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Biomedical subjects

A Möller

Publications and source records attributed to A Möller.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Increasing incidence of Achilles tendon rupture.

During the period 1987-91, 153 cases of total Achilles tendon rupture were diagnosed in the city of Malmo (population 230,000). Almost two thirds were caused by sporting activities, notably badminton. Ruptures caused by nonsports injuries were found in older subjects. Compared to the age-specific incidence in 1950-73, a marked increase in both sports and nonsports injuries was found and patients in the latter group were older than in the former period. Patients with Achilles tendon ruptures can be classified into two subgroups with partly different etiologies: young or middle-aged athletes and older non-athletic persons. The increase in the former group is mostly explained by increased participation in recreational sports; the cause of increase in the latter group is unknown.

Achilles Tendon↗
PubMed1996

[Criteria for admission of drug dependent criminals for withdrawal treatment according to section 64 StGB with reference to the newest legal guidelines].

Due to a sentence of the German Federal Court of constitution from March 16th, 1994 requirements on the contents of expert opinions on drug or alcohol dependent delinquents considered for being sentenced to withdrawal treatment have changed. Up to that date it has to be stated that the prognosis of withdrawal does not seem to be useless at all. Later experiences with these dependent patients are often disappointing, mostly due to a lack of any therapeutical motivation. Requirements on prognostical criteria have now profoundly changed. The psychiatric expert must positively point out now that predictors of a positive outcome of withdrawal therapy really does exist. A marked decrease in frequency of these legal sentences to withdrawal therapy must be expected as a consequence of altered prognostical criteria.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1995

Luminometry and PCR-based monitoring of gene-tagged cyanobacteria in Baltic Sea microcosms.

The cyanobacterium Synechocystis 6803 was tagged by chromosomal integration of the firefly luciferase gene, luc, resulting in the modified strain Synechocystis 6803-luc. The tagged cells were monitored in Baltic Sea microcosms both by detection of the luc gene by PCR amplification and by measurement of luc gene expression (bioluminescence) in total protein extracted from sediment and water. A new method was developed for isolation and concentration of total protein from sediment for optimization of luciferase quantitation. The detection limit for Synechocystis with a chromosomal luc insertion by bioluminescence was in the order of 4 x 10(3) cells per g sediment, a considerable improvement in sensitivity over previous methods. Another improvement was to use an internal luciferase standard to correct for quenching of light output by impurities in the samples. Baltic sea microcosms were inoculated with Synechocystis 6803-luc, and the luc DNA and luciferase protein specific to the tagged cells were monitored over time. A decrease in luminescence in the microcosm water was observed, simultaneously with an increase in luminescence in the sediment, suggesting settling of the luc-tagged cells in the sediment layer.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Evaluation of an ACTBP2 ladder composed of 26 sequenced alleles.

A total of 90 alleles found in white Caucasians from North-West Germany were sequenced and 26 alleles chosen to construct a uniform and reliable allelic ladder for the STR system ACTBP2 (SE33). In addition 3 new aspects concerning the sequence structure were observed. Population studies were carried out on white Caucasians (n = 278) from North-West Germany using the new improved ladder. A total of 24 alleles and 14 "interalleles" were found and reproducible results obtained. No significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg-equilibrium could be observed.

Alleles↗
PubMed1995

Observation of null alleles apparently due to deletions.

After examining 2 paternity cases in 17 classical, 4 RFLP and 5 PCR-VNTR systems, isolated pseudo-exclusions were observed in the polymorphism D2S44 (YNH24). In both cases the "exclusions" were due to apparent opposite homozygosity. The application of different restriction enzymes, PCR amplification and varying electrophoretic conditions each led to an equivalent result of a 1-band-pattern with a mismatch between both father/child pairs. From these results the authors conclude that a complete or almost complete loss of the alleles is the most probable explanation.

Alleles↗
PubMed1995

Structure of new mutations in 2 STR systems.

Isolated father/child mismatches in cases with a high probability of paternity (W > 99.9%) have been investigated using short tandem repeat (STR) systems. According to the high probability of paternity new mutations could be assumed in these cases. A new mutation could be observed in 3 cases using the STR system HumACTBP2. Two of these cases showed a deletion and 1 case an insertion of 1 repeat (AAAG-motif) which could be verified by sequencing. In another paternity case a new mutation--1-repeat insertion (TCTA-motif)--in the HumVWA system was detected and verified by sequencing. These findings led to a new mutation rate of 0.7% (n = 453 meioses) for HumACTBP2 and 0.2% for HumVWA (n = 484 meioses).

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Pharmacological modulation of IL-6 and IL-8 secretion by the H1-antagonist decarboethoxy-loratadine and dexamethasone by human mast and basophilic cell lines.

Mast cells and basophils are central effector cells of allergic reactions and are involved in inflammatory diseases. These cell types produce an array of mediators including a broad spectrum of cytokines. In order to examine whether antiallergic drugs modulate the release of these mediators, we have investigated the influence of dexamethasone and decarboethoxy-loratadine (DEL), the active metabolite of the H1-blocking agent loratadine, on the release of IL-6 and IL-8 by the human mast cell line HMC-1 and the human basophilic cell line KU812 by ELISA. Dexamethasone (10(-6)-10(-11) M) or Del (10(-5)-10(-14) M) were added to the cells either 1 h prior to or simultaneously with PMA and Ca-ionophore A23187. When preincubated with the cells, DEL dose-dependently suppressed IL-6 release by up to 40% and IL-8 release by up to 50%. Dexamethasone potently suppressed secretion of both cytokines if simultaneously added to the cells with the stimuli by up to 60% and after preincubation by up to 80%. Since both antihistamines and glucocorticoids are used for treatment of allergic diseases, the findings reported here indicate that these drugs may modulate allergic reactions via inhibition of cytokine release from mast cells and basophils.

Basophils↗
PubMed1995

The microbial flora in venous leg ulcers without clinical signs of infection. Repeated culture using a validated standardised microbiological technique.

The change of ulcer size in relation to the presence of species and quantities of microorganisms was analysed in 58 patients with venous leg ulcers, all without clinical signs of infection. Microbiological samples were taken on the day of inclusion and then repeated 4 times at monthly intervals or until the ulcer had healed or was too small to be cultured from. There was growth of microorganisms in all ulcers, and the numbers were below 10(4) per mm2 of ulcer surface in all cases. No correlation was found between ulcer size change and the species and amounts of microorganisms. Sixty-nine species were isolated. Staphylococcus aureus was found in 88%, Enterococcus faecalis in 74%, Enterobacter cloacae and Peptococcus magnus in 29%, and fungi in 11% of the samples. One or more obligate anaerobe species was found in 41% of the samples and in half of the ulcers and constituted 62% of all bacterial species. The colonising ulcer flora was markedly constant over time in the individual ulcers regardless of change in size. Resident bacterial species were found in 57 of the 58 ulcers. If all samples were considered, the microorganisms were associated with not more than one fifth of the variability in healing rate, as shown by linear multiple regression analysis. The same species of microorganisms were found in ulcers that decreased (or healed) and in those that increased in size. Although an association between the microorganisms and ulcer healing could not be ruled out in this study, there seems to be no indication for routinely performed culture in the absence of clinical signs of infection in venous leg ulcers.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

PCR-VNTRs (PCR-Variable Number of Tandem Repeats) in forensic science.

PCR-VNTRs are important markers for the individualization in forensic science. Before their use in routine case work extensive validation studies such as population genetics, mutation rates and experimental sensitivity studies have to be carried out. Different applications of PCR-VNTRs in stain analysis, even with difficult stain material such as hair shafts and only a few sperm cells are demonstrated. The different extent of sequence heterogeneity in STR systems was verified by Taq-cycle-sequencing. STRs can be divided into systems with a constant (HumTH01), variable (HumVWA) and highly variable (HumACTBP2) sequence structure. As a consequence some STR systems are not only characterized by their length polymorphism, but also by a highly variable sequence polymorphism.

Alleles↗
PubMed1995

[The pedophilic offender--an attempt at perpetrator typology].

The sexual abuse of children represents a remarkable proportion of about 25% of all sexual offences. Data from 20 male pedophilic persons seen at the occasion of forensic psychiatric assessment were analysed. Personality traits as measured by the widely used standardized personality inventar FPI version A1 were dominated by signs of psychic inhibition and altered somatic wellness. Intelligence and education level were usually low. Nine persons (45%) had been already convicted because of the sexual abuse of children aged below 14 years. In stepwise multiple regression analysis including age, educational and social level, tested IQ and the different personality traits (FPI-A1 scales), the number of previous offences was shown to be significantly influenced by the (younger) age of the culprit at the occasion of the sexual child abuse and tendentially also be the (lower) educational level.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

PCR-amplification of D2S44 alleles.

A strategy for PCR-amplification and sequencing of the flanking regions in the polymorphism D2S44 (YNH24) has been developed based on the investigations of Edwards et al. (1991). The flanking regions of the YNH24 probe were successfully amplified and two distinct PCR products with fragment sizes of 180 and 250 bp obtained. After asymmetric PCR and didesoxy-sequencing 60 bp could be determined for every PCR fragment. D2S44-specific primers were constructed which were located at the transition between the flanking and repeat regions. Amplification conditions were optimized using the YNH24 probe, different nuclease S1 concentrations and incubation times. Optimized conditions were applied to the amplification assay of human D2S44 alleles which had been investigated by RFLP analysis.

Alleles↗
PubMed1994

Different types of structural variation in STRs: HumFES/FPS, HumVWA and HumD21S11.

Alleles of the STR systems HumFES/FPS, HumVWA and HumD21S11 were sequenced and analyzed. Sequence data revealed 3 different systems concerning the complexity of their sequence structure. HumFES/FPS belongs to the STR polymorphism with a simple repeat structure. Only 2 subtypes were found with a base substitution in the 5'-flanking region and no variation in the repeat region. In the STR system HumVWA the sequence structure of the repeat region is more complex, because 2 tetranucleotide units TCTA and TCTG were present. Additionally allele 14 revealed a completely different sequence structure leading to a different electrophoretic mobility. The repeat region of HumD21S11 is compound in structure. The possibility of variation at 3 positions leads to the occurrence of microheterogeneities in fragments of apparent length. In the upper allele range alleles arise with an additional incomplete TA-repeat.

Alleles↗
PubMed1994

Locus ACTBP2 (SE33). Sequencing data reveal considerable polymorphism.

A total of 50 different ACTBP2 (human beta-actin related pseudogene) alleles and the cell line K562 were sequenced and analysed. Sequence data revealed not only length polymorphism but also a highly variable sequence polymorphism. 2 different sequence structures were characterised. Type I (223-259bp) contained the known regular 4bp repeat AAAG. Type II (265-309bp) revealed a further hexanucleotide unit AAAAAG in addition to the common AAAG which only occurs once in the repeat region. The position of this insertion showed considerable variation. To obtain a regular spaced allelic ladder 20 of the sequenced alleles were selected. Denaturing gels and high resolution/non-denaturing gels were compared and striking differences could be seen between the 2 gel systems. Separation of the alleles on a 6% denaturing gel and analysis on the ABI 373A Sequencer revealed fragment sizes which corresponded to the sequencing data but were in general 6-10bp longer. In contrast, in non-denaturing gels some alleles showed different electrophoretic mobilities compared to the sequenced allelic ladder which could indicate different fragment length and/or different sequence structure.

Actins↗
PubMed1994

Population data and forensic efficiency values for the STR systems HumVWA, HumMBP and HumFABP.

Population studies were carried out on Caucasians from north-west Germany using the short tandem repeat (STR) systems HumVWA (locus: 12p12-12pter), HumMBP (locus: 18q23-pter) and HumFABP (locus: 4q28-q31). After electrophoresis 9 alleles could be identified for HumVWA in a sample size of 321 unrelated individuals and 4 alleles were found for HumFABP in 106 individuals. For HumMBP-A 10 alleles and for HumMBP-B 7 alleles and 1 intermediate allele were determined in a sample size of 143 individuals. No deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium could be observed. In a small family study (HumVWA-n = 129; HumMBP-n = 59; HumFABP-n = 48) no new mutations could be found for HumMBP-A and HumFABP whereas 2 mutations were found in HumMBP-B and one mutation in HumVWA. Positive results could be obtained from 1 ng-20 pg (HumVWA, HumFABP) and 1 ng-100 pg (HumMBP) template DNA.

Alleles↗
PubMed1994

Fatigue development during electrical stimulation in the masseter muscle of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

Fatigue development was investigated in five adult female rhesus monkeys, 9-11 yr old (mean weight, 4.6 kg). After sedation and anaesthesia, silver electrodes were implanted in the anterior and posterior parts of the right masseter; the contralateral muscle was used as a control. The bite force was monitored. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the central part of the masseter and were immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. After freeze-drying a fluorometric analysis using enzymatic methods for measuring levels of glycogen, glucose, lactate, pyruvate, creatine phosphate, creatine, NADH and NAD was made. The masseters were stimulated for 3 min (100 V, 4 Hz and 2 ms). After a 5-min rest period the stimulation was repeated with the same voltage, frequency and duration. The rhesus monkey masseters were easy to fatigue. After the stimulations 25% of the initial bite force remained. A marked substrate depletion was evident. The precontraction values of glycogen, glucose and phosphocreatine were reduced. The NADH concentration increased and the NAD content decreased. An accumulation of waste products was observed; the pyruvate increased by 92% and the lactate increased by a factor of 3. The substantial substrate depletion in combination with a prominent metabolic waste-product accumulation may induce a decrease in bite-force production.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

The use of contraceptive methods among women seeking a legal abortion.

In a simple random sample study of 404 women 20 to 29 years of age, 201 applying for abortion and 203 continuing their pregnancies, all were interviewed personally and requested to complete a questionnaire. The aim of the study was to analyse the use and experience of contraceptives among the abortion applicants in this age group, and to compare their experience with that of women in a matched control group. The most important reasons given for desisting in the use of contraceptives were the experience of side effects, worry about the side effects, and the "human failure" factor involved even with methods of contraception such as pills, which generally are regarded as safe. This study demonstrates that women living alone without any permanent relationship, having a strained economy or having previously had an abortion, need particular and detailed contraceptive advice plus continued close follow-up. To improve the continuation rate, precise contraception counselling focusing on both positive and adverse effects to reduce worry seems essential.

Abortion Applicants↗
PubMed1994

Basic fibroblast growth factor and steroid receptors in the aging hippocampus of the brown Norway rat: immunocytochemical analysis in combination with stereology.

The effect of aging on the hippocampal formation of the male Brown Norway rat was studied by immunohistochemistry and measurements of the immunoreactive hippocampal cells using stereological techniques. The total estimated number of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) immunoreactive neurons of the CA1-CA2 area did not differ in the 3- and the 36-month-old rat. However, the intensity of the GR immunoreactivity was decreased in the aged animals. A gradual decrease of the immunoreactivity for the mineralocorticoid receptor was also observed in the CA1-CA2 area. In the stratum oriens and the stratum radiatum of the CA1-CA2 area the immunoreactivity for basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) present in the glia was found to be reduced [20,000 +/- 2100 (n = 6)] in the 36-month-old rat vs the 3-month-old rat [28,500 +/- 4500 (n = 4) (*P = 0.05)]. However, there was no difference in the number of glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactive cells of this area in these two age groups. The present findings give evidence that in the Brown Norway rat there is no loss of the neuronal population containing glucocorticoid receptors of the CA1-CA2 area during aging but suggest that aging is characterized by deficits of glially derived growth factors, such as bFGF.

Aging↗