Biomedical subjects

W Müller

Publications and source records attributed to W Müller.

1,356 records · Page 76Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Microheterogeneity of alpha 1-antitrypsin in relation to the concentration of its complex with immunoglobulin A in the sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Serum alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1AT) is an acute-phase glycoprotein which contains three carbohydrate side chains, N-glycosidically linked to the asparagine molecules (Asn46, Asn83 and Asn247) of the single polypeptide unit. "Microheterogeneity", which is a varying proportion of bi- or triantennary heteroglycans attached to the glycosylation sites, has been observed in various inflammatory states including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and may influence the properties of alpha 1AT. METHODS: In this study, we used affinity immunoelectrophoresis with the lectin concanavalin A (ConA) to investigate the possible role of alpha 1AT microheterogeneity in IgA-alpha 1AT complex formation. The concentrations of alpha 1AT and its glycosylation variants, the level of immunoglobulin A (IgA), and concentration of IgA-alpha 1AT complex were determined in the sera of 43 patients with RA. RESULTS: In seven patients, high concentrations of the IgA-alpha 1AT complex were found. This group did not differ from the remaining patients in sex, age, or disease activity. However, significantly higher concentrations of both the alpha 1AT variant 1a+1b (with a predominance of triantennary heteroglycan side chains) and IgA were found in patients with an elevated complex compared to those with low serum levels of IgA-alpha 1AT complex (p < 0.05 for both variables). In the entire group, there was a significant correlation between the IgA-alpha 1AT complex level and both serum IgA and the concentrations of alpha 1AT variants 1a+1b and 2 (r = 0.3473, p < 0.05; r = 0.4604, p < 0.005; r = 0.3176, p < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the microheterogeneity of alpha 1AT may play a part in the formation of the IgA-alpha 1AT complex in RA.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Biochemical changes in fibromyalgia].

Different changes in neurotransmitters were observed in patients with fibromyalgia. The aim of the study was to confirm the diagnosis fibromyalgia by determination of several of these substances. In 60 patients, who met the ACR classification criteria for fibromyalgia and in 20 sex and age matched controls the following estimations were made: serotonin (EIA), somatomedin C (RIA), calcitonin (RIA), prostaglandin E2 (EIA), oxytocin (RIA), ACTH (RIA), substance P (EIA), TSH (LIA), prolactin (LIA). In comparison to healthy controls, patients with fibromyalgia revealed significantly decreased levels of serotonin, somatomedin C, calcitonin, prostaglandin E2 and a significantly increased level of prolactin. No significant differences were found in the levels of ACTH, substance P and TSH. These results suggest that the diagnosis of fibromyalgia can be confirmed by various biochemical parameters, but further investigations must be carried out to value the diagnostic relevance of these findings.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The 5-HT3 blockers in the treatment of the primary fibromyalgia syndrome: a 10-day open study with Tropisetron at a low dose.

A 10-day open trial with Tropisetron, the selective serotonin type 3 receptor antagonist, in a dose of 5 mg daily was undertaken in 19 patients with the primary fibromyalgia syndrome (FB). Before and after the therapy, pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale and a pain score. All the patients were asked about the presence and intensity of vegetative and functional symptoms. Moreover, the tenderness at the 24 typical tender points at baseline and at the end of the therapy was evaluated. A statistically significant improvement of all examined parameters was observed after the therapy. The efficacy of Tropisetron in a dose of 5 mg daily was comparable with the results obtained in a previously reported trial with a dose of 10 or 15 mg per day, but the frequency of gastric troubles decreased (21% vs. 60%). The hypothesis about the existence of two subgroups of patients with FB is also discussed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Continuing studies on the stability of sex steroids in the feces of cows over 12 weeks].

In recent years an increasing number of reports were published indicating disturbances in the reproduction and sexual development in human beings and animals. These findings are seen in correlation with the increasing contamination of the environment with xenoestrogens. The importance of natural sexual steroids as a cause for this situation was poorly taken into account in the past. Therefore it was aimed by the study presented to contribute to knowledge in these questions. Samples of faeces were collected from 18 non pregnant and pregnant cows and their contents of estrogens and progesterone were analysed over a 12 weeks period as equivalent values of the standard substances estrone (E1) respectively 4-pregnene-20 beta-ol-3-one (20 beta P4) by using an enzyme immunoassay. The values of the substances of concern are decreasing gradually during the period of time examined. The median of the E1-equivalent dropped below the starting value in the ninth week, but the 20 beta P4-equivalent reached this level just in the second week. After the 12 weeks of observation under ambient temperature of 20 to 23 degrees C the examined equivalents of E1 and 20 beta P4 showed about 20% respectively 8% of the values measured at the beginning of the study.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Experimental investigations on the effect of Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens on the steroid 4-pregnen-20beta-ol-3-one].

In the context of investigations about the stability of sexual steroids, which are excreted from animals to the environment, it was checked whether microorganisms of the intestinal microflora influence the degradation of these compounds. The germs used were Escherichia coli or Clostridium perfringens. The hormone investigated was the 4-pregnene-20 beta-ol-3-one (20 beta P4). 20 beta P4 was incubated together with the microbes (experimental groups) and without these (control groups) in nutrient medium for the bacteria over 48 hours at 37 degrees C or 42 degrees C. As a result no differences in concentration were found between the experimental and control groups after incubation. Neither an effect of Escherichia coli nor one of Clostridium perfringens was detectable on the concentration of 20 beta P4. However there was a significant decrease of the 20 beta P4-concentration after the incubation over 48 hours at 37 degrees C or 42 degrees C in both the experimental and control groups. That could indicate a thermal degradation of the compound tested.

Clostridium perfringens↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Prognostic value of bcl-2 expression in gastric cancer.

The bcl-2 protein has been shown to prevent apoptosis or programmed cell death and may play an important role for the regulation of tumour growth. Although expression of bcl-2 has been shown to correlate with a better prognosis in breast and lung carcinomas, information concerning the prognostic role of bcl-2 in gastric cancer on a considerable number of tumours is still lacking. In the present study, therefore, the expression and prognostic role of the bcl-2 protein was investigated immunohistochemically in 413 curatively resected gastric carcinomas. Bcl-2 expression was detected in 11.4% (n = 47) of the tumours and was significantly associated with the tumour classification according to Lauren (P < 0.001), 95% of the bcl-2-positive tumours being intestinal type, whereas all diffuse type or signet ring cell carcinomas were bcl-2-negative. No correlation was found between bcl-2 expression and the prognostic parameters depth of invasion (pT category), blood vessel and lymphatic vessel invasion. However, well and moderately differentiated tumours were more often bcl-2-positive than poorly differentiated tumours (P < 0.001), and lymph node negative tumours were more often bcl-2-positive than nodal positive tumours (P < 0.006). Concerning survival, there were no statistically significant differences between patients with bcl-2-positive tumours and patients with bcl-2-negative tumours. According to our results on 413 gastric carcinomas, in contrast to breast and lung cancer, bcl-2 expression has no prognostic impact in gastric cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗