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Biomedical subjects

W Lenz

Publications and source records attributed to W Lenz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Granulomatous dermatitis and mastitis in two SPF rats associated with a slowly growing Staphylococcus aureus--a case report.

An isolated occurrence of multifocal severe granulomatous dermatitis and mastitis accompanied by extensive calcifications is described in 2 female Sprague-Dawley, SPF breeding rats. Poorly growing Staphylococcus aureus of uncertain lysotype (probably lysotype II) was isolated from the lesions of both rats. The source of infection could not be determined. No further cases in the closed barrier maintained breeding colony occurred in the following 7 months. Difficulties in interpreting these findings and the practical consequences relating to the hygienic status of the barrier breeding colony are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Smoking during pregnancy and congenital limb deficiency.

OBJECTIVE: To examine genetic and environmental factors in the origin of isolated congenital limb deficiencies. DESIGN: Case-control study with questionnaire at a family interview of cases of isolated congenital limb deficiencies (six types), negative controls (matched for age, sex, and place of residence), and positive controls (cases of sentinel anomalies). SETTING: The database of the Hungarian Congenital Abnormality Registry, 1975-84, complemented by three other sources of ascertainment (1,575,904 births). SUBJECTS: 537 case-control pairs; 392 positive controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Smoking during pregnancy, congenital limb deficiencies. RESULTS: The adjusted rate of smoking during pregnancy was significantly higher in the mothers of cases of terminal transverse defect (relative odds 1.48; 95% confidence interval 0.98 to 2.23; P = 0.017). This finding supports the hypothesis of vascular disruption as a cause of congenital limb deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal smoking during pregnancy raises the relative odds for terminal transverse limb deficiencies.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Deletion analysis of the m4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. Molecular determinants for activation of but not coupling to the Gi guanine-nucleotide-binding regulatory protein regulate receptor internalization.

In order to investigate whether coupling to and/or activation of guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) is involved in agonist-induced internalization of m4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs), a deletion mutant [des-(264-394)mAChR] was constructed that lacks a substantial portion of the putative third intracellular loop. The wild-type receptor and des-(264-394)mAChR stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells in essentially comparable amounts, exhibited identical antagonist-binding affinities. Consistent with the reported importance of the third cytoplasmic loop for Gi protein activation, the des-(264-394)mAChR showed a drastically reduced potential to mediate agonist-induced inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. In contrast, the ability of the mutant receptor to couple to Gi proteins was not impaired, as demonstrated by a similar guanine-nucleotide-sensitive and pertussis-toxin-sensitive high-affinity agonist-receptor binding for both mAChRs. In contrast, des-(264-394)mAChR was hardly able to stimulate the GTPase activity of G proteins, suggesting impaired activation of Gi proteins rather than ineffective coupling to Gi proteins. Internalization of wild-type receptor and des-(264-394)mAChR was observed with similar agonist concentrations and showed similar maximal values. However, des-(264-394)mAChR displayed a significantly reduced rate of receptor internalization. A similar attenuation of wild-type mAChR internalization was obtained upon pertussis toxin treatment. In conclusion, our data provide evidence that the molecular determinants of the m4 mAChR involved in Gi-protein coupling and activation are not identical and that activation of, but not coupling to, Gi proteins regulates m4 mAChR internalization.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1994

Agonist-induced down-regulation of the m4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor occurs without changes in receptor mRNA steady-state levels.

The regulation of m4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor mRNA expression by receptor activation was studied in N1E-115 neuroblastoma and AtT-20 pituitary cells that endogeneously express the m4 muscarinic receptor. Receptor concentration was measured by binding of the muscarinic receptor radioligand [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate, and RNA-RNA solution hybridization/RNase protection assay with a m4 receptor-specific [32P]-cRNA probe was used to evaluate the levels of receptor mRNA. Treatment of both cell lines with a receptor-saturating concentration of the agonist carbachol decreased receptor number. However, there was no change in steady-state levels of m4 mAChR mRNA in both cell lines. Determination of mRNA stability in the presence of the transcription blocker actinomycin D revealed that carbachol treatment increased half-life of receptor mRNA in N1E-115 cells, but not in AtT-20 cells, suggesting that receptor activation can regulate m4 receptor mRNA stability dependently on cell type. Analysis of receptor degradation kinetics in the presence of the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide showed that receptor down-regulation in N1E-115 and AtT-20 cells is sufficiently accounted for by increased receptor degradation. These results indicate than m4 muscarinic receptor down-regulation is substantially different from that of the muscarinic receptor subtypes m2 and m3 which is reported to be associated with agonist-induced reduction in receptor mRNA.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Isolation, sequence and functional expression of the mouse m4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor gene.

Molecular cloning studies have demonstrated the existence in mammals of five genes encoding distinct muscarinic acetylcholine receptors which are heterogeneously expressed in the central nervous system and the target organs of the autonomic nervous system. In order to determine the factors responsible for regulation of receptor expression, we isolated a genomic clone encoding the mouse m4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. The gene contains no introns in the coding sequence, and encodes a polypeptide of 479 amino acids that is able to bind various muscarinic ligands with affinities typical for mAChRs and to couple efficiently to inhibition of adenylyl cyclase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

[Incidence, frequency and resistance characteristics of methicillin-oxacillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains in Germany].

In a multicentre study, the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates in 19 large clinics in Germany were recorded, and the resistance characteristics of these strains were studied. Oxacillin-mannitol-salt agar plates were distributed to all participants to ensure uniformity of screening, and each laboratory used these plates to investigate 200 consecutive Staphylococcus aureus isolates for oxacillin-methicillin resistance. Of the 3,794 evaluable Staphylococcus aureus isolates, 71.5% were penicillin and 3.7% (142) oxacillin resistant; four study centres reported methicillin-oxacillin resistance rates of more than 5%. Of the MRSA isolates, 75% were also resistant to ciprofloxacin, 61% to fosfomycin, 52% to imipenem, 50% to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and 36% to clindamycin. All isolates were sensitive to vancomycin and teicoplanin. Of the Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from patients in intensive therapy units, 10.4% were methicillin-oxacillin resistant. Drains and catheter tips (9.8% and 5.2% respectively) were the materials with the highest proportions of MRSA. Of the MRSA isolates in this study, 58.2% belonged to lysis group II.

Ciprofloxacin↗
PubMed1992

Craniofacial dysostosis, hypertrichosis, genital hypoplasia, ocular, dental, and digital defects: confirmation of the Gorlin-Chaudhry-Moss syndrome.

We report clinical, orofacial and radiological manifestations in a 4-year-old girl and a 33-year-old female with the Gorlin-Chaudhry-Moss (GCM) syndrome. Typical findings in the GCM syndrome are short stature, stocky body build, midface hypoplasia, small eyes, downslanting palpebral fissures, conductive hearing loss, highly arched and narrow palate, malocclusion, abnormally shaped teeth, oligodontia, microdontia, low scalp hairline, hypertrichosis of scalp, face, trunk and limbs and genital hypoplasia. Radiological features include premature synostosis of the coronal suture, brachycephaly, and maxillary under-development. Hypoplasia of the distal phalanges of fingers and toes (also present in the 2 original cases) represents a further manifestation of the GCM syndrome.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1992

Distal limb deficiency following chorionic villus sampling?

We have reviewed the follow-up of almost 3000 completed pregnancies in the Münster CVS Program and identified 4 children with distal limb deficiencies. Two cases involved only minor anomalies of distal digital phalanges. One child had a Hanhart anomaly (hypoglossia hypodactylia). We also reviewed 24 cases of limb defects following CVS reported previously. With the exception of a single series, neither the overall incidence of affected children nor cases reported from larger series provide unambiguous evidence of an increased risk of distal limb deficiency caused by CVS.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1992

Primary melanoma of urinary bladder.

The fourth case of primary melanoma of the bladder is presented together with a review of the previously reported cases and the relevant literature on malignant melanoma in urology. The criteria for classification of the bladder lesion as the primary site are discussed. The eighty-one-year-old female patient was felt not to be suitable for extensive surgery and was successfully treated with a combination of radiation and immunotherapy with recombinant alpha 2 interferon. After previous monthly recurrences of the tumor the patient is in complete remission fifteen months after initiation of therapy. It appears that this form of treatment might be a valuable alternative to radical surgery in elderly patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Phage susceptibility, enterotoxigenicity and antibiograms of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from human wounds and diarrhoea.

The phage types, enterotoxigenicity and antibiograms of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from human diarrhoea and skin wounds in Nigeria were determined. Of 194 strains tested, 140 (72.2%) were typable using a combination of phages in the International Phage Set (IPS) for human strains of S. aureus and the bovine phage set. IPS phages lysed 118 (60.8%) strains while 96 (49.5%) were susceptible to bovine phages. S. aureus strains from adult diarrhoea were significantly (P less than or equal to 0.01; x2) more sensitive to bovine phages (52.8%) than to IPS human phages (16.7%). Strains isolated from wounds were however significantly (P less than or equal to 0.001; x2) more susceptible to IPS human phages (72.9%) than to bovine phages (41.5%). Phage group III strains were predominant amongst diarrhoeal isolates while wound strains were most susceptible to group II phages. Phage 119, a bovine phage, lysed all 19 strains of diarrhoeal origin sensitive to group M phages but all wound strains were resistant. Overall, 132 (68.0%) strains were enterotoxigenic producing staphylococcal enterotoxins A (SEA), B (SEB), C (SEC) or a combination of these. A majority of diarrhoeal strains elaborated SEC while SEB production was predominant amongst wound strains. Of the eight antimicrobial agents used, S. aureus strains were most resistant to penicillin (71.6%) and least to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (1.0%). Occurrence of resistance to one or more antibiotics was higher amongst wound strains (97.5%) than amongst strains isolated from diarrhoea (52.6%). It was concluded that bovine phage 119 may be a useful epidemiologic marker for S. aureus strains of bovine origin associated with human diarrhoea in Nigeria. It is however difficult to ascribe any aetiological significance to these strains because other enteropathogens not assayed for may have been present.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Staphylococcal skin colonization in children with atopic dermatitis: prevalence, persistence, and transmission of toxigenic and nontoxigenic strains.

Staphylococcal skin colonization is a common feature of atopic dermatitis (AD) in adults. Little is known about prevalence and persistence of staphylococci in children. Forty-one AD children (mean age, 70 months) and 41 age-matched controls were studied. S. aureus was isolated from 38 AD patients (93%; 32% of controls, P less than .001) and 37% of AD patients (5% of controls, P less than .001) harbored toxigenic (enterotoxins, toxic shock syndrome toxin) S. aureus strains. No individual biotype prevailed. On follow-up (mean interval, 9 months), 70% of S. aureus strains were reisolated. Nasal and cutaneous S. aureus strains were identical in 73% of AD patients (7% of controls, P less than .001), reflecting increased self-contamination. Identical staphylococcal strains in AD children and their mothers were observed in 38% (S. aureus) and 16% (coagulase-negative strains; P less than .001). The prevalence of staphylococcal colonization in AD children is comparable to that in adults. High rates of self-contamination, transmission to contacts, and prevalence of toxigenic strains in AD children may have clinical and epidemiologic implications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Lytic activities, protein profiles and morphologic characteristics of new bacteriophages isolated from canine and human Staphylococcus aureus strains.

The lytic activity, protein profile and morphology of five newly isolated phages from canine Staphylococcus aureus strains and one from a human S. aureus strain were compared with those of selected phages in the international phage sets (IPS). Five canine phages lysed 57 (76.0%) of 75 canine isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from Nigeria at routine test dilution (RTD) while 34 (IPS) phages typed only 31 (41.3%) strains at RTD or/and 100-RTD. The new human phage lysed 11 (14.7%) of 75 strains isolated from human diarrhoea. The new phages were readily propagated, specific in activity and stable during storage at 4 degrees C. Prominent proteins detected by SDS-PAGE indicated similarities between some of the phages but one canine phage was distinctly different, as was its morphology which was an isometric head with a short tail compared to oval heads and long tails which characterized others. IPS phages in the same serologic group had similar protein profiles but no correlation was observed with lytic groups. The use of protein profile and electron micrographs allowed classification of the phages into serogroups. It is concluded that the newly isolated canine phages could be very useful in typing Nigerian canine strains of S. aureus.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Detection of enterotoxigenicity of Staphylococcus aureus strains: a comparative use of the modified Ouchterlony precipitation test, reversed passive latex agglutination test, and avidin-biotin ELISA.

The avidin-biotin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reversed passive latex agglutination (RPLA) test, and the modified Ouchterlony precipitation test (MOPT) were compared in detecting enterotoxin production by Staphylococcus aureus strains. A total of 1015 strains isolated from human beings, animals, and foods were tested for staphylococcal enterotoxins A (SEA), B (SEB), and C (SEC). Of these, 495 (48.8%), 467 (46.0%), and 204 (20.1%) were classified as enterotoxigenic by the ELISA, RPLA test, and MOPT, respectively. The difference in the number of strains classified as enterotoxigenic by the ELISA and RPLA test was not significant (P > or = 0.05; chi 2), but both tests detected significantly (P < 0.001; chi 2) more enterotoxigenic strains than the MOPT. The combined use of the three assay systems classified 258 (25.4%), 278 (27.4%), and 263 (25.9%) of 1015 strains tested as positive for SEA, SEB, and SEC, respectively. However, the three systems were all positive in only 29.1% of SEA-producing strains, 32.0% of SEB-producing strains, and 25.1% of SEC-producing strains. The MOPT was negative when the corresponding ELISA and RPLA test were positive (46.9% for SEA, 43.5% for SEB, and 40% for SEC); the RPLA test was negative when the corresponding ELISA was positive (10.5% for SEA, 15.5% for SEB, and 25.5% for SEC); and the ELISA was negative when the RPLA test was positive (13.6% for SEA, 9.0% for SEB, and 9.5% for SEC). All factors considered, the RPLA test appears most suitable for quantitatively screening large numbers of strains for staphylococcal enterotoxins.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Etiological study on isolated proximal intercalary type of congenital limb deficiency in Hungary, 1975-1984.

A population-based and validated data set of 14 cases with isolated proximal intercalary type of congenital limb deficiency born in Hungary between 1975-84 was evaluated. Two cases had phocomelia of upper limbs, while 12 cases were affected with classical intercalary defects mainly in femurs. Of 14 cases, 13 had unimelic manifestation and both sexes were equally affected. The intrauterine growth retardation, the excess of second birth order, a higher rate of acute maternal disorder of the respiratory system and the lack of familial cluster are noteworthy. The vascular disruption hypothesis seems to be the most plausible explanation for the origin of isolated proximal intercalary defects.

Birth Order↗
PubMed1992

Production of toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) by Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from humans, animals and foods in Nigeria.

The production frequency of toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) amongst Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from humans, animals and foods in Nigeria was investigated. Of 1015 strains tested, 120 (11.8%) were positive for TSST-1. Thirty one (16.0%) of 194 strains from human diarrhoea and wounds were positive compared to 47 (7.1%) of 666 isolates from eight animal species. Goat strains were most often positive for this toxin (17.0%). A total of 42 (27.1%) of 155 strains from foods were positive for TSST-1. Regardless of source, phage non-typable strains (48.3%) were most common amongst TSST-1 producers followed by strains sensitive to phages in several groups (mixed), 18.3%, and phage group III strains (17.5%). Only 6 were phage group I strains (5.0%). TSST-1 producing strains were mostly resistant to penicillin. Eighty-four (70.0%) TSST-1 producers were also enterotoxigenic with staphylococcal enterotoxin C (SEC) most frequently elaborated as 46 (38.9%) strains were positive. However, 42 (35.5%) and 39 (32.5%) strains producing TSST-1 were also positive for SEA and SEB, respectively. It was concluded that TSST-1 producing strains of S. aureus are widespread in humans, animals and foods in Nigeria and such distribution may play some role in the epidemiology of toxic shock syndrome, the prevalence of which is currently unknown in the environment.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Ocular symptoms in a family with pseudo-Ullrich-Turner syndrome].

We report on a family with some features of the Pseudo-Ullrich-Turner-Syndrome, so-called Noonan-Syndrome. Besides low-set ears, microgenia, short neck, pterygium colli, low-anterior hair line and small stature as well as partial scoliosis, partial cubitus valgus and camptodactylia, retinal detachment, disturbances of the eye motility, keratoconus, unilateral ptosis and antimongoloid slant of the palpebral fissures in different expression are described. The caryotype was normal. Some of the features can be seen within at least 2 generations of the family. It seems to be an autosomal genetic mode of transmission. Differences and common characteristics in comparison to the literature are shown. Differential diagnostic aspects are described. A definite relation to a syndrome already described is not possible.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Exfoliative toxin production by Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from animals and human beings in Nigeria.

Strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from lesions and apparently healthy animals, human diarrhoea and wounds in Nigeria were phage typed and tested for exfoliative toxin (ET) production using the modified Ouchterlony double diffusion test. Thirty-four (4.0%) of 860 strains tested produced exfoliative toxins A (ETA), B (ETB) or a combination. ETA was produced singly by 91.1% of the toxigenic strains. Twenty-six (3.9%) of 666 animal strains were toxigenic compared to 8 (4.4%) of 194 strains from human beings. Overall, a majority of ET-producing strains were non-typable (58.8%), followed by phage group II strains (17.7%). The detection of a similar frequency of production of ET by strains of S. aureus from animals and non-scalded skin syndrome cases indicates that animals may serve as a reservoir for human infection.

Animals↗