Specific IgE antibodies were demonstrable by RAST.

Adult↗